Biblical Literacy with Mark Lanier

Apr 6, 2023 Mark continued the study of the Minor Prophets with the book of Habakkuk. Mark started his review of Habakkuk with some context. Neither the writer nor the date of Habakkuk is known, leaving the reader to also question why, how, and where. Jesus and other New Testament writers quoted from Habakkuk. He […] The post Chapter 21, Old Testament Minor Prophets, Habakkuk . (pt1) appeare...

Mark discusses passages in the book of Zephaniah. Lesson objectives include: 1. Looking at the passages in a different way 2. Apply the passages to me and you 3. Wash, Rinse and repeat Zephaniah 1:1 Mark breaks down the meaning of each name and why the name Zephaniah is followed by his family linage and […] The post Chapter 20, Old Testament Minor Prophets, Zephaniah. (pt2) appeared first on...

Dr. David Capes delivered an overview of Zephaniah in the Study of The Minor Prophets. Zepaniah’s name means God has hidden. Names that contain the name of God, those ending in iah or el, are theophoric. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah in 640-630 BC. Dr. Capes focused on three areas: Oracles against nations – who […] The post Chapter 19, Old Testament Minor P...

Note: Last week’s lesson from Feb 26 was not published due to technical difficulties. It was addressed in this week’s lesson. Summary: Mark Lanier continued the study of the Minor Prophets with Nahum. An oracle to Nineveh in the Assyrian Empire. Mark reviewed: What in the world was going on? The reign of Ashurbanipal – […] The post Chapter 18, Old Testament Minor Prophets,...

Mark hosted a special guest during today’s class – Dr. Havila Dharamraj from India. Dr. Dharamraj is from Bengaluru, India, and a third-generation Christian. She is currently Head of the Department of Biblical Studies at South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies in Bangalore, India. Her country has four basic religions: Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christianity. Christianity dates [...

Mark continued the Study of the Minor Prophets with the book of Micah. He characterized Micah as a concept book focusing on three aspects: 1. Authenticity: Good and evil lead to different places. Micah is authentic to this reality. 2. Justice: Justice is more than a courtroom. Justice is part of God’s character. Micah understood good and evil and […] The post Chapter 17, Old Testament Minor...

2-12-23 Biblical-Lit Mark moved forward in the Study of Minor Prophets with the second lesson in Micah. Todays lesson had 3 points 1. A story of bookends Who is like Yahweh? Nobody is like the Lord 2. The meat of the sandwich God is the witness Israel was warned, and God was not amused. 3. […] The post Chapter 16, Old Testament Minor Prophets, Micah. (pt2) appeared first on Biblical Literacy...

2-5-23 Biblical LiteracyDr. David Capes continued in the Minor Prophets series by introducing Micah. Dr. Capes gave us the 30,000 foot view of Micah, including the history and setting. He continued with various oracles forSamaria showing judgment and the hope and promise of restoration in a world that recognizes God as God. Dr. Capes show […] The post Chapter 15, Old Testament Minor Prophets...

Mark completed the study of Hosea in the Study of the Minor Prophets series with a focus of God going to trial with the Israelites. Trials in Israel at the time needed two to three witnesses for a capital offense – ones punishable by death. In Hosea, God takes Israel to court because Israel has broken covenant […] The post Chapter 14, Old Testament Minor Prophets, Hosea (pt 3) appeared...

Mark interviewed Dr. Ingrid Faro, professor at Northern Seminary and the author of Encountering Evil. We learn that Dr. Faro wasn’t born in a Christian home. She found Jesus through Young Life and a Billy Graham Crusade. Through life experiences and multiple trials and sufferings, she learned God is good. Dr. Faro defines evil as the corruption of creational […] The post Special Event &#8211...

1-15-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the Minor Prophets Series with Part II of Hosea on metaphors. God uses all forms of communication, and metaphors link one idea to another. Use of agricultural related metaphors in Hosea show we reap what we sow. Some household metaphors reflect the tenderness of God. Points for home: What is sowing in […] The post Chapter 13, Old Testament Minor Pr...

Mark continued The Minor Prophets series with an initial look at the book of Hosea. The Bible and Prophets are about God using people and language to communicate to humanity. Today’s focus was with metaphors. Metaphors make us think. – Metaphors in Hosea applied to the people then with their culture and language. – Choices […] The post Chapter 12, Old Testament Minor Prophe...

Today Mark taught the final class for 2022 with a tour of Christmas Around the World. He shared results of his research of how different countries celebrate Christmas today and how historical traditions play a part. Mark selected a couple of better known countries: Germany and China and compared them with a couple of lessor […] The post Special Event – Christmas Around the World: Mark...

In today’s lesson, Mark took a journey of Christmas through the Ages. He grouped how Christmas was celebrated, or not, during three periods of time following Jesus’ birth. 1. Roman. There’s no record the first church celebrated the birth of Christ. But does that make it wrong? Consider Jewish feasts not in the Old Testament. The post Special Event – Merry Christmas – Christmas Through...

Pastor David Fleming continued the study in the Minor Prophets with Amos 5 & 6. His lesson contained three points: 1. What time is it? A time of peace and prosperity for Israel, but lamentations are coming. Time for God to stop the party. God is continually working out His plan and purpose. 2. What […] The post Chapter 11 – Old Testament Minor Prophets, Amos (pt 5) appeared first o...

Mark was interviewed by Brent Johnson. Mark identified several folks in the audience that would be more interesting to interview than him, but the focus was on Mark this day. Brent began by asking Mark: Some fun questions like; Wild Socks, Where and Why, Quarks, What and Why and Tennis matches planned soon. You will […] The post SE- Pastor Brent Johnson Interviews Mark Lanier appeared first...

11-20-22 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued the study of Amos in the Minor Prophets Series.today’s lesson focused on important passages in Amos. The Hebrew biblical language has only 6,000 to 7,000 words. Compare that with the average English speaking person who knows 20,000 to 30,000 words. The realm of meaning for a Hebrew word contains many similes and metaphors according […] The post Chapt...

Mark continued in the study of the Minor Prophets with the final lesson on Amos. Mark focused on passages in Amos that reflected when they were written and what we can learn from those passages today. God’s word is inerrant, meaning no error. His Word is written exactly as He intended. Mark explained that we […] The post Chapter 9 – Old Testament Minor Prophets, Amos (pt 3) appeared fi...

Mark interviewed Sharon Dirckx, PhD in Brain Imaging, University of Cambridge, speaker, author, and adjunct lecturer at The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Mark first posed questions to Dr. Dirckx regarding her personal and professional background. She became a Christian while attention Bristol University. Dr. Dirckx shared her testimony and how her studies of brain activity and a doctora...

Mark Lanier continued with the study of The Minor Prophets – Part II of Amos. Mark shared extensive historical context and background. Amos was from Judah in the eighth century. His occupation was a breeder of cattle/sheep, a traveling consultant and dresser of figs. Mark also identified passages in Amos which speak of God’s judgment on Israel the northern kingdom. […] The post Chapter...

Dr. David Capes taught today in the continuing study of the Minor Prophets with an introduction to Amos. The prophet Amos was a shepherd and a man of means in the 8th century BC. He prophesied the future of the northern kingdom Israel by speaking to the people what God revealed. He spoke of judgment coming against […] The post Chapter 7 – Old Testament Minor Prophets, Amos (pt 1) appea...

10-16-22 Biblical-Literacy Mark returned to teaching on the minor prophets with the study of Obadiah. Listen to Mark explore Obadiah with insights into Israel’s culture at the time as he reveals powerful truths from the one chapter book: God is the present tense. He not a territorial God. God is 100 percent reliable. We enjoy […] The post Chapter 6 – Old Testament Minor Prophets, Obadi...

During this class Pastor David Fleming and Pastor Jarrett Stephens interviewed Mark Lanier. Questions and discussion evolved around Mark’s spiritual and personal life. Listen to Mark respond to habits, family, personal tastes, what he does for fun, his method of writing, his many projects and nonfiction books that express his passion for Christ. The post SE- Senior Pastor Jarrett Stephens and Davi...

10-2-22 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued with the study of the Minor Prophets and week 3 of Jonah. Mark showed us in today’s lesson that characters drive a good story. In the 47 verses of Jonah, we not only see Jonah in action but the sailors, the Ninevites, and Jesus. Sailors: each cried out to their own god for […] The post Chapter 5 – Old Testament Minor Prophets, Jonah (pt 3) appea...

Mark continued with the study of the Minor Prophets: Part II of Jonah. Mark shares examples how “stories” have always been an important means of communication. In this lesson we learn what the story of Jonah says— Of God: God speaks! God cares about all people. God plans. God saves. Of Jonah: Disobedient. Uncaring. Out of sync with God. Miserable. Of me: Importance of […] The post Chapter 4...