The Bible has a lot to say about the equal dignity and worth of men and women. Both men and women are created in the image of God and are therefore of immense value (Genesis 1:27). However, the Bible was written in patriarchal cultures that did not view men and women as equals. As a result, there are some problematic passages that appear to condone sexist attitudes and practices. In the Old Testament, women are often viewed as the property of their fathers or husbands. For example, the tenth commandment lists a wife along with a man’s house, oxen, donkeys…
Author: Tim Collings
The story of Elisha cursing the youths who mocked his baldness is found in 2 Kings 2:23-24. Here is the full passage: “He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys.” (2 Kings 2:23-24 ESV) This is certainly a difficult…
Being a godparent is an important responsibility in the Christian faith. Godparents make a commitment before God to help a child grow in the Christian faith. The Bible does not specifically discuss godparents, but there are many principles in Scripture that can guide godparents in their special role. The Role and Responsibilities of Godparents While traditions vary, generally godparents make promises at a child’s baptism to help raise the child in the Christian faith. They vow to pray for the child, set a godly example, and provide spiritual guidance. Though not the same as legal guardianship, godparents are encouraged to…
The Bible has a lot to say about diversity and how we should think about and relate to people who are different from us. Here are some of the key themes that emerge from Scripture on this topic: 1. All people are created in God’s image The Bible teaches that every single human being is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). This applies regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, social status, ability, or any other factor. Because all people reflect God’s image, all people have inherent dignity and worth. As image-bearers of God, we are all equal…
Marriage in the Bible was a sacred covenant between a man and a woman instituted by God. There are numerous examples and teachings about marriage found in Scripture that reveal the beliefs and practices about weddings and married life in ancient Israelite culture and the early church. Old Testament Marriage Customs In the Old Testament, patriarchy was the norm and women were considered the property of their fathers until they got married and became the property of their husbands. Fathers often arranged marriages for their children, seeking out spouses that would improve the family’s wealth, standing and security. However, the…
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is Love? Love is the first fruit of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. The Bible has a lot to say about love, as it is the greatest commandment and sums up the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). Here is an in-depth look at what the Bible teaches about the fruit of love: Love Comes From God The Bible teaches that God is the source of love. 1 John 4:7-8 says “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God…
Here are some common questions people have about the book of 3 John in the Bible and what it teaches us: Who wrote 3 John? 3 John was written by the apostle John, the same author of the gospel of John and 1 and 2 John. The author identifies himself simply as “the elder” in 3 John 1:1, which was a title John used for himself in 2 and 3 John. The writing style and themes are also similar to John’s other writings. When was 3 John written? Most scholars believe 3 John was written between A.D. 85-95, likely around…
The concept of the remission of sins is central to Christian theology and salvation. In simple terms, the remission of sins refers to the forgiveness of sins by God. It is through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross that the remission of sins becomes available to humanity. When someone repents and puts their faith in Christ, their sins are forgiven and they are reconciled with God. The Bible has much to say about this vital doctrine. Definition and Meaning The word “remission” means forgiveness or pardon. It comes from the Greek word aphesis which means “to send away” or…
The possibility that bitcoin or some other cryptocurrency could become a one-world currency in the end times is an interesting topic for Christians to consider. The Bible warns about the coming one-world government and financial system under the Antichrist in the end times. However, the Bible does not specifically mention bitcoin or cryptocurrency. As with many modern technologies, Christians need to thoughtfully evaluate bitcoin and cryptocurrency through the lens of Scripture and wisdom. What the Bible Says About End Times Economics The book of Revelation describes a time in the end times when a one-world ruler called the Antichrist will…
What is known about James from the Bible? The New Testament refers to several different men named James. The two main ones are James the brother of John and one of the Twelve Apostles, and James the brother of Jesus, who became a leader in the early church. This article will focus on exploring questions about James the brother of Jesus. Who was James the brother of Jesus? James was one of the younger brothers of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels. Passages like Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3 list James as one of the four brothers of Jesus (along with…