Forbidden Fruit = Death?

Most of us are familiar with the story of “original sin.”  Adam and Eve in the perfect Garden of Eden…the serpent-tempter shows up…Eve caves to the temptation and eats a piece of fruit…then, bammo!  Condemnation to eternal death! Sounds a little harsh, doesn’t it? What would make Adam and Eve’s rule-breaking so egregious that it warranted capital punishment, not ...

Christian Thoughts for Muslims

The religion of Islam (whose believers are called “Muslims”) claims more than 1 out of 5 people on earth today. The word “Islam” simply means “submission.” Muslims believe in Allah (their concept of God, an all-powerful Deity) and their primary source of spiritual information is their holy book, the Koran (Qur’an). And, while Muslims do ...

How Do I Study Theology? 1

Whether you are a convinced believer or a considering skeptic, the question is the same: “How do I learn about God?” Historically, people pursue theology (the study of God) through seven disciplines: 1. Scripture. Christians believe that the Bible, or “Scripture,” is the primary source for specific information about God and His plan. Reading the ...

Christian Thoughts for Hindus

Hindus make up some 13% of the world’s population, although the number is much larger when one accounts for all those who adhere to Hindu philosophy (New Age practices, etc.). The religion began in 1500 B.C. as ritualistic polytheism practiced in homes, and over the years it has grown more and more complex, to the ...

Why Do Christians Believe Jesus Rose Again?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian theology.  Without that historical event, faith in Jesus is unwarranted.  If His body is rotten in a grave, the Christian faith is a sham.  Over the centuries, Christians have experienced the power of the risen Christ in a personal sense, and they’ve defended the historicity of ...