Paul: A Tentmaker by Trade

In this excerpt from The Social Context of Paul’s Ministry, Ronald F. Hock takes a close look at the type of manual labor in which the Apostle Paul was involved: tentmaking. Acts 18:3 explains: “And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”

Bible Geocoding: Bible Maps for the 21st Century

At OpenBible.info is an informative set of maps with “the location of every identifiable place mentioned in the Bible” using photographic images from Google Earth. The site also includes images and outlines of bodies of water as well as overlays of ancient and modern Jerusalem.

Developing ethical business practices

This article by Dr. Hershey H. Friedman, professor of Business and Marketing at the Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, proposes a set of guidelines drawn from the Hebrew Bible that can be used to form a code of ethics for business. For example, Principle 8 is “Not giving bad advice to the unwary or placing temptation before the morally weak.” It is helpful to observe these guidelines are not simply about playing fairly; they redirect the sellers of goods and services toward making a positive contribution for their customers and communities.

Marriage benefits health, cancer survival

This story by Alice G. Walton in Forbes considers results of a recent study that demonstrated “a decided health benefit to marriage.” The discussion calls to mind an early Bible passage: “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Gen. 2:18).

Butterfly provides shining example of God’s design

The intricate design and texture of the wings of the Morpho butterfly illustrate God’s creative power: Brilliant Butterfly Feature Challenges Darwinian Selection

Ancient Corinth in photos

BiblePlaces.com has photos showing notable sites from ancient Corinth, including a panoramic view of the Peloponnese peninsula ; the now-silted harbor; and the Diolkos (a stone track upon which ships were lugged from one sea to another before the completion of the canal).

Acts 18:18 records Paul’s activities at one of Corinth’s ports: “And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.”

Languages of the Bible

Wayne Jackson’s article illustrates the value of becoming more familiar with the three languages used in the original texts of the Bible: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

Christian Morality vs. Atheist Morality

In a public debate in 1929, W. L. Oliphant, a preacher from the Oak Cliff Church of Christ, Dallas, Texas, debated Charles Smith, President of the American Association of the Advancement of Atheism, who affirmed the proposition: “Atheism is Beneficial to the Race, and is Most Conducive to Morality of any Theory Known to Man.” Oliphant provided a powerful list of moral principles Christians should follow.

Creation Museum explores legends about dragons

A current exhibit at the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY, explores legends and lore about dragons, and whether such creatures existed. Information provided by the museum (site: http://creationmuseum.org/) states it “brings the pages of the Bible to life, casting its characters and animals in dynamic form and placing them in familiar settings.”

Biblical-Era Town Discovered Along Sea of Galilee

British archaeologists have discovered what may be the ancient town of Dalmanutha, which is mentioned in Mark 8:10: “And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.” (KJV)