J. C. Walz – Faith, Fiction, and DEvotional Writing

Blog Archive

  • Matthew 15

    1. What is the historical/literary background of the passage? Resistance to Jesus is getting sharper.  His forerunner, John the Baptist, was put to death in the previous chapter by Herod, and now conflict with…

  • The Gospel in the Underground Church

    The Gospel in the Underground Church Reaping a harvest needs patience and diligent work.  I’m thankful that someone put their hand to the plow so I could receive the Gospel at a young age…

  • Matthew 3

    Background We’ve been informed that Jesus and His family returned from Egypt after Herod died and took up residence in Nazareth.  Meanwhile, God is working with John the Baptist to prepare Jesus’ upcoming public…

  • Acts 1

    What is the Background? The Book of Acts is not a stand-alone book.  Of course the same could be said of the whole canon of God’s word. But I mean that Acts presupposes The…

  • Acts 28

    Background At this point in the narrative, Paul has already appealed to Ceasar and is on his way by prison transport to Rome.  The boarded a ship rather late in the season and so…

  • Acts 23

    Background We are now entering the scene where Paul is before the Jewish council.  He has been almost killed by a Jewish mob in the temple but “rescued” by the Romans when they saw…

  • Acts 25

     What is the Background? Paul has been arrested at the temple after a commotion was started by Jews from the province of Asia who stirred up the Jews against him.  Roman officials bound him…

  • Acts 21

    Historical/Literary Background In the previous chapter, Paul explained to the Ephesian elders that he is under the commandment of the Holy Ghost to set sail for Jerusalem even though many have explained to him…

  • Acts 19

    What is the Historical/Literary Background? Ephesus Paul is arriving in Ephesus for the second time but on his third missionary journey.  His first visit to Ephesus seemed to relatively brief as he sailed onto…