FAQ

Frequenty Avoided Questions

1.
Is the Bible the infallible Word of God?

Nope.

Ok. I’ll admit it. It’s a trick question. I’ll explain – AFTER I ask you a question. Why is that question so important to you? If you are genuinely interested, I can accept that. But, if you are asking because you consider the question to be a “litmus test” to determine whether or not a man or a ministry is sincere, honest or authentic, I have a big problem with it. Can you tell me of a false prophet, heretic cult, or cult leader who did not boldly, publicly make the claim that their message was based upon the infallible Bible?
Really, it makes no difference if I (or anyone else) spouts the buzz words, “We believe the Bible is the infallible inerrant, inspired Word of God!” It means nothing. It accomplishes nothing. It proves nothing and shouldn’t give you one ounce of comfort or assurance that a person can be trusted. Contrarily, the unwillingness of someone (like myself) to make this common claim, does not signify that the message coming from that person’s ministry is untrue, untrustworthy or unreliable.
“Well, why do you say it?” For these reasons:
1.) The Bible never refers to itself as the “Word of God,” so why should I?
2.) The Word of God is a title given to none other than Jesus Christ the Son of God.
3.) The “word of God” in Scripture (except as the Lord Jesus’ title) refers only to the live, message of the Lord to His people, spoken by the Father God (or the Lord Jesus) directly to a person or group of persons.
4.) The term (or the concept) of infallibility is never applied to the Bible in the Scriptures.
5.) The “Bible” (at least as we know it today) was never spoken of in Scripture as an infallible guide. We were never commanded to preach, teach, or to require that anyone accept any of the characteristics of the Almighty God, placed upon any book or writing. To give the Bible preeminence as wholly inspired, infallible, inerrant, or even to describe it as “God speaking to us” is nothing short of Bibliolatry. I worship the Author, not his publication.

Many feel that to deny the Bible these presumptive titles is to deny that the Bible it true – although the statement could allow such a notion, I vehemently reject the idea. I feel that the Bible is the second most valuable possession given as a gift to lost mankind and should be appreciated as such.
I attempt to live by every word of Scripture and teach men to do the same.

2.
Are there contradictions in the Bible?

Of course there are contradictions in the Bible. The argument is hardly worthy of time as the debate is usually between two persons – one who has read the entire Bible and one who has not. Do you think it has no contradictions?
How many times did the cock crow when Peter denied Christ? Once or twice? The Bible says both.
Who provoked King David to number Israel? Satan or Jehovah? The Bible says both.
What were the names of the twelve Disciples? This is impossible to accurately verify by the Scriptural accounts.
Did the men with Paul on the road to Damascus hear a voice or not? The Bible says both.
These and other questions CANNOT be answered with any Biblical authority because there are contradictions in the Bible. My question is, “Who cares?” The Bible still remains (to a man who is filled with the Spirit) a reliable guide to faith and practice. It is not a “magic book” that must remain infallible to be believed or to be considered a divine gift from God.

3.
Do contradictions in the Bible make the book unreliable?

Nope.

The Lord God Jehovah chose to communicate the redemption of mankind in a story. The Bible tells this story. The same story is told by many authors. Naturally, the narratives will contain different information that sometimes conflicts with the details of other stories. This is no reason to discount the purpose of the book. Can you imagine a judge who, upon hearing conflicting testimony about an incident, decides that the event never took place? That would be foolish! We may not dismiss the events of the Bible on the same grounds. We are to find out the message of the Bible – even with all the difficulties its records may present.

4.
Can a loving God send people to hell?

Nope.

This question is flawed on many levels. First, God is trying to save us from a horrible fate. He is not sending anyone anywhere. Second, if you were raised in conventional churches, listening to conventional preaching, it is very likely you do not even know what “Hell” is. A person who has received their education of Heaven and Hell, reward and punishment from the Scriptures, likely did not even read this answer.

5.
Why do bad things happen to good people?

There are no good people.

Another glib answer to a flawed question. As stated, there are no good people. More importantly, where did you get the idea that only bad people receive discomfort in this life? Ecclesiastes 2:15 says, “… As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me;”. It does not sound like life treats one differently than another. You want the red ink on this subject? I warn you, it may be deeper than you want to go. Luke 13:1-5, “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, who… Pilate had [murdered]. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
And John 9:2-3, “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

6.
Is the Bible a magic book?

Nope.

Many today teach that there are codes, interpretations or translations that will provide keys to unlock the Scriptures providing the treasures of health, abundant life, prognostications, wealth and general prosperity. That’s bunk. If you want that stuff, I advise you to think positive and read your Bible everyday and you’ll get it. You can also be blessed the same way by thinking positive and reading the Qu’ran, the Bhagavad Gita or the Saturday Evening Post. (More, in the answer to the next question.)

7.
Can I get ''whatever I want'' from the Bible?

Yep.

The problem with the prosperity doctrines is that they work. Positive thinking, imagery, believing you receive, positive confessions, all work to bring about most anything you want. Like I said, it works! The Problem? It has nothing to do with receiving the will of God in your life. By the way, the procedures touted by many of the faith preachers to receive “goodies from God” are outlined in The Satanic Bible as similar instruction to receive your desires from Satan. Hmmmmmmm.

8.
Is God all powerful?

Yes, He needs nothing, no one, and no device or permission to bring about his will. This idea, however, should not be confused with the ridiculous doctrine of “Omnipotence.” I don’t know if you have noticed, but when a doctrine or religious philosophy requires a distinct lack of logic for someone to accept, sometimes it is explained with, “Well… God can do anything!” You will never encounter that kind of stupidity at this ministry.

9.
Why doesn't God stop evil?

I Dunno.

Sorry, I can’t give you a really great answer here. I really don’t know. I wish He would appear and defend His character and honor, but He has chosen to remain hidden. It’s His business. I have determined to serve Him if He never manifests Himself to me or anyone else in my lifetime.

10.
Does God know everything?

He doesn’t seem to.

Another false notion created by the fantasies of man imposed upon God. Even though the Bible makes no such claim, many Bible teachers purport that “God knows everything”! Unfortunately this idea places God at the end of time, “…sitting in Heaven, drumming His fingers on the arm of His Throne, waiting for everything to turn out, like He always knew it would”. Not much of a God if you ask me. From this illogical position we have had to struggle with false doctrines of predestination, fate and an unchangeable, unmanageable future that always seems to end with the logical person’s nagging question, “Then… why bother?”
I submit that Jehovah lives with us every day. He wakes (if you will) with me every morning, walks with me every day, discovers with me life and circumstances and guides me accordingly. Sometimes I surprise Him – with my wickedness. He doesn’t seem to know much about wickedness and evil.
Jeremiah 19:5 tells us that man’s wickedness can sometimes take Him unaware, “They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind”.

11.
Is God in control?

I hope not.

I sincerely believe that there is something we do not know. Remember when Daniel waited twenty-one days for his prayer to be answered? Listen to the angel in Daniel 10:12-13 explain that he was hindered in coming, “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…”
There is obviously a Spirit world, about which we know very little, that exerts influence upon this world. It is also obvious that God cannot do whatever He wants to do. If He is bound – He is likely bound by His own character, goodness and eternal purpose. If He exerted His sovereignty, to the destruction of His character, it may make His authority and rights in the earth vulnerable, even though He is the eternal power and Godhead. It is entirely possible that it is His power or right to redeem us that stands in jeopardy – and therefore, it is His love for us that limits even His own personal will.
Bottom Line: We don’t know everything. We shouldn’t pretend to.



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