Sermons Jesus and the Old Testament Stephen Bedard, March 27, 2022March 27, 2022 Matthew 5:17-20 Introduction I spend a fair amount of time on social media, with varying degrees of positive experience. I have been able to reconnect and keep in touch with people from my past. But I am also connected with and sometimes in conversation with people I don’t personally know. … Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog How Were People in the Old Testament Saved? Stephen Bedard, April 29, 2020April 29, 2020 Christians affirm that people today are saved by faith in Jesus. But what about people in the Old Testament? What about Isaiah or Jeremiah? What about the average Israelite? I recently did a Twitter poll on this: To be honest, I was surprised that the votes for Torah obedience and… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Mosaic Authorship and the Documentary Hypothesis Stephen Bedard, March 10, 2020March 10, 2020 Who wrote the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament) and how was it put together? There are two broad categories for the answer. Traditionally, and still among many evangelicals, it was believed that Moses wrote the entire Pentateuch. Some were willing to give that Moses didn’t write the… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog What If You Struggle With Parts of the Bible? Stephen Bedard, September 20, 2019 I love the Bible and have spent much of the last two decades studying it both inside and outside of school. I teach it and I preach it. But there are parts, especially in the Old Testament, that make me uncomfortable. It would be nice if it was all as… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog The Skeptical Argument That Bugs Me The Most Stephen Bedard, August 31, 2019 I don’t know how many times I have heard a skeptic say to me, “How can you trust the Bible when it has been translated so many times. What they are claiming is that the Bible was written in Hebrew, translated to Greek, which was translated to Latin, which was… Continue Reading
Disability and Faith Blog Disability in the Hebrew Bible – Review Stephen Bedard, August 15, 2019 Two of the biggest interests for me are the Bible and disabilities. When those two things come together, II am happy. That’s why I enjoyed Disability in the Hebrew Bible. Things can get complicated when it comes to the Bible and disabilities. People with disabilities and disability advocates will want… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Is Andy Stanley a Marcionite? Stephen Bedard, May 14, 2018July 3, 2019 Andy Stanley has recently caused a stir by comments in a sermon about the Old Testament. Many people are concerned about his remarks. Some are even calling him a Marcionite. What is a Marcionite? A Marcionite is a follower of Marcion. Isn’t that helpful? Marcion was a second century Christian… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Is Satan in the Old Testament a Good Guy? Stephen Bedard, April 6, 2018April 23, 2022 There is a common trend of contrasting the Old and New Testaments. Often it is comparing God as wrathful in the Old and loving in the New Testament. But there are also comparisons of different treatments of Satan. The comment that I have heard from many sources is that Satan… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Is Jesus Like God or is God Like Jesus? Stephen Bedard, January 5, 2018August 13, 2020 Although I agree that Jesus is God (John 1:1), I have something specific in mind when I ask if Jesus is like God or God like Jesus. Traditionally, people have looked at Jesus and identified divine attributes and used this as ways to demonstrated that Jesus is God. But some… Continue Reading
Why I’m Not a Pacifist: Part One Stephen Bedard, June 28, 2017December 8, 2018 I have no problem with Christians who embrace pacifism. However, I have encountered people people have argued that Christians must be pacifists. To some it is absolutely clear that the Bible teaches non-violence in all situations. I’m not convinced. This is the first of a series of posts on why… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Seeing the Psalms in a Fresh Way Stephen Bedard, March 27, 2016October 6, 2020 The Psalms are beloved by both Jews and Christians. Much of our worship is inspired by the Psalms. But it is easy to the Psalms as random collections of praise and reflection. This excellent video from the Bible Project looks at the Psalms in their context. It is really helpful… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog The IVP Background Bible Commentary: Old Testament Stephen Bedard, November 7, 2015August 6, 2019 Every preacher and Bible student is told, “A text without a context becomes a pretext.” That context can be the verses surrounding the passage but it should also be the cultural context. One of the best resources available is The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, by John H. Walton,… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog 5 Things to Remember When Talking About the Bible and Genocide Stephen Bedard, October 12, 2015September 4, 2020 One of the hardest topics to discuss is the Israelite invasion of Canaan and the complete destruction of certain cities. It makes both Christians and non-Christians uncomfortable. The intention of this post is not to give an apologetic for those events or to tell people what to believe. I only… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Was the Bible Written Because People Were Afraid of Death? Stephen Bedard, October 9, 2015September 16, 2019 “All religions are based on people’s fear of death and their desperate attempts to find hope after death.” Have you heard statements like this? Certainly the afterlife is an important part of many (but not all) religions. My interest is in how this relates to biblical faith. Again the afterlife… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog 10 More Things You May Not Have Known About the Bible Stephen Bedard, October 8, 2015July 15, 2020 Some time back I wrote a post about 10 Things You May Not Have Known About the Bible. Since I believe that there are always more things to learn, here are 10 more things you may not have known about the Bible. The feeding of the 5000 is the only… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog 10 Things You May Not Have Known About the Bible Stephen Bedard, September 22, 2015April 22, 2019 The Bible is the most influential book in western culture. Even in this post-Christian era, we are surrounded by the influence of the Bible. The Bible was crucial for me in my own faith journey. I read the Bible cover to cover a number of times (and once in alphabetic… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog 7 Things to Remember When Reading the Bible Stephen Bedard, September 10, 2015July 13, 2020 Many years ago, I had a couple of Roman Catholic ladies come to my door. They went on to explain to me that the problem with the world today was that too many people read the Bible (I in no way am suggesting that this is typical of Catholicism). After… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Hosea Stephen Bedard, July 11, 2015May 7, 2020 A devotion based on Hosea 1:2. When God called prophets to serve him, there was always a cost. It might be persecution, it might even by martyrdom. Hosea had one of the cruelest prices to pay. Hosea was commanded to marry a prostitute, a woman who would be unfaithful to… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog What is the Difference Between Samuel/Kings and Chronicles? Stephen Bedard, July 2, 2015April 22, 2022 Have you ever had the experience of reading through 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings and then being plunged right back into the same stories in 1-2 Chronicles? Why do we even have Chronicles? Isn’t it kind of redundant? How Are Samuel/Kings and Chronicles Similar? The books of Samuel/Kings and Chronicles… Continue Reading
Sermons The Lord is With You Stephen Bedard, June 30, 2015June 10, 2019 This is the sermon I preached for the 160th anniversary of Woodford Baptist Church. Judges 6:11-18 Introduction Of all the judges, Gideon is one of my favourites. Most of the other judges are fairly one-dimensional characters. But with the story of Gideon we are given, not just information about his… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Malachi Stephen Bedard, October 13, 2014April 25, 2019 A devotion based on Malachi 1:8. The Old Testament provides very clear guidelines for the sacrifices offered to God. Because God is holy and righteous, only the best animals are to be sacrificed. In the days of Malachi, the high standard for worship had fallen significantly. The priests were offering… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Zechariah Stephen Bedard, October 5, 2014April 25, 2019 A devotion based on Zechariah 4:6. Zechariah was prophesying during a very dark time for Judah. The nation had been destroyed. Although the exile was technically over and people were coming back, the situation was not good. Many people looked to Zerubbabel, a descendant of David but not a king…. Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Haggai Stephen Bedard, September 28, 2014November 11, 2019 A devotion based on Haggai 2:5. The context of this passage was a very difficult time for Judah. Although the exile was technically over, things were not as prosperous as people had hoped. The Temple was still in ruins and things were not looking good for it to be rebuilt…. Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog The Patience of Job Stephen Bedard, September 24, 2014April 25, 2019 I have sometimes been accused of having “the patience of Job.” Not only is this giving me more credit when it comes to patience than I deserve, it also misrepresents the story of Job. Since Job is a hard (sometimes boring) story to read, it is handy to have a… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Zephaniah Stephen Bedard, September 21, 2014August 24, 2019 A devotion based on Zephaniah 3:9. Like many of the minor prophets, Zephaniah speaks of judgment. There will be judgment on both Judah and the nations. The nations are the gentiles or the non-Jewish peoples. There will be judgment but there will be reconciliation as well. The nations will be… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Habakkuk Stephen Bedard, September 14, 2014August 12, 2020 A devotion based on Habakkuk 1:2. Although written thousands of years ago, Habakkuk’s prophecy is very timely. Habakkuk looked at the world around him with all its violence and injustice and felt despair. Where was God? When was he going to do something? Habakkuk did not feel the need to… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Nahum Stephen Bedard, September 7, 2014October 7, 2019 A devotion based on Nahum 1:7. While Jonah describes a Nineveh that repents of their sin, Nahum describes an unrepentant Nineveh that is under God’s wrath. Nahum goes into great detail about the power and strength of God, especially in his role as an avenger. But before readers get the… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Micah Stephen Bedard, August 31, 2014February 7, 2020 A devotion based on Micah 6:8. Micah 6:8 is one of the most well known passages in the minor prophets. However, the meaning of the verse really requires an understanding of the context. Before this verse, Micah offers a number of ritualistic forms of worship as a way of pleasing… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Obadiah Stephen Bedard, August 17, 2014October 30, 2019 A devotion based on Obadiah 1:15. Obadiah is a one chapter prophet but that does not mean that he is at lack for something to say. His focus is on the punishment that will come upon Edom for all that they had done to God’s people. Judgment on the nations… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Amos Stephen Bedard, August 11, 2014November 26, 2019 A devotion based on Amos 5:14. The book of Amos is fairly typical of the minor prophets. The people sin. The prophet proclaims judgment. The people are challenged to repent. I am sure there were times when the people wondered how they would ever get out of this. What exactly… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog What You Need to Know About the Bible Stephen Bedard, August 3, 2014September 23, 2019 If you can understand this one thing, you will avoid many of the problems that Christians encounter. Are your ready? This is very important. The Bible was not inspired as a western twenty-first century document and should not be read as such. If you get only this statement from all… Continue Reading
Devotions: Joel Stephen Bedard, August 3, 2014 A devotion based on Joel 2:28. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was closely connected with prophecy. Prophecy was closely connected with authority. That authority was limited to a very small number. Far back in the Old Testament, Joshua caught a group of people prophesying by the power of… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Daniel Stephen Bedard, July 20, 2014September 9, 2020 A devotion based on Daniel 3:25. In this story, three of Daniel’s friends are arrested for refusing to worship a golden image. They are so devoted to their God that they would prefer to endure the consequences. Unfortunately the consequences are being thrown into a blazing furnace. They are men of… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Ezekiel Stephen Bedard, July 13, 2014November 25, 2019 A devotion based on Ezekiel 37:5. At this point in history, Judah was in a terrible situation. People were in exile. Infrastructure was crippled. Political autonomy was crumbling. The Babylonians had taken everything away from Judah. It was as if Judah (and Israel before it) were nothing more than dead bones…. Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Jeremiah Stephen Bedard, June 29, 2014September 4, 2020 A devotion based on Jeremiah 1:6-7 Jeremiah is one of the most well-known prophets in the Bible. He is among the three (with Isaiah and Ezekiel) major prophets in the Hebrew canon. Jeremiah would also go through one of the most difficult ministries in the Bible. His prophetic work included… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Does the Bible Teach That Unicorns Exist? Stephen Bedard, October 16, 2012December 17, 2019 I was recently listening to a Christian radio show and the host was trying to give an example of a myth and referred to unicorns. The caller commented that since the Bible teaches that unicorns exist, he does not consider them mythical. It took me off guard. Some Christians believe… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Religion as a Quest for Afterlife Stephen Bedard, January 5, 2012August 19, 2019 It is common to hear the accusation that religion was created by those who feared death and needed some sort of afterlife. Really? And what research is that based on? Your neighbour who had a medical scare and decided to start attending church? I am sure that there are people… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Clay Jones on the Canaanite Question Stephen Bedard, November 22, 2011January 13, 2020 Since there is much discussion about the war against the Canaanites, I thought I would add something else. A few years ago, Clay Jones wrote an article for the journal Philosophia Christi on this topic. You can read the article online here. Disclaimer: I am NOT saying that this article… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog A God Without a Mythology Stephen Bedard, June 12, 2011September 26, 2020 One of my loves is studying ancient religions and mythologies. I have always found it fascinating. I have found it to also be helpful in my understanding of the Bible. As I study the Bible and as I study mythology, I become more and more convinced of the uniqueness of… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Early Hebrew Text Found Stephen Bedard, October 30, 2008September 22, 2022 The earliest Hebrew text has just been discovered as you can read about here. The text comes from the time of King David in the tenth century BC. It has not been completely translated but it seems to have the word for ‘king.’ It will be interesting to see what… Continue Reading