The Bible is clear that Christians should avoid consulting with psychics, mediums, fortune tellers, and anyone else who claims to have supernatural abilities to predict the future or communicate with the dead. Here is an overview of the Christian perspective on psychics and fortune telling. Old Testament Warnings Against Occult Practices The Old Testament contains multiple warnings against occult practices like divination, sorcery, interpreting omens, witchcraft, casting spells, and mediumship. These practices are depicted as detestable to God. Consulting with mediums and spiritists is strictly forbidden (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:9-14). The prohibition against mediums and spiritists is listed…
Author: Richard Curi
The story of Timothy’s death is found in the New Testament of the Bible. Timothy was a young disciple of the apostle Paul and accompanied him on several missionary journeys. Though the Bible does not give explicit details about how and when Timothy died, there are some clues we can piece together to get a general idea. We first meet Timothy in Acts 16 during Paul’s second missionary journey. Timothy was from Lystra and was the son of a Jewish woman named Eunice and a Greek father (Acts 16:1). He was likely converted to Christianity during Paul’s first missionary journey…
Hypnosis and hypnotism are controversial topics among Christians. There are differing views on whether hypnotism is an occult practice that Christians should avoid, or whether it can be used in a therapeutic and beneficial way. This 9,000 word article will thoroughly examine what the Bible says about hypnosis and hypnotism to help Christians understand God’s perspective. Defining Hypnosis and Hypnotism Hypnosis is a trance-like state in which a person has heightened focus, concentration and inner absorption. It is usually induced by a hypnotist using verbal repetition and mental images. The person being hypnotized, or the “subject,” experiences increased suggestibility, relaxation…
The Kingdom of Jerusalem was a Christian kingdom established in the Levant region during the Middle Ages after the First Crusade. It was created in 1099 after the capture of Jerusalem by European crusaders, and lasted until 1291 when the city of Acre fell. At its height, the Kingdom of Jerusalem spanned the territory from modern day southern Turkey in the north to the Sinai Peninsula in the south, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to modern day Jordan in the east. The establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem marked the high point of the Crusades, as European…
Jan Hus, also known as John Huss, was a Czech priest, philosopher, reformer and master at Charles University in Prague. He was a key predecessor to the Protestant Reformation and inspired Martin Luther’s reforming work. John Hus was burned at the stake for heresy against the doctrines of the Catholic Church. He stressed studying the Bible and advocated for translating the Bible into common languages so that the ordinary person could read it. Jan Hus was born around 1372 in Husinec, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). At an early age, he traveled to Prague to pursue education. He earned a…
The Bible offers guidance and principles about what foods are good for us to eat. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches on this topic: God Created Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, and Seeds for Food In the creation account in Genesis 1, God provided plants yielding seed and fruit trees for food for humans and animals (Genesis 1:29-30). This indicates that vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, and nuts are part of God’s original perfect diet for mankind. Even after sin entered the world, these foods continued to be suitable for eating (Genesis 3:18). Animal Products Allowed After the Flood After…
The Bible does not directly address the concept of censorship as we understand it today. However, there are several principles and examples in Scripture that can provide wisdom for Christians thinking about issues relating to censorship. Freedom of Speech The Bible upholds the value of free speech. When the apostles were forbidden by the authorities to speak about Jesus, they responded, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). The apostle Paul also appealed to his rights as a Roman citizen to freely share the gospel (Acts 22:25-29). However, the Bible also teaches that freedom of speech is not…
The book of Psalms in the Bible contains many psalms that are meant to be sung as songs of praise to God. These psalms encourage the worshipper to praise and exalt God for who He is and what He has done. Here is an overview of some of the key themes and examples of psalms of praise in the Bible: Psalms That Praise God as Creator A number of psalms specifically praise God for His work as the Creator. These psalms marvel at the beauty, order, and grandeur of creation as evidence of God’s wisdom and power. For example: Psalm…
Isaiah 14:14 says, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” This verse is part of a larger passage in Isaiah 14 that depicts the prideful boasting of the king of Babylon. However, many Bible scholars believe this king is used as a representation of Satan’s rebellion and desire to be equal with God. There are a few key things to understand from this verse: 1. Satan’s desire was to exalt himself above God The language of “ascending above the heights of the clouds” indicates a desire to rise up and…
The story of Jesus writing in the dirt while the Pharisees questioned Him about a woman caught in adultery is found in John 8:1-11. This intriguing detail has led to much speculation over what exactly Jesus wrote and why. Though the Bible does not explicitly tell us what He was writing, examining the context provides some helpful insights. The Story of the Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11) The story begins with Jesus teaching in the temple courts in Jerusalem one morning. The scribes and Pharisees interrupt His teaching, bringing a woman they claim was caught in the act of…