Mary was a young woman who lived in Nazareth during the time of Jesus. Though the Bible does not provide many details about her life, it does tell us some key events surrounding Mary that give insight into her faith and character. Mary’s story begins when she is visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she will give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:26-38). This annunciation shocked Mary, who was a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph. However, she responded with faith, saying “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according…
Author: Erin Weitzman
The requirement for two or three witnesses in certain legal matters is established in several places in the Old Testament, most notably Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15. Understanding the context and purpose behind this command can shed light on the biblical principle of establishing facts on the testimony of multiple witnesses. The Law’s Concern for Justice In Deuteronomy, Moses is reviewing the law that God had given to Israel. A major theme throughout Deuteronomy is the importance of justice and avoiding false condemnation. For example, earlier in Deuteronomy Moses cautions against listening to an unfounded report against someone (13:14). The law…
Paul was called the apostle to the Gentiles because he was specially commissioned by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and establish churches in Gentile regions. Here are some key reasons why Paul had this title and calling: 1. Paul was specifically chosen by Christ to be an apostle to the Gentiles In Acts 9, when the risen Christ appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus and converted him, He told Paul that He had chosen him “to be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:15). This commission…
Organ donation is the process of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person (the organ donor) and placing it into another person (the recipient). Organ donations are an act of charity that can save or significantly improve the lives of others. The Bible does not directly address organ donation, as it was not a medical practice during biblical times. However, there are several biblical principles that can guide Christians in thinking through the ethics of organ donation: 1. Saving lives is important The Bible consistently affirms the value of human life and the importance of saving lives when…
The term “religious nones” refers to people who do not identify with any organized religion or spiritual tradition. This group has been growing rapidly in many parts of the world, especially in developed Western nations. Here is a 9000 word overview of what the Bible says about religious nones and how Christians can understand and relate to this group. Growth of Religious Nones Surveys show that the religiously unaffiliated, sometimes called “nones,” now make up around a quarter of the U.S. population. This is a dramatic shift – in the 1990s, only around 8% of Americans identified this way. The…
God’s command to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28 to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” has significant meaning and implications. At face value, God is telling the first humans to populate the earth He has created and spread out across it. But there are deeper insights we can gain about God’s intent and purpose in this command. Filling the Earth The instruction to “fill the earth” speaks to God’s desire for humans to spread out and populate the whole world. In Genesis 1, we see God spending six days intricately crafting every corner of…
The passage in Luke 10 describes how Jesus appointed and sent out 70 (or 72 in some manuscripts) disciples to preach and heal in the towns he intended to visit. This event is only recorded in the Gospel of Luke and provides insight into Jesus’ ministry and preparation for his final trip to Jerusalem. Here is the background and details about this biblical account: The Appointing of the 70 In Luke 10:1, it states that Jesus appointed 70 others and sent them out two by two ahead of him to every town and place he planned to go. Some ancient…
Gregory the Great was an influential pope and saint who lived in the late 6th and early 7th centuries. He served as Pope of the Catholic Church from 590 to 604 AD and is renowned for his theological and administrative accomplishments. Here is an overview of Gregory’s life and legacy: Background and Early Life Gregory was born around 540 AD in Rome to a wealthy senatorial family. His great-great-grandfather was Pope Felix III. Gregory received an elite education in rhetoric, grammar, philosophy, and law. As a young man, Gregory pursued a career in public service and held various positions in…
The Bible offers much wisdom and guidance when it comes to managing personal finances. Here is an overview of some of the key principles found in Scripture: Avoid debt and live within your means The Bible warns against going into debt and urges living within one’s means. Proverbs 22:7 states “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Romans 13:8 says “Owe no one anything, except to love each other.” While debt is sometimes unavoidable, Scripture encourages avoiding it when possible and paying it off quickly if incurred (Proverbs 3:27-28). Save and plan…
A palimpsest is a manuscript page, scroll, or book that has been written on, scraped off, and reused. The word “palimpsest” comes from the Greek words πάλιν (palin, meaning “again”) and ψάω (psao, meaning “I scrape”). Palimpsests provide a unique window into the past, allowing scholars to see traces of older texts beneath more recent writing. Here is a 9000 word overview of what palimpsests are, how they are created, why they are important, and some notable examples throughout history. Definition and Origins of Palimpsests As mentioned above, a palimpsest is a manuscript page or book that has been scraped…