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Debunking the Crusades: 5 Myths You Probably Believe

...ian world had already been conquered by Muslim forces, including regions such as Syria, North Africa, and most of Spain. The Seljuk Turks’ advance into Byzantine territory (a Christian empire) and the capture of Jerusalem were major catalysts for Pope Urban II’s call to arms. The Crusades were framed as a defensive response, although not always executed with purely defensive motives. Myth 2: The Crusades were primarily motivated by greed and the desire for land. Truth: While individual crusaders certainly had varied motivations, the majority did not join the Crusades for wealth or land. In fact, going on a Crusade was an incredibly costly and dangerous...

Is Halloween a Pagan Holiday?

...aints who had died, not just martyrs since there had become too many to individually commemorate. And thus, All Saints Day was born. This isn't even the earliest time that martyrs were remembered as a formal event, as the practice goes way back to at least 135 AD which we can read about in the Martyrdom of Polycarp. In this text, the believers are said to treat the bones of Polycarp as “more precious than the most exquisite jewels, and more purified than gold”. The next reference comes around 250 AD. In Epistle 36 of Cyprian, he states that the Church should take note of the days on which the martyrs are killed: Finally, also, take note of their days on...

Biblical Inspiration and the Canon: How We Got the Bible

...The book had to be written by an apostle or someone directly connected to an apostle. For example, the Gospel of Mark was accepted because Mark was closely associated with Peter, and according to Papias (as recorded by Eusebius in Ecclesiastical History 3.39.15–16), Mark wrote his Gospel based on Peter’s preaching. Theological Consistency — The book had to align with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. A text was not included if a text contained theological ideas that contradicted the established apostolic message. Widespread Use and Acceptance — The book had to be widely recognised and used by the early Christian community as authoritati...

Ancient “curse” amulet drastically changes perspective on Biblical dating

...On Thursday at ancient Shiloh, Dr. Scott Stripling, director of excavations for the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR), presented new findings which may well be one of the most significant discoveries in biblical archaeology in recent times! More than thirty years ago, Prof. Adam Zertal discovered a small lead amulet, only two centimetres square, from wet-sifting material taken from an excavation on Mount Ebal. This came from a square altar dated from the 13th century BC, which had been built on top of an older and circular altar. Prof. Zertal believed this was the same altar Joshua built when he entered the land of Israel: Josh. 8:30Then Joshua built on M...

Lent: Day 15 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 36-47

...after He had been crucified, should reign” and quotes 1 Chron. 16: 23-27 and merges that with Ps. 96 to make up one long prophetic statement. There’s an interesting bit here where Justin quotes Ps 96:10 as saying: “Let them rejoice among the nations. The Lord hath reigned from the tree.” Which he uses as his proof for Jesus reigning after his death. But if you look this up in a Bible now, it will say: Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.He will judge the peoples with equity.” Looking a little more into this, it appears that this quote in First Apology is the only ancient Gre...

Lent: Day 16 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 48-59

...round. He had no form, nor glory; and we saw Him, and there was no form nor comeliness: but His form was dishonoured and marred more than the sons of men. A man under the stroke, and knowing how to bear infirmity, because His face was turned away: He was despised, and of no reputation. It is He who bears our sins, and is afflicted for us; yet we did esteem Him smitten, stricken, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of peace was upon Him, by His stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; every man has wandered in his own way. And He delivered Him for our sins; and He opened...