http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/ About this Blog Miscellaneous musings on topics related to something in the New Testament that don't exactly duplicate anything I've published. Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:30:47 GMT en-us Copyright 2012 Denver Seminary http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/who-cares-what-view-of-the-millennium-you-have-right/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/who-cares-what-view-of-the-millennium-you-have-right/ Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:30:47 GMT “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/two-kinds-of-tolerance/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/two-kinds-of-tolerance/ Tue, 29 May 2012 16:51:06 GMT “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/gain-all-you-can-save-all-you-can-give-all-you-can/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/gain-all-you-can-save-all-you-can-give-all-you-can/ Tue, 01 May 2012 17:08:42 GMT “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9 NIV). My breakfast-time appointment stood me up yesterday, so I had the ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/i-can-never-forgive-him/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/i-can-never-forgive-him/ Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:32:35 GMT When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/for-us-or-against-us/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/for-us-or-against-us/ Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:42:22 GMT “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters” (Matt. 12:30). “For whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40). A superficial comparison of these two texts and you might imagine ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-more-things-change--/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-more-things-change--/ Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:23:18 GMT “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14 KJV) The preacher is describing the person without ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/gullibility-rebellion-or-/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/gullibility-rebellion-or-/ Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:19:41 GMT “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.  As a result, many of them ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/irresistible-or-prevenient-grace/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/irresistible-or-prevenient-grace/ Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:19:20 GMT “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/working-oneself-out-of-a-job/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/working-oneself-out-of-a-job/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:40:51 GMT “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  2 So the Twelve gathered ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/can-christians-today-work-true-miracles/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/can-christians-today-work-true-miracles/ Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:02:08 GMT “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8) When Jesus sent out the twelve he told them to limit their mission to Israel (Matt. 10:5-6) and ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/who-do-we-blame-for-the-mess-were-in/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/who-do-we-blame-for-the-mess-were-in/ Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:37:11 GMT “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim. 1;15). A frequent humanist or naturalist ploy when debating God’s existence is to ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/oh-yes-hes-the-right-reverend-professor-doctor-so-and-so/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/oh-yes-hes-the-right-reverend-professor-doctor-so-and-so/ Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:52:00 GMT “They love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by others. But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/why-no-blogs-recently/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/why-no-blogs-recently/ Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:09:23 GMT “Of the making of many books there is no end, and in much study there is weariness for the flesh.” (Eccl. 12:12b, NAB) Ever since I began my New Testament Musings blog, I have tried to average one post about every two weeks.  ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/true-church-discipline/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/true-church-discipline/ Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:36:57 GMT "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.  If they listen to you, you have won them over.  But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-most-important-statistic-never-kept-in-church/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-most-important-statistic-never-kept-in-church/ Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:15:55 GMT "’You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve.” (John 6:67 NIV) How many people died as believers in your church last year? Many churches scrupulously keep track of weekly attendance, the number of people who ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/400000-textual-variants-in-the-new-testament-alone/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/400000-textual-variants-in-the-new-testament-alone/ Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:01:39 GMT                 One of the oft-cited statistics from Bart Ehrman’s Misquoting Jesus involves the observation that there are other 400,000 textual variants among the ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/it-only-takes-one-miracle/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/it-only-takes-one-miracle/ Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:09:00 GMT “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?” (Romans 8:24 NIV) I watched a fascinating “debate” on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation channel while ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/travel-to-israel-with-me-and-dr-dallaire/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/travel-to-israel-with-me-and-dr-dallaire/ Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:02:53 GMT  “Historical and Geographical Settings of the Bible”Jerusalem University College – IsraelMay 13th-June 3rd (June 5th for Jordan extension) Dear Friends, Please consider joining us on the Denver Seminary 2012 trip to ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/did-none-of-jesus-disciples-live-long-enough-to-write-a-gospel/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/did-none-of-jesus-disciples-live-long-enough-to-write-a-gospel/ Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:30:26 GMT “’You are not yet fifty years old,’ they said to him.” (John 8:57a NIV)   I’m not sure which is more disturbing:  the ridiculously specious arguments that some supposedly bona fide scholars put forth in ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/did-philemon-practice-outreach-or-inreach/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/did-philemon-practice-outreach-or-inreach/ Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:24:56 GMT “I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ." (Philemon 6, updated NIV). Unfortunately, many Bible readers today form opinions ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/was-jesus-ever-indignant/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/was-jesus-ever-indignant/ Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:18:15 GMT “. . . Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" (Mark 1:41, updated NIV).   Unfortunately, many Bible readers today form opinions about the merits of various translations ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/deferring-to-others-or-keeping-score/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/deferring-to-others-or-keeping-score/ Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:59:58 GMT “. . . not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil 2:4, updated NIV). Unfortunately, many Bible readers today form opinions about the merits of various translations based on hearsay ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/wives-women-or-deaconesses/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/wives-women-or-deaconesses/ Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:04:20 GMT “In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything” (1 Timothy 3:11, updated NIV).  Unfortunately, many Bible readers today form opinions about the merits ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/victims-of-adultery/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/victims-of-adultery/ Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:14:38 GMT “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32, updated NIV). Unfortunately, many Bible ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/can-commas-be-that-important/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/can-commas-be-that-important/ Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:38:08 GMT                 “You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/making-marriage-work/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/making-marriage-work/ Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:10:44 GMT “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Eph 5:25 NIV)   What part of “till death do us part” do you not understand?  It continues to amaze me as I encounter ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/baptisms-no-big-deal-is-it/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/baptisms-no-big-deal-is-it/ Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:10:36 GMT “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Rom. 6:4 NIV) “I know believers’ baptism ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/stop-all-end-of-world-predictions-period/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/stop-all-end-of-world-predictions-period/ Mon, 23 May 2011 17:02:04 GMT “[Jesus] said to them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7) Harold Camping was wrong for the third time.  Surprise, surprise, surprise!  What actually is ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-bridge/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-bridge/ Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:15:05 GMT “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19, NLT)  It is fashionable in some circles these days ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/a-better-hell/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/a-better-hell/ Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:36:21 GMT "The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.  But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/a-grandson-remembers/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/a-grandson-remembers/ Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:57:16 GMT “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (RSV).  She was born on June 26, 1906, almost 105 years ago.  Teddy Roosevelt ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/hell-under-fire/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/hell-under-fire/ Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:29:21 GMT "He [Jesus] will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/must-i-believe-in-the-bodily-resurrection-of-jesus/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/must-i-believe-in-the-bodily-resurrection-of-jesus/ Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:12:24 GMT “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/yes-people-can-have-good-memories/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/yes-people-can-have-good-memories/ Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:25:22 GMT “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16, updated NIV) We just finished a very enlightening and ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/does-illicit-sex-or-greed-or-slander-or-exclude-one-from-heaven/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/does-illicit-sex-or-greed-or-slander-or-exclude-one-from-heaven/ Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:09:23 GMT “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/perverts-pederasts-prostitutes-or/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/perverts-pederasts-prostitutes-or/ Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:22:51 GMT “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men. . .” (1 Corinthians 6:9, updated NIV)  One of ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-son-of-god-who-risks/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-son-of-god-who-risks/ Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:35:44 GMT "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (updated NIV) Preachers worldwide try to find ways this time of the year to ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christmastime-leadership/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christmastime-leadership/ Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:18:42 GMT 1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/can-eternal-security-possibly-be-true-in-an-age-of-so-many-deconversions/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/can-eternal-security-possibly-be-true-in-an-age-of-so-many-deconversions/ Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:43:50 GMT “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us” (1 John 2:19; updated NIV) I have blogged ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/authority-is-not-the-issue/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/authority-is-not-the-issue/ Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:26:32 GMT “’By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you authority to do this?’” (Mark 11:28; updated NIV) It sometimes takes reading the Bible under new circumstances to see what should ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/updated-niv-now-available-in-digital-form/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/updated-niv-now-available-in-digital-form/ Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:39:13 GMT In September 2009, Zondervan and Biblica (formerly International Bible Society—Send the Light international) announced the upcoming publication of an updated edition of the New International Version of the Bible to be released in ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/quarry-rejects/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/quarry-rejects/ Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:00:29 GMT “What then will the owner of the vineyard do?  He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.  Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:  ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/a-new-career-is-not-marital-unfaithfulness/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/a-new-career-is-not-marital-unfaithfulness/ Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:58:52 GMT   ”I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9 TNIV) A close friend of ours probably has biblical grounds for divorce, but she is not ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/deconversion-blogs-and-enemy-love/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/deconversion-blogs-and-enemy-love/ Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:45:45 GMT “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 TNIV) Whether you are a Calvinist, Arminian, or something in between, if you live long enough and aren’t a hermit you will meet, ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/threatened-book-burnings-and-christian-enemy-love/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/threatened-book-burnings-and-christian-enemy-love/ Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:26:08 GMT “But to you who are listening, I say:  Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28-29 TNIV). “A number who had practiced sorcery brought their ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/ask-not-what-the-church-can-do-for-you-but-what-you-can-do-for-the-church/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/ask-not-what-the-church-can-do-for-you-but-what-you-can-do-for-the-church/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:56:34 GMT “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/does-an-angel-or-eagle-fly-in-revelation-813/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/does-an-angel-or-eagle-fly-in-revelation-813/ Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:58:34 GMT Recently a friend from my church sent me a question on Facebook.  She had read Revelation 8:13 out of both the New King James Version (NKJV) and the NIV (New International Version).  The NKJV said that in one of John’s visions he ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/hoping-for-a-peace-treaty-in-the-bible-wars/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/hoping-for-a-peace-treaty-in-the-bible-wars/ Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:29:59 GMT I well remember in 1978, when the entire NIV translation of the Bible was completed and published, a series of clever network TV ads, with a man dressed up to look like a Reformation-era British king, using the slogan, “If King James were ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/conversation-conduct-or-citizenship-philippians-127a/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/conversation-conduct-or-citizenship-philippians-127a/ Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:09:24 GMT “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ...” (KJV) “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...” (NIV) “Only let your manner of life be worthy of ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/marriage-is-for-life/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/marriage-is-for-life/ Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:00:06 GMT “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.” (1 Cor. ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/why-go-to-church/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/why-go-to-church/ Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:49:14 GMT “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/money-for-ministry/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/money-for-ministry/ Fri, 28 May 2010 16:05:23 GMT “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” (2 Cor. 2:17 TNIV) “How much do you charge for preaching?” “What ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christian-mid-course-corrections/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christian-mid-course-corrections/ Tue, 11 May 2010 17:17:16 GMT “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/which-is-harder----to-leave-or-to-stay/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/which-is-harder----to-leave-or-to-stay/ Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:16:38 GMT “But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” (1 Corinthians 16:8-9) “Don’t settle for the easy Christian life by just staying ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/does-2-corinthians-1-2-justify-promise-breaking/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/does-2-corinthians-1-2-justify-promise-breaking/ Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:59:00 GMT “Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. Was I ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/are-you-a-person-of-your-word/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/are-you-a-person-of-your-word/ Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:49:54 GMT “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Otherwise you will be condemned.” (James 5:12 TNIV) When ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/of-earthquakes-and-end-times/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/of-earthquakes-and-end-times/ Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:48:49 GMT “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/time-and-eternity/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/time-and-eternity/ Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:26:02 GMT “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends. With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Pet. 3:8) In context, Peter is explaining that the apparent delay in Christ’s return ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-despised-doctrine-of-judgment/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-despised-doctrine-of-judgment/ Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:24:04 GMT “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/is-haiti-being-judged/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/is-haiti-being-judged/ Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:45:04 GMT “Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays/ Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:28:55 GMT Should Christians care how they are greeted by retail sales people each December. Some Christians think so, even suggesting boycotts on stores that refuse to acknowledge the dominant holiday being celebrated (Christmas), or at least giving extra ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/women-in-matthews-genealogy/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/women-in-matthews-genealogy/ Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:38:25 GMT “Judah, the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar...Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth...David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/in-everything-give-thanks/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/in-everything-give-thanks/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:26:48 GMT “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18 KJV) Every other one of my blogs has begun with a New Testament quotation from the TNIV. For my Thanksgiving 2009 blog, I have ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/can-allah-and-god-be-used-interchangeably/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/can-allah-and-god-be-used-interchangeably/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:30:13 GMT “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with an inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.  So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what I am going to proclaim ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-threefold-antidote-to-timidity/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-threefold-antidote-to-timidity/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:41:23 GMT “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) I had read the verse countless times. Probably due to messages I had heard, my attention was always drawn to the ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christian-understandings-of-the-role-of-government/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christian-understandings-of-the-role-of-government/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:53:00 GMT The question was naturally raised when I blogged about health care what a New Testament take on the role of government was. This is arguably the broader issue that needs to be answered before specific questions of policy can be addressed. The ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christian-surrogates/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christian-surrogates/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:13:31 GMT “For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”  (Colossians 3:3) Friday night my wife and I went to see the newly released movie, “Surrogates.” I doubt it will win any awards, but it was fun. It does ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/is-health-care-and-the-new-testament-uninteresting/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/is-health-care-and-the-new-testament-uninteresting/ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:45:00 GMT “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/no-not-all-sins-are-equally-bad-but-just-which-ones-are-worse/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/no-not-all-sins-are-equally-bad-but-just-which-ones-are-worse/ Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:03:11 GMT “But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-- justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matt. 23:23b). I hear the comment so often, in one form or another. It boils down to the question:  “How can I judge ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/apostolic-succession-and-apostasy/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/apostolic-succession-and-apostasy/ Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:15:32 GMT What Happens When You Combine Protestant and Catholic Takes on the Second Century A friend of mine has been having extensive conversations with Mormon missionaries. For a laywoman with no formal training in biblical studies, she is quite ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/has-anything-in-the-gospels-changed-recently/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/has-anything-in-the-gospels-changed-recently/ Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:42:08 GMT The exchange is predictable.  I am talking with a friend who is not a fellow biblical scholar but they know I like to write books.  “So what’s your latest,” I’m asked.  “Well,” I reply, ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/translations-arent-that-different-but-we-can-have-preferences/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/translations-arent-that-different-but-we-can-have-preferences/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:07:11 GMT Having spent my annual week last week with my fellow members of the NIV-TNIV Committee on Bible Translation, sifting through large stacks of proposals for minor tweaking of how we translate this or that word or phrase in anything from Genesis to ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/when-an-argument-from-silence-becomes-utterly-meaningless/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/when-an-argument-from-silence-becomes-utterly-meaningless/ Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:29:24 GMT Not long ago an unsolicited e-mail asked me to comment on a skeptic’s blogsite that had posted a list of about twenty “historians” from the Jewish, Greek or Roman worlds of around the time of Christ. Not one of them ever ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/archaeology-and-idolatry/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/archaeology-and-idolatry/ Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:49:44 GMT “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.”  “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-all-or-nothing-syndrome-with-biblical-imprecision/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-all-or-nothing-syndrome-with-biblical-imprecision/ Wed, 06 May 2009 17:47:30 GMT In the late seventies' "battle for the Bible," pitting inerrantists against others with a high view of Scripture but who stopped just short of belief in inerrancy, a common argument featured "the slippery slope."  Give up inerrancy, it was ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/dont-be-a-cretan/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/dont-be-a-cretan/ Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:56:59 GMT "One of Crete's own prophets has said it:  'Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.'  He has surely told the truth!" (Titus 1:12) Four years ago, my then 14-year-old daughter Rachel was watching me put together some ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/enemy-love-is-it-for-governments-individuals-or-the-church/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/enemy-love-is-it-for-governments-individuals-or-the-church/ Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:57:24 GMT "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities" (Rom. 12:21-13:1). I remember when the preparations for war in Iraq gave way to the intense, initial bombing of Baghdad, dubbed ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-biblical-economic-stimulus-plan/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-biblical-economic-stimulus-plan/ Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:15:33 GMT "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another" (Rom. 13:8 [T]NIV). I was amazed during the waning weeks of the Bush administration how little protest I heard from evangelicals of the $700,000,000,000 + bailout ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-uniqueness-of-sex/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-uniqueness-of-sex/ Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:40:40 GMT "Flee sexual immorality.  All other sins people commit are outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies." (1 Cor. 6:18) I remember my father (who was 37 when I was born) and his older sister (13 years older ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/do-john-and-the-synoptics-contradict-each-other-on-the-passover/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/do-john-and-the-synoptics-contradict-each-other-on-the-passover/ Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:27:30 GMT It is widely believed that John's Gospel contradicts the Synoptics by putting Jesus' crucifixion on the afternoon before the evening that would have begun the Passover feast that year, whereas Matthew, Mark and Luke clearly portray Jesus ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-albanian-mice-that-roared/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/the-albanian-mice-that-roared/ Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:31:08 GMT "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:18). It is an amazing story. Before the fall of the iron curtain, only twenty years ago, there were no ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/what-is-the-sin-unto-death-1-john-516b/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/what-is-the-sin-unto-death-1-john-516b/ Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:47:57 GMT "There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that" (TNIV). I continue to think a lot about apostasy. No, not as an option for me (!), but trying to make sense of the experiences and decisions of others. I also ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/how-to-cope-theologically-with-apostasy/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/how-to-cope-theologically-with-apostasy/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:06:47 GMT "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us" (1 John 2:19 [T]NIV). One of my most memorable assignments in ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christmastime-true-false-quiz/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/christmastime-true-false-quiz/ Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:52:06 GMT If the following appear in Scripture (in the original languages of course), answer true. If not, answer false. The magi were wise men. The magi were kings. There were three magi. The magi came from the Orient. The magi found Jesus and his ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/being-nasty-vs-being-nice/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/being-nasty-vs-being-nice/ Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:37:01 GMT I knew I was in trouble when I saw the Scripture chosen for the header at the top of this pastor's blog: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let that person be anathema" (Gal. ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/james-5/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/james-5/ Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:28:58 GMT "Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and ear your flesh ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/do-all-teachers-go-to-hell/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/do-all-teachers-go-to-hell/ Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:03:30 GMT "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." (James 3:1 KJV)   I suppose the only good thing about this translation of this verse is that it might have dissuaded a few antebellum Christians ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/falling-out-of-love/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/falling-out-of-love/ Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:09:14 GMT Years ago, dear Christian friends of my wife and me explained why they had gotten divorced by writing, "We exhausted our spiritual resources." It was one of the strangest explanations I had ever heard, especially from two Ph.D.'s and Christian ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/middle-knowledge/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/middle-knowledge/ Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:51:40 GMT The more I study middle knowledge, the more I like it. No, I don't expect to see the demise of the Calvinist-Arminian debates in my lifetime. But when a position comes along that both centrist Calvinists and centrist Arminians can endorse, that ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/i-suffer-therefore-i--/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/i-suffer-therefore-i--/ Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:19:20 GMT Today's Americans may be the worst prepared people in the history of the world for suffering. Are American Christians any better prepared than their non-Christian counterparts? My professional counselor friends have often told me this is the ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/left-behind/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/left-behind/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:48:31 GMT The collective amnesia of Christians who are eager to correlate current events with biblical prophecy never ceases to amaze me.  Jesus taught clearly that no one knows the day or hour of his return (Mark 13:32).  As if to forestall the ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/on-blogging-and-politics/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/on-blogging-and-politics/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:37:38 GMT A lot of people have asked me in recent years when I was going to start my own blog. They meant it as a compliment, thinking that I could produce something like, say, my New Testament scholar-friends Scot McKnight or Ben Witherington. My answer ...