Can thieves go to heaven? | Answering the Atheist
Inquiry:
Can thieves go to heaven? Mark 15:27 and Luke 23:32-43 says yes, but 1 Corithians 6:9-10 says no. Is there a contradiction?
Articles
Finding the Lost Word: Josiah’s Example of Faith & Obedience
During the reign of Josiah, king of Judah, Shaphan the scribe was sent to the house of the LORD, where he was to inquire about the money available for repairs to the temple. It appears that the temple was not the only thing in Judah that was run down – their faith and obedience to the will of God was also depleted. At the temple, Hilkiah the high priest handed a book to Shaphan, saying,
I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD. (2 Kings 22:8)
It cannot be determined with certainty what “book of the Law of the LORD” Hilkiah found. Was it the original document or was it a copy?
1 John 1:7: Is There Forgiveness Without Repentance?
A discussion of continual cleansing is certainly not a new thing, though it is a topic which I have never specifically addressed in print before. As with most topics that have been the subject of heated debate, it appears that there are misconceptions on both sides of the conversation as to what the other is saying. It’s sad that many disputes are the result of too much talking and not enough listening. Let us take a few moments here to consider what the Bible says about the forgiveness of sins, repentance, and the doctrine of continual cleansing.
How old was Terah when he died? | Answering the Atheist
Inquiry:
How old was Terah when he died? Was he 146 (Genesis 11:26; 12:4) or was he 205 (Genesis 11:32)? Is there a contradiction?
Was the Resurrection Reported Immediately? | Answering the Atheist
Inquiry:
Did the women report the resurrection immediately or not? Luke 24:8-9 and Matthew 28:8 say they told the disciples righht away, but Mark 16:8 says they told no one. Is there a contradiction?
A Reciple for Religious Division: Same Words, New Meanings
Prior to His arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, the Lord prayed for the unity of all believers (John 17:20-21). Paul echoes the same sentiment when he admonished the church at Corinth that we should all speak the same things and be of the same mind (1 Corinthians 1:10). With such an expectation, it is discouraging to see the division which exists in today’s religious world.
A number of things might explain the division which exists. A failure to rightly divide the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15); seeking to keep a law which is not ours to keep (Galatians 5:4), obeying the teaching of man rather than the teaching of God (Matthew 15:3, 9) – all of these have contributed to the lack of unity among believers in Jesus. In addition to these, or maybe part and parcel with these, is the fact that some have redefined some Bible terms, resulting in a number of false teachings and practices, and thus religious division.
Turning back the sundial by 10 degrees | Answering the Atheist
Inquiry:
Why did God turn the sundial back ten degrees? Was it as a sign that He would heal Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:7-11) or as a sign that He would defend the city against the Assyrians (Isaiah 38:4)? Is there a contradiction?
Your Life Is Hidden with Christ in God
What a wonderful thought the apostle Paul presents. Those who are raised with Christ are said to have died, and now have a life hidden with Christ in God! In the rest of Colossians 3, the apostle goes on to tell us what that means in the life of the Christian.
Before we look at the life changes which must take place, Paul alludes to our entrance into Christ. His mention of a death and a resurrection is an allusion to the penitent believer’s baptism. Only those who have been baptized into Christ can be raised to life with Him (Romans 6:3-5). Until we are buried in the likeness of His death, we cannot be in the likeness of His resurrection.
How To Treat Strangers | Answering the Atheist
Inquiry:
How should strangers be treated? Should they be killed (Numbers 1:41; 3:10, 38; 18:7; Deuteronomy 7:2) or should they be treated kindly (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 10:19; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:10; Matthew 25:35)? Is there a contradiction?
Psalm 100 – The Lord, He is God
With just 5 verses, Psalm 100 is among the shortest in the Bible. However, the ability of a psalm to encourage us in the faith is not determined by how much is written, but what is written. The five verses of this Psalm are packed with encouragement for the child of God.
1 Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.