Answerbag: generalhavok's answers

Answer to How many Christians are regular followers of TV faith healers like Benny Hinn?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 08:03:47 -0700

How many Christians are regular followers of TV faith healers like Benny Hinn?

I do not believe that Benny Hinn is a man who submits to the God of the Bible. He believes in another God entirely...one who gives you whatever you ask for, like an indulgent parent. Have people been helped by his ministry? I have no doubts about that. Have people also been hurt by it? Yes,...

Answer to How do you know if you are being called to be a minister?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 08:01:00 -0700

How do you know if you are being called to be a minister?

I asked the same question of several people I trusted and respected, who had all claimed to have been called. Interestly, they all had the same answer (though I asked them separately): If you can't imagine doing anything else with your life and being fulfilled, you should get started...

Answer to What is Sheol?

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:21:07 -0800

What is Sheol?

A more full answer might mention the story told by Jesus in Luke 16, describing a place where both the righteous and unrighteous dead reside separately. Traditionally, the righteous were in "Abraham's Bosom" (or "Paradise") and the unrighteous were in "Sheol"....

Answer to How does the act of killing Jesus Christ redeem us?

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:12:07 -0800

How does the act of killing Jesus Christ redeem us?

Let's look at this logically: 1. Jesus was, according to Revelation 13, slain before the creation (or foundation) of the world. This means that it was part of God's original plan. 2. The Law came later...saying that there's no remission of sin without the shedding of blood...

Answer to What is the explanation for the Christian God's transition from a wrathful god of war into the modern day god of peace and love?

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:45:15 -0800

What is the explanation for the Christian God's transition from a wrathful god of war into the modern day god of peace and love?

God's judgment and God's mercy are both found in either testament. It's a common misunderstanding that God was wrathful in the Old Testament and loving in the New Testament. The question is usually better asked "why does it appear that God changed?". The answer is, as...

Answer to If Jesus and God are the same, who was in heaven when Jesus was on the Earth?

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:38:10 -0800

If Jesus and God are the same, who was in heaven when Jesus was on the Earth?

While Jesus IS God, He is NOT the Father. The Father sent Him. Jesus did His Father's will. Jesus returned to the Father. They're not the same, despite the fact that both are God. There's no Scriptural warrant for the claim that Jesus was "a god". Instead, there's...

Answer to Why did God institute the Sabbath?

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:30:33 -0800

Why did God institute the Sabbath?

Like every part of the Law, the Sabbath points us to Christ. The Jews had to repeat sacrifices over and over to make sure of their standing with God. This was symbolized by the fact that the priests couldn't sit down in the Temple: their work was never complete. This 'striving'...

Answer to I have to attend a social event where there will be a large number of devout Christians. Is there anything in particular I should consider behaviour or dress-wise?

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:12:19 -0800

I have to attend a social event where there will be a large number of devout Christians. Is there anything in particular I should consider behaviour or dress-wise?

A wise question. You seem concerned about avoiding offending people unnecessarily, which is very mature. I wish everyone accepted everyone else regardless, but that's not reality. No matter where you go, someone won't like what you wear...so take it all with a grain of salt: Avoid...

Answer to Can you be "born again" twice?

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 19:28:35 -0800

Can you be "born again" twice?

There's no evidence in the Bible that anyone was ever 'born again' again.

Answer to If Jewish Kosher laws are based on Scriptures Christians also read, why don't Christians observe Kosher laws?

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 19:27:03 -0800

If Jewish Kosher laws are based on Scriptures Christians also read, why don't Christians observe Kosher laws?

I'm a Christian, but I'm not Jewish. Why would I try to take part in Jewish traditions? Response: The Bible doesn't teach that Gentiles become Jews when they turn to Christ. Paul certainly maintained the distinction between Jews and Gentiles throughout Romans. This so-called...

Answer to If God created man in His image, why are we not sin free?

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 19:22:23 -0800

If God created man in His image, why are we not sin free?

Mankind was indeed created in God's image, but that image was never "complete"...in other words, we were never exactly like God. We were given some of His attributes, but not His character. The images of God in man is now marred by sin. Adam and Eve were sin-free at one...

Answer to If I go to heaven and my spouse goes somewhere else, I will be unhappy in heaven. Can someone explain this paradox?

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 06:36:17 -0800

If I go to heaven and my spouse goes somewhere else, I will be unhappy in heaven. Can someone explain this paradox?

Our marriage to Christ is symbolic, written in terms that we'll understand based on the symbol used in Scripture.

Answer to Are there any places on the Internet where one can access different Bible translations?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 13:59:00 -0800

Are there any places on the Internet where one can access different Bible translations?

Here's a short list of some great free Bible resources online: http://thebiblerocks.com/resources/

Answer to If masturbating is a sin then how do I release the sexual "pressure" that builds up inside me, aside from having nocturnal emissions?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 13:27:55 -0800

If masturbating is a sin then how do I release the sexual "pressure" that builds up inside me, aside from having nocturnal emissions?

There's nothing in the Bible that suggests that masturbation is wrong or bad. Certainly, as with anything else, masturbation can become an obsession...but it's not inherently sinful.

Answer to Does religion really matter, or is the important thing just belief in God?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 13:26:39 -0800

Does religion really matter, or is the important thing just belief in God?

Belief in God is good. The religion you choose is irrelevant...unless, of course, that religion is untrue. It's important to ask tough questions about faith. Zen, for example, teaches that something can be true and untrue at the same time. This seems like nonsense to most of the rest of...

Answer to How does one get ordained?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 12:33:31 -0800

How does one get ordained?

According to the Bible, God ordains ministers. Churches and denominations can do no more than recognize and acknowledge God's ordination prior to giving someone a position of responsibility and authority. Each church has different criteria that ministerial applicants must meet, but (in...

Answer to If I go to heaven and my spouse goes somewhere else, I will be unhappy in heaven. Can someone explain this paradox?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 12:30:58 -0800

If I go to heaven and my spouse goes somewhere else, I will be unhappy in heaven. Can someone explain this paradox?

The Bible is chock full of symbols that help us understand who God is and what He wants from us. Marriage is one of those symbols. As with all Biblical symbols, marriage simply points us to a greater reality. The Bible describes marriage as a way for us to understand the love of God. Marriage...

Answer to How can I write a letter to my pastor and congregation telling them of my need to attend another church?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 12:17:30 -0800

How can I write a letter to my pastor and congregation telling them of my need to attend another church?

Having been a pastor, I can say this with confidence: your pastors are there to serve YOU, not the other way around. You owe them no allegiance, and certainly no explanations. If you wish to tell them why you're moving on, they'll probably appreciate it...but you don't need their...

Answer to If God is against homosexuality, why would he allow people to be born gay, or even bisexual?

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 12:15:13 -0800

If God is against homosexuality, why would he allow people to be born gay, or even bisexual?

God isn't "against" homosexuals...He's only "against" anything that keeps us from becoming who we should be. That apparently includes lying, stealing, overeating, and homosexual activity - to name only a few. Homosexuality isn't a special kind of sin, and...