The Brown Bible
We are dedicated to the research and teaching of God’s wonderful Word. What makes us different? Read a few articles and find out. Key ingredients on this site are both reason and a deep respect for the integrity of the Scriptures. You won’t find any unfounded tradition here, just straight Bible.
The core series of our postings is the section on the gift of righteousness: “No More Conscience of Sins” (The best place to start for this series), “What is the Story with 1 John 1:9?” (Part 1 & Part 2), “Two Natures?” (Part 1 & Part 2), “Who is the Old Man and What is He Doing?,” and “Romans on Righteousness” (Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3).
Some other postings are designed to correct common misconceptions. These include “Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword?,” Creation, Science, and Genesis 1,” “Luke 15 and the Prodigal Son” and others.
There are also articles such as “What About Tithing?” and “The Right to Your Own Opinion” that are designed to make clear what God”s Word says about certain practical matters of Christian living.
I trust that the fundamental principles laid out in our “How to Research the Bible” section will be helpful.
Those of you who are familiar with our site, recognize that it has dramatically changed. The old site was crashing. We had to substitute in a new one. All the articles were copied over, but unfortunately, we lost hundreds of valuable comments. The old site was initiated in March of 2009, and some of the articles date back to about that time even though they all now register as having been published in June of 2011 or later.
Thank you for visiting. Enjoy, and God bless you.
Ken Brown and The Brown Bible team.
All Scripture references are King James Version unless otherwise stated.
We invite you to participate. Join the conversation by leaving a comment of your own, and help us get the Word out by sharing with your favorite social network. It’s easy too. Just click on the little share button near the top left and go to your favorite networking sites from there.
Articles By Ken Brown
Prev
Next
Good Friday?
I was doing some work at a store recently when the proprietor said, “Good Friday, I wonder why they call it GOOD Friday. Have you ever thought about that?” I said, “Yes, I have, and I wonder why they call it Friday.” She asked what I meant by that, and I told her Jesus could not possibly have been crucified on Friday and resurrected on Sunday morning. Matthew 12:40 is very clear: Mathew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Even if we were to count any part of a day as a day and any part of a night as a night, there are not three days and three nights between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. I suppose the idea of Friday comes from the fact that the next day was a Sabbath. John 19: 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that...
Ken Brown Comments(2) 30 Mar 2013 Hits:179 Biblical Considerations
Division’s Purpose?
Does God have two wills, a revealed will (revealed in His written word) and a secret will? I have heard this presented. Does He secretly want certain bad things to happen so that He can use those situations to bring about some greater good? Did God sanction Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery so that God could deliver the children of Israel? Or was their doing so purely evil, and God had nothing to do with it even though He was able to use the situation to bring about Israel’s deliverance. I vote for the latter. Our God is all good. He doesn’t bring to pass evil so He can bring to pass a greater good. A verse in 1 Corinthians, however, would seem to indicate otherwise. 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies [rendered as “factions” or some such in most versions] among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. Are there divisions in the church so that those who are approved may be made manifest among us? Is this God’s “secret will”? I don’t think so. His will is clearly stated numerous times. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not...
Ken Brown Comments(1) 29 Mar 2012 Hits:1063 Biblical Considerations
And I Partly Believe It
A curious phrase appears in 1 Corinthians 11. In verse 18 the Apostle Paul states that he has heard that there are divisions in the Corinthian church and then he says he partly believes it. 1Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. Really? He PARTLY believed it? It is utterly obvious that he absolutely believed there were divisions among them. Much of this epistle to the Corinthians is dedicated to addressing their divisions and divisive practices. He goes directly from the statement above to again addressing their divisions. 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies [rendered as “factions” or some such in most versions] among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. [By the way, the wording in this verse in the King James Version and every other version I checked indicates that there is a Godly purpose for divisions (or heresies). It is in order that those who are approved (or not) may be made manifest. This is simply not true, and I will address this in a future posting.] If indeed, the apostle wrote by revelation as...
Ken Brown Comments(4) 10 Feb 2012 Hits:1042 Biblical Considerations
"Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword?" -- The Sequel
“Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword?” – The Sequel In our posting, “Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword?” I pointed out that Jesus’ words were “Take” or “draw” the sword, a one-time act, not “live by the sword,” indicating a lifestyle. He was speaking of the particular circumstance he and his disciples were in at the moment, not pronouncing a truism for all time and all people. Someone has pointed out to me, however, that there is a similar statement in Genesis. Gen. 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. This is part of God’s pronouncement to Noah shortly after he came out of the ark. God told Noah, “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you,” (Genesis 9:3) but God went on to say there would be a penalty for anyone who killed a man, namely, what we just read above. The problem I have is like with our discussion on “live by the sword, die by the sword.” What on the surface it seems to be saying is simply not always true. There are plenty of unsolved murder cases and parts of the...
Ken Brown Be the first to comment! 20 Dec 2011 Hits:1255 Biblical Considerations
My Brother's Keeper
On a number of occasions, our current U.S. president, Barack Obama, in his push for “social justice” has declared, “It’s like the Bible says, ‘I am my brother’s keeper.’” Really? I can read in the Bible that as believers we are to be kind and compassionate and forgiving one toward another, esteeming others better than ourselves. We are to weep with them that weep and rejoice with them that rejoice. The Apostle Paul commended certain churches for giving unto his necessity. Jesus spoke of feeding the poor and giving drink to the thirsty (though I hardly think he had a gargantuan government program in mind to do so). We are to pray for one another and take care to not offend the weak. There are many things we are told to do in our relations with one another, but where does this “brothers keeper” phraseology come from and what does it mean? Galatians tells us to bear one another’s burdens. Galatians 6: 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. But the record goes on to say that every man shall bear his own burden. Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have...
Ken Brown Comments(2) 06 Nov 2011 Hits:1541 Biblical Considerations
A Misplaced Chapter Division
Serious Bible students know that context is crucial for correct interpretation of a passage. We also know that the chapter and verse divisions were not in the original texts given by divine revelation. The chapter divisions were instituted by about 1250 AD and the verses by about 1550 AD. It is all too easy, however, to be subtlely affected by them. We start a teaching in Ephesians 2:1 or conclude it with the last verse of chapter 5. Since the divisions are usually reasonable with respect to changes in subject matter, this practice is usually not inappropriate. We need to be ever vigilant, however, to not be influenced by these divisions, assuming that the beginning of a chapter is the beginning of a new thought. Some times the divisions are a flat-out misleading mistake. A case in point occurs in 1 Samuel. 1 Samuel 4:1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. The reasonable inference here is that the word of Samuel had something to do with Israel going out against the Philistines. The next verse, however, shows us that the campaign was...
Ken Brown Be the first to comment! 12 Aug 2011 Hits:1096 Biblical Considerations
How Did Methuselah Die?
How Did Methuselah Die? We recently went through the so and so begat so and so list in Genesis 5 at one of our fellowship gatherings. It was exciting. I’m not kidding. It was fascinating. By adding the years from the beginning of Adam through Noah and the flood, some interesting facts emerge. The years can be documented through the ages of individuals when their sons were born. Adam was 130 when Seth was born. Seth was 105 when Enos was born. Thus Enos was born in the year 235 A.H. (Anno Homoni, in the year of man). Adam lived 930 years. [Yes, I believe this is literally true. He wasn’t the product of evolution. God made him. He must have started out as a perfect specimen of what mankind was meant to be. Humans have devolved since then, not gotten better. Starting with perfection leaves no room for improvement.] He knew his son, of course, and more than likely his grandson, and great-grandson, and well actually, could very well have known his great-great-great-great-great-great grandson, Lamech, who was born 56 years before Adam’s death. Noah was the first in the recorded lineage to have been born after Adam’s death. Lamech, Noah’s father, apparently...
Ken Brown Comments(5) 05 Aug 2011 Hits:2419 Biblical Considerations
It’s The Lord’s Prayer, not Yours
It’s The Lord’s Prayer, not Yours For those of you who have frequented Christian church services of almost any variety, you are familiar with the routine: “Let us pray the prayer the Lord taught us. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name….” The tiny little inconvenient detail is that our Lord Jesus Christ never taught us any such thing. He did not teach us to pray this prayer. This practice is contrary to what he taught. Let’s take a look at what he taught regarding this matter. The record is in Matthew 6 (and also in Luke 11). Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts [used metaphorically here for “sins” as in...
Ken Brown Be the first to comment! 03 Jul 2011 Hits:1035 Biblical Considerations
Faith as a Grain of Mustard Seed
“Great faith” and “little faith” are spoken of in the book of Matthew. The records seem very clear about great faith being good and little faith being bad until we get to the reference to faith as a grain of mustard seed. Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Matthew 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we...
Ken Brown Be the first to comment! 30 Jun 2011 Hits:2450 Biblical Considerations
Give Unto Caesar
Give Unto Caesar Having recently come through tax time, I thought a few Biblical considerations about taxes and such might be appropriate. Jesus’ words, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s”, have been quoted many times to document the Master’s instructions as pertaining to a believer’s financial responsibility to his government as well as to God. The illuminating context of this statement, however, is usually ignored. Jesus was not sitting on a hillside teaching his disciples about their responsibilities to their government. He was responding to men who were endeavoring to trap him in his words, men who were trying to get him to say something for which they could accuse him. His response was not a teaching; it was merely evasive, and his words were very different from what he taught one of his disciples behind closed doors. Let’s take a look at the context of Jesus’ statement above before going on to the other record of Jesus’ remarks about taxes. Matthew 22: 15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. ...
Ken Brown Be the first to comment! 30 Jun 2011 Hits:1404 Biblical Considerations
Have You Ever Wondered about Proverbs?
Have You Ever Wondered about Proverbs? For those of us who believe that the Bible as originally given, was to holy men of God who were moved by the holy spirit of God to write the inerrant Word of God, we’ve got to consider what the story is with some of the statements in the book of Proverbs. A case in point is the following: Proverbs 10: 4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. Is this statement true? Is it absolutely true? Do the slothful always become…
Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword?
Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword? Did Jesus really say that all they who live by the sword will die by the sword? How could Jesus have said something that is so obviously not true? There have been many hundreds of thousands of career military men and women who have died peacefully in old age. Yet “those who live by the sword will die by the sword” is a common saying. An Internet search turned up millions of hits. Wikipedia asserts that the “proverb” comes from Mathew 26:52. Many other sources attribute the…
Some Thoughts on the Phrase, “The Power of Prayer”
Some Thoughts on the Phrase, “The Power of Prayer” I am very much in favor of prayer, lots of it, and the last thing I would ever want to do would be to demean those who laud “the power of prayer.” I know what they (most of them) mean by this expression, and I believe their hearts are in the right place. But words have meanings. It matters what we actually say, not JUST what we mean. Is there power in prayer or is the power in the One Who answers our prayers? I vote for…
Money is the Root of All Evil?
Money is the Root of All Evil? We’ve heard it many times: “money is the root of all evil.” I’m guessing that most of you reading this already know that this statement is a corruption of what God’s Word says. The expression comes from 1 Timothy. 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV) But did you know that “the love of money” is not the root of all evil? The Greek…
Pride Goes Before a Fall?
“Pride goes before a fall” has been a devastating expression for many Christian believers. They don’t understand it, and they get it used against them. Often there has been some wonderful believer faced with adversity who has made up his mind to go for it, to trust God, to choose to believe that his efforts with God’s help will bring to fruition his dream. Upon sharing his optimism with some other supposedly more seasoned “believer.” The latter feels compelled to deflate his tires and does so with, “Watch out. Pride goes before…
What About Tithing?
This is a topic that deserves much more attention than I am going to be able to give it in a single article, but I trust that the few Biblical considerations offered here will be helpful. First, I never use the word, “tithe,” to describe the believers’ giving, because of its association with the Old Testament law. The word essentially means, “the tenth part,” and it was commanded in the Old Testament law that the tenth part was to be held holy unto the Lord. Leviticus 27:30 And all the tithe of the…
The Unity of the Spirit
Last week my wife and I were standing in “line” at the Memphis airport with 100 or more other people waiting to board our plane. It was the typical scene. People looked bored, silently staring forward. A couple behind us spoke to us and a lively conversation erupted. Then a couple several layers of people ahead of us turned around and spoke to the four of us, smiling and waving. Another family near them began talking to them. Within moments many of the waiting crowd were engaged in friendly conversations. The entire…
Luke 15 and the Prodigal Son
Luke 15 and the Prodigal Son The parables of the Gospels are interesting from a number of perspectives. Many people have lauded the brilliance of the parables in so clearly and convincingly communicating Jesus’ message in a way easily related to by the masses. I have no doubt that Jesus used parables at times to communicate clearly, though the only recorded time he was ever asked about his purpose for using parables, his response was quite different. Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered…
Truth Versus Tradition
Truth Versus Tradition John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. God’s Word is truth. In life, one must eventually choose what he holds to…
The New Wine of Acts 2:13
The New Wine of Acts 2:13 This is in response to a question that came up. What is the “new wine” of Acts 2:13? The record could have just said “wine.” What is the meaning and significance of “new wine?” “New wine” is translated from a Greek word that indicates sweet and/or fresh wine. Most versions translate this as “new wine” as is in the King James Version, and I believe that is correct. I have heard it taught that “new wine” in the Bible refers to recently squeezed grape juice, unfermented and thus no alcoholic …
Romans 13 and Civil Disobedience
Let me start by saying that my purpose here is not to promote civil disobedience, nor is it to promote anything other than an accurate knowledge of Romans 13. This record, however, has been erroneously used to proclaim that all disobedience of one’s government is categorically immoral, contrary to God’s Word, the Bible. Many Bible versions even translate the early verses of this chapter in a manner that clearly conveys this message. The New International Version (NIV) is a case in point. Romans 13:1 (NIV) Everyone must submit himself to the governing…
Trust in the Lord
Trust in the Lord Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. We as believers are always to trust absolutely in our wonderful heavenly Father. Any “Bible-believing” Christian (and should there be any other kind?) would acknowledge this in a heartbeat. In practice, however, who or what we REALLY trust in can be so subtle that even the most sincere among us might at times be outside of where we want to be. It is easy…
Creation, Science, and Genesis 1
Creation, Science, and Genesis 1 I was at a wedding reception not long ago, seated next to a man I had not previously met. We exchanged the usual small talk. I learned that he was a retired eighth-grade science teacher and so on. The conversation was pleasant enough until he learned that I am a Bible-believing Christian (and as I like to say, “Should there be any other kind?”). He immediately launched into an all-out assault. “How can you possibly believe Genesis?” He went on and on about evolution, endeavoring to make a mockery of God’s Word. It takes hundreds of…
Truth Versus Tradition: Were Joseph and Mary Poor?
Tradition can be a subtle thing. We grow up believing something about a Biblical doctrine or event. It might never even occur to us to question where some particular belief came from, especially if that belief happens to be regarding some relatively minor point. I think the financial status of Joseph and Mary is a matter like that for many Christians. It is a commonly held belief that the mother and “stepfather” of our Lord Jesus Christ were poor, but where does this belief come from? Granted, a newborn baby laid in a manger is indeed a humble picture, but it…
Truth Versus Tradition: Joseph and Mary on Their Way to Bethlehem
Truth Versus Tradition: Joseph and Mary on Their Way to Bethlehem I was embarrassed a few days ago to realize I had accepted as truth a certain matter of tradition. Oh well, it happens to all of us, I guess. It shouldn’t, but it does. If we are to believe the truth and only the truth, we must be ever vigilant. I was writing the article on whether or not Joseph and Mary were poor. I was going to include a line saying that at least they owned a donkey. How could I have been so dumb? We’ve all seen the…
Truth Versus Tradition: His Star
Truth Versus Tradition: His Star What was the star referred to in Matthew 2? Matthew2:1 Now when [after] Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where…
It’s The Lord’s Prayer, not Yours
It’s The Lord’s Prayer, not Yours For those of you who have frequented Christian church services of almost any variety, you are familiar with the routine: “Let us pray the prayer the Lord taught us. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name….” The tiny little inconvenient detail is that our Lord Jesus Christ never taught us any such thing. He did not teach us to pray this prayer. This practice is contrary to what he taught. Let’s take a look at what he taught regarding this matter. The record is in Matthew 6…
Ecclesiastes 12 and The Whole Duty of Man
Ecclesiastes 12 and The Whole Duty of Man I admit it. I’m 60 years old, and I look at things differently than I used to. I think more about what is really important and also about what is really NOT. It matters much more how I live than how long I live. As we get older, things come into a more seasoned perspective. Chapter 12 of Ecclesiastes, though addressed to youth, contains a profound description of old age, the futility of life without meaning, and the conclusion of the whole matter: the one most…
Prev
Next
Who's Online
We have 12 guests online
Latest Comments
- Hey Pat, let me know how it went. I'm sure you pre...
- :-) Yes! I'm preaching it tomorrow!
- Interested in hearing what you have to say Brando...
- :-| :-*
- Thanks Rich, I don't recall having ever discussed ...
Articles By Tag
all things work together for good
bishop k. c. pillai
church tradition
day jesus was crucified
destruction
evil
faith
fall
forgiveness
forgiveness of sins
legion
methuselah
new nature
number crucified with jesus
opinion
prayer
pride
right
righteousness
romans 13
sin
sin nature
the lords prayer
tithe
two natures
About Rev. Brown
Ken Brown received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics in 1971 and earned his Bachelor of Theology degree in 1974. He was ordained in 1975 and served many years in full time Christian ministry. He has worked as a Biblical research editor for an internationally published Christian magazine and has served as senior faculty for a variety of college level Biblical research oriented classes.
Enjoy the site and let us know what you think by offering your comments after each article or by Contacting Me. kenbrownsog@earthlink.net
Admin Login
The Joy Of Giving
"God loves a cheerful giver" - 2 Corinthians 9:7b. If you have learned from what you have read on this website, please help us spread the Word of God by making a donation.
Website Designed By...One Of A Kind Websites