The word “homoousious” (Greek: ὁμοούσιος) is a technical theological term that was used in early Christian doctrinal debates about the nature of the Trinity. It comes from the Greek words homos, meaning “same,” and ousia, meaning “essence” or “substance.” The basic meaning of homoousious is “of the same essence” or “of the same substance.” In the 4th century, there was a major debate within the early Christian church about whether God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son were of the same essence/substance or not. This became known as the Arian controversy, after the priest Arius who denied that the…
Author: Nicole Sands
The phrase “zeal for your house will consume me” comes from John 2:17, which says: “His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.'” This verse refers back to Psalm 69:9, which reads: “For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.” To understand the meaning of this phrase, we need to look at the context. In John 2, Jesus had just driven the money changers and merchants out of the temple courts. When challenged by the Jews to give a sign for his…
The concept of trespass in the Bible refers to sins, transgressions, and offenses against God and others. A trespass is an act that violates moral or divine law. The Bible speaks extensively about trespasses and provides guidance on how to avoid and make amends for them. The Hebrew word translated as “trespass” in the Old Testament is ma‘al, which means betrayal or treachery. It refers to an act of unfaithfulness to God. The Greek word in the New Testament is paraptōma, meaning a falling aside or false step. It denotes a transgression or violation of God’s law. Types of Trespasses…
Antifa, short for anti-fascists, is a left-wing, decentralized political activist movement that seeks to combat fascism. The movement has roots going back to groups that resisted fascism in Europe in the early 20th century, but the modern Antifa movement is generally traced back to groups that fought neo-Nazis in the punk rock scene in 1970s and 1980s Britain and Germany. In recent years, Antifa groups have engaged in sometimes violent confrontations with far-right and alt-right groups in the United States and elsewhere. While the mainstream media often portrays Antifa as a well-organized movement, it is in reality loose collection of…
Sinning willfully refers to the act of deliberately and knowingly committing a sin, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:26 – “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” This verse warns believers about the dangers of willful sin and its serious spiritual consequences. But what exactly constitutes willful sinning, and why is it so serious? Let’s explore this topic in detail. Definitions of Willful Sinning Willful sinning means to intentionally commit a sin with full knowledge that it is wrong and offensive to God. It is not…
Daydreaming is a common human experience where our minds wander into imagination, fantasy, and recollection while awake. Though daydreaming can be harmless entertainment or inspiration, uncontrolled daydreaming can become problematic if it distracts us from responsibilities or leads to sinful desires. The Bible does not directly address daydreaming, but it provides principles and examples we can apply to discern God’s perspective. Overall, Scripture calls us to sober-mindedness and warns against folly, lust, and idolatry – sins daydreaming can lead to if left unrestrained. Yet the Bible also shows our imaginations can glorify God when directed toward His truth, beauty, and…
Annas was a Jewish high priest who played an important role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He is mentioned several times in the Gospels, particularly in relation to Jesus’ arrest and questioning before his death. Here is an overview of who Annas was and his significance in the Bible: Background on Annas Annas served as high priest in Jerusalem from around 6-15 AD (John 18:13). However, according to Jewish law, high priests were supposed to serve for life. So even after being removed from office by the Romans, Annas continued to hold significant religious influence and power.…
René Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who lived from 1596 to 1650. He had a significant influence on Western philosophy and mathematics, and his ideas also impacted Christian theology and faith. Here are some of the key ways Descartes influenced Christianity: Descartes promoted a version of mind-body dualism, arguing that the mind and body were separate substances that interacted. This supported the Christian idea of the immaterial soul distinct from the physical body. Many theologians incorporated Cartesian dualism into their understanding of human nature. It reinforced the concept of an afterlife where the soul lives on after…
The “unholy trinity” refers to three figures that will arise during the end times according to biblical prophecy – the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and the Dragon/Satan. Here is an overview of what the Bible reveals about each one: The Antichrist The Antichrist is a satanically-empowered false messiah who will seek to rule the world and oppose Jesus Christ during the end times. He is described in various passages: 1 John 2:18 – The Antichrist is coming, as foretold by the prophets. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 – The “man of lawlessness” will be revealed before Christ’s return, exalting himself against God.…
Insomnia, which is defined as the inability to fall or stay asleep, is a common condition that affects millions of people. While the Bible does not directly address insomnia, it does offer some perspective and advice that can encourage those struggling with sleeplessness. The Need for Rest The Bible affirms the importance of rest, indicating that proper sleep is part of God’s design for living well. Passages like Psalm 127:2 say, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” God promises peaceful…