SPECIAL TOPICS
By Dr. Bob Utley, Professor of Hermeneutics, retired
The following Special Topics are taken from our verse-by-verse commentaries. They deal with:
1. Word studies
2. Theological issues
3. Hermeneutical issues
4. Cultural issues
5. Geographical issues
6. “Hot button” issues in the church today
We hope this will be a quick way for you to access these topics.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Aaron’s son
Abaddon. . .Apollyon
“Abiding” in John’s Writings Related Sermon
Abomination (OT)
Abomination of Desolation
Abound (periseuo)
Above Reproach (qualifications for church leaders)
Abbreviations Used in Commentaries
Adoptionism
Acacia Wood
Adultery (Exodus 20:14)
Age (see Human Aging) Related Sermon
Age of Accountability Related Video
Age and Formation of Earth
This Age and the Age to Come Related Video
Alcohol – Alcoholism Related Sermon
The Alexandrian School of Biblical Interpretation
The Almighty
Almsgiving
Altar of Incense
Altar of Sacrifice
Amalek
Amen
Ammon
Amorite
Anakim (see Giants)
Ancient Near Eastern Calendars
ANE Creation and Flood Myths
ANE Sacred Colors
Ancient Near East Weights and Volumes
The Angel of the Lord
Angelic Levels in Paul’s Writings
Angels and Demons Related Video
Anointing in the Bible
Anthropomorphic Language to describe God
The Antichrist Related Sermon (OT) Related Sermon (NT)
The Antiochian School of Biblical Interpretation
Any Moment Return of Christ vs. Not Yet
Apocalyptic Literature
Apostasy(aphistemi) Related Video
Apostle (see “Send”)
Apostle’s Names
Aquila and Prisca/Priscilla
Arche (beginning or origin)
Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9)
Armageddon
Arminianism
Ascension
Assurance (also see “Christian Assurance”) Related Video
Atonement
At Twilight
Author/Leader (archegos)
Authority (exousia)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Baking Bread
Baptism Related Video
Baptismal Regeneration Related Sermon
Baptism for the Dead (1 Cor. 15:29)
Baptism of Jesus
Baptism of the Spirit Related Video
Barnabas
Be Made Strong
The Beatitudes Related Sermon
Beelzebul
Bel
Believe (noun, verb, adjective) in the NT
Believe (pisteuo) in John Related Video
Believe, Trust, Faith, and Faithfulness in the OT
Believers’ Inheritance
Bernice
Bible (Bob’s presuppositions)
The Bible in Eastern Literature Related Video
Bible (its uniqueness and inspiration) Related Video
Biblical Faith Is Corporate Related Video
Birth Pains of the new age
Bishops/Overseers
Blameless, Innocent, Guiltless, Without Reproach
Blessing (OT)
Blood
Blood Avenger
Boasting (NT)
Bob’s Evangelical Biases Related Video
Bob’s Doctrinal Statement
Body and Spirit
Boldness (parrhesia)
The Two Books of God Related Video
Born Again Related Sermon
Boundary Markers
The Branch of the Lord (Messianic title)
Breastplate of the High Priest
Breath, Wind, Spirit
Burial Practices
Burial Spices
Burnt Offerings, Leviticus 1
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Calendars
Call on the Name (Isa. 12:4)
Called
Calvinism
Can humans see God and live?
Canon
Canon (Hebrew)
Canon (NT)
Carnal Christians Related Sermon
Celibacy and Marriage Related Video
Certificate of Divorce
Chaldeans
Characteristics of Israel’s God (OT) Related Video Related Sermon
Characteristics of Israel’s God (NT) Related Sermon
Chariots
Chart of the Apostles Names
Chemosh
Cherubim
The Children of God
He Chose Us
Christ Jesus as Lord Related Video
The Christian and Lawsuits Related Sermon
Christian Assurance
Christian Freedom vs Christian Responsibility Related Video Related Sermon Related Sermon
Christian Growth (characteristics)
Christianity Is Corporate Related Video
Church (ekklēsia)
Church Discipline
Church Polity Related Sermon
The Circle of the Earth (i.e., dome, skin, vault)
Circumcision
Cities (the Two Cities in Isaiah)
Cities of Refuge Related Sermon
Cleansing of the Temple Related Sermon Related Sermon
The Cloud Related Sermon
Coins in Use in Palestine in Jesus’ Day
Comfort
Coming On the Clouds Related Sermon
Commandment in John’s Writings
Confession/Profession
Conscience
Consequences of Idolatry
Consider
Corinth
Cornerstone Related Video
Covenant Related Video
Covenant Promises to the Patriarchs
Covenant Requirements of Israel
Coveting
Creation and Flood Accounts in the ANE
Cremation Related Video
Crowns for Believers
Crucial Introductory Articles to NT Apocalyptic
Crucifixion
Cubit
Cup
Curse (OT) (anathema)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Date of the Exodus
Day (yom) in Genesis 1
That Day
The Day of the Lord (NT)
Deacon
Deaconess Related Sermon Related Sermon
The Dead, Where Are They? (Sheol/Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus) Related Video
Death Angel
The Death Penalty in Israel
Deep Darkness
Paul’s Defense in Acts (common elements)
Degrees of Rewards and Punishment Related Video
The Deity of Christ from the OT Related Sermon
Delayed Second Coming Related Sermon Related Sermon Related Video
The Demonic (unclean spirits) in the NT Related Video
The Demonic in the OT
Destroy, Ruin, Corrupt (phtheiro)
Destruction (apollumi)
Devil
Disciples’ Characteristics
The Disciples’ Questions (Matt. 24:3)
Divination
Diviner
Divisions of the Hebrew Bible (Canon)
Divorce
Divorce and Remarriage (OT)
Does Any Believer Ever Fall Away? (aphistemi) Related Video
Donkeys/Mules
“Door” in the NT
A Great Red Dragon (from Rev. 12) Related Sermon
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Eastern Literature (biblical paradoxes) Related Video
Eden
Edify
Edom and Israel
Effective Prayer
Eighth Century Prophets (the historical setting)
Elder
Election
Election/Predestination and the Need for A Theological Balance
Elementary Priciples (stoiceia)
Emim (see Giants)
Empires of Mesopotamia
Empty, Vain, False, Nothingness
End or Full (telos)
Ephesus
Ephod
Equipping the Saints Related Sermon Related Sermon
Eschatology
Eternal (aionios)
Eternal Punishment (Hell)
Eunuchs
Evidence (NT) of One’s Salvation Related Video
Excommunication Related Sermon
Exodus 20:13-17
The Exodus (uncertainties)
Exorcism
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Face to Face
Faith (pistis)
The Faith (NT)
The Fall (Genesis 3 in the NT) Related Video Related Sermon
The Fall of Mankind Related Video Related Sermon
The Fall of Satan and His Angels Related Sermon Related Video
Falling From Grace? Related Video
False Witness
Fasting
Father
Fatherhood of God
Fear (OT)
Feasts of Israel
Female Church Workers Related Sermon
Fertility Worship of the Ancient Near East
Filled
Filled With the Spirit Related Sermon
Fire
Firstborn
Flesh (sarx)
Food Laws (see OT Food Laws)
Foolish People (terms)
Foreknowledge
Forever (Greek idiom)
Forever (‘olam)
Forgiveness in the OT
Form (tupos)
Forty-Two Months (from Daniel)
The Foundations of the Earth (“from” or “before”)
Frankincense
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Gamaliel
Gamaliel
Garden of Eden
Gehenna (Where Are the Dead?) Related Video
Generous/Sincere (haplotes)
Gethsemane
Giants
Gird Up Your Loins
Gleanings
Glory (apaugasma)
Glory (doxa, NT)
Glory (kabod, OT)
Glossary
Gnosticism
God Almighty (El Shaddai)
God Cares for Animals
God Described As Human (anthropomorphism)
God Hardened
The God of This World (2 Cor. 4:4) Related Sermon
Godliness (from the Pastorals)
God Tests His People (OT)
Go’el
The Gospel Related Sermon Related Video
Government Related Sermon
Grace, Mercy, Peace in Paul
Grain Offering (Leviticus 2:1-16)
The Great Tribulation Related Sermon
The Greatest Commandment
Greek Grammatical Terms
Greek Terms for Testing and Their Connotations
Greek Verb Tenses Used for Salvation
Grieving Rites
Guarantee (bebaios)
Guilt Offering (Leviticus 5:14-19)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Hades Related Video
Haggai
Hand
Hang
Head (kephale)
Head Coverings (1 Corinthians 11) Related Sermon
Healing (NT) Related Video
Heart
Heaven
Heavenly Council
The Heavens and the Third Heaven
Hebrew Grammar
“Hebrew People” Related Video
Hebrew Poetry
He Chose Us
Hell (Gehenna) Related Video
Herem and Anathema (Utterly Destroy)
Hermeneutical Approach to Genesis 1-11
Herod Agrippa II
Herod and His Family
Herodians
Historical Allusions to Persian Kings
Historical Narrative
Historiography
Hittite (Suzerain) Treaties
Holy
The Holy One
Homosexuality
Honor Father and Mother
Hope
Horeb
Horns Used By Israel
Hour
Household Baptisms Related Sermon
Human Aging Related Sermon
Human Sexuality Related Sermon
Human Speech Related Sermon
Hunger Related Sermon
Husband of One Wife (1 Timothy 3) Related Sermon
Hypocrites (in Matthew)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Idolatry, consequences of
Illumination Related Video
Immanuel’s Person and Reign (Isa. 9:6-7)
Inspiration Related Video
Intercessory Prayer
Interpersonal Relationships Related Sermon
Interpreting Genesis 1-11
Interpreting Parables
Inward Parts
Is Healing God’s Plan for Every Age? Related Video
Isaiah (authorship and unity)
Iscariot
Israel (the name)
Israel’s Mandated Response to Canaanite Fertility Worship
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
James, the Half Brother of Jesus
Jealousy
Jebus
Jerusalem
Jesus and the Spirit Related Video
Jesus As High Priest
Jesus’ Baptism Related Video
Jesus Christ as Lord Related Video
Jesus Is Greater Than
Jesus the Nazarene Related Video
Jesus’ Post-resurrection Appearances
The Any-Moment Return of Jesus vs. The Not Yet
Jesus’ Return
Jews
John 1 Compared to I John 1
John 6 (The Lord’s Supper in John) Related Video
John’s Use of Believe with prepositions Related Video
Judaizers
Judas Iscariot
Judge, Judgment, Justice in Isaiah
Judgment in the NT
The Judgment Seat of Christ Related Sermon
Judging (Should Christians Judge One Another?)
Justice
Keep Related Video
The Kerygma of the Early Church
The Kingdom of God
Kings of the Divided Kingdom
Kings of Assyria
Kings of Egypt
Kings of Greece
Kings of Neo-Babylon
Kings of Persia
Kinsman Redeemer
Know
Koinonia (fellowship)
Kosmos (in Paul)
Ktisis
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
The Lake of Fire Related Sermon
Lampstand
Land, Country, Earth (OT)
The Last Days (NT)
Later Editorial Additions to the Pentateuch
Laver
Laws in the Ancient Near East
Lawsuits Related Sermon
Laying on of Hands
Leadership and Church Polity of the Early Church Related Sermon
Leaven
Levirate Marriage
Leviathan
Levitical Priests
Lifted Up
Linen
Listen/Hear (shema)
Lions in the Old Testament
Location of Mt. Sinai
Logos (Word)
LORD of Hosts
The LORD Hardened
Lord (adon and kurios)
The Lord’s Supper in John 6 Related Video
The Lord’s Supper (order of Passover Service)
Love (agapē)
Lovingkindness (Hesed)
Lucifer (Isa. 14:12)
Luke, The Man
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Magic
Male Headship
Manna Related Sermon
Matthew 27:9 (textual problem)
Medo-Persian Empire Survey of the Rise of Cyrus II
Maranatha
Marduk
Melchizedek Related Sermon
The Men of the East
Mercy Seat
Messiah
The Messianic Era
Midian
The Millennium Related Sermon
Moab
Molech
Monotheism
Moriah, Salem, Jebus, Jerusalem, Zion
Moon Worship
Mosaic Law and the Christian
Moses’ Authorship of the Pentateuch
Mount Sinai (Location)
Mules/Donkeys
Murder (Exodus 20:13)
My Servant
Mystery
Mystery in the Gospels
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Names for Deity
The Name of the Lord (NT)
“The Name” of YHWH (OT)
Natural Resources
Nazarene Related Video
Nazirite Vow
Nebo
The Need to Persevere
Nephesh
Nephilim
New Testament Timeline
The Night Trial of Jesus Before the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:57-55)
No Idols
No Other Gods
NT Holiness/Sanctification
NT Prophecy
NT Terms for Christ’s Return
Null and Void (katargeo)
The Number Twelve
Old Things. . .New Things
One Hundred Forty Four Thousand Related Sermon Related Sermon
Ordination
OT Titles of the Special Coming One
The Old Testament as History
The Old Testament Food Laws
Old Testament Historiography Compared with Near Eastern Cultures
Old Testament Historical Narrative
Old Testament Predictions of the Future vs. New Testament Predictions
Old Testament Timeline
One Causality
The Orthodoxy of the Pastorals
OT Prophecy
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Parables, How to Interpret
Paraclete (another Helper)
Paradox in Scripture Related Video
Passover
Passover (Order of Service)
The Path
Paul’s Admonitions to Slaves
Paul’s Legal Defense (common elements in Acts)
Paul’s Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving
Paul’s Use of Huper Compounds
Paul’s View of the Mosaic Law
Peace (NT)
Peace (OT)
Peace and War
Peace Offering
The Pentateuch
Pentateuch Source Criticism (J, E, D, P)
Pentecost
The People of the Land
Perseverance
Persian Kings Related to the Rebuilding of the Temple in Judah
Personal Evil
Personhood of the Spirit
Peter
Pharisees
Philistines
Phylacteries
The Pillar Related Sermon
Pillars
Pit
Porpoise Skins
Possess the Land
Post-Exilic Chart
Poured Out (NT)
Powers of Mesopotamia
Practical Guidelines for How Believers Can Know Their Spiritual Gift
Praetorian Guard
Prayer (see Effective Prayer and Intercessory Prayer)
Prayer (Intercessory)
Prayer, Unlimited Yet Limited
Predestination
Predestination (Calvinism) vs Human Free Will (Arminianism)
Pre-Israelite Inhabitants of Palestine
The Problems and Limitations of Human Language
Promised Land
Prophecy (NT)
Prophecy (OT)
Prophet (the different Hebrew terms)
Prophetic Models vs. Apostolic Models
Propitiation
Punishment (see Degrees of Rewards and Punishment) Related Video
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Rabbinical Hermeneutical Techniques
Racism Related Sermon
Ransom/Redeem
Rapture Related Sermon
Receive
The Red Dragon Related Sermon
The Red Sea
Refuge (OT)
Reigning in the Kingdom of God
Remember the Sabbath
The Remnant, Three Senses
Renew (anakainosis)
Repentance (NT)
Repentance in the OT
Rephaim
Resurrection Related Sermon
Rewards (see Degrees of Rewards and Punishment) Related Video
Righteousness
Romans 14:1-15:13, Freedom vs. Responsibility (strong and weak believers) Related Video Related Sermon Related Sermon
The Route of the Exodus (uncertainties)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Sabbath
Sacrificial Systems of the Ancient Near East
Sadducees
Saints
Salem
Salvation (Greek verb tenses)
Salt
Salvation (OT Term)
Sanctification
Sanhedrin
Sarai/Sarah
Satan
Satanic Attempts to Thwart the Messianic Line in Genesis
Our Savior (title)
Schemes (noema)
Scourged
Scribes
Seal
Second Coming (terms)
Second Coming (chart)
Delayed Second Coming Related Sermon Related Sermon Related Video
Send (apostello), from which comes “apostle”
Seraphim
Sermon on the Mount
My Servant
The Serpent Related Sermon Related Sermon
Servant Leadership
Seven Spirits in Revelation
Seventy Years
Shaddai
Shadow As a Metaphor for Protection and Care
Shalom (peace)
Shame
Shekinah Related Sermon
Shema (Listen/Hear)
Sheol (see Hades, Gehenna) Related Video
Should Christians Judge One Another?
Show Bread or Bread of the Presence
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Siege Mounds
Sign (OT)
Sin Offering
Sin Unto Death (1 John)
Silas – Silvanus
Slaves – Slavery
“Sons of…” (OT)
Son of God
sons of God in Genesis 6 Related Sermon
Son of Man
Soon Return
Soothing Aroma
Sophists
Sound Teaching
Speaking in Tongues
Speech Related Sermon
The Spirit and Jesus Related Video
Spirit (filling) Related Sermon
Spirit (gift of)
Spirit in the Bible
Spirit (pneuma) In the NT
Spirits in Prison Related Sermon
Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Warfare
Stand (histemi)
Stealing
Stone to Death
Stubborness (OT)
Submission (hupotasso)
Suffering
A Suffering Messiah
Suicide
Symbolic Numbers in Scripture
Synagogue
Synagogue Service
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Tabernacle Camp
Tabernacle of the Wilderness
Taking God’s Name In Vain
Tall/Powerful Warriors or People Groups
Tarshish
Tartarus (see Sheol) Related Video
Teacher
The Ten Commandments
Tensions Between Old Covenant Prophetic Models and New Covenant Apostolic Models
Teraphim
Terms for Foolish People
Terms for God’s Revelation
Terms Used for Tall/Powerful Warriors or People Groups (Giants)
Testing (peirazo and dokimazo)
God Tests His People (OT)
Textual Criticism
Thanksgiving
That Day
Thessalonica
The Third Day
Thousand (eleph)
Timeline of the Post-Exilic Period
Timothy
Tithing Related Sermon
Titles for the Special Coming One
Titus
Tongues
Trees
Trespass Offering (Leviticus 5:14-19)
Tribulation
The Trinity
Triumphal Entry
Trust (faith)
Truth (the concept) in John’s Writings
True (the term) in John’s Writings.
Truth in Paul’s Writings
Twelve
The Twenty Four Elders
The Two Books of God Related Video
The Two “Cities” of Isaiah
The Two Witnesses of Revelation Related Sermon
Typology
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Unintentional Sins
The Unpardonable Sin
Urim and Thummim
Utterly Destroy (Herem and Anathema)
Vain, Empty, Nothingness
Vices and Virtues (NT)
Views of the Second Coming
Virgin
Virgin Daughters
War in Heaven Related Sermon
The Washing of Regeneration Related Sermon
Waters
The Way
Ways of Revelation
Weakness
Wealth Related Sermon
What Does It Mean To “Receive,” “Believe,” “Confess/Profess,” And “Call Upon?”
What Is Sin Unto Death?
Where Are The Dead? (Sheol/Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus) Related Video
Why Are End-time Events so Controversial?
Why Do Christians Suffer?
Why Do OT Covenant Promises Seem so Different from NT Covenant Promises?
Why God Clothed Adam and Eve with Animal Skins
The Wildernesses of the Exodus
The Will (thelema) of God
The Windows of Heaven
Wine and Strong Drink Related Sermon
Wisdom Literature
Without Defect (OT)
Witnesses to Jesus (in John)
A Woman Clothed in Twelve Stars
Women in the Bible Related Sermon
Women in Ministry (Romans 16)
Women Keep Silent (1 Cor. 14:34) Related Sermon Related Sermon
Women Ministers Related Sermon
The Women Who Followed Jesus
Women Who Traveled With Jesus and His Disciples
Wonderful Things (OT)
Worship Related Sermon
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
YHWH’s Covenant Requirements of Israel
YHWH’s Eternal Redemptive Plan Related Video
YHWH’s Grace Acts to Israel
YHWH Hardened
Yom (day) in Genesis 1
Zechariah
Zamzummin (giants)
Zion
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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