Biblical Literacy

Is That Thief In Heaven?

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Most of us are familiar with this passage in Luke about the others crucified with Jesus:

Luke 23:40–43 (KJV)
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Many use this as a proof text that believers go immediately to heaven—or somewhere—when they die.

But is that really what this passage is about? Or is there something else going on here?

Let’s start by asking what should be some obvious questions if we are to assume the traditional theological narrative about Luke 23:40–43.

Is saying a few words, sticking up for Jesus, and asking to be remembered by him all that is required for thieves and malefactors to get into “heaven”?

Is being in “paradise” the same thing as “going to heaven”?

Did Jesus come into his kingdom on the day of the crucifixion?

Did the malefactor go immediately to “heaven” with Jesus after they died?

Did the malefactor miss Jesus for the 40 days or so that Jesus was carrying out his post‑resurrection ministry on earth?

Is the malefactor in heaven right now with Jesus?

What was the point of Jesus being raised from the dead after three days if he and the malefactor crucified with him were already alive together in paradise or heaven on the very same day they died on crosses?

We should all be asking questions like this, and many of the other things we’ve been taught from religion and churchianity, to see if they make sense and if they are actually biblical.

Stay tuned as we start examining the questions raised here in detail.

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Isaiah

Rick TryonLeave a comment

John Wesley

“Isaiah is the evangelical prophet, speaking Christ’s gospel centuries before His birth.”

Charles Spurgeon

“In Isaiah we see the majesty of God and the misery of man, yet also the miracle of grace that bridges the two.”

Abraham Joshua Heschel

“Isaiah’s words are not echoes of the past but shouts meant for every age.”

N. T. Wright

“Isaiah gives us the script Jesus Himself believed He was fulfilling.”

Faith Requires Skepticism

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Question everything. Faith requires a healthy dose of skepticism about everything we think we know.

Wait, faith requires skepticism?

Of course it does. Our Heavenly Father commands us to love Him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Did you get that last one? Minds.

God wants us to ask questions, examine His wonders, and search the Scriptures seeking truth. That requires an inquisitive mind.

The most dangerous aspect of the doctrines of men is that they are usually close enough to biblical truth that they fool even the most sincere and honest among the faithful.

Some of those doctrines of men are so convoluted and confusing that they present stumbling blocks to those outside the faith and sometimes cause the faithful to abandon the faith.

We should faithfully seek to understand God’s truths about His nature, His creation, and His will for His people, even if that means challenging long‑held doctrines and theologies that were devised and propagated by religious folks for their own benefit — or for the purposes of the principalities and powers behind them.

Remember who the enemies of our Lord were? The religious leaders of his time and culture who had perverted and changed the Word of God into the doctrines of men.

Remember the lesson of the Reformation? Churchianity was challenged, and the centuries‑old religious status quo was called to task — salvation by grace, not ceremonies and dead works.

Bible Rebel will be asking questions and challenging assumptions here. We believe it’s high time for a New Reformation, or at least a fresh look at the old wine in the old wineskins.

Every Wednesday we will be raising some important questions about commonly held doctrines and assumptions within modern Churchianity.

Stay tuned.

What Is Bible Rebel?

Rick TryonLeave a comment

The Bible Rebel blog is a resource for those seeking original and curated content, including news and commentary, covering faith, biblical studies and interpretation, and the intersection of politics, culture, and the Bible.

Our Mission

  1. To monitor current news and events related to faith and culture.
  2. To provide an alternative viewpoint to the world’s pervasive climate of darkness, nihilism, and hopelessness for those seeking truth, light, and purpose.
  3. To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.
  4. To present the Biblical truths which reveal God’s nature and purposes and proclaim the lifechanging, world-altering, radical message of Yeshua the Messiah – Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior. and to help regular, everyday folks understand the Bible and apply it in their lives.

Contact us at in**@********el.com

Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter

Biblical Literacy: Lions, Wolves, And Lambs

Rick TryonLeave a comment

There will be a time when, in the restored creation, a beautiful new paradigm will be the reality for God’s people, creation, and all creatures. Peace and justice will reign under the mighty hand of God and the righteous King He has set to reign forever, Jesus Christ.

But nowhere does the Bible say, “The lion shall lie down with the lamb.”

That is an often‑used phrase that paints a nice picture—but it’s just not in Scripture.

The biblical text is Isaiah 11:6, which says: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” (KJV)

Close, but no cigar.

Watchdog Alert: Pope Leo XIV Wrong Again

Rick TryonLeave a comment
Photo via Julius Silvers, pexels.com

In a recent post, I pointed out that the current Pope was wrong about God not answering prayers from those engaged in war. Today we have another example of the Pontiff making erroneous claims.

On April 16, 2026, during his peace meeting at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, Pope Leo XIV said the following:

“Jesus told us, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, but woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic, or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.’”

Jesus didn’t say that.

The only part of what the Pope claimed — “Jesus told us…” — that Jesus actually told us is “Blessed are the peacemakers.” The other stuff about “political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth”, was not something Jesus said.

In other words, the Pope is either lying about what our Lord said, intentionally trying to deceive people in order to make a political point, or he simply doesn’t know what Jesus actually said according to the Bible.

It may be a combination of all three.

Watchdog Alert: Pope Leo XIV Is Wrong

Rick Tryon1 Comment

In his Palm Sunday homily, Pope Leo XIV explicitly that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war,” quoting Isaiah 1:15: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.”

The Pope is counting on the biblical illiteracy of Christians when he isolates this verse from Isaiah without regard to its context and uses it as a universal proclamation against all war for all time.

Isaiah chapter one is specifically referring to the idolatrous and exceedingly sinful nation and people of Judah and Jerusalem.

Isaiah 1:4 (KJV) – Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Of course God heard and answered the prayers of His prophets, kings and others during their wars and delivered victory into their hands. Just read the Bible.

Moses & Joshua — Israel defeated Amalek when Moses interceded (Exodus 17).

Joshua at Jericho — Victory came and God commanded the battle (Joshua 6).

David — Before fighting the Philistines, David repeatedly asked, “Shall I go up?” and God answered (2 Samuel 5:19).

Jehoshaphat — God delivered Judah miraculously when they prayed and worshiped (2 Chronicles 20).

The Pope is wrong. The Bible is clear.

Myths Don’t Change Hearts And Lives

Rick TryonLeave a comment

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the focal point of history and the assurance that eternal life with God and God’s people in a restored creation is coming.

The Resurrection is a historical fact, not a myth. The resurrected Messiah was seen by hundreds of people, and the tiny group of followers who committed their lives to spreading the truth of that resurrection grew the faith into one that changed the world and is now the largest faith in the world.

God raised Jesus Christ from the dead—literally, not figuratively. Myths don’t have the kind of impact on empires, history, and individuals that the power of the resurrected Christ has had on the universe ever since the day “He is risen” was declared in triumph.

The Resurrection is the heart of my faith and the rock upon which I stand.

Here is the crux of the matter as I see it: Jesus Christ will return on a day certain, literally not figuratively, as King of kings and Lord of lords.

So, if you don’t know Yeshua the Messiah—you will.

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Ezra

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Four interesting quotes from about the Old Testament Book of Ezra:

Matthew Henry

“Ezra was a ready scribe in the law of God, and he used his knowledge not for himself, but for the reviving of true religion among the people.”

Charles Spurgeon

“Ezra was a man of the Book, and therefore a man of power. When God means to revive His people, He sets them first to the reading of His Word.”

F. F. Bruce

“Ezra stands as a model of faithful leadership, showing that true reform begins not with walls or institutions, but with the Word of God shaping the hearts of the people.”

Derek Kidner

“Ezra’s story reminds us that restoration is God’s work, yet He chooses to accomplish it through those who set their hearts to study, obey, and teach His Word.”

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Books Of Chronicles

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Four quotes from well-known religious figures about the Old Testament Books of I and II Chronicles:

Jerome (Early Church Father)

“Chronicles is not mere repetition, but a sacred reminder that God remembers His people even when they forget Him.”

Martin Luther

“The Chronicler teaches us that God preserves a remnant and keeps His promises, even through the failures of kings.”

Matthew Henry

“In Chronicles we see the mercy of God magnified, for the story is retold to comfort the returned exiles with the faithfulness of their covenant God.”

F. F. Bruce (Modern biblical scholar)

“Chronicles is theology in narrative form, showing that true kingship and true worship belong to God alone.”