Scholars have provided different interpretations of who the ‘wise men’ were who visited Jesus soon after his birth.
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As Christmas approaches, Nativity scenes showing three wise men visiting the newborn Jesus are put up around the world. A scholar of Christian literature offers an explanation on their identity.
Resurrection of Christ depicted in 14th-century fresco in Chora Church, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Christians have engaged in passionate debates over the meaning of the resurrection. Baptists may be distinct in that they believe an external religious authority cannot enforce views on such matters.
Several celebrities have been seen wearing coats designed by Brenda Equihua, with an image of Mary displayed at the back.
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Mary has acquired popularity among celebrities of late. A religion scholar writes about how for nearly 2,000 years, the mother of Jesus has been viewed as an exemplar by different Christian groups.
Magic fascinated and troubled early Christians as much as it does some people today.
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A conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn is giving rise to speculations that it is the same astronomical event as the biblical Star of Bethlehem. An expert explains why it is not.
A doll representing the infant Jesus in St. Catherine’s, the Franciscan church in the town of Bethlehem.
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The differences in the Gospels are hard to reconcile. That’s because, says a scholar, they offer an important insight into the Greco-Roman views of ethnic identity.
President-elect Joe Biden speaks on Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
On Nov. 7, when President-elect Joe Biden urged in his address that we “give each other a chance,” his words summoned Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address of 1865.
The earliest biblical descriptions do not mention the presence of any barnyard animals, that are part of Nativity displays today.
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The term refers to passages in the Christian gospels, in which Jesus urges his apostles to make ‘disciples of all nations.’ Later, it became a prime motivator of missionary efforts.
What was behind early depictions of hell?
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Hell-themed Halloween attractions play on people’s fears. The early depictions of hell were meant to use fear as a moral guide to help others.
Worshipers pray during an Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, on March 6, 2019.
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Churches started to use ashes early as the ninth century as a symbol of repentance. In 1091, Pope Urban II ritualized their use to mark the beginning of Lent. Today, churches provide ‘ashes to go.’
Biblical principles have provided an understanding on how to help the needy.
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New economic realities have raised new challenges in applying Biblical principles to economic life. But they could still provide guidance on how to help those in need and how to levy taxes.
The Alabama state auditor defended Roy Moore, citing Mary and Joseph. A scholar goes back to early Christian texts texts to explain lesser-known beliefs about the relationship.
Managing Director of the McCourtney Institute of Democracy, Associate Research Professor, Political Science, Co-host of Democracy Works Podcast, Penn State