The devil of Baudelaire The Bible has nothing direct to say on this subject, since the phrase did not become popular till the 19th Century. The best known version of the phrase, “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist”, is a line delivered by the character Verbal (played by […]
Was the name “Christian” invented by opponents of Jesus’ followers?
No, there is no evidence for this idea. If anything it is the name ‘Nazarenes” which was used by the early enemies of Christianity. Use of two names in Acts The idea is perhaps based on a misreading of Acts 11:26 which suggests that the name was coined by the people of Antioch in response to […]
Was the “cross” at the crucifixion a crucifix-shape, a T-shape, or a stake?
Although the Greek word “cross” (stauros) originally meant just a stake, and the Romans kept large stakes permanently planted at places of execution, the available textual evidence from the Roman period points strongly to the use on the stake of a patibulum or crossbeam in crucifixions to spread and suspend the victim’s arms. Although the basic shape […]
What does “kill the body but cannot kill the soul” mean? (Matthew 10:28)
A contradiction with the Old Testament? Most readers finding Matthew 10:28 strange will probably already be in aware that in the Old Testament souls can die and be killed. Sometimes it is not clear from English translations where ‘soul’ (Hebrew nephesh) in phrases such as “all the souls died”, killing “souls” with the sword, and so […]
Why did Stephen say “Lord Jesus receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59) if Jesus is not God?
Does God actually “receive” the spirits of the dead in the Old Testament? At first sight, Stephen’s request to “receive my spirit” does look like the sort of thing we would expect to God to do, not Jesus. The somewhat surprising thing is that the terminology of God “receiving” men’s spirits does not actually occur […]
What does “you are gods” mean in Psalm 82:6 and John 10:34?
The first half of the question, namely what the word “gods” means in Psalm 82:6, is fairly straightforward: 82: 1 God has taken his place in the congregation; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. […]
What does “God was revealed in the flesh” mean? (1 Timothy 3:16)
This verse is sometimes cited to suggest that Jesus himself is God. The main problem here however is that Greek texts don’t all agree. Some have “God”, some have “he”, which could still mean God was revealed, or could mean that Jesus himself was revealed. Authorized version “God” vs. modern version “He”? The KJV follows the received majority text And […]
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Did Jesus claim to be God to Philip?
This question relates to Jesus’ answer to Philip’s request “Show us the Father”: 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have […]
“My messenger, .. before me” : Does Malachi 3:1 say that Jesus is God?
The question here is that Luke talks about John the Baptist being the fulfillment of Malachi 3:1, but back in Malachi the messenger goes before God. “… And many of the children of Israel shall he [John the Baptist] turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before HIM in the spirit and […]
Why can’t women preach?
Women can and must preach, as the Scripture tells us on many occasions, for example: but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1Pe […]