Recently, I saw someone post on Facebook about the Hebrew verb יסף (ysf). This is a pretty common word in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is the root of the name Joseph (יוסף), but as a verb it appears over 200 times. This particular Bible Know-It-All argued that a particular English translation intentionally violates the text… Read More »
Oh, Christmas Posts!
Over the years, I have written quite a bit about the various things that pertain to Christmas. Sometimes, it is about smashing myths. But mostly, they are about a deeper knowledge of the Scriptures. The Virgin Birth 1. Introduction 2. Miraculous Conception 3. Virginity 4. Silence of the Apostles 5. Some Questions Other Christmas Questions… Read More »
Algonquians at Harvard?
In 1650, the General Court of Massachusetts chartered Harvard College because “many well devoted persons have been, and daily are moved, and stirred up, to give and bestow, sundry gifts, legacies, lands, and revenues…that may conduce to the education of the English and Indian youth of this country, in knowledge and godliness…” [Emphasis added] By 1656, Harvard… Read More »
David's Song(s) from 1 Chronicles 16
Yesterday at Bedford Road, I spoke on David’s song from 1 Chronicles 16. The song is a composite of Psalm 105:1-15, 96:1-13, and 106:1 and 47-48. It is a great example of the way the Scriptures were viewed in the Judaism that formed in the early Achaemenid Period. There are only a few subtle changes… Read More »
Say No! to Church in a Can
Canned bread. Bread in a can… I did not believe that such a thing as a canned bread existed until someone showed it to me in their cupboard. Apparently, B&M – a Portland, Maine, based company – manufactures and cans this stuff. There are plenty of people here in New England who love it. They eat… Read More »
The Lion's Den
O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? (Daniel 6:12) It is one of the most familiar stories of the Old Testament. Daniel the Jew refuses to stop worshiping… Read More »
Thinking About that Familiar Communion Set
Go to any Christian bookstore or website, and you will find communion sets available in multiple setups and materials. You can get gold, silver or titanium. You can have trays with just the little juice cups and bread, or a combination. You can get them sized for whole congregations, small groups or even individual participation.… Read More »
The City and Tower of Babel
A couple of weeks ago, we started a series called “Is That Really What It Says?” at Bedford Road. The series is basically a romp through the Old Testament (and possibly the new) dealing with some of biblical narratives that have been popularized through retelling over the years. These pop versions of the stories generally… Read More »
Genesis 1-11: The Creation Cycle
On Sunday, I mentioned that one of the ways I read the first portion of Genesis is through something I called The Creation Cycles. Here is a basic summary of the structure: The Earth Cycle (1-4) Opening Summary (1:1) Earth as Creation: The Annals (toledeth) of the Earth (1:2-2:4) Earth as Creature: The Annals of Adam (2:5-5:2) The… Read More »
Don't Let People Steal Your History
In a recent sermon, I mentioned the work of Francis of Assisi and referenced an episode in which he traveled to Egypt during the Fifth Crusade solely to share the gospel with the sultan, Al-Kamil. (His full name was al-Malik al-Kamil Naser ad-Din Abu al-Ma’ali Muhammad; and the crusaders just called him Meledin.) There is… Read More »
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