Answers to Christianity Questions
Thank you for the question on I Timothy 4:15, “What does 1 Timothy 4:15 mean by “meditate”? Why doesn’t it say pray? Should we meditate in the way Buddhists meditate?” As I read your question, I thought it would be good to see what the Greek text says about that verse since it may affect how … Read More “Question: What does 1 Timothy 4:15 mean by “meditate”? Why doesn’t it say pray? Should we meditate in the way Buddhists meditate?” »
Thank you for the question on special revelation, “Why are the revelations of St. Paul not included in the Bible?” The short answer to the question is that Spirit of God didn’t prompt Him to write those revelations in his letters. The Apostle Paul wrote letters to encourage believers or to answer their questions. It was … Read More “Question: Why are the revelations of St. Paul not included in the Bible?” »
Thank you for the question on canonicity, “Who decided which books should be included in the Bible & which didn’t make the cut?” In my opinion, it is not the matter of who decided which books were consider Scripture or not Scripture, but how did the early Church accepted or rejected the many scrolls or books. … Read More “Question: Who decided which books should be included in the Bible & which didn’t make the cut?” »
Thank you for the biblical question on Luke 6:35, “When Jesus at Luke 6:35 instructed his followers “to lend without interest, not hoping for anything back,” did he mean that they should not ask back even the principal?” As I read the context of the passage, Jesus is teaching his followers to go beyond the letter … Read More “Question: When Jesus at Luke 6:35 instructed his followers “to lend without interest, not hoping for anything back,” did he mean that they should not ask back even the principal?” »
Thank you for the observation and application question from Matthew 8:28–34, “When you read Matthew 8:28-34, what do you get from this section?” The text says this: “When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,[c] two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could … Read More “Question: “When you read Matthew 8:28-34, what do you get from this section?”” »
Thank you for the question on lineage, “Were the lineages of Joseph and Mary found in the oldest available copy of the Old Testament? Were they included by the New Testament scribes to further build on the birth of Christ and the Christmas story?” I appreciate the question about the lineage of Joseph and Mary. The … Read More “Question: Were the lineages of Joseph and Mary found in the oldest available copy of the Old Testament? Were they included by the New Testament scribes to further build on the birth of Christ and the Christmas story?” »
Thank you for the question regarding the Tower of Babel and the Day of Pentecost, “If all languages are virtual, is there something to God confusing them at the tower of Babel and what happened at Pentecost (Genesis 11:9, Acts 2:6)?” Here are some thoughts for one’s consideration: A. The Tower of Babel is a time … Read More “Question: If all languages are virtual, is there something to God confusing them at the tower of Babel and what happened at Pentecost (Genesis 11:9, Acts 2:6)?” »
Thank you for the question, “Who first received the gospel?” As one reads the Gospels and Acts, there are two persons who may be considered the first to receive the Gospel: A. It can be Zechariah, the father of John. The angel gave Zechariah the message of the Good News. In Luke 1, it says this, “6 … Read More “Question: “Who first received the gospel?”” »
Thank you for the interpretation question, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1, NIV. What does this mean? Drift away to where?” Here are some thoughts for one’s considerations: A. Definition of Drift. The Greek word is “pararheo” which literally means … Read More “Question: We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1, NIV. What does this mean? Drift away to where?” »
Thank you for the question on Paul, “Was St. Paul really Paul, or was it a nickname like Plato?” Saul was his birth name and Paul was his Greek name. Saul of Tarsus lived in a Greek-Roman town. He had a Roman citizenship. Thus to maintain his status as a Roman citizen, his parents likely gave … Read More “Question: Was St. Paul really Paul, or was it a nickname like Plato?” »