When We Understand The Text
Gabriel Hughes 
Cleanliness is next to godliness. It’s true! Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded.” Now the phrase itself, …
What is the meaning of life? That is the question, right? It’s the question at the heart of all philosophical and existential thought. And the answer means everything. Most of the ancient philosophers believed happiness was the meaning of life, and we acquire happiness through knowledge. The more a person knows, the happier they …
What does RIP mean? In Latin, it stands for Requiescat in Pace, or in English, “Rest in peace.” The phrase was engraved on most tombstones during the 18th century, used prominently by the Roman Catholic church, but also by Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists. However, you can go all the way back to the second …
In Genesis 9, after the world perished in the flood, God blessed Noah and his family and told them to fill the earth. The sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japheth, from whom all nations are descended. Noah planted a vineyard, and one day he drank some of the wine and got smashed, …
At the start of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He proclaimed the gospel and said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel!” Since Jesus said we must repent, it must be pretty important. What is repentance? To repent means to change one’s mind. In the case …
Though you may call yourself a Christian, if you don’t go to church, you’re probably going to hell. What, no! Church doesn’t save anyone. You know that thing about being in a garage doesn’t make you a car? So going to church doesn’t make you a Christian! Sure. But being a Christian means that …
In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And …
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This reference to “gates of hell” is often taken to mean that any attempt of Satan to mount an attack against the church will not succeed. Now, that’s certainly true, and history testifies. Two …
Are reparations biblical? Absolutely! To pay reparations means to make amends for a wrong that was done. Another word for this is restitution, and the law required the person responsible to restore more than what was lost. For example, in Exodus 22:1 it says, “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and …
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 says, “If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has violated …
What is misogyny? It’s a broad term, but a misogynist is someone who hates, exploits, or looks down on women. The word does is not in the Bible. But there are many sins that would fall into the category of misogyny. The murder, rape, or abuse of women would of course be misogyny. Crude …
Are you familiar with microaggressions? Subtle forms of prejudice, casual exchanges that are perceived as communicating derogatory remarks, whether intended or not. You might be a homophobe or transphobe, sexist or racist, and not even know it. If a man corrects a woman’s behavior, if you ask someone what they are, make stereotypes of …