Bible Difficulties

Bible Difficulties

May8th

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BIBLE DIFFICULTIES:Reconciling The Law- Matthew 5:17-19

Posted in: Bible Difficulties, Sermon On The Mount
A friend asked me me today, “How do you renconcile Matt 5:17-19 in regards to all the Levitical laws and OT teachings of ritualistic behavior?”

The first thing we should do is look at the Scripture in context:

Matthew 5:17-20(TNIV)
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

This is such a great question because there is much contrast between the Old and New Testaments. Let’s first look at verse 17 and 18. Read More | Comments
May2nd

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Difficulties: What about all those lost Gospels?

Posted in: Bible Difficulties
Nag Hammadi texts

I was asked some time ago about Gnosticism. If you recall, Pastor Phil has even mentioned Gnostic thought in some of his sermons from the book of Hebrews. So, what is Gnosticism? What about those “lost Gospels” we hear about on TV? Let’s take a look:

Gnosticism is modern term to describe a number of religious and philosophical perspectives that existed before the establishment of Christianity and extended into the first two centuries after the crucifixion of Jesus. In reecent years there has been a been a resurgence in this school of thought due primarily to the findings of their writings at Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945 as well as books like Dan Brown’s, “Davinci Code”. Read More | Comments
April25th

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Bible Difficulties: Offer Your Bodies & Do Not Conform

Posted in: Bible Difficulties
A friend emailed me the following question. Maybe you have the same struggle. Let’s look closer at what God wants for us:

“I’ve always struggled with this verse: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” For a time, I thought I truly understood it but then I get tripped up when I read articles on it or hear different pastors preach on it. Does this verse mean that watching secular tv is wrong? Does it mean that watching movies or listening to music with potentially questionable content are a sin? Aren’t these “of the world” and consequently things that shouldn’t be a part of a Christian’s life? I’m confused! As you know, I’m a huge fan of t.v, music and film and various other cultural things (like visual art and plays) and often wonder if I am not supposed to partake in them.” Read More | Comments
March26th

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Bible Difficulties: Saved by Faith, Works, or Both?

Posted in: Bible Difficulties
A friend of mine went to a Bible study this week and contacted me with this question:

“….we read a good amount of Romans. We ended up discussing how we are saved by faith alone, but I couldn’t help but disagree. James 2:24 clearly says we are not saved by works alone, and Matthew 7:21 says “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kindgom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”. Ephesians 2:8-10 also addresses two different kind of works, and I also heard somewhere that “Faith must Act or it isn’t Faith”.

I don’t know if there are any contradictions in the Bible, but clearly there’s something going on with Romans and James. Am I missing something here? To be honest I don’t like questioning the Bible, but I don’t think that we are saved by faith alone. If you can help me out with this in anyway I would greatly appreciate it. I know you’re the one person I can count on for this kind of stuff!!!” Read More | Comments
February26th

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The Apostle Paul: Fits of Blindness-Tormented by the Flesh

Posted in: Bible Difficulties
Thorn in the Flesh

A friend of mine in Houston, Texas, a lawyer named Ron, as we were talking about the Apostle Paul, asked me one day: “Have you ever really thought about how much weight is given to the letters of a guy who has fits with blindness and was constantly tormented by his flesh?”

Yes, I have, some of which I have attempted to explain below. Additionally, I recognize that Paul, as being human and not Christ, is very much like you and I and every other human on the earth……….he is flesh…and shared that with us. I believe that we are all, in way or the other, tormented by the flesh and would not expect any other person in the Bible to be any less….Abraham, David, Moses, the apostles, and yes, even Paul. Throughout Scriptures, I have never seen where the people called by God were anything less than real. To me, it serves to constantly remind me of my humanity and dependance on God. Read More | Comments
February26th

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“The Conversion of Saul: A Contradiction?” Acts 9:7 / Acts 22:9

Posted in: Bible Difficulties
I was asked about the apparent contradiction in the Bible concerning the conversion of Saul, otherwise known as the apostle Paul. The seeming contradiction stems from the fact that in Acts 9:7 it is stated that the men with Saul heard a voice, while the same story recounted later in Acts 22:9 states that they did not hear a voice. Read More | Comments
January30th

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BIBLE DIFFICULTIES: You stupid fool!

Posted in: Bible Difficulties
“Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell”

My sister called me one day with a question. Her question: “Is it a sin to call someone a fool, to use the word, ‘fool’?” It seems she had been talking to a friend who told her that calling someone a “fool” was a sin because Jesus said it was. I do not know the full context of their conversation, however, I find that this is one of those passages that, when taken out of context, or when taken literally, can be misunderstood. Oh…..the danger of taking a portion of Scripture literally without looking at the context. The answer may very well be “yes”, however, not quite in the legalistic, literal way that my sister understood this statement to be. Let’s explore this statement that Jesus made in context, let’s look at the Scriptures. Read More | Comments
November18th

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Bible Difficulties: Luke 17:3-4 “Rebuke” & “Forgiveness”

Posted in: Bible Difficulties
Luke 17:3-4 (TNIV)
3 So watch yourselves.“If a brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and IF they repent, forgive them. 4 Even IF they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.

In this Scripture, in context, Jesus is speaking about how we deal directly with others around us. The focus is on the relationship we share, not just the condition of our heart. In other words, Jesus is speaking here to the apostles about what they should do…not just how they should be.

QUESTION: Is forgiving somone primarily for you or for them?

In that context, a few things struck me as “tough” concerning this Scripture: When I first read this Scripture – these words of Jesus – I wondered why the “if”? Because to bring reconciliation, forgiveness must be received as well as extended. If another person is unwilling to acknowledge his fault, they will not receive our forgiveness. Read More | Comments
September22nd

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Who Created God?…Life Between Two Trees

Posted in: Bible Difficulties
I was asked this simple question by a friend,

“I have a question for you that I need your advice on. My 9 yr old, Jonathan and I talk a lot about the Lord, and he always ends up with the same question, ‘Mom, if God created everything, WHO created God.’ I try to explain that that is one of those answers that we will know when we get to the other side, and that it’s not meant for us to understand it right now. This is not going over well, and he is really struggling w/ some major doubt. How have you handled this in the past & do you have any recomendations on what to tell him? To tell you the truth, this is a ? I’ve wrestled w/ myself! lol Thanks!”

This is a tough question, I believe, simply because of our view of who God is. I also believe that we must always go back to Scripture and that Scripture reveals all things. Read More | Comments