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Who were the Nabateans? |
Answer
The Nabateans were an ancient Semitic people whose presence and influence are indirectly mentioned in Scripture. Renowned for their control over critical trade routes and their impressive architectural designs, particularly in [Petra](Petra.html), their history and interactions with neighboring nations o... |
What was the average life expectancy in the Bible? |
Answer
The average life expectancy in the Bible is a fascinating topic. Right away, we see that people of ancient times lived [much longer](Genesis-long-lives.html)—by hundreds of years—than people do today.
According to the CDC, the average lifespan today in the US for both sexes is 77\.5 years (www.cdc... |
What is conservative theology? |
Answer
*Conservative theology* is an expansive term that covers various Christian denominations and movements, such as [evangelicalism](evangelicalism.html) and [fundamentalism](fundamentalism.html). For conservative theologians, the Bible is authoritative, the ultimate source of truth. It is the inspired, inerr... |
What is the significance of Paul saying, “I press on” (Philippians 3:12)? |
Answer
In Philippians 3:12–14, the apostle Paul portrays himself (a follower of Christ) as a determined athlete [running a race](run-the-race-set-before-us.html) (the Christian life). In that race, Paul is resolutely reaching toward the goal of “knowing Christ Jesus” so fully and experientially (Philippians 3:8... |
What does it mean that “honor your father and mother” is the first commandment with a promise (Ephesians 6:2)? |
Answer
Ephesians 6:2–3 reads, “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land” (ESV). In this instruction, there is a reference to the fifth of the [Ten Commandments](Ten-Commandments.html). The reason we should h... |
Who is the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4)? |
Answer
In 2 Corinthians 2:17—7:4, the apostle Paul sets forth a defense of his apostolic ministry. In verses 4:1–6, he focuses on the transparency of his ministry. Paul renounces secret and underhanded methods, stating that he does not “try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before Go... |
What does it mean that God is not unjust to forget (Hebrews 6:10)? |
Answer
After issuing a warning against [apostasy](apostasy.html) or rejecting the truth of the gospel (Hebrews 5:11—6:8\), the author of Hebrews delivers this encouragement to readers, acknowledging their faithfulness: “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany s... |
Broad is the road that leads to destruction—why? |
Answer
Jesus Christ used a metaphor of two roads to illustrate the choice between living a godly life and a worldly life: “Enter through the [narrow gate](narrow-gate.html). For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road... |
What did Jesus mean by, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19)? |
Answer
John 2:18–22 marks a transitional moment in Jesus’ ministry, illustrating both the hard\-nosed skepticism of the Jewish leaders and the spiritual truths Jesus imparted to His disciples.
In context, the leaders question Jesus about His authority to cleanse the temple (John 2:13–18\). Their request ... |
What does “born of the flesh” mean (John 3:6)? |
Answer
In John 3:6, Jesus says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (ESV). This statement is part of Jesus’ response to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who had come to Jesus by night to converse with Him.
John records that [Nicodemus](Nicodemus-in-th... |
What does the Bible say about tolerance? |
Answer
Understanding what the Bible says about tolerance is crucial for Christians today. Tolerance, as presented in Scripture, is a fundamentally different concept from the tolerance promoted in our society today. While the world advocates for a form of tolerance that demands, without judgment, the acceptance ... |
What did Jesus mean when He said, “if you abide in my word” in John 8:31? |
Answer
In John 8:31, Jesus identifies the mark of genuine [disciples](Christian-discipleship.html): “If you *abide* in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (NKJV, emphasis added). This suggests that everyone who calls himself a disciple is not truly a disciple. A true disciple is someone who abides in the word... |
Who wrote the book of 2 Samuel? Who was the author of 2 Samuel? |
Answer
The [book of 2 Samuel](Book-of-2-Samuel.html) is the sequel to the first book of Samuel in modern Bibles. In the Tanakh, the two books were considered one volume. The first book of Samuel begins with the childhood of Samuel, who became a key figure in Israel and guided the transition into monarchy. It al... |
Who wrote the book of 2 Kings? Who was the author of 2 Kings? |
Answer
In our modern Bibles, the [book of 2 Kings](Book-of-2-Kings.html) is a sequel to 1 Kings, but they were originally written as one book in the Hebrew Bible. The [book of 1 Kings](Book-of-1-Kings.html) recounts the rise and fall of Solomon, the division of Israel into two kingdoms, and the series of kings ... |
Who wrote the book of 1 Chronicles? Who was the author of 1 Chronicles? |
Answer
Like the books of Samuel and Kings, the book of Chronicles was initially a single work before its division in the Greek Septuagint. In modern Bibles, Chronicles is split into two books, and 1 Chronicles is placed after 2 Kings. In the Hebrew Tanakh, the book of Chronicles concludes the Jewish Scripture. ... |
Who wrote the book of 2 Chronicles? Who was the author of 2 Chronicles? |
Answer
The book of 2 Chronicles serves as a “sequel” to 1 Chronicles in our modern Old Testament. In the Tanakh both 1 and 2 Chronicles were a unified entity concluding the [Ketuvim](Writings-Ketuvim.html) (“Writings”) section and the Hebrew Bible as a whole. The author of 2 Chronicles is unknown, but tradition... |
Who wrote the book of Song of Solomon? Who was the author of Song of Solomon? |
Answer
The title of [Song of Songs](Song-of-Solomon.html) is a translation of the Hebrew phrase *shiyr hashiyrim*. In English Bibles, it is alternatively titled Song of Solomon, drawn from the opening line: “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s” (Song of Solomon 1:1\). The beautiful, lyrical poetry paints an e... |
Who wrote the book of 1 Peter? Who was the author of 1 Peter? |
Answer
The apostle Peter is the author of [1 Peter](Book-of-1-Peter.html), one of the books bearing his name. The opening introduces Peter as “an apostle of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:1\).
In the Gospels, [Peter](life-Peter.html) comes across as being the most expressive of the Twelve, and he is arguably t... |
What is the key to learning how to pray? |
Answer
In seeking the key to learning how to [pray](why-pray.html), we must value the word *learn*. Coincidentally, the key to prayer is the same as the key to discipleship. The word *disciple* literally means “learner,” and if you’re going to be a student of prayer, your posture requires two things: humility a... |
What physical infirmity is Galatians 4:13 referring to? |
Answer
In the apostle Paul’s [letter to the Galatians](Book-of-Galatians.html), he mentions having a bodily affliction: “You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first” (Galatians 4:13, NKJV). Other translations describe his malady as a “bodily illness” (NASB) and a “bodil... |
What does the Bible say about self-justification? |
Answer
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines *self\-justification* as “the act or an instance of making excuses for oneself.” Generally, it involves attempts to make ourselves appear good or approved in the eyes of others. We engage in self\-justification when we minimize our faults, exaggerate our successes, ... |
What was the purpose of Jesus’ miracles? |
Answer
A [miracle](definition-miracle.html) is an unexpected outpouring of God’s power that defies ordinary explanation and occurs outside the bounds of natural order. Miracles in the Bible demonstrate God’s involvement in humans’ lives. Their purpose is always to advance the kingdom of God in some way. The mir... |
What does the Bible say about matriarchy? |
Answer
The Bible does not explicitly address the concept of matriarchy, a societal system where women hold primary power and authority. True matriarchies are rare, and they were virtually nonexistent in biblical times. Today, the social climate favors a broad egalitarianism over either patriarchy or matriarchy.... |
What is the Book of Odes? |
Answer
The Book of Odes, also known as Biblical Odes, consists of [hymns](what-are-hymns.html), prayers, and poetry. It is used in the liturgy of some Christian traditions, particularly [Eastern Orthodoxy](Eastern-Orthodox-church.html). The standard collection has 14 lyric poems or “odes,” though some editions ... |
What is the “will of man” in John 1:13? |
Answer
The Gospel of John commences with a prologue (John 1:1–18\) that lays the groundwork for the rest of the book. In verses 12–13, the apostle writes, “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh ... |
What does “whoever comes to me I will never cast out” mean (John 6:37)? |
Answer
John 6:37 is a comforting verse for Christians. It reads, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (ESV). The verse hints at the mystery of how divine sovereignty relates to human responsibility. Unfortunately, debates over that mystery can distract us... |
What does it mean to present our members as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13)? |
Answer ..... |
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