Being a Christian openly can sometimes put one’s life in danger. In certain places around the world today, and at various times throughout history, professing faith in Christ has resulted in persecution, imprisonment, and even death. This raises an important ethical question for believers: Is it acceptable to keep your faith hidden in order to avoid martyrdom and preserve your life? There are good arguments on both sides of this issue. Reasons some say practicing Christianity secretly is justified Here are some of the main arguments given in favor of keeping your faith private to protect yourself: Jesus told his…
Author: Mike Solis
Christian missions refers to the organized efforts of Christians to spread their faith and provide humanitarian aid around the world. The primary aim is to convert non-Christians to Christianity and plant new churches. Missions work involves evangelism, discipleship, training of church leaders, social service, education, healthcare, economic development, and more. Here is an overview of key aspects of Christian missions: Biblical Basis The Bible provides the theological basis for missions. Jesus commanded his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and…
The path to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ begins with recognizing that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness and redemption. The Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Because God is perfectly holy, our sin separates us from Him. But God in His love provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him. The first step is to acknowledge our sinful condition. We must admit that we have disobeyed and rebelled against God in our thoughts, words, and actions. Confessing our sins, repenting, and turning away…
The Deutero-Isaiah theory is an idea in biblical scholarship that proposes the Book of Isaiah was written by two or more authors rather than just one. According to this theory, there were at least two major authors who contributed to the book of Isaiah. The first author is known as the prophet Isaiah who lived in the 8th century BCE. This author wrote chapters 1-39 of the Book of Isaiah. The second author is an anonymous writer who lived during the 6th century BCE, after the Babylonian exile. This second author wrote chapters 40-55 of Isaiah and is commonly called…
The saying “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” is sometimes used to argue that homosexuality goes against God’s intended design for human relationships. This article will examine what the Bible really teaches about homosexuality and same-sex relationships, and evaluate whether this popular saying accurately reflects biblical principles. The Creation of Adam and Eve The saying refers back to Genesis chapters 1-2, which describe God’s creation of the first man and woman. Genesis 1:27 states: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Then…
The word “Jewish” can refer to both an ethnicity/race and a religion. From a biblical perspective, the Jewish people originated as a tribal/ethnic group descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God chose the Israelites as His special people and entered into a covenant relationship with them. The religion of the Israelites (Judaism) was intrinsically tied to their ethnic identity as God’s chosen people. However, over time, the ethnic and religious meanings of “Jewish” became more complex. After the destruction of the second Temple in 70 AD, observance of Judaism was no longer tied to residence in the land of Israel.…
The topic of sex and gender has become increasingly controversial and confusing in our modern world. Many secular voices claim that sex and gender are two completely separate things – that one’s biological sex at birth does not necessarily determine one’s gender identity. From a biblical perspective, however, the answer is not quite as simple. While the Bible does not speak directly to some of the more complex gender theory issues we face today, a careful study of Scripture reveals that God does have an intended design for human sexuality and gender. Key Points from Scripture Here are some key…
The story of the young man who fled naked appears only in the Gospel of Mark, right after Jesus’ arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. Here is the full account from Mark 14:51-52 (ESV): And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked. This brief, cryptic account leaves many questions unanswered. Who was this young man? Why was he following Jesus in the garden, wearing only a linen cloth? Why did he flee naked when Jesus was arrested? Let’s explore…
Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder on the autism spectrum. People with Asperger’s often have difficulties with social interaction, communication, and exhibit restricted or repetitive behaviors. However, many Aspies, as they are affectionately called, have above average intelligence and abilities in specific areas. If you are an Aspie Christian, you may wonder how you can use your unique gifts to serve God and make a difference for His kingdom. Here are some biblical insights on how Aspies can fulfill their God-given purpose: Use your special interests and abilities for God Aspies often have intense interests and abilities in specific subjects…
Sedevacantism is the theological position that the See of Rome is currently vacant due to the fact that recent popes have espoused heresy and have thus forfeited their office. The Latin term “sede vacante” means “empty chair” and refers to the seat of Saint Peter being unoccupied. Sedevacantists argue that due to doctrinal errors promulgated by recent popes, these men cannot be true popes and the chair is empty. This position is in contrast to the mainstream Catholic view that Francis is a valid pope. The roots of sedevacantism can be traced back to the First Vatican Council in 1869-1870,…