Is there a difference between tithing and offerings? I am of the opinion that any giving to the Lord, either donations to the church or offerings to children’s orphanages , providing Bibles, or giving to missions that are spreading the word are the essence of tithing.

My wife was reading fictional book and ran across a word, Deism. It was explained in the book as a belief that God is a cosmic clock winder passively watching events unfold on the earth. My question is this: “Is there such a thing as “deism” and is it a form of religious belief?

You quoted in your recent psalm commentary from a friend: “Maximum trial, maximum grace.”

Is this true in the case if the trial or trials is/are caused by our sins? ( If we turn to the Lord for help asking for His forgiveness. If He’s not tired of me always doing something horribly stupid and then asking for His help!)

I’ve read the arguments about the people who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple being Assyrians. How can we be sure they weren’t?

I’m 17 years old and moved from Cincinnati into Austin Texas, which is a very liberal area. I’m having a lot of trouble adapting because I feel its so hard to really be proactive with my faith and get the word out, because I’m experiencing enough persecution as it is. Granted I do reach out to people here and there, but its hard to do in high school .

But as I’m reading you’re articles I feel encouraged because it brings to attention how stupid we are to worry so much about this life and what people will think of us, instead of focusing on the next life. It’s great that you tackle your subjects in a non-denominational sense and just focus on what the Bible says.

I have a question. I’m really worried about leading people astray. I feel the need to help people, and teach them the word of God, spread the faith, but I’m afraid of misleading someone unintentionally. Through misquotes or something of that matter, because I think the Bible says those who mislead people will face harsher judgement. So what’s your input on that?

Last Sunday our pastor was preaching on Psalm 23 and part of his message hit me as another answer to the OSAS issue. He said that when the Psalm refers to the security of a sheep in the Shepherd’s care “for His name’s sake”, it is referring to the fact that sheep are by nature unable to care for themselves and will wander into trouble, and when they do, it’s the shepherd’s responsibility to rescue them.

How does one go about increasing his faith in Christ and His power. It would be nice to have the faith to move mountains. I pray for it, and wisdom. I read His word continually and I do believe that He has that kind of power and that He lives in us, but my faith is so weak, as if it is non-existent, especially in regards to things that might apply directly to me. Maybe I feel unworthy of His love in this way, although I believe He has love and mercy towards me. Is there some key element I am missing in obtaining and increasing faith?

To be saved, it is not sufficient just to believe in God Whose existence can be inferred from nature. “Simple belief” in the existence of God does not meet the criteria for salvation according to Christian doctrine.

We must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, his substitutionary and propitiating death, and his resurrection, as payment for our personal and individual sins. How, then, does a person who “absolutely, positively never heard of Jesus” (title given to the article) have a choice to be saved?

I am trying to locate some information concerning a book a work colleague gave me to read regarding earthly wealth and possessions. This book espouses a “doctrine of non-accumulation” concerning Christians owning earthly possessions.

As for myself, I have very little in this world. I do not own a home, nor do I have investments etc… but I am also not in any debt, and I tithe faithfully every week (cheerfully I might add). The one “worldly” thing I do own is a boat, and it is the only thing that I enjoy besides Christ and Church (call it my tinker-toy). I think my colleague believes that I shouldn’t own this “luxury” item either, and that I should sell it and give the proceeds away (which I believe to be his reasoning for giving me the book).

How do you define “free grace” theology and do you believe it is biblical? I believe Lordship Salvation is unbiblical as I understand it but the other side of the spectrum is “free grace” and I am unclear on how it lines up with scripture as it is defined by its proponents. I fully believe that God’s grace is given to us freely irrespective of our merit but I don’t want to label myself as “free grace” if that means I am one who thinks I can live any way I want because that is not the case. Does this make sense?