#STRask

If Suffering Has a Purpose, Should We Pray for It to End?

Questions about whether we should pray for our suffering to end or simply that it accomplishes its purpose, what kind of influence Satan has on our sin, and whether general revelation is enough to lead to salvation.

• Since God has a good purpose for the bad things we’re going through, should we pray for those things to end or simply that they accomplish their purpose?
• What kind of influence does Satan have on our sin?
• Is general revelation enough to lead to salvation, or is putting your faith in Christ the only way to the Father?

How Can I Help My Friend See That Works Won’t Save Him?

Question about how to help a Mormon see that the works he does will not earn his salvation.

• How can I help a coworker, who’s a former Catholic and now a Mormon, see that the works he does will not earn his salvation?

How Do You Get over Being Harmed by Another Christian?

Questions about how, if the infinite has no beginning or end, we can “begin” to spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven and how to get over being harmed by another Christian.

• If the infinite has no beginning or end, and we live in a finite universe, then how can we “begin” to spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven?
• How do you get over being harmed by another Christian?

Is It Ever Okay to Pull the Plug on Life Support?

Questions about pulling the plug on life support, when it’s appropriate for Christians to stay and fight vs. leave, and whether vows of silence, poverty, and celibacy taken by Christian monks are morally praiseworthy.

• Is it ever okay to pull the plug of someone on life support?
• When is it appropriate for Christians to “stay and fight” versus “pack up and leave”? 
• Are vows of silence, poverty, celibacy, etc. taken by Christian monks morally praiseworthy?

Do I Need a Physical Bible?

Questions about whether we should command healing in Jesus’ name or ask for it and whether we need a physical Bible or a phone app is sufficient.

• Should I command healing in Jesus’ name or ask for it?
• Do I need a physical Bible, or is my phone app sufficient?

Does God Have a Covenantal Interest in the Unbelieving Jewish People Today?

Question about whether God has a covenantal interest in the unbelieving Jewish people today, who are distinct from the believing Jewish remnant.

• Does God have a covenantal interest in the unbelieving Jewish people today that includes the biblical homeland and the unbelieving Jews, who are distinct from the believing Jewish remnant?

Why Does the World Consider Offending Someone to Be the Greatest Sin?

Questions about a winsome response to someone who defends abortion by arguing that an unwanted pregnancy could lead to the mother’s suicide and why the world considers offending someone to be the greatest sin. 

• What’s a winsome response to someone who defends abortion by arguing an unwanted pregnancy may cause great suffering and/or lead to suicide?
• Why do you think offending someone is seen as the greatest sin in the world’s eyes?

Does God Consider a Divorced Couple to Still Be Married?

Questions about whether God considers a divorced couple to still be married and whether one can vote for a national political candidate who is openly transgender.

• Since remarriage after a divorce is considered adultery, does this imply that God considers the couple to still be married?
• Could you support and vote for a national political candidate who was most aligned with your political views but was openly transgender?

How Do You Explain the Harshness of the Old Testament vs. the New Testament?

Questions about the alleged inconsistency between the harshness of the Old Testament vs. the New Testament (and why God would set up a system of Law and redemption) and why the command given to Noah and the New Testament believers against eating blood wouldn’t be binding on us today.

• How can I best explain the internal inconsistency between the harshness of the Old Testament compared to the New Testament, and why wouldn’t a sovereign God set up a system that didn’t require a harsh Law and a system of redemption in the first place?
• Wouldn’t the fact that the command to not eat blood was given both to Noah and New Testament believers mean it transcends the Mosaic Covenant and is binding on us today?

Why Would an Omniscient God Test Hezekiah to Know What Was in His Heart?

Questions about how the death of David’s son squares with Ezekiel 18:20, what 2 Chronicles 32:31 means when it says God tested Hezekiah’s to know what was in his heart, and financing the wedding of a child who may marry an atheist.

• How does 2 Samuel 12:13–14, where King David is told his child will die because of his sin, square with Ezekiel 18:20, which says the one who sins will die and the child will not share in the guilt of the parent?
• What does it mean in 2 Chronicles 32:31 when it says God left Hezekiah in order to “test him and know what was in his heart,” when God is omniscient?
• Should we finance the wedding of our daughter who is not practicing her faith and may marry an atheist?