Did Adam and Eve have children before the Fall?
Thanks for your question. I'll offer several reasons why I believe Adam and Eve didn’t have any pre-Fall children. First, the Bible teaches that Adam and Eve were the very first humans God made. All…
What is the significance of Hosea's children?
In the providence of the Lord, Hosea was called upon to minister to the northern kingdom of Israel. God commissioned Hosea to assist in calling Israel to repentance and restoration by laying bare…
What commandment(s) did Adam violate in the Fall?
This is a good question, because the fall of Adam isn't merely about the definite sin of eating a piece of forbidden fruit. It's about all the sins behind this sin of sins as well. It concerns the…
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…
Muhammad the Messenger? - Isaiah 42
Isaiah 42:1 (KJV) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Isaiah 42:11 (KJV) Let the…
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…
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…
Homosexuality or Inhospitality? - Genesis 19:5
Genesis 19:5 (KJV) And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. Genesis 19:8 (NIV) Look, I have two…
Which books of the Bible is God's name not mentioned in?
There are two books that don't "directly" mention God's name in them: Esther and Song of Solomon, though in Song 8:6 the NASB and ESV translate the last few letters of the word salhebet yah as LORD.…
Make Your Calling and Election Sure - 2 Peter 1:10
Romans 8:29-30 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called…
Were Ruth and Naomi Lesbians?
Thanks for your question. Lesbianism is condemned in Scripture (Rom 1:26-27; cf. Lev 18:3 - the Sifra [an early rabbinic commentary on the book of Leviticus] interprets this passage to include that…
The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments
"How does the ministry of the Holy Spirit differ in the Old and New Testaments? Were Old Testament believers permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit, or did the Spirit simply come upon them for…
Can you explain Romans 11?
An answer to this question is quite involved, so it will be rather long and covered in four sections. Romans 11:1-10 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an…
Will Old Testament animal sacrifices be restored when Christ returns?
While there are different views concerning this, from what I consider the correct view of eschatology, which is amillennialism, I would say there absolutely will be no animal sacrifices. Let's divide…
Homosexuality and the Centurion's Servant?
Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10, and John 4:43-54 (see below) are interesting passages. Each contains a story concerning a Centurion (meaning "captain of 100"). Though closely related the different…
What is the covenant of salt?
All covenants (Heb. beriyth ) speak of both blessing and cursing (please see "Covenants in General" below), but the covenant of salt is particularly interesting. Some scholars note that salt in 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…
What is the meaning of Day in Genesis 1?
I previously wrote that the Hebrew word yom in Genesis 1, literally means a 24-hour Day, as supported by: (1) Yom's Sabbath Day usage in Exodus 20:9-11 (cf. Gen. 1:1-2:3). (2) Yom's appearance with…
Calvinism and 1 Timothy 2:4, 6?
Thanks for your question. The Reformed faith teaches that Jesus died only for the elect and not for every single person in the world. See "Calvinism and Titus 2:11?" and "Calvinism and 1 John 2:2?"…
Conviction, Cleansing, Commissioning and A Message (Isa. 6:1-13)
There’s a lot to unfold and understand in Isaiah 6:1-13. I have categorized the chapter under four main headings: Conviction of a Servant (Isa. 6:1-5); Cleansing of a Servant (Isa. 6:6-7)…
Calvinism and 1 John 2:2?
Thanks for our question. Since, I briefly discuss the definition of the biblical doctrine of limited atonement under "Calvinism and 1 Timothy 2:4, 6?" and "Calvinism and Titus 2:11?" (see below), I'm…
Did Calvin murder Servetus?
First, let me start with a little history regarding the five points of Calvinism. John Calvin died in 1564, and in 1610 the Arminians the followers of Jacob Arminius, who had died a year before, drew…
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…