That crazy “scapegoat” thing in the Day of Atonement passages (Lev. 16:6-10, 20-28; 17:7) has always bugged me. Scholars have a field day figuring this one out. The NIV 2011 for Lev. 16:8 reads: He
I explained yesterday about the “afflction of soul” not being simply some kind of self-harm, but a fundamental blow to the arrogant human urge to seize control, to be in charge of our own lives.
Wednesday—yesterday—was Yom Kippur, and we are in the height of the fall Jewish holy season. This prompted me to write a bit on the Day of Atonment to illustrate how Christians appropriate theologically and practically
Today marks the most holy day of Judaism, and Jerusalem is eerily quiet. Known as Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement,” it occupies the central place in the Fall season’s high holy days. Beginning with
It’s hard to miss it. I have seen “Gibeah of Saul” (aka Tell el-Ful) many times. Typically I spy it from the roof of Nebi Samwil, the mosque-and-synagogue marking the traditional tomb of the prophet
I am not the most traveled person you ever met, though I’ve been to a good many places. I probably don’t have the authority to say this, but I will. I have seen a good
This post continues a series adapted from my commentary on the book of Judges in the Cornerstone Biblical Commentary series (Tyndale) working out the framework needed to interpret and apply stories of violence in the
I first saw it in 2006. Walking from the bus station in Bethlehem to the Church of the Nativity, dying for a really good cup of coffee (about which, more later!), my heart jumped at
Many people, encountering the book of Judges for the first time, find its violence troubling. A couple of principles help in reading the book for theological and spiritual guidance. First, the “prime directive” in interpreting
Not everyone “gets” the idea of coming to Israel to study the Bible. To them, it all sounds like emotionalism—corny, sentimental, even manipulative. “I walked today where Jesus walked.” But the actual impact in terms of
In this category of posts, which I’m calling “Notes and Comments,” I will post excerpts from my recently published commentary on the book of Judges in the Cornerstone Biblical Commentary series, published by Tyndale House
For those that don’t already know, I am spending the fall semester in Jerusalem, on sabbatical from Asbury Theological Seminary. I’m launching work on a commentary on the book of Joshua and am a Visiting
