Author Archives
An amateur philosopher and amateur Christian apologist, merely attempting to contribute to the many conversations taking place among other common folk.
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Divine Plurals in the Bible and the Qur’ān
A brief discussion on divine plurals in the Bible and the Qur’an, and whether it is as obvious that they are non-literal as many allege?
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Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ: A Brief Christian Commentary
Christians who dialogue with orthodox Muslims will often encounter appeals to the 112th chapter of the Qur’ān, sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ (also known as sūrat at-Tawḥīd). The Muslim participants in those dialogues will often present the relevant Qur’ānic text as an unambiguous… Read More ›
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Jews Using “Allah” Even In Hebrew
On this day (21 December), five years ago, my wife showed me some (then nearly fifty year old) footage[1] she found at the library, of Jews singing in Hebrew. As the relevant song (MashiaH ha-Zaqen)[2] apparently was found among Jews from… Read More ›
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A Brief Linguistic Journey for the Feast of La Virgen de Guadalupe
Recounting how a name traveled from Arabic, through Spanish and English, and then back into Arabic, with Latin and Nahuatl contributions along the way.
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An Often Overlooked Detail in an Apparent Talmudic Polemic Against Jesus
One can find numerous websites (and social media posts) noting that the Talmūd says Jesus is being punished by being boiled in excrement. The reality, however, is the subject is a bit more complex. The relevant passage is in Talmūd… Read More ›
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Paul and the Depths of Jewish Hermeneutics
What Scriptures might Saint Paul have had in mind in Acts 17:2-3 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4?
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On the Question of Christological and Theological Development in the Gospels
The idea that the Gospels comprise layers of Christological and theological development is widely accepted. Such is taken for granted in scholarly literature, is taught at most seminaries (perhaps all highly regarded seminaries), and is certainly taught in all courses… Read More ›
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Cosmic Tefillin and the Oneness of God
When Jews quote Deuteronomy 6:4 together with 1 Chronicles 17:21, a more nuanced Monotheism may be possible.
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Exultet Controversy: An Ancient Reference to Jesus as “Lucifer”?
There are numerous videos on the internet which purport to show the Pope, or other Catholic clergy, openly praying to Satan.[1] All of those polemics revolve around an ancient Catholic hymn, known as the Exultet, using the Latin word lucifer… Read More ›
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Does Mark 13:32 Preclude the Omniscience of the Holy Spirit?
While many are familiar with polemics which appeal to Mark 13:32 to dispute the omniscience of Jesus[1], fewer have encountered polemics in which it is similarly argued that the same verse even necessitates that the Holy Spirit is not omniscient…. Read More ›