In our modern translations of the Bible, all one has to do to move from the Hebrew scriptures to the story of Jesus is turn a page – a action so simple it suggests the connection between the two “testaments” is obvious. Of course the story of Jesus is connected to the story of Abraham,...
Tag: christian faith
Understanding the Bible 14.875: Christmas (Christmas Eve 2013)
There is no understanding the Bible without recognizing love at the center – or so I have been arguing from the first installment of this series. The whole project of salvation is rooted in the love of God for his people and indeed all creation. And I imagine that this is not so hard to...
Understanding the Bible 14: Messianic Expectations Begin
The period after the return from exile was one of deep confusion for Israel. For while she had indeed been set free from captivity, the deliverance was partial at best. The Persians remained the sovereign political and military power in the region (later replaced by a series of empires beginning with Alexander the Great and...