Ask a Bible Teacher

Death Through Sin

Published: August 24, 2022
Q

Are we to assume that no animal was killed before the fall of the mankind or the concept of death by sin could only be applicable to humans?

I always believed that the first death was the death of the animals that God killed in the Garden of Eden in place of Adam and Eve and used the skin to cover their bodies. The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (Genesis 3:21). Is that correct?

What about bugs? I find this hard to believe that Adam or Eve didn’t accidentally step on one during their time in Paradise.


Dos And Don’ts For The Kingdom

Published: August 24, 2022
Q

Thank you for the advice on your site it has been a blessing to me and have helped me through a lot of difficult patches in my life.

I read Galatians 5:19 – 24 that states that if you do any of these things you will not see the Kingdom of God. That is frightening as I struggle to not to do these things. Even if it is only in the mind as Jesus has stated.

If we are saved by Grace thru Faith, why would the Holy Spirit through Paul make the statement In Galatians? It seems to contradict as I know of no honest person that does not struggle in one of these areas. I for one loose my temper from time to time. Help please. Please help.


How Big Was The Stone?

Published: August 24, 2022
Q

Today I was reading in Mark 15 and 16 and came across an interesting situation. In 15:46 it mentions the rigamaroll that Josepth of Arimathea went thru in preparation for the burial of Jesus, finishing off with the statement “…and rolled a large stone in front of the sepulchre”.

Okay. Then in 16:3 it mentions when the two Marys are on the way to the tomb and it is mentioned “who will move the stone for it was very great”

Question. How big was that stone?


The Only Way To Salvation

Published: August 23, 2022
Q

Since the only way to eternal life is through Christ, how is it possible for the Old Testament saints and adopted foreigners to be saved since they have already died? Did Christ preach the gospel to them during the time He physically died, and from there take the souls to heaven? If that’s the case, will they never get to experience the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises for the nation of Israel (eg. The Millennium).

If Christ preached the gospel to even the souls in Hades, how does it bode for those who are in the other side of Hades…that is, the side of Torments? Even if they heard it and believed the gospel (which I’m thinking they most desperately would believe now) they wouldn’t get the opportunity to choose anymore. So how could one side (Paradise) get the opportunity to hear the gospel and choose, while the other (Torments) had to listen and despair?


When Did God Begin?

Published: August 23, 2022
Q

On (another website) I saw a statement that troubled me greatly. Regarding the “beginning” of God, he says “It is possible that the Lord may have existed for so long even He has lost track of His own beginning.”

Is this really possible? I have always believed that God “always was” but now, although I still believe our God is eternal and un-created I was wondering if you could point out some scripture that confirms the fact that Our God did not simply “lose track” of his existence and that he has in fact, although it is is incomprehensible to the human mind, existed forever.

 


Why Bother?

Published: August 22, 2022
Q

Why should we try to sin less if we can never be fully sin-free in this lifetime? Does that “less” in frequency really matter? If Christians will be forgiven of their sins after they ask for God’s forgiveness but later they still keep sinning of the same or different in nature and keep asking for forgiveness from God, what is the point of living a holy life which is clearly not achievable in this lifetime even in Christians?

Which bible verse says there are no greater or lesser sins and all sins are the same before the eyes of God?


Fairy Princesses And Space Rangers

Published: August 22, 2022
Q

How should Christians view such things as fantasy tales and science fiction?

I grew up with Disney movies such as Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, etc. My parents read me fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm. I never thought these things were real and I never felt they skewed or damaged my view of God or relationship to Him. Likewise, my brothers grew up on Star Wars, alien space ranger stories, and things like that. Obviously, we knew they were all “pretend”.

I’m at a place now where I’m wondering what God thinks of fantasy and fairy tales involving fairy godmothers, magic spells, etc. If a person doesn’t believe in those things and understands that these plots and stories are just “make believe”, what is your opinion of what God thinks of that? Are we allowed to indulge in childlike imagination or are these things that add fantastic creatures to what He’s already created intrinsically wrong and the gateway to the occult as I’ve heard argued by ultra-conservative Christians?

I want to please God and pursue a holy life, but as I near a point in my life where I move towards marriage and begin having children of my own, I find myself wondering if princess fairy tales for any daughters I may have and space ranger stories for any sons are wrong in God’s eyes or if they fall under disputable Romans 14 matters. What do you think?


Predestination Or Free Will?

Published: August 22, 2022
Q

I am currently involved in a Christian chat room whereby debating and fellowship occur. One of the debates that comes up frequently is whether man has free will when it comes to choosing our Lord. Many feel that it is predetermined and those that will be saved are the ‘elected’.

I know the Lord is all knowing and knows who will come to him and who will not. But I am having a very difficult time thinking that the Lord has predetermined who will be saved and who will not. I truly believe that the Lord is love and he would not create some simply for them to go to hell.

Can you clear this up for me? Do we have free will or is there predestination? Thank you.


Understanding Matt. 7:1

Published: August 19, 2022
Q

What is the proper context of Matthew 7:1 regarding judging? Is it wrong to judge? Unbelievers love to toss “Judge not” around. How should we respond?


Who Are The Elect?

Published: August 19, 2022
Q

Some Christians are saying Jews are the “elect”; I know they are God’s chosen people. Question is… Who exactly are the “elect”? Are Christians, born-again believers part of the “elect” as well?