Readers Reply

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Readers Want Pictures by the Old Masters

Hearty applause for moving to a bimonthly format. I look forward to monthly publication when resources allow. But surely the accompanying decision about artwork was made at the end of an editorial meeting that ran too late into the night. For BR to decide it doesn’t “need so many… old masters’ paintings” is rather like National Geographic deciding it doesn’t really need so many photographs.

Please reconsider.

OK, we’ll reconsider, but tell your friends to subscribe, so we can afford all those beautiful pictures.—Ed.

The BR Index Is Here

How about increasing the value and usefulness of Bible Review by providing a year-end subject-title-author index, covering your year’s workmanship?

I assure you this addition would be extremely helpful.

If Concepts of Afterlife and Immortality Develop and Change, How Does This Square with Scriptural Inspiration?

I have just received the February issue of Bible Review and enjoyed every minute of my reading. I found the article, “Afterlife: Ancient Israel’s Changing Vision of the World Beyond,” BR 04:01, by Bernhard Lang to be especially worthwhile. It helped me integrate bits and pieces that I had previously gleaned from biblical commentaries and philosophy books into a very understandable synopsis.

However, the article itself raises many issues that I—as a pastor and lay scholar—would invite further input on: (1) Is there a currently espoused theory of inspiration that allows for these types of developments within the biblical tradition, yet allows the Bible to speak as God’s word to mankind? (2) What are the implications for the Christian belief in heaven and immortality? Are they myths? For instance, it can be shown that the New Testament concept of Satan has developed in a similar manner, and for that very reason many scholars today see belief in Satan as a primitive Christian belief that must be discarded from modern man’s belief system (at least as traditionally understood). Should we do the same with traditional beliefs about heaven and immortality?

Again, the article was excellent. Thanks for stimulating my thinking.

On the Horned Moses

I am writing to commend you in general for a wonderful magazine and in particular for Professor William H. Propp’s insightful article, “Did Moses Have Horns?” BR 04:01. I appreciate the spirit in which the article was written and the stimulus to my thinking it provided. Well done indeed!

I have received the February issue of Bible Review and was enjoying its contents with lively interest until I came upon the conclusions reached by Mr. Propp in this article, “Did Moses Have Horns?” BR 04:01. While the scholarly investigation of this description of Moses in artwork and the interpretation of scripture is valuable and informative, I found the conclusion to be totally lacking in spiritual insight or perspective. The assumption that man’s communication or contact with God results in pain and deformity sheds little light on the Bible and what it reveals about man’s true relationship with his Creator. Mr. Propp’s conclusion continues to shroud God and His creation, including man, in darkness and superstition.

Please, as a devoted student of the Bible, we need light, not darkness.

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Dating Daniel

The article by Bernhard Lang [“Afterlife: Ancient Israel’s Changing Vision of the World Beyond,” BR 04:01] blithely states that the Book of Daniel was written in the second century B.C. According to the Book of Daniel, Daniel lived at the time of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius—covering a time period from around 600 B.C. to close to 530 B.C. Quite a time span from the second century B.C.

The Septuagint contained the Book of Daniel and was prior to the second century B.C. Josephus records that when Alexander the Great arrived to attack Jerusalem, Jaddua the High Priest went out to meet him and showed him a copy of the Book of Daniel in which he was clearly mentioned. Alexander was so impressed by this that instead of destroying Jerusalem, he entered the city peaceably and worshipped at the Temple. Our Lord called the Pharisees “hypocrites,” but He called Daniel “the Prophet.” His endorsement is enough to make me believe in the sixth century B.C. dating of the book.

I do not plan to cancel my subscription, but I will think twice before renewing it if this unbelief continues.

Bernhard Lang replies:

An “early” (that is, sixth-century B.C.) dating of Daniel, chapter 12, would not weaken my case. It would simply make Daniel into a contemporary of the Jewish prophet Ezekiel. In that case, both figures would appear to be open to Iranian influence.

Gift Subscriptions

Would you please send two gift subscriptions to whomever you choose: a library, which might bring in new subscribers, or some needy person.

Thanks. Your two gift subscriptions were given to John C. Lesko and Gordon R. Olson, who are in prison. Both are interested in the Bible, and Mr. Olson has organized a Bible-study group.—Ed.

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Witness to the Supernatural

Regarding the article on supernatural experience [Ben Johnson, “Supernatural Experiences—More Common than You Think,” in My View, BR 03:04], it’s difficult to believe how supernaturally ignorant many of the theologians and seminarians are today. I am the leader of an interdenominational prayer group. It is not uncommon for our members to experience the supernatural. A woman witnessed to me of two angels coming into her bedroom, one at a time, who sat on her bed and talked to her about spiritual things to come. Another, when a young girl, an angel appeared to her and spoke to her. Christ appeared bodily to a Catholic priest and prayed the Mass with him. Christ appeared again the same night at the foot of his bed. I myself had a Vision of Christ while singing, “Come, Holy Spirit.” Another person in this prayer group sees angels quite frequently (bodily). I know of a Catholic nun who sees angels quite frequently. Many have heard the Voice of the Lord (verbally). One woman was removed supernaturally from a rape and beating. Others have heard words from Jesus on healings for others. Another receives prophetic words of encouragement.

I could go on and on. If the Lord is doing all of these miraculous things here within a small area, what must He be doing on a world scale. I say to the theologians and seminarians to get off their high horse of intellectualism and come down to where the living Christ is.

Readers Want Pictures by the Old Masters