Christian Perspective
1st John, Perfect Love, And Sanctification
I read in one of your blog posts that “1 John’s ‘perfect in love’ terminology does not reference entire sanctification.” You also said, “All those who walk in obedience to Christ’s commands are perfect in love in the sense John intends.” Could you...
Systemic Racism
I was wondering if you have any thoughts on the subject of systemic racism, and specifically its pertinence to the Church. —Dessi Dear Dessi, Before we get to “systemic racism,” let’s define racism. Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism...
To Bear or Not To Bear… And How Many Is a Few?
Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens,” and Galatians 6:5 says, “Let each man bear his own burden.” How do these relate? Also, Jesus said, “Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.” Why are...
Prohibition Against Tattoos and Beard Trimming
I recently reviewed your October 2016 article addressing tattoos. It appears that your argument of “our bodies do not belong to us but to God” and the command not to tattoo being an application of the principle of “be holy because Yahweh is holy” could...
Does God Delight in Some of His People More Than Others?
I recently ran across this statement: “Nothing you did today made God delight in you more.” Is it true? In light of verses like 1 Thessalonians 4:1, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye...
Idolatry as it Applies to Us
I’ve heard messages against idol worship that consisted of anything that a particular preacher had a problem with people doing—baseball, football, hunting, fishing, etc. I teach that a god is anything that pulls your affection and allegiance away from our...
Happiness and Joy—What’s the Difference?
Is there a significant biblical difference between “joy” and “happiness?” What is biblical happiness? —A FriendDear Friend,As far as I can tell, there is no significant difference between joy and happiness in Scripture. Both the studies I’ve read and have done...
The Fruit of the Spirit
Who produces the fruit of the Spirit in a Christian—us or the Spirit? Does every Christian have every fruit of the Spirit? What about where “fruit” is singular versus plural? —CharityDear Charity,Let’s start with your last question first. Jesus tells us we know...
God And Slavery In The Old Testament
Why does God treat non-Israelite slaves differently than he treats Israelite slaves (Lev. 25:39-46)? —StephenDear Stephen,Here’s how I approach this challenging question.God owns all persons by virtue of creation (Exod. 19:5; Psa. 24:1).God owns all believers...
What constitutes a “just” war?
Is it ever right to make war? Can violence be moral? Doesn’t Jesus teach that all violence is contrary to His ethic? —A FriendDear Friend,God is not the creator of war. It exists because of greed and rebellion against God’s rightful reign (Gen. 14:2; cf. Psa....
