The words of the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written: Acts 15:15 NASB Agree – When you read this statement from the Jerusalem Council, what do you think it means? Do you think that the Council members claimed that what they determined to be the proper action toward Gentiles was already found in…
In relation to the gospel they are enemies on your account, but in relation to God’s choice they are beloved on account of the fathers; Romans 11:28 NASB Enemies – Paula Fredriksen is a recognized scholar. Her work on Paul’s apocalyptic message is powerful. But occasionally one must check the claims of even world-renowned authors. In her book, Sin: The Early…
Just some basic reminders that are particularly important to me today. “Prayer is an ontological necessity.”[1] “Prayer is disclosing or at least preventing irreversible concealing.”[2] “Prayer is pleading with God to come out of the depths.”[3] “A soul without prayer is a soul without a home.”[4] “As my prayers, so is my understanding.”[5] “The world…
Mankind in its splendor, yet without understanding, is like the animals that perish. Psalm 49:20 NASB Without understanding – In a Gallup poll in 2017, 86% of Americans said that they believe God exists. Apparently His existence has almost nothing to do with how they behave. Church attendance continues to drop. Atheism is on the rise for the first…
Though while he lives he congratulates himself—and though people praise you when you do well for yourself—he will go to the generation of his fathers; they will never see the light. Psalm 49:18-19 NASB The generation of his fathers – Do you recall the investigation into verse 15, the verse that apparently suggests an afterlife? We discovered that the idea…
Do not be afraid when a person becomes rich, when the splendor of his house is increased; For when he dies, he will take nothing with him; his wealth will not descend after him. Psalm 49:16-17 NASB Do not be afraid – Does this seem odd to you? We would have expected “Do not be envious” or “Do not…
But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me. Selah Psalm 49:15 NASB Receive – If the Tanakh really doesn’t have a clear concept of Heaven, then what can this verse mean? Doesn’t it imply that there is redemption from Sheol? Doesn’t it suggest that God “saves” us from the eternity…
Like sheep they sink down to Sheol; Death will be their shepherd; and the upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form shall be for Sheol to consume, so that they have no lofty home. Psalm 49:14 NASB Death will be their shepherd – Could there be any more chilling fate of the foolish? Psalm 23…
This is the way of those who are foolish, and of those after them who approve their words. Selah Psalm 49:13 NASB Approve – When is agreement an obvious mistake? According to this psalm, when it aligns with the choices of the foolish. Ah, but Hebrew has three words translated “fool,” and they don’t all mean the same…
But man in his splendor will not endure; he is like the animals that perish. Psalm 49:12 NASB Animals – Do dogs go to heaven? What about cats? Do animals have a “soul”? At one point in human history, such questions caused considerable debate. However, it seems that the Bible makes a significant distinction between animals and humans—except…
