The Mount of Olives, also known as the Mount of Olives, is a mountain ridge located east of the Old City of Jerusalem. It is frequently mentioned in the Bible, as many important events took place there. The Mount of Olives has great significance for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. Some key events that took place on the Mount of Olives according to the Bible include: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem took place on the Mount of Olives. As Jesus approached Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples to fetch a donkey for him…
Author: Matt Primack
The New Atheism is a movement that emerged in the early 2000s promoting a form of atheism that is openly critical of religion. The term “New Atheism” was coined by Gary Wolf in a 2006 Wired magazine article to describe the positions promoted by Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens in their books and public appearances. These “Four Horsemen” of New Atheism argued that religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized, and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises. According to the New Atheists, religion is not just wrong but dangerous. They…
What is the best evidence/argument for intelligent design? The Bible offers compelling evidence that the universe and life were intelligently designed by God. Here are some of the key biblical arguments for intelligent design: 1. The universe exhibits complex order and systems that point to an intelligent designer. The precise physical laws and constants that govern the universe, and allow for stars, planets, and life to exist, seem finely-tuned by an intelligent agent rather than random chance (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:20). The human body also exhibits irreducible complexity in its systems and organs, suggesting intentional design rather than…
The institutional church refers to organized religion and denominations that have formal structures, hierarchies, buildings, budgets, staff, and membership rolls. It is the physical manifestation of the Christian faith as an institution with rules, rituals, and roles. Throughout church history, there has been tension between the organic, spiritual nature of the body of Christ and the institutional, organizational nature of running a church. Both institutional and organic elements have value, and finding the right balance is an ongoing discussion. Origins of the institutional church In the New Testament, the early church was informal, relational, and met in homes. There were…
The book of Judith is a deuterocanonical book found in the Catholic and Orthodox Christian Old Testament of the Bible. It recounts the story of the beautiful widow Judith who saves her besieged town by tricking and then beheading the Assyrian general Holofernes. The book has been dated by scholars to the late 2nd or early 1st century BC. The story is set in the time after the Babylonian captivity and portrays the conflict between the Jews and the Assyrian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. The Assyrian general Holofernes lays siege to the town of Bethulia, intending to starve the residents…
Laban was an important figure in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. He was the brother of Rebekah, who was the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob. This made Laban the uncle of Jacob. Laban plays a significant role in several key events and stories in Genesis: Laban Welcomes Abraham’s Servant In Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. The servant travels to the city of Nahor and encounters Rebekah at a well. The servant later goes to Laban’s house, where Laban welcomes the servant and invites him in.…
The Bible has a lot to say about finding true satisfaction and meaning in life. Here are some of the key themes that emerge from Scripture on this important topic: 1. Lasting satisfaction cannot be found in earthly or material things The Bible warns that finding ultimate satisfaction in money, possessions, pleasure, or achievements will always leave us dissatisfied in the end. King Solomon, traditionally believed to be the author of the book of Ecclesiastes, accumulated great wealth and possessions, but concluded that it was all “meaningless” and “a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:11). Jesus asked what good it…
Leaving one’s first love is a concept that comes from Revelation 2:4, where Jesus tells the church in Ephesus “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” This verse is referring to the Ephesian church losing their passionate devotion and love for Christ that they had when they first believed. Here are some key points to understand about this concept of leaving your first love: 1. It refers to believers losing their initial zeal and passion for Christ The Ephesian church was commended by Jesus for their hard work, perseverance, and doctrinal…
Feminist theology is an approach to biblical interpretation and Christian theology that seeks to promote gender equality and highlight the importance of women’s experiences and perspectives. Some of the key questions in feminist theology include: What do the creation accounts in Genesis suggest about gender roles and equality? How did Jesus treat and interact with women? What roles did women play in the early church? Can Bible passages that appear patriarchal or restrictive of women be reinterpreted in light of their historical and cultural contexts? At the center of feminist theology is the conviction that the message of the Bible,…
Christianity and Judaism are both Abrahamic religions that share the Old Testament of the Bible. However, there are important differences between the two faiths. Here is an overview of some of the key theological and practical distinctions: Beliefs about Jesus The most fundamental difference between Christianity and Judaism relates to the identity and divinity of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God prophesied in the Old Testament. According to Christian theology, Jesus’ life, death and resurrection fulfilled these messianic prophecies. However, Judaism firmly rejects Jesus as the messiah. While Jesus is considered an influential Jewish…