Can Angels Marry Women? Genesis 6:1-4 has confounded many Bible students through the centuries. Most often, they have trouble determining who the "sons of God" were, leading them to fantastic and very unbiblical interpretations of the passage. John Reiss examines these verses in light of the rest of Scripture and posits an explanation that conforms to both biblical and scientific principles.

Can Theology Define God's Nature? Matter interacts with energy in a different way at the atomic level than it does at the macro level. Earl Henn show that in a similar way human reason and logic are practically useless as tools in determining the nature of God. Only the Bible gives a complete revelation of God.

Can We Win People For Christ? Most of the professing Christian world believes that it is the duty of believers to "win people for Christ," a phrase that has been drawn from the apostle Paul's words in II Corinthians 9:19-22. David Grabbe argues that, contrary to majority opinion, this passage proclaims nothing of the sort if seen in the context of the whole counsel of God, particularly that of God's prerogative to call people to Him.

Caught Up in the Rapture Is the rapture biblical? If so, when will it occur? Where do the saints go? Richard Ritenbaugh clarifies this sometimes confusing subject from the Bible.

Celebrating Birthdays Are birthday celebrations as harmless as they seem? Do they help or hinder the growth of a child's character? This article advances a spiritual principle concerning birthdays that many do not consider.

Character and Reputation Obedience to God's instructions in Scripture brings a Christian excellent benefits, and one of the greatest of these is working with God to grow in holy and righteous character. James Beaubelle explains the relationship between character and reputation, showing that our goal is to become transformed into the very image of Jesus Christ.

Choosing the New Man (Part One) The Bible describes many men, but one of the most important is the new man. What is this new man? Charles Whitaker explains that the new man is a creative effort of renewing our minds in cooperation with God.

Choosing the New Man (Part Three) Who or what is the new man? Charles Whitaker explains that the new man is Jesus Christ Himself, living in us by His Spirit!

Choosing the New Man (Part Two) The new man is a consistent New Testament figure. Charles Whitaker shows that he is one who is reconciled to God and has chosen to collaborate with Him in creating a totally new mind—one just like Christ's!

Christ, Our Passover Many people, even in the church of God, believe that Passover focuses on our sins—but they are wrong! We are certainly to examine ourselves to take it worthily, but the Passover's central figure is Christ, the Lamb of God. John Ritenbaugh explores His awesome, gracious sacrifice that enables forgiveness of sin and opens a relationship with God. How well do we know Him?

Christian Dating: Advice for Today How are the young people in the greater church of God supposed to approach the dating situation today? This article addresses this issue and gives advice on dating, sex and enjoying your youth.

Christian Myopia Myopia, or nearsightedness, is not just an eye condition. It also describes a worldview that is quite limited and limiting. Understanding Christian myopia can help us to see the "big picture."

Christmas, Syncretism and Presumption (1994) Christmas is a worldwide phenomena, enjoyed mostly because of its glitzy commercialism. John Ritenbaugh shows that its blending of biblical truth with paganism is in the end taking on the prerogatives of God!

Christmas, Syncretism, and Presumption Many who consider themselves Christians believe celebrating Christmas honors Jesus Christ, even though the holiday has no biblical support. While it is attractive and appealing, Christmas is actually a spiritual trap because it is not true. John Ritenbaugh explains that it is highly presumptuous to believe that such a syncretized holiday, blended liberally with heathen customs, could please God.

Clash of Cultures Immigration is not just a problem in America. The nations of Europe have seen millions of migrants, mostly Muslims, stream into their nations over the past decade—to the point that it has become a primary topic politically. What will Europe do? Richard Ritenbaugh suggests this migration dilemma may presage the fateful "push" from the King of the South.

Cleansing God's People God chose the people of Israel to be a holy people, an example of righteousness before the world. However, the Bible testifies that they turned from God early and often. David Grabbe explores the prophecies of Haggai 2 that foretell the good news of Israel's future cleansing and blessing through the work of Jesus Christ.

Clothing, Wineskins, and Wine When we study, it is always a good practice to study a verse or passage in context. The Parable of the Cloth and the Wineskins is a good example of why we should do this, since the parable concludes a much longer narrative. David Grabbe provides an overview of the context and then uses it to draw deeper meaning and application from the parable.

Clouds (Part One): A Really Special Cloud In Scripture, a cloud can be called an emblem of God, appearing frequently as an indication of His coming or presence. In practice, God uses clouds both to reveal His presence to some and to hide it from others. Charles Whitaker examines the nature of clouds from a biblical perspective to shed light on the enduring dichotomy of God's seemingly contrary inclinations to reveal and conceal.

Clouds (Part Three): The Revealing of Christ Clouds are frequently associated with the Day of the Lord, the perhaps year-long time of God's wrath on those who opposed Him. What will those clouds conceal and what will they reveal once drawn back? Charles Whitaker surveys the scriptural evidence of the dramatic cloud-cover at the time of Christ's return.

Clouds (Part Two): God's Cloud as His Chariot A primary image associated with God's presence is a cloud, whether dark or bright, which functions to reveal, and conversely, to obscure Him. In addition, God's cloud also expresses His glory, mostly because of His presence in it. Charles Whitaker also explains God's "portable throne," described in Ezekiel 1 and 10, which is likewise linked to "a great cloud."

Cogitations on Christmas Three brief essays, two by Richard Ritenbaugh and one by David Grabbe, contemplate the contradictions in Christmas, the modern debate over Christmas in an increasingly secular society, and the Christmas season as a time true Christians can make a godly witness.

Common Tithing Questions The doctrine of tithing often raises specific questions regarding how many there are, who they go to and whether they are strictly on agriculture. This article gives the answers.

Communication and Leaving Babylon (Part One) Everything we can know is communicated to us in some form. Usually, we are able to identify the sources of these communications through our senses. Yet, as John Ritenbaugh explains, we are also open to invisible communication from the spirit world—communication designed to conform us to "the course of this world."

Communication and Leaving Babylon (Part Three) Human history proves that individuals quickly absorb the course of the world, losing their innocence and becoming self-centered and deceived like everybody else. John Ritenbaugh contends that Christians must continue to fight against these anti-God attitudes long after their calling to deepen and strengthen their relationships with God.

Communication and Leaving Babylon (Part Two) Humanity finds itself inhabiting a world that is the place of restraint for untold numbers of malevolent spirits, all of whom hate God and desire to destroy mankind. John Ritenbaugh reiterates that our human nature reflects these spirits' attitudes, and the only way to overcome it is through God's creating a new heart in us by His Spirit.

Comparing Ourselves Among Ourselves Most people think they are moral. They make this judgment based on a comparison between themselves and their peers. Martin Collins shows that we will only begin to grow in character once we compare ourselves to the true standard: Christ and His Word.

Confessions of a Finger-Pointer During times of unrest and confusion, it is easy to blame others for our problems. Yet finger-pointing is contrary to everything God teaches, as it shows a self-exalting, judgmental attitude. Now is the time to break this ingrained habit!

Consider the End! Hebrews 9:27 informs us of the unhappy fact that we are all going to die. Even in death, we should show godly love toward our survivors, which we can do by taking certain legal and organizational steps now to cover this eventuality.

Contend Earnestly All the signs point to Christ's imminent return, yet the Bible warns us not to let down! John Reid, using Hebrews 10, exhorts us to strive zealously to please God and finish our course!

Could You Be a Spiritual Terrorist? Terrorism is frequently in the news these days, and seeing it, we abhor the acts of terrorists as cruelty and violence against unsuspecting civilians. David Maas, however, wonders if we may be causing just as much destruction as the average terrorist through negligence and passivity.

Countdown to Pentecost 2001 Pentecost in 2001 is a little different than in other years. The Sabbath during the Days of Unleavened Bread falls on the last day. How should we count to Pentecost on odd years like this? John Ritenbaugh explains the reasons for counting the same way as in all other years.

Countering the Culture There is no doubt that America's culture is plunging to depths many of us never imagined. To Christians, having to deal with the world is a frightening prospect. Here are five steps we can take to mitigate its influence on our lives.

Courage and the Dog Soldier Though we are surrounded and sometimes buffeted by numerous difficulties, trials, and threats, God is always faithful to provide what we need to endure and overcome them. Keying in on I Corinthians 16:13, Mike Ford illustrates what the apostle Paul advises Christians to do to persevere through the threatening times ahead.

Courtesy These days, it seems, everyone demands respect but few are willing to grant it to others. It is a rare event and often worthy of note when someone gives up his seat to a woman or elderly person or when a child responds with proper deference. Mike Ford analyzes this international problem, zeroing in on the Bible's injunctions on the subject.

Crookedness Solomon states succinctly in Ecclesiastes 1:15, "What is crooked cannot be made straight," a truism that most people with a little experience in life know to be the case. Harsh words cannot be unsaid. Wicked deeds cannot be undone. David Grabbe explains the Bible's take on crookedness—some of which God initiates.

Cyrus: God's Anointed When we think of messiah, we think of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The Bible, however, has a much broader definition of the term. Richard Ritenbaugh shows that the pagan emperor Cyrus the Great was also a messiah!