Genesis 3:16 states “To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” This verse comes after the Fall, when God is pronouncing the consequences of sin on Adam, Eve, and all humanity. It highlights a change in the relationship between husband and wife as a result of sin. Prior to the Fall, Adam and Eve equally shared dominion over creation as co-image bearers of God (Genesis 1:26-28). They were naked and unashamed, indicating an openness…
Author: Matt Primack
Ishmael was the firstborn son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant. God had promised Abraham and Sarah a son, but since Sarah remained childless, she gave Hagar to Abraham in order to obtain a child through her. After Hagar became pregnant, tension arose between her and Sarah, leading Sarah to treat Hagar harshly and Hagar to flee into the wilderness (Genesis 16). An angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar and instructed her to return and submit to Sarah. The angel also delivered a blessing and prophecy over Ishmael, saying “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that…
Dating and courting are common practices in modern society, but what guidance does the Bible provide on these matters? While the Bible does not give specific direction about modern dating practices, it does speak volumes about relationships, godly living and principles for Christian dating and courtship. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about dating and courtship: Biblical Principles for Relationships The Bible provides foundational truths that should guide every relationship, whether casual dating or serious courtship. Here are some key principles from Scripture: Christian relationships should be centered on Christ. Both people in the relationship should have…
The Bible teaches that there will be rewards for believers in heaven. These rewards are given by God as a way to honor and bless those who have served Him faithfully during their lives on earth. The purpose of heavenly rewards is not to earn salvation, but rather to encourage and motivate believers to live in a way that honors God. The Bible uses several different terms to describe heavenly rewards including crowns, treasures, inheritances, and prizes. These various words convey the idea that God desires to richly reward those who have sacrificed and suffered for Him. While salvation itself…
The biblical account of Shem, Ham, and Japheth is found in Genesis chapters 5-11. These three men were the sons of Noah, who built the ark and survived the great Flood. After the Flood, the descendants of these three sons populated the earth. Shem, Ham, and Japheth are first mentioned in Genesis 5:32, which states that Noah had three sons when he was 500 years old. Their names are then given again in Genesis 6:10 when Noah and his sons enter the ark. Not much else is said about them until after the Flood story in Genesis 9-10. Shem Shem…
The Bible does not explicitly use the philosophical terms “a priori,” “a posteriori,” and “a fortiori” when making arguments. However, we can examine several biblical texts and extract arguments that fit these categories. A Priori Arguments An a priori argument relies on reasoning from logically necessary premises to reach a conclusion. These arguments do not depend on empirical evidence but rather on deductive logic. While the Bible does not lay out formal arguments in the way philosophers do, we can find instances where certain premises are taken as necessarily true, leading to logical conclusions. For example, in Romans 1:19-20, Paul…
Genesis 3:15 is an important verse that speaks of the conflict between the serpent (Satan) and the offspring of the woman (Jesus Christ). Here is the full verse: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 ESV) This verse is speaking prophetically about the coming of Jesus Christ and his victory over Satan. Let’s break it down phrase by phrase: “I will put enmity between you and the woman” God is speaking to the serpent (Satan) after he had…
The concept of “Mother Nature” as a personified force or deity presiding over the natural world does not originate from the Bible. However, the Bible does speak extensively about the creation and God’s sovereignty over nature. Here’s a 9000 word overview of relevant biblical themes: God as Creator The Bible clearly teaches that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). As Creator, God brought everything into existence by His word and formed the world with order, beauty, and purpose (Psalm 33:6, Psalm 104:24). Nature reveals God’s attributes, divine nature, and eternal power (Romans 1:20). The natural world glorifies…
Calvinism is a theological system of belief that emphasizes the sovereignty of God and salvation by grace alone. It is named after the 16th century French reformer John Calvin, who codified and systematized many of these beliefs. Here is an overview of some of the key points of Calvinist theology: Total Depravity Calvinists believe in the total depravity of human beings as a result of the Fall. This means that humans are unable to initiate salvation on their own or do anything to earn or merit it. They are completely helpless and hopeless in their sinful state (Romans 3:10-18, 23).…
Civil disobedience is a complex issue that Christians must approach carefully and thoughtfully. The Bible does not explicitly allow or forbid civil disobedience, but it provides principles that can guide believers in making wise decisions. At its core, civil disobedience involves deliberately violating a law or command in order to protest an injustice. When considering an act of civil disobedience, Christians should first evaluate whether the law or command in question is unjust and violates biblical principles. If so, peaceful resistance may be appropriate. Acts 5:29 states, “We must obey God rather than men.” However, Christians should also be cautious…