I have been hearing that Jesus’ real name is Yeshua.  Is this right, and if it is, then what is His last name?

Sincerely,
Identity Please

Dear Identity Please,

‘Yeshua’ is Jesus’ name in Hebrew.  Jesus is the Anglicized version of the Hebrew name that is used in English Bibles.  The name ‘Jesus’ or ‘Yeshua’ mean ‘God is salvation’.  Jesus didn’t have a traditional English last name.  In His day, a man’s last name was their father’s first name, so Jesus would have been called ‘Jesus, son of Joseph’ (Matt 1:16).

     Are a servant and a slave the same thing?

Sincerely,
Hired Hand

Dear Hired Hand,

The most common Greek word used for servant is ‘doulos’, and that is the exact same word that is used for ‘slave’.  The word ‘doulos’ was used for both a hired servant and a purchased slave.  It is left to the context to differentiate.

     Catechisms are religious texts with teaching by questions.  Is AskYourPreacher.com a catechism?

Sincerely,
Devout Definitions

Dear Devout Definitions,

Saying that AskYourPreacher is a catechism is kind of like saying that since a wagon has four wheels that it is the same as a car.  Though there are similarities between catechisms’ question/answer format to teach doctrine and AskYourPreacher, we aren’t at all the same.

AskYourPreacher doesn’t use fixed questions and answers – these are real questions that real people ask us on a daily basis.  We would NEVER want someone to use AYP as their sole source of Bible knowledge.  Use the Bible as your sole source of Bible knowledge!  Catechisms are designed to be used as manuals for worship, doctrine, etc.  Our goal is to help refer people back to the Bible and away from man’s traditions – basically the opposite of what catechisms do.

      Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading?  Does this refer to preachers not getting paid?  Or people in the ministry serving?  Not being compensated?  Forgive me, but I don’t have the context of what Paul is saying here.

Sincerely,
Cattle Call

Dear Cattle Call,

In 1 Cor 9:9, Paul says, “Don’t muzzle an ox when he is treading out the grain.”  Oxen were often used to break up the grain and grind it using a giant wheel or other similar methods that employed animal power to break up the grain.  In the Old Testament, God commanded that an ox that was being used to work the grain should be allowed to eat while it worked (i.e. it shouldn’t be muzzled – Deut 25:4).  In 1^st Corinthians 9, Paul is comparing that command given for the benefit of working animals to the attitude we should take toward those who are preaching the gospel (1 Cor 9:10-11).  Just like an ox that treads the grain deserves a bite of that grain from time to time, preachers who dedicate their lives to the gospel have every right to be paid for their work (1 Cor 9:14).

     How did the dinosaurs and cavemen come into existence?

Sincerely,
Question-asaurus

Dear Question-asaurus,

Cavemen are simply men that live in caves, and they have existed as long as people have used caves for convenience.  Today, there are cavemen in places like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even in modern China where an estimated 40 million people currently live in cave and pit dwellings.  Evolutionists would have you believe that cavemen are some genetically inferior pre-humans, but the evidence doesn’t support that.  All current “caveman” bodies found by modern science fit into the category of human or some extinct primate species.  The missing link is still missing for a reason.

Now, let’s deal with dinosaurs.  The world existed for five days before God made Adam and Eve on day six (Gen 1:27).  Aquatic dinosaurs were created on the fifth day (Gen 1:21-23), and land dinosaurs were created on day six (Gen 1:25).

The Bible does mention dinosaur-like animals in Job chapters 40 and 41.  If you read the description of the Behemoth and the Leviathan found in those chapters, you should see the similarities between them and the dinosaur fossils that have been found.  For further information on dinosaurs, read the posts “Jurassic Parks & Rec” and “DINOSAURS!!!”.

Is it scriptural to hold Libertarian political views?

Sincerely,
To The Polls

Dear To The Polls,

It depends on the political views.  Every political group has beliefs that agree with Scriptures and beliefs that contradict Scriptures.  A Christian needs to assess everything they believe off of the Scriptures and never be so beholden to any given political party that they ignore Scripture in order to hold to the party line.  Christianity transcends politics and earthly national views.  Christians are a part of a holy nation that upholds the will of God above all else (1 Pet 2:9).

      Is Tim Tebow the first rider of the seven riders of the apocalypse?

Sincerely,
Go Broncos!

Dear Go Broncos,

No… and it is a good thing because that would really mess up my fantasy football team.  The horsemen you are referring to can be found in Rev 6:1-8.  The book of Revelation is a book that uses symbolic language to describe the persecution that was quickly coming upon the first-century Christians (Rev 1:1-3).  The apostle John said the events were “at hand” and “shortly to come to pass”.  The book of Revelation deals with the Roman persecution of the church – not the end of the world or the rise of the Denver Broncos.

In what are we supposed to put our hopes in society?

Sincerely,
Eager To Invest

Dear Eager To Invest,

We are told that the hope of heaven and the promise of God’s Word is the anchor for a Christian’s soul (Heb 6:17-19).  Christianity is built upon the faith found in God’s Word (Rom 10:17).  If we seek to find happiness through the passing pleasures of sin, or if we place our trust in mankind, we will be disappointed (Heb 11:25).  God tells us to live down here with our hearts and minds fixed upward toward our heavenly home (Col 3:2).

     Is it a sin to purchase an item that has been stolen that I need to fix my truck?  I’m a truck driver, and I need this item to continue working.

Sincerely,
Savvy Shopper?

Dear Savvy Shopper,

It is illegal to purchase stolen goods, and God tells us to obey the laws of the land (Rom 12:1).  If you knowingly purchase stolen goods, you are aiding and abetting a thief, and God tells us not to tie our lives together with the wicked (2 Cor 6:14).  As much as you need this item, that isn’t the way to get it.

     How do you save someone from themselves?

Sincerely,
Lifeguard

Dear Lifeguard,

You can’t.  All you can ever do is provide people with answers, but it is up to them if they want to do anything about it.  As the old adage goes, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”  Jesus even warns that we shouldn’t waste time trying to change people who don’t want to change.  He compared helping that type of person to throwing valuable pearls into a pig pen… the pig won’t value the pearls; he’ll just destroy them (Matt 7:6).
If Jesus, the perfect master teacher, couldn’t save everyone, we need to accept that we can’t either.  Anyone can change, but they have to want it for themselves.

      When is Jesus’ birthday?

Sincerely,
HB2U

Dear HB2U,

No one knows when Jesus was born, but it was most likely in the spring or summer because the shepherds were out – Lk 2:15.  Historians have traced the date of His death to around 33 AD and His birth to somewhere in the vicinity of 4 BC… give or take a couple years.  We are just never given the specific date of His birth in the Bible, and we can’t pinpoint it using secular history either.

     A close friend of mine is a devout Christian.  She has Type 1 diabetes, but beyond taking insulin to stay alive, she ignores the health care system totally.  She has medical insurance; I think she’s trusting her health to God almost 100%.  Does the Word of God sanctify this?  I know faith in God is important, but I am concerned…

Sincerely,
Troubled Friend

Dear Troubled Friend,

If your question is whether or not a Christian is allowed to use doctors and medicine, the answer is ‘yes’.  Paul told Timothy to take wine medicinally for a sick stomach (1 Tim 5:23), and Jas 5:14 describes the elders praying and using oil, a common general ointment, when someone is sick.  God told mankind to take dominion of this world and use it for our good – this includes the creation and use of medicine (Gen 1:26).  Using medicine is not in opposition to having faith in God.  As for how much and when each individual should use medicine, that is up to each person’s discretion and wisdom.

     What things besides the Bible (e.g. a knowledge of history, culture, languages, etc.) are prerequisites to understanding the Bible?  How can our plea be “Bible only” if so much additional knowledge is needed just to understand the Bible itself?

Sincerely,
No Theologian

Dear No Theologian,

The Bible is the only thing we use as our guide, and anything that we can use to help better understand and appreciate the Bible is useful… but it all comes back to God’s Book.  If someone doesn’t know how to read, they can still study their Bible by having others read it to them… but literacy sure makes them more effective students!  You don’t need to know world history, Jewish culture, or Koiné Greek to learn the Bible, but they each offer things that can enhance your studies and give you a deeper knowledge of God’s Word.  All of these are simply tools to help us be better Bible students… but in the end, knowing Bible is the goal and at the heart of all we do (Rom 1:16).

     The common sleeping pills have their affect on the brain by binding to GABA receptors, potentiating a sedative effect.  Alcohol binds to the same receptors and produces the same effects.  If it is “okay” to use a prescribed sleeping pill, would it be equally okay to drink alcohol for the same reason?  I had a medical doctor tell me I could either take an Ambien or drink a glass of wine before bed, so this is a true concern for me.  Please advise.

Sincerely,
Medical Matter

Dear Medical Matter,

Alcohol has always been a problem in society, and Christians are rightfully cautious about any connection with liquor.  This isn’t a new concern; Christians have always felt this way.  In 1 Tim 5:23, Paul had to specifically tell Timothy that using alcohol medicinally was okay.  This is the exact same scenario you are facing.  If your doctor prescribes alcohol medicinally, your situation would fall into the same category as 1 Tim 5:23.  Having said that, if your conscience offends you, you should choose alternate medical routes (after all, we are blessed to live in a time with so many medical options) because anything that isn’t done in faith is sinful (Rom 14:23).

Just to reiterate, this only pertains to medical prescriptions, not recreational or social drinking.

What does the Bible say on cremation?  Is it okay to be cremated after you pass away?

Sincerely,
Last Wishes

Dear Last Wishes,

Both cremation and burial are acceptable Biblical practices. The Bible makes it clear that your body is merely a tent that is discarded at death (2 Cor 5:1-4). Peter recognized that at death we leave this ‘tent’ of a body behind (2 Pet 1:14). Ultimately, your physical body will return to dust and dirt (Gen 3:19). It may sound morbid, but cremation simply speeds along the natural process of decay that will occur to all bodies eventually.

Furthermore, we have at least one account of cremation occurring in the Old Testament. Saul and his sons were cremated after they died in battle (1 Sam 31:12). The men that cremated Saul and his sons were later commended by David for their behavior (2 Sam 2:5). That same verse in 2 Samuel shows that David considered cremation a form of burial. David’s endorsement of cremation as a godly practice is worth noting.

The Bible does not seem to place much focus on how someone is buried. God’s emphasis is upon how we live (Gal 2:20), not what is done with our body after we die.

Is it okay to take anti-depressants?

Sincerely,
Feeling Low

Dear Feeling Low,

God condones taking medication for our health problems.  Paul told Timothy to take some wine for his stomach (1 Tim 5:23).  The sick were told to have the elders pray over them and anoint them with oil – oil was used as a medicine (Jas 5:14).

We know that medicine is perfectly appropriate when you are sick.  Though some feel uncomfortable using anti-depressants (and you should never do anything that goes against your conscience – 1 Tim 1:5), the argument can be made that anti-depressant medication is just like using aspirin or any other medical technique to improve human health and body function.  Good brethren disagree on this issue, and it is important to consider the issue carefully for yourself and make a prayerful decision.

     What does the Bible say about what people are supposed to achieve in life?

Sincerely,
Successful?

Dear Successful,

There is only one thing that is important in life – the salvation of your soul.  If someone achieves greatness, riches, and power, but loses his soul on the Judgment Day, he has lost everything (Mk 8:36-37).  Everything that we do in this life should stem from our love of God and our love for our fellow man – these are the two greatest commands (Matt 22:36-40).

Whether rich or poor, strong or weak, single or with a large family, the quality of our life will be measured by our level of faith and commitment to God’s Word.  It isn’t so much about what you achieve as it is about what kind of person you become.  We should strive to imitate Christ and purify our hearts (1 Cor 11:1, Jas 4:8).  The person that does this can die having succeeded in life.

     The Bible makes some references to drinking wine; is drinking wine a sin to a Christian?  I love the Lord and tend to have a glass of wine every now and then, but a friend of mine says I can’t minister or be a good example if I continue to drink.  However, Paul tells Timothy, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23 NKJV)

I am not looking for an excuse but need an answer as far as the responsibilities when sharing the Word of God and being an example.

Sincerely,
Seeking Answers

Dear Seeking Answers,

In 1Tim 5:23, Paul had to reassure Timothy that it was okay to use alcohol medicinally even though Timothy obviously had an aversion to ever touching alcohol.  1 Tim 5:23 actually serves as a warning against non-medicinal alcohol use instead of an encouragement to drink recreationally.
God never specifically condemns drinking wine, but He does condemn ‘strong drink’ (Pr 20:1), drinking parties (1 Pet 4:3), and drunkenness (Rom 13:13).  Almost all alcohol that is consumed today would fall into the category of ‘strong drink’ because our alcoholic beverages are artificially fermented to increase their alcoholic content (unlike the wine of Jesus’ day – read “That’s Just Grape” for further details on the wine Jesus drank).  We would all do well to heed the words of Pr 23:31-32 and avoid alcohol as much as is possible.

     Does the Bible say anything that disproves the theory of aliens on Earth?

Sincerely,
Mork

Dear Mork,

The Scriptures don’t say anything directly about aliens, but they do say several things that make sentient life on other planets highly unlikely.

1. God made mankind in His image (Gen 1:26). That is where we get our free will, reason, emotion, conscience, etc. The whole point of alien life is that there is a species of life among the stars that is equal to mankind. God says that man has no equal.
2. In the creation story found in Genesis chapter one, Earth seems to be the central focus of the story. The stars, heavenly bodies, etc. are given only a brisk overview. The implication is that Earth is the center of all organic life; it is the central purpose of the creation. It would be odd for God to leave out the part where He made other life sustaining planets with other sentient beings.
3. Jesus came to die for mankind (1 Cor 15:3) and the people of this world (Jhn 3:16). If there were aliens that had intelligence, souls, and freewill like humanity, wouldn’t God care equally for their souls? If aliens do exist… it seems that they have been left out of the blessing of forgiveness in Christ.

None of these reasons explicitly deny the existence of alien life; it just makes the chances very, very improbable. Perhaps someday we will find some plants, fungus, or bacteria on another planet, but we doubt we will ever find E.T.

     Can Christians play the lottery?

Sincerely,
Feeling Lucky

Dear Feeling Lucky,

The Bible never specifically mentions the lottery as a sin, but it doesn’t have to be specifically mentioned to be wrong.  There are a great many things surrounding gambling that are sinful.  Consider that:

1. Gambling focuses around money and greed.  God warns us clearly about being fixated with money (1 Tim 6:10, Heb 13:5).  God wants us to be satisfied with our income (Eccl 5:10).  Contentment is a major component of spiritual maturity (1 Tim 6:6).

2. Gambling is used as a means to gain money without working for it.  God finds pleasure in people working for their livelihood (2 Thess 3:10-12, Pr 10:4).

3. Gambling wastes money because, ultimately, the house does always win.  God expects us to be good stewards (1 Cor 4:2) and save for the future (Pr 6:6-8).

4. Gambling and the places where gambling occurs are often associated with other sinful things.  There is a reason Las Vegas is called “Sin City”.  That industry is not one that a christian should be supporting (2 Cor 6:16-17).

Gambling is addictive.  We can only have one master (Lk 16:13).

     I teach high school agriculture, and as part of an Animal Science class, we have been discussing animal rights vs. welfare.  I had a student pose a question, and I wasn’t sure how to answer.  The question is: is PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) a christian organization or atheist?  This was inspired by referencing animals being used for sacrifice and also being told which animals are clean/unclean, etc.  The Bible does show use of animals, and I was curious as well what stand a christian should have toward an organization such as PETA.  I hope this makes sense.

Sincerely,
PETA Pondering

Dear PETA Pondering,

PETA is definitely not a Christian organization.  PETA believes that animals deserve the same level of care and respect as humans.  Though humans have the responsibility to keep and protect the Earth (Gen 2:15), we are also given dominion over it (Gen 1:28).  Animals and humans may share some similarities between their physical bodies – but humans have eternal souls.  The key verse to understanding this topic is Eccl 3:21.  Human spirits are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26), unlike animals.  When people die, our souls go to God and await the Judgment (Heb 9:27).  When animals die, they simply cease to exist.

The difference between humans and animals can only be appreciated through God’s Word.  Without the insight that the Bible gives us into the Creation, we would never know that there is a difference in value between a human and a cow.  Human life has value above and beyond animal life because God says so.  Without God’s Word, we’d never know.

      The Bible says that certain angels sinned against God and were cast down and reserved for judgment (1 Pet 2:4).  Aren’t we being judged as well?  If you believe in past lives, don’t you think we were those angels, and we are being judged?

Sincerely,
Past Lives

Dear Past Lives,

The Bible makes it clear that we only have one life; reincarnation doesn’t happen.  Heb 9:27 says that we are appointed to die once, and then we face the judgment.  Each human is given one life to live.  The angels that are reserved for judgment are the angels that serve and work with the devil (Matt 25:41).

Can I pray for the devil’s death?

Sincerely,
Grim

Dear Grim,

We should pray for things until God gives us a clear and definitive answer.  Before we stop to pray for something, we must always stop to read what God has to say first (Eccl 5:1).  After all, no matter what we want, God’s will should come first (Matt 6:10).

In the case of the devil, God says that He has already reserved a place for him and his angels (2 Pet 2:4).  God has already decided that the devil will be cast forever into the lake of fire (Rev 20:10).  However, God has also decided that He will be patient and wait for just the right time to judge the devil, his angels, and all mankind (2 Pet 3:9-10).

      Are our experiences a gift from God to learn about God and give Him the glory?  How does God use us in our life?

Sincerely,
Life Lessons

Dear Life Lessons,

If we place our trust in the Lord, everything can be a positive experience – there is a reason we are told to rejoice in the Lord always (Php 4:4).  God tells us that we can even rejoice in tribulations (Rom 5:3) because eventually, if we suffer faithfully, our tribulations produce indestructible hope… a hope that cannot be taken away from us.  God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28).  A christian can always say, “I am better for having been through it.”  On the other hand, if we are outside of the Lord, there are no guarantees that things will turn out well… just one more reason to build your life upon the Lord.

     Do angels and demons appear to people today?

Sincerely,
Keeping My Eyes Peeled

Dear Keeping My Eyes Peeled,

There is absolutely no way of knowing whether or not angels and demons appear to people today, but we do know that they don’t make themselves evident by demon possession or angels coming with new messages from God.  Gal 1:8 says that angels have no new message to provide us with, and therefore, there is no need to visit people in the unmasked fashion they once did.  In the days of the Old Testament, God spoke to mankind in various forms, including through angels, but now we only need to listen to His Son (Heb 1:1-2).

     I’ve read Leviticus 11:9-12 which says, “And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.”  Help; I love shellfish!  Please advise.

Sincerely,
Crabby

Dear Crabby,

Under the New Covenant, all food is clean.  God sent Peter a vision of unclean beasts and told Peter to “kill and eat” (Acts 10:13).  Peter told God that he would never eat anything unclean (Acts 10:14), and God informed Peter that He had cleansed all meat (Acts 10:15).  Jesus also specifically said that all food is clean in the New Testament (Mk 7:19).

Later on, the apostle Paul reiterates this idea and says that all meat is clean unless it offends your conscience (Rom 14:20).  So, feel free to eat pork, rattlesnake (if you dare), and clams without fear of sin.

Did God drink coffee?

Sincerely,
Caffeinated

Dear Caffeinated,

God doesn’t drink coffee because God is a spiritual being, not a physical one (Jhn 4:24).  In this life, we have bodies that rely upon physical sustenance, and we have bodies that are slowly wearing down (2 Cor 4:16).  However, God isn’t like us.  God is an eternal spiritual being.  He doesn’t require the things of this world (Acts 17:24-25).

     I’m wondering if it would be okay to have fairy statues in my garden?  I’m aware that we shouldn’t have angels or Christ statues because we are asked not to make images of anything above or on Earth idols.  I don’t want to go against God’s Word.

Sincerely,
Green Thumb

Dear Green Thumb,

There is nothing wrong with having fairy statues, flamingos, gnomes, etc. in your garden.  As you said, God doesn’t want us to make idols (Rom 1:22-23), but you aren’t worshipping your fairy statues – they are simply art.  It is the same as reading science fiction or children pretending to be mythical creatures.  The error only comes in when we stop giving God reverence or when we make images for worship.

     I have been told something strange by people I believe are sound brethren.  They have given me the verses for their belief, but I don’t quite go along with what they are saying.  As far as I’m concerned, it is not a matter of salvation, but it’s just that I have never heard this before, and I want to make sure I learn and understand ALL I can about God’s Word.  They say that our souls were with God before we are born.  We are sent here, so we can appreciate the love of God and make our “free will” decision to obey Him.

Sincerely,
How Old Am I?

Dear How Old Am I,

God formed Adam from the dust of the Earth, and at that moment, He made Adam into a living soul (Gen 2:7).  The Bible teaches us that a person comes into existence in the womb, not a moment before (Zech. 12:1).  Several passages speak of God knowing people before they were born (Isa. 49:1; Jer. 1:5), but these verses do not refer to the person existing before having a body, just God’s plans for them.

These verses indicate that God know the plans that He has for a person even before that person exists, in comparison to how an architect would know the building he has designed before the foundation has ever been set. Only Jesus Christ spiritually existed before His physical incarnation (John 1:1-3, Jhn 1:14).

     I have a question.  Are sport bars sinful?  Some people say that they are because there is nothing good in those places.  The lust of the women who work there and that go there, beer, drunkenness, and fights – all of those are wrong.

Sincerely,
A Sporting Chance?

Dear A Sporting Chance,

You’ve answered your own question.  Bars and taverns are not the kind of place a Christian should be.  Our responsibility as Christians is to try and flee immorality (1 Tim 6:11) and flee temptation (2 Tim 2:22).  Alcohol is part of a culture that emphasizes worldliness.  Christians should use wisdom in every situation to discern between habits that are generally beneficial and habits that are generally destructive.  God never specifically condemns all alcohol, but He does condemn ‘strong drink’ (Pr 20:1), drinking parties (1 Pet 4:3), and drunkenness (Rom 13:13).  A sports bar is an establishment designed as one big drinking party.  Avoid bars at all costs.

     A few weeks ago, my husband and I decided to put our twelve-year-old boxer to sleep.  He went through a few months of suffering through inexplicable seizures and had apparently suffered brain damage.  He had been in my life over six years.  A week and a half ago, my fifteen-year-old cat died.  The vet told me she had pancreatitis.  She wasn’t sick very long, but you could tell she was not well, and I knew in my heart she wouldn’t be with me much longer.  She was a very important part of my twenty-seven years here.  I’m having a very difficult time dealing with it all.  I think they will both be in heaven, and a lot of my friends agree. Is there something in the Bible that verifies (or disproves) this?

Sincerely,
Mourning

Dear Mourning,

Dogs and cats don’t go to heaven, but we can really sympathize with your loss.  One of our AYP writers still has pictures of his hunting dogs up in his office, and another is deeply attached to his family dog.  Animals are a blessing from God (Gen 1:26).  Animals have the “breath of life” just like humans do (Gen 2:7, Gen 6:17).  This “breath of life” is also sometimes referred to as the “spirit” of a man or animal (Gen 7:22).  Animals have spirits, and humans have spirits, but humans were also made in the image of God (Gen 1:26).  Our spirits are eternal and will go up to be with the Father, and animal spirits are temporary and will return to the dust of the earth (Eccl 3:21).  God made our spirit of a different caliber than He made those of the animal.  This can feel like a very harsh truth after losing beloved family pets, but we can feel confident that God has decided wisely on this issue like all others.  We may not always understand His reasons, but He always makes good decisions. We are so sorry for your loss, but we want you to know that God comforts us through all our sorrow… and He will bring you through this loss (2 Cor 13:11).

     I have a very interesting question, and I’m hoping you can help.  I know the Bible says you shouldn’t mess with spirits, and fortune telling is sinful.  However, what if someone didn’t ask for this gift?  I know it says no one knows the future but God, but what if He gave a gift to someone, and they were using it for good?  And what about Ouija boards?  I’ve always been taught they are of the devil.  One last thing, I’m from the south, and I’ve heard a lot about conjurers.  In fact, as a child, my grandfather visited one to get a growth removed, and it worked.  This woman was a christian and claimed it was a gift from God and not sinful.  Is this sinful and of the devil?  I am, by the way, very superstitious; however, I do believe the Bible is clear on the boundaries that should not be crossed.  Sorry for being so lengthy, but I believe there’s a lot of people asking the same things.

Sincerely,
Magically Minded

Dear Magically Minded,

The dictionary defines ‘superstition’ as ‘a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief’.  Superstition means that you are placing trust in the supernatural power of a rabbit’s foot, not walking under ladders, four-leaf clovers, Ouija boards, etc.  This is always wrong.  We are supposed to place our trust in God (Ps 56:11), and God has clearly said that He doesn’t give people the gifts of fortune telling; all these things are of the devil.  Even if a conjurer removed your grandfather’s growth, being a conjurer is still sinful.  There are lots of sinful things that have short-term benefits… but long-term consequences.

Superstition is a mild and socially acceptable form of witchcraft or divining.  There is no difference between trusting in a lucky coin and trusting in the astrological tables.  Astrology and horoscopes are wrong (Deut 4:19, 2 Kgs 23:5); witchcraft and magical arts are wrong (Acts 19:19).  Superstition falls into the same category as those practices.

     Is it correct to use the word ‘church’ in place of ‘ekklesia’?

Sincerely,
A Little Wordy

Dear A Little Wordy,

‘Ekklesia’ is a Greek word, and ‘church’ is an English word.  It isn’t wrong to translate the Bible from its original Greek into other languages.  In fact, Jesus quoted from a Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint (the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew).  The word ‘ekklesia’ means ‘the called out’ and refers to a group that is called together for a specific purpose.  In modern English, we use words like ‘church’ and ‘assembly’ to express the same definition.  The church of Christ is a group of people who have heard and heeded the call of Jesus Christ.

     In heaven, are there animals?

Sincerely,
Pets In Mind

Dear Pets In Mind,

If you’re wondering whether or not animals go to heaven when they die, the answer is ‘no’.  Animals have spirits, and humans have spirits, but humans were also made in the image of God (Gen 1:26).  Our spirit is eternal and will go up to be with the Father, and animal spirits are temporary and will return to the dust of the earth (Eccl 3:21).  God made our spirit of a different caliber than He made those of the animals.

However, if you are wondering whether there will be creatures in heaven for us to enjoy just like there is animal life on this planet that brings us joy and wonder… the only way to find the answer to that question is to make sure to go to heaven and see it for yourself.

      I was recently reading Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, specifically the chapters involving the first few hundred years of Christian history.  I attend a local autonomous congregation whose structure seems entirely different than the hierarchical structure of the church described in the book.  They use terms like the bishop’s “see” which, when I looked up the definition, is the official seat of a bishop.  The bishop’s seat is the earliest symbol of a bishop’s authority.  During periods of Roman persecution, they list bishops of Rome and other cities and mention their successors.  They also describe bishops as being “appointed” and “governing the church”.  The book states that a man named Ignatius was appointed to the bishopric of Antioch next after Peter in succession.  (The same term “bishopric” in Acts 1:20 KJV describes the office of Judas).  The book also alludes to a hierarchy amongst the clergy (bishops, presbyters and deacons).  In over a dozen historical examples of Roman persecution, it is the bishop of Rome (singular) that seems to be targeted for execution.  All of this hierarchical structure pre-dated Constantine and future state involvement in the Christian Church by up to hundreds of years.  Our local congregation just has a few elders, who say they are equals, and take turns leading worship and preaching a message.  Why such a difference in church structure?

Sincerely,
History Student

Dear History Student,

The reason you see the difference is because Foxe’s Book of Martyrs covers all those who called themselves christians while the Bible specifically only follows the pattern for the church laid down by God.  Paul warned that the church would quickly be attacked by false teachers (2 Pet 2:1), and as early as the end of the first century, we see the seven churches of Asia being exhorted and rebuked by Jesus to hold to the truth in Revelation 2 and 3.  Paul told the church at Ephesus that wolves would arise from amongst their eldership to try and devour the church (Acts 20:28-31).  Your congregation is right to stick to the Bible pattern – after all, the Bible is the book that we are saved by (Rom 1:16).

     What would you tell a high school-age school student about Ouija boards and why it is wrong to use one?  The student is not a christian.  I am one of his teachers.

Sincerely,
Teaching The Truth

Dear Teaching The Truth,

The Bible says that we should always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us (1 Pet 3:15).  If this student asks you what you think of Ouija boards, all you have to do is say that you don’t use them because your faith is in the Bible, not superstition.  The Bible has evidence that proves it is trustworthy; the Ouija board doesn’t.  Our goal is always to direct people to the Bible.  It isn’t about proving the Ouija board is wrong (although it is!); it is about showing people that the Bible is right.  If someone learns to embrace God’s Word, they will naturally begin to repel that which is wrong.  After all, there is only room for one master (Matt 6:24).

Who I am going to marry?  Who do I love?  Does he love me?  How old am I?

Sincerely,
Go Ahead, Answer My Questions

Dear Go Ahead, Answer My Questions,

We are just men here at AYP and not prophets.  We can’t tell you the specifics of your life and future.  However, we can give you some principles for how to look for a spouse.  Read “Dating” in our archives for some of the Bible teachings on finding a spouse.

     Has God ever approved of dancing?

Sincerely,
Hip To Be Square

Dear Hip To Be Square,

God says there is a time to dance (Eccl 3:4), but the kind of dancing so often encouraged today is not wholesome.  Modern dancing is designed to be sexually provocative, and it puts young men and women in compromising positions that nurture the sort of behavior and attitudes that lead to sexual immorality and unhealthy relationships.  We are told to flee fornication (1 Cor 6:18), to do things that are honorable (Rom 12:17), and to avoid even the appearance of evil (1 Thess 5:21-22).  School dances, at best, put teens in situations that don’t appear godly, and at worst, can lead to things like pre-marital sex.  When people engage in the type of dancing so often seen in today’s culture, they act in a way that appears indecent and gives room for the lust of the flesh to overpower them (Rom 6:12, 1 Jn 2:16).

     I have made a stupid mistake that has been haunting me for the past few months; I have trouble sleeping and eating a full meal.  It happened when I was working out in our field during planting season.  One of the fertilizer cylinders wasn’t working; I don’t know what I was thinking, but I thought, “I’d give my soul to make this stupid thing work,” and within five seconds, it worked.

Is there no hope for me?  Is my soul damned to hell?

Sincerely,
Petrified

Dear Petrified,

Saying that you would give up your soul to make the fertilizer cylinder work doesn’t guarantee your eternal destiny any more than saying, “I’ll go to heaven if I fix the fertilizer cylinder.”  We aren’t the final judge of our eternal home – Christ is (2 Tim 4:1).  If you have done what Christ teaches you must do to be saved, you will go to heaven (read “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” for specifics on the steps of salvation), and if you turn away from Christ, you will be lost (Acts 4:12).  Everyone deserves to go to hell because of their sins (Rom 6:23), but Christ offers to save us if we love and obey Him (Jhn 14:15).  What you did in the past doesn’t matter; what you do now is what counts (2 Cor 6:1-2).

Having said that, in the future, it would be best to refrain from that sort of language.

    Do you know why the medium freaked out after seeing the ghostly Samuel (1 Sam 28:12)?

Sincerely,
Surprise Me

Dear Surprise Me,

One reason she was so scared was because once she realized that the man who had hired her to conjure up a ghost was King Saul, she feared for her life.  Saul had previously cast out all the mediums from the land (1 Sam 28:3).  The other likely reason was that she had never actually seen a ghost!  Mediums and sorcerors were charlatans back then just as much as they are today.

      I have a friend at work that has raised a thought to ponder I have never heard of:

1. If Jesus Christ wrote any part of the New Testament, my friend speculated that those writings were destroyed.
2. If Jesus Christ did not write down any part of the New Testament (other than in the sand), then my friend’s question was: “Why not?” and are there any passages that answer that question?

Sincerely,
Caught Off Guard

Dear Caught Off Guard,

What your friend is doing is bringing up a hypothetical assertion and expecting you to disprove it.  That is the exact opposite of how the Bible works.  If someone wants to assert that Jesus wrote a part of the New Testament and that Jesus’ writings were later destroyed, he must come with evidence to back up such a claim.  The responsibility is on him to prove that point.

As far as why Jesus never wrote part of the New Testament, anything we say would be purely speculation.

     I thought that when you die in the flesh, you enter into rest.  So how is it that people are visited by spirits or deceased family members?  If the dead are all raised together, and no one sees the Father until Christ’s return, how are these things possible?

Sincerely,
Casper

Dear Casper,

The idea of ghosts cannot be found in the Bible, and they aren’t real, no matter how many stories people come up with, thinking they have been visited by dead ancestors.  Ghosts are supposedly the souls or spirits of those who have died.  These dead souls are presumed to be wandering the Earth, interacting with the living from time to time.  The Bible tells us what happens when we die, and there is no Halloween-ish spiriting involved.  Jesus told the story of a wicked, rich man and a faithful, poor man named Lazarus in Lk 16:19-31.  When these two men died, the rich man immediately woke up in torment, and Lazarus was escorted to Paradise (Lk 16:22-23).  This is what happens when the righteous and the wicked die.  There is no wandering or ghostly haunting.  In fact, the rich man was specifically told that the dead aren’t sent back to the earth to preach or affect the course of events here (Lk 16:27-31).  We die, and then we wait to face the judgment (Heb 9:27).

     Did the Bible come after Adam and Eve, or did they have a Bible?

Sincerely,
Early Reader

Dear Early Reader,

The Bible took roughly sixteen hundred years to write, and the first five books were written around 1425 BC by Moses.  Moses lived thousands of years after Adam and Eve, and that means that Adam and Eve didn’t have a copy of the Bible.  The reason for this is simple – the Old Testament is a law for Jewish people (Deu 5:1-3), and the New Testament is a law for christians (1 Cor 9:21)… Adam and Eve weren’t Jews or christians.  Adam and Eve had a law from God, and it can be found in Gen 2:15-17.  Adam and Eve’s law was to care for the Garden of Eden and to never eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  God has always had laws for people to live by, but Adam and Eve’s laws were different than ours.

     Since the printing press wasn’t invented until 1440, who was charged with hand copying the Scriptures up until that time?  Do we owe these men a debt of gratitude?

Sincerely,
Writing My Thanks

Dear Writing My Thanks,

The people who copied the New Testament were many and varied, but we know quite a lot about those who copied the Old Testament.  The people who copied the Bible were so accurate and detail-oriented… they would put any OCD accountant to shame.  Those who made copies of the Old Testament were called ‘scribes’.  Ezra, from the book of Ezra, was a scribe (Ezra 7:6).  Scribes are recorded throughout Jewish history, from the time of David (2 Sam 8:17) all the way into the time of Christ (Matt 8:19).  Scribes were so proficient at copying text that they were also employed as lawyers because of their precise knowledge of all things legal.

When scribes copied a biblical text, they had some very stringent rules that they followed.  Secular history tells us that these rules were universal amongst scribes, and the rules were followed very, VERY strictly.  Here are some of those rules:

1. Every word must be verbalized aloud while writing.
2. There must be a review within thirty days, and if more than three pages required corrections, the whole document was destroyed.
3. Letters, words, and paragraphs were counted, and the middle paragraph, word, and letter must correspond to the original document.
4. If two letters touched, the entire manuscript had to be redone.
5. Each column of writing could have no less than forty-eight, and no more than sixty, lines.

As you can tell from the list, scribes were exceptionally meticulous about accuracy.  The proof of this accuracy can be seen in the Dead Sea Scrolls.  When the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, amongst them was uncovered a copy of the Book of Isaiah that had been written by scribes.  This copy of Isaiah was ONE THOUSAND years older than any other previous copy.  Yet, over that thousand-year time span, there was no notable disagreement between the manuscripts.  In fact, the only difference between the Dead Sea Scroll copy and the other copies were punctuation marks and spelling differences.  There is no doubt that God has perfectly preserved the Bible over the centuries.

     Is it bad to listen to heavy metal music?

Sincerely,
Rock On

Dear Rock On,

There is nothing wrong with listening to music of any type as long as it:

1. Does not teach or profess evil ideas (such as drunkenness, promiscuity, immorality, violence, etc.)
2. Is not full of foul or crass language (Eph 4:29).

Bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor 15:33), and bad music is a form of bad company.

Having said that – any other type of music is perfectly permissible.  Jesus even used music as an example of general happiness in the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:25).

     When the Bible doesn’t directly condemn something, but we are left with applying principles to determine whether the thing is right or wrong, whom are we putting our trust in?  Do I trust myself that I have correctly applied the principles, and how will I know?

Sincerely,
Conceptual Thinker

Dear Conceptual Thinker,

When we take Bible verses and combine them together to understand larger principles, we are doing exactly what God intends for us to do (Ps 119:160).  In Acts 15, we see the apostles do that very thing.  When the issue came up regarding the circumcision of Gentiles, the apostles listened to the evidence (Acts 15:12), studied the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 15:15-18), and came to a conclusion (Acts 15:19).

God tells us to be wise in that which is good (Matt 10:16).  The way we gain that wisdom is by studying God’s Word and applying it to the best of our abilities.  When we do that, we are placing our faith in God.

      How do you know what gift you have, and how do you exercise it?

Sincerely,
Ready To Work

Dear Ready To Work,

God used to give certain people spiritual gifts (i.e. the ability to speak in different languages, heal the sick, prophesy, etc.), but those days are over.  Read “Gifts That Stop Giving” for details on the cessation of spiritual gifts.

However, the Bible tells us that we each also have natural gifts and talents given to us by the Lord.  Some people are natural givers, others natural leaders, still others natural teachers, and so on (Rom 12:4-8).  We are told that we must use what talents God gives us if we wish to please Him.  Christ’s parable of the talents is a good example of this principle (Matt 25:14-30).  There is no way to find what you are good at unless you simply start to work.  When we put our hand to the plow, we will find our niche in the Lord’s work.  Just start working, and your talents will naturally begin to shine.

Leviticus 19:28 said, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”  Why don’t I hear too many churches preaching against putting tattoos on your body?

Sincerely,
Unmarked

Dear Unmarked,

The Old Testament strictly forbade tattoos (Lev 19:28). God was so adamant about it because cutting your flesh and tattooing were common practices of pagan cultures (1 Kgs 18:26-28). Tattooing was a religious practice closely tied to Baal and other idols.

In the New Testament, we are given no specific command against tattoos. It is valuable, however, to see that for a very long time tattoos have had a negative connotation. As a christian, there are many things that we can do but should think carefully about beforehand. Just because I can do something, doesn’t mean it is a good idea (1 Cor 10:23). Tattoos are permanent, and the decision to get one shouldn’t be taken lightly.

In American culture, tattoos can give a negative impression – especially if the tattoo is large or in a highly visible area. Some things to consider:

1. Tattoos are a deterrent for some employers. Are you willing to get passed over in a job application?
2. People will automatically form judgments about you based upon their first impression of a tattoo. Are you comfortable with being thought of as ‘the weird tatted-up guy’?
3. You must also consider what effects it will have long-term. Will you still want Tweety Bird on your shoulder when you are in the nursing home?
4. Are you ready to explain to your three-year-old why you have song lyrics on your bicep? Are you okay with your children wanting tattoos themselves?
5. Many tattoos change their shape, size, and even location with weight loss and gain. Are you ready for that “cute” bellybutton butterfly to become a condor when you get pregnant?
6. Many tattoos are of things that exude evil. Snakes, skulls, demonic signs, bad words, etc. are to be avoided at all costs.

We must always consider our influence and how it will affect others. God tells us to be wise and seek wisdom in our decisions (Pr 8:33). Whatever decision an individual makes, I recommend seeking outside counsel before getting something as permanent as a tattoo (Pr 11:14). It is not wrong for a christian to get a tattoo, but it certainly isn’t a decision to make lightly.

      Right to bear arms – we are trying to find Scripture that would determine if you have the right to protect yourself… such as a home invasion.  We have found ‘turn your cheek and let him have your coat’.  Any help would be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Armed

Dear Armed,

My favorite verse on the subject of self-defense is Lk 22:36.  Jesus told His disciples that hard times were coming, times of great persecution.  He said that things were going to be different from the days when they preached from city to city and didn’t even bring any money with them to buy food because they would be provided for (Mk 6:7-8).  However, after Christ’s crucifixion, the preaching would get harder, and the risk to their lives would increase – so what was Jesus’ answer to this increased risk to their lives? In Lk 22:36, He tells them to bring money and buy a sword.  There is only one reason you would ever need a sword – personal protection.  It was the first-century version of Jesus authorizing a concealed weapon permit!

If I play a video game that is all about walking around and killing zombies, is this considered a sin?

Sincerely,
BRAINS!!!

Dear BRAINS,

Video games are not inherently wrong, but it is also important that christians be careful what they put into their minds.  Php 4:8 tells us that we should dwell and meditate on wholesome and pure things.  1 Cor 15:33 says that if we keep the wrong company, we will eventually be corrupted by their influence.  These principles need to be considered when we choose television shows, movies, video games, and other forms of entertainment.  Violence in video games isn’t necessarily wrong – even the Bible has some pretty violent scenes in it, but if we find ourselves consumed by grisly, violent, and morbid entertainment… there is a problem.