The Bible says over a dozen times that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so as not to let the Israelites go. The first one comes in Exodus 4: And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, […]
Was Judas predestined to betray Jesus?
There are three suggestions in the New Testament that a betrayal by Judas was prophesied, which has led some readers to ask the question above “Was Judas predestined to betray Jesus?” Psalm 41:9 in John In John 13:18 Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 – originally about David’s enemies – of Judas, “But the Scripture will be […]
What does “deliver to Satan” mean in 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 1:20
The two uses of this term are: “you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 5:5, ESV) “among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy […]
Should we believe our dreams?
In short, no. At least not as having any origin from God. Nor from angels. Nor from the devil and demons (which are parables in the Bible, and do not exist). Although the Bible records God revealing things to specific prophets in dreams as well as by waking visions and waking encounters with angels, the […]
The curse on Canaan (Genesis 9:24-27)
Answer from Tidings magazine August 25, 2020 https://tidings.org/magazine/curse-of-canaan/ THE CURSE ON CANAAN What does that Bible say about slavery? Sadly, Genesis 9:24-27 has long been interpreted by some as a justification for African slavery and that blacks were destined to be slaves to white people. Read Time: 1 minute Churches have, in many cases, provided the fodder for the […]
Why does Paul say “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” (Titus 1:12)?
This is the context: 12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, […]
What was the “clean flesh” hoax among Christadelphians?
An unhealthy subject This is not a particularly healthy subject and anyone asking (or being asked) questions about “clean flesh” should probably ask back – “why are are you interested in a Christadelphian controversy from 150 years ago?” The origin of the term “clean flesh” goes back to a disagreement between two early Christadelphians, Edward […]
What is the Book of Jasher?
There are at least three “book of Jasher” (Hebrew: book of the upright) the Book of the Upright – a lost book of Hebrew poetry cited twice in the Old Testament Sefer haYashar – a Hebrew-language forgery published in Venice in 1625 by Yosef ben Samuel Book of Jashar – an English language forgery published […]
What does it mean that Satan entered Judas Iscariot? (Luke 22:3) Is Satan a spirit creature?
The context is as follows. As we can see the longer version is in John: 22 1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 21 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who […]
Are there contradictions in the different gospels’ accounts of the visit of the women to the tomb?
In answer to this question here are chapters 239-242 of Studies in the Gospels by Harry Whittaker: http://www.christadelphianbooks.org/haw/sitg/index.html 239. “At the Rising of the Sun” (Matt. 28:1-4; Mark 16:1) It is no easy matter to harmonise the gospel narratives in their accounts of the visits to the tornb, and of the appearance of […]