Several Bible passages emphasize a Christian’s preeminent commitment to love-not merely a sentimental, warm feeling, but a choice of the will to put other people’s welfare ahead of one’s own by showing respect, considering their feelings, and praying on their behalf. Continue reading IS IT OKAY FOR A CHIRSTIAN TO INTENSELY DISLIKE ANOTHER BELIEVER?
Conservative churches that discourage or ban use of alcoholic beverages are bewildered at the production of wine as Jesus’ first miracle. Such churches have sometimes insisted that the wine in John 2 was nonalcoholic, despite the wedding guests’ unusual delight and appreciation of it. Surely, Jesus did make very good wine, yet not hint of alcoholic abuse clouds this account. Continue reading DOES JESUS’ MIRACLE AT CANA ENCOURAGE THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?
The Bible does NOT condone slavery but recognizes slavery as part of the social structure of the times. Rather than attacking slavery directly, biblical guidelines weakened and undermined the institution from the inside by reminding Christian masters that they had a Master and were to treat slaves as brothers (Ephesians 6:9). For slaves, the dignity that came with freedom in Christ had a powerful long-term social effect. Continue reading DOES THE BIBLE CONDONE SLAVERY?
The people of Bible times sang while working in the fields to escape from the monotony of farm work. Isaiah declared that the singing and gladness of the Moabites would be taken away when God judged them for their idolatry and disobedience. Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (NO SINGING AT WORK)
Jesus spent a lot of time alone in prayer. This impressed the disciples, so they asked Him to teach them how to pray. Jesus responded by teaching them the Model Prayer, often referred to as the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-13). A longer version of this prayer appears in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9-13). Continue reading TEACHINGS ON PRAYER
RAPE- Crime of engaging in sexual intercourse with another without consent, by force and/or deception. Mosaic law required a man who had seduced a virgin to pay the bride price and offer to marry her (Exod 22:16-17). The rape of an engaged woman was a capital offense (Deut 22:25-27). In other cases of rape, the offender was required to Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (RAPE)
Children of Bible times, just like kids today, played games of make-believe. These children described by Jesus were pretending to be attending weddings and funerals. They called all their friends to join the fun, but some refused to play. Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (NOT IN THE GAME)
Ancient Israelites attached a severe social stigma to rape. A young woman victim was “ruined”-she became an outcast with no means of financial support and no prospects for a family of her own. So the law imposed on the perpetrator the responsibility of care for the victim-providing her a home and family-at considerable cost to him. Such an arrangement also reduced the need of the victim’s family to seek forcible revenge, thus sparing the culture much violence. Continue reading OLD TESTAMENT LAW REQUITES A MAN WHO RAPES A VIRGIN TO MARRY HER. WHY FORCE THE VICTIM OF SUCH A TERRIBLE CRIME MARRY THE PERPETRATOR?
Laban was the brother of Jacob’s mother, Rebekah (Genesis 29:10). This relationship would have made Laban’s daughter Rachel-the woman whom Jacob wanted to marry-Jacob’s first cousin. Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (MARRIAGE AMONG RELATIVES)
In Bible times butler was produced by placing milk in a bag made form an animal skin (see notes on Psalm 119:83 and Matthew 9:17) and shaking it vigorously back an forth until the butter fat separated from the milk. Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITITES (CHURNING UP ANGER)