Category: Biblical Studies

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.…

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…

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…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Biblical Language Issues Biblical Theology Old Testament Studies

The Great HE in Isaiah 44:18: Does God Keep People from Repenting?

July 29, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Who is the grand “HE” in Isaiah 44:18. Of Idol makers and Idol worshipers, Isaiah says, “They do not know; they do not understand because he plastered over their eyes…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Biblical Studies Biblical Theology Old Testament Studies

Drama and Ditty in Isaiah 28:1-13

July 27, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Isaiah 28:10 is one of those verses that people love to use as a tagline to add a feeling of dedicated, diligent, and trustworthy study of Scripture in their endeavors,…

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

Getting out the Pagan Within Part 5: The Significance of the Central Saying—A Biblical Theology of I Samuel 15:27-31

July 25, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Samuel’s speech to Saul in 1 Samuel 15:28-29 contains an important theological message for both Saul and the reader. It’s meaning, however, has been concealed within rather strange cultural practices…

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

Psst…. Yahweh Doesn’t Mean “I AM”

July 18, 2016 Andrew Sargent

In a place like the world of the Bible where people were given names like “Festive” (2 Samuel 3:4~ Haggith), “Hot” (Genesis 10:1 Ham), and “Wild Goat” (Nehemiah 7:58~Jaala), you…

New Testament Studies Society

Rubber Ball Follies: A Lesson in Discernment

June 24, 2016 Andrew Sargent

The painful lessons of life make the deepest impact on our delicate, and yet ever so dull, minds when we are children. Indeed, I’ve come to refer to pain as…

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

Body Parts, Wives and Other Stuff in 1st Thessalonians 4:4

June 20, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Let’s consider three different translations for 1 Thessalonians 4:4 in context. Paul uses a figure of speech that has many people scratching their heads. The King James takes a rather…

Bible Backgrounds New Testament Studies NT's Use of the OT Old Testament Studies

A Crash Course in Covenant Cutting: The Types

June 13, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Covenant is a Genre based on the concept that the Holy is actively involved in the affairs of Man, Holding Men to their oaths. Men call upon the gods to…

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

Getting out the Pagan Within Part 6: A Biblical Theology of I Samuel 15:27-31 in Context

June 3, 2016 Andrew Sargent

In our last few posts on 1 Samuel 15:27-31, we attempted to unpack the text in context in order to draw out of it, the narrator’s intended theological message… i.e.…

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

Getting out the Pagan Within Part 4: The Sanctimonious Serenades of Saul—A Biblical Theology of I Samuel 15:27-31

May 30, 2016 Andrew Sargent

So far, we have considered 1 Samuel 15 from a different angles. We have discovered how serious Saul’s sin is. A sin akin to defiling the Ark of the Covenant…

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

Getting out the Pagan Within Part 3: The Sense of Snatching Samuel’s Skirt—A Biblical Theology of I Samuel 15:27-31

May 27, 2016 Andrew Sargent

We are looking at the divine condemnation of Saul’s dynasty in 1 Samuel 15, having already considered the seriousness of the sin which lead directly to it. In the midst…

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

Getting out the Pagan Within Part 2: The Seriousness of Saul’s Sin —A Biblical Theology of I Samuel 15:27-31

May 25, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Okay, Saul goofed. He failed to perfectly enacts a rather brutal command to exterminate another people group. It’s hard to get our modern hearts around this too much. We aren’t…

Biblical Studies Biblical Theology HAGALAH NT's Use of the OT Old Testament Studies

This Little Light of Mine: Life in the Presence of a Consuming Fire

April 29, 2016 Andrew Sargent

Even though I specialize in Old Testament Studies and interpretive methodology, I still find certain areas of study quite difficult to unravel. The world of the Old Testament has many…