The doctrine of the incarnation, that God became man in Jesus Christ, seems at first glance to contradict the doctrine of God’s immutability, that he does not and cannot change. How can an unchanging God take on human flesh and enter into human history? This is a profound paradox that has challenged Christian thought since the earliest centuries of the faith. To start, we must recognize that Scripture clearly affirms both doctrines. Passages like Malachi 3:6 declare God’s unchanging nature: “I the Lord do not change.” Yet the New Testament unambiguously teaches that the eternal Word of God took on…
Author: Tim Collings
Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is the “author and perfecter of our faith.” This verse provides rich insight into Jesus’ role in the life of the believer. Let’s break it down phrase by phrase: “Author of our faith” Jesus is described as the “author” of our faith. The Greek word for “author” here is archegos, which means “originator, founder, or leader.” It refers to the source or initiator of something. When applied to Jesus, this means: Jesus is the originator and founder of the Christian faith. He established it through His life, death, and resurrection. Jesus pioneered the way of…
Can a Christian Burn Incense? The use of incense in worship and prayer is a practice that dates back thousands of years and continues today in some Christian denominations and traditions. However, there are disagreements among Christians as to whether or not the burning of incense is acceptable for believers. This article will examine what the Bible says about incense and evaluate the arguments for and against the use of incense by Christians. What is Incense? Incense is aromatic matter that releases fragrant smoke when burned. It is made from various natural materials including resins, barks, flowers, spices, and essential…
The Law given by God to Moses, as recorded in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy in the Bible, has often been compared to the Code of Hammurabi, an ancient Mesopotamian legal code dating from around 1754 BC. On the surface, there appear to be some similarities between the two sets of laws. However, there are also significant differences that highlight the unique nature and origin of the Mosaic Law. Some of the apparent similarities between the Code of Hammurabi and the Law of Moses include: Both contain legal prescriptions governing various areas of life, such as judicial…
Wisdom and knowledge are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences between the two according to the Bible. Knowledge refers to facts, information, and skills acquired through experience, education, or observation. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the ability to apply knowledge and experience practically. Wisdom involves discernment, judgment, insight, and understanding. The book of Proverbs personifies wisdom as a woman crying out for people to listen and gain understanding (Proverbs 1:20-21). Wisdom is associated with attributes like prudence, discretion, and learning. Knowledge, while useful, can result in pride, but wisdom includes humility (Proverbs 11:2). Wisdom begins with fearing…
Hubris is defined as excessive pride or self-confidence. In the Bible, hubris is seen as a very serious sin. God opposes the proud and hubristic, while giving grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6). Throughout Scripture, there are many examples of hubris being condemned and leading to downfall. One of the most famous examples is the tower of Babel in Genesis 11. The people sought to “make a name for themselves” and build a tower that reaches to heaven. Their hubris led God to confuse their languages and scatter them across the earth. In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar becomes…
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is filled with Christian themes that reinforce Biblical values and truths. Here are some of the main Christian themes found in The Lord of the Rings trilogy: Good vs Evil The overarching theme of The Lord of the Rings is the classic battle between good and evil. The forces of good, represented by the Fellowship of the Ring, fight against the evil forces of Sauron and his minions. This reflects the Biblical worldview that there are forces of righteousness led by God against the forces of sin and wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). Tolkien…
Sharing is a key theme throughout the Bible. God calls us to be generous with what we have been given and to care for others, especially the poor and needy. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about sharing: Genesis 1:26-28 teaches that God created humans in His image and gave them dominion over the earth. This implies a responsibility to steward resources wisely for the benefit of all. Exodus 16:16-18 describes God providing manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. They were instructed to only gather what they needed so there would be enough for…
The Bible has a lot to say about what it means to be a godly man. Here is an overview of some of the key principles from Scripture on being a man according to God’s design: Men are created in God’s image Genesis 1:27 states that God created man, both male and female, in His own image. Being made in the image of God gives men inherent value, dignity and purpose. As image-bearers of God, men are called to reflect His character and stewardship in their lives. Men are to cultivate godly characteristics The Bible encourages men to cultivate virtues…
Fortitude is defined as mental and emotional strength when facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation. In the Bible, fortitude is characterized by perseverance, courage, endurance and an unyielding spirit that does not relent in the face of obstacles. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate fortitude as they live out their faith and deal with the challenges of life. Throughout Scripture, we find stories of people who displayed remarkable fortitude in clinging to God and remaining steadfast in their convictions when facing opposition. Noah persevered in building the ark over many decades despite the mocking of others (Genesis 6-9). Joseph refused…