This is a complex issue that Christians have wrestled with throughout history. There are good arguments on both sides. Ultimately, Christians must follow their conscience as guided by Scripture and the Spirit when deciding whether to participate in the religious festivals and celebrations of non-Christian faiths. On the one hand, some Christians point to verses like 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 which instruct believers not to be “yoked together with unbelievers” and to “come out from among them and be separate.” The concern is that participating in non-Christian religious celebrations could compromise our Christian witness or integrity. It could also be seen…
Author: Mike Solis
The Book of Noah is a purported ancient text that is referenced in some early Jewish and Christian writings, but does not exist as part of the modern biblical canon. Some key points about the Book of Noah: It is referred to in some extra-biblical sources, suggesting it was a text familiar to early Jews and Christians but was lost to history. References indicate it may have been an expansive work focused on Noah and the flood story. It is sometimes confused with a section in the Book of Enoch which also discusses Noah and the flood. While intriguing, there…
Apophatic theology, also known as negative theology, is a theological approach that seeks to describe God by negation, speaking only in terms of what God is not rather than presuming to describe what God is. This approach stands in contrast to cataphatic theology, which uses positive statements to describe the attributes of God. The key premise behind apophatic theology is that God transcends human understanding and language. Since human knowledge and speech are limited, apophatic theology holds that it is better to acknowledge these limits than to make definitive claims about the nature of God that may be inaccurate or…
Zipporah was the wife of Moses and daughter of Reuel (also called Jethro), according to the Book of Exodus in the Bible. Though she is not mentioned often, she plays a pivotal role in several key events in Moses’ life. Zipporah’s background The first time we meet Zipporah is in Exodus 2:16-22. Here we learn that she was one of seven daughters of Reuel (also called Jethro), who was a priest of Midian. Midian was a desert region located in the northwestern Arabian Peninsula, east of the Gulf of Aqaba. So Zipporah grew up in this desert region as a…
The Bible does not directly mention crystals. However, there are some principles and passages that can give us insight into how Christians should view and use crystals. Occult Practices are Forbidden The Bible strongly condemns all forms of occultism, spiritism, and witchcraft. Passages like Deuteronomy 18:10-12 forbid many practices associated with crystal healing and energy work: There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires…
Humility is a virtue that is highly emphasized in the Bible. Here are some key Bible verses about humility: Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This verse teaches that we should put others before ourselves and not be prideful or self-seeking. A humble person looks out for the interests and needs of others. James 4:6 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace…
The story of Ishmael is an important one in the Bible, spanning several books and involving many key biblical figures. Ishmael was the firstborn son of Abraham, born to Abraham’s wife Sarah’s servant Hagar. Although Ishmael was Abraham’s first son, God had promised Abraham and Sarah a child of their own. After Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah, conflict arose between Sarah and Hagar, leading to Hagar and Ishmael being sent away. However, God provided for Hagar and Ishmael, and Ishmael grew up in the wilderness. Later, Ishmael and Isaac reunited to bury Abraham after he passed away. Ishmael…
Courage is an important virtue emphasized throughout the Bible. Here are some key Bible verses about courage: Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This verse comes from when Joshua was taking over leadership from Moses. God encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous as he leads the Israelites into the promised land. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who…
The Bible refers to “emulations” in several passages, particularly in the New Testament. The Greek word translated as “emulations” is zelos, which can also mean “zeal” or “jealousy.” In the context of these biblical passages, emulations refers to sinful desires, passions, or jealousy. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In Galatians 5, Paul…
Baptism is an important rite in Christianity that symbolizes the washing away of sins and the commitment to follow Christ. Here are some key Bible verses about baptism from the English Standard Version (ESV): Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus is baptized Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus…