Hey, Michael Hoff here. I'm passionate about Scripture and helping you gain the tools to study the Bible at a deeper level. I may be working on a PhD in Renewal Theology, but you don’t need one to meet God through his Word.
Digital Theologian: 2,000 years of Analog Theology for the Digital Age.
And [Jesus] said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." (Matthew 13:52 ESV)
With over a decade in pastoral ministry, a B.A. in Biblical Literature, an M.Div., and an in-progress PhD, I want to share with you some of the best tools and insights I've gained as a follower of Jesus for the last 30+ years. If you spend any time on this channel, I promise you will learn more about God, Christian history, and theology. It is my hope to help you grow in your ability to study Scripture and to think from a theological perspective about the world around you.
One thing to consider is that although discernment ministries can be helpful at times when it comes to discerning and following the Word of God, they should never in any way replace the Word of God at all. The whole point of discernment is to point towards the Word of God and follow it, not just simply bashing on people all the time, even if the one teaching heretical doctrines is clearly in the wrong about biblical doctrine.
Most modern translations are based on the insights from the Dead Sea Scrolls. NIV, ESV, NRSV, NLT, etc. all use the Dead Sea Scrolls. The exceptions I know of are the New King James (which uses the same foundation as the KJV and updates the language for modern audiences) and the Passion Translation (which I strongly discourage anyone from using for several reasons. One reason being poor choices for foundational manuscripts). I’m sure there are others. Hope that helps!
The Greek language here indicates two things for this verse: The Greek does not have an indefinite article to directly translate. However, for proper translation into English the indefinite article must be included. A god is a quality. That is why some bibles say: 1808: “and the word was a god.” The New Testament in an Improved Version, Upon the Basis of Archbishop Newcome’s New Translation: With a Corrected Text. 1864: “and a god was the word.” The Emphatic Diaglott, interlinear reading, by Benjamin Wilson. 1928: “and the Word was a divine being.” La Bible du Centenaire, L’Evangile selon Jean, by Maurice Goguel. 1935: “and the Word was divine.” The Bible-An American Translation, by J. M. P. Smith and E. J. Goodspeed. 1946: “and of a divine kind was the Word.” Das Neue Testament, by Ludwig Thimme. 1950: “and the Word was a god.” New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. 1958: “and the Word was a God.” The New Testament, by James L. Tomanek. 1975: “and a god (or, of a divine kind) was the Word.” Das Evangelium nach Johannes, by Siegfried Schulz. 1978: “and godlike kind was the Logos.” Das Evangelium nach Johannes, by Johannes Schneider.
There are several overlapping concepts associated with the two words. There are even places in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) where agape is used to translate hesed. That would be a great word comparison to do though! My bottom line takeaway? Both words demonstrate the ways that God’s love is faithful to us above and beyond our ability to perform.
Today is March 19, 2024. Today is The Festival of Joseph, Guardian of Our Lord. This passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew is read on this day. This can also be read from December 18-24 as we all prepare for Christmas.
Love the content! but if I could make a suggestion the sound at the end is really jarring after such a relaxing study with your quieter tone (I had my volume up). It's too much like a loud cellphone alarm.
most discernment ministries are calvinists & cessationists, they group themselves together as a small exclusive group who understands the Bible while no one else does and have special divine knowledge of verses that say "all" or "everyone" doesn't actually mean " while no one else does its like the other end of the scale
Thank you very much for this video, I enjoyed it and I'm very glad you are studying church history, any thoughts given your researches and knowledge on Orthodox Christianity? Thank you again.
You’re welcome! Thanks for taking the time to comment. My knowledge of Orthodox Christianity is limited. I’ve studied the church through the first thousand years in East and West. My specialization is in renewal movements. John Wesley and the early Methodists are the focus of my dissertation. I’d love to know more though!
@@DigitalTheologian Thanks for taking the time read and respond, you provided me with more information on St. Basil and the Holy Spirit so I want to give you something back in return: I pray for you to reach The Church - The Body of Our Lord - God and Our Lord Jesus Christ with the work of the Holy Spirit be with you brother.
Typical white people, western mind. Stop using english word to learn aramiac word. Stop your western mind to know jewish eastern mind. ABBA, alef beith = av (father masculine), followed by betih alef (va, feminime). In ABBA there is masculine and also feminime. Like Adam, before the ribs taken, ADAM masculine and also feminmie. After the ribs take he become masculine. The rib become feminime
What we need is for the Lord to place His hand on someone and define some leaders. Your argument that we are not arbiters of all truth fails the litmus test, there is only one body. John said “they went out from us because they were not of the truth.” Jesus rebuked false doctrine.
I may have overstated the case for emphasis, but my overall impression is that no single individual can know all truth. Even if it were known, the ability to recall it in a moment or meaningfully act on it would be hampered. You are right. There is one body. It has many parts with many functions. I often see “discernment” ministries criticizing others for not being exactly like them. We need diversity in the body. That isn’t to say all who claim to be Christian are. Doctrine matters. There is a place for correction and rebuke.
It’s getting out of control in some places. I see some in discernment acting as if they alone have it right, but in reality most of them start by not wanting a fake Christian spirituality and then fall into the trap of rejecting the gifts of the Spirit entirely. It get’s wearisome, dealing with the extremes on both sides.
I hear you! Thankfully, there is a broad swath of Christianity that falls into the middle. I find hope in those who are simply seeking to follow Jesus the best that they can. Their theology may be out of balance (I’m sure mine is at points where I have unknowingly misread or misunderstood Scripture). But as they learn more and pursue God, I trust the Holy Spirit to guide them in God’s timing. When people have an axe to grind, I begin to fear they have stopped listening to the Spirit’s still, small voice.
St. Vladimir’s is producing the best English translations of many of the Fathers. It’s always nice to have a brief introduction and footnotes on ancient texts. I deeply appreciate the work they are doing
Michael, you put us in the moment. You give us cultural details, original word definitions, and character insights. You bring the gospel to life. I'd like to do in-depth book studies. I'm more of a new testament reader than old 😉.
I so appreciate people who value church history. sometimes it seems many don’t know there is valid Christian history before the Reformation. i would love a detailed course on church history. BTW i am a friend of your in laws as Karen’s parents were great friends we shared life with!
Hey Daniel! Thanks for taking the time to comment. It’s always great to hear from someone who knew Royal and Mary (and Rick and Karen)! Were you part of Emmanuel? If you are looking for a place to start with Church history, Robert Louis Wilken’s The First Thousand Years is a great place to start.
Michael, I enjoyed your perspective on a different kind of revival. Doesn't God always do something new and unexpected? As you indicated, the monks became the torchbearers of the church's knowledge from the past to the present, so we are indeed grateful to them.
Thanks for watching, Tom! Faithfulness to Jesus was at the heart of it, but it looked sooo different from what many expect “revival” to be today. It’s fascinating to explore what God has done throughout history.
Hey Kathy, I’m focused on the resurrection of Jesus which occurred following his death during the Jewish festival of Passover. If people commonly understand that to be referred to by the term “Easter,” I’m not so worried about the origins of the word. No pagan idols are being worshipped in the making of this video 😉
Hey Kathy, as followers of Jesus, I look to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as the deposit that signifies we are adopted into the family of God. I believe this comes from asking God for forgiveness for our sins and turning our attention toward living in a way that honors Jesus. I believe it is the witness of the Holy Spirit that confirms the call.
So amazed with the knowledge and wisdom permeated in this young mind. All I can say is, praise God, the author of all wisdom and thank Him for gifting you and grace you with amazing knowledge.
Great questions and great answers. Thanks a lot, Michael. Lately when I've been reading the Gospels one of my main investigations is: "What did Jesus think of scripture? What was his value for it? What does this demonstrate about what my value for it must be?" Christianity is named after the Christ, so if we're not in alignment with him on this then it would be reasonable to conclude we are likely no longer Little Christs but have invented our own endeavor.
