Should Christians fill out census forms?
Question: I would like to know how a Christian should react to government requests to fill out census forms. Answer: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of…
Read MoreWhy can’t I repent of my fornication?
Question: I’m a 26-year-old female. I got saved at the early age of 10. My grandmother is the one that first took me and my sisters to church, taught us how to pray and read the word of God. I learned from that early age that as a woman I had to stay pure until…
Read MoreWhy do we need both redemption and forgiveness?
Question: I’ve read The Living Redeemer article. But why do we need redemption and forgiveness? (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). Is redemption not enough? Kindly explain. Answer: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness…
Read MoreDid Jesus physically arise?
Question: When Jesus rose from the dead, what form (human, spiritual, or something else) was he in when he appeared to the women and the apostles? Upon death, He gave up his spirit (Matthew 27:50) or his soul (Isaiah 53:12) but yet he did not want Mary to “cling to me”. Some apostles saw Him…
Read MoreHow do you honor a bipolar mother and an autistic brother?
Question: I’m trying to follow the whole honor thy mother and father thing. My father is not around and my mom is hard to deal with. She and I argue sometimes, but she is also skitzo and bipolar. She seems like she’s a normal person, but she told me I have no idea what she…
Read MoreI’m not sure I understood the purpose of baptism when I was baptized. Should I do it again?
Question: I was baptized when I was eleven years old (I am sixteen right now), but I am not sure that I completely understood what the purpose of baptism was. It was my choice to be baptized, but at that age, I was aware that baptism brings me to God, but I was not aware…
Read MoreI’m living with my fiancee, but we are not having sex. Am I living in sin?
Question: Hello, I’ve been a newborn in Christ for about three years. Jesus 180’d my life. My problem is that I’ve been with my fiancee for ten years now. She is starting to get closer to God but not convicted as I am yet. She wants that relationship I have with Jesus. The problem is…
Read MoreFood, Gimmicks, and Recreation
by Jeff May Problems arise as we strive to serve God faithfully, but God has given us a tree – the tree of Calvary, to be used in such situations, just as Moses cast in the tree at Mariah to resolve the problem of the bad water (Exodus 5), and Elisha cast in the tree…
Read MoreWhat do we do if he can’t afford the dowry (Lobola)?
Question: I have been dating this man for the past three years, and I love him so much. We grew up together in the church but we started dating when I was in my early twenties. He was supposed to pay a dowry (lobola) but he lost his job. This happened again this year, but…
Read MoreCarnal Appeals
by Greg Gwin Free pizza, clowns, hot air balloon rides … you name it, and some religious group has tried it as a scheme to draw folks to their services. These things are fun! Who wouldn’t like to play ball, eat good food, and be entertained? But, here’s the problem — these things all appeal…
Read MoreAmen
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Amen.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Deuteronomy 27:14-26 I. Deuteronomy 27:14-26 A. What did it mean when the people said “Amen?” B. Amen started as a Hebrew word 1. It was transliterated into Greek and then eventually into English 2. Same pronunciation, but with an English spelling 3. It also retained the original meaning. 4. Interestingly, it is nearly a universal…
Read MoreWas Paul a false apostle?
Question: I have recently stumbled onto some information. Apparently, some Christians think that the apostle Paul was a false apostle and false teacher. They say that he taught Jesus “faith only” while Jesus himself clearly taught faith + works. I am deeply troubled by this and feel my world has been turned upside-down just when…
Read MoreShould Gay Rights be Voted On?
Source: Juan Perez Jr and Erin Golden, “Churches push to get Omaha vote on gay rights,” Omaha World-Herald, 14 October 2012 This is an issue local to my region, but arguments reflect a national trend. The Omaha city council last spring, by a close vote of 4 to 3, passed a measure that gave lesbian, gay,…
Read MoreMy best friend has started to smoke. How do I make him stop?
Question: I’m 14 years old and female. My best friend (who’s a guy) has just started smoking cigs and will start smoking weed soon. He doesn’t know how much I care about him. Since I am an only child, I view him as my older brother (he’s older than me by half a year). I…
Read MoreHow can you discount things like radiocarbon dating and fossils?
Question: First, what does this mean: “Faith is the demonstration of your prejudice”? Second, how do you discount things like radiocarbon dating and fossils? If God created Adam and Eve as the first humans, then where did everyone else come from after them? Was incest acceptable back then because if there was only Adam and…
Read MoreWhy is it so hard to get over an ex-boyfriend?
Question: Why is it so hard for me to leave my ex-boyfriend alone? I was involved with him at one time, but I came back to the Lord, got baptized, and am focusing more on Jesus. I thought I was delivered and set free it. There had been times I could do good when I…
Read MoreIf I dream a woman wanted me, does it not mean we are married?
Question: I was in a dream one night and saw a lady in my church trying to sleep with me. I ran away from her but she was desperate. Her younger brother, with her in that dream, was asking me why I don’t want to marry his sister. Physically, she was not the one I…
Read MoreHave I sinned sexually by grinding with my boyfriend? Should I stop wearing my purity ring?
Question: I don’t know if I feel guilty or not. Should I be wearing my purity ring? I am dating a man quite a bit older than me. We have known each other for nearly three years but have only begun dating in the past two months. I really liked this guy for a good…
Read MoreHow can I glorify God in everything I do but still have fun in the process?
Question: I’m a 14-year-old guy. Most guys like to play sports, games, computers, etc. Well when I’m taking part in these activities, I’m thinking to myself, “stop idolizing this stuff, you could be reading the Bible instead.” In other words, whenever I am doing something fun, it feels like I should be reading the Word…
Read MoreBelieving the Bible’s Creation Account is Called “Pagan Superstition”
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day” (Exodus 20:11). WorldNetDaily released an article on May 6, 2006, titled “Bible literalism ‘pagan superstition’?” In it are quotes from a Vatican astronomer, Guy Consolmagno. For…
Read MoreOnce again your articles are super helpful
Question: Once again your articles are super helpful. Today I was studying Romans 9. Thanks for all you guys do! Answer: It is good to hear that the efforts here are helping others.
Read MoreHow do I find a church?
Question: Hello, I really want to become a Christian and be saved, but my problem is finding the right church. By the way, to whomever this is going to, I found this website and don’t know how I have forgotten but I love it. I started to cry and I cry all the time when…
Read MoreMy boyfriend has been cheating on me, but now he wants to get married and I don’t know if I should
Question: How do I continue with the father of my two children, with whom I’ve been in a relationship for 13 years and just found out he might be the father of a baby whose mother is the person I found him cheating on me with two years ago? Do I believe his story about…
Read MoreBefore You Click “Forward”
by Bryan Matthew Dockens Before forwarding that next e-mail, consider the following: Is It Morally Correct? Inasmuch as “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance” (Proverbs 15:13), it is nice to send and receive jokes and humorous stories, but care must be exercised in doing so. The Scriptures describe “coarse jesting” as behavior that should…
Read MoreChanges in Alcohol Use Improves in Teens, Worsens in Adults
Source: Rick Ruggles, “‘Good, bad, ugly’ in alcohol report,” Omaha World-Herald, 11 October 2012 The good news is that alcohol use is declining among teenagers. Nationally alcohol use within the preceding 30 days declined from 51% in 1991 to 39% in 2012. Binge drinking, defined as having several drinks in one sitting, in the preceding 30…
Read MoreHow do you deal with a man who stinks so bad it is hard to talk to him?
Question: Hello, I have a question concerning a man who has been coming to the Lord’s church recently. This man has been coming for about three months now and does not seem to be all there in the head or he is just really weird. From what he has told us he has no family…
Read MoreIs it a sin to divorce someone who forces you to worship idols?
Question: I need to know something: Is it a sin to divorce someone who forces you to worship idols? I have been praying fasting for my husband to stop. He sees the light for a short period but he goes back again. This has been happening for years. His family wants to force me to…
Read MoreI started to engage in sexual talk with an old girlfriend, but I stopped. Do I need to tell my fiancee?
Question: I am in a relationship with a wonderful woman. We are engaged to be married. I am a man of God and I am very religious. Recently one of my ex-girlfriends contacted me and wanted me to offer some sexual services over the phone. I felt it was wrong but I was stupid and…
Read MoreMy husband doesn’t tell me anything until the last moment
Question: I was searching for questions and answers regarding marriage online, and I found your site very interesting. I am a Christian too, and I have a question. My husband and I have been married for over ten years. My husband is good in so many aspects, but in communication with me, he is not…
Read MoreCan the Lord’s Supper be taken to a shut-in?
Question: In our home Bible class last evening, one in the class asked if it is wrong to take the Lord’s Supper to a member of the church who is a shut-in if the one, who is a shut-in, requests it. Answer: I have difficulty with this because Paul stated, “Therefore, my brethren, when you…
Read MoreI’m worried because my husband is a drug dealer
Question: I am a 25-year-old mother of three. I am married. My husband and I have children, but he started caring for my firstborn, who was from another man, ever since she was in my tummy. I am a foreigner in this country, but we got married illegally in the country of my origin when…
Read MoreIs it wrong to take classes from a university connected to a denomination?
Question: When I was trying to earn my high school diploma I took five online high school courses from BYU independent study. BYU is a Mormon university, which I believe is funded by the Mormon church. Was it wrong for me to take these courses? Would it be considered supporting the Mormon church? Also could…
Read MoreSome people are treating me as if I’m not welcomed anymore. Should I leave or put up with them?
Question: Several members at my church are treating me like I’m no longer wanted there. When I try to talk to them they don’t want to hear it. It is really hard to think of leaving, I’ve been there all my life. My dad was a founding member of this congregation. Should I leave or…
Read MoreHow do I restrain myself with my girlfriend?
Question: Hi Jeffrey, I’m in a courtship with a lady and we both promised each other never to fornicate, which we have kept for three years now. But we do kiss and romance each other since a year into our courtship. I have tried to stop it but to no avail. She has self-control over…
Read MoreWhat do I do about a girlfriend who is being pressured to drop me because of “prophecies?”
Question: Hi, I came across your site while googling about prophets and marriage. I have been a Christian for over 25 years in a Congregational church. I met a beautiful woman on a social network. I wasn’t looking to hook up or anything bad. I was actually just looking for friends. She had her profile…
Read MoreIs it necessary for a Christian to marry a non-Christian?
Question: I am a member of the church of Christ, but I have a question. Is it acceptable for a boy or girl to have a girl or boyfriend? And is it necessary for a member of the church of Christ to marry someone who is not in the church of Christ? Answer: Much depends…
Read MoreIs it wrong to marry a person of a different nationality?
Question: My family believes that it is a sin to marry a person who is not of the same nationality as you. As an example, they believe that is wrong to marry someone who is Mexican, Italian, Indian, etc. Being white, they also believe that it is a sin to marry someone that is black. …
Read MoreIs it wrong for a Christian to visit a place of idol worship out of respect?
Question: Hello, I had this question in mind for a long time and I feel you would be the best person who could answer this based on Scripture. I stay in India, and we have a multicultural society with multiple religions and festivals celebrated among friends and neighbors. It is quite common to be invited…
Read MoreThe Architect’s Blueprint
by Jefferson David Tant Let’s say that you want to build a house, so you hire an architect to draw up plans according to your wishes. A builder is then contracted to construct the home as per the architect’s blueprints. But something happens along the way, as the builder decides he has his own preferences,…
Read MoreMy sister is involved in drugs and left the church. How do I deal with her?
Question: My heart is heavy. My sister and her husband are no longer in the church. They have chosen a worldly lifestyle, and tell their children, one of whom is baptized, that they don’t need to go to church to get to heaven and that churches are full of hypocrites. Her heart has hardened and…
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