Bible Study

Zechariah 9:9 – Were one or two animals brought to Jesus?

Problem: The gospels all mentioned that Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem. However, Matthew mentioned that there were actually two donkeys (mother and colt) while the other three gospels only mentioned colt. There is no contradiction in this. Let’s take a look:
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Jonah 3:10 – Does the Lord change or not?

Problem: Does the Lord change or not? God does not change His nature. But he does change in how he deals with people. They are different categories of change and present no contradiction.
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Jonah 3:4,10 – Did God destroy Nineveh or not?

Problem: The Book of Jonah reports God saying that he will destroy Nineveh but then reports God saying that He will not destroy Nineveh. Is this a contradiction? Is God untruthful? Is He fickle and untrustworthy? What is going on here? Note the verses:
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Amos 9:11 – Did James misquote this passage? Why did he quote it?

Problem: Amillennial theologians believe that Amos’ prediction of rebuilding the Temple is fulfilled in the church. Amos writes, “In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, and wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old” (Amos 9:11). Since believers are the new Temple (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19), James was claiming that the church replaces or fulfills this promises. Is this the case?
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Amos 8:14 – Does this contradict the Bible’s teaching on the resurrection?

Problem: The Scriptures teach that all people will be raised bodily from the tomb (cf. Dan. 12:2; 1 Cor. 15:22; Rev. 20:4–6). Indeed, Jesus said that one day “all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth” (John 5:28–29). However, Job seems to say just the opposite, when he wrote: “he who goes down to the grave does not come up” (cf. also Job 14:12; Isa. 26:14; Amos 8:14).
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Amos 5:21-22 – Do good works replace the Temple sacrifices?

Problem: Many Jewish rabbis struggled with the theological implications of the destruction of the Temple in AD 70. That is, if forgiveness comes through blood sacrifices, how can the Jewish people be forgiven when the Temple is in ruins? In order to resolve this theological difficulty, many concluded that the prophets had answered this difficulty already, during the first exile (in the sixth century BC). They concluded that God had already provided other means for receiving forgiveness, and blood sacrifices are no longer necessary. Is this the case? Let’s consider several biblical passages and weigh the cogency of this view:
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching

Hosea 9:15 – Does God hate people or love them?

Problem: The Bible tells us that God both loves people and hates people. Whether we like it or not the Scriptures teach that God hates those who love violence and love evil. God is too holy to approve of those who love what is opposite to God’s character and nature. But on the other hand, generically speaking, God loves the whole world (John 3:16). Also, he lets the sun shine on the good and the bad. He let’s the rain fall upon all people. So, in this context, he loves all (Matthew 5:43-48).
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Posted by petra1000 in Bible Difficulty, Bible Study, Bible Teaching