Difficult Bible Passages Archives

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Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day...

Difficult Bible Passages: Jude 14-15

Aug 23, 2019

How are we to understand NT writers quoting from non-inspired books?

The reason for the difficulty of this passage centres on the issue of the divine inspiration of non-biblical books. Jude quotes from the apocryphal book of Enoch. So the

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 John 4:18

Aug 5, 2019

What does it mean when it says in Scripture, ‘perfect love casts out all fear’?

Yesterday I wrote a piece on the fear of God. I spoke about how little of it is found in our churches today, even though

Difficult Bible Passages: Luke 18:8

Jul 28, 2019

I recently posted this passage on the social media, and one friend asked whether the question of Jesus was rhetorical or prophetic. I replied that it might be a bit of each, and added that I might pen a piece

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 John 5:18

Jul 22, 2019

This is another passage that must be carefully considered, and in context, to do it proper justice. If not, it can lead to faulty, or cultic, or even heretical teachings. For example, some will use it to teach a type

On Tattoos

Jul 7, 2019

OK, I have finally done it – I have penned a piece on tattoos! I have long put off writing a piece on this for various reasons. Indeed, let me open with a few prefatory remarks, which will help explain

Difficult Bible Passages: Luke 17:21

Jul 6, 2019

In this series we have examined a number of passages which are not actually difficult as such, but are simply far too often misused and abused. That has long been the case with this text, especially by cultists, those involved

Difficult Bible Passages: Philippians 1:15-18

May 5, 2019

This is another one of those passages which can so easily be misused and abused by some folks. It has to do with the preaching of the gospel, and those who do it with bad motives and the like. But

On Iconoclasm, Part One

Apr 28, 2019

Let me briefly define things here, then offer a few prefatory remarks. Simply put, iconoclasm – in a religious context – literally means “image-breaking”. It has to do with destroying or removing religious images. Related terms include:
-Iconodulism = the

The Conquest of Canaan – Part One

Apr 23, 2019

Whenever another horrible Islamic terrorist attack takes place – and these are now daily occurrences sadly – you will get various Christophobes and/or Islamophiles trying to argue that Christians are just as bad: they too support violence and bloodshed. And

The Conquest of Canaan – Part Two

Apr 23, 2019

This is the conclusion to an article which looks at the issue of the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites and various moral and religious problems that can arise as a result. It offers seven considerations in total, the last

Difficult Bible Passages: 2 Kings 2:23-25

Apr 2, 2019

This is a passage that bothers many people. Some find it to be quite appalling in fact. As Peter Leithart remarks, it is “one of the most controversial passages in Scripture.” The problem is this: it seems that a prophet

No, Christian Women Wearing Scarves is NOT the Same As Muslim Women Wearing the Hijab

Mar 23, 2019

The only thing that bothers me more than seeing Muslim women being treated as second class citizens is ignorant Christians being utterly clueless when it comes to head coverings. I have written on this matter before but it seems I

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Jan 28, 2019

What exactly did Paul mean when he said, “I have become all things to all people”? As with so many passages I examine in the series, this particular one can be subject to some real misunderstanding, misuse and abuse. So

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 John 2:27

Jan 28, 2019

This is another passage that is so often abused and misused. That is the main reason it can be so difficult or problematic. A subtitle to this article might be: “This Is How Cults Arise”. That is because those who

Difficult Bible Passages: Proverbs 26:4-5

Dec 27, 2018

Have you ever found yourself dealing with someone – especially a Christian – who says some really bizarre, inane, or reckless things – either in person or online – and you have a hard time deciding if you should run

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 8:18-22

Oct 5, 2018

Some folks consider this to be a difficult passage, mainly because they think it paints Jesus in such a bad light. Critics, non-Christians, and atheists especially will say that Jesus is being quite unloving, harsh, lacking in compassion and brusque

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 23:9

Sep 1, 2018

As with so many of the passages I deal with in this series, this particular verse is not so much difficult as it is badly handled by many folks. There is plenty of fuzzy, irrational and downright nonsensical thinking associated

Answering Cheap Troll Attacks

Jul 9, 2018

The internet and social media have created a relatively new and malicious monster: the troll. Today mischievous and irksome trolls seem to be everywhere, and anyone who seeks to share truth online will encounter a regular army of these serial

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 22:30

Jul 7, 2018

So what happens to marriage when believers get to heaven? The passage we are discussing here seems to tell us that it will become superfluous. That may be of concern to many, especially those who have had a close, loving

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 1 and Luke 3

Jun 21, 2018

This is another passage (or two) that is not only rather difficult but also a matter of some contention. Of course, atheists and those wanting to attack Christianity will claim that these two accounts of the genealogy of Jesus woefully

About CultureWatch

We live in an age where we see evidence of cultural decline, the erosion of values, the decline of civility, the denial of truth and the elevation of unreason. Many people are asking, “Where is our culture heading?” This website is devoted to exploring the major cultural, social and political issues of the day. It offers reflection and commentary drawing upon the wealth of wisdom found in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It offers reflective and incisive commentary on a wide range of issues, helping to sort through the maze of competing opinions, worldviews, ideologies and value systems. It will discuss critically and soberly where our culture is heading. Happy reading!

Bill Muehlenberg

CultureWatch

Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day...

Difficult Bible Passages: Jude 14-15

How are we to understand NT writers quoting from non-inspired books?

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 John 4:18

What does it mean when it says in Scripture, ‘perfect love casts out all fear’?

Difficult Bible Passages: Luke 18:8

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 John 5:18

On Tattoos

Difficult Bible Passages: Luke 17:21

Difficult Bible Passages: Philippians 1:15-18

On Iconoclasm, Part One

The Conquest of Canaan – Part One

The Conquest of Canaan – Part Two

Difficult Bible Passages: 2 Kings 2:23-25

No, Christian Women Wearing Scarves is NOT the Same As Muslim Women Wearing the Hijab

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 John 2:27

Difficult Bible Passages: Proverbs 26:4-5

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 8:18-22

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 23:9

Answering Cheap Troll Attacks

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 22:30

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 1 and Luke 3

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