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Get this site's Q&A in book form!
Doubt Busters
excerpt | ebook | print
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Notes in the Margin
ebook | print
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Category Archives: Doubt Busters
Will everyone who says “Lord, Lord” be saved or not?
The context of Matt. 7:21-23 near the end of the Sermon of the Mount is found in the rest of the Sermon on the Mount. If they say “Lord, Lord,” but remain on the popular broad way of 7:13-14, they … Continue reading
Is Isaiah 53:5 talking about physical healing or spiritual healing?
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). The verse has two poetic parallels. In the following, “wounded” … Continue reading
Does “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Mt 6:33) mean to pray first and foremost?
Matthew 6:33 is a conclusion drawn from the previous teachings in the chapter. Earlier in 6:25 Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about … Continue reading
What is meant by the “perfect work” of patience in James 1:4?
God’s work does not happen over a day or a week. He works in our lives over a lifetime. Unfortunately, according to the Parable of the Soils in Matthew 13, many will fall away too early and not bring forth … Continue reading
What did Jesus mean by “be perfect” in the Sermon on the Mount?
In Matthew 5:48, the word āperfectā is teleios, and the Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines it as āsignifies having reached its end (telos), finished, complete, perfect.ā For its use in this verse: ācomplete, conveying the idea of … Continue reading
Am I to always forgive people’s slights against me?
This mindset of the spiritually minded Christian is a humble mind that acknowledges that they have sinned much and have been forgiven much. They know the grace and mercy of God and can show it to others. If someone is … Continue reading
What is the reason for John being in exile?
John wrote the book of Revelation. He wrote of himself, “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the … Continue reading
I have trouble praying because of my guilt and shame.
That’s because your mind and heart have not yet caught up the glory of the gospel that saves you. Your feelings have not caught up with the glorious truth. Here is what happened on the cross when Jesus died for … Continue reading
When does the Separation between the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25 occur?
There are several interpretations. This is my understanding. Matthew 25 follows 24 in logical sequence. At the end of Matt. 24, when Jesus talks about the events of the last days before His coming, He tells them to be ready. … Continue reading
Do the 10 Commandments still have the same meaning in the New Testament as they did in the Old Testament?
There are two approaches to answering this question. First, the books of Galatians and Romans affirm that God had always granted righteousness by faith and not by the deeds of the law. Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11 both quote the … Continue reading
What is the reason for John being in exile?
John wrote the book of Revelation. He wrote of himself, “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the … Continue reading
How can every eye see Jesus at His coming if the Earth is a sphere?
The “every eye will see him” phrase is found in this part of the Bible: Revelation 1:7Behold, he [Jesus] is coming with the clouds, and ‘every eye will see him,’ even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the … Continue reading
How do I find purpose in my sufferings?
We suffer for many reasons. I suppose you are suffering because of physical or mental ailments. But there are worthy ways we can suffer: How much do you love your neighbor as yourself? Learning this will require we suffer by … Continue reading
I’ve read a lot and learned a lot, but I don’t see much change in my life. Why not?
The New Testament book of Hebrews addresses this problem. Paul wanted to teach them some hard truths, but they were still too spiritually immature to receive them. Verses 13-14 get to the heart of the matter: “For everyone who partakes … Continue reading
Why do some Christians believe that when something bad happens, it’s the devil’s fault?
When something bad happens, whose fault is it? It depends, of course. When Paul was preaching the gospel in several places, he was attacked by the nearby population for his message. Whose fault was it? The attackers’ fault (Acts 16:16-24). … Continue reading
Does Satan know the future?
Yes, all the demons know, in the same sense as an informed reader of the Bible knows. They don’t know in the same way God knows: with perfect understanding and infallible sight.
Why did Israel forget the Lord and serve other gods?
God told Joshua to meditate on the Book of the law of Moses day and night (Joshua 1:8). The rest of the population did not do this. Most people in church probably don’t read the Bible. Instead of paying attention … Continue reading
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
Sometimes Jesus’ actions seem pointless but actually have a spiritual meaning behind them. Over and over, Jesus speaks against the empty religious outlook of the people, that their religion does not serve any purpose, and the Pharisees are upset hear … Continue reading
Does our disagreement with God’s laws prove that our conscience, judgement, and moral intuition are not reliable?
The short answer is yes. Here’s why. The Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). This sin has affected (corrupted) all of our body’s and soul’s faculties. For instance, “The … Continue reading
Who are the people to which Jesus is saying “I never knew you” in Matthew 7:23?
Matthew chapters 5–7 are a unit; they are treated as one long speech called the Sermon on the Mount. I believe the end of the speech is a unit consisting of 7:13-29. We’ll understand the question after we consider the … Continue reading
Is sickness caused by the sins we have committed?
We become sick of many reasons, not for just one reason. The medical journals are full of examples. But can a spiritual issue make us sick? Let’s look at Scripture. “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine … Continue reading
Are the people in Hell hating God?
I think the answer to this question is found in Romans 3:19, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may … Continue reading
Whose fault is it when things go wrong? God or Satan?
It depends, of course. When Paul was preaching the gospel in several places, he was attacked by the nearby population for his message. Whose fault was it? The attackers’ fault. (Acts 16:16-24). When Jesus was betrayed by Judas, whose fault … Continue reading
Are there parts of the Bible only believers will understand?
Many people can read the Bible and get a surface or superficial understanding of the text. But the true knowledge of the text comes to the believer who confesses Jesus as Lord, receives the Holy Spirit, and lives as though … Continue reading
Why do other religions also find peace after praying if there is only one true God?
Because they really believe that their faith will give them peace. Jesus offers peace, too–to His followers. But it isn’t the peace the world gives, like the other world religions. His peace is from a relationship with Him who died … Continue reading
What was wrong with the Jewish leaders in their role in Jesus’ crucifixion?
The leaders did not adhere to God’s law in the manner of sentencing Jesus to death: the trial was held at night; the witness’ stories did not corroborate so it should have been halted right there; the top official challenged … Continue reading
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Why were the Israelites defeated by the Philistines and the ark taken away from them?
After Joshua and Caleb passed away, Israel passed away from God. After much of the promised land was conquered through the leading of Joshua and Caleb, the Israelites failed to trust God’s promises to give it to them if they … Continue reading
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Why did God command the city of Jericho and everything in it to be killed and destroyed?
God brought the Israelites into Canaan to drive out the inhabitants of the land (Numbers 33:52). In Deuteronomy 7:1-11, we learn that the Jews were God’s chosen people, and they were not to mix with the inhabitants lest they stray … Continue reading
Posted in Violence and Atrocities
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What does it mean by giving up all for the sake of Christ?
There are different ways to explain this.
Is it normal to feel like giving up?
“I’m always afraid of dying and going to hell. It’s my greatest fear, thus I’m always feeling pressured by the things the Bible says we should do. I sometimes feel like giving up because it’s so hard. Although I feel … Continue reading