Cemeteries and graveyards can seem like spooky or unsettling places to some people. The rows of tombstones, mausoleums, and memorials remind us of death and loss. At night, cemeteries can feel particularly eerie and frightening. With Halloween approaching, images of creepy graveyards and restless spirits seem to be everywhere. So is there truly any reason for Christians to fear going into a cemetery or graveyard? When we look to the Bible, there is no specific commandment against going into cemeteries or graveyards. Jesus and his disciples were not afraid to be around tombs or visit burial places. However, the Bible…
Author: Emma Price
Constantine the Great was a Roman emperor who ruled in the early 4th century AD. He is perhaps best known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. His conversion helped transform Christianity from a persecuted minority religion into an officially favored and powerful religion in the Roman Empire. Constantine was born around 280 AD in Naissus, in the province of Moesia Superior. His father was Constantius Chlorus, a prominent military leader who became one of the four emperors ruling the Tetrarchy (a system of multiple emperors introduced by Emperor Diocletian). Constantine’s mother was Helena, a woman of…
The doctrine of eternal generation teaches that the Son is eternally begotten of the Father. This means that the Father has eternally generated or eternally begets the Son. The Son does not have a beginning but has eternally existed with the Father. The doctrine affirms the eternal pre-existence of the Son and his divine nature as being co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. This doctrine was developed in the early church to counter heresies that denied the full divinity of the Son or taught that the Son was created in time. Key biblical passages used to support this doctrine include…
Here is a 9000 word article on the Carolingian Dynasty: The Carolingian Dynasty was a Frankish noble family that dominated Western and Central Europe during the 8th and 9th centuries. The dynasty takes its name from Charles Martel, who was a statesman and military leader under the Merovingian kings. His son, Pepin the Short, deposed the last Merovingian king and founded the Carolingian dynasty with the papal blessing. The Carolingian family reached the peak of their power under Charlemagne, who was crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day 800. As Emperor, Charlemagne presided over the Carolingian Empire, which…
This common phrase comes from the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 23:24, where he rebukes the Pharisees for being overly concerned with minor details while neglecting more important matters. On the surface, it seems to be a criticism of misplaced priorities and hypocrisy. To fully understand the meaning, it’s helpful to consider the two images Jesus uses – straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel. A gnat is a tiny insect, so small that it would be silly to carefully filter your water or wine to remove it. In contrast, a camel is a large beast that would…
The Merovingian Dynasty was a powerful Frankish dynasty that ruled large parts of modern-day France and Germany from the 5th to the 8th century. The dynasty takes its name from Merovech, the semi-legendary founder of the dynasty. The Merovingians established themselves in what is now northern France following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century. During the 6th century, under Clovis I, the Merovingians united the Franks and adopted Christianity. Over the next two centuries, they conquered most of Gaul. The height of Merovingian power lasted until the mid 8th century when they were displaced by…
The Reformed Church in America (RCA) is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination in Canada and the United States. It has approximately 180,000 members across 470 congregations. The RCA has a history dating back to the Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam in the early 17th century. Here is a 9,000 word overview of the RCA’s history, beliefs, worship, polity, ecumenical relationships, controversies, and place in contemporary American society. History of the RCA The beginning of the Reformed Church in America can be traced back to the Dutch settlers who came to New Amsterdam (now New York City) in the early 17th…
The concept of referring to God as a motherly figure has become popular in some Christian circles recently. Groups like the World Mission Society Church of God teach that God should be referred to as “God the Mother” alongside God the Father. They base this belief on certain passages of Scripture that use feminine imagery to describe God. However, does the Bible really support referring to God as a mother? Let’s take a comprehensive look at what the Bible says about God’s nature and how we should address Him. The Bible presents God as Father The most common way the…
Ephesians 1:17 says, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.” This verse comes in the midst of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers, where he asks God to give them spiritual wisdom and revelation so they can know God better. The “spirit of wisdom” refers to the supernatural ability to practically apply knowledge and understanding about God and spiritual things. Wisdom is not just having head knowledge, but being able to use that knowledge in a skillful way that honors…
The concept of an “armor-bearer” in the church is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, there are some principles and examples that can help inform whether having a designated position of armor-bearer would be appropriate. What is an armor-bearer? In modern church contexts, an armor-bearer is usually someone who assists a church leader or pastor. They may help bear the weight and burdens of leadership by providing practical and spiritual support. Some responsibilities can include: Praying regularly for the leader Handling logistics and scheduling Providing counsel or accountability Aiding in ministry tasks The position is inspired by armor-bearers for…