All articles by David Instone-Brewer – Page 4
-
Archive content
Bible Stories Uncensored: Nehemiah: Political Manipulator
David Instone-Brewer investigates the underhand tactics of this biblical hero. If we’re honest, we’d probably all admit that we’ve lied, cheated and bullied on occasion – perhaps we told ourselves it was ‘necessary’. I must admit that’s how I once got a gold star for maths homework.
-
Archive content
Divisive Bible Doctrines: Bridging troubled waters
Rather than arguing over the ‘how’ or the ‘when’ of baptism, David Instone-Brewer explains that the real division is over what it actually does.
-
Archive content
Bible Stories Uncensored: Samson the Thug (and Pimp)
Should we tell children about the murkier acts of Samson, such as using prostitutes and pimping out his wife? On a family holiday some years ago, we found ourselves driving through a very rough part of a town and I started to dread what my daughters might be seeing.
-
Opinion
Bible Stories Uncensored: David the Tyrant
We often think of David as the plucky young boy who defeated Goliath. In reality, he was a nation-builder as well as a mass murderer who ignored the rape of his own daughter.
-
Archive content
Bible Stories Uncensored: Esther: the best in bed
Esther might have saved the Jews through her nocturnal activity, but, writes David Instone-Brewer, she didn’t manage to save a traditional family structure which celebrated women.
-
Archive content
5 Tough Questions about the Bible
Our resident Bible scholar responds to some typical questions about the Old Testament that The Bible series is likely to raise for non-believers (and probably plenty of Christians too, if we’re honest).
-
Archive content
Not lost in translation
How does a modern Bible translation like the NIV come about? Baptist minister David Instone-Brewer got a unique opportunity to find out when he was invited to join with a committee of translators.
-
Archive content
Joshua 10
Did God really make the sun stand still? David Instone-Brewer tackles Joshua chapter 10...
-
Archive content
Blood and Sacrifices
Why is the Old Testament apparently running with blood? David Instone-Brewer examines the importance and the symbolism.
-
Archive content
Sabbath - rest or recreation?
The principle of a ‘weekend’ is an entirely biblical one, says David Instone-Brewer. How will you use yours?
-
Archive content
Undemocratic Rule
What is the best system of government? David Instone-Brewer explores the ideal of democracy, and why God didn’t instigate it for Israel.
-
Archive content
The Death Penalties
Advocating the death penalty in the Old Testament seems barbaric. However, David Instone-Brewer argues that scripture actually has a high value for human life.
-
Archive content
Concubines and Prostitutes
David Instone-Brewer examines the effects on women of some controversial Old Testament practices and unearths surprising parallels with today.
-
Archive content
Child Sacrifice
Human sacrifice was once so common as to be considered normal. Did Abraham’s God endorse it? David Instone-Brewer explores the unacceptable.
-
Archive content
Old Testament warfare
Did Joshua commit genocide? Necessary rules of engagement or unnecessary slaughter? David Instone-Brewer on Old Testament warfare.
-
Archive content
Paul's Letters
Some scholars claim that as many as half of Paul’s letters weren’t actually written by him. Are they fakes, or did he just have a secretary?
-
Archive content
Mark 1
When the early Gospel manuscripts were being rapidly reproduced, mistakes were made. But did they change the message? David Instone-Brewer looks at omissions and additions in Mark 1.
-
Archive content
Genesis 19
Did God really send natural disasters to punish people? David Instone-Brewer tackles the story of Sodom in Genesis 19...
-
Archive content
Genesis 6
Did Noah’s Ark actually happen? Were six million land species really rescued in one boat? David Instone-Brewer tackles Genesis 6...
-
Archive content
Genesis 3
Is the story of Adam and Eve literally true, or should we treat it as an allegory? David Instone-Brewer tackles Genesis 3...