My question is in relation to the Exodus. There is talk that the Bible translators mistranslated Red Sea and it should read the Reed Sea. Is this true, and if so why was that? Why didn’t the translators say Reed Sea? I know of course that the translation (or mistranslation) does not change the fact that God’s hand was at work and that through that miracle his glory was shown to all.

I have a question regarding the Holy Family’s return trip/timing to Nazareth. In Matthew’s account, the wise men were led by the star “till it came and stood over where the young Child was.” (2:9) with verse 11 stating “they were come into the house”. From there, they fled into Egypt as the “angel of the Lord ” told Joseph in a dream to escape Herod’s seeking to destroy Jesus. Reading further in chapter 2, it looks like they were there for up to 2 years before being told again by the angel of the Lord to “go into the land of Israel” since it was safe for Him now to return.

Now, in Luke 2:21, Joseph and Mary are taking Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem on His eighth day for the circumcision rite. In the next verse, it says “when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished Simeon and Anna’s accounts are told, then in verse 39 it says “…they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.” So, when did they leave Bethlehem to present Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem, and where were they when they received the Magi?, flee to Egypt?, etc.

Do you believe that when we celebrate Christmas we’re celebrating a pagan holiday? I believe it’s the celebration of our Savior’s birth. Am I committing a sin by doing so? Also, can you please tell me whether having a Christmas tree is committing a pagan ritual? Further, is wearing a cross or having one in your home also a sin … some say that it is worshiping an idol. I don’t understand this, as in my heart it is reminding me of what Christ has done for us. Please help.

I have a non believer friend who has recently confessed that he denied the existence of the Holy Spirit. By denying the existence of the Holy Spirit has he committed the eternal sin and will forever be lost?

Many people think of Christians as being arrogant because we believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation. In discussions with non believers; even those who are not hostile but curious and seeking, the question comes up about all the people throughout history who died never hearing about Jesus. I don’t know how to answer them.

I have two questions. My first question; in the book of Genesis God says that He would no longer contend with the spirit of man forever and He says that man’s life would be 12o years. Clearly after He said that man lived past that number, so what did He mean?

My second question; in Acts 1:7 Jesus says, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” I know that Jesus also admonishes us to be able to discern the seasons and even rebukes the pharisees for being able to discern the weather but not the season of His then coming and His return in these last days. Can you help me understand and could you put this in context for me?

You say in your answer, “By definition a temptation has to be desirable to the person being tempted.” Is it not also a desire to do something that we know is wrong? I understand that when we are being tempted we have a desire in our heart to sin in some way.

I understand from the verses on anger and lust that our hearts can sin even if we don’t act on it and the temptation to sin begins with our heart’s evil desire. With that in mind I too don’t understand how Jesus was tempted in all ways-just as we are and yet was without sin? (Hebrews 4:15)

What about a person who once believed in Christ fervently, but now has turned away from Him completely? Where it is no longer just a question of broken fellowship because of some present pet sin or weakness, but the person now believes Christianity is all a “sham”, and that they had been previously deluded? (I know such a person) Would not Heb 6 apply here? Does God have responsibility to save such a person who now wants no part of Him, and actively rails against Him? What about the IF of Col 1:23 “IF ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel…” That seems to indicate a condition to me…a condition that one continue in the faith…that is CONTINUE to BELIEVE…what if one no longer continues to believe in Christ?

Do you believe there could have been a pre-Adamite civilization and if you don’t would you say why false teachers cling to this? I found some sites that give compelling reasons for its existence, but I have also found sites that come down hard on this teaching. Could you please share your thoughts?

An issue which bothers me is this, I know Jesus was conceived by a virgin. How then is he being linked in genealogy to Abraham and David if Joseph is not his father. Joseph, husband to Mary is also listed in this genealogy as giving legitimacy to the fact that Jesus as a man is a descendant of Abraham. It does not challenge my faith but it keeps on popping up as a question in my mind. Probably the devil trying to twist me around to doubt my faith. What can you say about it.