Category: Q:Discernment Issues

What is the Will of God?

In 2012, the Christian band Sidewalk Prophets released a song about the will of God entitled “Help Me Find It” ((“‘Help Me Find It’ by Sidewalk Prophets” by Kevin Davis, February 26, 2013 at www.newsreleasetoday.com.)) which has since received 1.9 million hits on YouTube ((“Sidewalk Prophets – Help Me Find It (Official Lyric Video)”by sidewalkprophets, April…
Is Abortion a Sin?

Statistics are not always trustworthy but they do help us to identify trends and the trends tell us that abortion is still very popular today. The Guttmacher Institute, which supports the practice of abortion, says that 21 percent of all pregnancies today end in abortion and one in 10 women will have one by the…
Is Homosexuality a Sin?

When I was in high school, one of my heroes was a guy named Ted who was several years older than me. ((“Ted” is not his real name.)) He was a great athlete who drove a sports car that made me drool with envy. One day, I noticed that Ted had a rainbow spectrum on…
What Does It Mean to be Filled with the Spirit?

In 2008, a news release was sent out in Great Britain entitled, “World’s Oldest Living Animal Discovered After He is Pictured in 1900 Photograph.” ((“World’s Oldest Living Animal Discovered After He is Pictured in 1900 Photograph.” Taken from www.telegraph.co.uk as of 8/27/13.)) The article showed a picture taken on the island of Saint Helena, several hundred…
Do people still speak in tongues?

It is very common today to hear stories of people experiencing God in unusual ways. Several books are currently available that describe someone’s trip to Heaven ((For example, see Todd Burpo & Lynn Vincent’s Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2010)…
What is wrong with the Invitation System?

In an earlier Frequently Asked Question on this website, the subject of conversion was discussed. ((See “What is Conversion?”)) “Conversion” means “a change or a transformation.” ((Webster’s New World Dictionary, ed. by Michael Agnes (New York: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2003) 146. Technically, to convert is “to change; to transform.”)) It is to change your thinking…
Didn’t Jesus say that we should not judge each other?

Jesus did say that we are not to judge. In Matthew 7:1-2, Jesus says, Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. If these words are not strong enough, our Lord goes on…
What is Elder Rule and Congregational Rule?

Elder rule and congregational rule are methods of church government. Elder rule is defined as government by a plurality of godly men who “care for and spiritually oversee the churches”57 of which they are a part. These men are “called elders because of their superior wisdom and experience”58 in Christian ministry and life. The term congregational rule is a bit confusing…
What is Lordship Salvation and Carnal Christianity?

Lordship Salvation and Carnal Christianity are terms used to refer to the sinner’s responsibility in salvation. The lordship of Christ refers to “Jesus Christ’s authority and rule over the life of the Christian.”51 Lordship Salvation, consequently, is the view that a person must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior in order to be saved. The sinner must believe…
What is Premillennialism and Postmillennialism?

Premillennialism and postmillennialism26 relate to the timing and nature of Jesus’ future return and reign in the millennial kingdom. Jesus’ return and ensuing reign are described in Revelation 19:11–13; 20:4, which says, And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness…
What is Arminianism and Calvinism?

Arminianism and Calvinism2 are doctrinal systems that deal with how God saves sinners. According to Clark Pinnock, Arminianism teaches that “God is love, and therefore expresses his power, not by having to control everything like an oriental despot, but by giving humanity salvation and eternal life under the conditions of mutuality.”3 By “conditions of mutuality,” Pinnock means…