Category: Biblical Studies

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Bible Backgrounds Biblical Studies HAGALAH Inductive Study Methods NT's Use of the OT Old Testament Studies

So, a Donkey and an Ox Wander into a Parallel: Exodus 23:3-6

May 28, 2018 Andrew Sargent

To the Hebrews context mattered a good deal. Our own struggles to understand the use to which some New Testament writers put certain Old Testament texts may make us doubt…

Bible Backgrounds Biblical Language Issues Biblical Studies Inductive Study Methods Meeting the Jesus of Mark New Testament Studies NT's Use of the OT

Technical Terms We Only Think We Understand: Gospel in Mark 1:1

May 25, 2018 Andrew Sargent

There are many bingo phrases that Christian’s throw around at church that I am convinced they barely understand. If you ask them what their favorite terms mean, you will, more…

Biblical Studies Biblical Theology Inductive Study Methods Meeting the Jesus of Mark New Testament Studies NT's Use of the OT

Jesus had an Identity Crisis: Christ & Son of God in Mark 1:1

May 21, 2018 Andrew Sargent

I had a professor once, gifted in languages, but not in relationships. He could not only read more than his fair share of languages even for a scholar, but he…

Bible Backgrounds New Testament Studies Old Testament Studies Uncategorized

Fun with Mourning: The Disconnected Roots of Biblical Mourning Rituals

May 16, 2018 Andrew Sargent

The late questionably great comedian Andy Kaufman, apart from his iconic role as Latka on Taxi, spent his days devising comedy routines that played the audience for fools. His manager…

Bible Backgrounds Communication Society

“Inconceivable!” When Old Words and New Meanings Meet in Bible Study

May 14, 2018 Scott Woodlee

Today is a guest post by Scott A. Woodlee, pastor of Franklin Alliance Church (in Franklin, PA) and a contributor with Biblical Literacy Ministries. In the movie The Princess Bride…

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

Fearsome Holiness

May 2, 2018 Andrew Sargent

Though appearing over 1000x in Scripture, HOLY is a tricky notion to express in modern secular communities. Few raised in the modern western tradition today have the proper mental and…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Bible Backgrounds New Testament Studies Old Testament Studies

Lordy, Lordy, Look What’s Forty

April 28, 2018 Andrew Sargent

Maybe it’s just me, but a lot of uber-Evangelicals seem kind of nervous. Maybe its from watching too many horror movies, but I tend to doubt it. Now, I am…

Biblical Studies Inductive Study Methods Meeting the Jesus of Mark

Literary Relationships are Hard, but it’s Better than being Alone

April 27, 2018 Andrew Sargent

One of the things that separates us from the animals, other than our smashing good looks, is the ability to use sound to form words and to use words to…

HAGALAH Inductive Study Methods Old Testament Studies

One is the Loneliest Isaian Authorship theory that You’ll Ever Do: A Great Reason to Read Isaiah as the Work of One Prophet

April 25, 2018 Andrew Sargent

Years ago, during my first Master’s degree, I spent on-again off-again bouts of time considering the relationship of the two stories in the middle of Isaiah to the material that…

Biblical Studies HAGALAH Old Testament Studies

How Many Hats Can One Prophet Wear?—A 2nd Reason to Reconsider Multiple Isaiah Theories

April 23, 2018 Andrew Sargent

I always wanted a mentor when I was young. I was hungry for truth and hungry for the Scriptures, but had the misfortune to find myself in a church that…

Bible Backgrounds Old Testament Studies

1 Reason I Think the Double Isaiah Vision Needs Corrective Lenses

April 20, 2018 Andrew Sargent

One of the things I’ve learned about debate is that you can present powerful, yet, utterly false arguments for almost any position you choose to take. Debate is not about…

Biblical Studies Inductive Study Methods Meeting the Jesus of Mark New Testament Studies

Mark 1:1 Makes No Sentence at All

April 18, 2018 Andrew Sargent

Look at Mark 1:1… look reeeeeaaaaal close and careful. It reads in the ESV, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Seems simple enough. A…

Biblical Studies Old Testament Studies

A Handy Dandy Summary of the Major Reasons for Supporting the Incorrect Two Isaiah Theory

April 16, 2018 Andrew Sargent

Have you ever heard about the 2 Isaiah theory? If not you won’t have heard of the 3 Isaiah theory or the 4 Isaiah theory… so we’ll just generalize with…

Biblical Studies Biblical Theology HAGALAH Inductive Study Methods Meeting the Jesus of Mark

Induction… not just for Science Nerds Anymore

April 13, 2018 Andrew Sargent

When I speak of “Doing Biblical Theology” I intend the use of an arsenal of tools for ascertaining the intended theological message of a biblical unit of literature. I just…

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

A Crazy Proposal About Jesus and the Woman at the Well

April 11, 2018 Andrew Sargent

Okay, as promised, this is the last post on the popular type-scene “Foreigner at the Well.” I hope it will be rewarding enough to warrant a gander. No, you don’t…

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

Saul Loses the Girl and Gains a Doomed Throne

April 6, 2018 Andrew Sargent

In recent posts, I’ve been considering biblical variations on the type-scene, “Foreigner at the Well.” Perhaps you are tired of reading about it… you have been reading about it haven’t…

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

What’s Good for the Gander is Good for the Goose: “The Foreigner at the Well” in Ruth

April 4, 2018 Andrew Sargent

In recent blogs, I’ve been considering the alluring and powerfully theological type-scene “Foreigner at the Well.” It is common for people to develop in their entertainment of any form typical…

101 Most Misunderstood Verses Biblical Studies Biblical Theology HAGALAH Old Testament Studies

I’ll Have One “Foreigner at the Well” with a Twist

March 30, 2018 Andrew Sargent

In my recent post, “Wells: The Singles’ Bars of the Ancient Near East,”—I just call ‘em like I see ‘em Folks! Don’t judge me—I discussed the beauty of the ancient…

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

Wells: The Singles’ Bars of the Ancient Near East

March 28, 2018 Andrew Sargent

One of my great-uncles, a true good-ol’boy from west Texas, once said to my great-grandmother, “Mamma, it’s hard to find a good woman like you out there.” She replied, “There…

Biblical Studies Biblical Theology Old Testament Studies Society Theology

Progressives Don’t Want to Help the Poor to escape Poverty—Entitlement Programs aren’t Charity or Charitable

March 21, 2018 Andrew Sargent

One of the frustrations I face as a biblical theologian is the confusion that biblical laws regarding the poor cause Christians who cannot tell the difference between charity and entitlement…