The “Satanic Panic” refers to a period of time in the 1980s and early 1990s when there was widespread fear and concern in some Christian circles about supposed widespread Satanic ritual abuse. This panic was fueled by sensational media reports, rumors, and unfounded accusations. While Satan and evil spiritual forces do exist, some of the claims made during this time went far beyond what could be verified or substantiated. Here is an overview of some key events and issues related to the Satanic Panic: Key Events Linked to Satanic Panic 1980 publication of Michelle Remembers – This book by Canadian…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
What is a Seminary? A seminary is an educational institution dedicated to training and educating students to become ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, or other religious leaders. Seminaries focus specifically on providing a theological education rooted in sacred texts like the Bible, Quran, or Torah. The Origin and History of Seminaries The concept of a seminary has its roots in the Council of Trent in the 16th century, when the Catholic Church formally called for better education and training of priests. The term “seminary” comes from the Latin “seminarium” meaning “seed bed.” The idea is that seminaries are places where the…
A pulpit is an elevated platform or lectern in a church or chapel from which the preacher delivers a sermon or other address. The word “pulpit” comes from the Latin word “pulpitum” meaning “platform” or “stage.” In many Christian churches, the pulpit is considered a symbol of the authority and importance of preaching in worship services. According to the Bible, preaching is a vital part of Christian worship and teaching. Several verses emphasize the role of preaching in sharing the gospel and instructing believers: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great…
The term “pseudepigrapha” refers to writings that falsely claim authorship by noteworthy figures to enhance their credibility. In biblical studies, it describes texts of unknown authorship written between 200 BC and 200 AD that impersonate Old Testament personalities and other ancient Jewish authors. These works did not become part of the Hebrew Bible or the standard Christian canon of Scripture. However, they provide valuable insight into Jewish beliefs and traditions during the Second Temple period leading up to the time of Jesus. The pseudepigraphal writings take various forms including apocalyptic visions, testaments of biblical figures, expansions of canonical texts, wisdom…
Jonathan was an important figure in the Old Testament. He was the son of King Saul and close friend of David. Here is an overview of Jonathan’s life and role in the Bible: Jonathan’s Family Background Jonathan was the oldest son of Saul, the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 14:49). His mother was Ahinoam (1 Samuel 14:50). Jonathan had two brothers, Ishvi and Malchishua, and two sisters, Merab and Michal (1 Chronicles 8:33). Jonathan came from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin and became king after the prophet Samuel anointed him (1 Samuel 9:15-10:1).…
The book of Proverbs in the Bible has a lot to say about fools. Written largely by King Solomon, Proverbs contains many pithy sayings and wise insights for living a godly life. One of the topics that Proverbs addresses in depth is the characteristics and consequences of foolishness. By carefully studying these proverbs, we can gain much wisdom for avoiding foolish behavior ourselves. Definition of a fool in Proverbs At the most basic level, Proverbs defines a fool as someone who lacks wisdom and discretion (Prov 1:7, 22; 10:18). A fool doesn’t want to acquire wisdom or listen to advice…
Nathan was an important prophet in the biblical narrative who played a key role during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. He first appears in 2 Samuel 7 when he relays a message from God to David about building a temple. Nathan goes on to confront David regarding his sin with Bathsheba and pronounce God’s judgement on David’s household. Later, Nathan supports Solomon as David’s successor to the throne. Some key facts about Nathan include: Nathan was a prophet who received direct revelation and messages from God to deliver to others. He first appears when he delivers a…
Apocalyptic literature refers to a genre of biblical writings that reveal hidden truths about the end times and the ultimate destiny of humanity and the world. These texts employ vivid symbolism and imagery to convey prophetic visions of the coming struggle between good and evil. But to many modern readers, the content and style of apocalyptic texts can seem bizarre or incomprehensible. Here are some key reasons why apocalyptic literature has such a distinctive and unusual flavor: It emerges from times of crisis and persecution Many of the biblical apocalypses were written during tumultuous periods when God’s people were under…
In the Bible, the concept of impurity refers to something or someone that is ritually or morally contaminated, unclean or defiled before God. Impurity stands in opposition to purity, holiness and cleanliness. The Bible has extensive laws and regulations regarding impurity and purity. Understanding biblical impurity is important to properly interpret many passages in Scripture. Physical Impurity Many impurities mentioned in the Bible are physical in nature. God gave laws regarding clean and unclean foods (Leviticus 11). Unclean foods like pork were not to be eaten. Eating unclean foods made someone impure. Bodily discharges could also cause impurity. Discharges from…
The Bible has much to say about the afterlife and what happens to people after they die. According to Scripture, every person will exist eternally in either heaven or hell based on their relationship with Jesus Christ during their life on earth. The Immortality of the Soul The Bible teaches that human beings have an immortal soul that will continue to exist after the death of the physical body. Passages like Matthew 10:28, Revelation 6:9-11, Luke 16:19-31, and 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 indicate that the soul lives on apart from the body. The apostle Paul said to be absent from the…