August, 2016 - Biblical Literacy

We’ve been discussing the puzzle of David’s assault on Goliath, whether David hit Goliath in the head or the leg, given that the Hebrew terms for forehead and grieve are…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Bible Backgrounds Biblical Studies HAGALAH Inductive Study Methods Old Testament Studies

Re-imagining David and Goliath—Slings of Outrageous Proportion

August 29, 2016 Andrew Sargent

In our last David and Goliath post, we considered the puzzle regarding David’s defeat of Goliath. The place where David struck Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:49 is the same Hebrew…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Bible Backgrounds Biblical Language Issues Biblical Theology HAGALAH Inductive Study Methods Old Testament Studies

Re-imagining David and Goliath: Foreheads, Legs, and Sling Stones

August 26, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Imagination has a good deal to do with how the story of David & Goliath is used in modern times, even among scholars and in commentaries. Given its status as…

Biblical Language Issues

12 Quick Reasons Why Christian Leaders Should Learn Biblical Languages

August 24, 2016 Andrew Sargent

If you consider yourself a leader in the church, whether pastor or lay leader, you should seriously consider taking the plunge to learn biblical languages. It is easier than you…

Society

Can Men and Women be Friends?: The Friend Zone as Danger Zone

August 22, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Can men and women be friends? Of course men and women can be friends… so long as one defines the term friend properly. The real question is, can men and…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Biblical Studies New Testament Studies NT's Use of the OT Old Testament Studies

A Tongue Lashing over Tongues

August 19, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Let’s face it, the Corinthian church was a mess. They remind me of the struggles of frontier ministers, like Peter Cartwright, who once beat the crud out of some hecklers,…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Biblical Language Issues Old Testament Studies

An Argument for Flexible Interpretation in Isaiah 44:18

August 17, 2016 Andrew Sargent

The identity of “HE” in Isaiah 44:18 is in the end a mystery, but the question itself and the journey that results from the pursuit of an answer is invaluable.…

Ethics Society

Why I don’t Read Christian Fiction

August 15, 2016 Andrew Sargent

I don’t read Christian fiction. As an Old Testament scholar, I have an affinity with message in story and, like many of the investigators in my favorite novels, I enjoy…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Biblical Language Issues NT's Use of the OT Old Testament Studies

Who Put the Us in Genesis?

August 12, 2016 Andrew Sargent

In Genesis 1:26, we find, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 3:22 reads, “Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has…

Ethics Society

God Hates Divorce, But Should We?

August 10, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Living, as Americans, in a culture of divorce makes any dialogue on divorce and the Christian difficult. Indeed, any teaching set forward on divorce and remarriage will no longer be…

Society Theology

Parts is Parts: Compartmentalization & Holistic Christianity

August 8, 2016 Andrew Sargent

“You are attempting the impossible,” the Dean said to me in 1992. “You can’t get a PhD, be a husband, father, and employee. If you manage to get the degree,…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Bible Backgrounds Biblical Language Issues Old Testament Studies

Becoming Like our Idols in Isaiah 44:18

August 8, 2016 Andrew Sargent

We’ve been considering the identity of the grand “HE” in Isaiah 44:18. Speaking of those who make and worship idols, Isaiah says, “They do not know; they do not understand…

Biblical Theology Old Testament Studies Society

And Justice for All: The Theological Thrust of Psalm 82

August 5, 2016 Andrew Sargent

I’ve been asked to preach Psalm 82 in a couple weeks. I was a bit wary at first. The text is rife with scholarly controversy and I was uncertain that…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Biblical Language Issues HAGALAH Old Testament Studies

God, Idols and the Human Heart in Isaiah 44:18

August 5, 2016 Andrew Sargent

In our last post on Isaiah 44:18, “Why Is It So Hard to Translate Isaiah 44:18?” we posited the translation “They do not know; they do not understand because he…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Bible Backgrounds Biblical Studies Biblical Theology Inductive Study Methods Old Testament Studies Theology

Take My Daughters, Please!—The Righteous Offering of Lot’s Daughters

August 3, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Yes, you read that title correctly, but don’t throw stones, yet. There are things to be discovered in this event that our modern gender issues, word meanings and culture may…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Biblical Language Issues

Why Is It So Hard to Translate Isaiah 44:18?

August 1, 2016 Andrew Sargent

I will never understand why it is so hard to get a good translation of Isaiah 44:18. (Actually, I do understand, but that wouldn’t have made such a catchy first…

Re-imagining David and Goliath—Hey Big Boy?