A chaplain is a clergy member who provides spiritual and pastoral care in a variety of settings outside of a traditional church ministry. Chaplains can be found serving in the military, in hospitals and hospices, in prisons, in schools and universities, in sports teams, and in other community organizations. The role of a chaplain is to provide spiritual counsel and support to those they serve. They offer guidance during major life events and crises, lead religious services, perform sacraments or ordinances, and provide a compassionate presence in times of need. Chaplains aim to meet the diverse spiritual needs of the…
Author: Richard Curi
The Intelligent Design theory asserts that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection. Advocates of intelligent design argue that naturalistic explanations for the origin and development of biological systems are inadequate. Instead, they argue that an intelligent agent best explains certain complex structures in living organisms. The Intelligent Design theory begins with observations of the natural world. Proponents point to examples of “irreducible complexity,” where they claim that certain biological systems could not have evolved through slight successive modifications. The bacterial flagellum, blood…
The possibility of a believer losing or renouncing their faith is a complex theological issue with differing perspectives among Christians. At the heart of the matter is the question of whether salvation, once received through faith in Christ, can be lost. Those who believe salvation cannot be lost emphasize God’s sovereignty, the permanence of the new birth, and the sealing work of the Holy Spirit. However, others point to warnings in Scripture against falling away and exhortations to continue in the faith as evidence that believers can turn from Christ and reject salvation. While views differ, all agree it is…
The “Big Bang” theory is the prevailing cosmological model for the universe’s early development. It states that the universe originated approximately 13.8 billion years ago from an extremely dense and hot state that expanded rapidly and cooled down over time. This expansion continues today as galaxies drift apart. While the Big Bang theory explains much about the universe’s origin and evolution, it does not directly address how the universe first came into being or what existed before the Big Bang itself. The Bible presents a very different account of the universe’s origins. According to Genesis 1, “In the beginning, God…
The phrase “right hand of fellowship” appears in Galatians 2:9, which says: “and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.” This verse refers to an important meeting between the apostle Paul and the leaders of the early church in Jerusalem. Let’s break down the meaning and significance of this verse: The Context of Galatians 2 Galatians 2 describes a meeting between Paul and the “pillars”…
Prayer beads, also known as rosary beads, are used by various religious traditions as an aid in prayer and meditation. The use of prayer beads dates back thousands of years and can be found in many cultures and faiths including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and others. In Christianity, prayer beads are commonly used in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. The rosary is the most well-known form of prayer beads used by Catholics. The rosary consists of five sets of ten beads (known as decades), with additional larger beads separating the decades. The Hail Mary prayer is recited on each of…
Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas, was a Jewish sorcerer who appears in the New Testament book of Acts. His story is recounted in Acts 13:6-12. According to Acts, Paul and Barnabas encountered Bar-Jesus when they visited the island of Cyprus to spread the gospel. They came to the city of Paphos, where the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus lived. Sergius Paulus summoned Paul and Barnabas because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Bar-Jesus (described as a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet) was with Sergius Paulus and tried to turn him away from the faith. The Bible says Bar-Jesus…
Sleep is a vital part of God’s design for our bodies and overall health. Though the Bible does not directly address why we need sleep, it provides principles and examples that reveal the purpose and importance of getting adequate rest. Sleep Allows Our Bodies to Be Renewed Sleep is a time for our bodies and minds to rejuvenate and restore themselves. When we sleep, our bodies heal, grow muscle, repair tissue, and release hormones that are essential for growth and development. The Bible compares our need for renewal through sleep to the cycles of nature: “He commanded and they were…
Supernaturalism is the belief that there exists realities or beings that are beyond the observable natural world and its laws. In a Christian context, supernaturalism affirms the existence of God, angels, demons, and other spiritual beings described in the Bible that have capabilities beyond those limited by natural laws and human comprehension. The Bible presents a supernaturalistic worldview from start to finish. According to the Bible, God created the natural world but exists outside of it and not subject to its physical laws (Genesis 1:1). As the all-powerful, eternal Creator, God’s nature and capabilities are beyond human understanding. The Bible…
The verse in Matthew 24:13 states: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” This verse comes in the context of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, where He is answering His disciples’ questions about the signs of the end times and His second coming. In this passage, Jesus warns that difficult times are coming for believers, including persecution, false prophets, lawlessness, and falling away. It will be a time of great tribulation, but Jesus encourages His followers to stand firm in their faith despite these trials. The one who perseveres through hardship and remains faithful will be saved. There…