Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz is a symbolic name given to one of the sons of the prophet Isaiah in the Bible. The meaning and significance behind this unique name provides insight into God’s message to His people during a pivotal time in Israel’s history. The Name’s Origin and Meaning The name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz first appears in Isaiah 8:1, where Isaiah is instructed by God to “take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, ‘Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz.’” This symbolic name was given to Isaiah’s newborn son, the meaning of which is explained in Isaiah 8:3 – “And I went to the prophetess,…
Author: Erin Weitzman
The pope, or papacy, is the office and institution of the Bishop of Rome, who is considered the successor of Saint Peter and is seen as the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. The pope holds supreme authority over the church and has jurisdiction over all Catholics around the world. The pope is also the head of state of the Vatican City. While the pope and papacy are central in Catholicism today, the Bible does not explicitly mention the papacy or a pope leading the church. However, Catholics believe the pope’s authority is biblical and derives from the apostolic succession…
Theosophy is a spiritual and esoteric movement that arose in the late 19th century. It combines aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, Neoplatonism, and ancient mystery religions. Theosophy teaches that all religions have a common origin and are attempts by humanity to apprehend the divine. It also teaches about the existence of masters or adepts who have achieved spiritual enlightenment and guide humanity’s evolution. The Bible does not directly address theosophy, as the movement arose long after the biblical texts were written. However, the Bible provides perspectives on some key theosophical ideas that can help Christians evaluate this worldview. The Divine Nature…
In Revelation 1:14, John describes his vision of the glorified Jesus Christ, saying “The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow.” This description is symbolic and metaphorical, as are many of the visions and images in the book of Revelation. Jesus’ hair being white like wool does not mean his hair was literally made of wool or was fuzzy like a sheep’s fleece. Rather, the whiteness and wool-like quality of his hair communicates spiritual truths about Jesus’ divine nature, glory, and purity. Here are some key things to understand about what it means that Jesus’ hair…
The Bible contains many wonderful promises that God has made to His people. These promises offer hope, comfort, and assurance to all who put their faith in God. Here are some of the greatest promises found in Scripture: The Promise of Salvation One of the most fundamental promises in the Bible is that of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Verses like John 3:16 declare: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God promises that all who trust in Christ’s sacrificial death on…
The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments – Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. These sacraments are rituals that Catholics believe provide God’s grace to those who receive them. But are these seven sacraments actually found in the Bible? Here is a detailed look at what the Bible says about each of the seven sacraments: Baptism Baptism is clearly a biblical sacrament. Jesus himself was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17), and before his ascension he commanded his disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and…
The Council of Ephesus was an important church council held in Ephesus in 431 AD. It addressed several key theological issues related to Christology and affirmed important doctrines about the nature of Christ. Here is an overview of what transpired at this pivotal council: Background Leading up to the Council In the early 5th century, a theological debate arose about how to understand the relationship between the divine and human natures of Jesus Christ. A priest named Nestorius, who was the Patriarch of Constantinople, emphasized the distinction between Christ’s human and divine natures to such an extent that he seemed…
The psalms of David often convey a deep sense of sorrow, pain, and longing. There are several reasons why many of David’s psalms have a sad tone: 1. David’s difficult life circumstances David endured many hardships and trials throughout his life, which impacted the content and tone of his psalms. As a young man, David was on the run as a fugitive from King Saul who sought to kill him out of jealousy and paranoia (1 Samuel 18-26). David was often in danger, lived as an outcast, and was separated from his family and friends. This profoundly difficult season of…
This is a common accusation leveled against Christians – that they try to force their beliefs and values on others in society who do not share their faith. However, from a biblical perspective, the motivation for sharing faith and values comes not from a desire to control or impose, but rather to freely share the hope, joy and meaning that faith brings. There are several key principles from Scripture that shape the Christian perspective on this issue: 1. Christians believe truth is exclusive and faith must be chosen freely Christians believe that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the…
The Bible has a lot to say about the flesh and its role in the Christian life. At a basic level, the word “flesh” refers to our human bodies and earthly existence. But the Bible uses the term in some more nuanced ways that are important for believers to understand. Fundamentally, the flesh represents our human weakness and limitations apart from God. As physical, mortal beings living in a fallen world, we are prone to sin, suffering, and death. Our fleshly desires often lead us to indulge in sin and self-destruction when not kept in check by God’s Spirit (Galatians…