Did it rain before Noah's Flood?
Thanks for your question. The Scripture does not specifically answer this question. There are good theologians on both sides of the issue. Some scholar's state there was rain before the Flood, others…
Is there humor in the Bible?
While the Holy Spirit considers crude joking a sin (cf. Eph. 5:4), there are different forms of wit and wordplay observed in the Bible. But the reader must recognize that they are reading humor from…
Different Levels of Hell
In the Bible, there are a number of different words for the abode(s) of the deceased. In the Hebrew Old Testament we find terms like "new earth," "Sheol," "Abaddon" and various words for "the pit."…
The New Testament Tithe?
This note is but a brief representation of what the Bible teaches about "tithing" vs. "giving." I am grateful for and highly recommend Dr. Russell Earl Kelly's, "Should the Church Teach Tithing? A…
Begging for Bread? - Psalm 37:5
Psalm 37:25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. First, in Psalm 37, David reflects on whether the righteous or unrighteous will…
Was Saul chosen by God, by the people, or by casting a lot? 1 Samuel 8:19; 9:17; 10:20-21, 24
1 Samuel 8:19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No! they said. We want a king over us." 1 Samuel 9:17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, "This is the man I spoke to…
Can your briefly explain election in Romans 8:29-30?
I apologize, but this answer even in a very brief form is rather long. But in attempting to keep it as simple as possible: Romans 8:29-30 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be…
When was Hell created?
The Bible does not tell us when Hell was created. While the Bible states that Hell was made for the Devil and his angels (Greek, aggelos , meaning, "sent ones") it does not specify a particular time…
An Eternal Hell is for Real - The Heresy of Annihilationism?
Thanks for your question. This is a humbling issue. The Doctrine of an Eternal Hell is very clearly taught in such historic documents as the The Westminster Confession of Faith (33 - Of the Last…
Theological Flowerbeds - D.A.I.S.Y. vs. T.U.L.I.P.
Calvinism is more than a mere five points; it includes the entire Bible. Such documents as the Westminster Confession of Faith barely skim the surface of what true Calvinism means. Among other things…
What are the Acrostic Psalms?
An acrostic is a poem in which the initial letters of each successive line form a word, phrase, or pattern. The acrostic Psalms tend to use the twenty-two letters with a few slight variations, of the…
Calvinism and John 3:16?
John 3:16 is probably the first verse that most in the Christian faith memorize. It is more than likely the most misinterpreted verse in Scripture. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave…
Jesus the Sinner
No, Jesus never sinned. The Bible specifically says that Jesus was sinless: "Christ . . . offered himself without blemish to God" (Heb. 9:14). The author of Hebrews also teaches: "Since then we have…
Introduction to the Poetic and Wisdom Books
Introduction to the Poetic and Wisdom Books We will breifly discuss the Poetic and Wisdom Books in two separate sections below: (1) Old Testament Poetry and (2) Old Testament Wisdom. Section 1: Old…
Was Peter the First Pope?
Thanks for your question. The short answer is "No." Let's look at this issue. Briefly, the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) teaches that the Apostle Peter was the first pope, upon whom God chose to build…
Lessons on Repentance - Psalm 51
People often ask, "How Do I Repent My Sins Before God?" God's answer is found in Psalm 51. David wrote this Psalm. It is one of the seven penitential Psalms (Psa. 6, 32, 40, 102, 130, 143). It is a…
What is the New Lord's Prayer?
The "real" Lord’s Prayer is seen in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. The so-called "New Lord’s Prayer" (or NLP) reads as follows: Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come…
Noah, Baptism, and Hell - 1 Peter 3:18-22
Thanks for your questions? (1) Baptism does save, not by literally washing one's sins away, but as Peter says, through "a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" which is a gift of…
Why did God providentially take Ezekiel’s wife?
What God says in Ezekiel 24:15-17 (NASB) can also be confounding: "And the word of the Lord came to me saying, Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but…
Was Levi Cursed or Blessed?
Genesis 49:5-7 Simeon and Levi are brothers - their swords are weapons of violence. Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and…
Calvinism and Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11?
There are some texts in Scripture that are difficult to understand. Two of these are: Ezekiel 18:32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone , declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!…
Making Out
The short answer is no, the Bible does not say that it is wrong to kiss before you are married. Of course, there are lots of different kinds of kisses mentioned in the Bible - mostly kisses used as…
Did God tell Samuel to lie - 1 Samuel 16:1-5
1 Samuel 16:1-5 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of…
Is Cosmetic Surgery a Sin?
First, we must clearly state that there are legitimate uses for plastic surgery. As a former police detective, I have seen several people that have been disfigured by accidents, crimes, fires, etc.…