Ask Dr. E

Q: Jesus breathes on the disciples (John 20:22) and they receive the the Holy Spirit. Seems like creation account when He breathed life into Adam. It seems like a picture of we’re dead in our sins but when forgiven because of the cross, we receive new life, abundant and eternal life and the Holy Spirit dwells within us.

Why does John 20:23 seem to imply Jesus also conferring power to forgive sins to the disciples. Only God can forgive and Jesus spends first 17 chapters building the narrative of His oneness with the Father in all the I AM statements.

What is the point of conferring power to forgive in v23? This seems out of place giving all Jesus does to secure our forgiveness by dying on the cross and being resurrected. How should we think about this?

Q: In light of Elon Musk's twitter purchase, Shane Claiborne posted, "If people of faith practiced the biblical Jubilee, there would be no billionaires. Every generation was to forgive debts, free slaved, and redistribute property. (Leviticus 25) It was God's Way of systematically dismantling inequality." Is this for real?

Q: "Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it." (Deuteronomy 1:39)

Is "no knowledge of good or evil" a call back to the tree of knowledge of good & evil in Eden? This seems like language that would've brought that to an Israelite's mind immediately. I'm very curious about what Moses may have been telling them by using it, which may not be immediately obvious to us.

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Q: Why would God tell Moses that none of Aaron's descendants who had physical defects could come near to present offerings to the Lord (Lev. 21:16-24) but Jesus would later interact with, heal, and even touch the lame, blind, and crippled?

Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Why do some Christian denominations practice infant baptism while others only practice believer baptism? What do practitioners believe infant baptism does/does not mean or accomplish?

Dr. E answers: How do you reconcile moments when you lack faith or don't trust God?

We can't overstate that we are fallen creatures in a fallen condition. We're going to doubt. I don't want to say it's normal and we should be okay with it, but I will say it's normal and it's okay.

He loves you and me when we fail. God can handle our doubtful prayers.

Faithfulness is the objective, not success.

Q: What's so wrong with the instruction to "ask Jesus into your heart?"

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Q: Are (or why are) issues like homosexuality and transgenderism "hills worth dying on" for believers? Can't we agree to disagree with, for example, the Episcopalians, over differing interpretations of Scripture?

Don't let the culture define your identity in Christ.

I'm going to defend the scripture. Christians are afraid to say, "I'm not mad at you, I don't hate you, but that's not what the Scripture says."

Be loving and kind to your friends but don't back down.

Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Part 2 of Dr. E's answer:

Q: I'm looking to buy a new Bible. What do you recommend?

Let's talk about translations, cross-references, footnotes, and other features within a Bible: what's best? What's helpful for personal study, and what might be extraneous?

Q: I'm looking to buy a new Bible. What do you recommend?

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between all of the options for binding styles or materials used in available Bibles? Does it make a difference? What makes a Bible last longer, or makes it easier to use?

Dr. E shares practical tips for what and where to look for a new Bible.