Heschel and Hari

“Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well for me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.”  Genesis 12:13  NASB You are my sister – Justifying a paradigm usually means adjusting evidence to fit the assumptions.  Scriptural defense of the doctrine of the Trinity is an…

Law vs. Law

So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.  Romans 7:12 NASB Law – Why is the Law holy?  Before you answer, consider the radical difference between the Greco-Roman view of Law and the Semitic biblical view of Law.  Christine Hays offers some insight: “Divine law can be minimally…

The Problem—Solved? (4)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Romans 3:23-24 NASB Sinned – Paul (Sha’ul) grew up in the rabbinic tradition. He considered himself a strict adherent to Torah. That means he knows hatta’t and…

The Will to Believe

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4  NASB Walk – I got an email.  “It is certainly not your responsibility to help me but…

Body of Lies

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, . . Galatians 5:19 Impurity – The Greek is akatharsia. This word comes from kathairo (we derive the English “catharsis”). Here Paul makes it a negative, so the meaning is “not cleansed”. The background of katharos is ritual cleansing. It is not…

Why Go To School?

But now that faith has come, you are no longer under a tutor.  Galatians 3:25 Tutor – Aside from the fact that education in some countries is compulsory, why would you want to go to school?  Do you spend your time in school only to occupy your day?  Do you feel as though you are…

The Emotional Mind

Recently several people have come to me asking about the existence of God.  They want to know if there are any arguments that are convincing enough to make them believe.  They want me to demonstrate to their satisfaction that the Bible must be true.  While I am capable of taking them through detailed discussions of…