Bible Encounters

What is the GOSPEL? How does it relate to honoring the emperor? Or does it even? I think this conversation is actually a pretty big deal for us. 

What does it mean that women are to be subject to their husbands? Has Peter said anything earlier that could help? Men are called to honor their wives but wives are called the weaker vessel. What is up with that? There are some confusing statements in here. I hope I can offer a few thoughts that can help. 

How should Christians respond to rulers who reject Jesus as their King? What should our motivation be? What is our model? There is some good stuff in here for us to consider. 

Peter talks about Christians as... 1) babies 2) the temple 3) Israel 4) exiles

What's up with heaven? (hahaha) What is the Kingdom of God?  Why does God speak of judgment?  How can one BE holy?  Great questions guys. Hope I can offer some helpful ideas. 

Because of God's salvation, Peter gives 4 commands for us to consider

In this episode, we will look at 8 things Peter says about our salvation, and surprisingly he won't be talking about going to heaven. I will be on that soapbox for a while. 

reflections regarding the 4 contexts and ideas regarding the doctrine of 'election'

Peter addresses his recipients as 'selected sojourners of the scattering'. What does that mean? In this lesson, we will highlight some key ideas that may show what Peter wants to address in his letter. 

We are diving into our study of 1Peter by thinking about how to read NT letters. Hope this provides a helpful foundation for us. 

I admit that this view is really going to mess with you. It messes with me. Does that necessarily mean it's wrong though? Maybe not. In this view, Peter Enns, Abram S. Clemens professor of biblical studies at Eastern University, will argue that the Joshua conquest account describes how Israel viewed God but not necessarily what Israel did or what God told them to do. Instead, Enns argues a theolog...

Great questions guys! Thanks so much. I hope my responses are helpful. I am going to dive into a bit of technical stuff regarding the Hebrew words for Genesis 15.16.

In this lesson, John Walton will present his argument that the language in Joshua represents ancient war language. What makes his view different from Paul Copan is that Walton will argue that the conquest is not God using Israel to punish the Canaanites. Instead Walton will argue that even the descriptions of the Canaanites was common ancient language regarding an enemy. He calls it the 'barbarian...

Man, you guys asked some great questions! Thanks so much for your involvement. I hope my comments are helpful and are charitable. Please reach out if you have any follow-up questions on anything I say. 

In this lesson, I am having you listen to a message by Paul Copan, who is Professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Copan wrote the book, Is God a Moral Monster. Copan will be calling us to think about the details in the text that should challenge our understanding of what 'history' narratives are. He will argue that we should read the Bible literarily and not literally. As we notice the detail...

Great questions everybody! Hope this helps. 

So what is up with all those giants in the Old Testament? You have wondered about it. I know. So have I. In this lesson, we will hear a view of the conquest that relates specifically to these giants. Buckle up people, this is going to get weird...

Thanks to all who asked questions or made comments. I had quite a bit to work with. 20 minutes went by fast. Speaking of fast, I talk pretty quickly so I included my script for anyone who wants to revisit an idea they heard. I didn't clean it up so there are a few grammatical issues :) For those who didn't post anything, please try to do so for the next lesson. It would be great to get everyone in...

In this lesson, I will begin by reminding us of a few ideas we should keep in mind moving forward about our Bible study. Then I will introduce the first view, which I will call the INSTRUMENT view. I imagine many of you will find this view familiar but I also expect many questions. Looking forward to hearing what you all have to say. 

We look at the Northern campaign in these chapters and I attempt to pronounce a whole bunch of tricky names. Feel free to chuckle at my attempts. I am excited to talk more with you about the rabbit hole I go down in the 2nd half of the lesson that connects the Rephaim and Anakim mentioned in these chapters to the Nephilim and Nimrod in Genesis 6 all the way to Goliath in 2Samuel! Some crazy stuff...

We explore the Southern campaign in these chapters. Others hear what God has done for Israel and respond in various ways. These chapters really set up the second half of our study where we will study the phrase 'devoted to destruction'. 

In these chapters, we get to the heart of our study regarding the phrase 'devoted to destruction'. This is not easy stuff to read and I confess it challenges me. Yet I am confident that my understanding and interpretation of this text and my evaluation of God's character are rooted in my imperfections and lack of knowledge. In other words, I trust in God more than in myself. 

Joshua encounters a man with a sword. Jericho faces the Israelite army. Israel must trust that God fights for them. Rahab's family waits in anticipation for salvation by God through Israel. All the while, God's promise to bless the world through Abraham must remain our focus here. 

God calls Israel to follow him through the waters of the Jordan and Joshua is exalted as Moses' successor. There are lots of cool connections here and I know I am missing a ton of them. As we work our way through Joshua, remember that God's goal is not just to fight for Israel but to use Israel to bring blessing to the world. 

In this reading, we will think about the parallels Joshua has with Moses and the Passover event in the Exodus. We will also reflect on the incredible faith of Rahab.