Mysticism is the belief that it is possible to join with or have personal experiences of God or the divine. Such experiences often include visions of angels or a sense of oneness with the absolute. Pe...
John Chrysostom was one of the most articulate and influential preachers of the early Christian church. A native of Antioch, Chrysostom was elected Patriarch of Constantinople in AD 398, although he w...
Ignatius of Antioch (ca 50-ca 110 CE) was an early Christian martyr and an important figure in the early Christian church. He was an "apostolic father," which means he had direct contact with Christ's...
Known as the Father of Church History, Eusebius created extensive accounts of the first three centuries of Christianity. He preserved a wealth of early documentation that would have otherwise been los...
Who did Cain marry? In the Bible, all the people on earth at that time were directly descended from Adam and Eve. Where, then, did Cain find his wife? Only one conclusion is possible. Cain married his...
It should be no surprise that the Bible--the authoritative resource on the Creator of the universe--is packed full of Bible verses about creativity. The book begins with the creation in Genesis and en...
Nature refers to all of God's creation. Plant and animal life and everything in the world that is not made by human hands fall within nature's realm. These Bible verses about nature showcase the beaut...
The practice of anointing with oil, described many times in the Bible, was a common custom in the Middle East. Medicinal anointings were used for medical reasons to treat and heal the sick. Sacramenta...
In numerous key narratives, women in the Bible fulfill critical roles, despite being a marginalized minority in a patriarchal, male-oriented society. Scripture unquestionably places women on equal sta...
Addiction is a chronic or habitual dependency on a substance (like drugs or alcohol), a compulsion (like viewing pornography, engaging in unwanted sexual behavior, or binge eating and purging), or an ...
The Bible tells us that ultimately the same destiny awaits every person--we all must face death. The good news is Jesus Christ overcame the power of the grave by sacrificing His life on the cross and ...
All people feel anger at times. Anger is a normal, healthy emotion, and in itself, is not a problem. But unresolved anger left to fester and grow can fan the flames of bitterness, resentment, and unfo...
The Bible reveals that change is a significant part of the Christian life. Some aspects of spiritual transformation are effortless and beautiful, while others are painful and laborious. Change is also...
"Cleanliness is next to godliness." Almost all of us have heard the saying, but where did it originate? While the exact phrase is not found in the Bible, the concept is clearly expressed.
Actual ...
Peter
Without question, Peter was a "duh"-ciple most people can identify with. One minute he was walking on water by faith, and the next he was sinking in doubt. Impulsive and emotional, Peter is...
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be in...
We've probably all heard these common complaints and questions: Churches today only care about money. There are too many abuses of church funds. Why should I give? How do I know the money will go ...
Are There Degrees of Sin and Punishment in Hell?
That's a tough question. For believers, it stirs up doubts and concerns about the nature and justice of God. But that's precisely why it's a grea...
This study on reading the Word of God is an excerpt from the booklet Spending Time With God by Pastor Danny Hodges of Calvary Chapel Fellowship in St. Petersburg, Florida.
What does spending time...
The Christian Saint Perpetua (born circa 181, died circa 203) was a Roman noblewoman who was martyred in third century Roman Carthage. Perpetua wrote the account of her own life and arrest, becoming o...