Field notes on the biblical text, divine council, and the ancient world. Working-class IT guy in Ohio. Door open.
Ohio
Joined April 2022
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James McLaughlin retweeted
Thanks for 400 followers! You all are crazy for following me.
Anyway, I’ve posted quite a bit about historical-critical scholarship in the past, but as a dialectical jester, I think it’s time to turn my criticism toward the discipline itself.
I’m going to examine what I consider to be its most questionable underlying assumptions, including those found in conservative scholarship, though that won’t be my primary focus.
My contention is that some of these assumptions are so foundational that, once challenged, entire scholarly frameworks begin to collapse. I want to examine how much of what passes for established scholarship actually rests on conclusions demonstrated by the evidence, and how much rests on assumptions that scholars have simply inherited.
James McLaughlin retweeted
I have written about this in my novel The Sons Of Herod
amzn.eu/d/0hexnaov
2,000 YEARS AGO, A MYSTERIOUS PROPHET CLAIMED HE COULD REVEAL SACRED OBJECTS HIDDEN BY MOSES.
THE ROMANS KILLED HIS FOLLOWERS BEFORE HE COULD SHOW THEM.
Around 36 CE, just a few years after the crucifixion of Jesus, another religious figure appeared in Samaria claiming he could reveal something extraordinary.
We don't even know his name.
History remembers him simply as the Samaritan Prophet.
The Jewish historian Josephus recorded the account in Antiquities of the Jews, written in the first century CE.
According to Josephus, this man began gathering followers by claiming he knew where sacred objects belonging to Moses had been buried beneath Mount Gerizim.
Mount Gerizim was the holiest place in Samaritan religion. Their ancient temple had been destroyed more than a century earlier, and their people believed a future prophet like Moses would eventually restore their religion.
Then this mysterious man appeared, claiming he could reveal sacred objects hidden there.
People believed him.
They began gathering in a village called Tirathana, preparing to climb the mountain together. Josephus tells us that many arrived carrying weapons.
But they never made it.
Pontius Pilate, the same Roman governor who had sentenced Jesus to death, sent soldiers to block the roads leading up the mountain.
Roman cavalry and infantry attacked the gathering.
People were killed. Others were captured. Several leading figures were later executed.
And the promised sacred objects were never revealed.
The Samaritan leaders complained to the Roman governor of Syria, accusing Pilate of killing people who had not intended to rebel against Rome.
The complaint was taken seriously.
Pilate was ordered to return to Rome and answer for his actions. He was removed from his position, and his ten-year rule in Judea came to an end.
An unnamed religious figure appeared around the same time as Jesus, claimed he could reveal sacred objects connected to Moses, gathered a large following, and set off a chain of events that helped end Pontius Pilate's career.
We don't know whether the prophet himself was killed. We don't know what happened to his surviving followers.
And we have absolutely no evidence that the objects he promised to reveal actually existed.
Josephus even portrays the man as a deceiver, although we only have his account to work with.
What interests me is how little we hear about these other religious figures who appeared around the same time as Jesus.
There were people claiming to be prophets, promising divine signs, and gathering followers throughout the region.
Some were killed. Some disappeared from history. Others became the centre of religious movements.
And this particular man, whose name wasn't even preserved, was involved in one of the final incidents of Pontius Pilate's career.
James McLaughlin retweeted
I like Mike Winger. I really do. But since he felt compelled to weigh in on Wes Huff, I suppose I’ll return the favor.
First, did y’all catch the “Before any of you even knew @WesleyLHuff, I did” line?
Well, glory be, @MikeWingerii! How impressive. Should we applaud now or wait for the autobiography?
Then came, “I still consider him a friend.”
Well, why WOULDN’T you? Unless, of course, you were about to throw him under the bus.
Oops.
And what’s with all the smiling and nervous laughter? You’re discussing something you insist is “super serious,” yet you’re practically giggling through it. Interesting presentation, Mike.
“The allegations are serious.”
Serious to whom? Academia? Certainly. They have standards, procedures, and investigations for precisely this reason.
But to the rest of us? Are we supposed to clutch our pearls over the HORRORS of having been exposed to Wes Huff?
He’s submitted the matter to the appropriate academic institutions. What exactly would you like him to do now? Publicly flog himself? Beg forgiveness from the YouTube Council of Christian Accountability?
And Mike, remember when you said Wes was amazing on Joe Rogan?
Did you mean it?
Because even if every academic allegation against Wes were ultimately proven true, would that somehow erase the impact of his appearance on Rogan?
Of course not. But you’re “concerned.”
So help me understand this cute little public moral obligation you suddenly feel for X.
Are you speaking as a concerned friend? (Now you know that’s a good one 😂) Or have you appointed yourself spokesman for the Christian community again, graciously demanding transparency on behalf of us poor, helpless believers?
Especially when you’ve already admitted you DON’T know the full truth yourself?
Here’s a thought: Let the qualified institutions investigate. Let the evidence speak. And let the man answer for whatever they actually establish.
You don’t have to publicly distance yourself from someone to demonstrate your commitment to integrity.
And you certainly don’t have to dress it up as friendship.
Just be you, Mike. Nobody needs a carefully cushioned public rebuke of Wes Huff masquerading as some courageous act of Christian leadership.
👉 From where I’m sitting, it looks less like accountability and more like you finding the nearest ladder while making sure we all know how reluctantly you’re climbing it. Brava, Miguel.
There. Now we can still be friends, right?
Let us know how Wes answers you when you ask him that. 😉
I’ve waited to say more until Wes could give his update. But I feel morally compelled to share this now and hope it is a service to the Christian community and that things move in a more transparent direction soon with my friend, Wes Huff.
youtube.com/live/_oDotgbGbF0…
James McLaughlin retweeted
Check out the first two books of the House Of Herod trilogy.
Kingdom Of Herod: The Epic Story Of Herod The Great Of Judea (House of Herod Book 1) amzn.eu/d/0aU2G00J
The Sons Of Herod (House of Herod Book 2) amzn.eu/d/0bBOWgWD
Both are part of Kindle Unlimited.
#Herod #KingHerod #Bible #Rome #Judea
James McLaughlin retweeted
They named it "king lizard." It was a whale.
Basilosaurus bones turned up in Louisiana and Alabama. Richard Owen saw two-rooted teeth, unknown in any fish or reptile, and called it a mammal.
Up to 66 feet long. State fossil of Alabama and Mississippi.
Made for the deep.
ALT A long fossil whale skull with an open mouth full of sharp pointed front teeth and jagged saw-edged back teeth, mounted against a dark blue museum backdrop.
James McLaughlin retweeted
Adding to Faithfulness’s beautiful piece—
An unmarried woman pregnant was socially shamed. God gave Mary a kind-hearted woman who would not shame her.
Elizabeth was solace to Mary. Together they would have discussed how Mary could cope with suspicion, slander and shunning.
In Luke 1, Mary asked one of the most consequential questions in Scripture: "How will this be?" It stands right beside Moses at the burning bush asking, "What shall I tell them your name is?"
The two could hardly be more different. Moses wanted an identity; Mary wanted a mechanism. Yet God answered both the same way, in different words:
He revealed Himself.
Moses asked on behalf of an enslaved nation looking backward: Who is behind the promise? Mary asked on behalf of creaturely limitation looking forward: How does an untouched womb bear life?
Mary's question carried no cynicism. As a daughter of the covenant, her reasoning was shaped by Scripture. Zechariah asked how he could be sure and was struck silent, while Mary asked how it would happen and was handed a sign she never sought.
When God sets out to convince her, He proves Himself a master teacher who honours human dignity. An almighty force imposing its will could never do that.
Gabriel begins with the mechanics:
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."
God could have stopped there. He owes no mortal an explanation. But ending at verse 35 would leave us with pure, unvarnished omnipotence, an "abracadabra."
Pagan deities operated on raw force, which only compels terrified compliance. It takes character to win willing surrender, and omnipotence alone cannot produce trust.
So He paired His power with His character.
Throughout Israel's history, barren wombs were Yahweh's signature territory. Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah: major turning points in redemption emerged where biology had failed. Sarah was the first testimony.
God could have said, "Remember Sarah?" For covenant memory, that was enough. Mary knew the scroll.
Yet after four centuries of prophetic silence, ancient miracles can feel like dead history. A God who acted two thousand years ago has a résumé; a God who acts right now has a living character. And character does not rest on memory, character repeats itself seamlessly.
And then God gave Mary a name: Elizabeth.
A woman past childbearing age, already six months pregnant in the hill country of Judea. Mary hurried there and encountered an immediate, Spirit-filled confirmation, blessed by a woman who had never heard Gabriel speak.
To Moses, God spoke the name: "I AM."
To Mary, God demonstrated it.
He showed her that the God who opened barren wombs in Genesis had not retired. He was still doing what He had always done, only a few days away. Elizabeth was the bridge. If God could revive an old, barren womb, Mary could trust Him to overshadow an untouched one.
Moses received the same kind of answer.
After the name came his objections. When he protested that he was slow of speech and asked God to send someone else, God answered with a man: Aaron the Levite, already on his way to meet him and glad to see him.
Elizabeth was already six months along, and Aaron was already walking. God had set the help in motion before either of them knew to ask for it.
When Gabriel closes in verse 37 with "For no word from God will ever fail," he deliberately echoes Genesis 18:14, God's question to Abraham about Sarah: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
The Greek confirms it: Luke reuses adynateō and rhēma, straight from the Septuagint's Genesis 18:14.
Gabriel tied Sarah to Elizabeth, and Elizabeth to Mary.
Most of us bring God the same vertical request Moses and Mary brought. Yet when He answers, He places the answer inside people.
Moses got a brother already on the road. Mary got a priest's household, staying three months with a woman who confirmed everything Gabriel declared.
God does not only work miracles from above. He settles us among His people, shows His character in their company, and works around us at the exact moment He works within us. When we ask Him how, part of the answer may already be walking towards us.
James McLaughlin retweeted
The Book of Enoch generates constant debate regarding its place in biblical history. While a minority of early church fathers and second Temple Jewish groups valued it, only the Ethiopian Church fully accepted 1 Enoch into its canon.
In this session, Dr. Michael Heiser breaks down the textual history of 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, and 3 Enoch, explaining how canon decisions were shaped by manuscript languages, the Greek Septuagint, the invention of the bound codex, and the Protestant Reformation's return to Hebrew manuscript evidence.
Watch the full video: youtu.be/96cAHaZmy7g
James McLaughlin retweeted
There is no evidence that Nibiru was thought to be a planet beyond Pluto or that it enters our solar system every 3,600 years.
A search of the Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL) maintained by the University of Oxford reveals that there are no cuneiform sources that associate the Anunnaki with Nibiru in any way or that have the Anunnaki coming from any celestial body.
There is also no cuneiform evidence that Nibiru was thought to be a planet beyond Pluto or that it enters our solar system every 3,600 years. Nor are there any cuneiform primary sources that describe the appearance of the Anunnaki.
Since the Ubaid culture was prehistoric, there is no writing on any Ubaid figurine to associate it with the Anunnaki, nor were the figurines found with any inscribed material to indicate they were the Anunnaki.
The Sumerian and Mesopotamian sources, therefore, do not support, in a single instance, any of the contemporary claims about the Anunnaki being reptilian aliens from Nibiru who visited Earth long ago.
Dive deeper into this topic.
fringepop321.com/who-are-the…
James McLaughlin retweeted
Mike Heiser often reminded his audience that we have a skewed view of God's activity. We assume He shows up in the spectacular—but most of the time, He's present in the stuff we never notice.
Learn more about the Unseen Realm: youtu.be/3wDcx9G2Oho
You can hear the full interview here: blurrycreatures.com/
#Heiser #Providence #GodsPresence #BibleStudy #Faith #Mundane #EverydayFaith
James McLaughlin retweeted
The most important thing about me is that I belong to Jesus.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation...” 2 Corinthians 5:17
He has forgiven my past, given me new life, and made me His own. That’s an identity worth resting in.
James McLaughlin retweeted
It's here!
Download your free copy of Kevin Grasso's new Greek textbook at readgreekdeeply.com
Reading Greek Deeply: A Linguistic, Exegetical, and Fluency-Based Introduction is published by De Gruyter Brill.
The online PDF is free and open-access, and print copies are available for purchase directly from De Gruyter: degruyterbrill.com/document/….
And that's not all folks: We are launching an interactive course version of the textbook complete with quizzes and exams - which you can access free here: biblingo.com/courses/reading….
In tandem, we are releasing a searchable Greek grammar wiki that is built on the bones of the textbook. Access the wiki here: biblingo.com/greek-wiki.
We hope the textbook and related resources will be useful in your pursuit of fluency in Koine Greek and a deeper understanding of the New Testament.
You may ask: why yet another Greek grammar in the crowded world of excellent Greek textbooks?
A few reasons:
(1) INTEGRATED WITH BIBLINGO
While it stands alone, this textbook also serves as the perfect companion to the Greek lessons in the Biblingo app. It is designed to provide a way for Biblingo learners to dive deeper into the grammar of Greek. Those of you who use Biblingo have already been using much of this material in draft form inside the app lessons.
(2) APPLICATION OF LINGUISTICS
This textbook seeks to apply the latest research in linguistics to the study of NT Greek.
Linguist Paul Kroeger (DIU) said: "The book models an integrated approach to linguistics and Biblical studies, illustrating some of the ways in which each tradition can benefit from the insights of the other."
(3) MARRIAGE OF METHODOLOGIES
With this project, Kevin aims to synthesize the best of varying approaches to learning Greek.
Greek professor @smehorn (HCU) says of the textbook: "I recommend it heartily to any students and especially teachers of Greek who are seeking to bridge the gap between living-language approaches and traditional grammar instruction.
4. UNIQUE INTEGRATION OF EXEGESIS
Rather than relegating exegesis to the later stages of learning Greek, this textbook integrates exegetical practice early and often.
New Testament scholar @jasonstaples said, "The interspersed exegetical sections are also of value on their own even beyond the demonstration of methods, making robust and sometimes novel cases for strong readings, though not all will agree with every conclusion. Highly recommended."
This textbook is adaptable for:
- Seminary and university classrooms (covers a typical 4 semesters of Greek)
- High-school study (can span 4 years of study)
- Self-study (serves as a fantastic complement to Biblingo)
Learn more at readgreekdeeply.com.
James McLaughlin retweeted
Nine days left in the Kickstarter campaign. We've revamped the project page a bit, to make it more image-forward for the final quarter.
This week, we'll share more information about the launch event. I've got guests lined up, and a band.
Learn more about and back the campaign here:
kickstarter.com/projects/hap…
James McLaughlin retweeted
Christian X does not represent real-world Christianity.
This is where heated theological debates happen, but most Christians in actual churches have no idea what we’re even arguing about.
Be careful taking everything from here back into your local church. Many people have never even read the entire Bible.
Passion and truth are good, but don't let them outpace love.
1 Corinthians 13:2
“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
James McLaughlin retweeted
1. In the Middle East, fig trees produce small edible buds before or alongside their leaves. Full leaves were an outward signal: "I have food." This tree had full leaves, advertising fruit it didn't actually have. It was a picture of hypocrisy.
2. In the Old Testament, the fig tree symbolized Israel’s spiritual health. Right after cursing the tree, Jesus went to the Temple and cleansed it. The religious leaders had plenty of "leaves" (showy rituals and noise) but no true "fruit" (justice, mercy, and genuine faith).
3. Why Not Force It to Bear Fruit?
Jesus used an enacted parable. Making the tree bear fruit would have missed the point. He used an inanimate tree to visually demonstrate the danger of spiritual hypocrisy so people could repent before it was too late.
4. God doesn't want showy leaves (outward religious displays). He desires genuine, heart-level fruit.
Authenticity over appearances, always.
James McLaughlin retweeted
Mike Heiser offered a framework for gently redirecting someone who's misinterpreting Scripture—without damaging them further.
Learn more about this topic: drmsh.com/heisers-laws-for-b…
#Heiser #BibleStudy #Hermeneutics #Interpretation #Grace #MajorOnTheMajors #Theology #UnseenRealm
James McLaughlin retweeted
The Church would be better served if more people could understand the important work of scholars in commentaries and other works.
What discipline in the world embraces a 90% failure rate and calls it a success and the right course to follow? Swimming instruction? (90% drown, but at least somebody’s using that skill). Explosives training? Emergency medicine? Construction engineers? Good guesses, but the answer is: seminary language training. We’re trying to improve what happens.
We don’t think the strategy of trying to turn people into translators can provide evidence that it’s actually working for the mass of seminary graduates. It seems to only be working for the people who emerge as doctoral students (people like me). While I’m thrilled that people like me emerge from the process (and I certainly have no regrets; I still memorize vocab and rehearse forms, even in Ugaritic and Egyptian), the Church would be better served if more people could understand the important work of scholars in commentaries and other works. Our efforts at Logos are no more complicated than that.
Dive deeper into this topic: drmsh.com/scholars-understan…
#heiser #unseenrealm #biblestudy
