I recently read Romans 9 NLT. The part I am struggling with is “Gods prerogative”. The explanation is given in Romans 9:21. However, a clay pot does not have a soul, feelings or emotion. It does not care what it is. There is a big difference. God can obviously do what He wants, but it seems that it would interfere with his “LOVE and GRACE for EVERYONE”.

If God selects the people He wants to accept Him and selects the people He wants to reject Him before they ever exist then the ones who reject HIM are sent to hell for eternity is definitely not fair. Then we are told how we dare argue with God to even ask such a question. If God wants his people to “CHOOSE” to Love Him, He cannot force them by election. Also, the whole concept of spreading the Gospel is pointless other than being obedient. I sometimes feel as though I am one of those people God chose to send to destruction.

So is salvation “possible” for everyone or only the “elect”?

Re: 2 Corinthians 13:1-10. I hope all is well and could you please explain what Paul meant by “I will not spare them– since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me.”…. and…. “that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.”

What exactly was Paul able to do in his authority? And do we also have this authority in Christ as Paul did? And how severe could he be with this authority? I realize that in part it has to do with the people sinning, but it appears that Paul has reached the boiling point of “no more grace for you, now it’s the power of God time”. This passage for some odd reason reminds me of Clark Kent turning into Superman!

Does unequally yoked in the bible pertain to only marriage? Could or does unequally yoked also pertain to a business partnership of a believer and an unbeliever?

I have a question concerning the seeker/friendly church. The church I attend is very seeker/friendly I think. For example their are no crosses put in the church or at least where they may be a “distraction” because “we want to be sensitive to new people who are coming in for the first time.” The open study of end times is considered a distraction from the mission of the church and is not considered a priority.

Also lately I have considered giving my tithe to another ministry, one where it is being used to truely push the Kingdom forward in serious ways. It seems that the churches tithes are going toward paying off a building that was filled with expensive stuff. What do you think?

I was wondering whether you could shed some light on something for me. Although I know that we all sin many times and it is the grace of God that is our only hope, I have become concerned lately by the lives of Christians in my church. There is a tremendous amount of gossip and backbiting. People have parties where the wine flows freely, and although the Lord has no objection to people drinking, I feel that being drunk and telling ‘suggestive’ and rude jokes is dishonoring his name. I was under the impression that our changed lives should be our greatest witness. These people work hard for the Lord, doing many good works throughout the church, so why do I feel so uneasy about their behavior? Am I becoming judgmental and legalistic?

I was having dinner with my (Christian) sister last night and started to tell her about something funny a pastor said, and she said that was wrong to say. She becomes smug about Christian beliefs. Her husband told her she was being self-righteous. She was saved before me so I get the impression that she thinks she’s a “better” Christian.

The same sister has another daughter who was married a year ago to a man with the last name of “Butts”. They are all Christians. She got together with them and had a picture taken with their backs to the camera, half bending over but looking at the camera. It says “Merry Christmas….from the Butts”. I think it’s cute but my sister thinks it’s unbiblical. She said the butt is a sexual part of the body and they should not have done that. She likened it to Sodom and Gomorrah. I think this is really stretching it and I don’t see anything wrong with the picture. What do you think?

In your Ask a Bible Teacher section, I came upon this question, Why Did God Judge Eve First? and have a question of my own.

In Genesis 3:6 – “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Does “with her” mean at the time of her conversation with the serpent? If Adam was with her, had he not already sinned by allowing her to eat of the fruit?

The time of Jesus birth was at the Fall Feast of Tabernacles. ( He tabernacles with us, God with us, His name Emanuel, God with us) Not The Jewish new year. He was born in a booth that was commanded from God that the Jews do during the feast of booths. The table inside the booth that they put the holy bread on is called a manger. (Jesus, bread of life placed on a table, manger) Just wanted you to know so we can more accurately celebrate our Wonderful Lord!

I really enjoy your site. I have 2 questions. First, why did Jesus descend into hell before his resurrection? Second, in a National Geographic issue, there is an article on Herod. Was there more than one Herod, and if so, when did each of them live? Thank you for your work.

Our family has been reading through Daniel (because one of my son’s favorite story is there) and also through Luke (because of the season). My question to you is What is the significance of Gabriel (called by name) being the messenger in both books? Any other insight you have about these two books relationships would also be appreciated.

Thanks for all of your blessing to us and I pray that God blesses you abundantly also.