Bible Interpretation

Bible Interpretation

dore-cain-abel

Sep 21

The Origin of Sin and Death in the Bible

By: Megan Sauter

What is the origin of sin and death in the Bible? Who was the first sinner?

Sep 3

Tabitha in the Bible

By: Robin Gallaher Branch

Biblical studies scholar Robin Gallaher Branch explores Luke’s depiction of a woman set on doing good for the poor and serving her friends, the widows, for whom she makes robes and clothing.

garden-of-eden-fall-of-man

Aug 29

Should We Take Creation Stories in Genesis Literally?

By: Robin Ngo

Were the creation stories in Genesis meant to be taken literally? Maybe not, says Biblical scholar Shawna Dolansky in her Biblical Views column “The Multiple Truths of Myths” in the January/February 2016 issue of BAR.

Aug 15

What Happened to Cain in the Bible?

By: Megan Sauter

In the Book of Genesis, we are told about Cain’s birth, his violent act of fratricide and his subsequent exile. We learn that he married and had descendants, but the Bible is strangely mute about his death.

Dante Inferno

Aug 8

Who Is Satan?

By: John Gregory Drummond

Does our modern conception of Satan have any resemblance to the devil in the Bible? Just who is Satan?

Domenichino

Aug 2

How the Serpent in the Garden Became Satan

By: Shawna Dolansky

The serpent in the Garden of Eden is portrayed as just that: a serpent. The story in Genesis 2–3 contains no hint that he embodies the devil, Satan or any other evil power. So where does the devil come into the details of Eden? Biblical scholar Shawna Dolansky examines how the serpent became Satan.

Rembrandt's Paul

Jul 18

Galatians 3:28—Neither Jew nor Greek, Slave nor Free, Male and Female

By: Karin Neutel

In her Biblical Views column in BAR, Biblical scholar Karin Neutel examines Paul’s vision for how we would live together in an ideal society.

Codex Bezae

Jul 13

Does the Gospel of Mark Reveal Jesus’ Anger or His Compassion?

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

In the fifth-century C.E. Codex Bezae, an early edition of the New Testament written in Greek, the Gospel of Mark describes Jesus’ anger before healing a leper (Mark 1:41). While later scribes changed Jesus’ anger to compassion, it is likely that Codex Bezae preserves the original reading.

Foster Bible Pictures

Jul 2

What Does the Bible Say About Infertility?

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Joel S. Baden and Candida R. Moss analyze the Biblical portrayal of infertility in the Biblical Views column “Reevaluating Biblical Infertility.”

tanner-three-marys

Jun 11

On What Day Did Jesus Rise?

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

On what day did Jesus rise? After three days or on the third day? Ben Witherington III examines this question in BAR.