R. A. Torrey was an influential American evangelist and Christian writer who lived from 1856 to 1928. He served as the superintendent of Moody Bible Institute and pastored several influential churches during his lifetime. Torrey was known for his staunch defense of the fundamentals of the Christian faith and his passionate preaching calling people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Some key facts about R. A. Torrey’s life and ministry include: He was born on January 28, 1856 in Hoboken, New Jersey. He studied at Yale University and graduated in 1875. During his time at Yale he rejected the…
Author: Tim Collings
The statement “salvation is from the Jews” is found in John 4:22, spoken by Jesus to the Samaritan woman at the well. This single verse has been the source of much discussion and debate over the centuries as to its exact meaning and implications. To fully understand this verse, it’s important to look at the broader context of the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman recorded in John 4:1-26. Jesus was traveling through Samaria, where He stopped at Jacob’s well and encountered a Samaritan woman who had come to draw water. Jesus engaged her in a discussion about living…
Throughout church history, there have been many heresies and misunderstandings regarding the doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity refers to the biblical teaching that there is one God who exists eternally in three co-equal and co-eternal persons – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This doctrine is clearly presented in Scripture but has often been distorted or denied. Some of the major Trinitarian heresies include: Modalism Modalism teaches that God is one person who has manifested Himself in three different “modes” at different times. Rather than three distinct persons, modalists believe that God…
The foundation of the Christian faith has been a topic of much debate and discussion throughout church history. At the core of this debate is the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Bible. Are Christians to build their faith primarily on Jesus or on the Bible? Is one more foundational than the other? This article will examine what the Bible itself has to say about this important question. The Centrality of Jesus Christ There can be no doubt that Jesus Christ is absolutely central to the Christian faith. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.…
John 3:17 is a profound and important verse that gives insight into God’s love and purpose in sending Jesus Christ into the world. The verse reads, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” This reveals a key aspect of Christ’s mission – that He came not to condemn, but to save. To fully understand the meaning of this verse, it is helpful to examine the background context. John 3 records a nighttime conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and religious leader.…
In the Old Testament, God gives commands regarding which animals are clean and can be eaten, and which are unclean and prohibited from being eaten. This distinction between clean and unclean animals is first introduced in Genesis 7:2, when Noah is instructed to take seven pairs of all clean animals and one pair of all unclean animals onto the ark. However, the specific characteristics distinguishing clean and unclean animals are laid out in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. There are four main categories of animals: land animals, aquatic animals, birds, and insects. Land animals must chew the cud and have…
Being spiritually minded is an important concept in the Bible, particularly emphasized by the apostle Paul in Romans 8:6, which says “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” But what does it actually look like to be spiritually minded in practical daily living? At its core, being spiritually minded means having your mind focused on spiritual things rather than worldly or fleshly things. It means making decisions based on biblical principles and seeking to please God rather than pleasing yourself or going along with the…
Ashtoreth was a goddess worshipped in ancient near eastern religions, specifically among the Canaanites, Phoenicians, and Greeks. She was associated with fertility, sexuality, and war. Her name is mentioned often in the Hebrew Bible, where she is portrayed as a false idol. The worship of Ashtoreth is forbidden and condemned in biblical texts. However, understanding the significance of Ashtoreth provides insight into ancient near eastern religions and culture, as well as the religious climate ancient Israel encountered. Ashtoreth is commonly identified with the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar. Ishtar was the primary female deity in Babylonian and Assyrian religion. She represented love,…
The meaning of the word “marvel” in the Bible The word “marvel” appears many times throughout the Bible, especially in the King James Version. It can have slightly different meanings depending on the context, but generally refers to something that evokes awe, wonder, and amazement. Let’s explore some of the key ways this word is used in Scripture: Something Supernatural or Miraculous Perhaps the most common usage of “marvel” in the Bible is in reference to miracles, signs, wonders, and other supernatural acts of God. When Jesus turned water into wine, the guests at the wedding feast “marveled” at this…
Psalm 22 is a Messianic psalm written by King David that prophetically points to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Verse 20 of this psalm says, “Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog.” This verse is speaking poetically of David’s enemies that surrounded him, seeking to destroy him. However, it also foreshadows the forces of evil led by Satan that surrounded Jesus at the cross. The “power of the dog” in this verse refers to forces of spiritual darkness, led by Satan, that were ultimately behind the human…
