The Bible and Culture - Latest Comments

Re: You Mean the Context Matters when you Study the Bible?

Summers-lad — Sat, 30 May 2026 06:40:59 -0000

This looks good, but who is the speaker/author and where can the book be bought?

Re: The Odyssey– Part One

Derek — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:32:48 -0000

Hi Ben, read Emily Wilson's translation, it has received high praise indeed. She certainly has prose and it reads as poetry. I am reading her translation of the Iliad at the moment and it is fantastic. Highly recommend you purchase her two translations of The Odyssey and The Iliad. I know you will appreciate the hard work she has put into re-translating these wonderful ancient works.

Blessings,
Derek

Re: The Difference between Pagan and Christian views of Deity

Derek — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:59:48 -0000

I am re-reading the Iliad at the moment. The new translation by Emily Wilson. It is a brilliant translation. The best I have read so far. She has also translated a new translation of the Odyssey as well. I have that too, but not begun reading that yet.
Hope you doing well Ben.
Blessings

Re: Lanier Library in North Houston

Derek — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:29:50 -0000

That is why I have my own personal library (which has taken me years to build up) of around 2,000 books on various subjects and the value of books must never be undermined. I prefer a good book in my hand than a kindle or tablet! Some of the scholarly volumes I have, cannot be found anywhere else, they are extremely rare. Lanier is brilliant man in so many ways. I have his books which are very good.

Re: About Seals in the NT

Derek — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:20:29 -0000

After making mention of several creatures, Paul then states "Nor any other creature" that includes you and I. Paul makes sure that there is no question or doubt that there is NOTHING that can "separate us from the love of God". As 'creatures' who have trusted in Christ Jesus we cannot be separated from being objects of God's everlasting love. No change in that condition between a child of God and God's love, to say that we are not included in that list, is a flat out denial of what God's word clearly states.

Re: The Truth Will Set You Free, Because It Will Not Let You Be

Brian McInerney — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:05:50 -0000

The paperback seems to be available now [in a couple of days] from Amazon.

Re: Shakespeare’s Speech Critiquing the Mistreating Immigrants

Derek — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:21:12 -0000

Ben, its not the same thing, and you know it. Those who ICE are going after are illegally in the USA, majority are criminals of gang crime, drug crime, even sexually assaulting and killing U.S. citizens etc, they are involved in massive fraud, such as in Minnesota, (and Ohio where my brother lives) and other States, and they even admit freely on social media platforms that they are in the U.S. in order to get all they can and they do not want to be American. It's only about what they can steal. So wake up Ben! They are not upstanding good people but mostly thieves, drug dealers, sex offenders and murderers.

Why would you want such individuals in the States? Mind boggles! Shame on you for supporting such people. They should be arrested and thrown out of America. Period! To use a Shakespeare speech to defend these criminals is beyond words!!!. Countries have laws for a reason and they must be upheld. Those who get injured or shot dead, have brought it on themselves because they refuse to obey the simple instructions of the law enforcement officer, plus they shouldn't be in the U.S. in the first place, they are illegally there. These leftist idiots protesting also- need to wake up. They ought to all be arrested for impeding law enforcement.

Btw, big difference between a legal immigrant and an illegal immigrant, and big difference between an immigrant and a settler... these immigrants (most whom are criminals) do not wish to give back into America but to simply take (and that comes out your taxes) but settlers wish to be American and to build a life in America, work and not drain the economy through socialist hand outs (which illegals ought not receive but they do), and give back to the country that has afforded them such opportunities.

We have similar problem in the UK with illegals (and we want them all out of the UK) but thankfully (the fraud is not on same scale as America) but the criminal activity from these individuals is high, especially sexual assaults.

You need to do a re-think.
Blessings

Re: C.S. Lewis on Distinguishing God’s Voice from your Thoughts

Chad Gibbons — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:05:01 -0000

I think this might be an AI lecture. I suspect someone asked ChatGPT to create a talk in the style of CS Lewis.

Re: C.S. Lewis on Distinguishing God’s Voice from your Thoughts

Glenn Gilda — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:18:52 -0000

I did a little more checking on YouTube and found out that this video is from an "Echoes of C.S. Lewis" channel which explains its content as follows:
"Here, you’ll discover your pathway to a deeper and more meaningful connection with God. At Echoes Of C.S Lewis, we explore the essence of Christian faith through prayer, biblical insights, and personal reflection, often drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom of C.S. Lewis. While not all content directly reflects his works, our mission is to help you grow in your faith and strengthen your journey with Christ. Whether you’re seeking spiritual guidance, comfort during difficult times, or a way to enrich your relationship with God, Echoes Of C.S Lewis is here to support you."

Re: C.S. Lewis on Distinguishing God’s Voice from your Thoughts

Glenn Gilda — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:23:01 -0000

The reference to "social media" part of the way through is not from C.S. Lewis since it didn't exist back in his day. I think the content is actually quite helpful but wish it didn't imply C.S. Lewis as the sole source. I would like to hope that someone actually paraphrased his writing and applied it to today's circumstances (as opposed to someone asking AI to generate these thoughts in the style of C.S. Lewis), although whoever sourced this should state as such.

Re: C.S. Lewis on Distinguishing God’s Voice from your Thoughts

Chad Gibbons — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 03:42:17 -0000

This is almost certainly not CS Lewis.

Re: You Say You Want a Revolution?

Roger McKinney — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:34:44 -0000

Jesus claimed his teachings weren't revolutionary but the correct interpretation of the Torah.

Re: The Problem with Christian Nationalism at Christmas

Brian Bergman — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:13:10 -0000

Thank you for your article. You state that there is nothing wrong with a Christian loving his or her country, but that love should be secondary to love for God. In subordinating country to Christ, can an American Christian pledge allegiance to the United States, or is that act contrary to the subordination that you suggest?

Re: Advice for those Studying the Bible

Roger McKinney — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 10:52:30 -0000

Excellent points! I would add that people should get a good book on hermeneutics. Test every idea to see if it follows good principles of hermeneutics. Following good hermeneutics would solve most debates.

Re: The Problem with Christian Nationalism at Christmas

Roger McKinney — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:28:36 -0000

PS, those who claim to be Christian nationalists, like Patrick Deneen and Steven Wolf don't know Biblical principles of government.

Re: The Problem with Christian Nationalism at Christmas

Roger McKinney — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:20:25 -0000

The religious beliefs of our founding fathers is irrelevant. They didn't invent any new ideas about government. They took pride in the fact that they weren't innovators. They were trying to reclaim ancient liberties.

Those ancient liberties, especially the rights to life, liberty and property came from theologians during the Reformation at the University of Salamanca. The Dutch Republic first implemented them. Adam Smith called them the system of natural liberty. Marxists called them capitalism. That is the history of capitalism as told by the best economic scholars, most of whom aren't Christians.

By our Revolution, atheists like Hume and Paine and deists like Jefferson and Franklin embraced them. But that doesn't change their origin in Christianity. Those principles on which our Declaration of Independence and Constitution are founded were unique to Christianity for centuries. That makes the US a Christian nation regardless of what Jefferson, Franklin or anyone else believed.

The fact that Christ's kingdom is not of this world is also irrelevant. No one thinks they can build Christ's kingdom through politics. But self government is a precious gift from God that we should steward well and not despise by refusing to get involved in politics. That requires learning Biblical principles of government and voting for the politicians mostly closely representing them while accepting that Jesus will never be on any ballot.

Re: The Lasalette Shrine In Attleboro–Part Two

Don Bryant — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 06:47:07 -0000

Been there many a time. It's a must in our area of Southeastern MA.

Re: Be Thou My Vision

terry fry — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:55:05 -0000

I first heard it sung by 2nd Chapter of Acts on one of their hymn albums. Then Michael Card did it on his Starllighter album. I always enjoyed this hymn. Thank you for presenting it here.

Re: The Chosen–Season Five

Timothy Archer — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:47:28 -0000

I don't know if it changes your opinion, but I don't think you recognized that it was Joseph who appeared to Jesus in the Garden. It wasn't God the Father in human form.

The actor is Raj Bond and played Joseph in previous seasons.

Re: The Chosen–Season Five

Derek — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:03:24 -0000

Ben, are you unaware that The Chosen is greatly influenced by the Mormon Church? No wonder they got the Heavenly Father appearing in human form. Why are Evangelical Christians watching this rubbish? Mind boggles! Biblical illiteracy for one thing. New Testament scholar endorsing it? What? The information about the Chosen is readily available, so no excuse. Plus the Jewish 'authenticity' of the program is simply a deceptive enticement to watch it because they want to portray the gospel account in that way to draw people to watch the chosen. I would never watch it, it's just one more way for the Mormon Church to deceive people and get their foot in the door. There are a number of excellent articles out there dealing with the program and its Mormon influence. Ok not produced by the Mormon church, but the Mormon influence and false doctrines are sprinkled throughout it. Biblical accuracy throughout the programs is sadly lacking from all I've read and been told by those who have seen it (including my Mother, who was appalled at the errors throughout it and stopped watching it). New believers in the Lord need to be protected from this guff. Get into the Bible and read and study the gospels themselves, forget The Chosen is my advise.

Dallas Jenkins, though an Evangelical, has stated that he has a relationship with the Mormon Church. Why? He calls them 'brothers', what? Plus he stated they "believe in the same Jesus as I do" what? A false Jesus who is half brother of Lucifer um I don't think so. Crazy stuff. Get back to the Bible. Forget The Chosen. No wonder biblical illiteracy is at an all time high.

Re: The Chosen–Season Five

Steve Bauer — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:33:52 -0000

But then there is Jesus encountering his heavenly father in human form, and being reassured that they will be reunited later. And this is frankly too much, as it changes the whole tone of the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and makes no sense of the later cry of dereliction from the cross— ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me…’

This scene "jumps the shark," and to me, at least, is a concession to Mormonism.

Re: A Helpful, Detailed Review of the NRSVue

David deSilva — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 11:45:20 -0000

I participated in the revisions of Hebrews and 4 Maccabees for the NRSVue. There have been a number of good and important corrections (as well as highly tendentious changes), but I'm also not relinquishing my NRSV!

Re: Watching the Chosen– A Review of the Review

Brian Roden — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 17:12:50 -0000

As a Pentecostal (with our affinity for Luke's accounts)< I must point out that by word count, Luke wrote more of the NT than Paul did.

Re: Miletus Museum Grave Art

Steve Pressley — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 18:12:45 -0000

Yeah, I can't open the photos either.

Re: Italy’s Hidden Gem–Orvieto Part 1

john sloan — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 12:37:24 -0000

Why am I not seeing your embedded pictures in this and the last few posts? I can see them in other author's posts🤔