The tree of life is mentioned in the book of Genesis and Revelation in the Bible. It represents God’s gift of eternal life to humanity. The tree originally was located in the Garden of Eden and gave immortality to Adam and Eve before they sinned (Genesis 2:9). After they were expelled from Eden, cherubim with a flaming sword were placed to guard the way to the tree of life so that humans could no longer eat from it and live forever in a sinful state (Genesis 3:22-24). Later, in Revelation, the tree of life reappears in the New Jerusalem that…
Author: Mike Solis
The topic of bachelor and bachelorette parties is one that many Christians wrestle with as they approach marriage. On one hand, these pre-wedding celebrations are a longstanding tradition in our culture. On the other hand, the activities often associated with these parties can conflict with Christian values of purity, modesty and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. What guidance does the Bible offer to believers considering participating in bachelor/bachelorette festivities? First, it is important to note that the Bible does not specifically prohibit or endorse bachelor/bachelorette parties. These modern celebrations were not part of the cultural context in Biblical times. However, Scripture…
The “treasury of merit” is a biblical concept referring to the storehouse of grace and merits accumulated by Christ through his life, passion, and resurrection. This treasury is infinite and inexhaustible, containing an abundance of grace and spiritual riches to be distributed to believers by God. Though not explicitly mentioned in Scripture, the idea of a treasury of merit has basis in several biblical themes. Christ’s Obedience and Sacrifice A key foundation for the treasury of merit is the perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By living a sinless life in complete obedience to the Father, Jesus built…
The title “God Most High” is used throughout the Bible to refer to God’s supreme authority and sovereignty over all things. Here are some key reasons this title is used to describe God: 1. God is above all other gods The title emphasizes that God is supreme over all false gods and idols. In ancient times, people worshipped many false gods and believed in pantheons of gods who ruled over different realms. But the Bible makes it clear there is only one true God who rules over all creation (Isaiah 44:6). Calling God “Most High” highlights that He alone is…
Irreligion refers to a lack of religion, disbelief in religion, or hostility towards religion. Those who are irreligious typically do not follow or practice any particular religion or belief system. There are various forms of irreligion, ranging from agnosticism (believing it is impossible to know if a higher power exists) to atheism (disbelief in the existence of deities) to anti-theism (opposition to belief in deities). Irreligion is distinct from faithlessness, which denotes a lack of trust or loyalty towards a cause or beliefs rather than a lack of religious beliefs per se. The Bible does not look favorably upon irreligion…
Friedrich Nietzsche was a 19th century German philosopher who had a significant impact on Western thought and culture. He was highly critical of Christianity and made several controversial claims about the faith that challenged traditional Christian beliefs. Here are some of the key ways Nietzsche impacted Christianity: 1. Questioning the morality of Christianity One of Nietzsche’s most famous ideas is that Christian morality goes against the natural order and suppresses human instincts. He believed Christianity promotes weakness and slave morality rather than strength and master morality. In his book The Antichrist, Nietzsche argues that Christian values like compassion, humility and…
This is a difficult topic, but an important one to understand in the context of biblical law. The command in question is found in Deuteronomy 22:13-21, which prescribes the death penalty for a woman who is found not to be a virgin on her wedding night. This law reflects cultural norms and values of ancient Israelite society, which placed supreme importance on female premarital virginity as a matter of family honor. However, there are several factors to consider when interpreting and applying this law: 1. The Law’s Intent The apparent intent of this law was to enforce sexual purity among…
The word “gospel” means “good news.” The gospel is the central message of Christianity. It declares that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and rose again to offer us forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. Here is an overview of the key elements of the gospel message: 1. God Created Us for Relationship The Bible teaches that God created humans in His image to have a personal relationship with Him (Genesis 1:26-27). We were made to glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him forever. God loves us and desires our…
The topic of faith healing is controversial among Christians. Some believe that God can and does heal people miraculously in response to prayer and faith. Others are more skeptical and caution against putting too much stock in faith healers who claim to have special healing powers. The Bible does record instances of supernatural healings, both in the Old Testament and in the ministry of Jesus and his followers. Passages like James 5:14-15 encourage Christians to pray for healing: Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil…
Graduating from school and entering the next season of life can be an exciting yet challenging time. You may feel unsure about what path to take or calling to pursue. The Bible offers wisdom and insight on how to discern God’s will for this important life transition. Seek God First As you consider potential career options and life directions, the most important thing is to put God first. We are told in Matthew 6:33 to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Rather than making plans based on worldly…