Category Archives: Messiness of scripture

On the other side of Jordan

Posted on May 31, 2019 by LDS Scripture Teachings

Deuteronomy begins with the statement “These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness” (Deuteronomy 1:1, KJV) – something that can be confusing to readers. Why does it say “this side Jordan” … Continue reading →

Posted in Deuteronomist, Deuteronomy, Documentary Hypothesis, Messiness of scripture | Tagged , | 1 Comment

What is the Documentary Hypothesis? A Short Introduction

Posted on December 14, 2018 by LDS Scripture Teachings

Simply put, the Documentary Hypothesis is an explanation used in Biblical scholarship that helps to explain the difficulties experienced in the Old Testament. Evidence exists in the Old Testament that shows that the first five books in the Bible are … Continue reading →

Posted in Messiness of scripture, Old Testament | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Slave Laws in the Old Testament

Posted on December 13, 2018 by LDS Scripture Teachings

Slave Laws in the Old Testament A comparison of Exodus 21, Deuteronomy 15, and Leviticus 25   Biblical law concerning slaves was similar to that of other Near Eastern nations. Slave labor was used for domestic service and thus made … Continue reading →

Posted in Messiness of scripture, Old Testament | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Golden Calf, Moses, Aaron, and the Northern Priests of Israel

Posted on November 1, 2018 by LDS Scripture Teachings

Two Kingdoms, Two Writers Exodus 32 is a story that shows that after Israel escapes Egypt that their first apostate is none other than Aaron, the High Priest. In this account Aaron gives in to the wishes of the people … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient Near East, Belief, Documentary Hypothesis, Evidences, Jehovah, Messiness of scripture | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Stories told twice in the Bible

Posted on October 3, 2018 by LDS Scripture Teachings

The doublets in the Pentateuch Have you ever read parts of the first five books of Moses in the Old Testament and thought, “Didn’t I just read this story? Why is it happening again?” Whether we are talking about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Documentary Hypothesis, Evidences, Messiness of scripture, Old Testament, Scriptures | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Epic of Gilgamesh – Tablet XI

Posted on August 29, 2018 by LDS Scripture Teachings

The Epic of Gilgamesh TABLET XI THE STORY OF THE FLOOD   Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim, the Faraway: “I have been looking at you, but your appearance is not strange–you are like me! You yourself are not different–you are like … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient Near East, Messiness of scripture | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Don’t Curse the Deaf! The Enchanted World of the Ancient Near East

Posted on August 23, 2018 by LDS Scripture Teachings

The Enchanted World of the Ancient Near East One of the things we know as we study the world of the Ancient Near East (ANE) is that the association of religion with belief in the gods and the goddesses of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient Near East, Messiness of scripture, Old Testament, Scriptures, Student questions | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How did Josiah change the religion of the Jewish nation?

Posted on August 9, 2018 by LDS Scripture Teachings

What did the Deuteronomist reform? How did Josiah’s reign change the religion of the Israelites/The Kingdom of Judah? King Josiah changed the religion of Israel in the mid-seventh century BCE in several significant ways. According to the Old Testament account … Continue reading →

Posted in Evidences, Lost books of the Bible, Messiness of scripture, Old Testament, Scriptures, Student questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Matthew 5:39 Whosover shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also

Posted on August 1, 2018 by LDS Scripture Teachings

Retaliation & Violence I believe that when we examine what the scriptures teach about resistance to evil, that the Savior does not teach that we should lie down and take it.  Certainly there are times in the scriptures when the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospels, Healing, Jesus Christ, Messiness of scripture, Principles, Protection | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Seeing the composition of the Gospel of John

Posted on July 27, 2018 by LDS Scripture Teachings

Possible Constructions of The Gospel of John According to Marie-Émile Boismard, the Gospel of John may have gone through four hypothetical stages of composition. Each stage is intricately involved with the life of the Johannine community: Document C. This was … Continue reading →

Posted in Chiasmus, Church History, Early Christianity, Gospels, Jesus Christ, Messiness of scripture, New Testament, Scriptures, Student questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment