Answers to Questions Listed by Topics Beginning with the Letter "A"
Unless otherwise noted, all answers were written by Jeff Hamilton.
Abortion
- Can a Christian be involved in distributing contraceptives if it will reduce the number of abortions?
- Could I get pregnant if the condom leaked?
- How can I stop being so judgmental against my sisters who had abortions?
- I feel so guilty about my past sins. I just can't get them off my mind. Why do I still not feel forgiven? Is forgiveness all about feelings?
- Is abortion wrong except in the case of rape?
- What are the differences between Catholicism and Christianity in regards to sex, abortion, and stuff?
- What can I tell a friend who is planning to have her baby aborted?
Abuse
Accuracy of the Bible
- Can you explain some apparent contradictions in the Gospel accounts?
- Could there have been a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2?
- Did Jesse have seven or eight sons?
- Did King Jehoshaphat remove the high places or not?
- Did Matthew fabricated a prophecy to support his claim that Jesus was the Messiah?
- Did people normally tie a scarlet cord on a twin at birth?
- Do historians and the Bible disagree?
- Does the Bible teach that the sun rotates around the earth?
- How can Solomon's writings be God's words?
- How could Jesus be in the grave three days and nights if he died on Friday and rose on Sunday?
- How could Samuel offer a burnt offering when he was not a Levite?
- How could the Israelites have left Egypt if they crossed into the Sinai peninsula?
- How do I answer someone who believes all religions are equal?
- How do we know the Bible is inspired?
- How many horsemen did David kill?
- How old is the world?
- Is Enoch included in Hebrews 11:13 when it said all these died in faith?
- Is everything in the Bible applicable today?
- Is God referred to as Satan?
- Is Mark 16:9-20 genuine?
- Is Matthew 28:19 a part of the setting up of the church?
- Is the Bible male oriented
- Is the Bible the only source of authority?
- Proof that Israel wasn't afflicted for 400 years?
- Thank for the refutation on Dan Billingsly's teachings and the information on the historical accuracy of the Bible.
- Was Matthew originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic?
- Was there a world before Genesis?
- What happened to the letter to Laodicea mentioned in Colossians 4:16?
- When did Ahaziah begin his reign?
- When did Saul reign in Israel?
- Where are Cush and Havilah today?
- Where can I find information about the falling of Jericho's walls?
- Where did Cain get his wife?
- Where is the garden of Eden?
- Where is the Tower of Babel?
- Which Bible translations are the best?
- Which thief went to Paradise?
- Why are the New Testament quotes of the Old Testament different?
- Who is the uncle of Moses?
- Who made the discoveries regarding oceanic springs and innumerable stars?
- Why are there two differing stories of creation in Genesis?
- Why did the people think Jesus was calling for Elijah?
- Why does the Bible contain the words of Satan?
- Why don't you use the Book of Enoch?
Addiction
- Help in overcoming smoking
- How can I go from feeling so much peace and joy to the exact opposite?
- How do I defend against Satan?
- How do I help a guy who seems down on his luck?
- How do you deal with an addict?
- "Tell the truth, that Alcoholics' Anonymous works."
- What about hearing voices in your head?
- What is wrong with smoking?
Adultery
- A question about adultery
- Am I being selfish asking my wife for sex after having an emotional affair with another woman?
- Are you familiar with Jerry Bassett's teaching on marriage, divorce and remarriage?
- Because I'm committing adultery, does that mean I can't go to heaven?
- Can adultery be forgiven? Should I tell my spouse?
- Do I stay with my husband or run off with my lover?
- Does God hate all adulterers and fornicators?
- How do I advise a man who told me he is comitting adultery?
- How do I repent of adultery when I don't feel sorry for doing it?
- How do you move on when your husband leaves you for another person?
- How does adultery start?
- I caught my husband committing incest. We are now separated, but I'm being told I owe him sex. I don't plan to return to this man, so do I owe him sex while we are separated?
- I caught my wife being intimate with another man. Can I divorce her?
- I don't know if I should remarry my ex-husband or another man who says he loves me.
- I know God has forvgiven me, but I had committed adultery and I can't forgive myself.
- I married a woman in name only so she could become a citizen of my country. I have a girlfriend and a child by her. How do I fix this mess?
- I was involved in porn and prostitution, but I repented since getting caught. My wife still wants to divorce me. Do I deserve a chance to show I've changed?
- If a Christian commits adultery and dies without repenting of his sin, will he go to hell?
- If the man I committed adultery with is getting divorced, can I marry him?
- Is divorce still valid for adultery?
- Is Matthew 5:28 only limited to lusting after a married woman?
- Is it a sin to have sex with my ex-husband?
- Is our relationship adulterous because we both had unscriptural divorces from prior marriages?
- I've committed adultery and I don't know where to begin picking of the pieces of my shattered marriage.
- I've committed sexual sins, but how do I get past the feeling that I've ruined everything?
- My husband cheated and I cheated. I lived with a man for years before the divorce was final. We eventually married, but did I have the right to marry again?
- My wife committed adultery. We repaired the marriage, but I still hurt. What can I do?
- My wife left me six weeks ago and I am at my wits end.
- Should I tell my husband about my adultery?
- Should I tell my husband that I committed adultery?
- Should we refuse to study with someone who is in an adulterous marriage?
- Though my husband is divorcing me in order to marry another woman, he is telling everyone that I'm the one who committed adultery. How can I defend myself?
- What can I do? I am new to this country and my husband is seeing another woman.
- What do you think about this divorce situation I ran into in Chile?
- What to do when a church leader preys on members
Advice
Age of Accountability
- Are children being baptized just to claim growth?
- Are children truly innocent?
- Are people born good and do bad things, or are they born bad and do good things?
- At what age is a person accountable?
- Can small children commit morally wrong acts?
- Does "honoring your mother and father" mean following their religious beliefs?
- Is there no salvation outside the church?
- Should a mentally impaired person be baptized?
- What is the age of accountability for a child?
- Why do you teach the men are born without sin?
Agnostics
Alcohol
- Am I compromising by just drinking a glass of wine a few days each week?
- Aren't the translators accurate enough so we don't have to look at the definitions of Greek words for alcohol?
- Can fermented grape juice (wine) be used in the Lord's Supper?
- Did Paul sometimes drink wine?
- Do the words "carousing" or "reveling" condemn social drinking?
- Does Acts 2:13-15 infer that Christians drank fermented wine?
- Does Romans 14 give the liberty to drinking alcoholic beverages?
- Does the blessing of wine outweigh its dangers?
- Doesn't Ephesians 5:18 imply that some use of alcohol is permitted?
- Doesn't the Bible indicate that God accepts alcohol?
- How can dances at a wedding reception be bad?
- How do I get my parents to see that they are enabling my sister to be a drug user?
- How do you answer people who try to use Jesus turning water to wine as proof for drinking alcohol?
- How do you deal with an addict?
- "I don't think you considered all the passages regarding the use of alcohol in the Old Testament"
- I got drunk, visited a prostitute and really messed up my life. What do I do?
- I ran into an argument that "every lexicon" defines oinos as fermented drink. Do you have sources to disprove this?
- If gluttony and drinking are both sins, then isn't abstaining from alcohol as ridiculous as abstaining from food?
- Is there any reference to Jesus having drank to excess at any time?
- Isn't a moderate drinker still sober?
- Should a Christian eat with a non-Christian who is having alcohol with his meal?
- "Tell the truth, that Alcoholics' Anonymous works."
- "Thank you for explaining why social drinking is wrong."
- What about hearing voices in your head?
- What do I do about a husband that sinned at a bachelor's party?
- Why do you say that the wine at the marriage feast in Cana was grape juice?
- What about deacons not being given to much wine, doesn't this allow for a casual drink?
- What is wrong with drinking, so long as it is done in moderation?
- Why aren't we teaching about issues regarding how to stay saved -- moral issues like sex, drugs, alcohol, etc.?
- Why shouldn't people drink alcohol?
- Wouldn't wine need to be fortified in order to be used as starter fluid?
Angels
- Are cherubim angels?
- Did an angel actually stir the waters at Bethesda, or was it only a local tradition?
- Do angels have the choice to follow God or not?
- Do angels preach?
- Is Michael the archangel and Jesus the same person?
- What is meant by the worship of angels?
- Who is the fourth individual in Daniel 3:25?
- Who was the angel that Jacob wrestled with at Jabbok?
- Who were the sons of God in Genesis 6:4?
Anger
- Any suggestions for handling an angry member?
- How do I manage thinking bad things about other people?
- How do you handle people with hot tempers?
- It seems like I argue with my boyfriend every other day. How do I get peace in my life?
- Which antidepressant is best for the treatment of drug addiction and for dealing with anger?
- Why do I still not have control over my anger?
Animal Rights
- Can we love and care for animals?
- Do you honestly think man is God's most powerful creation?
- Does Abel's sacrifice prove meat was eaten before the flood?
- Doesn't Ecclesiastes 3:19 teach that there is no difference between men and animals?
- Don't you feel any compassion for the suffering animals?
- Don't you feel sorry for the animals?
- Even if Jesus existed, why did he last eat herbs and fruit?
- Evidence that meat is acceptable food offends a reader
- "God wouldn't allow His creation to kill each other."
- I don't care about the Bible, but don't you see the cruelty in killing animals for food?
- I'm disappointed you didn't answer my question.
- "I'm not against eating meat, I oppose the cruel treatment of animals."
- Is everything in the Bible applicable today?
- Is it okay to wear animal skin or furs?
- Is it wrong to raise dogs for fighting?
- Is killing animals limited to only when needed for skins and meat?
- Is the commandment "You shall not kill" or "You shall not murder"?
- Isn't it a contradiction when God changed His mind about the eating of animals?
- Isn't the raising of animals disrespectful of the animal's life?
- Isn't vegetarianism the ideal for man?
- "PETA exists because people kill animals sinfully."
- "Shame on Christians who think God ordained that they should eat meat."
- Since man was given dominion, does that justify dog fighting?
- So the Bible says it's okay to kill animals, eat them, wear their skins, and even abuse them?
- The change in food laws was an act of the Roman Catholic church.
- Was it right to put our old dog to sleep?
- "We fail terribly if we consume animals."
- What did Jesus eat while he was on earth?
- What does God say about respect for life and His creation?
- What kind of skin did God make for Adam and Eve after their sin?
- Why are animals put to death when it is the person who sins?
- Why do animals have feelings if they are just food?
- You can't prove that Jesus wasn't a vegetarian!
- Your article on animals will help me in a debate in my philosophy class. Thanks!
Animals
Antichrist
Apocrypha
- Are any of the apocrypha truthful?
- Did Jesus tell the Essenes not to eat breakfast?
- Is it Ecclesiasticus or Sirach?
- Is it possible that early Christians added to the book of Enoch?
- The book of Enoch or the Constantine's church
- What do you know about the "Acts of Paul and Thecla?"
Apologetics
- Are the trials of Jesus historically accurate?
- Can you help harmonize Matthew 10:34 and Matthew 26:52, and also John 3:13 and II Kings 2:11?
- Can you prove God exists?
- Did Jesse have seven or eight sons?
- Do the gospels contradict each other regarding Jesus' empty tomb?
- Does Buddhism prove Jesus to be myth?
- Does the Bible teach that the sun rotates around the earth?
- Doesn't God want us to follow parts of the Old Testament?
- God cannot be tempted, but Jesus was tempted; so, is Jesus not God?
- How can such a loving God condemn people who have never heard of Jesus or the Bible?
- How could a just God put a man in a place where he is unable to hear about Jesus and then send him to hell?
- How do I answer someone who believes all religions are equal?
- How do I deal with skeptics?
- How do you answer a teacher who claims religion is not based on evidence?
- How do you prove there is a God?
- "I believe Jesus was married and had a son."
- If there is a God, why does evil exist?
- Isn't it a contradiction when God changed His mind about the eating of animals?
- Justifying Divorce and Remarriage by Claiming Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are Old Testament Books
- What advantage is there to being religious?
- What do you think about this Jesus tomb found in Jerusalem?
- Where do I find a list of God's laws in the Bible?
- Why did God prove He existed before but not now?
- Why do you believe in God? If God loves us all, why doesn't He let us all in heaven?
- Would you explain what apologetic writing is?
Apostles
- Did the disciples receive the Holy Spirit at the last supper or on Pentecost?
- How did Paul learn the gospel?
- How did the twelve apostles die?
- I don't think you proved Paul to be an apostle.
- Objections to Paul's apostleship
- What did Jesus expect of Peter when he said to feed his sheep?
- What did Paul mean by "chiefest of the apostles"?
- What does the Bible tell us about Matthew's life?
- What were the names of Jesus's twelve apostles?
- What were the professions of the twelve apostles?
- Were the apostles baptized?
- Were the apostles educated?
- Where were the apostles from?
- Who were the first two disciples?
Army
Art
- Are not pictures of Jesus and angels, or even wedding announcements, sinful because they are graven images?
- What do you think about religious art?
Astrology
Atheism
- As a non-believer, I found parts of two articles offensive.
- Can you prove God exists?
- Do people only become religious because they were indoctrinated at an early age?
- How do I convince an atheist to believe in the Bible?
- How do I reach out to my atheist roommate?
- How do I teach someone who only believes in science?
- If there is a God, why does evil exist?
- If you judge atheists, then aren't you contradicting your beliefs?
- I've had sex. I don't believe in God. So you probably hate me, but that's a sin too.
- "Mixing Scriptures with lectures about sex is ridiculous."
- What Scripture is most useful to challenge an atheist?
- While I am not a Christian, I respect your willingness to use the whole Bible.
- Who do you think you are telling someone the proper order for finding a spouse?
- Why won't God heal amputees?
- Would an atheist be saved if he did good deeds during his life?
Attendance
- Do you have to join a church?
- Do you think it's a sin not to go to church?
- Does a person have to attend church?
- Does the Bible teach that you don't have to congregate to go to heaven?
- Does the command to "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together" apply only to Sunday worship?
- Given the state of the church today, of course Christians are not required to attend services.
- How can I get the heart and desire to go out of my way to worship God?
- How can you be in a church when there isn't one in your area?
- How do I handle attending services when there are family outings planned?
- How do you handle problems with attending services?
- How does a disfellowshiped Christian worship God?
- I don't feel like attending Wednesday night Bible class. Do you think it is a sin?
- Is poor attendance actually a sin?
- My family won't go to church because they think people will judge them for not attending. How can I get them to go with me?
- Should failure to attend in the past be publicly confessed?
- When did evening worship services start?
- Why don't you meet daily?
- "You don't know the true reasons why I don't attend!"
Authority
- A reader who believes the only reason polygamy is condemned is because the "church" condemns it.
- Can a bake sale be held at a church?
- Can a hall used by a church for worship also be rented for a potluck by members?
- Can a person add things to their worship so long as they don't require it of others?
- Can money be used from the church treasury to do good for non-Christians?
- Can the church sponsor the growing of tobacco to raise funds?
- Did the apostle Paul keep the laws found in the Torah?
- Do Jews and Christians both follow the teachings of the Old Testament?
- Does God put more weight on moral law and less on ceremonial law?
- How can you trust early Christian writers when you disagree with them on some topics?
- How did the early church know what to do and how are we to determine what we are to follow?
- How do you justify using Acts 20:7 as binding the day but not the place?
- How will male virtues be passed on without spanking?
- If something is used to praise God, then it can't be wrong, can it?
- In whose name are we to be baptized?
- Is a veil required?
- Is it wrong to use a slogan?
- Is Matthew 28:19 a part of the setting up of the church?
- Is playing an instrument for a person's own enjoyment scriptural?
- Is the Bible our highest standard for living?
- Is the Bible the only source of authority?
- Isn't a kitchen just an way to reach people with the gospel?
- Isn't it better to embrace the Salvation Army as part of God's gift to humanity?
- "Jesus was a vegetarian because the Bible was compiled by a bunch of meat eaters."
- Matthew 28:19 cannot refer to a Christian's baptism because it was given in the wrong place and at the wrong time.
- Must a member of the church follow the truth?
- Questions about the use of funds given to the church
- Should baptism be done only in Jesus' name?
- Should I stay with a congregation that pays its song leader?
- Should the Lord's Supper be served with one cup?
- Should we call on Jesus or Jehovah to be saved?
- Since I Corinthians 14:7 mentions instruments, doesn't that justify instrumental music in the worship?
- Since I Corinthians 16:1-2 was only about one need, then isn't this just an example of how a collection might be taken and not a command for us today?
- What are your thoughts on the silence of the Scriptures?
- What do you think about my thesis?
- What does it mean to honor your father and mother?
- What evidence is there that the Catholic church is not the one true church?
- What is wrong with Catholicism?
- When are examples binding?
- Who rules the world, God or Satan?
- Why are there different denominations?
- Why do some women wear a cloth on their heads during worship?
- Why is the command to baptize applied to us, but not those concerning miraculous gifts?
- Why must the Lord's Supper be taken every week?