The Bible provides some details about the height and size of the Philistine giant named Goliath, who was killed in battle by the young David, future king of Israel. While we don’t have an exact height measurement, the Biblical text gives us clues that allow us to estimate Goliath’s extraordinary stature. The most detailed description of Goliath’s height is found in 1 Samuel 17:4: And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. A cubit was a standard unit of length in the ancient Near…
Author: Richard Curi
Shimei is a person mentioned several times in the Old Testament books of 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles. He was a member of the house of Saul and is best known for cursing King David when David was fleeing from his son Absalom. Here is an overview of the key biblical passages about Shimei: Shimei Curses David – 2 Samuel 16:5-13 This incident occurs when David is fleeing from his rebellious son Absalom. As David reaches Bahurim, a man from the family of Saul named Shimei comes out cursing him. He accuses David of being a “man of…
The question of whether a Christian should own weapons is a complex one that requires careful examination of scripture. There are various perspectives on this issue within Christianity. Ultimately, one’s stance comes down to how one interprets key biblical passages on violence, self-defense, and living at peace with others. On one side of the debate are those who believe that weapons have no place in the life of a follower of Christ. They point to Jesus’ teachings on nonviolence and turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), as well as His rebuke of Peter for using a sword to strike the…
The Pool of Siloam is mentioned a few times in the Bible, mostly in the New Testament. It was a pool located in the City of David, just south of the original city of Jerusalem. The pool served as a major water source for the inhabitants of Jerusalem and played an important role in Jesus’ ministry. Here is an overview of the key events that took place at the Pool of Siloam according to the Bible: 1. Jesus healed a man born blind there One of the most well-known stories about the Pool of Siloam is when Jesus healed a…
Here are some common questions people have about the biblical book of 2 Peter: Who wrote 2 Peter? 2 Peter identifies the author as the apostle Peter (2 Peter 1:1). There has been some debate about whether Peter actually wrote this letter, but most conservative scholars believe Peter is indeed the author. The style, language, and themes of 2 Peter are consistent with Peter’s authorship. When was 2 Peter written? Most scholars believe 2 Peter was written between A.D. 60-68, shortly before Peter’s martyrdom under Emperor Nero. The epistle reflects an expectation of Peter’s impending death (2 Peter 1:14). The…
The Key of Solomon is a grimoire, or book of magic spells and rituals, attributed to King Solomon. It likely originated in the 14th or 15th century and contains instructions for conjuring spirits and performing divination and hexes. The text is divided into two books focused on white and black magic. Though supposedly written by Solomon, the work is pseudepigraphical – meaning the author is unknown but attributed it to a famous figure. The Key of Solomon draws on various occult traditions and magical practices such as astrology, Kabbalah, and Christianity. Its contents cover topics like exorcism, oaths and conjurations…
Questions about 2 Timothy 2 Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles written by the apostle Paul to Timothy, his “beloved child” in the faith. This letter contains Paul’s encouragements, instructions, and warnings to the young Timothy as he continues to shepherd the church in Ephesus. Here are some common questions people have about 2 Timothy: 1. Who wrote 2 Timothy? 2 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul shortly before his martyrdom in Rome around AD 67. This is clear from the first verse where Paul identifies himself as the author (2 Timothy 1:1). Though some scholars have questioned…
Here are some common questions people have about the book of 2 Thessalonians in the Bible: Who wrote 2 Thessalonians? 2 Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul. In the opening of the letter, Paul identifies himself as the author along with Silas and Timothy (2 Thessalonians 1:1). When was 2 Thessalonians written? Scholars believe 2 Thessalonians was written around 51-52 AD, making it one of Paul’s earliest letters. Paul wrote it shortly after writing 1 Thessalonians, likely within a few months. The occasion was to clear up some confusion the Thessalonian church had about end times doctrine. What is…
Catholicism and Christianity have a close historical and theological relationship. Many Catholics consider themselves to be Christians already. However, there are some key differences between Catholic and Protestant Christian beliefs that are worth examining for someone considering moving from Catholicism to a Protestant Christian faith. Understanding salvation One of the core differences between Catholicism and Protestant Christianity is on the doctrine of salvation. According to Catholic teaching, salvation is achieved through faith and good works. This includes participation in the sacraments, going to confession, saying certain prayers, and living a righteous life (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992). In contrast,…
The book of Galatians is one of the most important books in the New Testament. Written by the apostle Paul likely around 49 AD, it addresses several key theological issues that were present in the early church. Here are some common questions people have about the book of Galatians: What is the major theme of Galatians? The major theme of Galatians is justification by faith alone. Paul wrote this letter to combat the false teaching that Christians must obey the Old Testament law and Jewish customs in order to be saved. Throughout the letter, Paul argues vigorously that people are…