The Bible Rebel blog is a resource for those seeking original and curated content, including news and commentary, covering faith, biblical studies and interpretation, and the intersection of politics, culture, and the Bible.
Curious Fearless Faith
Curious faith asks questions. Fearless faith doesn’t blindly accept the religious status quo.
Is the Kingdom of God now, or future?
If Jesus Christ is God then isn’t Mary the mother of God?
Is the Christian’s destiny to die and ‘go to heaven’ – or to be transformed while alive or raised from death and corruption into the renewed and restored creation?
Our Mission
To monitor current news and events related to faith and culture.
To provide an alternative viewpoint to the world’s pervasive climate of darkness, nihilism, and hopelessness for those seeking truth, light, and purpose.
To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.
To present the Biblical truths which reveal God’s nature and purposes and proclaim the lifechanging, world-altering, radical message of Yeshua the Messiah – Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior.
Here are four common ‘old sayings’ that many folks mistakenly believe are bible verses. While these sayings may contain practical wisdom, and even reflect values taught by scripture generally, they are not inspired scripture.
“God helps those who help themselves.”
This one is commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin (Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1736).
The Bible teaches dependence on God, not self-sufficiency (see Psalm 121:2, Proverbs 3:5–6). The phrase reflects a moral idea, but it’s not scriptural.
“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Popularized by John Wesley in a 1778 sermon.
While the Bible values purity of heart and spiritual cleanliness (James 4:8), it never equates physical cleanliness with godliness.
“This too shall pass.”
Likely from ancient Persian or Hebrew proverbs, but not found in Scripture.
The Bible expresses similar sentiments (e.g., 2 Corinthians 4:17–18, Psalm 30:5), yet the phrase itself never appears.
“Money is the root of all evil.”
This one is a misquotation of 1 Timothy 6:10.
What the Bible actually says: “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” The difference is crucial — Scripture warns against greed, not wealth itself.
The third item below is interesting – apparently the Pope has decided that Mary, previously called the “Co-Redemptrix”, is no longer needed for the finished work of redemption and has been demoted to just the “Mother of the Faithful”.
Neither one of those titles is biblical, they are both the results of doctrines of men.
Investigation of a Spanish bishop
The Vatican has opened an investigation into Rafael Zornoza, bishop of the Diocese of Cádiz-Ceuta in Spain, following allegations of sexual abuse dating to the 1990s involving a teenage boy. Reuters
Zornoza denies the accusation, has suspended his duties, and pledged full cooperation. Reuters
This is significant because it is reportedly the first public case of a Spanish bishop being publicly known to be the subject of a Vatican‐level inquiry. Reuters.
Alleged antisemitic incident involving the Swiss Guard
The Vatican is investigating an alleged incident in which a member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard reportedly made a contemptuous remark (“les juifs”) and a spitting gesture toward two Jewish women, during a papal audience on October 29. AP News
The guard denies the remark and accuses the women of lying; the investigation is still in its early stage. AP News
During the same audience the Pope reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to Catholic-Jewish relations and condemned antisemitism. AP News
Doctrinal Note clarifying Marian titles
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), approved by the Pope, released a doctrinal note stating that the Virgin Mary should be referred to as “Mother of the Faithful” rather than the title “Co-Redemptrix.” Vatican News
The document also calls for special attention to the use of the expression “Mediatrix of all graces.” Vatican News
Appointment of a new Vice-Regent of the Pontifical Household
Edward Daniang Daleng, O.S.A., has been appointed by the Pope as the new Vice-Regent of the Pontifical Household. Vatican News
Paulina of Nigeria and an Augustinian religious background. (He had been procurator general of the Order of St. Augustine.) Catholic News Agency
“Make sure to seek God’s presence more than His power…”, someone recently said.
I’m a bit befuddled. How do I separate The Creator from His power? He who is almighty, whose power spoke light and the earth into being, who infused man with His spirit, who BY HIS POWER raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, ummmmm WHAT??
It seems silly and futile and a waste of time to entertain such notions that don’t appear in any scripture. Just logically thinking, the power of God in the love of God saved me from a life of darkness and misery. Without His power, what is He?
He would be just one of the many gods, indistinguishable from the gods of the Greeks and Romans. It would in fact be foolish to worship such a god.
When the Prophet Elijah said choose ye this day whom ye worship, and fire rained from heaven on his sacrifice and not on that of Baal, was not the presence of God power?
When Moses was on the mount, when the pillar of fire went before the children of Israel, when the sea parted, was not the presence of God power and did not the people worship?
I seek the presence of my God who is powerful, who raised Christ from the dead and whose Kingdom on earth is yet to come. Whose Son will return in Power and glory and righteousness. And I seek His son, who reflects the Father and who has the power to forgive my sins and heal me.
So when I seek God’s presence, I don’t worry about whether I’m splitting hairs between His presence and His character. How can I be in His presence and not be changed by His Power? Ultimately we seek the Father because He has the power to change us. His presence is perfect Love, who gave His only begotten son and raised him to be the first fruits of those that believe, and that, my friends, is power
Here are some famous quotes about the second book in the Bible, Exodus.
“Exodus is the story of God’s power to deliver, not just from Egypt, but from every form of bondage.” — Charles Spurgeon
“The Exodus is the central act of redemption in the Old Testament; it is to Israel what the Cross is to the Church.” — Philip Graham Ryken
“The story of the Exodus is not only Israel’s story—it is the human story of liberation from oppression into the freedom to serve God.” — Walter Brueggemann
“In Exodus, God reveals Himself not as an idea, but as a living Redeemer who steps into history to rescue His people.” — A.W. Tozer
David killed Goliath. End of immediate story, right? We know David went on to become king of Israel (years later), but until recently mulling over this story, I overlooked the immediate end of the story of David and Goliath. It did not end with David and Goliath.
In fact, the beheading of Goliath was just the beginning of that story. Not only did David “get after it” by killing Goliath, the entire army of Israel had to then “get after it” by rallying to the battle and fighting the Philistines until the victory was won and the spoils of war were retrieved.
What if the army had failed to rally? Obviously the giant would have been dead but the battle would not have been won.
I don’t need to give the explanation of this lesson as a type for us. It’s enough to state the facts and allow ourselves to ponder the implications.
One final thought: King Saul offered David his armor and sword, which David refused because he had not “proved it”. The covering of men, even the king, was not going to win this fight. It was the covering of God’s goodness and grace upon David that he relied on, the strong arm of the Lord his God, rather than that of men.
Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on news and events concerning denominational religion and brings that content to our readers. Here’s the latest from the United Methodist Church.
Annual Conferences voting on constitutional amendments
The UMC is currently in the process of ratifying four constitutional amendments that were passed by the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. These include: (1) regionalization of the global church structure, (2) adding “gender” and “ability” to the list of protected categories for membership, (3) a racial justice amendment, and (4) changes around clergy delegate election. wnccumc.org
The UMC’s Council of Bishops will meet in early November 2025 (Nov 3–7) to canvass the votes of the annual conferences and certify results. unitedmethodistbishops.org
Judicial Council ruling on clergy conscience and same-sex unions
The UMC’s Judicial Council (its denomination’s “supreme court” equivalent) delivered a ruling that confirms: “All clergy have the right to exercise and preserve their conscience when requested to perform any marriage, union, or blessing.” arumc.org
In effect, this ruling maintains that while the broader denomination may permit same-sex unions or other changes, individual clergy cannot be compelled to perform services they conscientiously object to.
Food-pantry and social-service pressures amid federal policy shifts
In October 2025 the UM News Digest reported that UMC ministries across the U.S. are facing increased demand for food, utilities, rent assistance amid the suspension of federal food benefits. The UMC’s mission agency (the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries) and local churches are stepping up grants and pantry efforts. United Methodist News Service
What have I been learning about David and Goliath? New things coming to light: I recently read the article by Dan Kent entitled “Why Did David Pick Up 5 Stones?”. It was enlightening. David wasn’t a soft, wimpy youth who just sat around playing a harp while watching sheep.
My takeaway on this article is this. David did watch sheep, he did play an instrument and at the same time he trained himself to fight. Maybe because three of his oldest brothers were soldiers in Saul’s army, David must have had a vision for himself as a strong warrior. Apparently he did something about that vision, because he clearly let others know that while watching his father’s sheep, he had occasion to kill a lion, which had taken a lamb, by grabbing its beard and slaying it.
What weapon did he use to slay this lion? The story doesn’t say. David also killed a bear in similar circumstances. He credits the Lord for delivering him from the lion and the bear, and in truth the Lord did. And also, David was fearless. He was adept at using whatever weapon he had. He was strong physically, not some soft, untrained teenager. When he went after the lion and the bear, he was confident that he had the ability to win the battle. He knew HOW to do it! He was prepared with his weaponry when it happened. And he trusted God to back him up.
God promoted David for being diligent to train, fight his battles while watching sheep, and having the courage to get after it. David didn’t stop and pray for an hour to ask God’s direction and favor before he went after the lion or the bear which had grabbed a lamb. The circumstances demanded immediate action, and he acted.
His preparation no doubt came daily in fellowship with the Father, in practicing using his weapons, in learning from his brothers how to fight whenever he could, in keeping himself strong. You’ve no doubt heard the old saying, “the devil is in the details”. Let’s turn that upside down with “God is in the details”.
I appreciate Kent’s article on this familiar Biblical story. Kent makes the story bigger than what it’s been for me and clearer than what it was. David was strong, equipped, trained, fearless, and he trusted God to have his back. He did not hesitate to “get after it” when circumstances required. He was ready for the battle because he prepared himself daily.
What does this mean for us? If we are believers on Jesus the Christ, our daily relationship with the Father, whom we have gained access to through our Savior, as well as a basic understanding of scriptures, is our foundation. We are equipped with nine manifestations of the gift of Holy Spirit designed specifically by God to help us fight the good fight of faith and work God’s work in this world. We are also given authority in Christ to use it.
Now this doesn’t mean we are to go out and herd sheep and fight lions and bears and a Philistine giant. The picture of young David given to us carries over as a type of the spiritual. There are plenty of situations in life where we face obstacles that seem as large to us as the ones David faced.
The instruction of Ephesians 6, verses 10-18 is clear:
(KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We are to prepare and train ourselves to face these obstacles by putting on the good news of the Gospel of Truth. We are to understand and exercise our authority and spiritual power through what the risen Lord accomplished for us, and we are to pray. We are to be ready and fearless, knowing God has our back. We are to “get after it” as circumstances require. The shield of faith belongs to us as we Take it. And we won’t hesitate to take it, like young David, when we are prepared.
