Michael Stone, now retired from Hebrew University, but as active as ever in his scholarly investigations and publications, is one of the most engaging scholars in the general area of Jewish texts and traditions of the late 2nd Temple period. I still consider his little book, Scriptures, Sects, and Visions…
Paul’s foundational verse for what he calls “my gospel,” is taken directly from a quotation of the Hebrew Prophet Habakkuk–seldom read by hardly anyone. However, he completely reverses its meaning! https://youtu.be/ZCshIENR8xw
Blast from the past…I gave this lecture in 2007 at an academic conference. Don’t miss the Q&A at the end. I refer to many major scholars along the way who were in the room. In these intervening years, although I have further developed these views, by and large I remain…
In this ongoing short series on the Top Seven Fateful texts of the N.T. I select another from the apostle Paul–which taken out of context downplays this present world as passing, almost an illusion or shadow, in favor of a future Heavenly World to come. I call this the “Bad…
In this recent lecture I explore a single chapter of the Hebrew Bible, within its wider contexts, in which I argue the fundamentals of “Abrahamic Faith,” are ideally set forth. https://youtu.be/iC0GchVMGZE
In this new series I have gathered together a list of fateful New Testament passages that have been both understood and misunderstood over subsequent ages in ways that reinforce and foster incalculable harm to our lives. I did not try to order these into any kind of priority and I…
These texts from the apostle Paul have been the most influential in Western history in terms of how they have been used to hold back, oppress, restrict, woman for the past 2000 years. Outside of senseless Wars, the suffering and loss is only comparable to slavery and child abuse. The…
This film was produced in the UK and only shown once–as there was fear that Christians would watch it and conclude that the Rabbi had won the debate. The visual quality is poor–but please go ahead and watch it. You will be hooked by the story by 10-15 minutes in.…
Today on the Jewish calendar is called Shabbat Parah–the third of the four special Sabbaths leading up to Passover on April 22nd this year (Shekalim, Zakor, Parah, Hachodesh). Each of these Sabbaths has a special Torah reading highlighting a theme associated with the Spring Passover season. The reading for today…
There is good solid historical evidence that Jesus died on a Thursday not a Friday, despite centuries of tradition. I offer an overview and also address why it matters. https://youtu.be/Y3dSYNyTlFM