The Infancy Gospels refer to several apocryphal (non-canonical) gospels which focus on the childhood of Jesus Christ. These texts are dated to the 2nd century AD and beyond, well after the canonical gospels of the New Testament were written. The Infancy Gospels contain many fantastic and miraculous stories about Jesus’ childhood which are not found in the Bible. While these texts may contain some truths, most scholars view them as legends which developed later in church history. Four main Infancy Gospels have survived to today: The Infancy Gospel of Thomas The Infancy Gospel of Thomas claims to contain stories about…
Author: Richard Curi
Genesis 49:10 says, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” This verse comes from Jacob’s blessing over his son Judah before Jacob’s death. It contains a prophecy about the dynasty of Judah leading to the Messiah. The “scepter” refers to the tribe and descendants of Judah holding positions of leadership and authority. The “ruler’s staff” also points to kingly authority. So this verse is saying that the tribe of Judah would hold positions of leadership, and produce…
The Areopagus was a rocky hill in ancient Athens, Greece. It functioned as the site for the council of elders known as the Court of the Areopagus, which served as the highest court in ancient Athens for trying cases of homicide and other serious crimes. The Areopagus gained biblical significance when the apostle Paul preached the gospel there, as recorded in Acts 17. The Court of the Areopagus was composed of former archons, the chief magistrates of Athens. It had authority over the morals, education, and intellectual life of the people. The court convened on the Areopagus hill, located just…
The statement “I believe; help my unbelief” comes from a powerful story in the Gospel of Mark about a father seeking healing for his demon-possessed son. The full verse reads: “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 ESV) To understand the meaning behind this profound statement, we must look at the context surrounding it in Mark 9: The Context in Mark 9 Jesus had just come down from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John (Mark 9:2-8). A large crowd met them when they came down from the…
How should a Christian act toward a friend who comes out of the closet (as gay)? Introduction The issue of how Christians should respond when a friend comes out as gay is a sensitive and complex one. There are differing opinions among believers on this, and it requires wisdom, compassion, and grace. This article will aim to offer biblical guidance on this topic. Overall Principles There are some key principles we can draw from Scripture that should guide a Christian’s response in this situation: 1. Christians are called to love others as Christ has loved us (John 13:34-35). This includes…
Importunity is persistent or urgent requests, especially ones that are annoying or unreasonable. It involves repeatedly asking for something in an urgent or pressing manner. The Bible has quite a bit to say about importunity, especially in the context of prayer. Here is an overview of the biblical teaching on importunity: In Luke 11, Jesus tells a parable about a man who goes to his neighbor at midnight asking for bread. The neighbor is already in bed and doesn’t want to get up, but because of the man’s persistence (importunity), he finally gives him the bread he needs (Luke 11:5-8).…
Littering, or the careless disposal of waste in public areas, is unfortunately a common problem in many societies today. However, the Bible provides guidance on how followers of God should treat the environment and public spaces. Here is an in-depth look at over 9,000 words on what the Bible says about littering. God’s Creation and Human Stewardship The Bible teaches that the earth and everything in it was created by God. Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The Psalms also frequently praise God as the Creator (Psalm 33:6-9, Psalm 104, Psalm 136:5-9). Therefore,…
The concept of who qualifies as one’s “neighbor” comes up several times in the Bible, most famously in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37. In this parable, Jesus challenges the common assumption that “neighbor” refers only to those who are nearby or similar to us. Through the actions of the Samaritan who helps a wounded man on the road, Jesus shows that our neighbor is anyone in need whom God places in our path, even those rejected by society. Some key principles we can draw about who our neighbor is from Scripture include: Our neighbor is…
Praying “Thy will be done” is a powerful prayer that submits our will to God’s perfect will. It comes directly from the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:10, where Jesus teaches his disciples to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This simple petition contains profound meaning for the Christian life. Acknowledging God’s Sovereignty First, praying “Thy will be done” is an acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty. As our Creator, God has ultimate authority over all things. His will reigns supreme over every circumstance in our lives. As Psalm 135:6 declares, “Whatever the Lord…
The statement “Peace, be still” is found in Mark 4:39, where Jesus speaks these words to calm a raging storm. This powerful phrase gives us insight into Jesus’ authority and compassion, as He brings peace in the midst of turmoil. The Context of “Peace, Be Still” The statement occurs amidst the narrative of Jesus and His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat. Jesus had been teaching the crowds on the shore and then instructed His disciples to go across to the other side. As they were sailing, a fierce storm arose, with strong winds and heavy waves battering…