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The Christadelphian eJournal of Biblical InterpretationThe Christadelphian Ejournal is an online magazine published quarterly and intended to be a forum for articles written in an analytical style. It is a vehicle for exegetical and expositional articles, it engages in academic biblical studies that originate in other Christian confessions, it defends the Biblical principles summarised in the common Christadelphian statement of faith and subject published articles to peer review and amendment.
An exploration of consensus from a scholarly and ecclesial perspective
Introduction
In this article we will explore the idea of consensus both from a scholarly perspective and an ecclesial point of view. How much weight does scholarly consensus carry in the field of Biblical Studies and how should we use …
“Father, Son and Holy Spirit”: The Baptismal Formula(s) of Matt 28:19
Introduction
In Matt 28:19 we find the commission given by Jesus to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Whilst the textual …
How to balance tradition with adaptability
The presence of tradition in a faithful community has a stabilizing influence as it preserves the basic teachings of Scripture. The Apostle Paul encourages the church to, “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word …
What facilitates people coming to know more about the Bible?
In Gentile times, how do we answer the question, what facilitates people coming to know more about the Bible? I am thinking of turning points in history. We might start with the invention of the printing press and the translation …
Correspondence on further aspects of Scripture’s portrayal of the intermediary role
Dear Editors,
Thank you for your work in the Supplementary Discussion addressing the meaning of mesitēs (EJournal of Biblical Interpretation, Vol 6, No. 1, Jan 2012): it is an important discussion which merits this treatment.
If I may, I would …
‘Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh’ in Gen 2:23
The phrase ‘bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh’ (Gen 2:23) was used to denote a family or ‘flesh and blood’ relationship (cf. Gen 29:14; Jud 9:2; Heb 2:14). Thus, Eve was both Adam’s sibling (sister) and his …
Luke 3:23 and 30 as the age of public ministry
This text says that Jesus began his public ministry at about 30 years of age. The reason seems to be based on the Levitical age for starting priestly service (1 Chron 23:2; Num 4:3, passim). Should this be an example …
Past, Present & Future in Revelation 1:19
Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
Rev 1:19 has been understood in the following way,
That “what you have seen” is the vision of chapter …
What day is the “Lord’s Day” in Revelation 1:10?
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet.
Various options have been suggested for this ‘Day’ (the Sabbath/Passover or the Day of Judgment); however, the reference to …
Gender Issues and the head of the first family in Genesis 2
H. Blocher writes in regard to the creation of the first family unit in Genesis 2, “The constitution of any real community requires that there be order; it cannot be done simply by joining together two people, but it must …
Is Solomon’s wealth a literary fiction?
Is Solomon’s wealth a literary fiction? The Biblical account of Solomon’s wealth has been described as unrealistic in standard critical commentaries, though some express confidence that the description has a basis in historical fact. What evidence has been gathered for …
Review of “From Logos to Trinity: The Evolution of Religious Beliefs from Pythagoras to Tertullian” by M Hillar (2012)
Marian Hillar is Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies and of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Texas Southern University. He is not a believer. He is editor-in-chief of Essays in the Philosophy of Humanism. In his book he questions the …
Review of “Forged: Writing in the Name of God – Why the Bible’s authors are not who we think they are” by BD Ehrman (2011)
Bart Ehrman is an interesting character. He is a learned and distinguished scholar, well read in biblical and early Christian studies. Originally an evangelical, he became a liberal as his studies continued and eventually lost his faith apparently due to …
The Two Books: An Early Christadelphian Exegetical Principle
Introduction
The apparent tension between science and Scripture which came to prominence during the 17th century is typically identified by the trial of Galileo. However, it was scientific discoveries concerning geology and the fossil record that led to the greatest …
Sisters Speaking and Ecclesial Contexts
Introduction
Sisters’ different service to the spiritual life of NT ecclesias complements the contribution of brethren and is also of symbolic significance.[1] Sisters’ silence at a conventional Christadelphian Sunday breaking of bread meeting (as also wearing a head-covering) …
Scoping Symbology at the Breaking of Bread and the roles of Men and Women
Introduction
The argument is made that men and women can carry out any role within the church. In support of this view it is denied that men and women enact a symbolic role in the church, i.e. it is denied …
Two Translations of Isaiah 40:2
Two translations of Isa 40:2 are,
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. Isa 40:2 …
The Importance of the Ecclesia at Ephesus
Introduction
Understanding the situation in the ecclesia at Ephesus is crucial to understanding the context of many of the NT writings. At first glance the ecclesia at Ephesus only features in Acts 19 and in the Epistle to the Ephesians. …
Does the Harlotry of Jerusalem and Samaria apply to the nation of Israel as a whole?
Introduction
The cities of Jerusalem and Samaria are metaphorically referred to as harlots in the OT. Is this language transferrable to the nation as a whole? This article hopes to demonstrate that the nation as a whole, as well as …
Four Models of the Church: Catholic, Reformation, Restoration and Individualism
Introduction
We are familiar with many valuable models of the church such as ‘family’, ‘house’, ‘community’; perhaps, ‘elect’, ‘believers’, ‘disciples’, ‘followers’—any number of words usefully capture something of the ‘body of Christ’. In this essay, we are interested in historical …
Self-justification and neglecting the study of the scriptures
Self-justification is a human trait. The example I am thinking of is relevant to the EJournal which is concerned with the study of the Scriptures. Let us suppose you don’t do much reading and study of the Scriptures, how do …
Reflections on the neglect of bible study
The Bible is a wonderful book. The study of the Bible is an exceedingly rewarding experience. The Psalmist says,
O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser …
Isa 42:6 – an important assurance and promise confirmed in the New Testament
I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles… Isa 42:6-7 (KJV); cf. Isa 49:6
This is …
Rev 2:13 and the martyrdom of Antipas at Pergamum as evidence for the date of Revelation
Revelation 2:13 mentions the martyrdom of Antipas at Pergamum – the city where “Satan dwells”. This mention is sometimes employed to date Revelation to the reign of Domitian (81-96 AD) as Antipas is said to have been ordained as bishop …
What is the significance of the phrase “The Lord is at hand” in Phil 4:5?
In Phil 4:5, the expression, ‘The Lord is at hand’, quotes ‘at hand’ from ‘The Day of the Lord is at hand’ (Joel 1:15; 2:1; 3:14; Obad 1:15; Zeph 1:7, 14; Isa 13:6; and Ezek 30:3), but in respect of …
Gender and the Image of God
The Bible’s first mention of human gender is in Gen 1:26-27:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of …
The scholarly consensus confirms the dating of Hezekiah’s Tunnel
Discovery of the tunnel built by King Hezekiah to provide water to Jerusalem in time of siege (2 Kings 22:20; 2 Chron 32:30), was confirmed by an accompanying inscription which dates to the reign of Hezekiah. Parker says,
Discovered by …
1 Sam 4-7: Why was the ark of God allowed to pass into the hands of the Philistines?
1 Samuel 4-7 is the inspired text with the greatest concentration of references to ‘the ark’ in Scripture (37x). In these chapters, God is clearly teaching us something very significant about the ark (cf. Gen 41:32). The narrative starts with …
Review: “Rightly Dividing the Word” by J. Burke (2011)
In 2007, Brother Ian and Sister Averil McHaffie published the booklet ‘All One in Christ Jesus’ (hereafter ‘All One’), a consideration of Biblical teaching regarding the role of sisters in the service of Christ.[1] Their conclusion was that …