Christian rationalism is the view that human reason, when properly guided by divine revelation in Scripture, can arrive at truth. It stands in contrast to fideism, which emphasizes faith over reason, and empiricism, which relies solely on sense experience and evidence. Christian rationalists believe that God endowed humanity with the capacity for rational thought, and that exercising this capacity in submission to God’s Word leads to greater knowledge and understanding. Some key aspects of Christian rationalism include: The existence of objective truth Christian rationalists hold that there are objective truths about God, morality, and the nature of reality that can…
Author: Nicole Sands
The concept of “Sunday sickness” refers to the feeling of sadness, anxiety, or even depression that can occur on Sundays as the weekend comes to an end. While not an officially recognized medical condition, many people report experiencing a sense of melancholy, stress, or dread leading up to the start of a new work week. The Bible does not directly address Sunday sickness, as the modern notion of a two-day weekend would have been foreign in biblical times. However, the Scriptures do speak to principles and spiritual truths that can help us think rightly about our attitudes toward work, rest,…
Praising God is an important theme throughout the Bible. Here are some key Bible verses about praise: Psalms The book of Psalms contains many verses exhorting praise to God. Some examples include: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (Psalm 100:1-2) “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1) “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6) The Psalms repeatedly emphasize praising God with music, singing, and dancing. Lifting our voices…
The Bible has a lot to say about homes, including verses about the importance of home, instructions for home life, descriptions of heavenly homes, and more. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about homes: Verses about the importance of home “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife” (Proverbs 17:1). This verse emphasizes the importance of peace and relationships over material possessions in a home. “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22). Marriage and family are viewed as blessings from…
Premillennialism is one of the major views held by Christians regarding the end times and the return of Jesus Christ. The premillennial view holds that Jesus will return to earth before (pre-) the establishment of the millennium – a thousand-year golden age described in Revelation 20. Here is an overview of premillennialism in around 9000 words: The premillennial view is based on a literal interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6 which describes a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. According to this view, after the tribulation period, Jesus will return to defeat the Antichrist, resurrect the saints, and establish his millennial kingdom…
Growing in faith and maturity as a Christian is an important process that the Bible encourages believers to pursue. Here are some key Bible verses about growing spiritually: John 15:1-8 – Abiding in Christ In this passage, Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to illustrate the importance of abiding in him for spiritual growth: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2). As believers abide…
A prayer cloth is a small piece of fabric that a person uses as a physical reminder of God’s presence, power, and promises. Prayer cloths are often mentioned or used in the Bible and Christian tradition as tools to aid faith and petition God. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about prayer cloths and how they are used in Christianity. Origins and Examples in the Bible There are a few examples in the Bible where people use cloths or garments as tangible symbols of God’s power and as aids in prayer. One prominent example is when the…
This is a profound question that many people struggle with. On the surface, it seems unfair that simply being a moral, upright person is not sufficient to gain entrance to heaven. However, when we examine what the Bible teaches about salvation and the human condition, we begin to understand why good works alone cannot earn us eternity with God. First, we must recognize that God is perfectly holy and righteous (Isaiah 6:3). His standard for moral perfection is far higher than any human can achieve. As human beings we are all sinful by nature (Romans 3:23) and fall infinitely short…
In the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, patron saints are holy figures who are believed to have a special relationship with God and act as protectors or intercessors for certain places, professions, groups, or individuals. The practice of having patron saints originated in the early Christian church as converts sought heavenly advocates from their new faith, often choosing the name of a saint at baptism. Over time, the custom became more organized and regulated by the church hierarchy. According to Catholic teaching, God grants particular saints the ability to intercede and assist in matters relevant to their area of patronage. For…
The concept of hell as a place of fire and brimstone has captured the imagination and instilled fear for centuries. But what does the Bible actually say about hell? Is it literally a place of fiery torment? Let’s examine what Scripture reveals. Old Testament References The Old Testament contains limited references to an afterlife or concept of hell. Several words are sometimes translated as “hell” but have different meanings in context: Sheol – The abode of the dead, not necessarily a place of punishment Hades – Similar to Sheol, the grave or realm of the dead Gehenna – A valley…