1 John 4:8 & 16 KJV, “… God is love …”. To be like God we must study God.
To study God we must learn how to love by reading and reflecting on 1 John
and 1 Corinthians 13.
Continue reading →
2 Cor 5:19-20 – For Whom Did Christ Die?
Problem: As ambassadors of Christ we are to go to all men with the word of reconciliation. How can we tell lost men and women to be reconciled to God if no such reconciliation has been provided? But if God has indeed reconciled the world unto Himself, then we can go to the world with a message of reconciliation. Christ’s act of suffering provides a righteous basis for God to welcome the rebel’s return. For those who are enemies of God and for all those who are enemies of God, we have a message of good news! We have a word of reconciliation! We have a message of hope because “He died for all” (2 Cor. 5:14-15). God is the Reconciler of all men (verse 19, “the world”), especially of them that believe (verse 20 where reconciliation is limited to those who respond in faith). Compare 1 Timothy 4:10.
Faith In The Days Of Sorrow
Life is not balanced, can’t be balanced, and would not be balanced, just like our human fingers are not of equal length. Life is going to deal with all of us one way or the other; we are going to experience the different shades of it—the joy, the sorrow, the happiness, the sadness, the betrayal, the solidarity, the sobriety, the ups, the downs, the lefts, the rights, and so on. Now, the question is, can your faith sing out loud in the days of sorrow? When life throws every bad thing it can at you, can you stand firm and say your hope is built on Christ, the solid foundation?
Continue reading →
2 Cor 5:18-19 – Accounts Payable
Can man be held accountable for his sinful actions, and yet have Christ act as a substitution for his sins?
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.
Continue reading →
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).
Continue reading →
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.
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.
Continue reading →
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.
2 Cor 3:9-10 – Why does Paul quote Job 5:13 and Psalm 94:11?
Problem: Critics argue that Paul is mishandling the OT. Is this the case?
Continue reading →
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.
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.
Continue reading →
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.
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?
Continue reading →
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).
Continue reading →
