The winter celebration of the birth of Christ dates first appears on a Roman calendar in 336 AD, centuries after the event took place. Scholars believe that there may have been an attempt to co-opt an existing pagan festival that marked the coming of the light after the shortest day of the year. Clues in […]
Jonah’s story has been debated for millennia. Being swallowed by and praying in the belly of a fish sure seems like fiction. However, evidence for the veracity of the story is powerful. Consider the following: Jonah is described in the Bible as a true historical figure identified as a prophet. (2 Kings 14:25) Yet, The […]
For many, Thanksgiving is a day for overeating and football followed by a mad dash for Black Friday specials. Stores are decorated for Christmas moments after the Halloween stuff comes down and Thanksgiving is mostly “celebrated” by on-air personalities who talk about the rising cost of Thanksgiving dinner and the number of people who will […]
No. Jesus was very specific about his mission. Near the end of his life on earth, he explained to the Roman ruler, Pilate, to whom he was brought by the religious leaders, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my […]
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they […]
When Jesus was teaching his disciples, in what is known as The Sermon on the Mount, he said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8) At the time he was contrasting those who were authentically righteous with those who were faking it. The religious leaders of the day looked […]
We get this question so often that we’re answering it again here. The short answer is no, they don’t. There is no “path” to God as some of the world’s religions suggest. Self-sacrifice, good works and performing a variety of religious rites or rituals will not ensure connection with God or eternal life free of […]
Since Jesus ascended into heaven, his followers–the Church–believed that he would visibly return as both judge and ruler of all creation. The earliest recorded creeds affirmed that Jesus would “come again to judge the living and the dead.” Additional confessions written since the Reformation continue that understanding. The physical return of Jesus remains a central […]
For nearly 2000 years, Christians have been asking this question. Each generation has read what Jesus said and wondered if the end was soon. Here’s what Matthew recorded in his account of the life and teaching of Jesus. As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they […]
“ All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
