Which Letters of Paul did Paul Really Write?

Last updated on: June 30, 2025 at 4:41 pm By B. J. Oropeza

The New Testament contains 13 letters attributed to the Apostle Paul, but which of these letters did he really write? Certain church fathers also thought that Paul wrote Hebrews, but this is unlikely. His name appears nowhere in this sermonic letter. Likewise, its Greek style, content, and theology suggest a different author, though one acquainted with Pauline churches. The author mentions Timothy as a “brother” (Heb 13:23). Scholars normally break down the 13 Pauline letters as follows: Undisputed letters of... Read more

Forget Ananias? A Minor Character in Acts with a Big Role

Last updated on: June 19, 2025 at 11:05 pm By B. J. Oropeza

What can we know about Ananias, a minor character from the book of Acts? If any person could claim to have played a major role in saving Paul the Apostle, it would be this guy. Unfortunately, we find him mentioned nowhere in Scripture except in Acts. What can we learn from him? When Paul Met Ananias The two passages in Acts that speak of Ananias include the first narrative about Paul’s Damascus experience (Acts 9) and Paul’s first speech about... Read more

Was Jesus raised “because of” our justification? Romans 4:25

Last updated on: June 17, 2025 at 6:26 am By B. J. Oropeza

Paul in Romans 4:25 claims regarding Jesus that he “was delivered over because of our transgressions [4:25a], and was raised because of our justification [4:25b]” (NASB: italics mine). Another version states that it was the Lord Jesus “who was handed over for our trespasses (4:25a] and was raised for our justification [4:25b]” (NRSVue: italics mine). These two translations represent the typical ways Bible versions often translate this verse. The readers of these translations normally do not have a problem understanding the first part of the verse (Rom 4:25a).... Read more

Women who Proclaim the Gospel: Psalm 68:11 and Isaiah 40:9

Last updated on: May 22, 2025 at 1:09 pm By B. J. Oropeza

What is often overlooked in the Old Testament are the instances in which women are proclaiming the gospel or “good news.” There are two significant texts in particular that depict this phenomenon—Psalm 68:11 and Isaiah 40:9. Let’s take a closer look at these verses. Women who Bring the Good News of an Enemy’s Defeat (Psalm 68:11) In Psalm 68:11–12 the Scripture reads as follows: The Lord will give a word—the women who bring good news are a great host. They... Read more

The Gospel of John and Jesus and Divine Christology

Last updated on: May 6, 2025 at 9:56 pm By B. J. Oropeza

The Gospel of John is widely known for Divine Christology. It portrays Jesus as God from the beginning of the letter (John 1:1–3) to its virtual end (John 20:28).To discuss Christology with us, we have once again with us this week Brant Pitre, who recently wrote, Jesus and Divine Christology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2024). Dr. Pitre is Distinguished Research Professor of Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. He was with us last week to discuss his book... Read more

Jesus and Divine Christology: Picking Brant Pitre’s Brain

Last updated on: April 26, 2025 at 8:29 pm By B. J. Oropeza

We are here this week with my special guest, Brant Pitre, to discuss his recent book, Jesus and Divine Christology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2024). Dr. Pitre is Distinguished Research Professor of Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. He has written a number of publications including Jesus and the Last Supper (Eerdmans), Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary (Image), the audio book, The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Jesus (Random House), and with... Read more

Tackling Romans 1:17: What does “from faith to faith” mean?

Last updated on: April 24, 2025 at 9:03 pm By B. J. Oropeza

If one verse sums up the entire letter of Romans, it is Romans 1:17: “For in it God’s righteousness is being revealed from faith to faith. Just as it is written: ‘But the righteous by faith shall live’.” The “it” (autô) in this verse refers back to the gospel that Paul is not ashamed of in Romans 1:16. The gospel Paul proclaims is about Jesus, the Messianic Son of David and Son of God who rose again by the power... Read more

On Anointing the Sick with Oil: James 5:14-15

Last updated on: April 3, 2025 at 10:01 pm By B. J. Oropeza

Should Christians pray for the sick anointing them with oil to be healed? In James 5:14–15 the Scripture says: “Are any among you sick? Let him call the elders of the church and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the one who is ill and the Lord will raise him up, and if there might be sins he has committed, it will be forgiven... Read more

Is Participation in Christ the same thing as Justification?

Last updated on: April 25, 2025 at 10:28 pm By B. J. Oropeza

What is participation in Christ? Is it the same thing as justification by faith? The late great biblical scholar E. P. Sanders would say essentially, yes. He affirms that participation in Christ and righteousness by faith “ultimately amount to the same thing” (Paul and Palestinian Judaism, p. 506). He also writes that a person participates in salvation “by becoming one person with Christ, dying with him to sin and sharing the promise of his resurrection; the transformation, however, will not... Read more

Give Us the Future Bread Today? Revisiting the Lord’s Prayer

Last updated on: March 29, 2025 at 1:01 pm By B. J. Oropeza

The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9–13 is perhaps the most frequently quoted passage in the Bible. In it, are we to request for daily bread or future bread? Many of us grew up and memorized the prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven Give us today our daily bread And forgive us our debts As we also have forgiven those who are... Read more