Category Archives: Questions

On Knowing God’s Will

I was asked a question by a young friend in the congregation recently: In what ways can we know God’s will? For example I feel sometimes I want to know all of God’s will for my life up front so … Continue reading

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Major Resources for Revelation 2021 Messages

These are the three major resources I’m revisiting for the 2021 series of messages on Revelation. I’m using the series to address topics requested by members of the congregation that can fit into this approach. Apparently there is a lot … Continue reading

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Isn’t tissue from an aborted fetus involved in making the Covid-19 vaccines?

For a Christian, this is the most serious objection to taking the Covid-19 vaccine that I have heard. Here (in a nutshell) are the facts as I have found in my research. According to the Nebraska Medical Center and the … Continue reading

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“Is accepting a Covid-19 vaccination taking the Mark of the Beast?”

Short answer: No. How can I be so sure? Because biblically speaking, the “Mark of the Beast” as noted in the Apocalypse of John (aka Revelation) is a way of declaring a higher allegiance to a power other than Jesus/God. … Continue reading

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Resources on Origins and Christian Faith

Do you know a student who is trying to work out how to reconcile the latest science on human origins with their Christian faith and biblical teaching? Allow me to recommend that you refer them to works by John Walton, … Continue reading

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Asking the Wrong Question: Can a person come to God through general revelation?

Often, theologians divide revelation into general and special, and mean by “general” what can be known of God through nature. By “special” they essentially mean biblical revelation or at least the explicit gospel. So the question comes down to “can … Continue reading

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Miracle or Sign?

Paraphrasing a question from Susan Ramos: In Luke 23:8, Herod is hoping Jesus will do something impressive so he can see it. Sometimes this is translated that he wanted Jesus to do a “sign” and other times that he wanted … Continue reading

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Why did Israel seem so separate if God intended to bless all people?

The question, from Sitha, is, “Why did Israel seem so separate if God intended to bless all people?” Update January 9, 2021…. I’ve recently listened to the Bible Project podcast series called The Family of God. They cover this issue … Continue reading

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Thinking about sex?

I’ve been asked in past days about whether the standard that sex before marriage is wrong – that Christians must wait for marriage to have sex – might not be a cultural standard from biblical times that doesn’t apply in … Continue reading

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Do you guys have a written policy for your mercy ministry? Do you have anything that explains your process or exceptions concerning helping people in need?

Someone recently (late 2011) wrote me and asked this question. This is a slightly edited version of what I said. Think of it as a description rather than a prescription. Actually, we do not have any official written policy. We … Continue reading

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