#STRask

Why Does God Require Sacrifice after Sin?

Questions about why God requires sacrifice after sin, why God had to adhere to sin’s death penalty such that he had to devise a plan of substitutionary atonement, and how we’re able to grieve the Holy Spirit with our sin if God doesn’t see our sin.

• Why does God require sacrifice after sin, and is Genesis 3:21 an example of this?
• Why does sin have the power of death, and why did God have to adhere to sin’s death penalty such that he had to devise a plan of substitutionary atonement?
• If God doesn’t see our sin because of the blood of Jesus, how are we still able to grieve the Holy Spirit when we sin? 

Is Abortion Just a Culture-War Issue, Not a Biblical One?

Questions about how to respond to the pro-choice objections that unborn babies have no rights, that abortion is not a black or white issue, that other people having abortions won’t affect your life personally, and that abortion is a culture-war issue, not a biblical one.

• How would you respond to the pro-choice objections that unborn babies have no rights, that abortion is not a black or white issue, and other people having abortions won’t affect my life personally?
• Is abortion a culture-war issue, not a biblical one? 

Anyone Worthy of Worship Wouldn’t Want It

Questions about how to respond to the idea that anyone worthy of worship wouldn’t want it and anyone requiring worship doesn’t deserve it and whether it’s appropriate to do good deeds with the intent of earning a reward in Heaven.

• How would you respond to the idea that anyone worthy of worship wouldn’t want it and anyone requiring worship doesn’t deserve it?
• If our good deeds on earth earn us a reward in Heaven, is it appropriate to do such deeds with the intent of earning a reward in Heaven, or should our intent be focused on making a difference here on earth?

How Do I Begin My Journey to Become an Apologist?

Questions about how to begin one’s journey to become an apologist and whether, in light of Jesus driving people who were buying and selling out of the temple in Matthew 21:12, it’s okay for speakers to sell their books in churches.

• How do I begin my journey to become an apologist?
• In light of Jesus driving people who were buying and selling out of the temple in Matthew 21:12, is it okay for speakers to sell their books in churches?

How Can God Not Know What He’s Chosen Not to Know?

Questions about whether the view that Jesus didn’t know the time of his return because he limited his omniscience is the same as Open Theism, when Jesus became aware he was the Son of God, and whether Jesus wants to be “served.” 

• Is the view that Jesus didn’t know the time of his return because he limited his omniscience the same as Open Theism? How can God not know what he’s chosen not to know?
• When did Jesus become aware he was the Son of God?
• You really believe Jesus wants to be “served”? 

How Would You Explain God’s Omnipresence to a Six-Year-Old?

Questions about how to explain God’s omnipresence to a six-year-old, how it could make sense for God to identify as male if the definition of “male” is rooted in biology, why the thief’s statement to Jesus on the cross got him into the kingdom, and a program for teaching logic.

• How would you explain God’s omnipresence to a six-year-old?
• If the definition of male and female is rooted in biology, how does it make sense for God to identify as male?
• What is it in the statement the thief on the cross makes to Jesus in Luke 23:42 that triggers his entry into the kingdom?
• What’s a good program to teach logic with a Christian flavor to high school students?

Why Would God Harden Pharaoh’s Heart against the Israelites?

Questions about why God would harden Pharaoh’s heart against the Israelites and how to reconcile what modern science says about human nature being inherently good with the Bible’s claim that we’re born inherently evil.

• Why would God harden Pharaoh’s heart against the Israelites?
• Is there a way to reconcile what modern science says about our being born good with what the Bible says about our being born inherently evil?

Would the Gospel Be Good News if Hell Didn’t Exist?

Questions about whether the gospel would be good news if Hell didn’t exist and what to say to someone who responds to evidence for Christianity by saying, “The Bible’s bad for society,” and doesn’t seem to be interested in the evidence.

• Would the gospel be good news if Hell didn’t exist?
• What should I say to someone who responds to the evidence I offer for the truth of Christianity by saying, “The Bible’s bad for society,” and doesn’t seem to be interested in the evidence?

What Questions Could I Ask Someone Who Doesn’t Seem to Have True, Saving Faith?

Questions about what questions to ask someone who claims to be a Christian but doesn’t seem to have true, saving faith and when to stop trying to convince someone who denies some essentials of the faith that he needs to be saved. 

• What questions could I ask someone who seemingly has a said faith rather than a true, saving faith?
• At what point do I stop trying to convince my grandfather, who denies some essentials of the faith, that he needs to be saved?

Is Genesis 1–11 Historical or Mytho-History?

Questions about whether Genesis 1–11 is historical or mytho-history, why Jesus referenced people “we know never existed” like Adam and Eve, Noah, and Moses, and whether there’s a method by which we can establish which things we can agree to disagree on.

• Is Genesis 1–11 historical or mytho-history, and aren’t there significant theological implications if the Fall as described in the Bible didn’t happen?
• Why did Jesus reference people we know never existed like Adam and Eve, Noah, and Moses?
• Is there a standard method by which we can establish which things we can agree to disagree on and which things we can’t?