Olive Tree Blog
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Brad Hoffman

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Historical

Running the Race: Hebrews 12

The Bible is filled with pictures and metaphors from its extensive cultural context. Often, these metaphors are used in such a way as to encourage us to walk in obedience. Once such metaphor comes from the world of sports. In this case, the world of the arena and the games.…

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Commentaries

Christ the Colossus

One of the most poetically beautiful passages about Christ in all of Scripture is in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. The passage is beautiful in its structure, using balance, repetition, and diversity for emphasis and importance. But the beauty of the passage is most directly displayed in its subject—Christ. From…

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New Testament

Following the Truth of the Gospel

The gospel is the best news in the world. The message of Jesus Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil is what every person needs to hear. Jesus is King and that is tremendous news for those who have “kissed the Son” (Ps. 2:12) and all are beckoned to…

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Commentaries

All Aboard the “Bible Bus”

For over fifty years, J. Vernon McGee’s study Thru the Bible has been broadcast over the radio to a vast, worldwide audience. I found his broadcast soon after becoming a Christian and was immediately drawn by his distinct and iconic voice. He made the Bible understandable and left me craving…

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New Testament

Humility and Suffering in 1 Peter 5:5-11

In exhorting the church to conduct themselves faithfully during a time of intense trial, Peter weaves the themes of humility and suffering together. Humility emphasizes the need for submission to both God-appointed leaders and God Himself in prayer. Suffering emphasizes the need for standing firm. Here’s some help working through…

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Bibles

Look Inside: Legacy Standard Bible

It reads like something one would encounter in a modern-day spy novel; a kidnapping heist designed to whisk away a wanted man to a secret location, hired thieves smuggled Martin Luther to Wartburg Castle after the Diet of Worms in 1521. While in hiding and under a new identity (Junker…

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Old Testament

Pursuing Wisdom—An Introduction to Proverbs

Quick—what is more precious than jewels and more profitable than gold? That’s right, wisdom (Prov. 3:14-15; 8:11, 18-19)! Through the centuries, many Christians have turned to the book of Proverbs for wisdom. That is, essentially, what the book is about. Written at the highpoint of Israel’s history with the gift…

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Bibles

Look Inside: Berean Standard Bible

After a midnight escape from hostile Jews in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas arrived in Berea and encountered a synagogue of Jews who were more receptive to their message that Jesus is the Christ. This is where we find the well-known verse, “Now these Jews were more noble than those in…

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New Testament

Harmonizing the Temptation of Jesus

Have you ever wanted to read all four of the Gospels at the same time without flipping or clicking back and forth? The Olive Tree Gospel Harmonies make this possible. The Harmony of the Gospels is a chronological account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in side-by-side parallel format designed…

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