So what is artisanal Bible Study? It’s something I read somewhere. Can’t remember where – but it got my attention. Sounded interesting.
And that’s what things in this category are about. It’s not “traditional” study, where we go through the grammar and other scholastic stuff like that.
Instead, it’s about the culture of the time – because we’re just not living in anything like what the world was like in Biblical times. We can’t really relate to what the Bible says unless we can walk in the shoes – or sandals – or bare feet – of the people we’re reading about.
And it’s about Hebrew and Greek word meanings. Their language was so much richer than ours today. We try to cram in the single best word scholars can come up with. The scholars and translators have to do that, otherwise the Bible will be way too long. No one would read it.
And yet, by making those choices, we lose so much of what transpired. We lose nuances. We lose idioms. We get such a watered down version that we don’t really understand the impact of what was said.
In one case, we read of Paul calling his pre-conversion life as anything from a waste of time to rubbish. But what he actually said was about something we’d sit on the toilet for today. Since we’re comparing his pre and post conversion life and beliefs – that’s a difference we should know about!
So that gives you the flavor of what’s going on here. Verses and passages that we probably know. But in a whole new light. A light that will, I pray, give us a better understanding of why Christianity, as we call it today, was so exciting to the early church! They risked their lives for “The way” as it was know then. But today we have a hard time even getting to church on Sundays. Obviously, something’s different. It’s not God. It’s us. And we’ve got to get “it” back!
God is sending America strong signs to tell us to repent. Earthquakes and eclipses and many more things to come. I pray that our country listens. So says a U.S. Congresswoman. But really, are earthquakes a warning from God to repent?
Are earthquakes a warning from God to repent? More
Jesus loves us the way we are, right? Yes, but … Wait! I thought Jesus just loved us as we are. He meets us wherever we’re at, and He loves us, no matter what! What’s this “Yes, but …” about?
Jesus loves us the way we are, right?
But, do we love Jesus the way He is? More
Who wrote Genesis? Does it really matter who wrote Genesis? If you’re not Jewish or Christian, maybe not to you. But if you are, it matters a whole lot.
Who wrote Genesis? Why it matters what you think.
Wasn't it Moses? More
When you read “fear of the Lord” or “fear the Lord”, what do you think of? Being afraid? Scared half to death? Or maybe just a bit nervous? Or something else? What does Fear of the Lord really mean?
What does Fear of the Lord really mean?
Is it really "be afraid"? More
What’s The Significance Of Yeast In The Bible? Sometimes the Bible uses yeast for exactly what it is. It makes baked goods, like bread, rise. But sometimes we read about old yeast. There are implications of good yeast and bad yeast, But what if you don’t really know much, if anything, about yeast?
What’s The Significance Of Yeast In The Bible? More
Did you know Judas was a thief? Not just suspect it, but do you actually remember reading it? Did Jesus know? If Jesus knew Judas was a thief, why would He allow Judas to be the keeper of the money for the twelve disciples?
Did you know Judas was a thief? Did Jesus know? More
Forgiving the 50 and the 500. A very short parable. About forgiveness and love. Two verses. But it’s embedded in an actual event. It must be very important. This parable ended with a question from Jesus to a Pharisee named Simon. (Not Simon Peter, the disciple.) Jesus told Simon, “You have judged correctly”. Jesus told the woman who was the “target” in the event, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Yes, it seems we can learn much from the parable of Forgiving the 50 and the 500.
The parable of Forgiving the 50 and the 500 More
This segment of our look at Advent focuses on Old Testament prophecy on Jesus coming as a man. Well, OK, as a baby. If you’ve read the earlier articles, you probably noticed that the reference verses are from Philippians. Weird, huh? To me, it’s bordering on annoying. How can a passage from after the birth of Jesus be used to look forward to the birth of that same Jesus? The mathematician in me says this is logically flawed. But, since we’re using Nelson’s Topical Index to set the path for the study, let’s see what we can do with this.
Old Testament prophecy on Jesus coming as a man More
Advent is the time when Christians celebrate the first coming of Jesus. But that’s only part of Advent. Old Testament prophecy told the people at that time about the promised first coming of Jesus. God sending a Messiah to save His people. And an offer of salvation to those who weren’t (yet) His people.
Old Testament prophecy on the first coming of Jesus More
It’s Advent season. But do we know what it is? What is Advent about? For instance, do we realize that the first Advent has come and gone, and now we’re waiting for the second Advent? And after we do know, are we really ready for the second coming of Jesus? It will come. And whether we’re still alive for it or not, it matters to all of us.
Do you know – what is Advent about? More
