The book of Isaiah in the Old Testament contains many prophecies about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. One of the most well-known messianic prophecies is found in Isaiah 53, which describes the Suffering Servant – a figure who would suffer on behalf of others to atone for their sins. Isaiah 53:3 specifically refers to the Suffering Servant as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” This verse is considered a prophecy about Jesus Christ and his suffering and death on the cross for the sins of humanity. There are several reasons why Jesus is referred to as a “man…
Author: Erin Weitzman
Cross theology, also known as theology of the cross, is a key tenet of Lutheran and Protestant theology that emphasizes the crucifixion and suffering of Jesus Christ as the main focus of God’s actions on earth. This differs from a “theology of glory,” which focuses more on human ability and achievement. The theology of the cross stresses humility, sacrifice, and God’s grace in Christ’s atoning work on the cross. The concept originated with Martin Luther, one of the main leaders of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Luther critiqued the Roman Catholic church for emphasizing human works and downplaying…
This is a question that many people ask and struggle with. The Bible provides clear guidance on how we can be assured of eternal life in heaven after death. Here is an overview of key biblical truths relating to this important topic: We are all sinners who fall short of God’s glory The Bible teaches that every human being is a sinner who falls short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23). We inherit a sinful nature from Adam, meaning we have a natural tendency and inclination towards sin from birth (Psalm 51:5). This sin separates us from a holy God…
Spiritual awareness refers to a person’s consciousness and connection with the divine or spiritual realm. It involves an inner knowledge and experience of the transcendent, beyond the material world. Developing spiritual awareness allows one to perceive life from a deeper perspective. The Bible has much to say about cultivating spiritual awareness and its role in the life of faith. At its core, spiritual awareness is about recognizing that there is more to reality than just the physical realm. There is a spiritual dimension that undergirds all of creation. As human beings created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), we have the…
The phrase “raising Cain” refers to causing a disturbance or engaging in disruptive behavior. It originates from the biblical story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis. Here is an overview of the key points regarding the meaning and origin of this idiomatic expression: The Story of Cain and Abel In Genesis 4, Cain and Abel were the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain worked the soil and brought an offering of fruits and vegetables to God. Abel was a shepherd and brought the firstborn of his flock. God looked with favor on Abel’s offering but…
Erastus is mentioned a few times in the New Testament, specifically in Romans, Acts and 2 Timothy. He seemed to be an important figure in the early Christian church, but not a huge amount of detailed information is provided about him. Based on the biblical references, here is what can be gleaned about who Erastus was: Erastus the City Treasurer In Romans 16:23, Paul sends greetings from “Erastus, the city treasurer” along with his greetings to the Christians in Rome. From this verse, it seems Erastus held an important position as the treasurer of the city of Corinth. As treasurer,…
The National Council of Churches (NCC) is an ecumenical partnership of 38 Christian faith groups in the United States. The NCC seeks to manifest the unity of the body of Christ by enabling its constituent members to work together on issues of common concern. The NCC has been an influential voice of witness to the living Christ in public life since its founding in 1950. The Bible does not explicitly mention the National Council of Churches, as it is a modern organization established in the 20th century. However, the Bible does speak to themes of Christian unity and cooperation that…
The Gospel of the Hebrews is an ancient Christian gospel that is no longer extant. It is known only from fragments quoted or summarized by various early Church Fathers such as Hegesippus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Jerome, and others. Based on these fragments, scholars believe the Gospel of the Hebrews was composed in the mid-2nd century and was used by Jewish Christians, possibly the Ebionites. This gospel is distinct from the canonical Gospel of Matthew, but they may share some common sources. Some key features of the Gospel of the Hebrews noted by the Church Fathers include: It was written…
Thomism is a philosophical and theological school of thought based on the teachings of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), a Dominican friar and Catholic priest who lived in Italy in the 13th century. Aquinas sought to reconcile faith and reason, theology and philosophy, into a cohesive system grounded in Aristotelian philosophy and Catholic theology. Some key aspects of Thomism include: A heavy reliance on Aristotelian philosophy, including Aristotle’s metaphysics and epistemology. The use of reason to elucidate faith and make natural theology intelligible. The view that both faith and reason discover truth, with faith surpassing reason. An anthropology that sees human beings…
Evidential apologetics is an approach to Christian apologetics that emphasizes using evidence and rational arguments to demonstrate that belief in God and the truth of the Christian faith is reasonable and intellectually plausible. The goal is to remove intellectual obstacles preventing faith and provide positive reasons and evidence that point towards the truth of Christianity. Evidential apologists believe that Christianity makes factual claims that can be investigated historically and empirically using evidence. While faith is still required, evidential apologists argue there is enough evidence to warrant faith in Christianity and to show unbelievers that belief in Christianity is intellectually justified.…