Tag Archives: Bible interpretation

Nakedness as a Metaphor in Scripture: Word Study… “ervah”

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Don Merritt

In the last post on nakedness as a Biblical metaphor, we reviewed the Hebrew words arowm and eyrom. We found that both of these words mean nakedness, a state being in the absence of clothing. Both words we found to … Continue reading →

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Nakedness as a Metaphor in Scripture: An introduction

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Don Merritt

Nakedness in Scripture is actually a fascinating study that very few undertake these days, because it may sound to many like something that appeals to some sort of prurient interest. I can recall vividly the way undergrads reacted when I … Continue reading →

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The Field Work Begins

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Don Merritt

Well, here we are, all assembled in the Garden of Eden, where humanity began, and where our trail begins. Let’s have a look at where the very first mention of God’s image is found in Scripture: Then God said, “Let Us … Continue reading →

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Bonus Post: Extra-Biblical Sources in Jude

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Don Merritt

Jude does an interesting thing in his letter, he uses a non-Biblical source as though it were from Scripture, and he does so not once, but twice in a 25 verse letter.  Why does he do that?  Should that place … Continue reading →

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Bonus Post: The Significance of Numbers in Revelation

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Don Merritt

We’ve already seen that the number seven is especially significant in Revelation. You may be assured that it is not the only significant number we will come across. Thus I thought it might be helpful to run through some of … Continue reading →

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Bonus Post: The Hellenistic Letter Format of the First Century

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Don Merritt

When we write a letter, we normally follow a certain culturally accepted format; we first write the name and address of the sender and recipient, then there is a greeting such as “Dear John”, followed by the body of the … Continue reading →

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A Note About Descriptive Language

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Don Merritt

If Revelation isn’t to be understood literally, then how is it to be understood? As I said in the last post, it is “Apocalyptic” literature; it reveals something in word pictures. This kind of descriptive language shouldn’t be all that … Continue reading →

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Our Approach to Revelation

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Don Merritt

To begin a study of a book like Revelation, we must address some fundamental questions. In this case, the most fundamental of questions is whether or not it is intended to be understood literally. If we decide it should be … Continue reading →

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A Pause to Regroup

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Don Merritt

We have now completed the second main section of the book of Romans, and I thought this would be an opportune moment to pause and regroup. The purpose for writing this section was to demonstrate that while humanity, both Jew … Continue reading →

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There is a Problem Here!

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Don Merritt

Earlier, we took a look at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, and ended up with a couple of ideas, and a bunch of questions. The next step is to have a closer look at the text itself. Since the ideas we came … Continue reading →

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