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How 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 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 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 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 MoreHow do you gauge how many swats to give in a spanking?
Question: How do I gauge when my son has been given enough swats — I have found as he gets older that he tries to “macho” through a spanking and it has become harder to tell when he has been chastised sufficiently without crossing the line into abuse. Answer: A parent should look at the discipline…
Read MoreIs living with your fiancee all right if you seriously intend to get married?
Question: If you are living with your fiance due to complications and financial necessity and it’s for a short period of time (6-8 months) and you are engaged and have a wedding date set and are in the process of making wedding arrangements (e.g wedding invitations have been sent); would it still be viewed as…
Read MoreFurther objections to the idea that Catholics worship Mary
Question: Your answers are generally very straightforward, and I assume that you appreciate straightforward responses, so I’ll get directly to the point: you’re not telling the truth about the Catholic Church and its teachings about Mary. As someone who seems devoted to the Truth (though somewhat misled on several important points), I figured you’d like…
Read MoreMy wife has lost interest in sex. What do I do?
Question: My wife and I have been married for less than five years, I am nearly 40, she is 35. This is our first marriage for both of us. We have three children under the age of five. My wife is reluctant to have any sex with me. While pregnant and for the first 6…
Read MoreWhat are the seven spirits of God in Revelation?
Question: What are the seven spirits of God in the book of Revelation? Answer: The book of Revelation is written in symbolic or figurative terms according to its author. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His…
Read MoreWhat do you do when you and your girlfriend don’t agree about religion?
Question: I misstated my question. She is the one who believes in having sex after marriage. Sorry for my previous question. We have not been physically involved for a while because of her proclaimed faith (AME). She really believes she is saved. We have come to an impasse and now we are both becoming frustrated.…
Read MoreI just want to understand, why did this happen?
Question: I’m sorry if I’m always coming to you for answers. It’s just that I can’t still sleep at night. I think and think they’re still coming home, but what I don’t understand is why do bad things happen to good people that have nothing but good in them? I don’t understand why God lets…
Read MoreIs the Lord’s Supper useless if we are saved before partaking of it?
Question: If we are saved before partaking the Lord’s Supper then partaking of the Lord’s Supper is useless. Do you agree? a. If one has received the gift of the Holy Spirit, they have the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). b. Cornelius received the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 10:45 before he was…
Read MoreMy girlfriend wants me in her bed, but I know it is wrong. What do I do?
Question: I am troubled by certain things in my life. As a young man, it is a challenge to deal with young women because I am in somewhat of a relationship (although we are not physically active) it is still a struggle. Even though I am not active physically, I am tempted daily. I desire…
Read MoreMust the duties of preaching be evenly distributed among able and qualified men?
Question: It appears that you have an extremely negative view on either the practice of mutual edification, the brethren who follow it, or both. If this is the situation, I pray you will give me the opportunity to stand on my own without making too many assumptions regarding my motivations or additional beliefs. For example, I…
Read MoreIs Rephidim and Kadesh Barnea the same place?
Question: Dear Sir, Please find enclosed a short attachment concerning a crucial aspect of the exodus that seems to have been overlooked. Please read it and any constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. [I won’t bother copying the extensive article here, but the primary thrust is to argue that Kadesh Barnea and Rephidim were the…
Read MoreWhat do you think about people wearing shorts to church?
Question: I was brought up in a church that has taught us to be modest and when we come to church we should dress appropriately. I have moved out of state and attend a church where people wear shorts in the congregation and on the platform and I am grieved. Do you think this is…
Read MoreWould it be proper for a Christian to do Qigong?
Question: I enjoyed your response from a previous email, recently I’ve come across a form of exercise or martial art or a movement called QiGong which is very similar to a relatively popular one called Tai Chi. I’ve tried one style of QiGong after much reading about it and hearing good things of its increase…
Read MoreI have my doubts about Catholicism, but where do I go for the truth?
Question: Your answer is what is getting to me the most. I pray day and night about it, and maybe this is one of my answers. I noticed Mary is more worshiped in South America than what she might be here. I have always felt funny about it. I was reading over some prayers to…
Read MoreHow do I punish my teenage son for lying about his grades?
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 MoreAn objection to the claim that Catholics worship Mary
Question: I was reading over your web site about Catholicism. I have had doubts about the Catholic Church before, and the one thing I knew to do was to pray. So I prayed and the next day God led me to a website. Since I read your web site, I ask that you may read…
Read MoreWhere is the line drawn between false teachings and matters of conscience?
Question: I’ve read your articles on false teaching and head coverings. My question is: How do we know if someone is engaging in false teaching? More specifically, where do we draw the line between false teaching and matters of conscience (Romans 14)? For example head coverings. There are a lot of different points of view…
Read MoreWhy did Jesus say not to forbid the non-follower from casting out demons?
Question: I was wondering what Jesus meant in Mark 9:38-40 where John told Him of a man who was casting out devils in Jesus’ name but forbade the man from doing so because he didn’t follow with them. How does the verse “For he that is not against us is on our part” apply today?…
Read MoreWhich Christian denomination is the right one?
Question: Which Christian denomination is the right one? How can you tell? Answer: Jesus told Peter he would build his church (Matthew 16:18). The word “church” is singular; Jesus built only one church. Unfortunately, even in the early days of the church, men could not leave the perfection created by God alone. They started making…
Read MoreCan you have an out of body experience or be reincarnated?
Question: How can I, or is there a way to, have some kind of contact with a loved one. I hear many things about out of body practices. Is this true? Is there a way where I can leave my body for a while to seek my loved family member? I once asked you a…
Read MoreHow do you punish a boy caught masturbating?
Question: I have a problem. Yesterday, I sent my son to his room because he had misbehaved. About 15 minutes later I decided to check on him to make sure he wasn’t sulking. I normally knock before opening the door, but this time I just opened it. I was appalled to see him masturbating. He quickly…
Read MoreWhat does it mean, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop?”
Question: What does it mean, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop?” Answer: There is a set of English proverbs that are worded similarly: Idle hands are the devil’s workshop Idle hands are the devil’s tools (“Collections” 1808) Idle brains are the devil’s workhouses (T. Fuller 1732) An idle brain is the devil’s workshop (H.…
Read MoreIs there a passage similar to “an idle mind is the devil’s workplace?”
Question: I am looking for a phrase in the Bible that is similar to the saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workplace.” Answer: In warning churches not to support young widows, Paul stated, “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and…
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