https://sermonandscripture.com/ The meanings, the stories and the history behind the Bible, one passage at a time. en https://sermonandscripture.com/arians-vs-homoousians-the-fight-that-defined-what-christian/https://sermonandscripture.com/arians-vs-homoousians-the-fight-that-defined-what-christian/In the early 4th century, a single theological question tore the Christian world apart: Is Jesus God, or did God create Jesus?Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/baal-the-first-and-greatest-rival-of-yahweh/https://sermonandscripture.com/baal-the-first-and-greatest-rival-of-yahweh/Dr. Justin Sledge, Esoterica (YouTube) — "Baal: The First and Greatest Rival of Yahweh."Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/can-the-catholic-church-forgive-sins-the-authority-claim-and/https://sermonandscripture.com/can-the-catholic-church-forgive-sins-the-authority-claim-and/The Catholic Church claims the power to forgive sins through its priests.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/catholics-vs-protestants-the-split-that-tore-europe-apart/https://sermonandscripture.com/catholics-vs-protestants-the-split-that-tore-europe-apart/For fifteen hundred years there was one Western church. One system.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/deuteronomy-8-17-18-the-power-to-gain-wealth/https://sermonandscripture.com/deuteronomy-8-17-18-the-power-to-gain-wealth/The heart of it is one line. “Remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to gain wealth.”Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/did-constantine-really-convert-faith-politics-and-the-most/https://sermonandscripture.com/did-constantine-really-convert-faith-politics-and-the-most/In 312 CE, the Roman emperor Constantine reportedly converted to Christianity before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/did-jesus-claim-to-be-god-why-the-evidence-says-no-alex/https://sermonandscripture.com/did-jesus-claim-to-be-god-why-the-evidence-says-no-alex/Alex O'Connor lays out why mainstream biblical scholarship holds that Jesus did not historically claim to be God, examines every major "proof text" Christians use, and shows how Jesus himself…Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/eye-for-an-eye-vs-turn-the-other-cheek-why-they-dont/https://sermonandscripture.com/eye-for-an-eye-vs-turn-the-other-cheek-why-they-dont/One of the most common apparent contradictions people find in the Bible: the Old Testament says "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:19-20, Deuteronomy 19:21), but Jesus says "turn the…Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/gnosticism-vs-the-bible-the-divine-spark-the-matrix-and-why/https://sermonandscripture.com/gnosticism-vs-the-bible-the-divine-spark-the-matrix-and-why/Gnosticism keeps resurfacing in modern storytelling because it describes something real. The Matrix, The Truman Show, Westworld, Dark City, Severance.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/god-knows-you-dont-steven-furtick-on-faith-in-the-even/https://sermonandscripture.com/god-knows-you-dont-steven-furtick-on-faith-in-the-even/Three times in Hebrews 11, it says "by faith, Abraham" (verses 8, 11, 17). And three times in those same verses, it says "even though."Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/hidden-patterns-in-the-bible-the-same-stories-told-across/https://sermonandscripture.com/hidden-patterns-in-the-bible-the-same-stories-told-across/The Bible was written by roughly 40 different authors over 1,500 years across three continents in three languages.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/hidden-patterns-part-2-the-rock-the-scarlet-thread-the/https://sermonandscripture.com/hidden-patterns-part-2-the-rock-the-scarlet-thread-the/A continuation of the patterns that repeat across Scripture. Forty different authors, 1,500 years, three languages, one design.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/how-yahweh-became-god-the-origins-of-monotheism/https://sermonandscripture.com/how-yahweh-became-god-the-origins-of-monotheism/Dr. Justin Sledge, Esoterica (YouTube) — "How Yahweh Became God: The Origins of Monotheism."Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/is-the-biblical-god-the-demiurge-four-tests-that-settle-it/https://sermonandscripture.com/is-the-biblical-god-the-demiurge-four-tests-that-settle-it/The core Gnostic claim: the God of the Bible is Kristoff from The Truman Show. He made the world, runs it, calls himself good, but he's a fraud.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/james-2-14-26-faith-and-deeds/https://sermonandscripture.com/james-2-14-26-faith-and-deeds/James is writing to Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world (James 1:1).Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/john-1-1-deep-dive-seventeen-words-that-hold-the-universe/https://sermonandscripture.com/john-1-1-deep-dive-seventeen-words-that-hold-the-universe/"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/joshua-2-james-2-25-rahab-the-prostitute-in-the-bloodline-of/https://sermonandscripture.com/joshua-2-james-2-25-rahab-the-prostitute-in-the-bloodline-of/Joshua sends two spies into Jericho before Israel's invasion. They end up at the house of Rahab, a prostitute.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/knowledge-vs-faith-the-bible-says-both/https://sermonandscripture.com/knowledge-vs-faith-the-bible-says-both/Gnosticism says knowledge saves you. The Bible says something more nuanced: knowledge EQUIPS you.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/literal-or-metaphor-why-the-bible-is-both-at-the-same-time/https://sermonandscripture.com/literal-or-metaphor-why-the-bible-is-both-at-the-same-time/When Genesis 3:23-24 says God "banished him from the Garden of Eden" and placed cherubim at the east side, is this a literal event or a metaphor?Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/luke-12-48-to-whom-much-is-given/https://sermonandscripture.com/luke-12-48-to-whom-much-is-given/Peter asks Jesus (v.41) whether His parable about readiness applies to the disciples or to everyone.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/managing-what-god-gave-you/https://sermonandscripture.com/managing-what-god-gave-you/The phrase "to whom much is given, much is tested" is a popular variation of the biblical proverb "to whom much is given, much will be required" from Luke 12:48.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/numerology-vs-biblical-patterns-why-the-666-carbon-theory/https://sermonandscripture.com/numerology-vs-biblical-patterns-why-the-666-carbon-theory/A viral claim circulates that 666 is encoded in everything: 60 minutes, 60 seconds, 24 hours (2+4=6), carbon-12 has 6 protons, 6 neutrons, 6 electrons, therefore the body is the mark of the beast…Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/people-pleasing-is-identity-theft-the-cross-as-verb-not/https://sermonandscripture.com/people-pleasing-is-identity-theft-the-cross-as-verb-not/A simple question: which necklace to wear. A cross or a pirate coin.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/prophecies-fulfilled-to-the-letter-psalm-22-isaiah-53-and/https://sermonandscripture.com/prophecies-fulfilled-to-the-letter-psalm-22-isaiah-53-and/The Bible contains over 300 prophecies about the Messiah, written centuries before Jesus was born. Some are broad.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/romans-8-5-8-flesh-vs-spirit-two-operating-systems-of-the/https://sermonandscripture.com/romans-8-5-8-flesh-vs-spirit-two-operating-systems-of-the/Paul describes two operating systems that run the human mind. You can't run both at the same time.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/son-of-god-in-greek-how-mark-frames-the-entire-gospel-mark-1/https://sermonandscripture.com/son-of-god-in-greek-how-mark-frames-the-entire-gospel-mark-1/The Gospel of Mark frames itself between two declarations that Jesus is the Son of God. The first verse announces it.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/spiritual-warfare-the-enemys-playbook-the-armour-of-god-and/https://sermonandscripture.com/spiritual-warfare-the-enemys-playbook-the-armour-of-god-and/The Bible treats spiritual warfare as real, normal, and winnable.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/the-bible-is-one-story-paradise-lost-paradise-restored-and/https://sermonandscripture.com/the-bible-is-one-story-paradise-lost-paradise-restored-and/The whole Bible is one story. And it has a shape.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/the-body-as-temple-god-has-always-been-moving-closer/https://sermonandscripture.com/the-body-as-temple-god-has-always-been-moving-closer/Both the Bible and Gnosticism agree that something divine is inside you. But they say completely opposite things about what that means.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/the-cross-is-not-a-leash-why-being-christ-like-doesnt-mean/https://sermonandscripture.com/the-cross-is-not-a-leash-why-being-christ-like-doesnt-mean/There's a tension every Christian in business feels.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/the-enemy-has-one-move-every-lie-is-a-confession/https://sermonandscripture.com/the-enemy-has-one-move-every-lie-is-a-confession/The enemy has one move. One.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/the-enemys-real-target-why-every-attack-in-scripture-is/https://sermonandscripture.com/the-enemys-real-target-why-every-attack-in-scripture-is/The enemy has one real target, and it's never the sin itself. The sin is just the tool.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/the-historical-jesus-from-galilean-peasant-to-messianic/https://sermonandscripture.com/the-historical-jesus-from-galilean-peasant-to-messianic/Dr. Justin Sledge, Esoterica (YouTube) — "The Historical Jesus."Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/the-huguenots-and-south-africa-how-french-refugees-built-the/https://sermonandscripture.com/the-huguenots-and-south-africa-how-french-refugees-built-the/After Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685, between 200,000 and 400,000 Huguenots fled France.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/the-origins-of-yahweh-from-desert-warrior-god-to-god-of/https://sermonandscripture.com/the-origins-of-yahweh-from-desert-warrior-god-to-god-of/Dr. Justin Sledge, Esoterica (YouTube) — "The Origins of Yahweh."Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/was-jesus-a-disciple-of-john-the-baptist-mcgrath-on-the/https://sermonandscripture.com/was-jesus-a-disciple-of-john-the-baptist-mcgrath-on-the/A conversation between Alex O'Connor (Cosmic Skeptic) and Dr. James McGrath, a New Testament scholar, exploring what the historical evidence tells us about the relationship between John the Baptist…Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/was-the-old-testament-polytheistic-mcclellan-on-yahwehs/https://sermonandscripture.com/was-the-old-testament-polytheistic-mcclellan-on-yahwehs/A conversation between Alex O'Connor (Cosmic Skeptic) and Dr. Dan McClellan exploring the textual evidence for polytheism in the Hebrew Bible, how "monotheistic" passages actually functioned as…Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/what-did-jesus-actually-look-like-why-the-gospels-never-say/https://sermonandscripture.com/what-did-jesus-actually-look-like-why-the-gospels-never-say/A conversation between Alex O'Connor (Cosmic Skeptic) and a biblical studies scholar who completed a PhD on the physical appearance of Jesus.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/what-is-methodist-john-wesley-and-the-heart-that-was/https://sermonandscripture.com/what-is-methodist-john-wesley-and-the-heart-that-was/Methodist is a Protestant denomination that broke off from the Church of England in the 1700s.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/what-type-of-christian-was-constantine-catholic-orthodox/https://sermonandscripture.com/what-type-of-christian-was-constantine-catholic-orthodox/When people ask "was Constantine Catholic or Orthodox or Protestant?" the answer is: none of them. All modern denominations postdate Constantine by centuries.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/when-r20-000-was-stolen-what-scripture-and-the-test-revealed/https://sermonandscripture.com/when-r20-000-was-stolen-what-scripture-and-the-test-revealed/Say fraudsters steal R20,000 from someone's bank account. It's a lot of money.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/when-worship-paints-a-target-why-drawing-close-to-god/https://sermonandscripture.com/when-worship-paints-a-target-why-drawing-close-to-god/There's a pattern that every serious believer notices eventually.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/why-catholics-killed-protestants-theology-was-the-spark/https://sermonandscripture.com/why-catholics-killed-protestants-theology-was-the-spark/The surface answer is theology. The real answer is power.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/why-hollywood-keeps-making-gnostic-movies-and-what-they/https://sermonandscripture.com/why-hollywood-keeps-making-gnostic-movies-and-what-they/The Matrix, The Truman Show, Westworld, Dark City, Severance. They all run on the same Gnostic engine.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000 https://sermonandscripture.com/why-the-gnostic-gospels-say-different-things-history-not/https://sermonandscripture.com/why-the-gnostic-gospels-say-different-things-history-not/The Gnostic gospels (Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Philip, Apocryphon of John) were not written by the people whose names they carry.Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:06:54 +0000