English Articles

Almost all toys for girls are mixed with magic these days. We often see images of a unicorn which is not an existing animal but a creature from a make-believe world. It stimulates the imagination of a vulnerable child and that is why the author wants to point out the dangers of it because it makes children receptive to the world of New Age and the paranormal.

his article is about the question: “Why does God make me wait so long for an answer to my prayer?” The answer to this question can be related to many things. An encouraging article in which the author M. Blankenburgh explains why prayers are not always (immediately) answered, also using the story of Joseph and Lazarus.

Marco Blankenburgh flawlessly demonstrates in his article where the deepest problem lies with horoscopes and astrology: it replaces the honor of and focus on the Creator with honor of and focus on creation. Believers are asked to trust in God, not in the created. This is idolatry.

At paranormal fairs, various alternative and even occult therapies are offered, including working with singing bowls to obtain certain effects. Even though one might think that these are ‘neutral’ physical sounds and vibrations, this article explains the source behind the use of singing bowls, and points out the dangers of being occupied with and undergoing the influences of these singing bowls. Christians should stay away from these kinds of things.

While we are being bombarded by a wave of information, the 24-hour economy is increasingly pressing in on us. How can we shake off too much stress and find peace in our mind and body? Tikva can help.

Within Christian circles, there can be different views on various religious subjects, such as baptism, fasting, and speaking in tongues. A major issue where disagreements arise, is the question of whether a Christian must confess his sins after conversion. Many churches consider confession of sins to be essential, while movements such as ‘Jong en Vrij’ (Young and Free), influenced by the teachings of Joseph Prince, believe that it is no longer necessary. However, this position can lead to misunderstandings among Christians who experience the role of confession differently. Although the focus on Jesus’ sacrifice remains central, acknowledgment of sins remains necessary for forgiveness. It is desirable that misunderstandings be clarified to avoid unnecessary division and to increase understanding between different Christian denominations.

The N.A.R. is an influential movement in the evangelical and charismatic churches of the United States of America. In this first article is explained what this influential movement of the New Apostolic Reformation (N.A.R.) represents and what it contains.

In the New Apostolic Reformation (N.A.R.) the restoration of the ministries of apostles and prophets is seen as one of the most important elements of the ideology. But it becomes dangerous when it is handled wrongly in evangelical and charismatic communities. Testing against the Word of God is absolutely indispensable.

In this article, we will explore the message of Richard Rohr and investigate why he has become so popular amoung a large number of Christians. Rohr, a Catholic priest and influential figure in the progressive Christian movement, has touched many people with his works on spirituality, the enneagram and universal connectedness. His vision, characterized by an alternative approach to orthodoxy, appeals especially to younger generations who are looking for a deeper spiritual life. However, his teachings are not without controversy. Critics point to the dangers of his message, especially the way he mixes elements from other religions and philosophies with Christian theology. This raises questions about the orthodoxy of his teaching and whether he does not thereby ignore the core of the Christian faith as presented in the Bible.

The purpose of this article is to describe how unique our creation is. I want to show how everything is made exactly so that we as humans, together with all other life on this planet, can live, grow and flourish here. In doing so, I want to paint a picture with words of God’s greatness. The goal is to illustrate how exceptional our reality is, of which God is the Maker. And especially, how great the wonder of life is in it. In particular the highly developed and advanced life of complex life forms and man and her civilizations in particular.

For centuries, we Christians have celebrated Christmas in December to commemorate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. But there are also Christians who wonder whether it is permissible and good to celebrate Christmas. This article addresses various questions about Christmas and possible objections to celebrating Christmas, and concludes with a number of arguments in favor of celebrating Christmas.

An exploratory article about the (im)possibility of a digital soul in robots or computers (through A.I.). Ony God can create souls in living creatures. In our Western culture, the conviction is growing that computers will eventually become conscious. In the past three years alone, people from various backgrounds have expressed both fear and hope that this will happen. Scientists such as Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk and Bill Gates are worried about artificial intelligence.

The question of the existence of hell remains a deep and controversial topic in Christian and philosophical discussions. Although belief in hell is increasingly losing ground in the modern Christian world, there seems to be much confusion and concern surrounding the topic, even though the Bible has much to say about it. In the past, hell was often preached as a place of eternal punishment for sinners, but modern interpretations, such as those of Rob Bell, challenge this view. Bell argues that a loving God would never allow anyone to suffer forever. However, others, such as Tim Keller, argue that understanding the reality of hell actually magnifies the extent of God’s love. Is hell merely a relic of old dogma, or does it still play a crucial role in the Christian faith? What does this mean for the way people approach their lives and choices? This article will explore this further.

This article provides a helpful overview of types of wisdom in the Book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs provides us with the application of Gods wisdom, who created the heavens and the earth, in regards to the different aspects of life in this world of confusion and decline. In this Bible book, God defines us in regard to His immeasurable mercy, by applying His Wisdom to the circumstances of our practical life. He shows us with His insight what the consequences of all paths are in which one could walk. To someone who is submitted to the Word, means are given to avoid the path of one’s own will and foolishness. The heart alone is unable to understand the scope of the many acts it instills in us. Proverbs defines us in regard to the Wisdom and cautions us to protect us. In the book of Proverbs there are many lessons on communication. It is a practical and poetical book. It’s not about ‘one-liners’, but about knowledge and wisdom from the Lord (Pro. 8:8-9). We should not forget that it is a component of the whole Scripture, of which Paul says that it is inspired by the Holy Spirit and beneficial for teaching and training

Spiritism is trendy. Psychics are crowding the commercial and public television programs. Through the internet people can obtain online ‘readings’ 24 hours a day and in numerous trendy magazines the ‘old’ horoscopes are replaced by extensive ‘personality and risk analyses’. In a world full of insecurities, problems and stress, a ‘redeeming’ word from ‘the other side’ can bring some relief. It’s big business, good for the viewer numbers and if on top of that it also creates emotional scenes as in ‘Char’ or in the ‘Ghost Whisperer’, then there is no one left who asks for the truth.

Jesus is completely God and completely man. Jesus’ character traits can support pastoral work. Immerse yourself in the perfect life of Jesus as man and Lord. God does not remain abstract, but is also recognizable in the soul, the personality of Jesus. In this study, for example, the difference with Buddha and Confucius is also pointed out. Of course, Jesus can only be known by the Holy Spirit and through the spiritual laws and orders, as they are also expressed in the Bible. He is the God who became man, the image of God the invisible. Or as the Epistle to the Hebrews tells us: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at various times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed as heir, through whom he created the universe. In Him is the radiance of God’s glory, and He is the very image of Him.”