From the category archives:

Biblical Studies

Thumbnail image for Turn:Serve:Wait :: Faith:Love:Hope

Turn:Serve:Wait :: Faith:Love:Hope

28 December 2009 Biblical Studies

Yesterday, Jack Wisdom preached a challenging sermon at Ecclesia. With his usual comedic bravado and bluster, Jack laid out Paul’s situation and the situation of Thessaloniki at the time of the writing of 1 Thessalonians. He then looked at 1 Thessalonians 1:2–10, focusing on three action verbs found in vv. 9 and 10: ἐπιστρέφω, δουλεύω, ἀναμένω — turn, serve, wait.

Tagged as: 1 thessalonians, bible, ecclesia, faith, hope, jack wisdom, love, New Testament, paul

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From Ambiguity to Multiplicity

26 December 2009 Biblical Studies

In a previous post, I talked about the virtues of ambiguity. There I expounded our attraction to the unknown and how that unknown or unknowability causes us to continue to explore. As I read Westphal, I realize, however, that when it comes to interpreting the Word of God, many of us become scared of the unknown. We feel that the Bible should have a plain-sense, cut-and-dry interpretation and we should be able to know what it all means.

Isn’t this nonsense?

Tagged as: ambiguity, bible, hermeneutics, interpretation, multiplicity, Reviews, Westphal

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Thumbnail image for Christian High School Bible Curriculum: A Proposal

Christian High School Bible Curriculum: A Proposal

20 November 2009 Biblical Studies

In a recent conversation with a friend, I started to dream about what a truly excellent high school Religious Studies curriculum might look like for a (somewhat) ecumenical Christian high school.
After some poking and prodding, this is what I came up with. I think it’s interesting enough to post here. If you happen to steal [...]

Tagged as: bible, Education, religious studies

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Thumbnail image for Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 5)

Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 5)

10 August 2009 Biblical Studies

Part five of the series “Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace.”

Before considering Origen’s citations, however, let us review the methodological considerations relevant to the use of “patristic” citations. One of the issues associated with using patristic citations as text-critical evidence involves the notion of quotation in the ancient world. Those who seek to use patristic evidence must adequately address a host of issues in order to deem those citations useful.

Tagged as: hebrews, textual criticism

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Thumbnail image for The Wretched Beauty of Scripture

The Wretched Beauty of Scripture

4 August 2009 Biblical Studies

We often refer to Scripture as “The Word of God” or more simply “The Word.” Here we have a tome that contains within it the very Word of God, the Word from John 1, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. However, like Jesus who took on the trappings of man, took on the limitations of humanity, humbling himself in order to make himself more accessible to us, Scripture too has been humbled so that we can understand it.

Tagged as: bible, gospel of john, Scripture

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Thumbnail image for “The Living God” :: Now and Then

“The Living God” :: Now and Then

3 August 2009 Biblical Studies

I find it interesting that throughout the Bible, God is referred to as “The Living God.” For example, in Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas are preaching in Lystra. After Paul miraculously heals a crippled man, the townspeople begin referring to him as Hermes and to Barnabas as Zeus. The priests of the temple of Zeus in that town bring gifts to sacrifice to their gods. Paul, of course, is incensed.

Tagged as: acts, bible, culture, god

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Thumbnail image for Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 4)

Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 4)

3 August 2009 Biblical Studies

χωρίς has a claim to originality based on a number of internal criteria. While it is less common than χάρις in the New Testament, it is actually more common than χάρις in Hebrews.

Tagged as: hebrews, textual criticism

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 45): 1 John 5:2-3

The Epistles of John (Part 45): 1 John 5:2-3

1 August 2009 Biblical Studies

Some may read this, growl at their screens, and say, “Nuh uh! What is all of this business about commandments? I thought that we were interested in community and fellowship.” It’s true, I really think that the heart of God, as expressed in 1 John is about two things: community and idolatry (we’ll see idolatry especially in the final sentence of the epistle). However, part of that community and part of avoiding idolatry is obedience, willfully submitting to the commands that he has written on our hearts.

Tagged as: 1 john

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Thumbnail image for Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 3)

Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 3)

27 July 2009 Biblical Studies

When we turn to internal evidence, however, the argument no longer favors χάριτι; indeed, as Bart Ehrman has argued regarding χωρίς, “there can be no doubt concerning the superiority of this poorly attested variant.” This certainty can be illustrated best if we assume the priority of one variant and then attempt to explain how it was altered or corrupted into the other.

Tagged as: hebrews, textual criticism

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 44): 1 John 5:1

The Epistles of John (Part 44): 1 John 5:1

25 July 2009 Biblical Studies

The author here is interested in community and in community he sees family. When we confess that Jesus is Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One, King, Liberator, Savior, etc.) we are “born of God.” This is a powerful statement. God is taking us under his wing, so to speak.

Tagged as: 1 john

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