Articles written by Rebecca Craig
All 25 articles written by Rebecca Craig
The Purpose of Prophecy: Words of Warning and Promise in Revelation
Category: Bible Studies
People usually view "prophecy" as "fortune telling." However Biblical prophecy as a whole is not fortune telling but rather, it is a call for change. more...
The Church's Missing Demographic: Why Don't Young Single Members Attend Church?
Category: Protestantism (general)
According to a 2008 Census Bureau report, 46% of America's population is single. So why don't churches reflect this demographic? more...
Lutheran Sacraments: Understanding the Use of Sacraments in the Lutheran Church
Category: Protestantism (general)
The Lutheran Church practices two "sacraments," baptism and communion. But what is a sacrament? What is their importance? And why only these two? more...
Jesus And The Fig Tree: Bearing Fruit Out Of Season
Category: Bible Studies
The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree in Mark 11 is one of the more disturbing and seemingly "human" things Jesus does. How should this incident be interpreted? more...
Understanding the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit - Three in One
Category: Protestantism (general)
The concept of the trinity is one of orthodox Christianity's most confusing and misunderstood doctrines, yet is its most central teaching. more...
The Temple of Revelation: How John Uses Temple Imagery
Category: Bible Studies
Does the temple in Jerusalem need to be rebuilt in order to usher in the end times? A closer look at John's use of temple imagery suggests this isn't the case. more...
The Creation Debate: A Literal or Poetic Interpretation of Genesis 1?
Category: Bible Studies
The argument in Christian circles continues to rage: Is a "literal" reading of Genesis 1 the only faithful way to interpret the Biblical creation account? more...
Interpreting Scripture: A Lutheran View of the Bible
Category: Protestantism (general)
Lutherans believe that the Bible is the inspired, authoritative Word of God. But what exactly does this mean, and how does that affect Lutheran Biblical interpretation? more...
What "Christ the King" Means: Does the Parable of the Sheep and Goats Upend Grace by Faith Alone?
Category: Bible Studies
"Saved by grace through faith, not works" is a basic Protestant Christian doctrine. Yet, does "faith" give us a license to do nothing? more...
The Imagery of Revelation: The Function of Symbolism and Imagery in John's Revelation
Category: Bible Studies
They say a picture's worth a thousand words. Apparently, John thought so as well given his abundant use of images and symbolism in his Revelation. more...
Have Some Christians Become Like the Pharisees?: The Letter of the Law vs. Intent of the Law
Category: Bible Studies
For many Christians, the bible is a handbook of rules and regulations for how to live and act, but what happens when those rules get in the way of the gospel? more...
Scripture and Science: How Scripture Provides a Perspective for Reason and Experience
Category: Protestantism (general)
Both science and faith are still suffering the effects of Enlightenment notions that somehow pitted science and religion against one another. more...
Does the Bible Forbid Women to be Preachers?: How Scripture Portrays Women's Roles in the Church
Category: Bible Studies
Few issues have been as divisive within the church as the question regarding the leadership roles of women. more...
How "All Israel" Will Be Saved: A Closer Look At Romans 9-11
Category: Bible Studies
Many current theologies interpret Romans 9-11 as promoting the idea that God has "two tracks" of salvation - one Christian, one Jewish. But is this what Paul meant? more...
The Lutheran Altar Call: Public Commitment Through Word and Sacrament
Category: Protestantism (general)
For many Lutherans, the idea of an "altar call" is a foreign and uncomfortable concept. What most don't recognize is Lutherans already perform an altar call each week! more...
The Bride and Harlot: How Wisdom and Folly are Portrayed in Revelation
Category: Bible Studies
Revelation gives us distinctly different views of "wisdom" and "folly" in personified, female forms: the Bride of New Jerusalem vs. the Whore of Babylon. more...
Create a Clean Heart: A New Creation and a New Heart Means a New You
Category: Bible Studies
When the heart is cleansed and replaced, that means one's self-identity is cleansed and replaced. Such a radical idea is sometimes hard to accept. more...
What it Means to be "Born Again": Daily Dying and Rising
Category: Bible Studies
For many, the "born again" experience is a specific moment in time. For others, however, it's an ongoing way of life rather than a singular event. more...
Should Wives Submit to Their Husbands?: Marital Relationships in the New Testament
Category: Bible Studies
Certain Biblical texts have been abused by husbands throughout the centuries to subjugate and control their wives. Yet, was this the intent of these passages? more...
Why Women Go into Ministry: The Female Pastor's Story
Category: Protestantism (general)
Despite being told they are defying scripture, usurping the will of God, and are abominations, many women still become pastors. So what is it that drives them? more...
Freedom of the Will vs. Bondage of the Will: Does "Free Will" Actually Exist?
Category: Protestantism (general)
Many Christians today have adopted the humanist idea of "free will." Yet, is the idea of a "free will" truly Christian? more...
Understanding the Wrath of God: Love and Wrath, Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Category: Protestantism (general)
The "wrath of God" is a term that gets tossed around whenever something bad happens in the world. But what exactly is "God's wrath?" more...
Why Lutherans Baptize Babies: The Function and Purpose of Baptism
Category: Protestantism (general)
For the Lutheran, baptism isn't about human action, but is all about God's action. more...
Is the "Rapture" Biblical?: Revealing the Flaws in Rapture Theology
Category: Bible Studies
One of today's most prevalent end-times beliefs surrounds the idea of the "rapture" -- but is it actually biblical? more...
A Different View of Eve's Curse: The Beginning of the Battle of the Sexes
Category: Bible Studies
Does the curse placed upon Eve relegate women to a subservient role in male/female relationships, or is something else going on? more...
