1st century Christianity in the 21st century
Who was at the empty tomb? Mary Magdalene? Was it Mary Magdalene and the other Mary? Or was it Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome? Is there a contradiction between Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, and John 20:1?
Continue reading “Which women went to the empty tomb? Answering the Atheist”
Throughout the Bible, we encounter those who suffer from leprosy. This horrid disease brought with it a host of hardships. Of the dreadful affliction, Barnes writes:
“…though the appearance of the disease is at first in the skin, yet it is deeply seated in the bones, and marrow, and joints of the body…A leprous person may live twenty, or thirty, or even fifty years, if he received the disease at his birth, but they will be years of indescribable misery. The bones and marrow are pervaded with the disease. The malady advances, from one stage to another, with slow and certain ruin. Life still lingers amidst the desolation; the joints, and hands, and feet, lose their power; and the body collapses, or falls together, in a form hideous and awful.”
Continue reading ““I Am Willing, Be Cleansed” – Embrace New Life In Jesus”Who was Joseph’s father? Matthew 1:16 says, “Jacob begat Joseph,” but Luke 3:23 says Joseph “was the son of Heli.” Is there a contradiction?
Continue reading “Who Really was Joseph’s Father? Answering The Atheist”
Before the reign of King Charles IX in France, New Year’s celebrations began on March 25, concluding on April 1. In 1582, he decreed that with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s be moved to January 1. Those who refused to accept the change or forgot were ridiculed with foolish gifts and invitations to non-existent parties, and identified as April Fools, or called in French, “poisson d’avril” (literally translated, April fish). With the acceptance of the Gregorian calendar, the custom spread throughout Europe and into the Americas.
Continue reading “April Fools and Foolishness: Wisdom from Proverbs You Need to Know”A God of war (Exodus 15:3) or a God of peace (Romans 15:33)?
Continue reading “Is the God of the Bible A God of War or Peace? Answering The Atheist”Is God good to all, or just a few? Do Psalm 145:9 and Jeremiah 13:14 contradict?
Continue reading “Is God Good To All People Or Just A Few? Answering The Atheist”
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me … Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father, there is one who accuses you – Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe Me words?” (John 5:39, 45-47)
Continue reading “Exploring Jesus’ Bold Declaration: “The Scriptures … Testify Of Me””Answering The Atheist has been created to provide explanations to supposed contradictions put forth by opponents of the Bible. Readers are welcome and invited to submit alleged discrepancies in Scripture, whether you intend to illustrate the futility in believing the Bible (perhaps our atheist or agnostic friends), or you sincerely desire to have an apparent contradiction explained (Perhaps our Bible-believing friends).
Continue reading “Just Excuses Or Genuine Explanations? Answering The Atheist”If someone has firmly decided that the Bible is untrue and full of errors and discrepancies, convincing them otherwise becomes exceptionally difficult. There is little we can do to help them. Even if we adequately respond to a few supposed contradictions, opponents of the Bible have amassed a seemingly endless supply of apparent discrepancies. What is most unsettling to this writer is that Satan may gain victory over a child of God overwhelmed with a myriad of assumed inconsistencies. Thus, I have determined to begin this additional section in our weekly bulletin – Answering The Atheist.
Continue reading “Is The Bible Really Full of Errors? Answering The Atheist”
Does it make any difference what church we are a member of? Is one just as good as the next? Newspapers today tell us to “Join the Church of your choice.” The selection is amazing! There are large groups, small groups, charismatic groups, not so charismatic groups. Groups who use creed books and groups who don’t. Groups who use the Old and New Testament and groups who use only one or the other. The question we need to ask about church membership is not which group I want to assemble with, but rather, which group would God have me assemble with?
Continue reading “Is Church Membership Important? The Truth May Surprise You”