The Character of Barnabas by Mithun Borde
Question: How do you think the newly formed church thrived in the face of persecution and prospered spiritually in spite of the martyrdom of Stephen and James? First Answer: The…
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…
A Baptism in Baptism: Version 2
John the Baptist is an important figure in all four gospels. Mark begins with Johnās baptisms, Luke with the events of his birth, and John weaves him into the prologue…
God on god Violence
When going to Bible college, my professors were wont to say that Godās 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
Pstā¦ Psstā¦ Pssstā¦ Hey! You! Come over here, I want to tell you something you wonāt 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 āMost Hated,ā 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,…
Matthew’s Contest of Kings: The Bout Version
This Christmas, I refuse to stoke my own superior minded ego by telling you all the things we Christians get wrong about the visit of the Magiā¦ how they donāt…
Happy New Creation
Happy New Years!!! Whoopdeedoo! The calendar went back to January 1st, alert the media, break out the fireworks, dance in the streetsā¦ with coats and mittens. Why do we make…
Matthew’s Christmas Bells
One of my favorite things to study in the Bible is the New Testamentās use of the Old Testament. I say USE because the New Testament writers do many things…
Let God Idolize You? Thoughts on the Meaning of Man as Image of God
Genesis 1:27 single handedly lays down one of the most important and diverse theological concepts in all of Scripture. It says, āSo God created man in his own image, in…
Sense in the Serpent
I am quite interested in the work of those who investigate the details of the Genesis creation stories along scientific lines. I wholly support any honest study of the possibilities…