Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus (List)

                                    Micah 5:2                   Christ was born in Bethlehem Num 24:17-19           Star out of Jacob, Scepter out of Israel Job:19-23-27             Redeemer lives and resurrection Hosea 11:1                Parents fled with Jesus to Egypt   Jeremiah 31:15         Herod orders babies killed Isaiah 7:14                 A virgin conceived                           Isaiah 40:3–5            John Baptist prepared the way      Isaiah 9:1–2              Christ labored in … Continue reading Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus (List) →

Old Testament Symbols/Types of Jesus (List)

Adam son of God, Jesus is last Adam (Rom 5:12-14; 1 Cor 15:45) Sacrificial lamb (unblemished innocent lamb) (Num 1) Noah Savior of mankind Baptism, cleansing of sin (Gen 6:13-22; 1 Pet 3:20-21) Isaac Only begotten son (Heb 11:17; John 3:16) Miraculous birth (Gen 17:15-19; Lk 1:34-35) Offered as sacrifice (Gen 22; Rom 8:32) Escaped … Continue reading Old Testament Symbols/Types of Jesus (List) →

Why Are There So Many “YUCKY” Stories in the Old Testament?

Levi & Simeon Massacre and Pillage Stories in the Old Testament make me cringe.  They are full of sex and violence. They are disgusting and disturbing. They include: torture, rape, robbery, murder, incest, fraud, betrayal, massacres, pillage, homosexuality, and prostitution. Indeed, the Old Testament is X-rated. “What is the Lord trying to teach us?” Possibilities: … Continue reading Why Are There So Many “YUCKY” Stories in the Old Testament? →

“Eve and the Choice Made in Eden”

Sunday Sermon Restoring Eve to her rightful place Latter-day Saints can’t wait to give Mother Eve a big hug, and thank her for her courage and her vital role in the plan of happiness.  She selflessly chose death, pain, suffering, and the struggles of mortality, over the never-ending peace and beauty of Eden. Thus, Eve … Continue reading “Eve and the Choice Made in Eden” →

Symbolic Numbers in the Bible: 7, 8, 40, 3 1/2?

Symbolic and Figurative Use of Numbers One of the challenges of understanding the Bible is knowing which words and verses were meant to be interpreted literally and which verses were to be interpreted figuratively. When I studied ancient literature (Greek, Roman, Medieval English, Old Norse) I learned that certain colors, body parts, and numbers were … Continue reading Symbolic Numbers in the Bible: 7, 8, 40, 3 1/2? →

The Age of the Earth – “Science vs Religion”

"Sunday Sermon" “The scriptures do not say how old the earth is, and the Church has taken no official stand on this question. Nor does the Church consider it to be an issue for salvation.” (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, “Age of Earth,”) The belief that the earth is only 6,000 or 13,000 years old In 1650, … Continue reading The Age of the Earth – “Science vs Religion” →

God’s First, and Most Important Questions, to Mankind

Genesis Account: "Where art Thou?" In the Genesis account, after Adam and Eve transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit, God asked them the all-important question. “Where art thou?” (Gen. 3:9) In other words, “Where are you?”  God was not asking Adam and Eve where they were located physically.  He already knew that. They were hiding … Continue reading God’s First, and Most Important Questions, to Mankind →

7 Short Lessons from the Garden of Eden (Pt. 1)

Universal Pattern: 3 C's: Commandments, Choice, Consequences (3 C’s)              “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat;            “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it: [nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given … Continue reading 7 Short Lessons from the Garden of Eden (Pt. 1) →

6 Short Lessons from the Garden of Eden (Pt. 2)

"Sunday Sermon" "Where Art Thou?" After Adam and Eve “got caught,” God asked, “Where art thou?” (Gen. 3:9)  God was not asking Adam and Eve where they were located physically.  He knew that. They were hiding “amongst the trees of the garden.” (Gen. 3:8)  What God was asking was where they were spiritually. Where were they in relationship to God? … Continue reading 6 Short Lessons from the Garden of Eden (Pt. 2) →