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Practical Theology

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• Is all grief a sin?
  My uncle died. Some have told me that it is not biblical to grieve, but that I should rather only rejoice because my uncle is not in heaven. Is this true?
  
  
• Does the death penalty deter crime?
  Does the death penalty deter crime?
  
  
• Is John Deere Dear to God?
  I live in a Homeowners Association and they say I must keep my yard mowed. I do not enjoy mowing my yard, but I feel guilty if I do not do it. Is there anything biblically wrong with not mowing one’s yard?
  
  
• Anti-Paedocommunion
  I am confused is Paedo-Communion right or wrong?
  
  
• Antinomianism and Homosexuality?
  Since we are no longer under the law but under grace (Rom 6:14), I can now practice homosexuality, right? The law is abolished, right?
  
  
• Same Sex Love?
  Romans 1 is a text that speaks about sexual “lust” and not sexual “love.” Therefore is it proper to assume that “same sex love” (not “lust”) is allowed by the Bible?
  
  
• Once a Presence, Now No Presence?
  Is it possible for God to take away all sense of His presence for a true Christian?
  
  
• Small Groups, or the Church?
  Can't small groups replace the Church?
  
  
• Can Catholics be Saved?
  Can Catholics really be saved though they have and do so much that is "false doctrine?"
  
  
• Does Prayer REALLY Change Things?
  I know God ordains us to pray. I also understand about predestination. How is prayer supposed to change or affect life if God predestines everything? Prayer seems to be mostly for us, but will God change the outcome if we pray?
  
  
• Nip Tuck
  Are elective cosmetic surgeries (such as breast implants, tummy tucks, face lifts, etc.) sinful?
  
  
• Saved and Under False Teachers?
  Can you be saved and still follow a false teacher?
  
  
• Our Cross, His Cross?
  If we are effectually called then why does the Bible have passages that indicate that we must be totally committed?
  
  
• Not Interested in Sex?
  How is a Christian to deal with a spouse who has no interest in sex?
  
  
• May a Believer Initiate Divorce and Remarry?
  May a Believer Initiate Divorce and Remarry?
  
  
• Unborn Elect
  Are the unborn elect regenerated when in their unborn state and destined to come to faith?
  
  
• Marriage, Divorce, Children, and Heresy?
  Marriage, Divorce, Children, and Heresy, what do I do?
  
  
• Biblical Usury and Modern Times
  In the modern world, how do we apply the Bible’s condemnation of usury?
  
  
• Drinking Alcohol
  Is it a sin to drink alcohol?
  
  
• Origin of Races Revisited
  From where did the different races come?
  
  
• No Kids for Me!
  Should I marry a man who does not want children?
  
  
• Heavy Metal Monster?
  Is it sinful to listen to hard rock and heavy metal?
  
  
• Multi-Site and Video-Venue Churches
  What are your thoughts on multi-site and video-venue churches?
  
  
• Blasphemy or Superstition?
  I have made jokes about the Holy Spirit. Does that mean I have blasphemed him?
  
  
• Assurance and Election
  Can I know that I'm saved?
  
  
• Mate or Mission?
  Which comes first, mate or mission?
  
  
• Reformed Evangelism
  How do Reformed churches conceive of evangelism?
  
  
• Presuppositional Exclusivism
  From a presuppositional perspective, why can't religions other than Christianity provide a sufficient basis for making sense of life?
  
  
• The Bible vs. The Book of Mormon
  Is there equivalent proof that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are true?
  
  
• Is God the Only Father?
  Doesn’t the Bible say that the term “father” is to be used only in reference to God?
  
  
• Chinese House Churches
  In light of new regulations, should Chinese house churches register with the government?
  
  
• Modern Heretics
  Is there a way for the modern church to discipline heretics effectively?
  
  
• Voyeurism
  Is it a sin to fantasize about or to watch one's spouse having sexual intercourse with someone else?
  
  
• Unanswered Prayers
  If God didn't answer my prayers in the past, why should I bother praying now?
  
  
• Sacred and Secular Leadership
  Why should we have different standards for church leadership than for secular leadership?
  
  
• Children's Church
  Should churches offer children's church, or should they keep children in the adult worship service?
  
  
• Why is America Rich?
  Do Old Testament blessings and curses apply to modern nations?
  
  
• Missing Verses?
  Does the NIV deliberately skip verses in Acts?
  
  
• Literal Interpretation
  Why do Reformed Theologians reject literal interpretations of prophecy?
  
  
• Can I Divorce and Remarry?
  My husband doesn't love me but another man does. Can I marry him?
  
  
• Is the NIV a good translation?
  What’s your take on the NIV?
  
  
• Women in Secular Leadership
  Can women be leaders outside the church?
  
  
• Rap 'n' Roll
  Should Christians listen to rap music?
  
  
• New Testament Temple Worship
  Was NT worship more like synagogue worship or temple worship?
  
  
• Sexual Fantasy and Masturbation
  Aren't sexual fantasies always adultery?
  
  
• Christians in Politics
  Should I be involved in the politics of my increasingly Muslim nation?
  
  
• Presuppositional Evidence
  Is presuppositionalism incompatible with the Bible's own use of evidence?
  
  
• Bible and Apologetics
  Is it really a good idea to appeal to the Bible when talking to unbelievers?
  
  
• By Mine Own Hand
  Is ghostwriting an unethical practice?
  
  
• Jesus In My Heart
  What is the origin of the common evangelical phrase, "ask Jesus into your heart"?
  
  
• Cremation
  Does the Bible tell us whether cremation is alright?
  
  
• Truth and Actions
  If something is objectively true, isn't my behavior irrelevant to the truth of it?
  
  
• Soldier, Civilian
  When does a person cease to be a civilian and become a soldier?
  
  
• Gossip
  What is "gossip"?
  
  
• Secular Counseling
  Can secular counseling change the heart?
  
  
• Christian and Pagan Feelings
  How worried should a Christian be about their salvation if their experiential life seems to be the same as a non-believer?
  
  
• Autonomous Presuppositions?
  If autonomous thought does not provide a foundation for any knowledge and cannot make sense of human experience how can we arrive at any conclusions?
  
  
• Just War
  How would you apply just war theory to the present international crisis and imminent war in Iraq? (question received 3.12.03)
  
  
• Exclusive Psalmody
  Should we only sing Psalms in worship?
  
  
• Coffee Shop in Church
  I want to open a coffee shop at church to help our church grow.  Is there anything wrong with this?
  
  
• Lead Someone to Christ
  Where in the New Testament does it tell us that we cannot lead a person to Christianity, that only the Holy Spirit can do that?
  
  
• Witchcraft and Fantasy
  Is there a difference between Wicca (witchcraft as practiced by modern pagans) and fantasy?
  
  
• Self Abuse?
  What does the Bible say about masturbation?
  
  
• Unborn and Heaven
  Does an unborn child that dies go to heaven?
  
  
• Men not in Leadership
  Why are men not fulfilling their rightful place as leaders within the Church, community, and homes?
  
  
• Cussing
  Is cussing necessarily a sin?
  
  
• Ending the Evolution Debate
  What is the age of our earth?
  
  
• False Belief
  Is possible for someone to truly believe they are saved and not be?
  
  
• Tithe and Jesus
  How would Jesus react to the collection of (a) moneys during the Mass,  (b) the wealth of the Church and the Vatican, and (c) the tithe?
  
  
• Slain In The Spirit
  Can you comment upon the scriptural validity of being "slain in the Spirit"?
  
  
• Do the Elements of Communion Matter?
  Concerning the bread used for communion, should it be unleavened or just common bread?
  
  
• A Mystical Calling
  What is a calling supposed to feel like?
  
  
• Emotional Adultery
  If an affair was never more than emotional, is divorce justified?
  
  
• Christ Died For You
  Can a pastor who believes in particular redemption be consistent in giving the gospel since he wouldn't know if those in the audience were all elect?
  
  
• Ordination Disparity
  What do you think about the desparity in ordination standards between prebyteries?
  
  
• Christian Journalism
  What are your thoughts on the state of Christian journalism today?
  
  
• Seventy Times Seven and God
  If I really do believe in Jesus, then how come I can't stop sinning?
  
  
• Tattoos
  What does the Bible say about tattoos?
  
  
• Making Out
  Does the Bible say that kissing before marriage is wrong?
  
  
• God's Deaf Ear
  Does God answer the prayers of unbelievers?
  
  
• Climbing the Corporate Ladder
  Should the dangerous potential of dulled love for Christ discourage someone from pursuing a secular job over a (more explicitly) ministry job?
  
  
• Have I Blasphemed the Holy Spirit?
  Since blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not forgivable, and since all sins can be forgiven, is it a sin?
  
  
• Proof of Miracles
  Is there any proof that any of the miracles in the Bible really happened?
  
  
• Inspiration and Accuracy
  How can we trust that the people who wrote the Bible produced accurate reports?
  
  
• Reliability of the Biblical Documents
  Are the biblical documents more or less reliable than other historical documents?
  
  
• Scholarly Unbelief
  Why do many scholars dismiss Christianity?
  
  
• The Effects of Darwinism
  How has evolutionary thought affected the study and academic opinion of the Bible and Christianity?
  
  
• Supernatural Origin of the Bible
  What evidence in the Bible suggests its supernatural origin?
  
  
• Archaeology, History, and Biblical Reliability
  Do archaeology and history support the Bible's claims?
  
  
• Predestination vs. Prayer
  As God predestines who will come to faith, should I go on praying about my children's salvation?
  
  
• Pop Culture
  Do you know any guiding principles in determining when it's appropriate to take in popular culture?
  
  
• Why Obey God's Law?
  Is gratitude the only legitimate motivation for holiness?
  
  
• Spiritual Pride
  What is spiritual pride?
  
  
• Unequally Yoked
  What does the Bible have to say about relationships between athiests and believers?
  
  
• Worship on Days Other Than Sunday
  Could you refer me to supporting evidence for worship on days other than Sunday?
  
  
• Disproving Evolution
  How can I disprove evolution to a biology professor?
  
  
• Was I Married? Am I Divorced?
  My immigrant boyfriend and I got a "paper marriage" so he could stick around, later he filed for divorce. Was I married?
  
  
• Still Not Convinced
  Is not the church organically connected with the Heavenly Temple?
  
  
• Pinning Down the Regulative Principle
  Can you tell me why I shouldn't slaughter a lamb during worship?
  
  
• Mandatory Instrumentation?
  Would you regard musical instruments as optional or mandatory?
  
  
• Comfort with Tradition?
  Are musical instruments still allowed in worship?
  
  
• Modern Worship: I'm Okay, You're Okay?
  Are we getting away from the Bible and moving toward a dangerous area where we say, "I'm okay and you're okay"?
  
  
• Tolerating Millennial Views
  How important should the question of the Millennium (as described in Rev. 20) be for Christian belief?
  
  
• Calvinism vs. Arminianism: A Worthwhile Debate
  Does the battle between Calvinists and Arminians really matter?
  
  
• Is God Talking to Me?
  If God is the real author of the Bible, using human writers to record exactly what he wants to say to humanity, then is He speaking directly to me?
  
  
• Cynicism
  Does cynicism always conflict with Biblical faith?
  
  
• Condemning Those who Haven't Heard
  How can God condemn those who haven't heard the Gospel?
  
  
• Satan Wears Nike?
  Do you know if there is any truth to the rumor of the president of Nike corporation being affiliated with an occult or satanism?
  
  
• Play that Funky Music
  What do you think about music in church? I think it helps you get into it more. What does the bible say?
  
  
• You Say You Want a Revolution.
  Were the American and the French Revolutions biblically justified?
  
  
• Contradictions in the Bible
  How can I respond to challenges regarding apparent contradictions in the Bible in an intellectually respectable way?
  
  
• Is Oral Sex a Sin?
  Is oral sex a sin?
  
  
• Women and the Lord's Supper
  Should women be allowed to distribute the elements of the Lord's Supper?
  
  
• Philosophical Materialism
  What is the position of the materialist?
  
  
• Women Pastors
  Are women suppose to be pastors?
  
  
• Baby Talk
  What man in the Bible spoke when he was a baby?
  
  
• Where Did the Cock Crow?
  In what place did the cock crow where all the world could hear him?
  
  
• Categorizing Biblical Books
  What are the sub-titles of the books of the Old Testament and New Testament?
  
  
• Blessing God
  In what ways can we bless God?
  
  
• Contraception
  Is contraception bad?
  
  
• Warm Fuzzies
  How much should the tingles and warm fuzzies be of consideration in a relationship?
  
  
• Gambling
  What does the Bible say about gambling? Is it a sin?
  
  
• Greeting One Another
  Does the Bible say anything about how important it is to greet people or anything about greeting people?
  
  
• Denominationalism
  Is denominationalism a sound christian structure for the religious world? Or is it built on shifting sand, doomed to collapse and failure that leads to condemnation?
  
  
• Inerrancy and Canonicity
  How do the authors of the Chicago Statement on Inerrancy know that "no new apostolic witness to the historical Christ can now be borne"?
  
  
• Neil Anderson
  you think that Neil Anderson is a trusted biblical teacher?
  
  
• Why Study Theology?
  Why is studying theology important or relevant? Can't we just read the Bible?
  
  
• Spiritists and Mediums
  Can people like "John Edward" who claim they can talk to the dead and are very convincing, be believed?
  
  
• Errors in the Bible
  How do you answer these errors?
  
  
• The Desires of My Heart
  How can having a godly desire in one's heart guarantee that it is automatically acceptable and will be fulfilled by God?
  
  
• Forgiveness vs. Resistance
  If we forgive but resist whom we forgive, what have we forgiven?
  
  
• Foolish Martyrs
  If God says, "Vengence is Mine", why should we worry about protecting ourselves?
  
  
• I Believe in Me
  I believe that I should get truth from many sources, not just the Bible. Is that wrong?
  
  
• Redeeming Society?
  Is a Christian supposed to work for a better society based on Christian values?
  
  
• Non-Violent Resistance to Evil
  Is non-violent resistance to evil the only recourse for the true Christian?
  
  
• Fixing the Problems
  How can we actually fix the Church's problems and not just talk about them?
  
  
• Tithing
  Can I give my tithe directly to a poor family in my church?
  
  
• Violent Resistance
  Are there any circumstances in which violent resistance is justified for Christians?
  
  
• Medication and Depression
  Should Christians use medication to treat depression?
  
  
• What is Religion?
  What is the relationship among reason, revelation, faith and grace?
  
  
• God's Existence Trivial?
  Voltaire once said, "If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him."  Why would he say that?
  
  
• Are You My Mother?
  Could you give me some Scriptures telling me the respondabilty of a stepmother to a stepchild?
  
  
• Teaching Covenant
  Do you have any suggestions about how to teach the idea of covenant to children and youth?
  
  
• Robert Rules the Church
  What sort of guidelines for day to day church government are in the Bible?
  
  
• God Hates...
  How can so many people claim to be from the Lord and hate other people, specifically homosexuals?
  
  
• Jews and The Only Savior
  We know that Jews are God's chosen people but what about after their death?
  
  
• Apocryphal Accounts
  Why is it that Protestans and Jews do not believe in Tobit, Judith, Maccabees 1 &2, Baruch, Wisdom, and Sirach?
  
  
• Dross and Gold
  What books of the Bible do Roman Catholics accept that Protestants do not?
  
  
• Preaching the Gospel to the Church
  If all you have to do to be saved is ask the Lord to come into your heart (and mean it), then why are there lukewarm Christians
  
  
• Bible Versions
  Is the King James Version more accurate than the New International Version?
  
  
• Smoking
  Is smoking a sin?
  
  
• Exclusive Psalmody, No Instrumentation
  Should the church use Psalms exclusively, with no musical instruments?