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Faith Q&As

A woman leans against a wall with her eyes closed and hands folded

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and the Unforgivable Sin

What does it mean to “blaspheme the Holy Spirit”?

urns or metal jars

Cremation: A Biblical Perspective

Does the Bible have anything to say about cremation? My spouse and I have been discussing our final will and testament, including our personal preferences regarding funeral arrangements. I feel strongly that cremation is the best way to go, but my husband says that it’s a “pagan” practice. He claims that the Bible condemns it. …

Dead-end road with a sign cautioning you to turn left or right

Understanding the “Generational Curse” of Exodus 34:7

Is the “generational curse” real?

Shown from behind, a young woman sitting on a high hill overlooking a green valley with a winding road

How to Become a Christian: Understand God’s Love and What It Means to Follow Jesus Christ  

Maybe you have questions about your own spiritual journey. Or maybe you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and want to be able to explain His love to someone else. We hope this article offers a helpful understanding of what it means to have a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  

a solitary man sitting with his back to us, looking out at far mountains

Mindfulness: A Christian Approach

What is mindfulness?

man in hazy meadow praying

Spiritual Warfare: Winning the Battle

Could the psychological and emotional struggles I’m going through be an attack from Satan and his demons?

woman holding apple looking into distance

God’s Sovereignty and Human Free Will

I haven’t been a Christian very long — and I’ve read conflicting teachings that make it hard for me to reconcile God’s sovereignty with the idea of human responsibility and free will.

hand reaching toward heaven prayer

Understanding the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Do all people – even unbelievers – have the Holy Spirit? My theory is that He lives in everybody, but they don’t become aware of His presence until they accept Christ as Savior. I remember stealing something once when I was a child – long before I became a believer – and hearing a little …

Woman's hands folded in prayer over Bible

“Backsliders” and Hebrews 6:4-6

Is it possible for a “backslider” to return to faith? Hebrews 6:4-6 seems to say no. I’m a returned “backslider” myself, so this passage of Scripture has always been painful and confusing for me. How can I be sure I am restored? Doesn’t the message of these verses cancel out everything the New Testament has …

dried out ground

Christians and the Environment

What does the Bible have to say about conservationism and environmental concerns? I’ve noticed lately that several well-known Christian leaders have decided to make “global-warming” a key issue. Other evangelicals suggest that the “climate change” movement is primarily political and ideological in motivation. That’s the way I’ve viewed it, but I’m also aware that God …

“Friendship With the World” – What It Is and What It Isn’t

Does the Bible verse that warns against “friendship with the world” relate to being friends with non-Christians? I’ve heard it said many times that Christians need to be intentional about developing friendships with non-believers and resist the temptation to spend all their time with like-minded people in the “Christian ghetto.” But James 4:4 says, “Do …

Man sitting on log holding Bible and thinking

Looking for Answers to Prayer

How does God respond to intercessory prayer? I haven’t seen much fruit from my faithful prayers on behalf of a wayward child, and I’m just about ready to give up. Am I missing something? Should I be looking elsewhere for the answers I need?

Man holding trophy grinning thumbs up

Pride, Humility, and Self-Esteem

Why do Christians say human pride is sinful? I don’t understand what’s wrong with a little self-satisfaction and self-confidence. If I feel good about myself for serving at the local soup kitchen or helping a neighbor in need, does that mean I’m going to hell? Aren’t we always telling our kids that it’s important to …

Bible open to Gospel of John

Seeking Truth Among Different Religions

If Christianity is true, why are there so many different religions? There are things about the Christian faith that I find winsome and attractive, but I can’t bring myself to accept it all. It’s difficult to take a step like that in the modern world, where we know so much about so many other belief …

sunrise over earth from space

The Origin of God

Where did God come from? This is something I’ve always wondered about. When I look at creation, from the astronomical to the cellular level, it’s impossible for me to think that such beauty and complexity is the product of mere chance. But that still leaves one question unanswered: Who made God?

Bible coffee seashore sunrise

What the Bible Says About Forgiving Yourself

Is “self-forgiveness” a scriptural idea? This isn’t the place to go into details, but certain events and circumstances have left me carrying a heavy load of guilt. I believe in Christ and His death on the cross, but in this case my beliefs don’t seem to have the power to change my feelings. If you …

old Bible open to Psalms

Bible Versions and Translations

Why are there so many different translations of the Bible? I find this confusing. Second Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” If that’s true, how did we end up with so many different versions of the Bible? Why do they all say different things? God doesn’t change, does He? I’ve …

People in worship service holding Bibles

Christians and the Sabbath

How important is it for Christians to observe the Sabbath? I know that this is one of the Ten Commandments, but is it still valid for believers who are now living under grace rather than the law? And while I’m at it, how did the Sabbath get switched from Saturday to Sunday? Where in the …

hand next to open Bible

Genocide and “Holy War” in the Old Testament

How do we explain God’s command to slaughter the Canaanites in the Old Testament? There’s a lot that I find attractive about Christianity, but I have serious problems with certain parts of the Bible, especially those sections of the Old Testament that record incidents of divinely authorized genocide and “Holy War.” When the Israelites captured …

woman on bench looking at large wooden cross

Making Sense of Christian Denominations

If all Christians believe and accept the same truth, why are there are so many denominations with different concepts of God? If the God Christians worship is Love, why can’t they all get together?