“In the Beginning”: Genesis 1:1-5 and John 1:1-5

It cannot be an accident that the Gospel of John starts with the phrase “In the beginning” — just as Genesis does.  The first two words (in koine Greek) of both John and the Septuagint are, En arche.  This invites a comparison. One could analyze the entire first chapters of the two books, but I’ll … [Read more…]

Today’s News: John 19:1-23

In reading the first half of John 19 the other day, I was struck with how real, how straightforward the narration is.  It does not read like a made-up mythopoetic fantasy, but instead like reportage (I’m paraphrasing C.S. Lewis).  But see what you think: Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together … [Read more…]

Did God Concede Too Much to Abraham?

Any time we question God, it’s cheeky at best and can be dangerously disrespectful, so let me begin this blogpost by reassuring the reader that it will conclude with, well, whaddya know, He was right again. *** So I was thinking about the part of Genesis where God tells Abraham that He is going to … [Read more…]

You Could Make This Stuff Up — But Why Would You?

I (and others) frequently note that one argument supporting the veracity of the Bible is that it contains much that is unflattering to the people who supposedly made it up.  The Jews in the Old Testament are complaining and ungrateful backsliders, the apostles in the New Testament are uncomprehending and cowardly, to give just two … [Read more…]

Thoughts on the Opening and Closing of the Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer begins, “Our Father, who art in Heaven:  Thy name be hallowed, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” and ends, “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.  Amen.” How do Thy name/hallowed, Thy kingdom/come, and Thy will/be done fit together?  Next, how do kingdom, power, and glory … [Read more…]

Some Thoughts on Epistle Reliability

The Gospels read like unembellished eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life (per C.S. Lewis and Richard Bauckham, among others), and I’ve devoted other posts to the historicity of, and Luke’s reason for writing, Acts (see here and here).  But what about the various New Testament epistles? [Footnote:  The remaining New Testament book, Revelation, is also an … [Read more…]

Tomorrow

Here’s Macbeth’s famous “tomorrow” soliloquy (5.5.19-28): Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets … [Read more…]

Exodus Odds and Ends

The just-completed sermon series in our church here was on Exodus, chapters 16-20, and I thought it worthwhile to collect a few thoughts prompted by it.  So below I have one thought on each chapter — plus an opening and closing thought, not tied to any particular chapter. *** Opening thought:  Our pastor noted in … [Read more…]

Greatest Job Interview of All Time

Genesis 41 tells us about the greatest job interview of all time: 14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard … [Read more…]