Are the translations “God-breathed?”
Question: Does II Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” apply to reputable translated versions of the Bible, not just the original copies? I want to use this verse to state my point to someone that Acts 2:38 is translated properly and Mark 16:16…
Read MoreYour argument that the Nephilim came first is wrong
Question: Your argument that the Nephilim came first after the sons of God had children is wrong. It is one sentence. The Nephilim were in the earth in those days when the sons of God came and had children with the daughters of men. If it was two sentences then you would be right, but it…
Read MoreIf something is used to praise God, then it can’t be wrong, can it?
Question: In God’s worship, should everyone be in one accord, like everybody doing the same thing? I ask because I know there shouldn’t be musical instruments in the church. I play the piano and people have told me that I was wrong because I didn’t play in a church — something about me not using…
Read MoreCan we have meals in the building since eating together is an expression of fellowship?
Question: Someone has been arguing with me about fellowship and they say it is okay to have meals together in the building because eating together is an expression of fellowship. He says, “If eating together and having fun together is not an expression of fellowship, then what is it?” He says we do these things…
Read MoreDreaded Words: “Mom, Dad, I’m Pregnant”
by David Tant via Biblical Insights, Volume 9, Number 7, July 2009 There are certain words in the English language that we don’t like to hear, in fact, we dread to hear them. Probably, the most dreaded words would come from the doctor’s mouth to the family in the waiting room: “I’m so sorry. We tried…
Read MoreIsn’t Jeremiah a poor source to argue about the inappropriateness of speedos?
Question: I came across Preaching Like Jeremiah while researching Jeremiah. There’s a lot of good stuff here, thanks. However, I was amused that you invoked Jeremiah to defend your apparent stance against speedos; considering the dirty underwear incident at the beginning Jeremiah 13. I’m now wondering if there’s a page on your site that invokes David to…
Read MoreWould You Pass the Test
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/WouldYouPassTheTest.mp3 by Eric Hamilton
Read MoreDo you know of some good visuals on Herod’s family tree?
Question: I’ve been trying to study the role of Herod The Great and those of his family tree because of the impact they played in the Scriptures. Are you aware of a good web site where I can find visuals of Herod’s family tree? Along with this, I’m trying to figure Herod’s bloodline. Does it have…
Read MoreHow long was Daniel in the lions’ den?
Question: How long was Daniel in the lions’ den? Answer: Since the king was tricked into sentencing Daniel, he worked hard to find a way to avoid sending Daniel into the lions’ den. “And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him;…
Read MoreSince lobsters and crabs are cooked whole, does that violate the law not to eat blood?
Question: Some foods like lobster and crab are cooked “as-is” without having the blood removed from the animal. Does this violate Acts 15:20 which instructs Christians not to eat blood? Thank you for your devotion to the scriptures and teaching others. Answer: This is a question I never considered before and never heard discussed. Thank…
Read MoreNeither Jesus nor Peter ate unclean animals, so if you teach otherwise you are departing from Christianity
Question: I agree with you that there is no record of Jesus being a vegetarian, but you must also concede that there is no record either, in the “words in red”, of Jesus departing from tradition in such a sharp way as described in Acts10:9-16 and I Corinthians 10:25-26. The often-quoted Mark 7:19 is universally considered a…
Read MoreBefore Destruction
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/BeforeDestruction.mp3 Text: Matthew 26:31-41 I. Solomon gives warning – Proverbs 16:18 A. A young man from Nigeria asked how this passage would apply to teenagers B. Of course, its application is much broader, but it caused me to think about explaining this on level easy to comprehend and apply II. Pride is a motivator of sins – I…
Read MoreWhat kind of church I should attend to learn the truth?
Question: I was wondering what kind of church I should attend to learn the truth. I used to go to the Salvation Army. I just want to make sure that when I start this path I take the right road. Answer: I don’t know how well you’ll accept my answer since it would be easy…
Read MorePremillennialism and the Bible
By Jefferson David Tant Our nation was shocked, saddened, and angered on September 11, 2001, by the events that transpired in our nation — the cold-blooded murder of thousands. And people wonder, why this hatred, why this insane rage? A few days after the atrocities, I spent some time talking with a peaceful Islamic young…
Read MoreThe Land Promise
by Franklin T. Puckett in The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 10, August 1952. Premillennialists tell us that God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham and his seed has never been fulfilled. Since His promises do not fail, there must be a future fulfillment. Consequently, when Jesus comes, the Jews will be miraculously converted…
Read MoreIf Jesus had brothers and sisters, why did he give the responsibility of Mary to his disciple John?
Question: Since Jesus had brothers and sisters (Mark 6:3), why would the disciple John be given apparent responsibility for Mary, the mother of Jesus in John 19:25-27? Wouldn’t it seem better for Mary to be cared for by her own children? This would be particularly so because two of them, James and Jude, apparently wrote…
Read MoreWhy do you believe in God? If God loves us all, why doesn’t He let us all in heaven?
Question: Why do you believe in God? If God loves us all, why doesn’t He let us all in heaven? Answer: Why do you believe there is a Sydney, Australia? Assuming you have never been down under, what makes you believe it exists? There are multiple interlocking reasons why believing in God makes sense. I have…
Read MoreCan you explain levitate marriages?
Question: I need some help with marriage laws in the Old Testament, concerning the death of a brother. Under the Old Law, if a man’s brother died was he to take his dead brother’s wife as his own wife? What if he (the man still alive) was already married? What if the women (of the…
Read MoreDo I need to leave my marriage?
Question: I need some advice: I met my husband through work when we briefly worked together on a project. He was recently separated and at first, we just talked but then he started to phone me every day at work and would chat for a few minutes just to say “hi.” I did not discourage…
Read MoreDo all churches of Christ teach that the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross?
Question: I stumbled upon the La Vista Church of Christ web site in the course of searching for an answer to the question, “Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross?” Simply stated, your answer is “Yes,” and I fully agree with every single comment I found on your web site regarding the answer to this question – good work; I’m impressed. Somebody…
Read MoreWhere can I find acapella recordings for the songs in our songbook?
Question: I had a cassette collection of the Songs of the Church Acapella and I think they were sung by the Meistersingers. I moved and my tapes were lost and are sorely missed. Do you know of any source where I could buy another set? I am a song leader in a small church of…
Read MoreWhat Does the Bible Say About Salvation?
by Frank Richey via The Elgin Hills Examiner, Vol. 4, Nos. 4-6, April — June 2009. Notice we do not ask the question, “What does a particular church teach about salvation?” The reason for this is that no church has the divine right to teach anything about salvation other than what is revealed in the…
Read MoreMust a woman dress plainly or wear a covering at all times?
Question: I am a head-covering lady and a modest dresser. I see that you have links to different head covering sites for ordering them. Do your ladies wear them all the time or just for church and praying? Also, about modesty: Are their dresses or skirts plain or with prints? Do they wear skirts? I have…
Read MoreIs Matthew 5:28 only limited to lusting after a married woman?
Question: Does Matthew 5:27-28 about lust apply to both married and single men? I’ve been curious about this and want to gain a correct understanding of the passage. In the context of that passage is Jesus talking to Jewish men who were married? If so, does that mean the passage only applies to married people…
Read MoreDid Jesus tell the Essenes not to eat breakfast?
Question: Is it true that Jesus told the Essenes not to eat breakfast? If so, why? Answer: I was puzzled by the nature of the question since the Essenes are not mentioned in the Bible, though some claim that the Zealots (of which one apostle was once a member) were a branch of the Essenes,…
Read MoreWhich one translation would you recommend?
Question: I have been searching for articles online regarding which English version of the Bible would be best (most accurate) for me to purchase and use to study. I happened across your web page: Which Bible translations are the best? But I don’t think one version was actually picked out above the rest, although many were…
Read MoreIf a woman has surgery to become a man, does God see her as a male or a female?
Question: I have written to you before and was well satisfied with your answer. I believe you do a wonderful work on this site for God. My question is: We were discussing Chasity Bono at work, who is about to have surgery to become a man. As far as we know she has been living…
Read MoreCan you explain why you talk about benevolence, but then say the church isn’t always involved?
Question: I saw your web site while doing some study on a series of messages this weekend I am doing on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I found your message on The Three Philosophies of Life. I have heard from others that same approach to the parable. Do you know where the idea of “Three…
Read MoreCan those who teach institutionalism or liberalism be called brethren?
Question: Can you please help me? I am a preacher of the gospel who is striving to teach and practice the truth. I respect the God-given work of the church and I do have a problem with churches doing what is not authorized in the Bible as far as using the church funds. Is it…
Read MoreCould all the bad things happening to me just be bad karma?
Question: I have a question about my relationship. I have three children out of wedlock by two different men. I am currently with my youngest two’s father for the last seven years. My question is: I have always heard of karma. My children’s father and I got together seven years ago while he was in…
Read MoreWhat should I do for an ex-Christian who is trying to care for a grandchild?
Question: I am helping an elderly lady financially, who has taken on her granddaughter. Her granddaughter’s dad was killed and her mom lost custody due to drugs. I suppose she is considered an orphan. I discussed with grandmom the need to become a Christian. She said she was baptized into the Lord’s church years ago…
Read MoreI know God has forgiven me, but I had committed adultery and I can’t forgive myself
Question: I went looking for answers on the web because I too had committed adultery, but it was many years ago when I was young. I was a virgin at the time – very naive about matters in regards to men and women. I was born into a strict Italian home with a harsh Dad…
Read MoreAm I sinning if I enjoy vacations and meals with a man who left the Lord’s church for a denomination?
Question: I have been studying your sermon outline “Withdraw Yourselves.” I have a friend who was once a member of the Lord’s church. He is now a member of a denomination. Your outline says that you cannot withdraw from a non-Christian. II John 10-11 says, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this…
Read MoreWill our dead bodies be physically raised on the last day?
Question: I’ve had someone ask me about where the soul goes after death and how that correlates with the resurrection. I looked up articles on your site and was able to answer most of her questions, but one still remains. In Luke 16:19-31 we, of course, read the account of the rich man and Lazarus, gleaning the spiritual…
Read MoreDid Elisha strike the water once or twice?
Question: In II Kings 2:14, do you believe Elisha strikes the water twice with the mantle of Elijah or just once? Answer: “Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water,…
Read MoreI 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?
Question: My husband and I both attend the same church but we are separated. I have no intention of reconciling with him. I have been separated from him before and took him back after he stated that he was born again and was a “changed man”. We moved back together, had rocky times, but I…
Read MoreThere are so many religions that I am confused thinking that one is right and another is wrong. What should I do?
Question: I was just pondering over an article written on the differences between Catholicism and Christianity. I was raised Catholic and my whole family is Catholic. My grandmother is very adamant about her faith and spends the major part of her day in service, prayer, community service, etc. She believes in the Ten Commandments, the Virgin Mary,…
Read MoreWhy is life unfair?
Question: Where does the Bible say that life is unfair? Why is life unfair? Who made life unfair? I don’t understand. I get so tired of hearing this every time someone says that something is unfair. Answer: “Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches. Surely I have cleansed my heart…
Read MoreDo spirits exist?
Question: I had a question regarding something that is not necessarily “scriptural,” but I believe can be connected back to Scripture. My question is basically: “Do ghosts exist?” Now, this question is more complex than it appears. By “ghosts,” I am not necessarily referring to souls of dead people stuck on earth (the secular definition),…
Read MoreThank you for the old-fashioned Bible storybook illustrations
Question: I just found your site, with the old-fashioned Bible storybook illustrations. I want to thank whoever went to all the trouble to put these pages online! This was exactly what I was looking for, for our VBS stories this year. Answer: You’re welcome.
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