Category Archives: Bibliology

Paul and the Pagans

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In Roman history, the term pagan refers to an individual who was neither Jewish nor Christian. In other words, pagans were non-Christian Gentiles. The Apostle Paul definitely knew some pagan literature. For instance, he quotes the poet Aratus of Cilicia in Acts 17:28: “For we are also His offspring.” And he quotes Epimenides, a Cretan poet, in Titus 1:12: “The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies [lazy gluttons].” These are examples of Paul’s direct referencing of pagan poets. But a cursory survey of pagan literature can indirectly assist in the interpretation of other Pauline texts, as it places his letters in their cultural milieu.

The Preservation of Scripture

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The Message of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Another way of saying this would be, “all Scripture is God-breathed,” or “all Scripture comes from the mouth of God.” This means God is directly responsible for causing the Bible writers to put down everything that He wanted written without error and without omission. But what of the Bible I hold in my hand? Is it God’s Word? Can it be trusted? The answer is yes!

Don’t Worry

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We are living in an age of anxiety. Not only do older adults have a sense of uneasiness about life, but also young people are afflicted with this feeling. According to one national poll, when asked the question, “What is the basic feeling you have toward life?” sixty percent of the young people polled replied, “Fear.” Jesus commands believers not to be anxious about the future. We do not need to be anxious about what lies ahead because of who we are and because of Who God is.

Distinguishing Law and Grace

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Biblically law can refer to: (1) the Ten Commandments [Romans 7:7–13], (2) the civil law of the Old Testament [Leviticus 11:46 , cf. vv 1–45], (3) the ceremonial law in the Old Testament [Leviticus 6:9, 14], (4) the first five books of the Bible [Romans 3:21c], (5) any statement in Scripture that condemns or makes a person feel guilty [Romans 4:14,15], (6) God’s Word in general [James 1:25], (7) the righteous standard of moral law [Romans 8:4], (8) a principle or fact [Romans 8:2a] and (9) Christ’s command for believers to love one another [Galatians 6:2].

Happy Hanukkah!

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Judas Maccabæus instituted Hanukkah, which means “dedication,” to commemorate the consecration of the Temple, a ceremony made possible by his victory over the Syrian Greeks in 164 b.c.e. (1 Maccabees 4:36). This winter festival known as “the feast of the dedication” (John 10:22) or “Lights” (Josephus Antiquities xii 7:7), entails eight days of “joy and gladness” commencing on the twenty-fifth of Kislev (i.e., mid-December; 1 Maccabees 4:59). Observant Jews celebrate by kindling lights to memorialize the Hasmonean relighting of the Temple candelabrum (1 Maccabees 4:49, 50).

Customary Restraints

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“And whatsoever things are …lovely…of good report,…think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). “For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work” (2 Thess. 2:7). In Western culture an aspect that helps make life tolerable comes under the heading of manners. We live under a whole complex of accepted ways of doing things, of introducing people, of eating, of choosing clothes, and of carrying ourselves. All these are part of culture, and in the more limited sense of that word, all tend to limit and guide the cultured person.

The Matter of Militancy

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I. Militancy—its meaning The matter of militancy among Bible-believing Christians has fallen upon hard times. This is the age of openness, cooperation, diplomacy, negotiation, and dialogue. To be militant is to be out of step! It is not thought wrong to hold your own convictions, but you must do so quietly and without insisting that others agree with you. Tolerate diversity and pluralism, and you will be well thought of. What exactly is militancy, anyway? One dictionary says it is to be “engaged in warfare or combat … aggressively active (as in a cause).”

The Authorship of Proverbs 30

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Problematic, difficult, and puzzling are three words sometimes used to describe Proverbs chapter 30. In fact, the problems of the first verse are so great that some Bible commentators say they are unsolvable. McKane (644) highlights the difficulties when he says, “In such a verse, where there is hardly a glimmer of light, one feels powerless to make even the first move towards its elucidation.” Let us wrestle with this verse and seek to find some answers. One of the main problems which demands our attention is the problem of authorship.

Jacob’s Labor Contracts

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After fleeing from Esau, Jacob arrived in Haran. Immediately he met Rachel. The meeting was love at first sight. Rachel was “beautiful and well favored” (29:17). Jacob evidently was strong and muscular, for while the shepherds of three flocks (29:2) could not roll the rock from the well’s opening, Jacob, upon seeing Rachel, “went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth” (29:10). Jacob spent a month in Laban’s home. No doubt, during this month, he spent much time with Rachel and fell more in love with her.

The Mosaic Law and National Reconstruction

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There is a movement today identified as Reconstructionism or Dominion Theology that has its roots in postmillennialism. It advocates establishing a theocratic kingdom in America based on the judicial laws of Moses. In fact, by its reasoning, the Christian is under a divine mandate to accomplish this end. It has been popularized in recent years by Rousas J. Rushdoony in The Institutes of Biblical Law and Greg Bahnsen in Theonomy in Christian Ethics. Out of this has come the Chalcedon school which is a foundation that identifies itself as an independent Christian educational organization.