100 or 200 Philistine foreskin? The truth about David’s dowry | Answering the Atheist
Inquiry:
How many Philistine foreskins did David buy his first wife with? Was it 100 (2 Samuel 3:14) or 200 (1 Samuel 18:27)? Is there a contradiction?
Articles
Faith in the LORD and His Word: Do You Believe?
The 2010 Olympics will begin in Vancouver BC. Several television networks from around the world will be broadcasting the Games. CTV provides coverage in Canda. Canadian Olympians want to quickly lose the stigma of seldom winning gold on home soil. Over the past year, CTV ran an ad campaign entitled, “Do You Believe,” focusing on Canada’s athletes, their training and their Olympic dreams. It has been an interesting campaign and has certainly captured my interest. I applaud CTV.
Sincere Skepticism: Critical Thinking And Analysis For Better Bible Interpretation
For several years in the early 2000s, we featured two articles each week in our bulletin. The first addresses a variety of topics, and the second is a response to supposed Bible contradictions. Some promote skepticism about the Bible, which I am ok with, so long as it is sincere skepticism. The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible website has been a major source of these alleged errors.
Being Renewed Day By Day: Pursuing Spiritual Growth And Transformation
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. “(2 Corinthians 4:16)
As the apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Corinth, it was with the intent to encourage those who are struggling with difficulties in this life. Of course, he was not immune to trials. He revealed in his letter to the church at Corinth that he was
Important Lessons from Jesus’ Baptism You Need to Know
The Lord’s baptism is of such importance that each gospel writer has left a record of it. Mark and Luke provide sparse details, while Matthew and John use Jesus’ bapttism to strongly affirm His deity and offer an authoritative example of baptism for all who wish to serve God.
Psychic Reading: How Deception Outshines Truth In Today’s World
Across from our booth this year at the Kingston Fall Fair was a booth where folks could get a 15 minute psychic reading an an “auracature” for $20. It was rather discouraging to see a steady stream of souls duped into paying a man who knows nothing about them to answer a question which is pressing on their hearts. At the same time, there was but a slight trickle of people expressing interest in information about the Lord’s church and what He has done on our behalf. Discouraging, and yet revealing of the delinquent nature of our society.
Celebrating Christmas: Exploring Whether It’s Faith or Folklore
In just 5 days, Christmas will be here. People celebrate this holiday in a variety of ways, so it is important to consider how those who want to be faithful to God should celebrate it.
Genesis Musings: A Fresh Perspective On Some Beginning Things
In recent months, I have enjoyed studying the details of Genesis 1-11. My primary purpose was to note the relationship between the Genesis account of creation and the etymology of certain Chinese characters, resulting in material compiled as The Genesis Echo. During my research, I discovered a few interesting but seldom mentioned tidbits from the early chapters of Genesis. Consider some Genesis musings.
Let Us Focus on Purity, Obedience, and Diligence for Spiritual Growth
Everyone knows to make a good sandwich taste better, you put “lettuce” on it. To make us spiritually better, or be salt of the earth, “let us” do certain things the apostles say. Notice the emphasis on “us,” as we have been set apart or sanctified by the blood of Christ. We are the chosen people of God.
“Owe No One Anything Except to Love One Another”
Guest Writer – David Padfield
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8). This is one of the verses where the New International Version gives us a better understanding of the text. It says, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…”
