In There are Numerous Variations in the Texts From Which We Get The Bible; Using an Interlinear Text To See Them, I give a very simple overview of the problems of transmission of Bible text over the ages. The process of biblical textual study is actually more complex. The Introduction to Bruce M. Metzger’s A […]
More Manuscript Basics; Using a Textual Commentary Read More »
Name of Jesus Christ of or of the Trinity – which one is to be used in Baptism?
The “in the Name of Jesus” Debate Read More »
In the previous articles we have been talking about textual variations and we looked at a particular number of them. In those articles, we looked at how fasting was inserted into verses declaring a need for fasting to deliver some from a devil. We looked at the inserted verses saying an angel “troubled” the water
Trinitarian Forgeries in the New Testament Read More »
It is called “the Great Commission”, is cited as a proof of the Trinity, and is a standard verse used in many a sermon: Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe
Critics of Christianity point to the variations, discrepancies, and even forgeries in the bible as one of their points to disprove Christianity. Unfortunately, some of their criticisms are true. There are verses in the bible that are deliberately inserted, omitted, and/or changed. But, the point of the critic that finding errors in biblical texts absolutely
Examples of Scribal Forgeries in the Bible Read More »
The name of Jesus Christ was critical in Original Christianity. Paul wrote that the name of Jesus [Christ] was the most powerful authority on heaven and earth, and everything that was done by a believer was to be done in the name of Jesus Christ: In General that in the name of Jesus every knee
Original Christianity Did Everything in the Name of Jesus [Christ] Read More »
Most of us are aware that we don’t have any original texts of the books of the bible. There are a number of reasons for this. One reason is that there were book destructions, i.e., book burnings done by governments who wanted to remove what they considered offensive religions from their society. One such destruction
Most people are familiar with Jesus rebuking the apostles for their unbelief and their mistakes in the Gospels. But somehow some think that everything the Apostles said and did was perfect and according to the will of God after the day of Pentecost when the Apostles record many great manifestations of power and believing. Look
The Apostles and Disciples Had Major Disagreements and Made Mistakes Read More »
Baptism Justin’s first apology gives an eyewitness account into the practices of worship, baptism and communion in the mid-second century. Interestingly, Justin calls baptism a “washing”, which is what the word” baptism” really means, and in my humble opinion, is what this ritual was called in the original Christian church. As far as what was
One of the doctrines that divide Christians today is giving in the church (see Giving vs Tithing). The debate is primarily between those who say that we need to follow the laws of tithing as described in the Old Testament, and those who say that all should give as Paul described in second Corinthians chapter
01.3.2 Church Giving in the Time of Justin Martyr Read More »
In the previous post we looked at how Justin promoted the Logos. He embraced the Stoic view, and furthered it by proclaiming that Jesus was the living incarnation of the Logos. Justin wrote that the Logos inspired the both the Jewish prophets, and the Greek poets and philosophers. He also declared that the Logos manifested
01.3.1.1 Justin Martyr Ranked Jesus, The Logos Made Flesh, as Inferior to the Father Read More »
Justin is the most famous of the first apologists and shows the beginning of the integration of Greek philosophy with Christian doctrine. As a caveat it must be stated that, like all the early Church fathers, everything that Justin wrote was not accepted as definitive for Christian theology. In fact, the earlychurch.org.uk website puts it
Justin the Martyr’s life spanned from 100 to 165 A.D[i]. Unlike the previous Christians we have looked at, Justin did not have the experience with the Jewish tradition and culture of Christianity of his predecessors. Justin, being born to a pagan family in Sheckham, Samaria, embraced philosophy as a young man, ” being first a
The location of the authorship of the Gospel of John is debated to be among Ephesus, Patmos, or some smaller place in Asia Minor. Its time of authorship is estimated at around 90 AD. As this time is later than the dispersion of the Jews it is not unreasonable to think that many Jews and
The Logos in the Gospel of John Read More »
“Beatitudes” comes from the Latin word for “blessings”. “The beatitudes” refers to eight blessings that the Gospel of Matthew says that Jesus proclaimed in the Sermon on the Mount. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth
What does Axiomatic Systems have to do with a study of Christianity? In fact, what are Axiomatic Systems? Why would anyone care about Axiomatic Systems in the first place? Well, it’s because Christianity is an axiomatic system! To give a little history, when I was growing I was one of the school math whizzes. Math
Axiomatic Systems ?!?! Read More »
Oh, it would be but so very wonderful and great if the books of the Bible had been written recently in my language by someone in my family. I would understand it much more easily. I would understand all of the colloquialisms, the grammar, the jokes, and all the other nuances of language that affect
Grammar and Logic – Boring But Invaluable Read More »
The Seventh-day Adventist began as part of what was known in 19th century as the “Millerite” movement. That movement was based on the belief of one William Miller, a farmer in New York, who believed that the second coming of Jesus was going to happen about the year 1843. Miller based his conclusion on his
19.4.3 The Seventh Day Adventist Movement Read More »
And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all? (Mark 12:28) Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
Jesus Taught Men To Love God Read More »
It sometimes surprises me to find Christian history and theology in unusual places. My son gave me Bill Bryson’s book AT HOME, and there on page thirteen the author goes into quite a bit about Anglican clergyman in the year 1851. He says there were 17,621 Anglican clergymen at the time. A country rector would
18.5.1 The Ministry of Anglican Clergy in 19th Century England Read More »
On this site we have many articles about how the original Christians believed and acted. We also have articles on the many doctrinal disputes that divide the many Christian churches and denominations today. But how does the Christian on the street decide how to go to a church? Is all the doctrine on these pages
21.1.1 How Americans Pick Churches in the Early 21st Century Read More »
The following article gives us insight into the process of Hellenization, the incorporation of Greek concepts and ideas into another culture. In this case, the culture being Hellenized is Judaism. The Old Testament is a book about how Yahweh leads and communicates with his people. The source of knowledge is by revelation: Surely the Lord
Philo of Alexandria on the Logos Read More »
Philo of Alexandria was a Jew that lived from about 20 BC to 50 A.D. As such he lived at the same time both as Jesus Christ, and Paul the apostle. Philo is a source of information about Hellenistic Judaism. (That is not to say that he is especially well regarded among the Jews. I
Philo of Alexandria Read More »