There are lots of Bible translations on the market. Any religious bookstore will likely have such a diverse selection that it that could bewilder Christians young and old alike. Most stores will carry the KJV, NKJV, ESV, NASB, NIV, and NRSV. Some, like The Voice, are dynamic translations unsuitable for serious Bible study. Idiomatic versions… Read More Has The Bible Been Translated Too Many Times? — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
In reflecting upon my time as a full-time minister, I’m thankful for the opportunities I had to serve in two different congregations as a preacher. I encountered many wonderful people, many of whom I remember fondly and miss dearly. Unfortunately, many people have no idea what it takes to be a successful minister or how… Read More 11 Things You Need To Know About Your Preacher — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
Anyone who reads the Bible carefully knows that baptism is a vital part of the Christian life. Some religious groups dismiss its importance on theological grounds that stem from a misinterpretation of Scripture. Others take it very seriously but see baptism as optional. The serious reader of Scripture can see the many places where baptism… Read More Baptism In Ancient Literature And Archaeology — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
The Bible is a book of controversies. Sometimes it contains examples of disputes, such as Jesus’ discussions with the religious elite of his day (e.g., Mark 2:1-3:6); at other times, it generates them among modern readers. One of the more interesting conversations about Scripture regards the theological consistency between its authors. Some biblical authors explore… Read More Jesus Vs. Paul — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
If any one piece of legislation could be cited as the single most definitive legal decision of the 20th century, some would not hesitate to cite Roe v. Wade. It was a landmark case that ensconced a woman’s right to abortion as the law of the land. At the time, American politicians in support of… Read More Abortion and Child Sacrifice: The Similarities — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
Our society is fascinated with apocalypses, but this is far from a new phenomenon. Over the past two millennia, believers have wanted to know how the world will end. The Bible talks about this event, so naturally we want to know precisely how it will occur. Even in the first century, members of the church… Read More Current Events and the End Times — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
When we think of a Christian apologist, several images might spring to mind. An accomplished debater, a storied theologian, a university professor, a philosopher, or a public speaker with rapid-fire responses. The common denominator between these different portrayals is simple: someone who is not just your typical Christian. That is one of the most common… Read More Why Christians Must Be Apologists — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
The word “dignity” has different and very important shades of meaning. The traditional concept of human dignity in the Western world is based on recognizing that human beings possess intrinsic value. “Human dignity” has typically been understood as the inherent worth of a human being—people are valuable simply because they are humans. This has been… Read More Human Dignity and the Christian Faith — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
Each Christian is called to express their faith in ways other than merely praying at mealtime while dining in public or reading the Bible openly at Starbucks. It is also more than the kind of pious display we might expect from the typical Pharisee. We do not live out our faith to be praised or to impress. We live it out as part of our calling to make disciples.… Read More Having A Public Faith — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
Many Christians have little idea about how the New Testament came to exist. Although it would be unfair to claim that believers “assume that the Bible fell from heaven,” many do not understand the process of how the biblical documents came to be assembled into what we call the New Testament. Peter indicates that God… Read More How We Got The New Testament — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
From the book of Joshua through the end of the Old Testament, the Bible gives readers the story of the ancient Israelites from their arrival in the land of Canaan to their return from exile in Babylon. During this period, God’s people form a nation, develop their own wisdom tradition, and tremble at the preaching… Read More How We Got the Old Testament (Part 2) — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
The Bible is a library of many books. The process of composing the biblical documents began in the late second millennium BC and finished at the end of the first century AD, a span of roughly 1400 years. This process has been mischaracterized and misunderstood by both believers and skeptics. As such, it is worth… Read More How We Got The Old Testament (Part 1) — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
Jesus is the most significant figure in history. Polls and surveys often recognize him as such, even if they only gauge his impact through the influence of Christendom in the last two millennia. Christians understand his work to be farther-reaching, not only impacting and improving the lives of human beings but securing salvation for our… Read More Jesus: Both God and Man? — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
There are few issues in American society today more volatile than those dealing with human sexuality. Anyone looking at our culture with an objective eye would be right to conclude that sexual mores are in a virtual free fall. Topics like homosexuality, transgenderism, and pansexualism dominate everything from Facebook posts and tweets from celebrities to… Read More Is Homosexuality Hereditary or a Choice? — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
Truth has become a precious commodity in the 21st century. With political spin, fake news, and outright deception in the media it is no wonder why a 2020 Gallup poll reported that nearly a third of those surveyed said they had “not very much” trust in the media (27%) and another third said they had… Read More Proclaiming Biblical Truth in a “Your Truth” Culture — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
We like traditions. They remind us of the past and give us a sense of having a distinctive place in history. We become custodians of the cultural treasures passed down from previous generations, making us a vital link between the past and future. Traditions give us a shared identity and a sense of value. Maintaining… Read More The Difference Between Truth And Tradition — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
The resurrection of Jesus is one of the central tenets of Christianity. The apostle Paul ties it to the saving work of Christ (1 Cor. 15:14, 17) and includes it as a non-negotiable aspect of the Christian faith (1 Cor. 15:3). It plays a part in the life of every Christian because Jesus’ resurrection is… Read More The Historicity Of The Resurrection — Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D.
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