Month: February 2026

19

Feb

2026

1 Tim 5:19-20 – Should we rebuke brothers and sisters in private or in public in front of others

1 Tim 5:19-20 – Should we rebuke brothers and sisters in private or in public in front of others

Problem: If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.(NIV).
1 Timothy 5:19-20 – Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.”(NIV).

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18

Feb

2026

The Lord Was There

The Lord Was There

Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the Lord was there: (Ezekiel 35:10)

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18

Feb

2026

1 Tim 3:15 – Is the Church the foundation for the Bible?

1 Tim 3:15 – Is the Church the foundation for the Bible?

Problem: Roman Catholic interpreters note that Paul writes, “The household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Of course, “pillars” are the foundation of the house. From this, they conclude that the Church is the foundation of the Bible—not the other way around. Is this the case?

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17

Feb

2026

The Faith of the Evolutionist

The Faith of the Evolutionist

Many people think that faith is strictly a religious matter and concerns unprovable issues such as angels, heaven and, of course, belief in the creation story. They further feel that belief in evolution is more reasonable, since it is based upon hard and proven facts. But is this true?

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17

Feb

2026

1 Tim 3:11 – Are these instructions for “female deacons” or “the wives of deacons?”

1 Tim 3:11 – Are these instructions for “female deacons” or “the wives of deacons?”

Problem: Paul refers to “women” (gunē) in the context of referring to deacons. This term can be rendered as “women” or “wives.” Therefore, Paul can either be referring to “female deacons” or the “wives of deacons.” Which is it?

Solution: At this period in history, the feminine form of deacon (diakonissa) didn’t exist yet. So, Paul couldn’t have used that term. That being said, a number of observations can be made in support of the claim that Paul is thinking of “female deacons” or “deaconesses.”

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16

Feb

2026

Christ & Islam

On a cold November day in 1095, Pope Urban II roused a Christendom plagued by internal wars to take up the cause of holy war against Islam. “If you must have blood,” he exhorted, “bathe in the blood of infidels.” With the conversion of Emperor Constantine in the early fourth century, Christian leaders had gone from being dipped in wax to their necks as candles in Nero’s garden to being seated in regal splendor for imperial feasts. Increasingly, the kingdom of Christ’expanding by Word and Spirit’was identified with a civilization’expanding by sword and shield.

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16

Feb

2026

1 Tim 3:2,12 – A Man of Many Wives

1 Tim 3:2,12 – A Man of Many Wives

Problem: Does God Condone Polygamy?

And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. (1 Kings 11:3)

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober–minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach . . . (1 Timothy 3:2)

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15

Feb

2026

The Hunting Wasp

The Hunting Wasp

What if your refrigerator stopped working… in August? It would be a real mess. Without refrigeration, we would have to get fresh food almost every day! The hunting wasp doesn’t build refrigerators, but it has solved this problem.

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15

Feb

2026

1 Tim 3:2 – Does this passage preclude female eldership?

1 Tim 3:2 – Does this passage preclude female eldership?

Problem: Paul says that an elder should be “the husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2). How can a woman possibly be an elder, if this is the requirement?

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14

Feb

2026

Return To Your First Love

Return To Your First Love

You have abandoned the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:4)

We will always remember that best and brightest of hours when we first saw the Lord, lost our burden, received the gift of grace, rejoiced in full salvation, and went on our way in peace. It was springtime in the soul; the winter was past; the mutterings of Sinai’s thunders were hushed; the flashings of its lightnings were no more perceived; God was beheld as reconciled; the law threatened no vengeance, and justice demanded no punishment.

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14

Feb

2026

1 Tim 2:15 – “she shall be saved in childbearing” – What does this mean?

1 Tim 2:15 – “she shall be saved in childbearing” – What does this mean?

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety” (1 Timothy 2:15)

What does this mean?

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13

Feb

2026

Scholarolatry and Ignorantolatry

Scholarolatry and Ignorantolatry

Many who fancy themselves “intellectuals,” look down upon a man who does not have a list of letters after his name, implying that he is unlearned and ignorant because he does not fit the mold of what they have decided a scholar must be. Some of the letters I receive reflect this attitude.

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13

Feb

2026

1 Tim 2:13-14 – Who Gets the Blame for Original Sin—Adam or Eve?

1 Tim 2:13-14 – Who Gets the Blame for Original Sin—Adam or Eve?

Problem: Genesis 3 states that Eve ate the fruit first, but Romans 5 states that Adam caused sin to enter the world.

The Genesis account of the Fall indicates that Eve ate the fruit first. This has led many people throughout history and even in our modern times to believe that she was the person responsible for original sin. You have likely heard the old canard, “We wouldn’t be in this mess [meaning the general sinfulness of our fallen world] if it weren’t for a woman.” But is that an accurate statement? Is Eve to blame for original sin?

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12

Feb

2026

A Most Unlikely Friendship

A Most Unlikely Friendship

When we discover the unexpected in the creation, we are reminded that reality is much bigger than our small thoughts. That’s a hint! God Himself says in the Bible, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isa. 55:8).

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12

Feb

2026

1 Tim 2:8 – Should Christians Pray in Public or Not?

1 Tim 2:8 – Should Christians Pray in Public or Not?

Problem: Why did Paul encourage Christians to pray everywhere, but Jesus said to pray in secret?

A couple passages in Scripture regarding prayer have been cited as a contradiction. Here are the verses in question:

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8)

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:5–8)

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