This is an article on these Pauline letters for a new Spanish-language Bible dictionary. The reader should note that a dictionary article is supposed to be "descriptive," that is, the author is expected to describe the state of the discussion, not argue for or against a particular viewpoint.Zondervan will be publishing my exegetical-pastoral commentary on 1-2 Thessalonians... Continue Reading →
‘Twas the Day after Christmas (Luke 2:8-20) – Part II
In the first part of this blog, we saw how the shepherds heard the angels’ message, saw the Christ child and went out to proclaim what they had seen. We too should pass on the entire gospel message, not just parts of it. But there is a second application for the Christian, one that pushes... Continue Reading →
What was the real name of Jesus? Was it Yeshua?
A reader writes in: What really was Jesus’ name? Wasn’t it Yeshua? Is it an insult to him if we do not use his "real name" with the ancient pronunciation? Do we lose out on salvation if we call upon the wrong name? First, it is highly probably that his given name was Yeshua, a Hebrew and also... Continue Reading →
My book on Addiction and God
In 1995 I published "Running in Circles: how to find freedom from addictive behavior" with Baker Book House. It is written with the addict in mind, using straightforward language for the person who isn't necessarily a Christian. Now you can buy a copy from Amazon.com as a Kindle book.
Is sin “missing the mark”?
Have you been told that the "sin" literally means "missing the mark" in the original Greek? In fact, it does not. The verb "hamartano" (αμαρτανω) was sometimes used in pre-Classical and Classical Greek to refer to missing a target. Homer uses it in the Iliad to speak of a man who failed to hit his... Continue Reading →
The Parable of the Lost Coin, Luke 15:8-10
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’... Continue Reading →
What books have I used to write a commentary on 1-2 Thessalonians? [Studies in 1 Thessalonians]
Note: In November 2012 I published a commentary of 1-2 Thessalonians for Zondervan (click HERE). The advice given below is applicable to all preaching and writing projects. I used to do business at a local office building. On the wall was an engraved map of the New World from the 1600s. It was a real... Continue Reading →
The Spanish New Testament version known as the “Código Real”
In October 2009, someone sent an email among us professors of ESEPA Bible College and Seminary in Costa Rica to ask, had anyone heard of a Hebrew-Spanish New Testament known as the “Código Real” (the “Royal Code of Laws”; not to be confused with the Hebrew Roots Bible or the Hebraic New Testament)? He said... Continue Reading →