Category Archives: Non-eschatology Studies

LUCIFER?

Non-eschatology Studies November 17, 2023 Comments: 2

PMW 2023-090 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Babylonian king

Isa. 14:12 is a little understood text. The KJV’s translation has the word “Lucifer” here. “Lucifer” (“light-bearer”) is the Latin Vulgate translation of the Hebrew helel, which means “shining one.” This translation has helped promote a radical misunderstanding of the text in the modern world.

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” (KJV)

Despite popular opinion today (and by many ancient and medieval writers), Lucifer is not Satan. Notice: (1) The taunt is clearly directed against “the king of Babylon” (v. 4). (2) It speaks of the fall of “the man who made the earth tremble” (v. 16), who has “ruined your country” (v. 20). (3) It associates him with other earthly kings who have died (vv. 18–19). (4) It speaks of his burial problem (v. 20). (5) Furthermore, this taunt-oracle opens a series of prophecies against various earthly kings: Babylon (14:4), Assyria (14:24), Philistia (14:29), Moab (15:1), Damascus (17:1), Egypt (19:1), Jerusalem (22:1, 9–10), and Tyre (23:1). It would be out of keeping with the series to import Satan into this taunt.
Continue reading →

THE SONS OF GOD IN GENESIS 6

Interpretation, Non-eschatology Studies October 31, 2023 Comments: 2

PMW 2023-085 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Seth v Cain

The episode occurring in Genesis 6:1–4 is quite difficult to interpret and has been the subject of much debate. Though there are several interpretations of this passage, historically two views have dominated the debate: (1) the angelic offspring view and (2) the human seed-line view.

Though the seed-line view is the traditional Christian understanding, perhaps the oldest view in extra-biblical antiquity is the angel-human interpretation. It is found as far back as 200 B.C. in the non-biblical book of 1 Enoch (6:11–7:6) as well as in the first-century book by Josephus called Antiquities (1:3:1). This view holds that fallen angels came down to earth and engaged in sexual relations with women who then bore giants as their offspring.

The seed-line view holds that the godly line of Seth (4:25) that has been the focus of Genesis since Genesis 5:3 is beginning to intermarry with unbelieving women (“whomever they chose” without reference to their faith. These women would be largely represented by the Cainite line (4:17ff). This appears to be the proper interpretation due to its fitting the context and avoiding bizarre results.
Continue reading →

NATIONAL BORDERS & THE BIBLE

Non-eschatology Studies August 26, 2022 1 Comment

jesus-and-bordersPMW 2022-064 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

The collapsing border disaster under the Biden Maladministration is a live topic of international consequence today. Many well meaning Christians believe it is wrong to keep refugees out on a temporary basis because they believe borders are man-made constructs lacking biblical warrant. Besides the contradiction obvious in their having homes with walls and locked doors, their argument does not hold.

Established borders are biblically warranted as we see in two clear scriptural examples. Though other arguments are available, these are quite potent.

First, the garden of Eden.

The garden was distinct from the rest of the world, which meant something must have distinguished it from the broader world. God created Adam then “placed” him in (Gen. 2:8) / “took” him to (Gen. 2:15) the garden.

Then when Adam sinned, God “drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life” (Gen. 3:24). From this point on, Adam was not forbidden to dwell in the rest of the world, but only in the specific, guarded region of Eden. Eden had borders. Continue reading →

JESUS REPEALED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT!

Non-eschatology Studies April 26, 2022 1 Comment

PMW 2022-031 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

I was just kidding. But now that you are here, I want to consider the question: Did Jesus repeal capital punishment when he was challenged regarding the woman caught in adultery? Continue reading →

HOW TO SAFELY WITNESS TO DISPENSATIONALISTS

Fun Stuff, Non-eschatology Studies April 22, 2022 Comments: 3

PMW 2022-033 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Below is a humorous article on dealing with dispensationalists. Continue reading →

CREATION IN THE CONFESSION

Non-eschatology Studies April 19, 2022 1 Comment

PMW 2022-030 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In this article I will highlight the structure of the Westminster Confession in demonstration of its confirmation of six day creation. Continue reading →

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR APOSTASY?

Non-eschatology Studies April 8, 2022 Leave a comment

PMW 2022-032 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In this article is a study on the new covenant application of Deuteronomy 13 showing that it does not establish capital punishment for unbelief — despite popular misconceptions. Continue reading →