Since children are no longer stoned for disobedience, how can homosexuality be called wrong?
Question: During a recent ‘homosexuality’ debate someone has thrown out (and judging by Google it’s the newest rallying cry) that we can’t oppose homosexuality while at the same time opposing the stoning of disobedient children. I have a feeling that the usual Old Testament versus New Testament law argument is going to be largely ignored.…
Read MoreHow do I help a young man going down the wrong path?
Question: I do have a question concerning a young man (about 17) who is heading down the wrong path. He is my friend’s brother-in-law who always gets in trouble legally. He does various things, such as smoking, and stealing, and has been sexually involved with a 14-year-old girl recently. This is the second or third…
Read MoreWon’t a Mormon disagree that their book doesn’t teach pre-existence of mortal man?
Question: I will be the first to tell you that I am not a Mormon. The article on your web site entitled, How to Use the Book of Mormon, is very good. But keep in mind, that a Mormon could challenge your article where it says that the Mormon doctrine of pre-existence is not found in the book…
Read MoreTesting Mormonism
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I John 3:23-4:3 I. Those promoting the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, will often ask you to pray to the Holy Spirit about their Book of Mormon A. “Pray,” they will ask of you, “and see if the Spirit tells you that what is in this book is…
Read MoreWhat is there to repent for in being homosexual?
Question: I have just read your article entitled What Homosexuals Want and a few questions came up. In the first paragraph, it is referenced that homosexuals, unless they repent, shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven ( I Corinthians 6:9-11). However, in referencing the scriptural quote, it says “homosexual offenders,” meaning those who commit sinful homosexual…
Read MoreWhen should an invitation be offered?
Question: We meet in a rented hall so we don’t have a bell or buzzer to use to alert everyone when services begin. During our business meeting last evening one brother (whose wife teaches the children’s class) made a request. He stated that our normal procedure during our mid-week services has been that we make…
Read MoreWhy did Paul say he left Titus in Crete?
Question: I just discovered your website after searching the Internet for “Paul’s letter to the Laodiceans”. Your explanation is very interesting and has merit. Thank you for providing answers to so many questions that arise from time to time. Now that I think about it, I have a question: How do you explain Paul’s letter to Titus? …
Read MoreShould I give my seven-year-old a spanking for getting an F on his report card?
Question: Yesterday my seven-year-old son came home from school with an F, on his report card. I told him the last time if he gets another F, I was going to get a spanking. Is that the right thing to do? Answer: When I received this note (what you are seeing is a severely edited…
Read MoreThat Suddenly Uncomfortable Cheerleading Uniform
by J. S. Smith Parents in Southern California are understandably disturbed that videos of their teenage daughters cavorting about in sexually tantalizing clothing have been showing up for sale on the Internet auction site e-Bay. That’s not exactly how the news media begin their reports on the story, but still, it is a pretty fair…
Read MoreBiblical Infallibility: Can We Trust the Bible?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Trust in the scriptures is important to every Christian. The Bible is the center of our faith. A. We are Christians because we believe that God exists and that the Bible is God’s word – II Tim. 3:16 B. Believing in the Bible’s message will save our souls – James 1:21, I Thess.…
Read MoreEvaluating New Songs
by Mark Roberts in Abundant Life via Meditate on These Things For the longest time, it seemed brethren were fairly certain Sacred Selections contained just about every hymn that needed to be sung. Like it or not, that has certainly changed. Many congregations are now using some other hymnal other than Sacred Selections. Many congregations have also added…
Read MoreDo you know what it means to “cast your bread upon the waters?”
Question: Do you know what it means to “cast your bread upon the waters?” Answer: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2). The phrase is…
Read MoreWhy did God allow polygamy and concubines?
Question: I have been wondering for a while about why polygamy and concubines were allowed. Why was God okay with this stuff? Answer: We are not specifically told, but I can make some reasonable guesses. But to put it into context, as you were growing up were there not things that you did that your…
Read MoreIf you sell yourself to the devil, is this an unforgivable sin?
Question: I had a question after reading some of your site. You say it is possible to sell your soul to the devil. So is that an example of a sin that is unforgivable by God? And even if it is forgivable does the devil now own your soul anyway so you are still going to…
Read MoreThank you for explaining why social drinking is wrong
Question: I have been reading and re-reading the articles on your website that pertain to social drinking. I’ve been surprised at the lack of articles that exist (at least through a Google search) that really address the issue. Having been “raised in the church,” so to speak, I have always “known” that drinking is sinful,…
Read MoreBenevolence
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Read Lk 10:25-37 A. We understand that God wants us to be charitable to those around us B. But when faced with opportunities we often hesitate 1. Does this person really need help? 2. Is it part of a complex con-game? 3. Was it brought on by their own foolishness? 4. The government has programs to help…
Read MoreIs sex on the Sabbath a sin?
Question: Is sex on the Sabbath a sin? Answer: The Sabbath was the day of worship for the Israelites living under the Old Covenant. A part of the requirements for observing the Sabbath was the avoidance of work. “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days…
Read MoreIs it right or wrong to sell inside the church?
Question: Is it right or wrong to sell inside the church? Answer: Before I can answer the main question, I must address a miscomprehension. In the New Testament, the word church refers to the people called out of the world to serve the Christ. The church, in the universal sense, refers to all Christians past,…
Read MoreWho were the two men that hung beside Jesus on the cross?
Question: Who were the two men that hung beside Jesus on the cross? Answer: The Bible only states that they were two thieves or robbers. Anything beyond this is merely idle speculation. “Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left” (Matthew 27:38).
Read MoreHow do the warnings about correcting scoffers in Proverbs 9:7-9 affect our understanding of Matthew 18:15-20?
Question: How do the warnings about correcting scoffers in Proverbs 9:7-9 affect our understanding of Matthew 18:15-20? Answer: “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.…
Read MoreCan I divorce my wife because she sees sex, even in marriage, as sinful?
Question: I have been married for over 30 years. My wife has a sexual dysfunction and is not freely willing to have sex. We have not had sex in a year. However, she masturbates alone regularly. It is a chore to her to have marital sex and it is something she does rarely, and when…
Read MoreWhy is the “Height Predictor” giving me different answers at different ages?
Question: My child’s predicted height is 5’8 and when she turns 13 she’s 5’7, then when she’s 17.5 she’s 5’6. See for yourself. I’m 5’6, my husband is 5’8, and my daughter is 5’6 at age 12. Is this true? Please explain to me. Answer: The calculator takes your daughter’s current height and attempts to…
Read MoreDoesn’t Ecclesiastes 3:19 teach that there is no difference between men and animals?
Question: Doesn’t Ecclesiastes 3:19 teach that there is no difference between men and animals? Answer: “Moreover I saw under the sun: In the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there. I said in my heart, “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a…
Read MoreDoes an old lover reappear as a man’s daughter?
Question: I’ve been told that a daughter was her father’s lover in his past life. If a woman can’t get together with the man she loves, she’ll be reincarnated to be his daughter in the next life. If a female spirit falls in love with a man, she’ll be reincarnated into his wife’s abdomen to…
Read MoreShould mothers spank teenage sons and should I spank with my hands?
Question: In looking at your website, my wife and I note that you do not recommend the mom spanking teenage sons. Our youngest son is almost 12. Is it appropriate for my wife to continue spanking him until he is 13? Also, I note you recommend the use of a switch. I prefer to spank…
Read MoreAchieving Unity When Making Personal Choices
Text: I Corinthians 10:18-33 I. Difficulties arise in groups of people when people have strong opinions on various matters A. Each individual tends to focus on what he wants and is only satisfied if things go his way. B. People lose track that their purpose and the purpose of the church is to get people to heaven.…
Read MoreDo you honestly think man is God’s most powerful creation?
Question: Do you honestly think that man is God’s most powerful creation? Just take a look at everything happening to man today, all the floods, all the storms; just imagine a brownish-black cloud consuming the visible sky and you will realize that man is not in control, that we are not superior. Moreover, you will…
Read MoreHow do you distinguish between sin and areas for growth?
Question: Thank you for your reply. That was helpful. I agree we need to be mindful of differing levels of maturity. The crux of the matter comes down to this: (maturity issues aside) when is sin involved? Let me frame this issue another way: the brother in Romans 14 who abstains from all meat does…
Read MoreHow do you deal with an overactive six-year-old?
Question: I think for Christians, we must be careful not to depend on things of the world to do for us what we have been given the ability by God to do. And yet we must sometimes depend on others and other things to aid us in living our life to glorify Him. Even Timothy…
Read MoreHow were the Patriarchs saved?
Question: How are those in the patriarch times saved if there was no hope for them? Was it because of Jesus’ death that all (who tried to live good unto God) were saved before Moses and the Ten Commandments? Please explain. Answer: “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by…
Read MoreWhen was baptism authorized?
Question: I have a question in regards to baptism: Was baptism authorized after Jesus’ death or while Jesus was walking on earth? Please, could you provide clarification? Answer: After discussing with Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again of water and the Spirit, which alludes to baptism, (John 3:5), we find that Jesus left…
Read MoreShouldn’t we lift hands in prayer and greet with a holy kiss?
Question: God bless you for your great website! I was raised in a God-fearing church of Christ, but I am now attending one that has “modernized” into an almost unrecognizable church of Christ. I am so relieved that churches such as yours are still out there! I was searching the web for information on head covering…
Read MoreThe Da Vinci Code: A Review
by Ken Green published in Biblical Insights, Vol. 5, No. 11, Nov. 2005 Vol. 5, No. 12, Dec. 2005 Vol. 6, No. 1, Jan. 2006 Vol. 6, No. 2, Feb. 2006 Vol. 6, No. 3, Mar. 2006 A popular novelist seeks to undermine the faith of those who believe the Gospels are the Word of God.…
Read MoreHow do these mega-churches attract so many people?
Question: I wanted to get some feedback from you as to the way church services are conducted on TV (T. D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, etc.). It seems with these mega-churches, the attraction that they receive is astounding. It makes me wonder what the attraction is, as so many are lead by personal satisfaction, emotional feelings,…
Read MoreDo abuses prove that preachers are being overused in congregations?
Question: I suppose my reasoning for my concerns with the article on preachers is rooted in other issues. I see so much abuse of the preacher position in the churches of Christ, in general. We are expecting these men to do everything while many members feel their role is to put their check in the plate as…
Read MoreShould I divorce my wife?
Question: I was married a few years ago to my loving wife. I have been touched by God due to the level of faith and love in my Father my God in Heaven that lives in me. I had several spiritual experiences throughout my life that it is very easy to explain but very difficult…
Read MoreWhy can’t we be free like the wind?
Question: Last month I watched a movie, I just forgot if it’s Chinese or Japanese movie, basically, it tells a story about an orphan girl was adopted by an ex-swordman, who raised other nine little kids along with her to prepare for a mission when they grow up — wipe out three warlords to bring…
Read MoreChirps or Testimony?
by Robert Turner The current wave of ascetic utterances, “speaking with or in tongues”, which has swept parts of the country and made inroads among some brethren, is directly related to the increase in a subjective approach to authority. External authority, exemplified in the written word and approached objectively, has been eroded by “no pattern”…
Read MoreWhere does it say that those preaching God’s word would be hated?
Question: I’m looking for a passage: You will be not liked very much if you preach the Christian word. Please give some direction as to where I might find this. Answer: Several passages could fit roughly with what you are looking for: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds…
Read MoreWithdraw Yourselves
I. The concept of withdrawing comes from II Thessalonians 3:6 and I Timothy 6:5 (KJV) A. In II Thessalonians 3:6, Stellomai means avoiding – see II Corinthains 8:20 (avoiding trouble) B. I Timothy 6:5 (KJV and NKJV only) – aphistemi means a departure, a falling away, or a withdrawing 1. Luke 2:37 – She never left the temple 2. Luke…
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