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Your site is very informative and a blessing. I have a question regarding the account in 2 Samuel 14:27 which states that Absalom had three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar (his sister had the same name, 2 Sam. 13:1). Then we read in 2 Sam. 18:18 that Absalom says “I have no son to carry on my name,” so he named a monument after himself. How can this be understood?

In today’s world and in my opinion, it seems as though the word disciple is being flaunted as a bait word to attract a lot of fish. And yet my conclusion of what I see is that a lot of churches consider going to church, taking discipleship classes, maybe doing some community service, etc. as a way to become a disciple. It’s almost like to become a disciple, it’s okay to have your cake and eat it too. It’s like they’re all saying, Luke 14:33 doesn’t really mean what it says.

“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Is this to be taken literally or spiritually? For many years now I’ve long desired (spiritually) to be a “true disciple” but don’t consider myself one because I have not denounced all that I have (physically). And I get so frustrated when I hear Pastors, in particular, saying that “we will make disciples out of you” and yet, the church goes on as it always has. Please help as my prayer is to be able to really share the real Truth in this matter with others.

I have a question regarding the Church’s purpose. I was in Church on Sunday, and I heard my pastor speaking on the purposes of different churches. For example, some churches teach prosperity as their main outreach, that is what they do. He said that our church’s main purpose was to seek the presence of God, which to our church is even more important in saving the lost. This somewhat confused me. Shouldn’t the main purpose of every church be to spread the Gospel and save the lost? What is the main purpose of the Church?

Re: Mark 8:22-26. Jesus, as Creator of everything, could have healed this guy all at once without even touching him. So He must have had a reason for doing it in stages like that, and for putting it in the Bible. What is it? Many thanks for your wisdom & patience.

I recently attended a church that is part of the Restoration Movement. This is the first I’d heard of it, but what puzzled me is that they believe baptism is necessary for salvation. They quote Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16 in their literature. Could you please give your take on these verses?

I have been a believer since as far back as I can remember. It is only as of recently that I have come up with questions that I have asked many times to no avail. I feel that I believe in Jesus as my savior and acknowledge that I am a sinner and know that Jesus is the only way to heaven and to a awesome life of happiness when he returns. My problem is I an unsure if this is a head knowledge or a heart knowledge or even both.

I know a great deal about what the Bible says and have been brought up to accept it. I just feel that because I have been brought up in it and never had to learn it at an older age as opposed to a younger age when one believes everything their told, that maybe its just habit or something. I want so bad to know that I am saved but fear that I can’t be until my head and heart can agree. Any thoughts?

Thank you for your website. In Genesis 1:26 in the NKJV it says “Let us make man in Our image” and in Genesis 3:22 it says “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil”. I believe Christians see these verses as references to the Trinity but my question is how have Jews of the past and present typically viewed these verses through Judaism?

Thank you for your study and for answering our questions. My question is do you think we could be missing a literal reading of Dan 9:27? I know many translations vary, but Luther translated it “And upon the wings shall stand the abomination of desolation” and I was wondering if it could possibly mean that the antichrist might set up an image, whether a statue or a hologram of himself, right atop the rebuilt ark in the rebuilt temple. The mercy seat above the ark has two angels with outspread wings. Isn’t the mercy seat supposed to become the throne of Jesus when He comes to reign in the new Jerusalem. What better place to put an idol of himself?

I’ve noticed many times that when speaking of End Times, many teachers seem to give the Islamic prophecies the same credence as they do to Biblical prophecies. Is there a basis for belief in any Islamic prophecies? Some Christian teachers compare the Mahdi with the AC as if he is really going to show up in the End Times.

I have noticed that many scholars are divided over Luke 16:19-31 as to whether or not to classify this as a parable. If it is a parable, then it is not to be taken literally. If it is, then it sheds some light into the manner of the afterlife for those waiting for their resurrection. I was wondering what your thoughts on Luke 16:19-31 were as to whether or not it is a parable. Please also give reasons for your answer.