Biblical Studies

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

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

20 July 2009 Biblical Studies

What then is the external evidence in favor of each reading? The manuscript evidence in support of χάριτι θεοῦ is very strong. The major manuscripts that favor this reading include P46 א A B C D 33 81 330 614 itar,b, comp, d, v vg copsa, bo, fay, as well as others.

Tagged as: hebrews, textual criticism

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 43): 1 John 4:20–21

The Epistles of John (Part 43): 1 John 4:20–21

19 July 2009 Biblical Studies

Again the author is stressing the importance of love. It is by the love that we show to our “brothers” that we will be recognized — not by words, but by the love that we have, the love that we share.

This leads me to two questions:

  • What is meant by “brother” in this passage?
  • What is this type of love that we are talking about?

Tagged as: 1 john

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Thumbnail image for The Psychology of Abraham (Genesis 22)

The Psychology of Abraham (Genesis 22)

16 July 2009 Biblical Studies

When considering Genesis 22, I am most intrigued by the psychology of Abraham. God (Elohim) comes to him and commands that he sacrifice Isaac. Now, Isaac, of course, was the fulfillment of God’s promise. Through Isaac and his offspring Abraham was supposed to be come a great nation. After so many years of waiting and hoping, he and Sarah finally have this promised child. Now, God is asking that Abraham trust him in a rather insane way. How can Abraham possibly do this? What mental hoops must he jump through?

Tagged as: genesis

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 42): 1 John 4:18–19

The Epistles of John (Part 42): 1 John 4:18–19

15 July 2009 Biblical Studies

By telling us why we love, 1 John 4:18–19 sets right the nature of the relationship between humans and God. The difficulty, of course, is the word “fear” which has been an important term in Christianity from the get-go, mostly due to the phrase: “fear of God.” While it is healthy for us to have a certain type of fear (e.g., a reverence or respect for God’s awesome power), it is not healthy for the believer to live in constant fear.

Tagged as: 1 john

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Thumbnail image for Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 1)

Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 1)

13 July 2009 Biblical Studies

Part one of the series “Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace.” Bruce M. Metzger’s A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament explains why the committee behind the text of Nestle-Aland’s Novum Testamentum Graece (NA) and the United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament (UBS) chose one reading over another. However, as Metzger himself admits, given [...]

Tagged as: hebrews, textual criticism

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 41): 1 John 4:16–17

The Epistles of John (Part 41): 1 John 4:16–17

13 July 2009 Biblical Studies

The Day of Judgment is not something that we like to talk about. We look at depictions of it, such as the one by Michelangelo to the right, and are enthralled by the severity of God’s punishment of the wicked. We are appalled by the reality of Hell and the notion that an all-loving God could even conceive of something such as judgment.

Tagged as: 1 john

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Thumbnail image for 7 Jul 2009: John 6:44

7 Jul 2009: John 6:44

7 July 2009 Biblical Studies

As Christians we often put the onus of God’s power on our shoulders without realizing it. We think that it is our job to go out and save the world from all of its evils. I’ve got two things to tell you: (1) We are part of the world’s evil, so good luck saving ourselves, and (2) That’s just not our job.

Tagged as: gospel of john

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 39): 1 John 4:13–14

The Epistles of John (Part 39): 1 John 4:13–14

7 July 2009 Biblical Studies

We have talked at length in this series about abiding in God. We have talked less about how he abides in us. Therefore, I’d like to spend a little time wrapping our minds around this idea to see if we can make sense of it.

Tagged as: 1 john

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