I've just begun doing a study of the Holy Spirit -- who He is, what He does -- and would like to note a couple of observations that may be of interest ( Read more... )

OK, am I missing something here ( Read more... )

So, yeah, this is more a general (Koine) Greek question, but it is most definitely applicable to our study of the Scriptures ( Read more... )

The issue I am about to raise may be a triffling matter. Then again, it may not. So, I believe myself justified in bringing it up ( Read more... )

Simple question: Can someone please explain this phenomenon? It appears that, when Christ speaks of us remaining/abiding (menw) in Him, he uses versions of the aorist verb. Yet, when He speaks of those who do not remain/abide in Him, He uses the present aspect. The keeping ofthe commandments appears also in the aorist. In a related passage, ( Read more... )

Does anyone know why the Orthodox Church considers 3 Maccabees canonical yet relegates 4 Maccabees to the appendix of their Bibles? Both texts are part of the Septuagint (LXX). I don't have access to the Orthodox Study Bible, but it would be great if someone could summarize what it says on this issue, if anything. There is no ancient Latin version ( Read more... )

Are there any Orthodox Christians in this community who know when the Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79) might be sung during the liturgy? Is there any chance you know of a recording of it being chanted? I say it in Greek during the morning sometimes as part of the Roman Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), and would love to learn how to sing it!

So I few days ago I had asked about those who read the Bible in Greek or Hebrew. I downloaded some podcasts (thanks arjuna27) and probably after finals and the MCAT I'm taking in June, I will begin studying Greek and Hebrew. I feel fairly confident that I can get a lot out of self-study considering I'm a Linguistics major and have studied a few other ( Read more... )

Just curious:

1) How many here read the Bible in Greek or Hebrew?

2) Were you self taught, or how did you learn?

3) Do you prefer it to a translation of your native tongue, or do you only use it as a back-up, etc.?

I've heard a number of people complain about the use of X-mas as a theologically-independent replacement for Christmas, and that the use of such a term is by definition anti-Christian ( Read more... )