The Jews who rejected the Messiah set up their new religion apart from and in rejection to the signs God gave as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. The words of Amos probably refer to this time: The Lord has sworn by himself, the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget anything they have done…The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a … Continue reading The Better Plea: “Give Me Jesus and the Apostles”
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before (NLT) In the case of choosing an English translation that reflects what the Greek text says, the New Living Translation does a good job rendering 1Thess. 4.11. Of course evaluating translations can only be done on a case-by-case basis. However, it … Continue reading Aspiring to The Quiet Life-1Thess. 4.11
Summary: Two rare coins dating back to the Jewish revolts call into question the Roman narrative that all Jewish communities north of Jerusalem were completely destroyed and uninhabited after AD 73. So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them,… Jewish Revolt Coins Rewrite Roman History — Patterns of Evidence Continue reading History is Written by the Conquerors-and Only Questioned Later by Archeology
Even though I have posted viewpoints from sources enamored with Thomas Aquinas, I have strong reservations about most of what he says. I view Thomas as deeply flawed for the most part. Not every repost that I share on this site has my full support in all aspects. It’s Worth Remembering, Aquinas Was Thoroughly Catholic – YouTube Continue reading Don’t Swim the Tiber
No matter how organized your files, its good to have back-up that doesn’t depend on battery power or connectivity. Even more, dedication to knowing God’s word internally, brings understanding and helps correlate other biblical writings during reading seamlessly, and, in an organic way. Here are some interesting tips and methods some have used to aid recall. I have stored up your word in my heart … Continue reading The Internal Data Storage Library-Memorization Techniques
In Levant archeology, one way to determine if the habitation in border areas in question was Israeli or Philistine, is to sift the finds for pig bones. Israel habitations, overwhelmingly kept Kosher, and lack the evidence of pig use. Another distinction of Israeli habitations is plain decoration. This relates to not making images of animals or persons either in drawing or statuary, since, it opened … Continue reading Jewish Decorative Selection
There is no good reason not to believe that Paul wrote Titus and 1&2 Timothy. Yet, some scholars, on the basis of the size and pagination of very early codices, conclude that the pastorals were not included in collections of Paul’s writings. It seems that the production of books (codices) were commissioned by people or churches who had the means to have them constructed. In … Continue reading Paul’s Pastoral Epistles
Logic is simply the science of reasoning and argumentation. In essence, the study of logic is concerned with inferences: what conclusions we should—or shouldn’t—draw from one or more premises (initial assumptions or claims). Logic distinguishes between good inferences (i.e., reliable forms of reasoning) and bad inferences (i.e., flawed forms of reasoning). James Anderson – How is Logic Evidence for God? Continue reading Logic Transcends Materiality
This clear explication by Mark Jones shows the bigger picture of the purpose of God in Christ. For me, it has resolved some outstanding issues of the Trinity. The Triunity of God has always been revealed from the first pages of scripture (Gen. 1.2 – the Spirit, Ge. 2.4-Yahweh God). It is on the basis of Christ that God will judge the world: Moreover, the … Continue reading The Revelation of God in Christ-Mark Jones
Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!—For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal;Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way;But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day. Art … Continue reading A Psalm of Life
Here is a nice write up of historical evidence of Daniel and his text (the book of “Daniel” in the bible). I firmly support the 6th c. BCE timeframe of both the miraculous history and prophecies of the book. In addition to the following reblogged post, I add two of my own lines of evidence for Daniel’s authenticity. 1. Jesus would not have referenced Daniel … Continue reading Top Ten Discoveries Related to the Book of Daniel
Through the valleys of Israel there is a major commercial trade route, the Via Maris. Not so much in operation today, this ancient route has been throwing up new archeological discoveries in recent years which seem to point towards an intersection between Jews and Christians. It doesn’t take much to stumble across priceless artifacts when digging in… Ancient Ways of Judaism and Jesus Told by Archaeology — ONE … Continue reading Ancient Ways of Judaism and Jesus Told by Archaeology
This article will review the key development stages of Rabbinic Judaism and the Oral Law based on latest research. Please notice: This article is an excerpt taken by permission of the newly released book “Rabbinic Judaism Debunked: Debunking the myth of Rabbinic Oral Law (Second Edition, Revised and Expanded)” (by Dr. Eitan Bar and Dr.… Rabbinic Judaism 101: Extensive Introduction — ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry Continue reading Rabbinic Judaism 101: Extensive Introduction
Welcome to Ask the Prof! In the Ask the Prof video series Dr. Daniel B. Wallace will answer questions that we at CSNTM receive the most. We will post an Ask the Prof video about once a month on the Colophon blog. If you’d like to receive Ask the Prof videos as soon as we… Ask the Prof: What is a “critical text” of the Greek … Continue reading What is a “Critical Text” of the Greek New Testament?
The qualifier: “without cause” against a brother Christian is probably Jesus’ command in The Sermon on the Mount. Montoro: Preferring the Longer Reading at Matthew 5:21-22 — Evangelical Textual Criticism Continue reading Preferring the Longer Reading at Matthew 5:21-22
All modifications of, or departures from, classical theism are really modifications of, or departures from, the Protestant confessions. Ironically, many “Reformed Baptists,” such as James White, who proclaim their allegiance to the Second London Confession of 1689, do not teach it faithfully. They appear not to understand what the Confession means when it says that God is “without body, parts, or passions.” (2LBC 2.1) This … Continue reading Craig A. Carter’s Retrieval of “The Great Tradition”
Within this metaphysic, the cosmos pulsates with life and meaning. Creation is good because it is formed in the good mind of the all-good God. The material universe is not good despite its physical form; its physical form is itself good. But its physical form does not exhaust its essence. The cosmos means more than it is. The Tragedy of Chronological Snobbery – Credo Magazine Continue reading Christian-Platonism or Hegelianism?
Jean (John) Calvin was a pastor who struggled against much opposition. His remedy was to look for the Return of Christ and have the love of Christ in his heart as the means to faithfully lead his flock. He commends these two qualities for those seeking the pastoral office. John Calvin: The Struggling Pastor’s Best Friend Continue reading Calvin was Not a Cold, Ivory-Tower Systematizer
In focusing on the identity of the First Mover as “He who is,” the existent One, opens up a philosophy that can argue creation ex nihilo and a doctrine of providence, specifically on the ground that the One in whom there is no real distinction between essence and existence can know the essences of potential things and confer existence. Misrepresenting Aquinas with Prejudice — Credo Magazine Continue reading Muller’s Defense of Aquinas’ Use of Ex. 3.14
A Prayer Model The Lord’s Prayer is a model for us. It’s not the only prayer that we ever pray, and Jesus is not telling his disciples (or telling us), You just have to say this one prayer with these words. It’s a very short prayer, but it really is a model. And it helps us… The Lord’s Prayer Teaches Us How to Pray Every Other Prayer … Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer Teaches Us How to Pray Every Other Prayer
1Cor. 13.12-13a speaks about the Christian’s hope: For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love (NIV). Mirrors, in ancient times, were not very good at revealing an image. Water in … Continue reading How Often Do You Think About Heaven?
It was fitting for God, from whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the Prince of their salvation through suffering. (Heb. 2.10) Jesus is the eternal creator through whom the Father enlivens fallen creatures. Jesus took on flesh, lived among men for 33 years and never once broke any Mosaic Law. After all, He … Continue reading Perfection (Completion) Through Suffering
Knowing the Hebrew notations can determine interpretation, and thus, meaning. The Extraordinary Hebrew Text behind Your English Bible Continue reading The Notations of The Masoretic Text
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth (Jn 4.24 NIV) is what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well who sought from Him living water. Of course, since the material and spiritual rulers were created by Him and for Him (see Col. 1.16), He could enter the physical realm and appear in various forms to His people … Continue reading The Divine Advance of Redeeming Materiality: The Incarnation
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