Problem: Throughout the Bible, we see conflicting messages on the visibility of God. On the one hand, God appeared to Abraham (Gen. 17:1; 18:1) and Moses (Ex. 6:2-3). In fact, Moses recorded that the elders “saw the God of Israel” (Ex. 24:10). However, in this passage, Paul says that God is “invisible” (1 Tim. 1:17), and at the end of this letter, Paul writes that God “dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see” (1 Tim. 6:16). God told Moses that “no man can see me and live” (Ex. 33:20), and John wrote, “No one has seen God at any time” (Jn. 1:18; c.f. 5:37; 6:46). Critics argue that the Bible seems to be offering a clear contradiction on the visibility of God.
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1st Tim 1:8 – What is the proper use of the Law?
Problem: Some interpreters believe that the Law is helpful for spiritual growth for Christians. For instance, Reformed theologian Louis Berkhof writes, “The law serves the purpose of restraining sin and promoting righteousness. Considered from this point of view, the law presupposes sin and is necessary on account of sin. It serves the purpose of God’s common grace in the world at large… The law is a rule of life for believers, reminding them of their duties and leading them in the way of life and salvation. This third use of the law is denied by the Antinomians.”[1]
They believe that the Law is a “means of grace,” which helps us to grow spiritually. Therefore, they interpret Paul’s statement about being “released from the Law” in a multitude of ways.
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1 Tim 1:4 – What was the false teaching in Ephesus?
Problem: Paul encouraged Timothy to combat false teaching in Ephesus. But, what sort of false teaching was it?
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2 Thess 3:6 – Does this passage teach excommunication from the church?
Problem: Some Christians interpret this passage to refer to excommunication. When a believer is removed from fellowship, they are sent to hell with Satan (v.5). Does a Christian community have the authority to cut someone off from salvation in this way?
2 Thess 2:15 – Does this passage support the Roman Catholic doctrine of the teaching magisterium?
CLAIM: Paul writes, “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us (2 Thess. 2:15). Roman Catholic theologians claim that we need a teaching magisterium to accurately interpret the Bible. Citing this passage, Catholic apologist Tim Staples writes, “When Paul wrote his second letter to the Thessalonians, he urged Christians there to receive the oral and written Traditions as equally authoritative. This would be expected because both are the word of God.”[1] Is this the case?
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2 Thess 2:11 – Is it wrong for God to send a deluding influence?
Problem: Why would God send a deluding influence on people so they would believe what is false? Isn’t that morally wrong? First of all, let’s look at the context.
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2 Thess 2:11- How can God send a lie for people to believe and yet not allow liars in heaven?
Problem: Paul wrote, “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (2 Thes. 2:11). But Revelation 21:8 says, “the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” But it seems inconsistent for God to condemn liars and yet send such a strong delusion that people should believe a lie.
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2 Thess 2:9-12 – A deluding influence?
Problem: Paul writes, “God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false…” (2 Thess. 2:11). Why would God intentionally give these people a “deluding influence,” so that they wouldn’t believe in him?
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2 Thess 2:6-7 – Who is the restrainer?
Problem: Christian commentators are greatly confused over the identity of the restrainer. Who exactly is the restrainer?
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2 Thess 2:1-8 – Does this passage describe the rapture?
Problem: Some interpreters argue that this passage supports a post-tribulation rescue (or rapture) of the Church. Paul explicitly teaches that the subject of this passage is the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him” (2 Thess. 2:1). Then, he goes on to write that the rescue of the Church will not come until the “apostasy” and the “man of lawlessness” are revealed in the Great Tribulation (v.3) and the Antichrist sits in the temple (v.4). Since these events occur during the Tribulation, post-tribulationists argue that Paul must be consoling the Thessalonians with the fact that they had not missed the rapture, because these events hadn’t occurred yet. Is this the case?
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2 Thess 1:9 – Is hell really annihilation of the soul?
Problem: Paul writes of these persecutors facing “eternal destruction” (2 Thess. 1:9). However, Annihilationists claim that we cannot be destroyed for eternity. Instead, this passage refers to a completed destruction that will have consequences for eternity. Is this the case?
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2 Thess 1:9 – Will the wicked be annihilated or suffer conscious punishment forever?
Problem: In some passages of Scripture, like this one, it speaks of the wicked being “destroyed” by God, suffering “the second death” (Rev. 20:14), or going to “perdition” (2 Peter 3:7). Yet in other places, it speaks of them suffering conscious torment (e.g., Luke 16:22–28). Will unsaved persons be annihilated, or will they consciously suffer forever?
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1 Thess 4:16-17 – Is there a waiting period between dying and going to heaven?
Problem: When a Christian dies, will he/she go immediately to judgment, then to heaven, or is there a waiting period? (2 Cor. 5:8; 1 Thes. 4:16-17).
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1 Thess 4:16-17 – Does this describe a pre-tribulation rapture or a post-tribulation rapture of the church?
It is important to note that this is non-essential doctrine. In the end, it is relatively unimportant when the rapture will happen; it is more important that it will happen. Moreover, the premillennial position does not hinge on the rapture. Instead, the timing of the rapture is an in-house discussion within the premillennial view.
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1 Thess 4:15 – Did Paul believe Christ would return in his lifetime?
Problem: Critics note that Paul says that “we” will remain until Jesus returns. From this statement, they conclude that Paul made a mistake, thinking that Jesus would return before he died.
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