The text does not actually say that Jesus ‘lost power’. when he healed. What it says is that Jesus was aware when power had been used for this reason. Luke 8:46 (NET) But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I know that power has gone out from me.” We don’t know the details of what […]
Is it wrong to marry atheists? Should I only have Christian friends?
Although it is wise to ensure we have Christian friends, who think as we do and who can understand us better, it is not wise to exclude others from our friendship. Having only Christian friends could lead to us being narrow minded and insular; it is useful to have friends with different perspectives, or who […]
Why does the Bible say God regretted, or was grieved that he made man?
The Bible describes God’s emotions in ways that are accessible and meaningful to us. In some cases this requires using language which does not describe exactly what God felt, but which is a close approximation to what we can understand, or what we would feel in such a situation. In Genesis 6:6, when it is […]
Why did God create heaven?
We approach this question with awe and care because God is beyond our comprehension in countless ways. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your […]
What was the name of the brook from which David took five stones? (1 Sam 17:40)
The famous battle in which David killed Goliath took place in the Valley of Elah (1 Sam 17:4). Elah means terebinth, a tree commonly found in the area. The brook which runs through the valley is the Brook of Elah. It is a seasonal creek that runs dry for much of the year. The creek […]
If Adam was there when Eve was offered the fruit, why didn’t he say something?
We don’t know if Adam was present when the serpent spoke to her. However, we do know that Adam was present when Eve took the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil: So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to […]
How do we know that the prophecies in the Bible are true?
We know some prophecies in the Bible (e.g., the prophecy in Daniel 8 about the Greeks defeating and replacing the Medo-Persian empire) are true because they have been fulfilled (the Greeks did defeat and replace the Medo-Persian empire1) — i.e., what they said would happen has happened. Because these prophecies have been fulfilled, it gives […]
Why do people backslide from Christianity?
The reasons will be different for different people, but the sad fact is that some people do make a commitment to God and his son and later renege on it. Jesus spoke of it as “putting their hand to the plow and looking back” (Luke 9:63) and warned that such people were unfit for the […]
How do we obtain salvation?
You ask how a carnal man can get saved — a question prompted by your reading of Romans 8:5-8. God offers the gift of salvation to those who believe the Gospel repent and turn from their evil ways then are baptised into Jesus Christ obey God and Jesus and strive everyday to serve them, leaving […]
What does “throughout your generations” mean in Genesis 17:9?
The phrase “throughout your generations” in Gen 17:9-14, means not just this generation, but generations to come. The generations referred to in Gen 17:9, are the Jewish people. In the context of the covenant of circumcision “throughout their generations” is ended by the coming of the promised Messiah, ie Jesus. The circumcision that both Jewish and gentile […]