The Bible clearly teaches that all people are sinners and fall short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23). Even after we become Christians, we continue to struggle with sin in our lives. So in that sense, yes, believers do commit sins daily. However, the Bible also teaches that believers are a “new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and we should strive to live holy lives that are pleasing to God. Here are some key biblical truths about sin in the lives of Christians: We have a new nature in Christ that desires to please God, but we still struggle…
Author: Nicole Sands
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 is one of the more controversial passages in the Bible that relates to issues of rape and marriage. At face value, it seems to suggest that if a man rapes a virgin, he must marry her and pay a fine to her father. However, there are several factors to consider in properly understanding and applying this passage. Here is the full text of Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (ESV): “If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the…
The doctrine of divine impassibility refers to the belief that God cannot suffer, experience pain, or be affected emotionally. This doctrine arose from Greek philosophy and became influential in early Christian theology. Proponents argue that if God could suffer, it would make Him vulnerable and limited. As an all-powerful, sovereign being, God must be incapable of being acted upon or influenced by outside forces. Suffering and emotions are seen as human limitations that cannot apply to a transcendent God. In contrast, the doctrine of divine passibility claims that God can and does experience suffering, emotions, and sympathetic understanding of human…
The topic of vain repetitions in prayer is directly addressed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:7-8, Jesus states “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Here Jesus is warning against praying in a repetitive or meaningless way, thinking that we will be heard simply because we use a lot of words. The concern is that the prayer becomes routine or…
The Bible teaches that God is infinite, unlimited, and unmeasurable. These attributes of God have profound implications for our understanding of who He is and how He relates to His creation. God is Infinite When we say God is infinite, we mean He has no limits or boundaries. There is no end to His being, knowledge, wisdom, power, presence, or any other attribute. God has no beginning and no end (Psalm 90:2). He simply exists outside the bounds of time and space as we know it. This means God is immeasurably beyond our capacity to fully comprehend. The prophet Isaiah…
Positive thinking is the practice of focusing on positive thoughts and affirmations in order to achieve a desired outcome. The belief is that if you visualize and focus on positivity, you can change your circumstances through the power of your mindset. This concept has become popular in modern self-help and personal development teachings. But what does the Bible have to say about the power of positive thinking? At its core, the Bible emphasizes faith in God rather than faith in oneself. Human beings have limited power to control circumstances through their thoughts alone. True power comes from God, not from…
The question of whether human beings are born sinners is an important theological debate within Christianity. There are various perspectives on this issue based on different interpretations of biblical passages. At the core of this debate is the doctrine of original sin – the idea that humans inherit a sinful nature from Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Let’s take a deeper look at what the Bible says about this controversial topic. The Biblical Basis for Original Sin The doctrinal concept of original sin is primarily based on Genesis 2-3, Romans 5:12-21, Psalm 51:5, Job 14:4, and…
Giving generously to those in need is an important part of the Christian life. The Bible has a lot to say about how and to whom we should donate our time, talents, and treasures. Here is an overview of the Bible’s guidance on who we should prioritize in our giving. Give to the Poor and Needy One of the most frequently repeated principles in Scripture is that we should give generously to the poor and needy. For example: “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17) “Whoever closes…
The question of why God condemns homosexuality if He is a God of love is complex and requires looking carefully at Scripture. This 9,000 word article will walk through the key biblical passages on homosexuality and same-sex relations, examine potential objections and perspectives, and provide an overview of the traditional Christian perspective on the issue. Key Biblical Passages on Homosexuality There are several main biblical passages that directly address the issue of homosexuality and same-sex relations: Genesis 1-2 – God’s Intent for Marriage In the creation account, God creates woman as a “helper fit for [Adam]” and the two become…
The “God particle” is a nickname given to the Higgs boson, an elementary particle proposed in the 1960s and discovered in 2012. The Higgs boson is responsible for giving mass to fundamental particles, and is a key part of the Standard Model of particle physics. The nickname “God particle” originated with physicist Leon Lederman, who gave it that name in his popular science book on particle physics. He intended it partly as an attention-grabbing title, but also to highlight how important and elusive this particle was in physics research. Some researchers dislike the “God particle” nickname, as it can give…