Q. In my copy of the NIV Bible, there is a footnote between John 7: 52 and John 7:53 that states, ” The earliest and most reliable manuscripts do not have John 7:53 – 8:11.” Of course that is one of the most cherished stories that illustrates the loving and forgiving character of Jesus in his defense of the woman caught in adultery while he skillfully exposes the self righteousness of the Pharisees.
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Q. The different gospels don’t appear to agree on the birth of Jesus. I’m not talking about if it was in the fall or the winter. What I’m talking about was when? In the gospels you can read that it was during the rein of Herod in another during the rein of Augustus. I’ve had atheists bring this up to me as they tell me all about the contradictions in the bible. Several months ago I did see something on television that cleared this up. I believe they were saying that it had been discovered that Herod was actually in power twice or that Augustus’s rein was actually on a different date. It’s been a while and I’m sorry but I don’t remember all the facts. Now it’s come up again with a friend and I can’t find the answer anywhere. Can you shed any light on this?

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Q. I have recently been talking to an Atheist about the evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ.  He of course does not believe Jesus ever existed.  One of my arguments for Jesus’ existence is the founding of the Christian faith.  I also argued that the gospels had been in circulation prior to Paul writing 1 Corinthians and is what Paul is referring to as what was given to him in verse 3.

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Q. Thanks for the answers you provide. I have a simple question. What role do you see the Bible having during the millenium?

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Q. Was the Bible added to when there are verses that are noted not to be in the original
manuscripts?

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Q. I love your website. Thanks for inspiring me to become closer to God.

Recently you said that Adam was created about 4000 BC, which means man has been on earth about 6000 years. How, then, do you explain the scientists who claim skeletons of cave men are millions of years old? Just today I read an article that said archaeologists have discovered a water well in Cyprus that is 10,500 years old, by radiocarbon dating. At the bottom of the well was found the skeleton of a woman, that could be as old as the well.  Is the radiocarbon dating the scientists use flawed? How do you explain this?

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Q. I have heard that Mark 16:9-20 does not belong in the Bible.  When I looked this up on the internet, it would appear that many people hold to that idea also but go on to say that the fact that it appears in most Bibles is no problem as it does not affect and doctrinal beliefs.  Now, I’m no scholar nor to I even remotely have a handle on history but I would think that this would cause a problem.

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Q. Reading various questions on your website I am reminded of a something I’ve wondered about for some time. When I became a Christian 7 years ago I went through a period of great dismay when I realized how much controversy there was in the church. God loving, sincere and selfless Christians had different teachings and beliefs on spiritual gifts, how to be baptized, prophecy today etc. Each of them could point convincingly to scripture to support their view. My question is this – Why is this so? When God gave us His word He knew there would be misunderstandings. Why do you think God left some teachings in His word open to misinterpretation?

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Q. I saw your answer concerning various Bible translations and I have a question to add to it.

Romans 8:1 in the KJV says “there is no condemnation…for those who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit”.

The NIV leaves out, although there is a footnote, “that walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit”.  There are other places where the NIV leaves out portions of scripture but has a similar footnote.  some claim this is a good reason to avoid the NIV. Read Post »

Q. I just wanted to get your 2 cents worth on the Geneva Bible. I’m sure you probably get those ads from companies with everything under the sun for sale, but I got one today for the 1599 Geneva Bible.

Question: is it a good study Bible or is it more for cocktail party conversation and “ooooh’s and aaaaahhhh’s” ? Read Post »