How did the knowledge of good and evil make man like God (Genesis 3:22)? The story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is one of the most well-known passages in the Bible. God had told Adam that he could eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, warning that if he ate from it, he would surely die (Genesis 2:16-17). Yet, Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent and chose to disobey God’s command, eating…
Author: Emma Price
Love Has Won was a controversial spiritual group led by Amy Carlson, who was known within the group as “Mother God.” The group began in the 2000s as an offshoot of the Ascension movement, which teaches that humanity is experiencing a shift in consciousness as we transition into a new era of peace, love and unity. Love Has Won held New Age and esoteric beliefs, drawing from various faiths and spiritual practices like Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and more. The group believed that Amy Carlson was a divine being sent to Earth to awaken humanity, and that she was the living…
The favor of God refers to when God bestows blessings, success, and prosperity on someone’s life. It is God’s grace and goodness being actively displayed in one’s circumstances. The ultimate example of God’s favor is Him sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins so we can have a relationship with God (John 3:16). But even in day-to-day life, God desires to show His favor to His children. The Bible shows many examples of God’s favor on the lives of His followers. In Genesis 39, Joseph found favor with Potiphar and was placed in charge of Potiphar’s household. The…
Timothy Keller was an influential Christian pastor, theologian, and author known for his intellectually robust and gospel-centered approach to ministry and writing. He served as pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City for over 25 years and founded Redeemer City to City, a nonprofit organization that starts gospel movements in cities worldwide. Keller was born in 1950 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He studied at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. Early in his ministry career in the late 1970s, he served as a church planter and pastor in Virginia before moving to New York City to…
The statement that “no one knows the day or the hour” comes from Mark 13:32, where Jesus says, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” This verse has often been interpreted to mean that no human being can know the timing of Jesus’ return and the end times. There are several key things to understand about this passage: It occurs within Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, his teachings about end times events delivered shortly before his crucifixion (Mark 13:1-37). Jesus is responding to questioning from his…
Children’s church is a ministry geared specifically towards children, typically held during the main adult worship service. The goal is to teach biblical truths to children in an age-appropriate and engaging way. Though the Bible does not explicitly mention children’s church, there are some key principles we can derive about ministering to children from Scripture. Jesus welcomed and blessed children Jesus provided a powerful example of welcoming children and recognizing their value in God’s kingdom. In Matthew 19:13-15, people were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples…
The phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth” occurs several times in the New Testament, always in reference to God’s final judgment of sin and sinners. It is found exclusively in the gospel accounts, being used by Jesus Christ himself to describe the sorrow and anguish of those who will be excluded from God’s kingdom. The imagery originates in Matthew 8:12, where Jesus declares, “But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Here the phrase is used within a passage where Christ heals a centurion’s…
The Catholic Bible is the complete collection of scriptures recognized by the Catholic Church as being divinely inspired and containing God’s revelation to humanity. It consists of 73 books – 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Contents of the Catholic Bible The 46 books of the Old Testament are the same as in the Jewish Bible, which Christians call the Hebrew Scriptures. They tell the story of God’s relationship with his chosen people, the Israelites, leading up to the birth of Jesus. The Old Testament contains the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), which details…
The Bible does not directly address the modern concepts of population control or depopulation. However, it does speak to related issues such as the value of human life, God’s sovereignty over life and death, wealth inequality, and justice for the vulnerable. Examining relevant biblical principles can help Christians think through these complex topics. The value of human life The Bible teaches that human beings are created in God’s image and have inherent dignity and worth (Genesis 1:26-27). Life is a gift from God, and innocent human life is to be protected and valued. Passages forbidding murder command respect for life…
Lust is a strong, often overwhelming desire for something, typically of a sexual nature. It is a sin that all people struggle with, as our fleshly desires war against our spiritual natures (Galatians 5:17). However, God does not leave us defenseless in this battle. Through the power of His Spirit and the wisdom of His Word, we can overcome lustful temptations and live in holiness. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about overcoming lust: Recognize lust as sin The first step in overcoming lust is recognizing it for what it is – sin. Lust indulges the desires…
