Review: The Search for the 12 Apostles

The Search for the 12 Apostles by William Steuart McBirnie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A very fascinating book indeed. The amount of research is mind-boggling. The books contains almost every know story, theory and tradition about the Apostles and others, giving readers plenty to examine and weigh out to decide what may be truth and what is mere myth. The author shows his leanings, and I cannot say I always agree with them, but for the most part I am ignorant on much of this and just found it a thoroughly enjoyable journey through the wealth of information presented.



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Lord's Supper Devotion: Remembering the Passover

The men at church take turns giving a little devotional before the Lord's Supper/prayer time each week. Here is one I recently presented that I thought I'd share.
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We come here to the Lord’s table, and it is always good to remember how we got here. We look back the covenant meal that helped get us to the table. The Passover in Exodus 12 has some key features worth remembering.

First, on the tenth day of the month, the Israelites were to pick a male lamb without defect, and four days later they were to sacrifice it.

Second, they were to sprinkle the blood from the sacrifice on the top and sides of their house’s door frames to protect those within.

Third, they were to roast the meat and along with unleavened bread, eat all of it without breaking the bones of the animal.

Lord's Supper Devotion: Debtors for Christ

The men at church take turns giving a little devotional before the Lord's Supper prayer time each week. Here is one I recently presented that I thought I'd share.
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One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 

Review: How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels

How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels by N.T. Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really enjoyed this book. Some of Wright's stuff is a bit more technical and theological, but I felt this was easy to read and comprehend, and his case was well made. I admit, I have read two other books by him just prior to this, as well as another on a closely related topic by Scot McKnight, so maybe this topic just struck me more on the heels of those.

Review: Who Was the Mother of Harlots: Drunk with the Blood of the Saints

Who Was the Mother of Harlots: Drunk with the Blood of the Saints by Steve Temple

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very nice, concise treatise looking back at the history of God's dealings with his people Israel and Judah, and all of the times of covenant breaking, idolatry, harlotry, etc. that they had performed time and time again, and how God promised over and over again how they would be brought under judgment for it. To me this is great to have, a single shorter work detailing all of the issues of the people over the centuries in one place.

Review: Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters

Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters by N.T. Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had read some mixed reviews on this book before starting it myself. Some were saying it was complicated, some saying it is a rehash of stuff from a couple of his previous books, books which presented it better. However, I found it to be a great read. Having read a handful of Wright's stuff before, I have found some to be very deep theological (which I enjoy), and others not so much. This for fall into the category of the not-to-deep.

Lord's Supper Devotion: Take My Burden

This is a little devotional I presented to our church prayer group today during the Lord's Supper time.

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I would like to take a look at the following verses from Matthew, and some of the background, cultural and implications we can draw from it. Jesus says:

Come unto me, all ye labouring and burdened ones, and I will give you rest, take up my yoke upon you, and learn from me, because I am meek and humble in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Mat 11:28-30 YLT)

At the time when Jesus came on the scene, it was common practice for Rabbi’s to take on disciples, and those disciples were expected to take a place of total obedience and dedication to the Rabbi and his philosophy. The purpose was for the disciple to become just like the Rabbi, and this rabbi/disciple relationship is what is meant to take on the “yoke” of the rabbi.

Review: New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus: Insights from His Jewish Context

New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus: Insights from His Jewish Context by David Bivin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having just the other day finished what I guess is the first book on this topic by the author, Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus, this one seemed like an easy transition to move right into. I will say though that this one flowed a bit better and was a bit more cohesive of a story, even though it appeared this book is mainly made up of individual writings by the author that have appeared over time on their web site.

Review: Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus

Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus by David Bivin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In my continued studies on the Hebrew backgrounds to the Bible, including the New Testament language and culture, I ran across this title and scooped it up. I found it to be very informative, even though somewhat brief. The major part of the book is set out to prove that the New Testament books, most specifically the four gospels, were originally written in Hebrew, and later translated into Aramaic or Greek.

Review: Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels - Kenneth E. Bailey

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels by Kenneth E. Bailey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very well written book that delves into the cultural surroundings and understandings of things during Jesus' days. It provides many great insights and adds such depth to many scriptures and stories that we "Greek minded" readers would gloss right over. Not for the light reader, as it is small print,many pages, and lots of information. The student of theology and cultural history will find it a gem most likely.