Head-dibs

One reason many stop reading the Bible is the genealogies. The names are tough enough, but the smallest amount of confidence can lend to an acceptable pronunciation--a list of names is no reason to stop reading. The list of names is given for a reason and discovering that reason can be quite satisfying. Sudoku, crosswords, word searches and assortments of puzzles provide hours of entertainment, so why should a list of names slow us down? Isn’t is amazing that so many people have lived on this planet and are forgotten? These names are recorded in God’s Unchanging Word locate specific people at a specific time in a specific place. They must be mentioned for a reason even if all we have is a name. We belong to a movement with the primary distinctive of teaching through the Bible book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse. Running the risk of sounding critical, one cannot help but wonder why when we approach many of these passages our teaches say to the effect, “see that list ...

Notice the Famine? How Your Location Impacts Your Bible Interpretation Archaeologists found a  collection of right hands  at the Hyksos capital of Avaris in Egypt. Collecting body parts was one ancient way of counting victims (cf. 1 Sam 18:25). [ht: Bible Places Blog] 10 Smart Ways to Burn More Calories .  Need some meal ideas that are diabetes friendly? I want the tee-shirt Thumbs Carlisle is wearing (the first 12 seconds are pixel-y): 

How Study Bibles can limit Bible Study .  A.N. Martin answers the question, "What is a Biblical Christian?" Here's a photograph seemingly plucked from  The Twilight Zone . If snack food labels told the truth . . . Only a few know how badly I want to do this:

10 Tips on Solving Mysterious Bible Passages from Sherlock Holmes. Staring At Screws. "When you learn to examine the trivial details of the things around you, you realize that nothing is really trivial. Everything has a beautifully long and winding backstory ." Cook Packaged Cinnamon Rolls in Your Waffle Maker. I am SO going to try this.   Top 10 Clever Hacks for Things You Thought Were Trash Check out the faces of these Olympic divers . Intense concentration and physical exertion combine for priceless midair close-ups of these Olympians.  #19 is my fav. Which is yours?

How can they “sing for joy” (Job 38:7) at the creation of the earth on Day 1 if they were created on Day 4 (Genesis 1:16-19)? God asks Job this question: “ Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7). Frankly, I am surprised that the question is not “how can stars sing?” The first part of the answer regarding the stars is found in the figurative language itself, a kind of language we use daily. If I were to ask, “Who won Super Bowl XLV?” the answer would be a representative name (The Packers) instead of the roster of those who actually played in the game for the winning team? MSNBC says the Packers Beat the Steelers—did they really? Is everyone ok? What did they beat them with? The article also says the quarte...

Studying the Bible week in and week out for preaching and teaching, the pastor can find himself falling into dry routine. How to refresh? Here are three suggestions from Dr. William Larkin , professor of Bible, Greek and New Testament at the CIU's Seminary and School of Missions . A more comprehensive list of Dr. Larkin's publications and lectures can be found on his faculty webpage . Dr. Larkin teaches the following Online courses: BIB 5133 - Acts to Revelation ( Online ). Coursework begins May 31, 2010 and ends August 6, 2010. Register by April 30, 2010. GRE 6210 - Greek 3: From Exegesis to Exposition ( Online ). [ GRE 5110 and GRE 5111 pre-requisite] Coursework begins August 24, 2010 and ends December 12, 2010. Register by August 2, 1010. ICS 6024 - Understanding Cultures & Worldviews ( Online ) with Dr. David Cashin . Coursework begins August 24, 2010 and ends December 12, 2010. Register by August 2, 1010.

"Our starting point is Scripture, which we accept as God’s unique and trustworthy revelation. Yet, in seeking with loyalty to conserve this truth from God, we attribute no infallibility to our own evangelical traditions. We desire, rather, to re-examine them radically -- that is to say, with a thoroughness which digs down even to their roots. If we seem to the reader to be always sure about the truthfulness of Scripture but sometimes less than sure in our understanding of how to apply it to complex contemporary questions, then he has accurately grasped our mood." John R. W. Stott (1921-), “Obeying Christ in a Changing World”

that in 1728, potatoes were outlawed in Scotland because they were not mentioned in the Bible?

"We cannot attain to the understanding of scripture either by study or by the intellect. Your first duty is to begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant you, of His great mercy, the true understanding of His Word. There is no other intepreter of the Word of God than the Author of His Word, as He Himself has said, 'They shall be taught of God' (John 6:45). Hope for nothing from your own labors, from your own understanding: trust solely in God, and in the influence of His Spirit. Believe this on the word of a man who has experience." Martin Luther (1483-1546)

This verse was used on a Christmas card: "They exchanged gifts and made merry." (Revelation 11:10). The context of the verse? rejoicing over the deaths of God's two witnesses at the hand of the beast.

Another blogger has kicked the coals, stirred the fire in the old debate surrounding wizadry, magic, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and (of course) Narnia. I put in my two-cents' worth. Again. I have come to the conclusion that some conversations just don't need to happen, knowwhutImean? What can I say? I'm a slow learner. The sides range thusly: CON: Christians should have absolutely nothing to do with Lewis/Rowling/Tolkien; PRO: Christians may enjoy Lewis/Rowling/Tolkien; MIDDLE CON: Lewis/Tolkien may be handled, but not Rowling. (so-called) POSTMODERN: Whatever. When it comes down to it, the arguments are fueled more by individual interest with little or no concern for facts. This is why the arguments continue. A couple of years ago I a neighbor that saw no difference between the three stories. I tried to talk to him and explain the literary background and differences in story, but to no avail. The family could not understand there was a difference beca...