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    • Review of “The Original Ending of Mark” (2014) by Lunn

      A new book by an ex-Christadelphian, Nicholas P. Lunn, is on the ending of the Gospel of Mark (Mk 16:9-20). Dr. Lunn is a translation consultant with Wycliffe and a Baptist. The paperback edition is available on Amazon and also …

      The Spirit of the Lord in Isa 40:7,13

      Isa 40:7[1] and 13 do not present the Spirit of the Lord as an agent, contrary to some translations of ruach. Isa 40:7 asserts that “the wind of the Lord blows upon it”, referring to grass and flowers …

      Ezekiel 38: A Chapter to Remember

      Section 1: The Six Day War & Keele University’s ‘Spiritual Think-tank’, May / June 1967

      There were only four of us: Ian [now Brother Ian] Cockcroft, of Walkden, Manchester [now of King’s Heath]; Jean King of Birkenhead [now Sister Jean …

      The Themes and Structure of Matthew 13:44-52

      We are looking at a block of parables starting at Matt 13:44. Although it is tempting to follow the narrator and start the block at Matt 13.36 where the narrator describes the movement of Jesus and the disciples into the …

      Some Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 8:6 and the Shema

      Introduction

      For a long time, it has seemed to me that 1 Cor 8:6 is the most explicit statement of biblical unitarianism that one can find in the NT. It seemed like the obvious choice for the title page of …

      Philippians 2:5-11: Divine Identity through Manifestation

      Introduction

      Philippians 2:5-11 is a well-known passage for ‘establishing’ the pre-existence and/or the deity of Christ. It has been the subject of extensive commentary by Christian scholars and for non-Trinitarians it has been viewed as a ‘problem passage’.[1]

      Appealing to Authority

      Introduction

      In this series so far we have been looking at ad hominem arguments. These are arguments against the person – you. In an argument, your opponent might appeal to authority. They may cite a scientific authority, a scholar or …

      Dating the Hebrew Language and Grammar of Ecclesiastes

      Introduction

      This article will examine the language and composition history of Qoheleth. The acceptable face of German scholarship to conservatively minded Bible students in the Victorian Era, Franz Delitzsch, once stated,

      “If Koheleth was written in Solomon’s day, a history …

      Gen 10:25 does not describe plate tectonics

      And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.”

      Gen 10:25 is sometimes understood as a scientific comment …

      Isa 38:1 – ‘in those days’

      The expression ‘in those days’ occurs 31x in the Hebrew Scriptures. Our question is: when are those days? Are they the days that have just been recounted? Are they days coming up about which we are going to be told?

      Archaeology News for October, 2015

      Our first stop this Issue is at Ritmeyer Archaeological Design advising in brief recent Blog updates:

      For those using Accordance Bible Software Brother Ritmeyer advises on The Virtual Bible – a New Visual Resource[1] Posted on July 13, …

      Matthew 13:44-52 as a Parable of ‘Expulsion’

      The parables of Matt 13.44-52 are unique to Matthew’s gospel and their interpretation has been subject to much debate. They conclude with the teaching of the ‘old and new treasures’. This teaching is the climax of the parables, the last …

      Pre-Existence in the Synoptic Gospels?

      Introduction

      I think the broad scholarly consensus is that the notion of the pre-existence of Jesus is not to be found in the Synoptic Gospels.[1] Certainly these gospels do not include any narrative of events that occur before …

      Intellectual Honesty

      Introduction

      Wikipedia [Sept 2015] introduces intellectual honesty as follows:

      Intellectual honesty is an applied method of problem solving, characterized by an unbiased, honest attitude, which can be demonstrated in a number of different ways:

      One’s personal beliefs do …

      The Vision of the Ephah

      The word ‘ephah’ is an English transliteration of the Hebrew . It is a measure for a quantity of dry cereals.

      Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your …

      King Uzziah as Eccesiastes’ Qoheleth

      Introduction

      The ‘king’ of Qoheleth is Uzziah (otherwise known as Azariah) and his history is recorded in 1 Kgs 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 26.[1] The prophet Isaiah (1:1) was his contemporary as were the northern prophets Amos and …

      A New Translation of the Speeches of Elihu

      Introduction

      To produce a literal translation of the Bible it is desirable to find an adequate word for today, retaining contextual sense and conveying as nearly as possible the original thought of the writer: as literal as possible, as idiomatic …

      “Let a woman learn”: 1 Tim 2:11-15 Yet Again

      Introduction

      Paul’s words in 1 Tim 2:11-15 are at the crux of a modern pastoral issue but also present many interpretative challenges quite aside from their practical application. The egalitarian Bruce Barron writes,

      I think it can be fairly stated …

      The current state of Christadelphia is weak in matters of study

      The current state of Christadelphia is weak in matters of study. We must be honest with ourselves and judge ourselves (both collectively and individually).  We once prided ourselves on being students of the “word” but our prophetic interpretations are mired …