Tag: Ancient Near East

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

Getting out the Pagan Within Part 1: A Biblical Theology of I Samuel 15:27-31

April 23, 2019 Andrew Sargent

Even a brief scan of 1 Samuel 15 should be enough to perplex the average reader. Here YHWH commands Samuel to command Saul to utterly destroy a people called the…

Bible Backgrounds Old Testament Studies

Did God Invent Covenant?

April 22, 2019 Andrew Sargent

So you are reading a prophetic vision story in the Bible, perhaps say, 1 Kings 22:19ff, and God appears sitting on a heavenly throne. Have you ever asked yourself the…

Bible Backgrounds Biblical Studies Biblical Theology Inductive Study Methods

Historical History & the Little Scholar Who Could

April 12, 2019 Andrew Sargent

One of the benefits of a being raised in a blue collar environment and receiving academic training is that I tend to experience the full force of learning. This means…

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…

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…

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 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…

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 Language Issues Biblical Studies

Yet 3 More Reasons Every Christian Leader Should Learn Biblical Languages

July 3, 2017 Andrew Sargent

I don’t know about you, but I am constantly bombarded by “helpful” suggestions about all the things I ought to be doing about my health, my work, my family, my…

Biblical Studies Biblical Theology Inductive Study Methods Old Testament Studies

Passion and Awe in Psalm 8

June 28, 2017 Andrew Sargent

When reading biblical poetry, one must learn to connect with the poem on more than one level. While it is important to carefully define the Hebrew words being employed in…

Biblical Language Issues Biblical Studies

Another 3 Reasons Every Christian Leader Should Learn Biblical Languages

June 23, 2017 Andrew Sargent

Don’t allow self-defensive thoughts like, “So, everything I’ve done for X years was a misguided waste?” “So, I’m not good enough?” “So! You think I can’t properly interpret the Scriptures…

Biblical Language Issues Biblical Studies

3 Reasons Every Christian Leader Should Learn Biblical Languages

June 16, 2017 Andrew Sargent

I realize that the second someone makes a statement like, “Every Christian leader should learn biblical languages,” feelings of condemnation erupt. “So, everything I’ve done for X years was a…

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 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…