Curious? Do A Bible Search!

Curious? Do A Bible Search!

As a seminary student, I am always looking for more information about the Bible. As I study to become a pastor for other people, it is extremely important that I learn all I can about the Bible and that I utilize all of the resources that are available to me. I had never heard of a Bible search until recently, but doing them has radically changed my ability to learn and process information about the Bible.
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching
2 Cor 5:10 – Can Anyone Actually Do “Good”?

2 Cor 5:10 – Can Anyone Actually Do “Good”?

Problem: Most people will read the title of this article and immediately think, “Of course a person can do good.” After all, Jesus said, “A good (agathos) man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things” (Matthew 12:35). Paul instructed Christians to (simply) “do good to all” (Galatians 6:10). He later reminded the disciples in Corinth that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10). And John wrote: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11).
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching, wisdom
Exploring Core Beliefs: A Deep Dive into Christianity

Exploring Core Beliefs: A Deep Dive into Christianity

Christianity, with over two billion followers, represents a significant subset of the global religious community. As an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, it’s based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God and the Savior of humanity.

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Posted by petra1000 in Apologetics, Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching
2 Cor 4:4 – Is the god of this world Satan or Jesus?

2 Cor 4:4 – Is the god of this world Satan or Jesus?

Problem: 2 Corinthians 4:4 says that the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so they will not see the light of the gospel. Who, then, is the “God of this world who blinds people”? Is it Jesus, or is it the devil? Now, this might sound like an easy question to answer. The god of this world is the devil. After all, it does not seem that Jesus would blind people from seeing the gospel. My opinion is that the god of this world is the devil. However, some maintain that it is Jesus. Both positions have their justification. Let me show you why.
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching
Uncovering Wisdom: 7 Techniques for Effective Bible Study

Uncovering Wisdom: 7 Techniques for Effective Bible Study

Bible study is not just a task, but an interactive experience that captivates the mind and the soul as it involves the careful and thoughtful reading of the Bible. The purpose of Bible study is the transformational understanding of the sacred scriptures, leading to a profounder connection with God and understanding His words. The Bible, written thousands of years ago, is a rich resource of moral and philosophical insights and historical context that holds relevant teachings for life today.

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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Study, wisdom
5 Myths About Jesus’s Birthday, Debunked

5 Myths About Jesus’s Birthday, Debunked

Thanks to the likes of decorative holiday manger scenes, Hollywood movies, and elementary school reenactments, the nativity story is now so ingrained in many of our minds that we could probably recite a fairly accurate version of it—including everything from the Three Wise Men to there being “no room at the inn.”

But given that this story now has a 2,000-year-old history behind it (and that it has been passed and translated from one language to another over the centuries, moreover), it’s only natural that some of the precise details of the birth of Jesus have become a little hazy, if not lost to the mists of time altogether. The truth behind five of these nativity myths and legends is explored here.

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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching
2 Cor 1:13 – Are Paul’s Letters Hard or Easy to Understand?

2 Cor 1:13 – Are Paul’s Letters Hard or Easy to Understand?

Problem: An alleged contradiction is said to occur between 2 Corinthians 1:131 and 2 Peter 3:16. One passage states that what was written could be understood, and the other states that there are things which are hard to understand. Is this an irreconcilable contradiction? The easiest way to demonstrate that there is no contradiction is to examine the extended context of both passages. When looked at in this way, it is clear that different things are being discussed.
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching
Unlocking Scripture: An Engaging Guide to Bible Study

Unlocking Scripture: An Engaging Guide to Bible Study

As a spiritual practice that offers both elusive mystery and grounded understanding, Bible study cultivates sacred connection, promotes essential values, and encourages compelling insights. This study not merely hones our religious beliefs, but it’s a rich source of personal enrichment that deepens our comprehension of ancient literature, historical events, philosophical perspectives, and moral principles.

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Posted by petra1000 in Apologetics, Bible Study, wisdom
1 Cor 16:22 – Is it Wrong to Curse People?

1 Cor 16:22 – Is it Wrong to Curse People?

Problem: Jesus taught that we should love our enemies (Mt. 5:44), but Paul prays a curse over his enemies. This word for “accursed” is anathema. Colin Brown writes,

The LXX uses anathema regularly to translate the Hebrew herem, ban, what is banned (Num. 21:3; Josh. 6:17; 7:12; Judg. 1:17; Zech. 14:11 with the original root meaning to forbid, separate, consecrate, annihilate). What is banned (persons or things) is directly given up to God and so cannot be redeemed (Lev. 27:18).

The “ban” (Hebrew herem or Greek anathema) was originally for the Canaanites, who were judged by God (Josh. 6). Here, Paul uses the same word to describe the judgment on these false teachers. How can we harmonize Paul’s curse with Jesus’ words?
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching
The Truth About Hell

The Truth About Hell

The Bible’s Teaching on Hell

“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh” (Isaiah 66:24). “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire” (Matthew 18:8).
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Study, Hell
1 Cor 16:1-2 – Did Paul want Christians to Come Together on Saturday or Sunday?

1 Cor 16:1-2 – Did Paul want Christians to Come Together on Saturday or Sunday?

Problem: For nearly two millennia, Christians have been gathering together on the first day of the week to worship God. Both inspired Bible writers and uninspired early Christians viewed Sunday as the day to eat the memorial feast as well as engage in other acts of worship. The apostle Paul instructed the Christians in Corinth (as he had earlier taught the churches of Galatia) to lay a portion of their income aside “on the first day of every week…that no collections be made when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, NASV, emp. added). Luke later wrote how the disciples in Troas came together “on the first day of the week” to break bread in remembrance of the Lord’s death (Acts 20:7, emp. added; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:17-26). Ignatius wrote in his letter to the Magnesians (believed to be penned around A.D. 110) how Christians “have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord’s Day” (1:62, emp. added; cf. Revelation 1:5). And, in chapter 67 of his First Apology (written around A.D. 150), Justin Martyr noted how Christians would gather together “on the day called Sunday” to read the writings of the apostles and prophets, instruct, pray, give, and eat of bread and wine (emp. added).
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching
What is Sin? Part 2

What is Sin? Part 2

Mankind has a natural predisposition to sin. Since Adam and Eve, sinfulness has been a habitual part of human behavior. Who among us can say they have never fallen? To sin is to rebel against God. Sin alienates us from our creator. It takes many forms, and all of them are an offense to God. Sin is any thought or action that falls short of God’s standards.
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Study, Bible Teaching, wisdom
1 Cor 15:50 – If flesh and blood cannot enter heaven, then how can there be a physical resurrection?

1 Cor 15:50 – If flesh and blood cannot enter heaven, then how can there be a physical resurrection?

Problem: The Bible speaks of the resurrection of the physical body from the grave (John 5:28–29), which is composed of “flesh and bones” (Luke 24:39) and which leaves an empty tomb behind (Matt. 28:6). However, according to this verse, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”

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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching