Almost 140 years before the southern kingdom of Judah went into Babylonian captivity, the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into Assyrian captivity. And, whereas the kingdom of Judah returned to the land, there is no corresponding record of the kingdom of Israel doing the same. This has led to much speculation on the present identity of the lost tribes of Israel, which make up ten of the twelve tribes of the ancient Hebrews.
Modern historians discount what they term the great man theory of history. By this, they mean the idea that history is moved and directed by great men who make a difference in the outcome of history. To them, men do not make history but history makes men.
We are not commanded to totally remove ourselves from society, however, we are warned against loving the world or conforming ourselves to it.
What is a conviction? One person says that it is no more than a personal opinion. Others define it as those things for which you would be willing to die; all else is a preference. Some teach that convictions are based on direct scriptural teaching. Others teach that convictions are not even scriptural. Why all the confusion? What is a good biblical approach to the concept of convictions? Let us see if we can make any sense out of it all.
