The Bible clearly shows how God provided food for humans. Genesis 2:8-9 explains that God planted a garden in Eden where He placed the first couple, and “the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground–trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.” Today, we have a choice between healthy and unhealthy food.
In Genesis 9:3, God tells Noah, “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” Later, God forbade the eating of animals that carry disease, like vultures, and prohibited drinking blood, but what God created for humans to eat is quite clear and beneficial.
In recent years, humans have created foods that are not healthy. Some seasonings may improve flavor, but they can be unhealthy. This leaves us with a choice between healthy and unhealthy food. The worst offenders include salt, refined sugar, ethyl alcohol, and animal fat. Science shows that these cause vascular problems and excessive weight gain. Increasing evidence links diet to mental health issues, memory problems, heart problems, kidney failure, and sexual dysfunction.
All of this strongly supports the Bible’s inspiration. When you see how accurate biblical instructions about what humans should eat are, it’s hard to see that as a coincidence. The negative effects of an unhealthy diet often appear long after the bad food is eaten. God created good food to meet human needs, but, as with everything else, negative consequences often result when humans modify what God has provided.
One thing that sets Christianity apart is that we find Christians giving thanks for everything. Those who answer “None” when asked about their religion have no one to thank, and our modern American culture is characterized by taking everything for granted.
James 1:17 tells Christians, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” In the Old Testament, we see that Moses worried that when the people entered the promised land and were richly blessed, they might become proud and forget what God had done for them (Deuteronomy 8:11-20). Romans 1:21 tells us, “Although men knew that God exists, they have refused to honor him as God or render Him thanks. Hence, all their thinking has ended in futility, and their misguided minds are plunged into darkness.”
We are truly blessed both physically and spiritually. Outside the U.S., only 7% of the world’s population owns a car. The amount of food wasted in this country could feed all the underdeveloped countries in the world. But most importantly, as Christians, we are spiritually blessed.
Americans often see Thanksgiving as a time to enjoy turkey, hunting, and football. While we can enjoy any or all of these, 1 Timothy 2:1 encourages us with these words: “I am urging that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be offered for all mankind.” Make this Thanksgiving a time for giving thanks for the physical and spiritual blessings God has provided.
One of the best-known stories Jesus told was about a farmer with two sons. The story is often called the parable of the prodigal son, but I think it should be better called the parable of the father’s love. I see a similarity between the prodigal son and modern atheists.
In the story, the extravagant or wasteful son (that’s what “prodigal” means) wanted his father to give him his inheritance. Basically, he was saying, “You are as good as dead to me. Give me what’s mine so I can waste it.” That’s exactly what the father did, and the son quickly forgot about the father and showed no respect for what he had received. The pleasures of the world became all he cared about, and the father’s gifts were quickly wasted and destroyed.
The son’s attitude could be summed up as, “Give me what you have, and I will enjoy it.” Isn’t that what atheists say to God? While the son was at home with his father, he could enjoy everything the father provided, but he wanted to enjoy his father’s blessings on his own terms, without being bound by his father’s rules or expectations. The heavenly Father provides abundant blessings for us to enjoy, but many adopt the prodigal attitude. The pursuit of pleasure often becomes the main goal for those who reject God.
As the story unfolds, the prodigal realizes that the father’s loving care wasn’t so bad after all. Wasteful extravagance leads to despair and a dead end. Meanwhile, the father’s love never wavered, and he was watching for his son’s return. When he saw his son coming back, he didn’t wait for him to arrive to scold him for his foolishness. The father ran to meet his son with loving forgiveness.
The father symbolizes God, and as far as I can tell, that’s the only time in the entire Bible when God is described as being in a hurry. God runs to meet the returning son. The atheist who has rejected God’s love and comfort and refused His authority can be immediately welcomed home by the Father’s love.
The similarity between the prodigal son and modern atheists is clear. When the pleasures of the world fade and their so-called friends abandon them, God is still waiting to welcome the wasteful, unworthy, but repentant wanderers back into a loving home.
There is widespread ignorance about Satan among people of all faiths. From comic strips in newspapers to numerous movies, we often see false portrayals of who or what Satan is. In comics, Satan is depicted wearing a red suit, with a tail and horns. While these images of a physical Satan may be entertaining, they are misleading and can cause many doubts, especially among young people.
In the Bible, Satan is described as the hater, accuser, adversary, or opposing spirit. The most detailed reference to Satan is in the New Testament, where the Greek term “diabolos” is translated as “devil” and “Beelzebub.” He is also called “prince of this world” (John 14:30) and “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).
Throughout the New Testament, various descriptions revealhow Satan’s force operates. John 8:44 states that Satan is the father of lies. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion walking around to seek whom he may devour. James 4:7 adds that Satan is a coward who will flee if resisted.
According to the Bible, the purpose of human life is that humans play a key role in the ongoing war between good and evil. This is clearly illustrated in Job 1-2, where God and Satan confront each other over whether good or evil is superior. Atheism offers no purpose for human existence, so only faith can provide an answer to this question. Jesus repeatedly provided solutions to Satan’s attacks.
We learn in John 4:24 that God is a Spirit. Ephesians 6:12 explains that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 3:10-11 shows that God’s goal was that through the Church (the called-out souls, not a building or denomination) “the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Satan is real, but he is a spiritual being, not a cartoon character or a misguided human as depicted in movies. Ignorance about Satan is a serious matter because it has eternal consequences.
Genesis 2:10-14 indicates that the “Garden of Eden” was located where four rivers flowed—the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. This region is called the “Fertile Crescent” by modern mapmakers and gets its name because of the rich soil that once supported abundant plant life, as the Bible states. In recent years, some anthropologists have claimed that humans originated in Africa, and detailed “trees” of human evolution are included in anthropology textbooks. By asserting that humans were created in Africa rather than Asia, this theory conflicts with the biblical account, leading many people to doubt the Bible’s accuracy. So, what is the truth about Adam’s origin?
As technology advances, two ancient skulls discovered in China have been reclassified, once again altering the anthropological understanding of human history. The Yunxian skulls initially labeled as Homo erectus are now identified as Homo longi because modern technology reveals they lack the traits of Homo erectus. In addition to Homo sapiens, there are two racial groups for human-like fossils—Neanderthals and Denisovans. The Denisovans are the older race, and the skulls found in China exhibit their features.
The biblical account of Adam’s origin is not at odds with this new information since the Bible does not specify a date for Adam and Eve. We do know that DNA evidence shows we are all related. “God has made of one blood all the nations that they should inhabit the whole Earth” (Acts 17:26).
Skeptics often point out the failures of religious leaders, and everyone is aware of scandals in the church over the years. One thing we can be sure of is that there will be more examples in the future. Why? Because humans sin. Proverbs 20:9 says, “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?’” Only one man was perfect and without sin: Jesus Christ. But, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV). While skeptics highlight the failures of Christians, the Bible doesn’t hide them. For example, take the people in the Corinthian church to whom Paul wrote.
In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul began, “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” But then in verse ten, he begins addressing the failures of Christians in that congregation. First, he discusses divisions and quarrels among the members. Then he reminds them that they were not wise, influential, or noble by birth, but God chose them anyway. By chapter 3, he tells them they are “still worldly” and “mere infants in Christ,” and that their jealousy and quarreling prove they are worldly.
In chapter 4, Paul continues by explaining that they have no reason to boast (implying they were boasting) because their relationship with God isn’t based on their goodness, but on God’s grace. He points out in verse 18, “Some of you have become arrogant…”
Just when it seems Paul had addressed all the failures of Christians, things get worse. In chapter 5, he highlights a case of sexual immorality within the church, and instead of condemning it, they are proud of it! Paul says they should have been mourning and removing the guilty party from the congregation. His warning is that if they continue to accept this immoral behavior, others will follow. He says we cannot avoid associating with sexually immoral people in the world, but such behavior should not be tolerated among those claiming to be Christians.
As if that’s not enough, Paul tells the Corinthian Christians in chapter 6 that they need to settle their disputes within the church and stop suing each other in public courts. He also urges them to avoid immoral conduct involving prostitutes. In chapter 7, he emphasizes that sexual relationships should only be between married couples and underscores the sacredness of marriage.
Wow! Paul still had eight more chapters to write, and in chapter 11, he rebuked the Corinthian Christians for how they were handling the Lord’s Supper, or communion. In chapter 12, he addressed their mishandling of spiritual gifts.
Paul was responsible for founding the church in Corinth, and he had to address the failures of Christians that weighed heavily on him. However, his letter is not entirely critical. Chapter 13 is one of the most beautiful parts of the Bible, where Paul describes the way of love. We can’t ignore chapter 15, where Paul reminds the Corinthians of Christ’s resurrection. In verses 3-7, he quotes an oral tradition about the resurrection that dates to shortly after the event. Then he admits his own sin, “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am…” In verses 20 and 21, he writes, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…so in Christ all will be made alive.”
Among his final instructions, Paul writes, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (16:13). Paul pointed out the failings of Christians, but he didn’t give up on those in Corinth, as shown in his second letter to the Corinthian church.
Scandals and moral failures have troubled the church since the beginning, but instead of hiding them, the Church must address them and make the necessary corrections. Would the Corinthian church have been embarrassed to know that their “dirty laundry” would be aired for the whole world to see for the next two thousand years? Does today’s Church have anything to be ashamed of? The failures of Christians are a stumbling block for seekers in a world that needs to see genuine Christianity.
We read in John’s gospel that Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus turned six large stone jars of water into wine. But where exactly was Cana? We know it was in Galilee because John mentions it, but the exact location has long been disputed. An archaeologist believes he has found the site of Cana and the wedding feast.
Jesus was present at the wedding with His first disciples, who had been followers of John the Baptist just days before. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was also there, so this wedding was likely for a close friend or family member. The reason for Jesus performing this miracle might have been sympathy for the embarrassment of the wedding host, but it could also have been to help His new disciples develop faith. (See John 2:1-11.)
Natural processes can turn rainwater into grape juice over time, but Jesus had the power to accelerate this without a grapevine. There was no reason for Him to ferment the grape juice to cause intoxication. When the master of the feast tasted it, he remarked, “You have kept the good wine until now.” That suggests the wine at this feast was not intoxicating.
Since the 18th century, the location of Cana and the wedding feast has generally been identified as Kafr Kanna, an Israeli town in Galilee. This is because, following the Crusades, the Franciscans chose it as a convenient place to establish a pilgrimage site, rather than based on historical evidence. Now, archaeologist and historian Tom McCollough suggests that Cana was actually located five miles north of Kafr Kanna, at a site called Khirbet Qana. This was a Jewish village from 323 B.C. to 324 A.D.
Excavations at Khirbet Qana have uncovered a veneration cave complex used by Christian pilgrims until the 12th-century Crusader period. Artifacts and inscriptions on the cave walls indicate this was the original location. McCollough also notes that rabbinic texts and the writings of first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus support this site. After Jesus faced resistance in Judea and ministered in Samaria, He returned to Cana, where He healed a nobleman’s son. (See John 4:43-54.)
The significance of identifying the location of Jesus’ first miracle is not for pilgrims to visit and venerate the site. Instead, it shows that the gospels describe real historical locations and events. Jesus is a real person, and Cana was a real place. Historian Tom McCollough believes that his excavations at Khirbet Qana strengthen the historical reliability of the Bible.
As Paul concluded his first epistle to the Thessalonians, he gave them a list of instructions (1 Thessalonians 5:14-22). Among these is the admonition to “Pray without ceasing” (verse 17). That does not mean to be constantly on your knees or even with your eyes closed. The idea is to maintain a constant attitude of prayer. Prayer changes things, starting with the person who prays.
In Acts 12:5, we read about what the early Church did when Peter was imprisoned for preaching the gospel. “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (NKJV). They prayed without ceasing for Paul, and God answered their prayer with a miracle. God doesn’t always answer with miracles. Miracles, by their very definition, are extremely rare. However, that does not mean that prayer can’t change things.
Recently (August 27, 2025), a gender-confused person with wicked motives opened fire on children in a Minnesota Catholic school during mass, killing two and injuring 15, plus 2 adults. The deranged shooter apparently harbored major anger toward Christianity and a desire to kill children. This incident also prompted many politicians and media personalities to display their hostility toward prayer. They demonstrated that they can’t believe prayer changes things.
In a press conference, the mayor of Minneapolis criticized people who were calling for prayer in response to the shooting. “Don’t say this is about ‘thoughts and prayers’ right now. These kids were literally praying…they were in a church.” Other Democratic officials and liberal media figures also disparaged faith-based responses to the tragedy. Dana Bash on CNN repeated the mayor’s call to “forget about thoughts and prayers.”
Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary under President Biden, in a rant on X, stated, “Enough with the thoughts and prayers.” Then, on her MSNBC show, Psaki criticized President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance for calling for prayer for the families involved. Vance had defended prayer by writing on X, “We pray because our hearts are broken. We pray because we know God listens.”
As I said, prayer changes things. Living in an attitude of prayer will change your life. It will change your attitude toward others. It will make you concerned for their needs and their pains. It will ease your own burdens and lead you to demonstrate God’s love for others. Perhaps it will bring a miracle, and maybe that miracle is a change in your life. Pray without ceasing.
“God helps those who help themselves.” That was a favorite “scripture” of my father, and he quoted it many times. The problem is that it is merely one of the frequently quoted “scriptures” not found in the Bible. In fact, it contradicts a very important Bible message. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot be good enough to deserve a heavenly reward. Trying to do so only shows a lack of faith in what Jesus has already done for us. See Romans 3:23, 6:23, and Ephesians 2:8.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Perhaps a parent may quote this “scripture’ to a child who needs to wash, but you won’t find this in the Bible either. In fact, the enemies of Jesus criticized his disciples because they did not ceremoniously wash their hands before eating. Jesus responded very directly about what real cleanliness is. Read it in Matthew 15:1-20.
Another of these frequently quoted “scriptures” not found in the Bible is, “God moves in mysterious ways.” You won’t find those words in the Bible, but in a hymn written by English poet William Cowper in 1773. It is based on Psalms 77:16-19. The first verse of the hymn says,
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform.
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in the dark and hidden mines,
With never-failing skill,
He fashions all his bright designs
And works his sov’reign will.
Yes, God’s ways are mysterious, but He created humans with curiosity and a desire to discover how God does things. Science has unlocked many of the mysteries of creation, but we have only scratched the surface. A leading American computational, physical, and theoretical chemist, Henry F. Shaefer III, once remarked, “The significance and joy in my science comes in the occasional moments of discovering something new and saying to myself, ‘So that’s how God did it!’ My goal is to understand a little corner of God’s plan.” (U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 23, 1991, cited by Dr. John Oakes).
Frequently quoted “scriptures” not found in the Bible may not be truthful. What we need to realize is that the Bible tells us everything we need to know to be saved. However, it does not tell us everything that can satisfy our curiosity. That is where science fills the gap. The point is that true scientific facts and a correct understanding of the Bible must be in agreement because they both come from the same source—God.
The teachings of Jesus Christ are radically different from those of other religions. Perhaps the most notable are the teachings about how to gain converts. In the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5–7), Jesus clearly states that those who follow Him do so voluntarily. Following Him is not a forced religion, and Christ’s disciples emphasized this as the Church rapidly grew.
In Acts 17:22-34, Paul describes the Christian faith and concludes in verses 29–30 that people should not think God’s nature is physical. In Acts 17:30, Paul writes, “God has looked with indulgence on the days of man’s ignorance, but now He is announcing to everyone everywhere the need to think differently.” Paul uses the word “repent,” meaning to think differently. Following Christ is a personal decision, not a forced religion or cult. This contrasts sharply with other religious belief systems.
Some individuals claiming to be Christians have violated Christ’s teachings by resorting to violence to force others to convert. The Crusades, the teachings of the Mormon Church, and various cult leaders all engaged in violence that directly contradicts Christ’s teachings. There is not a single statement by Christ or the Apostles advocating the use of force to gain converts.
An English translation of the Koran by N.J. Dawood, a Muslim, is available from Penguin Classics. Reading it reveals a stark contrast to Christ’s teachings. Mohammed 47:3-5 instructs Muslims to strike off the heads of unbelievers. The passages in 2:178 and 2:179 state that fighting and bloodshed are ordained for Muslims. Repentance 9:4-7 and 122-125 command Muslims to wage war. Claims that these are mistranslations are untrue; Muslims have followed these teachings for centuries, and fundamentalists still do today.
Hinduism also involves coercion. Since 2014, India’s Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party has been in power, arresting individuals they believe are proselytizing Hindus. Government violence against non-Hindus has led to the killing of Christians and Muslims and the confiscation of their property.
The teachings of Christ shine brightly in a world filled with violence. The word “gospel” means “good news,” and the good news is that Christianity is not a forced religion. Jesus Christ offers the freedom, peace, and hope that people desire to have in their lives.
