Vaishnavism is one of the major branches of Hinduism. It is focused on the worship of Vishnu and his incarnations. Some key beliefs and practices of Vaishnavism include: Beliefs – Vishnu as the Supreme God: Vaishnavites believe that Vishnu is the supreme God, the ultimate reality and source of all existence. The other major Hindu deities like Brahma and Shiva are viewed as subordinate to Vishnu. – Avataras: Vaishnavism believes that Vishnu incarnates on earth from time to time to restore dharma. These incarnations or avataras include Rama, Krishna, Narasimha and others. The stories of the avataras are important scriptures…
Author: Matt Primack
The phrase “seek first the kingdom of God” comes from Matthew 6:33 in the Bible. In context, Jesus is teaching his followers not to be anxious about material needs, but to trust that God will provide what they need. Seeking the kingdom of God should be their first priority in life. But what exactly does it mean to “seek first the kingdom of God”? Here are 9000 words exploring the meaning and implications of this important biblical principle: To seek the kingdom of God means to make pursuing God’s reign and rule over every area of our lives the top…
Saint Eustace, also known as Eustachius or Eustathius, was a Christian martyr who lived in the 2nd century AD. According to tradition, Eustace was a Roman general named Placidus prior to his conversion to Christianity. While hunting a stag one day, Placidus saw a vision of Jesus between the stag’s antlers, prompting him to convert along with his family. He was then baptized and took the name Eustace, which means “fruitful.” After his conversion, Eustace faced numerous trials and tribulations. While traveling, his family was separated from him and faced misfortune. Despite these sufferings, Eustace remained steadfast in his faith.…
The topic of whether God hates shrimp is an interesting one that deserves a nuanced discussion. At first glance, it may seem that God prohibits the eating of shrimp in the Old Testament. However, a closer examination reveals that the dietary restrictions in Leviticus were intended for a specific people at a specific time, and do not apply universally. While shrimp was one of the foods prohibited for ancient Israelites, there is no clear biblical teaching that God despises or hates shrimp inherently. The heart behind the Levitical food laws was to set Israel apart, not because certain foods were…
The spiritual gift of discerning spirits is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to recognize lying spirits, identify operating spirits, and distinguish between truth and error. This gift enables believers to discern the spiritual forces at work around them and protect against deception and false teaching. The Source of the Gift The spiritual gift of discerning spirits originates from the Holy Spirit. As one of the gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, it is given by God’s grace to believers for the edification of the church and advancement of the gospel. Like all spiritual gifts,…
The Bible has a lot to say about how much influence it should have on society. As Christians, we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and provides guidance for how to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). At the same time, there is diversity of opinion among Christians regarding exactly how the Bible should influence society and to what extent biblical principles should be enshrined in civil law. There are several key principles we can look to in Scripture as we think through this complex issue: 1. God’s truth…
The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of obeying and honoring one’s parents. This is a theme that starts in the Ten Commandments and continues throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical passages on this topic: The Fifth Commandment The fifth of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God says: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12 ESV). This commandment comes with a promise – that if children…
The command to love your enemies is one of Jesus’ most well-known, yet challenging teachings. It can be found in Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-36, and implied in other passages. When Jesus instructed His followers to “love your enemies”, He was calling them to a radically different way of life than the world offers. But what exactly did He mean by this? Let’s explore the context and meaning behind this powerful teaching. The Old Testament Law In the Old Testament, the law of “an eye for an eye” (Exodus 21:24) was meant to limit excessive retaliation, not encourage it. However, over…
The concept of a common law marriage is not directly addressed in the Bible. However, there are some principles and teachings from Scripture that can provide guidance for Christians thinking about this type of marital arrangement. A common law marriage is generally defined as a relationship between two people who live together, hold themselves out as husband and wife, and meet certain state legal requirements. It allows a couple to receive marital rights without undergoing a legal marriage ceremony. While the Bible does not forbid common law marriage, neither does it endorse it. The Bible places great emphasis on the…
Loyalty is an important virtue emphasized throughout the Bible. Scripture speaks about being loyal in our relationships with God and others. Here is an overview of some of the key teachings on loyalty in the Bible: Loyalty to God The Bible calls us to be loyal and faithful to God above all else. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Our ultimate loyalty belongs to God. We are warned against idolatry and putting other things before God (Exodus 20:3). Jesus said we cannot…