How should sin in the church be handled? The Bible has a lot to say about how sin should be handled within the church. Here is an overview of the key principles: Repentance and Forgiveness When someone in the church sins, the goal should first be repentance and forgiveness. Jesus teaches us to confront a brother or sister gently and privately at first, giving them the opportunity to repent (Matthew 18:15-17). If the person repents, they are to be forgiven and restored in fellowship (2 Corinthians 2:5-8). The purpose of any discipline is restoration, not punishment (Galatians 6:1). Confronting Sin…
Author: Mike Solis
I am a Christian in Debt. What Should I Do? Introduction Being in debt can be a stressful and worrying situation for anyone, but as Christians, we can take comfort in God’s Word and the principles it provides for handling debt in a wise and godly manner. Though debt is rarely ideal, Scripture does not forbid borrowing or lending. With prayer, God’s guidance, and adherence to biblical financial principles, Christians can honor God even in the midst of overwhelming debt. This article will explore what the Bible says about debt, provide guidance for Christians who find themselves in debt, and…
This is a complex question that Christians have wrestled with for centuries. There are good arguments on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, one’s view comes down to how one interprets certain biblical passages about divorce and remarriage. This article will walk through the key biblical texts, the different positions Christians have taken, and the rationale behind those positions. What Does the Bible Say About Divorce and Remarriage? There are several passages in both the Old and New Testaments that address divorce and remarriage. We’ll summarize the most relevant ones here: Deuteronomy 24:1-4 This passage gives instructions for a man…
The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 offers profound insight into the nature of sin and how it seeks to overtake our lives. After Cain murdered his brother Abel, God confronted him and said, “Sin is crouching at your door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). This verse is packed with meaning that can help us understand the power of sin and how to gain victory over it. The Context of Genesis 4 To fully grasp the significance of God’s statement to Cain, we need to understand the context. Genesis 4…
The Mayan prophecy about the year 2012 was based on the Mayan long count calendar, which some people believed predicted the end of the world on December 21, 2012. Here is an overview of the 2012 Mayan prophecy from a biblical perspective: The Mayan civilization of Central America had a complex calendar system with multiple interlocking cycles of time. One of these cycles, known as the long count calendar, measured large periods of time from the date the Mayans considered the beginning of creation, which correlates to August 11, 3114 BC on our modern Gregorian calendar. The long count calendar…
The laver is an important object mentioned several times in the Bible, especially in relation to the tabernacle and temple worship. Here is an overview of what the laver was and its significance: The Bronze Laver in the Tabernacle In Exodus 30:17-21, God instructs Moses to make a bronze laver (basin) for washing and place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar. Aaron and his sons were to wash their hands and feet with water from the laver before entering the Tent of Meeting or approaching the altar to burn food offerings to the Lord. This washing ceremony…
Creationists have a range of views on natural selection, but most reject the idea that it can produce new species or higher taxonomic groups. Here’s an overview of common creationist perspectives on natural selection: Natural selection happens but is limited Most creationists agree that natural selection occurs and can cause changes in populations over time. However, they argue that these changes are limited to minor variations within created “kinds.” Natural selection cannot produce the major innovations and new body plans required for macroevolution. As Answers in Genesis puts it, natural selection only “removes genetic information; it cannot create new genetic…
The verse in Job 14:1 states, “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.” This verse succinctly captures the essence of the human condition – that our lives are short and filled with difficulties. To fully understand the meaning of this verse, it is important to examine the context. The book of Job tells the story of a righteous man who endures intense suffering and grapples with understanding why. In chapter 14, Job is lamenting the burdens of human existence. He observes that human life is fleeting and transient “like a flower that…
Valentinus was an influential early Christian teacher who lived in the 2nd century AD. He was one of the most prominent figures associated with a movement known as Gnosticism, which incorporated elements of Christianity alongside ideas from Greek philosophy and mysticism. According to early Christian writers such as Tertullian, Valentinus was born in Egypt and studied in Alexandria before relocating to Rome around 136-140 AD. In Rome, he was a candidate for bishop but after failing to be elected, he broke with the mainstream church and founded his own Christian sect known as the Valentinians. The Valentinian movement was one…
Will God Forgive Me? God’s forgiveness is one of the most comforting truths in the Bible. As sinners, we all fall short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23). We rebel against God’s commands and pursue our own sinful desires. This results in guilt, shame, and separation from a holy God. Thankfully, the good news is that through Jesus Christ, God graciously offers forgiveness to all who repent and believe in Him. What Does It Mean for God to Forgive? When God forgives our sins, He chooses to no longer count our sins against us. He wipes our slate clean and…