Veterans Day

Veterans Day

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, November 9, 2026 (Donate)

And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill….

So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” (Exodus 17:9-10, 13-14 , NKJV)

God told Moses, with General Joshua listening, to write a memorial after a battle with the evil Amalek tribe. A remembrance or a memorial is essentially like a holiday to commemorate or remember those who fought in the battle/war or soldiers who have fallen.

Our modern Veterans Day is no different. My dad was a veteran (Marine). I have many friends and relatives who also served in the military too. So what is Veterans Day and why is it different from other patriotic holidays?

My Dad in service; Photo: Hodge family archives

What Is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is an American national holiday celebrated annually on November 11 to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Its purpose is to recognize veterans from all military branches, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.

Unlike holidays commemorating particular battles or wars, Veterans Day recognizes all who have served honorably, whether during wartime or peacetime. It is an opportunity for Americans to express our gratitude for their service, sacrifices, and commitment to defending the nation.

Interestingly, the correct spelling is "Veterans Day," without an apostrophe, because the holiday honors all veterans rather than belonging to them. Furthermore, if November 11 falls on weekend, then Veterans Day is usually honored on the following Monday.

Other nations have days like this too. In Australia and New Zealand, they have ANZAC Day (April 25). Canada, UK, Australia and others have Remembrance Day and France still has Armistice Day—all of which are also November 11 (recall this goes back to the ending of WWI so it is a special day for many of our allies).  

What Is the History of Veterans Day?

Veterans Day originated following World War I. On November 11, 1918, an armistice between Germany and the Allied powers took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, ending the fighting on the Western Front.

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day, recognizing the sacrifices of American soldiers and celebrating the restoration of peace. Congress officially established Armistice Day as a federal holiday in 1938.

Following World War II and the Korean War, Americans recognized the need to honor veterans from additional conflicts. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower (and former supreme commander of allied forces in WWII) signed legislation changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day, expanding its recognition to veterans of all American wars.

Old photo of my dad in Asia serving; Photo: Hodge family archives

In 1968, Congress passed legislation moving the observance to the fourth Monday in October, beginning in 1971. However, it was restored to November 11 as the official date in 1978.

How Is Veterans Day Different From Other Patriotic Holidays?

Although we have several American holidays that recognize military service and national history, each technically have a distinct purpose.

• Veterans Day (November 11): Honors all American military veterans, especially those still living.
• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May): Remembers military personnel who died while serving their country.
• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7): With a two-fold purpose, it commemorates the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 by (1) remembering those who were killed and (2) honoring the survivors. I used to work maintenance in a bus garage with an elderly gent who was a survivor from Pearl Harbor—and he had lost his hearing in one ear.
• Independence Day (July 4): Honors our independence and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 which secured the USA’s separation from Great Britain.

A point of note that confuses a lot of people, is that Veterans Day is designed for us to show gratitude to those who served or serve in military service, while Memorial Day is about remembrance of those who died in service.

What Can You Do on Veterans Day?

Americans can honor veterans in several meaningful ways, I suggest:

1. Thank veterans personally for their military service.
2. Attend Veterans Day parades, ceremonies, or memorial services.
3. Display the American flag respectfully.
4. Visit veterans in hospitals, retirement communities, or in local churches.
5. Support charitable organizations assisting wounded, disabled, or homeless veterans.
6. Teach children about American military history and the sacrifices made to preserve freedom.
7. Pray for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families.

Conclusion

Veterans Day should help us remember that the freedoms we enjoy have often required tremendous sacrifice. From the Revolutionary War to modern military operations, generations of Americans have served their country with courage and dedication. We owe them a thanks for doing their duty.

Gratitude shouldn’t be limited to one day, November 11. Nevertheless, it provides a special opportunity to honor veterans, remember their contributions, and express appreciation for their willingness to serve. Freedom should never be taken for granted, nor should those who have served to defend it.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields. 

 

Are There Any Extrabiblical Early Writings Mentioning The Resurrection Of Jesus?

Are There Any Extrabiblical Early Writings Mentioning The Resurrection Of Jesus?

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, November 6, 2026 (Donate)

The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is absolutely central to Christianity (1 Corinthians 15:14-17). The Bible provides sufficient proof of the resurrection because it the authoritative Word of God.

Nevertheless, many ask if there are extrabiblical writings that confirm what the Bible is saying. Yes, there are!

We have early historical testimonies and writings outside Scripture that indeed confirm that Jesus was crucified and that His followers proclaimed His resurrection. These sources include Jewish, Roman, and early Christian authors.

Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100)

Josephus was a first-century Jewish historian who wrote the famous Antiquities of the Jews around AD 93-94 for his Roman captors. He discusses Jesus in a passage commonly called the Testimonium Flavianum. The traditional text includes this statement:

"He appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him."[1]

Josephus; Open source image

This is powerful because Josephus wasn’t a Christian.

Other Early Historical Writings

1. Clement of Rome (c. AD 95). In 1 Clement 24 and 42, Clement explicitly affirms Christ's resurrection and teaches that the apostles preached because they were convinced Jesus had risen. Clement was an early Christian teacher and was even mentioned in Philippians 4:3.

2. Ignatius of Antioch (c. AD 110). In Letter to the Smyrnaeans 3, Ignatius insists that Jesus physically rose from the dead and appeared bodily to His disciples. This is an important early testimony against those denying Christ's physical resurrection. Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John.

3. Tacitus (c. AD 116). The Roman historian records that Christus (i.e., Christ) suffered execution under Pontius Pilate during Emperor Tiberius's reign (Annals 15.44). Although Tacitus doesn’t affirm the resurrection directly, he independently points out Jesus' execution and the subsequent growth of Christianity.

4. Pliny the Younger (c. AD 112). Writing to Emperor Trajan, Pliny describes Christians gathering to worship Christ as divine (Letters 10.96). This reveals a lot. It shows how firmly Christianity had become established despite persecution.

5. Polycarp of Smyrna (early second century). In Letter to the Philippians 2, Polycarp affirms that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. His testimony showed the importance of the resurrection among early Christians. He was also an early Christian leader connected to the Apostle John like Ignatius.

An aged Apostle John speaking with two younger disciples Polycarp and Ignatius who became active church leaders after his passing; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Conclusion

These extrabiblical writings are powerful confirmations that Jesus was crucified, that His followers proclaimed His resurrection, and that Christianity spread rapidly regardless of the opposition. Early church witnesses repeatedly affirmed the bodily resurrection. Meanwhile, non-Christian historians confirmed the events too whether they realized the significance or not.

These documents can’t independently establish the miracle itself but that is irrelevant because God’s Word already did that. Nevertheless, they reinforce or back up the account in another way. As Christians, the resurrection remains the capstone of the gospel for eternal life through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

*Image by generative program as requested by Bodie Hodge

 

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[1] Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 18.3.3, translated by William Whiston, In Book 18, Chapter 3, Section 3 (18.63-64), AD 93-94.

Do Leaves Curl Up And Die?

Do Leaves Curl Up And Die?

Understanding Biological Life Versus Biblical Life

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, November 5, 2026 (Donate)

Well, its that time of year again when leaves rustle across the road and drop in yards and forests. There is a beauty about Fall that is both striking and sad. Vibrant trees begin dropping their leaves and they whither and change into striking colors—depending on the type of tree.

Fall Colors! Photo by Bodie Hodge

Yet the tree endures Winter and returns in the Spring with buds, growth, flowers, fruits and nuts, and of course, new leaves.

But an interesting question arises from Christian theology. Before Adam and Eve sinned, there was no death. Death is the punishment for sin (Genesis 2:17). Yet prior to the Fall into sin in Genesis 3, man ate from trees and animals fed on green herbs (Genesis 1:29-30).

So was this a type of death before sin? Were leaves that were eaten “dying” for instance?

Are Plants Alive In A Biblical Sense?

Modern biology classifies plants as living organisms because they grow, reproduce, metabolize nutrients, respond to stimuli, and contain cells. Consequently, when a leaf falls from a tree, dries up, and decomposes, scientists often describe it as dying.

However, does the Bible classify plants as living creatures in the same modern biological sense as humans and animals?

Genesis 1:11-12 records God creating vegetation, including grass, herbs, and fruit trees, on Day Three of Creation Week. Yet Scripture distinguishes plants from creatures described as having life in the sense of nephesh chayyah, often translated as “living soul”, "living creature", or "living being."

This distinction is significant when understanding the original creation, the Fall, and the entrance of death into the world. From a biblical sense, plants and leaves are not considered living…so they can’t die.

The Bible consistently uses terms like wither, which helps us understand the difference (e.g., Psalm 37:2, 102:11; Isaiah 19:6, Jeremiah 12:4). God’s Word describes plants as withering or fading (Isaiah 40:6-8), although Job 14:7-12 also uses death language when contrasting a tree with a human being—but that is clear metaphorical sense, not a narrative so as to define life. 

What Is Nephesh Chayyah?

The Hebrew expression nephesh chayyah refers to a living creature or living being. It appears in Genesis 1:20-21, 24 and Genesis 2:19 in connection with animals and man. Genesis 2:7 also describes Adam becoming a living being. Man is unique of course having a living soul that is made in the image of an eternal God giving us an eternal value different from animals (Genesis 1:26-27).

Plants, however, are never explicitly called nephesh chayyah in the creation account. Or elsewhere for that matter! This distinction helps explain how plants could be eaten before Adam sinned without contradicting the original creation's goodness.

Genesis 1:29-30 establishes that God originally provided vegetation for the purpose of feeding humans and animals. Eating fruit, seeds, or leaves would involve the consumption of plant material, but not necessarily the death of a nephesh chayyah creature.

In other words, plants are like solar powered, self-replicating biological machines that provide several functions. They provide food sources, clean the air while replenishing oxygen in the atmosphere, clean water sources, nitrogenize soil, recycle nutrients, provide fuel (burning for instance), medicinal uses, shade, lumber, and general beauty. And I probably missed some.  

Do Leaves Actually Die?

It depends on the definition! Biologically, yes. Leaves contain living cells that eventually cease functioning. During autumn, many deciduous trees like here in Kentucky withdraw nutrients from their leaves, chlorophyll breaks down, and the leaves eventually separate from the branches.

However, a leaf dying biologically isn’t the equivalent to the biblical death associated with the Fall. By biblical definition, then…no, leaves don’t actually die, but whither or fade.

Romans 5:12 explains that sin entered the world through Adam and death through sin. The passage concerns human death, while the broader effects of the Fall are understood to include animal suffering and death.

Thus, leaves could fall, fruit could be eaten, and vegetation could be consumed before Adam's sin without requiring the death of humans or animals—which are defined as living creatures.

Conclusion

We need to remember that there is a distinction between biological life and biblical nephesh life. This helps explain why eating vegetation before the Fall doesn’t contradict Genesis 1:31, where God declared His creation "very good" or Deuteronomy 32:4 where every work of God is perfect (e.g., the work of Creation Week)

Plants were designed by God to provide nourishment, oxygen, and environmental recycling without the death of nephesh chayyah creatures. After the fall, even plants were affected (thorns, thistles, not all fruit can be eaten but some are rendered as poisonous). Regardless, a fallen leaf may be biologically dead, but its death isn’t equivalent to the death of a human or animal by a biblical standard.

The biblical distinction should reminds us that Adam's sin brought a terrible consequence into creation, while the good news of Jesus Christ offers victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). 

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

Allhallowtide: All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day, (and Reformation Day)

Allhallowtide: All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day, (And Reformation Day)

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, November 2, 2026 (Donate)

In Medieval times, All Saints Day was like Christmas is today! It was huge. Today, most people have forgotten All Saints Day or the three-day festival surrounding it. Throughout Christian history, several observances have developed around October 31 through November 2.

Although these days are associated with Christianity, their origins, purposes, and practices differ considerably. Let’s look more closely at these days.

Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

All Hallows' Eve (October 31)

All Hallows' Eve, commonly called Hallow’een or Halloween, occurs on October 31, the evening before All Saints' Day. The word "hallow" is an older English term meaning "holy" or "saint." Thus, All Hallows' Eve literally means the evening before All Saints' Day. It’s kind of like the way Christmas Eve is to Christmas.

Over time, various European folk customs from the Day of the Dead which was also October 31-November 1 (more on this in a moment) became associated with the evening, including costumes, bonfires, and traditions concerning death and spirits. Some customs have been linked to pre-Christian (anti-Christian) festivals such as Samhain, although the historical connections are still debated.

Today, Halloween is largely celebrated as a non-Christian “holiday” in many Western countries, often with activities that differ considerably from its Christian liturgical origins.

All Saints' Day (November 1)

All Saints' Day, also called All Hallows' Day, honors Christians who have died, particularly those recognized as saints. This observance developed in the early church, with November 1 becoming established in Western Christianity during the early medieval period.

It’s really a day to observe and remember faithful Christians current and in some sense throughout history. From a biblical perspective, the New Testament frequently refers to living believers as "saints" (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1). Thus, sainthood wasn’t limited to a special class of Christians or those who have died.

All Souls' Day (November 2)

All Souls' Day is observed primarily to remember the faithful departed. One this day, Roman Catholics spend a lot of time praying for those in “purgatory”, while Christians largely reject this practice as unbiblical  

Protestants rightly reject this practice, and we point out that Scripture doesn’t establish purgatory or instruct Christians to pray for the dead—instead pray to God alone! Hebrews 9:27 shows that judgment follows death, while Hebrews 10:14 reveals the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for those of us being sanctified in our holiness. Together, October 31 through November 2 are sometimes called Allhallowtide.

Reformation Day (October 31)

Reformation Day commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, traditionally dated to October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses were nailed to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany.

Luther challenged the sale and misuse of indulgences, challenged purgatory biblically, both of which were associated with the remission of temporal punishment for sins, including punishment that supposedly remain after death.

Why October 31?

Luther's choice of October 31 was chosen because the following day was All Saints' Day. Everyone would see it coming to church—the biggest festival of the times! Wittenberg's Castle Church housed an extensive collection of relics, which attracted pilgrims seeking indulgences associated with their veneration.

By circulating his theses immediately before All Saints' Day, Luther addressed practices particularly relevant to the approaching celebration. Whether he physically nailed the theses to the church door remains historically debated—but they made their way there nonetheless.

The Reformation is a time to remember the Five Solas and mainly that salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It also is a reminder of the authority of Scripture, and the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work.

Samhain: The Celtic Day Of The Dead And Its Relationship To Christian Holidays

Samhain (pronounced "SOW-in") was an ancient Celtic festival that was basically their Day of the Dead (Mexico and many others also have a Day of the Dead, Ghost Festival, Obon, etc.). And it was traditionally observed around October 31 or November 1. It was particularly associated with Ireland, Scotland, and other Celtic regions of the Northwest part of Europe.

Samhain was their celebration of the boundary between the living and the dead. Traditions included lighting bonfires, communal gatherings, sacrifice (even human sacrifices), and beliefs concerning spirits or supernatural beings. Some later customs involved disguises and offerings intended to appease or discourage wandering spirits.

As Christianity spread into these regions and enlightened them, Christian observances and existing folk traditions increasingly interacted and essentially mixed or syncretized. All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2) eventually became associated with the same seasonal period—and naturally Halloween still retains a reflection of all that.

All Hallows' Eve (October 31) subsequently became associated with mixed-pagan customs that reflected both Christian traditions and older European paganism of the early Celts. Some Halloween practices might even have connections to Samhain, although their precise origins are uncertain due to the lack of documentation.[1]

As a point of clarification, Reformation Day (October 31, 1517) was unrelated to Samhain though. Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses addressed indulgences and unbiblical church practices and had its largest reach the day before All Saints' Day.

Conclusion

All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day were based on Christian traditions about saints, death, and remembrance. Reformation Day, however, is about challenging unbiblical ideas and practices that crept into the church and how to remedy it.

For Protestant Christians, October 31 is a great reminder of the importance of returning to Scripture and knowing of Christ's finished work as sufficient for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

*Image by generative program as requested by Bodie Hodge

 

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[1] Most of what we know about Samhain was recorded by the Romans who interacted with them.