Did anyone see the dove or hear the voice when Jesus was baptised by John?

by Shmuel Parzal | Jan 6, 2026 | Uncategorized

Question to ChatGPT: In Mark 1:9-11, a dove appears and a heavenly voice speaks. According to scholarly consensus, in Mark’s understanding of what he himself wrote, did John the Baptist or anyone else present see the dove, or hear the voice? I felt this question was...

‘Caesar’s Messiah’ – Addressing the Claim that the Jewish Yeshua never existed

by Shmuel Parzal | Jan 5, 2026 | Uncategorized

For an examination of why there is no contemporary historical evidence of Yeshua, see this article here. Background The documentary ‘Caesar’s Messiah’ centres on the claims of Joseph Atwell that the Flavian dynasty of Caesars invented Jesus, wrote the gospels, and...

A Biblical Talmidi Jewish Response to End-of-Days Fatalism (Why the Talmidi Ideal is to work for Peace)

by Shmuel Parzal | Dec 31, 2025 | Uncategorized

Shalom everyone, Some people believe that because Scripture speaks of an “end of days,” there is no point in working for peace or justice in the present age. According to this view, deadly wars and worldwide destruction are inevitable, even divinely intended, and...

The HUGE Difference Between Politicised Anti-Israel Hatred and godly, Prophetic Criticism

by Shmuel Parzal | Dec 30, 2025 | Uncategorized

Nowadays, there are too many people in the West who believe there are only two options: either you support the oppressed Palestinians, or you support an evil Israel; there is no middle ground allowed. This is a false binary — a form of moral laziness — and is a...

It is Morally Wrong to Demonise all Israelis for the Sins of a Minority

by Shmuel Parzal | Dec 25, 2025 | Uncategorized

Shalom everyone, Are you someone who thinks along the lines of, “Look at the terrible things that far-right Jews are doing to non-Jews in Israel! Therefore all Israelis are wicked, Israel is evil, and should not exist!“ The conclusion does not logically follow on from...

A Deeper Analysis of how Paul’s Theology is closer to Essene Thought than it is to Yeshua’s Teaching

by Shmuel Parzal | Dec 23, 2025 | Uncategorized

I realise that some people have a deep, emotional connection with the term ’Essene’, and firmly believe that Yeshua’s community was part of the Essene movement. However, as individuals who take a scholarly approach to ancient religious history, we have to be realistic...