Physical death and spiritual death are closely intertwined concepts in the Bible. When God created humans, He did not intend for us to experience either type of death. Physical death entered the world because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:19). Spiritual death also entered the world at that time, as sin created a separation between God and humanity (Genesis 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:1). According to the Bible, every human being experiences physical death as a consequence of Adam’s original sin (Romans 5:12-14). Our bodies naturally age and eventually cease to function. However, those who trust…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
A metanarrative, also called a grand narrative or master narrative, is a theory or framework that claims to provide a comprehensive explanation for historical events, experiences, and social phenomena. Metanarratives tend to promote a singular, universal truth about the nature of human existence and experience. They claim to offer insight into the meaning of life and into broad patterns of human development and progress. The concept of metanarratives became prominent in postmodern philosophy, which is skeptical of theories that propose overarching explanations for the human condition. Postmodern thinkers argue that metanarratives are reductive, inaccurate, and even oppressive in the way…
This is a common question that many people have when they first hear the Christian claim that believers have eternal or everlasting life. At first glance, it seems contradictory – if we have everlasting life, then why do we still experience physical death? To understand this correctly, we first need to understand what the Bible means when it talks about everlasting life. The Bible makes it clear that everlasting life is not simply living forever in our current earthly bodies. Rather, everlasting life refers to the spiritual life that begins when we put our faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said…
Justification, sanctification, and glorification are three crucial theological concepts that describe the process of salvation in the life of a believer. While distinct, they are intricately connected and build on one another as God works in the life of a Christian. Let’s explore what each means and how they relate. Justification Justification refers to God’s act of declaring a sinner righteous by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23-24 explains that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”…
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by over 40 authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years. It contains many different literary styles and covers a wide range of topics. However, the overarching narrative of the Bible tells the story of God’s plan to redeem humanity and all of creation. Here is a basic timeline overview of the major events covered in the Bible: Creation (Genesis 1-2) The Bible opens by describing how God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them in six days. On the sixth day, God creates humans, Adam and Eve, in…
The Bible teaches that all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). Our sin separates us from God, who is perfect and holy. No matter how hard we try, we can never bridge that gap through our own efforts. We need someone to save us from our helpless spiritual condition. That’s where Jesus comes in. Jesus is God’s solution to the problem of human sin and separation from God. The angel told Joseph to name Mary’s baby Jesus because “he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The name Jesus means “Yahweh saves”…
Eusebius of Caesarea was an early church historian and Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine. He lived from around AD 260 to 339. Eusebius is most well known for his extensive writings on church history, particularly his Ecclesiastical History which chronicles the history of the early Christian church from the apostolic period until his own time. His writings provide invaluable insight into the first few centuries of Christianity. Some key facts about Eusebius of Caesarea: He was born around AD 260 in Palestine. He was mentored by Pamphilus, a scholar and martyr, which is why Eusebius is sometimes referred to as…
The Bible does not explicitly prohibit or command Christians to have hobbies. However, there are some principles and examples in Scripture that can guide Christians in thinking about whether they should have hobbies and how to engage in them in a God-honoring way. Our Time Belongs to God As Christians, we acknowledge that our time on earth belongs to God and we are called to be good stewards of the time He has given us (Psalm 90:12, Ephesians 5:15-17). While hobbies can be a fun and relaxing way to spend free time, we should be careful not to let them…
Generosity is a vital part of the Christian life. The Bible has a great deal to say about living generously and the importance of having a generous spirit. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles about generosity: 1. Everything we have belongs to God The Bible makes it clear that all we have – our abilities, possessions, money, time – ultimately belong to God. We are simply stewards or managers of the resources God has entrusted to us during our lifetime. This principle is seen in verses like: Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s,…
Child sexual abuse is a horrific sin that goes against God’s design for sex and sexuality. The Bible condemns all forms of sexual immorality and perversion, and clearly teaches that children are to be valued, protected and cared for within the family and community of faith. While the Bible does not explicitly address the modern understanding of child sexual abuse, there are a number of principles and passages that speak to this issue. 1. Life is sacred – Genesis 1:27 Human life is sacred, as we are made in the image and likeness of God. This gives all human life…