apocrypha
Examinations of apocryphal writings, their historical background, doctrinal themes, and relevance in biblical debates.
SIRACH & THE TALMUD Paid Members Public
In this post I quote select passages from the Babylonian Talmud where the rabbis affirm the authority of Ecclesiasticus, also known as Ben Sirach, and even quote from it to establish doctrine. The rabbis even placed Sirach in the section called Writings (ketuvim). כָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָ
RAPHAEL: A LYING ANGEL? Paid Members Public
In attempt to undermine the canonicity of the book of Tobit certain Protestants appeal to the following text where the archangel Raphael is alleged to have lied about his identity: “He replied, ‘I am Azariah, the son of the elder Hananiah, one of your relatives (ton adelphon sou).’” Tobit 5:
JEREMIAH AND THE ARK Paid Members Public
The book of 2 Maccabees states that the ark of the covenant was hidden by Jeremiah the prophet in a cave located on the mountain where Moses was allowed to see the land of Canaan before he died, namely Mount Nebo (cf. Deut. 32:48-52; 34:1-8). The
JEROME & JUDITH Paid Members Public
This is what the illustrious theologian and scholar St. Jerome wrote in regards to the canonicity of Judith. All emphasis is mine. Jerome, Prologue to Judith (2006) [Translated by Kevin P. Edgecomb] BEGINNING OF THE PROLOGUE TO JUDITH Among the Hebrews the Book of Judith is found among the Hagiographa,
ROGERS, MELITO & WISDOM Paid Members Public
A Review of Anthony Rogers’ “Melito and the Wisdom of Pseudo-Solomon” Uploaded to Academia.edu on 12/14/24[1] I’d like to begin this review by noting that although Rogers and I engage in our own respective spheres of apologetics, I do not believe there is sufficient
DANIEL 8 & HANUKKAH Paid Members Public
In this short post I will be citing several commentaries on Daniel 8:11-14 to show its relevance to Hanukkah. All emphasis shall be mine. af. Daniel 8:11 sn The prince of the army may refer to God (cf. “whose sanctuary” later in the verse) or to the
APOCRYPHA & CHRIST’S DEITY Paid Members Public
The book of 3 Maccabees ascribes specific titles and functions that belong uniquely to God: “Lord, Lord (Kyrie, Kyrie), king of the heavens and sovereign of all creation (despota pases ktiseos), holy among the holy ones, the only ruler (monarche), almighty, give attention to us who are suffering grievously from
ALMSGIVING & ATONEMENT Paid Members Public
In the Greek translation of Daniel, which is longer than the Hebrew version, teaches that almsgiving or giving charity is an atonement for sins: “Therefore, O king, let my counsel please thee, and atone for thy sins by alms, and [thine] iniquities by compassion on the poor: it may be