Category Archives: Theology

Acts 1 So with all this in mind (and I know it’s a lot of material), let’s take a fresh run at the first part of Acts — and read as a Jew would have read Luke’s book. (Act 1:4-5 … Continue reading →

Idolatry? So this leads to a question I’ve been trying to get to — In what sense were the Jews of Jesus’ day idolaters? The curses of Deu 28 aren’t only for idolatry but they are especially for idolatry. Moreover, … Continue reading →

The Jewish revolts against Rome The consequences of the first Jewish revolt against Rome are summarized in the Wikipedia — The defeat of the Jewish revolt altered the Jewish diaspora, as many of the Jewish rebels were scattered or sold … Continue reading →

John the Baptist John the Baptist began preaching at the Jordan River — (Luk 3:7-10 ESV) He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from … Continue reading →

For purposes of the next few posts, I’ll focus on Luke and Acts. Luke fits naturally with Acts, and only Acts records the dawning of the Kingdom at Pentecost. But long before we get to Acts 2:38, we need to work … Continue reading →

Isaiah begins with a warning against ignoring the plight of the vulnerable of society — (Isa 1:11-20 ESV)  11 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams … Continue reading →

I guess we do best to start in the Torah. God’s election of Israel demands a response — a changed heart that submits to God’s loving will — a will that shows us what is best for us. (Deu 10:16-19 … Continue reading →

In the Prophets, the NT’s Greek word for “repent” is rarely used of national repentance. But the concept of repentance is plainly taught. For example, the author of 2 Kings says regarding God’s allowing the Northern Kingdom to be carried … Continue reading →

It’s a little surprising that the NT word for “repent” is rarely used in the OT except with regard to God himself. In fact, metanoeo, the Greek verb translated “repent” in Acts 2:38 appears only 19 times in 18 OT … Continue reading →

I skipped ahead a bit, and so we still need to cover some key passages in the prophets before we continue with the NT. Jeremiah prophesied to the Jews of Judea shortly before and during the time of Nebuchadnezzar’s attacks on … Continue reading →