For Hebrew Bible lovers, Richard Elliott Friedman’s Who Wrote The Bible and Jacob Wright’s Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins are popular reads. While both scholars- in both text and interviews- speak of scribes’ role in the Bible’s development, they do not elaborate too much on these mostly unknownContinue reading “Who Actually Wrote the Bible? Questions and Answers From Prof. William M. Schniedewind”
Tag Archives: bible-study
Life As a Game, Batter Up!
Did a Prophet’s message have the dynamics of Coaching Little League Baseball? Can a Parent’s words of encouragement to a young budding athlete can have the same effect as holy words delivered by a Prophet? To explore this notion, an observation must be made with respect to a little leaguer readying for an “at bat.”Continue reading “Life As a Game, Batter Up!”
It Could Have Been Eleven
But these go to eleven This is Spinal Tap The Prophet Zephaniah- whose book is located in the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Twelve Prophets-delivered some brilliant wisdom. This post-Torah scripture passage is Decalogue-worthy. If the Ten Commandments had not been written in stone and codified in the Torah, this Prophet’s declaration – in the spiritContinue reading “It Could Have Been Eleven”
The Value of Order
“The righteous person shall live though his faith” Habbakuk Laws are merely words. Whether set in stone, written on papyrus, or printed on paper, they standing alone are meaningless. The Prophet Habakkuk addresses this matter in this Ten Commandments’ moment. Is the Decalogue alone of no value? This article explores what gives meaning to law.Continue reading “The Value of Order”
A Second Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: How Josiah Saved Passover
History’s greatest biblical scroll discovery was not the Dead Sea Scrolls found in Qumran. Rather, Hilkiah’s scroll discovery in the Temple during King Josiah’s reign was both the most important and impactful. While the Dead Sea Scrolls provided to the world a glimpse of Second Temple Judaism and revealed the Hebrew Bible’s textual transmission integrity,Continue reading “A Second Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: How Josiah Saved Passover”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Question Authority?
Questioning authority and choosing correct counsel are critical life skills. To question authority, courage, confidence, bravery and confusion are important traits. The same is with taking counsel. Seeking and receiving advice should not reflexively rubberstamp the suggestions imparted. The First Book of Kings offers an example which is a masterclass in failure. Likewise, it isContinue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Question Authority?”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Universal God?
The Kohanim brought the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to its place, to the inner sanctum of the Temple, to the Holy of Holies. 1 Kings 8:6 Upon the Temple of the Lord’s completion, King Solomon addressed the God of Israel’s universality. In 1 Kings 8:41-43, Solomon pronounced “Also a gentile who isContinue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Universal God?”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Vows To Make & Vows To Break
Post-Pentatuch, Scripture must be scrutinized over its treatment the Ten Commandments. This treatment should consider both the reported periods of biblical history as well the period of the text’s composition. In both periods, there was an understanding of Ten Commandments. During various periods of time, it should be appreciated that meanings and applications possibly varied.Continue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Vows To Make & Vows To Break”
A Second Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Another Ten Commandments Re-Boot?
The Second Book of Samuel details King David reign as Israel’s king. Prior to his monarchy, Samuel had conceded to the Israelites’ demand for a king. With this, Saul was made king. With this governance change from tribal confederation to monarchy, Samuel laid out the terms and costs. As the Saul’s monarchy failed the Lord’sContinue reading “A Second Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Another Ten Commandments Re-Boot?”
Yitro’s Ten Commandments’ (Truman Show) Moment
Years ago, my Brother and I were watching the Superbowl. At Halftime, I suggested that we visit a sick relative who was at the nearby hospital. With everyone pre-occupied with watching the bloated halftime performance of some aging music group, the streets were clear; we made it to his hospital room in record time. When we arrived, heContinue reading “Yitro’s Ten Commandments’ (Truman Show) Moment”
The Ten Commandments Project 