I found this site by accident, but I have found it to be very helpful in my studies. My questions are: Since we the people are called the Church, why are buildings that are made of brick and mortar also called Churches. I hear so many people say “I am going to Church” how can you go to what you are called to be?

First, I was wondering about Bible college. I feel that maybe the Lord is calling me to full time ministry, but I have had an interview already at this college and they wanted me to work on finances for another year even though they were not real bad. So I am doing that and just not feeling like going. I am well aware that Satan does not want me to go, though. My thinking can be a little fatalistic at times and I just get caught up in believing that the Lord is so close to rapturing the church that I will not make it through before He comes, so why go? My Pastor and the couple that lead me to the Lord are the biggest pushers for me to go. But I will add that I have a strong desire to serve the Lord full time. What should I do?

Also, I was wondering about money. I have a 401K that I cannot use unless I quit my job. I don’t want to quit, but I would like to use that money to further the Lord’s kingdom. I have quit contributing to it for now but was wondering what I should do with it? If the Lord caught us away this year, what would become of that money? Would He commend me for saving or ask me why I did not do something with it while I had the chance since I had a good idea He was coming before long?

Is it wrong for me to just stay where I am and witness to as many people as possible? I do have a strong burden for souls that the Lord gave me right after I got saved. Or is this just what my flesh wants? I am also getting married in 3 months so that I may have further ministry options. I do know without a doubt that the Lord has allowed this. I praise Him for that! My life is very busy and I do worry too much. What advice can you give me?

My question is about the encounter between Saul and the Witch of Endor in 1 Samuel. Was Samuel actually reached by the witch or was this a demonic manifestation designed to trick or intimidate Saul? I’ve never really heard any good or convincing teaching on this subject, but I’m well aware that necromancy is prohibited under pains and penalty of death and that anything that is not of God is (by default?) from the devil. That logic would seem to suggest that it was not the actual spirit of Samuel (I’m assuming here that the passage of scripture that says “to be out of the body is to be present with the Lord” doesn’t apply until after the Resurrection?) But if it was a demonic manifestation wouldn’t it have done more to disrupt the path of Saul/God’s chosen people?

I greatly respect your ministry and gift as a teacher and recognize your growing influence in the community of believers and I happily support that. Your recent response to the 17 year old regarding Eden requires me to again raise this issue.

If oil is formed in the manner you describe, how could a single generation of plant debris be converted into the thousands of tons of oil, gas, and coal that we consume each day? I am not trying to say that Genesis is inaccurate. But the way in which you are interpreting it is. Features like the Grand Canyon cannot be explained by Noah’s flood. Our community is doing itself damage by pseudo scientific explanations that are obviously false. If the oil and gas industry spends 100s of millions of dollars each year for geologist’s salaries to aid in the search for new deposits, it is because those principles work, and they work because the are based on fact. The 17 year old is going to face real problems trying to defend the movement of continents during the flood. We need to be open to the possibility that our understanding can be flawed and not dogmatic when the evidence is contrary to our understanding.

I spent seven years working in the oilfields as a geologist and seeing 1st hand subsurface evidence from the floors of drilling rigs, I taught geology in college. I believe that God has demonstrated his existence in the creation so that no one has excuse. The very same things that make non-belief inexcusable, testify to a more complex creation model. The fossil record exists and testifies to a creation before Adam which had death in it. We know that Satan existed before Adam and that he was fallen. If he existed as a sinful creation, wouldn’t death also exist?

Please don’t be offended. I really do value your ministry and that is why I feel I have to address this issue.

I am 17 yrs old, studying Religious Studies in school. My RS teacher challenged me by saying, if everything the bible says is true then what evidence is there that suggest that Eden exists? Can you please help me answer this question?

Also it was also pointed out in the Bible that Cain left his family and found himself a wife. I was just wondering did God create other people besides Adam and Eve and isn’t every man supposed to come from Adam and Eve?

Ezekiel 18:24, says when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, all the righteousness he has done will not be remembered. So, if a born-again believer commits adultery and divorces their spouse, will all the righteousness done during the marriage (ie. tithes, helping the widows and orphans, charitable donations) be forgotten, and all the heavenly rewards built up to the point of these major iniquities be wiped out? If the person repents from these life-damaging iniquities, could the heavenly rewards be restored?

Is it possible to want so much to believe that you can be deceived into believing that Christ died for you? I have been struggling with this issue. The Bible strongly warns that there is an adversary prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour. Can he deceive you to think that you believe in your heart when you only have mental knowledge, no matter how hard you pray?

Did Jesus go to heaven to apply his blood to the mercy seat there?

Why is Satan called the dragon and beast. Is it his appearance? Did his appearance naturally change after he rebelled? Also how did fallen angels and demons change in appearance?

My question is whether there is a scripture about God taking us home earlier, snatching us from this world if we believe in Him but continue to live in sin? For instance would God shorten the life of a believer who couldn’t seem to escape from a lifestyle he or she knows is wrong?