The Bible does not directly address the topic of hermaphroditism, as this medical condition was not understood in biblical times. However, we can gain some insights about how God views intersex people by examining relevant biblical principles. God creates people with diverse bodies The Bible teaches that God intentionally created human beings with physical variety. For example, Jeremiah 1:5 states that God formed each person and knew them before birth. Psalm 139:13-14 says that God knits each person together in the womb. This indicates that God purposefully makes each individual with unique physical attributes. Intersex conditions like hermaphroditism are part…
Author: Nicole Sands
Michaelmas is a Christian feast day celebrated on September 29th each year. It is dedicated to the Archangel Michael and all angels. The name Michaelmas comes from the term “Michael’s Mass,” referring to a mass held on the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel. Here is an overview of the history, significance, traditions and Bible verses related to Michaelmas: History and Origins of Michaelmas The feast of Michaelmas originated in the 5th century AD. There are a few theories about the exact origins: One theory is that it originated with the dedication of a basilica near Rome on September 30th…
What does the Bible say about energy healing? Energy healing refers to alternative medical practices that seek to heal the human body and mind through the manipulation of energy fields. Practitioners of energy healing believe that the body has energy fields that can become blocked or unbalanced, leading to illness. By channeling healing energy through the hands or crystals, energy healers claim they can correct these imbalances and promote wellness. Some common types of energy healing include Reiki, therapeutic touch, qi gong, and crystal healing. These practices originate from Eastern religions and spiritual philosophies but have become popular in Western…
The Bible teaches that God sustains all of creation. As Creator, God not only brought the universe into being, but He continues to uphold and provide for it. Understanding God as our sustainer highlights His active involvement in creation and His loving care for His people. The word “sustain” means to strengthen, nourish, and uphold. As sustainer, God supplies what is needed to maintain life and growth. Several key biblical truths reveal God’s role as sustainer: God Sustains All of Creation The Bible teaches that in God we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). He is the…
Demetrius is a name that appears a few times in the Bible, referring to different individuals. Here is an overview of the main biblical figures named Demetrius: Demetrius the Silversmith (Acts 19) This Demetrius was a silversmith who lived in Ephesus during the time of the apostle Paul’s ministry. Ephesus was known for its temple of Artemis, and there was a thriving business of making silver shrines and idols to sell to worshippers. Demetrius drew much of his business from this trade. When Paul began preaching the gospel in Ephesus, many people turned from idol worship to follow Christ. This…
The Bible is considered by Christians to be the Word of God, divinely inspired and written by human authors. It consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament, with the Old Testament containing 39 books and the New Testament containing 27 books. The Bible serves several key purposes: Revealing God’s Character and Will The Bible reveals who God is – His character, nature, and attributes. Through its pages, we come to know God’s righteousness, faithfulness, justice, mercy, love, and holiness. The Bible also communicates God’s will for human beings. It provides guidance on how to live, act justly, care…
In 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Paul exhorts us to “aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you.” This verse encourages believers to pursue a life of quietness, minding our own business, and working diligently. But why is this important? What benefits can we gain from leading a quiet life? 1. It allows us to focus on our relationship with God A hectic, busy lifestyle often distracts us from what’s most important – our relationship with God. Jesus Himself would frequently withdraw to desolate places to pray and commune with…
Entire sanctification, also known as Christian perfection or perfect love, is the Wesleyan teaching that believers can experience a second work of grace resulting in complete sanctification. This teaching asserts that through faith and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, followers of Christ can love God and others perfectly in this life. Origins of the Doctrine The doctrine of entire sanctification has its origins in the theology of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in the 18th century. Wesley taught that justification by faith is the gateway to sanctification and holiness. He believed sanctification has two distinct phases: initial sanctification,…
Ecclesiastes 3:8 tells us that there is “a time to love and a time to hate.” This verse is part of a poem describing opposites in life – times of peace and war, times of tearing down and building up, etc. In the context of the passage, the Preacher (likely Solomon) is making the point that God appoints seasons and purposes for all things. There are appropriate occasions for love and also appropriate occasions for hate. This reference to “hate” can be jarring to modern readers. We typically think of hate as something that is universally wrong. However, the word…
The Bible has a good amount to say about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Though she is not mentioned frequently, she plays an important role in several key events in the life of Christ and the early church. Here is an overview of the biblical evidence regarding Mary: Mary’s background The Gospels tell us that Mary was a young virgin girl living in Nazareth and betrothed to a man named Joseph (Luke 1:26-27). Though they were not yet married, a betrothal in that culture carried many of the same expectations of faithfulness and commitment as a full marriage. Mary is…