Month: July 2022

Problem:

Shall we obey God’s Law or human law? The Bible tells us to do both, but is that a contradiction? Acts 5:29 and Romans 13:1; I Peter 2:13
Continue reading →

Problem:

As with any piece of literature, to best understand its statements you must read them in context. The Bible is no different. Matthew 5:16 is in the context of the beatitudes (Matt. 5:1 – 7:29) where Jesus is teaching proper, good, and moral behavior. Disciples of Jesus are to light; that is, doers of good. 1 Peter 2:12 is where Peter is admonishing the Christians to live godly and holy lives before the unbelievers. We Christians live in the world among unbelievers and they are going to see how we live. Peter is telling us to act properly with unbelievers so that false accusations will not stand against us because we have lived with integrity among them.

Continue reading →

Problem: The NIV translates this passage in the following way: “You may declare the praises [Greek aretē] of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Some Christians claim that this is warrant for a large, corporate worship service (i.e. “praising” God). One commentator writes, “This heraldic praise is their reason for existing.”[1] Is this the case?
Continue reading →

Problem: Peter writes, “They stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed” (1 Pet. 2:8). Does this passage teach that God creates people with the express purpose of sending them to hell?
Continue reading →

Problem: Critics argue that Peter is twisting this OT passage to make it appear to be prophetic of Christ. In the Masoretic Text (MT), the Hebrew lacks the expression “in him.” Therefore, when Peter writes, “And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed” (1 Pet. 2:6), he is adding onto the original Hebrew text. Is this the case?
Continue reading →

Problem: Peter writes that all Christians are “are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Pet. 1:1-2). Does this mean that Christians are “chosen” for heaven and non-Christians are “chosen” for hell?
Continue reading →

Problem: Peter speaks in this text about “sanctification of the Spirit,” but Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by Your truth” (John 17:17). Which way are we set apart to God—by His Spirit or by His truth?
Continue reading →

Problem: James writes, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (Jas. 5:19-20). If we stray from our relationship with Christ, does this mean that we will go to hell?
Continue reading →

Problem: James writes, “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (Jas. 5:14). What is the point of anointing a sick person with oil?
Continue reading →