In Genesis, we encounter the profound statement: “For dust [aphar] you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19) This verse, part of the narrative of humanity’s creation and fall, invites us to ask a simple yet profound question: Why “dust”? Why not “earth,” or another material of greater …
Bible
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Christianity
“The Jews Rejected Christ, So Why Should We Care About the Jewish Perspective?”
by Dr. Eitan Bar 3 minutes readSome argue that since “the Jews rejected Christ,” their perspective on Scripture no longer matters. However, this claim is both historically inaccurate and logically flawed. In fact, understanding the Jewish perspective is essential to grasping the original meaning of the Bible and Jesus’ teachings. Here’s why: 1. The First Christians …
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If you are a fundamentalist Protestant or a conservative Catholic, you have likely been taught that salvation means being saved from the Augustinian-Calvinist version of hell – a sadistic eternal torment in hellfire. However, the Bible consistently teaches that salvation is tangible, and that we are saved not from eternal …
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“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (Leviticus 17:11) Life is in the Blood Some things in life are inseparable. You can’t …
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Christianity
This Is Why the Doctrine of Hellfire Is Logically Pro-Abortion
by Dr. Eitan Bar 2 minutes readHellfire, or Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT) in theological terms, is the doctrine held by most Catholics and Protestants (who adopted it from the Catholics) that teaches most people in the world will be tormented in hell forever. Ironically, this doctrine creates a severe moral contradiction because for most people, it’s …
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Christianity
The Meaning of ‘Salvation’ in the Hebrew Bible & New Testament
by Dr. Eitan Bar 12 minutes readThe meaning of Salvation in the New Testament is the same as the meaning of Salvation in Judaism. In Jewish thought, ‘salvation’ encompasses broader concepts than the Catholic-Protestant view of it as a means to avoid eternal torture in hell. For Jews, salvation primarily means enjoying God’s blessings and protection. In Jewish …
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Christianity
Did Jesus Really Say the Criminal Would Be in Paradise ‘Today’? (Luke 23:43)
by Dr. Eitan Bar 4 minutes readNo. Jesus did not say the criminal would be in Paradise with him “Today” in Luke 23:43… One of the most debated topics in the New Testament is what happens once we die. As part of this debate, people often quote Luke 23:43, where Jesus speaks to the repentant criminal …
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Christianity
The Meaning of “Tohu wa-Bohu” (Formless and Void) in Genesis 1:2
by Dr. Eitan Bar 4 minutes readThe phrase Tohu wa-Bohu (תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ) appears in Genesis 1:2 to describe the state of the world before God’s creative act: “The earth was formless and void (Tohu wa-Bohu), and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:2) …
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Christianity
Your Bible Translation Shapes Your Understanding of the Afterlife
by Dr. Eitan Bar 3 minutes readThe way we translate and understand the words of the Bible significantly influences our theological views on the afterlife. In particular, our understanding of terms related to “hell” can lead us to conclusions that differ dramatically from those held by the first-century Jewish Christians. The Power of Words: How Bible …
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Christianity
John 3:16 – Does ‘Perish’ Support Eternal Torment in Hellfire?
by Dr. Eitan Bar 4 minutes read“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible, often used to support the doctrine of Eternal Conscious Torment …