Category Archives: bible

Teachings of Jesus — Matthew 18:21-35

Posted on July 7, 2018 by ehurst

The concept of social stability as a primary feature of shalom goes back centuries in the Ancient Near East, long before Abraham. A primary element in a ruler’s customary duty to keep that peace was to declare debt forgiveness at … Continue reading →

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Teachings of Jesus — Matthew 18:15-20

Posted on June 30, 2018 by ehurst

The underlying theme has not changed: Place a high value on unreserved trust and never manipulate. Completely open honesty is the way of the Kingdom. How do you handle a genuine offense? Do you gossip and build up an undercurrent … Continue reading →

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Teachings of Jesus — Matthew 18:7-14

Posted on June 23, 2018 by ehurst

Jesus began this session explaining that leadership in His Messianic court would rest on unreserved trust in Him and His teaching. He draws the picture of a disciple who is like a younger child, but draws that image from His … Continue reading →

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We Are Not Alone

Posted on June 17, 2018 by ehurst

You can decide for yourself what kind of people are behind it, but this video project seems to offer some very good stuff about the Bible. So far I’ve watched the trio of videos on the Wisdom Literature of the … Continue reading →

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Teachings of Jesus — Matthew 18:1-6

Posted on June 16, 2018 by ehurst

Up to now in Matthew’s narrative, Peter often took the lead in things because he was the eldest of the Twelve, and apparently the largest physically. But Jesus had not yet designated who would hold what position in His future … Continue reading →

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Romans 5-6 — Law versus Grace

Posted on June 11, 2018 by ehurst

I can’t promise that you’ll like my handling of this. Our difficulty is not merely that Western Christianity reads the words wrong, but that Western Christianity has a totally different set of assumptions about reality from what Paul held when … Continue reading →

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Teachings of Jesus — Matthew 16:13-28

Posted on June 9, 2018 by ehurst

The underlying theme that ties this whole passage together is getting a proper image of Jesus inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s too easy to forget this all takes place in the context of Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) culture. A … Continue reading →

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Teachings of Jesus — Matthew 16:1-12

Posted on June 2, 2018 by ehurst

Most people miss what Jesus is saying in this passage, because it’s all one thing: The Jewish leaders trusted in logic instead of walking in faith. Their legalism insisted that they must adhere to the Law of Moses, but they … Continue reading →

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Teachings of Jesus — Matthew 15:1-20

Posted on May 26, 2018 by ehurst

The first few verses give us the context. It refers to the Talmudic ritual hand-washing that the Pharisees had made into a binding customary law. It appears to be one of the oldest and most revered customs in Jesus’ time. … Continue reading →

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Teachings of Jesus — Matthew 13:44-52

Posted on May 19, 2018 by ehurst

Here we have four parables in quick succession. Together they tell us that the Kingdom of Heaven is all or nothing. God discriminates between those who meet His Son at the foot of the Cross and sacrifice as He did, … Continue reading →

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