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Many of the prophets use detailed terminology (sacrifices and altars) when they talk about worship, but it doesn't necessarily imply that the fulfilment will be in literal sacrifices and altars. What Isaiah seems to be trying to get across is that all Israel's enemies, from the most ancient...

No-one's understanding is perfect. And especially when you are a new Christian and don't know the Bible very well, you can easily misinterpret what you read. If someone tells you that you've got it wrong, ask them to explain why. This is how we learn. Also, read Bible study notes written by...

Urban myths do exist. But that fact doesn't mean that everything you hear or read is a myth. Myths like the boiling frog circulate successfully because they're plausible. The resurrection of Jesus, in contrast, is highly implausible. But what about the saying that "truth is stranger than fiction"?

There are many references, especially in the book of Exodus, to the Torah being written down. The first reference to writing is in Exodus 17:14. Then in Exodus 24:4 we are told that "Moses wrote down everything the LORD had said." And presumably he continued to write down all that God said to...

Is there no place for the use of analogy and metaphor? And doesn't a really good teacher try to make his students think, rather than just giving them plain facts?

All the scientific evidence points to modern humans having originated in one place (probably somewhere in east Africa), from which they migrated all over the world. Genetically there's very little variation between the different human races (things like skin colour and facial shape, which seem...

"Beyond the Jordan" means east of the Jordan (from the viewpoint of an Israelite living in the Promised Land). It seems obvious to me that Deut 1:1, speaking of Moses "in the third person", was by whoever edited the final document. And since Moses died shortly after finishing his speech, after...

It's not just the Church of England. There's a growing tendency to describe the building where a church meets not as a "church" but as a "Christian centre". Which is Biblical, actually, because the church is really the people, not the building. And let's not forget that the word translated as...

What kind of Study material do you use? A Bible (in my case, the NIV) A good commentary (there are many) I believe that delving into the root meanings of words is not terribly helpful. A good modern translation is all you need to understand what the text says. It's more useful to read...

It's perfectly OK to pray without a rosary at all. As has been said already, prayer is just talking to God as you would talk to your father - no ceremony required. Using a rosary won't make your prayers any more effective - if anything, it may distract your attention from Jesus. Not being a...

I'm well aware of that, but they didn't "have to" change their Bibles immediately - maybe some institutions wanted to, but that wasn't what your post said.

Really? No church I've been involved in felt the need to do so. When their Bibles needed replacing, they moved to the newer version, but not before. It's all a bit silly, really. The two NIVs are virtually identical. With so many different translations knocking around these days, people have...

It admits that the only Greek manuscripts that include the comma are very very late (14th century or later). That is really weak evidence - especially when we have so many more early Greek manuscripts available than the KJV translators had. I'm not impressed.

Actually, I do know Greek. The word in question is porneia - and it means all kinds of sexual immorality, not just fornication. And to confine the meaning in Matthew 5:32 to sex before marriage makes no sense in the context. Incidentally, in any language, meaning is determined by usage, not...

This is the kind of thing that makes me wonder whether people have actually used a modern Bible (as opposed to just comparing verses taken out of context). The Trinity? That's clearly taught in modern Bibles - but in different verses to the favourite quotes of KJV-only propagandists. Did Jesus...

True, to an extent - an attitude of thankfulness is definitely good for one's mental health. But if you're expecting some kind of quick return for your generosity (as is taught by some prosperity gospel preachers) you may be disappointed - Jesus said that we may well not get our reward until...

I wrote this 7 years ago, just after finishing my treatment: https://deborahsbiblestudies.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/no-guarantees/ 7 years on, I'm still fit and well - praise God!

I expect so - it's certainly being used in the UK, and I know someone who's receiving it.

I am a doctor, and I have also received various cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The heart can operate independently of the medulla as well. Radio-isotopes are a form of radiotherapy, not chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is treatment with drugs, not radiation. Sorry - it...

I would say No. It's based on a lot of misinformation. 1) CPR. The normal heart rhythm is generated within the heart itself. CPR doesn't actually affect that mechanism; it stops the heart muscle cells from acting independently in an out-of-control manner, thus allowing the normal heart rate...