The Bible has quite a bit to say about venting, which is the act of expressing strong emotions, often anger or frustration. Here is an overview of the key biblical principles regarding venting: Venting Can Lead to Sin The Bible warns that venting anger can easily lead us into sinful words and actions. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26). Anger itself is not necessarily sinful, but it can quickly escalate into destructive speech or behavior when we let it boil over in venting. Wise King Solomon wrote, “Whoever…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
The motto “faith seeking understanding” expresses the important connection between faith and reason in Christian theology. It conveys the idea that faith in God leads believers to seek greater understanding of God and spiritual truth. This motto is most closely associated with St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential theologians in Christian history. The key aspects of this motto are: Faith comes first – Faith in God is the starting point. Augustine taught that faith is a gift from God that allows people to believe in spiritual realities they cannot yet fully comprehend. Faith prompts seeking – Genuine…
1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” This verse comes at the end of Paul’s famous chapter on love and sums up some of the main themes. Specifically, it emphasizes that faith, hope, and love continue to abide or remain even when spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues cease. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these key virtues means in context. Faith Faith is confident trust and assurance in God and Jesus Christ. Throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul stresses the importance of faith in Jesus…
The topic of hell is one that elicits strong reactions from many people. Some reject the notion entirely, believing it to be inconsistent with a loving God. Others embrace a literal view of hell as a place of eternal, conscious torment for the wicked. What does the Bible really say about hell? Is it a literal place of fiery punishment, or something else? And is it eternal, or temporary? Let’s explore what Scripture has to say. Old Testament References to Hell The Old Testament speaks very little about the afterlife or a place akin to hell. The Hebrew word Sheol…
What was the first sin? The Bible teaches that the first sin was committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Genesis chapter 3 records the account of how Satan, in the form of a serpent, tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve succumbed to the temptation and also gave some of the fruit to Adam, who was with her. By eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve directly disobeyed the command of God (Genesis 2:16-17). Why was eating the forbidden fruit a sin? 1. It was…
Being a parent is one of the most important and rewarding roles in life. However, it also comes with great responsibility. The Bible provides much wisdom and guidance on how to be a good parent. Love Your Children One of the most fundamental principles of good parenting in the Bible is to love your children. Ephesians 6:4 instructs fathers to not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This implies loving guidance rather than harsh discipline or neglect. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 describes the nature of godly love that parents should…
The Bible has a lot to say about famine throughout its pages. Famine is often presented as a consequence of sin and disobedience to God. However, God also promises to provide and care for His people even in times of famine. Here is an overview of some of the major biblical themes and passages related to famine: Famine as Judgment for Sin Several passages in the Old Testament depict famine as a judgment from God on nations or people groups who have turned from Him. For example: Deuteronomy 28:23-24 warns that failure to obey God’s commands will result in drought,…
Jesus’ statement “Woman, behold your son” was directed at His mother Mary while He was dying on the cross. This simple yet profound statement revealed key truths about Jesus’ relationship with His mother and the disciples He was leaving behind. To understand the meaning behind these words, we must look at the context. In John 19:25-27 we read: “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your…
The ship of Theseus is a thought experiment that raises questions about identity and change over time. The basic scenario is this: the ship wherein the Athenian hero Theseus returned from slaying the minotaur has been kept in Athens as a memorial. As parts of the ship age and rot, they are replaced with new planks of wood. After many years, every plank of the original ship has been replaced. Is this still the same Ship of Theseus, or a completely new ship? This poses an interesting philosophical dilemma for Christians. How should we think about persistence of identity amidst…
King Ahab was one of the most infamous kings of Israel mentioned in the Bible. He ruled the northern kingdom of Israel for 22 years during the 9th century BC (1 Kings 16:29). Ahab was the son and successor of King Omri, who established the new capital city of Samaria. The Bible provides a mostly negative portrayal of Ahab as an evil, corrupt, and weak leader who promoted idolatry and led the people of Israel astray. One of the main sins attributed to Ahab was his promotion of Baal worship in Israel. Soon after becoming king, Ahab married Jezebel, the…