The Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), is a Christian religious denomination that emerged in the Latter Day Saint movement. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about this group: History and Origins The Community of Christ has its origins in the larger Latter Day Saint movement started by Joseph Smith in the 1830s. After Smith was killed in 1844, there was a succession crisis over who should lead the church. A faction believed Smith’s son, Joseph Smith III, was his rightful successor when he came of…
Author: Richard Curi
The books of Daniel and Revelation contain some perplexing references to different time periods during a time of great tribulation and persecution. Specifically, these books mention 1,260 days, 1,290 days, and 1,335 days. Understanding the meaning behind these varying time periods requires careful study of the biblical text. First, it is important to understand that in biblical prophecy, days often represent years. The prophets frequently used the term “day” symbolically to refer to a “year” of actual time (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34). This principle helps make sense of the prophetic time periods in Daniel and Revelation. The 1,260 days (or…
The book of Ecclesiastes contains the reflections and teachings of a wise king who examines the meaning and purpose of life. In the final chapter, the author, often referred to as “the Preacher”, summarizes his findings with the famous declaration that “all is vanity.” This phrase indicates the Preacher’s perspective that much of human endeavor and achievement is ultimately meaningless and futile. To properly understand this conclusion, we must examine the reasoning and context behind it within the book of Ecclesiastes. Throughout his reflections, the Preacher explores various human pursuits – pleasure, work, wealth, wisdom – only to find them…
The title “Ancient of Days” is used for God in Daniel 7:9, 13, 22. It’s a meaningful moniker used in Scripture to help us understand some of God’s attributes and character more fully. Let’s explore the meaning, significance, and implications of this title for our own lives. Meaning and Origin of the Title In Daniel 7, Daniel has a prophetic vision of God seated on His throne in heaven. In verses 9 and 13, God is specifically called the “Ancient of Days” in the original Aramaic. The Hebrew word translated here as “ancient” literally means “advanced in days” or “aged.”…
The topic of Bible prophecy and the end times has fascinated Christians for centuries. Many spend time trying to analyze biblical prophecies and correlate them to current events in an effort to determine if any of the foretold events have come to pass. Looking at what the Bible says about the end times and seeing if any of the events prophesied have already occurred can give us insight into where we are on God’s prophetic timeline. The Regathering of Israel One major end times prophecy that has clearly already been fulfilled is the regathering of the nation of Israel. After…
The main differences between Catholics and Protestants have to do with issues of authority, tradition, salvation, and worship. Here is an overview of some of the key differences: Authority Catholics believe the Pope, who is based in Vatican City, has authority over all Catholics worldwide. Protestants reject papal authority and instead believe authority comes from the Bible alone (a principle called sola scriptura in Latin). Catholics also consider church tradition equally important to biblical authority, while Protestants generally reject tradition and follow the Bible alone. Salvation Catholics believe salvation comes through faith and good works. This includes participation in church…
Stewardship is a biblical concept that refers to the responsibility of humans to manage, oversee, and take care of all that God has entrusted to them. The Bible makes it clear that everything we have – our time, talents, treasures, and the earth itself – belongs to God. As His stewards, we are called to be faithful in how we use and care for these good gifts. Stewardship encompasses many aspects of the Christian life. Stewardship of Creation In Genesis 1:28, God gives mankind dominion over the earth and instructs them to subdue and rule over it. This implies a…
The Bible does not directly address the topic of radiometric dating, as this modern scientific method was not developed until the 20th century. However, the Bible does provide a framework for understanding the age of the earth that can help Christians evaluate claims made by radiometric dating. Simply put, radiometric dating aims to estimate the age of rocks and fossils by measuring the amounts of certain radioactive elements and their decay products. Old earth proponents claim that radiometric dating proves the earth to be billions of years old. However, young earth creationists offer several critiques of radiometric dating and argue…
Sin is a universal human problem. We all struggle with temptation and giving in to sinful desires. This can leave us feeling ashamed, guilty, and distant from God. But the Bible offers hope and a path to victory over sin through faith in Jesus Christ. The key to victory begins with recognizing that we cannot overcome sin on our own. No matter how good our intentions, we will fail without God’s power working within us. Romans 7:18-19 explains, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire…
The Society of Jesus, more commonly known as the Jesuits, is a religious order within the Catholic Church. It was founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola and since then has played an influential role in the Counter-Reformation and in the evangelization of peoples around the world. In this approximately 9,000 word article, we will examine the history, beliefs, and practices of the Jesuits and try to understand who they are and what they stand for. Some key topics that will be covered include: The early history and founding of the Jesuits by Ignatius of Loyola The Jesuit Constitutions and…