I read your advice every day. It helps me when I doubt myself.

I have written you about my rural church, and the power struggles that were going on there. We had long-term members, who I would say are “traditionals”, and a new pastor that wanted to “update” our church with a contemporary service. The pastor systematically purged the church board of anybody that didn’t agree with him, even expelling some families from the congregation. Then, he sought out contemporary artists who played “modern Christian” music.

I asked him if he was transitioning the church to purpose-driven/emergent teachings, and he assured me he wasn’t. But when he “invited” new members to become board members, I grew concerned. These strangers started dictating how things were going to be run, even shouting at people, I felt compelled to leave that church.

Now, we are looking for a Bible-based church that preaches sound doctrine, but it’s alarming to me that so many evangelical churches are conforming to the world. I’ve prayed about it, but no prospects yet. What would you advise?

Our daughter died from a brain tumor 14 years ago at the age of seven. We know she is with Jesus now. She woke up three days before she died, lifted up her hands, and said, “King, come and get me!” She was paralyzed from the waist down and it bothered her a great deal that she could not move her legs. I have been struggling with this this week. If we were to get a glimpse of her in Heaven now (before she receives her new body at the Rapture) what would we see? Would she look like herself (or maybe an older version of herself?) Would we recognize her and would we see that she has the use of her legs back?

Soon after she died, I kept asking our pastor, is she really gone? Is she OK? Is she scared to go on to Heaven without us? He said, she would never be afraid of Jesus and His angels, and that she was already running the streets of gold. Would we see her as herself?

I’m confused as to exactly how Judas died since there are two vastly differing descriptions concerning the event. Matthew 27:5 says, “And he (Judas) threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and Hanged himself”.

Acts 1:18 says “Now this man (Judas) secured a field with the price of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.”

Can you help sort this out?

First I wanted to thank you for your awesome website. It is very clear that you thoroughly study God’s work and have a good understanding of it. And you have been a tremendous help in motivating me in my walk with the Lord.

Having said that I would like to ask for clarification on your view of suicide. You had stated in answering a previous question that you believed that if a person committed suicide and had previously received the gift of salvation, that person would spend eternity with God. Having been raised Pentecostal, the Once Saved Always Saved belief has not been something I would say I have believed in, but the way you describe it and back it up with scripture, I am tending to believe you have valid points.

Until we get to the issue of suicide. I am having a hard time believing that this is not a sin that will keep you out of heaven. If you are right, then, we Christians could always take the easy way out when things got tough. We could say “I’m ready to be with Jesus, and tired of this world” and take our life, and instantly be with him. That is the one area I have come across that is preventing me from getting completely ‘onboard’ your belief, of OSAS.

As I read the Old Testament, I realize that there were also “gentiles” that believed in the true God of the Bible. Job, for instance, was not an Israelite, but was Jew, right? I constantly hear that the promises of the kingdom age are for Israel. Then what of the other Old testament saints? Are they included in that covenant?

My husband and I were discussing the time line in my Bible. Could you please tell us when humanity began on Earth since before Noah. Would it be over 5000 years, if so, how much? Thank you for your answer.

One doubt: in your question/answer – Is Dating My Late Wife’s Sister OK?

The person’s sis-in-law’s husband left her for another one. Is she really allowed to marry again?

MAT 5:31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

Please reply. Thank you.

When drought forced a flight into Egypt, how many Hebrew people were involved in the eventual slavery under the pharaoh ? Thank you.

My question is about Deuteronomy 4:2, and the command not to add to or subtract from the Word of God. How do we know that this doesn’t apply to the books after Deuteronomy? Is there anything in the book of Deuteronomy or the previous books to support this?

In my church, the leader of the youth always tells us when we’re wrong and that we’re to submit (to authority). I know that as a Christian I am supposed to respect my elders and such but when that word is used in my church it seems like a thing taking away someone’s rights. I don’t want to challenge authority but I don’t like to feel like I have no ability to be unique.