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!
What religion was Abraham? After all, he is claimed as the father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Two of those religions took one path to get from Abraham to their religions that exist today. However, the other one took a different path to get from the man who used to be Abraham to that religion today. Notice, I worded that very carefully. Let’s find out why. And learn what those two paths are.
What religion was Abraham? More
Jesus healed a leper. Why was more required? Do you remember? But if he was healed, why did Jesus tell him to go see a priest? The event is recorded in three of the Gospels. And they all tell it pretty much the same way. All three leave us with questions. Why did the healed man have to go see a Jewish priest? Why was that necessary? And to make it even more odd, Jesus told the man not to tell anyone how he was healed! What’s going on?
Jesus healed a leper. Why was more required? More
Everything happens for a reason at that time _____. I was adding what I thought was a simple side note to an article. It turned out to not be simple at all. So it became its own thing. It’s a look at the impact of three short words. Only ten letters and a couple spaces.
Everything happens for a reason at that time … More
Who is the Holy Spirit? Is He the Spirit of the Father? Or maybe the Spirit of the Son? Does it matter? And is it “who” or “what”? So many questions! And it’s tempting to just ignore them. Or assume they don’t really matter. Just call it/him the Spirit of God and be done with it. And yet, the Holy Spirit is one of the three “persons” of God. And so, it is important to know what we can about Him.
Is the Holy Spirit the Spirit of the Father or the Spirit of the Son More
Was casting lots really used to determine God’s will? Yes, it was really done. Before we assume this is like playing the dice in Vegas, we need to put ourselves back in time. Back to Biblical times. When God interacted more directly with His people. And dare I say, when God’s people interacted more directly with Him. So before we cast dispersions on the practice of casting lots, let’s look back.
Was casting lots really used to determine God’s will? More
Did Jesus really foretell Jewish celebrations in Heaven? Yes, He did. Do you remember where? And the bonus question – why? After all, Jesus is the namesake of Christianity. So why will there be any Jewish celebrations, let alone one that Jesus is looking forward to?
Did Jesus really foretell Jewish celebrations in Heaven? More
Does God really protect us? Of course he does. Then another thought: Does he always protect us in the way we want, when we want it?
Does God really protect us? If yes, from what? More
It’s time to look at Justice and Love to the Ancient Ones. Remember, the ancient ones created our species. We had a lot to learn. Justice was important to the ancient ones, so they wanted us to share the same feeling about it. But justice, by itself, can be just as brutal as a world with no justice. And so, the ancient ones also taught us about love. But, it was a slow process.
On this rock Part 2 – Justice and Love to the Ancient Ones More
Judas made the deal with the Jewish leaders that led to Jesus being arrested, and eventually dying on the cross. But, was Judas saved? Did God love Judas enough to forgive him? Those are questions that seem to come up quite a bit when talking about Judas. Of course, we won’t know for sure until the next life. After all, God can do anything, can’t He?
Was Judas saved? Did God love him enough to forgive him? More
On this rock … Something happened at that rock. Something incredible. It could literally save the world. Unfortunately, too many people either don’t know or don’t care. Do you? Do you care enough to risk everything? That rock represented the start of a revolution. One that you can take part in. If you’re willing.
On this rock Part 1 – Who doesn’t love to win? More
