A Virtual File Cabinet for Our Studies of Christian Origins & Hebraic Faith
7/4/2026 – Extracts from the study The Household of Joseph and Clopas – The Family of Jesus and the Case that Joseph Was Alphaeus by Dr. Terry Traster, Pharm.D. Abstract This study reconstructs the family of Jesus as a single multigenerational household and argues, within that frame, that Joseph the husband of Mary was the […]
Continue ReadingThis post contains an Original Post at BSA/General Discussion titled Who holds back the Man of Lawlessness? by Michael Waddell. Credit for this work is wholly Michael’s. If you want to start a spirited debate at a New Testament academic conference, ask what the katechon [is. Literally meaning something like “That which restrains” or “He […]
Continue ReadingFrom Claude.ai on 6/1/2026. This is a rich and genuinely fascinating area of critical scholarship. Here is a thorough breakdown: John 3:3 — Anothen: “Born Again” or “Born from Above”? The verse in question, using your preferred NRSV translation, reads: “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being […]
Continue ReadingThis Post is Claude.ai’s summary of a transcript of the first 18 minutes of a video interview between host Derick Lambert and biblical scholar John Dominic Crossan, taken from a YouTube video. This part of the video was recommended by James Tabor as preparation for his 5/30/2026 Zoom meeting. The partial transcript is in Crossan’s […]
Continue ReadingFrom 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 ReadingIn addition to below, see Did Luke & Acts use Josephus? on this site. From 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 […]
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. Yochanan HaMatvil–John the Immerser! 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 Reading