In the 3-4 weeks since George Floyd’s murder, after the protests, riots, lootings, and endless debate and discussion throughout the country, despite the fact we still are in the middle of a whole lot of chaos, there are a few things we all should see clearly, at least at this point: The main problem involving…
We now come to Part 3 in my brief series in which I’m sharing my take on the recent events that have enveloped our country. In this post, I want to address a variety of items regarding how we as a society are trying to discuss and deal with everything. (As it turns out, I…
In my last post, I argued that, despite the fact that there are certainly racial injustices in America today and certainly instances of unjust police brutality and harassment, the prevailing narrative that is often pushed in our society today about how racist white police officers were “hunting down black men” and that white people were…
Over the next few posts, I’m going to share my thoughts on the current crisis in America today that has been sparked by the murder of George Floyd, as well as other issues that, in one form or another, are connected to it. I want to focus on three things: (1) What is not the…
At the end of the 2nd edition of Provan, Long, and Longman’s book, A Biblical History of Israel (BHI), they have added an appendix entitled, “In Praise of Critical Thought: A Response to Our Critics,” in which (as the title suggests) they respond to the critics of their first edition. In particular, they respond to…
Chapter 11 of Provan, Long, and Longman’s book, A Biblical History of Israel, takes us from the Fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC all the way through to the Post-Exilic Period. Let’s look at the particulars of what Provan discusses in this chapter. The DeportationDespite what most might assume, Provan tells us that when Nebuchadnezzar…
Chapter 10 of Provan, Long, and Longman’s book, A Biblical History of Israel, focuses on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah as recorded in I-II Kings, from the time of the death of Solomon (circa 930 BC) to the time of the exile (circa 587 BC). Now, it should be said up front, since the…
Chapter 9 of Provan, Long, and Longman’s book, A Biblical History of Israel, focuses on the reign of Solomon, covering I Kings 1-11, as well as the corresponding chapters in II Chronicles 1-9. Before he specifically discusses Solomon, though, Provan gives a brief discussion regarding the difference between Kings and Chronicles, as well as a…
Chapter 8 of Provan, Long, and Longman’s book, A Biblical History of Israel, focuses on the early united monarchy under Saul, the first king of Israel, and then David. The bulk of chapter 8 is essentially a lesson on how to read I/II Samuel, as well as the corresponding parts of I Chronicles. Although, as…
Chapter 7 of Provan, Long, and Longman’s book, A Biblical History of Israel, focuses on Joshua’s Conquest and the settlement of the land in the Book of Judges. A few years ago, I did a book analysis of John Walton’s book The Lost World of the Conquest, so I will first and foremost provide links…