I cam across this text this morning in my daily reading. Here’s the version from the NETS: Psalm 96.3–5 3 Declare his glory among the nations, among all the peoples his marvelous works, 4 because great is the Lord and very much praiseworthy; he is terrible to all the gods, 5 because all the gods Read more about Are the Gods of the Nations Demons or Mere Idols?[…]
Steven Nemes adheres to a phenomenological approach to constructing Christian theology. This means that he doggedly insists on employing “natural” language to interpret scripture. Check out his explanation of how this hermeneutic works: “Edmund Husserl in his early works emphasized that the only principle of inquiry is to talk about a thing as that thing Read more about Phenomenological Hermeneutics and Restorationism[…]
Last time in our series on sin, we focused our attention solely on guilt. Is Adam’s guilt imputed to all humanity such that at birth we are condemned? This time we will turn our attention to corruption. Are babies born corrupted? If so, how vitiated are we? We’ll consider three main positions on this question Read more about Are we born with a morally corrupt nature? (Sin 2)[…]
Last Sunday I preached on “Original Sin” at Living Hope Community Church. In that sermon, I commented at length on the original sin of Adam and Eve from Genesis 2&3 and then went to Romans 5.12-21 to show how their sin affected humanity. In my treatment of the topic, I didn’t get a chance to Read more about Are we born guilty of Adam’s sin? (Sin 1)[…]
Have you heard of Scholars Version (SV) of the Gospels? It’s a translation pioneered by Greek expert Robert Funk in 1988 that has continued through several revisions through 2010. The SV of John 1 is particularly interesting, since they interpret λογος (logos) as God’s “word and wisdom” rather than a person distinguishable from God himself. Read more about A New Translation of John 1[…]
So, I’ve been cancelled. In my last post, I pushed back against William Varner’s claims that 2 Clement 1.1 provides evidence for the Trinity prior to Nicea. This post was getting a good amount of attention already when I posted a link to it in the facebook group “Nerdy Biblical Language Majors” (NBLM), which has Read more about If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Cancel ‘Em[…]
At the 2021 Greek & Hebrew for Life Conference, William Varner of The Master’s University asserted that one reason why New Testament scholars and students should care about and study the Apostolic Fathers is because they provide evidence for the Trinity prior to Nicea. He mentioned a professor, “one of our own,” who claimed the Read more about A Response to William Varner’s Claim that 2 Clement 1.1 Proves the Trinity Existed Prior to Nicea[…]
We live in a challenging and draining time. The stock market is at a record high while many small businesses have closed permanently and those that remain are stymied by short staffing. Inflation is on the rise, supply shortages abound, and real-estate prices have skyrocketed. Additionally, societal problems continue to plague us from mass shootings Read more about Salt & Light[…]
At least seven times throughout the Bible, God says that He is a jealous God.1 Sadly, it’s easy to misunderstand and stumble over the idea of God’s jealousy as Oprah Winfrey did when she heard about it in church. She said: “I happened to be sitting in church in my late twenties, and I was Read more about Is God Jealous?[…]
Genesis 1.26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” This passage Read more about Who Is the “Us” in Genesis 1.26 according to Michael Heiser?[…]
A woman driving on a bridge spots a man standing on the edge, getting ready to jump. Pulling over, she jumps out of the car and shouts, “Stop!” The man turns and says, “Why should I?” The lady asks, “Are you religious?” “Yes,” the man replies. “Me too. Are you Christian?” she asks. “Yes.” Walking Read more about The Power of Unity in a Polarized Time[…]
Leviticus is one of the strangest and most intriguing books of the Bible. More than a few well-intended folks trying to follow a read-the-Bible-in-a-year plan have perished trying to cross the vast terrain of Leviticus with its seemingly endless details about the long lobe of the liver in a sacrifice or the rules about beasts Read more about Dangerous Holiness[…]
Freeze the scene. The knife gleams in the blinding sun. Lifted high above his head, his hand firmly grips the handle, knuckles bulging. His eyes, open, are intensely focused on the object of his aim. Isaac bound, looks up in fear, knowing his father has made up his mind. A little further out a ram Read more about Abraham’s Audacious Faith[…]
Over the last few months, our society has focused a great deal on racism, especially with respect to African Americans. Although our present issue is complex and polarizing, what the Bible teaches on this subject is straightforward and clear. Let us begin with creation itself. Genesis 1:12, 20, 2512 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants Read more about The Bible vs. Racism[…]
Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man more than any other title in the Gospels. Though this title was most familiar to Jesus, nevertheless it remains the most obscure to modern readers. Opinions vary on just what Jesus meant by calling himself the Son of Man. Some believe the title refers to an Read more about Jesus, the Son of Man[…]
Anxiety is on the rise in America. Anxiety disorders afflict an astounding 40 million adults in the United States today according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Keeping in mind that these include only those with official diagnoses. The actual number of those vexed by chronic anxiety is likely much higher. Beyond these Read more about Facing Anxiety[…]
Driving off road in northwest Kenya is an exciting though challenging experience. The car bounces so much I’m afraid I’m going to hit my head on the ceiling. Once we even had to get out to lighten our little white Mazda so it could climb over boulders without scraping the bottom too much. In one Read more about Reflections on My Trip to Kenya[…]
Countless hospitals across the nation bear the name “Good Samaritan,” all a tribute to Jesus’ masterful parable about the injured traveler. So ubiquitous is this story that it has become a cliché to call someone who helps another “a good Samaritan.” Yet, as with so many sayings of Jesus, the more popular it became, the Read more about Good Samaritan[…]
Unbelievers often criticize Christianity because of how it takes away personal freedoms. If I agree to follow Jesus, then I can no longer do as I please; I’m no longer free. Christians limit sex to marriage. They don’t party. Their book won’t let them express themselves without worrying about “corrupt communication.” I’m sure you’ve come Read more about Does Christianity Limit Personal Freedom?[…]
This is part 6 of a series of posts called, “Identifying and Subverting Cultural Narratives.” Consumerism capitalizes on the thrill of buying something new even when you don’t need it. In order to keep people buying, advertisers craft penetrating messages to inspire dissatisfaction or fear that buying their product or service can assuage. Consumers must Read more about Consumerism[…]
This is part 5 of a series of posts called, “Identifying and Subverting Cultural Narratives.” Scientism is the idea that the kind of knowledge gained from the scientific method is superior to all other means of acquiring knowledge if there are any other legitimate means. Scientism exalts empirical data and analysis over intuition, logic, emotion, Read more about Scientism[…]
This is part 4 of a series of posts called, “Identifying and Subverting Cultural Narratives.” Over the course of time, humanity has made incredible progress. Slavery was once a widespread and accepted institution, but it is almost universally outlawed today. Workers’ rights, including child labor and equal opportunity employment, have made great strides in the Read more about Progressivism[…]
When is the last time you had a non-Christian over for dinner? Although the bible repeatedly tells us to show hospitality to the stranger, we rarely apply that to those outside the household of faith. However, if you think of hospitality as a way to develop friendships with unbelievers and live out your Christianity authentically Read more about Hospitality and Evangelism[…]
This is part 3 of a series of posts called, “Identifying and Subverting Cultural Narratives.” Tolerance is the idea that everyone should have the freedom to be themselves. You shouldn’t try to change people or hold them to your standards. You certainly shouldn’t push your religion on others. Religion is a private matter, so proselytizing Read more about Tolerance[…]
This is part 2 of a series of posts called, “Identifying and Subverting Cultural Narratives.” Read part one here. In my last post, “Seeing the Filter,” I considered how the culture is constantly nudging our sense of normal, scripting and re-scripting what we think will make us safe and happy. The world puts filters over Read more about Hyper-Individualism[…]
This is part 1 of a series of posts called, “Identifying and Subverting Cultural Narratives.” Last week I learned how to surf at Jacksonville Beach in Florida. While I was in the ocean, I constantly battled the waves pushing me towards the beach and the undertow pulling me back towards the sea. However, it was Read more about Seeing the Filter[…]
This is part six of a series of posts called Habits of a Disciple. It was a warm sunny day when Sal, Jaired, and I went to Washington Park in Albany looking for someone to talk to about the gospel. It was Sal’s turn. He had watched me talk to some folks, but now he Read more about Habits of a Disciple: Evangelism[…]
This is part five of a series of posts called Habits of a Disciple. As I stood on the sidewalk, relieved that the heat of the summer day had finally passed, the sounds and sights of the street washed over my senses like a tidal wave over a levee. Everywhere people were spilling out onto Read more about Habits of a Disciple: Fellowship[…]
This is part four of a series of posts called Habits of a Disciple. I used to wait tables at Long Horn Steakhouse when I was going to the Atlanta Bible College. It was a great job for a lot of reasons. In particular it taught me about service. You see, my title was “server.” Read more about Habits of a Disciple: Serving[…]
This is part three of a series of posts called Habits of a Disciple. There’s something humbling about asking for help. Think of a stubborn man who refuses to ask for directions, though he’s completely lost. Why does he persist? Why doesn’t he pull into some gas station and get help? I suppose it is Read more about Habits of a Disciple: Prayer and Fasting[…]
This is part two of a series of posts called Habits of a Disciple. Today the entire bible is available in 554 languages. Over forty writers contributed to it over 1,500 years. It is the most accessible book in the world today with countless websites, apps, and paper copies available absolutely free. All of this Read more about Habits of a Disciple: Scripture Reading[…]
This is part one of a series of posts called Habits of a Disciple. Imagine an alien observing a man walking his dog from outer space. The dog leaves the house first followed by a rope attached to a man carrying a plastic bag. The dog leads the man down the road until it has Read more about Habits of a Disciple: Introduction[…]