A Virtual File Cabinet for Our Studies of Christian Origins & Hebraic Faith
Extracts from the BAS article Phoenicia and Its Special Relationship with Israel by Ephraim Stern. The Phoenicians were the nearest people to the ancient Israelites in every respect. They spoke the same language and wrote in the same script. Even their religion was similar, at least during the First Temple period. The Phoenicians and the Israelites built […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT Here are some solid, free online Bible commentary resources with notes on what they offer: General, Multi-volume Commentaries Critical / Academic Resources Historical / Patristic These are all freely accessible in a web browser and include both classic devotional material and critical scholarship.
Continue ReadingFrom Bart Ehrman‘s response on April 28, 2025, at 9:03 pm here: There is certainly a good bit of “anti-Judaism” in parts of the NT and a whole lot more as we moved into the second century and beyond. But none of this is “anti-semitism” in the modern sense. Anti-semitism is hatred/persecution of Jews because […]
Continue ReadingIn addition to the list below by Bernard Lang, see What Is God’s Name? Pronouncing the Tetragrammaton by John Drummond, published at BAS on January 13, 2026. Extract of 2003 the article “Why God Has So Many Names,” by Bernard Lang in Bible Review 19.4 (2003): pp. 48–50. Lang is a Professor Emeritus in Religion at the University […]
Continue ReadingChatGPT responses included the number of translations, when they were created, and which group preferred which ones. There is no universally agreed-upon number of English Bible translations, but as of 2025, there are over 100 complete or partial English translations of the Bible. The total depends on how one defines a “translation” versus an “edition” […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 7/28/2025. The Byzantine and Crusader periods were two major eras in the history of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant, particularly significant for understanding Christian history, the development of church infrastructure, and interactions between Eastern and Western powers. 1. Byzantine Period (c. 324–638 CE) Overview: Characteristics: Sources: 2. Crusader Period (1099–1291 CE) […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 7/14/2025. Prompt: In ancient Israel and Judah, what did the priests do with the body of the sacrificed animals? Cite all sources. [Below the response is a Follow-up Prompt – How did the priest make money from the skins and meat? Cite all sources.] In ancient Israel and Judah, the treatment of […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT 7/8/2025. This elevation profile shows the descent from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea along the Jordan River Valley: The total elevation drop over the ~210 km stretch is about 220 meters, with a gradual downward slope following the river’s path. Let me know if you’d like to add more waypoints […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT 6/30/2025. Here are the elevations (in feet above/below sea level) for the major cities and villages along the Central and Eastern routes from Capernaum to Jerusalem, as traveled in Jesus’ time: CENTRAL ROUTE (Through Samaria) Location Elevation (feet) Notes Capernaum –700 ft Sea of Galilee shore; lowest point on route Magdala –625 ft Fishing village […]
Continue Reading