The Bible has a lot to say about the concepts of good and evil. At the most fundamental level, the Bible presents God as the ultimate embodiment and source of good, while Satan represents the essence of evil. From the very beginning, the Bible sets up a dichotomy between good and evil, light and darkness. One of the most well-known examples is the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis. God created the Garden of Eden and put Adam and Eve there to live in paradise. However, Satan tempts them to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
The virginity test mentioned in Deuteronomy 22:13-21 has been a source of much debate and controversy. This passage outlines a ritual undergone by a newly married couple if the husband suspects his new bride is not a virgin. Here is a detailed 9,000 word examination of what the Bible says about this practice and how accurate and ethical it really was. The Biblical Passage in Context First, let’s examine the full biblical text in question (Deuteronomy 22:13-21 ESV): “If any man takes a wife and goes in to her and then hates her and accuses her of misconduct and brings…
Pride is a sin that God takes very seriously, as evidenced by the stern warning in Daniel 4:37 – “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” This verse comes at the end of a narrative in Daniel 4, where King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had become arrogant and prideful, boasting about his power and achievements. As punishment, God humbled him by taking away his sanity and forcing him to live like an animal…
The Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) is a fundamentalist Mormon sect that split from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon church) in the early 20th century. The FLDS believes in the original teachings of Mormon founder Joseph Smith, including plural marriage (polygamy), and considers itself the true successor to Smith’s church. Key beliefs and practices of the FLDS include: Origins and History The FLDS has its origins in the late 19th century when the LDS church disavowed polygamy under pressure from the U.S. government. Some Mormons refused to give up the practice and…
The Bible has a lot to say about backstabbing and betrayal. Though the words “backstabbing” and “betrayal” are not specifically used, the concepts are certainly present throughout Scripture. Here are some key biblical principles about backstabbing: 1. Backstabbing is sinful and stems from evil desires Proverbs 26:24-26 warns, “Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” This verse indicates that backstabbing comes from a heart…
The verse Galatians 6:9 says “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” This verse encourages us to persist in doing good works and not lose heart, because there is an eternal reward awaiting us if we endure. Here is an in-depth look at what it means to not grow weary in doing good: 1. Doing good requires effort and sacrifice Doing good is not easy. It requires us to go out of our way to serve others, be generous, care for the needy, and engage…
The saying of Jesus that “the first will be last and the last will be first” is found in several places in the Gospels and has been the source of much discussion and debate over the centuries. At its core, this enigmatic statement seems to overturn conventional ideas about status, prestige, and honor. In the kingdom of God, Jesus indicates, things do not work in the expected manner. The proud are brought low and the humble exalted. This article will explore the meaning and significance of this important saying of Jesus. The Saying in Context The first occurrence of this…
The concept of penance is central to the Christian faith. Though the word “penance” itself does not appear in most English translations of the Bible, the underlying principles and practices associated with penance are present throughout Scripture. At its core, penance refers to repentance, contrition, and atonement for sins. It typically involves acts of self-denial, prayer, and deeds of charity as a means of expressing sorrow for wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Old Testament Foundations In the Old Testament, the Israelites made numerous sin offerings and guilt offerings as forms of penance and atonement for various transgressions…
The “daughters of Jerusalem” are mentioned several times throughout the Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs. This poetic book tells the story of the love between King Solomon and the Shulammite woman. The “daughters of Jerusalem” seem to be a group of women who observe their love story and interact with the Shulammite at certain points. Here are some key facts about the “daughters of Jerusalem” in Song of Songs: They are addressed directly by the Shulammite woman multiple times (Song of Songs 1:5, 2:7, 3:5, 5:8, 5:16, 8:4). Their identity is not definitively stated, but…
Insecurity is a feeling of self-doubt, lack of confidence, and worry about rejection or failure. It can manifest in many ways, such as constantly seeking approval, comparing oneself to others, being overly self-critical, or avoiding taking risks. Insecurity is a common human struggle that most people face at some point in life. What does the Bible have to say about this internal battle? Here is an overview of key biblical truths regarding insecurity: 1. Our identity is found in Christ, not performance A major source of insecurity is basing our sense of worth and belonging on what we do rather…