Confirmation bias refers to the tendency for people to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms their existing beliefs. This phenomenon is well-documented in psychological research and has important implications for how we think about truth and knowledge. Here’s an in-depth, biblical look at confirmation bias. First, what exactly is confirmation bias? Put simply, it’s the tendency to favor information that confirms our preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. For example, if someone believes that the earth is flat, they will be more likely to seek out and accept “evidence” that aligns with this belief, while dismissing or ignoring…
Author: Aaron Chin
Christians are monotheistic, meaning they believe in one God. However, the nature of God is complex. God exists as three divine persons – God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit – but these three are one God, not three separate gods. This is called the doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity can be hard to fully understand, but it is based on clear teachings in the Bible. The Bible makes clear there is only one God. Deuteronomy 6:4 states, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” 1 Corinthians 8:4 also says “there…
Joshua 5:14 describes a pivotal encounter between Joshua and the “commander of the army of the LORD” prior to the battle of Jericho. This mysterious figure plays an important role in the conquest of Canaan, yet his identity is debated among scholars. By examining the text closely and considering the broader context, we can gain insight into who this commander might have been. The Text of Joshua 5:14 Let’s start by looking at the verse itself (Joshua 5:14 ESV): “And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.’ And Joshua…
John 14:26 says “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” This verse contains an incredible promise – that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus said. First, let’s look at the context. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. He knew He was going away soon and wanted to comfort them. Part of that comfort was the promise that although He was…
The Bible has a lot to say about lying and honesty. Here is an overview of the major biblical principles and passages on this topic: God hates lying The Bible makes it clear that God hates lying and considers it an abomination. For example, Proverbs 6:16-17 says that one of the seven things God hates is “a lying tongue.” Proverbs 12:22 says “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” And in Revelation 21:8, liars are included in a list of those who will be condemned to the lake of fire on…
The Gibeonites were a group of Amorites who lived in the land of Canaan during the time of Joshua. Their story is told in Joshua 9-10 and 2 Samuel 21. Here is a summary of the key events involving the Gibeonites in the Bible: The Gibeonites Trick Joshua When the Israelites were conquering Canaan under Joshua’s leadership, the Gibeonites became afraid. They heard how the Israelites had destroyed Jericho and Ai, so the Gibeonites devised a plan to make peace with Israel. They put on worn-out clothes, grabbed old dry and moldy bread, and approached Joshua at the camp in…
Deborah was an important woman in the Old Testament book of Judges. She is described as a prophetess and judge over Israel during a crucial time in Israel’s history. Here is an overview of Deborah’s story and role: Deborah as Judge Deborah was the fourth judge over Israel and the only female judge mentioned in Scripture. She held court under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim (Judges 4:5). People would come to her to settle disputes and for leadership. Deborah was referred to as a “mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7). She helped provide…
The Bible shows us that Jesus expressed a range of emotions during his earthly ministry, including anger. However, Jesus’ anger was never sinful but always righteous and just. In this article, we will examine several instances where Jesus displayed anger in the Gospels and consider what they teach us about God’s character and how we should respond to sin and injustice. Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13-17) One of the clearest examples of Jesus’ anger is when he drove out the money changers and merchants from the temple courts. This incident is recorded in John 2:13-17: When it was almost…
The Serpent Seed doctrine is a controversial theological teaching that suggests that the serpent in the Garden of Eden mated with Eve, and that their offspring were Cain and his descendants. This view is based on a particular interpretation of Genesis 3:15 which says “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Advocates of the Serpent Seed teaching view the “seed of the serpent” as the offspring of the serpent through Eve, in contrast to the “seed of the woman”…
Confession of sin is an important but often neglected topic in the Christian life. James 5:16 instructs believers, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” This verse raises key questions: What does it mean to confess sins? Why should we confess sins to one another? What are the benefits of confessing sins? To answer these questions, we will look at the background and context of James 5:16, examine the meaning and purpose of confession, consider biblical reasons to confess sins, and reflect on the blessings that come through confession. By…