Not too long ago, we moved our church website over to Wordpress.com. Because I am the one who "keeps it up" I was forced to get used to their design and setup - I LOVE IT!!!
Therefore, I am moving this blog to Wordpress.com.
http://inthecontext.wordpress.com
I am changing the name to "In the Context" but the idea behind the blogs are going to be the same - digging deep for fascinating truths and the occasional book review.
I hope you come see me over there and thanks for your readership!
Jonathan Caldwell
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Man of Galilee
Too often circular reasoning is used in order to defend the divinity of Jesus. A conversation might resemble the following:
How do you know Jesus is the son of God? Because the Bible says so.
How do you know the Bible is accurate? Because Jesus said it was inspired.
Why should I trust what Jesus had to say? Because Jesus is the son of God.
I think the problem of logic is fairly obvious.
Over the past few years there have been some great books written that help people with their faith on the subject of who and what Jesus is. Most notably is Lee Strobel. His “Case for…” books are very helpful and well written.
However, I have never been as impressed with the flow of an author’s argument as I was when reading Atticus G. Haygood’s The Man of Galilee. The book does not exercise the common arguments of modern defenders. Though the book is over 100 years old I found its arguments and logic fresh and convincing, though it does require the reader to pay attention.
Haygood starts with the gospels as historical documents, as opposed to starting with them as inspired documents. From there he discusses the claims they make of Jesus against the culture and society of Jesus’ day. The conclusion is that not only was Jesus not just an invention of gospel writers or, simply, a good man, He was in fact the Son of God!
My friends at DeWard Publishing have reprinted the text of this grand book. You can visit their website to order a copy - www.dewardpublishing.com
How do you know Jesus is the son of God? Because the Bible says so.
How do you know the Bible is accurate? Because Jesus said it was inspired.
Why should I trust what Jesus had to say? Because Jesus is the son of God.
I think the problem of logic is fairly obvious.
Over the past few years there have been some great books written that help people with their faith on the subject of who and what Jesus is. Most notably is Lee Strobel. His “Case for…” books are very helpful and well written.
However, I have never been as impressed with the flow of an author’s argument as I was when reading Atticus G. Haygood’s The Man of Galilee. The book does not exercise the common arguments of modern defenders. Though the book is over 100 years old I found its arguments and logic fresh and convincing, though it does require the reader to pay attention.
Haygood starts with the gospels as historical documents, as opposed to starting with them as inspired documents. From there he discusses the claims they make of Jesus against the culture and society of Jesus’ day. The conclusion is that not only was Jesus not just an invention of gospel writers or, simply, a good man, He was in fact the Son of God!
My friends at DeWard Publishing have reprinted the text of this grand book. You can visit their website to order a copy - www.dewardpublishing.com
Monday, March 16, 2009
Biblical Archeology
If you know me, you know that I have varied interest when it comes to Biblical Studies. One subject that I have been particularly interested in, as of late, is archeology. Before I share some links with you, I would like to point out a serious caveat when it comes to Biblical Archeology - it cannot and should not replace faith! While we may find traces of the Hittite empire and stones that have the names of some of the kings of Judah engraved on them, Archeology cannot prove that "God so loved the world." We must understand that Archeology can strengthen our faith in God's word, but it should not replace our faith in God's word.
With those things in mind I would love to share with you a couple links to web pages and three links to sermons/presentations dealing with biblical archeology.
http://ferrelljenkins.wordpress.com/ - as you can see from the name, this blog is hosted by Brother Ferrell Jenkins - Ferrell's Travel Blog. If you know him, you know that he is a well organized and thorough Bible student. His blog is one of the few that I check everyday due to the great pictures and information and its concise nature. His blogs typically deal with some issue of archeology or geography. Both subjects provide for a better background of understanding when it comes to Biblical studies. He has studied, written, and travelled extensively and is well qualified to comment on these things!
The next two links I offer with a disclaimer - I do not know the hosts and this reference is not an endorsement of everything put forth on these sites. However, both contain great pictures and lots of information.
http://blog.bibleplaces.com/
http://www.bibleinterp.com/index.shtml
I have found three mp3 files online of sermons dealing with archeology:
With those things in mind I would love to share with you a couple links to web pages and three links to sermons/presentations dealing with biblical archeology.
http://ferrelljenkins.wordpress.com/ - as you can see from the name, this blog is hosted by Brother Ferrell Jenkins - Ferrell's Travel Blog. If you know him, you know that he is a well organized and thorough Bible student. His blog is one of the few that I check everyday due to the great pictures and information and its concise nature. His blogs typically deal with some issue of archeology or geography. Both subjects provide for a better background of understanding when it comes to Biblical studies. He has studied, written, and travelled extensively and is well qualified to comment on these things!
The next two links I offer with a disclaimer - I do not know the hosts and this reference is not an endorsement of everything put forth on these sites. However, both contain great pictures and lots of information.
http://blog.bibleplaces.com/
http://www.bibleinterp.com/index.shtml
I have found three mp3 files online of sermons dealing with archeology:
- This first one is by the late Phil Roberts. I regret only being able to study with him for about 2 months before he passed away. These types of archives enable many of us to learn from a man who knew so much! http://www.antiochchurchofchrist.org/apps/blog/show/126702-archaeology-and-the-bible
- These two sermons are by Dr. David McClister. I was privileged to take a number of courses under him, including the Gospel of John, the book of Revelation, and three years of Greek (all too quickly forgotten). http://www.antiochchurchofchrist.org/mcclisterevidencesnt.htm - NT Archeology
http://www.antiochchurchofchrist.org/mcclisterevidencesot.htm - OT Archeology
I hope you enjoy these links/audio files as much as I did. As I said before, your faith is YOURS, this is a subject that can truly strengthen it!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Churches of the New Testament
In Churches of the New Testament, Ethan Longhenry discusses the individual congregations that are mentioned in the Book of Acts and to whom the epistles were written. For anyone who desires to follow the pattern laid out for churches in the New Testament, this is a great book to go to (aside from the Bible).
For those who are curious about some of the background issues relating to each congregation, the history and geography sections provide that information. Mr. Longhenry then moves on to the beginning of the church and moves from its establishment through what we know of the church’s existence. At that point, the author focuses on some specific issues (i.e. support in Philippi, endurance in Thessalonica). It is with these issues that the author draws the application. The end of the book contains an overview / summary of what God does and does not approve in local churches. This is simply of grouping together of everything learned from each congregation.
If you are wanting and in depth study of the epistles, this is not the book you are looking for. But if you want a book that can be of a real benefit to your knowledge of what Christ wants in His local congregations, this is a book you should read. Each chapter is well organized and easy to read. It is not filled with church or academic language, but a clear and precise summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the churches mentioned in the New Testament.
For those who are curious about some of the background issues relating to each congregation, the history and geography sections provide that information. Mr. Longhenry then moves on to the beginning of the church and moves from its establishment through what we know of the church’s existence. At that point, the author focuses on some specific issues (i.e. support in Philippi, endurance in Thessalonica). It is with these issues that the author draws the application. The end of the book contains an overview / summary of what God does and does not approve in local churches. This is simply of grouping together of everything learned from each congregation.
If you are wanting and in depth study of the epistles, this is not the book you are looking for. But if you want a book that can be of a real benefit to your knowledge of what Christ wants in His local congregations, this is a book you should read. Each chapter is well organized and easy to read. It is not filled with church or academic language, but a clear and precise summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the churches mentioned in the New Testament.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Where was the sin in Babel?
In most childhood Bible classes, the sin involved with the tower of Babel is the people’s desire to build a tower whose top reaches into the heavens. However, the text never tells us the exact problem, therefore, we are left to figure out the sin of this people. This “childhood interpretation” may get us headed in the right direction but it does not give a sufficient answer to the following question: what was the sin of the people in Babel? After all, the Bible never condemns the building of towers.
One answer that has been given to this question is that the people failed to follow God’s commandment in Genesis 9:1. God told Noah and his sons to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” In the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), it seems as if all the people of the earth are staying in the general region of Mesopotamia – the “they” of verse 2 seems to refer back to “the whole earth” of verse 1. God was aware of the people’s failure to spread over the face of the earth, so God forces them to do so and “confuse[s] their language” to keep them from migrating back towards one another. But even this explanation is lacking.
Interesting studies have been done on the edifices of ancient Babylon. One of the main architectural designs in Babylon was the ziggurat (a pyramid-like structure with a filled inside). Archeologists have discovered nearly 30 within the general region of Mesopotamia. This part of the world contained small amounts of stone (unlike Judea), so they had to make bricks. This was done by compacting mud and allowing it to dry under the sun’s heat. The brick could be made stronger by baking the brick in an oven. The inside of a ziggurat was usually made with sun-dried bricks and the outside was protected with oven-baked bricks (this is the reference in Genesis 11:3). The outside of these structures were often designed with ramps or stairs which one could use to reach the top where there was a room which contained a bed. These edifices ranged from 60-200 feet per side and they were usually dedicated to some deity.
What makes these structures interesting is their undefined use. They were strictly off limits to common use. Only assumptions can be made based on their names and design. The following are the phrases that are associated with some of the ziggurats: temple of the foundation of heaven and earth, temple that links heaven and earth, temple of the stairway to pure heaven. The top of ziggurat (the room with a bed) was considered the "gate of the gods". It is generally assumed that the gods would come down this stairway (whose top was in the heavens) to the people where the gods could receive praise and pronounce blessings. Furthermore, verse 5 states that God did, in fact, come down – possibly filling out the ziggurat imagery. If Genesis 11 does describe the construction of a ziggurat, then they are trying to dictate the means by which they communicate with God.
As is the case with many Old Testament stories, the retelling of these stories (without reading them) often leads to the omission of details and one such detail is given in Genesis 11– “and let us make for ourselves a name.” These people are concerned with their image. They forget that only God can give someone a great name (i.e. Abraham). Their problem is one that is so common among humans – PRIDE! It was their pride that led them to try to build a tower which reached the heavens (the realm of God). It was their pride that kept them from spreading out and filling the earth (i.e. we can do more if we stay closer together). And it was their pride that made them try to dictate when and where God would meet with His people.
It was because of sin that God would not dwell in the midst of men. The pride of this people caused them to subvert God’s desires and God’s plan for reestablishing coexistence with man. We must always understand that God’s ways and thoughts are above ours (Isaiah 55:8f) and even if we feel discomforted or slighted we must realize that God knows best and we must continue to follow His every word and act only with His authority.
More detailed information on ziggurats can be found at this link: http://www.koinoniablog.net/2009/02/tower-of-babel.html
One answer that has been given to this question is that the people failed to follow God’s commandment in Genesis 9:1. God told Noah and his sons to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” In the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), it seems as if all the people of the earth are staying in the general region of Mesopotamia – the “they” of verse 2 seems to refer back to “the whole earth” of verse 1. God was aware of the people’s failure to spread over the face of the earth, so God forces them to do so and “confuse[s] their language” to keep them from migrating back towards one another. But even this explanation is lacking.
Interesting studies have been done on the edifices of ancient Babylon. One of the main architectural designs in Babylon was the ziggurat (a pyramid-like structure with a filled inside). Archeologists have discovered nearly 30 within the general region of Mesopotamia. This part of the world contained small amounts of stone (unlike Judea), so they had to make bricks. This was done by compacting mud and allowing it to dry under the sun’s heat. The brick could be made stronger by baking the brick in an oven. The inside of a ziggurat was usually made with sun-dried bricks and the outside was protected with oven-baked bricks (this is the reference in Genesis 11:3). The outside of these structures were often designed with ramps or stairs which one could use to reach the top where there was a room which contained a bed. These edifices ranged from 60-200 feet per side and they were usually dedicated to some deity.
What makes these structures interesting is their undefined use. They were strictly off limits to common use. Only assumptions can be made based on their names and design. The following are the phrases that are associated with some of the ziggurats: temple of the foundation of heaven and earth, temple that links heaven and earth, temple of the stairway to pure heaven. The top of ziggurat (the room with a bed) was considered the "gate of the gods". It is generally assumed that the gods would come down this stairway (whose top was in the heavens) to the people where the gods could receive praise and pronounce blessings. Furthermore, verse 5 states that God did, in fact, come down – possibly filling out the ziggurat imagery. If Genesis 11 does describe the construction of a ziggurat, then they are trying to dictate the means by which they communicate with God.
As is the case with many Old Testament stories, the retelling of these stories (without reading them) often leads to the omission of details and one such detail is given in Genesis 11– “and let us make for ourselves a name.” These people are concerned with their image. They forget that only God can give someone a great name (i.e. Abraham). Their problem is one that is so common among humans – PRIDE! It was their pride that led them to try to build a tower which reached the heavens (the realm of God). It was their pride that kept them from spreading out and filling the earth (i.e. we can do more if we stay closer together). And it was their pride that made them try to dictate when and where God would meet with His people.
It was because of sin that God would not dwell in the midst of men. The pride of this people caused them to subvert God’s desires and God’s plan for reestablishing coexistence with man. We must always understand that God’s ways and thoughts are above ours (Isaiah 55:8f) and even if we feel discomforted or slighted we must realize that God knows best and we must continue to follow His every word and act only with His authority.
More detailed information on ziggurats can be found at this link: http://www.koinoniablog.net/2009/02/tower-of-babel.html
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Worthy Woman
It is sad that the only time Proverbs 31 is studied is either on Mother’s day or one of the first lessons in a ladies Bible study. This section is not only a call for women to fulfill their God-given roles as wives and mothers; it is a challenge to men. Am I being the man I need to be so that my wife can be the woman she needs to be? Or does she have to fill my role as husband and father too?
With some application out of the way, I want to share with you something that made me respect this “worthy woman” all the more. Verse 17 reads, “she girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.” This is usually noted by commending her ability to work from sun up to sun down. She had to be physically strong to complete her day’s work. But I want you to notice something about verse 19, “She stretches out her hand to the distaff and her hands grasp the spindle.” The distaff is the wooden staff that the wool is on before it is spun as thread. The spindle is the flywheel used to collect the thread. You may wonder what this has to do with her being strong because this is a reference to her making clothes – or is it?
According to mythology, Anat, the warrior goddess of Ugarit, used the di
staff and spindle as a weapon. So while, this woman is busy providing for her family, she may also be ready to protect them. While I would not want to push this point too hard, it is interesting that she is concerned with her level of strength, she holds onto the spindle (she does not simply use it), she is not afraid, and she is able to smile at the future. According to Tremper Longman, “warrior imagery” is woven in to the entire section on the worthy woman. It seems that the only thing this woman fears is God.
The next time you think about the worthy woman, do not just think of some docile little lady. This woman fulfills her God-given role as a wife and mother by loving her husband, providing for her family, and protecting her children. This is not the woman to cross at the supermarket!
With some application out of the way, I want to share with you something that made me respect this “worthy woman” all the more. Verse 17 reads, “she girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.” This is usually noted by commending her ability to work from sun up to sun down. She had to be physically strong to complete her day’s work. But I want you to notice something about verse 19, “She stretches out her hand to the distaff and her hands grasp the spindle.” The distaff is the wooden staff that the wool is on before it is spun as thread. The spindle is the flywheel used to collect the thread. You may wonder what this has to do with her being strong because this is a reference to her making clothes – or is it?
According to mythology, Anat, the warrior goddess of Ugarit, used the di
staff and spindle as a weapon. So while, this woman is busy providing for her family, she may also be ready to protect them. While I would not want to push this point too hard, it is interesting that she is concerned with her level of strength, she holds onto the spindle (she does not simply use it), she is not afraid, and she is able to smile at the future. According to Tremper Longman, “warrior imagery” is woven in to the entire section on the worthy woman. It seems that the only thing this woman fears is God.The next time you think about the worthy woman, do not just think of some docile little lady. This woman fulfills her God-given role as a wife and mother by loving her husband, providing for her family, and protecting her children. This is not the woman to cross at the supermarket!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Ecclesiastes by Tremper Longman III
For information on this author see post below.
I just finished a Bible class on Ecclesiastes and this was an indispensable source. This is in the NICOT series (New International Commentary on the Old Testament) – a quality series published by Eerdmans.
This is one of the few commentaries that you could from cover to cover. Longman is not dogmatic concerning various interpretations of some of the more difficult passages (which add up to more than I assumed). Longman is also very conversant with many of the “standard scholars” on Ecclesiastes – Blenkinsopp, Crenshaw, Fox, Ginsberg, and Whybray. This is an added benefit to this book because he frequently includes their views and provides pros and cons for each and then presents his personal opinion.
For the class I had also picked up Provan’s work on Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon in the NIVAC series (The NIV Application Commentary). I was in the habit of reading through Longman first and felt as if Provan added little.
If you need an aid for Ecclesiastes, go with Longman. He is brilliant and his strength is Old Testament Poetry.
I just finished a Bible class on Ecclesiastes and this was an indispensable source. This is in the NICOT series (New International Commentary on the Old Testament) – a quality series published by Eerdmans.
This is one of the few commentaries that you could from cover to cover. Longman is not dogmatic concerning various interpretations of some of the more difficult passages (which add up to more than I assumed). Longman is also very conversant with many of the “standard scholars” on Ecclesiastes – Blenkinsopp, Crenshaw, Fox, Ginsberg, and Whybray. This is an added benefit to this book because he frequently includes their views and provides pros and cons for each and then presents his personal opinion.
For the class I had also picked up Provan’s work on Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon in the NIVAC series (The NIV Application Commentary). I was in the habit of reading through Longman first and felt as if Provan added little.
If you need an aid for Ecclesiastes, go with Longman. He is brilliant and his strength is Old Testament Poetry.
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