A Virtual File Cabinet for Our Studies of Christian Origins & Hebraic Faith
From ChatGPT on 7/10/2025. The identification of “Bethany beyond the Jordan” (Greek: Βηθανία πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου) with Bethabara (Greek: Βηθαβαρά) [beth-a-bar-a] is a subject of debate among scholars and translators. While both names are associated with the baptismal ministry of John the Baptist, their identification as the same physical location is not certain. Below is […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 7/9/2025 Yes, rainwater was considered acceptable for religious (ritual) cleansing in Jesus’ day under certain conditions, especially when it was collected and stored properly. This view is supported by the Mishnah, archaeological findings, and discussions by scholars of Second Temple Judaism. Overview: Ritual Cleansing in Jesus’ Day In the Second Temple period, […]
Continue ReadingFrom Claude.ai on 7/8/2025. Critical biblical scholars and archaeologists have reached a strong consensus on the location of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. The site is located at Al-Maghtas, Jordan, officially known as “Bethany Beyond the Jordan,” which was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2015. The site is situated on the eastern […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 7/7/2025 Prompt – Provide the bible scripture where it says two of Jesus’s desciples are unlettered and what critical bible scholars say is the meaning. Cite all sources. The passage you’re referring to is found in the Book of Acts, specifically: Acts 4:13 (NRSV) “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 7/1/2025. The debate among critical Bible scholars over whether James and Joses (also spelled “Jose”) were biological sons of Mary (Jesus’ mother) or children of Joseph by a prior wife stems from differing interpretations of New Testament texts, early Christian traditions, and theological developments in later centuries. Here’s a summary of the […]
Continue ReadingThe Garden of Gethsemane: Not the Place of Jesus’ Arrest by Joan E. Taylor at BAR. When visitors to Jerusalem are shown a large cave called “Gethsemane” on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives, they usually give a perfunctory look and hurry on to the famous Garden of Gethsemane, the small garden of olive […]
Continue ReadingThe text below was a response by Marko Marina in a BSA conversation here. Like most critical scholars today (Catholic and non-Catholic alike), I’m [Dr. Marina] convinced the figures called “brothers” of Jesus in the New Testament were in fact his biological siblings, children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus’ birth. Below, I’ll respond […]
Continue ReadingHow Many Prophecies Did Jesus Fulfill? Written by Marko Marina, Ph.D. Posted at BSA on May 29th, 2025. The table and text below are extracts from his excellent article, which includes brief discussions of the sources listed in the table below. Twelve of the most frequently mentioned prophecies Jesus is said to have fulfilled, served up in […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 6/16/2025. Prompt – When do critical bible scholars believe that Jesus’ followers began calling him Christ? Cite all sources. Critical Bible scholars generally believe that Jesus’ followers began calling him “Christ” (Greek: Christos, meaning “Anointed One,” equivalent to Hebrew Mashiach or “Messiah”) only after his death and the emergence of resurrection belief—not […]
Continue ReadingWhy I Think That Historical-Critical Jesus Scholarship Enriches Rather Than Diminishes the Value of Jesus for Our Spirituality by Charles Bledsoe, May 31 post at BSA. The following is his very insightful post and the follow-up comments. I [Charles] should say up front that I have a particular outside-of-the-mainstream theological and philosophical point of view, […]
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