Syncretism, the blending of different religious practices and beliefs, has been a part of the Christian Church’s history from its earliest days. As Christianity spread throughout the world, it encountered various cultures and religions, leading to a natural fusion of traditions. Early Christianity (1st-3rd centuries) The apostles and early Church Fathers faced the challenge of presenting Christianity to diverse audiences. […]
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We eagerly cling to the cross of Jesus for salvation, forgiveness, and healing, yet often overlook the daily cross He commands us to bear. We hastily condemn others to eternal damnation, deciding who deserves God’s mercy. But does salvation only mean escaping Hell? Who appointed us judge, jury, and executioner of others’ eternal destinies? And if God were to spare […]
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How Does Being Rich or Poor Influence Our Eternal Destination? Jesus describes a scenario in Luke 16:19-31 that is often used as strong evidence for eternal torture and paradise. However, there is more to this parable than initially meets the eye. Is this a true story, or is it a teaching tool, since Jesus mentions the beggar by name – […]
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Unpacking Biblical Authority The concept of the “keys of the kingdom” is a fundamental Christian doctrine, often associated with eternal church authority. However, its interpretation and application have been debated throughout history. Biblical Origins Jesus introduced the concept of the keys in Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, granting authority to His disciples to “loose and bind” things on earth, echoing in […]
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Rethinking Jesus’ Teaching on Taxes For centuries, Christians have interpreted Jesus’ response in Matthew 22:21, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (AMP), as an endorsement of paying taxes. However, this interpretation overlooks the historical context and Jesus’ subtle yet powerful message. In 6 AD, Rome imposed a census tax on […]
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Differences in major christian bibles The Different Faces of the Christian Bible As Christians, many of us assume that the Bible is a single, unified text. However, few realize that various Christian denominations have distinct versions of the Bible. While the majority of the books are shared, the differences are noteworthy. – Catholic Bible: 73 books, including 7 deuterocanonical books […]
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Uncovering the Hidden Sources of the Canonical Gospels The canonical Gospels, composed in Greek, reveal hints of non-Greek origins. Jesus’ teachings, likely delivered in Hebrew/Aramaic, influenced the earliest records of his life, written in the same languages. A clue to this heritage lies in the numerous foreign words transliterated into Greek from Hebrew or Aramaic. Modern translations often conceal these […]
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Two pivotal councils in the early Christian Church played a significant role in shaping its doctrine, practices, and organizational structure. The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and the Council of Laodicea (363-364 AD) addressed various issues, from Christological debates to liturgical practices, leaving an enduring impact on the Church. The Council of Nicaea Held in Nicaea, Turkey, this ecumenical council […]
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The Sabbath: A Day of Rest The Sabbath, a day of rest and restoration, has been a cornerstone of religious observance for thousands of years. In the Bible, God commands us to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). However, over time, the day of observance has shifted from Saturday to Sunday, leading to confusion and debate […]
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The Evolution of Passover to Easter: A Historical Analysis The celebration of Easter has its roots in the biblical Passover, but over time, it has evolved into a distinct holiday with its own customs and traditions. This article explores the history of how Passover became Easter, and the implications for Christians today. Origins of Passover Passover, also known as Pesach, […]
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The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel refer to the ten tribes that, under Joshua’s leadership, conquered Canaan, the Promised Land, after Moses’ death. These tribes were Asher, Dan, Ephraim, Gad, Issachar, Manasseh, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, and Zebulun, all descendants of Jacob. In contrast, the House of Judah consisted of Judah, Benjamin, and parts of other tribes like Levi and Simeon […]
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For centuries, the traditional location of Mount Sinai has been widely accepted as being in the Sinai Peninsula. However, this notion is based on tradition and dreams attributed to Constantine and his mother, rather than concrete biblical evidence. A closer examination of the Old Testament reveals a different story. In Exodus 19:1, we learn that Israel arrived in the Sinai […]
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Genesis 46:8-27 lists the descendants of Jacob who journeyed to Egypt, including all his grandchildren. However, this presents a challenge when calculating the duration of Israel’s stay in Egypt. The lifespans of Levi, Kehath, Amram, and Moses total only 350 years, leaving a 80-year gap in the supposed 430-year sojourn mentioned in Gen 15:13, Ex 12:40 & Acts 7:6. The […]
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In Caesarea-Philippi, a city steeped in pagan rituals and worship, Jesus poses a pivotal question to His disciples: “Who do people say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13). This inquiry sets the stage for a profound declaration that would shake the foundations of their understanding. Surrounded by the temple of Pan, a hub of debauched worship, Jesus asserts, “You are Peter, […]
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