Misotheism refers to the hatred of God or gods. It stands in contrast to theism, which is the belief in the existence of at least one deity, and atheism, which is the lack of belief in any deities. Though uncommon, misotheism has been adopted by some philosophers, writers, and thinkers throughout history. The term “misotheism” comes from the Greek words μισόθεος (misotheos), meaning “God-hater”, which is derived from μῖσος (misos), “hatred”, and θεός (theos), “god, deity”. The related term “misotheistic” describes hatred, contempt, or hostility towards God or gods. Misotheism arises for a variety of reasons, often deeply personal ones.…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
Zechariah 12:10 is often cited as a messianic prophecy that foretells the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The verse reads: “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” There are several reasons why this verse is considered a prophecy about Jesus: It speaks of God (“me”) being pierced, a clear…
The Bible has a lot to say about pornography, as it goes against God’s design for sexuality and relationships. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles regarding pornography: Pornography is sinful and defiles a person Several verses describe how sexual immorality defiles and stains a person’s heart and life. Pornography clearly falls into the category of sexual immorality: “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion,…
Psalm 61:2 says “From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” This verse comes from a psalm of David, when he was seeking refuge in God amidst a time of trouble or despair. The specific meaning and implications of this verse are rich and significant. The Broader Context of Psalm 61 Psalm 61 seems to have been written when David was far from Jerusalem, either during his exile from Saul or his flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 15). David was going through trials…
The book of Proverbs in the Bible contains many short, pithy sayings about wisdom, righteousness, and avoiding folly. One of these sayings is Proverbs 20:1, which states: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” This verse warns about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and how it can lead to poor judgment and lack of wisdom. In this proverb, wine is personified as a “mocker.” A mocker is someone who deceives, ridicules, or scorns others. The idea is that wine can disguise the truth and make things appear different…
Hesychasm is a mystical tradition of prayer in the Eastern Orthodox Church that dates back to the early centuries of Christianity. The word “hesychasm” comes from the Greek word hesychia, meaning “stillness, rest, quiet, silence.” Hesychasts (practitioners of hesychasm) seek to enter into deeper communion with God through the repetition of the Jesus Prayer while focusing all their mental faculties on the heart. The goal of hesychast prayer is to descend with the mind into the heart and there to stand before the face of the Lord, made present in the heart through the grace of the Holy Spirit. The…
The concept of original sin, that all humans have inherited sinfulness from Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, is a foundational doctrine in Christianity. This belief shapes much of Christian theology about salvation, grace, and the need for redemption through Christ. But opinions differ on exactly how and why sin spreads to all people. According to the Bible, God created Adam and Eve without sin, and placed them in the idyllic Garden of Eden. They lived in close fellowship with God, until the serpent tempted them to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge…
The Analects of Confucius are a collection of sayings, quotes, and ideas attributed to Confucius, an influential Chinese philosopher who lived around 500 B.C. The Analects contain Confucius’ teachings on a variety of topics, including morality, self-cultivation, government, and ritual propriety. Confucius’ teachings emphasized personal morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. He promoted ideals like ren (humaneness), li (ritual propriety), zhong (loyalty), xiao (filial piety), and wen (love of learning). Confucius believed that individuals could cultivate virtue and become junzi (gentlemen) through education, self-reflection, and adherence to ritual. The Analects consist of 20 books or chapters, which were…
Pliny the Younger was a Roman author, lawyer, and magistrate who lived from approximately 61-113 AD. He is best known for his hundreds of surviving letters, which provide invaluable insight into Roman life in the early 2nd century. Pliny was born into a wealthy equestrian family in northern Italy. His father, Pliny the Elder, was a renowned author and naturalist. The younger Pliny was adopted and raised by his uncle after his father’s death during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Pliny began his career by serving in the military. He then practiced law in Rome, eventually reaching…
The substitutionary atonement refers to the doctrine that Jesus Christ died as a substitute for sinners, taking the punishment that they deserved for their sins. This view is central to orthodox Christian theology and has roots in several key biblical passages. Here is an overview of the biblical basis and key elements of the substitutionary atonement doctrine: 1. The concept of atonement in the Bible In the Bible, the concept of atonement involves making amends for wrongs and restoring a right relationship between God and human beings. The English word “atonement” translates the Hebrew verb kaphar and nouns like kippurim,…