The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is an English translation of the Bible published in 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers, which is owned by LifeWay Christian Resources. The CSB aims to be a readable, accurate, and shareable translation that conveys the meaning and heart of the original biblical texts. The CSB is a revision of the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), which was first published as a full Bible in 2004 and revised in 2009. The translation philosophy of the CSB remains largely the same as the HCSB – seeking to find a balance between word-for-word (formal equivalence) and thought-for-thought (dynamic…
Author: Aaron Chin
The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) are Christian-based organizations that aim to put Christian principles into practice by developing healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The YMCA was founded in London, England in 1844 by George Williams and some friends who wished to be of service to young men moving to the cities as the Industrial Revolution began. The YWCA was founded in 1855 in England as well, by Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird and Emma Robarts, who aimed to provide safe housing for young women coming to the cities to work in factories.…
Angelica Zambrano is a Christian woman from Ecuador who claims to have had multiple supernatural experiences where she visited heaven and hell. She shares her alleged experiences in books, videos and interviews which have been circulated widely online. This has caused much debate among Christians regarding whether her testimony aligns with Scripture. Here is a summary of some key elements in Zambrano’s account: She claims Jesus took her to visit heaven and hell multiple times where she saw vivid scenes of bliss and torment. In heaven, she describes seeing angels, saints like Mary and biblical characters like King David worshipping…
Faith is a central theme in the Bible. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that discuss faith: Hebrews 11 – The “Faith Hall of Fame” Hebrews 11 is sometimes called the “Faith Hall of Fame” because it lists many heroes of the Bible and how they demonstrated great faith. This chapter shows how faith motivated action in the lives of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Rahab among others. They persevered and overcame obstacles through their strong faith in God. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw…
The question of whether Satan or the devil is omnipresent is an important theological issue. Omnipresence is the ability to be present everywhere at once. This is an attribute of God, who is infinite and eternal. However, Satan, as a created being, does not possess the divine attributes of omnipresence, omniscience, or omnipotence. The Bible teaches that Satan is a real and personal being, not simply an abstract force of evil. He is described as “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and “your adversary the devil” who “prowls…
The city of Philippi was located in modern day Greece. In the time of the New Testament, it was a Roman colony and an important city in the district of Macedonia. The church at Philippi was founded by the apostle Paul during his second missionary journey recorded in Acts 16. Paul first came to Philippi after receiving a vision of a man pleading for him to come to Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10). Along with his companions Silas, Timothy and Luke, they sailed from Troas and landed at Neapolis, the port city near Philippi. From there they went to the city itself…
The sign gifts mentioned in the Bible were supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers in the early church. These gifts served important purposes during the foundational era of the church, but based on passages like 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, they were meant to pass away once the church was established and the full revelation of Scripture was complete. The main sign gifts mentioned in Scripture are speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, healing, and miracles. Let’s explore the purpose behind each gift. Speaking in Tongues Speaking in…
There are many different English Bible translations available today. Some of the most popular and widely used English Bible versions include: King James Version (KJV) The King James Version, also known as the Authorized Version, was published in 1611 under the sponsorship of King James I of England. It was translated by 47 scholars from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The KJV uses formal, literal language and has had an enormous influence on English literature and language. It continues to be widely used today in many Protestant churches. New King James Version (NKJV) The New King James Version…
The manifest presence of the Holy Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit being actively and tangibly at work in a particular place, while God’s omnipresence refers to God being present everywhere at all times. Though related, these are distinct concepts in Scripture. The Manifest Presence of the Holy Spirit The manifest presence of the Holy Spirit is seen throughout Scripture, particularly in the New Testament. After Christ’s ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was a dramatic demonstration of the manifest presence of the Third Person of the Trinity (Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit filled the disciples, giving…
Is it right for a Christian to be involved in martial arts? Martial arts refer to a variety of combat practices originating in Asia. Popular martial arts include karate, judo, taekwondo, kung fu, and jiu-jitsu. Martial arts often emphasize self-defense, discipline, and spiritual components alongside the physical techniques. Christians may wonder if practicing martial arts aligns with biblical principles. There are differing views on this issue within the Christian community. Some Christians avoid martial arts due to associations with Eastern religions or concerns about violence. However, many Christians view martial arts as an acceptable and beneficial activity when practiced with…