Iranian authorities recently seized and destroyed 6,500 copies of the Bible. It is the latest demonstration of an on-going campaign in Iran to capture and eradicate all Bibles in the country. They consider the book to be a subversive threat against Islam and the very existence of their nation. According to Dr Majid Abhari, adviser [...]

(Picture of Spy Museum via Wikipedia) LEXINGTON, VA: – The head of the history department at Virginia Military Institute suggests that the Apostle Paul faked his conversion and was really a spy for the Romans. Col. Rose Mary Sheldon of VMI, presented her thesis last week at the International Spy Museum in Washington DC. It [...]

     Vs. 42 Preparation Day- Friday before sunset was called the day of preparation since food and provisions were prepared ahead of time for the Sabbath (Saturday).      Vs. 43 Joseph of Arimathea was a respected member of the Sanhedrin and a closet follower of Jesus. He was looking for the Kingdom of God and [...]

Following his arrest, Jesus was taken to the high priest and before a hastily called session of the Sanhedrin.  The trial of Jesus can be divided into two parts- first the religious trial before the Sanhedrin, and second the legal/political trial before Pilate and Herod Antipas (However, the Gospel of Mark does not include the appearance [...]

     Vs. 43-45  Judas showed up that night with a whole gang of officials and Temple guards fully armed.  He had probably observed Jesus slip away from crowds on numerous occasions and decided to leave nothing to chance.  In the dim light flowing through the orchards on the Mount of Olives at night, it was necessary for Judas to [...]

A continuing series reflecting on the book: “What Jesus Demands from the World”, By John Piper  (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 2006, 400 pgs.)   Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” -John 3:3;  Jesus answered, …” Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must [...]

John Piper has some great comments about the Gospels and the ‘Quest’ of modern Biblical scholarship for the ‘real’ Jesus. See the section in the intro of his newest book (“What Jesus Demands from the World“) called: “A Word to Biblical Scholars”. He points out that much of what passes for “the assured results of [...]