Christological Non-Starters, Part 2: “Angel Christology” by larryhurtado In a previous posting, I discussed the claim that the earliest christological belief was Jesus’ divine adoption, and found it unsupported by the evidence (here). In this posting I consider another “christological non-starter,” the claim that earliest Jesus-followers saw the pre-existent or risen Jesus as an angel. The issue involves some complexity, however, and requires some careful distinctions in concepts. Nevertheless, in short, it seems clear that Jewish speculations about “principal angels”... Read more
Here is a piece by a leading pastor in one of the Texas Conferences. I have to say that I have been more than a little dismayed at the unChristian tactics and rhetoric going on by some of the supporters of the One Church Plan. And I must say, I agree with my old classmate Chap. This is absolutely no way at all to do Christian conferencing, and one hopes the General Conference next week will be conducted in a... Read more
Here’s a fine post by Larry Hurtado on pre-existence. See what you think, BW3 “Pre-Existence” in Ancient Jewish Tradition and the NT by larryhurtado One reader of my posts seems to have difficulty in grasping what scholars refer to as “pre-existence”. It’s a technical term, scholarly jargon/shorthand, to designate a motif or concept evident in a number of early Jewish and early Christian texts. In particular, a number of early Christian texts ascribe a “pre-existence” to Jesus. But there is... Read more
It appears that a sealing or signet ring of Pontius Pilate has been discovered near Bethlehem. One wonders if it was found near or at the Herodium, where Herod had his fortress. Here is the story….. https://dailycaller.com/2018/11/29/archaeologists-ring-pontius-pilate/ Read more
HISTORY CHANNEL’S “JESUS: HIS LIFE” AIRS MARCH 25 01 FEB 2019 History Channel’s new eight-part series Jesus: His Life. History Channel is set to debut a new eight-part series called Jesus: His Life which will detail the life of Jesus from the time he was young until his resurrection. Unlike other television series which have directly followed Jesus throughout his life, this television series is going to focus more upon the interactions Jesus had and the effect on those closest... Read more
There is something fundamentally flawed about a purely academic interest in God. God is not an appropriate object for cool, critical, detached, scientific observation and evaluation. No, the true knowledge of God will always lead us to worship…Our place is on our faces before Him in adoration. – John Stott – Romans: God’s Great News for the World Read more
Another fine cartoon by my friend Mark Frontczak….. Read more
Happy Valentines to us all! BW3 Read more