Introduction to this Website
First of all, if you are an unbeliever, click here (HTML)
(PDF); if
you are a new believer, then click here (HTML)
(PDF).
Also, if you are an unbeliever, see this warning [HTML]
[PDF];
it is a different sort of warning than you might expect.
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My most recent studies.
Now, about the
Website:
In some ways, this is going to be a very specialized website which will
appeal to a very limited number of believers in Jesus Christ.
First off, many believers are going to disagree with the doctrinal
views presented in this website, as most believers are legalists and,
in some way or another, like to add works to their salvation.
Some do this more subtly, along the lines of Catholicism and
Pentecostalism (two off-shoots of Christianity which are strikingly
similar in nature). In both of these faiths, it is thought that
when one believes in Jesus Christ, that he will naturally begin to act
like a Christian.
That is, his faith will be proven in his works;
or, as the Catholics call it, the believer participates in infused
grace, where the nature of Jesus Christ becomes his nature, and the
true believer will exhibit this nature. I do not
believe that after salvation people manifest the person of Jesus
Christ, although that is a potential for all believers in Jesus Christ.
When it comes to
having a
relationship with God, there is one way this is achieved, and that is
by placing faith alone in Christ alone; this is the only way of
salvation. Our lives may or may not bear this salvation out (see
the Doctrinal
Statement for more
information on this). Some believers, after believing in Jesus
Christ, spend the rest of their Christian lives out of fellowship after
they commit their first post-salvation sin. Now, they may be
religious or they may seem hell-bent, but one's life after salvation is
separate from salvation. One's Christian life is related to being
saved, but it is a separate matter in many respects.
Now, let’s just assume for a moment that you actually believe in the
same tenets of Christianity that I do; still, this site may not be for
you. 99% of believers (if not 99.99%) need to be under the
teaching of a pastor teacher, and I am not a pastor teacher. I
once thought that was my gift, and I have since changed my mind.
For those of you who are believers and in a church where doctrine is
taught exegetically and categorically, with emphasis upon the original
languages and the historical context of the Scriptures, this site will
have limited value to you. You will get most of your growth from
your pastor-teacher. This site, for you, will give you some
reference material. If you need a quick and dirty explanation for
this or that Old Testament passage, you might very well find it on this
website. However, I have only exegeted the first 10 books of the
Bible, along with a couple dozen psalms, and, quite frankly, I am only
pleased with the outcome of 1 and 2Samuel (a work in process); and I am
working on the book
of Judges to bring that up to snuff.
The primary reason for this website is really as a comprehensive
approach to help some pastors and some seminary students out in a
limited number of books (so far, 1Samuel and
portions of Judges,
2Samuel,
1Chronicles,
and the Psalms).
The work done on the other
books will be handy for reference material, albeit, incomplete.
Whereas, these are good commentaries on the Pentateuch
and the first
couple books of historical narrative, I don’t see them as my best work
by any means. At this point in time, 1and 2Samuel and a few of
the
psalms and a few chapters of 1Chronicles represent my best work, and a
pastor or a student can look at
these for a thorough, one-stop, exegetical study of these books.
Also, I have begun a study of the book of Genesis, designed, for the most
part, to provide bite-sized portions of this book in each lesson, with
an attempt to present the material accurately without a complete Hebrew
exegesis. There is introductory material (HTML)
(PDF),
along with the first 100 lessons (HTML)
(PDF).
All of the
study that you might need to do in the Hebrew and in most categories
related to this book has been done for you. My exegesis of
1Samuel is about 4000 pages, so you may rest assured that almost every
question that has ever come to your mind about this book has been
answered or, at least, proposed, within these 4000 pages.
Apart from these exegetical studies, I have posted two notable studies:
the first one is on the Doctrine
of
Tongues. I have probably the most thorough
examination of this spiritual gift, and I have included an historical
perspective of the charismatic movement, which I think is most
telling. Furthermore, I also provide within this study the
correct explanation for 1Cor. 13:1,
which explanation I do not believe
has ever been properly taught before (however, I have been in
communication with two pastors who have or will be teaching this in the
near future, so it will be explained and it will get out there).
You must bear in mind that
almost every tongues-speaking church hangs its hat on this one verse;
and,
without this verse to back them up, there are no tongues of angels
spoken of anywhere else in Scripture. The sad misinterpretation
of this verse is
the very foundation for the tongues movement. You take this away,
and there is no foundation for tongues being equivalent to speaking
gibberish in church.
The second notable study in this book is an examination of the various English
translations of Scripture. I must admit that I entered
this study with a particular viewpoint and attitude, which changed
after studying the huge variety of translations which are available to
the English speaking world. You may find the discussions of the
individual books to sometimes be tedious (I need to fix that); however,
near the end of this study, I have a great many principles summarized
and put into an easy to follow table. If you are trying to
determine which is going to be your primary Bible or whether you should
add one or two Bibles to your collection, it is here that you will
probably find your answer. I am critical of some of these
translations from time to time, but I have found many of them to have
some great selling points as well (including the Good News Bible and
the Contemporary English Version, which Bibles did not light my fire at
first glance).
Apart from this, I do have a number of doctrines included throughout,
usually designed to be taught within the context or this or that
passage, but which doctrines will also provide you a thorough and
well-researched perspective on the topic or topics covered.
Although I tend to go overboard when it comes to detail, many of these
doctrines are also summarized or reduced in size to cover the most
succinct points.
As an aside, I love having the privilege, time and ability to do
this. I am, however, less enthusiastic about proofreading.
So, there will be typographical errors and some other errors
throughout. These are unintentional; but God did not give me the
gift of proofreading. : )
Obviously, you should not represent any of this work as your own, and
if
you quote from it, you should indicate the source. Much of my
work quotes other sources, and references will be found
throughout. Even if there is a thought or a point of view which
did not occur to me, I will usually cite the person whose work
suggested this point of view to me.
As I studied these books with a ferocious thoroughness, I was surprised
to unearth an occasional truth or interpretation here and there which I
believe has not been presented before.
Don’t misunderstand me—you
are not going to find any weird doctrines and points of view which
contradict orthodox theology in this site—but now and again, you are
going to come across a passage, it will be explained to you, and a
light will go on in your head. “Well, damn,” you’ll say to
yourself, “that makes sense now!” Several examples stand out in
my mind: (1) why the gospel is less perspicuous in the Old
Testament than in the New? (2) The correct exegesis of 1Cor.
13:1. (3) Why did God bring Samuel back from the dead to speak to
Saul? There was nothing that Samuel said to Saul that could not
have been known in another way (in fact, I don't think that Samuel told
Saul much of anything). (4) Why did Jesus turn water into wine
for his first public miracle? Isn't that sort of a parlor
trick? Why did Jesus heal someone for his first public
miracle? These are
not earth-shattering truths which will shake your doctrinal foundation;
however, they will help you to put things into perspective, and your
theological ideology is going to have fewer holes as a result. As
you come across these things, you'll either remark to yourself, or I never looked at it that way before or
now that passage
makes sense!
One final note: my profession, for most of my life, was a teacher, and
principally of geometry. What I primarily tried to get across to
my students is the logical progression of thought in that mathematical
science. I try to bring that same logical progression of thought
into these works that you will find within. And, once and
awhile I succeed at this.
The Purpose of this Website
It might be important for you to understand my motivation in creating
this web page. First of all, I don’t want any money and I
provide
no means in this web site for you to send me money. I am not
looking for a pastorate; as that is not my spiritual
gift. I don’t need any sort of following nor am I looking for any
sort of following. Believe me, the last thing I want to do have a
handful of people look to me for guidance; and no way do I want to lead
anyone else’s life for them. My only intent is to provide
information on the Word of God, acting almost more like an editor than
an author in most cases, although I do occasionally offer an unique
insight or perspective now and again (at least, I have found no one
else offering the
same information). My only intent is to be as accurate and as
thorough as possible.
Beginning with the books of Judges and Samuel and including some of the
psalms, I am hoping to provide the most thorough approach to that
book—that is, even for a pastor preparing a lesson, I am hoping that
the material found on any chapter, verse or book is going to be
sufficient for a complete understanding of same. If anything, I
repeat certain points too much and, if anything, I have too much
information on the passages which I cover. My exegesis of 1Samuel
is about 4000 typewritten pages. If there is more than one
strongly held position of the meaning of this passage or that, then I
stop and explore that issue thoroughly. If I can take a stand, I
do. If the passage is sufficiently difficult, and the position to
take for me is difficult, then I will tell you so. I’m not afraid
to say, “Hey, I’m guessing here.” Or, “These are the three
predominant viewpoints, and here are the pros and cons—you choose.”
My intent here is to making easier research and then teaching of the
passages which I have covered. If you’re a pastor, and you decide
to use the material here to help you put together an exegetical study
of the book of Judges or the books of Samuel, I think that, after a few
hours study, you will see that referring to your other commentaries
will be fruitless; that other commentators simply do not have the depth
to really devote a thorough examination of the
books I have covered.
That being said, I do offer particular points of view. Even
though, at one time, I did examine various cults and movements as
possible sources of understanding, I now shun all cults and cultic
behaviors (and I recommend that you do the same). There are a few
insights which I offer which were not taught before (to the best of my
knowledge), but these insights do not conflict with orthodoxy, nor do
they involve new mechanics or any sort of radical redevelopment of the
faith as it has come down to us. In these very few areas, I know
there is a reason for it, not necessarily associated immediately with
the Church Age, but with the Age that is to come.
Let me offer you an example: the
book of Esther. This is a unique book of Scripture, as there is
no direct mention of God and I believe all of the attempts to insert
God’s name into this book are deviations from the truth. Every
explanation which I have heard in the past concerning this unique
aspect is either patently false or simply does not ring entirely
true. Furthermore, some key elements of the book of Esther are
ignored:
1. Very few Christians know anything about the book
of Esther.
Yes, of course, very few Christians know anything
about anything; but this ignorance is even more pronounced with respect
to the book of Esther.
2. On the other hand, the book of Esther is one of
the few books of the Old Testament which many Jews, even semi-religious
ones, are well-acquainted with. Most Jews know enough, when the
book of Esther is read, to hiss when the name of Haman is read.
Most Christians upon hearing this reaction for the first time would be
perplexed.
3. The Jews are scattered among the nations today,
and are relatively successful; just like the Jews in the book of
Esther.
4. The Jews give no thought to God in the book of
Esther, even though God’s presence and actions cry out to us from this
book. It is as though the Jews of the book of Esther, the Jews
who find themselves in a foreign nation, no longer recognize the God
Who continues to preserve them and continues to reveal His love for
them in all of His actions.
5. These Jews in the book of Esther are just like the
Jews of today—even the religious Jews. They do not recognize the
God Who bought them; they do not recognize the true God Who formed
them. They are separated from this God even though this God
continues to love and preserve them.
6. At some point in time, the book of Esther will
be
read at the Feast of Purim, and some Jew, under the influence of God
the Holy Spirit, will say, “We are the Jews in this book—we do not know
the God Who continues to love us and continues to preserve us. We
have refused to see the True God of Israel in our lives. We have
faced the attacks of man and of Satan again and again in our past, and
God has preserved us as a people; and yet, we do not know this God; we
do not acknowledge this God. We have refused to recognize that
the God of Israel is Jesus Christ, Who offered Himself to us, and Whom
we keep rejecting, just as the Scriptures record our rejections of God
many times in the past.
The Jews in the book of Esther fast and they go through various
ceremonies,
but they do not seem to know God—they are just like us today!”
God preserved and protect them, but they did not realize that it was
God; God preserves and protects us today, but we do not know who He is
either.
7. From here, one could read the many Old Testament
passages of the Jews going after other gods, or of the numerous
warnings from God that the Jews would be scattered throughout the
world, or of the many prophecies fulfilled in the person of Jesus
Christ. And at this point, the person of Jesus Christ will be
revealed to many who are listening to that teaching.
8. For these Jews, at some point in the future, the
book of Esther and how it relates to them today is going to click; they
will understand it. They know it and they have read it many
times, but, at some point in time, the message of the book of Esther is
going to make direct contact with their souls and they will
understand. "For I will
pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a
spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on
him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for
an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a
firstborn." (Zech. 12:10).
You
see, since my interests tend to focus on the Old Testament, I believe
that much of what is found in these web pages will be taught at the
appropriate time in the future. Much of this information,
although applicable and important to believers in the Church Age, is
going to be more pertinent to the Jews in the Age to come.
I should mention that, even though I was spiritually raised in Berachah
Church (and still attend there), I am not beholden to them nor is this
site sponsored by them in any way, shape or form. Although I
certainly agree with them in all major points of doctrine, there will
be an occasional interpretation here or there, and a minor doctrine,
where we may not see eye to eye on. I am not related in any way
to any church or organization that I link to, to any theologian that I
quote, or to any seminary or denomination. The only restrictions
that I am under is my own conscience and the teaching ministry of God
the Holy Spirit. I attempt at 100% accuracy, and would be
overjoyed if I attain 98–99% accuracy. The key is this: there is
no earthly reward or tie which has any effect upon what I teach in this
web site. However, I will readily admit to greatly enjoying this
study.
Now, for the most part, there will be few laymen who are interested in
this site. I believe that oral teaching is the primary means by
which those who are not in the clergy learn their doctrine, and I have
provided plenty of links to sites where this information can be
obtained orally. In this day and age of computers, there is no
excuse for anyone not to make use of the vast resources of the
internet. If you have a true interest in the Word of God, God
will lead you to accurate teaching. As a very young believer, you
would not believe all the material that I read, searching for the
truth, including a great deal of cultic literature. However, God
led me in a very short time to the careful and consistent teaching of
Bob Thieme, Jr. (I refer to his teaching from the 1960's into the
mid-1970's).
I hope, in these many pages, to provide a shortcut for some overworked
pastor or two. You may not have the time, but you have the desire
to teach more often than you are teaching. These studies gather a
great deal of information and make this available to you with very
little digging. The only thing that I ask is to give credit where
credit is due. You will note, all quotations found in here are
all referenced. I do not pretend to be some theological genius;
just someone who can reasonably edit accurate points of view expressed
throughout the past several centuries. And, now and again, I have
a fresh or interesting approach to a passage, or an insight, which I
have not seen presented before.
What you will also find here is most of the variant readings, some of
which I have included even when they seem to make little or no
difference in interpretation of the text (1Sam. 26:23 for
example).
I also offer many of the alternate explanations; however, I am not as
thorough in this respect, as I tend to ignore many of the
understandings which appear to be devotional, but are seemingly devoid
of any real content. Most of the time, I will take a stand on the
understanding of a verse, yet often offer arguments for and against my
opinion and opposing opinions.
Now, I am not really interested in getting into theological arguments
with anyone else because the standard approach is to make a point, and
then name a few passages which support this point. You can prove
almost anything using this approach, particularly if context and
relevant passages are ignored.
I am not really in the business of answering questions, although I may
answer a few. My experience in the past is, most people with
questions have not really taken the time to learn God’s Word in the
first place. Others tend to focus on the most irrelevant
minutiae. I may answer an occasional question or two; but that is
not my focus.
This is not a website which is a jumping off point to point to your
website. I have a list of links and I will consider links offered
by others. However, I have noticed that some people are only
concerned with spreading legalism and lies over the internet, offering
that 3 or 4 or 5 steps to salvation (there is only one step, by the
way).
Finally, it was not until 1Sam. 13 when I set up a more user-friendly
approach to the exegetical study of God’s Word (which I have begun to
backtrack and insert in previous books—at present, Judges and
1Samuel). What I find, for instance, in the teaching of Keil and
Delitzsch is that they tend to be rather dense. That is, it
requires 30 minutes to unravel a few sentences or two, even though the
information they provide is generally accurate and helpful. Even
with the teachings of R. B. Thieme, Jr., there is the intermixture of
the original languages with the exegesis. Now, exegesis is
dependent upon the correct translation, which is dependent upon the
original languages. However, some people do not want to wade
through the Greek or the Hebrew in order to understand a passage.
Therefore, I have designed these pages so that one can easily skip over
the Hebrew, but yet be able to refer back to it when he questions this
translation or that. This was actually in response to someone who
criticized my constant references to the Hebrew, which was previously
mixed in with the explanation of each verse. I could see how it
would be easy to miss some of the important points here or there,
because of skimming over the sections with the Hebrew. Therefore,
I separated the Hebrew (and Greek) into tables (1) so that each and
every Hebrew word and its morphology could be easily found and
examined; (2) and so that the Hebrew could be ignored when the reader
chooses to ignore it.
My earliest studies, such as the book of Genesis, are so
woefully
superficial that even I am embarrassed. However, I will include
those on the internet until the day that I update them. If I had
time and the energy, I would update everything from Genesis to the
first part of 1Samuel. However, my primary constriction is that,
I can only study for so many hours (2–4 a day) before running out of
gas.
As it stands now, what you will find in my studies of Genesis and Exodus
are good supplementary studies; in Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy,
and Joshua,
most of what you need to know about those
books can be found in my exegesis; and in Judges, Ruth and 1Samuel (as
well as a portion of 1Chronicles and some of the Psalms), you can glean
almost everything you need to know from what I present here. The
biggest drawback in my approach to most of these books, is that the
Hebrew exegesis is mixed in with the analysis of the verse, and some
may find that disconcerting or unwieldy (I am beginning to deal with
that problem). In 1Samuel and in many of the Psalms, the Hebrew
exegesis is set up in such a way so that you can easily bypass it or
use it, whichever you prefer.
I hope that you are blessed and edified by the studies which I offer
herein. Or, I hope, in the alternative, that you explore the
links which I have provided and find solid teaching on the other end of
that mouse click. There are some outstanding pastor-teachers out
there available through the internet, whose teachings can be downloaded
or ordered; and I on my links page, I have provided you the websites of
those pastors. For about 95–99% of the believers out there, your
best approach is to get under the vocal teaching of a pastor; that is
God’s intent and God’s plan for you. If you are living in a city
where there are no good, doctrinal churches, then the alternative is to
download or order the studies of a good, ICE pastor (one who teaches
isagogics, categories and exegesis) and study those lessons regularly
and faithfully.
Now, I do need some help:
Just in case you have read down this far. I am coming across on
the average one minor mistake per verse so I do need a
proofreader. The typical mistakes are, indicating that there is a
definite article, when there is not one; or leaving off the 3rd
person masculine singular suffix, or representing a perfect tense and
an imperfect tense. Quite franky, I just get bored with
proofreading, so I rarely do it. I need someone who has a small
understanding of Hebrew, possesses Owen's Analytical Guide to the Old
Testament,
who will simply go through the Hebrew, word by word, and make certain
that I have the correct words and the correct morphology. It is
thankless and almost mindless work, as you would simply compare the
Strong's numbers to those given in the KJV+ (in, for instance, e-sword)
to what I have; and compare the morphology found in Owen to what I
list. I would prefer to be accurate in these areas, and have made
every attempt to be; however, now and again I am not.
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