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by Keith A. Mathison
Is the doctrine of the Trinity biblical? Well, that depends on what you mean when you say “biblical.” Does the Bible anywhere contain anything like the Nicene Creed? No. Does the Bible anywhere present a systematic statement of the doctrine of the Trinity using technical theological terms such as homoousios or hypostasis? No. So, if this is what is required in order for the doctrine of the Trinity to be biblical, then no, the doctrine isn’t biblical. But this is not what is required for a doctrine to be biblical. The Westminster Confession of Faith explains, “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture” (1.6). The doctrine of the Trinity is not expressly set down in Scripture in the technical sense described above, but it is certainly a “good and necessary consequence” of what is expressly set down in Scripture. So, what does Scripture expressly teach? “If I were granted one wish, I would ask for world peace!” While cliché, this oft-repeated phrase emphasizes a crucial point: despite the fact that in the history of civilization there has been no end to feuds, conflicts, skirmishes, battles, and outright war, people long for peace.
When we move from the macro to the micro, we do not always see peace there either. How many of us can say that we have the peace we desire in our local communities or in our homes? Even if there has been no actual violence, we have all seen families who have been torn apart by internal strife. If we zoom in even closer and take an honest look at ourselves, we must admit that we do not always have peace in our own minds and hearts either. Regardless of times when there is smooth sailing on calm waters, we often fear that one of life’s storms may soon come upon us. After considering all of this, we are confronted with the question, “why?” and “what can we do about it?” Wudu is a very important aspect of the Islamic faith. It is a religious ritual that involves the washing of one's hands, face (mouth and nostrils included), forearms and feet. This washing process is performed prior to saying the obligatory daily prayers, and it is a means of showing respect for Allah by entering into a ritual state of purity before praying to him.
Interestingly, during the Old Testament era of the Holy Bible, that is, the time that preceded the coming of Jesus, God required something similar of the Jews. What the Bible Says About Pilgrimage
The Hajj—It's the fifth pillar of the Islamic faith. The term refers to the annual pilgrimage made by Muslims to Mecca, a mandatory religious duty that Muslims must fulfill at least once during their lifetime if they are physically fit and financially capable. This pilgrimage is an important element in Islamic faith and practice. But what about pilgrimage in the Christian faith? What does the Bible say about pilgrimage? Did He Ever Say, “I am God. Worship Me”?
“Is there any unequivocal statement in the Bible were Jesus says, 'I am God' or 'Worship me'?” This is a good question, a question many Muslims commonly ask of their Christian friends. Let me begin this response by asking you to picture the following scenario. Weighing In
Are you a "Weight-Watcher"? Many Canadians are. They spend a lot of time thinking about their weight. They enroll in weight-loss programs, purchase gym memberships, hire personal trainers, watch what they eat, and check in frequently to see whether they are gaining or losing weight. The goal of all these efforts: have a physical body that is slim and trim—and maybe muscular too! What about your spiritual state? Are you concerned about how you are doing spiritually? Most importantly: Do you know how your deeds will weigh in on judgment day? Understanding the Difference Between The Gospel of John and The Epistles of John
Did you know that there are four books in the Bible with the name 'John' in the title? Maybe it's caused you some confusion in the past. Perhaps a friend referred you to a passage in a book of the Bible, saying, “Read the section beginning at 1 John 4:7. It tells us about God's love for us and it calls us to love one another.” But when you turn to the fourth chapter in a book called 'John', what you find is something very different. You find a story about Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman as she comes to draw water from a well. You are confused. And the reason you are confused is this: your friend was referring to the first epistle of John, but you opened up to and read from the gospel of John. Little did you know that the book you turned to is the first of four books in the Bible named after its author, the Apostle John. Allow me to explain the difference between “the four Johns.” Is Canada a Christian Nation?
It was a mere one hundred and fifty years ago — in the year 1867 — that Canada first became a nation. During the country’s early and formative years the prevailing views on morality were based upon and drawn from the Holy Bible and served as the primary influence in the spheres of education, politics, religion. And this is the reason for Canada's stability and prosperity in the past: it began as a nation founded upon Christian principles. Unfortunately, our country has moved further and further from this good beginning and today Canada can no longer be considered a Christian nation. Marriage, the family unit, the sanctity of life, and the Christian faith itself are being trampled underfoot. This country is quickly removing whatever Christian values remain. Canadian culture is rejecting God and, as a result, we cannot expect continued prosperity unless it restores Biblical principles. Do Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Yes and No. Many Christians do. Many Christians do not. In light of this reality, we must consider a slightly different question: Should Christians celebrate Halloween? Easter eggs. Easter bunnies. Easter lilies. Most of us know what these things are: colourfully-decorated eggs or egg-shaped candies; edible milk-chocolate bunnies; single-stemmed plants with beautiful white flowers. But what is Easter? And what, if anything at all, do these eggs and bunnies and flowers have to do with Easter?
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