Muscular Christianity is a philosophical movement that originated in England in the mid-19th century which emphasized moral character building through athleticism and discipline. The movement gained popularity during the Victorian era as a way to counter perceived feminine qualities in Christianity and society at the time. It promoted the development of both physical strength and spiritual strength as complements to one another. The term “muscular Christianity” comes from a review of a 1857 novel by Anglican priest and author Charles Kingsley titled “Two Years Ago”. The reviewer described Kingsley’s message as promoting the development of a more masculine, muscular form…
Author: Tim Collings
Should a Christian be Patriotic? The question of whether a Christian should be patriotic often elicits strong and divided opinions. At its core, it is a question about the relationship between our citizenship in an earthly nation and our citizenship in God’s eternal kingdom. A thoughtful examination of Scripture reveals principles that can guide Christians as they wrestle with what it means to be patriotic citizens of both realms. Ultimately, the Bible calls believers to prioritize their allegiance to Jesus Christ and his kingdom above any earthly realm (Philippians 3:20). However, this does not mean that Christians cannot or should…
The topic of the narrow gate is an important one in the Bible, as Jesus himself declares in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Here, Jesus makes it clear that the path to eternal life is narrow and difficult, while the path to destruction is wide and easy. But what exactly does He mean by this?…
The existence of God is a question that has been debated for centuries. While there are many philosophical arguments on both sides, the Bible provides compelling evidence that God does exist. Here is a summary of some of the key biblical arguments for God’s existence: 1. The Cosmological Argument The cosmological argument states that everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist at the Big Bang, so it must have a cause. This First Cause or Prime Mover can only be God (Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 3:4). The natural world displays incredible complexity and design, which…
Body piercings have become increasingly popular in modern culture, especially among young people. However, many Christians wonder what the Bible has to say about piercing one’s body. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles related to body piercings: The body belongs to God The Bible teaches that our bodies are not ultimately our own, but they belong to God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So…
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person, typically given at their funeral. The word “eulogy” comes from the Greek words “eu” meaning “well” and “logos” meaning “word.” A eulogy seeks to honor the deceased by highlighting their life and character. The Bible does not use the specific word “eulogy,” but it contains many examples of eulogy-like speeches praising both the living and the dead. Genesis contains eulogies for Abraham and Jacob, describing them as fathers of great nations (Gen. 17:5; 35:11). The book of Hebrews eulogizes many heroes of the faith like Abel, Enoch, Noah,…
The Bible refers to both Jesus Christ and Satan as the “morning star” in different contexts. Understanding the meaning behind these references requires looking at the original language used and the broader context of the passages where these terms appear. Jesus as the Morning Star In Revelation 22:16, Jesus declares “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The phrase “bright morning star” here is a translation of the Greek word “phosphoros”. In ancient Greek mythology, Phosphoros was the…
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is told by Jesus in Luke 18:9-14. It’s a story that contrasts two different attitudes in prayer and highlights the importance of humility before God. Here is a summary of the parable: There were two men who went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisees were a religious group who strictly followed the law and traditions of Judaism. Tax collectors were seen as traitors who worked for the Roman empire. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed like this:…
A sin of commission refers to a sin that involves actively doing something wrong or immoral according to biblical principles. It is a sin that is deliberately and intentionally committed with full knowledge that the act is sinful. Some key things to understand about sins of commission: It is doing what is prohibited A sin of commission involves doing what God’s Word prohibits. There are many actions that Scripture clearly identifies as sinful and believers are commanded to avoid. For example, God’s law forbids murder, stealing, adultery, idolatry, and bearing false witness (Exodus 20:13-16). When a person willfully engages in…
The pyramids of Egypt are some of the most iconic structures in human history. Their massive size, precise architecture and alignment with constellations imply advanced astronomical knowledge and construction skills. Given their prominence, some have wondered if the pyramids are mentioned in the Bible. The short answer is no, the pyramids are never directly mentioned in the Bible. There are a few indirect references to structures that may hint at the pyramids, but their identification is speculative. Overall, the pyramids appear to have little significance in the biblical narrative. The most well-known pyramids are the Pyramids of Giza located just…