Is poor attendance actually a sin?
Question: Brother, I was edified by what I read in this article: Telling Members They are Sinning in Deliberately Missing Church. Bob does a good job listing some of the excuses some brethren use to justify missing church assemblies. He shows that those who rely on these excuses reveal carnality and not spirituality. However, as the…
Read MoreYou don’t understand, Joseph Smith didn’t contradict himself
Question: I hope that as you read these things you’ll be aware of how you feel, that you will be able to feel the love our Heavenly Father has for you, and that the things I’m saying are true. I, myself, know and believe them to be true. So in accordance with the reference in…
Read MoreWhere in the Bible can I learn more about dating?
Question: Which books of the Bible would you recommend me to read when it comes to dating? I do not know how to deal or talk with girls at all. My ex told me that I do not know what I am doing when it comes to dating. I have not been taught by my…
Read MoreCan we be in danger of losing our salvation if we do not study?
Question: Is it possible to study and understand all of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments? I was talking to an older man who told me that it was impossible to understand all of the Bible or even most parts of it. I did not agree with him, and I was thinking that…
Read MoreA hate letter regarding an article on infant baptism
Question: Mr Minister of the La Vista church of christ. How do feel about preaching non logical occult madness. You are the chains of the oppressed like your murderous brothers of all the Christian cults known to man. You are a disgrace!! I am angry because of what I see. If Jesus was here he…
Read MoreWhat about the contribution mentioned in Romans 15:26? Isn’t that making fellowship?
Question: What you have said has been very helpful and I am growing in my understanding now. This is what you said: “Fellowship is a description of who they were. They were a people of one heart and one soul. Thus fellowship is a description of their state or attitude toward each other. When people turn it backwards they lose so…
Read MoreIs God’s presence felt in hell?
Question: I’m having some trouble explaining how God’s presence works without conflicting scripture. Some would argue that it’s impossible to be away from God’s presence, understanding He is omnipresence, as taught in Psalms 139:7. However, when you take this verse – “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from…
Read MoreAre the seven churches in Asia still waiting for Christ?
Question: If what you speak is true in “Peter can’t be referring to the physical elements being destroyed, can he?”, then are the seven churches in Asia still waiting for Christ? Answer: I’m puzzled by your line of thought. Whether the churches in Asia are still awaiting Jesus or not does not determine whether the…
Read MoreTheistic Evolution — Denial of the Record
by Jim R. Everett via bulletin from the Cedar Park church of Christ Atheistic evolution is an unscientific hypothesis because it affirms that life came from nothing. Theistic evolution is an unwarranted compromise and a denial of the record of creation (Genesis 1-2). No man can believe the Bible to be God’s absolute truth while…
Read MoreWhere would Golgotha be located?
Question: I was reading an article on your website titled “The Offering of Isaac” and had a couple of questions about it. The fourth paragraph says this: The place chosen for the sacrifice was about 50 miles from Abraham’s home. It took Abraham three days to reach the place. The journey gave Abraham three days…
Read MoreCan fermented grape juice (wine) be used in the Lord’s Supper?
Question: Please answer me with biblical texts the following questions or doubts I have: Which kind of wine (intoxicating fermented wine or non-fermented wine) should be used during Lord’s Supper celebration? Can we commit sin by using fermented or alcoholic wine during the Lord’s Supper celebration? It is alleged that Christ not only partook of…
Read MoreMaking Godly Decisions
by Sewell Hall via Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, No. 12, Dec. 2007 “What Does God Want Me To Do?” This question will dominate every decision by a truly godly person. The apostle Paul wrote, “We make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (II Corinthians 5:9). Again, “Be diligent to…
Read MoreDo you have other material on YHWH?
Question: I enjoyed and agree with your article on “Understanding the Tetragrammaton.” Thank you very much for your research and study on this important issue of the Divine Name, Yahweh (Exodus 3:15; Psalm 83:18). Can you send me any additional information on the YHWH? Do you have any more articles related to the sacred name? Answer:…
Read MoreIf Christians aren’t to tithe, then what about the curse mentioned in Malachi 3:9?
Question: You said in “I don’t work outside the home, so I have no income. How much should I give?”: The idea of giving a tithe (10% of your income) comes from the Old Testament. Christians are not under that covenant. What the New Testament teaches is that we are to give a portion of our…
Read MoreDo people physically go to heaven or hell?
Question: Where is paradise? Is it above the earth or below? When Jesus was raised, how can he be lifted up in the flesh? By flesh, will a man go to heaven or hell? When Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus in what form did they appear, flesh or spirit? Where is third heaven? After…
Read MoreYou can’t prove that Jesus wasn’t a vegetarian!
Question: So many governments have launched numberless campaigns worldwide to make money that in the end will be spent on unlawful ways. You dubbed “hilarious” to kill innocent and helpless animals to the men’s satisfaction and greed. You dubbed “hilarious” to think of Jesus as a vegetarian. Can you prove undoubtedly one cannot live by eating vegetables alone?…
Read MoreDo you have a study on Isaiah?
Question: Currently, I am reading and trying to study the book of Isaiah. I am really having a hard time trying to understand it though. I looked on your web site to try to find a break down of it chapter by chapter like you did with the Song of Solomon. I read a chapter every…
Read MoreNeed a New Start?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Have you ever wished you could start life all over again? Cheer up! God is in the people-changing business. He wrote the original life-changing book. The Bible reveals what we all yearn for at times: a fresh start in life! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things…
Read MoreI’ve had a disappointing life and I envy those who have done well. How do I overcome these feelings?
Question: Read your article on disappointment. It was very good. I feel I have had a very disappointing life. I was very confused in my twenties and ended up breaking up with my boyfriend of four years who ended up being a successful dermatologist. I have regretted this decision all my life and never married anyone…
Read MoreShould a person leave a church that doesn’t have elders or deacons?
Question: How long should a person attend a church that does not have any elders or deacons? What are some of the problems associated with a church not having any elders or deacons? Answer: The follow-on question is: Are there no elders because none one currently attending is qualified, or are there no elders because the…
Read MoreIs it wrong for my employer to demand more hours from me?
Question: I have been asked by my employer to work more hours since they laid off other employees. Is there anything against doing this in the Bible, if it means having less time with my young son and wife? This will not be overtime as I am a salaried employee. Answer: As a salaried employee,…
Read MoreI 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?
Question: I have been a Christian, a member of the church of Christ, since the age of 13. I also have been in the grasp of sexual addiction all that time. I married, almost a quarter-century ago, a beautiful Christian lady who deserved better. Through the years I have used porn and escorts to satisfy…
Read MoreHow could the gospel have been preached to every creature?
Question: My brother and I disagree about Matthew 24:14. I used it in relation to where Paul said the Gospel has been preached in all the world. His response was that was saying Jesus’ death had been proclaimed to all the earth but not preached. I understand his point of view because it says every…
Read MoreWhat does the Nazarene church mean by “properly expressed” in regards to sexual intimacy?
Question: Regarding sexual intimacy between a married couple, what does the Nazarene church mean by the phrase, “properly expressed?” “…We stand firmly on the belief that the biblical concept of marriage, always between one man and one woman in a committed, lifelong relationship, is the only relationship within which the gift of sexual intimacy is…
Read MoreIs it proper to grieve over someone who is deluded by false teachers?
Question: It’s been some time since I’ve written. I’m the fellow whose wife joined a charismatic group and said that God told her to divorce me and this was supported by her Christian friends because I was not Christ-like and had an issue with the charismatic stuff. Although I’ve given up any hope of ever reconciling,…
Read MoreWhat do you know about the “Acts of Paul and Thecla?”
Question: I was reading some Bible literature and came across a reference book, “Acts of Paul and Thecla”. I was wondering if you could enlighten me and provide some clarification of this book and relevance to the Bible. I understand that is was one of the lost books of the Bible and describes Paul and…
Read MoreAre the trials of Jesus historically accurate?
Question: Are the trials of Jesus historically accurate? I ran across a web site that claims that some of the details of the trial were not historically accurate, but rather made up. The web site also claims that Pilate was not portrayed accurately and that the trial before the Sanhedrin (or I assume the questioning…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “speaking the truth in love?”
Question: “That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:”…
Read MoreWhat about displaying so-called pictures of Jesus?
Question: What about displaying so-called pictures of Jesus? Answer: First, we have no idea what the physical appearance of Jesus was. I am reminded of the old story of the small child in Bible class who drew a crude picture of an airplane, with three people in the back and one in the front. Asked…
Read MoreDoes the word “lord” mean “baal?”
Question: It is my understanding that the word “lord” means “baal.” Can you shed some light on this? Answer: The word baal is a root word in Hebrew and other Semitic languages which can mean lord, owner, master, possessor, or husband depending on the context in which it is used. Owner “If an ox gores a man…
Read MoreShould Christians sing during the Lord’s supper?
Question: Should Christians sing during the Lord’s supper? Answer: I wonder what is next — singing during prayer or singing during the sermon!? I really don’t understand why people think that the Lord’s Supper needs some kind of “crutch” or “support” to make it meaningful and relevant to Christians. When the Lord gave the bread…
Read MoreHow do you answer a teacher who claims religion is not based on evidence?
Question: How would you answer a professor who claims that religion and faith are not based on evidence, but rather they are based on what people “want” in life, contrary to scientific evidence and that what is considered scientific has to be “peer-reviewed”? To me it seems that my professor is operating on the assumption…
Read MorePeter can’t be referring to the physical elements being destroyed, can he?
Question: To get to my point here, it is stated in the study you gave me on “The Second Coming of the Lord” that in II Peter 3 is talking about the “end of the world.” Let us have a closer examination of it, and we will find it means nothing of the sort. Please…
Read MoreA Roman Catholic priest attempts to defend homosexuality
Question: I found your article concerning homosexuality and the Bible, under the title “Is homosexuality condemned in the Scriptures?” I would like to clarify something, and perhaps provide a new perspective. You stated that “the reason that the Bible doesn’t mention “gay love” is that such a thing does not exist.” You are incorrect. By…
Read MoreCan a Christian defend himself and others with deadly force, if necessary?
Question: Can a Christian get a concealed weapons permit and carry a hand gun regularly with the intention of using it to defend himself, his family of the public at large from an attacker? I guess the more general question is: can a Christian defend himself, his family or is neighbor to the point of…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between “happy” and “joy”?
Question: I can’t find a defined difference between happy or happiness and joy or joyfulness in the Bible. I was wondering about the difference. I remember learning about it one time, but I can’t find what I learned anywhere and my dictionaries are not that in-depth. Answer: “Joy” is the translation of the Greek word chara.…
Read MoreAs a non-believer, I found parts of two articles offensive
Question: I stumbled across your site whilst randomly browsing the Internet and I was very interested in it. Now I should first mention that I do not believe in God but was raised a Catholic and have many friends of many different faiths and have always thought that all sides can learn a little from…
Read MoreMy husband has become distant to me since the death of his daughter. Now he wants out of our marriage. What should I do?
Question: My husband and I married seven years ago. A year after we were married, my husband lost his 21-year-old daughter in a car wreck. She left behind a daughter (our granddaughter) who was 18 months old and she lives with her father. I was also very close to his daughter. We had a wonderful…
Read MoreCould Jesus and the apostle only do miracles after receiving the Holy Spirit?
Question: Do you think that Jesus was able to perform miracles after His baptism because the Holy Spirit came to Him and that Jesus was not able to perform miracles before this because He didn’t have the Holy Spirit? This was presented in class and my gut feeling is that something is wrong with this…
Read MoreCould you explain “foreknew” and “predestined” to me?
Question: I have struggled for years with the “foreknew” and “predestined” parts. I believe the Bible 100% and actually understand what is being said; however, there is something I can’t quite get. Maybe I can ask my question this way: I am blessed with two grandsons. God knew from the beginning everything about these children.…
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