The church is called to be a light in the darkness, speaking truth in love and exposing evil rather than hiding it. Yet tragically, many churches have covered up or mishandled cases of abuse within their congregations. This goes directly against what Scripture teaches about confronting sin and caring for the vulnerable. There are several reasons why covering up abuse is sinful for a church: 1. It enables more abuse When churches don’t address allegations of abuse or try to handle it quietly, it sends the message to abusers that they will not be held accountable. This emboldens them to…
Author: Nicole Sands
Consequentialism is an ethical theory that judges the morality of an action based on the consequences of that action. Rather than judging an action as intrinsically right or wrong, consequentialism focuses on the outcomes produced. The most common form of consequentialism is utilitarianism, which aims to maximize overall happiness or well-being. The Bible does not explicitly endorse consequentialism, but it contains principles and examples relevant to evaluating the doctrine. This article will examine what the Bible says about the morality of actions and their consequences, responsibility for outcomes, ends justifying means, and motive versus results. Human Ability to Predict Consequences…
Jesus often taught in parables, which are short stories or analogies used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Parables were a common teaching method in ancient Jewish culture, and Jesus used them frequently throughout his ministry. There are several reasons why Jesus likely chose to teach in parables: 1. Parables make spiritual truths more accessible Many of Jesus’ teachings dealt with complex spiritual matters, like the nature of God’s kingdom, the end times, salvation, and living according to God’s ways. For simple fishermen and farmers – Jesus’ typical audiences – these concepts could be difficult to grasp. Parables use…
The topic of a black Pope has captured the imagination of many Christians who are interested in end times prophecy. However, the Bible does not specifically predict that there will be a black Pope during the end times. Here is an overview of what the Bible does and does not say about this topic: The Bible does not explicitly prophesy a black Pope Nowhere in Scripture do we find a clear, direct prophecy that there will be a black Pope in the end times. The Bible does not mention the ethnicity of any future leader of the Roman Catholic Church.…
Determining when a doctrine can be considered truly biblical is an important topic for Christians seeking to understand and apply God’s truth. At its core, a biblical doctrine must be firmly grounded in and aligned with the teachings of Scripture. There are several key criteria to consider when evaluating if a doctrine aligns with Scripture: 1. The doctrine is taught explicitly in Scripture The clearest test of a biblical doctrine is if it is explicitly stated in the Bible. Examples would include doctrines like the Trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, etc. If a doctrine is…
Israelology is the study of Israel in the Bible. It examines Israel’s history, culture, theology, and God’s plan and purpose for the nation of Israel. The focus is on understanding Israel in light of Biblical revelation and prophecy. Israel in the Old Testament Israel traces its beginning to the call of Abraham in Genesis 12. God promised to make Abraham into a great nation, bless him, and make his name great (Gen 12:2). The nation of Israel descended from Abraham’s son Isaac and grandson Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel (Gen 32:28). God established a covenant with Israel at…
The Bible has a lot to say about whether we should read books other than the Bible itself. While the Bible does not explicitly prohibit reading non-biblical books, it does provide guidance on how to approach them discernment and wisdom. On one hand, the Bible emphasizes its own sufficiency and authority as the Word of God. Passages like 2 Timothy 3:16-17 highlight that Scripture is “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” This suggests that the Bible…
Fear of the end times, also known as eschatophobia, is a common struggle for many Christians. With prophecies of tribulation, the Antichrist, and earthly destruction, it’s understandable why contemplating the end times stirs up anxiety. However, God did not intend for us to live in fear of His return. The Bible offers wisdom, encouragement, and hope to those struggling with fear of the end days. Remember God’s sovereignty and trust in His plan First and foremost, we can find comfort in knowing God is always in control, even in the chaos of the end times. As Isaiah 46:10 (ESV) assures…
The prophet Isaiah spoke these words about Israel being a “light for the Gentiles” in Isaiah 49:6 which says, “he says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.'” This verse points to Israel’s role in God’s plan of salvation for the whole world. Here is an explanation of the meaning and significance of Israel being a “light to the…
The Brethren Church, also known as the Church of the Brethren, is a Christian denomination with origins in 18th century Germany. It emerged from the Pietist movement and has roots in the Anabaptist and Radical Reformation traditions. Some key beliefs and practices of the Brethren Church include: Origins The Brethren Church first took shape in 1708 when a group of eight German Pietists organized a covenant to follow Christ in daily life. Led by Alexander Mack, this group rejected infant baptism and instituted baptism of adult believers by immersion. They saw themselves as a renewal movement within the Lutheran church,…