I discuss the troubling passage at the end of 2 Kings 2, where forty-two are killed after ridiculing the prophet Elisha. This discussion was prompted by Jonathan Pageau’s discussion of this passage.
Author: Alastair Roberts
Alastair Roberts (PhD, Durham University) writes in the areas of biblical theology and ethics, but frequently trespasses beyond these bounds. He participates in the weekly Mere Fidelity podcast, blogs at Alastair’s Adversaria, and tweets at @zugzwanged.
How Do You Find Real-Life Theological Conversation Partners?
How do you find real-life theological conversation partners? The theological and biblical conversations which I find stimulating and important are of no interest to the Christians I know in real life. Do I need to do what you’ve done and move across the world to be closer to the people I interact with on the internet?
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Why Was Jesus Baptized?
Why did Jesus have to be baptized? Was Jesus’ baptism a baptism of repentance?
Beatitudes and Woes
In your video on the Sermon on the Mount you mentioned a parallel between the Beatitudes and the Woes of Matthew 23. Could you elaborate on this?
Did Jesus Address the Multitude or His Disciples in the Sermon on the Mount?
Did Jesus preach the Sermon on the Mount to his disciples (Matt 5:1) or to the large crowd (Matt 7:28)?
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Were Rebekah and Jacob Justified in Deceiving Isaac?
Having read Jordan’s Primeval Saints I find that he interprets the life of Jacob through a different lens from a more recent reformation reading. Specifically in the story of Jacob “stealing” the birthright, Jordan posits that Rebekah and Jacob are righteously deceiving Isaac in order for him to “regain sight” and be restored. Because the promise to Jacob had already been given, Rebekah and Jacob were acting righteously, even in lying. Jordan says that because Isaac has turned into a Tyrant, the only way to restore him is through deception. Curious to hear your thoughts on this passage which may/may not be often misunderstood. What is going on and are we to condemn Jacob/Rebekah for what they did or see it as an act of faith?
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Request for Your Feedback!
Today I ask for feedback from viewers and listeners.
Moving Mountains
What is your interpretation of Jesus’ sayings about the prayers of believers “moving mountains”?
The Mark of the Beast
What does the mark of the beast in Revelation refer to historically?
Reading Revelation
There seem to be a number of different overall approaches to interpreting the book of Revelation. Can you briefly explain what each of these are and then share your own preferred interepretaive approach? Perhaps some recommended reading too?
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