Article
The Bible not only presents divine ideals but also sin-caused realities. In the Old Testament, divorce and remarriage were permitted under specific regulations. The question is whether or not any of these guidelines are applicable today within the context of the New Testament. Two instances demonstrate that divorce can, under certain conditions, be considered scriptural today.
1. When One Partner Develops a Pattern of Sexual Immorality
Christ said, “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, (fornication) and marries another, commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). Several observations should be noted:
(1) A spouse …
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Article
Before beginning a discussion on election, we want our intentions to be clear: since this doctrine has created so much controversy and has been frequently misunderstood, we do not want our understanding of it to be a means of division, but rather a means of unifying believers as we grapple with God’s sovereign purposes and plan. Since we are called to unashamedly preach the Word of God, we want to speak frankly about a doctrine that should elicit both humility and worship among believers. May those who differ with us not judge our intentions or our passion for reaching the …
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Article
Historically, Christians have proven contentious and confrontational concerning depicting Jesus in any form. Even since the flashpoints of iconoclasm (image/symbol breaking) during the early Middle Ages and the Reformation, the issue has never been completely without debate. We must approach this with an open mind and a respectable degree of tolerance.
Let’s begin by discussing the nature of idolatry in the Scriptures, and why it was consistently condemned. Let us examine Exodus 20:3-5.
You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above …
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Article
Within in the church, and throughout broader society, a great deal of mysticism and superstition surrounds the reality, ability, and work of demons. Because of this haze of opinions, we must root our understanding in Scripture.
The Demonic Narrative
Satan is the origin of evil, the father of lies (John 8:44).
Satan and his angels apparently still have access to heaven because during the tribulation period, there will be a war in heaven and they will be cast out unto the earth (Revelation 12:7-9).
Though crushed by the work of Christ two thousand years ago …
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Article
Sadly, some believers sincerely question whether or not viewing pornography is wrong at all. But the Scriptures are blunt (Matthew 5:28; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 John 2:16; Philippians 4:8; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6). God’s standard is purity of heart, for such shall see God (Matthew 5:8).
The only way to find freedom from sexual bondage is by utilizing the resources that God has given us—the Word and the Church. We believe that although one can fall into the trap of pornography without any help, we cannot come out of this unclean practice …
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Article
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23, ESV).
What Entertains Us?
A recent article in the Chicago Tribune uncovered what I believe to be the most serious threat to the Christian Home. The headline read, “Media Options Swamp Nation.” The bottom line is that the average American spends 9.6 hours a day inhaling media: watching television, going to the movies and surfing the Internet. Two months of every year are spent just watching TV; we have 392 cable channels to choose from and 40,000 DVD titles.
We …
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Article
Can a true Christian commit suicide? If so, does that jeopardize their salvation?
Note: If you or a loved one are considering this horrific act of suicide, we plead with you to go for help. Please quickly consult with your local church leadership for assistance and ongoing support.
Before addressing the issue of suicide, we must distinguish it from acts of self-sacrifice. No doubt we are familiar with stories of men and women who have sacrificed themselves for the sake of another. For example, a soldier who falls on a grenade to save a civilian from death is not …
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Article
God’s attributes are numerous, inlcuding omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience and many others (1 John 4:16; 1 Peter 1:16; Psalm 146:7). While we do not adamantly hold to a particular attribute as God’s greatest attribute, we do acknowledge that the acts and decrees of God always revolve around His glory, primarily cultivated through His loving relationship with the elect who have been chosen to participate in the plan of redemption (Isaiah 42:8). Properly understood, His essential nature is one of holiness and impeccable love and justice, and as such, He always acts for the highest good, which is …
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Article
Christians occasionally claim that we can be as perfect as God commanded (Matthew 5:48). Some preachers (we immediately think of the famous revivalist Charles Finney) have taught that Christians can attain a second level of God’s blessing, wherein they receive the ability to live free of sin in perfect obedience. Even though this doctrine is brimming with good intentions, is it a biblical teaching?
The first problem that arises is the nature of sin. With a comprehensive understanding of sin, the plausibility of earthly sinlessness is doubtful, or more accurately, impossible. Sin permeates the depths of man’s being, affecting …
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Article
Sin is any action, attitude, or thought which is contrary to the character and command of God (1 John 3:4). As temptation constantly floods our senses, we intentionally and unintentionally are drawn toward it, and often sin. Sin’s influence must not be underestimated, for the Holy Spirit is grieved because of our sin (Ephesians 4:30).
While sin is difficult to categorize, we can think of sin in a threefold sense: sins of commission (sins of what we do), sins of omission (sins of what we don’t do), and sins of disposition (sins of how we do something). Sins …
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