I was directed by Justin Taylor to a post by Trevin Wax discussing common urban legends propagated by preachers. I went to the list expecting to have a good laugh. And I was not disappointed. Wax spoke of the “the eye of the needle was a gate in Jerusalem” legend, the “rope-around-the-high-priest’s-ankle” legend, and the “scribes took baths before writing the divine name” legend. Oh how I chuckled!
Friday, April 29th, 2011
Daily Archive
April 29, 2011
I’ve been urbanized by a legend! Gehenna was not a perpetually burning trash dump.
Posted by Jason Dulle under Hell, Odds & Ends, Theology[7] Comments
April 29, 2011
What I’ve Been Reading: Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ
Posted by Jason Dulle under Book Reviews, Historical Jesus[9] Comments
For a long time I have been wanting to read Harold Hoehner’s standard work on the chronology of Christ, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ. I finally got around to purchasing and reading the book. Here is my summary of his arguments for dating the birth (5 BC), ministry (AD 29-33), and death of Christ (AD 33). Text in “[]” reflects my own thoughts/research.
Date of Christ’s Birth
Jesus was born while Herod was still alive (Mk 2:1; Lk 1:5). Herod was declared king in 40 BC byRome, and took physical control of Palenstine in 37 BC. He reigned 34 years.
Josephus tells us there was an eclipse shortly before Herod died. The eclipse occurred on March 12/13, 4 BC. He also tells us the Passover was celebrated shortly after (April 11, 4 BC). So Herod died sometime between mid-March and early April, 4 BC. Jesus must have been born before this. (more…)
Thinking to Believe 