Category

2nd Peter = Remembering and Warning Bible Background: We have noted that 2nd Peter is probably the ‘latest’ book in the New Testament, and likely written in the name of Peter, rather than by Peter himself. The author is interested in reinforcing faithful teaching and... Read More →

2nd Letter of Peter = Interesting Reminders! Bible Background: This letter is likely the ‘newest’ book in the New Testament, written somewhere between 100-150 AD (long after the Apostle Peter would have died.) It was not uncommon (nor was it considered a... Read More →

PROMISES OF RESTORATION + ISAIAH 61 Bible Background: The book of Isaiah is the most important book of prophecy in the Old Testament, and the one most quoted in the New Testament. The book is the work of at least 3 authors over a period from before, during, and after the time of... Read More →

Isaiah 9=A Righteous Ruler, A Wonderful Counselor! Bible Background: The Book of Isaiah is a big, beautiful book of judgement/struggle, prophecy/poetry written covering approximately 250 years of Jewish history. Chapter 9 is one of our Christmas Eve readings, because of how it... Read More →

DIGGING DEEPER INTO ROMANS 8 Bible Background: Romans 5-8 is part of a unit. Chapter 8 seems written to reassure Christians living in a hostile empire that their experiences of suffering cannot take them out of reach of God’s love. The word for “Spirit” appears... Read More →

Digging Deeper into Romans 6 Bible Background: Romans is Paul’s deepest letter, written to Christians who lived at the heart of the Roman empire. In chapter 5 Paul writes about how sin and death came into the world, ensnaring people. God’s free gift of grace-through... Read More →

DIGGING DEEPER INTO ROMANS 5:1-11 Bible Background: Paul has used the opening chapters of Romans to described how we and the world are estranged from God because of sin: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” -3:23; and he describes God’s remedy... Read More →

A CLOSER LOOK AT ROMANS 1:1-17 Bible Background: The letter to the Romans is Paul’s deepest writing, and he is especially concerned about the subjects of “how we are justified through faith in Christ Jesus” and “how God is faithful to God’s... Read More →

A Closer Look at Acts 13–14 Bible Background: This marks the beginning of Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey through Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Antioch seems to have become the ‘headquarters’ of the early church. Barnabas and Paul are set aside by the Holy... Read More →

Matthew 28:16-20 = Great Commission Bible Background: In Matthew, this is the only appearance of the risen Jesus to the group of disciples. It takes place on a ‘mountain’ (remember: close encounters with God often take place on mountaintops in scripture!), in Galilee.... Read More →