Q&A: What would Jesus think about all the different Christian denominations?
Jesus wants his church to be unified. Wouldn’t he be appalled by all the different Christian denominations? In the high priestly prayer, Jesus prays, “My pr...
Q&A: Are there times when it is okay to lie?
In the Bible, lying sometimes seems to be commended, as in the case of Rahab and the spies or the case of the Hebrew midwives. Are there times when it is okay t...
Q&A: What advice does the Bible have for single people?
All my friends are getting married, and I’m tempted to feel “less than.” Does the Bible give some advice? It may seem like everyone else is getting marrie...
Q&A: How do I know I am elected by God?
Why does God elect some and not others? How do I know that God chose me? The doctrine of election is gospel. Period. A key to understanding the biblical teachin...
Q&A: Why is Pontius Pilate immortalized in our creeds?
Why is Pontius Pilate immortalized in our creeds? We are okay with the mention of Mary’s name in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. She was the mother of Jesu...
Q&A: How does remembering my baptism help with the guilt I carry?
I carry around a lot of guilt. I was told that I need to “remember my baptism.” How does that help me with my guilt? I struggle with guilt too. As much as I...
Q&A: Do parts of the Bible teach works righteousness?
The Reformation cry is grace alone, but don’t some Bible passages seem to say that Jesus will look at our good works instead? When Jesus comes again on the La...
Q&A: How can I overcome my struggle with lust and pornography?
I’m a college student and struggle with lust and pornography. I know this is a sin. I have tried to beat this alone, but it seems impossible. I need help. You...
Q&A: How should I help my child struggling with same-sex attraction?
My child is struggling with same-sex attraction. What should I do? Treat same-sex attraction as a sin, not as THE sin. One of the devil’s tricks is to convinc...
Q&A: Should Christians pray to saints?
My in-laws are Catholic. They ask people in heaven to ask God to help them. They also ask Mary to ask Jesus to help them. What do I say about this? Say a child ...
Q&A: Is anger sinful?
If anger is a sin, how do we explain Jesus overturning tables and driving the money changers outside the temple? Anger is a human emotion. When Paul quotes the ...
Q&A: How can parents encourage adult children who wander from the faith?
Some of my adult children have wandered from God’s path. Society has convinced them that everything they learned is false. What advice can you give to us grie...
Q&A: Does the doxology belong in the Lord’s Prayer?
A Roman Catholic friend told me that the doxology does not belong in the Lord’s Prayer because it was added later. Is that true? “For the kingdom, the power...
Q&A: Is God fair?
How is it fair that as a faithful Christian I’m constantly struggling yet the unchurched people around me seem to live carefree lives? Let’s start by lo...
Q&A: When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” what are we praying for?
When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” what are we praying for? The word kingdom is short for “king’s dominion.” What does Jesus have dominion o...
Q&A: How can I better manage what God has given me this year so that I glorify him?
My New Year’s resolution is to manage better what God has given me to glorify him with my life. Any suggestions? Everything you have is a gift from God. One c...
Q&A: What are ways to glorify God besides singing in church?
I told my coworker that my purpose in life is to glorify God. He said, “So does that mean just singing in church?” How do I answer him? There are so many ...
Bible study: Freedom in service
When it comes to serving Jesus, there is no one right way to thank Jesus for his gift of salvation. Yet sometimes we get the idea that our service is not very i...
Q&A: I have no special gifts, and I mess up all the time. Does God really need me?
I have no special gifts, and I mess up all the time. Does God really need me? On the Last Day, Jesus will say to us, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father...
Bible study: Spiritual gifts
Some Christians believe they have not been given spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:7 reminds us of the opposite, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spi...
Q&A: How do I overcome the feeling that my life has no purpose and I don’t make a difference?
How do I overcome the feeling that my life has no purpose and I don’t make a difference? Many wrestle with that important question in life: “What am I...
Bible study: Rejoice in your status!
Low self-esteem seems to be an issue today. But can anyone truly have high self-esteem? If you think about it, no. My “self” is the problem because I know t...
Q&A: My friend died and was not a professing Christian. What do I say to the family?
My friend died and was not a professing Christian. What do I say to the family? What a tragedy when someone passes away who doesn’t believe in Jesus. “Whoev...
Bible study: Baptismal blessings
Baptism connects us to our Father in heaven and makes us part of his family. The church has described Baptism as “an individual application of the Word” and...