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"Textual" Article Items

Textual problems associated with Scripture; particularly concerning the reliability of the Scriptural text.

The “Lost” Gospels
Bible Image

Posted on May 17, 2020 by

Categories: Historical, Textual

Tags: , ,

Television documentaries about Bible history often are aired during the major Christian holidays, especially during Easter.  These documentaries invariably include a spacial concerning the “lost” gospels.  These books are also known as apocryphal gospels from the Greek meaning “hidden book.” These “hidden” gospels purport to have been written by eyewitnesses to Christ’s ministry such as Peter, Judas, or Thomas – but they tell a story that is very different than the gospels included in Scripture.  These differences are not minor, but so substantial that they are “shocking” making them a frequent topic of discussion on popular outlets such as the History… Read More »

Timing of Messiah Appearance
The crucifixion date was derived from an Old Testament prophecy from Daniel that Christ expected the Jews to know.

Posted on February 21, 2020 by

Categories: Christ In Old Testament, Historical, Textual

There was much anticipation of the timing of Messiah appearance among the Jewish population of Jerusalem in the early part of the first century AD.  This anticipation related to the expected appearance of the Messiah who they hoped would lead a revolt against the hated Roman occupiers of their country. Ancient rabbinical deliberations expressed in the Talmud placed his expected appearance in the early first century which represents a problem to many Jewish faithful.  Some believe the Messiah may have come but because of Jewish unfaithfulness did not declare himself to the nation.  Others suggested in hushed tones that maybe… Read More »

Ruth
Ruth is an ancient story about a kindman-redeemer named Boaz. He would marry Ruth and would become an ancestor of Christ.

Posted on December 18, 2019 by

Categories: Christ In Old Testament, Historical, Textual

Tags: ,

Ruth is a small book buried in the Old Testament. It consists of only about 2500 words but it conveys a great picture of a redeemer.  As part of the redeemer image, Ruth was adopted into the lineage of the great redeemer, Christ. This book is particularly useful for those without a Jewish understanding of the Torah.  While Christians understand the notion of a redeemer in the context of Christ’s sacrifice for us, they only have a vague understanding of what it meant to be a “redeemer” in ancient Jewish law. The story uses these Jewish principles with Boaz accepting… Read More »