25 results
The article examines Ted Cruz’s claim that supporting the modern nation of Israel is biblically mandated, exploring the context and interpretation of relevant Bible verses and concluding that the Bible does not require political support for modern Israel.
This book, authored by the Lord's half-brother (Galatians 1:19), is directed to the "twelve tribes scattered abroad." This is either Jewish Christians or a figurative designation for "spiritual Israel" (Galatians 6:16), the church generally. The narrative is sometimes characterized as the "gospel...
After Jacob had his famous encounter with the "messenger" of Jehovah (Gen. 32:29; cf. Hos. 12:4-5), his name was changed to "Israel," suggesting, "he who strove with God." Later, the name is applied to the descendants of Jacob generally (Gen. 32:32; Ex. 1:9; 12:3). When the kingdom split during t...
Many dismiss the authority of Paul as an apostle by accusing him of injecting cultural norms of the first century into his instructions to the churches? Is this a legitimate argument against his apostolic authority?
On a high mountain plateau just west of the Dead Sea in AD 73, the final battle between the Romans and the Jews took place. It was the concluding destruction and dispersal of the Hebrew nation, as such previously was known for the preceding 15 centuries.
Rachel, the wife of Jacob, died in connection with the birth of her child, Benjamin. Centuries later the apostle Matthew refers to Rachel as “weeping for her children.” This was in connection with Herod’s murder of the male babies in the region of Bethlehem. What was the connection? Let us explor...
The prophet Hosea described ancient Israel’s goodness as like the morning dew. What did he mean by this strange analogy?
Did the ESV translate Micah 5:2 in the best possible fashion? There is some controversy about this matter; study the issue with us.
Biblical words may have varying senses, depending on the context in which they are found. A brief study of the term “kingdom” is a good illustration of this principle.
What is the meaning of that ambiguous expression “the regeneration” that Christ mentioned in Matthew 19:28? Is it a reference to a thousand-year, literal reign of Christ upon the earth? Or does it describe the present Christian regime? Study this passage with us.
What is the “kingdom” to which Peter refers in the passage? Study this important topic with us.
Some openly repudiate what they call “pattern theology.” The apostle Paul, however, did not.
Mel Gibson’s motion picture, “The Passion of the Christ,” has ignited a storm of controversy, once again raising the question, “Who was responsible for the death of Jesus of Nazareth?” This week’s Penpoints explores this “hot” topic.
Who determined which books were to go into the Bible? Exactly when did that occur? What are the Apocryphal books? Wayne Jackson addresses these important questions.
The word “rock” is a common biblical metaphor. It illustrates many great truths about God. This article briefly surveys this topic.
News sources report that a recently published document from Roman Catholic scholars attempts to promote a compromise between Jewish and Christian views regarding the Messiah? What is the basis of this ecumenical attempt?
Is worship “regulated” by God? Or is man left to his own inclination in this matter?
When does one’s expressions of belief become “politically incorrect”? Cartoonist, Johnny Hart, had to answer this question when his recent “B.C.” “Easter” comic strip portrayed an extinguished menorah turning into a cross.
Premillennialism, the doctrine that Christ will soon return to set up an earthly kingdom for a thousand years, is a popular idea these days. In this article, Wayne Jackson examines this theory.
The Bible has no specific name for that small territory (about the size of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined) between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Here are the facts relative to this matter: The region was called the "land of Canaan" (Genesis 10:15) because it became the tradi...