The Buddhist concept of Zen and the Christian faith have some surface level similarities but fundamental differences that make them incompatible belief systems according to the Bible. At 9000 words, this article will analyze what the Bible teaches about the differences between Christianity and Buddhism, specifically the concept of Zen. What is Zen Buddhism? Zen Buddhism originated in China in the 6th century CE as a synthesis of Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. The goal of Zen is to achieve enlightenment and liberation from suffering through meditation and intuition rather than study of doctrine. Zen emphasizes direct spiritual experience over philosophical…
Author: Emma Price
Anti-intellectualism refers to opposition or hostility towards intellectuals, intellectual pursuits, and education in general. Some common characteristics of anti-intellectualism include: Dismissing the value of experts and expertise Suspicion or distrust of the intellectual elite Denigration of higher education and academic pursuits Disregard for nuance, complexity, ambiguity Rejection of science and rational thinking Exalting action over critical reflection Throughout history, anti-intellectual movements have tended to arise during periods of rapid social change and dissatisfaction with the status quo. Some argue that anti-intellectualism reflects a distrust of those perceived as cultural elites imposing unwanted change on ordinary people. When it comes to…
The Bible has a lot to say about moderation and living a balanced life. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles regarding moderation: Avoiding Extremes The Bible warns against going to extremes in various areas of life. Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 cautions against being overly righteous or overly wicked. Proverbs 25:16 talks about the importance of moderation in eating honey. And 1 Corinthians 9:25 uses the example of athletic training to illustrate the need for self-control and avoidance of excess. Overall, the Bible promotes living wisely and seeking balance. Self-Control Self-control and temperance are lifted up as virtues…
Exorcism is the practice of expelling evil spirits or demons from a person or place. In the Catholic tradition, exorcism has been used for centuries as a way to free a person from demonic possession. However, some Protestant Christians argue that many Catholic beliefs and practices, including exorcism, are not actually supported by the Bible. So how are Catholics able to perform exorcisms if some of their beliefs are considered unbiblical by other Christians? There are a few key factors that help explain this: 1. Biblical basis for exorcism While the word “exorcism” is not found in the Bible, there…
The story of the woman with the issue of blood is found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Here is a 9000 word overview of the meaning and significance of this biblical account: The story begins by setting the scene. Jesus had been ministering in the region of Galilee and was now traveling to the region of Judea. Large crowds were following him, pressing in on him to hear his teaching and be healed. As Jesus walked, a woman who had suffered from constant menstrual bleeding for twelve years pushed through the crowd in hopes of secretly touching…
The phrase “God thing” is commonly used by Christians to refer to events, circumstances, or outcomes that seem providential or divinely ordained. However, the phrase does not originate in the Bible itself. This raises questions about whether it is theologically accurate or advisable to use this terminology. In evaluating use of the phrase “God thing,” several key considerations come into play: The sovereignty of God over all things The role of human choice and responsibility The mystery of God’s providential working The call to speak truthfully about God First, the Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign over all of…
The topic of Christian relics is one that has been debated throughout church history. At its core, a relic is defined as an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr. Some common relics that have been revered include bones, articles of clothing, or other personal effects of saints and martyrs. The veneration of relics has been a longstanding tradition and practice within the Catholic and Orthodox churches. However, many Protestant reformers came to view relics as superstitious and idolatrous practices that distracted from the true worship of God. So what does the Bible have to…
The question of why God allows suffering is one that has troubled believers and nonbelievers alike. When we look around the world and see the depths of poverty, disease, oppression and injustice, it can certainly appear that God is indifferent to human suffering. This issue takes on even greater urgency when we consider the plight of starving children. It’s easy to become angry at God and wonder why He doesn’t intervene to feed the millions of children who live with gnawing hunger every day of their lives. Why does our perfectly good, all-powerful, all-loving God appear not to care about…
The United Nations is not specifically mentioned in the Bible. However, some Bible scholars believe that certain prophecies in the Bible could point to the UN having a role in the end times leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Here are some key points on what the Bible may say about the United Nations and its potential role in end times events: 1. The Antichrist’s kingdom In the book of Daniel, there are prophecies about four kingdoms that would arise on the earth. Many Bible scholars believe the fourth kingdom represents the ancient Roman Empire that would…
The beatific vision refers to the direct, immediate, and face-to-face vision of God enjoyed by those in heaven. It is related to the biblical promise that the pure in heart shall see God (Matthew 5:8). This article will examine what the Bible teaches about the beatific vision and what we can expect in seeing God face to face. The desire to see God There is an innate desire within human beings to see and know God. This desire is evident in Moses’ request to see God’s glory (Exodus 33:18), Philip’s request to be shown the Father (John 14:8), and Job’s…
