Psalm 90 is the prayer of Moses, and it contains timeless truths that we can apply to our lives today. This psalm provides perspective on the brevity of life and the eternity of God. It is a sobering meditation on the frailty of human life and the judgment of God. At the same time, it is a plea for God’s compassion and an invitation to live wisely in light of the limits of our earthly existence. The Eternity of God In Psalm 90:1-2, Moses contrasts the eternity of God with the frailty of man: “Lord, you have been our dwelling…
Author: Tim Collings
Hippolytus of Rome was an important figure in the early Christian church during the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries AD. He was a scholar, theologian, and church leader who made significant contributions to the development of doctrine and church governance in the nascent Christian community. Though sometimes controversial due to his rigorist views, Hippolytus was highly influential in his own time and remains an important figure for historians studying the early church. The key facts we know about Hippolytus are that he was a presbyter and theologian in Rome, likely born around 170 AD based on references in his…
The Bible has a lot to say about the interconnectedness of humanity and whether we are all related in some way. Going all the way back to the creation story in Genesis, the Bible establishes that God created humans in His own image and that we all originate from the same first parents, Adam and Eve. According to the biblical genealogies, every human being that has ever lived can trace their ancestry back to this original couple. This shared ancestry is a cornerstone belief for Christians and has profound implications for how we should treat one another. In Acts 17:26,…
Denominationalism refers to the division of Christianity into separate denominations or churches. It emerged over the centuries as disagreements arose over issues of doctrine, church leadership, worship practices, and other matters. Some key aspects of denominationalism include: History and origins – Christianity was originally unified, with all believers part of one church. Over time, schisms and divisions occurred leading to separate denominations. Key dividing issues included authority (e.g. role of the Pope), theology (e.g. transubstantiation), church governance (e.g. episcopal vs congregational polity), worship style (e.g. liturgical vs contemporary), and social issues (e.g. slavery). – The first major split was between…
Benedict of Nursia was an influential Christian monk and founder of Western monasticism who lived in Italy during the late 5th and early 6th centuries. He established a set of rules and guidelines for monastic living that would profoundly shape Western Christianity and institutions for centuries to come. The Bible does not directly discuss Benedict or his life and works. However, his legacy and impact relate deeply to key biblical themes around spiritual disciplines, Christian community, and living a life committed to God. By examining what we know about Benedict and the monastic movement he pioneered, we can better understand…
Sabellianism is a theological doctrine that emerged in the early 3rd century AD concerning the nature of the Godhead and the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sabellianism, also known as modalism or modalistic monarchianism, teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are different modes or aspects of one God, rather than three distinct persons within the Godhead. The main tenet of Sabellianism is that God is singular and indivisible, with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit existing as manifestations or modes of the one God at different times, rather than eternal co-existing persons within the Godhead.…
The verse in Hebrews 9:27 states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” This verse reveals an important biblical truth – that death is an inevitable and one-time appointment for all people. But what exactly does this verse mean when it says “it is appointed unto men once to die”? Let’s explore this topic in detail. Death is Universal Hebrews 9:27 makes it clear that death is a universal human experience – “it is appointed unto men once to die.” Every single person who has ever lived has or will eventually face…
The Immaculate Conception is a Catholic doctrine that teaches that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin. It is one of the key Marian doctrines of the Catholic Church. The Immaculate Conception teaches that Mary was preserved from original sin at the moment of her conception in her mother’s womb. This special grace was given to Mary so she could be a worthy vessel to carry the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is often confused with the Virgin Birth of Jesus, but they are completely separate events. The Immaculate Conception refers…
Gleaning refers to the biblical practice of gathering leftover crops from farmers’ fields after they have been commercially harvested or allowing the poor to harvest for themselves. It was a way of providing for the poor and foreigners in ancient Israelite society. The laws concerning gleaning are found in several places in the Old Testament. Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs farmers: “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the…
The Bible has much to say about the concept of the sin nature. At its core, the sin nature refers to the innate predisposition towards sin that all human beings are born with as a result of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Due to Adam’s original sin of disobedience towards God, all humans since have inherited this bent towards sin. The sin nature is at odds with our original created state of innocence and moral purity, and is the root cause of our alienation from God. The effects of the sin nature are pervasive and far-reaching.…