Reprobation is a theological concept that deals with God’s eternal decree regarding the final state of certain people. It refers to God passing over some individuals and ordaining them to be condemned for their sins. The doctrine of reprobation is closely related to the Calvinist doctrines of unconditional election and predestination. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about reprobation: 1. God Has Foreknowledge of All Things The Bible teaches that God is omniscient and knows everything – past, present, and future (Psalm 139:4, Psalm 147:5). As the all-knowing God, He foreknew and foreordained everything that would come…
Author: Mike Solis
The Letter of Jeremiah is a brief book found in the Apocrypha section of some Bibles. It purports to be a letter written by the prophet Jeremiah to the Jews who were about to be carried into exile in Babylon. However, most scholars believe it was composed between 300–100 BC, long after Jeremiah’s time. The Letter warns against idolatry and exhorts the Jews to resist assimilation into Babylonian culture and religion. It emphasizes that idols are not gods at all, but lifeless and powerless human creations. The writer points out the absurdity of worshiping idols made of wood, gold, and…
The Bible has a lot to say about what it means to be great in God’s kingdom. At the heart of this issue is the contrast between worldly notions of greatness versus the upside-down value system of God’s kingdom. Throughout Scripture we see that status, power, and privilege count for little with God. Instead, qualities like humility, service, and sacrifice mark true greatness in His eyes. Jesus repeatedly emphasized this principle during His earthly ministry. When His disciples argued about which of them was the greatest, Jesus responded, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and…
The book of Ecclesiasticus, also known as Sirach or Ben Sira, is one of the books of the Apocrypha found in Catholic and Orthodox Christian Bibles. It is part of the Wisdom literature of the Bible, along with Proverbs, Job, Psalms, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiasticus was likely written around 180-175 BC by a Jewish scribe named Yeshua ben Sira who lived in Jerusalem. The book contains ethical teachings, practical wisdom, and moral exhortations. It covers topics like wisdom, justice, relationships, wealth, poverty, suffering, fear of the Lord, and how to live a virtuous life. The author frequently quotes…
Throughout the Bible, God often refers to Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This phrase is first used in Exodus 3:6 when God appears to Moses in the burning bush and tells him, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” This reference to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has deep theological significance. By calling Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God is establishing His eternal covenant faithfulness to His people. Though Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived hundreds of years before God…
What was the tent of meeting? The tent of meeting, also known as the tabernacle, was a portable place of worship used by the Israelites during their time in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. It played a central role in Israelite worship and religious life for several centuries until the building of Solomon’s temple. The Design and Layout of the Tent of Meeting The tent of meeting was a large rectangular tent structure made up of curtains, boards, poles, and various furniture and fixtures. It was divided into two rooms – the Holy Place and the Most Holy…
This is a challenging theological question that many struggle with. If humans are born with a sinful nature, inherited from Adam’s original sin, how can God rightly judge us for the sins we commit? Wouldn’t it be unjust for God to condemn people for sins they were predisposed to commit from birth? This article will dive into what the Bible teaches about humanity’s sinful condition, God’s judgment, and how God makes provision for salvation through Jesus Christ. The Origin of Humanity’s Sinful Condition According to the Bible, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command in the Garden of Eden, sin…
Tota Scriptura means “all of Scripture” in Latin. It refers to the belief that all of the Bible is inspired by God and is authoritative for Christian faith and practice. Here is a more detailed explanation of Tota Scriptura in around 9000 words: The doctrine of Sola Scriptura, or “Scripture alone,” affirms that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice. However, some argue that Sola Scriptura fails to fully capture the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. This has led to the phrase Tota Scriptura, meaning “all Scripture” in Latin. Tota Scriptura teaches that because the…
Baptism is an important rite in the Christian faith that symbolizes the cleansing of sins and the initiation into the body of Christ. A key question that arises is – who has the authority to baptize new believers? The Bible does not explicitly spell out strict qualifications for who can perform baptisms, but there are some guiding principles that can be derived from Scripture. Pastors and Church Leaders In the early church, the apostles frequently baptized new converts, setting the precedent for church leaders to perform baptisms (Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:38). As the church expanded, authority to baptize…
The topic of whether married Christians should wear wedding rings is one that elicits a variety of perspectives among believers. This article will examine what the Bible says about wedding rings to help Christians think through this issue. The origin and meaning of the wedding ring The wedding ring is a symbol of the covenant between a husband and wife. It originated in ancient times as a visible sign that a woman was married and off limits to other men. While some cultures used other items like bracelets or anklets, the ring on the fourth finger became a common tradition…