The Bible speaks of certain days that God has set apart as holy. These are special days that God’s people are called to observe in remembrance of Him and His work. Though opinions differ on which days should be kept holy in the present day, examining what the Bible teaches about holy days can help us understand their meaning and purpose. The Sabbath The most prominent holy day instituted in the Old Testament is the Sabbath. God established the pattern of observing the seventh day as a day of rest and holy convocation in the creation account: “And on the…
Author: Tim Collings
Justification and sanctification are two important biblical doctrines that describe the process of salvation. While they are closely related, there are key differences between justification and sanctification. Justification Justification refers to God’s act of declaring a sinner righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. When a person puts their faith in Christ, God legally declares them justified, or righteous in His sight (Romans 3:21-26). This justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Good works or obedience to the law cannot justify a person before God (Galatians 2:16). Justification is a one-time legal declaration by God…
Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel in the Old Testament. He was part of the 12 tribes of Israel that descended from the 12 sons of Jacob. Benjamin’s story is told throughout the book of Genesis. Here is an overview of the key details about Benjamin in the Bible: Benjamin’s Birth Benjamin was born in Canaan as Jacob was traveling back to his homeland after living with his uncle Laban for many years (Genesis 35:16-18). Rachel went through a very difficult labor and died giving birth to Benjamin. Before she passed away, Rachel named her son Ben-Oni,…
This is a complex question that Christians have debated for centuries. There are several factors to consider when examining what the Bible teaches about sex outside of marriage and whether it constitutes marriage in God’s eyes. Old Testament Laws on Premarital Sex In the Old Testament, the law prohibited premarital sex and considered it to be a sin (Exodus 22:16-17). However, premarital sex did not automatically constitute marriage. Deuteronomy 22:28-29 says that if a man slept with an unmarried woman, he had to marry her and pay a bride-price. This indicates that they were not considered married until the man…
Psychological egoism and ethical egoism are two related philosophical ideas about human nature and morality. According to psychological egoism, human beings are always motivated by self-interest, even in what seem to be altruistic actions. Ethical egoism, on the other hand, claims that pursuing one’s own self-interest is the proper course of action morally. Though seemingly similar, the two ideas have some important distinctions. Let’s explore what the Bible has to say about these concepts. Psychological Egoism Psychological egoism is a descriptive theory that claims people always act out of self-interest. Even when helping others, we do so ultimately because it…
The concept of an “age of consent” – a minimum age at which a person can legally consent to sexual activity – is not directly addressed in the Bible. However, the Bible does provide principles and examples that can inform a Christian perspective on this issue. Biblical principles related to age of consent The value of childhood innocence Several passages emphasize the innocence and vulnerability of children. Jesus used children as an example of the kind of humble faith required to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). He also warned against causing children to stumble morally, saying it would…
The Bible does not look favorably upon cannibalism. While there are a few instances of cannibalism recorded in Scripture, they are always presented negatively. Let’s look at what the Bible has to say about this troubling topic. Cannibalism During Famine There are a couple of instances in the Old Testament where famine drove people to cannibalism. During Elisha’s ministry, the king of Israel was distressed that the Arameans were besieging Samaria, causing a severe famine. The king blamed Elisha and sought to kill him (2 Kings 6:24-33). The famine grew so bad in the city that “women have been eating…
The Bible does not give a direct command regarding age differences in romantic relationships. However, we can gain some wisdom on this issue by looking at some biblical principles regarding marriage and by examining some examples of marriages in the Bible that involved spouses with large age differences. Biblical Principles Regarding Marriage Here are some principles we can draw from Scripture regarding marriage in general that can provide guidance when considering age differences: The Bible teaches that husbands and wives should be spiritually matched and equally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14). A significant age difference can sometimes indicate inequality in spiritual…
King Solomon is known for having had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). This is an astounding number of spouses by any standard. Many people wonder why God allowed Solomon to have so many wives and concubines. There are a few factors to consider: 1. Polygamy was common and accepted in ancient Israel During Solomon’s time, having multiple wives was culturally acceptable and a normal practice among kings. Though God’s original intent was for marriage to be between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24), polygamy was tolerated in Old Testament times. Kings often married many wives for…
Flirting can be a tricky topic when it comes to what the Bible says. At first glance, it may not seem like the Bible has much to say about flirting specifically. However, when we look deeper at the principles and heart issues behind flirting, a biblical perspective emerges. Here is an overview of key points on what the Bible says about flirting: Flirting Can Lead to Lust One of the main dangers of flirting is that it can easily lead to lust. Lust is defined as having a strong, intense desire for something or someone. While attraction between two people…