What’s Dove Got to Do With it?
What is the cultural significance of doves in the Bible? What can we learn from the different ways doves appear in scripture?
Solomon’s Growing Abuse of Forced Labor
Solomon’s palaces and buildings relied on heavy taxes and forced labor of his own people.
Hospitality the Greco-Roman Way
Why was hospitality so important to Greco-Romans? What did it look like for them?
Learning is Hard – Being Taught Generation to Generation is Holy
I struggled to learn to knit, but my grandmother taught me what her mother taught her what her mother taught her…
Baking Bread in Jesus’s Day
When women baked bread, they didn’t do it alone. It was done in community – sharing resources and growing closer together.
The Magi as Zoroastrians
If the Magi were Zoroastrian, how might their faith have influenced their understanding of what was happening?
Athaliah & Jehosheba: Context
The history and political intrigue that is the setting for Jehosheba’s stand against Athaliah.
Mary Magdalene is (Probably) Not Who You Think She Is
Mary Magdalene was not a fallen temptress. She witnessed the resurrection, was the apostle to the apostles, and likely continued in leadership in the early church.
The Impact of the Title “King of the Jews” on Herod the Great & Caesar Augustus
Only gentiles called Jesus “King of the Jews.” The Herods and the Caesars claimed many titles for themselves, but they perpetually felt their power threatened.
Domestic Violence as Idolatry
The ancient gods blamed humanity for their own failings and problems. If humanity didn’t soothe them, they were struck down. Abusers treat their victims the same way.