What Keeps a Man Sexually Pure?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I ran across several interesting studies the other day dealing with the factors that lead teenage boys to engage in sex prior to marriage. One study is titled “The Transition of Adolescent Males to First Sexual Intercourse: Anticipated or Delayed?” The reason for the title is that the surveyed youths were divided into…
Read MoreShould I continue dating this guy?
Question: Hi, I have a guy who came from another town and is my best friend. We worked in the same company. We have been together for almost 2 years. We meet almost every day, and our meetings on Saturdays are regular. We spent the whole day together enjoying ourselves. We have such a good…
Read MoreIs the natural man unable to choose anything that is spiritual?
Question: I had someone quote to me I Corinthians 2:14. Does this mean that the natural man will not choose anything that is of a spiritual nature? I believe that we have a free will to choose what we so desire, but if we were all in times past a natural man, would we desire…
Read MoreWhat do you think about the Hebrew University Bible Project?
Question: I want to know if you found this news link rather interesting, and if you can put some comments about it: “In Jerusalem, scholars trace Bible’s evolution.” Answer: The Hebrew University Bible Project is in the process of doing textual criticism, which is not unusual for biblical documents. I have no idea about the…
Read MoreIf Carl Sagan was the world’s smartest man, shouldn’t he have a compelling argument?
Question: You ever look at Carl Sagan reasons why he doesn’t believe in the Christian God, since he’s the world’s smartest man he should have a compelling argument? [A link to a video clip of Sagan was then given]. Answer: “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to…
Read MoreCould Jesus’ prayer for unity be about the Jews and Gentiles and not about doctrine?
Question: My question is about the Lord’s prayer for unity in John 17. We generally view that as being a unity of doctrine but what in that passage determines that? Could the prayer for unity be for unity between the Jews and Gentiles and of heart and spirit (Acts 4:32) –compare John 10:16? “And other…
Read MoreWhy do you teach about eating meat when there are more important issues in the world?
Question: Hi, The word violence means “extreme force”. Psalm 145:8-10 Jehovah is kind and merciful slow to get angry, full of love. He is good to everyone and his compassion is intertwined with everything he does. All living things shall thank you Lord and your people will bless you. Psalm 11:5-7 He puts the righteous…
Read MoreWhy is Matthew 23:14 missing in some versions?
Question: How come every single Bible I have ever seen (I mean every kind, every version, every one) has a verse missing. The verse is Matthew 23:14. It’s like it doesn’t exist, the Bible goes 13 then 15 but no 14. Look at any Bible and I can almost guarantee that it is not there!…
Read MoreCan you marry someone who is four years different from your age, or who goes to the same church?
Question: Hi, I am in love with this girl at my church. We’re four years apart; however, we decided to be friends and go out later. In the future is it possible to marry her? Is it okay to marry someone that goes to your church? Answer: Let’s see, Abraham was ten years older than…
Read MoreIf the land was promised to Abraham, why did God let it be destroyed?
Question: If God promised the land to Abraham, then how come God let it be destroyed and taken over by the Assyrians and Babylonians? Answer: Answer: God made other promises to Israel that He also fulfilled. God promised to destroy Israel when it disobeyed. “And after all this, if you do not obey Me, but…
Read MoreWhy did God kill all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians when it was Pharaoh who sinned?
Question: In Exodus when the firstborn sons of all Egyptians die because of Pharaoh, why did God kill all the Egyptian sons for the sin of Pharaoh? Answer: It is easy to blame the leader and forget he wasn’t the only one involved. He was by far the most prominent, but he wasn’t working alone.…
Read MoreWho is the most powerful angel?
Question: When God created the angels, who were the most powerful? I have heard people say before I was saved that Michael was the most powerful and others say it was Satan. I know the Catholics hold Michael in high esteem, bordering on idolatry. Some people think Satan was God’s most powerful and beautiful creation…
Read MoreIs Thayer’s Greek Lexicon bad?
Question: I was just in a conversation with a person who quoted you as saying that you think that Thayer’s Greek Lexicon is a false interpretation of the Greek language. Is this true? If so, what interpreters of the Greek language do you consult with, or do you have enough knowledge of the Greek language that…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between adaptation and evolution?
Question: I am getting confused about this. Animals and plants and things are said to be able to adapt, right? But then what is the difference between adaptation and evolution? Because if animals and plants and stuff can adapt to, for example, living in an unusual area, then what is the difference? Answer: Adaptation is…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between Hebrew, Israel, Jew, Canaan, etc.?
Question: God promised to bring the people of Israel to the promised land, and the Jews went to the promised land, but wasn’t there more people in Israel than just the Jews? Answer: I’m having trouble with your question because I think there are some problems with definitions. Hebrew This was the term to refer…
Read MoreWhat prayer can I say to remove temptation?
Question: Hello, I have been reading your forum to try and live a better life, but I have a question to ask: My mind has been disturbing since my holidays. It’s always telling me to do sinful things, but I always fight back. I want to know what prayer to say so that my mind…
Read MoreMy husband knows I cheated, but should I tell him the details?
Question: Several years ago, I cheated on my husband with a couple of different men. Intercourse did not occur with any of them, but other things did. A year ago, I told my husband that I had cheated back then, and whom I had cheated with. My confession was based on my own prompting, lead…
Read MoreShould my friend leave her drug-abusing husband?
Question: I was Googling information on divorce for my best friend, and I came across this site with all of the women getting advice so I figured I would try to explain the situation as best as I can without leaving important information out. My friend got pregnant when we were in high school, with…
Read MoreHow do I preach the gospel?
Question: How do I preach the gospel? Meaning, where should I do it and what should I say? If I do it at work, I would probably get fired. Do I just go up to complete strangers on the street, in stores, etc? I have severe anxiety, and I’m not articulate, but those are not…
Read MoreIs it wrong to pray for non-believers?
Question: One thing I am noticing when I am praying is that I pray for non-believers to somehow find Jesus and God. Is it wrong to pray for them? Answer: Praying that nonbelievers might hear the gospel is a wonderful prayer. Paul offered similar prayers, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel…
Read MoreWhy did God kill the Amalekites?
Question: I was wondering, for example, when the Israelites were attacked or they attacked someone else, Moses held up his staff and it helped Joshua’s army, but if the staff was held down then the war went for the enemy. Obviously, the power of the staff came from God, so that means that God was…
Read MoreWhat if I did not repent before I was baptized?
Question: Hello, I was baptized as a teenager. It is only now, over twenty years later, that I have repented. I just “got” what repentance truly means after committing many sins! Does this mean I was not saved when I was baptized — was it in vain? Do I need to be baptized now? Here…
Read MoreWhat is a work?
Question: I’m a little confused by works. I understand that faith and works go hand in hand. But I’m the type of person who needs concrete examples. Is reading my Bible considered a work? Is, say, giving turkeys to the poor on Thanksgiving considered a work? Is praying a work? Answer: “Work” is one of…
Read MorePaul had to be married in order to judge criminal cases
Question: I read your answer and disagree. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin and to qualify to judge criminal cases he had to be legally married to the daughter of a priest. Paul’s job under the high priest was to root out the Christians. Look at the second small paragraph in the Tractate Sanhedrin. If…
Read MoreShould I not be so open about my wanting a spiritually strong Christian for a husband?
Question: My marriage is likely to be done the old fashioned way, with an arranged marriage where the parents find a suitable prospect, the guy and girl gets introduced, and then they decide between themselves if the marriage seems likely or not. Well, even though I’ve been a Christian all my life, I should say,…
Read MoreCan someone be withdrawn from for not moving his seat during worship?
Question: This question is in a scenario form: A member of the Lord’s church was asked to move his seating in the church building during worship on several different occasions. This member refused to do so after several requests. This member was consequently brought before the congregation with the charge listed above as sowing discord…
Read MoreWhat should I say to confess my fornication?
Question: I need help with words to ask God and my church and my parents for forgiveness of my fornication. I know I have sinned. I allowed myself to get caught up and I need to ask for forgiveness. I want to write it because I can’t stop crying, and I want those who looked…
Read MoreDid God break His promise to Moses?
Question: In Moses’ time than God had promised him that he would go into the promised land right but then later when Moses strikes the rock twice and water comes out then god says that Moses will not Lead the people into the promised land because how can Moses be an example if he does…
Read MoreHow can there be a beginning if God always existed?
Question: If someone asked “where did God come from or how did he get to be” then the person asked (if a Christian) would probably say “He has always been there He still is and will always be.” Right, so if He has always been there and is eternal then how come the Bible says…
Read MoreIs abortion OK if a child has a genetic issue?
Question: What if an abortion is to save the baby and not the mother, maybe a genetic issue is at stake. For example, SS. Is it still justified? A Christian is advising so. Answer: Just because a person claims to be a Christian, it does not mean they are following Christ’s teachings. “Beloved, do not…
Read MoreThe Difference Parents Can Make
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DifferenceParentsCanMake.mp3 by PJ Anderson
Read MoreHow can righteousness be apart from works when faith is a work?
Question: “Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin”” (Romans 4:6-8). “Then they said to him, “What must…
Read MoreAny suggestions for obsessive worrying?
Question: I am a member of the Lord’s church and have been since my teenage years. I am now middle-aged and have kids and a husband. For many years I have dealt with unwanted and compulsive thoughts in which they have all been pretty much related to worry and fear. I know we ought not…
Read MoreDid the early church meet on any other days than Sunday?
Question: According to Hebrew 10:25, is there any example from the early churches meeting on any other days for Bible study or the like other than Sunday worship service? Answer: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of…
Read MoreInteresting Verses
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/InterestingVerses.mp3 by PJ Anderson
Read MoreHow can non-Christians be nice people without the Spirit?
Question: I am studying the fruits of the Spirit. In fact, I am scheduled to give a talk on it this Sunday. I’m confused about something. We all know people who are not Christians and are nice people. Not the nasty, evil person that Paul talks about before going into the fruits of the Spirit. …
Read MoreWill I be handicapped in heaven?
Question: I was born with a handicap. It has since become worse. I have applied for disability but can not seem to receive it. Why was I pick for this? What did I do to deserve this? If I die tomorrow, will I be handicapped in heaven? Who should I take my anger out on?…
Read MoreOur family is having arguments over money. What do we do?
Question: We are a couple, married and staying with family. Ever since I can remember my brother was the favored one being born after several girls in a country where males are preferred. I grew up knowing I shouldn’t have been born as that would split the inheritance. Today we live as the despised ones…
Read MoreCan a church register as a charitable organization to get grants from the government?
Question: Is it scriptural for a church of Christ to register as a charitable organization? By charitable organization, I mean being exempted from tax and duties, and receiving financial grants from the government in order to fund missionary projects, etc.? Is it good for a church of Christ to venture into this system? If not,…
Read MoreMy wife divorced me. Did I cause her to commit adultery because I allowed the divorce to happen?
Question: My wife announced to me two years ago that she was done with our marriage and that she intended to file for divorce. To my knowledge, no adultery had been committed by either party at that time (certainly not by me). I initially fought to save our marriage. I suggested counseling and other solutions…
Read More