Topical
Natural or supernatural event?
In several of the biblical stories, we modern readers, want to know whether an event was a natural or supernatural one. For many, if they can find a ‘natural’ explanation, it allows them to dismiss the Bible’s claim that God…
Interpretation and the art of telling a story
This post was originally written as part of an explanation on Exod 15:22-27 (Healing bitter waters), which can be found here. I apply some general principles of storytelling to this incident, so it is helpful for readers to refer back…
Red Sea or Sea of Reeds?
If we look at a map tracing Israel’s exodus journey (such as we might find in the back of our Bibles), we may be surprised that the Red Sea does not feature as a stopping point on most of these…
Why were the Passover lamb’s bones not broken?
This post originally appeared as part of the reflection on the post about the Passover celebration (read it here). What is the significance of Passover lamb’s bones not being broken (Exod 12:46)? As is common with ritual, once again there…
Did two million Israelites leave Egypt?
Commentators have long been puzzled by the astounding figures given in Exod 12:37 of the Israelites leaving Egypt. If this is a rounded number of the military-aged men (compare Exod 38:26; Num 1:46), then the total for men, women and…
Is the coronavirus God’s judgment?
As of today, New Zealand is in lockdown due to COVID-19. Except for essential services (e.g. supermarkets, pharmacies, medical facilities, etc.) all businesses are closed. Those who can, work from home or not at all. Schools and universities are closed…
The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart
Whenever I mention that I am a specialist in Old Testament, I encounter questions of what people find difficult there. High on the list, along with the issue of violence, is the topic of Pharaoh’s hardening by God. As I…
The perspectives of the Gospels
A student of mine complained once when my NT colleague insisted that he should be focusing on the perspective of the particular gospel he was reading rather than bringing in viewpoints from the other gospels. ‘Why should I be focusing…
Jesus the unexpected Messiah
Christians tend to assume that the OT clearly predicted Jesus’s suffering, death and resurrection. In the gospels, however, even Jesus’s disciples did not get that Messiah had to suffer. Prophecies recognised as Messianic in the OT set out a pattern…
Jesus the Nazarene? (Matt 2:23)
This post is also a part of my reflections in ‘The hidden centre of Christmas’ (read it here), but I reproduce it as a separate post, so it is easier to find. Matt 2:23 There are three major interpretations regarding…