The phrase “shake the dust off your feet” comes from the Bible and refers to a symbolic act of leaving or moving on from a place or person that rejects the message about Jesus. Here is an in-depth look at the meaning, origins, and examples of this concept in Scripture. Meaning To “shake the dust off your feet” means to abandon and leave a place or person that refuses to receive the gospel message about Jesus. It is a demonstrative way to show that one is formally dissociating from and no longer holding responsibility over those who reject this saving…
Author: Aaron Chin
Dominion theology, also known as Christian reconstructionism, is a theological framework which asserts that Christians should seek to have dominion over society and government. This view is based on the biblical passage in Genesis 1:28, where God commands Adam and Eve to “subdue” the earth and “have dominion over” it. Dominion theology has several key tenets: God’s Mandate to Rule Dominion theology argues that God’s original plan was for humanity to rule over creation as His representatives. This “creation mandate” or “cultural mandate”, as dominionists call it, was disrupted by Adam and Eve’s original sin, but was restored by Jesus’s…
Should Christians Go on a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem? The city of Jerusalem holds great significance for Christians, as it is the location of many important biblical events. Some Christians feel called to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in order to connect more deeply with their faith. However, the Bible does not command or even recommend that Christians must visit Jerusalem. There are good reasons to go, but also reasons why a trip may not be feasible or even advisable for every believer. Biblical History of Jerusalem Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible, highlighting its importance in Judeo-Christian…
Pliny the Elder, whose full name was Gaius Plinius Secundus, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher who lived from AD 23 to 79. He is best known for his encyclopedic work Naturalis Historia (Natural History), which became an influential text throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Pliny was born into a wealthy equestrian family in Novum Comum (modern-day Como, Italy). He had a career in the Roman army and government, serving as a naval and army commander, a procurator in various provinces, and a friend of the emperors. He witnessed the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79…
As parents, one of our main duties is to raise our children to be independent and self-sufficient adults. However, this task is often easier said than done. Letting go of our adult children can be incredibly difficult, even for Christian parents who aim to follow biblical principles. In this article, we’ll explore what the Bible says about letting go of adult children and how Christian parents can put these teachings into practice. Honor Your Children’s Transition to Adulthood The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6 to “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is…
Replacement theology, also known as supersessionism, is the view that the Christian church has replaced Israel in God’s plan and purpose. This theological perspective argues that God’s covenant with national Israel as described in the Old Testament was only temporary and has been superseded by the New Covenant in Christ. Here are some key points about replacement theology: – It teaches that the promises, privileges, and prerogatives once belonging to Israel have now been transferred to the church. The church is viewed as the “new Israel.” – According to this view, the church has permanently replaced ethnic Israel as God’s…
Romans 8:6 says, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” This verse teaches an important truth – being carnally minded leads to death, while being spiritually minded leads to life. Let’s explore what it means to be carnally minded versus spiritually minded. Defining “Carnally Minded” The phrase “carnally minded” refers to someone who is dominated by their sinful nature and fleshly desires. The word “carnal” comes from the Latin word for “flesh.” To be carnally minded means to have an earthly, worldly mindset that is…
Samaria plays an important role in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of the significance of Samaria according to the Bible: Samaria as the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel After the united kingdom of Israel split following the death of King Solomon, the northern tribes formed their own kingdom called Israel or sometimes referred to as Ephraim. The capital of this northern kingdom was established at Shechem initially. Later, Omri, the sixth king of the northern kingdom, purchased the hill of Samaria and built a city there, which he named Samaria…
The verse 1 John 1:9 states “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is a powerful promise that if we confess our sins to God, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Here is an explanation of what this verse means: We Must Confess Our Sins The first part of the verse tells us that we must confess our sins. To confess means to admit or acknowledge our sins before God. This implies several things: We must be specific in confessing…
Acculturation refers to the process of cultural and psychological change that occurs when individuals and groups from different cultures come into prolonged, continuous, first-hand contact with each other. This process leads to changes in cultural patterns and behaviors as groups adopt aspects of each other’s cultures. The Bible does not directly address the concept of acculturation, as this is a modern sociological term. However, the Bible does speak to themes and issues related to cross-cultural contact and adaptation. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of how God’s people interacted with foreign cultures and adapted (or failed to adapt) to cultural…