The terms “sociopath” and “psychopath” refer to individuals who consistently display antisocial and often criminal behaviors, showing little to no regard for right and wrong or empathy toward others. While these terms are not specifically used in the Bible, Scripture has much to say about the mindsets, attitudes, and actions that characterize sociopathic and psychopathic tendencies. 1. Rebellion against God and lack of fear of consequences A core trait of sociopaths and psychopaths is a rejection of moral absolutes and authority figures. This manifests in the Bible as open rebellion against God and His standards. Passages like Romans 1:28-32, 2…
Author: Richard Curi
The Bible has a lot to say about estrangement, which is the state of being alienated or separated from someone, typically a family member. Estrangement can be heartbreaking, leaving people feeling isolated and abandoned. However, Scripture provides wisdom, comfort, and hope for those experiencing this difficult situation. Reasons for Estrangement There are various reasons estrangement can occur according to biblical principles and examples: Sinful behavior – When family members are engaged in destructive lifestyles or relationships which are ungodly, it may be necessary to create distance and set boundaries (1 Corinthians 5:9-11). Unresolved conflict – Letting anger, hurt and offenses…
The practice of holding Sunday evening worship services in addition to Sunday morning services has been common in many Christian churches and denominations over the years. There are several potential reasons why churches may opt to have these extra services. Historical Precedent Historically, Sunday evening services emerged out of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Reformers like John Calvin believed there should be daily preaching and Scriptural teaching throughout the week. But in reality, most churches settled on having at least two services on the Lord’s Day – Sunday morning and evening. Having both allowed for more preaching, singing,…
How should a Christian view bodybuilding / weightlifting? Introduction Bodybuilding and weightlifting have become increasingly popular activities and sports in modern culture. As Christians, it’s important we have a biblical perspective on these practices. What does the Bible say about caring for our physical bodies? Are there principles we can apply regarding physical training? Let’s explore what Scripture teaches on this topic. Our Bodies Are Temples of the Holy Spirit The Bible makes it clear that our bodies belong to God and are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This means we have a stewardship responsibility to care…
I am a Jehovah’s Witness. Why should I consider becoming a Christian? Introduction Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they are Christians. However, there are key differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses and mainstream Christianity that are important to understand. As a Jehovah’s Witness exploring Christianity, it is wise to thoughtfully and prayerfully examine what the Bible says on these topics. This article will provide a high-level overview of some of the main differences, so you can evaluate them objectively according to Scripture. The goal is not to criticize but to inform and present alternative biblical perspectives for consideration. The Identity of Jesus One of…
The Galileans were the people who lived in Galilee, a region in northern Israel. Galilee was known as the traditional homeland of the northern tribes of Israel. Several important biblical events took place in Galilee and involved the Galileans. Some key things to know about the Galileans in the Bible: Jesus grew up in Galilee and did much of his ministry there. He was often referred to as “Jesus of Galilee” (Matthew 26:69). Most of Jesus’ 12 disciples also came from Galilee. The Galileans had a distinctive accent that identified where they were from (Matthew 26:73). They were considered rural…
The question of where Old Testament saints went after death is an interesting one that the Bible does not provide a completely straightforward answer to. Based on various passages, there are a few possible views: They went to Sheol/Hades Several Old Testament passages refer to a place called Sheol or Hades as the destination of the dead. For example: “For a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol, devours the earth and its increase, and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.” (Deuteronomy 32:22) “For in death there is no remembrance of…
King Jehu was an important king of Israel who reigned approximately from 841-814 BC. He was the tenth king of Israel and played a pivotal role in fulfilling God’s judgment against the house of Omri and Ahab. Jehu’s story is found primarily in 2 Kings chapters 9-10. Jehu was initially a military commander under King Joram of Israel. At God’s direction, the prophet Elisha sent one of the sons of the prophets to Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu as king over Israel and declare God’s judgment against the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:1-10). When Jehu told the other commanders what…
The “dark night of the soul” is a concept that comes from 16th century Spanish mystic and poet St. John of the Cross. It refers to a painful and profound spiritual crisis that can occur when someone seeks to grow in intimate union with God. The dark night of the soul is thought to happen in two stages. The first is called the “dark night of the senses.” This involves a painful purging of the appetite for worldly pleasures, in order to deepen devotion to God. The second stage is the “dark night of the spirit,” which is characterized by…
The concept of purgatory is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, some verses have been interpreted by certain Christian denominations as suggesting the existence of an intermediate state after death where souls undergo a final purification before entering heaven. Here is an overview of key biblical passages related to purgatory and how they have been understood: 2 Maccabees 12:42-45 This passage from a Deuterocanonical book accepted as scripture by Catholic and Orthodox Christians describes Judas Maccabeus taking up a collection for a sin offering on behalf of soldiers who had died wearing pagan amulets. The passage implies these soldiers…