The main reward in the Kingdom is simply to be there. The concept of being rewarded with crowns is only found as part of allegory in the Bible. For example, Paul said I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the […]
Was it normal for someone to carry their own cross to their crucifixion?
Crucifixion was used by Romans for punishing non-Romans from the end of the first century BC. By the time of Jesus, the regulations governing a crucifixion had become relatively standard in the Roman world. The following description is taken from Vassilios Tzaferis (1985), the archaeologist whose excavations in Jerusalem in 1968 discovered the only known physical […]
Has Moses entered the kingdom of God, or is he at the gate looking in?
Moses has not entered the kingdom of God. He died and will remain dead until the resurrection. Moses is mentioned in Hebrews 11:23-24 in the list of faithful people. At the end of that chapter, we are told And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had […]
What are the attributes of God?
It is impossible to provide a complete list, but we can summarize some of how God is revealed in the Bible. God presents himself to us throughout the Bible, showing different characteristics at different times, just as we do. At times he shows his power, at other times his gentleness. In the flood he showed his […]
If an early Christian author quoted from a non-canonical book, does that mean they regarded it as scripture?
Not necessarily. Christian authors throughout history quote from lots of different sources to help them deliver the message they intend. Every quote an author make isn’t necessarily preceded by the comment that what follows is or isn’t considered part of Scripture. It is taken for granted that the reader also knows what is and what […]
How many of each animal did Noah take into the ark?
The relevant verses are given below. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing […]
In what year was each book of the Bible written?
This is a contentious area, with different scholars holding strong and conflicting views. The table below presents the traditional view which provides the earliest dates based on the events recorded in each book and their traditional authorship.
Who were cowboys in the Bible?
The biblical equivalent of a cowboy was possibly a herdsman who was responsible for managing and caring for animals (often cattle, but sometimes pigs). Herdsmen are mentioned in Genesis 13:7-8; 26:20; 1 Samuel 21:7; 2 Chronicles 14:15; Matthew 8:33; Mark 5:14 and Luke 8:34. A closely related role was that of shepherd (who cared for the sheep […]
What happened to the bronze snake Moses used to protect the Israelites?
When the people of Israel were being bitten by a plague of snakes, God told Moses to make a bronze snake as an antidote: The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake […]
Who were the Pharisees?
The Pharisees were a Jewish political party which began in about 140 BC after the Maccabean revolt. After the destruction of the temple in AD 70, the beliefs of the Pharisees became the basis for Rabbinic Judaism from which comes traditional Judaism today. The Pharisees were notable for their conflicts with the rival party of […]