A Virtual File Cabinet for Our Studies of Christian Origins & Hebraic Faith
From Claude.ai on 5/2/2026. – Where in the bible do critical bible scholars say Jesus teaches there’s forgiveness outside of the temple and you don’t need atonement? Cite all sources inline. This is a rich and nuanced topic in critical biblical studies. Here’s a thorough overview of the key passages scholars point to, and what […]
Continue ReadingFrom Claude.ai in response to the prompt: Cite Critical Bible Scholars’ rationale for Luke-Acts’ literary dependence on Josephus. This is a rich topic with a well-documented critical debate. Here is a comprehensive survey of the major arguments advanced by critical biblical scholars for Luke-Acts’ literary dependence on Josephus. Background and Stakes There has long been […]
Continue ReadingBelow is Claude.ai’s summary of the second half of an interview of Paula Fredriksen where she explained her position on Paul’s “conversion” that did not happen as Paul says he was “called”. Below that are the scriptures that support her position. Based on the transcript, here is a summary of Fredriksen’s position on Paul’s “calling” […]
Continue ReadingIn addition to below, see the post with Tabor’s views here. From Perplexity on 4/16/2026. Q: When was the time Jesus was baptising in the north and John the Baptist in the south, and what scriptures support that, and who are the critical Bible scholars who support it?
Continue ReadingExtracts from Weekly Blog Recap. All references of “I” below are to Bart Ehrman.
Continue ReadingThis post is a list of talking points prepared by Claude.ai of a very good article at BAR titled Antipas—The Herod Jesus Knew by Morten Hørning Jensen. A PDF of the article is in the “Herod and Sons” directory in Dropbox. Here’s a summary of the article’s key talking points:
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT Romans 1:3–4 is one of the central texts in debates over early “exaltation Christology” because its wording can be read as describing a transition in Jesus’ status at the resurrection. Critical scholars disagree on how far that transition goes. Core Debate: What about Jesus’ status changed at the resurrection as depicted by Paul […]
Continue ReadingThe Church of Laodicea in the Bible and ArchaeologyA look at Laodicea’s “lukewarm” legacy from Revelation 3:15–16 by Megan Sauter, Published March 12, 2026. [Tom’s NOTE – This article talks about the evolving, largely Gentile based Christian congregations losing the protection enjoyed by the Jews due to their religious heritage. By denouncing the Jews, the largely […]
Continue ReadingClaude.ai’s Prompt: Provide details, dates, and context in about 1000 words for the times when the Christian Church was composed almost entirely of Jews. However, as more Gentiles (non-Jews) converted to Christianity, the percentage of Jewish people in the Christian Church decreased, and, therefore, Christians’ special status as Jewish monotheists, which permitted them to refrain […]
Continue ReadingThis post contains the conversation at BSA titled “Jesus sacrifice” started on 2/23/26 by Kimberly Callaway, but first here is an extract from a Bart response to a question. “Technically, if God releases a person from the consequences of their sin based on the death of Jesus he is not “forgiving” (foregoing payment or penalty) […]
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