Missiology is the study of the mission of the Christian church, especially the sending of missionaries to foreign lands. The term comes from the Latin word missio meaning “act of sending” and the Greek word logos meaning “word, discourse, study.” As a discipline, missiology looks at the biblical basis for missions, the history of missions, current mission strategies and methodologies, and the cultural and religious contexts missions take place in. Some key aspects of missiology include: Biblical Basis for Missions The Bible provides the foundation for Christian missions. Some key biblical themes related to missiology include: The Great Commission -…
Author: Matt Primack
The concept of corporate confession of sin is not explicitly discussed in the Bible, but there are several principles and examples that can give insight into whether corporate confession is biblical. Here is an overview of what the Bible says related to this topic: Individual Responsibility for Sin The Bible emphasizes that each individual is responsible for their own sin before God. Ezekiel 18:20 states, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son.” This verse highlights that when it comes to…
The issue of religious tolerance is an important one for Christians to consider. On the one hand, Christians are called to share the truth about Jesus Christ and salvation through faith in Him. On the other hand, forcing religious beliefs on others or being intolerant of other faiths is not Christ-like behavior. What guidance does the Bible provide on how Christians should approach religious tolerance? The exclusivity of Christ The Bible teaches that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to God and salvation. Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes…
The violence found in the Old Testament is a difficult issue that many struggle with. God commanded the Israelites to completely destroy entire nations, including women and children (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). This seems antithetical to the God of love revealed in the New Testament. When answering why God condoned violence in the Old Testament, several factors must be considered: The justice and holiness of God While God is loving, He is also completely just and holy (Psalm 99:9). He hates sin and must punish it. The Canaanites were wicked people who practiced child sacrifice, bestiality, incest, and all kinds of immorality…
Yahweh and Jehovah are two names used to refer to the God of the Bible. Both names have significance and meaning that provide insight into the nature and character of God. Meaning and Origin of the Name Yahweh The name Yahweh comes from the Hebrew word “YHWH,” which is God’s proper name in the Old Testament. Yahweh is an anglicized version of this Hebrew name. The name YHWH likely derives from the Hebrew verb “to be,” meaning Yahweh is the eternal, self-existent One. Yahweh first appears in Genesis 2:4 and is used over 6,800 times throughout the Old Testament. This…
The common saying “cleanliness is next to godliness” raises an important question – what does the Bible have to say about cleanliness and its relationship to godliness? While this exact phrase does not appear in Scripture, there are a number of passages that touch on this topic and provide insight into how cleanliness relates to a godly life. In the Old Testament, there are many laws and regulations around cleanliness and purification. Much of Leviticus outlines rituals for cleansing and purification after contact with unclean things or people. For example, Leviticus 13-14 details purification rituals after skin diseases, Leviticus 15…
In John 10:16, Jesus says, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” This verse has significant implications for understanding Jesus’ mission and the inclusive nature of salvation. To understand this verse, it’s important to know the context. Jesus was speaking to Jewish people who were questioning Him and accusing Him of demon possession (John 10:19-21). Jesus responds using a sheep and shepherd analogy. He refers to Himself as the “good shepherd” (John 10:11) and to believers,…
The relationship between faith and works is a central topic in the Bible that has been debated for centuries. At a high level, faith refers to belief and trust in God, while works refer to actions and obedience to God’s commands. There are two key perspectives on how faith and works relate: Faith Alone View The faith alone view emphasizes that we are saved by faith in Christ alone, not by our works. Salvation is through God’s grace and cannot be earned by human effort or good deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9). This view sees faith and works as separate – we…
The term “on-fire Christian” refers to someone who is passionate and enthusiastic about their faith in Jesus Christ. An on-fire Christian has a vibrant, dynamic relationship with God and is eager to serve Him wholeheartedly. While all believers should strive to be on fire for God, some display this more visibly through their words, actions, and lifestyle. So what are some characteristics of an on-fire Christian according to the Bible? They are filled with the Holy Spirit An on-fire Christian allows the Holy Spirit to guide and empower them daily. When the disciples received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they…
Altruism is defined as the principle or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others. The Bible has much to say about altruism and how followers of God should treat others. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical teachings on altruism: Love Your Neighbor One of the most well-known teachings on altruism in the Bible comes from Jesus in Matthew 22:39 when he says “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This command to love others as much as you love yourself is found throughout the New Testament (Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8).…