The concept of the Book of Life is found in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. It is first mentioned in Exodus 32:32-33, where Moses asks God to blot his name out of the book God has written if He will not forgive the people for their sin of worshipping the golden calf. God responds that whoever has sinned against Him, He will blot out of His book. The psalmists also make reference to this book recording the names of the righteous (Psalm 69:28) and the living (Psalm 139:16). In the New Testament, the Book of Life…
Author: Mike Solis
The “gospel of inclusion” is a theological concept that emphasizes God’s universal love and salvation for all people, regardless of differences like race, gender, sexuality, or religious background. While not an official doctrine, it challenges traditional Christian exclusivism which teaches that salvation is only available through faith in Jesus Christ. Overview of Inclusionism Inclusionism teaches that Jesus’ death on the cross was atonement for all of humanity’s sins, not just those who explicitly profess Christian faith. It suggests that God judges people based on their heart and actions, not just theological correctness. This view believes that many religions have value…
Cryonics or cryogenics refers to the practice of preserving a human body at extremely low temperatures with the hope that resuscitation and restoration to full health may be possible in the future. This practice is based on the belief that brain structures encoding memory and personality can remain intact even after clinical death if cooled quickly enough to very low temperatures. Proponents argue that future advances in nanotechnology and medicine may someday make it possible to revive individuals preserved this way. The Bible does not directly mention or address the practice of cryonics or cryogenics. However, there are some biblical…
The book of Revelation contains messages from Jesus Christ to seven churches located in Asia Minor in the first century AD. One of these churches was the church in Sardis, to which Jesus sent a message of rebuke and warning in Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis was an important and wealthy city in the ancient world, located about 30 miles southeast of Thyatira. It had served as the capital of the ancient Lydian empire and continued to be an influential city in Roman times. The message to the church in Sardis highlights key themes in Revelation related to spiritual wakefulness, repentance, and…
The Bible has much to say about salvation coming to entire households when the head of the household believes in Jesus Christ. Throughout the New Testament, there are several examples of households coming to faith together. This shows that God’s promise of salvation is not limited to individuals only, but can extend to whole families and households. Examples of Household Salvation in the Bible Cornelius’ Household One clear example is found in Acts 10, where Cornelius gathers his whole household to hear the gospel from Peter. After Peter shares the good news of Jesus, the Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius’…
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is one of the three major Orthodox Churches in Ukraine, alongside the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. It traces its origins to the 10th century Christianization of Kievan Rus’. After centuries under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, in 1686 the Metropolis of Kiev came under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. This situation continued until Ukraine’s declaration of independence in 1991. Since then, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has functioned as an autonomous church under the Moscow Patriarchate. The Bible does not directly discuss the…
Ahijah was a prophet of God who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reigns of Kings Jeroboam and Baasha. He is mentioned several times in 1 Kings chapters 11-15 and 2 Chronicles chapter 9. Here is an overview of Ahijah’s life and ministry according to the Bible: Ahijah’s prophecy about Jeroboam Ahijah first appears in 1 Kings 11 where he delivers a message from God to Jeroboam. At this time, Jeroboam was an official under King Solomon. God was angry with Solomon for turning to idolatry and told Ahijah that He would tear most of the kingdom…
The Bible has much to say about family relationships and the hierarchy that God intends within families. Here is an overview of key biblical principles related to hierarchy in the family: God Established a Hierarchy in Marriage Genesis 2:18-25 describes how God created woman to be a “helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18 ESV) in relation to man. 1 Corinthians 11:3 states, “the head of a wife is her husband.” Ephesians 5:22-24 instructs wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. These verses point to God establishing a hierarchy within marriage where the husband is called to loving,…
In John 8:12, Jesus makes the profound statement “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This metaphorical statement provides deep insight into Jesus’ nature and mission. Understanding the context and significance of this statement can help illuminate Jesus’ identity and purpose. The Setting of the Statement Jesus spoke these words at the Feast of Booths, one of the major Jewish feasts taking place annually in Jerusalem (John 7:2). At this feast, large lampstands were set up in the temple courts to commemorate Israel’s wilderness wanderings…
The Antiochian Orthodox Church is one of the autocephalous (self-governing) Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. It is traditionally called the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch or Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. The seat of the patriarchate was formerly Antioch, in what is now Turkey. However, in the 14th century, it was moved to Damascus, Syria, where it remains to this day. Its traditional territory includes Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, and also parts of Turkey. The Antiochian Orthodox Church is an ancient church tracing its roots back to the earliest days…