We can humbly seek their wisdom without treating them as mascots for one position or another.On September 11, 2020, I found myself under a large tent, where 51 ministers of the Reformed Presbyterian Church had assembled for a COVID-era presbytery. They gathered to receive charges against me, initiating an ecclesiastical trial. I had published a book that affirmed the possibility of theistic evolution—a view regarded by some as dangerous.Through that process, I became personally (and painfully) aware of how heated Genesis 1 controversies continue to be. My trial was ultimately dropped, but I was compelled to resign my pastorate and leave that denomination.I still love the Reformed Presbyterian Church and am grateful for my decades as a student and minister among its people. But I grieve that such passions for certain interpretations of Genesis 1 lead to damaged relationships and truncated ministries. It should not be so.There are already plenty of Genesis 1 studies on offer (including my own, called The Liturgy of Creation). But what the church really needs are more resources to help us engage these discussions more responsibly. Andrew J. Brown’s latest book, Recruiting the Ancients for the Creation Debate, is just such a resource.Brown, an Old Testament lecturer at Melbourne School of Theology, takes no sides on the question of whether the six days of creation are literal or figurative days. Recruiting the Ancients is not an attempt to solve creation controversies. Instead, it surveys what historic church authorities had to say on the subject, arguing that they shouldn’t be enlisted as straightforward allies of this or that contemporary position.The book is based on Brown’s earlier book on the same topic (The Days of Creation: A History of Christian Interpretation of Genesis 1:1–2:3), ...Continue reading...

As a physician, I witness countless first and last breaths. As a Christian, I am constantly reminded of how God breathes life into us through his Spirit.The scalpel sliced through the uterine wall. The amniotic sac ruptured, and fluid flowed across the blue surgical drapery toward me. The obstetrician’s fingers curled around the baby’s head while my gloved hands pressed firmly against the mother’s abdomen. The baby was larger than we had expected. I shifted my full body weight against the mother’s belly, and, at last, the newborn’s head slipped through. Her shoulders quickly followed, and there she lay, eyes taking in the bright world for the first time.Before she could cry, she took her first breath. Air rushed in, pushing aside fluid that had filled her lungs from six weeks of gestation. The oxygen diffused through the blood vessels of the alveoli, tiny air sacs within her lungs, relaxing the pulmonary arteries and allowing blood to course through her lungs for the first time. The short vessel connecting her lung arteries and heart began to close. Pressure built in her heart, causing the tiny hole between its chambers to snap shut.She breathed more vigorously than anyone else in the operating room, her purple hue softening to a rich pink. Squinting against the glaring light above, she cried again. What a foreign world this is—where air becomes breath, and then breath returns to air.Ruach is a Hebrew word meaning breath, wind, or spirit. (In the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, it is rendered as pneuma or pneumon, the roots from which we get many English words pertaining to lungs.)In Genesis, ruach is both the Spirit of God bringing light and order into an unordered world (1:1–4) and the breath of life that God breathes into Adam (2:7). Psalm 33:6 says, “By the word of ...Continue reading...

A recent news item looked at IVF, abortion, and eugenics in connection with the recent Alabama Supreme Court case.

A recent news item looked at IVF, abortion, and eugenics in connection with the recent Alabama Supreme Court case.

A recent news item looked at IVF, abortion, and eugenics in connection with the recent Alabama Supreme Court case.

A recent news item looked at IVF, abortion, and eugenics in connection with the recent Alabama Supreme Court case.

An ancient codex, containing perhaps the earliest complete versions of Jonah and 1 Peter, goes up for auction in June. Will it disappear?One of the oldest books in existence, which contains what is perhaps the oldest complete versions of Jonah and 1 Peter, is going up for auction in June. The sale of the Crosby-Schøyen Codex has scholars excited to talk about its uniqueness—and nervous about whether it could go into private hands and disappear.The Crosby-Schøyen Codex is a primary example of the invention of books, which coincided with the spread of Christianity, said Eugenio Donadoni, a specialist in books and manuscripts at Christie’s London, which is auctioning the codex. The growth of Christianity spurred the need to “maximize the text you can write down and transmit … around the Mediterranean,” Donadoni said.Before codices appeared in roughly the third century, scrolls “for several thousand years were the primary vehicle for transmitting literature,” said Brent Nongbri, an expert in early Christian manuscripts and a professor at the Norwegian School of Theology.Codices were a technological advancement that “that wouldn’t be surpassed until the discovery of the printing press,” Donadoni added. Donadoni just finished touring the codex for potential buyers in New York and Paris before returning it to London, where it will be auctioned on June 11. About the codex he said, “I’ve never seen anything like this.”A single scribe wrote out the texts of the codex on papyrus leaves in Sahidic Coptic somewhere between A.D. 250 and 350, according to carbon dating of the codex conducted in 2020. That means it’s likely the text was written before the late-fourth-century councils, when the canon of Scripture began to be established.“This is being used at a time when ...Continue reading...

Over 200 legends of an ancient global flood have been discovered around the world. What is the best explanation for the existence of these flood legends?

Archeologists recently discovered an ancient gold ring inscribed with the face of Jesus Christ in “almost new condition” among 30,000 other medieval archaeological objects in southeast Sweden.

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-24-2024Romans 11:33-36Introduction:? A. A Biblical Interpretation before a Practical Application.? Chapters 9-11 of the Book of Romans make up what is called a Parenthetical. An insertion that acts as an explanation of additional information within the context.? 1. These chapters deal with the Nation of Israel instead of the individual.? Before these chapters, Paul has been dealing with the salvation of men or the lack there of, but chapters 9-11 deal with the Nation of Israel and their relationship to God.? 2. Chapters 9-11 all begin with the? Nation of Israel and end with the Nation of Israel. Chapter 9 shows Israel's Past; Chapter 10 shows Israel's Present; Chapter 11 shows Israel's Prophecy.? 3. Israel was and is God's chosen nation!? These chapters explain what Israel did in? chapter 9 (Rejection of their Messiah), what God is now doing with Israel in Chapter 10 (Salvation to the individual Jews who accept Christ Jesus), and Chapter 11 shows the future of the Nation? (Israel's Repentance and Return to their Messiah).? B. Paul ends this parenthetical trilogy of chapters, 9-11,? with a doxology. “Doxology,” in the Ancient Greek language is compound word:? from? δόξα,? doxa, "glory" and -λογία, -logia, "saying” or “word."? C. God is not done with Israel.? At the end of Jacob's Trouble, also called the Tribulation Period, Israel as a nation will look upon Him whom they have pierced and nationally return to their Messiah.? Zechariah 12:8-10? In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. (9) And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (10) And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.? Romans 11:25-27? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (27) For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.? D. That is the interpretation. Chapter 11:33-36 is Israel's guarantee.? God knows what He is doing! God loves Israel and He will restore the nation back to Himself.? E. I will give three types? of wisdom found in the Bible before I look at this doxology.? 1. Worldly Wisdom:? things that we learn over the years. We gain knowledge and then learn how to apply it rightly. This worldly wisdom can be learned or experiential.? a) Learned wisdom.? It is the wise individual who seeks counsel and advice. It is a wise individual who learns from those who have already learned. When you become “know it all,” you become a foolish individual.? b) Experiential wisdom.? Though learned wisdom is the simplest way to learn, often experience is the best teacher.? 2. Spiritual Wisdom:? spiritual knowledge rightly applied. Spiritual wisdom comes from God! It can be taught by the people of God, or it can be taught by the Word of God.? a. The First Mention of wisdom in the Bible:? Exodus 28:3? And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom? I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.? b. The “spirit of wisdom” comes from God. James 1:5? If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.? 3. God's Wisdom:? The wisdom of God is an all know or omniscient wisdom. God knows all things and there are some things that? only God knows and can only be gotten from Him.? The Bible declares? that God's wisdom in infinite:? Psalms 147:5? Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.? F. Wisdom defined:? accumulated knowledge or enlightenment , the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight, the quality of being prudent and sensible.? (By my definition, wisdom is the right application of or understanding of how to use knowledge.)? G. One of the attributes of God is that of omniscience.? This is means “omni” or “all” and “science” or “knowledge.” The state of having infinite knowledge. As Dr. B. R. Lakin so put it, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?” God knows everything about everything!? H. There is a difference between having knowledge and having wisdom.? Many men of our times have had great intellect, extensive education, and yet have died without Christ! That is the most foolish thing that I can think of. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God!” Men like Confucius who have left behind a legacy of worldly wisdom have denied Christ, died lost, and are in hell today.? J. God not only has all knowledge, but He also has all wisdom!? God's knowledge and wisdom are far above that of the smartest and wisest of all men.? Isaiah 55:9? For? as? the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.? (Notice the analogy here: “as the heavens are higher than the earth.”)? K. Verse 36. Now for the application.? If God takes care of His elect nation that rejected Christ Jesus, how much the more will He take care of His children who have placed their trust in Him! I think it important that we? understand God's wisdom as we are taught biblically to trust Him in relationship to our circumstances and needs.? 1. Our Salvation is of Him -? John 6:35? And Jesus said unto them,? I am? the bread of life: he that? cometh to me? shall never hunger; and he that? believeth on me? shall never thirst. (Salvation is an act of God but it is also a choice of the individual!)? Matthew 11:28-30? Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,? and I will give you rest.? (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:? and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.? 2.? Our Circumstances are through Him - Proverbs 3:5-6? Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ? (6)? In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.? (We are often confused, humanly speaking, by the things that happen in our lives that we cannot control. Yet, the Bible is clear that we are to trust completely when we do not understand.)? Job 23:10-12? But he? knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (11) My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. (12) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.? Matthew 6:31-34? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ? (32)? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. ? (33)? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ? (34)? Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.? (In times of uncertainty, God wants our priority to be Him, not our temporal needs. He has assured us that He knows what we need and will supply them. God wants our unwavering faith to be inn Him as He controls our circumstances.)? 3. Our Future is to Him? -? 1 John 3:1-2? Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.? Conclusion:? No matter what comes, the wisdom of God is our guarantee that all will work together for good to those of us who love Him and, in the end all will be well.? 1. The Wisdom Of God Penned Down In The Bible.? 2. The Wisdom Of God Previewed In Creation.? 3. The Wisdom Of God Personified In Jesus Christ.? 4. The Wisdom Of God Performed In Salvation.? 5. The Wisdom Of God Personalized In Our Justification.? 6. The Wisdom Of God Perfected In Our Eternity.

God's Got ThisDr. Paul ChappellMon, 12/04/2023 - 08:29 Truths on God's Sovereignty from the Book of Esther Do you ever feel forgotten by God? Do you wonder if He still knows your address? If He has a plan for your life? If He is able to help with your? needs?? Do you ever feel discouraged while looking at the state of our nation? Do you wonder where the speedily declining moral degradation will end?In short, do you wonder if God is in control?? The doctrine of God's sovereignty is good news for weary, fearful, or discouraged Christians. It assures that our lives and the world itself is not slipping away from a loving but helpless God. It reminds us that He is in control, and He is committed to making all things work together for our good and His glory.? God's sovereignty—His position as Ruler of all—is stated emphatically throughout Scripture. But it is demonstrated vividly in the story of Esther. Remarkably, Esther doesn't even mention God's name, but His hand is so clearly seen in this intricate unfolding of events that it has encouraged untold Christians to trust in the Lord and His good and kind sovereignty.? Notice a few of the truths related to God's sovereignty we learn from Esther's life.? Human power is always limited.Esther lived in a world of heathen despotism. Worse still, the king who publicly humiliated his wife because she stood up to him became Esther's husband. And the king's closest advisor, Haman, was a sworn enemy of the Jews. Yet, despite the wickedness of evil men, God had His way. He let Ahasuerus and Haman go just so far and then used their own desires to accomplish His purposes in preserving and prospering His people.? Proverbs 21:1 tells us, “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”? Here in America, we don't live in a dictatorship, and I believe Christians have the responsibility to participate in electing leaders who most closely align with biblical values. But we also should not wring our hands in despair when ungodly leaders are elected or those in power are corrupt. For there is still a King in Heaven Who reigns supreme. And even the most powerful rulers on earth are limited by the decrees and purposes of God.? “Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah? 46:8–10).God's timing is impeccable.The basic story of Esther is simple: a Jewish orphan girl grows up to be the queen of Persia and saves her people from destruction. But the story's plot is complex, involving multiple subplots that integrate at key moments. For instance, Mordacai was in the right place at the right time to hear the assassination plot of the king's chamberlains. Furthermore, the king could not sleep on the very night that Haman came for permission to kill Mordacai, and that just happened to be the night Ahasuerus had been reflecting on Mordecai's kindness. Had any one of these—or several other—events happened earlier or later, the story could have ended differently.? Like many other biblical events, Esther's story showcases the perfect timing of God. He is never late, and He is never surprised. The God who sent His Son into our world in “the fulness of the time” (Galatians 4:4) is not oblivious to the timing in your life either. You can confidently pray with David, “But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand . . .” (Psalm 31:14–15).You get to be part of God's sovereign plan.When it comes to God's sovereignty, we have a tendency to lean to extremes as if all elements are either/or choices. We think that either God will perform His plans, or our choices are meaningful. In reality, both are true. God will perform His plans, and our choices are meaningful.? Perhaps the most-quoted phrase from the book of Esther is from Mordecai's encouragement to Esther to act: “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).Mordecai's confidence in God's sovereignty didn't lead him to a lackadaisical attitude toward the tragically unfolding events around him. Rather, his faith compelled action. He reminded Esther that God would keep His promises, but she had a choice in being involved.? For Esther's part, she fasted and presumably prayed in recognition of her dependence on God's intervention. And then she acted. Valuing a cause greater than her own life, she went into the king's presence to make her request. Yet, even in her dependence on God, Esther was perceptive and measured in how she approached the king. Rather than just blurting out an accusation against Haman, she craftily drew out the king's intrigue and set the stage for a moment that called out his sense of valor.? So is it God's sovereignty or our actions that make a difference in the unfolding of God's purposes? Both! The incredible reality is that God uses people—you and me—to make a difference in this world.? God has a purpose for your life at “such a time as this.”? When your life seems to be careening out of control, when challenges mount around you, when the choices of others negatively affect you, remember God's sovereignty. Remember that human power is always limited, God's timing is impeccable, and you get to be part of God's sovereign plan.? Stabilize your soul in remembering God's sovereignty, and then, trusting in Him and depending on His strength, choose to engage in making a difference for Christ right where you are. Category Christian Living Ministry Resources God's Got This Leader Guide God's Got This Leader Guide Paul Chappell God's Got This Study Guide God's Got This Study Guide Paul Chappell Tags Faith

Scientists in Sudan have uncovered a 1,300-year-old body near an ancient monastery that includes a Christian tattoo that references Scripture.

Its name, “jaguar,” is believed to derive from the vocabulary of an ancient Brazilian tribe. It is thought to mean “wild beast that overcomes its prey at a bound.” The jaguar is the third largest “cat” in the world, behind the tiger and the lion, in that order. (It can weigh up to 400 pounds!) […]

While we will answer the objections to our 2022 and 2023 papers here in a cursory manner, most of them will be thoroughly handled in the appropriate papers in the series.

This paper asserts that it is not possible to run the Egyptian Old and Middle Kingdoms in parallel and that the date of the Trojan War is not necessarily that provided by ancient Greek historians.

This paper maintains that we all want a good correlation of the archaeological record with the Bible, but Griffth and White's ARJ papers of 2022–3 are not the way to achieve it.

The study presented here uses a reconstruction of a Y chromosome tree based on the biblical assumption that all humans have descended from Noah.

His (or her) name derives from two Latin words. “Porcus” means “pig” in that ancient tongue. And “spine” means “thorn!” An animal that has a pig-like shape and can wound an attacker with his thorns, spears, quills! The little creature has around 30,00 of those sharp things, weapons! (And contrary to popular opinion, he cannot […]

University of Kentucky computer scientists used AI technology? to read an ancient script that was burned when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.

The Babylonian dynasties of Berossus are incomplete. The authors solve for the missing values. The resulting table of Berossus covers the era from the Flood to the conquest of Babylon by Cyrus.

God's Got ThisDr. Paul ChappellMon, 12/04/2023 - 08:29 Truths on God's Sovereignty from the Book of Esther Do you ever feel forgotten by God? Do you wonder if He still knows your address? If He has a plan for your life? If He is able to help with your needs? Do you ever feel discouraged while looking at the state of our nation? Do you wonder where the speedily declining moral degradation will end?In short, do you wonder if God is in control? The doctrine of God's sovereignty is good news for weary, fearful, or discouraged Christians. It assures that our lives and the world itself is not slipping away from a loving but helpless God. It reminds us that He is in control, and He is committed to making all things work together for our good and His glory. God's sovereignty—His position as Ruler of all—is stated emphatically throughout Scripture. But it is demonstrated vividly in the story of Esther. Remarkably, Esther doesn't even mention God's name, but His hand is so clearly seen in this intricate unfolding of events that it has encouraged untold Christians to trust in the Lord and His good and kind sovereignty. Notice a few of the truths related to God's sovereignty we learn from Esther's life. Human power is always limited.Esther lived in a world of heathen despotism. Worse still, the king who publicly humiliated his wife because she stood up to him became Esther's husband. And the king's closest advisor, Haman, was a sworn enemy of the Jews. Yet, despite the wickedness of evil men, God had His way. He let Ahasuerus and Haman go just so far and then used their own desires to accomplish His purposes in preserving and prospering His people. Proverbs 21:1 tells us, “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Here in America, we don't live in a dictatorship, and I believe Christians have the responsibility to participate in electing leaders who most closely align with biblical values. But we also should not wring our hands in despair when ungodly leaders are elected or those in power are corrupt. For there is still a King in Heaven Who reigns supreme. And even the most powerful rulers on earth are limited by the decrees and purposes of God. “Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:8–10).God's timing is impeccable.The basic story of Esther is simple: a Jewish orphan girl grows up to be the queen of Persia and saves her people from destruction. But the story's plot is complex, involving multiple subplots that integrate at key moments. For instance, Mordacai was in the right place at the right time to hear the assassination plot of the king's chamberlains. Furthermore, the king could not sleep on the very night that Haman came for permission to kill Mordacai, and that just happened to be the night Ahasuerus had been reflecting on Mordecai's kindness. Had any one of these—or several other—events happened earlier or later, the story could have ended differently. Like many other biblical events, Esther's story showcases the perfect timing of God. He is never late, and He is never surprised. The God who sent His Son into our world in “the fulness of the time” (Galatians 4:4) is not oblivious to the timing in your life either. You can confidently pray with David, “But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand . . .” (Psalm 31:14–15).You get to be part of God's sovereign plan.When it comes to God's sovereignty, we have a tendency to lean to extremes as if all elements are either/or choices. We think that either God will perform His plans, or our choices are meaningful. In reality, both are true. God will perform His plans, and our choices are meaningful. Perhaps the most-quoted phrase from the book of Esther is from Mordecai's encouragement to Esther to act: “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).Mordecai's confidence in God's sovereignty didn't lead him to a lackadaisical attitude toward the tragically unfolding events around him. Rather, his faith compelled action. He reminded Esther that God would keep His promises, but she had a choice in being involved. For Esther's part, she fasted and presumably prayed in recognition of her dependence on God's intervention. And then she acted. Valuing a cause greater than her own life, she went into the king's presence to make her request. Yet, even in her dependence on God, Esther was perceptive and measured in how she approached the king. Rather than just blurting out an accusation against Haman, she craftily drew out the king's intrigue and set the stage for a moment that called out his sense of valor. So is it God's sovereignty or our actions that make a difference in the unfolding of God's purposes? Both! The incredible reality is that God uses people—you and me—to make a difference in this world. God has a purpose for your life at “such a time as this.” When your life seems to be careening out of control, when challenges mount around you, when the choices of others negatively affect you, remember God's sovereignty. Remember that human power is always limited, God's timing is impeccable, and you get to be part of God's sovereign plan. Stabilize your soul in remembering God's sovereignty, and then, trusting in Him and depending on His strength, choose to engage in making a difference for Christ right where you are. Category Christian Living Ministry Resources God's Got This Leader Guide God's Got This Leader Guide Paul Chappell God's Got This Study Guide God's Got This Study Guide Paul Chappell Tags Faith

Stoicism may be having a renaissance. For centuries, the ancient philosophy that originated in Greece and spread across the Roman Empire was more or less treated as extinct – with the word “stoic” hanging on as shorthand for someone unemotional.The post Stoicism and spirituality: A philosopher explains how more Americans' search for meaning is turning them toward the classics appeared first on Baptist News Global.

A well-known Catholic theologian says new archaeological evidence of a meteor explosion long ago in Jordan aligns with the biblical description of Sodom and Gomorrah and that the location likely is the site of the ancient event of Scripture.

Evolutionists are still not facing the challenge of ancient DNA to Deep Time.

This is the fourth paper in a series with the goal to build a model of ancient history consistent with the biblical text using durations by ancient chroniclers.