David Wilber's Blog, page 5
October 20, 2019
When God Doesn't Heal
Author: David Wilber
James teaches us that when we pray in faith for the sick to be healed, we can expect that they will be healed (James 5:15). However, while many of us have witnessed miraculous healing happen on occasion, it seems that most of the time the sick are not healed when we pray for them. Why? Is it due to a lack of faith? Is some unconfessed sin preventing God from healing the person? Or is there another reason?
Scripture is clear that God is about life and health for His p...
July 8, 2019
The Old Testament Canon and the Pseudepigrapha
Author: David Wilber
A popular Internet blogger by the name of Jim Staley recently claimed that the pseudepigraphical book known as Jubilees “was at one time considered Holy Scripture by many of the early Jews and Christians.”[1] Staley cited no source for this claim but simply threw it out there like it was a commonly accepted fact.
Since this article was posted publicly on Facebook, I left a public comment asking for a source to back up Staley’s claim. In addition, I sh...
July 3, 2019
Who is the Son of Man in 1 Enoch 71:14?
Author: David Wilber
Some confusion surrounds the Son of Man in 1 Enoch, particularly in 1 Enoch 71:14 when this figure’s identity is revealed. This article will argue in favor of the plain reading of 1 Enoch 71:14 that identifies the patriarch Enoch as this figure.
According to The Parables of Enoch (1 Enoch 37-71), Enoch is taken into heaven and shown prophetic visions concerning an eschatological hero known as the “Son of Man.” This figure is also called the “Chosen One,” “Anointed,”...
May 6, 2019
Does the Torah Prohibit Polygamy? An Examination of Leviticus 18:18
Author: David Wilber
It’s commonly believed that the Bible morally permits polygamy—that is, the practice whereby a man is married to more than one woman at the same time. Whether one believes this practice was a temporary provision in the Old Testament or that the Bible actually endorses this practice, the idea that polygamy was morally acceptable at least at one time in the Bible is seldom questioned.
In this article, I will argue that the Torah actually gives us an explicit prohibition ag...
April 22, 2019
When a Biblical “Day” Begins and Ends
Author: David Wilber
Someone recently asked me about when the Bible says a day begins and ends. For those of us who observe the Sabbath and the biblical feast days, this is certainly a relevant question. The traditional understanding is that a biblical day begins and ends at sundown, and this seems to be universally accepted among scholars. However, some have recently suggested that a day actually begins and ends at sunrise.
Why is this important? Who cares? Well, as I mentioned, our unde...
March 31, 2019
A Challenge to Christian "Flat Earthers"
Author: David Wilber
I have a sincere challenge for flat earthers who insist that we must believe that the earth is flat "because the Bible says so." I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but I've brought up this point to flat earthers countless times, and nobody has given a sufficient answer. I don't think there is one. That’s why, in my experience, rather than actually deal with the logical implications of their hermeneutic, the typical “response” I’ve encountered from flat eathers is to sid...
March 13, 2019
5 Reasons Christians Should Study Apologetics
Author: David Wilber
In the New Testament, followers of the Messiah are given a divine mandate to “sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts” (1 Peter 3:15a). In other words, according to the apostle Peter, we are to pledge our ultimate allegiance to the Messiah and honor Him as Lord.
But what does that mean? Well, Peter tells us in the second part of the verse to “always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15b).
Indeed, sanctifying Me...href="https://davidwilber.me/about">...
February 16, 2019
Do Christians Hate the LGBT Community?
Author: David Wilber
Ellen Page, actress and LGBT activist, recently accused Chris Pratt, actor and professing Christian, of belonging to a church that “hates” those who identify as part of the LGBT community. Pratt, of course, who’s literally known as “the nicest guy in Hollywood,” was quick to address that accusation by stating that he doesn’t hate anyone. Pratt’s church also issued a statement to clarify that they, too, do...href="https://davidwilber.me/about">...
June 1, 2018
Why God's Name is Not Yehovah
Author: David Wilber
The pronunciation of God’s four-letter name, יהוה, known as the Tetragrammaton (meaning “four letters”), is a controversial subject in some religious circles. That is because no one knows for sure how to pronounce it, and yet there are no shortage of confident assertions. This article will focus on why one confidently asserted pronunciation—that is, “Yehovah”—is incorrect and based on a misunderstanding of a Jewish scribal custom.
First it’s important to understand that Hebrew w...href="https://davidwilber.me/about">...
February 8, 2018
Do What's Right (Even When You Don't Want To)
Author: David Wilber
Emotions are powerful. Our emotions, like compassion and empathy, often motivate us to do wonderful things like give to charity and help people in need. When we see an injustice, many times it will deeply affect us and move us to take positive action. And yet, strong negative emotions—jealousy, vindictiveness, resentment—can often overpower our better judgment and move us to neglect or hurt people. Indeed, our sinful inclination influences our emotions and therefore our behavior (...href="https://davidwilber.me/about">...
