Bible Study Lessons
Learning the original languages of the Bible is like having X-ray vision because it enables readers to see things others can’t see. For example, God told Noah, “So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out” (Gen 6:14). The Hebrew word for ark is tevah. … Read more
Properly interpreting the Bible requires balance. For example, are Christians world affirming or world denying? Since God declared everything he had made to be “very good” (Gen 1:31), believers should affirm the world as the work of a good Creator. Moreover, through the incarnation, the Son of God embraced this world by taking on a … Read more
As I was reading a commentary today, the author’s (C. H. Dodd) translation of a verse caught my attention: “Courage! I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:33). These are the last words of Jesus to his disciples in his farewell discourse (Jn 14-16). I like the translation because it’s concise, direct, and commanding. I can imagine … Read more
Why did the Son of God die? Let’s back up and begin with this question: Why did the Son of God become human? If God wants to communicate with us, what are the non-human options? Off the top of my head: (1) God could make a public announcement, (2) God could appear in a vision, … Read more
Here’s an insightful observation from Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758): The devil once seemed to be religious from fear of torment. Luke 8:28, “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech … Read more