The name “Jeshurun” appears four times in the Bible, all in the book of Deuteronomy. It is used as a poetic name for Israel. Understanding the meaning and significance of this name can shed light on God’s relationship with His people. The Hebrew word “Jeshurun” literally means “upright one” or “righteous one.” It is derived from the root word “yashar” which means straight, right, or upright. As a term for Israel, it highlights God’s ideal for His people – that they would live righteously and walk uprightly before Him (Deuteronomy 32:15). By referring to Himself as the God of Jeshurun,…
Author: Emma Price
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis is the seventh and final book in The Chronicles of Narnia series. As the conclusion to this beloved fantasy series, The Last Battle contains many powerful Christian themes and allegories. Here is an in-depth look at some of the main Christian themes found in The Last Battle: 1. Judgement Day and the End Times A major theme in The Last Battle is the concept of Judgement Day and the end of the world, as depicted in the biblical Book of Revelation. The evil ape Shift conspires to impersonate Aslan and convince the Narnians that…
Metempsychosis is the transmigration of the soul, especially the passage of the soul after death into another body. It is a concept that the soul continues to exist after death and begins a new life in a new body. This concept has roots in ancient Greek philosophy and Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. The Bible does not explicitly use the term “metempsychosis” but there are some passages that relate to the concept of the soul living on after death. However, the Bible rejects the notion that the soul transmigrates into another physical body after death. Instead, the Bible teaches…
Abraham is one of the most significant figures in the Bible and is known as the father of the Jewish people. He is also revered by Christians and Muslims as a model of faith. In Isaiah 41:8, God refers to Abraham as “my friend.” This remarkable description provides insight into Abraham’s special relationship with God. There are several reasons why Abraham was called a friend of God: 1. Abraham’s faith and obedience to God’s call God called Abraham, then Abram, to leave his homeland and go to the land that God would show him (Genesis 12:1). This was a radical…
The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis is the prequel book to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe in The Chronicles of Narnia series. Though written for children, it contains many profound Christian themes that resonate with readers of all ages. Here is an in-depth look at some of the key biblical messages woven throughout this classic fantasy tale. Creation One of the central themes in The Magician’s Nephew is the creation of the world of Narnia. Aslan sings Narnia into existence, bringing about light, life, and order from a dark and chaotic void. This parallels the biblical account of…
The phrase “to thine own self be true” is a well-known saying that many attribute to the Bible. However, this exact phrase does not appear anywhere in the Bible. The saying comes from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, where Polonius says to Laertes, “This above all: to thine own self be true.” So where does this idea of being true to oneself come from, if not the Bible? Let’s explore what the Bible does have to say about self-truth and authenticity. The Bible emphasizes knowing and being true to your identity in Christ While the Bible does not contain the phrase “to…
The laws that God gave for the kings of Israel provide valuable insights into godly leadership. Though Israel transitioned from being led by judges to having a monarchy, God still expected the kings to follow His ways. By looking at the various laws and instructions that God gave regarding the kings of Israel, we can gain wisdom for leadership today. The King was not to multiply horses, wives or wealth One of the first instructions God gives pertaining to future kings of Israel was that “he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he cause the people to return…
Provisionism is the belief that God has made provision for the salvation of all people through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes God’s desire for the reconciliation and restoration of all things through Christ. Here is an overview of provisionism in about 9,000 words: The core belief of provisionism is that Christ’s atoning work on the cross was unlimited in scope and offered to all humanity. This view sees God as desiring the salvation of all people and having provided the means for their redemption in Christ (1 Timothy 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9). Provisionists affirm that the…
Why did the Israelites need manna if they had flocks/herds of animals that they could eat? The Israelites’ need for manna during their wilderness wanderings, despite having flocks and herds with them, is an interesting biblical question. Here is an approximately 9,000 word discussion exploring the biblical evidence on this topic: Introduction The book of Exodus describes how God provided manna from heaven as food for the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 16:4-5, 14-16, 31-36). Yet we also know that the Israelites had large flocks and herds of animals…
Quietism is a Christian form of mysticism that emphasizes passive contemplation and an internal focus over external action. The key beliefs of Quietism include: Passivity and Inward Focus Quietists believe that the way to achieve spiritual perfection and union with God is by quieting one’s thoughts and passively waiting upon the Holy Spirit. This involves minimized external activity to cultivate stillness and an inward attentiveness to God. Quietists try to transcend rational thought and discourse through contemplative prayer and interior silence. As expressed in Luke 10:38-42, Quietists favor Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet in quiet communion over Martha’s…