Arranged marriages have been a common practice in many cultures throughout history. An arranged marriage is one where the spouse is selected by someone other than the marrying persons themselves, typically by the parents or other family members. This practice stands in contrast to what is commonly practiced in Western cultures, where individuals choose their own spouses based on romantic love. Some wonder if the Bible advocates for arranged marriages. There are a few considerations to take into account when examining this question: Cultural Context of Biblical Times The custom of arranged marriages was very common in ancient biblical cultures.…
Author: Nicole Sands
Marduk is not directly mentioned by name in the Bible. However, he was a prominent Mesopotamian god during biblical times and some scholars believe he may be referenced indirectly in a few biblical passages. Marduk was the chief god of the city of Babylon and rose to become the head of the Babylonian pantheon by around 2000 B.C. The Babylonians believed Marduk created the world by defeating the goddess Tiamat and splitting her body in two to form the heavens and earth. They also believed he created humankind. Marduk was worshipped as the god of justice, magic and healing. During…
Emotional affairs can devastate marriages. As Christians, we must guard our hearts and minds and focus our emotional connections on our spouses. Here are some biblical principles for avoiding inappropriate emotional attachments: Build intimacy in your marriage The best defense against emotional affairs is a strong, intimate marriage. Spend meaningful time together, communicate openly and honestly, show affection, and prioritize your spouse (Genesis 2:24, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Pray together and do devotionals as a couple. Seek counseling if you feel distant from your spouse. Guard your heart Don’t allow your heart to entangle itself with someone of the opposite sex outside…
The phrase “God put words in your mouth” comes from Isaiah 59:21 which says, “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.” In the broader context of Isaiah 59, God is promising that even though Israel had sinned and separated themselves from God, He would one day restore…
The Bible has a fair amount to say about contentious or quarrelsome women. Most of the references are found in the Wisdom literature and the New Testament epistles. Overall, Scripture paints contention as something to avoid and warns of the strife it brings to relationships. Proverbs on the Contentious Woman Proverbs contains multiple verses about the quarrelsome and contentious woman: “It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman” (Proverbs 21:19). This verse compares living with a contentious woman to living in a harsh desert environment. “A continual dripping on a rainy day…
The creation of Adam and Eve is described in Genesis 2. God first formed Adam out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden and given the command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:15-17). At this point, Adam was alone. God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18). So God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep, took…
Achan was an Israelite who lived during the time of Joshua’s conquest of the land of Canaan. He is an infamous figure in the Bible for committing a serious sin that brought judgment on Israel. Here is an overview of Achan’s story and what we can learn from it: Achan’s Sin at Jericho In Joshua 6, we read about the miraculous fall of Jericho. God had given strict instructions that all the treasures of Jericho were to be dedicated to the Lord and not taken for personal gain (Joshua 6:18-19). However, Achan disobeyed this command. Joshua 7:1 states, “But the…
The words “This is my body, broken for you” were spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, the night before his crucifixion. They are recorded in 1 Corinthians 11:24, when Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, saying, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” This powerful statement has been the subject of much reflection and debate over the centuries as Christians have sought to understand what Jesus meant. Here is an in-depth look at the meaning behind Jesus’ words “This is my body, broken for you.” The Setting of the Last…
What does it mean that “there is none who does good, no not one” (Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:12)? The verses Psalm 14:3 and Romans 3:12 both make the statement that “there is none who does good, no not one.” This is a profound claim about the spiritual condition of humanity that deserves careful examination. Let’s explore the context, meaning, and implications of this biblical teaching. The Context of Psalm 14:3 Psalm 14 is attributed to King David and it speaks poetically about the depravity of humankind. David observes that “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God'” (Psalm…
Roman Catholicism is the largest Christian denomination in the world, with over 1 billion members. It traces its history back to the apostles and the early church. The Roman Catholic Church is led by the Pope, who resides in the Vatican City in Rome. Some of the key beliefs and practices of Roman Catholicism include: Papacy and Church Structure Catholics believe the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the successor of St. Peter and has supreme authority over the worldwide church (Matthew 16:18-19). Under the Pope are bishops, priests and deacons who lead dioceses and parishes. The church has a…