The Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament is traditionally attributed to King Solomon. However, the author refers to himself as “the Preacher” or “the Teacher” in Hebrew Qoheleth. There has been much debate over the centuries as to the true identity of Qoheleth. Here are some of the main theories about who wrote Ecclesiastes: King Solomon The traditional view is that King Solomon, son of David, wrote Ecclesiastes late in his life. There is internal evidence that points to Solomon as the author: The author identifies himself as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). This fits…
Author: Aaron Chin
Joseph Smith was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon church. He was born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont to Joseph and Lucy Smith. When he was young, his family moved to Palmyra, New York where Joseph claimed to have visionary experiences with God and angels. According to Joseph Smith’s account, in 1820 at age 14 he was praying in the woods near his home when he had his First Vision experience. In this vision, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and told him that…
Political correctness has become a major topic of discussion and debate in recent years. With changing social norms and increasing diversity, there are disagreements over what language and behaviors are acceptable or offensive. Some view political correctness as necessary for building an inclusive society, while others see it as an infringement on free speech. But what insight does the Bible provide on this complex issue? There are several principles from Scripture that can help frame a Christian perspective on political correctness and cultural sensitivity. First is the call to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Christians are exhorted to…
The Psalms of Lament are a type of psalm found in the Book of Psalms in the Bible that express grief, sorrow, or despair to God. There are over 30 psalms that are considered laments, making up the largest category of psalms. The language in the laments is very emotive and honest, giving voice to human pain and struggles. Though they begin from a context of suffering, they ultimately end with an expression of trust and hope in God’s faithful love and deliverance. Some common elements found in the Psalms of Lament include: An address to God The lament itself…
Forgiving others can be extremely difficult, especially when someone has deeply hurt or offended us. As Christians, we are called to forgive as God has forgiven us, but that command can feel nearly impossible to obey at times. What does the Bible teach about extending forgiveness? How can we find the strength to let go of bitterness and resentment and move forward in freedom? First, it’s important to understand what forgiveness is—and what it isn’t. Forgiving someone does not mean the offense was acceptable or that trust is automatically restored. Forgiveness does not require us to continue an unhealthy relationship…
The Sabbath day is a day of rest and worship that God commanded the Israelites to observe. The principle of Sabbath originates in the creation account in Genesis. After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). Later, when giving the Ten Commandments to Moses, God commanded the Israelites to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). The Sabbath was to be observed on the seventh day of the week, corresponding with the day God rested after creation. There are several key aspects to proper Sabbath observance according to the Bible: It is…
The idea that the streets of heaven are made of gold is a common image that many Christians have regarding the nature of heaven. This concept originates from a metaphorical description found in Revelation 21:21, which says “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.” When considering this verse and the broader context of Revelation 21-22, which offers a symbolic vision of the New Jerusalem and the new creation, it becomes clear that the language used is highly figurative. The…
Why is it so hard to understand the Bible? The Bible is often considered a difficult book to understand for several reasons: Complexity of language and imagery The Bible was written over a span of 1,500 years by over 40 different authors. Much of it was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. The richness of the imagery and language used can make it challenging to grasp the full meaning. Metaphors, symbolism and poetic expressions abound throughout Scripture which require consideration of the context to properly discern the intended meaning. Unfamiliar cultural and historical settings The Bible was written long…
1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” This verse teaches an incredible truth – that as believers in Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit lives within us. We are the temple of God. This concept has profound implications for how we should live as Christians. The Temple in the Old Testament To fully grasp what Paul means in 1 Corinthians 3:16, it helps to understand what the temple meant to the Jews. In the Old Testament, the temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship. It was…
The statement “It is finished” uttered by Jesus Christ on the cross is found in John 19:30. This simple phrase has profound significance and meaning for all believers. When Jesus said “It is finished”, He meant that His work of salvation was now complete and the debt for sin was paid in full. Here is an explanation of the significance behind Christ’s powerful last words. 1. Jesus’ Work of Atonement was Completed Most importantly, Jesus’ cry of “It is finished” meant that His work of atonement was now accomplished. The reason Jesus came to earth was to die on the…