Well, it’s not really money. It’s the ‘love of money’ that is the root cause of evil in the world. You can find an explanation to this in Timothy 6:10. So, the intentions behind gambling is what really matter. There are many who think that gambling is a quick and easy way to make money in casino and online casino. Then there are others, for whom, it’s a source of entertainment.

You also need to know a third category here. They’re the addicted. The ones who fall in this category are those who covet money. They give themselves to evil in a way. Such individuals might end up destroying themselves and causing a great deal of harm to their families.

Gambling for fundraisers

Consider Matthew 7:16. It says that you shall know them by their fruits. It’s a known fact that some of the churches use lotteries and bingo to raise money for charity. Many Christians who are conservative don’t approve any kind of gambling. Whether it’s flipping a coin, slot machine, horse racing, or lotteries, they frown upon such activities.

There are two arguments frequently advanced in the favor of lottery and gambling. One is the creation of jobs or employment and the other is revenue. Tom Dewey had something interesting to say about this when he addressed the New York legislature. This was during his days as the governor. According to what he said in his address, legalized gambling had brought with it a lot of social ills.

They were crime, corruption, poverty, and degradation of moral and ethical standards. This had resulted in misery and a lower living standard for everyone. So, one needs to be careful about such activities. You can easily fall prey to addiction while gambling for pastime. This is just like someone drinking alcohol occasionally, but gradually becoming addicted to liquor.

When does gambling become a sin?

Now, let’s examine 1 Corinthians 6:9,10. It talks about the thieves, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, and the swindlers. According to 1 Corinthians 6:9,10, these are the people who’ll not inherit the kingdom of God. When it comes to gambling, there are two types of people who would be sinners. They are the greedy and the thieves.

The ones who fall under the category of the former are those who covet money. Because of their greed, they might end up losing all their money and causing trouble to their family. Then there are others who use money that’s not their own for gambling. Such individuals are no less than thieves. So, these are the two possible categories of people who can be called sinners.

With regards to many of the other types of people who gamble, there’s still a debate. There was something important that Governor Washburn of Wisconsin said in one of his speeches. At one point, he said that acquiring money or property without labor was not morally correct.

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However, we instantly find our earthly experience reflected in some of the works of fiction. There are many types of fiction novels available online or at the bookstores. Here, we’re talking specifically about Christian fiction. Now, let’s see what are some of the best works in Christian fiction that you must read:

1. Redeeming Love

Originally from 1991, an updated edition of this book came out in 2009. It is based on the Book of Hosea from the Bible. God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute and have children from the marriage. Redeeming Love tells the tale of Michael Hosea. He listens to the prompting of God to marry a local prostitute, Angel.

The story is set in California of the mid-19th century gold rush era. It’s a moving tale of forgiveness, love, and hope. The story reminds you about God’s love and how He pursues your heart.

2. A Light on the Hill

This book takes you on the journey of Moriyah. She is a woman who endures kidnapping and branding with the mark of the Canaanite temple gods. Then, she is eventually accused of murder. Moriyah gets refuge in Kedesh. It’s a haven for those who are accused of death of another without intent.

Moriyah falls in love with a member of the family of victims who she has been accused of murdering. In the book, author Connilyn Cossette beautifully illustrates life in biblical times. It would certainly be an inspiring read for those feeling hopeless.

3. The Hiding Place

A biographical account of a watchmaker and her sister, The Hiding Place is an interesting read. They live in a small apartment above the shop of their father in German-occupied Holland. Corrie, a Christian woman, sacrificed her life as well as her family’s to fight against injustice. Her fight was also against the hate that Jews had to face during the Second World War.

Corrie was in several concentration camps during and after the war. Despite the extremely horrific circumstances, she praised God for everything she had to go through. She even praised God for the guards beating her mercilessly and the fleas biting her skin. Even amid the brutalities, her family put themselves through all the horror bravely. This saved the lives of many.

4. Treasured Grace

Author Tracie Peterson does a brilliant job in this book with setting depiction and character development. The story is set in the 1800s and is about three sisters. They embark on a journey west to Oregon territory. During the journey, they find themselves in the middle of two Native American tribes. The hostility between the Cayuse and the Nez Perce tribes put their lives in jeopardy.

You’ll feel your heart racing while reading about the sisters’ dangerous encounters. Such is the vivid portrayal of things in this book. If you’re someone who loves reading American historical fiction, you’ll definitely enjoy Treasured Grace.

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This involves public proclamation of the individual’s faith in the Christ through baptism. In recent times, there are an estimated 50 million Baptists in the United States. This makes them the nation’s largest Protestant groups. Here are some of the facts about Baptists you need to know:

1. Baptist churches have different sub-denominations

The largest group of Baptists in the United States is the Southern Baptist Convention. The Southern Baptists founded the Convention in Georgia after splitting with the Northern Baptists in the 19th century. They had split over the issue of slavery. The Southern Baptists Convention had over 15 million members in 2015.

Affiliated organizations include the smaller conservative organizations of the Baptist churches and the Independent Baptist churches. They’re not a part of a governing authority or a hierarchical structure. In 2004, the Southern Baptist Convention left the Baptist World Alliance. It is made up of nearly 200 Baptist conventions and organizations.

The reason for leaving the alliance was the Southern Baptist Convention’s objection to certain issues. They included homosexuality and the inclusion of women in the clergy.

2. They are strong believers in biblical authority

Baptists firmly believe that the Bible is the only authority. Their reason for this belief is the Bible’s divine nature. As an example, they often cite Timothy 3:16-17. According to its verses, all scripture is God-breathed. They also state that the scripture is useful for teaching righteousness and for correcting, rebuking, and training.

The purpose is to equip the believers thoroughly for every work that’s good. Baptists also believe that the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible. It also empowered men to record the truth about the Almighty. They were also empowered to give directives on the application of the Bible in the lives of Christians.

There’s a disagreement among some Baptist churches with regards to certain practices. Nevertheless, many of them agree that Bible is their only authority.

3. They strongly encourage missionary work and evangelism

Many Baptists encourage opportunities for evangelism and missionary work. This is their response to Jesus Christ’s call to make disciples of all nations. According to them, there are millions around the world who haven’t heard of Jesus. They see evangelism as a mission for sharing the message of the Christ.

There has been a long history of Evangelism in the Baptist church. Historians have been using books and other resources for the purpose of evangelism since the early 19th century. The events of Billy Graham, a former evangelist, inspired several new evangelistic conventions and conferences.

Such events attracted millions of people. The Baptist church encourages the sharing of faith and the message of Christ with the neighbors and co-workers.

4. The Baptist church was started in America during the 17th century

After its establishment in Amsterdam, the first Baptist church in the United States was started in 1638. It was started by Roger Williams, who was formerly associated with the Church of England. Thus, America’s first Baptist church came up on the uncolonized Rhode Island. Around the same time, another Baptist church was founded on Rhode Island by an Englishman named John Clarke.

Later, these two men got a charter that guaranteed religious freedom on Rhode Island from King Charles II. Towards the end of the 18th century, there were 35 associations of Baptists in America. The belief of the Baptists in religious freedom also influenced the first amendment of the American constitution.

5. The Baptist church mainly believes in Baptism

According to the Baptist church, Baptism symbolizes an individual’s cleansing of sins. There are some churches that use a sprinkling of water for Baptism but most use full immersion. In this, the individual in question is fully immersed in water. This practice has its origins in John 3 and Romans 6.

In the Baptist church, Baptism is a public expression of faith. Many churches don’t subscribe to infant baptism, as it’s not a requirement for salvation.

6. Opinions differ on the Baptist church’s origin

Four major opinions exist with regards to how Baptists originated according to Bruce Gourley. He is Baptist History & Heritage Society’s former executive director. The first opinion is that they grew from within the separatist movement of England. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the Protestants separated from the Church of England.

This view is the most accepted among all the other views. A church established in Amsterdam in 1609 is considered as the earliest Baptist church. There also exists a second opinion that the Baptists originated from English Separatism.

They were formed out of Dutch Mennonites, who had a significant influence on them. There are the third and fourth opinions as well. They say that the Baptist church has been in existence since Christ and John the Baptist in some form.

7. They consider the Lord’s Supper a symbolic act of obedience

The Lord’s Supper is also called communion. It is a symbolic practice to honor Jesus Christ’s death according to the Baptist church. This practice has its origins in the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. During the meal, Jesus Christ gave his disciples wine and bread.

The wine symbolizes Christ’s blood that he shed for his people. The bread symbolizes Jesus Christ’s purity. The Lord’s Supper is more of a remembrance of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross. It is not literally the body and blood of Jesus Christ as other Christian denominations consider it to be.

Among the Baptist churches, there is no fixed calendar for practicing the Lord’s Supper. Whenever there’s a practice of Lord’s Supper, it’s a time of prayer and devotion. All are able to participate in the Lord’s Supper in many churches.

8. Arminianism vs Calvinism

Arminianism comes from Jacobus Arminius, who was a Dutch theologian. According to its teachings, God chose us to bring salvation to all. It also says that people are able to make their decision for faith. The term Calvinism comes from John Calvin, a French theologian.

Its major tenant is predestination, which means, God decided the destiny of a chosen few with salvation by grace. Others are meant to be damned owing to their original sin. There are differing beliefs even within these two teachings in the Baptist church.

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Typically, there are differences between denominations with regards to their views on abortion, after-life, and other aspects. Here, we’ll talk about the globally renowned Christian denominations:

1. Catholicism

If you travel to the most popular countries in the world, you’ll always come across Catholic churches. Even in some countries that are not so popular, you’ll see at least one Catholic Church. So, it’s obvious that Catholicism is the biggest of all Christian denominations.

It is immensely popular in Europe, North America, and South America. A denomination that dates back thousands of years, Catholicism currently has more than 3,500 dioceses globally. The head of the Catholic Church is The Pope, who resides in Vatican City.

2. Eastern Orthodox Church

The Orthodox Church of Russia alone has a hundred million followers. You’ll come across the followers of Eastern Orthodox Church primarily in countries of Eastern Europe. Nearly 90% of Moldova’s residents are the followers of this Christian denomination.

Smaller enclaves also exist outside Eastern Europe. Many members of the Eastern Orthodox Church can also be found in other European nations. Among them are Ukraine and Romania.

3. Anglicanism

It is a well-known Protestant denomination and has its roots in the United Kingdom of the 16th century. The Church of England is Anglicanism’s biggest Church with millions of followers. It is also popular across Europe and certain parts of Africa, such as the Church of Nigeria.

The Episcopal Church based in the United States is dedicated to Anglicanism. This was the most popular Protestant denomination for several years. Although its popularity has seen a decline over the past few years, it still remains extremely popular.

4. Baptists

This denomination is famous for its belief that only the professing believers should undergo baptism. There are millions of Baptists around the world today. The Baptists believe in full immersion during Baptism, just like the way John the Baptist had baptized Jesus Christ.

Although the Baptists are mainly found in the North American region, they can be seen in other parts of the world as well. The largest Church associated with this denomination is the Southern Baptist Convention. Some of the former American presidents were Baptists, such as Bill Clinton and Harry Truman.

5. Lutheranism

Lutheranism is popular particularly in some of the European nations and several parts of the United States. The biggest church associated with it is the Evangelical Church, which is located in Germany. Lutheranism is the most popular denomination in Protestant Christianity.

It was named after Martin Luther. There are diverse beliefs among Lutheranism’s followers. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States has millions of adherents.

6. Methodism

This is a denomination that has seen a dip in the numbers of its followers in recent times. Nevertheless, it still has millions of members worldwide. Methodism is based on John Wesley’s teachings and philosophy. He was an English theologian, evangelist, and cleric.

Methodists are based generally in parts of Europe and the United States. It is among the newer groups compared to many of the other existing denominations of Christianity. The biggest church within this denomination is the United Methodist Church.

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1. The Passion of the Christ

You might’ve seen several films about different aspects of Jesus Christ’s life. This film focuses more on the physical suffering that the Son of God had to go through. Although you’ll come across lighter moments in the film, you’ll mostly have to endure the later part. It’s really painful to see the merciless beating and crucifixion of the benign Jesus.

When Mel Gibson had revealed his plans of making Jesus Christ’s biopic, many had ridiculed the idea. It was mainly because he wanted to make the film in the original Latin, Aramaic, and Hebrew. They were of the opinion that people certainly wouldn’t want to watch it. Today, this film is among the highest grossing films in the United States with an ‘R’ rating.

2. Exodus: Gods and Kings

Released on the 12th of December 2014, this film has Christian Bale playing the role of Moses. The inspiration behind this movie is the biblical episode of the exodus of the Hebrews. According to the Book of Exodus, Moses led the Hebrews from Egypt to Mount Sinai. This film was banned in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt as they found it historically inaccurate.

It did receive a lot of praise for the performances of its actors and the visual effects. The critics wondered how the director Ridley Scott could direct a biblical film as he is an atheist. Nevertheless, it collected $268 million according to the global box office records. The film was highly successful in Spain, where its filming had begun in the October of 2013.

3. Noah

This 2014 film was a bit controversial for its environmentalist messages that were political in nature. It also had to face accusations for its extensive use of sources that were non-biblical. The film was unable to find a release in China for reasons related to religion. It also didn’t release in many Muslim countries due to the objectionable depiction of prophets in the film.

Despite such events, the film went on to gross more than $360 million across the world. This made it director Darren Aronofsky’s highest-grossing film. The critics also praised the film for its direction and acting. This epic biblical drama derives inspiration from the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. It is narrated in the Book of Enoch and the Book of Genesis.

4. Jesus of Nazareth

Directed by Nicholas Ray, this biblical epic draws inspiration from the New Testament. It tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth right from his birth to his crucifixion and resurrection. The film came out in 1961 and was tentatively given the title ‘Son of Man’. It was a success at the box office and Miklos Rozsa had a Golden Globe nomination for his Best Original Score.

For this film, many actors were considered for playing the role of Jesus Christ. Among them were Tom Fleming, Peter Cushing, Max von Sydow, and Christopher Plummer. Ultimately, it was Jeffrey Hunter who got the role.

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1. New American Standard Bible

It carries the reputation of the ‘most accurate’ Bible translation in English today. The New American Standard Bible (NASB) first came out in 1963. In the year 1995, its most recent edition was available to the public. NASB is also the most literal world-for-word translation. This means, you’ll find it the most difficult to read when compared to the other word-for-word translations.

2. King James Version

It was the only English version of the Bible that people read for many years. This is the reason why it is one of the extremely popular word-for-word Bible translations. You might be curious to know why it carries the name King James Version. In the year 1604, England’s King James I commissioned a new Bible translation.

It was to be based upon the Textus Receptus. This was because the critical text associated with all the other modern translations were not discovered back then. More than 45 Bible scholars from the Church of England were a part of the translation work. The King James Version or KJV was complete in 1611.

3. New King James Version

If you’ve liked King James Version of the Bible but need a more modern feel, this is worth reading. The year 1975 saw the beginning of the work on New King James Version or NKJV. For updating the grammar and vocabulary of the original King James Version, 130 Bible scholars worked on the project.

At the same time, they also wanted to preserve the literary beauty and classic style of the original. While working on NKJV, they didn’t lose their faithfulness towards the Textus Receptus text. It also had The Dead Sea Scrolls.

4. English Standard Version

Another extremely popular choice for the word-for-word Bible translation is the English Standard Version or ESV. If you wish to buy a literal translation of the Bible, this version seems quite promising. However, it’s not so different from the New American Standard Bible.

One of the distinctive features of this version is that it uses a gender-neutral language. It was originally published in 2001 as a revision of the Revised Standard Version or RSV. There was a revision of about 6% of the text during the creation of ESV.

5. Amplified Bible

The intention behind creating this word-for-word translation of the Bible was to amplify the text. It had alternate readings with explanations for helping the reader understand what the scripture truly said. The Amplified Bible was published during the mid-1960s.

It was largely a revision of the American Standard Version, which came out in 1901. In its translation, the Amplified Bible uses critical text as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

6. Interlinear Bible

This version of the Bible doesn’t have translations into understandable English from Bible scholars. Instead, it’s simply a direct word-for-word translation of the original Bible into English. The original Bible can be in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek.

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These tools are not only beneficial in understanding the Bible but they also help you teach it to others. Let’s say you’re a parent who wants to teach the Bible to your children. In this case, these tools will help you in providing explanations and clearing their doubts. So, let’s see what are those essential tools you need for Bible studies:

1. Internet

This is one tool that’s extremely necessary in the world that we live in today. You’ll have many biblical websites that help you in studying the Bible. Through such websites, you’ll have access to thousands of trustworthy resources. As technology has evolved to a great extent in recent times, you can access the internet through your smartphone.

So, you need not worry even if you’re traveling to a certain geographical location. Even while you travel, you can access these sites using your mobile data or Wi-Fi.

2. Bible dictionary

You can use Bible dictionary to research the cultural context and historical background. It’s usually in the form of an encyclopedia. There are short articles in it that are arranged in an alphabetical order. It can be used as a reliable resource to learn about people and places.

A Bible dictionary will also tell you the meaning of a word or phrase that was used in those times. Sometimes, you may find it difficult to find a particular word. In such situations, you can identify the category which the word has an association with.

3. Bible background commentary

In order to understand the cultural background of the Bible verses, you’ll need a Bible background commentary. Every book of the Bible will have a chapter listed in the order of the book. The chapter would begin with a section that covers the date, authorship, purpose, setting, and genre.

As you read further, it will take you through the book section after section. At times, you may need to be careful while distinguishing between interpretation and background information.

4. Concordance

Concordances seem like telephone books. You’ll find each biblical word in bold and then there are instances that use the word. If you’re not able to find the scriptural reference for a word, look up in the English Bible version. A concordance is an excellent tool for finding cross-references.

You can determine where else the author has used a certain word. It’s also useful for looking up the meaning of original Greek or Hebrew.

5. Maps

In many of the narratives of the Bible, you miss the significance of the story because you don’t recognize the place. This is why you need maps. They’re truly priceless as they help you in locating the places and understanding distances. You can also use maps to perceive the relation between them. Some books of Bible maps are compact and include background material as well.

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So, there’s no doubt that it has played an important role in a believer’s life. Christian music is mostly about praising God. There are some amazing benefits that Christian music brings to the believers. Let’s know more about them here:

1. It brings people together

When you’re in a room full of people listening to Christian music, it just gets into your spirit. You begin raising your hands and swaying them, while feeling a strong connection with everyone in the room. It’s highly possible that all of them would feel the same.

This is when you feel like you’re getting closer to God along with them. You must remember that the power is not solely in the music that’s being played. The words that are being said in the form of a song are equally powerful.

2. It uplifts your spirit

Upon hearing a Christian song, you’ll be reminded about God. You just need to pay complete attention to the song’s message. It carries the power to uplift your spirit, especially if you’re going through a period of trials and tribulations. When it speaks to your spirit and connects well with it, the song takes on a new meaning.

You’ll feel as if God is speaking to you through the music you’re hearing. It would be as if God is using the lyrics as an instrument to give you solace.

3. It impacts your nervous system

In the times that we live in, it’s quite difficult to escape stressful situations. So, it’s extremely important for you to experience feelings of calmness and mental peace. Christian songs put you in a state of spiritual meditation. It can have an overwhelmingly positive impact on your nervous system.

There are some really good Christian artists out there with unique skills. Their voices put you in a tranquil and spiritual state of mind. What happens next is a communion with God through melodies and words.

4. It enhances your focus

Christian music has the potential to shift your mind’s focus to the faith’s realities. This is especially important when you’re feeling shattered. Upon listening to this type of music, you’ll achieve clarity of thoughts. Your mind won’t wander unnecessarily and it will focus more on God. You’ll find yourself in a blissful state of worship, which will take away all your worries.

5. It mixes well with prayer

You’ll experience greater power in your prayer when you say it with music. Through music the church can create an atmosphere of worship and convey the Bible’s teachings much more effectively. You can listen to Christian music in the morning after reading the Bible and saying your prayer.

During your everyday commute, you can choose to listen to Christian music and pray in your mind. You’ll see that the long commute to work or school doesn’t bother you. Instead, it turns into your best time for worship.

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As time went by, the architectural styles of churches also underwent significant changes. Gothic and Romanesque styles that once dominated the church architecture became a thing of the past. This happened with the advent of Baroque and Renaissance styles. Today, significant additions of modern elements are also made in the construction of churches. Here, we’ve listed a few churches that never fail to fascinate:

1. St. Peter’s Basilica

Located in Vatican City, this church is the largest in the world. Vatican City is a small papal enclave in Italy within the city of Rome. The church is one of the most important buildings in the Renaissance style ever. It was principally designed by Michelangelo and Bramante.

The construction of the present building took place between 1506 and 1526. According to the Catholic Church, this is Saint Peter’s burial site. He was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Saint Peter was also Rome’s first bishop.

2. Basilica de la Sagrada Familia

It comes as a surprise to many that the construction of this church goes on even to this day. Also called the Basilica of the Holy Family, this church is located at the center of Barcelona in Spain. The construction of this church began in 1882.

When Antoni Gaudi took over as its architect, he created the most amazing design ever. Only a quarter of this cathedral had been done when he passed away in 1926. The design and grandeur of this church continues to charm the city’s residents and tourists.

3. St. Basil’s Cathedral

The construction of this church was the result of Ivan IV Vasilyevich’s orders. He was the ruler of Russia at the time. Built between 1555 and 1561, the official name of this church was the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed. It is located in the Russian capital of Moscow and has become a symbol of the city.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the world’s most iconic churches. It has been a secular church since 1929 and is a part of the State Historical Museum today.

4. Notre-Dame Cathedral

Located in the center of the French capital, Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral is yet another iconic church. Another name of this church is ‘Our Lady of Paris Cathedral’. This church is on a small island in the Seine River. The construction of the Notre-Dame Cathedral began in the mid-12th century. It was almost complete in its current form in 1260.

In the year 2019, the roof of the church caught fire. As a result, large parts of the church’s upper portion was destroyed. Works are still going on to restore the cathedral’s old glory.

5. Cologne Cathedral

Officially called ‘Cathedral Church of Saint Peter’, this church has been built in the Gothic style of architecture. It is one of Germany’s most important religious buildings. Cologne Cathedral’s construction began as early as 1248 and could only be completed in the late 19th century.

Upon its completion, it was the tallest building in the world. It could hold this record only for four years, after which, the Washington Monument surpassed it. Despite this, it’s still the world’s tallest twin-spired church.

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