Medical marijuana – what does the Bible say?
There is no definitive biblical answer to the question of whether Christians should use medical marijuana, because marijuana for medicinal use is not addressed in the Bible. While there may indeed be some medical benefit in the use of non-smoked marijuana products such as cannabis oil, edibles, and tinctures, this article deals with smoking the…
What does the Bible say about having a living will?
We all die. Physical death is a certainty for all of us, unless we happen to be one of those believers who “are alive and remain” at the time of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15). As the psalmist put it, “Who can live and not see death, or who can escape the power of the…
Should Christian women use tampons?
A tampon is a feminine hygiene product used to stop the menstrual flow during a woman’s monthly cycle. A tampon is a plug of soft, absorbent material inserted into the vagina to absorb blood before it leaves the body, thereby helping a woman stay cleaner during her period. There has been some concern as to…
How should a Christian view psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy, or psychological counseling, is the practice of attempting to heal a person’s emotional and mental problems. The therapeutic practice often centers on regular conversations between a counselor and a client, known as “talk-therapy.” These sessions may include exploring troubling thoughts, fears, and personal history. They might also include exercises to help adjust troublesome thoughts…
What does the Bible say about donating blood/blood donations?
The Bible says nothing directly about donating blood or having a blood transfusion because such medical procedures were not possible in the days when the Bible was written. However, we can apply other principles from God’s Word about blood and life and draw wise conclusions about what God thinks about donating blood. We learn, beginning…
What does the Bible say about how to stop hating yourself?
Self-loathing (or hating oneself) is a serious problem of how one perceives himself before the eyes of God (if this person is a believer). It is yet a more serious issue for someone who does not believe in God, for this person is left to use his or her own standard of judging one’s right…
What does the Bible say about loneliness?
Being alone and being lonely are two different things. One can be alone without being lonely, and one can be lonely in a crowded room. Loneliness is, therefore, a state of mind, an emotion brought on by feelings of separation from other human beings. The sense of isolation is very deeply felt by those who…
What does the Bible say about self-image?
Image is always dependent upon perspective. Poor vision or a cloudy mirror can greatly affect how we perceive ourselves (1 Corinthians 13:12). Without an objective standard by which to measure ourselves, our self-image will be blurred (1 Corinthians 4:3–4). The Bible provides guidance regarding the appropriate view of our self-image. All people are created in…
Is EMDR therapy something a Christian can consider?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. As the therapy has developed, its popularity has increased. The U.S. Departments of Veteran Affairs and Defense recommend EMDR for cases of PTSD, and the American Psychiatric Association also calls it effective. Some Christian therapists are also using EMDR.…
What is nouthetic counseling?
Nouthetic counseling, more often called biblical counseling, gets its name from the Greek word noutheteo, translated “admonish” in Acts 20:31 (NASB). To admonish is to “confront as a friend” and was the normal method of counseling before the advent of secular psychology in the early 1900s. According to the Mid-America Institute for Nouthetic Studies, “nouthetic…