#STRask

How Should the American Church Prepare Itself for Persecution?

Questions about how the “fat and happy” American church should prepare itself for persecution, whether the fact that Jesus only appeared to his followers renders their testimony suspicious, and whether it’s a sin to work for a Christian publisher that’s printing heretical books.

• In what practical ways should the “fat and happy” American church prepare itself for the level of persecution spoken of in the book of Revelation?
• If Jesus only appeared to his followers after his resurrection, isn’t their testimony suspicious?
• Is it a sin for me to continue to work for a Christian publisher that has been printing heretical books, mixing spiritism with Christianity and promoting sin? 

Does Christ’s Atonement Give Us Spiritual, Physical, and Financial Health?

Questions about whether Christ’s work of salvation is supposed to give us spiritual, physical, financial (etc.) health and how to defend the idea of Heaven and Hell using only the Torah.

• Is it biblically accurate to say the Father’s will for believers is to become whole and healthy in every area of life (spiritually, physically, financially, etc.) as part of Christ’s work of salvation on the cross?
• How do I respond to a Jewish friend who says he doesn’t believe there’s an afterlife because there’s no mention of Heaven or Hell in the Torah? 

Is Every Decision We Make Part of God’s Will?

Questions about whether every decision we make is part of God’s will and what people in Hell will do.

• Is every decision we make part of God’s will, or does his will only apply to things that will impact eternity?
• Will people in Hell be able to do things like commune with or prey on one another, build cities, etc.? 

How Can There Be Real Love in Heaven if Evil Isn’t Possible There?

Questions about how there can be real love in Heaven if the possibility of evil is necessary for real love and whether God could have created a universe where no one would desire to sin and be lost to Hell.

• If the possibility of evil is necessary for real love, then how will there be real love in Heaven?
• Couldn’t God have created a universe where no one would desire to sin and be lost to Hell? 

#STRask - August 26, 2021

Questions about whether someone should talk to their ministry’s leadership about their practice of “hearing from God” in meetings and how we should label someone who believes the basic facts of the gospel but no other Christian doctrine.

• Should I talk to the leadership of the ministry I work for about their practice of taking time in meetings to ask people to “hear from God” and then relay what they heard?
• If someone believes Jesus is the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world, was crucified, buried, and raised on the third day, a free gift of grace to those who repent and believe, but he doesn’t believe any other Christian doctrine, what is he?

#STRask - August 23, 2021

Questions about whether or not the sacrificial system in the Mosaic Law included sacrifices for intentional sins and how to respond to someone who says he isn’t a Christian because his prayers were never answered when he believed in God.

• Leviticus 4 and 5 describe the sacrifices for unintentional sins, but were there sacrifices for intentional sins?
• How would you respond to someone who says one of the reasons he isn’t a Christian (and has turned to tarot cards) is that his prayers were never answered when he believed in God?

#STRask - August 19, 2021

Questions about whether it’s okay to invite those with different worldviews and different ideas about sexuality to church or a Bible study and a better way to explain why Jesus didn’t know the time of his return.

• Can we invite those with different worldviews and different ideas about sexuality to church or a Bible study, and do we need to address those differences with them immediately?
• Is there a better way to explain why Jesus didn’t know the time of his return other than to simply say Jesus was speaking from his humanity?

#STRask - August 16, 2021

Question about how to respond to a progressive Christian who says one can “be the wrong gender” because we live in a fallen world, and it should be corrected just as we correct bad eyesight with glasses.

• How would you respond to a progressive Christian who says one can “be the wrong gender” because we live in a fallen world, and it should be corrected just as we correct bad eyesight with glasses.

#STRask - August 12, 2021

Questions about what Jesus meant when he said, “This generation will not pass away until all these things take place,” and why prayer seems easier for some people than others.

• What exactly does Jesus mean when he says, “This generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (referring to the tribulation and signs of Christ’s coming)?
• Why does prayer seem easier for my wife than for me?

#STRask - August 9, 2021

Question about how a professional athlete should think about wearing pride-themed uniforms or jerseys.

• How should a professional athlete think about wearing pride-themed uniforms or jerseys?