BiblicalInsights.net

Bible Commentaries

David Stevens — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:08:01 +0000

     Commentaries on the Bible contain comments and observations on the biblical text, organized in the same order as the biblical text. Most people turn to commentaries for an explanation of a passage or passages they are studying.
     Commentaries include an introduction to each book of the Bible that discusses authorship, date, the circumstances in which the book was written, intended audience, and the relationship of that book to the rest of the Bible. The introduction also includes an outline of the book or at least breaks it down into major sections.
     The introduction is followed by running commentary that moves verse-by-verse or section-by-section through the book, discussing the Bible text. Did you know that there are different types of commentaries? Let’s consider some of them.
     1. Critical Commentaries. Critical commentaries discuss in great detail the Hebrew or Greek text, interact with scholarly literature, and may use higher critical methods to investigate scripture. Examples of this type of commentary include the International Critical Commentary series and the New International Greek Testament Commentary.
     2. Devotional Commentaries. This type of commentary is written as an interpretive aid or devotional guide for the common person who reads the Bible in English. They avoid technical or textual discussions. They focus on the interpretation and application of scripture to everyday life. An example of this type of commentary would be the Life Application Bible.
     3. Pastoral Commentaries, also called Homiletical Commentaries. Homiletical commentaries focus on the needs and concerns of those in the ministry (i. e. preachers and teachers). They aid in the preparation of sermons and Bible studies. An example would be the Pulpit Commentary Series.
     4. Exegetical Commentaries. This type of commentary is text-centered but remains accessible to readers without formal language training. Examples are the New American Commentary Series and Baker’s New Testament Commentary Series.
     5. Eclectic Commentaries. Eclectic commentaries draw comments on the biblical text from a variety of scholarly sources, especially other commentaries and places them side by side for comparison and analysis. An example would be the Commentary Series by James Burton Coffman.
     Some commentaries are written by one person who may or may not be a trained professional in the field of biblical hermeneutics. Others are written by a group of men who have been specifically selected for this purpose. Sometimes a recognized book publisher puts together a team of writers that express a particular theological viewpoint. Remember, every commentary written by a human being is subject to the theological bias of that person. There is a wide range of theological viewpoints and hermeneutical skills of the writers involved in producing commentaries. The Bible student must give careful consideration to these features before the purchase of any set of commentaries. The best commentaries adhere faithfully to the truth of God’s Word.  Every commentary must be put to the test of truth and those that fail, must be rejected.

Parental Burnout

David Stevens — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:43:41 +0000

     James Dobson cites Dr. Joseph Procaccini and Mark Kiefaber on the topic of parental burnout in his book, Parenting Isn’t For Cowards. Procaccini and Kiefaber identify five progressive steps of parental burnout. They are:
     1.     “Gung-Ho” –stage one. This stage is the new parent who determines to be “superparent.” Everything focuses on the children. Parents deny themselves in order to provide everything they think their children need and then some. This parent is headed for burnout because he/she is expending more energy than is available to burn. When parents fail to take time to rest and renew their energy levels, they are headed for burnout.
     2.     Stage two is “persistent doubts.” At stage two, parents know something is wrong, but haven’t quite figured out what it is. They are often drained and fatigued and wonder why they are tired all the time or depressed.
     3.     Stage three is called the transition stage. This is a crucial point in the parenting process. Parents either recognize the downward path they are on and make changes to reverse it, or they will continue their plunge toward chaos (p. 136). Parents experience fatigue, self-condemnation, great anger, and resentment. For the first time parents openly blame their kids for their discontent.
     4.     Stage four is identified as “pulling away.” In this stage, the parent withdraws from the family and becomes unavailable to the children (p. 137). Fantasies of “slinging the brat against the wall” or “bashing him good” may occur in this angry parent. This is one step removed from physical abuse and is a dangerous point.
     5.     Stage five is called “chronic disenchantment.” It is characterized by confusion and apathy. The individual has lost all meaning and purpose in living. Identity is blurred. Serious problems are imminent.
     Parenting is challenging. Parents must learn to use the resources available to them in order to cope with the demands of parenting. Beginning September 5, I will be teaching a class on Biblical Principles for Practical Parenting at the Church of Christ, 5626 Groveport Rd., Groveport, Ohio. You can access the church’s web page from this site. Just click on Church of Christ under “Blogroll.”

Undesigned Coincidences in the New Testament

David Stevens — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:26:18 +0000

     I have been reading an interesting book in the field of Christian Apologetics. The book was written by John J. Blunt and is titled, Undesigned Coincidences in the writings of both the Old and New Testament. The book is an argument for the veracity of the Scriptures. One of the interesting examples of undesigned coincidences is the scriptural record of the miracles of the feeding of the five thousand and the four thousand. All four evangelists record the miracle of the five thousand (Matt. 14:20; Mark 6:43; Luke 9:17 and John 6:13). All four, without variation, use the word kophinous (plural form of kophinos) to indicate the baskets taken up. There were twelve baskets taken up after the multitude was fed. The miracle of the feeding of the four thousand is recorded by two of the evangelists (Matt. 15:37; Mark 8:8). The phrase, “hepta spuridas” is used to indicate the seven baskets taken up after the multitude was fed. There must have been a marked difference in the two baskets. Kophinos is invariably used when the miracle of the five thousand is referenced and spuris is invariably used when the miracle of the four thousand is referenced. Jesus refers to both of these miracles in Matt. 16:9-10. “Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?” Jesus used the same terms, kophinos and spuris respectively, when speaking of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand.
     In Acts 9:25, Paul was let down by the wall in a basket to escape a plot to take his life. The basket (spuris) was large enough for a man to get into. This is the basket that was used to take up the fragments of food left over after the feeding of the four thousand. The spuris was a large basket whereas the kophinos was a smaller basket. So, even though there were fewer baskets taken up (seven verses twelve), the baskets were larger.
     The point of the coincidence is the precise difference of the vessels and the uniform application of the term kophinos to the basket of the miracle of the five thousand and the uniform application of spuris to the miracle of the four thousand. The words are never used interchangeably. The two miracles were distinctly impressed upon the minds of the evangelists and of Jesus as real events.
     If the minute details of the miracle accounts are true, then what about the miracles related in the account? If the details are so well preserved and validated, then what about the miracle itself? The miracle must also be true and points to something greater.
     Jesus is the “bread of life” (John 6:35). ”Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). While physical bread sustains physical life, only the “bread from heaven” (Jesus Christ) can give spiritual life that leads to eternal life!

Ohio State Fair Booth–2010

David Stevens — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:22:28 +0000

: The Set-Up Crew

Old Testament Quotations in John

David Stevens — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:10:05 +0000

     Consider the following basic facts:
     1. 10% of the New Testament consists of Old Testament Quotations.
     2. A knowledge of the Old Testament is essential to the understanding of the New Testament.
     3. The Old Testament is inspired of God and used authoritatively by Jesus Christ and the writers of the New Testament.
     4. The word “Scripture” refers to “that which is written.” Written language requires words. The words are the words of God. The word Scripture is always used of inspired words and never used of secular writings (in the Bible itself).
     5. Whenever the New Testament writers quote from the Old Testament, sometimes they use the Hebrew Scriptures, sometimes they use the Septuagint (LXX) and sometimes they make their own translation of the text.
     6. Whenever a New Testament writer quotes from the Old Testament, he himself is under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
     7. In the Gospel of John, there are fourteen Old Testament passages quoted. A list of these passages follows:
           a. 1:23       Isa. 40:3 (LXX)
           b. 2:17      Psa. 69:9
           c. 6:31       Psa. 78:24
           d. 6:45       Isa. 54:13
           e. 10:34     Psa. 82:6
           f. 12:13       Psa. 118:25-26
           g. 12:15      Zech. 9:9
           h. 12:38      Isa. 53:1 (LXX)
           i. 12:40       Isa. 6:10 (LXX)
           j. 13:18        Psa. 41:9
           k. 15:25       Psa. 35:19, 69:4
           l. 19:24        Psa. 22:18
          m. 19:36      Ex. 12:46; Num. 9:12
          n. 19:37       Zech. 12:10
     These Old Testament passages are specifically chosen by John to prove his thesis that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. John 20:31,32. We must believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that He is the Son of God in order to have eternal life.

Elohim–The First Name For God In the Bible

David Stevens — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:16:54 +0000

     We have just completed VBS for the summer. We studied an important theme: Exploring the Nature of God. The material was published by Promise Press, c. 2010 and distributed through Gospel Advocate, Nashville, TN. I enjoyed the study of God through in-depth consideration of five names for God: Elohim, Yahweh Elohim, Yahweh Jireh, Yahweh Nissi, and Yahweh Ra-ah. The first name for God in the Bible comes from the Hebrew term Elohim (Gen. 1:1). “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Here are some significant facts about this name for God.
     First, Elohim is a plural noun.   The singular form would be Eloah which is poetic and rare. In prose, the plural has to be used whether polytheistically or monotheistically because there is no other suitable word (Baker’s Dictionary of Theology, p. 239).
     Second, the plural form in and of itself does not indicate a Triune God, but hints in the context of Genesis 1 do indicate a Triune God. In Genesis 1:2, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” The Holy Spirit is referenced in this passage. In Genesis 1:26, the Scriptures declare, “And God (Elohim) 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 fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” The plural pronoun “us” indicates that more than one person was present in the Godhead. From John 1:1-3, we learn that the eternal Word was present at the time of the creation of all things and all things were created by Him (see also Col. 1:16-18). A grammatical analysis of John 1:3 shows that Jesus Christ is the indirect agent in creation and God the Father is the direct agent. Therefore, the word Elohim refers to God the Father, the Eternal Word and the Holy Spirit as the context of Genesis 1 affirms.
     Third, The plural form is better understood as indicating a plenitude of power (Baker’s Dictionary of Theology, p. 239). The fullness of the authority and power of God is inherent in this word. By the word of God (Elohim), the universe and everything in it comes into existence (Heb. 11:3, Psa. 33:8-9). God is the First Cause and He Himself is uncaused. Only God (Elohim) can create (bring into existence out of nothing material that which did not exist before).
    Fourth, man (created by God in His image) sustains a relationship to God by virtue of God being his creator. This is a general relationship in which all men and women are the offspring of God. Consider Paul’s words delivered on Mars hill in Athens, “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:23-30).
     Fifth, God (Elohim) has the power to bring man into full reconciliation with Himself through Jesus Christ (II Cor. 5:18-19). Consequently, we can become the “children of God” in a spiritual sense which elevates us to the status of “sonship”. This spiritual status is achieved through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. We obtain the remission of our sins through the power of His blood (Eph. 1:7) and we are regenerated through the power of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Remission of sins and regeneration (new spiritual life) lead to sonship. “…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
     Sixth, God (Elohim) is the only one to be worshipped. God the creator is the only God and He is the only being in the universe worthy to be worshipped. (see Exodus 20:3).

The Case For Christ

David Stevens — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:31:59 +0000

I have just posted a new book review. Please click on book reviews to read it. Lee Strobel wrote, The Case For Christ more than a decade ago, but it is still relevant. Strobel interviews thirteen scholars. Among them are men like Craig Blomberg, Bruce Metzger, Edwin M. Yamauchi, John McRay, Gregory Boyd, Ben Witherington III, Gary Collins, Donald A. Carson, Louis Lapides, Alexander Metherell, William Lane Craig, Gary Habermas, and J. P. Moreland. Through these interviews, Strobel is able to answer the skeptics who reject various aspects of the life of Jesus Christ or who question the integrity of the Scripture texts of the Gospel accounts of the life of Christ. The book is packed with good information. First, you will want to read the review. Then, perhaps you will buy the book.

Archaeology and the New Testament

David Stevens — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 12:42:35 +0000

     Lee Strobel in his book, The Case For Christ, sets forth the evidence for the truth about the life of Christ, i.e. His death, burial and resurrection. Strobel gives the results of thirteen interviews from a variety of biblical scholars each proficient in their respective fields of study. One of the interviews was with John McRay who specializes in biblical archaeology. This interview focused on the archaeological support for the accuracy of the New Testament documents. Strobel writes, “One promient archaeologist carefully examined Luke’s references to thirty-two countries, fifty-four cities, and nine islands, finding not a single mistake” (Strobel, p. 98 (quoting from Geisler and Howe, When Critics Ask, 385).
     Contrast this fact with the Book of Mormon. Archaeology has repeatedly failed to substantiate the claims of the Book of Mormon. No Book of Mormon cities have ever been located. No Book of Mormon persons, places, nations or names have ever been found. No Book of Mormon artifacts have ever been found. No Book of Mormon inscriptions have ever been found. Nothing which demonstrates the Book of Mormon is anything other than myth or invention has ever been found (Strobel, p. 107).
     This is an amazing contrast. Where the New Testament can be tested for accuracy, archaeology has verified its contents. Whereas, the Book of Mormon has no archaeological support. The New Testament is clearly established as being truthful. The Book of Mormon is merely myth!

RAT’s

David Stevens — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:02:35 +0000

     Tommy Newberry gives an interesting assessment of the type of thinking that destroys joy in his book, The 4:8 Principle. The book is based upon Philippians 4:8 and stresses positive thinking over negative thinking. Under the heading, Head Games,he mentions RAT’s (really awful thoughts). RAT’s terrorize your potential for joy (p. 107). He then lists some of these negative thinking patterns.
     –Amplifiers. Amplifiers magnify unpleasant situations with words like: always, never, no one, every time, etc. These words are distortions of the truth and pervert perceptions.
     –Feelers. Feelers accept negative feelings as true without questioning them. Feelings are no substitute for the truth. When feelings are based upon perverted perceptions the result is negative conduct.
     –Guessers. Guessers pretend they know what other people are thinking, and then they assume the worse ahead of time (p. 107). This fuels negativity.
     –Exaggerators. Exaggerators transform mole hills into mountains. They use words like horrible, worst, ruined, shocked, stunned, devastated, and outraged. They, too, distort reality.
     –Identifiers. Indentifiers inject harmless events with personal meaning. They overestimate how an event is related to them. They take things too personally and interpret negative events as personal attacks.
     –Forecasters. Forecasters predict worst case scenarios. They are the doom and gloom group.
     –Cynics. Cynics find what is wrong even if it is the only thing wrong! (p. 108). Despite the good, they use their mental radar to see the bad.
     –Blamers. Blamers point the finger at someone else for their own problems. Blaming others liberates them from personal responsibility for their attitudes and actions.
     –Justifiers. Justifiers remind themselves of all the reasons why they are entitled to feel negative emotions or have a negative outburst. (p. 109).
     These RATs must be eliminated from our thinking if we are going to experience the joy that God intends for our lives. Joy is “an outward sign of inward faith in God’s promises” (p. 42). Joy is connected to spiritual relationship with God. If there is no spiritual connection with God, then there can be no real joy. “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” (Phil. 4:4).

Gospel Meeting With Memories

David Stevens — Wed, 12 May 2010 12:43:33 +0000

: Crum Ridge Church of Christ Building

: Front View of the Church building

: Country Store, Marr, Ohio–1874

: Country Store–Inside View

: Country Store–Inside View–Lee Gildow, elder at Crum Ridge

: Creighton Ridge Church of Christ building

I recently held a Gospel meeting at the Crum Ridge church of Christ located on Crum Ridge Rd., off of Rt. 260 outside of Caldwell, Ohio. We averaged around 60 in attendance each night with the largest attendance on Thursday with 70 (Mark Bass spoke that night due to my mother’s open heart surgery). I enjoyed being with the brethren at Crum Ridge and meeting Lee and Hester Gildow who kept me in their home during the meeting. On Wednesday, May 5, we went to the Country Store in Marr, Ohio where I visited 40 years ago. The store was still operating with little changes. As a teenager, I remembered being in the store and seeing a wooden barrel full of salt fish. The present owner, Bill Parks, told me that they could not get salt fish in a barrel anymore. My brother, Steve, preached at Creighton Ridge, Ohio on our first visit there and we went home on Sunday afternoon with Walter Parks and his wife, Mary, for dinner. Walter owned and operated the country store. Now, his son owns and operates the store. It is definitely a step back in time. The theme of the meeting at Crum Ridge was: Love: The More Excellent Way. I look forward to returning to the area some time in the future.