Melchizedek the Divine

It’s probably cool and in fashion in the theological scholarly clique to regard Melchizedek as a true believing Jebusite. By the way, while I highly regard scholarship (some is necessary for sure, though some effective ministers have done without it and learned from God teaching them from the bible-think of Gypsy Smith), in my observation the highest touted scholars have not been whom God has … Continue reading Melchizedek the Divine

Where Are All the Heretical Bishops in the Second Century? — Canon Fodder

I’ve noticed that Michael Bird has recently posted an article on heresy and orthodoxy in early Christianity. From what I can tell (I can’t see the entire article because it’s behind the paywall), he is pushing back against the popular narrative, originally suggested by Walter Bauer in his 1934 book Orthodoxy and Heresy in Earliest… Where Are All the Heretical Bishops in the Second Century? — … Continue reading Where Are All the Heretical Bishops in the Second Century? — Canon Fodder

Faith and Infant Baptism in Augustine and Aquinas — PeterGoeman.com

The historical evidence shows that infant baptism was regularly practiced from at least the 3rd or 4th century until the present day. One of the topics of discussion in the early church was how baptism could be an expression of faith when infants are not capable of expressing their own faith. Of particular importance in… Faith and Infant Baptism in Augustine and Aquinas — PeterGoeman.com Continue reading Faith and Infant Baptism in Augustine and Aquinas — PeterGoeman.com

John 1.17-Why Wasn’t Grace and Truth Communicated in the Mosaic Covenant?

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The primary purpose of Moses’ Law was to reveal sin and guilt and thus, was not gracious (Rom. 7.7). The aspect of truth to which John refers in our verse speaks to the fulfillment of all the mere figures presented in Moses’ sacrificial system. Previously in 1.14, John describes how the … Continue reading John 1.17-Why Wasn’t Grace and Truth Communicated in the Mosaic Covenant?

Learning from Speaking and Writing

When You Feel About Your Work Like Calvin Felt About His… | Zwinglius Redivivus When You Feel About Your Work Like Calvin Felt About His… | Zwinglius Redivivus Learning does not only come from hearing and reading. As a person shares their faith addition instruction is also sometimes, if not most of the time, achieved. This is the primary reason I blog. I do not … Continue reading Learning from Speaking and Writing

The Incarnation Was the Eternal Son’s Addition Not Subtraction

Christians are free to celebrate the anticipation of Christmas Day how they want. I have never really lit candles representing Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace but certainly don’t mind others doing so providing that they, hopefully in some way, think of the incarnation every day. That’s how I like to think of Christmas and Easter, not only on their accepted calendar dates. Initially, Advent referred … Continue reading The Incarnation Was the Eternal Son’s Addition Not Subtraction

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herodians

“Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” (Mk. 8.15 NIV) “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Mt. 16.6 NIV) Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Mt.16.12 NIV) … Continue reading The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herodians

Modern Manuscript Sleuths

Here is an example of detective work applied to a biblical manuscript. The video is a fascinating example of sleuthing just published Nov. 2021. Enjoy! At the SBL Annual Meeting in San Diego I gave a presentation on Archaic Mark (GA 2427), “tying up some loose ends.” This paper was originally slotted for another day, but since the session was turned into a virtual one … Continue reading Modern Manuscript Sleuths

Salt Becoming Foolish-More Evidence: Luke 14.28-35

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go … Continue reading Salt Becoming Foolish-More Evidence: Luke 14.28-35

The Non-Salvific Benefits of Common Grace — PeterGoeman.com

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged (Jn. 16.8-11 ESV). Until I read this article, I was going to develop this section in Jn. 16 and … Continue reading The Non-Salvific Benefits of Common Grace — PeterGoeman.com

The Context of The Parable of The Good Samaritan Misunderstood

The most important aspect, I believe, of the account of the expert of the Mosaic Law asking Jesus point blank what one needed for eternal life most Christians miss. I just surveyed five sermons by good Evangelicals and they all missed this important point. Granted, they all gave other points and drew lessons from the parable of The Good Samaritan which were admirable and relevant. … Continue reading The Context of The Parable of The Good Samaritan Misunderstood

Jesus was Correct in Naming Abiathar as High Priest-Mk. 2.26

He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” (Mk. 2.25-6 NIV) But only you and your sons may serve as priests … Continue reading Jesus was Correct in Naming Abiathar as High Priest-Mk. 2.26

The Physical Aspect of the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5.1, Lk. 6.17)

Not a single artist, that I have witnessed, has accurately reproduced the scene of the Sermon on the Mount (or Plain). This maybe not a big deal to most readers but, I believe, it illustrates how readers often miss fine points that are clearly in the text. Some might even come to the bible and think a contradiction occurs between “mountain” and “plain.” However, by … Continue reading The Physical Aspect of the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5.1, Lk. 6.17)

Adam as Mediator

Your First Father Sinned and Your Mediator Rebelled Against Me (Is. 43.27 my translation) Tucked into Isaiah 43, God reminds the transgressors in Israel that the head of the human race fell from original innocence, and therefore Adam’s progeny inherited his sin and guilt. Most English versions translate this verse differently but without warrant. For example, the NET, ESV, and NIV all render the second … Continue reading Adam as Mediator

You Thought the “I Am” was Altogether Like You-Ps. 50.21

When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you. (Ps. 50.21 NIV) To the superficial religious folks of Asaph’s day a judgment was soon to arrive. To regard God as just an enhanced version of oneself is the typical view of those who know not God. In reality, … Continue reading You Thought the “I Am” was Altogether Like You-Ps. 50.21

Top Ten Discoveries Related to Joshua and the Conquest

Originally posted on Bible Archaeology Report:
The books of Joshua and Judges describe the settlement of the Israelites in the Promised Land. Some have suggested the archaeological evidence does not support the biblical description of the conquest of Canaan in the 15th century BC1. This can be based on a faulty reading of the biblical text, expecting widespread destruction throughout the region and instantaneous new… Continue reading Top Ten Discoveries Related to Joshua and the Conquest

Jacob and His Family’s Complexities — Thoughts on Scripture

Genesis 46’s presentation of Jacob’s family tree is a remarkable composition. One of its lists contains an unusual sub-total, which is typically dismissed as an artefact of incompatible traditions, yet is clearly no accident. Its purpose is to draw us into the text and to prompt us to consider its many numerical properties, which embody… Jacob and His Family’s Complexities — Thoughts on Scripture Continue reading Jacob and His Family’s Complexities — Thoughts on Scripture

Everybody Knows the Secret, Everybody Knows the Score

Presence of the Lord By Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood I have finally found a way to live just like I never could beforeI know that I don’t have much to give, but I can open any doorEverybody knows the secret, everybody knows the scoreYeah, yeah, yeah, yeahI have finally found a way to live in the colour of the Lord I have finally found … Continue reading Everybody Knows the Secret, Everybody Knows the Score

All Who Came Before Me were Thieves and Robbers-Jn. 10.8

Many folks are confused by this statement of Jesus in Jn. 10.8. Reading only the Old Testament, readers are puzzled by the reference that it somehow cites biblical characters. The solution to this designation of “robbers” is to see Jesus pointing to the politicos found in the time between the Testaments. Here is a podcast previewing an upcoming publication, by George Athas, which deals with … Continue reading All Who Came Before Me were Thieves and Robbers-Jn. 10.8