A Crash Course in Covenant Cutting: The Structures
Okay, so let’s get one thing straight; covenant is a genre. In fact, covenant is a genre with several sub-genres. (I’ll discuss sub-genres in another post.) This means that covenant…
Putting a Ring on It: The Holy Spirit, Baptism & Covenant
Joseph Bonham, M.A. is today’s guest blogger. Joseph has his own blog called the Biblical Bean, linked below. In addition to a Bachelors in Biblical Studies, he holds a master…
Government is a Gun: Bloomberg’s Heavenly ascent in Perspective
Those of us who do their best to follow the happenings on the political front are no strangers to the name Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City. Some…
Bible Backgrounds
Biblical Language Issues
Biblical Studies
Biblical Theology
HAGALAH
Old Testament Studies
Freeze! This is the Covenant!
We’ve been discussing some important points about Covenant both in Scripture and in the ancient world. So, if you’ve been following my string of posts on Covenant, here are our…
Rainbow Sprinkles, Political Vision & The Transgender Bathroom Controversy
I can hardly believe that we are, today, having to argue FOR the right of young girls to use public restrooms, gym changing rooms and school showers without having their…
A Crash Course in Covenant Cutting: The Essence of Covenant
Since we live in a contractual world, not a covenantal world, a crash course in biblical era covenant cutting is in order. Now, don’t get me wrong, we still have…
Dead Men Walking: What Will You Steal For a Little More Time?
Guess what. You are already dead… you just haven’t stop moving around yet. You might finish your life’s journey today or a year from now, or 100 years from now,…
Stumbling Stones Among Us
Some Scriptures cause me pain, especially when held in tension with others… seemingly conflicting ideas pulling at the soul, demanding wisdom… and let’s face it, wisdom can be exhausting. It’s…
Jesus, Blank Checks, and Getting a Clue: “Whatever You Ask in My Name” in John
John 14:13 says “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do…” I have to admit, I find this very exciting… No, dizzying! A Jet Ski! I’ve always wanted…
Biblical Language Issues
Biblical Theology
Communication
Inductive Study Methods
Meeting the Jesus of Mark
New Testament Studies
Beginning Mark with Beginning: Is there New Creation in Mark 1:1?
Some words require a serious amount of cultural packaging to define… (A Technical Term is not just a different Word; it’s a different World.) …such as our past discussion on…
Weasel Words & the Domination of Public Narrative
Words have a lot more than just a definition. Words have associations. Words have rich emotional content. That emotional content is a powerful tool in communication. Choosing the right word…
Should a Christian Get a Tattoo?
Angel, from Pune India, asked: Is getting a tattoo on the body against Scripture? Good question. There are health concerns and there are social concerns… but are there major religious…
All Things Being Equal, Nothing is Equal
Let’s make one basic point. Equality is both an essential truth and a complete fallacy. “Now, wait a minute, Bub. Equality is the bedrock of our nation… the most noble…
Should Christians be Patriotic?
Should Christians be patriotic? Great question, I’m glad you asked. The best answer I can give up front is, “What do you mean by patriotic?” Definition is always the best…
Leading from Here to Where?: Content and Method in Leadership & Discipleship
Okay, call me old school, tell me that I just don’t get what today’s busy Christian wants from his leaders, but I am a tad concerned about a growing trend…
That Not So Elusive Poverty
In a recent post, “Worst Nelson Mandela Quote Ever,” I proposed that one of Mandela’s most famous quotes about poverty exemplifies a disastrous understanding of reality, particularly for a political…
Reinventing the Family Wheel
The great audacity of the modern prevailing worldview is the idea that progress and independence from personal restraint are virtues to be cultivated at almost any cost. Each generation tends…
Let’s put the X back in Xmas
I am not sure how many of you already know this, but I love Xmas… not just Christmas, but Xmas. I think we should all love Xmas. You see, ink…
Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
I received an email this week from one of my students in India. She wanted to know if I could give her a biblical defense for celebrating Christmas. I said…
Question about Job 1:4: What does “every one his day” imply?
Question: Job 1:4 – Is there a majority scholarly agreement with regards to what “every one his day” means? What is “his day”? I was always under the impression that…