The Apostolic Constitutions is an early Christian writing that contains teachings and church orders attributed to the Twelve Apostles. It is believed to have been compiled in Syria in the late 4th century CE. The work is divided into eight books that cover various topics relating to church life and Christian practice. Overview of the Apostolic Constitutions The Apostolic Constitutions sets forth regulations concerning church leadership and hierarchy, the sacraments, ceremonies, duties of the clergy, the Christian life, and more. It claims to derive these rules and precepts directly from the Twelve Apostles, to whom each book is attributed. However,…
Author: Aaron Chin
The question of whether it is wrong to blame God is a complex one that requires careful examination of biblical principles. At a basic level, the Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all things and has ordained what comes to pass (Ephesians 1:11). Yet the Bible also teaches that God is not the author of evil and does not directly cause moral evil or sin (James 1:13-15). How do we reconcile these truths? Here is a 9000 word exploration of what the Bible says about blaming God. God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility A key to understanding this issue is…
This is a sensitive and complex issue that many Christian parents face today. When a child comes out as gay, parents often experience a range of emotions including shock, grief, fear, confusion, and anger. While it can be extremely difficult to navigate, here are some biblical principles for parents to consider when responding to a child coming out: 1. Lead with love, patience and understanding As Christians, we are called to reflect God’s unconditional love. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way;…
The concept of longsuffering is an important one in the Bible. At its core, longsuffering refers to patience, endurance, and the ability to bear up under trials and afflictions. It is often used to describe an attribute of God, but also applies to the Christian life. Here is an overview of the key things the Bible teaches about longsuffering: God is longsuffering The Bible frequently describes God as “slow to anger” and “abundant in mercy” (Psalm 145:8). He is patient with sinners and often holds back the full force of His wrath. For example, the apostle Peter wrote that God…
The phrase “establish the work of our hands” in Psalm 90:17 is a request for God to make meaningful and lasting the work that we do during our lives. The full verse reads: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17 ESV). This verse comes at the end of Psalm 90, which is a reflection on the fleeting nature of human life and the eternity of God. The psalmist recognizes that compared to God, our lives are like a…
In Matthew 10:34-36, Jesus makes a difficult statement that has puzzled and troubled many readers of the Bible. He says, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” At first glance, this passage seems to contradict Jesus’ message of love, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek. Jesus is the Prince of…
King Amon was the king of Judah from 642 to 640 BC. He was the son and successor of King Manasseh. Amon’s reign is described in 2 Kings 21:19-26 and 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. Amon was 22 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for only 2 years. The Bible says Amon “did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done” (2 Kings 21:20). He followed the same idolatrous practices as his father, worshipping false gods and erecting altars to them. However, unlike his father, Amon did not repent and turn to…
Leviticus 27:3-8 outlines different valuation prices for men and women when making special vows to the Lord. This has led some to question why men and women were valued differently. Here is an in-depth look at the context and reasons behind these verses: The Law of Vows in Leviticus 27 Leviticus 27 contains instructions regarding “vows” – voluntary promises or pledges made to God. The chapter focuses on “vows of persons” (Leviticus 27:2) – when someone vowed or dedicated themselves or a family member to the Lord’s service. This did not necessarily mean becoming a priest or temple servant. But…
The Bible has a lot to say about transformation, specifically how God transforms people’s lives. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of God radically changing people’s hearts, minds, and actions. The process of being transformed is referred to as sanctification or becoming Christ-like. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. When someone puts their faith in Jesus, they become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Their sins are forgiven, and they receive eternal life. However, this is just the beginning of the transformational process. Salvation is an event, but sanctification is an ongoing journey. The…
Maltheism is the belief that God exists but is evil, malevolent, incompetent, or otherwise not wholly good. The term comes from the Greek words “mal” meaning bad and “theos” meaning god. Maltheism stands in contrast to the mainstream Abrahamic religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam that consider God to be omnibenevolent. Some key aspects of maltheism include: God is Cruel and Unjust Maltheists view God as cruel, unjust, uncaring, and arbitrary in His dealings with humanity. They accuse God of creating a world filled with gratuitous suffering and evil. A maltheist might point to natural disasters, diseases, wars and other…