The Holy Trinity refers to the Christian doctrine that God exists as three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – in one divine being. This central mystery of the Christian faith has been illustrated in various ways throughout history to try to make it more understandable to people. Here are some of the more well-known illustrations that have been used to depict the Trinity: The Shamrock One of the most popular illustrations of the Trinity is the shamrock, a three-leaf clover native to Ireland. According to tradition, St. Patrick used the shamrock in his teachings to explain the Trinity…
Author: Richard Curi
The verse “Give me neither poverty nor riches” comes from Proverbs 30:8, which states in full: “Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me.” This verse expresses a prayer for God to provide just what is needed – not too little, but also not too much. The surrounding context shows this is a prayer rooted in wisdom. The previous verses affirm trusting in God’s word as pure and true (v.5-6), while the following verses show the danger of becoming self-sufficient and denying God if one…
Hebrews 12:2 says, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” This verse highlights several key ideas about Jesus and how he should be the focus and motivation of our faith. Jesus as the pioneer of faith The verse describes Jesus as the “pioneer” of faith. A pioneer is someone who goes before others to prepare the way and lead. Jesus did this in two key ways: 1. He lived a perfect…
The topic of whether it is biblically acceptable for a man to be a stay-at-home dad while his wife works outside the home is one that lacks a definitive answer based on explicit biblical teachings. There are arguments on both sides of the issue, and Christians have differing perspectives on this. Ultimately, Scripture does not directly address the modern concept of a stay-at-home dad role. However, there are some biblical principles that can provide wisdom for couples considering this family dynamic. Those who argue it is biblically acceptable point to passages about mutual submission between husbands and wives (Ephesians 5:21),…
Seeking after signs and wonders is a phenomenon that has been prevalent since ancient times. Even in the Bible, we see examples of people asking for signs from God or being drawn to supernatural displays of power. There are several potential reasons why this tendency persists today: 1. Human nature is attracted to the mystical and miraculous As human beings, we tend to be fascinated by things that seem to defy or go beyond the natural order and physical laws that govern our universe. Mysteries intrigue our minds, and displays of supernatural power speak to our sense of awe and…
Compatibilism is the view that God’s sovereignty and human free will can coexist. This has been a major debate among theologians for centuries. At the heart of the debate is whether God’s sovereignty eliminates human free will and responsibility. God’s Sovereignty in Scripture The Bible clearly teaches that God is absolutely sovereign over everything that happens. Nothing occurs outside of His divine will and purpose. Here are some key passages on God’s sovereignty: Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel…
A wilderness experience refers to a time of isolation, challenge, and dependence on God. In the Bible, the wilderness is often portrayed as a place of spiritual testing and growth. Some key aspects of a biblical wilderness experience include: A Time of Separation Wilderness experiences involve a season of separation from normal life. Biblical figures like Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jesus spent intentional time alone in the wilderness, away from the hustle and comfort of community (Exodus 3:1, 1 Samuel 23:14, 1 Kings 19:4, Matthew 4:1). For them, the wilderness marked a transition between seasons and called…
The phrase “take the plank out of your own eye” comes from Matthew 7:3-5 in the Bible, where Jesus says: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” This teaching is often…
The Moabites were a people group that descended from Lot’s son Moab, as described in Genesis 19:37. They settled in the Transjordanian plateau after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, establishing their homeland north of the Arnon River. The Moabites worshipped the god Chemosh and were often in conflict with the Israelites throughout biblical history. The first mention of the Moabites in the Bible is in Genesis 19, where Lot’s daughters got their father drunk and had relations with him after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The elder daughter gave birth to Moab, progenitor of the Moabites (Gen 19:37).…
The law of Christ refers to the commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ that his followers are called to obey. Christ himself summarized the law of Christ when he said “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). The core principles of the law of Christ are love for God and love for others. This goes beyond external…