Resources on 1 Corinthians

The Crypto-Theology blog has an interesting and eclectic list of resources on 1 Corinthians. See it here.

Biblical Text-Writing May Have Poisoned Monks

See this interesting article suggesting that Medieval monks may have actually been poisoned in the process of creating biblical manuscripts the monks. According to the article,

Medieval bones from six different Danish cemeteries reveal that monks who wrote Biblical texts and other religious materials may have been exposed to toxic mercury, which was used to formulate just one of their ink colors: red.

The Meaning of Authenteō

The meaning of authenteō in 1 Timothy 2:12 is one of key points of contention in the current gender debate between Egalitarians and Complimentarians. Denny Burk's blog has a nice summary of some of the argumentation of Henry Scott Baldwin concerning this term. It is worth checking out here.

Top Five Commentaries on Leviticus

Ligonier Ministries has a list and discussion of their top five commentaries on Leviticus. I personally would rank Milgrom higher and prefer his Anchor volumes to the shorter volume in the Continental series. In any case, the top five they have listed are:

1. Gordon J. Wenham -- The Book of Leviticus (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, 1979).
2. John E. Hartley -- Leviticus (Word Biblical Commentary, 1992).
3. Mark F. Rooker -- Leviticus (New American Commentary, 2000).
4. Jacob Milgrom -- Leviticus (Continental Commentary, 2004).
5. Baruch A. Levine -- Leviticus (JPS Torah Commentary, 1989).

Bob Utley's Free Bible Commentary

Dr. Bob Utley, retired Professor of Hermeneutics, has made all of his Bible commentaries available free online here. The site also contains free audio and video of Dr. Utley's work as well. Check it out.

Review of Jaroslav Pelikan's Commentary on Acts

See a review of Jaroslav Pelikan's recent commentary on Acts in the Brazos Theological Commentary series here.

A Discussion With C. E. B. Cranfield

Nijay K. Gupta has posted an interesting discussion that he had with C. E. B. Cranfield. Check it out here.

The Blame Game

Ben Reaoch at the Desiring God blog has a helpful if convicting post on twelve sins we blame on others.

1) Anger

I wouldn’t lose my temper if my co-workers were easier to get along with, or if my kids behaved better, or if my spouse were more considerate.

2) Impatience

I would be a very patient person if it weren’t for traffic jams and long lines in the grocery store. If I didn’t have so many things to do, and if the people around me weren’t so slow, I would never become impatient!

3) Lust

I would have a pure mind if there weren’t so many sensual images in our culture.

4) Anxiety

I wouldn’t worry about the future if my life were just a little more secure—if I had more money, and no health problems.

5) Spiritual Apathy

My spiritual life would be so much more vibrant and I would struggle with sin less if my small group were more encouraging, or if Sunday school were more engaging, or if the music in the worship service were more lively, or if the sermons were better.

6) Insubordination

If my parents/bosses/elders were godly leaders, then I would joyfully follow them.

7) A Critical Spirit

It’s not my fault that the people around me are ignorant and inexperienced.

8) Bitterness

If you knew what that person did to me, you would understand my bitterness. How could I forgive something like that?

9) Gluttony

My wife/husband/roommate/friend is a wonderful cook! The things they make are impossible to resist.

10) Gossip

It’s the people around me who start the conversations. There’s no way to avoid hearing what others happen to say. And when others ask me questions, I can’t avoid sharing what I know.

11) Self-Pity

I’ll never be happy, because my marriage/family/job/ministry is so difficult.

12) Selfishness

I would be more generous if we had more money.

Read the rest of the post here.

Blindness in Luke-Acts

Richard Anderson has a nice post on the theme of blindness in Luke-Acts. In his final major paragraph he suggests,

Identifying and using blindness as a synecdochic metaphor for the theme of the lack of understanding makes it possible to recognize the significance of the Isaiah reading as an interpretative guide to the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

Why We Believe Children Who Die Go to Heaven

Albert Mohler and Daniel Akin have posted on "Why We Believe Children Who Die Go to Heaven." You can read it