The First Epistle of Clement, also known as First Clement, is a letter addressed to the Christians in the city of Corinth. The letter was composed at some point between 70 and 140 AD by Clement of Rome, who was a prominent leader in the church at Rome. 1 Clement is considered one of the earliest examples of post-biblical Christian literature outside of the New Testament. The occasion for the letter was a dispute that had broken out among the Corinthian Christians related to the proper exercise of authority within the church. Some younger members of the church had rejected…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
A plumb line in the Bible refers to a cord with a weight attached to one end that is used to determine verticality in building construction. It serves as a metaphor for God’s righteous judgement and standards. Here is a detailed 9000 word explanation of the plumb line in the biblical context: In the Old Testament, God often used the imagery of the plumb line to communicate to His people when they were deviating from His standards of uprightness and righteousness. The plumb line was a common construction tool used to ensure walls, pillars and buildings were perfectly vertical. Master…
Does the Bible Mention Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by abnormal behavior, strange speech, and a detachment from reality. It is a complex condition that affects a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. Though the word “schizophrenia” is not found in the Bible, there are several instances in Scripture that describe experiences and behaviors that resemble symptoms of schizophrenia. Auditory and Visual Hallucinations One of the most common symptoms of schizophrenia is hearing or seeing things that are not real. There are a few examples in the Bible that could suggest hallucinations: – In 1 Samuel…
The Bible provides perspective on why different religions struggle to coexist peacefully. At the core, there are fundamentally different beliefs about who God is, how to relate to God, and what constitutes truth. While religious diversity can enrich society in many ways, there are also inherent tensions built into the logic of competing religious claims about divine revelation and authority. A key biblical theme is that there is one true God who desires for all people to know Him. Passages like Exodus 20:3 say to “have no other gods before me,” affirming monotheism and God’s uniqueness. Jesus likewise stated He…
The phrase “your house is left to you desolate” is found in Matthew 23:38, where Jesus says to the scribes and Pharisees: “See, your house is left to you desolate.” This verse comes at the end of a lengthy rebuke by Jesus against the hypocrisy and false teaching of the religious leaders. To understand the meaning of this phrase, we need to examine the context. In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces seven woes against the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, pride, greed, self-indulgence, and lack of compassion. He calls them “blind guides” (v.16) and pronounces them “serpents” and a “brood…
The issue of financial transparency in churches is an important one for Christians to consider. What does the Bible say about how open and clear church leaders should be regarding money matters? There are several principles and passages that can help guide churches to make wise decisions. Stewardship and Accountability A core biblical principle regarding finances is that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. We are stewards, or managers, of the resources God has given us (Deuteronomy 8:18, Psalms 24:1). Wise stewardship requires accountability and caring for God’s resources as He desires. As it relates to church finances, pastors…
In 1 Thessalonians 4:11, the apostle Paul instructs the believers in Thessalonica to “aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you.” This exhortation to “mind your own business” may seem puzzling or even counterintuitive to some. Why would Paul tell Christians to focus on themselves and not be concerned with others? A closer look at the context reveals some important insights. 1. Live quietly and peacefully Paul first tells the Thessalonian believers to “aspire to live quietly” (1 Thessalonians 4:11a). The word translated “quietly” means tranquilly or peacefully.…
Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima Sundays are the names given to the three Sundays that come before the season of Lent in the traditional Christian liturgical calendar. They mark the transition period between the season after Epiphany and the beginning of Lent. Let’s take a deeper look at what each of these Sundays signifies: Septuagesima Sunday Septuagesima Sunday is exactly 70 days before Easter. The term “Septuagesima” comes from the Latin word meaning “seventieth,” and this Sunday signals that the Easter season is approaching. In the traditional calendar, Septuagesima Sunday marks the start of a period known as the “Gesimas” -…
The issue of whether it is biblically permissible for a church to take on debt is one that Christians have debated for centuries. There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue, with each position being able to point to verses and principles from Scripture to support their view. In this article, we will walk through the key biblical considerations around church debt, examining the strongest cases both for and against it. By looking comprehensively at what the Bible says, we hope readers will be equipped to study this issue for themselves and come to their own thoughtful conclusion.…
How can we let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be pleasing to God (Psalm 19:14)? This is a question that many Christians ask themselves as they seek to live a life that honors God. The book of Psalms provides wisdom and insight into how our words and thoughts can bring joy to the Lord. First, we must understand why our words and thoughts matter to God. The book of Proverbs says that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Our words carry tremendous power, for good or for evil.…