The verse in Ecclesiastes 3:3 that states “a time to break down, and a time to build up” is speaking to the cyclical and seasonal nature of life. According to the passage, there are appointed times for different pursuits and activities. Just as there is “a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:2), there is a time for tearing down and a time for building up. The phrase “a time to break down” refers to seasons of declension, when things are dismantled or destroyed. Examples could include the ending of a relationship, losing…
Author: Matt Primack
The Wesleyan Church is a Protestant Christian denomination that traces its roots back to John Wesley, the 18th century Anglican minister who founded Methodism. Wesleyans uphold the doctrines and teachings of John Wesley, including his emphasis on personal holiness, evangelism, and social justice. Some key beliefs and practices of the Wesleyan Church include: Salvation by Grace Through Faith Wesleyans believe that humanity is fallen and sinful, and can only be saved by God’s grace, not by our own good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ as…
The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of friendliness and how Christians should relate to others in a kind and friendly manner. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses and passages that discuss friendliness: Love Your Neighbor One of the most well-known Bible verses about friendliness is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31). This teaches that we should show the same care, compassion, and friendliness to others as we would want shown to ourselves. It reflects the second greatest commandment to love others. Showing friendliness and care for those around…
Puritanism was a Protestant reform movement that arose within the Church of England in the 16th century. The Puritans believed that the English Reformation had not gone far enough in reforming the church and that too many Catholic practices remained. The name “Puritan” came from their desire to purify the church and their zeal for what they believed was correct worship and doctrine. Some of the key beliefs of the Puritans included: A desire to purify the Church of England and create a church based solely on biblical principles Emphasis on preaching, studying Scripture, and the importance of individual piety…
The Council of Constantinople was held in 381 AD and was the second ecumenical council in the history of Christianity. This council addressed several key issues that had arisen in the church since the previous Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. One of the main issues addressed at the Council of Constantinople was the heresy of Arianism. Arius, a priest in Alexandria, taught that Jesus Christ was created by God the Father and therefore subordinate to the Father. This teaching went against orthodox Christian belief that Jesus is eternally begotten by the Father and equal to the Father in divinity.…
Mormonism is a religious movement that began in the 1820s in western New York during a period of religious revival known as the Second Great Awakening. Its founder was Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844), who said he received visions as a young man instructing him to restore the true church of Jesus Christ. Smith claimed an angel named Moroni directed him to golden plates buried in a hill near his home in Palmyra, New York. According to Smith, the plates contained a revelation from God of the history of an ancient American civilization as well as new revelations. Smith translated these…
What is meant by “sufficient grace”? The concept of “sufficient grace” comes from 2 Corinthians 12:9 in the Bible, where the apostle Paul says “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” This verse gives us insight into the meaning and purpose of God’s grace. The Background To understand this verse, it’s important to know the background. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul is talking about a “thorn in…
Psalm 40:2 says, “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” This verse uses vivid imagery to describe God’s deliverance and salvation. Let’s break down the key parts of this verse: “He drew me up” This first phrase establishes that it is God who is doing the delivering and rescuing. The psalmist does not deliver himself, but rather God reaches down, takes hold of him, and pulls him up out of the pit. This emphasizes that salvation is a work of God’s grace,…
The phrases “the law” and “the prophets” are used frequently throughout the Bible, especially in the New Testament. But what exactly do they mean in context? Let’s take a look. The Law In the Old Testament, the law refers specifically to the laws, commandments, statutes, precepts, and teachings that God gave to the people of Israel. This includes: The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) The Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22-23:33) The Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26) The Deuteronomic Code (Deuteronomy 12-26) Collectively, these laws provided instruction to the Israelites on how to live righteous lives, worship God properly, and maintain order…
The paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, the Stone Age diet, or the hunter-gatherer diet, focuses on eating foods that our ancient ancestors would have eaten during the Paleolithic era. This includes meats, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, refined sugar and processed oils are excluded from the paleo diet, as these foods only became widely available after the agricultural revolution around 10,000 years ago. While the paleo diet is promoted as a way of eating that is more natural and healthful for humans, some wonder whether it aligns with biblical principles…