Blue Collar Bible Commentary

In the Bible Interpretation class that I teach with Sarasota Bible College, the students are tasked with writing a series of essays. Most of them have to do with studies that they do on various genres of Bible passages, but some of them are on certain foundational topics. I’ve challenged the class to share their essays online as a way of getting them to think differently about how they communicate what they are learning. In an earlier post , I shared some of their perspectives on non-canonical writings from both the Old and New Testaments and a perspective on the Dead Sea Scrolls. In ... Read Full Story

The Epistles of Bible are an amazing genre of literature! They are letters from Paul, Peter, John, and Jude to the churches. Particularly in Paul’s case, the letters are not to strangers, but to people with whom he was intimately familiar . Paul planted these churches and mentored these people. So he knew them well. Therefore, when reading these letters, one should read them just as they were intended. One should hear Paul’s (and the other authors’) heart cry out to these people. Just as if you were reading a letter from a friend, you should also try to hear the message the way ... Read Full Story

The text (Mark 1:21-28, ESV): 21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are— the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 ... Read Full Story

I don't always do posts like this on management by God , but I could not resist this one. I was recently working on some important projects, and listening to some stuff on my mp3 player that I have not listened to in a while. Then this track came up, and it blew me away. Just as I was wondering myself about where God is at work in my professional life, this track made me remember that He is here.  He is always right here with me. And He is always right there with you. I cannot help but to think about the turmoil ... Read Full Story

The Gospel of Mark is quite an interesting writing. It is the shortest of all of the Gospels, but is one that jumps right into the action, and reads almost like a Hollywood movie script. So as I study this action-packed writing with the Young Adults Ministry that my wife and I lead, I want to take the opportunity to write about some of what we are discovering in our studies. But before we jump into the text, it is important to lay down some historical context. There are some important things that the reader must understand about the Gospel of Mark before reading ... Read Full Story