Silencing the Word

The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear,” says Isaiah in one of Holy Week’s most well-known passages (Isa. 50:5). His prophetic words were the result of God waking him up to open his ear “morning by morning” (50:4). False prophets speak their own words because they have closed ears. Isaiah’s open ears were the number-one… Silencing the Word — First Things RSS Feed – Web Exclusives … Continue reading Silencing the Word

Jesus As Political Cynic

In his recent “political life of Jesus,” I Judge No One , David Lloyd Dusenbury makes the arresting claim that Jesus was what we’d call a political realist. Though he didn’t mount a Zealot rebellion, though he urged his followers to pay Caesar’s taxes, Jesus wasn’t apolitical. His keen observations on the ways of the… Jesus As Political Cynic — First Things RSS Feed – Web … Continue reading Jesus As Political Cynic

Were Later Versions of Christianity Radically Different than Earlier Ones?

I think it’s fair to say that the last decade has witnessed a bit of a resurgence of academic interest in early Christianity. By “early Christianity,” I don’t mean the Christianity represented by the major figures in the fourth and fifth centuries when the church had risen to power—e.g., Athanasius, Constantine, Augustine. Rather, I am… Were Later Versions of Christianity Radically Different than Earlier Ones? Reflecting … Continue reading Were Later Versions of Christianity Radically Different than Earlier Ones?

Deconstructing Deconstruction

A prominent Christian magazine recently warned against “deconstruction”—and it sounded pretty bad. “Fire,” “demolition,” and “ashes”—these were the disquieting words associated with “deconstruction.” In fact, deconstruction was linked to so-called exvangelicals and seemed to be simply a trendy new synonym for “apostasy.” Deconstruction, however, is not just de(con)struction. And it isn’t to be avoided at… Deconstructing Deconstruction — ThinkBetter Media Continue reading Deconstructing Deconstruction

No Reminders or Artifacts of Present Earth

However, the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements with intense heat will be dissolved, and the earth and its works will [not] be found. (2Pet. 3.10 my translation.) The primary translation decision of 2Pet. 3.10 involved how to interpret the last clause: the earth and its works will be … Continue reading No Reminders or Artifacts of Present Earth

How Did the N.T. Books Get Their Titles?

It is probably worth mentioning that Paul’s command in Col. 4.16 to have his letter read in neighboring churches was somewhat different than a pure personal correspondence between individuals. The Colossian and Laodicean churches were located on a major trade route (an extension of the Silk Road), and were wealthy (see Rev. 3.17). I think it unusual for them to have circulated the original document … Continue reading How Did the N.T. Books Get Their Titles?

The Divine Name is the Existential Verb: “I Am”

In the O.T. the ‘to be’ verb is the same as the Name God revealed Himself to Abram (Gen. 12.1). The idea seems to be “the self-existing One”, or, “the always existing One,” or, the extended idea that Yahweh is the author of life. In the Book of John, Jesus referred to Himself as “ego eimi:” (“I Am”). He explicitly used the expression to connect … Continue reading The Divine Name is the Existential Verb: “I Am”

Ancient Cush

Our last couple of posts have dealt with Pharaoh Tirhakah, the Cushite (Ethiopian) king of Egypt’s 25th dynasty, and mentioned by name in 2 Kings 19:9, in correction with Judah’s good King Hezekiah, and the Assyrian King Sennacherib. We noted, “In some translations (i.e., NKJV) Tirhakah is said to be king of Ethiopia. “Ethiopia” here refers to […] “I Am Nubian” — Leon’s Message Board Continue reading Ancient Cush

Methodological Naturalism and Divine Inspiration

Here is a post by Craig Carter I believe is helpful. It’s not that I completely ‘buy in’ to all that the Credo guys are saying, because I do have differences with them. I am preparing a post that, I hope, will show addition instead of an either/or formulation that is demanded by some. Nevertheless, this article is agreeable. Methodological Naturalism and Divine Inspiration – … Continue reading Methodological Naturalism and Divine Inspiration