The phrase “by and by” appears several times in the King James Version of the Bible. It is an archaic phrase that means “soon” or “in a short while.” Here is an overview of where this phrase appears in the Bible and what it means in each context: Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. In this verse, Jesus is telling the parable of the sower. He says that some people receive the word of God with…
Author: Emma Price
Ephraim was the second son of Joseph and Asenath and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe and territorial district of Ephraim played a significant role in the history of Israel from the time of Joshua to the destruction of the northern kingdom by Assyria in 722 BC. Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his jealous brothers. While in Egypt, Joseph gained power and eventually brought his family to live in the land during a famine. Before Jacob died, he blessed Joseph’s two sons Manasseh and…
The topic of whether Christians should stockpile food and supplies in preparation for potential future disasters is one that elicits a range of perspectives. There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue, and Scripture does not unambiguously settle the matter. As with many issues, wisdom and discernment are needed as we seek to apply biblical principles to our modern context. This article will overview the key considerations around this topic. God’s Provision and Our Responsibility On one hand, the Bible encourages us to trust in God’s faithful provision and not be consumed by worry for the future. In…
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, divinely revealed to men through the prophets and apostles. As 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” However, while the original biblical manuscripts themselves are not copyrighted, most modern Bible translations do contain copyright notices. There are several reasons why copyrights exist on modern Bible translations: Recognition of Work and Investment Creating a new translation of the Bible requires a monumental amount of scholarship, time, and resources. Teams of biblical language experts, translators, and scholars…
Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world, with about 2.4 billion Christians and 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. Both religions originated in the Middle East and have some similarities, but there are also fundamental differences between the two faiths. Origins and History Christianity began about 2000 years ago in Judea (modern-day Israel/Palestine) with Jesus of Nazareth, who Christians believe to be the Son of God and divine Savior promised by God in the Old Testament. The New Testament of the Bible contains the life and teachings of Jesus as well as the history of the early Christian…
Greek philosophy has had a profound influence on Christianity since its early days. Many key Christian doctrines and ideas find precedents in Greek philosophical schools of thought that were active during the first centuries of the church. In this 9000 word article, we will provide an overview of some of the main ways Greek philosophy impacted the development of Christian theology and practice. Platonism One of the most significant examples of Greek philosophical influence on Christianity is found in Platonism. Plato was a hugely important Greek philosopher who lived in the 5th-4th century BC. His metaphysical and epistemological ideas deeply…
The Rechabites were a group of people mentioned several times in the Old Testament of the Bible. They were known for strictly adhering to a nomadic lifestyle and abstaining from alcohol, in obedience to the commands of their ancestor Jonadab son of Rechab. The main biblical passages that mention the Rechabites are Jeremiah 35, 2 Kings 10:15-17, 1 Chronicles 2:55, and Nehemiah 3:14. The Rechabites traced their origin back to Jonadab son of Rechab, who lived during the days of King Jehu of Israel (841-814 BC). In 2 Kings 10, Jonadab assisted Jehu in overthrowing the evil King Ahab and…
Hegelianism refers to the philosophical system developed by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831), a major figure in German idealism. Hegel sought to create a philosophical system that could encompass the full scope of reality and knowledge. Some of the key components of Hegel’s philosophy include: Dialectic The dialectical method is central to Hegel’s philosophy. Hegel saw reality and thought as developing through a dialectical process. A thesis gives rise to its reaction, an antithesis, which contradicts or negates the thesis. The tension between the thesis and antithesis is resolved through a synthesis, which reconciles their contradictions into a new and…
Attending church services regularly is an important part of the Christian life. However, there may be times when missing church is unavoidable. What does the Bible say about appropriate reasons for not attending church? Here are some biblical principles to consider: Illness and Inability If you are sick or physically unable to attend church, it is understandable to miss services (James 5:14). The Bible encourages us to care for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Severe illness, injury, disability or advanced age may prevent church attendance. In these cases, ask your church for prayers, support…
The prophet Ezekiel presents an enigmatic figure called “the prince” throughout chapters 40-48 of his book. This section describes a future temple in Jerusalem and its associated rituals. The prince features prominently in these visions, but his identity remains somewhat unclear. Here is a summary of key details about the prince in Ezekiel 46: He is set apart from the rest of the people (Ezekiel 44:3). He sits and eats bread before the Lord in the temple’s east gateway (Ezekiel 44:3). He alone can use the east gateway to enter and exit the temple courtyard (Ezekiel 44:1-3). He offers sacrifices…