Could a murderer of innocent children go to heaven?
Question: Do you feel that the man who shot and killed those little girls the other day in Pennsylvania has any possibility of spending eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ? He did say that he wanted them to pray for Him at one point in his rampage. Please be specific here if you can? Answer:…
Read MoreWas Moses a prophet?
Question: During our mid-week study, a question was asked: “Was Moses a prophet?” One lady said, “No,” because of what the Bible says in Numbers 12:6-7. However, I stated that he was because of what is taught in Deuteronomy 18:12-18, as well as Acts 7:37. Also, that Numbers 12:6-7 is teaching that God was angry…
Read MoreWhy was proof required of virginity in the Old Testament?
Question: What if a woman has had oral sex with her boyfriend? Can she just repent and be forgiven? The Old Testament seems very harsh concerning death for them both. Why did God forbid it? I never had any blood when I first had sex. I was supposed to be a virgin up until the…
Read MoreBut It Is the Biggest Event of the School Year!
by Greg Litmer in That Ye May Grow Thereby It comes every year. You walk through the mall and see that J.C. Penney’s, Sears, and Macy’s have rack after rack of formals for sale, and the tuxedo rental shops are advertising special deals. Before too long a lot of young Christians across the land are going…
Read MoreWhy Was Jesus Lost?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 2:42-46 I. Jesus was lost because of negligence A. Not that Mary and Joseph were wicked or did not care. They simply neglected to check on Jesus before they lost him. B. It was not intentional. It was an accident, an unfortunate oversight. C. Today so many will be lost due to…
Read MoreWhat was the climate like when Jesus was alive?
Question: What was the climate like when Jesus was alive? Answer: From all indications, the climate in Palestine would not be all that much different from what you find in Israel today. “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22).
Read MoreWhat are the main things we learn from the four gospels?
Question: What are the main things we learn from the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Answer: See “The Four Gospel Accounts.”
Read MoreIf I am not a follower of God, am I an enemy of God?
Question: If I am not a follower of God, am I an enemy of God? What constitutes an enemy of God? Answer: Jesus stated, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matthew 12:30). The stand of God is of such a nature that…
Read MoreDo you have PowerPoint sermons?
Question: At one time I found PowerPoint Sermons on your site. But now can’t find them. Was I on another site or am I just missing them? Thanks! I enjoy reading your material. Answer: There are links to PowerPoint sermons on the Sermons page, but not many as I post only my outlines and audio for…
Read MoreCan I correspond with you regarding parenting issues?
Question: I had stumbled across your web site and just wanted to say how impressed I am with the site. It is very nice to see a site that follows the biblical principles and yet handles many of the tough contemporary issues that we are facing today. My hat’s off to you. I admire your…
Read MoreThe Birth of Christ: Fact or Myth?
by Abraham Smith Simeon blesses the child Jesus Luke 2:25-35 This is a time of year when many of us will enjoy time with our loved ones. It is also a time of year when some people will take the opportunity to share with us how wrong they think the Bible is in its record…
Read MoreFaith Only
by Mark Russell published in Biblical Insights, Vol. 5, No. 7, July 2005 Even Martin Luther didn’t deny baptism as an expression of faith and as necessary to salvation. There were five Latin phrases, known as the “Five Solas” that became the mantra of the Protestant Reformation. These five ideas developed through the years and summarize…
Read MoreBible Thumpers
by Sam Stinson “And the woman said to Elijah, ‘Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth'” (I Kings 17:24). Brethren, Jesus rightly said that God’s word is truth (John 17:17). God’s word has the ability to sanctify those who would…
Read MoreAre free will and predetermined destiny contradictory?
Question: Seems to me that free will and predetermined destiny is just a big contradiction. Can you convince me it is not? Answer: Play chess against a grand-master of the game. Even before you begin, I could state in advance that you will lose with great certainty. Though each move you make is completely of…
Read MoreCan instrumental music be used during weddings held in a church building?
Question: I have searched your website and didn’t find any information on this so I am submitting this question: Is it scriptural to have recorded music (not vocal) in a wedding ceremony that is held in the church building? There is a young Christian couple that has asked to have recorded music played only as…
Read MoreWould you help resolve a dispute over the sale of a home?
Question: If you believe you are a wise person, can you please help me with this scenario? Shauna owned a new house worth $ 200,000 and she was renting it to Doug, a friend in the church. One day Doug asked Shauna if he could buy the house and so Shauna agreed. Because Doug was…
Read MoreWho is the commander of the Lord’s army?
Question: Who is the commander of the Lord’s army? Answer: “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or…
Read MoreWhat Makes a Good Ruler?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Daniel 4:8-27 I. Accepting the idea that Christians should vote when their government gives them the opportunity to do so, the question then turns to whom should we vote? A. Far too often we are presented with choices where it appears we must choose between the lesser of two evils B. I might…
Read MoreHow can a young man stay focused?
Question: I am interested in getting your thoughts on being focused on the goal. It is hard when you see so much of the things you want in life, that at times you feel as though that it is not meant for you. My situation appears to be going nowhere. I feel that the more…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible say about having a fetish?
Question: I have a spanking fetish I’m a 24-year-old male that has a spanking fetish. How do I stop myself? What do the Scriptures say about them? Is it normal to have a spanking fetish? Answer: It is interesting that you used the word fetish. The proper definition of a fetish is: “An inanimate object…
Read MoreCan anyone be forgiven?
Question: Tell me if this is correct: No matter what sin you commit, even if someone had sold their soul to the devil, they could be forgiven for this or any other act no matter what? On the terms that they repent and ask forgiveness, could they still go to heaven? Answer: The potential forgiveness…
Read MoreHow do you respond to someone claiming Jesus was not divine?
Question: Hello again. I’ve been researching the Bible, especially the New Testament quite extensively since I last talked to you, and I came across a Jewish web site claiming that Jesus was not divine. Here’s what it says: Question: Is it true that there are New Testament passages that refute the Christian doctrine of the…
Read MoreCan you be saved without confessing with your mouth?
Question: Can anyone be saved without speaking (confessing) with their mouth? Answer: “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God…
Read MoreCan you explain the difference between heautou and idios?
Question: I would like to ask for your insight. I am trying to understand two Greek words better. As I was doing a Google search I came upon your website and read many of your articles. I also noticed your apparent love for Greek word studies. Here are the two Greek words I am trying…
Read MoreAt what gate was Stephen stoned?
Question: At what gate was Stephen stoned? Answer: “Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they…
Read MoreOur son started doing poorly in school
Question: I have a serious problem with my oldest son who is 17. My wife and I have raised him in church and he attends a Christian school. This past semester, he led us to believe he was doing all right in school. I received his report card and he has two failing grades. My…
Read MoreHow much sleep do teenagers need? I can’t seem to get mine to wake up in the morning
Question: I have heard varying studies on the amount of sleep that kids, and even adults, need to function in the day. My two remaining children are not morning people unless there is something they really want to do! I really think they may need more sleep. In contemplating how to make this year go…
Read MoreI think I’m being too controlling
Question: My being too controlling on the kids is generally directed toward my eldest. He is a great child: very respectful, wins awards for citizenship, and all the teachers adore him and praise him. My problem is I snap at him for anything. Instead of being able to let it roll off, I have to…
Read MoreWhat do we do about a son who failed his college classes and lied to hide the fact?
Question: I am writing for advice on my son who is 18. He went away to college which my wife and I help pay for, in addition to a scholarship he obtained at the Christian college. He finished up this semester but failed two classes. He has a chance to earn the credits back if…
Read MoreHow do I punish a child who is now bigger than me?
Question: I have been struggling with the issue of discipline with our older two children. Traditionally, in our family, when a child reaches age twelve it is generally assumed that they are too old to be spanked and other punishments, such as grounding, are used. Our son is sixteen and beginning to show tremendous disrespect.…
Read MoreHow do I appropriately discipline my sons?
Question: First, let me say that I’m glad I found your site and I appreciate your parenting advice. I am a widower with two teenage sons – 17 going on 18 and 14 going on 15. I’ve to come to the point where I need to make some decisions about discipline in our household and…
Read MoreWhen should a teenager start buying his own toiletries?
Question: When should a teenager start buying his own toiletries? Answer: When a teenager has cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, shaving cream, etc. that he wants of a specific brand and desires to use exclusively, then it is time to start purchasing them on his own. For example, if he uses the same shampoo that most of…
Read MoreI have a teenager who would sleep in bed all day if I let him
Question: I have a sixteen-year-old boy who would just about spend all day in bed if I let him. He claims he needs twelve to fifteen hours of sleep each day, but I think something else is going on. Any advice? Answer: During a child’s growth spurt, their bodies do need more sleep, but typically…
Read MoreOne of my son’s testicles is longer than the other. Should I be concerned?
Question: One of my son’s testicles is longer than the other. Should I be concerned? Answer: You didn’t mention your son’s age, but I will assume he is still an infant. Generally, there is no concern if there is some variation in size. Few of us are perfectly symmetrical. However, if there is a large…
Read MoreWhy has my preteen daughter started growing armpit hair?
Question: Why has my pre-teen daughter started growing armpit hair? She’s 10! Answer: Auxiliary hair, such as armpit hair, can show up in a typical girl anywhere from 10 to 16 years of age. The average time for developing auxiliary hair is 11. So your daughter is within the normal range. Question: But a hedge?…
Read MoreOur son recently started getting erections when he is spanked. What should we do?
Question: Our oldest son is 14 and we have always spanked him. However, the last few times he has been spanked he has developed erections. How should this be handled? Answer: When a boy gains the ability to have an erection, he has no control over when they happen. Since erections are physically caused by…
Read MoreI caught my son looking at pictures of nude women and stimulating himself
Question: I am a Christian father from Germany. My wife and I try to raise our boys in a Christian and biblical way. I am a member of a small church in Germany. Unfortunately, we don’t have homeschooling in our country, so the liberal elements from outside sometimes come to my home to verify the…
Read MoreMy eight-year-old is having erections and he says they hurt
Question: My son just turned 8 and is having erections. He tells me it hurts and burns. I told him to put a cold wet cloth on it so it will go down. My husband tells me it is normal, but he seems so young and it seems to hurt. Is this normal and any…
Read MoreCan a boy have erections at any age?
Question: Can a boy get an erection at any age? Can they get an erection from the time they are born, even though there is no sperm production? Answer: Boys experience erections even before they are born. They start as early as 16 weeks into pregnancy. These erections are not like those experienced by adult…
Read MoreCan a ten-year-old have pubic hair?
Question: Can a ten-year-old have pubic hair? Answer: Yes, if they started puberty early. Girls can start puberty as early as eight, and boys can start puberty as early as nine. For further details, see either: “What is Happening to Me?” in Growing Up in the Lord: A Study for Teenage Boys “What is Happening to…
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