Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
The protestant Christian Bible has 66 books, 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. But why those particular books and who chose them? I frequently hear people say that the church did not choose the books of the Bible, God did. How can you argue with that? From the … Read More “Why Do We Have the Books of the Bible We Do?” »
One of the highlights when I teach New Testament introduction courses is to have “story-time” with a reading from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. Why would I read from such a book? Critics attempt to cast doubt on the New Testament canon by suggesting that there were plenty of other books that could have been … Read More “What is the Infancy Gospel of Thomas?” »
Often when I am discussing Mormonism or other groups that add to Scripture, someone will being up Revelation 22:18-9. What does this passage say? “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if … Read More “What Does Revelation 22:18-19 Mean?” »
I recently heard from a Community of Christ pastor who was receiving some opposition from his local ministerial. If you are not familiar with the Community of Christ, they were formally known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. When people hear this, they automatically think of the Utah Mormons and … Read More “Considering the Community of Christ” »
The New Testament is an incredibly influential book but how did it come to be? People like Bart Ehrman seem to attack almost every issue regarding the process. Arthur Patzia’s Making of the New Testament is a great place to go to get some answers. Not exactly an introduction to the Bible, but rather an overview … Read More “Making of the New Testament” »
Since my article on embracing the Community of Christ into orthodoxy came out, I have had a few people question me (respectfully) on this. Their main concern, as was mine, was the fact that the Book of Mormon is still considered scripture by the Community of Christ. I would like to respond to this. Two … Read More “Community of Christ and Salvation” »
I have just finished reading Bart Ehrman’s Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and Faiths We Never Knew. First of all, it must be said that Ehrman is a talented writer. He is able to take material that is normally of interest only to scholars and package it in away that can reach the interested … Read More “Lost Christianities” »
Sometimes critics like to suggest that the New Testament is late, and that although individual writings may be earlier, the gathering of them as Scripture is a much later development. We are led to believe that there were just a bunch of writings, orthodox, gnostic and other, that were floating around and then Constantine had … Read More “Polycarp and the New Testament” »
