Ed Gallagher

Love Between Jesus and Peter

I recently received the latest issue of the Bulletin for Biblical Research, and an interesting article, really quite well done, treats the familiar issue arising from John 21:15–17 (“Peter, do you love me”), as to why Jesus uses one Greek word for love (related to agape) while Peter answers with another Greek word for loveContinue reading “Love Between Jesus and Peter”

Marriage in India, according to Diodorus Siculus

This is an interesting passage from the first-century BC Greek writer Diodorus Siculus, both for the ideas he is promoting in regard to India and for the assumptions he brings to a discussion of marriage. On the practice of burning widows, see further Wikipedia. It is an ancient custom among the Indians that the menContinue reading “Marriage in India, according to Diodorus Siculus”

Harpalus, An Unfaithful Servant

Harpalus was a courtier of Alexander the Great, whose story is told in various ancient authors. Here is the account in the first-century BC historian Diodorus Siculus. Harpalus had been given the custody of the treasury in Babylon and of the revenues which accrued to it, but as soon as the king had carried hisContinue reading “Harpalus, An Unfaithful Servant”

The Sassanid Empire

There were three Persian Empires before the rise of Islam. The Achaemenid Empire, 550–330 BC. This is the one Bible students often think of as the Persian Empire. This is the one founded by Cyrus the Great and that was eventually destroyed by Alexander. The Parthian Empire (or Arsacid Empire), 247 BC – AD 245.Continue reading “The Sassanid Empire”

B Minor Mass

My dear Parents, As I write this letter, the Schleichers, as Ursel told me, are all listening to the B minor Mass for today’s Repentance Day. For years it has been part of Repentance Day for me, just as the St. Matthew Passion is part of Good Friday. I remember quite clearly the evening IContinue reading “B Minor Mass”

Pervitin

What is going on with your sudden attacks of fatigue? (I remember with horror how inconsiderate I often was about that. Terrible! But I know you don’t hold that against me); and shouldn’t you have Papa give you a few Pervitin for when you are on guard at night? Here it is often used forContinue reading “Pervitin”

Bonhoeffer on Desire

I don’t share Diogenes‘ opinion that the absence of desire is the highest joy and an empty barrel the ideal vessel; why should we foolishly believe what we know is not true? But I do believe that, especially when one is still younger, it can be very good to have to renounce one’s wishes forContinue reading “Bonhoeffer on Desire”

Video: 2 Peter 1 Bible Class

Here’s a one-off video of me presenting a lesson on 2 Peter 1 for a church Bible class. If you’re interested, you can get on the vimeo page for Sherrod Ave. Church of Christ and find the entire series, with different people presenting lessons on the General Epistles. Well, the series is not completed yet, butContinue reading “Video: 2 Peter 1 Bible Class”

New Lessons: The Gospel of John

I have just finished putting up a new set of lessons on the Gospel of John. Click here to view them. There are 13 lessons, designed for a church Bible class. The lessons do not march through the Gospel chapter by chapter but rather take a topical approach.

The Jefferson Bible

I don’t have anything to say about the Jefferson Bible, except that it’s interesting that Thomas Jefferson cut up the Gospels the way he did. I’d like to learn more about it, and maybe you would too. You should probably start with this article, written by Peter Manseau. You can buy a reproduction of theContinue reading “The Jefferson Bible”