Latest Blog Posts
Jordan Research Trip, Post #1
For the first week of December 2019 my travels take me to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with a group connected with Shepherds Theological Seminary and The West Institute. As we visit various sites of significance for biblical studies, I will post a few pictures and a brief description. Many biblical sites exist in Jordan,
Figures of Speech in Bible Translation
The Master’s Seminary, together with the Tyndale Center for Bible Translation, invited me to bring this year’s annual lecture on September 10. My chosen topic: “Words Capturing the Mind and Heart: Figures of Speech in Bible Translation.” One of the greatest challenges of Bible translation involves the translation of figures of speech from the original
Samson and Gaza’s Gates
Over 40 years ago I published “Samson’s Removal of Gaza’s Gates,” Journal of the Near Eastern Archaeological Society 8 (1976): 83–93. Prof. Stan Swinney and I worked on the research for this article a mere four years into my first full-time teaching post in Denver, CO. We intended to publish a series of articles we
Priceless Treasures in Familiar Settings—Psalm 23:1
Priceless treasures of propositional truth reside in divine Scripture. Priceless, because their value exceeds anything this world has to offer. Treasures, because such truths enrich the soul, infuse life with supreme joy, and produce contentment no amount of earthly treasures can supply. For over 57 years the Bible’s most familiar texts have found their way
The Synoptic Gospels’ Inerrancy: When Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree?
This apparent contradiction of the timing of the events involved Jesus’ cleansing the Temple and cursing the fig tree. Matthew 21:12–19 reports that Jesus cursed the fig tree on the day following His cleansing of the Temple. However, Mark 11:12–24 appears to indicate that Jesus left Bethany (v. 12), cursed the fig tree for not
Lessons on Hope for Suffering Saints
In a fallen world filled with conflict, uncertainty, sorrow, death, and disease God’s people often face suffering. God’s Word in both Old and New Testaments offers hope. That hope comes through direct teaching, instructions, and commands as well as through multiple examples from the lives of saints who have lived long before us. Steve Swarz’s Strength
Digging for Truth Interview, June 23
In May Henry Smith of Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) interviewed me on his program, “Digging for Truth.” WBPH TV-60 of Bethlehem, PA works with ABR to make this broadcast/podcast. ABR has made a preview available (click on this link). The airing of this episode has been scheduled for June 23. When the online link
Understanding Bible Translation: Excerpt & Endorsement
“As someone involved in an international ministry involving interaction in several different languages, I understand the need for careful approaches to understanding communication across language barriers in both oral and printed forms. So I worked through Barrick’s Understanding Bible Translation with great interest. Many such works have come on the scene over the years, but this
Understanding Bible Translation: Excerpt & Endorsement
“Someone once said, ‘Translation is that which transforms everything so that nothing changes.’ This has been Dr. Barrick’s life-long pursuit whether translating in Bangladesh for 15 years, teaching biblical languages in seminary, or now, in retirement, writing from his experience for future generations. If you have the privilege to read anything he has written on
Understanding Bible Translation: Excerpt & Endorsement
“Understanding Bible Translation by Dr. William (Bill) Barrick reads like an autobiographical journey through 50 years of faithfulness to the centrality of Scriptures for evangelization and local church ministry. Weaving together his formal training at Bible College and Seminary (so thankful some of this was at Grace), 15 years of front-line Bible translation work, and a