John Knox (c. 1514-1572) was the leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland and a key character in the history of Presbyterianism. During the reign of Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, John Knox gr...
Who did Cain marry? In the Bible, all the people on earth at that time were directly descended from Adam and Eve. Where, then, did Cain find his wife? Only one conclusion is possible. Cain married his...
Primitive Baptist churches are not ashamed of their name, explaining that "primitive" means "of early times; of long ago; first of the kind; very simple; original." They adhere strictly to the model o...
The Book of Common Prayer is the abbreviated title of the official liturgical service book of the Church of England, originally commissioned by King Edward VI (1537-1553) to direct the worship of the ...
The Great Schism of 1054 marked the first major split in the history of Christianity, separating the Orthodox Church in the East from the Roman Catholic Church in the West. Until this time, all of Chr...
Ignatius of Antioch (ca 50-ca 110 CE) was an early Christian martyr and an important figure in the early Christian church. He was an "apostolic father," which means he had direct contact with Christ's...
Known as the Father of Church History, Eusebius created extensive accounts of the first three centuries of Christianity. He preserved a wealth of early documentation that would have otherwise been los...
Moses, if he existed, likely lived in Egypt during the dynastic New Kingdom, and he was an early leader of the Hebrews and one of the most important figures in Judaism. He is a significant patriarch o...
A century before Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses criticizing the Roman Catholic Church, Czech pastor and church reformer Jan Hus pointed out the same problems. The Church labeled Hus a heretic and ...
Nature refers to all of God's creation. Plant and animal life and everything in the world that is not made by human hands fall within nature's realm. These Bible verses about nature showcase the beaut...
The practice of anointing with oil, described many times in the Bible, was a common custom in the Middle East. Medicinal anointings were used for medical reasons to treat and heal the sick. Sacramenta...
A good night's sleep is a priceless gift from God. Healthy sleep restores strength and well-being to the human body and refreshes the mind and spirit. The classic devotional author Oswald Chambers wro...
Wine plays a significant role in the Bible, with more than 140 references to this delicious fruit of the vine. From the days of Noah in Genesis (Genesis 9:18-27) to the time of Solomon (Song of Solomo...
Thomas Aquinas, a 13th century Dominican friar, was a brilliant theologian, philosopher, and apologist of the medieval church. Neither handsome nor charismatic, he was afflicted with edema and lopside...
The Christian Saint Perpetua (born circa 181, died circa 203) was a Roman noblewoman who was martyred in third century Roman Carthage. Perpetua wrote the account of her own life and arrest, becoming o...
Finding your calling in life can be a source of great anxiety. We put it right up there with knowing God's will or learning our true purpose in life.
Part of the confusion comes about because som...
Anyone familiar with the Easter story understands that Jesus' death on the cross was a horrible moment for many reasons. It's impossible to read about the crucifixion without cringing at the physical ...
In numerous key narratives, women in the Bible fulfill critical roles, despite being a marginalized minority in a patriarchal, male-oriented society. Scripture unquestionably places women on equal sta...
Addiction is a chronic or habitual dependency on a substance (like drugs or alcohol), a compulsion (like viewing pornography, engaging in unwanted sexual behavior, or binge eating and purging), or an ...
All people feel anger at times. Anger is a normal, healthy emotion, and in itself, is not a problem. But unresolved anger left to fester and grow can fan the flames of bitterness, resentment, and unfo...