The Bible does not explicitly prohibit or endorse the wearing of earrings for Christian men or women. However, there are some principles and examples in Scripture that can inform our thinking on this issue. Principles from Scripture Here are some biblical principles that relate to the question of earrings: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we should seek to glorify God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This means we should avoid anything that defiles the body. We should exercise wisdom in adorning ourselves and avoid vanity and excess (1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:3-4). Our focus…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
In ancient times, city gates were an important part of a town or city’s defense system. They helped regulate who came in and out and allowed officials to collect taxes and duties from merchants. Beyond their defensive and functional roles, city gates were also centers of community life in biblical times. Here are some key points about the significance of city gates in the Bible: Defense and protection City walls with strong gates helped protect inhabitants from attack (Nehemiah 2:3, 8). Gates could be closed and barred shut when threat of invasion was imminent. Soldiers were stationed at gates to…
The Old Testament tells the story of God’s dealings with the people of Israel, beginning with the creation of the world and ending with the prophecy of the coming Messiah. It covers a time period of over 4,000 years and was originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic. Here is an overview of the major events and themes of the 39 books that comprise the Old Testament: Genesis – God creates the universe and everything in it in 6 days. He creates Adam and Eve and places them in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve disobey God’s command and eat…
Sovereign grace refers to the biblical teaching that God’s grace in salvation is given freely and unconditionally according to His sovereign will and good pleasure, not because of any merit, worthiness, or action on the part of the recipient. This doctrine emphasizes God’s supremacy and sovereignty in extending grace to whomever He chooses. The term “sovereign” underscores the fact that God acts according to His own purposes and will in saving sinners, not based on anything they have done. The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is entirely an act of God’s grace, not something earned or deserved. Ephesians 2:8-9 says,…
The Closed Canon – What Are the Implications? The term “closed canon” refers to the concept that the books of the Bible in its current form represent the complete and final revelation of God’s word. The canon of scripture is considered “closed” because no other books can be added to it. This stands in contrast to an “open canon”, which would allow for additional books to potentially be included in the Bible. The implications of having a closed canon are significant. Here are some of the main ones: 1. The Bible is Sufficient Belief in a closed canon implies that…
Hosea 13:14 is a verse that has been translated differently in various Bible versions. The key phrase in question is whether it should read “I will deliver/ransom” or “Will I deliver/ransom.” Here is the verse in the English Standard Version (ESV): “Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.” (Hosea 13:14 ESV) In the original Hebrew, the first two rhetorical questions start with the word “m” which could be translated as “from” or as the…
The concept of “the Way” is an important theme that runs throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. At its core, “the Way” refers to the spiritual path that God desires people to walk in – a life lived in obedience to God’s commands and in relationship with Him. In the Old Testament, the Way often refers to following God’s laws and instructions. For example, Psalm 119:1 states “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!” The Psalms frequently equate walking in God’s way with obedience to His word…
Exegesis and eisegesis are two approaches to interpreting biblical texts. Exegesis refers to drawing out the original intended meaning of a text based on historical, linguistic, and literary context. Eisegesis, on the other hand, refers to reading one’s own interpretations or assumptions into a text. Understanding the difference between these two approaches is crucial for properly understanding and applying the Bible. Exegesis The term exegesis comes from the Greek word ἐξήγησις which means “explanation” or “interpretation.” Exegesis involves carefully investigating a biblical text in its original historical, linguistic, and literary context in order to determine the author’s original intent. Some…
The “sword of the Spirit” is mentioned in Ephesians 6:17, which says, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” This verse falls within the larger passage of Ephesians 6:10-20, where Paul urges believers to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” by putting on the full armor of God (Eph 6:10-11). The sword of the Spirit is part of the spiritual armor that enables believers to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11). The sword of the Spirit refers specifically to…
The concept of “laying out a fleece” comes from the story of Gideon in Judges 6 in the Old Testament. Gideon was unsure if God really wanted him to lead Israel into battle against the Midianites, so he asked God for signs to confirm His will. On two occasions, Gideon put out a fleece of wool overnight and asked God to make it wet while keeping the ground dry, or vice versa. Both times, God responded miraculously to confirm that He was calling Gideon to lead. So “laying out a fleece” has come to mean asking God for a supernatural…