When God Commanded Israel to Break His Law
There is an interesting twist, if you’ll pardon the pun, in the tassel command from Numbers 15:38-41 when it is woven (sorry I just can’t stop myself) into the new…
Thoughts Spurred by The Jesus Revolution Movie
I just watched THE JESUS REVOLUTION. Highly recommend it. It gave me a lot to mull over. I grew up in those hippie movement/Jesus movement days, so it all seemed…
101 Most Misunderstood Verses
Biblical Studies
HAGALAH
Inductive Study Methods
Old Testament Studies
Good Tassels Gone Bad
The giving of the tassel to the Israelites in Numbers 15:38-41 is a powerful symbol of God’s love and acceptance, a divine gift to aid them in their struggles against…
A Colored Past to Dye For
I’ll never forget a visit I made many years ago to a full scale temple model with my wife. The woman running the guided tour was just chuck full of……
Why Hassle with a Tassel?
The tassel attached to the Hebrew male’s outer garment is a wonderful example of artifact communication in the Bible. That is, the tassel is an item used in Israel to…
Matthew’s Contest of Kings: Ringside Version
This is Matthew ‘the Taxman’ Apostle, coming to you live and ringside, bringing you blow by blow coverage for this evening’s main event. We’ve got quite a bout for you…
From Corrupt Society to Sacred Community: Isaiah 59 in Acts 2
I love discovering deeper layers of meaning in books and movies than stand out on the surface. I thrill when, having read or watched something on one level, I discover…
The Deity of Jesus in Mark 4 & Acts 1
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. It is not uncommon when teens grow into young adults to mistake their college level introduction to philosophy, theology, science, or even…
A Baptism in Baptism: Version 2
John the Baptist is an important figure in all four gospels. Mark begins with Johnâs baptisms, Luke with the events of his birth, and John weaves him into the prologue…
Jesus and The Failed Gentile Mission: The Prodigal Son in Reflection, Part 2
When Jesus called Peter to become a fisher of men, I seriously doubt he had any thought of the role he would someday play in fulfilling Israelâs sacred mission to…
I’ll Take Allegories and Analogies for 200: The Prodigal Son in Reflection
Jesusâ manifesto in Luke 4:18-19 says: THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO…
Why This Parable?
When trying to understand one of Jesusâ parables, there are four vital questions to answer about it. Letâs go over them. Question #1: What is the nature of the details…
God on god Violence
When going to Bible college, my professors were wont to say that Godâs ten plagues against Egypt were attacks against the gods of Egypt. Did not Yahweh say to Moses…
The Ordeal of the Burning Bush
The story of the burning bush is rather famous among Sunday School aficionados. In fact, in a completely made up nation-wide survey of 5-10 year olds who attended church at…
What Did God Say to Cain?
The story of Cain and Abel is usually heralded as a classic tale of sibling rivalry, hate, and murder. It is a tale of persecution, the godless hating the righteous.…
The Abrahamic Covenant is a Covenant
Oaths are self-curses made before God or gods to establish the trustworthiness of promises or testimony. Oaths were religious tools for securing good faith between potential enemies so that they…
A Tale of Two Pools: Reading John 5 in Light of John 9
Believe it or not, John 5 should be read in light of John 9. If you take John 5 out of the gospel and read it by itself, you will…
Well, I Didn’t See That Coming: Behind the Scenes Footage from John 4
Pst⊠Psst⊠Pssst⊠Hey! You! Come over here, I want to tell you something you wonât believe about John 4. It blew my mind. Doing Old Testament Studies, sometimes you…
The Taxman Cometh: Version 2
If a Bible reader had to nominate some group in Scripture for âMost Hated,â I doubt many would name anyone other than the tax collectors. In fact, tax collectors are…
The Taxman Cometh: Version 1
If a Bible reader had to single out some group in the Bible who seemed particularly despised, I doubt many would name anyone other than the tax collectors. In fact,…