Category: Uncategorized

Examining Bible References

Looking at Bible References. When I first came to know the Lord after practicing Buddhism for 14 years, I was looking for apologetic materials on how to witness to Buddhists. At the time, I found an article by “an expert” on Nichiren Shoshu, the Buddhism I had practiced who said that Nichiren Shoshu Buddhists worshipped a black box called the Gohonzon, when in fact the black box was actually the cabinet, the butsudon, in which the object of worship, the Gohonzon was enshrined. In article after article I read, the same mistake was passed on. Any serious Buddhist seeking answers would basically say the apologists didn’t have a clue what they were talking about and would turn elsewhere for their info. An opportunity lost.

Is this still an issue? Yes. On the journey of Exploring God’s Library, our reading yesterday led us to Joshua Chapter 6 and the famous battle of Jericho. After reading the passage, I was overjoyed to discover a video on the archaeological research of Dr. Bryant Wood. This morning I thought, I wonder what The Biblical World says about Jericho and the famous Biblical event. Here’s my note to Elizabeth who’s about to search for any updated version

“Is there an upgrade of Pfeiffer’s The Biblical World last published by Baker in 1972? Why? Simply because on page 308 Archaeologist Kenyon’s interpretation of the fall of Jericho which refuted the findings of her colleague Garstang, conjectured that the destruction of Jericho had occurred 150 years before the birth of Joshua. However, the excellent archaeological research of Dr. Bryant Wood, formerly a nuclear engineer who left his profession and became a specialist in Middle Age Bronze Age pottery disproved her analysis by an intensive global search and exhaustive unearthing of evidence which conclusively affirms the historicity and accuracy of the Biblical text in Joshua 6.”

So we must also check the accuracy of the facts we are fed by the experts. I’m not calling into question Pfeiffer’s excellent work, I just realized that they only provided the most up-to-date research they had until 1977.

If you or any of your colleagues knows of an updated or superior archaeological work on the Biblical World, please let us know.

Thanks,

James Stephens

exploringgodslibrary@gmail.com
Or exploringgodslibrary.org.

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Scripture for 10.8.2018

TORAH  – Bereshit (In the beginning)

Adam and Eve by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526 in the Courtauld Gallery, London
Adam and Eve by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526 in the Courtauld Gallery, London
  • Genesis 3
    • “The serpent deceives Eve, 1-5. Both she and Adam transgress the divine command, and fall into sin and misery, 6,7. God arraigns them, 8-13. The serpent is cursed, 14. The promised seed, 15. The punishment of mankind, 16-20. Their first clothing, 21. Their expulsion from paradise, 22-24.”*

Prophets

  • Joshua 5
    • “The Canaanites are afraid, 1. Joshua renew circumcision, 2-9. The passover is kept at Gilgal, 10,11. Manna ceases, 12. An Angel appears to Joshua, 13-15.”*
  • Joshua 6
    • “Jericho is shut up, 1. God instructs Joshua how to besiege it, 2-19. [Marker Warfare-W.1-“Joshua was one of the greatest military strategists in antiquity”] The city is compassed, 12-16, It must be accursed, 17-19. The walls fall down, 20,21. Rahab is saved, 22-25. The builder of Jericho is cursed, 26, 27.”*
    •   “Secrets of the Bible: The Fall of Jericho with Dr. Bryant Wood” 

Wisdom Writing 

  • Psalm 3
    • “The security of God’s protection.”*
  • Psalm of the Day 48
    • “The ornaments and privileges of the church.”*
  • Proverbs 1:10-19
    • “To avoid the enticing of sinners.”*

The Gospels & Letters

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  • Matthew 3
    • “John preaches: his office, life, and baptism, 1-6. He reprehends the Pharisees, 7-12, and baptizes Christ in Jordan, 13-17.”*

 

Exploring God’s Library Daily Log

Here’s what our daily log looks like.  When you join Exploring God’s Library Facebook page, we’ll send you a pdf of this page which you can then print out and photo copy for your daily study. We decided that since it is a reading program which moves quite rapidly, that it would be best to put it on one page to conserve paper and for one to make a short note, reflection, application and jot down questions which surface. Then on Tuesday at 6PM, Pacific Standard time on our FB Live time, we can address these questions. You can also post questions on either the Facebook page or on the WordPress site. However, please keep your questions, comments, notes pertinent to the particular passage we are addressing unless it happens to be another passage in Scripture which emphasizes that passage.

 

EGL Daily Log

Scripture for 10.7.2018

Torah Reading:

  • Genesis 2
    • “The first Sabbath, 1-3. Further particulars concerning the manner of creation, 4-7. The planting of the Garden of Eden, and its situation, 8-12; man is placed in it; and the tree of knowledge only forbidden, 15-17. The animals are named by Adam, 18. The making woman, and the institution of marriage, 21.”*

Prophets

  • Joshua
    • Chapter 3: “Joshua comes to Jordan, 1. The officers instruct the people for their passage, 2-6. The Lord encourages Joshua, 7,8. Joshua encourages the people, 9-13. The waters of Jordan are divided.”*
    • Chapter 4: “Twelve men are appointed to take twelve stones for a memorial out of Jordan, 1-8. Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan, 9. The people pass over, 10-13. God magnifies Joshua, 14. The priests commanded to come out of Jordan, 15-19.  The twelve stones are pitched in Gilgal, 20-24.

Gospels & Letters

  • Matthew 2
    • “The wise men from the east enquire after Christ,1,2; at which Herod is alarmed, 3-8. They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents, 9-12. Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother. Herod slays the children, 16-19; himself dies, 20-22. Christ is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth, 23.”*
    • Here’s an excellent clip from the film the Nativity on the wise men.*

Wisdom Writing

  • Psalm 2
    • “The Kingdom of Christ, 1-9. Kings are exhorted to accept it, 10-12.”*
  • Psalm of the Day 24
    • God’s lordship in the world, 1,2. The citizens of His spiritual kingdom, 3-6. An exhortation to receive Him, 7-10.
  • Proverbs 1:7-9
    • “An exhortation to fear God, and believe His word, 7-9.”*
  • RA Torrey’s Introduction to the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Check out “What was the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge? by Fred Sanders on June 2, 2011.
    •  http://scriptoriumdaily.com/what-was-the-treasury-of-scripture-knowledge/
  • For more information on The Nativity Story and ordering information.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nativity_Story

Genealogy of the Messiah

Shabbat Reading from the New Testament — October 6, 2018

Matthew 1

  • Chapter 1: “The genealogy of Christ from Abraham to Joseph, 1-17. He is miraculously conceived of the Holy Ghost by the Virgin Mary, when she was espoused to Joseph, and declares the names and office of Christ: Jesus is born, 19-25.

Note: Exploring God’s Library is delighted to introduce our audience to the amazing variety of excellent pastors and teachers in the Christian community. Today, we introduce to you Pastor Alistair Begg:

I have enjoyed listening to Alistair Begg over the years and was first introduced to his preaching when he preached at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley. He also has a radio https://www.truthforlife.org/.

His sermon on the Genealogy of Matthew is a joy to listen to and very informative. Most skip genealogies, but you’ll find out by listening to Pastor Begg just how much your missing.

Alistair Begg Photo and statement

“To risk reputation and affection for the truth’s sake is so demanding that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral principle that only the Spirit of God can work in you. Do not turn your back like a coward, but play the man. Follow boldly in your Master’s steps, for He has made this rough journey before you. Better a brief warfare and eternal rest than false peace and everlasting torment.”

– Alistair Begg

Scripture for 10.6.2018 – Shabbat

TORAH portion– Bereshit (in the beginning)

  • Genesis 1
    • “God creates heaven and earth, 1; the light, 3 the firmaments, 6; separates the dry land, 9; forms the sun, moon, and stars 14; fishes and fowls, 20; cattle, wild beasts, and creeping things, 24; creates man in his own image, blesses him, 26; grants the fruits of the earth for food, 29.

Prophets

  • Joshua 1 & 2
    • Chapter I: “The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses, 1,2. The borders of the promised land, 3,4. God promises to assist Joshua, 5-7. He gives him instructions, 8, 9. Joshua prepares the people to pass over Jordan, 10,11. He puts the two tribes and half in mind of their promise to Moses, 12-15. They promise him fealty, 16-18.”
    • Chapter II: “Rahab receives and conceals the two spies sent from Shittim, 1-7. The covenant between her and them, 8-22. Their return and relation, 23, 24.”

The Gospels & Letters

  • Matthew 1
    • Chapter 1: “The genealogy of Christ from Abraham to Joseph, 1-17. He is miraculously conceived of the Holy Ghost by the Virgin Mary, when she was espoused to Joseph, and declares the names and office of Christ: Jesus is born, 19-25.

Wisdom Writing 

  • Psalm 1
    • “The happiness of the godly, 1-3. The unhappiness of the ungodly, 4-6.”
  • Psalm of the Day 92
    • “The kingdom of Christ, 1-9. Kings are exhorted to accept it, 10-12. P
  • Proverbs 1:1-6
    • “The use of the proverbs.”