Online Bible Institute | Pieter van der Merwe | Activity https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/members/pietervandermerwe/activity/ Activity feed for Pieter van der Merwe. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:23:22 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v=3.1.2 en-US 30 hourly 2 c66912fe436599471a63052783520fcc Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/83962/#acomment-84028 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:04:20 -0400 Thanks for this Steve, I liked F.B. Meyer’s commentary that talks about “The Boaster and the Truster”, with the truster being like the “green olive tree”.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

If you have a few extra minutes today, you might want to dig into what it means to be like ‘a green olive tree’.

Psalm 52:8 But I am like an olive […]

]]> 73d5fcad93bdf258516055b2e5dd01d1 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/83999/#acomment-84025 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:58:07 -0400 Good post Rebecca, the good news is that the more we read the Bible the better it gets!

In reply to - Rebecca Rodriguez Mojica posted an update

Hello everyone,

As a first time reader of the Bible it is very important to me that I understand what I am reading and the overall concept(s). Chapter 1 gets right to […]

]]> 6fd25908d7af1b7e679ebfe7d67b6f5d Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/84004/#acomment-84024 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:56:43 -0400 “The good news is that this union will one day be restored in the New Jerusalem” – Amen. I really like that, good post.

In reply to - Jeff Jacinto posted an update

Ephrem the Syrian taught that Gan-ʿEden (“Garden of Delight”) was a holy mountain and a sanctuary where heaven and earth met. In his Hymns on Paradise, he describes Eden as both […]

]]> 856b796785fead7a7221cc21e5c31337 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/84016/#acomment-84023 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:53:41 -0400 Good post and valid points, for many of us the narrative of Jonah and the whale, David and Goliath, Samson and Delilah, etc., was so superficially familiar by the the time we left school, that it took us quite a while to realise we really did not know the stories at all. Thanks for posting, you made me think about this again.

In reply to - Leah posted an update

Switching now to the structure of Biblical narrative, which is similar to what I was taught in school about traditional plot structure. Here we have a narrative comprising the […]

]]> e355c6a67e10c1c2187404fae06dc913 Pieter van der Merwe posted an update: I am always amazed at how the Bible remains new and […] https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/84022/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:48:16 -0400 I am always amazed at how the Bible remains new and fresh, no matter how many times we read and re-read it. This lesson covered the first 11 chapters of Genesis and is indeed packed with much information, and a significant period of time is covered. At a very high level, the narrative starts with Creation and runs all the way through…

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]]> 3 f053c51f3de68525cde3c827396071ec Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/83884/#acomment-83886 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:22:39 -0400 I agree Steve, it is one of my favourite Psalms – I find it both humbling and uplifting at the same time. Humbling because of my own sin and falling short more times than I care to mention, but also uplifting to know that even a “man after God’s heart” such as David, faced the same struggles that we do. Verse 5 reminds me of the fall, and that…

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In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

Psalm 51 is always so fascinating to read. Thinking about the situation that prompted the Psalm, and then listening to what David is thinking and […]

]]> 9ea4058120bc9105d8d748cbbdcb7557 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/83851/#acomment-83883 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 06:10:04 -0400 @johnnfor 👍

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The entire “Sword Sharpening” course is filled with so many “small” impacts that add together to make the course a “big” impact. Some of the things that […]

]]> 6e92b21564646d3bd1d891b27a738ff4 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/83851/#acomment-83882 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 06:09:50 -0400 @lerataraphaelmokoteli 👍

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The entire “Sword Sharpening” course is filled with so many “small” impacts that add together to make the course a “big” impact. Some of the things that […]

]]> 285c1b862c503794150956c5744238dc Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/83839/#acomment-83853 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:42:01 -0400 A great personal testimony, thank you for sharing it with us 🙌

In reply to - Amanda Shellenberger posted an update

Chapter 4:

I have always failed when reading the Bible. I never knew I needed to know God before I could fully understand until later in life. Once I became a child of God […]

]]> bda4ce03aba5f9ab12e5f0b15b53970e Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/83848/#acomment-83852 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:39:37 -0400 Great reflection on the lesson, thank you for sharing!

In reply to - Don posted an update

Reading chapter 10 in the Creative Bible Study Methods class on Devotional Bible Study was exciting and motivating to me to do more devotional study of the Word. But more than that, it’s […]

]]> 7983c358aec6ddb2e2f7df0d02a9d811 Pieter van der Merwe posted an update: The entire “Sword Sharpening” course is filled with so […] https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/83851/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:37:25 -0400 The entire “Sword Sharpening” course is filled with so many “small” impacts that
add together to make the course a “big” impact. Some of the things that Pastor
Steve taught in the course is very challenging, and not that easy to understand and accept at
first pass, I think I will do a few other courses while I mull over this one…

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]]> 4 b9a19ac5b99d50b96a5bd7f6aa458b4d Pieter van der Merwe and Pieter Zeelie are now connected https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/83104/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:53:29 -0400 0 186640bf159c9b27592775412ddbda34 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82980/#acomment-83101 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:13:36 -0400 @robertonina 🙏

In reply to - R.C. posted an update Being aware of our own assumptions and questions is important when studying the Bible, especially the early chapters of Genesis, which serve as a foundational introduction to the […] ]]> 854efe7243ee63a97d1b6ce46b80bc09 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82981/#acomment-83100 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:11:28 -0400 @pieterzeelie 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The final lesson in the course is titled “Modern Application for Individuals” and looks at the aspects of applying Scriptures to ourselves and others as individuals. The […]

]]> 1c6c9b9966d1f3cc466e3b2dc8977e15 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82981/#acomment-83099 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:11:03 -0400 @jeffjacinto 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The final lesson in the course is titled “Modern Application for Individuals” and looks at the aspects of applying Scriptures to ourselves and others as individuals. The […]

]]> dea2274d37eb359e0cb1b870ff25aec5 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82981/#acomment-83098 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:10:35 -0400 @sheep 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The final lesson in the course is titled “Modern Application for Individuals” and looks at the aspects of applying Scriptures to ourselves and others as individuals. The […]

]]> 9e88bd6714a8bc86513454e9cea50871 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82979/#acomment-82983 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 19:35:48 -0400 One of the biggest issues with faith healing is the number of false teachers (charlatans) who go around building a ministry around healing, purely as a money making venture with many ‘false’ healings and also telling people they are not healed because their faith isn’t strong enough. So, any time you preach or teach on the subject, you are…

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In reply to - James posted an update Healing and deliverance are part of the Gospel just like salvation.


When you minister healing and deliverance and some do not receive, you will be tempted to give up. But consider […]

]]> efd2752d36c898ee222a89da06c390dc Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82980/#acomment-82982 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 19:30:28 -0400 Our own assumptions often stands in the way of us hearing what God want to tell us through Scripture.

In reply to - R.C. posted an update Being aware of our own assumptions and questions is important when studying the Bible, especially the early chapters of Genesis, which serve as a foundational introduction to the […] ]]> 278a17d48447d325692f66e840e4977e Pieter van der Merwe posted an update: The final lesson in the course is titled “Modern […] https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82981/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 19:29:16 -0400 The final lesson in the course is titled “Modern Application for Individuals” and looks at the aspects of applying Scriptures to ourselves and others as individuals. The lesson taught that variety in personal application of Scripture must account for the variety of biblical instructions and the variety of the people and circumstances involved.…

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]]> 6 fa53fc3f41c41ede7693cb10a068ba9f Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82903/#acomment-82935 Sat, 11 Jul 2026 12:16:05 -0400 @stephenwestlund 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

Lesson ten focused on “Biblical Culture and Modern Application” by looking at the biblical foundations of culture in the early chapters of the Bible. Biblical developments […]

]]> 1a998ff2d46bb8c005d9b49131c39905 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82696/#acomment-82934 Sat, 11 Jul 2026 12:15:38 -0400 @carlosaruiz 🙏

In reply to - Carlos Ruiz posted an update

The Battle of the Mind – The battle is taking place in the mind. Every attack that Satan makes involves the mind. I think it’s important to know this, how important it is to guard […]

]]> 8d64e3053c2c81a909c47ce3aa2008fd Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82903/#acomment-82915 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:19:44 -0400 @robertonina 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

Lesson ten focused on “Biblical Culture and Modern Application” by looking at the biblical foundations of culture in the early chapters of the Bible. Biblical developments […]

]]> ad565d4cacda3b255973ff1b4268a4f3 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82886/#acomment-82914 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:19:20 -0400 @robertonina Indeed, Thank you Roberto 🙏

In reply to - R.C. posted an update Some parts of the Old Testament were written in ancient Aramaic, and most of it was written in ancient Hebrew. The history and culture of the time can be seen in these languages. But the […] ]]> 16a2d1d4362c04987c08532d930293ff Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82886/#acomment-82905 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:45:33 -0400 We are so fortunate to have so many tools available to us today.

In reply to - R.C. posted an update Some parts of the Old Testament were written in ancient Aramaic, and most of it was written in ancient Hebrew. The history and culture of the time can be seen in these languages. But the […] ]]> 6e9a2e6e60cae45496c6438a4e284f79 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82902/#acomment-82904 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:44:30 -0400 This is so true, I often learn new things from my students!

In reply to - John posted an update

Course: Abraham

Session 30: Studying the Abraham Story in Different Settings

People learn more when they try to teach others what they are learning. I will continue to practice […]

]]> e9afc6a7614e3405839c888e397f3a63 Pieter van der Merwe posted an update: Lesson ten focused on “Biblical Culture and Modern […] https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82903/ Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:42:52 -0400 Lesson ten focused on “Biblical Culture and Modern Application” by looking at the biblical foundations of culture in the early chapters of the Bible. Biblical developments that took place in culture in both the Old- as well as the New Testament and explored how the aspects of culture in the Bible should affect our application of Scripture. I…

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]]> 4 5cd24c3b793780fba6fe5fa105e05dfb Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82705/#acomment-82770 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:28:18 -0400 @andreahill 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

This lesson, “Modern Application and the New Covenant”, looked at the ways in which the new covenant in Christ should affect our application of the Bible to the modern […]

]]> 5a4dcbebbdb6d520f15bad2d0bca0008 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82705/#acomment-82769 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:28:11 -0400 @johnnfor 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

This lesson, “Modern Application and the New Covenant”, looked at the ways in which the new covenant in Christ should affect our application of the Bible to the modern […]

]]> 07eccda29dedb0d73ca80fb760863462 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82705/#acomment-82768 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:28:03 -0400 @benwagner 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

This lesson, “Modern Application and the New Covenant”, looked at the ways in which the new covenant in Christ should affect our application of the Bible to the modern […]

]]> 4728f7cbb198cc6b9946a5cfa83095ef Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82705/#acomment-82767 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:27:51 -0400 @aaronhouse 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

This lesson, “Modern Application and the New Covenant”, looked at the ways in which the new covenant in Christ should affect our application of the Bible to the modern […]

]]> 2f55674c68545fe1ab76f0cbffe22959 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82696/#acomment-82708 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:06:34 -0400 Great observation, the battle is in the mind. – 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” – Pastor Marvin Smith of the Harvest Baptist Church in Fort Dodge, IO, speaking on Spiritual Warfare said…

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In reply to - Carlos Ruiz posted an update

The Battle of the Mind – The battle is taking place in the mind. Every attack that Satan makes involves the mind. I think it’s important to know this, how important it is to guard […]

]]> c5aceb14af3d707e79bad19231cd4eed Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82698/#acomment-82707 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:56:00 -0400 Very interesting, I look forward to this course.

In reply to - Noel Card posted an update

The session focused on repeated words (or word roots), comparing them to the “thread” that holds the “quilt” of the Bible together (the quilt analogy was from session 11). By […]

]]> f4e7c80b12dc1cbea16b6d4d3b21abb8 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82699/#acomment-82706 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:55:00 -0400 Great point, context is everything in starting to understand or interpret Scripture.

In reply to - Christopher posted an update

Leson 14 of creative bible study methods was on verse study. There are four steps for creating a verse study. Step 1 is not only vital for the study but a very important one that a […]

]]> ba2d14ae2712636811fb82a77a2f5b50 Pieter van der Merwe posted an update: This lesson, “Modern Application and the New Covenant”, […] https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82705/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:53:45 -0400 This lesson, “Modern Application and the New Covenant”, looked at the ways in which the new covenant in Christ should affect our application of the Bible to the modern world. The hopes of the Old Testament for a new covenant is shown in the inauguration, continuation, consummation of our epoch in Jesus Christ. What stood out for me most in…

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]]> 8 00af451912811dc996d3b78f45fad9a8 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82386/#acomment-82412 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:53:49 -0400 @fabianhernandez 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The lesson is titles “Modern Application and Old Testament Epochs”. It firstly discusses Epochal Divisions and how they affect modern application. The Epochs that the Old […]

]]> 90f8659e0428111b52797ffb33d2ff2d Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82386/#acomment-82411 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:53:20 -0400 @adebirkby 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The lesson is titles “Modern Application and Old Testament Epochs”. It firstly discusses Epochal Divisions and how they affect modern application. The Epochs that the Old […]

]]> dd2b1cbc2eb0db0eca1f83632f59c9ab Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82377/#acomment-82388 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:51:39 -0400 Great comment, that sentiment can be applied to the whole Bible, it was written for us, but not to us specifically.

In reply to - Melinda Minter posted an update

In lesson 6, we learned the principles of interpretation. One of my favorite things stated is, “all Scripture was given FOR you, but not all verses are directed TO you.” I think […]

]]> 70d8924b3cc376087c57c26ba56044ef Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82380/#acomment-82387 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:50:10 -0400 Good observation, many of the worlds institutions function on Biblical principles, even if they don’t want to acknowledge that.

In reply to - sheep posted an update

The bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over 1500 years, yet it maintains strong unity with a focus on one central theme. It is interesting to ponder that […]

]]> eaef113e743444ac513293cd0f09627f Pieter van der Merwe posted an update: The lesson is titles “Modern Application and Old Testament […] https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82386/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:48:03 -0400 The lesson is titles “Modern Application and Old Testament Epochs”. It firstly discusses Epochal Divisions and how they affect modern application. The Epochs that the Old Testament is divided into in the lesson is Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the New Covenant that the Old Testament prophets predicted. What I found most interesting in…

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]]> 4 0d4363d55f0a2a13f1a6d01ec9f3ffc2 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82337/#acomment-82385 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:45:30 -0400 @johnnfor 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The lesson is about applying Scripture and explores three basic factors that can help us to connect the original meaning of the Bible to modern situations. We first look […]

]]> c6658cae83e4f39870fd4b4a1f0dd3de Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82337/#acomment-82353 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:29:33 -0400 @Des 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The lesson is about applying Scripture and explores three basic factors that can help us to connect the original meaning of the Bible to modern situations. We first look […]

]]> 4110a16eecbeeca65501e01b3c35ab2f Pieter van der Merwe and Melinda Minter are now connected https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82348/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:06:42 -0400 0 cda0129dba993a1e312b4020b46a29ce Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82247/#acomment-82341 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:57:47 -0400 @Des 🙏

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

Lesson Six, “Discovering Meaning”, described some of the “guides” that God provided to help us to discover the meaning of Scripture. The two main factors that […]

]]> 0e17489463d1a3e7f76e768b441d542b Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82317/#acomment-82340 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:56:59 -0400 That is what is great about our connected age, it is a lot easier (and less expensive) for us to access information that it was for those that came before. We just need to show discernment on which online tools we choose, there is a lot of misinformation out there too!

In reply to - Melinda Minter posted an update

This lesson focuses on Bible Study Tools. I have used commentaries, Bible dictionaries and Lexicons, but had no idea how to use a concordance. The lesson walks you through each […]

]]> 50775c573002e596486e15b3aa153199 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82329/#acomment-82339 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:53:49 -0400 The basic message of the Gospel – I like that.

In reply to - James posted an update The basic elements of the Gospel message are that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He rose again according to the Scriptures. When you preach […] ]]> 528219ea45fa4592aa164d4bc86b1872 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82336/#acomment-82338 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:51:59 -0400 The Bible is just so rich, I keep learning more and more – thank you for the post!

In reply to - Noel Card posted an update

This session described the many subplots underlying the overarching plot of the entire Bible (Old and New Testament). The instructor laid out two initial, large-scale subplots: […]

]]> 996ff290b9709fe0661bd905a3f27386 Pieter van der Merwe posted an update: The lesson is about applying Scripture and explores […] https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82337/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:50:34 -0400 The lesson is about applying Scripture and explores three basic factors that can help us to connect the original meaning of the Bible to modern situations. We first look at the necessity of applying Scripture, and here James teaches that its not enough to know what Scripture says, but we have to act on that knowledge. Secondly, we look at…

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]]> 4 ead202d5694211e10feda5db095fd77c Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82245/#acomment-82251 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:10:15 -0400 Amen.

In reply to - Steve posted an update in the group Kingdom Encouragers

I am going to spend some time having a think on this verse today:

Psalm 26:11 But I will walk with integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me.

I think […]

]]> c58c09dcbcb7fd98de1cc88635d9b02e Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82228/#acomment-82250 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:09:21 -0400 I agree with what Shadrack says, fortunately we have the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus to illuminate scripture for us. Amen?

In reply to - Ben Wagner posted an update

This session examines how Jesus and early A.D. Jewish people interpreted the Old Testament. Jesus’ followers knew that a savior would come and redeem Israel, but they did not […]

]]> 5e5b9b8204c96488226bcc41b6889972 Pieter van der Merwe posted a new activity comment https://onlinebibleinstitute.org/activity/p/82229/#acomment-82249 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:07:57 -0400 That is what is so great about the Word, plots withing plots and intrigues within other intrigues. The brokenness of individuals are dealt with incredible honesty, and this is what gives us hope. If all the characters in the Bible were perfect, there would be not hope for us.

In reply to - Shadrack posted an update

In Session 20, we examined the use of layered plots to convey biblical narratives in which individual plots exist within larger plots that come together in order to create a larger […]

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