Daniel begins with Jerusalem being sacked by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and the prominent families taken off into exile. The narrative states that Daniel entered service to the Babylonian king at the beginning of the exile, which happened between 597-586 BCE, and that he remained in royal service until Cyrus of Persia allowed the Jews … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: The Book of Daniel
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In the Bleak Midwinter
Nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it. —Shakespeare, Macbeth Without looking it up, how many people know John F. Kennedy's birthdate? Now, how many know the date on which he died? Most people over a certain age can not only recall the date, but can relate, in great detail, where they … Continue reading In the Bleak Midwinter
Here and Now
I was raised in a conservative Christian household, in an evangelical church, in the Southern United States, in the 60s and 70s. It's doubtful anyone can tell me anything about Jesus I haven't already heard. People ask when and why I lost my faith and my response is, I didn't. I never really had any … Continue reading Here and Now
The Bible Tells Me So
Some years ago, the Reader's Digest caused quite a stir by issuing a condensed version of the Bible. Televangelists were up in arms, some going so far as to burn the book and calling for an all out boycott of the Reader's Digest organization. Despite all the outrage, no one seems to care that there … Continue reading The Bible Tells Me So
Real Bible Studies: Genesis, Isaac
Isaac is almost a footnote in the history of Israel. He's born; he's almost sacrificed by his father; he marries Rebekah; he buries Abraham; he fathers Esau and Jacob; he almost gives Rebekah to Abimelek; he's tricked into giving away Esau's blessing to Jacob; then he reconciles with Jacob and dies, all in the span … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Genesis, Isaac
Real Bible Studies: Genesis, The Birth of Isaac
Throughout the book of Genesis, YHWH has been telling Abraham that his descendants will one day possess the land of Canaan, which usually meets with skepticism from Abraham. His sometimes sister, sometimes wife, Sarah, is barren and said to be well beyond the age when women could produce children. YHWH has gone so far as … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Genesis, The Birth of Isaac
Real Bible Studies: Judges, The Song of Deborah
In Judges 4-5, we meet one of the few women who stands on her own in all of the Old Testament. Deborah isn't just identified as a strong woman, Judges tells us she's leading the Israelites and holds counsel under the Palm of Deborah. She's identified as a prophet, and the wife of Lappidoth. Despite … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Judges, The Song of Deborah
Age of Aquarius
With the rise of nationalism and religious fundamentalism throughout the world, many are left to wonder if the human race has lost its mind, but events across the globe seem to be signaling the end of one way of thinking and the beginning of another. Like any birth, it's destined to be difficult and painful, … Continue reading Age of Aquarius
Real Bible Studies: Kings & Chronicles
Nowhere is the piecemeal nature of the Bible more evident than in the books detailing the kings of Israel and Judah from the time of David's ascension to the time Babylon sacks Jerusalem and burns the temple. Kings and Chronicles are each broken up into two books, but according to sources, in the Hebrew Bible, … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Kings & Chronicles
Conceptions of God
What we think of as God is a personification of the whole of the universe crafted in the image of humanity. That's why the concept of God changes depending upon the observer. This is evident in the pages of the Bible, as the vengeful Yahweh of Genesis morphs into the loving Heavenly Father of the … Continue reading Conceptions of God
