A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. It differs from a fable in that fables employ animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature as characters, whereas parables have human characters. A parable is a type of analogy. Some of the most famous parables are those that Jesus used in the gospels. According to the Cambridge Bible Commentary, “The parables of Jesus seek to draw the hearer into the eternal world of the Kingdom of God which Christ came to proclaim.” Christ’s parables often feature comparisons to…
Author: Mike Solis
Xenophobia is defined as having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries. It comes from the Greek words ξένος (xenos), meaning “stranger,” “foreigner,” and φόβος (phobos), meaning “fear.” Throughout history, xenophobia has manifested itself in attitudes of superiority, fear, and hatred toward foreigners and those perceived as outsiders or threats. The Bible addresses these attitudes from the perspective of God’s heart for all people and His desire for justice, mercy, and love to prevail over fear and prejudice. Old Testament Teachings on Loving the Foreigner In the Old Testament, God instructs His people to care…
The seven mountain mandate is a teaching that Christians should seek influence over the seven main areas or “mountains” of culture: religion, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business. The goal is to bring these areas under the “lordship of Christ” and advance God’s kingdom on earth. This teaching developed in the 1970s from a book called The Reclaiming of the Seven Mountains of Culture by Bill Bright, Loren Cunningham, and David Yonggi Cho. It gained popularity in the 2000s through ministries like Os Hillman’s Reclaiming the Seven Mountains website. Some key evangelical leaders have promoted it, including…
The question of whether angels have a specific gender or sex is an interesting one that the Bible does not explicitly answer. However, there are some clues throughout Scripture that can help us think carefully about this question. Here is an overview of some key biblical facts and considerations related to the gender of angels: Angels are Spiritual Beings Angels are spiritual creatures created by God, rather than physical beings that reproduce sexually. Jesus declares in Matthew 22:30 that in the resurrection, believers “will be like the angels in heaven.” This implies that angels do not have physical bodies like…
The Amorites were an ancient Semitic-speaking people group that inhabited parts of the Ancient Near East, including Canaan, from around the 21st century BC to the 12th century BC. They are mentioned frequently throughout the Old Testament, often in conflict with the Israelites. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the Amorites: Origins and Homeland The Amorites were originally from the region of Syria and Mesopotamia. Their name derives from the Sumerian term “Martu” meaning “westerners.” Genesis 10:16 refers to the Amorites as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. Deuteronomy 1:7 notes they lived in the…
Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch humanist, Catholic priest, social critic, teacher, and theologian who lived from 1466 to 1536. He is considered one of the most influential scholars of the Northern Renaissance and a leading figure in the movement for religious reform that helped prepare the way for the Protestant Reformation. Some key facts about Erasmus: He was born in Rotterdam, likely on October 27, 1466. His original name was Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1492, but spent little time in regular priestly duties. He never served as a pastor of a congregation. He…
The title “King of glory” for God is found in several places in the Bible, most prominently in Psalm 24. This Psalm describes God’s sovereignty and right to rule over all creation. As the King of glory, God is the supreme ruler over everything. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and completely holy and righteous. Understanding what this title means helps us grasp the greatness and majesty of God. 1. God’s glory Before examining the title “King of glory” specifically, it’s important to understand what “glory” means when referring to God. The glory of God is the intrinsic beauty, perfection, majesty, and…
The Bible provides important qualifications for those who serve as elders and deacons in the church. These qualifications help ensure that those in leadership roles exemplify godly character and abilities. Examining these qualifications carefully is crucial for selecting the right people to serve in these roles. Qualifications for Elders The Bible lists specific qualifications and responsibilities for elders, who are also called overseers or pastors. Elders provide spiritual leadership and oversight in the church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4). The qualifications for elders can be summarized as follows: Blameless – Above reproach, no valid accusation of wrongdoing (1 Timothy 3:2;…
The Bible does not explicitly state whether Jesus was circumcised or not. However, based on biblical principles and Jewish customs at the time, most scholars believe that Jesus likely was circumcised as an infant. Circumcision was an important sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:10-14). It became a critical marker of Jewish identity. The law of Moses commanded that every male child be circumcised on the eighth day after birth (Leviticus 12:3). The New Testament confirms that Jesus was born into a Jewish family that faithfully observed the laws of Moses. Luke 2:21 states that after…
Sex education is a sensitive and important topic for Christians. The Bible provides guidance on how Christians should view sex and sexuality, which can inform perspectives on sex education. First, the Bible affirms that sex is a gift from God, created for marriage between a man and a woman. Passages like Genesis 2:24, Hebrews 13:4, and 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 celebrate the beauty and purpose of sex within marriage. This positive view contrasts with secular society’s often casual attitudes toward sex. However, the Bible also recognizes the power of human sexual desire. Passages like 1 Corinthians 6:18 instruct believers to flee…