The book of Romans is one of the most theologically rich books in the Bible. Written by the apostle Paul, it addresses many profound truths about salvation, righteousness, faith, works, law, grace, predestination, Israel, and more. Here are some common questions people have about Romans: What is the overall message of Romans? The overriding theme of Romans is the righteousness that comes from God. Paul systematically explains the gospel – how sinful humanity can be made right with holy God through faith in Jesus Christ. Key verses include Romans 1:16-17: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it…
Author: Emma Price
The statement that “love always hopes” comes from 1 Corinthians 13:7, which is part of the well-known “love chapter” where the apostle Paul describes the characteristics of true, godly love. This verse teaches us that one key aspect of love is that it “always hopes.” But what exactly does this mean? At its core, to hope means to expect and desire something good in the future. Biblical hope is closely tied to faith – it’s a confident expectation in God’s promises and faithfulness (Hebrews 11:1). So when Paul says that love “always hopes,” he’s saying that love always maintains an…
Disney is one of the largest and most influential media companies in the world. As Christians, how should we view Disney and engage with its content? Here are some biblical principles to consider: Be Discerning The Bible tells us to be discerning about what we consume and allow to influence us. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Much of Disney’s content over the years has been relatively…
The story of Joseph receiving a coat of many colors from his father Jacob is found in Genesis 37:3-4: “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” There are a few key reasons why Jacob likely gave Joseph this special coat: 1. Favoritism The text indicates that Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son because he…
The Bible contains different types of literature, including historical narratives, poetry, prophecy, and letters. Among these different genres, allegory can also be found in places throughout Scripture. What is allegory? Allegory is a literary device in which people, places, and events represent abstract ideas or principles. In allegory, the literal sense suggests a secondary symbolic meaning. Here are some examples of potential allegory in the Bible: The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15) In the Parable of the Sower, a sower sowing seed represents Jesus and his preaching of the gospel. The different types of ground…
This is a difficult question that many struggle with when reading the Bible. On one hand, there are clear verses that state that sons will not bear the punishment for the sins of their fathers. Yet on the other hand, there are examples of generational consequences for sin. When examining the full counsel of Scripture, we see that there are nuanced principles at work. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible says about this topic. Key Principles from Scripture 1. Individual Responsibility for Sin The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that individuals are held accountable for their own sins, not…
The Book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and likely written between 440-400 BC. Malachi was a prophet who delivered God’s message to the Israelites after their return from exile in Babylon. Here are some key questions people may have about the Book of Malachi: Who wrote the Book of Malachi? The author of the Book of Malachi identifies himself simply as “Malachi” which means “my messenger” in Hebrew. Some believe this is an actual person named Malachi, while others think it may be a title rather than a proper name. Ultimately, we don’t know the…
Jonah is a minor prophet in the Old Testament of the Bible. He is the central character in the Book of Jonah, which tells the story of how Jonah was called by God to preach in the city of Nineveh but initially refused and attempted to flee by sea. Jonah is an important figure for what his story reveals about God’s mercy and willingness to forgive even those who seem beyond redemption. Here are some common questions people have about the story of Jonah: Why did Jonah try to run away from God? When God first called Jonah to go…
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping or psychological acupressure, is an alternative treatment for physical pain and emotional distress that involves gentle tapping on specific meridian points while focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations. This practice has become increasingly popular over the past few decades, with advocates claiming it can treat a wide range of conditions by releasing blocked energy and restoring balance to the body’s energy system. However, as Christians seeking God’s truth, we must carefully examine any practice through the lens of Scripture. What does the Bible have to say about EFT and the ideas…
Keilah is mentioned several times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of the significance of this ancient city in biblical history: Location of Keilah Keilah was located in the Shephelah region of Judah, about 8 miles northwest of Hebron. The exact site is uncertain but it may be near modern day Khirbet Qila. Its strategic location near the border of Philistia gave it importance. Keilah in the Time of Saul The first mention of Keilah is in 1 Samuel 23 during the reign of Saul. The Philistines were attacking and robbing Keilah,…