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Purgatory is one of the most debated and controversial doctrines of the Catholic Church. It is the belief in a place or state of purification after death where souls are cleansed of their sins before being admitted into heaven. Purgatory is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but there is a great deal of biblical and traditional evidence to support its existence. In this article, we will explore this evidence and examine the role of purgatory in the Catholic faith.

Biblical Evidence for Purgatory

Although the word “purgatory” does not appear in the Bible, there are several passages that allude to the existence of a place of purification after death. For example, in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, St. Paul writes:

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ…If anyone’s work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.”

This passage implies that there will be a judgment after death in which a person’s works will be tested by fire. If their works are found to be like gold, they will be rewarded. If their works are found to be like hay, they will suffer loss, but will still be saved. This passage suggests that there is a form of purification after death for those who are saved.

Other passages that suggest the existence of purgatory include 2 Maccabees 12:42-46, where Judas Maccabeus sends money to Jerusalem to have sacrifices made for the souls of his fallen comrades who had sinned, and who hoped that they would be raised to life again. This suggests that there was a belief in a place of purification after death. In Matthew 5:25-26 and Luke 12:57-59, Jesus speaks of the possibility of being thrown into prison until one has paid their debt, which could be interpreted as a form of purification after death.

Traditional Evidence for Purgatory

In addition to biblical evidence, there is also strong traditional evidence for the existence of purgatory. The Church Fathers, such as St. Augustine and St. Gregory the Great, spoke of an intermediate state where souls are cleansed after death. The Councils of Florence and Trent both affirmed the existence of purgatory, and the Catholic Church has continued to teach it as part of its doctrine.

The Role of Purgatory in the Catholic Faith

The doctrine of purgatory plays an important role in the Catholic faith. It reminds believers that sin has consequences, and that even those who are saved may still need to be purged of their sins before entering into heaven. It also emphasizes the importance of praying for the dead, because the souls in purgatory are dependent on the prayers of the living for their purification.

Purgatory is also closely related to the Catholic belief in the communion of saints. The souls in purgatory are part of the Church, along with the faithful on earth and the saints in heaven. The Church’s prayers and sacrifices can assist the souls in purgatory, just as the faithful on earth can ask the saints in heaven for their intercession.

The question of how long someone spends in purgatory is another topic that is debated among Catholics. It is not a place of punishment, but rather a place of purification. The length of time spent in purgatory depends on the degree of purification needed, and is ultimately determined by God.

Conclusion

Purgatory is a controversial doctrine, but there is strong biblical and traditional evidence to support its existence. The Catholic Church’s teaching on purgatory reminds believers of the importance of sin and the need for purification before entering into heaven. It is a reminder of the communion of saints and the importance of praying for the dead. The exact details of purgatory may be debated, but its place in the Catholic faith remains an important one.

Difference Between Sola Scriptura and CENI

Sola Scriptura and CENI (Command, Example, or Necessary Inference) are both approaches to interpreting and applying the Bible within Christian churches, specifically in the context of determining authoritative teachings and practices. While they share similarities in their reliance on Scripture, they differ in their methods and underlying principles.

Sola Scriptura:

Sola Scriptura is a Latin phrase that means “Scripture Alone.” This principle emerged during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century as a reaction against the perceived corruption and abuses within the Roman Catholic Church. Sola Scriptura asserts that the Bible is the sole and ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice, and that it is sufficient for guiding believers in all matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct. This approach seeks to exclude any reliance on extra-biblical sources such as church tradition, the teachings of the Church Fathers, or the authority of church councils.

CENI (Command, Example, or Necessary Inference):

CENI is an interpretive framework primarily used by some Churches of Christ and other Restoration Movement churches. It provides a method for determining authoritative practices and teachings based on the New Testament. The CENI approach involves finding biblical support for a belief or practice through:

1. Command: A direct command or instruction given by Jesus or the apostles.

2. Example: An approved example or practice in the New Testament that the early Christians followed.

3. Necessary Inference: A logical conclusion drawn from the biblical text that cannot be contradicted by any other Scripture.

While both Sola Scriptura and CENI emphasize the primacy and authority of the Bible, they differ in their methods and scope. Sola Scriptura focuses on the sufficiency of Scripture as a whole for guiding Christian faith and practice, whereas CENI specifically seeks to derive authoritative teachings and practices from the New Testament by examining commands, examples, and necessary inferences.

It is important to note that not all Protestant denominations strictly adhere to Sola Scriptura, and not all Churches of Christ or Restoration Movement churches follow the CENI method uniformly. There is diversity in interpretation and application within both traditions.

Sola Scriptura and Division in the Church

Sola Scriptura, as a foundational principle of the Protestant Reformation, has had a significant impact on the development of various Protestant denominations. While it has united many believers around the idea that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice, it has also inadvertently contributed to divisions among Protestants.

1. Interpretation of Scripture: One of the main challenges that Sola Scriptura presents is the potential for differing interpretations of the Bible. As individuals and denominations rely on Scripture alone for guidance, they may come to different conclusions about doctrines, practices, and teachings. These differences can lead to the formation of new denominations or the splintering of existing ones.

2. The role of tradition and church authority: The rejection of extra-biblical sources of authority, such as church tradition and the teachings of the Church Fathers, has led to varying levels of emphasis on these sources among different Protestant denominations. Some denominations may incorporate certain aspects of tradition and historical teachings into their understanding of the faith, while others may reject them entirely. This divergence in approach can further contribute to division.

3. Individualism and decentralization: The principle of Sola Scriptura encourages individual believers to study the Bible for themselves, rather than relying solely on the interpretations and teachings of church authorities. While this can empower individuals to take ownership of their faith, it can also lead to fragmentation and disunity, as people form their own beliefs and practices that may not align with those of others within the same denomination or tradition.

4. Lack of a unifying authority: As Sola Scriptura emphasizes the Bible as the sole authority for Christian faith and practice, there is no centralized authority, like the Pope or the Magisterium in the Roman Catholic Church, to resolve disputes over doctrine or interpretation. This lack of a unifying authority can contribute to the fragmentation of the Protestant faith into various denominations and sects.

Despite these challenges, many Protestants argue that the principle of Sola Scriptura is essential to maintaining the purity of Christian faith and preventing the corruption that can arise from relying on extra-biblical sources. The diversity within Protestantism is also seen by some as a strength, allowing for a wide range of expressions of faith and the possibility for ongoing reformation and renewal.

The previous two essays explore the role of Scripture, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium in the formation of Church teaching, from three different perspectives: Catholic, Sola Scriptura, and a rebuttal of Sola Scriptura.

The Catholic perspective argues that Scripture, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium are all essential sources of authority in understanding the faith. Catholics believe that sacred tradition complements and exhorts the Bible and that the Magisterium serves to provide guidance and interpretation of both scripture and tradition. The interplay between the three sources of authority provides a comprehensive understanding of God’s revelation throughout history. Catholics maintain that a separation of any one of these sources of authority would result in an incomplete and/or inaccurate understanding of the faith.

The Sola Scriptura perspective highlights that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient authority for all matters of faith and practice. It emphasizes that the Bible itself testifies to its sufficiency, and that any source of authority that is not based on scripture should be disregarded. This perspective also emphasizes the Holy Spirit’s role in teaching and guiding believers, and that the interpretation of scripture should be based on private interpretation.

The rebuttal of Sola Scriptura argues that the Bible’s sufficiency is not in question, but emphasizes that the Catholic Church has always recognized sacred tradition and the Magisterium as sources of authority in the development of Church teachings. Catholics believe that the reliance on the Bible alone can lead to an incomplete and/or erroneous understanding of the faith, as extra-biblical tradition and the Magisterium’s reliable interpretation of Scripture provide the Church with the ability to deepen our understanding through a constantly evolving history.

In conclusion, these perspectives highlight the issue of authority in understanding the faith. Catholics draw from scripture, tradition, and the Magisterium while Protestant authority draws on the Bible alone and depends upon accurate self interpretation by each believer.

For part 2 of this series on authority, here is a rebuttal of the previous essay from a Sola Scriptura Protestant/Evangelical perspective.

Introduction

The Catholic Church has always relied on various sources to develop its teachings, including Scripture, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium. However, as a Sola Scriptura Protestant, I believe that the Bible alone is the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient authority for all matters of faith and practice. This essay will explore the reasons why Sola Scriptura is a more appropriate perspective for understanding Church teachings.

Scripture Alone

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and it alone is sufficient for faith and practice. The Bible claims that it is sufficient for all believers, and nothing should be added to it or taken away from it, as stated in Revelation 22:18-19:

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which is described in this book.”

This verse in Revelation clearly states that Scripture alone is sufficient and that nothing should be added or subtracted from it.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, urging him to hold fast to the Scriptures, as they were sufficient for all matters. In 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Paul writes:

“From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

In this passage, Paul affirms that the Scriptures are sufficient for the believer to be equipped for every good work. He mentions nothing of the need for an additional source of authority.

Sacred Tradition

The Catholic Church believes that its teachings have been preserved through sacred tradition, which has been passed down from generation to generation. However, many of these traditions have no basis in Scripture and are human inventions. In Mark 7:6-9, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for placing their traditions above God’s commands:

“And he said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.’ And he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!'”

Jesus makes it clear that when traditions conflict with God’s word, they must be disregarded. Many Catholic traditions seem to conflict with Scripture and serve as a hindrance to the gospel’s spread rather than as a means of facilitating it.

Magisterium

The Magisterium is the authoritative teaching body of the Catholic Church, composed of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. It serves to safeguard and transmit the faith throughout the ages. However, the Magisterium’s authority is limited to its role as a helper, not a source of authority.

In John 14:26, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His disciples and said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as the Helper who would guide His followers, not a group of human leaders. In 1 John 2:27, John affirms this when he writes, “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”

The Holy Spirit is alive and active in believers today and is not limited to a select group of human teachers. Christians have the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth and do not need a Magisterium.

Interplay between Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium

The previous essay argues that Scripture, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium work together to develop Church teaching. However, from a Sola Scriptura perspective, these three sources of authority are not equal. Scripture is the final authority, and sacred tradition and the Magisterium must be subject to it.

The Bible is the ultimate and sufficient authority for all matters of faith and practice. Sacred tradition and the Magisterium should be evaluated and accepted or rejected based on their fidelity to Scripture.

Importance of Sola Scriptura in Church Teaching

The importance of Sola Scriptura in Church teaching is rooted in its adherence to the sufficiency of Scripture. All church doctrines must find their basis in Scripture, as the Bible contains all that is necessary to know for salvation and practice.

Sola Scriptura is essential in upholding the gospel’s purity, and it is critical in discerning which teachings are true and which are false. The history of the church has shown many instances of errors that have arisen from basing teachings on extra-biblical sources.

The doctrine of Sola Scriptura helps to prevent these errors by maintaining that everything the church teaches must be based on the Bible, as it is the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the doctrine of Sola Scriptura affirms that the Bible alone is the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient authority for all matters of faith and practice. While the Catholic Church may rely on various sources, including sacred tradition and the Magisterium, these must be subject to Scripture. In adhering to Sola Scriptura, the church safeguards the purity of the gospel and ensures that all teachings find their basis in the Bible, which contains all that is necessary for salvation and practice.

As part one of a 3-part series on Authority and the Catholic Church, I am starting with an essay on the role of Scripture, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium in forming Church teaching. This is written from a Catholic perspective in an attempt to be fair. What will follow, Lord willing, is a rebuttal and perhaps an essay on Sola Scriptura.

Introduction

The Catholic Church has always relied on various sources in the development of its teachings. Scripture, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium form a triad that has played a central role in shaping the Church’s doctrine. This essay will explore the significance of each source and how they work together to develop Church teaching.

Scripture

The Bible has always been an important source of inspiration for Catholicism, and it remains a primary means of expressing the faith. The Old and New Testaments are the foundational texts of Christianity, and the Catholic Church considers them to be the inspired Word of God, which canonizes them as the genuine books of the canon.

Scripture offers lessons on how to live a Christian life, answers the eternal questions regarding creation, nature, and purpose, and provides guidance on how to remain faithful to God’s plan. It is also the primary source the Church turns to when responding to ethical dilemmas such as the ethical issues surrounding abortion, euthanasia or stem cell research.

However, the interpretation of Scripture remains a challenge that required guidance. In this regard, Catholics rely on the Magisterium to provide them with the necessary interpretation. The Magisterium’s authority to interpret Scripture stems from Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit to the apostles, assuring they would receive knowledge, wisdom and guidance to teach the truth correctly.

Sacred Tradition

Sacred tradition refers to the unwritten teachings that have been passed down from generation to generation. Often referred to as the “deposit of faith,” the tradition embodies the teachings of Jesus Christ, handed down through the apostles, and the early Church. As Catholics, they believe that Christ entrusted the deposit of faith to the apostles and that it has been faithfully preserved through the Church’s teachings, established under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Sacred tradition fills in those gaps left by Scripture alone, such as the liturgy or the sacraments, and clarifies the teachings’ full implications. It is through the Tradition that Catholics know to confess their faith through the Nicene Creed, believe in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or in the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Since 1965, the Catechism of the Catholic Church has been the official compendium of Catholic doctrine and a reliable reference for Catholics worldwide.

Magisterium

The Magisterium is the authoritative teaching body of the Catholic Church, composed of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. It serves to safeguard and transmit the faith throughout the ages. The Magisterium has the task of clarifying and interpreting the divine deposit of faith, specifically that which is found in Scripture and Tradition.

From Apostolic times, bishops speak and teach with authority. This official Magisterium continues to this day, with the pope and the Church’s bishops serving as the Church’s teachers. These teachers are supported by theologians, who work to take the teachings of the Church and make them relevant to the world today.

The Magisterium carries out its duty through a variety of means, including encyclicals, apostolic letters, catechisms, and Church councils. It also helps bishops worldwide to clarify and provide guidance to the faithful in the face of changing times and social challenges to the faith.

The Magisterium’s role is to ensure that the Church’s teachings are handed down in their purest and most authentic form according to the deposit of faith, constantly adapting to the changing times without compromising its fundamental truths. The Catechism of the Catholic Church recognizes that the Magisterium is not above the word of God; instead, it serves to clarify and confirm God’s Word.

Interplay between Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium

The Scriptures, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium do not stand alone, but rather they complement one another. Each source contributes to the development of Catholic doctrine in its unique way, ultimately leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the truth.

The sacred tradition carefully preserves the truths revealed in Scripture and guards their essential meaning, which illuminates the Church’s interpretation of the divine deposit over time. For example, the Catholic Church’s view on the Blessed Trinity became more explicit and developed in the early Church notable from the teachings of the Church Fathers, such as St. Augustine and St. Athanasius.

The Magisterium uses the sources of faith to provide guidance for Catholics to clarify Church teaching. The Church looks upon its teaching documents, such as Encyclicals and Catechisms as expressions of the Magisterium acting within the deposit of faith to enrich the truth of the faith to the faithful. The Magisterium’s primary function is to ensure that the Church maintains its doctrinal integrity over time.

The Magisterium also helps to clarify what the Bible says precisely by considering the way Catholics have interpreted it over the centuries. Thus, it is essential to note that Catholic doctrine develops from the combined interpretation of Scripture, sacred tradition, and Magisterium.

Thus, the three sources of Catholic teaching interact with each other in a complementary and interdependent way. The Magisterium is that which conveys and safeguards the biblical, and traditional sources of faith, and helps the Church make explicit their applications to contemporary societies.

Importance of Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium in Catholic teaching

The Scriptures, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium depth to each other and Catholic teachings, and hence the importance of the three sources in the formation of Church teaching. These three sources offer a comprehensive insight into Catholic doctrine, and each source reinforces the other.

Scripture provides the foundation for the Church’s teaching, which has been enduring for over two millennia. Sacred tradition guides the interpretation of the words within Scripture through the values and beliefs passed down from the apostles. Magisterium provides clarity and guidance within the context of contemporaneous growth and interpretation.

As affirmed in Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, Scripture is the foundation of the Church’s teaching and its understanding. If Catholicism is to continue to thrive and incarnate Scripture, its doctrines, and its insights into the living of Christian life, then each source’s integrity must be kept verbatim to the living Tradition of the Church.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of Scripture, sacred tradition, and the Magisterium in forming Church teaching is profound, emphasizing the complementary nature of these sources in Catholic teachings. Catholics understand Scripture through sacred tradition and rely on the Magisterium to guide and interpret the faith. The interrelation of these sources forms an integral part of Catholicism, ensuring that the faith has remained steadfast and enduring since its foundation by Christ and the apostles. We pray that as Catholics, we continue to respect these three sources of teaching and ensure that their treasures will be handed down, generation after generation.

It’s click bait in a sense, but it’s also designed to get your attention. What the word “Catholic” means is universal. What I’m espousing here is a call to look at the entire body of Christ as a legitimate part of the Church. This is not a call to universalism, where all religions lead to God. That philosophy is true in the sense that we are all going to stand before God at the judgment. No, I am calling for the recognition amongst those who are trinitarian Christians to unite as the body of Christ as king as our Christology is the same and we are worshiping the same Triune God. This teaching is reflected in the Nicene, Apostles, and Athanasian Creeds.

What has been holding this back? I believe the enemy has given us a self righteous tunnel vision regarding who the “real Christians” are. We are like one part of the body saying that only our part, or possibly our system, is really attached to the Head. Others are either lost or only saved in spite of their church. We need to increase our altitude and see the whole Body of Christ and then focus on doing what our body part or system was designed to do to contribute to the well being of the whole.

To do this we need to practice a radical obedience to scriptures like 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and Romans 14:1-12.

1 Corinthians 12:27 (CSB)

Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.

Romans 14:10 (CSB)

But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

There are spiritual barriers to this that we must repent of and actively battle against. These are arrogant assumptions rooted in the need for doctrinal perfection and perceived superiority.

Arrogant Assumption #1 – we are the ones who finally figured out the Bible and if people would just study harder and shed their man made teachings, we would all agree on what the Bible says.

Arrogant Assumption #2 – we are the only ones being truly led by the Spirit, because if they were led this way, they would do things like we do. This is usually manifested in the attitude that more formal or liturgical worship styles are spiritually dead. We mistake reverence for sleep instead of depth.

Arrogant Assumption #3 – others are saved, but they have not arrived at our level of higher knowledge or truly spiritual worship style. This is rooted in comparing ourselves with others instead of following the direction of the Lord about where He wants to place us within His Body. Gnostics promoted such a teaching where they thought they had the higher knowledge. None of us want to end up in Gnosticism!

Arrogant Assumption #4 – we are the real thing and they are the counterfeit. Similar to the others, it is based in spiritual pride and the assumption that we get it and others must be wrong. Spiritual pride is what made Lucifer into Satan. You don’t want to go there!

So what I am calling us to is a truly “catholic” Christianity, where we all not only tolerate and recognize the other parts of the Body of Christ, but actually value and celebrate them! Every baptism is a win. Every sinner rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His Dear Son is a cause for celebration! In short, if someone meets the criteria of Romans 10:9-10, they are a brother or sister in Christ! We don’t have to be exactly alike in belief or practice. A body doesn’t work that way. We are all learning and growing. Rejoice in that and have joy in the journey. There are plenty of sinners to go around. Start focusing on reaching the truly lost instead of wasting energy fighting one another. We need to avoid being an autoimmune disease where parts of the body attack each other.

Fight the good fight of faith and contend for the Gospel by accurately teaching who Jesus is and what He has done. Where Jesus places people in His Body, including those He moves around within the Body, is His business. Focus on doing what you were called to do and the body will grow to the full stature of Christ!

A Light Matter (or The Dangers of Enforced Darkness)

Text:

John 3:19-20

“And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

It was the late 1920’s and the most powerful man in Chicago was arguably Alphonse Capone. His underworld crime cartel ruled he streets and paid off the political structures. Where did he get this kind of power? The illegal distribution of liquor. Prohibition was on its heyday and the manufacture and distribution of alcohol was driven into the darkness. But instead of dying in darkness, it thrived and metastasized, infecting the very foundations of the civic order.

Ironically, when Capone was released from Alcatraz 11 years later, Prohibition had been repealed. Rather than returning to head up a crime syndicate running alcohol, he retired to Miami as a powerless old man to die of syphilis. Why? Because the way to disinfect society of his mafia gangs and wars was simply to make it legal and bring it into the light.

There are a few applications of this proven principle, and I won’t go over them all here. What I believe to be one of the greatest evils in our current civilization is human trafficking. More specifically, sex trafficking. How do we effectively purge out this scourge from our society? By learning the lesson of Prohibition and Al Capone.

Here is what I mean. Much of modern day sex trafficking is used to supply the demand for illicit sexual activity, as well as the creation and marketing of pornography. How do we bring this into the light? Eliminate demand? No, prohibition fuels demand. By bringing it into the light of legalization. For example, if massages with the so-called “happy ending” were legalized and treated as a consensual business transaction, it would eliminate the need to operate as a criminal enterprise. It would also mean it would be possible to know who their customers were. Again, the light drives out the darkness.

But what about the multi-billion dollar porn industry? Some of it is legal, while some is not. Bring it into the light of legalization (for adults). This is not just an online thing, either. It may seem radical, but what about rescinding public nudity laws. I doubt everyone would suddenly cast off their clothing. But if body parts were thought of as body parts, all bearing (Baring?) the image of God, why would someone want to go online to see them? That’s like sneaking around with a laptop and looking at elbows or ankles.

Does that mean we think everything goes and anything you want to do is moral? Of course not! Prohibition was been gone for nearly 90 years, but as a society we still look down on drunkenness. And with studies showing that it doesn’t actually harm anyone, including children, to see it in a non-sexual context, what we have to gain in the destruction of the porn industry and the trafficked illicit sex worker industry more than makes up for the losses of the illusion that no one participates in such things.

I realize this sounds radical or even sinful, but it’s a matter of public policy that will actually yield a better society, free from the stain of sex trafficking.

But that is just my opinion.

In the natural realm, there are different types of predators. Pursuit predators stalk and chase their pray in hopes of wearing them down. They strike with a combination of endurance and speed in the chase. There are also ambush predators. These are those who chase to capture prey using sheer speed or endurance, ambush predators avoid fatigue by staying in concealment, waiting patiently for the prey to get near, before launching a sudden overwhelming attack that quickly incapacitates and captures the prey.

In a significant way, Jesus was an ambush predator.

1 Corinthians 2:8

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Jesus knew that because of the consuming hatred and pride of the devil, he would jump at the chance to have the Son of God tortured and killed. His eyes were blinded and Satan hurled headlong into the murder of Jesus. This is much the same as when an ambush predator uses an irresistible bait to lure their pray in for the kill. The victim’s instinct and its nature cause it to bypass reason and take the bait.

But what Satan failed to realize was that the One he thought was the victim was in fact also the victor! The very moment when Christ gave up His spirit, the adversary went form celebration to terror as his head was crushed by Christ on the cross. At the moment of what he thought was his greatest victory, he stepped into the trap the Father had laid before him and was defeated!

Colossians 2:15

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Rather than being defeated in death, Christ took the keys of death and the grave and will bring the souls of the redeemed home to His Father in Heaven!

Praise God for sending His Son, the ambush predator who rescued our souls from bondage to sin and Satan!

I’m about to say something that may shock some of you. If it does, though, it may mean you have assimilated a worldy idea rooted more in Greek philosophy and Plato than the Bible. So at the risk of offending you, I will tell you the truth — God does not have one special soulmate picked out for you to marry!

The idea of a “soulmate” is a concept taught by Plato who said that people are made as one body with both genders, but were split apart by the gods. Now their mission in life is to find their “other half” so they can be made complete again. This is where phrases like “my better half” or “my other half” come from. Where it does not come from is biblical Christianity!

“Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ: for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,”. Colossians 2:8-9 (ASV)

We only have One who can complete us. We have one Soulmate, and that is Christ! To make someone else your completer makes them an idol by putting them in the place of God. That’s damaging to you and unfair to your spouse!

What we do have, however, is someone we must make the deliberate daily choice to love. The claim that everyone has a preselected spouse they will find someday is not biblical! But once you marry that person, they become the one God determines you will love.

So be complete in Christ. Don’t require a human to complete you. It is only after marriage that you become one together instead of 1 each apart.

It’s not 1/2 + 1/2 = 1. Rather it’s 1 X 1 = 1.

So please, let’s stop perpetuating the Ancient Greek concept of soulmates and the one person you are destined to marry. Rather teach that life is a daily choice and that you freely choose to love your husband or wife. Now THAT is romantic!