There are at least three ways of approaching this question. First a simple functional approach, driven by the likely intended audience of each book. Secondly a text-critical approach which seeks to relate the three synoptic gospels as we have them to lost oral and written material such as ‘Q’, and so on. Thirdly an exegetical […]
Why are The Words of the Wise (Proverbs 22:17-23:10) based on the ancient Egyptian Instruction of Amenemope?
An undisputed fact It has been known since 1923 that Proverbs 22:17-23:10 is based on passages from an ancient Egyptian wisdom text, the Instruction of Amenemope. This undisputed fact is found in all reliable Bible commentaries. For example: Erdmann’s Commentary on the Bible (2003) The source Egyptian text is usually dated circa 1300-1100 BCE, a […]
Where will the “judgement seat” be when Jesus returns?
Judgement when Jesus returns There are many passages in the Bible indicating a judgement when Jesus returns to the earth as king. It is also mentioned that the judgement will be of the living and the dead. A specific “judgement seat” (in Greek, bema) such as Pilate sat upon when he brought Jesus out and […]
Is Paul’s “I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man” (1 Timothy 2:12) only for Ephesus?
The full text is as follows: 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess […]
Was Junia a female apostle? (Romans 16:7)
The question is a grammatical one, although the grammar cannot solve it as the construction is fundamentally ambiguous grammatically, in Greek as in English: Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (Romans 16:7, KJV) 16:7 ἀσπάσασθε Ἀνδρόνικον καὶ Ἰουνίαν […]
What happened to the 10 “lost tribes” of Israel?
This question has its roots in a historical event – the destruction of Samaria and conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians in 722 BCE. The deported, those who remained, and those who fled to Judah The 10 tribes in the Northern Kingdom were: Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, […]
What does the New Testament say about praying to Jesus?
This is an awkward question because the answer is basically “nothing”. The New Testament teaches prayer to God: In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 16:23) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every […]
Does Luke 1:35 infer that the Holy Ghost is the Power of God?
Question: Does Luke 1:35 infer that the Holy Ghost is the Power of God? And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. (Luke 1:35 ESV) Suggested answer: Not […]
Is there any significance to the number 40 in the Bible?
Answer by Kenneth: 1. 40 years, a generation There is good evidence to show that the number forty represents the time it takes for a generation to pass, with the time the Bible depicts Israel being in the wilderness probably the best evidence for this: Num 14:34 According to the number of the days in […]
What day does “today I have begotten you” refer to?
The origin of this phrase in Psalm 2:7 :I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Peter seems to relate this primarily to the proof of Jesus’ sonship in God raising him from the dead: “this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is […]