***NEW: Hebrews: Chapter 11 (4/19/25)
***NEW: Re-mastered MP3s of Hebrews: 1-6; SR 1-5; CT 1-7
[posted 4/26/25]
**Please check out the wonderful, new re-mastering of MP3 files now in process through the good offices of Chris B. and the generosity of Angel H.: MP3 Audio Files Re-mastered. The Satanic Rebellion series now full and complete (sample: SR 2: The Genesis Gap)!
Question #1:
Thanks Doc.
I'm doing well, l going through your writings and email exchanges, they really
do keep me informed. Thanks for Hebrews, I will be checking it . You have done a
massive work which has kept a lot of us busy even those you never heard from. I
know when someone is teaching the language of ichthys though they don't show up
but do it behind the scenes, well done!
On a side note, is the language of the book of Job in mentioning the beasts and
the starry /constellation arrangements just imagery or real things and creatures
are in picture here? Someone was showing me a lot of animals and dragons in a
night sky to prove the pictures in the book of Job, and you know what! If you
look intently in the sky, those pictures start to show! Very funny. But what is
the purpose if true then? Job 9:9. Cults have taken it too far .
Yours in the Lord Jesus.
Response #1:
Good to hear back from you, my friend! And thanks for the update and
report – very interesting.
As to the book of Job, it depends what passages you mean. Some
constellations are mentioned, but which ones is a question of
interpretation. In any case, we still today talk about Ursa Major and
Minor without thinking they actually have anything to do with bears;
it's just a descriptive name.
In terms of Leviathan and Behemoth, these represent crocodiles and
hippopotamuses respectively; the language is poetic (the book of Job is
mostly all poetry rather than prose although it reads like prose in most
translations), and poetry makes use of imagery and figures of speech we
don't use in prose. Here's one recent post where I explain some of that
(at
the link). So when Job talks of "smoke from the nostrils", in prose
we would say "LIKE smoke", but in poetry there is "poetic license"
(compare the description of our Lord by David in Psalm 18:8 ff.).
To your point, cults take everything too far – and make up whatever else
they want to fulfill their diabolical purposes. It goes without saying
that there is no basis whatever for astrology (see
the link).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Robert,
What are your thoughts on Job? The book seems oddly placed and contains thoughts
right from the start that are out of place.
Also the fact that Satan was allowed in among the Holy angels, which is not
allowed anywhere else. And that God offers Job up (though he knew he wouldn't
fail).
The book seems out of place.
Response #2:
A very important book! One really can't have the proper perspective on
Christian suffering without reading and understanding Job.
I'll give you some links below.
In terms of "oddly placed", if you mean its order in the English Bible,
that is based upon western tradition; in the Hebrew order (also a
tradition) it follows Psalms (which follows Malachi). Because of the
history of the ordering of the books, what I can say in a nutshell about
that is that one can't draw any particularly helpful conclusions from
the order.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down."
Revelation 12:10 NIV
As is evident from the passage above and elsewhere in scripture, this
statement about the devil's access to the third heaven is not at all
unique to Job. That access will not be cut off until the above casting
out of heaven takes place in the middle of the Tribulation. God has
worked things out this way for a reason, namely, the prosecution of the
"appeal" of Satan, so to speak, which human history constitutes
(this is all detailed in
the Satanic Rebellion series; see also the link:
"The Accuser Thrown Down" in CT 4).
As is often the case in reading scripture and, even more to the point,
interpreting scripture, the more one does and the deeper one gets, the
more such difficulties resolve, and the principle that every word of
scripture is important and jibes with every other becomes more and more
clear. Yes, God knew that even Job had his breaking point, but he
endured faithfully the loss of everything including his health. It was
only the false accusations of his "friends" that eventually tripped him
up. A good lesson there: we should care what God thinks; not what people
say. Job was restored and lauded by the Lord in the end. We are blessed
to have this book and if we remember its lessons, we will be less likely
to immediately shout, "Why me?!" whenever trouble comes around.
Here are some links:
Three questions about the book of Job
The Book of Job and Christian Suffering
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Hello Bob,
How are you carrying on this rather glum Sunday? I attended a church forum this
morning at 9:00, an informational session about the presence of the Episcopal
Church in Palestine. It’s part of a 6-Sunday offering. Then I attended the
church service afterwards.
In my Bible study class, we were focusing on Zephaniah this past Thursday, and
there is no question that I am the person least acquainted with the Bible.
(Consequently, I think get more out of our sessions than anyone else who
attends.) But I was struck by the graphics on the page—the fact that the verses
seem to be in poetry—and are more lengthy than in other chapters of the Bible. I
asked if there was a poetic form that my English translation was based on, and
the leader didn’t know (and he’s quite knowledgeable and helpful usually—he
prepares very carefully). So can you enlighten me if I’m reading a translation
of verses in poetry? Is there a meter the ‘lines’ are based on? Is there a
stanzaic template?)
My best,
Response #3:
As to Zephaniah, yes, it is poetry, as much (most) of Hebrew prophecy is. Hebrew poetry is different from the Classical Latin and English poetry with which you are familiar in that there is no recognized meter per se. There is a general AB AB or AB BA apposition of meaning and rough equivalence of length of cola, but despite massive efforts to codify this in the 19th century, we just have to accept that it's not as constrained as what we in Classics are familiar with. What is common is the use of different, more expressive and even archaic vocabulary, figures of speech and various other aspects of poetic diction, just as you would find in Latin or Greek. Cf. Zeph.1:8-10:
“On the day of the LORD’s sacrifice
I will punish the officials and the king’s sons
and all those clad in foreign clothes.
“On that day I will punish all who avoid stepping on the threshold,
who fill the temple of their gods with violence and deceit.
“On that day,” declares the LORD, “a cry will go up from the Fish Gate,
wailing from the New Quarter,
and a loud crash from the hills.”
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Hello Dr. Luginbill
___ asked me a question that puzzled me. She had read her German Bible
at least 30 times and she asked me this question this morning. In 1
Chronicles 10, in verse 4, it says Saul "fell on his sword" and died. Is
this not suicide?
Then in 1 Chronicles 10, verses 13-14, especially in Verse 14, it says:
"and did not inquire of the LORD. Therefore He [God?] killed him".
This seems to be a contradiction, but I know it is not. But can you
please explain this.
Thanks always for your superior help, prayers, and support.
Your friend,
Response #4:
No problem, my friend. Scripture often describes the true motive force
behind some act as the cause, even if indirect means are used. Saul only
"fell on his sword" because he was in a hopeless situation, a situation
for which he was responsible but which God brought about, resulting in
his death.
Here's a very similar parallel:
And [David] wrote in the letter, saying, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.” So it was, while Joab besieged the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew there were valiant men. Then the men of the city came out and fought with Joab. And some of the people of the servants of David fell; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
2nd Samuel 11:15-17 NKJV
So the Ammonites killed Uriah – but David was responsible.
"Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon."
2nd Samuel 12:9 NKJV
"You killed" and "with the sword of the
people of Ammon". So we could say that the Lord killed Saul . . . with
his own sword by his own hand.
It is a comfort to know that the Lord knows the exact motives of all and
the ultimate responsibility for all acts in this world – as only a
perfect Judge could. We will always get justice from Him. Best to stay
on the good side of that perfect judgment.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.
1st Corinthians 4:5 NKJV
See the link: in Hebrews chapter 4,
"The Judge of our Hearts' Thoughts and Intents"
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #5:
[question about 2nd Samuel materials]
Response #5:
I've never covered 2nd Samuel as a book, but here are some links which might be helpful (and there is more than a better chance that the topics which come up in these chapters might be discussed somewhere at Ichthys):
David as role model for believers today
David's divine discipline for murdering Uriah
David's time in the wilderness as a Tribulation analogy
Was David son number seven or eight?
Hope this helps!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Good morning brother. I was in a discussion with a dear friend, and we
talked a bit about deception and illusion of satan. What are your
thoughts on 1 Samuel 28 and the witch of Endor?
I hope this message finds you well.
Response #6:
Good to hear from you, my friend.
The devil does of course engage in all manner of deceptions, and in the
near future these will be so impressive that they would "deceive even
the elect – if that were possible (it is not)" (Matt.24:24; Mk.13:22;
cf. Rev.13:14; 16:14; 19:20). But that was not what was going on at Endor.
Long story short, the appearance of Samuel to Saul at Endor was not a
deception – which explains why the medium was so shocked. For the first
time in her experience, God actually caused someone – Samuel – to
appear. This miracle was specifically to reprove Saul in an exceptional
way (such a thing had never happened before and it's never happened
since).
For the details, please have a look at the following links:
Yes, it was Samuel in 1st Samuel 28
Was Saul saved? Samuel and the Witch of Endor
The Witch of Endor and the Spirit of Samuel
Spiritual Warfare II (the witch of Endor)
Eternal Security and Perseverance (the case of Saul)
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Good morning sir.
A friend and I are going through II Samuel and there is a difference
between my (NASB) and his (NKJV) translations. In II Samuel 12:31 and
also in the parallel 1 Chronicles 20:3, my version reads as though David
either tortures or puts to death the Ammonites from the captured Rabbah,
and his reads quite plainly in both verses that they were put to forced
labor. My limited research is inconclusive at this time.
Could you please clear this up, if there may be one translation that is
more accurate in this account?
Thanks very much,
Response #7:
The key parts of the two verses are virtually identical in the Hebrew
with the exception of the main verb which, in the Masoretic text, is
sur in 1st Chronicles 20:3 and sum in 2nd Samuel 12:31. In
other words, it's the difference of a single letter, whether the correct
reading is the verb ending in resh ('r') or samech ('s').
In the old Hebrew script, moreover, these letters can potentially be
confused (if the stem of the resh were obscured or smudged it
could look like a samech and if there were a smudge or fiber on
the samech it could look like a resh). There are other
reasons for potential transcription error here too, so I don't think we
can make a safe guess based upon the orthography.
In terms of meaning, this also could go either way. On the one hand, the
Israelites were told to completely obliterate the peoples living in
Canaan so that a partial elimination of the population of a hostile
neighbor might seem likely. So that if it were really "put to work with"
rather than "cut with", the sense might have tricked the scribe into
seeing it the latter way. On the other hand, it is also possible that if
the correct answer were "cut", the one doing the copying might not have
thought of things that way and "put [to work]" might have occurred to
him as right so that he missed the correct spelling.
The "brick-making" part of the translation in 2nd Samuel 12:31 is
another issue (KJV: "and made them pass through the brick-kiln"). This
could also go either way if the malbeyn is a place where the
executions could have taken place rather than a work place. There is
good reason to suppose (in analyzing the form and comparing ancient
translations) that "set them to brick-making" rather than, "made them
pass through the brick-kiln" is more likely correct.
However, we may compare what David did do to the Moabites after
defeating them:
David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.
2nd Samuel 2:8 NIV
I am of the opinion that "put to work" with these instruments is the
correct reading here, because if David was intent on eliminating some of
the population, he would have done so with the sword, most likely, not
with "saws, picks and axes". Although it is true that it's hard to see
how exactly these tools would have been useful in that particular
occupation.
Hope this helps. I'm not prepared to be dogmatic either way. The books
of Samuel, I might add, are the mostly "textually challenged" in the
entire Old Testament – meaning that they have more issues which are the
result of ancient errors in transcription than any other books. We can
usually figure them out with confidence. Here what we can say is that
David made the Ammonites pay a steep price for their disgracing of his
ambassadors and for their calling in of all those Aramaic mercenaries,
whether that price included executions or forced labor. And that
everything we have in scripture suggests that this penalty was
appropriate (whatever it was specifically).
Good bibliography on this subject: S.R. Driver, Notes on the Hebrew text
of the books of Samuel (available on Internet Archive).
Finally, it's good to notice that even in these very few cases where the
exact interpretation of a passage of scripture is at issue, 1) the
difference is not earthshaking; 2) with proper application of scholarly
methodology a good solution can almost always be found; 3) compared to
any other text from the ancient world, scripture is the "cleanest" – so
that these occasional "problems" really only go a long way toward
proving the Bible's essential accuracy.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Thank you. Your point about David likely using the sword if he were to execute the people makes perfect sense. And there is certainly precedent for the Israelites subjecting their neighbors to forced labor.
Response #8:
Good point about the forced labor, even with the Canaanites who survived within the borders of Israel (Josh.17:13).
Question #9:
Hi Bob,
You know my engineer brain and its pros and cons. Pro: I'm organized,
and know (or at least think I know...) where every piece goes and why.
Con: organization and categorization can lead to rigidity and
inflexibility, and sometimes that is very bad indeed.
I got on this whole kick when having a conversation about the very thing
you mention: we only have so much bandwidth to spend, so where best to
spend it? Some things are easy (like suggesting someone read from
multiple sections at once so as not to get bogged down for weeks in
Leviticus and Numbers, say---and also suggesting that folks hit the New
Testament harder than historical books in the Old Testament, since we
have the full truth now, not only shadows). But past giving the
generalities, it really got me thinking as well.
One other point I'd probably mention having now thought a bit more is
the idea of seeking out specific guidance from the Bible when it fits.
For example, dealing with suffering? Read Job. Feeling anxious? Read
Matthew 6. And so on. That sort of thing needn't be avoided in order to
rigidly "follow a plan" in procrustean manner.
Nonetheless, habits only become habits by intentionality, and hence the
present topic. Having a format and structure "most of the time" helps
one do it consistently, and that is the true key, after all.
Question 1)
What I'm trying to get a feel for is why we might want to focus on some
books more than others. So, for example, when you mention spending a lot
of time on the Psalms and it being important, what is behind that
statement in your experience?
I'm not trying to be overly fastidious here, I'm just legitimately
curious as to how one goes about deciding such things (even for oneself,
personally), since when the point came up for me, aside from the above
recommendation towards reading the NT more frequently overall than the
OT due to the relatively clearer revelation that we benefit from having
after the incarnation, I was not able to particularly clearly articulate
further reasons for any preference at all, despite knowing that it is
probably wise not to be completely equal in one's attentions. I suppose
I also said the NT Epistles are worthy of special focus due to the
concentration of teaching that narrative parts of the Bible lack in a
relative sense, and agree with that general sort of reasoning as well.
Question 2)
Let's ignore relative ranking and whatnot for a moment. All books of the
Bible are important, obviously. But they are important in different
ways. With historical narrative, one sort of sees its purpose and
utility from the outset. And prophecy too is similar in that regard of
its shared characteristic being more immediately evident from the
outset, and the utility derived from it.
But what do you think the specific importance of these following books
are? What is the telos of them, so to speak---that which makes them
individually shine?
2.1) Job
2.2) Psalms
2.3) Proverbs
2.4) Ecclesiastes
2.5) Song of Solomon
I'm not looking for an essay on each or anything, just a clear picture
of how these individual books in the Writings section of the Old
Testament help contribute to our store of truth in our hearts, and
through what means.
I hope you don't mind me going another round on this. I find it very
interesting.
Your friend in Christ,
Response #9:
Sounds reasonable.
Why is Psalms important? There is a reason why people who have not
committed any other scriptures to memory probably know a psalm or two by
heart. There is a reason why the Gideon small handout Bible has the
complete NT but of the OT, only the book of Psalms. Psalms is quoted in
the NT more than any other OT book for a reason. It has the greatest
concentration of inspirational material, prophecy and I would say even
doctrinal principles of any other book in the OT, possibly even in the
Bible. Also, since it is poetry and prophecy, it is on the one hand
exceptionally beautiful, and on the other it is not so easy to
understand and interpret.
The combination of it being such a huge treasury of knowledge and
encouragement beautifully expressed while at the same time being
difficult to master makes spending more time on it than on other books a
"no-brainer" in my book. So re: "For example, dealing with suffering?
Read Job. Feeling anxious? Read Matthew 6. And so on." Or read Psalms,
for these and almost any other reason you'd be reading the Bible.
On ranking these five, I'd put Psalms first, the other top four on a
par, and Song last of the five; it is also beautiful but its doctrinal
application is focused on the analogy of Christ and the Church alone
(important, but easy enough to understand).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
I just have a request on Psalm 82.
The "Name it and Claim it" people claim to be gods; I even heard one say
that because God says He is "I Am", so I am also. Blasphemy, if I ever
heard it.
They don't understand the real meaning of when God made mankind in His
own image and likeness, they take it to an unimaginable level, as they
do when they want to deceive the people.
Would you give me an explanation of Psalm 82 verse 6, and any other
verses in the Psalm.
Thanks so much,
Blessings to you, and may His grace abound in you.
Your friend,
Response #10:
Our Lord quotes this verse, Psalm 82:6, as well:
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?"
John 10:34-36 NKJV
The word
"God" in Hebrew is usually 'elohiym, which is a plural of the word 'el.
It means "mighty one", and the plural, when referring to THE God is usually a
plural of majesty (although in Genesis chapter one it is a true plural,
distinguished by the 1st person pronoun, "Let Us make man . . .").
What makes for "might"? As Jesus tells us above, it is the Word of God, for the
Word Himself created everything in an instant with His Word. And all who have
received the Word are empowered thereby and to that degree are acting for Him as
His representatives, none more so than the Word of God Himself, the Son, Jesus
Christ.
"Mighty men" in scripture are often those who are leaders or rulers and that is
the case in Psalm 82. Here the rulers are ruling as God's surrogates and regents
on the earth – for all authority comes from Him (Rom.13:1ff.). And as such they
are given instructions by Him here on how to rule correctly. But if they refuse,
they will "die as mere men" (Ps.82:7).
There is no greater power than the truth, and all who respond to the truth and
live and act by that truth, whether as rulers operating under the truth of
natural revelation or believers walking according the deeper truth that is only
revealed by the Spirit, are "mighty" in that regard.
But there's nothing here to suggest that any human being has any sort of Mormon-esque
claim on deity. That dangerous fantasy at best, outright heresy at worst. You
are right, this is a new key claim of the dominionist movement as well, I
believe. Hard to keep up with all the heresies these days. But if we read our
Bibles, access good teaching, listen to and walk by the Spirit, we don't need
to.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Doc, I need to know, what does it mean to "cast your worries on the Lord?" This saying is what's often referred to when people say to "give the fear/trouble to God". The common idea is praying to Him and deciding to trust Him with whatever happens, or that He'll deliver you from the fear of whatever it is, knowing He works out everything for good. I have to ask, is there more to the verse?
Response #11:
This is a quote from Psalm 55:22, and the second half of the verse gives
the reason/rational: we don't have to worry about anything . . .
[because] "he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be
shaken" (NIV). Peter also quotes this verse and interprets the
reason/rational a bit differently: "because he cares for you" (1Pet.5:7
NIV).
Re: "I have to ask, is there more to the verse?" Here's what I
say about this in
Peter #37 (at the link):
Rather than quote the psalm directly, Peter recalls this famous verse in order to bring to his readers' remembrance the truth that whatever cares and concerns we have in this life, the proper procedure is not to attempt to solve them with purely human efforts, but instead to trust the Lord to solve them for us. David's words of encouragement come in the context of his own life experience when calling to the Lord for help in the midst of serious attacks launched against him by ruthless enemies. Even in such circumstances, as David assures us in the Spirit, the Lord sustains the righteous: if we trust in Him, He will bring us through. The Lord will "never allow" those who belong to Him to be undone by the assaults and machinations of evil men. If only we trust in Him, we will be brought safely through the storm, even if the Lord has to split an entire sea for us to do so.
Peter makes this blessed assurance even more personal by explaining our Lord Jesus Christ's motivation in saving and delivering those who belong to Him: "He cares" about us. What greater thing can be imagined than that the Lord of the universe, the One who created all things (Jn.1:3; 1:10; 1Cor.8:6), the One who holds together everything by His Word of power (Heb.1:3; cf. Col.1:15-17), is concerned for us and our well being? This is truly blessed to consider – and absolutely critical to remember. It is all too easy for believers in trouble to fall into despair, to imagine that the Lord has forsaken them, forgotten about them, doesn't actually care for them. But the truth is far otherwise. He has never forgotten or forsaken those for whom He died. We belong to Jesus Christ. We are His Body, His Bride, His Church. He always has and He always will "care for us"."Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you."
Isaiah 49:15 NKJVIn our context, this encouraging command, to let go of all our worries and concerns and anxieties, handing them over to Jesus Christ, trusting Him to take care of them in His own perfect way, has a special application to the young men who are becoming impatient. Our Lord is telling them through Peter to be patient and to trust the Lord. Wanting to be put into service for the Lord is just one of many concerns and godly desires believers have in this world. We are all most always waiting on the Lord for something or other, it seems. That is indeed a key part of the Christian life. That is indeed an integral part of the testing we receive, given to us with the loving purpose of building up our faith, helping us to learn to trust our Lord better, strengthening our faith, focusing our hope, and, if we do respond correctly, intensifying our love for Him. This is the "rest of faith" Paul speaks about in Hebrews (Heb.4:1-10). This is the Church Age fulfillment of the fourth commandment, whereby we learn to rest in Him at all times, not just one day a week, recognizing that whatever we do in the Spirit, it is actually the Lord who is "doing it", not us. This is the "perfect" or, more accurately, the "double peace" that is the portion of all believers who learn to trust the Lord in trouble and truly cast our cares and anxieties upon Him in full confidence that He will deliver us (Is.26:3).
Trusting the Lord, letting Him bear our burdens (Ps.68:19) and take on all our cares and concerns, does not mean, of course, that as we wait we do nothing at all; it means rather that we do everything it is reasonable to do to further the deliverance we seek, even as we have no illusions about the fact that He is the One who is going to bring that deliverance about. In practical terms in our context, these young men should, instead of angling for a position, trust the Lord to open up just the right opportunity at just the right time, even as they continue to prepare for that opportunity with all their might.(3) And not only this, but let us glory in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience, (4) and patience produces proven character, and proven character produces hope – (5) and this hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
(7) Therefore subordinate yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (8) Get closer to God, and He will get closer to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and sanctify your hearts, you double-minded. (9) Lament and grieve and mourn. Let your laughter turn to grief, and your joy to humiliation. (10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
James 4:4-10
Have a happy Thanksgiving!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Hello Dr. Luginbill--I hope you are okay after Helene came through.
You wrote this stuff to me almost 6 years ago, about Joseph Smith's execrable
Mormon "translation" of Genesis 1. It centered on the word "bereshith". Smith
had "berosheit" which you said was wrong, as there is no "o" sound in that word.
You wrote that the rest of the "translation" was nonsense not worth going into.
But you also wrote:
"Also, there is no textual evidence whatsoever for not having be-
here." I am not sure what you meant here, unless you mistyped and meant "re"
instead of "be." So, could you please elucidate for me?
I know what Smith wrote is nonsense, but I would appreciate it, if you would
comment on what Smith wrote about Gen. 1:1. Here it is again:
" I shall comment on the very first Hebrew word in the Bible; I will make a
comment on the very first sentence of the history of creation in the Bible—Berosheit.
I want to analyze the word. Baith—in, by, through, and everything else. Roch—the
head, Sheit—grammatical termination. When the inspired man wrote it, he did not
put the baith there. An old Jew without any authority added the word; he thought
it too bad to begin to talk about the head! It read first, "The head one of the
Gods brought forth the Gods." That is the true meaning of the words. Baurau
signifies to bring forth. If you do not believe it, you do not believe the
learned man of God. Learned men can teach you no more than what I have told you.
Thus the head God brought forth the Gods in the grand council."
Anyway, I would appreciate you expertise on the way Smith "translated" this. I
mean, what about his analysis of what the words mean?
Thanks and take care.
Response #12:
Doing well here, thanks!
When S. wrote, "When the inspired man wrote it, he did not put the
baith there. An old Jew without any authority added the word; he thought
it too bad to begin to talk about the head!", he was justifying his
mutilation of the text, removing the preposition be- (which for
some unknown reason apart from his own ignorance he calls 'baith').
Taking out this preposition, meaning here "in", makes all manner of
false translation and interpretation possible (e.g., there is a very
great difference between "I am in trouble" and "I am trouble").
The "first word" in scripture is actually be-, but it is part of
a prepositional phrase with reshith, and together means "first"
(or, less accurately since there is no "the", "in the beginning").
So when I say there is no textual evidence for casting out the be- as S.
does, it is to affirm that there is no basis for him doing so. There are
plenty of "little words" (like "the" and "not") whose excision will make
a great deal of difference as is the case here. But there is no basis
for doing so – except to fit one's own perverse "theology".
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi--Thanks. So, there is no scriptural copy basis for the "the head of the gods" being in there...correct?
Response #13:
That's right.
The word reshith, meaning "first" derives from the word rosh,
which does mean "head", but they are different words.
Just because the word "disaster" comes from the word for "star" doesn't
mean we can substitute the word "star" for the word "disaster" because
we want to.
And while the word "God" does occur in Genesis 1:1, it's the subject of the sentence and not connected to this prepositional phrase (they are not even placed together which would be necessary for a Hebrew construct / genitive as S. seems to want).
No one with one semester of BH would fail to recognize this confusion
for what it is.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Hello Dr Bob,
I'm trying to figure out why God told Abraham that his descendants would
be afflicted and be aliens four hundred years by (Egypt).
Gen 15:10-17, when God was confirming His covenant with Abraham, there's
a report in English bibles on verse 10 which says, " but/however,
Abraham did not cut the birds in two, i.e severing them as he did on
animals, Cf Numbers 1:14, does the " not cutting the birds in two" which
was not the right procedure of bird offering, bring about Abraham's
descendants future suffering in another nation?
Also in verse 16, " because the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet
complete ( come to the full)??
In short, was the then future affliction of Israel God's own divine plan
or it was caused?
In the mighty name of our savior Jesus Christ, Who sees us through all
afflictions,
Response #14:
Good to hear from you, my friend.
The Bible is almost entirely silent on what went on in Egypt between
Jacob and his family coming down there and the story of Moses, but there
is no indication of anything done wrong by the Israelites to merit four
hundred years of affliction there. Sometimes suffering is for cause (as
in David's punishment of 14 years of trouble for what he did with Uriah
and Bathsheba), but sometimes it is for blessing and God's higher
purpose (we may think of Joseph and also Job). The same is true of
Christian suffering today. Not every Christian who is suffering is being
disciplined. And even in cases of the latter, once we confess, the
suffering serves the purpose of blessing.
We can observe that the time period served to produce a very large group
of people who were of a magnitude to be able to enter into the land and
not be swallowed up by the great numbers of its inhabitants, so this was
doubtless part of God's purpose in preparing His special people.
Suffering is also a preparation . . . for us today too, if we handle it
correctly, trusting the Lord more than anything we see or hear or
experience.
In terms of the sacrifices, I don't see anything therein that has any
bearing on the above. All animal sacrifices enjoined by God have to do
with foreshadowing the cross. So that we can say that God brought the
Israelites through the darkness, providing the light to bring them
through, through the coming sacrifice of the cross.
In terms of the Amorites, I would take this as along the lines of the
above, that is to say that God was allowing a period of respite for the
godless inhabitants of the land before His people would come to
dispossess them . . . as in the manner of the respite given to the
godless before the flood:
And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
Genesis 6:3 NKJV
Our God is a merciful God, after all, who wants "all men to be saved and
to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1Tim.2:4).
We do, however, find this in scripture:
"Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness,
O house of Israel?
You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of your god Remphan,
Images which you made to worship"
Acts 7:42b-43a [quoting Amos 5:25-27]
This is referencing the behavior of the faithless generation of the
exodus during the 40 years following their departure from Egypt – but
they must have gotten those pagan practices from somewhere, and assuming
that they were involved with them in Egypt is a reasonable assumption.
Moses had his hands full with these people for a reason.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Good morning Bob.
Psalm 51 came to mind this morning. I have memorized a section(v10-13) and pray
it often. I know Davids relationship with G-d was of the heart. Nathan rebuked
him about Bathsheeba and Uriah, so...psalm 51v11. ..'or take Your Holy Spirit
from me...'
Did David have a relationship with G-d as we do (we, because of Jesus)?
As always I hope this message finds you well.
Response #15:
Salvation in the Old Testament was the same as it is today: putting trust in the Lord and His truth.
And [Abraham] believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 NKJV
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
Romans 4:16 NKJV
Granted, they had less and less clear information about the Messiah
before the fact than we do after, but they like we knew they needed to
be saved and they like we trusted in God to provide that salvation.
Here's a link on that:
The Gospel before the Cross (in BB 4B)
In terms of the Spirit, He helped to and with the truth any and all who
were willing as He does today, but He did not continually indwell all
believers, and we know that He did leave Saul (1Sam.16:14). Our Lord
Himself explains the difference:
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:16-17 NKJV
Much more on all this in
BB 5:
Pneumatology: the Study of the Holy Spirit
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Good morning Bob.
Thank you for sharing these insights, and the time you take to help all.
I'm grateful you are in my life time here. I didn't know until recently
that you had also served our country in the military. I thank (as well)
you for your service. Your commitments have done for many what cannot be
summed up simply.
Gratefully,
Response #16:
Thank you!
Greatly appreciated, my friend.
Happy 11/11 to you too.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Dear Teacher,
How have you recovered so far? Are you still feeling tired? We are
praying for you all here.
Thank you very much, Sir, for continuing to persevere in prayers for us.
It is always comforting to remember.
[omitted]
I have a question today: Did the snake in the Garden have legs?
I figured that God's curse on Satan may have applied in a literal and
physical sense to the snake that he possessed (cursing by association),
but why should we suppose that to be the case? I don't recall you
talking about this anywhere on the website and I couldn't find it when I
did a brief search.
Always praying for you here, Sir
Your student in Jesus,
Response #17:
I'm doing much better. So thanks for those prayers too.
I'm continuing to pray for you all. In terms of jobs, I wouldn't waste
any time or energy worrying about the past. Whatever happened, we "are
where we are" and it is from that place that we "fight the fight" the
Lord has given us to fight today. You have a lot of friends praying for
you. I'm confident that the Lord will guide you into just the right path
– whatever that path may be. I pray for you on that daily as well, my
friend.
Re: your question, I think it's more than likely that it did. If I've
never said this, it's because the Bible doesn't say it, but it's a
logical thing to suppose. The crawling and the eating dust are literal,
and that expresses a situation which must be different from what went
before.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
Well, __ had some difficulty with the bronze snake in Numbers 21:9. I tried my
best to explain it, as I told her that this was indeed a foreshadow of the death
of Jesus on the Cross.
But, she would like to know why this was written like it is?
Looking for your help.
Blessings to you,
P.S. Your teaching on Revelation chapter 1 is so valuable to a believer, and I
hope to get an opportunity to teach it to others, and there are many who are not
aware nor study this book.
Magnificent Word that the LORD has given you to write.
It is yet again, so amazing and easy to understand.
I am always amazed while studying your teachings, and I still have many to look
into, but I am currently studying the Eschatology of the end times.
Thanks always for your great advice.
Your friend,
Response #18:
The best commentary on this comes from our Lord:
“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:13-15 NKJV
Compare this with Genesis 3:15b, "He shall bruise your head, and you
shall bruise His heel". The pole and the cross are analogous (many have
been crucified without a cross, just with a pole), and the serpent,
being a punishment for sin in this instance you ask about is thus a
clear symbol of sin being atoned for through it being "lifted up" and
set upon the Substitute, foreshadowing our Lord's spiritual death on the
cross.
Here's something I wrote previously (OT
Interp. II at the link):
As to your first question, my understanding of this is that the pole represents the cross and that the serpent represents the collective sin of mankind (which came about originally via the deception of the serpent, really the one possessing him, the "serpent" Satan). So the symbolism would be of God providing a means to be forgiven (looking at the symbol He provides representing having faith in the One He provides and His work – Jesus Christ), and that means His bearing of all sin (represented by the bronze serpent) on the cross (represented by the pole).
Bronze always speaks of judgment (cf. the brazen altar where the sacrifices were immolated), so that is an additional factor here. So someone who has a fatal problem (representing all human beings who are mortal and sinful and have no way to be saved without God's gracious intervention), looks to God for the solution (viewing the bronze symbol representing faith), and is healed (saved from sin), through responding to and accepting the substitute God has provided (representing Christ being judged for us all and bearing all of the sins of the world).
Thanks for the encouraging words, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
I'm studying the 10 commandments. I have a question. Can you please
explain to me about the 9th commandment "You shall not bear false
witness against your neighbor."
Thank you.
Response #19:
Good to hear from you!
The 9th commandment is a prohibition against giving false testimony in a
court of law, lying "under oath" or perjury (as we call it in this
country).
This is an important requirement for any society in order for people to
be free to seek God without having that freedom taken away through
malicious lying. We see an extreme example of that in the case of
Jezebel suborning false testimony against an innocent man in order to
illegally appropriate his property (1Ki.21:1-15).
Along with the 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th commandments, the 9th is part of
the set of commandments that require us to act in holiness towards
others, respecting their freedom and rights so that they, like we, can
be free to seek the Lord without having that freedom seriously infringed
upon (Acts 17:26-27).
Here's a link at my website that gives a few more details:
"The Ten Commandments"
Please say hello to your mom and dad for me.
In Jesus,
Bob Luginbill
Question #20:
Hi Bob, thank you for your email.
That was really helpful!
I went to your link and I was reading about the Mosaic law. Can you
please explain the Mosaic law in simple terms?
Response #20:
You're most welcome.
"Can you please explain the Mosaic law in simple terms?" Hah! I
have always had a hard time writing anything short and simple. The same
with my teaching. Just ask any of my Greek or Latin students, LOL.
I guess I would say that by the term "Mosaic Law" the first five books
of the Bible are usually meant (since Moses wrote them). Generally
speaking this term is referring to the rules and regulations those first
five books contain, the ten commandments being the essence of the Law
for reasons explained
at the link. If one really wanted to boil down the Law to its true
essentials, one could do no better that what our Lord Jesus Christ tells
us:
(35) One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: (36) "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" (37) Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' (38) This is the first and greatest commandment. (39) And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (40) All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:35-40 NIV
As to
what it all means, I'd have to give you the (very) long version. I'm in the
process of writing that up right now, as a matter of fact, as part of chapter
seven in the Hebrews series I'm presently working on [now posted at the link:
"The Mosaic Law"]. Expect this to show up on the website in another four to
six weeks or so.
Meanwhile, I'm happy to answer any of your specific questions.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
p.s., best to your mom and dad too!
Question #21:
Hello professor Luginbill,
How are you doing? How is the future for you?
I was reading that place in Genesis where the Lord told Noah about bringing into
the ark the clean and unclean animals. And I am confused on something regarding
the classification of clean and unclean (both animals and anything else). Was it
the same as in the Mosaic law? Because there is a verse in the NT where it says
"touch no unclean thing and I will receive you." And this (last mentioned) verse
confused me because it seemed to direct the reader to learn about clean and
unclean in the Mosaic law and follow that part of it (confusion for me here).
But if it existed in Noah's time...Can you clarify? (Does that make sense? If I
am too confusing let me know and I will try to make it more clear and concise).
Well __ and I had Christmas dinner at __. And __ told me that I am like family
now. And you must understand, after hearing 10+ people say that and then not
actually be your family (choosing not to be) I don't want to pretend to be all
happy because they never mean it. And I asked___ about it later. And I told her
that you should let your yes be yes and no be no. And she said I was
oversensitive (she didn't mean it in a bad way just that with my background...).
But the thing is that you really hurt people when they rely on you and you
reject them. I do think it is evil to do that to someone. Here let me combine
this with one more thing...
I had dinner with a coworker and she of her own accord said that she would help
me if something went wrong. Please keep in mind I am not the kind of person to
casually ask for money. But thinking someone will be there even if I never have
to ask for help, it really helps. But my reaction to her after so many people
lying is to not be open and trust. Though I did verbally thank her (and I meant
it). But that is why it is evil I think for someone like ___ and everyone else
who has done this to me to say that we are family and then reject me (not that
__ has rejected me yet, I have not tried)! Because you can really make it so a
person is so broken they literally cannot open up and trust.
Am I wrong? I don't know. __ was also honest and told me that she can't say if
she would have helped me previously if I had asked and I appreciate the honesty.
I hate going on and on about the relationships thing. But I never learned how
they work. And I am trying to survive. And it seems there is overlap between our
Christian duty and relationships, and I just feel stuck trying to figure out the
2 + 2 = 4. But if you are frustrated please ignore it. I think the Lord takes
into account that I don't know and adjusts accordingly and I'd hate to burden or
wear you out.
Anyway! Herodotus has a good author's voice doesn't he?
I mean it is interesting in my mind because Xenophon seems to be a very good
speaker in his speeches in his writing, and the story is really good, his
author's voice doesn't stand out to me like Herodotus' does. I just supposed the
speaking ability would translate to that, but then there are good speakers that
aren't great writers (not that Xenophon is a bad writer).
Response #21:
On the "clean/unclean", this distinction has to do with blood sacrifice
to the Lord, a ritual which predates the Mosaic Law. As early as Abel,
believers were sacrificing to the Lord in knowledge of the significance
of the ritual; whereas there was also such a thing as an unacceptable
sacrifice (like the one Cain presented). We see that after leaving the
ark, Noah made offerings from "the clean animals" only (Gen.8:20). As to
why these categories exist, that is for symbolic reasons with the clean
being acceptable (as Christ was acceptable) and the unclean being
unacceptable (as we are unacceptable and so need a Savior).
On relationships, I think you are very wise to be reluctant to trust
people. In my experience and observation, very few are worthy of trust,
and it can take a long time to be sure of who is and who is not. Also,
people are people, and no person is perfect. Blessedly, we have Jesus
Christ, and He is absolutely faithful to us, has always been, and could
never be otherwise. So the wise thing to do is to cultivate our
relationship with Him first and foremost. If He gives us a relationship,
we can be sure it is for the good (even though no human relationship can
be perfect in this world); but anything we force is going to be
problematic.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
So we may boldly say:
“The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV
I agree with you about Xenophon: the speeches he gave were brilliant and
usually needfully so because his life and success and that of those he
was concerned for frequently depended upon them. In that regard they are
better than his other prose, I would agree.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
p.s., re: "future", eternally looking good; down here, only God knows.
Question #22:
Yes our relationship with Him is the main thing.
On the clean/unclean: what is Scripture telling us to do in 2 Cor 6:17 ("touch
no unclean thing"). Is it expecting us to learn what the Mosaic law considers
unclean?
Is the classification of clean/unclean animals the same per the Mosaic law and
what Noah understood? (I mean I am supposing it didn't change).
Please take care of yourself.
Response #22:
Paul is doing what we all should do, namely, using the Law in its
underlying spiritual sense wherein resides its true and most powerful
meaning. In the context of 2nd Corinthians chapter six, Paul is
encouraging holiness by separating from worldly influence, unwise
associations with unbelievers in particular which were tempting the
Corinthians into sin. So the "unclean thing" has nothing to do with food
but everything to do with ungodly people and things – from which we
should separate regardless of the Law.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #23:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,
Thinking about testing recently - the Bible study group I attend is going
through Genesis and we were on the chapter where Abraham is going to sacrifice
Isaac. I'll spare you the discussion, but the sentiment was "why does God test
us if He knows the outcome?"
I assume the answer is, so we can demonstrate our faithfulness (like Abraham
did). And God blessed Abraham because of his faith and willingness to sacrifice
Isaac. Trials are to grow our faith and validate our love for God (right?). And
to let God show Himself powerful in our lives too.
Then the question was, "would God have given Abraham that test if he was going
to fail it?" I think "yes" since God gives people tests and sometimes we do fail
them (since we didn't trust God), but then again, it was a picture of Jesus and
God was working it all into His plan. So is it a waste of time to even ask that
question?
Also, Abraham had much more faith than I do and since God tests us only
according to what we can handle, it was totally ok for God to test Abraham in
that way and even loving, since God only acts in love. God wouldn't have asked a
new believer to pass a test like that.
Oh, and did the Old Testament believers know about the Trinity? Part of me
thinks "yes", thinking about Genesis and where God says, "Let Us make mankind in
Our Image". And they were waiting for Jesus to come (did they understand that
Jesus was going to be an actual man as well as God)? It's hard for me to
understand what the Jews did know prior to Christ and what I take for granted
about God since I live after Jesus came to this world and died for us.
On another note, I'm struggling with the whole "going to church" thing in the
cultural way that we know it, since it's getting hard for me to sit through all
the unnecessary. That sounds rude when I say it like that. It's good to be
reminded of things and of course, when you read the Bible, that's good. It's
just that I can't totally "get on the train" when it comes to all the church
activities and I don't want to sit through things that are questionable or the
Truth is misrepresented or people are just saying things and I don't know
exactly what to accept and what to throw out.
I know these people and I know they are believers that love the Lord. And I know
we live in a time of apathy - that's the way it is (I just don't like it and I
know we're lacking). It's just that you can only have mutual encouragement in
the Lord to the extent that you all know what the Bible actually says. I want to
have friends (and I do have them) but I want to all agree and seek the Bible
(and not just guess). Not that I am involved in places that are totally off,
either....it's just that you need to trust what people (especially pastors) say
about the Bible and when you can't, then that isn't good for the people who
don't know much about God. I can't say all that I want to say with most people,
since they wouldn't understand and/or think I was "messed up". Not that God
wants me to say all of it.
The options are: Keep going to church/Bible studies. They aren't "hurting" me
and they aren't particularly "helping" me, except when they remind me of
something important or when I read Scripture. It's all the other "talking"
that's usually pretty basic or even slightly off, etc.
Or stop going to church (as in attending a physical building on Sundays and
Wednesdays). I could just get together with the couple people I know, outside of
church, and let the rest of the casual relationships just end. Although people
might worry about my spiritual state (haha).
I should stop now. :) Thank you for listening.
Response #23:
Re: "so
we can demonstrate our faithfulness". Exactly. And think how many believers
over the centuries have been encouraged by Abraham's example. As to the premise
of the "why?", one might as well ask why God does anything, why we are here at
all, why there needs to be "life": why not just start with heaven? The answer is
exactly along the lines of what you see so clearly: we can't be "who we are"
without free will, and to have that, there had to be a choice (which explains
the entirety of the Satanic rebellion and human history in a nutshell, the
"solution" being Jesus Christ).
Re: "according to what we can handle". Exactly.
You have not suffered any testing beyond normal human [experience]. And God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tested beyond your capacity, but, along with the test, He will grant you the way out, so that you can bear up under it.
1st Corinthians 10:13
The Trinity is definitely present in the Old Testament. E.g.,
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness . . . "
Genesis 1:26a NIV
But it
was not, it could not, be made crystal clear until the incarnation of our Lord.
In the Old Testament, Jesus was always the "face of God", often appearing as THE
Angel of God, but until He took on human form in addition to His deity, it was
God's will for these truths to be hidden so as to stress and teach the oneness
of God in a world where paganism ruled. See the link:
The Trinity in the Old Testament (in BB 1).
Re: "It's hard for me to understand what the Jews did know prior to Christ".
That is understandable. Just as there are a lot of things we don't know about
heaven and eternity, yet we trust the Lord that it will be wonderful in every
way, so before the incarnation believers did not have the clear picture that we
have today of the Messiah as a man as well as God, as having to suffer as well
as being the glorious King (even though they did have much in scripture such as
Psalm 22 and Isaiah chapter 53, e.g.).
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
1st Peter 1:10-12 NIV
Re: "I'm
struggling with the whole "going to church" thing". When a believer grows to
a certain point of maturity, "childish things" become more and more difficult to
tolerate. And things which are downright wrong or incorrect become more and more
difficult to stomach. So take this as a clear sign of your spiritual growth,
namely, not being willing to pretend that things which are not helpful are
necessary.
What you do with that information is between you and the Lord. Many who have
gotten to this point through growing via Ichthys or
Bible Academy [link] or other such ministries have left off going to places
where there is no growth going on. Others have tried to persevere to be good
influences. This is something the Lord will solve for you as long as you do
continue your upward path. That is the ONE thing to keep in mind. Do not let
whatever church drag you down to their level, no matter what.
Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
P.S.: If you haven't noticed or already done so, please check out the list of wonderful ministry offerings on the Special Topics page, including Jordan Bomberger's new Bible teaching website: Bible Driven, Mike Ceja's new YouTube channel, "Everything is Fine", John Jackson's Hub pages (anyone with questions about the "church-visible" will find this helpful), the Expanded Index to Old Testament translations at Ichthys, Foundational Principles, by Odii Ariwodo, "The Peter series", Video presentations by Steven Tammen based on the SR series, and Steven's group studies of BB 6A (see also Steven's new website: BibleDocs).
More E-mails: Complete archive of previous emails: Ichthys' Emails
Culture and Christianity XXVII
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XXI
Dispensations, Covenants, Israel and the Church III
Sin, Guilt, and Salvation VIII
Confronting False Groups and False Teaching VII
Confronting False Groups and False Teaching VI
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief X
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XXI
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XX
New Testament Interpretation XI
Finding a Church – or Something Better? III
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XX
New Testament Interpretation X
The Local Church and Personal Ministry VI
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions VII
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief IX
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XIX
Old Testament Interpretation XXI
The Battlefield Within: Fighting the inner spiritual Struggle II
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief VIII
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XIX
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XVIII
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XVIII
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations XIII
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation VII
Mutual encouragement in Christ XVI
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XV
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XVII
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers VII
Church: The Biblical Ideal versus the Contemporary Reality IV
Old Testament Interpretation XX
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XIV
The Local Church and Personal Ministry V
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XVI
Old Testament Interpretation XIX
Old Testament Interpretation XVIII
Mutual encouragement in Christ XIII
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation VI
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XV
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations XII
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XIV
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XIII
Culture and Christianity XXIII
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading VII
Church: The Biblical Ideal versus the Contemporary Reality III
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XII
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading VI
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading V
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XII
Old Testament Interpretation XVII
Mutual Encouragement in Christ XI
Mutual Encouragement in Christ X
Confronting False Groups and False Teaching V
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry XI
Christian Perspectives on Disease and Death
Mutual Encouragement in Christ IX
Mutual Encouragement in Christ VIII
Confronting False Groups and False Teaching IV
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry X
Old Testament Interpretation XVI
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief VII
New Testament Interpretation IX
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation V
Old Testament Interpretation XV
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry IX
The 'Rapture' and other Eschatological Issues
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry VIII
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief VI
New Testament Interpretation VIII
Old Testament Interpretation XIV
Politics versus Spiritual Growth IV
Old Testament Interpretation XIII
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief V
Politics versus Spiritual Growth III
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation IV
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry VII
Legalism, Past, Present and Future IV
New Testament Interpretation VII
Eschatology Issues XXIV: the 'Rapture' et al.
Believers in the World VIII: Coping with Family
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief IV
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations XI
Spiritual Gifts and False Teaching
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers VI
New Testament Interpretation VI
Old Testament Interpretation XII
Apologetics, Ministry and False Teaching
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry VI
Church: The Biblical Ideal versus the Contemporary Reality II
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief III
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions VI
Interpretation, Application, Exegesis and Ministry
Baptism: Water and Spirit VIII
New Testament Interpretation V
Apathy, Atheism, Cults and False Teaching
The Battlefield Within II: Combating anger, fear, blaming God, blaming others
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation III
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry V
Paul the Apostle: Aspects of his Life and Ministry II
Old Testament Interpretation XI
Mutual Encouragement in Christ VII
The Transitional Era of the Book of Acts and its Unique Spiritual Gifts
Old Testament Interpretation X
The pre-Trib 'Rapture': so called 'imminence' and other false proofs refuted
Encouragement, Spiritual Testing and Spiritual Growth III
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations X
Legalism, Past and Present III: Sabbath observance, tithing, dietary regulations and other issues
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief II
Old Testament Interpretation IX
Christology Questions IX: Christ and His Church
Mutual Encouragement in Christ VI: Perseverance
Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation II
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry IV
Fighting the Fight V: Dispatches from the Laodicean 'Front' II
Old Testament Interpretation VIII
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry III
New Testament Interpretation IV
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations IX
Peace, Reconciliation and Salvation
Mutual Encouragement in Christ V: Soldiers of the Cross
Old Testament Interpretation VII
Dangers of the Pre-Trib Rapture False Teaching
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations VIII
The Infinity, Magnitude, Glory, Providence and Plan of God
The Bible and the Canon: The Inspired Word of God IV
Nephilim, Antichrist, the False Prophet and the Mark of the Beast
The Trinity and Messianic Legalism II
Annihilationism, Universalism, Hell and Judgment II
Politics versus Spiritual Growth II
Culture and Christianity XVII: Humor, Self-Defense, Pacifism and War
Culture and Christianity XVI: Alcohol, Money and Dietary Issues
Dreams, Visions, Miracles, Exorcism, Tongues, and False Prophets
Calvinism, Catholicism and Ichthys
Apologetics, Legalism, Cults and Philosophy
Mutual Encouragement in Christ IV
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers V
Faith and Free Will in Trial and Testing
Free Will and God's WILL in Salvation
Jobs, Money, Finances and Giving: What does the Bible say?
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry II
Mutual Encouragement in Christ III
It is Better on the Other Side
Christology Questions VIII: The Deity, Humanity and Life of Christ
The Lives of the Apostles and the Writing of the New Testament II
Biblical People and Places: Eve, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Hagar, Esau, Joseph and more
Biblical Anthropology V: Body, Spirit and 'Soul', Present and Future
Satan, Antichrist, the False Prophet and the Mark of the Beast
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions V
Prophets, Prophecy, and False Prophets
Christology Questions VII: The Life and Spiritual Death of Christ and Holy Communion
The Bible and the Canon: The Inspired Word of God III
Culture and Christianity XV: The Bible vs. some Sensitive Social and Political Issues
Christology Questions VI: Christophany, Deity and the Spiritual Death of Christ
Encouragement, Spiritual Testing and Spiritual Growth II
Fighting the Fight IV: Dispatches from the Laodicean 'Front'
The Resurrection Body and our Eternal Future II
Blindness, Disease and Healing
Ministry and Preparation for Ministry
Should I go to seminary or not?
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations VII
Encouragement, Spiritual Testing and Spiritual Growth
Judaism and Legalism in the church-visible
Confronting False Groups and False Teaching III
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions IV
Old Testament Interpretation VI
More Questions on the Book of Hebrews: Melchizedek, Esau, and the 'Impossibility' of Being Restored
Believers in the World IV: Making Godly Choices vs. Following Man-Made Rules
Guilt, Sin and Victory through Spiritual Growth
Confronting False Groups and False Teaching II
Politics versus Spiritual Growth
Christian Struggle, Perseverance and Deliverance
The Bible and the Natural World
An Extended Conversation on the 'Unpardonable' Sin
Eternal Realities: Real Heaven, Real Hell
Eschatology Issues XII: Babylon, Armageddon, Israel, 2026
Ministers, Ministry, and Preparation for Ministry
Evangelism in Principle and Practice II
Gospel Questions X: Glory, John the baptist, the hidden talent, the Kingdom of God
Matthew Questions, verse by verse
Politics and Political Action on the Eve of the Tribulation
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading IV
Mutual Encouragement in Christ II
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers IV
Culture and Christianity XIII: College, Dating, Marriage and Friendship
Eschatology Issues XI: Trumpets, the Millennium, the Time of the Tribulation and the Resurrection.
Sin according to the Bible: Hamartiology II
Angelic Issues VI: Cherubs, Guardians, Elders and 'gods'
Sin according to the Bible: Hamartiology I
Bible Chronology, Aramaic and Interpretation
The Trinity and Messianic Legalism
Anger, Anthropopathism, Eternity and Divine Motives
Unbelievers, Free Will, and the Plan of God II
Christology Questions V: the Baptism, Temptation and Spiritual Death of Christ
The Bible and the Canon: The Inspired Word of God II
Believers in the World III: Prosperity Gospel, Tithing, Cults and Legalism
Faith, Hope and Love: Virtue in Spiritual Warfare
Finding a Church - or Something Better? II
New Testament Interpretation III
Faith vs. History, Archaeology, Philosophy
Believers in the World II: Confronting False Groups and False Teaching
The 144,000 and the Two Witnesses of the Tribulation
Predestination, Free Will and False Teaching
Love, Marriage, and Divorce: Marriage and the Bible III
Interpreting Dreams and Analyzing Prophetic Claims
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading III
Eschatology Issues IX: Amillennialism, Trumpets, and the Seven Days
Spiritual Warfare IV: Demons, Demonic Influences and Satanic Methodology
Atheism and Gnosticism: Denying the Truth about God
Sin, Salvation and Forgiveness: Claiming the Mental and Spiritual High-Ground
Struggling with Salvation . . . and Relatives
Ministry and the Ichthys Ministry II
All about Ichthys II: Mutual Encouragement in the Lord
The Book of Job and Christian Suffering
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers III: Creationism, Neanderthals, Fossil Record
Christology Questions IV: Jesus' Birth, Baptism, Early Life, and Kenosis
Third Party Testimony III: Near Death Experiences, Revelations and Tongues
Third Party Testimony II: Charismatic Claims of Visions, Dreams and Prophecy
Third Party Testimony I: We Believe God and His Word - Not People
God Heals - in His way (not our way)
Sanctification, Separation and Restraint
Finding a Church - or Something Better?
Culture and Christianity X: Military Service, College, Politics, and Race Relations
Contemporary Churches and Women Preachers
Culture and Christianity IX: Politics, Tithing, Music, Crucifixes, Alcohol, and Gambling
Biblical Anthropology III: Soul versus Spirit, "Soul Sleep", and the Interim Body
New Testament Interpretation II: Who is equal? Grace in vain. Unequally yoked.
Aspects of the Crucifixion II: Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
Aspects of the Crucifixion I: Carrying the cross, trials and rooster crow.
The Canon: Content, Chronology, and Criticism
Spiritual Warfare III: Peter's 'Angel', Saul's Death, and Strange Events
Old Testament Interpretation IV: Gehazi's Leprosy, Tyre's Destruction, and Immanuel
Nephilim, Fallen Angels, and Genesis 6
Sin, Atonement and Forgiveness II
Sin, Atonement and Forgiveness I
Annihilationism, Universalism, Hell and Judgment
Noah, the Flood, and the Nature of Animals
The Tribulation: Timing of, Preparation for, and Conditions in
Eschatology Issues VIII: Revelation, Tribulation and Judgment
Antichrist: the Mark, the Number, and the Identification of the Beast
Satan's Revolt and the Tribulation to Come
Old Testament Interpretation III: The Name 'Jacob', the Mark of Cain, Jeshrun.
Old Testament Interpretation II: Urim and Thummim, the Bronze Serpent, the Ark.
Being Saved: Security, Apostasy, and the Sin unto Death
Fighting the Fight III: False Teaching, Local Churches, and the Truth
Fighting the Fight II: Struggling with Sin, Doubt, and Severe Testing
Fighting the Fight I: Accountability, Faith, Sin, Forgiveness, and Reward
Dispensations, Covenants, Israel and the Church II
Dispensations, Covenants, Israel and the Church I
Witnessing: Cults and Christianity II
Witnessing: Cults and Christianity I
Ministry and the Ichthys Ministry
Spiritual Growth, Church-Searching and "Discipling"
Unbelievers, Free Will, and the Plan of God
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations VI
Paganism, Idolatry, Mythology and the Occult
The Lives of the Apostles and the Writing of the New Testament
The Essence of God and Deity of Christ
1st John: Text and Interpretation
Perseverance in the latter days of Laodicea
Prayer: the Persistence, Purpose and Power of.
Paul the Apostle: Aspects of his Life and Ministry
Gospel Questions VII: The Wedding at Cana et al.
Israel, 'Lost Tribes' and the Star of David
Israel
and Antichrist in Eschatology
Explaining and Defending the
Trinity and the Person of Christ II
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions III
The Geography of Heaven, Hades and 'Hell'.
The Resurrection Body and our Eternal Future.
Christ the First-Born, High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek.
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading II
Bible Versions, Bible Translation, and Bible Reading
Hermeneutics, Typology, Christophany, Theophany and Anthropopathism.
No, Hebrews does not teach that you lost your salvation.
Gospel Questions VI: the Long Ending of Mark et al.
Judas and the Betrayal of Christ
Doubting Salvation and Questions of Sin
The 144,000: God's Seal vs. the Mark of the Beast
Atheism: Putting Truth to Death
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions II
The Holy Spirit: Pneumatology Questions I
The Law, Love, Faith-Rest and Messianism
Sin and Salvation, Confession and Forgiveness
Have I Lost My Salvation? (III)
The Battlefield Within: Fighting the inner spiritual Struggle.
Putting Christ in Christmas: Loving Jesus, the Star and the Magi, Wonderful Counselor.
Healing, Miracles, and Dreams: Sorting the Wheat from the Chaff by biblical Means
153 Fish: Explaining some Difficult New Testament Passages
Kenosis: Our Lord's Self-Limitation during the 1st Advent
Biblical Anthropology II: 'Soul sleep', & dichotomy vs. trichotomy
Biblical Anthropology I: The Nature of Human Beings and Human Life according to the Bible.
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers II.
Culture and Christianity VII: Jury Duty, Witnessing, Biometry, Military Service et al.
Culture and Christianity VI: Halloween, Holidays, Aliens, and Christian Applications.
Angelic Issues V: Michael, the Angel of the Lord, Christophany, demons, cherubs, and Satan's revolt.
Angelic Issues IV: Satan's Revolt in the Plan of God.
All about Ichthys: Mutual Encouragement in the Lord.
Fallen Angels, Demons, Nephilim, and the Devil's Methodology.
Salvation, the Gospel, and Unbelief.
The Bible and the Canon: The Inspired Word of God.
Communion and the Spiritual Death of Christ.
Israelology, Anti-Semitism, the Remnant, Gentiles, Lost Tribes, Jewish Myths.
"Soul Sleep" versus our true Heavenly State.
Christology Questions III: The Angel of the Lord, the Lamb Slain, monogenes.
Angelic Issues III: Demons, Satan, Elders, Female Angels and Guardians.
Against Universalism III: Unbelievers in the Plan of God.
Waters Above, the Firmament, and the Genesis Gap.
In Need of Guidance and Encouragement.
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations V.
Servants, Slaves, Disciples, and Ministers.
Evangelism in Principle and Practice.
Scripture versus Personal Experience.
Calvinism, Covenants and Catholicism.
Culture and Christianity V: Temporal Authority vs. Biblical Application.
False Doctrine of Absolute Eternal Security III.
The Dangers of Messianic Legalism IV: Unclean and Impure?
Things to Come III: The Wrath of God and the Fate of the Beast's Army.
God Works All Things Together for Good.
The 7 Trumpets, the 7 Kings, Nephilim, Antichrist and Revived Rome.
The Coming Tribulation and the Kingdom of God.
Sin, Confession and Forgiveness.
Mutual Encouragement in Christ.
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations IV.
Eschatology Issues V: "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons".
Ichthys and Contemporary Christianity.
Gospel Questions V: Help my Unbelief, Respecting our Enemies, etc.
The Two Witnesses of the Tribulation: Moses and Elijah.
The Apostles, the Jerusalem Council, and Legalism then and now.
Aspects of the Christian Walk: Gambling, Lying, Christmas, Judging, Worrying, et al.
Believers in the World: Using our Free Will to Respond to the Lord
John's Water-Baptism versus the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The City of David, the Star of David, Solomon's Wisdom, and the Song of Solomon.
The Israelites at Kadesh and 'not entering the Land of Promise'.
Genesis Gap: Questions and Answers.
Sin and Spiritual Transformation.
One Baptism: the True Meaning of Peter's Words at Acts 2:38.
Apostasy and the Sin unto Death, the Conscience and Sanctification.
The Plan of God and Individual Salvation (excerpt from BB 4B)
In Your Anger, do not Sin: Ephesians 4:26 and the Sin Nature
On the Firing Line: Encouragement in Christian Trials
Eschatology and the Old Testament
Prayer and our Walk with Jesus.
Issues of Canonicity II: Aramaic, Enoch, KJV, and the Pastorals
Bible Vocabulary and Bible Word Studies
Satan, his Demons, and the Gnostics
Antichrist: Alive and Well and Living on Planet Earth?
Our Eternal Future: Life after Death for Believers in Jesus Christ
Giants and Nephilim, Sumerian Myths, and Sea Monsters
Free-Will Faith and the Will of God
The Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy: explaining James 4:5.
Free-Will Faith in the Plan of God.
The False Doctrine of Absolute Eternal Security II.
The Dangers of Messianic Legalism III
The Dangers of Messianic Legalism II
The Dangers of Messianic Legalism.
Mega-Churches, Emergent Christianity, Spirituality and Materialism.
Epignosis, Christian Epistemology, and Spiritual Growth.
Jephthah's Daughter, Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage.
Christian Unity and Divisiveness.
Death, Martyrdom and Resurrection.
Blessing, Cursing, and Prayer.
Fighting the Good Fight of Faith.
Only-Begotten, Mother-of-God, On-this-Rock: English-only Interpretation is Dangerous.
The Greek Text of the New Testament and some Issues of Textual Criticism.
What does the name 'Christian' mean?
Christians Beware: Internet Frauds and the Need for Spiritual Discernment (part 2).
Christians Beware: Internet Frauds and the Need for Spiritual Discernment.
Spring Special: The Millennial Regathering and Purging of Israel.
Last Things and Last Judgments
The Local Church and Personal Ministry IV
The Local Church and Personal Ministry III
The Local Church and Personal Ministry II
The Local Church and Personal Ministry I
Aspects of the False Doctrine of Institutional Security
Chronological Order of the Books of the Bible II
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations III
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations II
Biblical Languages, Texts and Translations I
Satan and the Existence of Evil.
The Holy Spirit: Blasphemy against,
Restraining Ministry, and Gender.
Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Growth
Christian Love, the Golden Rule, Christian Military Service and Self-Defense.
Issues of Canonicity: Apocrypha, Enoch, and Inspiration.
Church: The Biblical Ideal versus the Contemporary Reality.
Numbers, Letters, and the Mark of the Beast.
Gospel Questions I: Jesus' Life, the Gospels and Cherubs, and who Wrote Matthew.
Naaman, Nero, Nineveh, and Senacharib.
The False Doctrine of Absolute Eternal Security.
Choosing Hell: Questions about Salvation and the Love of God.
The Route of the Israelites in Crossing
the Red Sea.
Some Issues of Transmission,
Translation, and Transliteration: The Camel and the Needle, etc.
Aspects of the Life of
Christ: Jesus' siblings, the man born blind, et al.
Redemption, the Blood of Christ, Christ our Passover, and The Passion of the Christ.
Eschatology Issues II: Angelic bodies, heaven and hell, Satan and the Nephilim, etc.
The Book of Job and Biblical Interpretation.
Some Questions about Eternity.
Who Controls our Thoughts and Emotions?
Dispensations, the Church, the Rapture, and the Destruction of the Universe.
Christianity versus Contemporary Kitsch.
Purpose Driven Life, Oprah's New Age Religion, et al.
Lot, Esau, and Cain: Learning through
Negative Examples.
Against Universalism II:
Only Believers are Saved.
Against Universalism I: Free
Will and the Image of God.
The Seven Edens and the Eden of Adam and Eve.
Opposition to the Genesis Gap from the Creation Research Institute et al.
The Beast: Some Questions about Antichrist.
The Book of Revelation: Some Questions.
Red Hot or Lukewarm? Bible Teaching versus Sermonizing.
The Last Judgment and the Great White Throne.
Christology: Some Questions on the Life of Christ.
Train up a Child in the Way he should Go.
Unbelief and its Consequences.
Explaining and Defending the Trinity and the Person of Christ.
Free Will and Faith under Pressure.
Bible Interpretation I: Academics, Versions et al.
Faith in the Word of God: the Basis of all True Worship.
Aspects of the Resurrection II.
Faith and Encouragement in the midst of Fiery Trials.
Jethro, Amenhotep, Iraq, the Catacombs, and the KJV.
Eschatology Issues: The Fig Tree, Ezekiel 38, Joel 3, and the Trumpets.
Christ the Rock, the Rooster's Crow, and the Cross.
Applying Faith II: Production, Forgiveness, Circumcision, Truth over People.
Applying Faith: Eating, Drinking, and Vacation.
The Tree of Life, Communion, and the Virgin Birth.
Can Prayer Be Offered From Heaven? & Some Genesis Questions.
Walking the Path of Faith through the Light of the Word of God.
Salvation on the battlefield, truth revealed to infants, and damnation.
Preparing for
Tribulation.
Divine
Sovereignty and Divine Judgment.
The Events Surrounding the Birth of Christ.
Zechariah,
Demon Possession, Marriage,
Spiritual Experiences,
and Bible Prophecy.
No Grounds for Divorce?
The Shape of the Universe, Hominids, and the Genesis Gap.
Taking Personal Responsibility: Interest, Bankruptcy, Gambling, and Employment.
The Seven Churches, the Judgment Seat of Christ, and other issues in Eschatology.
Great White Throne, the Last Judgment, and the Outer Darkness.
Pursuing a Deeper Relationship with Jesus and Christian Epistemology.
The Origin and the Danger of the Pre-Tribulational Rapture Theory.
The Divinity of the Spirit and the Percentage of those who are Saved.
Enoch's Walk with God and Some Questions in the Gospels.
The Influence of the Renaissance and Rationalism on the Church and Cutting off Arms in Malachi 2:3.
More on: Spiritual Gifts; Hats & Hair; the Age of Accountability.
Who will populate earth during the Millennium? and Asking for Wisdom: James 1:5.
Was Judas Saved?, The Gospel of Judas, and Issues of Canonicity.
Is 'My Son' Israel or Jesus in Hosea 11:1? & How do you Prove Sin to Someone?
Christian Crowns, Pagan Names, and the Time of the Cock-Crow.
Child-like Faith, Mark vs. Matthew, the Mahdi, and 'Who was with God in the Beginning?
The Genesis Serpent, Using "it" to refer to the baby Jesus, and more on Tattoos.
Why did Jesus choose John over James to take care of His mother Mary?
Does God really want us to be sick and poor? Revisiting the prosperity gospel.
What will our relationship be in heaven with children who died young?
The baptism of the Holy Spirit as distinct from speaking in tongues.
"Are the children of unbelievers lost if they die before receiving Christ?"
"The dragon of Revelation 12 and the talking idol of Revelation 13."
"Doubts about the Nephilim in Genesis 6" and "Ezekiel 9:4 and the Mark of the Beast"
"Word Counts in the Bible", "Him whom they Pierced (Rev.1:7)", and "Necromancy".
"Waiting for a Savior" and "The Direction East in the Bible"
Why doesn't the Bible mention all of the prophets of the children of Israel?
Why were Christians being regarded as "evil-doers" in 1st Peter 2:12?
Phylacteries and the Mark of the Beast, and "What about Joseph?"
Assembly of the local church, and Jesus' use of "I AM" from Exodus 3:14 in John 8:58
The "burden of the Lord" in Jeremiah 23:32-40, and judgment for idle words in Matthew 12:36-37.
Is there any
value to the Apocrypha?
The Communion
Ceremony outside of the
local church.
Corporate prayer in Matthew 18:19: "when two agree on earth".
How could a loving God order the destruction of the Canaanites?
The few saved, the door in heaven, visions of heavenly realities, and Christmas.
Does exceptionally sinful behavior indicate that a Christian has lost salvation?
Pastoral Support, Pastoral Preparation, and the Purpose of Assembly.
The Day of the Lord in 2nd Peter 3:10.
Hebrews 10:26 again, and two other notes on Arthur Pink and the Greek word diakonos.
Some questions about Nimrod and Christmas trees, Tongues, and Healing
What happens to people who were born and died prior to the birth of Christ?
Which is better, the King James Version or the New King James Version?
How can we know whose interpretation of the Bible is right (Part 2)?
How can we know whose interpretation of the Bible is right (Part 1)?
Is Jesus literally seated on the throne at God's right hand?
Melchizedek and the high priesthood of Christ: two questions et alia.
Confession of Sin, Fellowship, and the Filling of the Holy Spirit.
A Miscellany of Questions and Answers (Nineveh, the beast, tongues, demons, Sadam, etc.)
Some Greek Questions in the Gospels (John 1:3; 2:19; 8:58; Luke 23:43)
Is Man trichotomous, and does that mean that salvation is three-tiered?
Does the Bible prohibit women from preaching or teaching in the Church?
An Extended Conversation about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Three questions on three verses in Isaiah (Is.21:4; 28:10, & 66:24).
Availability and use of Ichthys materials: several questions.
The Hebrew word for 'one' (`echadh) and the uniqueness of God.
Did the witch of Endor really conjure up the spirit of Samuel?
Why did God the Father wait so long to send Jesus into the world?
How does being "slain in the Spirit" relate to being baptized in the Spirit?
What does it mean "the spirit returns to God" in Ecclesiastes 12:7?
Is there any Connection between biblical Gemstones and Moral Characteristics?
Can those in organizations which teach "salvation by works" be saved?
Cast thy Bread upon the Waters: What do the seven and eight portions in Ecclesiastes 11:2 mean?
What does it mean in 1st Corinthians 7:14, "the unbelieving husband is sanctified"?
The Re-institution of the Feast of Tabernacles in the Millennium.
The Author of Hebrews and Jesus' Perfect Completion of His Mission.
How old was Jesus at the time of His crucifixion and resurrection?
The New International Version of the Bible and some issues in Bible translation.
Are those in Hebrews 6:4 who "crucify the Son of God afresh" lost?
What exactly is the "red heifer prophecy", and how does it relate to the events of the end times?
Sin,
Baptism, and the Book of
Revelation
Tithing
and the Book of
Life
Why does Judah get greater honor than Jerusalem in Zechariah 12:7?
What is the meaning of the 1290 days versus the 1335 days in Daniel 12?
What does it mean to "overcome" in Revelation chapters 2 and 3?
Are women required
to wear veils or hats in
church?
Is the world
about to come to an end?
Who
wrote the King James version?
The meaning of the
divine name יהוה.
Aspects of the Unseen Angelic Warfare and 666, the Mark of the Beast.
What does it mean to "remember the Sabbath and keep it holy"?
Forward progress necessary for salvation and spiritual growth.
The "seven days" of
human history.
1st John 1:9 and
confessing sin.
Can you recommend a good survey for the Old and New Testaments?
What is your opinion of the Abingdon one-volume Bible Commentary?
Why does the devil have access to God while man cannot stand in His presence?
What is meant by
the "10 days" of Revelation
2:10?
Dragons in the Bible?
Are there apostles in the
Church today?
What is the meaning of the
word "chosen" in
the Bible.
The Passover.
What are the most common Bible
names?
What is the biblical significance
of the number forty?
What does the Bible have
to say about witchcraft?
Are the Masons
wrong according to the Bible?
Six Questions.
Can the faith of
"backsliders" be
restored?
Are there biblical origins to
mythology?
What does the phrase "sides of the pit" mean in Isaiah 14:15?
Can you give me some information on divine names in the Bible?
Is there a "gospel
of Thomas"?
Is the nature of Man
dichotomous or trichotomous?
Does
the Bible require supporting
the pastor
financially?
How
can Jesus be a man
and God at the same time?
How did people
atone for intentional sin
in Old Testament times?
What is the symbolism of the
Lamb of God in Revelation?
Does the
Bible teach ex nihilo
creation?
When did Jesus first know He
was God's Son?
Are there prophets today?
How could
Christ have been three days and
nights in
the grave?
Do Muslims worship the One true
God?