Jul 26

  • ericwilbanks
    ericwilbanks added a text contribution A.K.A.
    The two Hebrew words shem and qara' (used in interchangeable order) can refer to a proper name given to someone (John Smith) or to a kind of nickname, an “also know as”: (William H. Bonney, a.k.a. Billy the Kid; Samuel Langhorne Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain). The a.k.a. becomes the name by which a specific person is renowned (see also Gen 6:4 and Is 63:12 for examples of the word shem being translated as renown). His given name is Jesus, but His renown is Immanuel, God With Us! Read more »

May 16

  • ericwilbanks
    ericwilbanks added a text contribution Separated for God
    This event not only marked the beginning of Paul's extraordinary ministry, but it also marked him personally as he later referred to this separation like you and I would refer to a special heritage or earned degree/status. Read more »

Feb 12

  • ericwilbanks
    ericwilbanks added a text contribution Kingdom of Heaven 002
    "From then on..." I love that Matthew chose such an all-inclusive statement. For me, that means that Jesus' life message could be summed up in this one statement: "Repent, for the KoH is near." What is your life message? More importantly, how does the life message of Christ square with your thinking about who He was and what He came to do and be? Read more »

Feb 10

  • ericwilbanks
    ericwilbanks added a text contribution Kingdoms of the World
    Possibly the most telling aspect of this passage is not what is said, but what is NOT said. Instead of setting Satan straight, Jesus chooses not to dispute Satan's ability to "give" the kingdoms of this world over to Christ. In your mind, what does that say about the nature of our earthly kingdoms? Read more »

Feb 9

  • ericwilbanks
    ericwilbanks added a text contribution Kingdom of Heaven 001
    We are introduced to the Kingdom of Heaven (KoH) by the idea of "repentance." That could be significant in many ways. At the very least, it seems antithetical to our "casual thoughts" about the Kingdom. I would have expected to see the word "rejoice" as the NT introduction to the KoH. Read more »