QUESTION: If 2Pet 1:19,Rv 2:28, and Rev 22:16 reckons Jesus is the “Bright Morning Star” (even said so Himself) then how should we understand Isaiah 14:12? Answer: First of all, 2 Peter 1:19 does not call Jesus the “Bright and Morning Star.” I am not sure this changes your question much, but thought I would […]
QUESTION: What can you say about this statement: “Religion is Darkness”? This comes from the character Mr. Kumar in the book and movie Life of Pi. It turns out that Mr. Kumar is an atheist. Answer: What I can say about this is that it is a meaningless statement. What does this atheist mean when […]
Question: It was good to meet you and talk to you a little in Accra last July at the 20th Anniversary celebrations of our church in Ghana. Since then I have bought some of your books and have just finished “Is There A God?”, which I learnt a lot from but need to study again. The […]
Question: I have “heard” that there are other letters Paul wrote that are not in the Bible. For example, there was a Third letter to the Church of Corinth that was not included in the Bible — Why not? Answer: It is hard to respond to the general question about “other letters.” There are many […]
Question: The order of the fig tree being cursed is different in different gospels. How can you explain this apparent contradiction? Answer: As you stated in your email, “The order of the fig tree being cursed is different in different gospels.” Ultimately, your question (I take it) is: Is there a contradiction between Matthew 21:10-22 […]
QUESTION: Many believed in God by seeing the miracles performed by Jesus. Today we do not see miracles happening in the same way as the first century, for example. Many disregard the Bible and do not even think it is historical. Although nature and the fulfillment of prophecy etc. prove the existence of God, for […]
Question: I would appreciate any light you could shed on another biblical issue: the “all things are permissible” concept Paul presents in 1 Corinthians 10. Answer: This passage can be a bit difficult to know how to apply. Most scholars believe that there should be quotes around “all things are permissible.” Paul is giving an important […]
QUESTION: Can a person be ‘Born Again’ more than once? Answer: The simple answer: No! It is not possible. We cannot be saved from our sins by the blood of Jesus twice. When we have truly repented, made Jesus Lord of our lives and been baptized into Christ, we are saved. It is possible to […]
Question: Why are there different lists of apostles in different gospels? Answer: The principle reason that there are three different lists of the apostles is that the gospels are independent accounts of the life of Jesus. If they were identical, then why would there be four gospels? If one writer copied from another, then the […]
Question: Was the flood over the whole world or just part of it? Answer: I have previously answered a similar enough question that I will copy and past below. Let me add just a couple of thoughts. The Old Testament is not a careful, scientific analysis of events in the past. We […]
Question: I’ve really enjoyed reading your book, “The Christian Story” (editor: www.ipibooks.com) and hope to finish it soon. A question came up in our last Bible study that I didn’t remember reading about, so I’m hoping you could answer it for me. Who started the argument that the head of the Church was in Rome and […]
Question: On the topic of owning a gun for the express purpose of using it to defend oneself or others has arisen; even with a willingness to kill if deemed necessary. I witnessed your adherence to the truth contained in the Word of God through your teaching and your passion to apply it, without bias, […]
Question: What is freemasonry? Is it a religion or is it a fraternity? What are their beliefs? Can a christian be a freemason? Or are they anti-christ? Answer: The definition of freemasonry is complicated. It is a fraternal order with very strong religious overtones. The essence of the group is that it is a service organization. […]
Question: I was wondering if you have heard of the neurosurgeon Dr. Eban Alexander’s experience with his now published “near death experience” I read his book over Christmas. What is your take on it? John: I have not read this book, but I have read other similar accounts. I even watched the trendy movie on the […]
QUESTION: It’s been a while since I’ve asked you a question. I thank you for all your help and compassion for people. You’ve truly helped me out in my spiritual walk with God. I wanted to ask you a question that has been on my mind for some time now. As you know there are supposed […]
Question: Thank you so much for your faithful work and dedication to answering my questions. The Bible calls us to be ready in and out of season, so i would like to knock down a question about the writers of the Bible. The Bible claims that John wrote his gospel, Paul wrote Romans, and Paul wrote […]
QUESTION: If God loves us so much as to die for us, why does he even let us die in the first place(the first death I mean)? Answer: Of course, to us, physical death is tragic, as we lose those we love. However, to God, physical death is not tragic at all. For those who love […]
QUESTION: What does Romans 6:23 mean in comparision to 1 John 5:17? Answer: I can see how someone might see a possible contradiction between Romans 6:23 (The wages of sin is death) and 1 John 5:17 (there is a sin which does not lead to death). However, if you read Romans 6:23 completely and look […]
Questoin: I’m studying the book of Isaiah. When you look at the historical background of Isaiah, there are non-Messianic prophecies that were fulfilled, as the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions of Israel and Judah. Could you please write about these? Response: I have written some about prophecies in the Old Testament fulfilled before New Testament times already in my […]
QUESTION: Many congregations are attracted by the act of falling backwards when Pastors lay hands on them to pray. Generally these falls fail to bring-forth any results either. Is this act Biblical? Answer: There is obviously no mention in the Bible of what is sometimes called “slaying in the Spirit” in Charismatic churches. As far […]
QUESTION: In 1 Peter 3:20 – 21 the Bible says “this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also.” What is Peter referring to ? What is “This water”? and what does it symbolize? Answer: “This water” is a reference to the water of the flood. The same whater which deluged the world and destroyed […]
Question: The question I have is about the treatment of the Israelites in the wilderness and how it applies to the Christian walk. It seems that God did not equip the Israelites sifficiently for battle compared to the major cities they were up against. He also gave them the same food everyday. A reasonable person […]
Question: I want to ask about how to interpret scripture correctly. Why do people end up having different conclusions when they study the Scripture? For example, some people think that the creation account was not made in 7-24 hour days. Also, in 1 John 1:1 some say that John is trying to explain the existence […]
Question: How do you give it all to God if he owns everything? Answer: A really fair and reasonable question. God gives us free will. He gives us sovereignty over the things in our immediate sphere and in our lives. He gives us “ownership” over our time, over what we think about, over what we possess, […]
QUESTION: According to Fee & Stuart, there are at least five major school of interpretation of scripture. What are they? Which do you prefer or which is more helpful to have a sound interpretation for the book of Revelation? And why are there such different schools of interpretation? Isn’t it possible to have one school […]
Question: I was reading about the Westboro Baptist Church protesting at the Newtown, Conn. funeral that was held for the slaying of the 20 children and 6 adults. The church was “giving praise to God for executing His judgement” in reference to Connecticut’s promotion of gay marriage. At first, I was abhorred by this, considering […]
Question: I have a question about how to get the best meaning from the context of the Bible (How to understand what the writer’s intent was). I was wondering since no Bible translation is perfect, is it good to get a Hebrew and Greek interlinear Bible? I have used one from a download online called Scripture4all. […]
Question: Did Adam and Eve really exist? Some say they have disproved their existence. I have seen this claimed many times. For example, on wiki answers they say that the Bible does not contain the earth rotating on its axis. But we can look at what God said in the book of Job (38:12-14) “Have you […]
Question: What did Jesus mean when he said that “the last will be first and the first will be last” in Mat. 20:16? Who he is talking about? Answer: He means that those who seek to lift themselves up will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be lifted up. This idea is repeated […]
Questions: I have been considering a full time life in missions in a third world country and had some questions I thought you could answer related to what I think may seem contradictory or unjust in the Bible. I have had some experience with “gospel friends” or people I try to teach Christ to currently. […]
Question: I have a question from an atheist ex-Christian. Regarding John 14:12-14, my friend asks me why so many prayers go unanswered? Basically he’s using the premises from this page: http://godisimaginary.com/i1.htm . He also claims time is not a factor, if we wait long enough, prayer will not be answered also (I guess he means when […]
Question: I have had a discussion with a New-Age friend. Jesus is the only way to God (as opposed to New-age belief many roads lead to God) mainly based on Jesus’ statement in John 14:6. and also from Acts 4:12. My New-ager friend is aware of these passages and asks “How do you know that Jesus hasn’t […]
Question: I would like to claim that God is consistent in everything but I wonder why an eternal God outside of time would use pretty strong language such as “detestable” and “unclean” denouncing certain foods (Leviticus 11) and then decide to change it and say everything is clean (Acts 10) in the New Testament. Why […]
Question: First, let me just say I love your website. It is one of the few Christian websites I know of that answers such difficult questions and so many of them. To the heart of the matter: I understand you are a theistic evolutionist and I am wondering how the Doctrine of Original Sin fits […]
QUESTION: How should I understand what Jesus said in Revelation 2:28 when he said that he will give those who are victorious the morning star when he is the morning star? Answer: I assume you are aware that Revelation is written in a highly symbolic style. As a rule, we should not take what is […]
QUESTION: What does Revelation 21: 8 means when it says that the wicked will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur? Are the souls to be punished there eventually going to vanish? Answer: The meaning of Revelation 21:8 is that those who rebel against God and refuse to accept his love and salvation […]
Question: So many people in the OT times needed salvation, the same way we need it today. We have the privilege of salvation. But why do we have it, and they didn’t have it? I have heard that question several times but couldn’t really answer people except for “But when the fullness of time had […]
QUESTION: I know that you are probably busy but I hope you can answer some of my concerns. I am currently a Christian bordering on converting to Nihilism. I grew up believing in God creating everything as per the Genesis account even though I believed in an old universe. I believed that God physically created […]
QUESTION: Can you please tell me how to share the gospel in a simple manner? My friend is a Hindu but does nt particularly believe in it Answer: My experience tells me that most Hidus respect Jesus, but do not understand who he was and what he said about himself. You should start with theatcommon […]
QUESTION: Is it biblical to celebrate our birthdays? I think that birthdays must have been counted by the Jews and that is why we know how old everyone was. My question is whether it is right to celebrate birthdays – parties and gifts etc. The only two birthdays mentioned in the Bible both had a bad […]
QUESTION: I was reading your questions and answers section and it got me thinking… Is there anyway of knowing why God would create the world and not create man until millions of years later? What would be the point? Just curious, and maybe that is something I will have to wait to ask God when […]
QUESTION: I am wondering – why did John bother baptizing people if they were not receiving the Holy Spirit?… Answer: Interesting that we just studied this topic in the Bible group at my house this evening. According to Mark 1:4 the baptism of John was a baptism “of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” It might […]
QUESTION: In Revelation chapters 2 & 3, there are 7 churches mentioned. Is there any reason why these particular churches were included in the list? Why only seven? Are they the only churches that was persecuted by the emperor that time? Why were the church in Rome or Jerusalem or other churches that we commonly know in New […]
Question: What i’m looking for is any info. to debunk “Ring of Power” outside of the scriptures. They say Abraham is Amenemhet 1st. and Moses is Thutmoses 3rd and Jacob is Jakububher(1655 to 1646 B.C.) and King David is really Psusemes(1039 to 911B.C.) and King Solomon is really the son of Psusemes (Simion?). They say […]
MESSAGE: How could Jesus be GOD even though he used to defecate in his clothes when he was an infant? How could Jesus be GOD even though he used to urinate in his clothes when he was an infant? How could Jesus be GOD even though he could NOT even walk properly when he was […]
QUESTION: When I told my friend who is a Hindu that idolatry is wrong, she said that as we Christians take the cross as our representation we take a idol and worship it. How am I supposed to answer such a question? Although its not the cross itself that we worship, but it represents faith in […]
Question: (editor’s note: This question is a follow-up to earlier ones. Some unedited earlier correspondence is below) I am now starting to have more confidence in the Scripture, and starting to see truth from error. So you’re saying Prof. Ehrman is on one side and that side is to work against God, and this is […]
Question: I have a question regarding the history of sacrificial systems and hope you will be able to answer it. I generally understand the aspects of sacrificial system and partial reason that was established because of the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. However, I was wondering about sacrificial system in general, its roots and human ideas about […]
Question: I just want to give you this link and see if you can answer some of the claims Ehrman has. This video was the reason I started to have doubts in my faith. Could you maybe give some information on the claims in this audio? I am farther in my faith now, thanks to your explanations! It seems […]
Question: Hope you are keeping well. I had a look into 1Cor11 about women shaving their hair. I do not understand 1Cor11:2-16. Does it mean women should not shave their hair? Someone said to me Paul was making sure that women in the church don’t look like prostitutes who at that time shaved their hair. However […]
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