Category: Tenets of Christianity

The Rapture of the Church Jesus meets believers in the clouds The Rapture is near
Faith News of Joy Tenets of Christianity The Good News The Good News of Jesus You Must be Saved

The Rapture of the Church

The Rapture is an event that most Evangelical Christians believe in and understand will happen thanks to writings by the Apostle Paul and others in the Bible. While many who claim to be “Christian” and many non-believers don’t really understand what the Rapture means; it’s importance cannot be overstated. The Apostle Paul describes the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. The term “Rapture” comes from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.” In verses 16 and 17, the Apostle Paul says: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with …

Continue Reading
Faith Modern Day Christianophobia Tenets of Christianity

Arguments for the Existence of God

There are far more intellectual arguments in favor of God than most believers realize when confronted by an Atheist or a non-believer. Those arguments can be broken down into several tools of logic or they can be used together in summation for a more powerful argument. I have often made a teleological argument myself, finding that to be really compelling and using other examples than those in this video, although the ones in the video are very good. I have also elicited Pascal’s Wager in discussions with non-believers. It may not be an argument for God, but it certainly is a logical argument for someone who may be marginal and not a steadfast Atheist. Credit for this video goes to Redeemed Zoomer, who even adds some humor to what could …

Continue Reading
Faith Tenets of Christianity The Good News The Good News of Jesus

How Your Prayers will Work

A really great sermon by Pastor Bobby Schuller asking “What is Your Purpose” and starting with the story of Elijah from the Old Testament (and Elisha). Elijah had performed 7 miracles and was considered a superstar in his time. His disciple Elisha ended up performing 14 miracles after Elijah was taken up to Heaven. Schuller talks about having a vision. He talks about writing down goals. What does it take to achieve goals and make them more manageable? He says to “go for no” because after many “no’s,” there will be a “yes.”  He talks about reframing things through the “lens of faith.” He talks about getting excited for the future. Most important, he refers to Mark 11:22 – 26, where Jesus talks about the importance of faith. ““Have faith …

Continue Reading
soul sleep concept of soul sleep Christianity when you die Heaven
Tenets of Christianity The Good News of Jesus

Nobody is in Heaven

At least; almost nobody. I was reading some tributes recently on social media to a much-loved British actor who just died. Of the hundreds of comments, one said “sleep soundly mate.”  How often to we wish that the person who has just passed away “rest in peace?” (RIP)  Did you ever consider that the one fan’s comment and the well-wishes of rest in peace are both very Biblical? Jesus told the disciples that his friend Lazarus “sleeps,” when describing his death. Jesus had no reason to employ euphemisms. Jesus described Heaven as “paradise.”  Since we know that Heaven is a billion times more wonderful than life on earth, would Jesus have forced Lazarus to leave the splendor of Heaven and return to this earth?  Would Peter have done the same …

Continue Reading
soul sleep concept of soul sleep Christianity when you die Heaven
Tenets of Christianity

Why I Believe in Soul Sleep

There are not many topics in Christianity that are “controversial.”  The reason is that the Bible is considered God’s inspired word; or God-breathed. For there to be any controversy, a person would have to not believe God’s own inspired word. The more likely disagreements in Christianity might come from criticism of denominations that are more legalistic, or those adding rules and rituals on top of of the core tenets of the Christian faith. Yet, when I have brought up my belief in soul sleep over the past year to some Christian friends, it went over like a lead balloon. Most Christians are taught that they will go to Heaven a second after they die. This is a nice thought and many don’t want any reason to think differently. But, the …

Continue Reading