How can I prove to my husband that God is real?  He says there is no proof and that I may as well believe in aliens.  He also says that God is just a story that people made up, just like any other god like Buddha.  We have been arguing about this for a couple of months, and I’m beginning to think that God isn’t real because I cannot prove Him at all… in any kind of way. And praying isn’t helping; I’ve prayed and prayed and – nothing.  What do I do other than pray?

Sincerely,
Not A Debater

Dear Not A Debater,

We recommend that you stop talking to your husband about this subject and hand him a list of books to read.  If he reads them, you will know that he is honestly seeking answers… if he doesn’t, you can know that he just likes to poke fun at religious people (in which case, you shouldn’t waste your time discussing the issue with him anyway!).  We also recommend you take the time to read these books for your own personal growth and comfort.  There are thousands of logical reasons to believe in the existence of God… and the more we learn about the world around us, the more we find Rom 1:20 to be true.  The whole creation screams of His existence.  Here are a list of books and videos that we find worth reading and watching.

1)    Has God Spoken? by A.O. Schnabel

2)    Case For A Creator by Lee Strobel

3)    Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell

4)    Expelled with Ben Stein

5)    The Mysterious Island with Doug Phillips

6)    Answers with Ken Ham

This is hardly an exhaustive list, but it is a good beginning point for your husband’s investigation into spiritual matters.  Hopefully, he has an honest heart and is willing to search out the matter.

This is a follow-up to the “Big Boned” question I asked.  Why was that a bad thing then that the people were together?  Is it like when the Jews were only to wed people from their tribes, no one outside of that?

Sincerely,
Average Height

Dear Average Height,

We aren’t completely sure what you are asking, so if we don’t answer your question, feel free to e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we’ll try and clarify things via e-mail.

We think that what you are asking is why it was wrong for the Nephilim to intermarry with other people in Gen 6:4.  The answer is – it wasn’t wrong.  Gen 6:4 is simply stating that these larger people intermarried with the normal-sized people in the days of Noah.  The Bible isn’t saying it was wrong; it is simply stating what happened.  It is, and always has been, perfectly fine for tall people to marry short people.

[This question is a follow-up to “There Can Be Only One”]

Why are all the other religions wrong?  Are 1.5 billion people going to heaven while 4.5 billion will burn in hell?  It almost doesn’t seem like the fair and loving God I would worship.

Sincerely,
All-Inclusive

Dear All-Inclusive,

God is perfectly fair – we just aren’t very grateful for what He has offered us.  There is nothing unfair about God’s plan of salvation.  Everyone can be saved in Christ (Jhn 3:16).  Jesus opened a door to salvation that anyone can walk through.  Anyone that desires to have salvation through Christ can have it (Rev 3:20).  It isn’t His fault that many people spurn His invitation.  Which road we take is our choice (Matt 7:13).

[This question is a follow-up to “A Thanksgiving To Remember”]

Why is it so important to apologize to others?  I know it is important to apologize to God… but other people when they do you wrong also?  Why can’t others just forget about it, sweep it under a rug so to speak?

Sincerely,
Get Over It

Dear Get Over It,

It is important because God says it is important (Lk 17:4).  Confessing our sins to one another is part of the growth process that God expects us to go through (Jas 5:16).  Heb 10:24 says that we need to consider one another… and that is part of what apologizing is.  An apology shows that you have considered the feelings of the other person after you have wronged them.  Admitting we are wrong is a sign of maturity and humility (Matt 23:12).  Love seeks the benefit of the other person (1 Cor 13:5) – apologizing helps those we have hurt to heal.

I recently watched a television program that centered around the meaning of Genesis 6:4.  It was in regards to whether there were really “giants” at that time in history.  Later on in the program, it showed that the original Greek translation was not the same word as “giant” as we know it – but would be the same word as meaning ‘neanderthals’ or ‘homosapiens’.  I don’t remember what the word was exactly, but since watching the program, I keep thinking about that verse and what it means.  I don’t know if I’m understanding it right.  Does it mean that there were less “evolved” humans at the same time?  If so, how does that fit into what the Bible says about God’s creation of the Earth?  Just a bit of clarification would be helpful!

Sincerely,
Average Height

Dear Average Height,

The word used in Gen 6:4 is ‘Nephilim’, and it is a Hebrew word – not a Greek one.  The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew because that is the Jewish language.  The word ‘Nephilim’ means ‘giant’, ‘fallen one’, or ‘wondrous one’.  The word was translated ‘giant’ by the Greeks when they wrote the Old Testament in Greek… the version of the Bible that Jesus quoted.  The Nephilim weren’t less-evolved or some sort of evolutionary missing link; they were simply very big people.  Men like Goliath were descendants of this giant group of people (Num 13:33).  Different races of people have distinct physical characteristics; this particular race’s distinction was their height.  They weren’t primitive, just big.

I met a lady who is a christian (as I am).  We have been both been married four times each and have determined that marriage is not the answer for us.  I love her heart and soul; we share Scripture together, etc. The problem is sex; she feels that it’s completely wrong outside of marriage.  Is there any hope for us?  We are both forty-six.

Sincerely,
0 for 4

Dear 0 for 4,

There isn’t any hope for you unless you start listening to her because she is right, and you are wrong.  It is always sinful for people to lay with one another outside of marriage (1 Cor 7:1-4).  Sex outside of marriage is called ‘fornication’ – it is sinful and will bring you into judgment (Heb 13:4).  Hell will be full of those who don’t honor God’s commands regarding chastity (Rev 21:8).  You must obey God’s commandments as well as this woman’s desire to be righteous.  Make sure that you avoid sin and cease putting stumbling blocks in front of this woman (Matt 18:7).