#STRask

What Is the Hardest Aspect of Christianity to Defend?

Question about the hardest aspect of Christianity to defend.

• What is the hardest aspect of Christianity to defend?

Does Jeremiah 10:1–5 Speak against Having a Christmas Tree?

Questions about whether Jeremiah 10:1–5 speaks against having a Christmas tree, whether celebrating Christmas is extra-biblical and we should be celebrating Israelite feasts and festivals instead, and why Zechariah was was disciplined for questioning the message he received from an angel but Mary wasn’t.

• Does Jeremiah 10:1–5 speak against having a Christmas tree?
• Is celebrating Christmas and Easter extra-biblical? Are Christians grafted into Israel and should therefore be celebrating the Israelite feasts and festivals?
• Why was Zechariah disciplined and made mute for questioning the angel’s message about his wife conceiving due to her age, but Mary wasn’t disciplined for questioning her pregnancy due to her virginity?

How Would Persecuted Christians Have Understood Psalms Promising Protection and Rescue?

Questions about how persecuted Christians would have understood Psalms promising protection and rescue, whether it’s a contradiction for Jesus to say that some will be put to death but also that not a hair of your head will perish, and whether the Bible has been added to throughout the years.

• How would Christians under persecution (such as those in Rome) have understood verses like Psalm 34:19–20 that promise protection and rescue by God for righteous people?
• Is it a contradiction for Jesus to say both that some will be put to death and that not a hair of your head will perish (Luke 21:16–19)?
• Is there evidence that would contradict my coworker’s claim that the Bible has been added to throughout the years?

My Teenage Daughter Walked Away from God Because He Didn’t Answer Her Prayers for Help

Question about how to respond to a teenage daughter who walked away from God because she cried out to him for years and he didn’t answer, and because she didn’t feel any different after accepting Christ as her Savior.

• How should I respond to my teenage daughter who walked away from God because she cried out to him for years and he didn’t answer, and because she didn’t feel any different after accepting Christ as her Savior?

Are Christians Who Continue to Sin Hypocrites?

Questions about sins of action vs. sinful character flaws and whether continued sin makes Christians hypocrites, whether Ananias and Sapphira were saved, and whether Christians aren’t practicing what they believe if they’re spending time and money doing anything but evangelize.

• What’s the difference between sins of action and sinful character flaws, and does continued sin of either form make Christians hypocrites?
• Do you think Ananias and Sapphira were saved if they had accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, despite their massive blunder/punishment?
• Given the stakes of temporary time to choose an eternal destination, why do any Christians do anything but evangelize? Why do churches have state-of-the-art equipment and buildings for a temporary time when they preach an eternal reality? It seems like they’re not practicing what they believe.

Is It Possible Jesus Has Already Come?

Questions about whether it’s possible Jesus has already come in a fashion similar to Elijah coming as John the Baptist, whether Jesus was an apocalyptic prophet who was wrong about the kingdom coming in his disciples’ lifetime, and what part Jesus’ resurrection plays in salvation.

• Is it possible Jesus has already come in a fashion similar to Elijah coming as John the Baptist?
• What are the arguments opposing the current view of New Testament scholars that Jesus was an apocalyptic prophet who was ultimately wrong about the kingdom coming within his disciples’ lifetime?
• What part does Jesus’ resurrection play in salvation?

Are We Limiting God by Putting Him in the “Box” of Scripture?

Questions about whether we’re limiting God by putting him in the “box” of the 66 books of Scripture and how to respond to someone who continually talks about missing verses in the Bible and the idea that the Bible is owned by a corporation and isn’t trustworthy.

• How would you respond to someone who says we’re limiting God by putting him in the “box” of the 66 books of Scripture and we have no way of knowing all he has done or said because we’re human and can only know so much about God?
• What would you say to someone who claims to be a Christian but continually talks about missing verses in the Bible and the idea that the Bible is owned by a corporation and is not trustworthy?

What Is the Christian View of Surrogacy?

Question about how Christians should view surrogacy.

• My sister is considering surrogacy, and it makes me feel uncomfortable as I don’t know what God’s stance would be. What is the Christian view of surrogacy?

Are We Responsible for Enjoying Prayer, Worship, and Bible Reading?

Questions about whether we’re responsible for enjoying prayer, worship, and Bible reading or it’s up to God to ignite those joys in us and whether sharing about things that cause grief, pain, or discontent is a form of complaining.

• Are we responsible for enjoying prayer, worship, and reading the Bible, or is it up to God to ignite those joys in us?
• Is it okay for Christians to share about things that cause grief, pain, or discontent, or is that a form of complaining?

How Can I Start a Conversation with the Jehovah’s Witnesses I See around Town?

Questions about how to start up a conversation with Jehovah’s Witnesses who are handing out information at temporary kiosks around town, witnessing to New Age siblings who misquote the Bible and Jesus, and non-Christians who are experiencing answered prayers or prophetic dreams.

• Do you have any advice for starting up a conversation with Jehovah’s Witnesses who are handing out Watchtower information at temporary kiosks around town?
• How do I witness to and answer the questions of my three New Age siblings who are misquoting the Bible and Jesus?
• How should I address non-Christians having experiences where God seemingly answers their prayers or their prophetic dreams come true?