Athenagoras of Athens was a Christian apologist and philosopher who lived during the second half of the 2nd century AD. Not much is known about his life, but his writings give us insight into his views on Christianity and pagan beliefs of his time. Here is an overview of what we know about Athenagoras based on his own writings and other historical sources: His Background Athenagoras was born around AD 133 in Athens, Greece. He identified himself as an Athenian in his writings, but nothing else is known about his family or early life. He was very well educated in…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
Channeling is the practice of purportedly communicating with spirits or entities from other realms or dimensions. It involves someone (the channeler) going into a trance state and allowing themselves to be used as a vessel for these entities to speak through them. The entities being channeled can range from angels and spirit guides to extraterrestrials, nature spirits, or even the dead. Channeling has become quite popular in New Age and occult circles. The Bible contains several verses that directly address practices like channeling. Let’s take a look at what God’s Word says about this topic: 1. Channeling is an abomination…
Hardship and suffering are part of the human experience. Even for Christians who trust in God’s goodness and care, difficult times will come. The Bible has much to say to those undergoing trials or facing adversity. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that speak to hardship and suffering. Old Testament Verses on Hardship The Old Testament features many examples of godly people enduring intense hardship, as well as principles and promises from God relevant to difficult times. Several key passages in the Psalms express raw pain, doubt, and complaints to God in the midst of suffering. These…
The Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles refer to a collection of writings dating from the second to fifth centuries that claim to recount the lives and works of various apostles after the ascension of Jesus. These texts are called “apocryphal” because they are not considered part of the inspired biblical canon. While valuable for understanding early Christianity, they contain legendary and fictional elements alongside some historically plausible material. The genre of Apocryphal Acts emerged in the second century as Christians sought to fill in the gaps of the New Testament record concerning the apostles. The canonical Acts of the Apostles…
Arguing with others is unfortunately a common occurrence in life. As Christians, we are called to handle disagreements and conflicts in a godly manner. The Bible provides wisdom and instruction on how to deal with arguments in a way that honors God and builds unity within the body of Christ. Here are some key Bible verses about arguing: Proverbs 17:14 – Avoid foolish arguments “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.” This verse teaches that arguing often leads to greater conflict, so it’s best to avoid foolish disputes before they escalate.…
The story of Aaron standing between the dead and the living is recounted in Numbers 16, during the rebellion of Korah. Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram and 250 Israelite leaders, rebelled against the authority of Moses and Aaron. They claimed that Moses and Aaron had exalted themselves above the rest of the congregation. In response, God caused the earth to open up and swallow Korah, Dathan, Abiram and their families alive. Fire also came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 leaders who were offering incense. This display of God’s judgement caused the rest of the Israelites to flee…
Mount Carmel is a prominent mountain in northern Israel that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. It is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of the significance of Mount Carmel in the Bible: Mount Carmel in the Old Testament In the Old Testament, Mount Carmel is portrayed as a lush, fertile mountain that was known for its beautiful vegetation and forests. It was seen as a symbol of abundance, beauty and vitality. Some key references include: When describing the beauty of the bride, the Song of Solomon refers to her head…
Psalm 68:18 says, “When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious—that you, O Lord God, might dwell there.” The phrase “captives in your train” has been interpreted in different ways throughout church history. Here are some of the main views on what it means: 1. Captives refer to conquered enemies Some believe “captives” refers to enemies that God conquered. The train would be the victorious procession of God leading his defeated foes up to his throne on high. This view sees it as primarily depicting Christ’s victory over…
Passion Week, also known as Holy Week, is the last week of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry according to the Gospel accounts. It begins with Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and culminates with His crucifixion on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter Sunday. Here is an overview of the key events of Passion Week: Palm Sunday Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. The crowds welcome Him by laying down palm branches and their cloaks on the road, shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:1-11). This triumphal…
Conflict is an inevitable part of the human experience. As long as sin exists in the world, there will be disagreement, opposition, and contention between people. The Bible has a lot to say about how Christians should handle conflict and strive for peace. Here are some key Bible passages about dealing with conflict and discord: Romans 12:17-21 – Repay no one evil for evil The apostle Paul urges Christians to not retaliate when someone treats them wrongly: “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far…