New Testament Christianity in the 21st Century
Through the years, many have claimed to have found Noah’s ark atop Mt. Ararat in Turkey. Is today’s announcement another misfire, or is this the real thing? We will have to wait and see…
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/04/27/noahs-ark-found-turkey-arafat/
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=146369
http://www.noahsarksearch.net/
If it is the real thing, the world is about to be stunned by yet another confirmation of the accuracy of the Bible.
Book review by Matthew K. Clifton
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has been a special area of interest for me in my studies, so when I got the opportunity to review a new book focusing on the biblical and historical information we have regarding the church at Ephesus, I jumped at the chance. I was not disappointed.
In Deceiving Winds, Bruce Morton has assembled a wonderful study not only on the textual information found in the New Testament, but also on the social, historical and archaeological background that brings depth to the picture of ancient Ephesus. In a world where the church is constantly dogged by temptations to digress doctrinally and “go along to get along,” we should well heed the warning and example found in the scriptures regarding the church at Ephesus. By so doing, the church in present times can navigate these dangerous waters and remain pleasing to the Lord. Continue reading →
by Matthew K. Clifton
Introduction
Perhaps 30 years ago, one would be hard-pressed to find a copy of anything other than the King James Version of the scriptures in the average Bible class. For nearly 400 years, the KJV has been “The Bible” of English-speaking people. In the last 100 years, as a rush of new translations came about, the KJV was still seen by many as the “gold standard” when evaluating new versions.[1] There are even many die-hard “KJV only” believers who stand by the “Authorized Version” as the only accurate translation of the scriptures, some even going so far as to believe the KJV translation itself was directly inspired by God,[2] and not just the original language manuscripts behind it.
But while many have already formed an opinion of the King James Version based on personal taste, tradition, or other reasons, how much does the average Bible reader actually know about the creation of this translation? Why was it created? Where was the work done? Who were the people responsible? Was there a clear objective for the work? And how was the new translation received? Continue reading →
by Matthew K. Clifton
In the late 1700’s, a fellow named William Paley gave an illustration about how we look at the world around us. He said that if you were walking through a field and came across a watch on the ground, you would not think that watch came about naturally. Instead, you would recognize that because of the complexity of the watch with all its gears and organization, someone must have made that watch. Why is it that we do not recognize the same thing when we look at the complex world around us?
The Bible says that the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork (Psa. 19:1). When we truly examine the solar system in which the earth resides, and the galaxy, and all the other galaxies around us, it is clear that there is an amazing level of organization. Continue reading →
by Matthew K. Clifton
Often Christians are painted as people who believe in things for which they have no evidence. It is sometimes suggested by atheists that believers “just go on blind faith.” But is this the kind of faith the Bible encourages in the people of God? Continue reading →
by Matthew K. Clifton
Introduction
If one were to mention the Greek Septuagint to the average modern Christian, chances are good that most of them would have very little idea what it is. And yet, when reading the New Testament, the average Christian will come across approximately 200 quotations[1] directly from this document. The Septuagint was the Bible for most of the New Testament writers, and it also had a great influence on the early post-apostolic writers.[2] Since the work was incorporated into the New Testament and utilized by early Christians, it is important for the contemporary Bible student to understand something about the origins of the Septuagint. Continue reading →
by Matthew K. Clifton
It has never been a big secret that I am not the best yard-keeper in the world. Landscaping 101 was never in my course work, although I do come from a long line of greats in the lawn care industry (a story I will spare you for another day). My grass is always a little too high, the hedges always resemble the heads of 4-year-olds boys too long without a trim, and I can never quite seem to keep the “shin busters” (known to most people as “toys”) out of the front yard. Continue reading →
by Matthew K. Clifton
The Work of the Preacher is Working by Thomas H. Holland
(Brentwood, TN: Penmann Books, 2001). 297 pp.
Preaching has the same huge temptation as any other independent work: laziness. If you own your own business, you are solely responsible for the output of that business. In a similar way, the preacher must be a self-starter, and not fall prey to laziness or distraction. Thomas Holland’s great book, The Work of the Preacher is Preaching, will help train preachers young and old to avoid the pitfalls of working independently. Continue reading →
Weylan Deaver has an excellent article on abortion posted on his blog. In this article Weylan details what we can learn from the Bible about the subject of abortion, offering nine solid points that will help you study the subject further, or even form a sermon around.
He called her ‘daughter:’ God’s universal grace in Mark 5:25-34
18 Dec 2009 at 11:03
Matthew Keedy Clifton
New Testament Commentary
1 Comment
by Matthew K. Clifton
Introduction
One of the most intriguing passages in the synoptic gospels is found in Mark 5:25-34. In this passage, sometimes called the “healing of the woman with the issue of blood,” a miracle takes place that appears to be unique among the others in the gospel accounts. While on His way to heal the daughter of Jairus, who is the ruler of the synagogue, Jesus is approached surreptitiously by a woman who had a persistent hemorrhaging. She touched his garment and was healed. After Jesus realized someone had touched Him, the woman returns and tells Jesus “the whole truth” about what happened. In the end, Jesus tells her to “go in peace,” calling her “daughter.” Continue reading →