Consubstantiation is a theological doctrine regarding the nature of the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. It holds that during the sacrament, the fundamental “substance” of the body and blood of Christ are present alongside the substance of the bread and wine. In other words, the substance of the bread and wine do not completely transform into the body and blood of Christ as believed by Roman Catholics. The doctrine contrasts with Roman Catholic transubstantiation and with Reformed teaching that Christ is not literally present in the bread and wine at all. The word “consubstantiation” comes from two Latin words – “con”…
Author: Mike Solis
The question of whether a Christian should work in an establishment that sells alcohol or tobacco is one that does not have a definitive yes or no answer according to the Bible. There are several factors to consider when determining if such employment would be appropriate for a follower of Christ. Potential Stumbling Block One concern is that working in a place that sells alcohol or tobacco could cause a fellow Christian to stumble if they have an issue with drunkenness or addiction (Romans 14:13, 21). A Christian must be sensitive to not causing their brothers and sisters in Christ…
Heman the Ezrahite is a figure mentioned in the book of Psalms who is credited with writing Psalm 88. He is called “the Ezrahite” to distinguish him from several other Bible characters named Heman. The details we have on Heman come primarily from 1 Chronicles 6 and the superscriptions (introductory notes) of some Psalms. From 1 Chronicles, we learn the following about Heman: He was from the tribe of Levi and a descendant of Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:33). This made him a Levite. He was one of the “sons” of Samuel (1 Chron. 6:33), which may indicate he was a…
Poetry is a major literary form found throughout the books of the Bible. From the Psalms to the prophets to even the Gospels, poetry is used to praise God, teach theology, and prophesy the future. When reading and studying poetic passages in Scripture, it is important to understand the features of Hebrew poetry in order to properly interpret the meaning. Here are some key principles for interpreting biblical poetry: Recognize parallelism Parallelism is the most distinctive feature of Hebrew poetry, where consecutive lines mirror each other in grammatical structure, word choice, imagery, and/or meaning. Identifying parallelisms is key to seeing…
Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man, a woman, and God. When two people unite in marriage, they become one flesh in God’s eyes (Genesis 2:24). God intended marriage to be a lifelong commitment, symbolizing the eternal bond between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31-32). However, because we live in a fallen world, relationships can become broken, and divorce is a tragic reality. What does the Bible say about remarriage after divorce? Can a couple who has gotten divorced get remarried to each other? This is a complex issue with different interpretations among faithful Christians. Overall, Scripture seems to…
The Babylonian captivity or exile refers to the period in Israel’s history when the people of Judah were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. This occurred in several deportations between 597 BC and 582 BC. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple and carried away many of the treasures of the temple and the people. The captivity ended when King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BC and allowed the Jews to return home. This period is an important event in biblical history with lessons and prophecies pointing to Jesus Christ. Background leading up to the exile…
The saying “where your treasure is there will your heart be also” originates from a teaching of Jesus recorded in Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34. In context, Jesus was warning his followers about the dangers of pursuing earthly treasures and riches, teaching that their hearts and minds would follow whatever they valued most. The key to understanding this phrase is recognizing that the “treasure” Jesus refers to is not necessarily money or wealth. The treasure can be anything someone esteems highly and sets as their priority in life. It represents what they consider most valuable and important. It is the…
The “prayer of faith” is a concept that appears several times in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. It refers to prayers that are offered with complete trust and confidence in God’s power, goodness, and willingness to act. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the prayer of faith: Faith is essential for effective prayer Multiple passages emphasize that faith is a key component of prayer that gets results. For example, James 1:6 says “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea,…
A graven image, as referenced in the Bible, is an idol or false god made to be worshiped. The Bible expressly forbids the making and worshiping of graven images, as this violates the first and second commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. Old Testament References The prohibition against graven images first appears in Exodus 20:4-6, as part of the Ten Commandments: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You…
The concept of “holy war” is controversial and complex. At a basic level, holy war refers to war that is justified or given sacred meaning by religious doctrine or authority. The Bible contains mentions of war and violence, which have been interpreted and applied in different ways throughout history. This article will provide an overview of relevant biblical passages, themes, and interpretations related to the notion of holy war. Old Testament Passages on War and Violence The Old Testament contains many stories of war and violence sanctioned or commanded by God. Major examples include: The conquest of Canaan – God…