A Virtual File Cabinet for Our Studies of Christian Origins & Hebraic Faith
From ChatGPT on 11/30/2025. Here is a scholarship-driven account of how the Advent season originated and developed, with sources placed directly in the text. 1. Earliest Evidence: Advent Began as a Fast, Not a Countdown to Christmas The earliest references to something like Advent appear in fourth- and fifth-century Western Christianity, not in the New […]
Continue ReadingThe video below was received from Dr. James Tabor on 11/28/2025. In the email to us, James said: This amazing video, along with the interactive web project linked to it (https://itiner-e.org), are truly wonderful in helping us to better image that ancient Mediterranean world that is the backdrop and stage of most of what many […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 11/27/2025. Short answer: No.Nowhere in Acts does the author ever acknowledge, refer to, or even hint that Paul wrote letters. Below is a scripture-cited explanation. 1. Acts never references any letter-writing by Paul In the seven undisputed letters (Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon), Paul frequently mentions writing letters. But […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 11/27/2025. Prompt: In the seven letters by Paul that critical bible scholars believe to be authentic, those scholars say there are tensions with Acts that reflect Luke’s anti-Jewish narrative pattern, not history. Cite those scriptures. Response: Below is a concise, practical list of the specific scriptures in the seven undisputed letters of […]
Continue ReadingBelow is a ChatGPT summary of the interview with John Dominic Crossan about his upcoming book, Paul the Pharisee; the version told by Paul and that in Luke/Acts. Below that is ChatGPT’s side-by-side comparison of Paul’s reference to Nabatean ethnarch and the differing accounts of Paul’s escape from Damascus: Paul’s own narrative (2 Corinthians 11:32–33) […]
Continue ReadingHere is a summary of the article “The Hittites: Between Tradition and History” from Biblical Archaeology Review (42.2, 2016). Below that is a Chronology as contained in that article. Biblical References and Context Archaeological and Historical Overview Political and Military History Collapse and Neo-Hittites Hittites in Biblical Narratives Religion and Culture Conclusion This article blends […]
Continue ReadingHere is a summary by ChatGPT on 11/26/2025 of Mark Chancey’s article “How Jewish Was Jesus’ Galilee?” Below that response is a second Prompt/Response providing a Chronological Outline. SUMMARY Chancey argues that older claims about Jesus’ Galilee being heavily Hellenized have been overstated. Early excitement over spectacular archaeological finds at Sepphoris and other sites—Greek inscriptions, […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT 11/26/2025. Below is a clean, practical side-by-side comparison table of the three versions: Matthew 6:9–13 (NRSV), Luke 11:2–4 (NRSV), and Didache 8:2–3. All quotations are shown directly in the table. Side-by-Side Comparison of the Lord’s Prayer Versions Line / Element Matthew 6:9–13 (NRSV) Luke 11:2–4 (NRSV) Didache 8:2–3* Address “Our Father in heaven,” […]
Continue ReadingBelow is ChatGPT’s summary of Charles Bledsoe’s original post at BSA here. Here’s a summary of Charles Bledsoe’s Original Post: The Dangers and Contradictions of Demon and Devil-Belief. Bledsoe argues that belief in the literal existence of the devil and demons—what he terms diabolism—is more dangerous than disbelief. He contends that such belief fosters fear, […]
Continue ReadingThis is a follow-up post to the one immediately before this one here. That post was becoming too long and this one “chases a specific rabbit.” Scroll down for a related prompt: Which scholar said something like “Scholars emphasize that in antiquity, “faith” did not mean “believing ideas in your mind.” It meant embodied loyalty.” […]
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