Is Pledging One’s Weekly Contribution Wrong?
Is it wrong for the elders of a local congregation to ask the members to “pledge” what they intend to give each week into the church treasury for the coming year?
Did Jesus Deceive His Brothers?
Bible critics frequently charge Jesus Christ with dishonesty in connection with an incident recorded in the Gospel of John (7:1ff). Study this matter with us.
What’s This Mars Stuff All About?
Scientists continue to pursue the hunt for life on other planets. The Mars rover experiments are but another recent example of this vain objective of the evolutionary community.
What About Potlucks and Church Discipline?
Is the New Testament command to not eat with unfaithful Christians apply to a potluck gathering?
Ephesians 4:5 – One Baptism
What is the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5?
Hell Is a Hot Topic These Days
Satan is the consummate deceiver. There is nothing that pleases him more than to see deluded men repudiating the idea of eternal punishment—which the Lord explicitly affirmed.
Song of Solomon 1:1 – Solomon’s Song
Song of Solomon is a beautiful work of inspired literature that extols the bliss of genuine love after the divine order.
Jeremiah 7:31 – Does “Silence” Prohibit?
Many claim that if the Bible does not explicitly prohibit a practice, then man is left to innovate his own religious system. But what does the Lord say about those who practice such things that he “commanded not”?
Two Examples: Which One Applies?
Some argue that John the Baptist’s teaching – that it was not lawful for Herod to have his brother’s wife (Mk. 6:18) – establishes a New Testament example of how someone today may be required to leave his wife.
1 Corinthians 11:3 & 15:28 – Paul Sends His Greetings
Reckless charges are frequently made against the Bible. One of these is the allegation that the Scriptures contain irrelevant data, i.e., material too trivial to justify its inclusion into a body of literature that purports to be inspired of God.
How Many People Died in Noah’s Flood?
Is there any way to know how many people were on the earth at the time of the Great Flood of Genesis?
Does God Condone Lying?
Did God cause people to lie by sending “lying spirits” to deceive?
Church Controversies
While there certainly are times when a preacher, teacher or church must be publicly censured, there are many cases where problems are dealt with in a less than expedient manner—and far too often with an ugly spirit of division. What are some principles that should guide our reaction to such controversial events?
1 Timothy 2:4 — Salvation through Knowledge
This striking passage clarifies the connection between one’s knowledge of the truth and his salvation.
Philippians 1:16 – Providence and Persecution
The faithful Paul viewed his persecutions as the providential workings of God in the defending of the gospel message.
James 3:1 – A Warning for Teachers
James 3:1 contains an important warning for teachers. Good teachers will be wonderfully blessed in heaven; bad teachers will be judged with severity.
Dallas Professor Rebuffs Common Quibble on “Eis”
In a new volume on Greek grammar, Dr. Daniel Wallace (of the Dallas Theological Seminary), has made a monumental concession which devastates a common denominational rationalization relative to the meaning of eis in Acts 2:38.
Matthew 13:8 – Seed Sown in “Good Ground”
By way of a parable, Jesus instructed that a respect and desire for truth is integral to one’s accepting the Gospel message.
Acts 15:9 — Hearts Cleansed by Faith
Some religious folks assume that this passage teaches that salvation is given upon the basis of faith alone — without additional acts of obedience. This is a tragic mistake.
Malachi 1:2,3 – Jacob Loved, Esau Hated
The book of Malachi states that Jacob was “loved” by God, yet his brother Esau was “hated.” This week’s Margin Notes deals with the use of such language.