The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an official summary of the Church’s teachings on the faith and morals. It contains everything one needs to know in order to live a moral, faithful life according to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Here is a 9,000 word overview of the main topics covered in the Catechism: The Profession of Faith (Creed) The first main section of the Catechism covers the Profession of Faith, or the Creed. This summarizes the core beliefs that Catholics profess about God, Jesus, and the Church. It covers: God the Father as creator of all things,…
Author: Erin Weitzman
The Enneagram of Personality is a model of the human psyche that is comprised of nine interconnected personality types. The origins of the Enneagram are somewhat disputed, but it rose to prominence in the 1970s through the teachings of Oscar Ichazo and Claudio Naranjo. Since then, the Enneagram has become widely popular as a tool for self-understanding and personal development. Each of the nine Enneagram types has a distinct set of core motivations, fears, and patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The nine types are typically referred to by their numbers: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, etc. Here is…
The phrase “we have this treasure in jars of clay” comes from 2 Corinthians 4:7 in the Bible. Here is an approximately 9,000 word article explaining the meaning behind this verse and the broader biblical teaching on the topic: The Apostle Paul wrote 2 Corinthians as a letter to the church in Corinth. In chapter 4, he discusses the hardships he has faced in ministry and how he perseveres despite opposition and trials. He explains that though believers face difficulties in this life, they have the hope of eternal glory through faith in Christ. In verse 7, Paul states, “But…
The biblical account of Noah and the flood is found in Genesis chapters 6-9. The key question debated among scholars is whether the flood described was a global event that covered the entire earth, or a local event that was limited to a particular region. There are arguments on both sides of this issue. Here is an overview of some of the main points: Evidence for a global flood – The language of Genesis seems to imply a worldwide catastrophe. It states that “all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered” and “every living thing on the face…
When Did the Church Begin? The church began on the day of Pentecost shortly after Jesus ascended to heaven. Pentecost was an established Jewish holiday celebrated 50 days after Passover. Many Jews from all over the Roman Empire had gathered in Jerusalem for the feast. It was on this day that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers, and the church was established. The book of Acts records the events of that day in Acts chapter 2. Verses 1-4 describe the coming of the Holy Spirit: “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one…
Adam is one of the most important figures in the Bible. He is the first man created by God and the father of the human race. Adam’s story is told in the Book of Genesis chapters 1-5. Here is an overview of who Adam was and his significance according to the Bible: Adam Was the First Man Created by God Genesis 1:26-27 describes how God decided to make mankind “in our image, after our likeness.” Then Genesis 2:7 states “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,…
The abyss is referenced numerous times throughout the Bible, often symbolizing evil and darkness. It is typically portrayed as a bottomless pit or place of despair and suffering. Here is an overview of what the Bible reveals about the abyss: Old Testament References In the Old Testament, the word “abyss” is translated from the Hebrew word “tehom” which refers to the deep waters or depths of the oceans (Genesis 1:2, Psalm 33:7). It represents the primitive cosmic waters before creation. Metaphorically, it symbolized mighty floodwaters and the power of chaos and evil (Psalm 77:16, Psalm 42:7). The abyss is sometimes…
Adventism refers to a branch of Protestant Christianity that believes in the soon second coming or “advent” of Jesus Christ. The Adventist movement emerged in the 1830s in the United States during the Second Great Awakening revival. A key figure was William Miller, a Baptist preacher who predicted that Jesus would return between 1843 and 1844. When this did not happen, many disbanded, but a small group of “Adventists” remained. This group continued to emphasize the imminent advent of Christ and the need to prepare spiritually. Some key beliefs of Adventism include: The Second Coming of Christ Adventists place strong…
The “breath of life” is a phrase that appears several times in the Bible, referring to the life force that God breathes into humans and animals. This article will examine what the Bible says about the breath of life and what it means for our understanding of life, humanity, and our relationship with God. The first mention of the breath of life is in Genesis 2:7, where it says “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” This verse describes…
Becoming more Christlike is the ultimate goal for every Christian. The Bible provides clear guidance on how to pursue Christlikeness through studying God’s Word, prayer, fellowship, serving others, and more. Here is a detailed look at 9 key areas the Bible highlights to help believers become more like Jesus. 1. Study the Life of Jesus The first step in becoming more Christlike is simply spending time reading and studying the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These provide first-hand accounts of Jesus’ life, ministry, teachings, character, compassion, humility and more. As we read the Gospels, we can get…