The Bible has a lot to say about how children should relate to their parents and the importance of honoring them. Disrespect towards parents is viewed as a serious offense in Scripture. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles regarding disrespectful children: Children are commanded to honor and obey their parents One of the Ten Commandments given by God is “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). This commandment comes with a promise of blessing for those who uphold it.…
Author: Richard Curi
Marcionism was an early Christian theological system founded by Marcion of Sinope around 144 AD. Marcion believed that the wrathful Old Testament God was a separate and lower entity than the all-forgiving God of the New Testament. As a result, Marcion rejected the Old Testament and much of the New Testament, only accepting the Gospel of Luke and some of Paul’s epistles. Marcion taught that the Old Testament God, known as the Demiurge, was the creator of the material universe and therefore inherently flawed. The Demiurge was seen as a jealous and angry tribal deity of the Jews concerned only…
The passage in Hosea 11:1 that says “out of Egypt I called my son” has been interpreted by some as a Messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ. However, careful examination of the context and Hebrew language used indicates this verse is not specifically predictive of the Messiah, but rather refers back to Israel’s exodus from Egypt under Moses. Hosea 11:1 states: “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” This verse falls within a larger passage of Hosea 11 where God is reflecting on His relationship with Israel. Verses 1-4 recount God’s…
The Parable of the Ten Minas is told by Jesus in Luke 19:11-27. It is a parable about faithfulness, stewardship, and accountability. Here is a summary of the parable: A man of noble birth called ten of his servants and gave each of them one mina (which was worth about three months’ wages). He told them to put the money to work until he returned. After some time, the nobleman returned and called his servants to give an account of how they had used the money entrusted to them. One servant had earned ten minas, another five minas, but a…
The firstfruits offering was a sacred offering commanded by God in the Old Testament. It was an offering of the first and best fruits of the harvest to God, recognizing Him as the provider of all blessings (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). The first mention of the firstfruits offering is in Exodus 23:19: “The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God.” The term “firstfruits” indicates the first and best portion of the harvest. Giving the firstfruits recognized that the entire harvest belongs to God and is from His provision. Leviticus 23 outlines…
The pentagram, or five-pointed star, has long been surrounded by mystery, magic and superstition. Its origins date back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia where it was used as a symbol representing the five known planets at the time – Mercury, Mars, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter. Through the ages, the pentagram’s meaning has evolved and taken on both positive and negative connotations depending on the culture and belief system. The name ‘pentagram’ comes from the Greek word ‘penta’ meaning five, and ‘gramma’ meaning letter or drawing. So it literally translates to ‘five lines’ referring to the five points of the…
The beloved bedtime prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep” is not found verbatim in the Bible. However, the prayer expresses biblical themes of God’s protection and care. While the exact origin of this prayer is unknown, it likely emerged sometime in the 18th or 19th century. Let’s explore what the Bible does say about rest, prayer, and entrusting ourselves to God’s care as we sleep. Themes in the Prayer Aligned with Biblical Teaching Though not quoted directly, “Now I lay me down to sleep” resonates with several biblical ideas: Asking for God’s protection – “If I die before…
The Apocalypse of Peter is an early Christian text of unknown authorship which describes the visionary journey of the apostle Peter through heaven and hell. It likely dates to the second century AD and was considered scripture by some early Christians, though it was eventually excluded from the biblical canon. The text purports to record revelations given to Peter by Jesus about the fate of souls after death. It contains vivid descriptions of the torments of the damned in hell contrasted with the bliss of the righteous in heaven. The Apocalypse of Peter exercised significant influence over the development of…
A living will, also known as an advance directive, is a legal document that allows a person to make known their wishes regarding medical treatments they do or do not want to receive in case they become unable to communicate due to illness or incapacity. While the Bible does not specifically mention living wills, it does provide guidance on how Christians should approach difficult medical decisions and end-of-life care. Here are some key principles from Scripture on what the Bible says about having a living will: 1. Life is a gift from God that should be valued The Bible teaches…
Brotherly kindness refers to the love, care, and compassion that Christians are called to have for their fellow believers in Christ. It is one of the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 that Christians should make every effort to add to their faith. The Greek word translated as “brotherly kindness” is philadelphia, which literally means “love of brothers/sisters.” This special bond of love and unity is meant to exist between those who are spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible has a lot to say about how Christians should demonstrate brotherly kindness toward one another. Here are some key…