"Sunday Sermon" There are at least two interpretations of this important verse. First, people perish if they lack the guidance of prophetic vision and revelation. Second, people perish if they lack their own vision, foresight, direction, and goals. Prophetic Vision The English Standard Version (ESV) warns that the people perish, “where there is no … Continue reading “Where there is no vision, the people perish” — Proverbs 29:18
One of the challenges of studying the scriptures, especially the Old Testament, is knowing which verses were meant to be interpreted literally and which verses were intended to be interpreted figuratively. Studying ancient literature, I learned that certain numbers were intended to be figurative, symbolic, or even magical. One key to spotting these figurative numbers is their repetition. Their too frequent use goes beyond mere coincidence. The Number “8” is … Continue reading The Number “8” in Scriptures Means “New Beginnings”
Introduction I attended the National Conference on Jewish Law for several years. The participants were devout Jewish law professors, rabbis, judges, lawyers, and one non-Jew -- me. On Saturday, I was taking notes on one of the lectures. The man seated to my right nudged me with his elbow and snapped, “It’s Shabbat.” In other … Continue reading Law of Noah (Telestial), Moses (Terrestrial), and Jesus (Celestial)
The Old Testament has a plethora of wonderful one-liners. These are short, profound and memorable statements. Each of these one-liners could be a motto or slogan to guide our lives. Each of these one-liners could be a sermon. Who is on the Lord side? Seek the Lord while he may be found Would God that … Continue reading Old Testament “One-liners”
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)
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)
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?
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 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?
"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”
The London Edition 