In "what Zedekiah swore" Jefferson Vann explains what Jeremiah 38:16 really says. Jeremiah 38:14-16 (JDV) Jeremiah 38:14 King Zedekiah sent for the prophet Jeremiah and received him at the third entrance of Yahveh's temple. The king said to Jeremiah, "I am going to ask you something; don't hide anything from me." Jeremiah 38:15 Jeremiah replied to Zedekiah, "If I tell … [Read more...]
Body and Soul
Articles in this subcategory seek to identify and explain who human beings are by noting what the Bible says about our composition. Key biblical terms discussed in these articles include:
body (בֶּטֶן ) (σῶμα)
flesh (בּשָׂר) (σάρξ)
soul (נֶפֶשׁ) (ψυχη)
spirit (רוּחַ) (πνεῦμα)
heart (לֵב) (καρδία)
mind (כּלְיָה) (νοῦς)
Key theological terms discussed in these articles include: dichotomy, trichotomy, and composite unity and functional unity.
theological humility
In "theological humility" Jefferson Vann explains why conditionalism reflects theological humility. I came across an interesting quote the other day in Sarah Arthur's wonderful devotional Walking With Frodo. "The word humility is related to humus, which means "dust" or "earth." In ancient times a humble person could be seen bowing at the feet of someone great, … [Read more...]
all the throats
In "all the throats" Jefferson Vann explains that the biblical word soul does not mean what people think it means. Here's an interesting study. How many different words are used in the Hebrew Old Testament for throat? According to the Jewish Virtual Library, the word lev (לֵב) usually translated heart, actually often means throat: "This is what lev means in Isaiah … [Read more...]
encouraging your throat
In “encouraging your throat” Jefferson Vann shares an example of scriptural self-encouragement. He also explains why the Hebrew word for “soul” actually means “throat.” Psalm 42:11 (JDV) Why, my throat, are you melting away? Why are you in such uproar? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him, my Savior and my God. encouraging your throat The Hebrew word … [Read more...]
soul and spirit and resurrection
In "soul and spirit and resurrection" Jefferson Vann explains that our bodies today are not permanent, but that spiritual bodies which are will be given to us at the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:44-46 (JDV) 1 Corinthians 15:44 It is planted a soulish body, it is raised a spiritual body. If what is planted is soulish, what is raised is spiritual. 1 Corinthians 15:45 … [Read more...]
avoid any dead souls
Jefferson Vann explains why the Bible warns people not to go near any dead souls. Leviticus 21:9-12 Lev 21:9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by whoring, profanes her father; she will be burned with fire. Lev 21:10 “The priest who is most influential among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil is poured and who has been consecrated to wear … [Read more...]
translation notes on Philippians 1:27-30
In this post, Jefferson Vann shares his defense of particular translation choices in Philippians 1:27-30. Philippians 1:27a Just one thing: live your lives worthy of the gospel of Christ. The Christian Standard Bible adds the words “As citizens of heaven” with no textual reason for doing so. Paul would later tell the Philippians that he and they shared a mutual … [Read more...]
Stephen’s murder
In “Stephen’s murder,” Jefferson Vann shares some notes on his translation of Acts 7:55-8:2. The text serves as a case study of Luke’s use of metaphors for death and murder. It shows that the theology of Acts is thoroughly conditionalist, with no trace of traditional dualism. My independent translation project continues, and this morning I found myself in the last part of … [Read more...]
expiration date
In “expiration date,” Jefferson Vann explains why the death of Ananias and Sapphira was a real death, not simply the departure of their “immortal souls.” I have a routine that I like to follow every morning. Part of that routine is writing a short devotional thought, and posting in online (https://marmsky.com/). After I do that, I usually go back to the scriptures, and … [Read more...]
Material salvation, part 3
This is the third and final part of the talk that I gave at the recent annual conference of the Conditional Immortality Association, where I addressed the question of what difference it makes if we embrace a biblical portrait of human beings as unified and physical, rejecting a substance dualist view of humanity. Salvation Naturally we can’t truly separate salvation from … [Read more...]