Let me start by saying (to your relief no doubt) that this Part will be shorter than the previous two. It was prompted some time ago, when I read the tragic news that the folks at Bethel Church in Redding were praying for the resurrection of a deceased little girl....
Matthew
Review of Important New Scholarly Book on Matthew
The most recent issue of Themelios, the academic journal of the Gospel Coalition, contains a review of Matthew's Theological Grammar: The Father and the Son. This is an important work that argues that "προσκυνέω [proskuneō] in Matthew means worship and its use...
Matthew, The Didache, and Q
I decided to post something on this topic because someone recently sent me a post promoting (?) a particular view of "Q" and Matthean authorship that appeared at divinecouncil.org. That is not my website. Briefly, the website was promoting the work of New Testament...
Matthew 24 and the Days of Noah Once Again
I recently added this to my FAQ, but I thought I'd post it here as well. Do you think Matthew 24:37-38 is a prophecy about the return of nephilim or has anything to do with Genesis 6:1-4? The short answer to both is no. (I also don't think it has anything to do with...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 148: Q & A Number 19
The episode is now live. In Episode 148 of the Naked Bible Podcast, Dr. Michael Heiser tackles deep theological questions from listeners on topics ranging from spiritual death to the divine beings in Genesis and the resurgence of Gnosticism in modern Christian...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 139: Q & A Number 18
The episode is now live! In Episode 139 of the Naked Bible Podcast, Dr. Michael Heiser responds to a range of listener-submitted theological questions that dive deep into biblical interpretation, supernatural worldview, and ancient context. This Q&A installment...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 124 – Ezekiel 17
Ezekiel 17 presents a riddle or parable of two eagles about the treachery of Zedekiah, the puppet governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to replace Jehoiachin, the Judahite king taken captive in an earlier wave of exile of which Ezekiel had been a part. Zedekiah would...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 122 – Ezekiel 14-15
The words of Ezekiel 14-15 were addressed to Jewish elders in Babylon who had come to Ezekiel for a word from the Lord. Knowing they were still idol worshippers in their hearts, God refused to give them comfort. Instead he lowered the boom: Jerusalem’s judgment was...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 121 – Ezekiel 12-13
The prophet Ezekiel has telegraphed the doom of Jerusalem in a series of visual re-enactment signs, visions, and prophetic oracles. Chapters 12-13 continue with more sign acts, but shifts to God’s assessment of objections by the exiles as to the certainty of...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 116 – Ezekiel 7
The episode is now live. In this episode, Dr. Michael Heiser walks through one of the most chilling chapters in the book of Ezekiel. Chapter 7 announces with repeated urgency: “The end has come.” This isn’t just a statement about the destruction of Jerusalem in 586...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 101: Jesus, the Exile, and the Tribulation
Mike does some eschatology (and next week, too). Kind of like a Bigfoot sighting. Get it while supplies last! In this provocative episode of the Naked Bible Podcast, Dr. Michael Heiser reframes the popular evangelical understanding of the “tribulation” by exploring...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 98: Conversation about Alternatives to Modern Church (“House Churches”)
In this episode Mike and Trey talk with Tim Andrews and Rich Baker about alternative ways to think about church – specifically, if church wasn’t a time or a place, what would that be like? Tim Andrews currently lives in Atlanta, GA, and has been in leadership in...
If Only Jesus Had Used Starry Night Pro
Well, the blood moon tetrad season is upon us. Woe unto us. In Matthew 24:3 the disciples of Jesus asked him, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" Jesus told them there would be signs, but...
Dan Wallace on the Great Commission
Noted Greek grammarian and textual criticism scholar (and all-around nice guy) Dan Wallace recently posted a three-part treatment of the Great Commission. This is what pastors should be doing on any given Sunday. No, pastors don't need to be Greek scholars. They just...
Biblical Theology, Poverty, and Social Justice: Part 11: Parable of the Talents
We're close to the end of our series on social justice. Thanks to all those who've stayed with it, as it's taken quite a while. In this post I want to share some thoughts about the parable of the talents (minas). Introducing the Parable of the Talents One of the...