The question of whether Christians should celebrate birthdays is one that has been debated for centuries. There are differing perspectives on this issue within the Christian faith. Some Christians argue that birthday celebrations are acceptable and even encouraged, while others view the practice as worldly and unbiblical. There are good-faith arguments on both sides of this issue, and individual Christians must carefully study the Scriptures and follow their conscience. This article will provide an overview of the key biblical considerations around celebrating birthdays. Origins of Birthday Celebrations In considering whether birthday celebrations are appropriate for Christians, it can be helpful…
Author: Erin Weitzman
The marriage supper of the Lamb is an important biblical event that will take place in the end times, as described primarily in Revelation 19. It represents the long-awaited union between Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God) and His bride, the church. In the Bible, marriage is often used as a metaphor to describe God’s relationship with His people. Israel was described as God’s “wife” in the Old Testament (Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 3:14). In the New Testament, the church is called the “bride” of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-27). This imagery underscores the intimacy and exclusivity of the relationship…
Islamophobia refers to fear, hatred, and hostility towards Muslims and Islam. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:39), including our Muslim brothers and sisters. However, we must also be discerning when it comes to teachings that contradict biblical truths. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation (John 14:6). Islam rejects Christ’s divinity and substitutionary atonement on the cross. While we can respect Muslims as people created in God’s image, we cannot affirm the Islamic belief system itself. However, disagreement does not justify hatred, discrimination or violence. Many Muslims are peaceful…
The Bible teaches that it alone is the supreme authority for faith and practice for Christians. This means that the Bible alone contains everything we need to know about what we must believe and how we must live in order to honor and obey God. The Bible claims divine inspiration and authority over all areas of our lives. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The Bible contains no…
The story of Jacob marrying Leah instead of Rachel is a puzzling one that leaves many readers wondering how Jacob could make such a mistake on his wedding night. To understand how this happened, we need to look at the context and customs surrounding marriage in the biblical patriarchal period. Jacob had traveled to the land of his uncle Laban to find a wife (Genesis 28:2). When he arrived, he met Laban’s younger daughter Rachel and immediately loved her (Genesis 29:18). After agreeing to work seven years for Laban as a bride price for Rachel, the time came for the…
The issue of forced religious conversion is a complex one that has been debated throughout history. At its core is the tension between an individual’s right to choose their own religious beliefs versus the desire of some to impose their faith on others. The Bible offers perspective on this issue, but also reveals the intricacies involved. On one hand, the Bible makes clear that faith in God is meant to be a voluntary choice. Scripture speaks of God desiring a personal relationship with individuals who willingly follow Him (Revelation 3:20, John 6:44). Stories of Jesus demonstrate Him inviting people to…
The 144,000 are a group of people mentioned in the Bible’s book of Revelation that have received special protection and sealing from God during the end times tribulation. Though there are differing interpretations, most believe the 144,000 represent Jewish evangelists who are called to proclaim the gospel during the tribulation period before Christ’s second coming. Here is an overview of key biblical details about the 144,000: They Are Numbered and Sealed Revelation 7:4 states there are 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel who are “sealed as servants of God.” This means they have received God’s divine mark or seal…
Biblical Perspective on the Bermuda Triangle The Bermuda Triangle is a loosely defined region covering over 500,000 square miles of ocean roughly between Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and the southern tip of Florida. Many mysterious ship and airplane disappearances have occurred in this region over the past century. Some people believe paranormal or supernatural forces are behind the disappearances, leading to many conspiracy theories. But what does the Bible say about this mysterious region and the claims of paranormal activity? The Bible does not specifically mention the Bermuda Triangle. However, it provides principles that can help assess the various conspiracy theories…
The “fear of Isaac” is a phrase that refers to the reverence and awe that should be felt toward God. It comes from Genesis 31:42, where Laban says to Jacob, “If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed.” So what does it mean to have the “fear of Isaac”? First, we must understand who Isaac was. Isaac was the long-awaited son of Abraham and Sarah, born when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 (Genesis 21:5).…
Peter Lombard was an influential medieval theologian and bishop who lived in the 12th century. He was born around the year 1100 in Lumellogno, Italy and died in 1160 in Paris, France. Peter Lombard is most well known for his crucial role in scholastic theology and for writing a very influential collection of opinions of the Church Fathers called ‘The Sentences’. The Bible does not directly mention Peter Lombard, as he lived about a thousand years after the time period covered in Scripture. However, we can look at what the Bible says about wisdom, teaching, and studying God’s truth to…