I have pointed out earlier in this blog and now in my recent commentary (Seven Congregations in a Roman Crucible) that many Graeco-Roman pagans also believed in postmortem punishment in the afterlife. You might not be aware, however, that they actually believed they had discovered some of the entrance portals to Hell, Hades, and the … Continue reading Gates to Hell, Fiery Sermons, and the Book of Revelation
THE END IS NEAR
With almost eschatological fervor I am expecting the publication of my commentary Seven Congregations in a Roman Crucible. A Commentary on Revelation 1-3 within weeks rather than months. It has been a long journey for my family, for Harding School of Theology, and for me personally. Part of the issue was the major reformulation of the … Continue reading THE END IS NEAR
They Think they are Jews, but Are Not
GRANT Graeco-Roman Antiquities & the New Testament They Think they are Jews, but Are Not One of the messier issues in early Christian history, including the book of Revelation, is the relationship between “church and synagogue.” Certainly by the second generation of Christian history, those who believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah began … Continue reading They Think they are Jews, but Are Not
Non-Christian Missionaries in Antiquity
GRANT Graeco-Roman Antiquities & the New Testament At least as early as the writings of John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, interpreters of Acts 19:1-7 have thought that the “disciples” mentioned in 19:1 were “Baptists” who remained loyal to their eponymous prophetic founder, John the Baptist. If Chrysostom and later interpreters have been correct, then naturally … Continue reading Non-Christian Missionaries in Antiquity
LEARNING TO CURSE FROM MOSES
GRANT Graeco-Roman Antiquity & the New Testament There are things you can tell about an entire ocean even if you have only one cup of water from it. Naturally a scientist would like to have as many cups and as broad a sampling as possible, but even a single cup is of some help. The … Continue reading LEARNING TO CURSE FROM MOSES
Molding Citizens for the Kingdom of God 