The idea of living one’s “best life now” has become a popular concept in contemporary culture. For Christians, this raises important questions about what the Bible teaches regarding living the good life in the present versus in eternity. At 9,000 words, this article will provide an in-depth look at relevant biblical passages to help Christians understand what Scripture says about living our best life now versus in the life to come. Defining “Best Life Now” The “best life now” philosophy advocates pursuing happiness, fulfillment, and success in the here and now. Popularized by Christian pastor Joel Osteen, it centers on…
Author: Nicole Sands
The topic of hell is controversial and often avoided in many churches today. However, the Bible has a lot to say about the existence and nature of hell. This 9000 word article will dive deep into what the Scriptures teach about hell in order to shed light on this sobering subject. Old Testament References to Sheol The Old Testament word corresponding most closely to hell is “Sheol”. It is used over 60 times and refers to the place where the dead go. Sheol is sometimes translated as “pit”, “abyss”, or “grave”. Sheol was seen as the common destination of both…
The passage in Revelation 12:11 states “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” This verse refers to believers overcoming Satan “by the blood of the Lamb.” Here is an explanation of what it means that believers overcome by the blood of the Lamb: The Background of Revelation 12 To understand Revelation 12:11, we need to understand the background of Revelation 12. This chapter describes a vision that the Apostle John saw of a woman, representing Israel or the church, who…
Euthyphro’s dilemma, first formulated by Plato in his dialogue Euthyphro, is a fundamental question in religious ethics and philosophy of religion. It essentially asks: Is something morally good because God commands it, or does God command it because it is morally good? The dilemma arises from a tension between the divine command theory of morality, which states that morality is dependent on the commands of God, and the assumption that God is morally good. If something is morally good just because God commands it, then morality seems arbitrary – God could command murder to be good, and it would be.…
Smith Wigglesworth was a British evangelist and faith healer who was instrumental in the early Pentecostal movement. He was known as the “Apostle of Faith” and had a powerful healing ministry, seeing many people healed of serious illnesses and disabilities. Though he only had a basic formal education, Wigglesworth went on to become one of the pioneers of Pentecostal Christianity. He experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues in 1907, at the age of 48. Wigglesworth was born on June 10, 1859 in Menston, Yorkshire, England. He came from a poor family and started working as…
J.I. Packer was an influential evangelical theologian, pastor, and author who had a significant impact on 20th century evangelicalism. Here is an overview of his life and ministry: Background and Early Life James Innell Packer was born on July 22, 1926 in Gloucester, England. From an early age, he showed an interest in Christianity and began reading Christian classics by Puritan writers. At age 15, Packer committed his life to Christ after being impacted by C.S. Lewis’ book The Pilgrim’s Regress. Packer attended Oxford University, where he earned a triple first-class honors degree in classics, philosophy, and theology. During his…
The term “sojourner” appears frequently throughout the Bible, referring to someone who lives as a temporary resident or foreigner in a land that is not their homeland. Understanding the biblical concept of a sojourner provides insight into God’s heart for immigrants, refugees, and displaced people. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about sojourners. Old Testament Usage of Sojourner In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated as “sojourner” is ger. It refers to a person living in a place where they are not a full citizen. Sojourners lacked the rights and privileges of native-born Israelites but were…
Reflexology is an alternative medicine practice involving the application of pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, and ears. It is based on the belief that these points correspond to different organs and systems in the body. Reflexologists claim that by applying pressure to these points, they can promote healing, reduce stress, and treat a wide variety of conditions. So should Christians participate in reflexology treatments? There are a few key considerations for Christians when evaluating reflexology: 1. The spiritual roots of reflexology Reflexology has roots in ancient Chinese medicine and acupuncture, as well as Native American healing practices.…
Natural religion refers to belief in God and religious truth that is based on nature, reason, and experience rather than revelation or scripture. The concept emerged during the Enlightenment era as philosophers and theologians sought to examine religious beliefs from a rational perspective. According to proponents of natural religion, evidence for the existence of God can be found by observing the natural world. Philosophers like John Locke pointed to the order and complexity of nature as evidence of an intelligent designer behind creation. Thinkers also appealed to common human experiences and innate moral sense as pointing to divine origins. They…
The practice of plural marriage, commonly known as polygamy, was instituted among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 1840s. For roughly 50 years thereafter, plural marriage was practiced by some Latter-day Saints before the practice was discontinued in 1890. The beginning and end of plural marriage in early Mormonism was closely linked to doctrine and history of the LDS Church. There were several main reasons why early Mormons believed in and practiced plural marriage: 1. Belief it was Biblically sanctioned One of the primary reasons was a belief that the practice was biblically…