I love God’s word and have several versions I read. (KJV, NASB & NIV). My son was recently saved and I gave him an NIV version. I grew up on the KJV & have memorized many passages from it. It is beautiful but sometimes a little difficult.

My pastor only condones KJV in our little church and states that he feels that the encroachment of the newer versions is just Satan’s way of causing more division among God’s people. And that the newer versions were taken from more recently discovered and less reliable Greek translations.

I respect his view but watch carefully for any gross distortions and so far feel comfortable enough with all the versions. Please help clarify this more for me … especially the Greek translations he has spoken about. Thank you so much for your ministry.

I have been helping to financially support several family members for the past few years with cash gifts towards their food, clothing, medicine, auto repairs, household goods, vacation money and other expenses. During this time I have not tithed my 10% but have made small donations when attending church. I have been considering my financial support to family members as my tithe, keeping in mind that instead of my tithe going to a church organization for their distribution, I am giving it directly to those in need. Is this Biblically correct or is this not considered proper tithing?

I was reading in Exodus chapter 24 and I have some questions. It talks about the Book of the Covenant. From reading the chapter, I get the feeling it is associated with the 10 Commandments in some way. What is its purpose? I have heard of the Mosaic Covenant. Is this the same thing?

I am of the understanding that when we become a Christian we are baptized into Jesus Christ, yet there is a ‘Messianic’ Jewish teacher on television who teaches that when we accept Jesus Christ we are grafted in and become that “one new man”as a Jew. I think he says ‘a spiritual Jew’. While reading Romans 2:29 it says “He is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” I understand the circumcision of the heart part, but I am not understanding the connection between the Jew inwardly. As Christians we don’t keep the law, so I don’t understand how this applies.

In Matt. 6:31-33 Jesus said we are to seek the Kingdom first, then all these things will be added to us. But isn’t there a little more to it than just being hopeful for the things of the Kingdom? Shouldn’t we be concerned about our Spiritual growth too? It is almost like some people are so excited for Christ’s return they don’t see the need to address Spirituality in this life, or does that just take care of itself as we focus on Jesus’ return? Jesus told us to “Occupy till I come.” Doesn’t that also mean we are to live life, plan, enjoy His blessings, while we build a strong relationship with Him, still putting Him first?

The new man in Christ does not have a sinful nature. When you received Christ, you were also circumcised by putting away your sinful nature. Human hands didn’t circumcise you. Christ did. – Col.2:11. It’s possible in a moment of weakness to fall back to Romans 7 and live as though we still have a sin nature, but we can decide to live in Romans 8 because we don’t really have one.

Why does God allow the enemy to inhibit, prevent, stall, interrupt, interfere with, His work on Earth. Paul mentioned that he had wanted to go somewhere but the devil had stopped him. Why does God allow this?

As a new Christian, I was taught that when we become a Christian God gives us a special gift to use for his honor and glory. Is it true that God gives us a specific gift other than, of course, the gift of the Holy Spirit within us? I think that if we’re allowed to ask the Lord questions when we get to heaven, my first question will be “Lord, what was my gift” because I’ve totally missed it in this life.

I just watched a TV series that tried to link historical records and archaeology findings to the old testament’s first five books. They interviewed prominent scholars from well known Universities. Their conclusions are deeply troubling for me. The program tried to prove that the Bible has little factual history and many of its accounts are nothing more than folktales and myths. How can we Christians rebuke these outrageous theories?

Thanks for the continued good work. Please explain Gen.49:10 … The scepter shall not depart from Judah … I have read somewhere that this refers in some way to the Roman occupation of Judea at the time of Christ’s coming.