Church business meetings serve an important function in the life of a local congregation. Though they may not be the most exciting event on the church calendar, they provide an opportunity for members to come together and make important decisions about the direction and ministries of their church. Here are some key reasons why regular church business meetings are important: 1. They provide a forum for members to discuss important matters A church business meeting gives members a voice in discussing issues, hearing reports, and making recommendations about the church’s ministry and activities. Rather than decisions being handed down by…
Author: Erin Weitzman
The Old Testament describes numerous animal sacrifices offered to God by the Israelites. These included daily sacrifices, special Sabbath and festival sacrifices, as well as sacrifices for individual sins. The number of animals offered could be quite large, especially at important festivals like Passover when thousands of animals might be sacrificed. This raises the question – where did all these animals come from and how was it possible to sacrifice them in such large numbers? Several factors helped make the large scale sacrifices described in the Old Testament feasible: 1. Agriculture and livestock farming were well developed By the time…
The United Bible Societies Greek New Testament The United Bible Societies Greek New Testament (UBS Greek NT) is a Greek-language version of the New Testament. It is one of the major editions of the Greek New Testament, used by scholars and Bible translators around the world. History and Purpose The UBS Greek NT was first published in 1966 by the United Bible Societies, a fellowship of Bible societies from around the world working to translate, publish and distribute the Bible. The main purpose of this edition was to establish a standardized Greek text of the New Testament to use as…
Transformational psychology is the study of how people can experience positive change and growth in their lives. It focuses on concepts like personal development, self-actualization, purpose, meaning, and spirituality. From a biblical perspective, transformational psychology aligns with many Christian values and teachings on personal growth and living a meaningful, God-centered life. The Bible provides wisdom, insights, and principles that can guide individuals towards transformation and reaching their full potential. Key biblical themes related to transformational psychology include: Renewing the Mind Romans 12:2 states “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your…
The passage in John 21:11 that mentions 153 fish is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. At first glance, it seems like just a random number with no significance. However, when we examine the context and dig deeper into potential symbolic meanings, several interesting theories emerge about the importance of the exact number 153. The full verse reads: “So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn” (John 21:11). This event takes place after Jesus’ resurrection, when He appears to His disciples…
Boethius was a Roman philosopher and theologian who lived from around 480-524 AD. He was an influential figure in the late Classical period and early Middle Ages, and made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, music, logic, and theology. Boethius came from a wealthy Roman family and was well-educated in Greek philosophy and science. As a young man, he entered public service and rose to become magister officiorum, one of the highest positions in the court of the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great. However, Boethius later fell out of favor with the king and was imprisoned on charges of…
The question of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin is an old and intriguing philosophical puzzle that has been discussed for centuries. At first glance it may seem absurd, but it brings up meaningful questions about the nature of spiritual beings like angels. The Bible does not provide a definitive answer to this question, but studying what Scripture does say about angels can shed some light on it. Angels are described as spiritual, non-physical beings created by God (Psalm 148:2,5; Hebrews 1:14). They appear capable of taking on human form and interacting with the physical…
Christian psychology is the study of the human mind and behavior through a biblical lens. It seeks to understand human nature and address psychological problems from a Christian perspective. At its core, Christian psychology relies on principles and truths found in the Bible to bring healing, wholeness, and transformation to people’s lives. Here are some key aspects of Christian psychology: A Focus on the Condition of the Heart Christian psychology emphasizes that behavior and outward actions are influenced by the inner condition of the heart. Proverbs 4:23 states “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of…
Philosophy is the study of knowledge, reality, and existence. It tackles fundamental questions like “What is real?”, “How do we know what we know?”, and “What does it all mean?” The Bible, as God’s revealed truth to humanity, offers perspective on these philosophical pursuits. Here are some key Bible verses that relate to philosophical inquiry: The limits of human reasoning and wisdom “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness,’ and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’” (1 Corinthians 3:19-20)…
The phrase “despising the shame” in Hebrews 12:2 refers to Jesus enduring the shame and disgrace of the cross in order to accomplish God’s redemptive purposes. Here is the full verse: “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) To properly understand this verse, we need to examine the context. The author of Hebrews has been encouraging believers to persevere through sufferings and trials, keeping their eyes fixed on…