“How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!” ~ Psalm 32:1 In one of my first classical studies courses, my professor told us the ancients didn’t think in terms of “either this, or that,” but rather as “both this, and that.”[1] This was said in relation Read more…
One of the fundamental building-blocks of the Judeo-Christian belief is that there is sin in the world. Everything underpins this belief. If you don’t believe in sin, there is no need for a savior. In the Bible, sin has a variety of meanings, but “gives no formal definition” of this Read more…
Last time I talked about the interaction between the Greeks and the Israelites around the time of the judges. We talked about Mycenaean Greeks and tunics and Homer. All wonderful things, and all to show how the (almost) constant contact between Greece and Israel makes it important to study “the Read more…
I made a bold statement last week about how studying the Greco-Roman culture will help us understand many aspects of the Bible better. However, you don’t create culture overnight; it spans centuries of tradition. A lot of the subjects I’ll discuss are ancient ways of thinking. They go at least Read more…
Joseph was in charge of the country; he sold grain to all its people. His brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them like strangers ~ Genesis 42:6-7 Joseph and his father’s household Read more…
“No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”….So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her Read more…
We’re going to stay in Greece for a bit and examine in length our first “real” tale, Cupid and Psyche.[1] This story isn’t generally seen as a Snow White tale; however, after reading all those Snow White stories, I couldn’t help but see the same themes within this one. Read more…
“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 Our next ancient Read more…
“But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” ~ Isaiah 53:5 The concept of a savior is dear to every culture. Whether it’s Herakles (i.e. Hercules) or Superman, every culture in Read more…
“There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see, hear, eat, or smell. But from there, you will search for the Lord your God, and you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.” ~ Deuteronomy 4:28-29 This series Read more…