I’ll Have One “Foreigner at the Well” with a Twist
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
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…
What I Mean by Biblical Theology
How hard could it possibly be to find agreement on the meaning of a phrase as simple as biblical theology? In truth… harder than I’d like. Biblical theology is not,…
Bible Reading is Cross-cultural Communication
Communication at its most basic is the use of symbols to affect the understanding of another. The symbols at a communicator’s disposal are both verbal and non-verbal. Verbal tools are…
An Additional 3 Reasons Every Christian Leader Should Learn Biblical Languages
If you still aren’t convinced that learning biblical languages is worth the effort and time it will take to learn them (which is not as much as you imagine), I’ll…
5 Ways to Avoid Miscommunication
Let’s be honest, when you understand what communication is at its roots, you’ll realize that you cannot avoid miscommunication… not altogether. It takes two to tango (That’s what my betters…
Yet 3 More Reasons Every Christian Leader Should Learn Biblical Languages
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…
Passion and Awe in Psalm 8
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…
Learning How Communication Works, So You Can Work it Better
A centipede was happy – quite!Until a toad in funSaid, “Pray, which leg moves after which?”This raised her doubts to such a pitch,She fell exhausted in the ditchNot knowing how…
Another 3 Reasons Every Christian Leader Should Learn Biblical Languages
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…
A Biblical Theologian in a Systematic Theology World
When I passed inspection for receiving my ministerial license, the individual responsible for my review spread out, like a row of piano keys, the many pages of answers I gave…
10 Things You Need to Know About Hebrew Poetry
Poetry, by definition, is usually regarded as distinct from another category of writing called Prose. To express it simply, Prose is normal writing. It reflects the speech patterns of typical…
3 Reasons Every Christian Leader Should Learn Biblical Languages
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…
101 Most Misunderstood Verses
Bible Backgrounds
Biblical Studies
Biblical Theology
HAGALAH
New Testament Studies
NT's Use of the OT
Old Testament Studies
Nazarenes, Rednecks, and Other Well-meaning Slurs
I love puzzles, always have. Growing up, I saw puzzles of all kinds as a natural exercise of my desire to be a detective someday, tracing out subtle clues to…
101 Most Misunderstood Verses
Bible Backgrounds
Biblical Language Issues
Biblical Studies
Biblical Theology
HAGALAH
Inductive Study Methods
Old Testament Studies
The Unseemly Assumptions about Samson
Today we have a guest Blogger. John Donnelly, Biblical Literacy Ministries Educator, Church Planter, Part-year missionary to India. John has a Master’s in Old Testament Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary…
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…
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…
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…