Our earliest Christian sources suggest that it was common for Christian communities in the first and second century to disregard or ignore statements by Jesus that were perceived to be problematic, even at times claiming they originated with their enemies. This paper turns attention to this early Christian phenomenon of rejecting Jesus’ sayings, e…[Read more]

In this short article, the later views of Ellen White toward the Apocrypha are explored, building on previous studies that have demonstrated her continued utilization of apocryphal works past 1850. It is argued that by examining her views on inspiration and a reference she makes to the Septuagint, a plausible understanding of her views about the…[Read more]

An article that explores the theology of Sabbath keeping, and the biblical arguments for when God wishes his laws to be violated. A theology of the Sabbath, if it is to serve God’s desire in Scripture, must focus on the why of Sabbath, not the when. It cannot rely on arguments from authority or the Law as a cheap excuse for not engaging in a…[Read more]

A survey of Adventist church statements regarding church policy in the North American Division and World Church regarding Climate Change. It will be argued that unlike other policies the Adventist church supports, its statements on Climate Change lack the typical biblical support common for other initiatives and indicates a lack of spiritual…[Read more]

The passage of Genesis 22 is reviewed and examined through four interpretive lenses: Narrative Criticism, Canonical Criticism, Historical Criticism, and a Hermeneutic of Confrontation. After reviewing extensively the history of child sacrifice in Ancient Israel, the argument of Omri Boehm’s reconstructed text (lacking the angelic speeches), and…[Read more]

The passage of Genesis 22 is reviewed and examined through four interpretive lenses: Narrative Criticism, Canonical Criticism, Historical Criticism, and a Hermeneutic of Confrontation. After reviewing extensively the history of child sacrifice in Ancient Israel, the argument of Omri Boehm’s reconstructed text (lacking the angelic speeches), and…[Read more]

The passage of Genesis 22 is reviewed and examined through four interpretive lenses: Narrative Criticism, Canonical Criticism, Historical Criticism, and a Hermeneutic of Confrontation. After reviewing extensively the history of child sacrifice in Ancient Israel, the argument of Omri Boehm’s reconstructed text (lacking the angelic speeches), and…[Read more]

This short-form article explores the various presentations of “the Middle” within Valentinian authored documents (the Gospel of Truth and Gospel of Philip) and sources which report about the Valentinians (Irenaeus and his report about Ptolemy’s theology). It suggests underscores the deep distinctions each view has and suggests that these may be…[Read more]

Discussions about the history of the reception of the Apocrypha within Protestantism are often mired by blanket negative presumptions that differ markedly from the actual beliefs attested to in available historical sources. This chapter seeks to rectify such historical misrepresentations by presenting an initial attempt to summarize the entire…[Read more]

Discussions about the history of the reception of the Apocrypha within Protestantism are often mired by blanket negative presumptions that differ markedly from the actual beliefs attested to in available historical sources. This chapter seeks to rectify such historical misrepresentations by presenting an initial attempt to summarize the entire…[Read more]

This essay seeks to introduce briefly the background and idea of what can be called a confrontational approach to theology. It will begin by outlining the biblical background of this often-ignored portrait and then will proceed to outline how this theological approach can breathe new life into various approaches toward God.

In this chapter, a biblical overview of the topic of doubt is provided, focused on the Gospel accounts. A theological argument is made for the necessity and contribution of doubt toward the process of faith.

The book deals with the wide background and context of early Christianity. Particularly, it highlights the rise of Jewish national identity and the influence of the Essene Yahad, seeing the New Testament in the light of cultural conditioning and regarding as central the divinization doctrine. in the last section it delves into doubt, faith, and mysticism.

The book deals with the wide background and context of early Christianity. Particularly, it highlights the rise of Jewish national identity and the influence of the Essene Yahad, seeing the New Testament in the light of cultural conditioning and regarding as central the divinization doctrine. in the last section it delves into doubt, faith, and mysticism.

The book deals with the wide background and context of early Christianity. Particularly, it highlights the rise of Jewish national identity and the influence of the Essene Yahad, seeing the New Testament in the light of cultural conditioning and regarding as central the divinization doctrine. in the last section it delves into doubt, faith, and mysticism.

Although bumper stickers abound that propose otherwise, the Bible itself reveals that just because “God says it,” does not, in fact, mean “that settles it.” On the contrary, a close reading of Scripture reveals that God does not want us to blindly obey him, but rather, invites us to “lock hands” with him and fight. The purpose of this book is to…[Read more]

A fresh attempt to explain the suicide of Judas and the death of Ananias and Sapphira as imagined consequences of an allegedly deadly excommunication.

A fresh attempt to explain the suicide of Judas and the death of Ananias and Sapphira as imagined consequences of an allegedly deadly excommunication.

A fresh attempt to explain the suicide of Judas and the death of Ananias and Sapphira as imagined consequences of an allegedly deadly excommunication.

The Tribe of Dan has always appeared to biblical scholars and archaeologists as something of an enigma. For decades, certain scholars, beginning with Yigael Yadin, have proposed a connection between the Denyen/Danaoi Sea People and the Danites of Ancient Israel, arguing that the former became the latter and were adopted into Israel at a later date…[Read more]