A Virtual File Cabinet for Our Studies of Christian Origins & Hebraic Faith
The paragraphs below are the intro to the BAR article The Samaritan Schism, Schisms in Jewish History: Part 2 by Lawrence H. Schiffman March 01, 2025. There is considerable scholarly controversy regarding the date of the Samaritan schism. Although some seek to identify the origins of the Samaritans in the Hellenistic period, their beginnings should be […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 3/3/2025 [For more on the theater and Sepphoris, see Antipas—The Herod Jesus Knew by Morten Hørning Jensen] There is no direct scholarly consensus that Jesus explicitly referenced Roman theater in his parables or sayings. However, some critical biblical scholars suggest that certain words and themes in Jesus’ teachings might reflect knowledge of Greco-Roman theatrical […]
Continue ReadingBelow is from the post here by Bart Ehrman. Q: I was wondering what the scholarly consensus is on Jesus’s references to the ‘Son of Man’? I was reading Helen Bond’s book ‘The Historical Jesus’ and she suggested Jesus was talking about himself whenever he referred to ‘Son of Man’. I always found that confusing […]
Continue ReadingItalicized paragraphs below are extracts from Christine Elizabeth Hayes’ book Introduction to the Bible (The Open Yale Courses Series) (pp. 304-305). Yale University Press. Kindle Edition. After 586 [BCE], some accepted the idea that the nation was suffering because of the accumulated guilt of previous generations (notably the Deuteronomistic historian), but for others the idea […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT, 2/26/2025. Here’s an updated timeline with the inclusion of William Tyndale’s English translation of the Bible: Timeline of the Protestant Reformation 1517: Martin Luther, a professor of biblical studies, becomes aware of the sale of indulgences by Johann Tetzel, which purportedly offer forgiveness of sins in exchange for money. In response, Luther drafts […]
Continue ReadingJesus says this in Mark 4:11-12 (NRSV): “And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that ‘they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn […]
Continue ReadingThe list is my collection of issues cited in multiple Chats below this list. Critical Bible scholars have raised concerns about the historical and scriptural accuracy of “The Chosen,” a television series depicting the life of Jesus and his disciples. While the series has been praised for its production quality and engaging storytelling, several specific […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 2/24/2025. First Prompt – Where in Paul’s authentic letters does he describe what he saw on the road to Damascus? Paul never gives a detailed description of what he saw on the road to Damascus in his authentic letters. However, he does refer to his experience in a few places: Unlike Acts […]
Continue ReadingThe ChatGPT table and details of the events in Paul’s life below show when Paul wrote his letters, and when he talked twice to Peter, James, and others who had seen post-crucifixion appearances of Jesus. Surely, he was told what they saw. As he adamantly argued he was also an apostle as he had seen […]
Continue ReadingFrom Claude.ai on 2/24/2025. Reconciling Salvation Models in Luke and Acts: Critical Scholarship Perspectives When examining Luke-Acts as a two-volume work by the same author, scholars have long noted an apparent theological tension between the salvation models presented in each book. Luke’s Gospel often emphasizes salvation through redemption and ethical living, while Acts appears to […]
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