The Documentary Hypothesis
Published: July 18, 2022I have a question about Genesis but first off I want to say thank you Jack for all of your help!
I am a college student and there is so much misinformation about Jesus and Christianity! I am taking a theology course on the Bible and the book that we read along with the Bible states that Moses did not write any books of the Torah and that in Genesis chapter 1 and 2 there is a conflict of how the order of things are created. The book says that in chapter 1 man and woman were created at the same time but that in Genesis chapter 2 man was created and then woman.
I was wondering if you could clarify this. This book also said that Isaac proclaiming Rebekah to be his sister is simply a copy cat story (that it never happened) of Abraham and Sarah can you help with this too? Thank you so much for your time and effort! God Bless!
A Marriage Counseling Question
Published: July 18, 2022God bless you and your continuing work. I have a marriage question for you from a pastor’s perspective.
When and how does an illegitimate marriage move from being cursed to being blessed by God? For example, a believing wife divorces her believing husband without biblical grounds, and then shortly remarries an unbelieving husband. Now the woman is dealing with all manner of abuse issues including physical. This woman has recently been attending our church, with all these initial events in her past, and her remarriage is about a year old. She is a sincere but immature believer, dealing with the consequences of her sin the best she knows how, while living in pain and anguish.
I am unsure of the right pastoral counsel to give her concerning her marriage situation. She is hoping that her current husband will give his heart to Christ, but is that all that is needed? What is her responsibility to God and to her previous husband with regard to repentance? Is it simply a matter of her confessing and all will be made well? I understand that through confession she can receive individual forgiveness and purification, but does that mean that God will then move to heal her marriage as well, or will her marriage remain under a curse no matter what?
Matters Of The Heart
Published: July 12, 2022I love the Lord and his word; today while reading Proverbs 16 the word heart struck me again. How can this be, does the heart think? Am I thinking too literally?
The sinners prayer, If you believe in your heart and confess with your tongue that Jesus is Lord.
Proverbs 16:1 To man belong the plans of the heart but from the Lord the reply of the tongue.
:21 The wise in heart…, 23 A wise man’s heart….
Thank you in advance for your help.
Can We Know We’re Correct?
Published: July 12, 2022I’ve got a friend who I’ve been explaining Christianity to, now he’s listening and wants to know why Christianity is correct, over all the other religions.
He said, “What I also don’t understand is – with the hundreds upon hundreds of religions out there, all based in their own mythology and convinced of their own righteousness – how can you be so certain that YOUR religion is the correct one?”
Can you help me bring it home to him? I know the Bible is backed by prophecy that’s come true, but I don’t know how to say it right!
The Widow And The Oil. Follow Up
Published: July 11, 2022In The Widow And The Oil you said, “The widow and her sons hadn’t done anything to earn this.” Are you sure about that? She offered no sacrifices or other works? Was there no display of faith? Was this the widow who gave her last bit of food to the Prophet, and prepared to die?
80 Books Or 66?
Published: July 11, 2022I have a question about the bible in print. The KJV Bible of 1611 contained many books that were removed before the 1625 reprint. I do under stand that some of the books may not have been from the Holy Spirit and pertained more to the time they were written as a history book would. I have been told that the Jews still follow some of these books today. As Christians are we to stay away from these books that were removed or is it OK to read them if we understand they may not have been from the Holy Spirit?
Resurrected Witnesses At The Rapture?
Published: July 4, 2022In regards to 1 Thessalonians 4:16 -17, after the Lord descends with a shout, do you think the following scenario is possible? First, the dead in Christ will be resurrected and will enter into the cities and be seen by many. They may begin witnessing to family and friends. Just like Jesus, Jonah and perhaps even the saints of Matthew 27: 52-53, they may lead many to salvation. They may remain on earth for minutes, or hours or even days. Then, all those in Christ Jesus (i.e., the resurrected elect and the living elect) will be taken up into the sky to be with the Lord. Could this happen?
From The East To The West
Published: July 4, 2022I recently watched a program on TV about a pastor/minister/religious leader proclaiming that he was Jesus in the flesh. This showed me there are false prophets amongst us and made me wonder if this is a sign of the end times.
Just Faith Or Faith Plus Works?
Published: July 4, 2022I read a booklet today that referenced Matthew 19:17 ‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.’ The writers used this Scripture to back up their view that we need to do works as well as have faith to receive eternal life. I know you believe we need faith alone, and I agree, but how would you counter their claim with this Scripture? To follow on, in verse 18 Jesus only said the six ‘human to human’ commandments are the one’s the rich man needed to obey. Why didn’t He say all 10?
Judging Teachers More Strictly
Published: June 30, 2022We have a short family Bible study every night. We rotate the opening prayer each night between my children so that they learn that they are speaking to a real God and not a figure like Santa Claus. They are attentive, ask questions, and when I go over chapters we studied weeks before they remember what we have studied. My question concerns James 3:1. Am I held to a stricter judgment because we have Bible study as a family and I am teaching my children, or is James speaking of a formal teaching role within the Body of Christ?