A biblical view of the cultural and somewhat political Issues of the day.
What does it look like when we apply the command to love our neighbor as ourselves to a spouse? We are only human, but sometimes people treat spouses like they are supposed to fulfill them in a way that only God can. Love will not hold people to impossible standards.
Continue readingI’ve seen some arguments online against abstinence, saying that since Adam and Eve didn’t have a wedding, they were fornicating. The Bible defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, but it doesn’t provide directives on weddings. Every culture around the world has unique wedding traditions, and God recognizes all of those marriages, even if they have different religions, as long as they follow the model of Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 (which is reiterated by Jesus in Matt 19:1-6).
Continue readingRomans 13:1-7 says to obey the law of the government because the institution of government is God’s; however, does that apply absolutely? Some say Christians must abide by the government no matter what, even when it goes against God’s word. Paul, the same person who wrote Romans 13:1-7, spent a considerable amount of time in prison. He was never arrested for stealing, adultery, or murder, but he was involved in civil disobedience when the leaders challenged his right to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. If the government restricts believers’ right to teach the gospel as Jesus commanded (Matt 28:18-20), then believers should consider civil disobedience for the sake of the kingdom of God. This action is peaceful and done out of love.
Continue readingThere are some ministries so obsessed with guns that it has become a theological point for them. One, in particular, claimed that the “rod of iron” mentioned in Psalm 2:8-9 and Rev 2:27 is a reference to guns, specifically AR-15s. This church leader teaches that Jesus is going to come back with a gun and that his people will use guns to fight the forces of evil, so his members are training for Jesus’ return. They also wear crowns made of bullets, referring to what Jesus says in Rev 3:11 about protecting the crowns of his people, but in context, it is a metaphor for righteousness.
Continue readingDid Jesus survive the crucifixion, flee Israel, and live out the rest of his days in India?
Continue readingWhat does the Bible say about discrimination between ethnic groups, tribes, nationalities, sexes, and social classes?
Continue readingThe Bible says talking to the dead is a sin (Lev 19:31). Does that confirm that talking to the dead is possible? After all, Saul consulted with a necromancing medium in 1 Samuel 28 to speak to the deceased prophet Samuel, right? Was that Samuel or something else?
Continue readingThis essay is part one of a two-part series responding to a meme. The meme in question suggests that since supernatural and ritualistic elements are in the Bible, magic and witchcraft can’t be sinful, and that the Bible is contradictory. Part 2–>
God was completely against people using gemstones as charms because it was deceptive. Deuteronomy 18:9-12 makes it clear that God was against fortune-telling, sorcery, looking for omens, witchcraft, casting spells, or functioning as mediums or psychics, calling forth the spirits of the dead. In Ezekiel 13:18-21, God curses those who use these things to deceive his people. Revelation 21:8 and 22:14-15 both have a list of sins that will prohibit people from inheriting the kingdom: sorcery, witchcraft, and such. Most of the other things listed are entirely out of context or the result of bad denominational theology.
Continue readingThe Bible says that the woman was created as a helper for the man, but what does that mean? What does it mean to help, and how is she supposed to help? This scripture does not mean women/wives are only “the help” as in maids.
Continue readingIs it a sin for Christians to defend themselves? We are supposed to turn the other cheek, right? Fighting fire with fire, retaliation, or vengeance is more in line with what Jesus said in Matt 5:38-42 when he said to “turn the other cheek”. Defending oneself against both slander and physical assault is acceptable. Jesus even told his disciples to take two swords with them for the time after his ascension (Luke 22:35-38). Throughout the Bible, God instructed Israel to go to war to defend themselves; Jesus didn’t change that.
Continue reading
