Question: How would you respond to people who say “Rich western countries automatically become secular, because they have better quality of life”? Answer: Let me, for the sake of argument, accept the premise that, on the whole, more prosperous countries have been more secular.  I believe that this is a rather gross overstatement, but there […]

Question: Dear doctor. I have been reading your articles and while I agree with many things you say there are some I disagree with such as Trump and the issue of illegal immigrants. I don’t think it’s fair for you to say that Trump and his supporters are all cold hearted individuals. The Bible talks […]

Question: I am a Christian living in Latin America.  Thanks for sharing God’s truth all these years.  I have a question:  Should I biblically visit my dead parents or relatives or am I falling into idolatry, or waste of time?  What could be the best approach to the correct understanding?  Thanks. Answer: This is a […]

Question: Is Christian mysticism biblical or is it ok to do? I am thinking of practices such as lectio divina and the theosis, for example. Answer: This is an interesting question.  Actually, let me re-word your question if you do not mind.  Let me ask two questions. 1. Are some or all of the practices […]

Question: What are some key problems with Christian theocracy? Why shouldn’t Christians seek to have a Christian theocratic nation? Answer: There is no direct statement in the New Testament which commands Christians to not create a theocratic state.  If believers in some country decided to found a state based wholly on Christian principles, I suppose […]

Question: If Jews were such honest keepers of God’s word, then why did they reject and kill true prophets although Deut. 13:1-5 & 18:20-22 tells criteria for judging true prophets? Answer: It is always difficult to judge people’s motives.  We can observe what they do and we can observe what they say.  However, as Samuel […]

Question: I have some questions about fasting.  First, what is fasting according to the Bible?  Second, what is the correct way to do it according to the Bible?  Third, can I fast not only from food but also from my favorite activities?  Fourth, what are the purposes of fasting other than to increase our faith […]

Question: Should Christians pray the imprecatory Psalms?  [Editor’s note: The imprecatory Psalms are ones in which the Psalmist, usually David, calls on God to judge or to defeat his enemies.  For example, look at Psalm 69 or 109.] Answer: Christians will have a range of responses to this.  I believe that what we pray is […]

Question: What is the book of Ecclesiastes all about? I read it once- it seems pessimistic and hopeless- though the last of  the12th chapter is a bit okay. There it’s written nothing makes sense- life is all about eating and drinking and everything is nonsense and meaningless. The message of Ecclesiastes seems utterly different from […]

Question: I would like to ask a question on the subject of biblical interpretation. Should we interpret Bible verses strictly within its context?  I understand that certain verses can be used to apply generally and in multiple aspects while certain other verses we can’t as it could create doctrinal issues and interpretation problems. Answer: I […]

[Editor’s note: The one asking is Russian, which will explain some of the awkward wording below. The intent of the question is fairly clear] Question: We have a question from our readers. Can help us to answer, please?  I’m interested in a question about profanity. I have been made to understand that the word means […]

Question: Why do you think aborting is a sin? My friend tells me that a fetus has no life before some weeks and you can abort him if he has no life. Answer: I assume that your friend would agree that it is wrong to take the life of a living breathing human being simply […]

[Editor’s note: This question was sent to me (John Oakes) and to my friend Douglas Jacoby. You will see both of our responses below, with Doug’s first.  It is posted both at my site and at Doug’s www.douglasjacoby.com] Question: Douglas and John, would you please address the issue of Christians smoking mushrooms, especially for healing, […]

Question: I am a vegetarian and I believe that slaughtering innocent animals is unethical, but the bible didn’t prohibit eating meat. Jesus ate fish.  What’s is your opinion? Do you think that killing animals is ethical?  Personally, I can’t understand how killing any living creature (unless I have no other choice, as defending myself or […]

Question: This is my last semester in college and one the classes I’m taking is “Evolution and Systematics”. My professor is an outspoken atheist ( I had anticipated this) and regularly derides any belief in God ( sometimes adding foul language into the mix). During the first day of class, he asked us to “raise […]

Question: Some people have asked me about Christians practicing yoga? Where is the red line in this practice, of whether Christians can do yoga? Answer: I am sure you know that I am not going to give you a “red line,” as to create red lines is to practice legalism.  We do not need red […]

Question: How can i differentiate between biblical principles and commandment? Answer: This is a great question.  I only wish I had a great answer.   My answer is to offer you some potential questions to ask yourself. Q: Is God asking me to do something specific here?  If so, what is he asking me to do?  […]

Question: I want to read the entire Bible. I’m very familiar with the New Testament, as I have read it many times. However, I find the Old Testament difficult to dive into because I don’t find it as applicable to everyday Christian living. Yet, I know there’s much to be gleaned from it. How can […]

Question: Does a person’s  motive justify his or her actions? ie. Is it possible to justify a good reason for doing something bad?  I want to know that the Bible says about this. Emmanuel: This is a good question.  I am afraid that there is no solid, clear-cut, definite answer in the Bible to this […]

Question: I have been seeking to understand the development of communion as it is practiced in the church today and how communion was practiced in the first century Church. I referred to written works from authors with a Jewish understanding and perspective about the practice of breaking bread and communion, To understand the original intent […]