Anyone who engages in public discussions about the Bible seems to follow a predictable path — one learns most people don’t care or reverence the Bible, many think it’s all a matter of interpretation, and along come the apologists who think the Bible’s inerrancy has to be defended in order to maintain its authority, and [...]
Bible in Public Schools?
Mar 9, 2013 @ 12:24 By 22 Comments
Jonathan Merritt says No, what say You? On Sunday night, the long awaited mini-series “The Bible” premiered on the History Channel. Produced by reality TV mogul Mark Burnett of “Survivor” fame and former “Touched by an Angel” star Roma Downey in an effort to dramatize key stories from Scripture, the series is already being embraced by Christians nationwide. After all, when is [...]
You Can’t Take the Bible Literally – Right? (RJS)
Feb 26, 2013 @ 5:28 By 39 Comments
Tim Keller’s book The Reason for God grew out of his experience talking with young professionals and others skeptical of Christian faith. The questions are similar to those raised on many college campuses – among both faculty and students. Come on, many ask us today, you can’t really take the Bible literally—Can you? Or more [...]
An Old Question Not Yet Settled
Feb 21, 2013 @ 0:05 By 65 Comments
An issue for conversation, an issue I find arising more and more often in New Testament discussion. That issue is often called “supersessionism.” At work here is a simple question: What happened to Israel (or to Judaism, or to faithful Jews) when Jesus came? Did Jesus “replace” Israel with his kingdom people, the church? (That [...]
Gospels and Contradictions, Mike Licona
Feb 18, 2013 @ 10:09 By 61 Comments
There is a bit of a dustup among the Baptists in the south (not sure how to name this set of connections) over Mike Licona’s discussion of the “contradictions” of the Gospels, in which he makes a thoroughly helpful comparison of the Gospels to Plutarch’s own five accounts of the death of Caesar. His conclusions [...]
The Bible Is Not the Center (RJS)
Jan 3, 2013 @ 5:30 By 76 Comments
The Bible has always played an unimpeachable role in Christianity … It is not, however, the central focus of Christian faith. That position belongs to God, and Christians are called to trust him. … Coming to the realization that the Gospel is not at stake with every interpretive challenge will encourage a fruitful dialog between [...]
What About the Virgin Birth? (RJS)
Dec 27, 2012 @ 5:27 By 14 Comments
Not quite a year ago I wrote about the relationship of science and virgin birth in the context of John Polkinghorne’s book Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores the Bible. Recently I’ve been reading Robert Asher’s new book Evolution and Belief: Confessions of a Religious Paleontologist and here the topic comes up again, but Asher has [...]
Finally in Print! (and a question about Moses) (RJS)
Dec 20, 2012 @ 5:31 By 18 Comments
Last April I posted on a new e-book by Peter Enns and Jared Byas designed to introduce normal people (whatever this means) to the book of Genesis … the most controversial, misunderstood, and abused book of the Bible. I concluded my post with a comment that the book is well worth the price, but I [...]
Promise and Fulfillment? (RJS)
Dec 18, 2012 @ 5:40 By 3 Comments
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and [...]
With Modern Eyes We Misunderstand (RJS)
Dec 14, 2012 @ 0:36 By 11 Comments
After the post last week Is Evolution a Must Win Battle? I was made aware of a recent book by Johnny V. Miller and John M. Soden In the Beginning … We Misunderstood. This book explores the meaning of Genesis, starting with the question: What did Genesis mean to the original authors and readers? When [...]
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