Is it sinful for a woman to change her last name when getting married?
Question: I’m not sure if this relates to Christianity, but is it a sin to not get one’s last name legally changed after getting married, if you’re a woman? Answer: There is nothing unscriptural about the practice, which is cultural. There is nothing wrong with changing names. There are several Bible characters whose names were…
Read MoreJabez’s Prayer
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/JabezsPrayer.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Chronicles 4:9-10 I. In a long list of names, under the family of Judah is brief mention of a person named Jabez. A. We learn that his name means “he will cause pain.” Though what kind of pain he caused, outside of childbirth we do not know. B. He is…
Read MoreWhy don’t a lot of Christians accept homosexuals?
Question: If the main Christianity rule is ‘Love thy neighbor,’ why don’t a lot of Christians accept homosexuals? Answer: For the same reason, we don’t accept murders, liars, thieves, and other sinners while they remain in their sins. Christians understand that sin is harmful to the sinner and those around them and we love our…
Read MoreWhat should I do when Judgment Day comes?
Question: When Judgment Day comes, what should I do? Answer: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are…
Read MoreWhat are blessings and curses?
Question: A student of mine asked this question and I’m not sure how to answer. I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks. I want to know what are curses and what brings curses upon a person? And what is a blessing? How can a person be blessed? Answer: “But no man can tame…
Read MoreWhy do the wicked appear to succeed, but not always the righteous?
Question: With all the due respect, let me take this opportunity to thank you for all your efforts in teaching us, and the whole world at large, the word of God, and all the spiritual food that you feed us. May God bless you! As a believer of Christ, I have a question that is…
Read MoreWhy do people say God sends trials when they are really caused by Satan?
Question: My question is why do people always say when evil things happen, they believe God is using these evil events to strengthen the one who is being maliciously attacked by another, or who has no will or intent in serving or obeying God anymore? Why do Christians always say God uses tragedies and evil…
Read MoreHow do you handle misunderstandings?
Question: Is there anything in the Bible that a person can apply to their lives as to how to best deal directly with misunderstandings and confusion? I notice this is can be a weakness with a lot of people. When they encounter something they don’t at first understand, and it’s still taking longer than ‘usual’…
Read MoreAre we wiser today than prior generations?
Question: I believe that I have wisdom that I have obtained from a society that has evolved. It is because of the Bible, and other resources similar to it, that we as humans have been able to communicate our thoughts and rationalize our actions, but we have only grown from it, not depended upon it. Therefore,…
Read MoreIs Mark 16:9-20 Inspired?
by Kyle Pope via Biblical Insights, Vol. 9, No. 8, August 2009 Many students of the New Testament have found themselves puzzled by notes encountered at the close of the Gospel of Mark, claiming, “The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9–20″[1]. Should we question the reliability or inspiration of…
Read MoreHow do we know that the serpent was Satan?
Question: I have started reading my Bible consistently, and have a couple of questions: Why do people say that the serpent who tempted Eve was Satan? I don’t see that anywhere. Maybe I missed something? Also, someone once told me that Abram and Sarai were half-siblings, but I can’t seem to find that anywhere either.…
Read MoreWhere can I find lyrics to some of James D. Vaughan’s songs?
Question: I’m looking to see if you have a link or know where I can find full songs so that I may write the lyrics down. I’m looking for James D. Vaughan’s songs. It’s so we can sing it at our church. Answer: James David Vaughan mostly wrote music to other people’s lyrics. He wrote…
Read MoreMormonism and Marketing
by Wendi Capehart Almost five years ago my family accepted an invitation to study with Mormon missionaries. Our studies lasted almost a year, and of course, over time missionaries were transferred in and out (one rather quickly) and others brought in to ‘discuss’ things with us. There were several parts of this study that did…
Read MoreSince man is created in God’s image, how can he have a sinful nature?
Question: Since we were created by God and in His image, how is it possible that we have a sinful nature? Answer: The Bible doesn’t use the phrase “sinful nature.” It is the New International Version that substitutes “sinful nature” for the word “flesh” in many places. In doing so, it introduces a concept not…
Read MoreIs it a sin to call Child Protective Services on your dad?
Question: Is it a sin to call Child Protective Services on your dad? I had like one beer and got caught by my brother who’s a snitch. He took me home and my dad got mad and slapped me, but it wasn’t as if I was drunk. He didn’t have to hit me. Would it…
Read MoreIf you say pornography is not fornication, are you not accepting pornography?
Question: I’m sorry but I strongly disagree with “Is looking at pornography fornication?” Not that I would divorce my future husband if this was the case, but that I would totally support a lady who does because when you’re married to a man, he is the only person who should be able to satisfy you.…
Read MoreWhy Do We Continue in Sin?
Why Do We Continue In Sin Part 1Why Do We Continue In Sin Part 2Why Do We Continue In Sin Part 3Why Do We Continue In Sin Part 4 by PJ Anderson
Read MoreDoes God already know who will be in heaven?
Question: Does God already know who will be in heaven? Based on Revelation 13:8, I think He does. Answer: There are two ways Revelation 13:8 can be translated: “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation…
Read MoreIf God is sovereign, why does He express sorrow when men are bad? If God knows of everything, why did He repent?
Question: If God is sovereign, why does He express sorrow when men are bad? If God knows of everything, why did He repent in Genesis 6:5-7 and Exodus 32:12? Answer: People have a hard time dealing with the infinite. An age-old puzzle is “If God is so powerful, can He create a rock that He…
Read MoreI’m shocked you would tell teenagers not to have sex!
Question: Wow, I’ve just read an answer to “Is it bad that I want to see my boyfriend naked” and was shocked, do you honestly want to ruin a relationship between two teenagers by saying they should end their relationship because they might end up having sex? Do you really believe that God wouldn’t let his…
Read MoreWhere is the first scripture that proves Jesus existed before he came to earth as a man?
Question: Where is the first scripture that proves that Jesus existed? That is, before he came to earth as a man? Answer: I guess it would depend on what level of proof you would accept. Much that we know about the prophecies of Jesus is from looking at the result and seeing how it was talked about…
Read MoreDoes Romans 9 support Calvinism?
Question: I have been worrying over Calvinism. Could you help me understand Romans 9:20-22 and Romans 9:11-16? In verse 13 you can read of Esau being hated which is after verse 12 where you can read about the older will serve the younger. Calvinist may use this to support their beliefs. What is meant in…
Read MoreCan sexual instructional videos be viewed to learn better techniques in a marriage?
Question: Is it possible to view sexual instructional videos with the true intent of learning techniques to increase intimacy with one’s wife, without falling prey to lust? I know that many men fall into addiction to this type of content, but if the intent is positive, can this be done? Answer: First, we must establish…
Read MoreThe Spirit of the Law
by Dale Smelser As noted in a recent class discussion, Christians dedicated to living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4), are derided for trying to keep the letter of the law, when their efforts rather should be expended on keeping the spirit of the law, whatever that is. On…
Read MoreHow did David get forgiveness and why is it different after Christ’s death?
Question: How did King David get forgiveness and why is it different after Christ’s death? Answer: First, let’s make it clear that David lived under a different covenant with God than we do today. See “Why We Don’t Follow the Old Testament” for details. Still, there are similarities, which should be expected since both the…
Read MoreWhat right does anyone have to preach to others about not having the joy of intimacy when in a relationship?
Question: I am a 43-year-old woman who, yes, believes in God. I’ve been happily married for 20 years and have three wonderful, caring children of which one was born out of wedlock. My question is what right does anybody have to preach to other youngsters about them not having the joy of intimacy when in…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible say Jesus will return a third time?
Question: I’ve been a fan of Bible.ca for along time. One question that haunts me is this: With Matthew 24 fulfilled (I do believe this) where does God’s word tell us Christ will come a third time? ( 1. birth – 2. A.D. 70 -3. ?) and what about passages like Ecclesiastes 1:4 “[One] generation passeth…
Read MoreWhat was the source of the water used to fill the bronze sea?
Question: What was the source of the water used to fill the bronze sea? Answer: The Bible doesn’t mention what water was used to fill the bronze sea. Jerusalem had numerous pools and we know from archeology that Solomon has several underground cisterns hewn into the rock. Ecclesiastes 2:6 mentions that Solomon did build pools.…
Read MoreIf I divorce my wife, can I get remarried?
Question: Please help me. I came across your web site and your Bible-based answers to many questions seemed right on point with the Word of God. I have asked many pastors about my situation and gotten many different answers. My situation is complex but I will try to get to the point quickly. I have…
Read MoreIs only Yahweh God’s name?
Question: In “The Divine Name,” you did not explain the name YAHWEH/YHWH and how it was taken out of the Scriptures. God, Lord, Father are all titles(mother, daughter, son, worker), but not His true name. Please explain verse Psalm 68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds,…
Read MoreShould a person who was sprinkled be baptized again?
Question: I’ve been reading your answers regarding questions on baptism. Since you believe you have to be immersed in water to be properly baptized, would a person need to be baptized again if they were not immersed in water? I ask this because so many people are baptized with just the sprinkling of water. Answer: See: What…
Read MoreSocial Compatibility or Scriptural Compatibility
by Warren E. Berkley Many who read this article will immediately know what I’m going to describe. You are members of a small congregation somewhere in the United States. Due to the economics and mobility of urban life and suburban careers, your membership has dwindled and the budget is strained. Yet, you still do everything…
Read MoreIs it a sin for my girlfriend to give me a handjob and for me to finger her?
Question: Is it a sin for my girlfriend to give me a handjob and for me to finger her? We’ve already done both, and I’m starting to feel kind of guilty over it. I don’t know if it’s considered ‘sin’ or not because it isn’t sexual intercourse. We’re both Christians too, and we’re just blinded…
Read MoreIf a person feels they should be a different sex, didn’t God make a mistake?
Question: Hello there! You answered a question for me the other day on transgenderism. I have a few other questions, so this might get kind of long. Transsexuals will say that the body they were born into is a birth defect. How do we know for sure that’s not the case? There are birth defects…
Read MoreDid Jesus die only for the saved?
Question: Can you tell me what exactly our Lord meant when he said in John 10:15 about laying down his life for the sheep? Was that exclusively for the sheep and not the goats, as the Reformed Christians believe? Some Calvinistic doctrine rings true to me. I have some of their literature and preaching tapes…
Read MoreDoes the existence of intersex justify the transgender’s claim of a mistake?
Question: If God does not make mistakes, then how do you explain people that are intersex? I’m not saying God makes mistakes, but I can see how easily someone could argue that since people that are intersex exist, then the gender they were born could easily be a mistake. Answer: When a child forms in…
Read MoreGod didn’t reverse His position on using instrumental music, so why can’t we use them today?
Question: It is funny that in your condemnation of musical instruments in “worship” you fail to address that while the use of them was clearly permitted in the Old Testament, there is no clear reversal of this in the New Testament. If I was going to change my position it would only seem reasonable to…
Read MoreIs it wrong to sit while praying?
Question: Believers in Orthodox churches have the biblical truth about body position during prayer. They stand, or kneel, but not sit, which I was taught is spiritual arrogance before the Almighty. Orthodoxy has lots of truth that evangelical protestants don’t. Remember that Jesus stood to pray. The apostolic church never sat to pray, except for…
Read MoreCan I divorce my husband who has been having children with other women?
Question: I have suffered for 35 years as a submissive wife because I fear the Lord. My husband has left the running of the family to me. Food, education, clothing, homemaking, sickness, etc. He gives me no money but expects to be given money. He has many women in his life including minors. He is…
Read MoreWhat Saves a Person?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Since, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9), it would be sensible to understand that in order to get people saved, God would tell them…
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