Monday, July 26, 2021

Do Modern Translations Deny the Trinity? (1 John 5:7b–8a)

It is often argued by a small but vocal minority of people that modern translations omit the doctrine of the Trinity. Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the accusation is still leveled against the NIV and all modern translations. But this is an issue of textual criticism and not theology.

Monday, July 19, 2021

Answer the fool, or not? (Proverbs 26:4–5)

Some people say they don’t trust the Old Testament because of all the so-called contradictions. One of the apparent contradictions often pointed out is found in Proverbs 26:4–5. Should you, or should you not, answer a fool?

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Are the Gospels Truly Anonymous?

It has long been said that the Gospels are anonymous. At one level, that’s true. The names of the authors are not embedded in the text of the Gospels. And since we don't really know who wrote them, how can we trust that what they say about Jesus is true?

Thursday, July 1, 2021

I Belong to the Lord, My Very Steps (Jeremiah 10:23)

It is a constant temptation to think that we are our own, that we are in charge of our own lives. But for Christians, we belong to him, and when we walk, even then He directs our steps. This is what the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism is all about.

Monday, June 28, 2021

Should The Gospel of Thomas be in the Bible?

It appears that there were three tests as to whether a book was viewed as authoritative and therefore included in the biblical canon. With so many people thinking the Gospel of Thomas should be in the Bible, let’s look at the facts.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Translating Figures of Speech

Is 1 Corinthians 13 really a parenthetical “love chapter”? Or is it powerful, rhetorical language reflecting Paul's frustration with the Corinthian church? And how do we translate the figure of speech when Paul says that in the bookkeeping of love, past wrongs are not recorded?

Monday, June 7, 2021

Can Cornelius and Luke tell Time? (Acts 10:30)

“Cornelius said, ‘Four days ago at this hour, I was praying at the ninth hour in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing.’” The challenge here is that it was only three days earlier that Cornelius had his vision. So is this an error?

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Hating and being Hated

Titus 3:3 paints a pretty dark picture of who we were before Christ. It may seem like a small point, but does Paul say we were “detestable,” or both being hated and hating others”? Either way, do we really believe this? The ramifications for evangelism are significant.

Monday, May 17, 2021

What is “Genuine” Love? (Rom 12:9–13)

Romans 12:9 and the following verses give us an interesting challenge as to what it means and how to translate it. Specifically, where did all the indicative verbs go, and what is the relationship of 12:9a to the following verses?