Some critics say that the Bible is full of mathematical errors, but most of these alleged errors are easily explained if we keep in mind two basic concepts in mathematical speech that we use today. First, it is within the boundaries of plain human speech to round numbers up or down, and second, it is within the boundaries of plain human speech to count different parts of a set.[Read More]
linguistics
Inspiration and Intertextuality in the Handwashing Controversy (Mark 7:6–13)
The doctrine of inspiration speaks of the Bible’s dual authorship. The key issue in inspiration is the roles that God and the human authors play. The proper view of biblical inspiration has been labeled the verbal-plenary view of inspiration. In this post we will take a quick look at what verbal-plenary inspiration means and how it is evident in intertextuality.
Linguistic Problems with Lordship Salvation in James 2:14–26
Last month, I posted the text and a translation of James 2:14–26. Since then, I have modified the translation and written some commentary that emphasises the article. You can read it below or download the pdf here:
pmiles James 2 translation and commentary
[Read More]
Retranslating James 2:14–26
People make James 2:14–26 harder than it should be. I think that the main problem is that man naturally wants to earn his own righteousness, so there is a tendency for men to misread biblical texts to make their salvation dependent on themselves.
There are some particularities to the English language that have become difficult in James, so I am offering a retranslation with a few oddities that I think are justified. This translation is part of a soteriology class that I am taking and I will include a commentary in a paper for that class (in other words, I want my professor to poke holes in the commentary it before I share it publicly).[Read More]
I bought a mystery liquid in Poland.
I bought a bottle of mystery liquid in Poland. It was a confusing experience that reminded me of the need to understand cultural context when we read the Bible. So, I talked about it in church.
[Read More]
Three Arguments not to Make in the Chronology Debate
The Patterns of Evidence documentary series has become popular with evangelicals in recent years. It proposes a revised chronology based on David Rohl’s work that shortens the Egyptian timeline such that the Exodus weakened Egypt’s army, making them vulnerable for an invasion and occupation that’s known as the Hyksos Period (aka the Second Intermediate Period). Others who accept the historicity of the Exodus will typically say that Israel was enslaved during the Hyksos Period and left sometime afterwards during the Eighteenth Dynasty.
[Read More]