Satan is a spiritual being who is the enemy of God and humanity. The Bible presents Satan in a variety of ways that help us understand his character, activities, and ultimate destiny. Names and Titles The Bible uses several names and titles to refer to Satan which reveal aspects of his character and actions: Satan – meaning “adversary” or “accuser” (Job 1:6, Revelation 12:9) Devil – meaning “slanderer” or “accuser” (Matthew 4:1, 1 Peter 5:8) Serpent – referring to his appearance in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1, Revelation 12:9) Great dragon, ancient serpent – emphasizing his power and evil…
Author: Nicole Sands
Inculturation refers to the process by which the gospel message and Christian faith become part of a culture. It involves presenting the unchanging message of the gospel in culturally relevant terms, rather than imposing a foreign culture. The goal is to enable people to embrace the faith as their own, within their own cultural context. Inculturation recognizes the value of culture and seeks to purify and elevate culture through the light of the gospel. It is an important concept in missiology (the theology of mission). Biblical basis for inculturation The biblical basis for inculturation can be seen in both the…
The Third Wave movement refers to a branch of Pentecostalism that emerged in the 1980s emphasizing signs, wonders, and supernatural experiences. It gets its name from the idea that it represented a “third wave” of the Holy Spirit’s movement in modern times, following the Pentecostal movement beginning in the early 1900s and the Charismatic movement in the 1960s. The origins of the Third Wave movement are often traced to controversial pastor John Wimber and the Vineyard Christian Fellowship he founded in 1977. Wimber placed emphasis on spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, prophecy, and faith healing. He taught that all…
The story of Jesus choosing Judas Iscariot as one of his twelve disciples has puzzled Bible readers for centuries. Why would Jesus, who knew people’s hearts (John 2:24-25), choose a man he knew would later betray him? A close look at the biblical evidence provides some helpful insights. Jesus chose Judas to fulfill prophecy The Gospel writers point out several times how the events of Jesus’ life fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Judas’ betrayal was no exception. The Psalms contain several prophetic references to the Messiah’s betrayal by a close friend: “Even my close friend in whom I…
The verse in Hebrews 5:8 says that Jesus “learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” This verse gives insight into an important aspect of Jesus’ humanity and mission. Here is an overview of what it means and its significance: Jesus Was Fully Human This verse reminds us that although Jesus was God, He was also fully human (Hebrews 2:14-18). As a human, Jesus had to learn and grow just like any other person. He was not born automatically knowing everything or obedient in every way. Jesus grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52), learned obedience from suffering, and was made perfect…
The issue of wealth and poverty is one that the Bible has a lot to say about. On the one hand, the Bible warns about the dangers of wealth and affluence. On the other hand, the Bible does not condemn wealth itself and even presents some wealthy people as godly examples. When examining this issue, it is important to look at the full counsel of Scripture. Warnings about wealth and affluence There are many warnings in Scripture about the dangers of wealth and affluence. For example: “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort”…
BioLogos is an organization founded in 2007 by Francis Collins that seeks to promote the perspective that belief in God and mainstream science are compatible. The name “BioLogos” combines the Greek words for “biology” and “logos” (meaning “word” or “study”), reflecting the view that God is the source of all truth discovered through scientific investigation and biblical revelation. BioLogos rejects evolution driven purely by random mutation and natural selection without divine involvement. However, the organization accepts evolution as the scientifically best explanation for the development of life on earth. BioLogos believes God superintended the evolutionary process to result in humans…
Christmas is the time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But what does the Bible actually say about the meaning and origins of this holiday? Here is an in-depth look at the biblical meaning of Christmas. The Birth of Jesus The core event behind Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide details about Jesus’ birth and early life. According to these accounts, Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the time when Herod was king (Matthew 2:1, Luke 1:5). His mother Mary was a virgin who was engaged to Joseph.…
Psalm 22 is one of the most well-known psalms in the Bible, primarily because verse 1 contains words that Jesus uttered on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). This cry of abandonment has resonated with believers throughout the centuries who have experienced feelings of distance from God. But why did David originally pen these words in his psalm? Psalm 22 was written by David about 1,000 years before Christ. David had many life experiences where he could have felt abandoned and estranged from God. As a fugitive running from King Saul, David faced…
The term “kundalini spirit” refers to a concept from Hinduism that has made its way into some fringe Christian circles. In Hinduism, kundalini is believed to be a form of divine energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine. Through spiritual practices like yoga and meditation, Hindus believe this energy can be “awakened” and travel up the spine to bring enlightenment. Some Christians have taken this concept and applied it to their own beliefs about spiritual experiences. They may use the term “kundalini spirit” to describe supernatural encounters that involve sensations of energy flowing through the body. Some…