apocrypha
Examinations of apocryphal writings, their historical background, doctrinal themes, and relevance in biblical debates.
Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, The Spirit, Basil & Amphiliocus Paid Members Public
The deuteron-canonical writings contain passages which point to the Triunity of God. In fact, the New Testament itself echoes the language and ideas of these writings when describing Christ as Divine. For instance, Jesus is said to be the Wisdom, Word and Power of God, being uniquely born (monogenes) Son
Atonement by Incense Paid Members Public
More Proof of the Intercessions of Saints The Wisdom of Solomon speaks of the events of the Exodus where God sent forth his almighty Word from heaven’s throne to slay the firstborn of the Egyptians.(1) It is within this context that the writer makes mention of Aaron offering
Dead Sea Scrolls & Biblical Theology Paid Members Public
With the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) in 1947, manuscripts were discovered which give us a window into the specific beliefs and practices of a certain Jewish group living around the area of Jerusalem. One such scroll is known as the Community Rule, and highlights some of the
Protestant Historian, Early Church & Baruch Paid Members Public
The following excerpt is taken from Philip Schaff: ANF06. Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the Great, Julius Africanus, Anatolius, and Minor Writers, Methodius, Arnobius. It is taken from Methodius’ Banquet of the Ten Virgins; or Concerning Chastity. The noted Protestant historian Schaff acknowledged that the 2nd-3rd century
Esdras & The Early Church: A Response to William Webster Paid Members Public
by John Betts Introduction William Webster, a popular Evangelical Protestant apologist, has written a book on the formation of the Canon of Scripture. Together with his online material on this subject, he essentially recycles many of the arguments Protestants and Catholics have had for centuries on this. Webster seems to
A 2nd Response to William Webster on Esdras Paid Members Public
By John Betts Protestant apologist William Webster has finally responded to the article I wrote in 2004, entitled Esdras & The Early Church: A Response to William Webster. Yet unfortunately this ‘response’ is essentially a re-posting of his original material that fails to substantiate his assertions and repeatedly misrepresents or
John of Hyrcanus Among the Prophets? Paid Members Public
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus writes about a high priest during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes IV and the Maccabean period, named John Hyrcanus. The historian claims that Hyrcanus was given the gift of prophecy and that God spoke to him and enabled him to foretell future events. Here’s what
Evidence for the Canonicity of Baruch’s Epistle Paid Members Public
The book of 2 Maccabees is a pre-Christian 2nd century BC Jewish writing, which has been accepted by Christians throughout the centuries as inspired, canonical Scripture. It is a part of the Old Testament Canon of the ancient Churches, which include the Assyrian Church of the East (ACOE), Oriental and