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Should the poor be helped if it makes our life harder?
Question: I have a penchant for helping the poor. But I came across an article titled “Lifeboat Ethics: the Case Against Helping the Poor” and it was really interesting. Here is an excerpt: “If we divide the world crudely into rich nations and poor nations, two thirds of them are desperately poor, and only one…
Read MoreShould my friend pursue a relationship with a boy who had sex in the past?
Question: This question is for my friend’s situation: A boy recently started to pursue more-than-friends moves on my friend. She’s liked him on-and-off for three years, but in those three years, he’s had a girlfriend. She just found out that the boy had sex a few times several months ago with his girlfriend. Since that…
Read MoreHow can I help my boyfriend with his sexual desires?
Question: I’m 25 years old and a Christian. I am in my first relationship as a Christian. My boyfriend is a backslider. We had sex once. I know it was wrong. I repented and I believe God has forgiven me. I am not going to do it again until we are married. I have downloaded…
Read MoreIs God’s greatness just as unsearchable as the number of His years?
Question: I have a question for you. I am researching a passage and I would like your input. “Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out” (Job 36:26). Is Job’s friend, Elihu, telling us here that God’s greatness is just as unsearchable as the number of…
Read MoreHow do I make my relationship more God-centered?
Question: I know romantic relationships should be God-centered, but I’m having trouble doing this with my boyfriend. He’s a Christian, but not too strong of a Christian. I tried to put God into our relationship by suggesting reading a Bible chapter together each day. We read only two times. I wanted to pray with him…
Read MoreWhy is the Hebrew word for “bless” in Job 1:5 translated as “curse?”
Question: My Bible has a footnote on Job 1:5 that says the word “curse” in this passage is actually the Hebrew word for “bless.” I don’t understand this. Answer: “So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the…
Read MoreI have concerns about the Catholic church’s teachings on celibacy for priests, women’s status in the church, and the condemnation of homosexuality
Question: Perhaps I can ask you about one more thing that troubles me. I have always been rooted in the mercy of Jesus and his compassion toward others. I will call attention to behaviors but do not pass judgment on others. That said, I recently came back to more fully embracing my Catholic faith. However, I…
Read MoreHow long did Job suffer?
Question: During our midweek services the question was asked; “How long did Job suffer?” According to Job 2:13, it lasted for 7 days and 7 nights. But then I read Job 7:3 and the implication is months. What are your thoughts? Answer: We don’t know. Job 7:3 says, “So I have been allotted months of…
Read MoreHow do I let go of remembering my sins?
Question: Last year I went through some trials and became discouraged. I had a led a fairly solid Christian life until I turned away from Christ and the Jesus I knew for a period of time. There were serious illnesses and disorders in my family and knew three young people who died recently, one by…
Read MoreWhat do you say about guilt by association in regards to fellowship?
Question: What do you say about guilt by association in the fellowship problem? We have some friends who worship in a congregation that had someone at their lectureships, although they do don’t support marriage with intent, and when he speaks they didn’t go to support him. Now we do not believe this person’s doctrine, but…
Read MoreWhat do you think about people praying in front of schools?
Question: Some of my friends, during the holidays, are going to colleges and praying in front of the colleges. Is there any use in doing this? Answer: “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that…
Read MoreWhat prompted you to start your question and answer section?
Question: I am a regular follower of your site and have learned a lot by seeing how you answer the questions. If you don’t mind me asking, what prompted you to start such a question and answer format? I’ve never run across anything quite like it. Answer: The question and answer section began when I…
Read MoreWas Isaiah born in Jerusalem?
Question: I was told that Isaiah was born in Jerusalem but cannot find the passage to verify it. Is it true? Answer: We know that Isaiah lived in Jerusalem because the places he was sent to and those who were sent to Isaiah all were in the area of Jerusalem (Isaiah 7:3; 22:15; 37:2). We…
Read MoreDoesn’t sex create a marriage?
Question: Hello, it’s me, the same girl who had sent you a message before asking about sex without marriage. I know God’s laws, and I know he made them in order to keep us safe and happy. The thing is, the person and I have already done it, we’ve had sex. Now Jesus said that when…
Read MoreWhy don’t you quote noted animal rights activists?
Question: Upon reading some of the content on your website (admittedly, not the majority, as it’s quite voluminous), I focused primarily on the animal rights content and the Roman Catholic Church Demonination section. I am curious because, upon doing a search, I couldn’t find any listings for Dr. Albert Schweitzer. His “Reverence for Life” philosophy would seem to be…
Read MoreHave you been able to convert people from liberal churches?
Question: I was wondering, have you had any luck converting those who use their buildings for recreation? I have a lot of friends who attend liberal churches of christ and I just wondered if you had any advice on how to correct. Thanks. Answer: Several of the current members at La Vista came out of…
Read MoreHow do I recover from pre-marital sex?
Question: I was reading your articles about waiting for marriage and why sex outside of marriage is wrong. Your advice is something I wish I had understood sooner. Unfortunately, I have already sinned sexually. Now I am trying to discern God’s will so that I may do what is right in His eyes. I have a girlfriend…
Read MoreDoes God require Christians to wear white, to not wear jewelry, and to not have facial hair?
Question: I have been going through your articles and was inspired by your teachings; the firm stands that you have taken on the Lord and to walk only in the Bible’s teaching and its ways and not to sway with customs and traditions. I believe, the Lord has kept this promise for you “And thine…
Read MoreWhat were the three things mentioned in the Bible that God wrote upon?
Question: What were the three things mentioned in the Bible that God wrote upon? Answer: “Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets” (Exodus 32:16). “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the…
Read MoreWhat do you think about the Catholic view of divorce?
Question: I read your web site today concerning divorce and the Bible. Clearly, God considers divorce a serious matter, possibly a sin. However, for years Catholics had strict rules about divorce and remarriage. It seems that Catholics were unfairly targeted as being too unforgiving or strict when it came to the laws of marriage. Actually,…
Read MoreShould a person go to deliverance services?
Question: What’s you take on deliverance? Do you think it’s advisable for a person to go to deliverance services? Once someone gives their life to Christ do they need deliverance? I am asking this on behalf of my friend. Answer: Deliverance services are not mentioned in the Bible, which should begin to give you a…
Read MoreWhat was Jephthah’s sin?
Question: What was Jephthah’s sin? Answer: If someone wanted to give a short answer to that question, his flaw was his rashness. “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes…
Read MoreDid I drive my ex-girlfriend away from God?
Question: I’m 20, a Christian, and clearly unsure if I can make up for my possibly callous words. I was in a relationship until a few days ago. She and I had been together for about a month. Early on in the relationship, I was feeling some pressure in that she isn’t a Christian and…
Read MoreHow do I get a love for God?
Question: Hi! How do I get a love for God? The Bible says I need to love Him with all my heart and soul, but I only feel fear of the eternal consequences that come if I’m not obedient. I know the Bible says God is love, but I’m having a hard time with that…
Read MoreWhy is marijuana wrong when it is only a plant?
Question: You say marijuana is wrong even though it’s a plant and must have a purpose. I’ve found that it is really only illegal because of racism and because the medicine companies would lose money, but sugar comes from a plant too, and it can cause diabetes and other illnesses. So, if the Bible says…
Read MoreIs teaching that sin is not inherited misleading?
Question: Please go back to the Bible. What you say in this article is not in any way biblical and so is misleading. Sin is inherited. All are born sinful. The Holy Spirit is the way our hearts are opened to God. And I am not Salvation Army – simply an evangelical Anglican. We must…
Read MoreIs Moses’ name truly written in the Book of Life?
Question: I was reading Exodus 32:32. In the Book of Life, is Moses’ name truly written in it? Answer: “Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin-but if not, I…
Read MoreWhat does Matthew 13:12 mean?
Question: In Matthew 13:12 it says, “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” What does this mean? Answer: “And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”…
Read MoreWhat can be done about women who speak out of turn in Bible class?
Question: My wife and I have been to the congregation there in La Vista. We really enjoyed it and found it to be a true church. We have been having a problem locally with the verse in I Timothy 2 about the women being silent. I read your article on that subject. We are experiencing…
Read MoreDoes everyone need to work?
Question: You say that everyone must work, but what about those that cannot work because of a disability or ones that cannot find work? I do not have any working background, and when I looked for a job nobody would hire me because of it. And what about the ones who have been laid off?…
Read MoreWhy were only books which agreed allowed in the Bible? Wouldn’t writings by men naturally have variances?
Question: I read with interest your response to the ‘missing books in the Bible’ issue. I also wish to thank you for taking the time to respond to such a matter. However, your response is brief at best, no… it is brief, and ultimately comes across as a veiled threat from a semi-benign dictator to…
Read MoreIs having a boyfriend or girlfriend the biblical way to find a spouse?
Question: Could you please explain what is the biblical way to find a spouse? Many people today choose a girlfriend or boyfriend (some choose more than one) before marriage. But it seems that the Bible never mentioned “boyfriend” or “girlfriend.” So what is the biblical way of finding a spouse? Is it wrong to have…
Read MoreYou make no attempt to understand the Salvation Army
Question: I just read with much displeasure the article, “Can Christians Help Support the Salvation Army?” I am admittedly somewhat biased as a third-generation Salvationist, but I found your posting quite misleading. It makes no attempt to understand the Salvation Army doctrines and looks simply to highlight doctrinal differences with other denominations. A few points…
Read MoreIs masturbation a sin and can God give me a sign to increase my faith?
Question: Hi. I am 12 and I just wanted to know if masturbation is a sin. I’ve researched it on Google and it said it was, so I stopped for a while, then I did it again and I still am. I also have another problem. I believe in God and heaven but I just…
Read MoreIs it God’s will that I marry?
Question: I am planning on engaging my girlfriend, God willing, in a few months, though I haven’t told her obviously. But I have a nagging feeling in my heart. I don’t know whether it’s fear or what it is. So I prayed to God asking Him if it’s His will I marry this gal. I…
Read MoreWhat dictionary did you use to define the Hebrew words for wine in your article?
Question: I am doing some research on the symbolism of wine the Bible, particularly its use in the Old Testament and I came across your web site about the different Hebrew words and meanings of wine. I wanted to ask you which Hebrew lexicon you are using because I use Strong’s Lexicon and I found differences…
Read MoreDoes Matthew 5:28 apply to other sins?
Question: Matthew 5:28 says “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Does this apply to other things? If I had a desire to smoke and drink, but I actually don’t do it, does it means that I had…
Read MoreShould Catholics call their leaders “Father” and is the church the light of the world?
Question: My questions are about: Catholics call their spiritual leaders “father.” In doing so they claim they follow Paul’s example: “I became your father in Jesus Christ through the gospel” (I Corinthians 4:15). Jesus said his church would be “the light of the world.” He then noted that “a city set on a hill cannot…
Read MoreI know I sin so how can I obey God?
Question: I read your article regarding the role of obedience in salvation. Very interesting. I would have to agree with some of your take on obedience as long as it doesn’t take away from the redeeming work of Christ. How does one deal with a difference of opinion on what obedience is and what it is not? …
Read MoreI posted a picture of a girl I loved and me kissing. Was that wrong?
Question: I truly loved a girl. We had sex. We made a kissing picture and I put that picture on a web site. That was my mistake. Is that a wrong thing to do? Answer: I hope I understand your question accurately. If I misunderstood, please help me to understand better so I can help…
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