The term “red-pilled” has become popular in recent years, especially online. It refers to a concept from the 1999 movie The Matrix, where the main character is offered a choice between a red pill and a blue pill. The red pill represents seeing the harsh realities of the world, while the blue pill represents remaining in comfortable illusion. Being “red-pilled” today often means rejecting politically correct narratives and coming to realize unpleasant truths about society. Those who describe themselves as red-pilled believe they see the world for what it really is, without any sugar-coating. At first glance, this concept may…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
The concept of an afterlife and rewards or punishments in the next world is an integral part of the Jewish faith. However, the Jewish view of the afterlife is quite different from the Christian conception of heaven and hell. In Judaism, there is no definitive single view of the afterlife. Jewish beliefs about the afterlife have varied and evolved over the centuries, with differing ideas expressed in the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic literature, Jewish mysticism and folklore. Here is an overview of some of the key Jewish beliefs about the afterlife and “hell.” Sheol in the Hebrew Bible The earliest references…
What does it mean to have spiritual life? Having spiritual life means having a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. When someone becomes a Christian, they are “born again” spiritually and receive eternal life (John 3:3-7). This happens when we place our faith in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross to pay for our sins (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through this new spiritual birth, we become children of God and are indwelt with the Holy Spirit (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:9-11). The Bible describes natural human existence without Christ as being “dead in transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). We are…
This is a profound question that many people struggle with. If we did not choose to be born, how can God hold us accountable for our sins? The Bible provides insight into this complex issue. To start, the Bible makes it clear that all people are sinful by nature ever since Adam and Eve’s original sin (Romans 5:12). We inherit a sinful nature from birth. So even though we did not choose to be born, we are still born with a tendency towards sin. Additionally, the Bible teaches that God is completely sovereign over everything, including the circumstances of each…
The concepts of decreeing and declaring are found throughout the Bible and are important spiritual practices for Christians. At the most basic level, to “decree” means to make an official decision or statement, while to “declare” means to say or announce something clearly and publicly. When we decree and declare God’s Word, we are speaking out His promises, truths, and blessings over situations and circumstances by faith. Here are some key things the Bible teaches about decreeing and declaring: 1. God gave mankind dominion through our words In the creation account, God said “Let us make man in our image,…
Answers in Genesis (AiG) is an apologetics ministry founded in 1994 in the United States by Ken Ham. The ministry promotes a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis, including belief in a young Earth creationism viewpoint. AiG rejects evolutionary science and seeks to provide biblical answers concerning the age of the universe, the origin of life, and other issues related to creation vs evolution. Beliefs and Teachings Some of the key beliefs and teachings promoted by Answers in Genesis include: The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. There is one eternal God existing in three…
Grace and truth are two essential attributes of God that are perfectly demonstrated in Jesus Christ. Both grace and truth originate from God and are inseparably linked together. While grace emphasizes God’s unconditional love, mercy, and forgiveness, truth reveals God’s unchanging character and standards. Understanding how grace and truth work together is foundational to understanding God’s plan of salvation for humanity. Definition of Grace The word “grace” literally means unmerited favor. Grace is God’s free and undeserved gift offered to sinful humanity. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own…
The question of whether Moses saw God face to face is an intriguing one that has been debated amongst scholars and theologians for centuries. The Bible contains several passages that seem to indicate that Moses did indeed see God directly, while other verses suggest otherwise. Getting to the bottom of this issue requires carefully examining the relevant biblical texts in their original context. There are a few key passages in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible traditionally attributed to Moses’ authorship, that describe dramatic encounters between God and Moses. One of the most well-known is Exodus 33,…
The Moors were the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, and Malta during the Middle Ages. The name was given to the Berbers and Arabs of North Africa who conquered and ruled parts of southern Europe from the 8th to 13th centuries. Their influence expanded across the Mediterranean into present-day Spain, Portugal, and parts of France. The term “Moors” referred to various ethnic groups ranging from Berbers to Arabs who shared the common Muslim faith. Here is what the Bible has to say about the origins and history of the Moors: The Ancestry of the Moors Traced…
Ephesians 5:1 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” This verse comes in the midst of Paul’s encouragement to the Ephesian Christians to walk in love and avoid sexual immorality. But what exactly does it mean for us as Christians to be imitators of God? 1. We are called to imitate God’s character First and foremost, imitating God means reflecting His character and nature in our own lives. As 1 John 4:8 tells us, “God is love.” Everything God does flows out of His perfect, selfless love. As His children, we are called to display the same kind…