-
Responsibility, the Etymological Fallacy, and Soteriology 101
One of the most under-informed tropes of the Soteriology 101 channel has been the line that “Responsible means ‘able to respond’.” While it may be a handy mnemonic for an argument, it is quite definitely not the usual meaning of the word. Soteriology is not the first to make this error. I came across an…
-
Rhinoceros in Biblical and Cognate Languages
The evidence that the Hebrew word, Re’em, refers to the Aurochs is overwhelming. Nevertheless, there are some who maintain the view that seems to have first originated with the second century translator of the Old Testament, known as Aquila of Sinope. Apparently Aquila was a proselyte to Judaism, and a disciple of Rabbi Akiba. As…
-
What does Simon mean? and did "Peter" replace "Simon"?
I recently heard a terrible argument arguing that Simon means “grain of sand” and that when Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, he was changing this grain of sand into a Rock. Obviously, as you might guess, this argument came from someone who thinks that Peter was the first pope. There are two significant problems…
-
What does it mean to "Propitiate"?
Let’s start by reviewing the verses where that English word is used: Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our…