Catharism was a Christian dualist or Gnostic movement between the 12th and 14th centuries in Southern Europe, particularly what is now northern Italy and southern France. The name comes from the Greek word katharos meaning “pure.” Catharism originated in Persia and spread to Europe by the 12th century. At its height, Catharism was extremely popular and a major threat to the Roman Catholic Church. The Cathars rejected the material world and believed in reincarnation. They also rejected the Old Testament and Catholic practices like the Eucharist, baptism, and marriage. The Catholic Church declared Catharism heretical and launched the Albigensian Crusade…
Author: Richard Curi
The statement “outside the church there is no salvation” is a controversial one that has been debated throughout church history. At its core, this statement affirms that salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ, and that the church is Christ’s body on earth through which salvation is mediated to the world. However, there are differing perspectives on how exclusive this mediation is. Here is an overview of the key points surrounding this topic: The Church as the Body of Christ The New Testament presents the church as the body of Christ on earth (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). It is…
Chakras are energy centers in the body according to ancient Hindu texts and beliefs. The word “chakra” means “wheel” in Sanskrit, reflecting the concept that chakras are swirling vortices of energy. There are said to be 7 main chakras located along the spine, starting from the base of the spine and going up to the crown of the head. According to Hindu tradition, chakras can become blocked or imbalanced due to stress, emotional turmoil, physical injury or disease. When the chakras are balanced and open, vital energy can flow freely through the body, promoting optimal physical and mental health. An…
The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is one of the most foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Though not explicitly stated in the earliest creeds, it has been an essential tenet affirmed by the vast majority of Christians throughout history. Why is the virgin birth so important to Christian theology and practice? First, the virgin birth is important because it shows that salvation comes from the Lord (Jonah 2:9). The birth of Jesus was a miraculous work of God, not dependent on any human effort or will. Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus by the power of the…
Textual Criticism – What is it? Textual criticism is the study of manuscripts of the Bible with the goal of determining the original wording of the biblical texts. It involves comparing differences between biblical manuscripts to identify errors and variations that were introduced over time through copying, as well as attempting to reconstruct the original text of the Bible. The Need for Textual Criticism Textual criticism is needed because we do not possess the original documents that make up the books of the Bible. The original manuscripts, called autographs, have been lost to history. What we have are thousands of…
The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. When studying the Bible in depth, especially for teaching or preaching, knowledge of the original languages can provide additional insight into the meaning of the text. However, for the average Christian reading the Bible devotionally, knowledge of the original languages is not essential. Here are some key considerations on the importance of knowing Greek and Hebrew when studying the Bible: 1. Most Bible translations accurately convey the original meaning While no translation is perfect, most major English Bible translations (such as ESV, NASB, NIV, NKJV, etc.) are very accurate and…
Marriage can indeed be very difficult at times. In fact, some may wonder if the challenges are even worth it. However, the Bible has much to say about the value and purpose of marriage. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles regarding marriage and why it is worth pursuing despite the difficulties. Marriage Is God’s Design Genesis 2:18 states that God decided it was not good for man to be alone, so He created woman to be a companion and helper for him. God designed marriage between a man and woman even before sin entered the world. Therefore,…
The Olivet Discourse refers to Jesus’ teaching on the Mount of Olives, as recorded in Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21. In this discourse, Jesus responds to questions from his disciples about the destruction of the temple, the end times, and the signs of his second coming. The setting of the discourse is important. As Jesus leaves the temple, his disciples point out the magnificence of the temple buildings. But Jesus responds that the temple will be destroyed, with “not one stone left upon another” (Matthew 24:2). The disciples then ask Jesus privately when this will happen, and what…
2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” This verse comes in the context of Paul discussing a “thorn in the flesh” that was given to him to keep him humble. God told Paul that His grace was enough to help Paul through this trial. Paul responded that he would boast in his weaknesses so that people would see God’s power at work through…
Passive-aggressive behavior is unfortunately common in many relationships. It often stems from an inability or unwillingness to directly address conflict. People may resort to passive-aggressive actions as a way to express their frustration or resentment in a roundabout manner. The Bible does not directly address passive-aggressive behavior. However, it provides principles and examples that can help us understand how to handle conflict in a godly way. Looking at what Scripture says about speech, anger, forgiveness, and unity can give insight into dealing with passive-aggression. The Importance of Direct Speech The Bible encourages speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Passive-aggressive…