Author Archives: Ron Goetz

Yohanan b. Zakkai is almost certainly the law enforcement officer involved in the Galilee Episode. Six years ago I posted about Rabbi Yohanan. You can read that post by clicking https://wp.me/p1biq8-5z2. Since then I have refined my thesis regarding Ribaz. … Continue reading →

Paul mentions five sources of guidance that replace the Law. One of them is Love itself. The five sources of guidance are 1) the Spirit, 2) love, 3) human conscience, 4) human government, and 5) scripture. The one he discusses the least in … Continue reading →

I mentioned yesterday how the first chapter of John (the last canonical gospel to be written) gives a detailed version of an early episode in the Jesus story set in Bethsaida. The featured characters are Peter, Andrew and–oddly enough–Philip. We … Continue reading →

There is evidence of homophobic persecution recorded in a gospel, two deaths occurred, but the evidence is complex. It’s like discovering a grave site in some woods in Poland and having to figure out what happened to the victims, when … Continue reading →

The word “Iconoclast” refers to someone who attacks or destroys “icons”. Historically, the word refers to people who felt that certain religious statues and paintings were worshipped, and were therefore idols, idols that deserved to be destroyed. “Cultural relativism” is … Continue reading →

In response to my last post on the purpose of rational thought, a long-time reader asked this: “Just curious. If you don’t believe we were created, thus saying you don’t believe in God or the Bible, then why bother trying … Continue reading →

Let me begin this was. Homo sapiens are nearly hairless social primates with opposable thumbs, larger brains than our primate cousins, and a voice box, and are motivated by instincts. Other animals act from instinct, and some of their instincts … Continue reading →

Scholars who work with the Bible either study the Bible in Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, OR use many different translations. Non-professional Bible users usually use the translation their congregation uses. The translations these primates use are the same ones used … Continue reading →

Someone on Quora made the followi statement. I agreed with a lot of what he wrote, but I believe wisdom and insight are better tools than inaccurate rhetoric. Or is that simply a difference in weapon preference? He wrote, “The … Continue reading →

The Bible mentions “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The Bible says that the Spirit of God bubbles up within you like a spring of living water. Jesus said, in Luke 17, “The kingdom of God is within you.” … Continue reading →