Evolutionists, trying to answer creationist arguments, have suggested that there is an “error” in the design of the eye that any wise Creator would not have made. That “error” in design, as evolutionists call it, is that the retina of the mammal’s eye is “inside out.” The light entering the eye passes through other eye tissue before hitting the photoreceptors. But is this really an error in design?
Continue reading →
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).
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)
Continue reading →
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?
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?
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.”
Continue reading →
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.
Continue reading →
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)
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.
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?
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.
“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?
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.
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?
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).