The Christian calendar is a system that many Christians use to organize the liturgical year and determine the dates of religious holidays and festivals. The main Christian calendar in widespread use today is based on the life of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels. This calendar divides time into periods such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. Here is an overview of the key features of the Christian liturgical calendar: Origins and Development The roots of the Christian calendar can be traced back to Jewish customs of observing religious festivals and the cycles of nature. Early Christians…
Author: Tim Collings
Genetically modified (GM) foods have become increasingly common over the last few decades. This has prompted questions among Christians about what the Bible says regarding genetically engineering plants and animals. While the Bible does not directly address GM foods, looking at key biblical principles can provide guidance on how Christians should think about this issue. God’s Sovereignty Over Creation The Bible makes it clear that God is the Creator of the universe and everything in it, including plants and animals. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness…
Paul’s letter to the Philippians is known for its joyful and thankful tone despite Paul writing it from prison. The letter opens with Paul offering thanks and prayers for the Philippian church. Specifically, in Philippians 1:3, Paul writes, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” This verse provides insight into Paul’s relationship with the Philippian church and the importance of thanksgiving in the Christian life. The Context of Philippians 1:3 Philippians is one of Paul’s “prison epistles,” meaning he wrote it while imprisoned. Most scholars believe Paul wrote Philippians around AD 60-62 while under house arrest in Rome.…
The topic of what happens to the souls of aborted babies is sensitive and complex. Christians have differing perspectives on this issue, often based on how they interpret certain biblical passages about life beginning at conception, original sin, baptism, and God’s mercy. This article will walk through the key biblical evidence and perspectives, without coming down firmly on one side or the other. Biblical evidence on when life begins A core question is when does life begin according to the Bible? If life and personhood begin at conception, then aborted babies would seem to have souls that exist after death.…
2 Corinthians 1:3 states, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” This verse declares that God is the source and provider of all true comfort. But what exactly does this mean? God Comforts Us in Our Afflictions One key aspect of God being the “God of all comfort” is that He comforts us in our troubles and afflictions. As 2 Corinthians 1:4 continues, “who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort…
Atheism is the lack of belief in any god or gods. Atheists do not believe that any deities exist. The word “atheism” comes from the Greek word “atheos” which means “without god”. Atheism should not be confused with anti-theism, which is an active opposition to belief in God. Atheists simply find insufficient evidence to warrant belief in a divine being. The Bible does not use the term “atheism”, as it originated later in history. However, the Bible is clear that belief in God is expected and that denial of God is foolish. Psalm 14:1 states “The fool says in his…
Should a Christian Go to a Chiropractor? Chiropractic care has become increasingly popular over the past few decades as an alternative treatment for musculoskeletal issues like back and neck pain. However, some Christians have reservations about seeking chiropractic treatment due to concerns about its philosophical roots and techniques. This article will examine what the Bible says (and does not say) about chiropractic care to help Christians make an informed decision about whether or not to visit a chiropractor. What is Chiropractic Care? Chiropractic care focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine.…
The Bible does not explicitly state how tall Adam was. However, we can draw some inferences from the biblical text about his potential height. Here is an in-depth look at what the Bible may suggest about how tall the first man Adam was: In Genesis 1:26-27, God says “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” This implies that Adam was made to physically resemble God and the angels in certain ways. God and angels are described in the Bible as towering, majestic beings. For example, the angel in Daniel 10:5-6 is described as a man dressed in…
Transubstantiation is the belief held by Catholics that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine used for Communion become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation affirms that while the appearances of the bread and wine remain the same, their substance changes to become the real presence of the body and blood of Christ. This belief is based on Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. In these passages, Jesus takes bread and wine and identifies them as his body and blood, telling his disciples…
Dealing with a loved one who abandons the Christian faith can be incredibly difficult and painful. As believers, how should we respond in a godly manner? Here are some biblical principles to keep in mind: Respond with Love, Not Judgment It’s easy to react harshly when someone walks away from what we hold dear. But we must remember that God loves them, even in their doubting state (John 3:16). We too must reflect God’s heart by responding in love, not judgment (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Don’t condemn them for their decision or question their salvation. Show Christ’s compassion. Seek to Understand…