Category Archives: General Biblical Blogs

This category contains blogs not a part of a series.

Product Review: 50 Christian Symbols & Their Meanings

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The idea of creating a visual designs to represent concepts, ideologies, organizations, or something abstract is centuries old.  We are dependent upon symbols to convey warning, authenticity, emotions, affiliations, and organizations.

Jessica Curiel, author of “50 Christian Symbols & Their Meanings”, explores popular and commonly known Christian symbols providing their meaning and history.  According to Curiel, Christian symbols are used do denote people as Believers or Followers of Christ, aid in Worship, and act a reminders to biblical truths. Christian Symbols are not limited to objects, but include Christograms (monograms denoting Christ) or Christian and Biblical imagery.

As with the symbols that we use in social media and texting, some of them have multiple meanings based upon time period and culture.  For example, in the Bible the rainbow represents God’s covenant not to send a worldwide flood again.  However, the rainbow has been adopted by different demographics to denote proponents of diversity.  In times of persecution, the Christian Fish was used by Christian to discreetly identify other Believers.  A Believer would draw half of the Christian Fish in the dirt if the other person knew the symbol they would complete the drawing.

This publications does not provide an exhausted list of Christian symbols but highlights the most properly ones.  This pamphlet is ideal to teach new Believers about Christian Symbolism.  I would like to see more on this topic. I would recommend it for small group or Sunday School.

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Product Review: Finding Hope in Jesus – Comfort for Loss

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In life, we all experience levels of successes and failures, gains and losses. It is easy to bask in the afterglow of our successes and celebrate triumphantly.  However, failures and losses are challenging to endure.  “Finding Hope in Jesus – Comfort for the Loss” is a Rose Publishing publication that addresses the heart of loss from a biblical perspective. 

This pamphlet addresses the five stages of grief, myths about grief, and finding the meaning in loss.  Psalm 34:19 (KJV) states, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”  Christians are not exempt from loss.  In fact, Psalm 34:19 indicates that we are subject to several of them.  However, we have the comfort in knowing that God will deliver us out of them all. 

We experience loss in various ways from the tangible to the intangible.  Regardless of the type of loss, the stages of grief are the same.  In the Bible, there is a numerous accounts of loss experienced by people of God.  When we examine the Scriptures, we can identify with the feelings of hopelessness and stages of grief through their responses.  In the pamphlet, the lives of David, Job, Jeremiah, and Jesus are used to illustrate their times of loss. 

We have a tendency to question God and His sovereignty during our times of grief.  Why? Why do we have to experience the hardship?  Why did my love one have to die? Why God did you allow this to happen?  The reasons for our adversity may vary; however, there is comfort in the Scriptures that remind us that we do not fight for victory but from victory.  

I would encourage all to add this pamphlet to your collection.  During our times of loss, this pamphlet would be an encouragement.  It can be used as an aid to help encourage someone else who is experience different stages of grief.  It would definitely a valuable tool for a Bible Study, Small Group, or Sunday School lesson.

The Absurd Obscenity of the Cross

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On this Good Friday, we set our hearts and minds to remember the selfless act of Jesus giving His life for humanity. There are some who struggle with the premise of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  To a non-Believer, the account appears to be a bit absurd and obscene.  Christians will want to provide a compelling argument against this perception to the non-Believer.  When we examine the Scriptures regarding the introduction of sin and the ultimate removal of sin, we can then understand and appreciate Jesus being the answer.

Sin can be defined as anything that violates the ideal relationship between an individual and God.  Sin was introduced in the Garden of Eden through the act of disobedience. This caused a ripple effect of corruption resulting in physical and spiritual deaths which allowed Satan to have dominion over all that God had given to man.  The old sacrificial system used for the atonement of sin was insufficient. There are no deeds or enough burnt offerings that we could offer to God the Father to protect us from His wrath.  Jesus was and still is the answer.

The entry of sin, the answer to sin, and the ultimate removal of sin all have one common component – a tree.  Through the act of disobedience, Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil ushering sin into the world. (Genesis 3:1-6 KJV)  We celebrate Good Friday because Jesus provided the solution to sin by dying on the tree. (Acts 5:30 KJV)  We anticipate the ultimate removal of all sin in eternity through the Tree of Life. (Revelation 22:1-3 KJV)

The fact is that what Jesus endured for humanity was absurd and obscene, yet necessary.  The absurdity was the arrest, trial, conviction, and sentencing of Jesus.  The obscenity was the mockery, brutality, and crucifixion of Jesus.  Sin separates us from God the Father placing us in spiritual darkness (or death).  Before the crucifixion, our Heavenly Father saw the absurd obscenity through our sins.  After the resurrection, God sees the shed blood of His Son that covers the multitude of past, present, and future sins.

Product Review: God in Real Life

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Rose Publishing’s book entitled, “God in Real Life,” is a compilation of previously published pamphlets by Rose Publishing focusing on a teen audience.  The book in its entirety is a 130 pages in length with a 125 pages of actual content. A Study Guide is included. The questions are designed to promote an in depth discussion while fortifying essential doctrine relating to the aforementioned topics. The Study Guide starts from pages 112 to page 127.  This book is designed to act as a six week guide addressing topics such as:

Tough Questions about Christianity

This segment explores the questions that most adolescence begin to have after encountering scientific facts, people who practice different belief systems, and the behavior of proclaimed Christians.  This section asks the questions then examines the assumptions, challenges, and encourages teens to reflect.

Worldwide Views and Religions

This unit surveys the various belief systems and their differing viewpoints regarding the nature of God and humanity.  It explains the significance of the worldwide views and how these views can shape a person’s character and behavior. 

Who is Jesus and Why does He Matter

This section provides a comprehensible clarification and description about Jesus as the second person of the Godhead, as a man, and as our Savior. It further explains Jesus’ mission was not about religion by relationship.

Knowing God’s Will for Your Life

This component provides guidelines for learning what God’s will. While there is no easy answers to respond to the question, Rose Publishing provides four points of power to assist in identifying God’s will. Additionally, it reminds the reader of God’s promises, desires, and faithfulness.

 Answers to Evolution

This chapter of the book highlights the scientific theories that challenges the Scriptures relating to creation.  It provides compelling arguments refuting scientific claims and actual statements made by world renowned scientist.  It offers additional resources for further inquiry.

This book also includes chapters regarding sex and the occult.  I believe this is a great resource to utilize for small group, Sunday School, or Bible Study with the teens or new Believers without any previous Christian experience. The Study Guide is a bonus benefit allowing for an assessment of what the student learned and what subject matter may require further discussion.  The layout of the book is intended to be aesthetically appealing to the teens; however, some of the font utilized makes it difficult to read.   Despite the problematic fonts, I would recommend this to teachers and leaders.

Product Review: Christ in the Passover

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The pamphlet entitled, “Christ in the Passover,” issued by Rose Publishing provides the Old Testament account of the Israelites enslavement in Egypt.  God heard their cries for mercy and responded through Moses.  Moses sought the freedom of the Israelites and demanding their freedom from Pharaoh.  Pharaoh being stubborn refused choosing to continue to increase the mistreatment of the Israelites.  God punished Egypt with ten plagues due to Pharaoh’s harden heart.

During the last plague, God provided His people with a means to escape the destruction – the blood of a perfect lamb in exchange for the first born of the family.  Not only does this pamphlet provides the origins of Passover within the Old Testament but the Passover celebration, Passover symbolism with the anticipation of Jesus’ works, the Passover celebration significance in modern day, and a comparison between Jesus and the Passover lamb.  

The Passover celebration is explained in depth and provides a modified version of the celebration for Christians.  Traditional recipes used in the Passover celebration are included.  I believe this pamphlet provides a fundamental understanding of the Passover.  It would be great for Bible Study, small group, or Sunday School. I would like to try the recipes and share it with my Sunday School class as we discuss the importance of celebrating the Passover.

Product Review: Evidence for the Resurrection

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Rose Publishing has distributed a pamphlet entitled, “Evidence for the Resurrection.”  It is a 14 page pamphlet (with 12 pages of actual content) that responds to seven objections and addresses four theories raised by skeptics.  Skeptics question the deity of Jesus Christ and produce arguments that the accounts of Jesus Christ is that of a mythological figure or a mortal man and His ministry is folklore.  

This publication denotes prominent Scriptures to illustrate biblical truths relating to Jesus’ resurrection.  However, it also identifies archaeology and historical discoveries that supports the reliability of the Bible.  Although I appreciate the attempt, I believe that there needs to be more information provided from the archaeology and historical points that coincide with the Scriptures.  If this document acts as an apologetic writing then there needs to be more balance. Typically, skeptics will reject biblical truths because the Bible is the source.  

I believe those that have questions relating to the resurrection but believe that Jesus is God would find the information compelling read. Also, I believe that Christians who are actively evangelizing would benefit from the information in this publication.  It would also be a conversation opening for small groups, Bible Study, or Sunday school. 

Product Review: Samson

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The newly release pamphlet entitled, “Life of Samson” published by Rose Publishing is a “must-have.” As the title suggest, this pamphlet provides an account of Samson’s life. It provides a vivid image of how God operates in the darkest of times, shows God’s love for His people, and illustrates God’s mercy and redeeming power.

Throughout the Book of Judges, there is a cyclical pattern of behavior that Israel demonstrates. From their disobedience to oppression followed by their cries for mercy, God provides a liberator that delivers Israel bring the nation to peaceful state. The peaceful states is short-lived and the cycle begins again. The pattern is broken in Chapter 13 because Israel has resolved to their state of oppression and are hopeless. God intervenes and shows compassion by consecrating Samson from the womb to be Israel’s liberator from the Philistines.

This account of Samson’s life allows us to see how God is able to use us despite our shortcomings. In this story, God’s grace, forgiveness, and empathy are evident. God used Samson’s weaknesses and selfish acts to His benefit. This story provides a perfect example of how God can use “perfectly imperfect” people to fulfill a divine purpose. God not only uses our talents, gifts, and strengths. God utilizes our weaknesses, and our limitations.

I believe that you will be inspired and enlighten. This is an incredible resource for personal, Sunday School, or Bible Study.