by Anne Rice ★★★★ I’m trying to be fair; this really isn’t my kind of book. It’s highly speculative and it’s fiction. Then I’m reminded of the book I just published about Revelation; it, too, is fiction (well, 1/3 of it is fiction) and it, too, will surely be considered highly speculative by many….
Revelation 13:15, Giving Breath to the Image of the Beast
He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. Ever wonder what this verse is all about? Unfortunately, we’ll probably never know for sure, since we have no…
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Book review: The Miracle Detective
by Randal Sullivan ★★★★ In the war-torn country of Yugoslavia, late 1980’s, a cluster of children (ages up through 16) began seeing the Virgin Mary and reporting her words. Medjugorje, if you’ve ever heard of the place, appeared protected from the war by the madonna. The Miracle Detective describes Sullivan’s…
John 11:35, Jesus Wept
Jesus wept. The smallest verse in the Bible, we were taught as children. Perhaps the only verse I’m able to memorize. But what is interesting enough in this little nibble to warrant a blog post? It’s that this verse is not the way first-century citizens thought about God. Jesus wept…
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Book review: Reading Judas
by Elaine Pagels and Karen L. King ★★★★ This is a fun one. Short and sweet, Karen and Elaine share their unique interpretation of this fascinating discovery. Scholars of the gospel of Judas would never consider it mainstream Christianity … can any book who paints a Christian villian as a…
Ezekiel 18:20, Who Is Guilty?
The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. Ezekiel is a favorite of few Bible readers. It certainly wasn’t mine; imagine my surprise when, researching for my book…
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Book review: The Fourth Gospel and the Quest for Jesus
by Paul N. Anderson ★★★★★ A boring looking book, eh? Don’t let the blandness of the cover fool you. This skinny little book may be one of the most important theological efforts of the last five years. My next book will be about the Gospel of John, and Anderson’s book contributed significantly to…
Matthew 10:28, Fear Not Those Who Kill the Body
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What do you think about this verse? Kill the soul?? Most people are taught in church that the soul is…
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Book review: The Birth of Christianity
by John Dominic Crossan ★★★★ I’ve read many of Crossan’s books, and although they can be dry, they do always provide something to sink your teeth into. He seems to write two kinds of books: Long, scholarly tomes, and short, interesting summaries. The Birth of Christianity is (unfortunately or fortunately, depending upon…
Acts 10:38, The Dubious Disciple’s Beginnings
Maybe I should begin my new blog with what may be my favorite verse in the Bible: God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, for God was with him….