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Christians and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

...ts on Facebook and Twitter, I do see a recurring verse getting shared by some people in light of the current situation: 2 Chronicles 7:13–14When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. How relevant this is to the coronavirus, I can’t say, but it is surely a principle of Scripture that mass repentance and prayer leads to change and healing from God, so even if we are isolated, sick or fe...

An Examination of Conditional Immortality (Part One)

...nd in the book of Revelation. I hope that you have found this study edifying, useful and eye-opening; or maybe it’s given you more questions than answers! Whichever the case, please leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts. Further Reading/Sources Four Views on Hell, by John F. Walvoord (Contributor), Zachary J. Hayes (Contributor), Clark H. Pinnock (Contributor), William Crockett (Editor), Stanley N. Gundry (Series Editor) http://michael-hawkes.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-nature-of-fire.html http://www.mercifultruth.com/the-real-hell.html https://www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/platos-view-on-the-souls-philosophy-essay.php https://...

How Polycarp (And Others) Show The Early Use Of The New Testament

...of the 27 books of the New Testament quoted or alluded to multiple times in this one letter alone! That is a pretty amazing testimony to the early acceptance of these books, and also to dating of when these were available to the wider Christian community. Polycarp does also quote a few other texts, such as Isiah, Psalms, Tobit and one of Ignatius’ letters. Earlier New Testament Witnesses While Polycarp is a very good witness to the New Testament canon, we can also go back even earlier to find quotes and usage of the various New Testament texts that show us just how quickly these writings were accepted and distributed. The letters of Ignatius, dated to have...

Lent: Day 2 - Mathetes to Diognetus, pt. 1

...in other books, so it's a new one for me. This section today was particularly interesting as the author was contrasting the faith and practices of Christians against Greek worship and that of the Jews too. What I do find odd is how in this book (and others I've read) Jewish beliefs are often called “Jewish superstitions” which the writer relates to meaning much of the traditional practices of the Jews we'd recognise from the Old Testament. Maybe superstition meant something else back then than it does today? This reading then finishes with a description of how Christians live and intermingle with society, yet are distinct from the world around them. I foun...

Debunking the Crusades: 5 Myths You Probably Believe

.... This book presents an in-depth, accessible narrative of the Crusades, drawing on both Christian and Muslim sources. Tyerman, Christopher. God’s War: A New History of the Crusades. Penguin, 2006. A thorough and scholarly examination of the Crusades, focusing on the complex interactions between Europe and the Near East. France, John. The Crusades and the Expansion of Catholic Christendom, 1000–1714. Routledge, 2005. This text offers a broader view of the Crusades within the context of medieval Christendom and the expansion of the Catholic Church’s influence....

From Dust to Redemption: The Meaning of Ash Wednesday

...Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance, fasting, and preparation for Easter in the Christian calendar. It is observed by many Western Christian traditions, including the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheran churches, and some Methodist and Reformed communities. The day falls 46 days before Easter Sunday and is always on a Wednesday. Origins and Historical Development The practice of Ash Wednesday can be traced back to the early centuries of Christianity, though its formal observance developed over time. The use of ashes as a sign of repentance has deep biblical roots, appearing frequently in the Old Testament. People w...