What Are the Noahide Laws?
Are the Noahide laws an arbitrary list of rules made up by Rabbis, or are they Biblical instructions for the world to follow? In this article, we explore them one by one from the text.
New Testament Insights
180 posts
Insights and new perspectives on the New Testament
Hypocrites and Whitewashed Tombs: Making the Inside Like the Outside
When Jesus called the leaders of his day "whitewashed tombs," or "hypocrites," many interpreted this as a critique of Judaism. However, the critique is a common Rabbinic one, and one no person is immune to. In this, we explore the mussar concept of Tocho k'varo.
Three Types of People: The Tzadik, the Rasha, and the Inbetweener
Jewish tradition recognizes three categories of people in the world, the Tzadik, the Rasha, and the Beinoni. From various sources, we unpack what it means to be an inbetweener and how we get the wrong idea about spiritual growth.
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The Criminals On the Cross Through the Lens of Midrash
Few images in Christian tradition are as recognizable as the three crosses of Golgotha. But the picture Luke paints weaves in references to the third heaven, garments divided by lots, the words of Isaiah 53, and Joseph's cellmates in the prison of Pharaoh.
The Forty Days - Part 4 | The Great Return
In this session, we unpack the details of the holidays of Sukkot, Hoshannah Rabbah, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah.
Rereading Romans 13: Did Paul Say to Obey the Government?
Paul's famous "submit to governing authorities" may not have been about Rome. Reading Romans 13 in its synagogue setting reveals a different take on who the "rulers" were, and what Paul may have meant.
The Raising of Lazarus as Midrash: John's Retelling of Ezekiel 37
In the Gospel, Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, dies and is resurrected. On the surface, it is a story of a personal miracle. However, the Gospel writers are intentional, especially John. As we've seen many times, there may be something deeper in this story.
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Athens to Jerusalem: Four Shifts for Learning the Bible
Truly understanding the Bible means closing knowledge gaps most readers don't know exist. Going deeper isn't about acquiring more information; it's more like a complete change of operating system. Four shifts in thinking will help one begin the journey from Athens to Jerusalem.
Seven Heavens: Does the Bible Speak About More Than One Heaven?
Jewish tradition envisions Heaven as a multi-layered realm. The seven Heavens, (Vilon, Rekia, Shechakim, Zevul, Ma’on, Machon, and Aravot) serve different functions in the cosmic order. And though many assume this to be Rabbinic innovation, the Apostolic writers share this understanding.
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She’ol, Hades & Gehenna: Mapping the Biblical Underworld
What is She'ol? Korach's descent into the earth opens a study of the Jewish concept of the underworld, its gates, chambers, and appearances of this tradition in the New Testament.
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The Cursing of the Fig Tree as Midrash: Has Israel Been Replaced?
Learn how the Cursing of the Fig Tree, though taught as a pillar of Replacement Theology, might actually be a Midrash on two well-known prophetic passages.
Did the Rabbis Hijack "Biblical" Judaism?
Was Rabbinic Judaism a corruption of Biblical faith, or the reason Judaism survived? Explore the Pharisees, the destruction of the Temple, and the historical roots of Rabbinic tradition, and why many have gotten this wrong.