No one who is [a]emasculated or has his male organ cut off may enter the assembly of the Lord. Deuteronomy 23:1 NASB Emasculated – You’ll notice that there’s a footnote to the word “emasculated” in this verse. Oh, by the way, I would be very surprised if you have ever heard a sermon preached from this verse. …
I will raise my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come? Psalm 121:1 NASB From where – Does David really think God’s help will come from the mountains? Is he just another version of the pagan idea of territorial gods, or the Canaanite religion of the mountain god, El? Surely not! David isn’t asking…
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 NASB Repent – The Greek term for repent literally means “change your mind” (metanoéō)[1] but Yeshua wasn’t speaking Greek and in this case, knowing that the word he used was Hebrew makes a significant difference. By…
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 NASB Kingdom of God – What is the gospel? It’s the “good news,” right? I mean, that’s what euangélion means—“good news.” And what is the “good news”? In the Christian West the answer is usually something…
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 NASB Time is fulfilled – peplerotai kairos. “Filled up time.” Mark loves this theme. Everything is aligned for something crucial to happen. Yeshua’s baptism occurs at precisely the right moment. He is driven into the wilderness…
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30 NASB It is finished – Easter is over, even for Orthodox Christians (it was May 2). Everyone is the Christian world now believes that once more we have celebrated the death and resurrection…
The words of the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written: Acts 15:15 NASB Agree – When you read this statement from the Jerusalem Council, what do you think it means? Do you think that the Council members claimed that what they determined to be the proper action toward Gentiles was already found in…
In relation to the gospel they are enemies on your account, but in relation to God’s choice they are beloved on account of the fathers; Romans 11:28 NASB Enemies – Paula Fredriksen is a recognized scholar. Her work on Paul’s apocalyptic message is powerful. But occasionally one must check the claims of even world-renowned authors. In her book, Sin: The Early…
Just some basic reminders that are particularly important to me today. “Prayer is an ontological necessity.”[1] “Prayer is disclosing or at least preventing irreversible concealing.”[2] “Prayer is pleading with God to come out of the depths.”[3] “A soul without prayer is a soul without a home.”[4] “As my prayers, so is my understanding.”[5] “The world…
Mankind in its splendor, yet without understanding, is like the animals that perish. Psalm 49:20 NASB Without understanding – In a Gallup poll in 2017, 86% of Americans said that they believe God exists. Apparently His existence has almost nothing to do with how they behave. Church attendance continues to drop. Atheism is on the rise for the first…
