What does the Bible have to say about conservationism and environmental concerns? I’ve noticed lately that several well-known Christian leaders have decided to make “global-warming” a key issue. Other evangelicals suggest that the “climate change” movement is primarily political and ideological in motivation. That’s the way I’ve viewed it, but I’m also aware that God …
Faith Q&As
Does the Bible verse that warns against “friendship with the world” relate to being friends with non-Christians? I’ve heard it said many times that Christians need to be intentional about developing friendships with non-believers and resist the temptation to spend all their time with like-minded people in the “Christian ghetto.” But James 4:4 says, “Do …
How does God respond to intercessory prayer? I haven’t seen much fruit from my faithful prayers on behalf of a wayward child, and I’m just about ready to give up. Am I missing something? Should I be looking elsewhere for the answers I need?
Why do Christians say human pride is sinful? I don’t understand what’s wrong with a little self-satisfaction and self-confidence. If I feel good about myself for serving at the local soup kitchen or helping a neighbor in need, does that mean I’m going to hell? Aren’t we always telling our kids that it’s important to …
If Christianity is true, why are there so many different religions? There are things about the Christian faith that I find winsome and attractive, but I can’t bring myself to accept it all. It’s difficult to take a step like that in the modern world, where we know so much about so many other belief …
Where did God come from? This is something I’ve always wondered about. When I look at creation, from the astronomical to the cellular level, it’s impossible for me to think that such beauty and complexity is the product of mere chance. But that still leaves one question unanswered: Who made God?
Is “self-forgiveness” a scriptural idea? This isn’t the place to go into details, but certain events and circumstances have left me carrying a heavy load of guilt. I believe in Christ and His death on the cross, but in this case my beliefs don’t seem to have the power to change my feelings. If you …
Is it possible for a “backslider” to return to faith? Hebrews 6:4-6 seems to say no. I’m a returned “backslider” myself, so this passage of Scripture has always been painful and confusing for me. How can I be sure I am restored? Doesn’t the message of these verses cancel out everything the New Testament has …
How important is it for Christians to observe the Sabbath? I know that this is one of the Ten Commandments, but is it still valid for believers who are now living under grace rather than the law? And while I’m at it, how did the Sabbath get switched from Saturday to Sunday? Where in the …
How do we explain God’s command to slaughter the Canaanites in the Old Testament? There’s a lot that I find attractive about Christianity, but I have serious problems with certain parts of the Bible, especially those sections of the Old Testament that record incidents of divinely authorized genocide and “Holy War.” When the Israelites captured …
If all Christians believe and accept the same truth, why are there are so many denominations with different concepts of God? If the God Christians worship is Love, why can’t they all get together?
Should Christians avoid fantasy literature? I’m a teen girl who loves this genre, especially the works of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and George MacDonald. But recently I stumbled across an article that has caused me to wonder whether I’ve been mistaken in this regard. The author said that Christian fantasy/fiction is an …
Is it wrong to defend myself if someone attacks me? What does Jesus mean when He says, “I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:39). I’m really confused about this. Am I supposed to take this verse literally?
What’s going to happen to people who have never had an opportunity to believe in Jesus? Will they simply be condemned? All my life I’ve been taught that faith in Christ is the only path to a saving relationship with God. I still believe this, but the older I get the harder it becomes to …
Is it possible that God hates me? In Malachi 1:2-3 the Bible says that God “loved Jacob but hated Esau.” This really upsets me. For one thing, if God hated Esau, how do I know He doesn’t hate me? For another thing, if God is Love, as the New Testament says in I John 4:8, …
Why are there so many different translations of the Bible? I find this confusing. Second Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” If that’s true, how did we end up with so many different versions of the Bible? Why do they all say different things? God doesn’t change, does He? I’ve …
What is a “Christian nation?” I’m increasingly confused on this point. I do think believers should be deeply involved in the political process. As a matter of fact, I’m sick of hearing about “separation of church and state,” and I’d love to see America become more thoroughly “Christian” in every way. At the same time, …
What do theologians mean when they say that God is “without passions”? The other day I was doing some reading and came across this statement. Recently our pastor has been talking about the importance of living out our faith passionately, and now I discover that God Himself has no passions! This has caused me some …
Why should I believe when Christianity is so illogical and so inconsistent with what I observe in the world around me? I grew up in a Christian home, went to a Christian university, married a Christian classmate, and now have a growing family of my own. In spite of all this, I no longer consider …
Can we count on God to provide materially for His faithful children? Philippians 4:19 seems to promise that He always will. I’ve been clinging to this verse since losing my job, but it doesn’t seem to have done me and my family much good. Over the past several months we’ve lost our home, our car, …
