Ancient Paper of Biblical Texts

O.T. Hebrew texts were on vellum, processed animal skins. This was the “parchment” (membranas) Paul wrote Timothy to bring with him: When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments (2Tim. 4.13 ESV). These parchments undoubtedly had to contain O.T. bible texts because of the value of the material, the typical use in … Continue reading Ancient Paper of Biblical Texts

Physical Aspects of Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

The Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134) were songs for the Israeli festival worshippers. All males of that country above the age of Isaac at his redeemed offering (see Gen. 22.1-19), were instructed from God in the Mosaic Covenant to attend, sacrifice, and stand in the special place of God’s presence at the Jerusalem Temple. It was the place God chose the place His Name, and … Continue reading Physical Aspects of Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

The Jerusalem Pilgrimage Road Discoveries

A little over a year ago I walked the Canaanite Tunnel ending at the Pool of Siloam. They are still excavating the road where the stone tablet was found so I couldn’t return up to the Temple Mount by ancient roadway yet. Instead of ascending to street level another underground route was the drainage tunnel that led to the Davidson Center’s Archaeological Park on the … Continue reading The Jerusalem Pilgrimage Road Discoveries

The Second Eve Still Needed Redemption Herself

The early Christians recognized that Mary was the “woman” from Genesis 3.15 who would give birth to the one who would crush the serpent’s head. Centrally, it was not the woman who was to be praised, but her promised seed. Mary was the vessel for the promise to Abraham to be fulfilled: And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Gen. … Continue reading The Second Eve Still Needed Redemption Herself

Using the Things of This World Without Becoming Engrossed by Them

https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2023/06/what-science-is-and-isnt Science is just God’s laws of nature. It’s Him who should be in focus since He also transforms nature as He did in the past and will do so again. Importantly, He can transform mortals into immortals, sinners into saints, the defeated into the unconquerable. Continue reading Using the Things of This World Without Becoming Engrossed by Them

Finding True Hope

Admittedly, I am not confident in my knowledge of eschatology to say “it will happen this way.” I don’t know any credible theologian who claims they have eschatological answers beyond basic ideas about Christ’s return in judgment. Timing is solely in God’s hands as is the sequence. Perhaps it is to be expected that we have revelation without understanding by the example of Daniel in … Continue reading Finding True Hope

Psalm 2 Overview

The writer of Hebrews compares the different glories of God’s workings in history showing the Son is the clearest revelation and superior to angels: For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father” Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” And again, when God brings his firstborn into the … Continue reading Psalm 2 Overview

You Should be a Teacher by Now

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles… Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word (Acts 7.1,4 ESV). It’s abundantly clear, from the practice of the early church, that ordinary Christians spread the message and not their leaders. While Jesus set … Continue reading You Should be a Teacher by Now