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How do I talk to my husband about God?
Question: How can I talk to my husband about God? He is a very confused soul. He doesn’t believe that the Bible was written by God. He believes that it was written by men. He thinks that religion is overstated and not really worth anything. I don’t really have a good track record with him…
Read MoreDoes someone need to invite people into their homes to practice hospitality?
Question: Does someone need to invite people into their homes to practice hospitality? I know this is not the only way to serve. Answer: The word “hospitality” can translate the Greek word philoxenia. It is a compound word of “love” (philo) and “guest room or lodging” (xenia). This word is used in Romans 12:13 and Hebrews…
Read MoreCan a man still be an elder if his faithful children have died before him?
Question: I understand that to be qualified as an elder a man must be the husband of one wife. If the wife dies that man is no longer qualified. The elder must also have believing or faithful children. If the children should die having been faithful their entire lives would that elder then be disqualified?…
Read MoreHow can I be certain I am doing what is right?
Question: Ever since I became a Christian again, I have always felt very uncertain about everything. For example, I would worry about whether a particular action was sinful. Consulting commentaries only provided me with conflicting information and made me feel less at ease. Some of these, such as using crass language, I found out were sinful,…
Read MoreWhat are the definitions of “foolish talk” and “coarse jesting?”
Question: Ephesians 5:4 says that “neither … foolish talking nor jesting” ought to be found among the saints. However, I have had difficulty coming to the precise meanings of these words, or maybe I am afraid to. I see on your web site that you, and most others, define “foolish talking” as sinful or tasteless talk, for…
Read MoreAre motives all that matter to God?
Question: Are motives all that matter to God or do actions matter too? We read in James that faith without works is dead. So what good is my good motive if it is not acted upon? Answer: We are judged by what we do, qualified by why we acted as we did. “For we must…
Read MoreAre there such things as “mamzers” — good and bad seeds?
Question: I am confused about good seeds and bad seeds and the children produced from the joining of good and bad seed; called “mamzers.” Could you give me some help, please? If there are children, they are supposed to be void — neither good or bad. Would I be considered one for my father was…
Read MoreShould Christians get counseling?
Question: Does the Christian faith believe in theological counseling? I believe that is what it is called. My boyfriend went through it after his divorce. My boyfriend’s ex-wife was committing numerous adulteries. He received counseling through faith with a minister and not through medicines. Do you think this is a good idea for us to…
Read MoreIs it wrong to self-pleasure while thinking of a spouse?
Question: I am wondering what your opinion is on self-pleasure while thinking of a spouse. It is not adultery because you are married to that person, and I am not sure if lust still applies when you are married. Answer: I know of no argument against it other than if a person uses self-pleasure as…
Read MoreIsn’t remembering the Sabbath a perpetual moral duty?
Question: One question about the Sabbath that I have not seen addressed on this site is that the Reformed school (some Presbyterians and the Puritans) argue that the duty to sanctify one day in seven is a perpetual moral duty and that therefore Colossians 2:16 et al. do not eliminate Sabbath observance but just observance…
Read MoreDoes honoring your parents include avoiding things they disapprove of at all times?
Question: I have read your answers concerning honoring parents, and I understand that one of the prongs of honoring parents is to obey them. But how far does this prong of obedience apply? I ask because I suffer from obsessive thought patterns, so I have been having many concerns lately. For example, my dad sometimes…
Read MoreI find the boxer style for undergarments more modest, but how do I avoid the prohibition on cross-dressing?
Question: I have read the article on modest dress in the Bible and agree whole-heartedly. There are a few points that I would like to clarify and ask your opinion on, however. Please bear with me. Does the verse from Deuteronomy 22:5 refer also to “under” garments? I have found that the “boxer brief” type of…
Read MoreMust elders have the consent of the congregation in order to serve?
Question: Curious what you would have to comment on related to this topic of elderships and having the consent of the Lord’s body to serve as elders. Flavil Yeakley in his book Church Leadership and Organization makes this assertion: “One thing that has confused some people about the authoritarian style of leadership is that Acts 20:28…
Read MoreWho are the principalities and powers in heavenly places?
Question: Who are the principalities and powers in heavenly places that the church can make known certain things? Answer: “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the…
Read MoreIs it wrong that my boyfriend and I satisfy each other through touching?
Question: Help, please. I am an adult female in her early thirty’s. I am also a virgin by choice. I am in a committed relationship with my boyfriend and I love him. He is a good, honorable man who is not a virgin and has changed his way of life and tries to live right.…
Read MoreDoes the Bible teach that the sun rotates around the earth?
Question: In school, I learned that the Earth rotated around the sun. Now in our church, we are taught that the earth stands still. Do you have an opinion on this? Answer: Yes, my opinion is that you need to find a true church. Long before Einstein came up with his theory of relativity, people…
Read MoreMy husband claims he been seeing other women where sexual touching was involved but no intercourse. He thinks it is no big deal. Do I have grounds for a divorce?
Question: I recently found some inappropriate emails to my husband (of 15 years) from another woman. He admitted to me that he has been with four other women starting about 5 years ago. He says there was no intercourse only sexual touching. He touched their genitals and they touched his leading to arousal but no…
Read MoreHow can you be in a church when there isn’t one in your area?
Question: I am a Christian from the United States and I’m living in India. I have suffered a lot of abuse in the church in my life – yes, clear abuse and other things. Anyway, I do believe I need to be with other Christians, but I’m really praying and seeking to find out in…
Read MoreIf my boyfriend and I touched each other’s private areas, does that mean we aren’t virgins? When we were younger, we pretended to get married. It felt real. Does that mean we are married?
Question: I’ve read a couple of responses that you have given to other people and I find them very helpful. This site is just the site that I’ve been looking for to help me with my situation. I have a couple of questions and I was wondering if you could help me out. I’m presently engaged…
Read MoreI was impressed, at first, by your openness to address sexual issues, until I saw some of your answers
Question: When I first visited your web site, I was surprised to see it was hosted by a church, as I was led there by a link of the Tanner stages. It was a pleasant surprise, and honestly, I let my guard down to my presumptions. But then I looked at questions submitted by teens.…
Read MoreWhat is the significance of a vow taken with the hand under the thigh?
Question: In Genesis 24:2 it reads, “And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:” Why did he have to put his hand under his thigh? Was is the meaning of this? Answer: We know very little about…
Read MoreWhat is the morning star in Revelation 2:28?
Question: I am studying the book of Revelation. In Revelation 2:28, Jesus is talking to the church at Thyatira and he tells them that he will give them the morning star. What is the morning star? Also, there is a reference verse of II Peter 1:19 which talks about the day star. I am assuming…
Read MoreWhat is gluttony and are all pleasure-seeking activities wrong?
Question: I recently stumbled upon a Wikipedia article on the Seven Deadly Sins, one of which is gluttony. I had always thought of gluttony as an immoderate consumption of food, but Catholicism apparently expands this definition to include: 1) eating too soon 2) eating with condiments 3) eating too expensively 4) eating with pleasing the palate…
Read MoreMy granddaughter has turned to witchcraft. Will she be with us when the Lord returns?
Question: My granddaughter has turned to witchcraft and away from God. When she was little she asked the Lord to come into her life. I know her name is in the Book of Life, but will she be with us when the Lord comes back for us? Answer: Having one’s name in the Book of…
Read MoreHow should business meetings be conducted?
Question: We have no elders at our small congregation. Do you have information available on the workings of these meetings and its rules? What authority its president has versus its preacher? This probably a funny question to ask, but we do need some advice. Answer: It is clear in the New Testament that congregations did…
Read MoreWhat are some of the errors of Wesleyans?
Question: When you get a minute could you put up some of the things Wesleyans are teaching falsely on the web site? Answer: The Wesleyan Church has its roots in the Methodist Church. In fact, it originally used the name Wesleyan Methodist Church of America from 1843, at its founding, to 1968 when it merged…
Read MoreWhat are some good passages to use to prove that we should not call Catholic priests “father?”
Question: I am thinking of some verses to refute Catholicism, and the “father” thing came up. Would Matthew 23:8-10 be a legitimate argument against calling a Catholic priest “father?” Answer: “But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love…
Read MoreWhy do some believe you have to be a part of some building to enter heaven?
Question: This is the first that I have seen, but I am sure there more, Church of Christ site that actually says the Church of Christ is a “Way of Life” and not a particular building. Why do some believe it is the building you need to be a member of to enter Heaven? Answer:…
Read MoreDid I go about teaching my now Buddhist son correctly?
Question: I have a new situation that I am trying to deal with and would like to ask your advice as to how to proceed. Some time ago, I received an e-mail from my son. We have had an ‘on and off’ relationship for some time, as well as with his sister. This is all…
Read MoreCan thinking about a girl constantly be idolatry?
Question: Could you help me understand what idolatry is according to the Bible? I know it seems like a simple concept, but I have heard so much conflicting information on the subject. For example, I heard one preacher complaining that being devoted to American Idol constituted idolatry (how about that?). Another said that following celebrities…
Read MoreWould it be wrong to use the church’s property for a garden?
Question: Is it OKfor a congregation to allow members to use the property to grow a garden if they are in need? One example may be a guy who is living in an apartment and has no property. Another may be a family who has a nice lawn and doesn’t want to bring down their…
Read MoreIf a Christian must file for bankruptcy, is he still obligated to pay off his debts?
Question: If one borrows money and they get behind the eight-ball, if you will, so they file bankruptcy, are they morally responsible to pay the borrowed amount back? I said if they did it with the intent of trying to rip someone off that was a sin, but I didn’t see how someone who innocently…
Read MoreMy ex-husband committed adultery, but I didn’t try to stop it. Do I need to leave my current husband in hopes of remarrying my ex-husband?
Question: I was married to my husband for over thirty years. We had both become unhappy, but I didn’t know that he planned to leave me the day after Christmas five years ago. I had not been thinking of leaving, I just wanted some problems resolved. He left for a week and we reconciled, so…
Read MoreDoesn’t masturbation require indecent thoughts to climax?
Question: I read your article. In regards to the definition of masturbation, which for years has been taught to me that was a sin. According to what you say, there is no proof of that in the Word. Now, if the motives are what sets the definition of when masturbation is a sin and when it is not, then…
Read MoreI’m so disappointed with the older people in my church. They oppose the use of RNB, hip-hop, and Reggaeton in church. What would you advise?
Question: I read your blogs and, I don’t know, maybe if you read this you could help me. My church is filled with elderly people (40+). This year the number of our youth has been growing. God has been good and has been blessing us with incredible services. But a lot of members criticize all…
Read MoreDo you think a movie with a good storyline but some immorality scattered in should be watched?
Question: I read your comment on a question about movies and video games. I believe you even referred to watching the Lord of the Rings movies if I’m not mistaken. I totally agree that there are movies that Christians should not watch. What do you think of movies, though, that have a very good story or…
Read MoreIs there a conflict over whether God tries men?
Question: The Bible says God tries men in Hebrews 11:17, but James 1:13 says God does not tempt us. Is there a contradiction? Answer: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17). “Let no one say when he…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be partakers of the divine nature?
Question: What does it mean to be partakers of the divine nature in II Peter 1:4-11? Answer: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him…
Read MoreHow can one be a good wife when it is obvious her husband doesn’t care?
Question: I beg your pardon for bothering you with this question, but I am at a complete loss as to who to ask. I have been studying and researching how to be a good or better Christian wife and none of the resources I have found really reflect my problem. My husband and I were…
Read MoreCan a woman give birth to her firstborn and remain a virgin?
Question: We recently went into an argument with a group of girls and boys on the topic: “Can a woman deliver a child and remain a virgin?” We took our separate ways and decided to contact others who may have knowledge better than we do. Now here is our chance because we trust there are…
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