Jesus’ Teaching on Paying Taxes: Balancing Civic and Spiritual Responsibilities The episode of Jesus discussing taxes, famously recorded in the Gospels, particularly Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, and Luke 20:20-26, offers profound insights into the interplay between civic duties and spiritual commitments. This moment, often referred to as “Render unto Caesar,”…
How the Tragedy of Jephthah’s Daughter Reveals Cultural and Religious Confusion The story of Jephthah’s daughter in Judges 11 is one of the most complex and tragic narratives in the Hebrew Bible. While Jephthah’s victory over the Ammonites was a significant military achievement, it is overshadowed by the personal loss…
Why Joshua Honors the Covenant with the Gibeonites Despite Their Deception, and the Historical Lessons This Teaches The book of Joshua narrates a remarkable event in Israel’s conquest of Canaan: the alliance with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). Despite their deceptive tactics, Joshua honors the covenant, demonstrating a profound commitment to…