A Virtual File Cabinet for Our Studies of Christian Origins & Hebraic Faith
From Claude.ai on 8/27/2025 [Scroll down to read ChatGPT’s response.] Hebrew Divine Titles in English Bible Translations Overview of the Five Major Hebrew Divine Titles Hebrew Title Transliteration Meaning/Significance Frequency in Hebrew Bible יהוה YHWH/Yahweh The personal covenant name of God ~6,800 times אלהים Elohim God/gods (plural form, often singular meaning) ~2,600 times אל El […]
Continue ReadingMultiple responses from ChatGPT on 7/18/2025. Here’s how critical biblical scholars, especially those who avoid apologetic or traditional devotional interpretations, typically interpret Paul’s description of his “trip to heaven” in 2 Corinthians 12:1–10—with full citations. 1. Paul’s Vision as a Literary and Rhetorical Strategy Many critical scholars view Paul’s account not as a boast, but as part […]
Continue ReadingHachlili, Rachel. “Synagogues: Before and After the Roman Destruction of the Temple,” Biblical Archaeology Review 41.3 (2015): 30–38, 65. Church-of-the-Apostles-Found-on-Mt.-Zion-Pixner-BAR by Bargil Pixner. The PDF is also in his directory in Dropbox. The link is to the pdf at Tabor’s site and is recommended by Dr. Tabor. It contains great info about synagogues. Extracts listed below. Ryan, […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 5/13/2025. The message of the prophet Micah, as recorded in the Book of Micah in the Old Testament, can be summarized in three main themes: Would you like me to show how these themes develop across the chapters of Micah? Great! Here is how the themes of Micah develop across its seven […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChayGPT on 5/3/2025. Here is a chart summarizing the Pauline letters that mention a handwritten “mark” or greeting, along with their authenticity status (based on mainstream scholarly consensus) and a column summarizing the main reasons critical Bible scholars question Paul’s authorship of the disputed letters: Letter Reference Handwritten Note or Mark Authenticity (Scholarly Consensus) […]
Continue ReadingFrom Perplexity.ai Dr. Joan Taylor has explored the possibility of the Apostle Paul being married, but her arguments are nuanced and focus on early Christian practices and textual interpretations. Here are the key points she presents: Dr. Taylor does not definitively argue that Paul was married in the conventional sense but suggests that his references […]
Continue ReadingScripture Related to Earthquakes Amos 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. ASV Zechariah 14:5 And ye shall flee […]
Continue ReadingLargely from Claude.ai 3/21/2025. The ascension of Jesus into heaven is primarily cited in three places in the New Testament plus the later ending of Mark. See also the info below about Paul’s inference of an ascension. Mark 16:19 It’s worth noting that the Gospel of Mark also mentions the ascension, but in a passage […]
Continue ReadingPrompt to Perplexity.ai: Provide a listing of all geographical inconsistencies in the four Gospels. Critical scholars have identified numerous geographical inconsistencies across the four Gospels, revealing varying levels of familiarity with Palestinian geography and editorial choices. Below is a comprehensive breakdown: Mark’s Geographical Inconsistencies Matthew’s Adjustments and Errors Luke’s Regional Misplacements John’s Narrative Dislocations Comparative […]
Continue ReadingBulleted paragraphs below contain extracts from the very good article here by Lawrence H. Schiffman. Continued in Part 3 here.
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