Article To What Law Were the Ancient Gentiles Accountable?
The Jews of the Old Testament regime were responsible to the law of Moses. But what law were the Gentiles under? This is a question that perplexes many Bible students.
Article Does Psalm 58 Teach “Original Sin”?
A sincere reader believes that Psalm 58:3-6 teaches that infants are “born in sin.” But this is a mistaken view of the figurative nature of the poetic language. Study this issue with us.
Article Can Man Forgive Sins?
Does any man have the right to forgive sins? Some suggest that Jesus granted this authority to the apostles, and then, through them, to others (see John 20:23). Can you explain this passage?
Article Did Jesus Institute Ceremonial “Feet-Washing”?
Why don’t most Christians practice church “feet-washing” today, since Jesus did say, “you ought to do this”? We are responding to this sincere question in this week’s Question period.
Article What About “Local” Church Membership?
Is it necessary to be a member of a local church?
Article Did Jesus Repudiate His Divine Nature?
Some claim that Jesus, in his conversation with the rich, young ruler (Mk. 10:17-18), denied that he possessed the nature of deity. What is the truth of this matter? Study this controversial passage with us.
Article Is the Bible Historically Accurate?
Is the Bible a historically dependable book? If not, why should one trust it in redemptive matters? The fact is, however, the Scriptures have been demonstrated to be trustworthy in countless details. This week’s Question/Answer briefly addresses this issue.
Article Isn’t Christ the Author of “Our” Faith?
Is “faith” a gift of God that is bestowed independent of man’s freedom of choice? In a recent article we argued that such is not the case. In view of our dispute of the Calvinistic position, a courteous critic asks for an explanation of Hebrews 12:2, and the divine affirmation that Jesus is the “Author” of “our faith.”
Article Who Is the “Natural” Man in 1 Corinthians 2:14?
In a letter to the church at Corinth, Paul affirmed that “the natural man does not receive the things of God.” Some allege that this text suggests that one cannot understand the Scriptures without direct guidance from the Holy Spirit. But, as Wayne Jackson demonstrates in this article, this view reflects a misunderstanding of the apostle’s argument.
Article What Are the “Tongues of Angels” in 1 Corinthians 13:1?
Does the Bible sanction a speaking in “tongues” that involves the utterance of “ecstatic” sounds that are understood only by the speaker and God? Sincere Pentecostal folks answer in the affirmative. They contend that these indiscernible sounds are the “tongues of angels” (1 Cor. 13:1). This article demonstrates that there is no support for such a view in the Corinthian text.
Article Was Christ Originally “Created” by God?
There are those who allege that Jesus Christ did not have an eternal existence; rather, they claim, he was originally created by God, the Father. One passage that supposedly supports this view is Revelation 3:14. But does it? Study this text with us.
Article What Are the So-called “Mystery” Tongues of 1 Corinthians 14?
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul mentions those who, when speaking in tongues, utter “mysteries.” Does this phraseology support the idea that these tongues are not human languages, but, instead, special “ecstatic” tongues?
Article Who Made God?
A commonly asked question is this: “Who made God?” Some ask the query sincerely. Others frame it cynically. The answer is the same in both cases.
Article Is the Abolition of the Ten Commandments Ridiculous?
Sabbatarians contend that all of the Ten Commandments are binding today, including the requirement to “keep the Sabbath day holy.” They allege that if one argues that the Ten Commandments were abolished when Christ died, this would license all sorts of evil today. Is this argument sound? Wayne Jackson addresses this in this Q&A segment.
Article Was the Gospel Preached throughout the “Whole World” in the First Century?
There are several biblical passages which appear to indicate that the gospel was preached to the whole creation in the first century. How are these to be viewed? It is a problem that confuses many people. But there is a reasonable answer.
Article Does John 17:3 Negate the Deity of Christ?
A “Jehovah’s Witness” is upset at some of our articles that affirm the divine nature of Jesus Christ. He claims that John 17:3 negates the idea that Jesus is “God” in nature. This article responds to the gentleman’s charge.
Article Does Free Agency Nullify Personal Responsibility?
A critic writes that if human beings have true “free agency,” then God could not punish them for their “sins.” He sees a conflict between the ideas of freedom and responsibility. Let us briefly consider this matter.
Article Does 1 Cor. 3:15 Support the Doctrine of “Eternal Security”?
First Corinthians 3:10-15 is a difficult portion of scripture. Calvinists contend that the passage teaches that though a child of God may suffer temporally for sins, he can never so sin as to be lost eternally. But what does this context really teach? Study this matter with us.
Article What Is Rastafarianism? Who Was Bob Marley?
What is the religion called Rastafarianism? How was Jamaican entertainer Bob Marley connected with this movement?
Article What Are the Unicorns and Satyrs Mentioned in the Bible?
Bible critics have charged the sacred book with mistakes in that the King James Version mentions both “unicorns” and “satyrs” — both of which are mythical creatures. How does the student of the Scriptures respond to this alleged difficulty?