Results tagged “bible”
The Incident of the Fish (08/19/09 - 13 Comments)
A couple of years ago I decided that I'd try to read through the works of historian David McCullough (a project that continues). I eventually came to Brave Companions, a book that offers “Portraits in History”—brief glimpses of people and incidents that helped make America what she is today. One of the chapters deals with “The American Adventure of Louis Agassiz.” Agassiz was a French zoologist and geologist who settled in the United States in...
The King of the Ages (04/11/09 - 2 Comments)
A few days ago, while studying 1 Timothy, I came across an interesting portion of Philip Ryken's commentary and I thought I'd share it with you. Ryken comments on 1 Timothy 1:17, those verses that inspired a classic hymn of the Christian faith: "To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." Here is what Ryken says: ***** Demetrius was right to be worried. The Ephesian...
The One True God (02/24/09 - 8 Comments)
It is a question I am asked a lot: what Bible study curriculum do you recommend? I rarely know what to say. There are so many of them available; time would fail me to collect, examine and review them all. I was interested, then, to see that Paul Washer is releasing a new edition of The One True God, a title first released several years ago. It is published by Granted Ministries Press. No less...
Memorizing Scripture Together - It Begins Today (11/23/08 - 9 Comments)
A few days ago I announced Memorizing Scripture Together--a program or effort dedicated to committing to memory passages and verses of Scripture. I had hoped to have at least thirty people agree to participate in the program. I was surprised and delighted to find that hundreds had signed up to participate. This shows, I think, how much we as Christians crave the Word but how our lazy, sinful natures draw us away from our hearts'...
A Visual History of the English Bible (11/17/08 - 3 Comments)
I wanted A Visual History of the English Bible to be a standout. A book that I spied in a catalog and knew I just needed to read, it deals with a topic I love and in a way that is fresh and compelling. Few readers of the English Bible really understand the history of their Bible and fewer still understand the countless sacrifices that were made to bring it to us. A book like...
That Shall Be Known... (11/15/08 - 10 Comments)
Yesterday, while reading a book about the history of the English Bible, I came across the story of John Rogers, a Bible translator who worked first with Tyndale and then independently after Tyndale's death. It's a story I've read before and one that is so powerful. Rogers was eventually arrested, tried, and found guilty of heresies against the Roman Church and against the sacrament. Such heresy carried with it the penalty of death and Rogers...
The ESV Study Bible - A Review (10/14/08 - 29 Comments)
I still remember getting my first study Bible. It was many years ago, probably in the late 80's, that my parents gave me the gift of a brand new NIV Study Bible. I used that Bible daily for many years though it was eventually replaced by a New Geneva Study Bible in the NKJV translation and after that by a Reformation Study Bible in the ESV. Today, if you drop by my home in the...
ESV Study Bible (10/10/08 - 18 Comments)
I just got handed a copy of the ESV Study Bible by a roaming Crossway marketing guru. Ah, the joys of being a reviewer. The Bible is set for release this Tuesday and you can now order it from Amazon, Westminster Books, or any other online retailer. Westminster is offering it at a ridiculous discount in each of the eight editions and is shipping it starting today. Hardcover TruTone Nat Brown TruTone Classic Black Black...
Depending on the Spirit (09/02/08 - 20 Comments)
Some time ago I read an article (which, alas, I can no longer find) that described a time that a crew from the BBC went in search of the Loch Ness Monster. I thought of this yesterday while watching the movie The Water Horse with the kids. The corporation hired a team of experts to sweep Loch Ness from end to end, back and forth for several days using some of the world's most sophisticated...
Sandbox Devotions (07/14/08 - 18 Comments)
There was a period in my life where I spent a good bit of time playing computer games. I developed a fascination with certain games and gained a lot of pleasure from playing them. Truth be told, if I was able to find a way of extending my days from 24 to 48 hours I might take up the hobby again. Unfortunately, as it stands now, I just have too many other responsibilities in life...
The Beauty of a Good Translation (02/04/08 - 44 Comments)
I love language and the English language in particular. While I have always enjoyed using words and studying language, I found that my love of English was forged during the time I spent studying other languages, primarily those from which English is derived—Latin, Greek, and to some extent, French. I also studied linguistics and, of course, the English language itself. I came to love understanding how people use words to craft ideas. There is a...
Errors and Contradictions in the Bible (01/14/08 - 62 Comments)
This is the third and final article in this short series dealing with inerrancy and with the Bible’s supposed errors and contradictions. In the last article we defined what inerrancy is not and then attempted to adequately define the term. I suggested the following definition: The inerrancy of Scripture means that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact. Today we will look at some common objections to this...
What Does "Inerrant" Mean? (01/12/08 - 9 Comments)
Yesterday I began a short series on the inerrancy of Scripture, looking at whether there are errors and contradictions in the Bible. You can read the first article and the response to it here: Are There Errors in the Bible?. When I first began to develop and understanding of this doctrine, I found that the doctrines of Scripture cannot be neatly separated, one from the other, for they are intertwined and interrelated. So in the...
Are there Errors in the Bible? (01/11/08 - 17 Comments)
A few days ago I received an email from a reader of this site who was concerned about how to answer those who claim that the Bible is a book filled with error and contradiction. Such claims are common and, sadly, are more and more being put forth even from within evangelical circles. This reader affirmed his belief in the inerrancy and authority of Scripture but was looking for some guidance on how to answer...
Modern Parables: Living in the Kingdom of God (DVD) (11/14/07 - 17 Comments)
Modern Parables: Living in the Kingdom of God is an original Bible study curriculum designed for people who like movies and is just the first in a planned series of film-driven studies on the parables of Jesus. The films are geared towards use for youth groups, small groups, evangelism or even home schooling curriculum. Volume 1 features six of Jesus' parables, told anew through film and set in a contemporary context. The 12-lesson study combines...
Imitate Their Faith (11/05/07 - 5 Comments)
It was near the end of the book of Hebrews that I found some verses that have been bouncing around in my head for some time now. With the epistle drawing to a close, the pastor who authored this letter exhorts the believers to remember the men who had once led the church, to consider how these men lived, and to imitate their faith. “Remember your leaders,” he says, “those who spoke to you the...
Blood on the Book (11/02/07 - 27 Comments)
All Scripture is breathed out by God… In my personal devotions I’ve recently begun a study of Esther. Since it is a short book and one that is entirely narrative, I do not anticipate being in the book for long—probably just about one day per chapter. Esther is probably best known among Christians as being a book of the Bible that never mentions God, either explicitly or even implicitly. But though His name is never...
Bringing Life to the Living (10/08/07 - 15 Comments)
Taking God at His Word. Do you remember that amazing miracle of Jesus where he brought life to Lazarus? I'm sure you must remember it. Lazarus was sitting in his home along with his sisters Mary and Martha. He was chewing on some bread and cheese as an afternoon snack when, from outside the door of the house he heard a bit of a commotion as if a crowd was quickly approaching. There was mourning...
Is Scripture Study Required of Christians? (09/19/07 - 22 Comments)
Yesterday I received a question from a reader of this site. The question was simple: "Is Scripture study required of Christians? Is it actually discussed in the Bible?" As I wrote an answer I felt that it might be valuable to think it through carefully and even to share the answer. I'll be the first to admit that my knowledge of Scripture is far less than encyclopedic. However, I am quite sure that if you...
Trusting the Instruments (08/15/07 - 7 Comments)
Trusting our instruments rather than our sight or instincts. A few months ago I was watching a program called "Mayday," which I believe is actually several other shows all rolled into one and branded for a Canadian audience. It is a show about disasters, and most notably, plane crashes. It sounds morbid, I admit, but I find it interesting (though I'll admit that it has made my children inordinately afraid of flying. They are now...