The Bible teaches that just as our physical bodies need physical food to survive and thrive, our spiritual selves need spiritual nourishment. God has provided the Bible itself as spiritual food to nourish our inner being and draw us closer to Him. Through studying, meditating on, and applying God’s word, Christians can grow in faith, wisdom, hope, and love. Jesus himself declared that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Here Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3, where Moses taught the Israelites that God was sustaining them in the…
Author: Tim Collings
The tabernacle of Moses was the portable tent-like dwelling that the Israelites used for worship during their time in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. It served as the place where God’s presence dwelled among His people before the building of the temple in Jerusalem. The tabernacle was central to Israelite worship and religious life during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. Here is an in-depth look at the Old Testament tabernacle of Moses: Origin and Purpose of the Tabernacle After God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through mighty miracles and brought them to Mount…
Antitheism refers to active opposition to theism and religion. Antitheists view theism, religious faith, and divinity as harmful to society and human development. The term antitheism was coined in the late 18th century and has gained more widespread use in recent years, as debates over the role of religion in society have become increasingly prominent. Some key things to understand about antitheism: Antitheists See Religion as Harmful Unlike atheists who simply lack a belief in God, antitheists view religion and theistic belief as actively harmful. They make moral and epistemological arguments against faith, contending that religious belief fosters authoritarianism, ignorance,…
The Sanhedrin was the supreme council and tribunal of the Jewish people during the time of Jesus Christ. It was made up of 71 members and was presided over by the high priest. The Sanhedrin exercised authority over all Jewish religious, civil, and criminal matters. The Bible provides some key details about the Sanhedrin: The Sanhedrin was an assembly of elders, scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees who made up the ruling religious council in Jerusalem (Matthew 26:59; Mark 14:55; Acts 5:21). The high priest presided over the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:3, 57; Acts 5:17). The Sanhedrin had the authority to arrest people…
John Wycliffe was an influential 14th century English theologian and philosopher who is considered a forerunner of the Protestant Reformation. He was a vigorous critic of the Catholic Church and some of his ideas anticipated later Protestant doctrines. Here is an overview of Wycliffe’s life and teachings: Background and Early Life John Wycliffe was born around 1330 in Yorkshire, England. Little is known about his early life but he likely came from a family of landowners. He was educated at Oxford University and became a fellow of Merton College in 1356. He spent most of his academic career lecturing on…
The story of the thieves who were crucified next to Jesus is found in Luke 23:39-43. This brief encounter provides important insights about salvation, grace, and the nature of paradise. Examining the details of this story can strengthen our faith and understanding. The Setting of the Story To appreciate the lessons from this account, it’s important to understand the context. Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Luke 23:33). This was a form of public execution and humiliation reserved for the worst criminals. The pain was excruciating. As Jesus hung on the cross, the people mocked and railed against Him (Luke…
Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity. As the Bible tells us, Jesus came to earth as God incarnate, lived a perfect sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again to offer salvation to all who believe in Him. Here are some key reasons why people should believe in Jesus: 1. Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah Throughout the Old Testament, there are over 300 prophecies about the coming Messiah – the savior God promised to send. Jesus fulfilled these prophecies that were written hundreds of years before His birth. For example, Micah…
The period of 400 years between the Old Testament and New Testament is often referred to as the “400 years of silence.” This is the time between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Jesus Christ. During this time, God did not speak to His people through any prophet or inspired writer. The events that took place between the close of the Old Testament canon and the arrival of Christ set the stage for the coming of the Messiah. After the Jewish people returned from the Babylonian exile around 538 BC, they rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem that had been…
The consolation of Israel refers to the hope and comfort that God provides to His people Israel. This hope is rooted in God’s promises and plans for Israel’s future redemption and restoration. The Bible contains many passages that speak of God comforting and consoling His people in the midst of their suffering and exile. A key passage is Isaiah 40:1-2 which says “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”…
The word “bulwark” appears several times in the Bible, referring to a strong defense or fortification against enemy attack. Here is an overview of the biblical meaning and usage of the term “bulwark”: Definition of Bulwark The word “bulwark” refers to a defensive wall or rampart built to protect and fortify a city or stronghold. It provides security and strength against assault. The term comes from the Middle English “bolwerc” and Old French “boulwerk,” meaning an earthwork or fortification. Some synonyms of bulwark include bastion, fortification, rampart, parapet, breastwork, embankment, and earthwork. A bulwark is intended to be a solid…