Anthony Ferguson

Disciple of Jesus, Husband to Kristen, Father to Asher and Lyla, Lead Pastor at 11th Street, Old Testament Ph.D.​ from SBTS, Adjunct Faculty at Gateway and CBU

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

God hates pride (Amos 6:8).

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Ancient example of exegesis by means of minor editing in Amos 4:13
MT: וּמַגִּיד לְאָדָם מַה־שֵּׂחוֹ
LXX: ἀπαγγέλλων εἰς ἀνθρώπους τὸν χριστὸν αὐτοῦ

LXX renders משיחו for מה שחו
The announcement of God's Messiah!

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

High quality papyrus manuscripts could last 200 years according to Pliny.

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Ancient example of exegesis by means of transliteration in Amos 3:12
MT reads עָרֶשׂ "couch"
LXX reads ἱερεῖς "priests"

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

In Amos 2:8–11, God moves from factual accusations to a personal reminder of his historical love and Israel’s historical disloyalty. The cadence shifts too: no more balance, no more order. There is asymmetry in the cadence.

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

What Scripture says and how it says it is important
Take Amos 2:6-16, for example. Balanced, orderly accusations; expansive grace; pointed corruption; and judgment that collapses.

Amos' cadence matches his message.

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Textual Criticism is a gold mine for ancient exegesis. See 4Q41 which incorporates both reasons for the Sabbath day. The reason: to stress that God and Israel make this day holy in complementary ways.

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Guide dots ensure straight lines on ancient Hebrew manuscripts. Very important feature for a scribe to produce a neat text for us to read 2000 years later!

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Our church launched the Yellow Card Initiative to reach the nations at the World Cup. Visit our site to learn more and explore how you can get involved!

https://t.co/VBMUFIDeDR

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Not all OT manuscripts are created equal. Some were copied with extraordinary care; some were not. This phylactery shows a scribe finishing words above the line after running out of space. Variety does not equal corruption.

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

@brianwdavidson The text also evidences even spaces between the lines (common among DSS) and letter height (common feature of the Herodian script).

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

It may not seem difficult to us with word processors, but this straight left-hand column shows real care in copying. 4QDeutj!

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

@brianwdavidson By straight left-hand column, I mean that the scribe ended each line in roughly the same place rather than what is typical - writing into the margin.

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

I’m preaching an Advent series through Deuteronomy and marvel at how gospel-centered it is. The book is organized to prove that human effort can never solve the problem of our sin; only God’s gracious intervention can. Happy Advent!

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Infrared and multispectral imaging are both crucial for manuscript analysis. I almost mistook this hole for ink.

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Isaiah saw the Lord high and exalted in the temple and fell down as dead man; we see the Lord high and exalted on the cross and rise alive for the first time.

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Name of God. OT law: honor it, don’t take it in vain. Qumran: misuse = expulsion; scribes sanctified it with dots & paleo-Hebrew, not even touching it. Paul… wait for it… the sacred name belongs to Jesus!

Jesus is Lord!

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Phil 2:9–11 is packed with the deity of Jesus:

1) Exalted as God (rare, intense verb: Ps 97:9; Isa 2:11,17)
2) Given the supreme name of the Lord (Isa 42:8; Ps 148:13)
3) So that all glorify Him as God (Isa 45:23)
All after His humility in 2:6–8.

Praise the Lord!

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Even top non-Christian scholars like Shemaryahu Talmon note that, while the Old Testament has variants, changes that affect meaning are extremely rare. Its message has been remarkably preserved!

[Anthony Ferguson @aferguson682]

Praying about how our church near LA can reach the nations at the World Cup next summer (2026). Any churches, pastors, seminaries, or other organizations out there with a plan or ideas?

I’d love to hear and explore how we might work together for the gospel.