These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Exodus 1:1 ESV The names – What is the name of this book in the Bible? If you read a Bible based on Christian traditions, the name will be “Exodus.” But if you read the Tanakh,…
Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. Psalm 2:8 NASB Your – Bear with me today. This is a bit academic but incredibly important. What is the context of this verse? Who is speaking? To whom is the promise addressed? What do the words mean?…
But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; Romans 9:6 NASB Descended – Isn’t it nice that the NASB glossed the Greek text so that it fits our politics. The Greek is literally, “not all who are out of Israel…
“I tell you, something greater than the Temple is here.” Matthew 12:6 ESV Something greater – In footnote to a discussion of this event, Marc Turnage makes an incredible important observation. It’s worth citing in full: Many interpreters of Matthew 12:6 assume that, when Jesus spoke about “something greater than the temple,” He referred to…
Anti-Semitism is coming back. Read this story from USA Today. CLICK HERE
“Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;” Acts 21:23 NASB Do this – If you are still struggling with Paul’s view of the Torah, try reading the story in Acts 21. James’ instructions to Paul should settle the issue once and for all. Let’s recap. When…
In his book, The Origins of Anti-Semitism, John Gager (Princeton University) provides evidence that has important implications for our understanding of the early years of Christianity. Let me offer some citations and then summarize them. On historical methodology: “The status of the New Testament as Christian scripture creates a tendency to read it as if it…
