Are there any specific verses that you know of that would clearly tell us whether or not the Lead or Senior Pastor of a church should have final say in all matters of church direction or vision?

Also, any specific verses that tell us that a Lead or Senior Pastor should be compensated or treated differently that other Pastoral staff?

Here’s a follow-up question for the “idols in the bedroom” one. I grew up in the Russian Orthodox church and my mom put a lot of icons all around the house. I never prayed to any of them, but how bad was it to grow up with icons on your bedroom wall?

Is there a trend now for Pastors of Mega-churches to gloss over the fact that we are all sinners dead in our sin until we call on Jesus to be our Savior? I know I’ve seen this happen at small churches as well, but it’s like droves and droves of people are flocking to the megas because they can remain comfortable when listening to the message. What can I do about it? How can I help people see that we are a hopeless people, a hopeless generation, without Christ as our savior?

I would like to know if there is any evidence of a general time frame for the Isaiah 17 prophecy to be fulfilled? I see many Bible teachers mentioning that it could be fulfilled pretty soon given the current situation in Syria. Do you think there’s any merit to this view that the Bible might not be totally clear on when the prophecy will be fulfilled?

Does god allow for re-marriage for any reason after a divorce? Is Matt19:9 a loophole people use?

I have a question about your thoughts on 1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

How does this correlate to today and why was it abolished?

This is a follow-up on the punishment forever question. Ever since I read about the view you discussed (a couple years ago actually in one of your articles) I’ve been looking for something concrete to back this up. The idea appeals to me humanly, and presents a view of God consistent with his love … However, I’m coming up dry.

Also, in light of Isaiah 66:24 and Mark 9:48 (and possibly 2 other vs in the KJV, I believe where it is repeated in the Mk 9 passage) I feel this is refuting the annihilation view. Is there another interpretation of “their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched”. I’ve been wrestling with this now for about a year but wanted to find an answer through my own study. Can you help?

I was wondering what form you think the rapture will take. Will we vanish in the blink of an eye or will we be “levitated” up for all the world to see like Jesus was and the Two Witnesses will be. Thanks for your help, and God Bless.

I’ve always struggled with the concept of Hell. I can understand why a person who rejects Christ should not be allowed to live with him in Heaven for eternity. That’s their choice. I can understand the concept that if you reject God, you reject everything that defines his Character: Faith, Hope and Love and all he created. However, I can’t understand why God appears to go out of his way to make Hell painful:

Rev. 21:8, “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

What about the good, decent person who doesn’t come close in behavior as the above listed people. I understand they still have a sin nature and that if you commit one sin you’re basically guilty of all. Are they to suffer the same fate Hitler and the anti-Christ are destined to suffer? Are they to be given an immortal, eternal, physical body that only feels torture and pain but doesn’t die? Isn’t just “knowing” you can’t live with God enough punishment?

I guess if it had been up to me, I would have simply “annihilated” them – blot out their existence where they have no self-awareness or consciousness. This seems to me more merciful. But I’m not God and I’m not in control.

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m so grateful the Lord isn’t like me. I thank Him daily for who he is and what Jesus did for me, but I don’t understand, nor can I comprehend torture for eternity and what it really accomplishes.

In the Mosaic Law, the clean animals are the ones that both chew the cud and split the hooves. I understand why animals that chew the cud are clean — they eat grass, not other animals or dirty things — but what does the split hoof mean? Do animals with split hooves also tend to have multiple stomachs to filter out toxins?