The Bible verse Psalm 119:9 asks “How can a young man cleanse his way?” This is an important question for all young people looking to live a godly life according to God’s standards. Here is a 9000 word exploration of what the Bible teaches regarding how a young person can cleanse their way and live a righteous life. To begin, it is important to understand what it means to “cleanse one’s way.” The Hebrew word translated as “cleanse” here implies moral purity and righteousness. It refers to living a holy life, free from sinful behaviors and attitudes. For a young…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
The Letters of Ignatius refer to a collection of 7 letters traditionally attributed to Ignatius of Antioch, an early Christian bishop who lived in the 1st century AD. Ignatius was believed to be a disciple of the Apostle John and was appointed as the third Bishop of Antioch. While being transported from Antioch to Rome under armed guard to be executed, Ignatius wrote these letters to encourage various Christian communities located along the route. The letters contain valuable information about early Christian theology, church order and structure, and provide insight into the persecution faced by many early believers. The 7…
The question of whether a Christian can be a nudist is a complex one that requires careful examination of biblical principles. At first glance, nudism may seem at odds with Christian modesty and morality. However, when studied more closely, there are arguments on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, Scripture does not explicitly prohibit all forms of nudity, but it does lay down principles for modesty and sexual purity that should guide believers. Biblical Principles Related to Modesty and Nakedness The Bible has several things to say about modesty that are relevant when considering nudism. In the Old Testament, nakedness…
Satan is a spiritual being who appears in the Bible as the adversary and accuser of humankind. Though the Bible does not provide a complete biography of Satan, it does give some key details about his identity, activities, and ultimate destiny. Names and Titles The being who is known as Satan has many other names and titles in the Bible that provide insight into his character and actions: Satan – Means “adversary” or “accuser” in Hebrew (Job 1:6-12; Zechariah 3:1-2). Devil – Translates a Greek word meaning “slanderer” or “accuser” (Revelation 12:9). Serpent – Satan took the form of a…
The Avignon Papacy, also known as the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, was a period from 1309 to 1376 during which seven successive popes resided in Avignon, France rather than in Rome. This period is viewed as controversial and damaging to the reputation and authority of the papacy. Here is an overview of the key events and implications of this unusual chapter in papal history: Background In 1309, Pope Clement V moved the papal court from Rome to Avignon. At the time, Rome was chaotic and unstable. Avignon was part of the Papal States but surrounded by the Kingdom of…
The Bible does not explicitly prohibit or endorse Christians serving in the military. There are various passages that can be interpreted both for and against military service by Christians. Ultimately, it is a matter of individual conscience and seeking God’s guidance on whether to serve in the armed forces. Biblical passages on peace and nonviolence There are many verses that promote peace, love of enemies, and nonviolence. These could suggest military service is incompatible with Christian values: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for…
The Catholic Church is part of Christianity, not a separate religion. This can be seen clearly when examining what the Bible says about the unity of believers and the nature of the church. The Bible emphasizes that all true believers in Jesus Christ are part of one body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 says “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were…
The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus Christ returned invisibly in 1914 and began ruling from heaven. This date of 1914 is central to their teachings and interpretations of biblical prophecy. Here is an overview of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ main beliefs about 1914: A Reign That Began Invisibly in 1914 Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus began ruling as King of God’s kingdom in 1914, but he did so invisibly, in a spiritual sense. They base this on their interpretation of biblical books like Daniel and Revelation, which contain prophetic visions and calculations of specific time periods culminating in the establishment of God’s…
The concept of a secret rapture refers to the belief among some Christians that at some point in the future, Jesus Christ will return to earth secretly and suddenly to “rapture” or catch up to heaven true believers in Christ who are still alive, as well as resurrect and rapture to heaven Christians who have died. This is believed to occur before (pre-tribulation) or in the middle (mid-tribulation) of a period of global tribulation on earth. The key aspects of this view are the suddenness, secrecy, and idea of Jesus taking believers to heaven before a time of intense persecution…
Meditation is an important spiritual discipline that is encouraged throughout the Bible. Here are some key examples of biblical meditation: Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” This verse describes the godly man as someone who meditates on God’s word constantly. Psalm 119:15 “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” The psalmist commits to meditating on God’s decrees and focusing intently on God’s ways. Psalm 119:23 “Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.”…