The very first verse of the Bible–Genesis 1:1–which millions can quote by heart–is MIStranslated in most all major versions and all languages–with very few exceptions. The reasons are simple–Marketing and Commercialism. Who would buy a Bible translation that does not begin with “In the Beginning, God Created the Heavens and…
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…
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
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…
Here is a link to my Contributor page on Dr. Robert L. Kuhn’s amazing program, “Closer to Truth,” that has videos of all my interviews, as well as other information. I have known Robert for 56 years–his Ph.D. is in Brain science; mine in ancient Mediterranean history and religion. In…
The title of this video is purposely AUDACIOUS…since no respectable academic would ever speak of “What the Bible Really Says” about anything, since the Bible says all kinds of things about everything. And I would like to be considered such… However, the title is not mine–but the brilliant historian of…
I recently did a two-part lecture titled “Bible Prophecy: The Perils of Predicting the End of the Age,” in which I offer a cautionary overview based on my study of various apocalyptic “schemes and dreams” over the past 2500 years. From the Hebrew Bible, through various strands of Late Second…
Derek Lambert, who often interviews academics on historical and archaeological matters related to ancient Judaism and early Christianity, did a full interview with archaeologist Scott Stripling. As laid out in my blog post two days ago, see “Oldest Hebrew Inscription Ever Found in Israel–What We Know so Far?” Stripling announced…
Many of my readers perhaps have seen the news yesterday of what could well be the oldest proto-Hebrew inscription ever found in Israel. Below are links to two of the main news stories, the formal press release, and the video from the press conference yesterday (March 24th) at the Lanier Theological…