This morning I received an email from a reader overseas. Her daughter is having serious troubles at school, not only with classes but with being honest about her performance. Now that the truth has been discovered, the family is very upset. Our sister, the mother in this family, has asked for prayer for emotional stability…
For God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:5 (my translation) Knowing – Adam opened the door. That’s the way Paul puts it in his letter to the Roman congregation. “As by one man sin…
Romans 13:1-7: An Explanation of Mark Nanos’ Interpretive Proposal Background: Mark Nanos[1] suggests that the letter to the Romans must be read in the context of its cultural and historical setting. He proposes that the real audience of Paul’s letter is Gentiles who have entered the Messianic community in the synagogues in Rome. Consequently, the…
For the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. Deuteronomy 30:14 Do – “Evil is not man’s ultimate problem. Man’s ultimate problem is his relation to God.”[1] We might need to read this line from Heschel a few more times. It underscores the difference…
The first order of Guardian Angel books are arriving today or tomorrow. Apparently my thoughts about using packaging that would let you see the book through the package were a big mistake. The packaging did not stand up in the US Mail. I am sorry about that. If your book was damaged or lost, let…
He that oppresses the poor blasphemes his maker, but he who is gracious unto the needy honors Him. Proverbs 14:31 (translation A. Heschel) Blasphemes – What would you think of someone who curses God? You might be shocked, dismayed or disturbed. Who would do such a thing? You might understand the circumstances that would lead…
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. Genesis 3:7 Naked – Why did Adam and Havvah realize they were naked? Were they in such a joyous stupor prior to eating from the Tree that they just…
The wise in heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will be ruined. Proverbs 10:8 (ESV) Receive – “Without mitzvot one is naked.” So say the rabbis about the necessity of the commandments (mitzvot). Heschel points out that Judaism views the commandments as if they were literal things, as if they could be possessed…
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Romans 13:1 Governing Authorities – Do you have difficulty reconciling this verse with the actual history of the world? Most people do. While theologians go through hoops trying to…
