Online Bible Institute | Ronnie Jessup | Activity

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Wed, 13 May 2026 01:23:03 -0400

Hi Timothy – I enjoyed your reflection on Chapter 3 and your thoughts about the different Bible versions. You made a great point that even though translations may use different wording, the meaning and message remain the same. I also liked your observation about comparing John 3:16 across versions. Your comment about the Amplified Bible…

In reply to - Timothy Greenlee posted an update

I again enjoyed and learned from Chapter 3 how the Bible was written and why there are so many different versions. I have heard so many times that man wrote the Bible so […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Wed, 13 May 2026 01:21:37 -0400

Hi Frank – I really enjoyed your reflection on the Lord’s Prayer and how Jesus gave it to us as a model for prayer. I also think it is interesting that there are two versions in Matthew 6 and Luke 11. You made a great point that Jesus was not just giving us words to repeat, but showing us how to pray with the right heart and focus. I like how…

In reply to - Frank Bertinchamps posted an update

I learned that the Lord’s Prayer was John 3:16 so I was surprised that there are two versions of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 and in Luke 11. I like how Jesus instructed us […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: After reviewing Module 5 of The History of the Bible - […]

Wed, 13 May 2026 01:19:31 -0400

After reviewing Module 5 of The History of the Bible – The Greek New Testament: Language, Script, and Composition -My two biggest takeaways are that there is sound reasoning from Biblical scholars that Matthew was not the first Gospel – that Mark was likely the first Gospel, and that many of the Biblical authors used other external sources to…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 01 May 2026 02:04:26 -0400

I like how you connected the well scene to earlier narratives and the Eden imagery—it really shows how intentional the repetition is. Your point about Jacob as a disruptor adds insight, especially how his actions already hint at the tension he brings into otherwise ordered settings.

In reply to - Don posted an update

Reflection of Session 14
Session 14, Jacob in Haran, Rachel Two: A Bird in the Hand, introduces exciting developments in the Edenic motifs that have permeated the story thus far. The […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 01 May 2026 02:03:47 -0400

I appreciate how you highlighted Jacob’s “if-then” response—it really captures the tension between God’s unconditional promises and our often conditional faith. Your point about surrender and mystery also adds depth, showing that encountering God isn’t about control but trust.

In reply to - Don posted an update

. Session 13 of Jacob in the Biblical Imagination radically increased what I knew about the defining point of Jacob’s life, when he meets God now at Bethel, the “gate of heaven.” The […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: In session 4 of The History of the Bible, titled The […]

Fri, 01 May 2026 02:01:40 -0400

In session 4 of The History of the Bible, titled The Hebrew Bible: Transmission and Textual Criticism, two of the items that impacted me most were the fact that there were professional scribal families called Masoretes, and that scribes made intentional changes to the original texts when copying because they felt either the previous texts…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:18:47 -0400

I appreciate how you highlighted the idea of textual plurality rather than a single linear transmission. That really stood out to me as well, especially in light of the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they reshaped our understanding of the timeline. It adds depth to how we view the development of the canon and shows that these traditions were…

In reply to - Ronnie Jessup posted an update

In session 3 of The History of the Bible, titled The Hebrew Bible: Canonicity and Dead Sea Discoveries, two of the items that impacted me most were the explanations of why we […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:10:41 -0400

Thank you for sharing Misael. I did not know this but this make sound logical sense. You will be able to pray more effectively for others when your own life is more aligned with God.

In reply to - Misael Elias Vargas Bocaney posted an update

In summary, Chapter 5 teaches that for an intercessor to be effective, they must maintain a life of integrity and purity. It ensures that their relationship with […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: In session 3 of The History of the Bible, titled The […]

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:07:28 -0400

In
session 3 of The History of the Bible, titled The Hebrew Bible: Canonicity and
Dead Sea Discoveries, two of the items that impacted me most were the
explanations of why we have different modern versions of the canon (catholic
and protestant versions of the Bible), and the fact that we had Hebrew Bible manuscripts
dating back to only the…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:28:52 -0400

@jamesmbewe So true, James. I am not sure we have anywhere near this capability in today’s time.

In reply to - Ronnie Jessup posted an update

The two biggest take aways I took from Session 02 of the History of the Bible, titled, The Hebrew Bible: Language, Script, and Composition were that the Biblical writers were […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: The two biggest take aways I took from Session 02 of […]

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:40:21 -0400

The two biggest take aways I took from Session 02 of the History of the Bible, titled, The Hebrew Bible: Language, Script, and Composition were that the Biblical writers were skilled intentional authors of the Word of God and the fact that the Torah or Pentateuch was very likely all memorized at one time and handed down from generation…

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: Session 13 of Heaven and Earth taught by Dr. Tim […]

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:50:56 -0400

Session 13 of Heaven and Earth taught by Dr. Tim Mackie continues to explain about the structure and message of chapter 1 of Genesis. This session continues in depth about how the biblical authors wrote Genesis 1 not merely as a chronological account of creation but a carefully structured literary composition that guides the reader on how…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:15:57 -0400

Another great point, Peter. Having stated objectives makes it easier to understand if you have achieved your teaching goals. Its much like “start with the end in mind.” If you know where you want to end – then you have a better opportunity to achieve the desired outcomes.

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

“Stating Objectives” – An objective is an aim or end of an action. It is a point, goal, or desired outcome to be achieved. Objectives are important because:

· They […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:07:25 -0400

Understanding the need of the audience, of individual student(s), and how to help them learn will help those sharing the Gospel me more effective. Great post, Pieter!

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

“Analyzing the Audience” – To analyze the audience means to carefully examine the characteristics of a group of people you plan to teach. This is of critical […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:02:27 -0400

Great comments, Pieter. It is so important for believers to be able to share the Gospel. Understanding as many teaching tactics as possible is critical – understanding who the “master teacher” is, knowing his Word, and understanding His Spirit makes spreading the Gospel possible. Great post!

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

“Teaching Aids” – A teaching aid can be anything that helps you to get the lesson across clearly and is intended to increase the memory retention of the learners. […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: In session 12 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Tim Mackie […]

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 19:47:09 -0400

In session 12 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Tim Mackie continues developing the idea that creation in Genesis 1 is not primarily about material origins, but about God bringing order, function, and purpose. In Psalm 104, this idea is expanded by showing creation as an ongoing process rather than a completed event. The psalm uses similar imagery…

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: In session 11 of Heaven and Earth, titled Genesis 1 […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:43:57 -0400

In session 11 of Heaven and Earth, titled Genesis 1 Imagery in Jeremiah 4, Dr. Tim Mackie continues to discuss the ancient Biblical author’s interpretation of creation in the first few verses in Genesis. In these verses Mackie explains that the authors intent is to explain how God brings order from chaos rather than our more modern…

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: In session 10 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Tim Mackie […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:16:03 -0400

In session 10 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Tim Mackie continues to explain that understanding the first few verses of Genesis from a far eastern and ancient culture is different from our modern day culture. From a modern culture or cosmology, we understand the first few verses of Genesis as creation and God creating the heavens and the earth…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:06:31 -0400

Thanks for breaking that down, Dottie! I like how you laid out the divisions—it really helps to see the structure and purpose of both the Old and New Testaments.

In reply to - Dottie Mellnick posted an update The Bible has two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament has four main divisions. The first is the Law. These books talk about how the world […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:05:21 -0400

“Wow, this lesson really shows that real power comes from God, not just religion or rituals—love how it emphasizes using His power to actually make a difference in people’s lives!”

In reply to - Andrea posted an update

LIFE AFTER RELIGION

This lesson explains that religion is powerless and ritualistic, while spiritual power is God’s Kingdom applied to real life, bringing true abundant life. The lesson […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: In session 9 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Mackie continued […]

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:22:13 -0400

In session 9 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Mackie continued with cosmologies discussing in further depth about the ancient cosmology of Babylon and Egypt and how they compared and contrasted with the cosmologies of the ancient Israelites. The ancient Babylonians and Egyptians believed similarly to the Israelite cosmologies that creation was…

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: In Session 8 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Tim Mackie […]

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:09:45 -0400

In Session 8 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Tim Mackie explained that ancient Israel existed during the same time period and within the same cultural environment as its neighbors the Egyptians and Babylonians. Mackie explained that the Biblical authors did not write their creation accounts ex nihilo, (Latin meaning “out of nothing”) but rather…

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: In Session 7 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Tim Mackie’s […]

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 03:24:28 -0500

In Session 7 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Tim Mackie’s discussion was heavily focused on Genesis 1:3-5. The topic was about the creation of light and its separation from the darkness. The discussion continued to explain how this rotation between light and dark not only begins to create day and night but also creates a sense of time and order. In…

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: From Dr. Tim Mackie’s sessions on Heaven and Earth, […]

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:17:33 -0500

From Dr. Tim Mackie’s sessions on Heaven and Earth, Sessions 4-6, I learned how important it is to understand the Bible in its ancient context. I realized that the Bible’s view of heaven as God’s space, Earth as human space, and the Waters below isn’t about science, but about showing God’s order, care, and authority. Thinking this way helped…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:25:56 -0500

@Pieter Pieter, I really appreciate that, and I feel the same tension. Slowing down and trying to see Scripture from the perspective of the original writers has been humbling for me, but also deeply rewarding. I also agree that God is good in how He allows Scripture to interpret Scripture—it gives me confidence that when we seek Him honestly, He… Read more

In reply to - Ronnie Jessup posted an update After reviewing sessions 1–3 of Heaven and Earth with Dr. Tim Mackie, I realized I had what C. S. Lewis called “chronological snobbery.” I assumed that because I live in the […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:24:02 -0500

@doncyr Don, thank you for such thoughtful feedback. Your words really encourage me because my goal is exactly that—to read Scripture in its original context and allow its theology to speak on its own terms rather than forcing my modern assumptions onto it.

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:21:22 -0500

Such a great reminder. Time is so precious and we can all get caught up in so many nonessential things that mean so little in great scheme of the Kingdom of Heaven. Great post!!

In reply to - Youvenson posted an update That was the most meaningful to me in this lesson is the quotation of Jesus Christ, He said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). He is […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:18:06 -0500

What stands out to me in Job is not just his endurance, but his wrestling. He questioned, grieved, and lamented, yet he never let go of God. That encourages me because it shows that trusting the Lord doesn’t mean we never struggle—it means we cling to Him in the struggle. Like you said Carolyñea, His ways are higher than ours, and sometimes…

In reply to - Carolyñea posted an update

This book is more than an expressive, dramatic writing; it has a great message. “Why does apparently senseless tragedy strike men?”

In the midst of crisis JOB is well to turn to […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:07:45 -0500

Jeremy, I really appreciate how clearly you traced the development of both the Old and New Testament canons and showed that the canon was recognized over time rather than invented all at once. It is powerful to see how God preserved His Word through history, guiding the church to affirm the 27 books we still trust and use today.

In reply to - Jeremy posted an update

Contemporary Post-Modern Apologetics 202 (New Testament): Module 13, Searching for the New Testament Canon

The word Bible comes from the Greek words biblios and biblia. It literally […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: After reviewing sessions 1–3 of Heaven and Earth with Dr. […]

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:04:22 -0500

After reviewing sessions 1–3 of Heaven and Earth with Dr. Tim Mackie, I realized I had what C. S. Lewis called “chronological snobbery.” I assumed that because I live in the 21st century—with telescopes, satellites, and modern science—I understood the universe better than the biblical authors. But now I see that when Scripture describes Jesus… Read more

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:53:14 -0500

Carolyñea, I appreciate how you connected Nehemiah not just to history but to personal spiritual renewal, especially the progression from concern to confession to committed action. Your reflection helped me see the rebuilding of the walls as more than construction; it becomes a powerful picture of God restoring strength and purpose in our own lives.

In reply to - Carolyñea posted an update “Scripture is never concerned simply with chronology” states Ray Stedman. It is concerned with the teaching of each book. In these three books Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther we have […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:51:32 -0500

Jeffery, I really appreciate how clearly you walked through the steps of paragraph study, especially your breakdown of connective words and structure. Your explanation reminds me how much intentional observation matters in slowing down and letting the text speak rather than rushing to interpretation.

In reply to - Jeffery Fauser posted an update

Lesson 13 we are learning paragraph study. In the previous chapters we have learned boo, and chapter study now we are moving on to breaking down each paragraph. Step one is to do […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: A significant takeaway that I had from the first module […]

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:49:11 -0500

A significant takeaway that I had from the first module of the History of the Bible class was that the Bible that we know today was not just explained directly from God to a specific human writer (ex. Moses), or just handed down verbally for years, and then scribed one time and done. Dr. Heiser, the class teacher, explained that much of the…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:04:31 -0500

Don, this was a really thoughtful reflection. I appreciated how you connected the flood, Exodus, and resurrection as movements of re-creation rather than destruction. Your point about God restoring and reshaping what already exists, instead of wiping it out, adds a lot of depth to how we read both Genesis and Revelation. It’s a compelling way to…

In reply to - Don posted an update

Biblical Narrative Course – Session 17 Reflection The investigation of biblical cosmology and the “new creation” in Session 17 has forever altered my view of divine restoration and the […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:03:26 -0500

Jeffery, I appreciate how you highlighted both the divine source of Scripture and our responsibility in responding to it. I especially like the reminder that God’s Word isn’t meant to stay on the page but to shape how we live and how we share the gospel with others. That balance between trusting its authority and actively applying it really…

In reply to - Jeffery Fauser posted an update

This chapter is studying the Bible by using the Bible. The source of the words of the Bible is by God himself. There are many verses stating this revelation, such as Psalms […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: This session helped pull together so many concepts from […]

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:02:12 -0500

This session helped pull together so many concepts from the course. What stood out to me most was realizing how early and naturally Jesus was worshiped, especially when you place Paul’s writings alongside the Gospel of Matthew. From my perspective, having grown up in the Christian faith, calling Jesus Lord feels familiar. But for first-century…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 04:27:43 -0500

Really well said, Stephen. I like how you traced the Image of God theme all the way from Genesis through Daniel to Jesus without losing the thread. The contrast between humans becoming beast-like and Christ as the true “Son of Man” who restores our calling really stood out. You summed up Dr. Mackie’s point in a clear and thoughtful way.

In reply to - Stephen posted an update

In Session 29 of Heaven and Earth, Dr. Mackie takes us on a journey from Genesis to the book of Daniel to Christ, showing how the Bible tells one continuous story about true humanity. […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 04:25:17 -0500

Thanks for laying this out so clearly, Jeremy. I appreciated how you showed that Jesus didn’t appear in a vacuum but in a world full of messianic expectations and failed claimants. The contrast you drew really highlights how different Jesus was, especially how his movement didn’t collapse after his death but actually grew because of the…

In reply to - Jeremy posted an update

Contemporary Post-Modern Apologetics 202 (New Testament): Module 7, Jesus the Messiah and the Messianic Pretenders

In Israel, around the time of Jesus, there was a strong sense […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: This session helped me see Matthew’s Christology as both […]

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 04:23:14 -0500

This session helped me see Matthew’s Christology as both deeply theological and deeply practical. What stood out most was how Matthew presents Jesus as Immanuel, God with us, not through abstract claims but through Scripture, story, and lived encounter. I was especially struck by how YHWH texts and prayer language from the Psalms are applied…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:30:46 -0500

Thanks for sharing this, Finley. I really appreciated your insight about striving versus surrender, especially how countercultural that is today. It’s a good reminder that growth isn’t about being perfect, but about trusting God and letting Him do the shaping.

In reply to - Finley Boyd posted an update

This was one of my answers to a quiz question and I wanted to share it here. I think it is a very good reminder of how we grow into who God intends for us to be.

I find in our […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:28:46 -0500

Thank you for laying this out so clearly, Jeremy. I appreciate how you distinguished between denying Jesus’ divinity and denying his historical existence, since those are often blurred together. Bringing in both hostile and neutral sources really strengthens the point that the “Christ myth” claim is driven more by agenda than evidence.…

In reply to - Jeremy posted an update

Contemporary Post-Modern Apologetics 202 (New Testament): Module 5, The Christ Myth and the Historical Jesus

There is a myth showing up in Facebook and YouTube comments and posts that […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: Having been part of the Christian faith my entire life […]

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:26:59 -0500

Having been part of the Christian faith my entire life and attending church regularly for the past twenty years, I have grown very accustomed to confessing Jesus as Lord and accepting the Trinity as foundational truth. This session challenged me to recognize how radical those beliefs would have been in Paul’s time. Paul lived within the same…

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:40:37 -0500

Thanks for sharing this, Pieter. I appreciate the reminder that God works through ordinary people and that faithfulness matters more than immediate results. The examples you gave of Morrison, Carey, and Judson are encouraging, especially when ministry feels slow or discouraging.

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

The final chapter in this course is called “The Vision Becomes Reality” – It identifies the type of individuals that God calls as harvesters, teaches us to claim God’s […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:39:24 -0500

I really appreciate the way you carefully distinguished between spiritual concerns and neurological ones. Your point about Scripture being sufficient for the soul but not for understanding brain complexity makes a lot of sense. I also found your critique of the “all truth is God’s truth” discussion helpful, especially in how you named the…

In reply to - Max posted an update

In this lesson pastor Hoekstra overviewed the role of God’s word in counseling. God’s word is paramount, indispensable and instrumental in counseling. God’s word is the main instrument […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: This session made me more aware of how easily I assume […]

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:36:35 -0500

This session made me more aware of how easily I assume the confession “Jesus is Lord” without stopping to think about how disruptive that claim would have been in Paul’s time. What stood out most was seeing Paul apply YHWH texts, especially from Isaiah, to Jesus. Knowing that first-century readers would have understood these passages as…

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: This session helped me continue to read and understand […]

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 02:03:40 -0500

This session helped me continue to read and understand Paul with greater patience and reverence. What struck me most was realizing how intentional Paul is when he engages Yahweh texts—he is not proof-texting, but carefully handling language that carried deep sacred meaning. This session further deepened my understanding of how the divine name… Read more

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 22:07:16 -0500

Jessica, I really liked the balance you described. Bible aids can be helpful, but your emphasis on personally engaging Scripture and depending on the Holy Spirit really stood out. There is something special about discovering truth for yourself by slowing down and reading the Bible carefully.

In reply to - Jessica Crouse posted an update

This lesson described the different types of Bible Aids available to use along with studying the Bible. It is emphasized that we learn the Bible on our own with the help of the […]

Ronnie Jessup posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 22:02:14 -0500

Pieter, I appreciated how you emphasized that spiritual strategies are about faithfulness, not control of outcomes. The idea that we may be sowing for someone else to reap really stood out to me, especially in light of what we’ve been learning about formation over time rather than immediate results. It reframes spiritual work as participation in…

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

This chapter explains that strategies are principles, methods or plans to follow to reach a certain goal. We need to understand the strategies to be able to both sow and […]

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: What stood out to me most in this session was how […]

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 21:58:56 -0500

What stood out to me most in this session was how Paul consistently uses the title kyrios for Jesus in ethical contexts. I had always associated “Jesus is Lord” mainly with belief or worship, but this session helped me see how deeply practical that confession is for Paul. Ethics are not presented as abstract rules but as a response to living…

Ronnie Jessup posted an update: One thing that really stood out to me in this session […]

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 05:06:13 -0500

One thing that really stood out to me in this session was how both ordinary and profound the title Lord was when applied to Jesus. I had always assumed this language developed slowly or primarily through Greek influence, but seeing how deeply rooted it was in Jewish Scripture and worship changed that for me. The discussion of Maranatha…