Q & A

/Category Archive for "Q & A"

wrote in Anthropology, General, Philosophy, Science and the Bible .

QUESTION: How would you respond to the claims that free will is an illusion? I’ve looked over some of the “evidence” for this argument and have heard several lectures on this topic (http://media.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/WebMedia/FAR460%20Alexander.mp3 and http://media.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/WebMedia/FAR470%20Newsome.mp3) given professors and scientist at The Faraday Institute. I believe the strongest evidence for the “illusion” of free will is […]

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wrote in General, Philosophy, Theology and Doctrinal Questions, Uncategorized .

Question: I’m a Christian and like to think myself an enthusiastic amateur theologan 🙂 Firstly I have to point out your website and all of your articles are amazing, they’ve certainly done a lot for me in advancing my knowledge and having fun with my studies. With that said I ran into a minor philosophical dilema today […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

QUESTION: I was wondering if you could help me interpret 1 John 2:26-27? I know that the author is writing to a group of Christians, perhaps eyewitnesses of Christ. However once the author addresses the anointed he tells them that they have no need for anyone to teach them. He writes, “you have no need […]

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wrote in Daniel, End Times, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Other Religions .

Question: I noticed you discussed some Baha’i prophecies on your web site.   I noticed some sites produced by some Christians that you might be interested to look at:    http://www.ministryofhealing.org/FreeDevotionals/ChristianDevotionalNewsletter.      http://a233.webs.com/apps/blog/show/prev?from_id=5310025 http://www.bibleprophecytruth.com/prophecy-resources/bible-prophecy-charts.aspx        They all seem to start with the year 457 BC as the starting year of the prophecy and they also mention the year 1844 […]

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wrote in General, Reliability of the Bible, Resurrection of Jesus, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

QUESTION: Just to understand: The Bible says Jesus spent three days and three nights in the tomb” However, if he died on Friday, it only spent two nights and two days in the tomb. Could you explain please? Anne: I have already answered this question at the site.  I am copying and pasting for you. […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Correct me if I am incorrect in my interpretation: God tells the Jews a key sign to look for is Elijah,who would come before the Messiah, and then God secretly puts the spirit of Elijah in the form of John the Baptist (who himself says he is not Elijah…) What would be the point […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

Question: I wonder sometimes about Job.  As he was “blameless and upright” (Job 1:1), in some translations “perfect and upright”, does it mean that he was sinless?  The Bible teaches that no one is sinless (except Jesus), I guess Job was not sinless.  So what makes him “blameless” or “perfect”?  I know that every OT prophet […]

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wrote in General, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

Comment:    (editor’s note:  This is a follow-up to a question about supposed contradictions in Mark 16 about Mary Magdalene and the resurrection accounts.  In the earlier letter I establish that all the gospels agree Mary Magdalene was the first see that the resurrection had happened.) I do agree that every account aside from the Mark […]

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wrote in Archaeology and the Bible, Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: I really appreciate the time you take to read and respond these emails (which I believe does not give you anything in return but I believe you do it for Christ).  I need an advice from you.  I have been a kind of person who looks to validate things. I have followed a lot […]

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wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

QUESTION: I have a question regarding to the ending of Mark. I understand that the evidence for Mark’s ending is scant, however I don’t understand why the scribe that wrote the passage would insert this statement “he appeared first to Mary Magdalene” when clearly in Matthew and Luke Jesus appears to others before Mary Magdalene. […]

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wrote in Archaeology and the Bible, Daniel, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, History, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: I am referring to one of the powerpoint presentations at the web site (Reflections on the Passion of Christ).  It indicates that the decree of Artaxerxes (Ezra Chapter 7) was issued around 458 BC. I am impressed with the overall insight into the prophecy (Daniel Chp 9).  However, how did you reach the conclusion that […]

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wrote in Archaeology and the Bible, Daniel, General, History, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: Is there any evidence against the theory that the book of Daniel was written by two people or multiple people? Also I assume that you know about the discovery of Daniel’s three friends in a list of Babylonian officials.  I was wondering why Daniel’s name was not found in the list of Babylonian officials, […]

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wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, Reliability of the Bible, Versions of the Bible .

Question: I was wondering if you had any information regarding the following topic “Has the Bible been changed.”   I would guess, through cross referencing all the manuscripts over the past centuries, we would be able to identify what has been changed within the text.   Do you have any sources of info/studies for this? I would […]

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wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, History, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: When were the Gospels written? I saw something on the History Channel that said that the first Gospel was Mark and was written 40 years after the death of Jesus and that the other three Gospels copied Mark’s Gospel and added to it. If this is true, how accurate could they be if they […]

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wrote in General, General Apologetics, Philosophy, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

QUESTION: I’ve listened to numerous debates by famous Christian apologists (William Craig, Douglas Jacoby, Mike Licona, ect.) and I noticed that in some of their arguments they regard the Athiests of having a presupposition (naturalism, materialism, etc.) for not believing in God. However, I was wondering what if we asked that same question about Christians? […]

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wrote in General, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

Question: Christ said that knowing Him = knowing the father. But allow me to give you an example that my mind can not seem to harmonize with respect to the characteristics of God:   2nd Samuel 6:1-7    6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark […]

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wrote in General, Practical Christianity .

QUESTION: What is Splankna Therapy?  Is it valid and why can’t just anyone be trained in it?  Is there a fallout from it?  [Editor’s note:  We asked Dense MacKenzie, an expert in this therapy to provide an answer] Answer: Splankna Therapy offers a Christian protocol for Energy Psychology developed from an integration of Neuro-Emotional technique, […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

Question: When I was reading in 1 Corinthians 7, I noticed that Paul said a rather peculiar thing. He said “To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord)…” (verse 12). What does this mean? If the words that followed this were “not [from] the Lord” then wouldn’t that mean that it was not inspired? Answer: […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Practical Christianity .

Question: I’ve had several debates lately, one a Christian and an unbeliever re: the paganism involved in our holidays (i.e. Christmas/Easter).  I’ve already forwarded the article you had on Christmas to them, however, now there’s the debate w/ Easter and my believing friend is even arguing that if the OT law is obsolete, than why did Jesus […]

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wrote in General, Other Religions, Practical Christianity .

Question: I have been dealing with cancer. Morman missionaries have been coming by to offer to help me. Their women arranged meals….etc. Super sweet and loving. I tell them my convictions and read to them in Romans where it begins”Love must be sincere”.  They have assured me that they will continue to love me and […]

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wrote in General, Versions of the Bible .

Question: http://www.intrepidlutherans.com/2011/08/issues-with-niv-2011-saints-are-no-more.html I am interested in your thoughts about the article I found above while searching for the word saint in the NIV. A friend of mine, a sister in my church for many years, didn’t know what a saint was. I was shocked, asked her to study it out and I wanted to quickly […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, End Times, General, Supernatural .

Question: (editor’s note: This is a very long question!) I have a two part question for you. I. I have been reading about very young children who have claimed to have gone to or seen heaven after having both visual or death experiences particularly two named Akiana Kramarik, age 7, and Colton Burpo, age 4. […]

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wrote in Creation, General, Science and the Bible, Supernatural .

Question: I just watched a video (see below) in which John Clayton presents his version of what seems to be examples of irreducible complexity [IC].  Seems to be a bit more like a parade of God of the gaps.  I think there might be better examples of irreducible complexity.  What do you think of IC arguments in […]

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wrote in General, Miracles, Resurrection of Jesus, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

Question: I was wondering how would you harmonize the resurrection narrative accounts? I found an essay written by a theologian to be the best one so far (click here to view it) however I wanted to see what your take on the accounts were. Thanks! Answer: I do not believe I can improve on the […]

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wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

QUESTION:  Should a Christian attend an infant baptism at a Roman Catholic church?  I have gotten conflicting advice in my church (editor’s note: in the Philippines) regarding this issue.  Some say its ok some say it is not, because of the false doctrine of infant baptism that we should refute. Answer: This is what some call […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Prefigures and Foreshadows, Types .

Question:   The prefiguring and foreshadowing in the NT is so vast. I know a lot of them but also know that I’m missing out on a lot. Is there an exhaustive resource for them? A book maybe that you recommend?   Answer:   Yes I do.  The answer is that the most thorough book […]

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wrote in General, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

QUESTION: I have a two part question regarding to the Peter’s denial of Christ. First, did Jesus tell Peter that he would disown him three times at the Mount of Olives (Mark and Matthew) or before they went to the mount of olives during the last supper (Luke and John)? And the 2nd question is […]

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wrote in Anthropology, General, Philosophy, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Dear Sir, what about human memory?  Scientists tells us our memory is stored in Brain. Word of God tells us it is the soul that has memory. Lamentations 3:20. what about our memory when we die? our memories stored in our brains will be transported into disembodied souls at the time of our Death? […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Prefigures and Foreshadows .

Question: I was going over Amos in my quiet times and came across this scripture:   Amos 9:13-15 (NIV) [13] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills. […]

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wrote in Archaeology and the Bible, General, History, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: I am a Christian from Turkey.  Grace to you.  I couldn’t understand the connection between 1420 BC. and the letters of Tel el Amarna. In an article at your site you say that; “The letter is addressed to Akhnaton, which implies it was written somewhere between 1387 and 1366 BC. This fits well with […]

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wrote in General, History .

QUESTION: Did Jesus travel India and study ? Answer: I have already answerwed this question at the site.  I am copying and pasting below.   Let me deal with the question about the life of Jesus first. It is true that there are “sources” which claim that Jesus traveled outside the area of Israel. By […]

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wrote in General, History .

In what year was Jesus Baptised? Glenn: We cannot calculate the date Jesus was baptized exactly.  The most reliable way to do the calculation is to work backward from the crucifixion.  The majority view is that Jesus’ ministry lasted approximately three years.  This is based on counting the number of Jewish holidays recorded in the […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: I have a question.  Perhaps you can help me.  The New Testament was written in Greek.  Most of the ‘love’ words are ‘agape’.  My dictionary and lexicon both define ‘agape’ as unconditional love.  1 John 4:16 says that ‘God is love’, agape.  John 3:16 says ‘God so loved the world’, agape; this implies unconditional love, it […]

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wrote in General, Reliability of the Bible .

QUESTION: I have yet another question regarding to a so called contradiction. The scripture I have a question on is 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. I know that this creed dates back to no more than 3 years after Jesus rose from the dead, but I do have three questions regarding the creed. First why does it state that […]

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wrote in General, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

Question: I was reading about the transfiguration in Matthew and I realized that Peter seems to know immediately that the two shining figures with Jesus are Elijah and Moses.  How did Peter know what Elijah and Moses looked like since no one in the first century would know what they looked like and there were […]

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wrote in Anthropology, Archaeology and the Bible, General, Other Religions, Supernatural .

What about Atlantis, the Sphinx, Ring of Power, Joseph is Amen Ra and other similar theories? Question: It appears there is physical evidence for great floods – submerged cities all over the world. Many cultures speak of the great floods, isolated by location and time, these cultures seem to share similiar beliefs and architecture (i.e. […]

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wrote in General, Reliability of the Bible .

A response to question below about how NT writers knew what Jesus said in the garden. What about Herod’s words or the Pharisees with Judas? Question:  Since I regularly “surf” your site, I read your answer on page https://www.evidenceforchristianity.org/index.php?option=com_custom_content&task=view&id=5648 and it raised few thoughts in my head that I wanted to share with you and ask […]

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wrote in General, Practical Christianity .

What do you think about “Family Constitutions” as a therapy approach for Christians? Question: What do you know about ‘Family Constellations’ by Bert Hellinger? From the Bible or Christian point of view is it right?  I ask because some members of my church are attending this kind of sessions. I went to a session & some […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Does Ephesians 1:11-14 mean we are saved merely by having the word of God preached? Question: I’ve been thinking about Ephesians 1:11-14 and baptism. Ephesians clearly states that a person is included in Christ when they hear the word of God preached. In addition it states that they’re marked and sealed with the Holy Spirit […]

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wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Reliability of the Bible .

How do you respond to claims that Matthew (2:15) takes Hosea 11:1 out of context? What about Matthew 2:18 (weeping in Ramah)? Question: First I would like to mention that I am a Christian and am very grateful for your “questions and answers” section. I catch myself spending hours reading your answers for fun. I […]

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