Skip to content
Explore site
Byzantine Manuscript - Gospel of Matthew - 11th or 12th century

Quality theology

Smart thoughtful articles written without AI

Morning coffee

By scholars

Every author has a PhD in a Christian field

Explained better

For anybody

Articles written in easy everyday language

Christian answers for life questions
Image of pathway through a desert landscape

What can
Holy Ground
do for you?

  • Be exposed to good, true, beautiful writing from people of faith
  • Deepen your knowledge of theology and scripture
  • Grow in a real connection to the God that made you and loves you
The topics we uncover
Christian Theology
A fictional angel: Where is Amenadiel in the Bible?

A fictional angel: Where is Amenadiel in the Bible?

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
Amenadiel is a figure from the DC comic Lucifer—a Neil Gaiman comic subsequently released as a 6-season television series in 2016. Amenadiel is portrayed as the older brother of Lucifer and the eldest of the angelic siblings, a...
Pastor vs. Priest: What are the differences?

Pastor vs. Priest: What are the differences?

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
Christianity is an ancient, widespread religion. Over the centuries, it has built up a wide variety of termss that can get confusing. There are pastors, bishops, ministers, deacons, vicars, cardinals, elders, and popes—to name ...
A PhD explains the phrase "What the devil meant for evil"

A PhD explains the phrase "What the devil meant for evil"

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
There isn’t a single, specific Bible verse about what “the enemy meant for evil,” but the closest is Genesis 50:20: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this...
Read more "Christian Theology"
Life Questions
What is a Pastor Emeritus? Should they exist?

What is a Pastor Emeritus? Should they exist?

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
“Emeritus” is a title that’s occasionally given to someone after they retire. It’s a way of giving honor to someone by allowing them to keep their title, especially if they continue to work in a smaller capacity. The word comes...
The Baptism of Poland: Unification and Christianization

The Baptism of Poland: Unification and Christianization

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
Mieszko I was born around AD 930 and ruled from 960 until 992—over thirty years. He was baptized on Holy Saturday, April 14, 966, which serves as a good official date for the Christianization of Poland—at least the beginning of...
Do you go to Hell if you commit suicide?

Do you go to Hell if you commit suicide?

Dr. Simon Cunningham
by Dr. Simon CunninghamUniversity of Nottingham
If someone commits suicide, do they go to Hell? This question is tremendously loaded, which means there is a lot involved with giving a good answer. So, before giving one, we need to pause and ask what people mean when they ask...
Read more "Life Questions"
Old Testament
Prophetic parents: Who was Amoz father of Isaiah?

Prophetic parents: Who was Amoz father of Isaiah?

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
Amoz is one of those Biblical figures connected to prominent people in the Bible, but whom we know very little about. He is explicitly mentioned only thirteen times, all in reference to Isaiah: “Isaiah, Son of Amoz.” We only kn...
Why stay away from the Book of Enoch

Why stay away from the Book of Enoch

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
If you’ve heard of the Book of Enoch, you probably know it’s very weird. It’s an ancient document that claims to be written by the great-grandfather of Noah, a mysterious man who is mentioned in the Bible as being “taken away” ...
"It is well with my soul": Bible verse or hymn lyric?

"It is well with my soul": Bible verse or hymn lyric?

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
The phrase “it is well with my soul” does not appear in the Bible as an exact quote. It was penned by a nineteenth-century Protestant named Horatio G. Spafford. The sentiment is not entirely un-Biblical, however, as you could a...
Read more "Old Testament"
New Testament
Malchus: The Roman Soldier in the Garden of Gethsemane

Malchus: The Roman Soldier in the Garden of Gethsemane

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
The short answer: In the Bible, Malchus is the servant of the high priest whom St. Peter struck with a sword when the Jews came to arrest Jesus. He is mentioned in only one Gospel account and is not considered a saint in any tr...
Sosthenes of The Seventy Disciples - by a Christian PhD

Sosthenes of The Seventy Disciples - by a Christian PhD

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
Sosthenes is mentioned a couple times in the New Testament. He appears in the opening verse of first Corinthians as part of St. Paul’s greeting, where he calls Sosthenes “our brother”: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Ch...
Apollos in the Bible: Convert, Missionary, Bishop

Apollos in the Bible: Convert, Missionary, Bishop

Dr. Zachary Porcu
by Dr. Zachary PorcuCatholic University of America
Everyone knows about Jesus’ Twelve Disciples, but there were also a group called “the Seventy” who were also followers of Jesus. They came from a number of different backgrounds, and ended up playing pivotal roles in the format...
Read more "New Testament"