One of the issues is that the Roman Catholic and Protestant Bibles use the English word “Spirit” for the Greek pneuma. The Greek word, like its Hebrew counterpart ruach, literally means “wind” or “breath,” implying an active but unseen force (John 3:8; Acts 17:25). However, there are three metaphorical uses besides the literal meaning. Angels … Continue reading Holy Spirit is NOT a Person but the Breath of God
Christian writers throughout history have recognized an underlying theme in the Scriptures, that Jewish wedding customs form a pattern for the redemption of mankind. This is rather hard to miss, particularly when both Paul and John refer specifically to the “Bride” of Christ. But only recently have the Jewish wedding customs been used within the … Continue reading Jewish Wedding Customs and the Rapture
The Importance of the Olivet Discourse The Olivet Discourse, contained in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, is the most straightforward and important teaching regarding the end of the age found anywhere in Scripture. It is the cornerstone of all New Testament eschatology. New Testament writers referred to this discourse repeatedly, and based their eschatology on … Continue reading The Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24 and Mark 13
750 BC* Isaiah prophesied that Cyrus would release Israel to return to Jerusalem (Isaiah 44:28)721 BCAssyria exiles Israel under Sennacherib626–539 BCBabylonian Empire606 BC The first deportation of Jewish captives to Babylon, Daniel taken to Babylon606–536 BC70 years in which the Jewish captives were in Babylon600 BC* Jeremiah prophesied that the captivity in Babylon would last for 70 years … Continue reading Dates Related to the Book of Daniel and the End Times
Perhaps you have heard of the term Replacement Theology. However, if you look it up in a dictionary of Church history, you will not find it listed as a systematic study. Rather, it is a doctrinal teaching that originated in the early Church. It became the fertile soil from which Christian anti-Semitism grew and has infected … Continue reading The Error of Replacement Theology
Resurrection is obviously required in order for the saints to live again[10] and obtain “eternal life.” A common misnomer that Christians have with regard to the resurrection is that our bodies will become inherently immortal. This is largely due to the influence that Platonism has had on Christianity. Platonism’s “immortality of the soul” teaches the existence of a non-corporeal “soul” that is itself inherently immortal. The Bible claims God alone possesses this quality. Man is dust, will return to the dust and only resurrection will provide him again with conscious life. After resurrection life will still be dependent on God. This is why Paul uses language concerning the Resurrection that indicates we will not possess immortality inherent to ourselves. The language he uses for our bodies after the Resurrection describes immortality as if it’s a garment to be worn over our flesh.
The Divine Union Genesis 2:18,21-24 18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." … 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed … Continue reading Christian Intimacy & Sexuality
This concept may seem strange to modern “westernized” Christians. But, our pop culture’s thinking regarding gender roles, equality, a 50-50 partnership, etc., is an anomaly in world history. The role of the man as head and priest of his wife and family has been unquestioned tradition in Jewish and Christian societies from the creation until recent times.
The timing of the “rapture” is a divisive and contentious subject in the world of Evangelical Christianity. Churches typically do not like controversy, and will do much to avoid it altogether. Evangelical churches in the United States seem to fall largely into two camps, being either staunchly pretribulational, or avoiding the subject altogether. The former … Continue reading The Debate About the Timing of the Rapture
Physical vs. Spiritual Dichotomy — Dualism One of the concepts of Greek mysticism that invaded Christianity, and continues to grip Christian thinking to some extent today, is the idea of a sharp dichotomy between the "spiritual" and the "physical." "Spirit" is seen as good, and "matter" is seen as inherently corrupt. This concept is typically … Continue reading Faith & Works – The Misconceptions Regarding Baptism
Living as a Christian in this World 