The New Testament consists of 27 books written by nine different authors. The traditional view is that most of the New Testament was written by the apostles of Jesus or their close associates. The Gospels and Acts were likely written by Matthew, John, Luke and Mark who were among Jesus’ twelve disciples. Thirteen of the epistles or letters were traditionally attributed to the apostle Paul who had a dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus after Jesus’ crucifixion. The remaining eight general epistles were written by several apostles including Peter, James and John. While the authorship of some books…
Author: Richard Curi
The verse “you have not because you ask not” comes from James 4:2 in the Bible. It is part of a larger passage where James is rebuking Christians for living worldly lives and fighting among themselves. The specific context is within a call to repentance and humility before God. The full verse reads: “You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2) There are a few key points we can draw from this verse:…
Fertility cults are religious practices that revolve around promoting fertility, both in humans and in nature. They were common in many ancient cultures and often involved the worship of mother goddesses or gods associated with agriculture and fertility. In the Bible, fertility cults are often condemned as idolatrous and immoral. Worshiping false gods like Baal or Asherah instead of the one true God was strictly forbidden. Practices like temple prostitution were also forbidden as sexually immoral. However, the Bible also uses agricultural and marital imagery positively as metaphors for God’s covenant relationship with Israel. Some key aspects of ancient fertility…
Psalm 91:4 states, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” This beautiful metaphor speaks to the protective comfort and care God provides for those who trust in him. Let’s explore the meaning behind taking refuge under God’s wings. The imagery of wings Throughout Scripture, God is described as protecting His people under the shadow or shelter of His wings. This imagery emphasizes the closeness and intimacy we can have with God as we draw near to Him. Just as a mother hen gathers her…
This is an interesting question that many Bible readers have pondered. In Mark 2:26, Jesus refers to Abiathar as the high priest when David entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence. However, 1 Samuel 21 indicates that Ahimelech was the high priest at that time, not Abiathar. There are a few possible explanations for this apparent discrepancy: 1. Jesus is referring to the broader high priestly line Some scholars suggest that Jesus is not naming the specific high priest, but rather referring to the high priestly line that Abiathar belonged to. After Ahimelech was killed…
Being an ambassador for Christ means being a representative of Jesus Christ and living according to His teachings and example. As Christians, we are called to be Christ’s ambassadors and share the message of salvation with others (2 Corinthians 5:20). This article will explore in detail what the Bible says about being an ambassador for Christ and how we can live that out practically. Reflecting Christ’s Character One key aspect of being an ambassador for Christ is reflecting His character in our own lives. As representatives of Jesus, we must demonstrate His love, grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, patience, humility, integrity,…
Philippians 3:19 is a sobering verse that describes a certain group of people whose end is destruction and who stand in contrast to faithful Christians. In this verse, Paul says this group of people, “whose god is their belly.” This phrase is crucial for understanding who Paul is referring to here. In the broader context of Philippians 3, Paul is warning the Philippian Christians against false teachers who were promoting human effort and works as the means to salvation rather than faith in Christ (Phil 3:2-6). These false teachers were essentially making their appetites and desires like a “god” that…
The Tribulation refers to a future 7-year period of great suffering and turmoil that will take place prior to Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. The Tribulation is described in detail in the biblical prophetic books, especially in Revelation chapters 6-19. Here is an overview of key events that will occur during this 7-year period: The Rapture The Tribulation period will begin when Jesus Christ removes his church (all true believers in Christ) from the earth in an event known as the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This will likely cause chaos and panic around the world as millions of people suddenly disappear.…
Worship is a central part of the Christian faith. Christians are called to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The Bible provides guidance on how worship services should be structured and conducted. Here are some key ingredients that contribute to a biblical worship service: Prayer Prayer is vital to any Christian gathering. Worship services should begin with prayer, seeking God’s presence and asking for guidance (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Throughout the service, prayers of praise, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication align our hearts with God’s will. Times of silent prayer allow reflection. Prayer demonstrates our dependence on God. Singing…
The “God gene” refers to research that has attempted to identify genetic factors that may influence spirituality or belief in God. The idea first gained attention in 2004 when molecular biologist Dean Hamer published a book titled “The God Gene: How Faith is Hardwired into our Genes.” Hamer argued that human spirituality has a genetic basis related to genes that regulate neurotransmitters in the brain. Specifically, he proposed that the VMAT2 gene might contribute to feelings of self-transcendence. However, Hamer’s claims have been controversial and the research is inconclusive. From a Christian perspective, the “God gene” hypothesis does not disprove…