What was the thorn in the side of the Apostle Paul?
What was the thorn in the side of the Apostle Paul? photo by peasap on Flickr
Although this question is asked from a theological perspective, a “thorn in the side” is also a common idiom used by many people to refer to someone or something that is causing them great pain, problems or discomfort. Historically speaking, this idiom, like many others, comes from the Bible. However, because it comes from the Bible it has a much wider application. A similar phrase can be found in 2 Corinthians 12:7 where the Apostle Paul makes mention of a “thorn in the flesh.”
(2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV) “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (Emphasis added)
As always, when looking at this verse, it is important to look at the context by which it was given. In 2 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, explains how much he cares for the people in the church in Corinth. He fears that they will “corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” by falling for “another Jesus” or “another gospel,” but wants them to bear with him in their resistance against false teaching (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
Categories: 2 Corinthians, Bible, Questions, Theology Tags: 2 Corinthians 12:7, handling persecution, thorn, thorn in the flesh, Thorn in the side
Does a woman have to take her husband’s last name?
Should a woman take her husband's name in marriage?
Today, it is not unusual to see a couple that is married and the woman does not take her husbands last name. Many reasons are cited for this, most of which are not based on the idea of marriage, but individualism. Too often, however, this practice demonstrates attitudes toward marriage that of themselves, usually are a source of problems in the marriage.
Sometimes a woman may have a professional career and is known by her maiden name. When she marries there is a concern that clients will no longer recognize her with a new last name. In some Hispanic cultures, such as Puerto Rico, it is common for someone to be given a hyphenated last name that includes the mother’s maiden name and the father’s last name.
Likewise, many in the Women’s Liberation Movement see taking the husbands last name as making her subservient to a man. Some even go as far as calling themselves not a woman, but a womyn so as to not identify with men at all. In any case, the idea of taking a husband’s last name comes from the Bible and, like all Biblical teaching, there is a moral reason for it.
Categories: Questions Tags: husband's family name, marriage name change, new name in heaven, Should a woman take her husband's name, surname
How can I communicate better with others?
How can I communicate better with others?
When it comes to communication, all of us have had times where we have blown it when talking with someone. When that happens we can experience hard feelings, an argument, or worse yet, it may lead to violence. Like everything else in life, the Bible has answers to this important and critical task. These answers can be summed up in what is called the four rules of communication as found in the book of Ephesians.
Although these rules are generally directed toward verbal communication, we live in an information age in which we communicate in many different ways. Whether it is through email, a blog comment, or a simple letter to someone, these rules still apply. In fact, it is easier to use these rules when writing. This is because it is much easier to review what we say before sending the message than it is when speaking verbally.
Categories: Questions Tags: arguments, calm speech, communication, forgiveness, How can I communicate better, rules of communication
Which came first the chicken or the egg?
Which came first Biblically, the chicken or the egg? Photo by Photobucket.com bspix16
While some people may think this is a silly question, it is no sillier than asking who came first Adam or Adam’s creator. A simple examination of the Bible would lead even the most diehard skeptic to conclude that Adam’s Creator came first. So why is there a question about whether or not a chicken or an egg came first? Because, sometimes simple questions are not so obvious. Therefore, the way to find the sure answer would be to check the Bible.
Before we look in the book of Genesis, we should define the word chicken. Chickens, according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary is classified as a gallinaceous fowl. A gallinaceous fowl according to Webster’s latest dictionary is defined as:
“…of or relating to an order (Galliformes) of heavy-bodied largely terrestrial birds including the pheasants, turkeys, grouse, and the common domestic chicken”
Now that we know that a chicken is defined as a fowl, we can look in the book of Genesis to find when they were created by God. In Genesis Chapter One, we see the days of creation in order and the process whereby God created the heaven and the earth:
Categories: Genesis, Questions Tags: be fruitful and multiply, Bible, chicken or egg, fowls, Noah
Was the Virgin Mary without sin?
The Madonna in Sorrow, by Sassoferrato, 17th century
In some circles, there are those who teach and believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was sinless. This teaching has persisted for centuries and if one were to visit the web site of the Catholic Church there is a lot of information supporting this belief. Likewise, the Catholic Education Resource Center also provides information supporting this belief.
The interesting thing of note is that for the most part nearly all the references they give supporting this belief are from famous theologians or resources that are not from the Bible. What few Bible verses they do use teach that all of us have sinned (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23), but they explain these verses away by claiming that Mary was the exception. In other words, Mary, was perfect in that she never broke any of the 10 Commandments, which were given to us to show us that everyone is a sinner in need of a Saviour (Romans 3:19-20).
Categories: Questions Tags: blessed, Elisabeth, Jesus, mother of God, sinless, Virgin Mary
Why do some Christian women wear dresses or skirts and long hair?
TLC's Duggar Family Girls in conservative clothing. Source: DuggarFamily.com
Sometimes, when watching a news story about certain religious groups or when encountering a devout Christian family like TLC’s Duggar Family, many people will notice that the women are dressed a certain way, usually in dresses or skirts, and have long hair. Often their hair will be braided or formed into a bun, but in any case, it will be quite noticeable that it is different from the way most women dress and wear their hair today. This causes many people to wonder why some Christian women wear dresses or skirts and long hair.
Categories: Questions Tags: Christian women dress, godliness, inner beauty, long hair, modest clothing, Stepford wives
Are we all God’s children?
- Are we all God’s children?
It is not uncommon when spiritual or community leaders get together for an event or to promote a cause that someone might evoke our common humanity by saying, “We are all God’s children.” While this is a comforting sentiment and many nod in agreement when heard, what does the Bible tell us is the answer? Are we all God’s children?
Categories: Questions, Theology Tags: born again, children, Children of God, devil, ecumenicalism, God
Do Christians believe the earth is flat?
(Isaiah 40:22 KJV) "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:"
It is commonly stated that because of ignorance, Christians at one time did not believe that the earth was round until the scientific evidence was so overwhelming that they changed their beliefs. Because of this, Christians are often called ‘flat earthers” as a derogatory term to indicate their stupidity and to belittle their beliefs. Unfortunately, those who make these comments are ignorant of the facts of history and what the Bible says concerning the same.
First, history is full of examples of many civilizations and respected individuals that believed the earth was flat. For the record, early Egyptians and Mesopotamians believed the earth was a flat disc floating on the sea. Likewise, poets such as Homer and Hesiod believed the same.
Are there aliens living on other planets?
Rev. Jose Funes, Director of the Vatican Observatory
In 2008, Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit Director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted in the Associated Press as saying that the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.
Many people, including professed Christians, welcomed this announcement as a sign of open-mindedness from Christians. Unfortunately, here is another example where liberal elements of “the church,” have ignored the clear teachings of Scripture. In doing so, they repeat the same mistake that was made when the church stated the earth was flat and persecuted anyone who disagreed.
How can families survive in today’s world?
In my experience as a Pastor and Biblical counselor, not a week goes by without my interaction with a family that is struggling to survive. Biblically speaking, our families are being attacked by Satan and most often, the family members who are the lamb in the jaws of the predator are children.
Sadly, many Pastors do not do counseling because they believe that they are not “qualified” to counsel, despite getting up every week in front of a congregation and delivering a message supposedly designed to help the hearers. This is because secular psychologists have convinced us that Biblical counseling is not real counseling and Pastors need to refer people to the “experts.”
Categories: Questions Tags: Bible, Biblical counseling, counseling, culture wars, help others
