In Genesis 20:6, God says to Abimelech, “…that I have kept you from sinning.” Is this an example of God taking away free will? Out of fear, Abraham and Sarah had lied to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, by telling him the half-truth that Sarah was Abraham’s sister rather than his wife (Gen. 20:1-2). So… Read More Bible Q&A: Did God Take Away Abimelech’s Free Will?
Please explain the following passages from Job: “His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent” (Job 26:13) and “He overturns mountains at the base” (Job 28:9). Concerning Job 26:13, the Hebrew for “pierced” (ESV) is chuwl, defined in part as “to be made to writhe, be made to bear” and “to be brought forth.” The Hebrew… Read More Bible Q&A: Please Explain Job 26:13 and Job 28:9
Acknowledging our strengths and the areas in which we have grown is both encouraging, exciting, and motivating. To not do so keeps us discouraged and leads us to be more easily motivated to give up. However, to go to the opposite extreme (which we tend to do) is equally counterproductive.… Read More James: Stumbling in One Point
Someone asked me a question recently, “I’ve been taught that one does not join a church, that the Lord adds to the church. So why does the Bible say that Paul (Saul) “tried to join the disciples”?… Read More “Join the Disciples”
Some still promote the notion that the saved will dwell for eternity on a literal new earth under literal new heavens. They do so by pointing to several biblical passages which they interpret to teach that there will be a literal new earth in eternity. As we close this series of articles on the “new heavens and a new earth,” l’d like to examine each of the passages which I am aware are used to promote this idea.… Read More My Thoughts on the “New Heavens and a New Earth”: Do Some Bible Passages Point to a Literal New Heavens and New Earth?
Where will the saved spend eternity? In heaven, and there are good reasons why this is true. Consider…… Read More My Thoughts on the “New Heavens and a New Earth”: Where Will The Saved Spend Eternity?
There are those who take Peter literally. After this planet and universe are destroyed, a literally new universe and new planet – new heavens and a new earth – will take their place and the saved will dwell on that new earth. There are others who look at Peter’s words in a figurative sense. They say that the new heavens and a new earth are not meant to be taken literally, but rather are figurative language describing Christians spending eternity in heaven with God. Which view is the correct view?… Read More My Thoughts on the “New Heavens and a New Earth”: Is the Phrase Literal or Figurative?
Consider a scenario in which you recognize clearly when an average friend or acquaintance sins but you refuse to acknowledge the exact same sin when it is you, your spouse, your children or parents, or your closest friend who commits it. Your refusal to acknowledge what clearly exists because of your favoritism will lead to you refusing to correct yourself or them and encouraging yourself or them to obey God, which in turn will lead to eternal condemnation (cf. Ezek. 3:17-21).… Read More James: Showing Partiality
Pre-Denominational Christianity 