QUESTION: John I was wondering if anyone has ever suggested a hypothesis based on drug hallucination for the resurrection? I know there’s a hallucination hypothesis but has anyone ever brought up drug hallucination like psilocybin mushroom hallucination? And if someone has how would you respond to that hypothesis? Thanks John! Answer: Hello from Conakry, Guinea; […]
QUESTION: How does one explain the fact of Lot’s wife being converted into salt when they were running away from Sodom’s destruction? What is the “logic” or scientific” explantion behind this fact. Answer: I do not believe that there is any “scientific logic” to what happened to Lot’s wife. What happened to his wife is […]
QUESTION: What is the context of James 5:16? What does confessing our sins have in relation to anointing the sick and him being raised up? Is that a commandment from Jesus to confess our sins to each other in any context? Answer: It does appear that James is a bit random in what he is talking […]
QUESTION: I recently watched a video by Edward Fudge on Hell; you can see it at Douglas Jacoby’s website, clearly Douglas agrees with him, I would like your opinion. editor’s note: The lecture can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/30967402 Douglas Jacoby’s site is www.douglasjacoby.com Answer: I just listened to the lecture by Edward Fudge. I believe […]
QUESTION: I’m really interested in the whole area of Apologetics and I am studying it out to try and establish my own beliefs according to the evidence. It seems to me that people either believe in creation that took place over six 24hr days or evolution whether unguided, partly or fully guided by an Intelligent […]
QUESTION: My friend is convinced that Jesus Christ commanded us to wash one another’s feet, literally. I would like to know how you understand the commandment of Jesus . Answer: I know of no serious Bible scholar who interprets what Jesus said in John 13:14 literally. As far as I know, none of those who […]
Question: I was reading chapter 4 of Exodus this morning and a few things confused me. I am hoping that you can explain them or direct me to the answers. 1. (v 21-23) The LORD references Israel being his firstborn son. I’ve never noticed this before. Are there other references in the OT like this? What […]
Question: I want to study out the New Testament and learn the Greek/Hebrew original words to understand it better. Do you know of any good Bibles, or concordances, etc? Answer: I commend your desire to “take it deeper” and to study the scriptures more comprehensively. We tend to get out of our Bible study in […]
Question: I want to ask you about born again Christians and ‘speaking in tongues’. I experienced this at a different church recently and it was quite overwhelming, but now after I’ve tried to research it I’m quite shocked and confused. John MacArthur lectures on youtube ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVSLc0cqlZM ) about it being demonic, existing before Pentecost […]
Question: I have been wondering about the Anabaptists. To your knowledge, did any of them teach a thorough biblical baptism? Answer: The Anabaptists were a back-to-the Bible offshoot of the Reformation which came from the Ulrich Zwingli wing of the movement. What made them differ from other “Protestants” was that they were committed to separation […]
Request: I was reading your article about the 4 Christian views of evolution and got stuck on the way you describe YEC beliefs. “YEC believes in fixed species and completely rejects the theory of organic evolution commonly known as Darwinism or neo-Darwinism. Those who take this view believe quite literally that on the third through […]
QUESTION: I have a question about this article http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/chris_sandoval/daniel.html#forgeries. In paragraph 7 of the section called religious forgeries the writer writes “We read in the Book of Daniel that God’s angels ordered the venerable prophet Daniel to “shut up” and “seal” his book (Daniel 8:26; 12:4,9). Perhaps the author meant us to understand that Daniel […]
QUESTION: Doesn’t God get bored of our same boring problems and ill health? Why does he keep up with everything in our lives for so long . Answer: A reasonable question. I do not know of you are a mother, but if you are, then you will be in a better position to understand God’s relationship with […]
QUESTION: I have been studying out faith recently in my Bible study; it has been amazing!! But as I was reading this morning Hebrews 11, I came across a passage that I have read before, but never looked deeply into it. The passage is Hebrews 11:24-27. In it the author describes Moses as doing the things […]
Question: I was going over the passage in Luke 6:46 (the wise and foolish builder) and I realized that my foundation in God isn’t as strong as I would like. I feel like every time I have a question or doubt my faith is shaken. I know that the usual response to building a stronger […]
QUESTION: I know I’ve asked you questions regarding to the different OT translations and transmissions (Septuagint, SP, MT), however I’ve recently been troubled by two somewhat different positions on the accuracy of the transmission. Emmanual Tov a leading scholar on the dead sea scrolls and textual critic recently came out with a book “Textual Criticism […]
Question: I found interesting article on findings in Khirbet Qeiyafa. May I ask, what is your opinion about that, is it another archeological proof of Bible historicity, or just a hoax? http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Early+History+-+Archaeology/Cultic_shrines_time_King_David_8-May-2012.htm Answer: No, this is the real thing. This is a very exciting discovery. Garfinkle is a highly respected archaeologist and this find will […]
Question: Prov 26:4-5 seem to contradict. I’m trying to figure out how to deal with the foolish arguments of someone I know, and I can’t figure out whether to argue back or answer!!! Input??? Prov 26:4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Prov 26:5 Be […]
QUESTION: I’m having trouble believing that every single word in the Bible is true. I do know that Jesus’ resurrection is true and can be proven to a certain degree historically and that the creation of the universe can also be proven to a certain degree with scientific data and theories. But I’m having a […]
Question: I remember reading in Evidence for Christianity that Voltaire scoffed at Isaiah 53 being written before Jesus’ time, and he claimed he would believe if someone could prove Isaiah 53 was written beforehand. I find that fascinating, what is the title of Voltaire’s work containing that quote? Answer: I did a fair amount of […]
QUESTION: In what way did Daniel seal the words of the scroll in Daniel 12:4? Answer: I will have to say I really am not sure that Daniel DID anything. I will be honest that I have not really thought all that much about the meaning of this passage. I have not seen any deep, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
QUESTION: Did the ancient Jews believe that Satan never rebelled against God and is not evil? Is the idea that Satan rebeled just a Christian idea? Answer: I am a bit confused about your question. Is there anyone who has suggested differently? Going all the way back to Genesis 2, Satan is a figure of […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
QUESTION: What do you know about the Ebionites and the Nazarenes? I know that both were a minor sect alongside Gentile Christianity and that the Ebionites denied the majority of the deity claims made about Christ. I wanted to also ask did they both believe that Jesus physically rose from the dead? Thanks. Answer: I […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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? […]
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 […]
Question: Long ago and far away I took some upper division university level math classes. Like Geometry in high school math, upper division university level math classes are interested in proving things. As we proved things we talked about what is necessary for proof and what is sufficient for proof. In chemistry, it takes hydrogen […]
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, […]
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: […]
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 […]
Question: I am in no way a religious scholar. I just today had an epiphany regarding Akhenaten, whom I have read everything I can find about. I looked up the dates of Moses and Akenhaten. What I read, which may be inaccurate was Moses was around 1200 BC and Akhenaten 1336 BC or thereabouts. It […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
QUESTION: Are there evidences of animals being in our final home – heaven? (That is, besides Christ riding in on a white horse) Thanks very much. I hope you can make me feel better after a recent, hearbreaking loss. Answer: I am afraid to say that there is no biblical evidence for there being animals […]
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 […]
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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