The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic text and was part of the Nag Hammadi library discovered in Egypt in 1945. Not much is known about its origin, but it is estimated to have been written around the 2nd or 3rd century AD. The text is not related to the biblical Philip, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. It is unclear who the author is or the exact community that produced the text. The Gospel of Philip is a collection of theological reflections and does not narrate events in the life of Jesus as the canonical gospels do. It…
Author: Mike Solis
The Bible does not directly address the modern concept of a lesbian sexual orientation. However, it does contain some passages that have been interpreted as relevant to female same-sex relations. Old Testament The Old Testament law prohibited sexual relations between women: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). This verse explicitly condemns male same-sex relations but does not mention female same-sex relations. However, the broader context of Old Testament teachings on sexuality suggests that lesbian relations would also be considered sinful. Genesis 1-2 sets forth God’s plan for human sexuality…
David’s loyalty to Saul is truly remarkable when we consider all that Saul did to try to kill David or have him killed. Even when David had opportunities to take Saul’s life, he refused to do so out of loyalty and respect for Saul as God’s anointed king. Looking closely at the Biblical account, we can gain some insight into why David remained so loyal to Saul despite the extreme persecution. David’s Anointing and Rise to Prominence It started when the prophet Samuel anointed David as the next king over Israel, even though Saul was still on the throne (1…
Pontius Pilate was the fifth prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from AD 26 to 36. He is best known for being the official who presided over the trial of Jesus and ordered his crucifixion. Though Pilate is mentioned several times in the New Testament gospels, not much is known for certain about his life and career outside of the biblical accounts. Based on available historical sources, Pontius Pilate was likely born in central or northern Italy around the year 10 BC. His family origins are uncertain, but he may have had Samnite roots. Pilate…
Chronic pain is unfortunately a common human experience. It can arise from various physical ailments and diseases, or even from emotional trauma. Regardless of the cause, living with chronic pain day after day can be wearying and discouraging. During difficult seasons of prolonged pain, it’s common to wonder if God cares or if there is any hope or help to be found in His Word. Thankfully, the Bible contains many encouragements and instructions for those dealing with chronic pain. God understands our pain A foundational truth is that God identifies with our suffering. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was…
The Bible clearly teaches that God rewards those who are obedient to His Word. While salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), God also promises rewards to His faithful followers who seek to honor and obey Him. God Rewards Obedience There are many verses throughout Scripture that indicate God will reward obedience. For example: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial,…
Strife is conflict, discord, and contention between individuals or groups. It is the opposite of peace and unity. The Bible has a lot to say about strife and offers guidance on how to deal with it. Causes of Strife According to the Bible, some of the causes of strife include: Pride – Proverbs 13:10 says, “By pride comes nothing but strife.” Pride leads people to promote themselves at the expense of others. Selfish ambition – James 3:16 says that where there is selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every evil practice. Gossip and slander – Proverbs 16:28 warns that…
Trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ is at the very heart of the Christian faith. To fully trust in Christ requires believing certain key truths about who He is, what He came to do, and how we are to respond. Here is an overview of some of the main aspects involved in trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Believing Jesus is the Son of God First and foremost, trusting in Christ means believing that He is the Son of God. Multiple times throughout the Gospels, Jesus equates believing in Him with believing in God…
The posttribulational view of the rapture, also known as posttribulationism, is the belief that the rapture will occur at the end of the tribulation period. This means that Christians will have to endure the tribulation before they are gathered together to meet Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Some of the main strengths and weaknesses of the posttribulational position include: Strengths It takes a straightforward, literal interpretation of passages like Matthew 24:29-31, which seem to indicate the rapture happening immediately after the tribulation. It allows for a single, posttribulational coming of Christ rather than separating the rapture and the…
James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” This verse teaches us that it’s not enough just to hear God’s Word – we need to put it into practice. Let’s explore what it means to be “doers of the Word.” 1. Hearing the Word isn’t enough – we must obey it James makes it clear that merely listening to the Word, without obeying it, is meaningless. In the original Greek, “hearers only” refers to careless or inattentive hearing. It’s easy to hear a sermon or read the Bible without really paying attention or…