Jesus and the Syrophoenician Woman: Gentile Salvation
Syrophoenician is the word for someone who lived in Phoenicia during the time in which it was part of the Roman province Syria, as it was during the time of Jesus's ministry. It's a combination of the words Syria and Phoenicia....
Was Jesus a Rabbi?
In the New King James version of the Bible, Jesus is first called a Rabbi by Judas, in Matthew 26:25: “Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, ‘Rabbi, is it I?’” The context for this verse is significant: Jesus ha...
Jerry Bridges and The Navigators: A Protestant Order
The Navigators was originally founded in 1933 on a battleship stationed in Long Beach, on the coast of California. A civilian named Dawson Trotman mentored one of the sailors on the ship, teaching him how to pray and to read an...
Greg Bahnsen: Apologist and Presbyterian Minister
Greg Bahnsen was a Presbyterian minister. He earned both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology, and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 1975. He is probably best known for being a disciple and close friend of Cor...
Merari: Son of Levi and Ancestor of Judith
According to the Abarim Publications website (a dubious theological source but good for etymology), the name Merari (מררי), means “bitter” or “strong” (as in having a strong taste) in Hebrew: “The name Merari, like other Levite...
Resen: One of the Cities of Nimrod
Resen is a city mentioned in Genesis 10:12: “Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 And t...
Maher-Shala-Hash-Baz, the Son of the Prophet Isaiah
The book of Isaiah features a long name: Maher-Shala-Hash-Baz. It is often considered the longest name in the Bible, though that depends on how you count. It first occurs in Isaiah 8:1: “Moreover the Lord said to me, ‘Take a la...
The Baptism of Poland: Unification and Christianization
Mieszko I was born around AD 930 and ruled from 960 until 992—over thirty years. He was baptized on Holy Saturday, April 14, 966, which serves as a good official date for the Christianization of Poland—at least the beginning of...