Is the NIV a good translation?
The NIV is a very good translation. It is, however, a "dynamic equivalent" translation. That is, they translate "thought for thought" rather than "word for word." That makes it more "readable" than…
Calvinism and Matthew 23:37?
Your question is referring to universalism, and there are several texts of Scripture that appear to speak to this: Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; I Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9. However, when properly…
Does the earth abide forever?
Great question. First, in context, it might be worth mentioning that Ecclesiastes is not asserting that the earth will "never end" (it will always continue in some form). Rather, it is contrasting…
Slain In The Spirit
Well, the fact that your pastor won't discuss the merits of the teaching ought to tell you something significant. Not that Benny Hinn or his theological compatriots are wrong about everything, but…
Pre-Apostolic Succession ???
There was an exchange of numerous e-mails regarding this topic. This one somewhat summarizes what has been discussed "so far." This is actually an edited (spelling, formatting, etc., not content)…
Literal Interpretation
Preliminary Issues First, I'm afraid I will have to mix my answers with theology in order that my responses to specific examples will make sense. You clearly approach the Bible from a particular set…
Hebrew Superlative
The short answer is no. There are many ways to form a superlative in Hebrew, and in the Bible threefold repetition is not one of them. The long and technical answer is: In Hebrew the superlative may…
Anti-Paedocommunion
In Reformed circles there are different positions on peadocommunion. There is the "pro" (P-PC) and the "anti" (A-PC) positions. Ra McLaughlin, a trusted and scholarly theologian at IIIM, endorses the…
Preaching vs. Teaching
The distinction between preaching and teaching is not one that Scripture draws for us explicitly. It is also fair to say that they way modern denominations use these terms is not always consistent…
Covenants, Vows, Promises and a False Gospel?
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds like you are wrestling several issues. I'll try to address two of them specifically. The Gospel The first issue is the question of what the gospel…
Ambiguous Scripture
On Interpretation There are several reasons that Scripture is misinterpreted, and not all of them have to do with how it was written. In some senses, God purposed for some Scripture to be…
Old Testament Women and Salvation
First, many women in the Old Testament were saved. Hebrews 11:31 mentions a woman of faith (the prostitute Rahab), and elsewhere we see other woman of faith, such as Sarah in 1 Pet. 3:6, held forth…
Kline on the Covenant of Works
Yes, our official position is that of the Westminster Standards (WCF 7.2; 19.1,6; WLC 30, 97). That being said, we tend to understand that position somewhat differently than do some others within the…
Rapture, Millennium, Wrath
If I understand you correctly, you understand the Bible to teach that there will be a future period of tribulation, followed by the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Generally, when…
Ancient Near-Eastern Covenant Distinctions
I believe that sharp distinctions between different kinds of covenants paralleling ancient Near-Eastern texts are not as sure as they once were (Compare NIV Study Bible on Genesis 6). Abram's…
Bible Versions
There are several factors to consider when discussing the accuracy of translations. First, some different translations are based on different manuscripts (old copies of Greek and Hebrew texts).…
Violent Resistance
As far as violence/non-violence in the current age goes, Christian scholarship is divided on the issue. Personally, I think violence is sometimes justified. First of all, Paul teaches clearly that…
Does the Doctrine of the Trinity Matter?
The matter is highly complex and abstract. In fact, it took the church until A.D. 451 (at the Council of Chalecedon) to finalize its formal statements most of these things issues. Even today the…
Is Strong's Concordance a good Bible dictionary?
Yes, Strong's concordance is an excellent dictionary of sorts. It is good to know the meaning of words when studying anything. However, we also must remember that the Bible is more than just words…
Narrative Theology
"Narrative theology" is a fairly broad term, encompassing a variety of specific approaches to theology, interpretation and application. Most generally, it is that approach to theology that finds…
Does the death penalty deter crime?
If it helps any I am a former police detective and I never worked a murder committed by someone that was already tried, sentenced, executed, and buried for his previous crimes. I know this is blunt…
Hosea 11 Interpretation
Hosea 11:2 is part of God's complaint about his wayward people. In this particular verse, he is expressing his love for Israel and his dedication to them, especially as demonstrated in his patience…
Meaning and Application
The meaning/application argument is developed pretty fully in Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Here's a summary: To "apply" the Bible, in general terms, is to use the Bible to answer our questions…
Israel's Fate
Since people often have many different things in mind when they use the word "fate" (e.g. purpose, destiny, or result), we're going to look at the intentions God had in creating the nation of Israel…