history
Historical analysis of religious developments, events, and theological movements relevant to apologetics.
Synod of Laodicea on the Sabbath Day Paid Members Public
The Synod of Laodicea has been dated by scholars anywhere between the years 343 and 381 AD, between the Sardican and the Second Ecumenical Council. I quote what this Synod wrote in respect to Sabbath keeping. Canon 16 The Gospels are to be read on the Sabbath [i.e. Saturday]
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
Justin’s Knowledge of Paul Paid Members Public
The following is taken from the Biblical Criticism & History Forum. Justin Martyr and the apostle Paul. * Post by Ben C. Smith » Sun Oct 22, 2017 4:54 pm On the thread about the reception history of the NT books the question came up of whether or not Justin Martyr
PETRINE PRIMACY & ROMAN SUPREMACY Paid Members Public
Here I cite snippets from two fourth century AD references affirming the primacy of Rome due to its relationship to Peter, the chief of the holy Apostles. All emphasis will be mine. Athanasius Apologia Contra Arianos (Athanasius), Part I Chapter 2. Letter of Julius to the Eusebians at Antioch. Eusebius
Muhammad’s Jewish Sex-Slave Paid Members Public
According to the Sunni traditions, Muhammad had at least two sex slaves that he did not marry, namely, a Christian Coptic girl named Mariyah and a Jewish concubine named Rayhanah. I have written at length about Mariyah so here I will focus on Rayhanah. Here is what a modern biography
Muhammad’s Bribing People to Be/Remain Muslims Paid Members Public
The Quran states that part of the money given in charity is to go towards enticing individuals to become Muslims. In other words, Allah sanctions Muslims to buy off or bribe non-Muslims to embrace Islam: As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara’ (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor)
Islam’s Adulterous She-Monkey Exposed Paid Members Public
The following post is taken from the now defunct Muslim website named Islamtoday.com. The site itself can still be accessed on the web archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20001028211320/http://islamtoday.com/Default.htm. Here is the original URL for the post: http://islamtoday.com/show_detail_section.
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