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…
Were all Job's children killed or not? Job 1:2; Job 1:18-19; Job 19:17
Job 1:2 He had seven sons and three daughters. Job 1:18-19 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest…
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…
God sent an evil spirit? 1 Samuel 16:14
1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. 1 Samuel 18:10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was…
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."…
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…
The Re-Newed or New Covenant?
In Jeremiah 31:31 we see God renewing, restoring, or refreshing - not replacing - the covenant with his people. So why do we express the covenant in such terms? While there are a myriad of answers…
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…
Is Abortion Murder?
"Yes" abortion is murder. Abortion is not a reproductive right, as reproduction has already taken place. Therefore, abortion is murder. Abortion: A Brief Ancient History of a Despicable Crime…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
What does where their worm does not die mean in Mark 9:48?
Mark 9:48: … where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched (cf. Job 25:6; Isa. 66:24; Acts 12:23). At this point in Scripture, Jesus is focusing upon the eternal body and soul of the…
Can you explain the Aaronic Blessing?
The Aaronic Blessing is in Numbers 6:24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you…
What does Legion mean?
First, let’s look at the meaning of the word "legion." It probably originated in Roman times. A Roman Legion officially consisted of approximately 6000 fighting men. Its basic structure went…
Was Job without Sin? Job 1:1 and Romans 3:23
Job 1:1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
What is Evanescent Grace?
Let's look at what Calvin stated concerning evanescent grace, a modern-day definition, and then how it relates to the assurance of salvation. Evanescent Grace and John Calvin Calvin wrote many things…
Jesus, a devout Muslim?
No, Jesus was/is not a Muslim, devote or otherwise. Jesus was born approximately 600 years before Muhammad (571-632 A.D.) and the period of the creation of Islam (608-632 A.D.). Let’s approach your…