Is God going to reject me because I’m handicapped?

Question: Is it true, based on Malachi, that if a person is too disabled, then God can’t accept that person because God is so holy that a person who is damaged goods is actually forced to spend eternity in hell because they don’t have the capabilities required by God? In the story where the person…

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Was the world made from nothing?

Question: Hello! I was reading through your outline entitled “What is faith?” and I want to thank you for posting that. It is helping me to further understand Hebrews 11:1-3. However, I wanted to point out something you stated that I don’t believe adds up with Scripture. You said that “We have confidence that the…

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Is a Christian who teaches error still a brother in Christ?

Question: A big fire started after our morning services this morning! One of our members here adamantly disagreed with me when I mentioned that when a brother sins by teaching doctrinal error, he must repent, and if he refuses to repent he is “a brother in error.” Until he does repent, we are no longer…

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Do preachers struggle with sin?

Question: Hey Jeffrey, I know as a Christian, we are to do our best to abstain from sin at all costs. I also realize no man, except Jesus, is perfect. I have befriended my preacher, and he speaks as if he and his family are living in a glass house, all eyes are on them,…

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The website is very informative

Question: Dear brothers, I would like to start by saying that I’m a member of the Lord’s church and that I love your website! The website is very informative about God’s word. I hope you can continue the ministry until He calls us home. Keep up the good work and may God continue to bless…

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Criticism of other churches has no place in Christianity

Question: To whom it may concern, I just read a response to a question regarding Mark 9:38-40, and I was disappointed that the last paragraph contained the following: “This passage also shows that the concept of succession, where a denomination claims to be the “real” church because it can trace its heritage from one church to…

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Are wet dreams sinful?

Question: On the site, I read “My wife no longer has a desire for sex. What do I do?” which says something about nocturnal emissions. I never heard of the word, so I looked it up, and it said something about wet dreams. The truth is wet dreams are very sinful. How can that be…

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Can a woman run the soundboard in a church service?

Question: Our elders have decided to purchase a sound and projection system. My late husband was an elder and was against such (noting future problems). The problem that I feel so much concern about is that we don’t have enough men to work it, so they have agreed to allow one of our young ladies…

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I found a wonderful resource for preteens and teens in your writings

Question: I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how appreciative I am to have access to your scripturally sound, open materials. As the mother of two boys and a current elementary principal in our public schools, I see the daily pressure and struggles of preteens and teens. I’m constantly on the…

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I repented, but I kept sinning

Question: I knew my sin was wrong. I kept doing it, and ‘repenting’ almost every day, but planned on doing the same sexual sin the next day. God was calling me to repent. I finally tried to stop sinning and came to Him. He forgave me, and I was born again. I wanted to praise…

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Smart Women and the Church

by Matthew W. Bassford In the immortal words of Tammy Wynette, sometimes it’s hard to be a woman. In fact, sometimes it’s particularly hard to be a woman associated with the churches of Christ. Other than a few congregations on the liberal fringe, churches of Christ tend to be aggressively complementarian: no women in leadership…

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If I get baptized, does that mean I wasn’t saved before?

Question: Hello, I am a teenager, and I have a few questions I’d like to ask. I was raised in a Southern Baptist Church. I said the sinner’s prayer (or something like it) when I was 6 or 7 years old. I wanted to follow God (I think), but I never got around to being…

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We are going too far sexually and can’t figure out how to stop

Question: I am 18 and I want to stop all this fooling around that my girlfriend and I keep getting sucked back into. Basically, we say, “okay, this can’t happen again so what are we going to do to keep ourselves from it?” Then we come up with things but next thing you know, the…

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Why did Nehemiah threaten violence?

Question: I have a question: I know Hebrews speaks about how the Old Testament was just a shadow of the New Testament. I was reading Nehemiah and noticed that when the people disobeyed (in chapters 12 and 13) he executed violence and threatened to lay hands on outsiders trying to sell on the Sabbath. Since…

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I compulsively wash my hands

Question: Hi, I am a very strong believer in Christ. He has my whole heart and soul. I have very strong faith in Him. I have seen miracles that He performs. I have severe OCD. It happens when I read the Bible, take communion, fast, and prayer. I get all these twisted thoughts in my…

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Why didn’t God heal my wife?

Question: Hi, I read some sermons from your website about the person who accepted Jesus, believe in him, and went to church, but he turned back to his old way and sinned again. It’s like me now. I went to Bible college with my wife about ten years ago. We came back and helped lead…

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My girlfriend lies about her past all the time

Question: Good evening sir, I am in a relationship with a girl whom I love. The only problem I have with her is that she lived a sinful sexual life in the past, and it makes her continually lie to me. Most of the time she tells me that she regrets her past and has…

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Could I pay the dowry now, have sex, and get married later?

Question: Hello, I have a few questions I’d like to ask. I have been reading your posts, and I like your answers because they are in line with God. I have a girlfriend whom I love so much and want to spend the rest of my life with. I am a Christian, and she is…

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I genuinely appreciate your beautiful website

Question: Hello, I just wanted to say thank you, and that I genuinely appreciate your beautiful website. It is so wonderful to see a congregation put so much effort into it for those all around the web to see your beliefs. Unfortunately, I can not find many other church sites like this! I use to…

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Is the Parable of the Prodigal Son solely about God’s grace?

Question: Could you please speak on the parable of the prodigal son? I had a family member who has been in Christ’s church her whole life saying that repentance has nothing to do with this parable. She focuses solely on the father’s loving compassion as being the whole point of the parable, and while I…

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My boyfriend is pushing to have sex

Question: Good day, Please, I have something bothering me about my relationship. I have been dating my spouse for a year and a half now, but he has been asking for sex recently, and I don’t wish to engage in such activities. For now, we can’t afford money for our wedding. My question is: can…

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I am just amazed at how beautiful and clear you made Luke 16:9

Question: I just had to send you an email. I was reading Luke 16. Part of it made no sense to me. I searched, looking for an answer. I came across your site. I am just amazed at how beautiful and clear you made Luke 16:9. All I can say is Thank You and God bless you. Hope…

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Why doesn’t God remove the temptation?

Question: Mr. Hamilton, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior in my early twenties. Through a re-commitment of my life, I started studying the Bible when I was in my late twenties and have continued to do so for nearly forty years. I have many Christian friends who are pastors, Bible teachers, friends, etc.,…

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Should the church accommodate transgender members?

Question: What is the church’s position on those who are transgender? Are there three genders: Male, Female, and Transgender? If someone has transitioned from male to female or female to male, would they be welcomed at your congregation? For example, would Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn) be welcomed or does she have to go back to…

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Can I keep the software I pirated until I can pay the companies back?

Question: I’ve pirated plenty of software. I have stopped, but I need some of the software to get a certification. Is it possible that once I get a job, I could pay back the companies and replace the software with legitimate software? Answer: If a person stole money and they repented, would you expect them…

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Is it wrong to change your mind? (2)

Question: Hey Jeffrey, I was reading Psalms 15, I noticed it speaks of a man who walks in integrity, and he “changes not his mind.” Does that mean it is wrong to change plans or reschedule with a friend or change one’s mind about doing something? My friend and I were supposed to go to…

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What does the Bible teach about soul mates?

Question: Good evening, I’m trying to understand what the Bible teaches on the matter of “soul mates.” Could you offer some guidance? A coworker of mine asked me today if I believe in soul mates. She’s been married before and divorced for what I understand are unscriptural reasons. She is now dating a man she…

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Am I not married to my partner after living with her for seven years?

Question: Hello, I came across your website today and read one of your questions and answers topic and found it very interesting and comforting. I want to start by apologizing for the length of this question, but here goes: I have been studying the Bible for a long time and still thoroughly enjoy studying it…

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How do I make good choices when I am bipolar?

Question: Hi, I do try to be a Christian, but I slip up a lot. My fellow brothers and sisters know I’ve been battling alcohol for a while and battling bipolar too. I don’t want to sin, but I slip up drinking, thinking it would help me with my bipolar. I get tired of my…

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Is God telling me to kill everyone around me?

Question: I am really struggling with worry. My biggest worry in life is ending up in hell. I read lots of questions and answers on your site, and it makes me more worried than ever. I wish I knew what the to-do list was for each day. So as long as somebody follows the to-do…

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Is it wrong to have a Preacher Appreciation Day?

Question: Is it wrong to have a day to show the preacher appreciation and call it “preacher’s appreciation day”? Answer: “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in…

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