Do you want to learn about St. Augustine's Conversion experience, who witnessed to him, and what other factors led to his coming to faith in Christ? This article will answer these questions and more. Augustine is already a Christian intellectually at the beginning of Book VIII of his Confessions, but he is not able to relinquish [...]
Do you know the occasion and purpose for the writing to the Galatians. Who were the opponents of Paul in Galatia? What was the nature of the opponents’ doctrine and how did Paul respond to it? This article will answer these questions and more. In the face of Jewish opposition, the southern region of Galatia had been fertile soil for [...]
Do you know the events that led to the Trial of Jesus that created conflict between Jesus and the Jewish and Roman authorities during Jesus’ last week. This article explains this as well as the Jewish and Roman phases of Jesus’ trial and which parts of this trial were contrary to Jewish law? Lea (2003) presents five specific conflicts with [...]
Have you ever spent time comparing the Gospels. This article summarizes the differences and similarities between the beginnings of each Gospel. Explains what these differences tell us about the emphasis of the authors in each Gospel and describes the details of Jesus’ birth and childhood. It also offers a contrast between the accounts of Matthew and Luke. How are they [...]
How do the beliefs of the Jewish Sects of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes compare? Are there parts of these groups’ beliefs that can be agreed with? Why? Which party controlled the Temple and was apparently on better terms with the Romans. Pharisees were one of the most influential Jewish sects during the time of Christ with a strong zeal [...]
What is a good definition of the biblical canon and what is the basic criteria and chronology of the formation of the New Testament canon. Why did early Christians feel a need to establish an authoritative list of Scripture? What element in the criteria is most important? Which element is least important? What are the reasons why these particular elements [...]
