The Church of Almighty God, also known as Eastern Lightning, is a new Christian religious movement that originated in China in the 1990s. The group believes that Jesus Christ has returned as Almighty God, a Chinese woman named Yang Xiangbin. Here’s an overview of their key beliefs and practices according to the Bible: Origins and History The Church of Almighty God was founded in China in 1991 by Zhao Weishan. He claims he had a vision of the Second Coming of Christ as a Chinese woman named Yang Xiangbin. The church believes she is the incarnation of Almighty God and…
Author: Nicole Sands
The Nephilim are mysterious figures mentioned in the Bible, particularly in Genesis 6:4 which states “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.” There has been much debate over the identity of the Nephilim and whether figures like Goliath were part of this group. To understand if Goliath could have been one of the Nephilim, we must first examine what the Bible says about this group…
Divine command theory is a meta-ethical theory which proposes that an action’s status as morally good is equivalent to whether it is commanded by God. The theory asserts that what is moral is determined by what God commands, and that for a person to be moral is to follow His commands. Divine command theory entails voluntarism about the will of God – that is, the view that God wills something only because He wills it. This is in contrast to intellectualism about God’s will, the view that God wills something because He knows it to be good. In Christianity, the…
The question of whether Jesus is Michael the archangel is an interesting one that has been debated among Christians for centuries. The Bible provides some clues that they could potentially be the same being, but there are also reasonable arguments against this view. Here is an overview of the main biblical evidence and interpretations related to this topic. First, it helps to understand the role and identity of Michael the archangel. The name Michael means “who is like God?” He is described in the Bible as “one of the chief princes” (Daniel 10:13), “the great prince who has charge of…
The Cappadocian Fathers were three influential church fathers who lived in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century AD. They made major contributions to the development of Christian theology, particularly regarding the doctrine of the Trinity. The three Cappadocian Fathers were: Basil the Great Basil of Caesarea, also known as Basil the Great (c. 329-379), was born into a Christian family in Caesarea, Cappadocia. He received a classical Greek education in Athens and became a monk upon returning home. Basil was known for his care for the poor and needy. He distributed his personal wealth and founded a monastery called…
The Association of Related Churches (ARC) is a church planting organization that was founded in 2001 by Billy Hornsby, Ron Edmondson, and Tim Hawks. The goal of ARC is to plant life-giving churches that make disciples and see continued multiplication. As of 2022, ARC has helped plant over 900 churches. History of ARC In 2001, Billy Hornsby (a pastor at Grace Community Church in Tyler, Texas), Ron Edmondson (a pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky), and Tim Hawks (who worked for the North American Mission Board) came together to discuss an idea to help plant more vibrant and…
The Year of Jubilee is a biblical concept found in the Old Testament book of Leviticus chapter 25. It was a special sabbatical year that occurred every 50 years, following seven cycles of seven years (7 x 7 years = 49 years). The 50th year was the Year of Jubilee. During the Year of Jubilee, several significant things took place: Slaves and Prisoners Were Set Free On the Day of Atonement, which marked the beginning of the Year of Jubilee, slaves and prisoners were set free and released from their bonds and captivity (Leviticus 25:10). This showed God’s heart for…
Overthinking is a common issue that many people struggle with today. It involves excessive, repetitive thoughts that lead to worry, anxiety, and stress. The Bible has much to say about overthinking and provides wisdom and perspective on how to overcome this tendency. The dangers of overthinking Overthinking can be harmful in many ways. It often leads us to imagine worst-case scenarios, assume the worst in people, and blow things out of proportion. As the apostle Paul wrote, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every…
Evolutionary creationism is a view that seeks to integrate the Christian faith with modern science, particularly the scientific consensus on biological evolution. It accepts evolution as the scientific explanation for the development of life on earth, while also holding to the Christian doctrines of creation and divine providence. Evolutionary creationists believe that God created the universe and life through natural processes that He ordained and sustains. They see evolution as God’s method of creation. Some key beliefs of evolutionary creationism include: God created the universe, the earth, and life. The Bible teaches that God is the Creator of all things…
The death of a spouse is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. In addition to the intense grief and loss, questions about the possibility of remarriage often arise for the surviving spouse. What does the Bible say about remarriage after the death of your husband or wife? There is debate amongst Christians regarding the permissibility and advisability of remarriage after being widowed. Examining key biblical passages helps provide guidance on this sensitive topic. Old Testament Teachings on Remarriage After Death of Spouse Several Old Testament passages address remarriage after the death of one’s spouse. Deuteronomy…