This essay was written in response to this meme that is often used to critique the biblical definition of marriage.
Marriage Definition
Tag Archives: bible
Polygamy in the Bible
Can Christians practice polygamy, since it is in the bible? While polygamy was allowed in the Bible in the Old Testament, with some restrictions, in the New Covenant, men are told to have one wife (1 Tim 2:3), mimicking Christ’s relationship with the one church (body of Christ).
Continue readingMarry the Rapist Deut 22:28-29
Does the bible say a woman has to marry her rapist in Deut 22:28-29? Most translations don’t use that word because the Hebrew text doesn’t use that word in these specific verses. That verse actually describes what happens in the case of fornication when a woman is neither married nor engaged and just has sex. If they are caught, no one is stoned to death, and the man is required to pay her dowry and marry her, but only with her father’s permission.
Continue readingStoning the Virgin Deuteronomy 22
In Deut 22:13-30 Moses reiterated the sexual purity rules in the Moral Purity laws of Leviticus but elaborates on them. Many are disturbed when they see that only a woman is punished for her lack of virginity, never the man. However, this law is not against a lack of virginity but rather initiating a marriage under false pretenses, when looking at the broader context of Deuteronomy 22.
Continue readingUnicorns in the Bible
Does the bible suggest unicorns exist? According to the KJV translation of the bible, there are unicorns (Numbers 23:22, Numbers 24:8, Deuteronomy 33:17, Job 39:9-10, Psalm 22:21, Psalm 29:6, Psalm 92:10, Isaiah 34:7). If the bible is true then why does it mention mythical creatures like unicorns?
Continue readingHealing in the Bible
Does God promise his people healing? Does the holy spirit really provide healing power? Promises to Abraham are extended to Gentiles in the new covenant (Gal 3:14). So we get all the same promises and more as believers. This includes all the blessings of the old covenant, like prosperity, good health, and victory over enemies (Ex 23:25-26, Deut 7:12-15, Deut 28:1-14).
Continue readingChronology in the Bible
Not everything in the bible is written with chronology in mind. Imagine reading a story or even watching a movie, and the story has 3 separate events taking place in 3 different locations at the same time. When the author presents the story, they can’t tell what is happening in all 3 locations at the same time, because writing is a linear action that happens letter by letter on a page, page by page in a book. Normally a writer will write about one event and then use a transition word like “meanwhile” and cut to another location for another event. The writing would be a mess if they were trying to write about 3 faraway events happening at the same time because they would have constantly interjected to explain which even they are talking about.
Continue readingAuthorship of Books in the Bible
Who wrote the bible? Did the bible copy from pagan myths? Are there alterations? Why should we trust it? How was it constructed? Can we trust it as a historical book? This is an exploration of how some of the books in the bible were possibly compiled based on literary design and a little comparison with other legends.
Continue readingThe Exodus within Jericho
When reading the bible one may find interesting repeating patterns, as if God is being extra creative to sign his name on his handy work throughout history. In Joshua 2, I noticed a similarity to the Passover story with Rahab of Jericho.
Continue readingBible Apocrypha
Are there other books of the bible besides the 66 canonical ones? There are various groups of non-canon books all with different classifications. Today we are going to talk about the Bible Apocrypha. Apocrypha is a term for works, usually written, of unknown authorship or of doubtful origin.
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