Summary of Iron Age II The Iron Age II period began about 1000 BC and ended in 586 BC with the Babylonian captivity of ancient Israel. The period is preceded by Iron Age I which began about 1200 BC and ended around 1000 BC. The Iron Age marks the period in human history when people…

This essay will trace the development of Israel’s attempt to answer the question, “How can we survive as a nation?” from the conquest through the fall of the second temple (70 A.D.). Briefly analyze the various options, using historical examples. Discuss the post-exile answer in detail and assess its impact on Jewish culture at the…

This essay will discuss the ways in which the gospels reflect first century Palestinian culture, and the ways in which it contrasts with that culture. Using examples from the gospel texts, it will show how this distinction helps to read the texts more clearly. The gospels are replete with vignettes of first century Palestinian culture.…

What is the value of Christ’s life for our salvation (as distinct from His atoning death on the cross and resurrection from the grave)? Did it do more than provide us with the example we are to follow as Christians? One of the critical issues from the outset, is that only a Mediator can do…

Salvation is from something, namely a life of sin against God, which results in eternal separation from Him. The convert is saved from rebellion against God, and from the consequences of that rebellion, through the operation of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. In this new birth, the convert is given a new heart; a new…

Introduction The doctrine of hell refers to the future place of punishment for the enemies of God, namely Satan, his minions, and the unregenerate dead. The concept of hell is mentioned throughout the Bible. In some cases the word hell is used to describe the concept, but this is not always true. Other words and…

Introduction II Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 are often used to argue that Christians are no longer required to tithe, that is, give one tenth of their income to the house of God for the maintenance of worship facilities and for the costs of ministry, which include salaries for paid ministers. The apostle Paul, however,…

Introduction The word “goel” is defined in Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon as kinsman.[1] However, in ancient Jewish life, the term took on significant additional meaning. The Jewish Encyclopedia states that the concept of goel “was based on the solidarity of the interests”[2] of the individual tribes of the nation of Israel and God. “Any duty which…