Q&A: Does God help those who help themselves?
I have been going through a string of bad luck lately. It seems like everything I do ends up in failure. I have a friend who shared the encouragement: “Just…
Q&A: How can we say that the Old Testament God is the same as the New Testament God?
The God of the Old Testament wiped out the world with a flood, sent plagues on the Egyptians, and commanded his people to kill the Canaanites. He revealed himself only…
Q&A: Is Jesus the only way to get to heaven?
My neighbor does not believe in God, but he is the nicest person I have ever met. I have heard that some denominations say that Jesus is not the only…
Q&A: Doesn’t God want me to be happy?
If God wants what is best for me, wouldn’t he want me to be happy? Clarifying the question Many people think, “God just wants me to be happy.” In one…
Light for our path: God hates us?
My friend believes that God hates us. He argues that God hates sin, and we are sinful; therefore, God hates us to the core of our being. I pointed out…
Light for our path: What kind of comfort
What kind of comfort can you give someone when a loved one commits suicide, who was supposedly a believer? James F. Pope Your question addresses a very tragic situation. It…
Light for our path: What does a submissive wife in a Christian marriage look like?
What does a submissive wife in a Christian marriage look like? James F. Pope While Scripture provides the definitive answer, I also will be passing along excerpts—in quotation marks—from wives who gave me real-world insights. These wives had ties to courses…
Light for our path: Is is a sin to want to die from a terminal illness?
I am dealing with a terminal illness and am tired of the suffering and pain this is causing me and my family. I am scared to die, but is it a sin to want…
Light for our path: Applauding in church…what advice can you give?
Recently our congregation has begun applauding the singing groups in our worship services. This offends some people. If we discouraged applauding, others would be offended. What advice can you give? James F. Pope It is not likely…
Light for our path: Can you please explain Matthew 5:20
Can you please explain Matthew 5:20 in relation to the doctrine of salvation by faith alone? I have always understood the doctrine of faith alone to mean that someone is…
Light for our path: KARMA?
What is karma? How is it different than “reaping what you sow”? Is it okay to use the term in conversation? James F. Pope We do hear that word karma frequently today, don’t we?From commercials to conversations,…
Light for our path: Can the devil personally be tempting me and a lot of other people at exactly the same time?
Can the devil personally be tempting me and a lot of other people at exactly the same time? James F. Pope Your question leads us to look in Scripture and examine…
Light for our path: the word Easter refers to Ishtar, the Babylonian fertility goddess?
How do I respond to my husband who maintains that the word Easter refers to Ishtar, the Babylonian fertility goddess? He refuses to go to any church that uses that title. James…
Light for our path: What role does emotion play in contrition?
Sometimes after I sin I don’t feel very remorseful. I am afraid that the lack of emotional guilt within me following sin means I am not contrite. What role does…
Light for our path: What does the white stone in Revelation 2:17 mean?
“What does the white stone in Revelation 2:17 mean?” James F. Pope Answering your question involves bridging a “culture gap” in biblical interpretation and growing in our appreciation for the grace of God…
Light for our path: Is the cross symbol now anti-Christian?
I see a lot of upside-down crosses these days in tattoos, posts on social media, and drawings on kids’ notebooks. I know its origin is biblical, but it doesn’t seem like people are using…