The concept of “cheap grace” comes from the writings of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In his classic 1937 book The Cost of Discipleship, Bonhoeffer contrasts “cheap grace” with “costly grace.” Here is a 9000 word examination of what the Bible says about grace, and how the idea of “cheap grace” relates to living out one’s faith. Grace is a central concept in Christianity. The word “grace” translates the Greek word charis, which occurs over 150 times in the New Testament. In the Bible, grace refers to the undeserved favor and blessing of God towards humankind. By grace, sinful human beings…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
The Bible does not explicitly use the term “traditionalism,” but it does address traditions, legalism, and maintaining the status quo versus embracing change and reform. Here is an overview of some relevant biblical principles regarding traditionalism: The Role of Tradition The Bible recognizes that traditions can play a positive role in worship, teaching, and community identity. For example, the Passover celebration was an important tradition for the Israelites (Exodus 12). Jesus himself observed various Jewish customs and festivals, like going to the synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16). The apostle Paul also used traditions to pass on Christian beliefs and…
The “finger of God” is a phrase used several times in the Bible to refer to God’s power, authority, and direct involvement in human affairs. While the exact meaning and significance can vary in different contexts, the general sense is that God’s “finger” represents His active work and intervention in carrying out His divine will. Here are some of the main passages that mention the “finger of God” and what they indicate about its meaning: The Ten Commandments (Exodus 31:18) When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, Exodus 31:18 states that the tablets of stone were…
The Davidic covenant refers to God’s promise to King David of Israel to establish his kingdom forever. This covenant is discussed mainly in 2 Samuel 7 and reiterated in later books of the Bible. Here is a detailed overview of the Davidic covenant: Background After David conquered Jerusalem and consolidated power over Israel and Judah, he desired to build a permanent temple for God. However, God denied David this honor and instead promised to establish David’s kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13). This promise was called the Davidic covenant and formed the theological basis for an eternal Davidic dynasty ruling over…
Contentment is an important theme in the Bible that encourages us to be satisfied and grateful for what we have, rather than always striving for more. Here are some key Bible verses about contentment: 1. Philippians 4:11-13 – Finding contentment in Christ “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through…
The Bible provides important details about Abraham’s sons. Abraham is a significant biblical figure, known as the father of the Jewish nation and revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. Understanding Abraham’s family and offspring is key to unlocking major biblical themes and promises. When we examine the Scriptures closely, we learn that Abraham had a total of eight sons. Abraham’s first son was Ishmael, born to Hagar who was Sarah’s Egyptian maidservant (Genesis 16:15). When Abraham was 86 years old, Ishmael was born to Abraham through Hagar. God had promised Abraham he would become the father of many nations…
The book of Job in the Bible does not provide exact dates for when Job lived. However, based on textual clues and references to historical events and figures, scholars have offered estimates for when Job may have lived. Here are some key points about the estimated timing of Job’s life: The book of Job does not name the Israelite patriarchs Abraham, Isaac or Jacob, suggesting it may predate that time period. Job’s wealth is counted in livestock, typical of the patriarchal age before currencies were established. Job acts as priest for his family, as was common before the Levitical priesthood…
The issue of the Bible’s infallibility has been debated for centuries. Those who believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God point to several lines of evidence to support their view. Skeptics argue that the Bible contains contradictions and errors that undermine any claim to infallibility. While absolute proof may not be possible, there are reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue. The Bible’s Claims About Itself The Bible contains several passages that directly state or strongly imply it is the flawless, authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, John 10:35). If the Bible is…
The Bible verse Proverbs 22:6 states “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” This verse is often interpreted to mean that if parents raise their children in a godly way, instilling biblical values, then their children will grow up to be godly adults who follow the Lord. However, experience shows that this is not always the case – some children raised in Christian homes still choose to rebel and walk away from their faith. So what does the Bible really promise about how godly parenting affects…
Mount Tabor is a significant mountain located in northern Israel near the plain of Jezreel. Though not very tall, rising only 1,886 feet above sea level, Mount Tabor has great biblical and historical significance. It is mentioned several times in the Old Testament and New Testament and was the site of many important biblical events. Mount Tabor in the Old Testament In the Old Testament, Mount Tabor marked the border between the territories of the Israelite tribes Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali (Joshua 19:22). It was also near the valley where Deborah and Barak assembled their army before defeating Sisera and…