Morality can be a tricky thing. For the most part, humans do want to behave in a moral fashion. The tricky thing is figuring out how to actually define what qualifies as “moral behavior” and what does not. As Christians, this task of defining is supposed to be easier than for most, because we have God’s word as our clear foundation for our moral principles. I say “it’s supposed to be easier” because Christianity has demonstrated for thousands of years that claiming the name of Christ is far from a guarantee of moral behavior. So, what are we supposed to do with this? How do we take what God has clearly given us in His word and live it daily? How do we handle it when fellow Christians see aspects of God’s moral principles in a different light that we do?

Disagreements about right and wrong regarding morals are surprisingly plentiful among Christians. Usually, the big glaring issues like not killing, not stealing and not bearing false witness are relatively easy to agree upon. That changes when we get down to the more personal and detailed aspects of life. In these grey areas, the subtlety of choosing this path or that one often comes down to personal perspective. It’s not just what I see that influences me, it’s also how I feel about what I see. How I feel and what I do can be very different that how you feel and what you do. Now what?

In several of his letters, he taught us how to find the objective truth of our morals by solely focusing on God’s word. He taught us to firmly embrace and hold onto these clear moral truths. He then taught us how and when to take these sacred principles out of our central focus and consider more subjective human reasoning instead. Wait a minute, did Paul REALLY teach us to consider subjective sinful human conclusions as a primary focus? Yes, he did! However, before we get all tied up in knots, let’s put this in perspective.

Check out our September 16, 2024 podcast, “What Defines Moral Behavior? Part II” for details. We look at two full chapters in the apostle’s writings. These chapters address real, everyday issues in the lives of early Christians that were triggering and divisive. His approach was simple: From God’s perspective, state the truth of whatever matter is being argued over. Next, pause and consider how your brother or sister in Christ is able to comprehend it. Has their life experience made this particular issue traumatic in any way? Does their background hinder them from seeing things through the same lens of Christian liberty others may be using?

Join us as we unravel this fascinating collection of principle, compassion, wisdom, humility and love. Our Christian morals – especially within our own brotherhood – must be driven by the highest God-honoring way in which we can support and include our fellow disciples. While this may not be easy, it is certainly well worth the effort!

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To be moral is to conform to a standard of right behavior. Ideally, to be moral is to stand for principles and actions that are positive and contributory to the world in which we live. This sounds great. It sounds like something we would all (with the exception of those who just don’t care) want to live by. However, there is a problem. Who defines what is moral and what is not? Upon whose proclamation do we decide whether someone is acting in a positive and contributory way or in a way that is destructive? Outside of the laws of the land we live in, each of us for the most part has the capacity to develop a personal moral code. The big question is, do we each define that moral code based on personal experience and preference, or do we define it by what we would consider to be higher guidelines?

There are several ways one can go about defining morality. In a very simplistic approach, we will touch on two very different methods to define what moral behavior should be driven by.

Humanism very basically says that instead of relying on God and religion for moral guidance and direction, one should focus on individual and collective wellbeing. This is attained by a reliance upon natural means such as science and reason. Knowing our place in the world comes from observing and understanding the world and not relying on supernatural sources for answers.

Christians assert that all of the principles for our moral guidance come from God and are based on the Bible. We look heavenward to the plans and purposes of the Creator of our world to understand and determine what our moral responsibilities should be. We see this approach as providing a constant and unchanging basis for the justice, mercy and love with which we are required to treat one another.

As we compare these two approaches, we can see certain questions immediately appear regarding both sides. There is obviously a subjective aspect to Humanism that needs addressing. What do we do with the clear cultural and experiential biases we all have as we absorb science and interpret what is reasonable? When does a new approach to right and wrong come into play? And who decides? Questions regarding the biblical approach revolve around the proclamation that one ancient and never-changing approach to morality will always be right.

Check out our September 9, 2024 podcast, “What Defines Moral Behavior? (Part I)” for more. We break down these philosophical approaches step-by-step and use several lines of scriptural reasoning for support. What we find may be surprising, as the need for aspects of the subjective humanistic approach become very clear. Are we saying to not count on God’s objective approach to morality? Absolutely not. Join us and see how the Bible walks us through grasping the loftiness of God’s morality for humanity by showing us how to fine tune our own subjective approach.

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The world of politics IS our world. It is incredibly difficult to go through a typical day of interactions and online activity without being BOMBARDED with some form of political activism or opinion or outrage. With political victory comes power, and with power comes authority. With authority comes the ability to shape the lives and directions of the masses. Because of where we are in the stream of time, the grip of politics is not likely to let up at all. On the contrary, it is likely to grow and dominate. So, what is our role as Christians? Should we apply ourselves to get involved so we can bring sound thinking, righteousness and integrity to the process for the greater good of all people? Or should we stay away from the whole process, knowing it is ultimately going to fall apart anyway?

Israel, just as any other nation, always had to deal with political wrangling. In Jesus’ day, we find the nation was entrenched in the iron grip of Roman rule. They were allowed to govern themselves as long as they faithfully paid their taxes and didn’t cause trouble for the empire. Even under such limitations, Israel’s politics were obvious and thriving. Three of the several politically driven “ruling class” sects were: the scribes, who were experts in the Mosaic Law; the Pharisees, who were the “champions” of the written and oral Law; and the Sadducees, who strictly adhered to the five books of Moses. While these three groups, along with others, worked together, they also spent a lot of time debating over their disagreements.

We as Christians need to know what kind of role to play in today’s political environment. The best place to start is to look at the role Jesus played in his day. This is a fascinating investigation. Not only were there political gyrations in the ruling class, but there were also other subgroups that developed as a result of Roman rule. Two of these groups – the Publicans, who were tax collectors for Rome – and the zealots, who wanted to overthrow Rome – also stirred the pot. So, what did Jesus do with all of these groups? How did they treat him, and how did he act towards them? What can we learn from all of this?

Check out our August 5, 2024 podcast, “Should Christians Be Politically Driven?” for answers. We define each of these groups and examine how they looked at Jesus. Remember, in many ways Jesus was a rebel in his day and was NOT generally well-received by those with influence. In fact, many ruling class groups ended up seeking to kill him, as they saw him as a direct threat to their positions. This one conclusion should have us pause and consider as we look at our political world today. Are the Christian principles we stand for today as strong and integrity driven as Jesus displayed? Join us for this intriguing and challenging look at Jesus, politics and our stand as modern-day Christians!

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In Part I, we laid a foundation for understanding and managing harmful biases. One primary lesson we learned was that we ALL – no matter who we are and what our background is – are biased. While this is an uncomfortable truth, it is a necessary realization, for a true Christian is to strive to overcome any and all fleshly inclinations. We also learned this overcoming is no easy task. Just because we may be able to point out a personal bias does not mean we are on a path to dismantle it. On the contrary, often times recognizing our biases can make us very self-protective. In this episode, we continue to uncover specific ways our biases show themselves and specific scriptural principles to deal with them. This also is not easy!

We gave a simple working definition for bias:

An inclination or outlook that prevents an unprejudiced consideration of a matter.

The objective of this definition is to focus in on those biases that are obviously detrimental to our ability to see clearly. We need this clear focus because the fact is, most of us – and that includes me – live each day affected by personal biases. If these preconceived conclusions about others in our daily experiences don’t bring us to godliness, then they are undeniably wrong.

Many of us have personal biases towards others that belittle them. As Christians, this should never be so – and yet it’s a problem. What about someone who is of a different ethnicity, or a different religion, or is of a different political affiliation than me? Do I discount them in any way? What if someone has different social associations? If I am struggling financially, how do I feel about those who are not? How do I feel about those who struggle if I’m well off? If we look deeply into our reactions to those who are different than we are, we will likely uncover several biases.

In the New Testament, James pointedly brings this out. He writes about the trap of honoring those who come into our Christian circles who appear to be well off and distinguished. We offer them the higher seats of honor in our gatherings. He then compares this to someone coming into our midst who may appear ragged and lowly. He emphatically writes that treating them like second-class citizens is far beneath the standards of equality in Christ we have been called to. Simply stated, this is wrong!

Check out our January 15, 2024 podcast, “Is My Christian Judgment Tainted by Bias? (Part II)” for more. We take aim at the serious damage this kind of bias can cause. We also expose how biases can break trust between us, and most tragically, how they can burn bridges. Our personal biases put us all in jeopardy. Join us as we seek biblical solutions for this often-overlooked, rampant personal problem!

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I was recently summoned for jury duty. As I sat in the room at the beginning of the day, the court and its representatives showed some really informative introductory videos on what to expect and look out for when serving on a jury. The main topic they focused on was bias. Their premise was that we ALL have biases and we ALL can be in danger of following them rather than following the simple facts of a case. I was struck by their significant efforts to enlighten and warn about this sometimes subtle but incredibly common enemy of justice. Our claiming to be Christian does NOT somehow magically release us from our previous biases. In fact, our claims to Christianity may even be in jeopardy because of our personal biases. So, how do we learn to recognize this devious and damaging tendency?

For the most part, we think of bias as not being able to see something without a preconceived notion of what it should look like. Our predetermined conclusions can easily sway what we think about whatever it is we may be dealing with. While this can sometimes be a good layer of protection, it more often than not ends up being a detrimental habit. Bias hinders us from seeing a broader perspective than our own. For this brief discussion we will define bias as: an inclination or outlook that prevents an unprejudiced consideration of a matter. 

One primary and negative function of bias is that it keeps us from listening. Think about how easily our ability to listen to someone else is dependent on how we feel about that other person. If we like them and agree with their perspective, listening is easy. Our preconceived notion of what should be is being bolstered, and that’s comfortable. However, what happens if the person we are supposed to be listening to is presenting a contrary or questionable viewpoint? Are we open – or are we only partially paying attention – because their perspective is simply not acceptable or desirable?

Unfortunately, our bias against those who hold opinions and even facts we would rather not hear, usually prevails. And the sad thing is, this usually happens without us even realizing it! These habitual responses to those who may ruffle our feathers actually shuts down our ability to potentially hear truth. These responses stifle our growth and worst of all, they are unchristian on every level.

Check out our January 8, 2024 podcast, “Is My Christian Judgment Tainted by Bias? (Part I) for more. We examine several striking biblical examples of bias in action. While focusing in on three specific aspects of the destructive power of bias, we also lay out several steps to counter our biases. Because bias can’t simply be turned off, we need to learn how to calm it down and then redirect its energy. Let’s face it, bias is a problem! Join us to see how personally applying biblical principles can change that!

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Chaos rules. Just look around at the world’s social, political and moral condition. We all want what we want, and we seem to now go to greater lengths than ever before to demand that we have it. Having what we want doesn’t stop there, as we now more often than not demand that what I want is accepted by all. This chaos is not merely limited to my social media presence. Oh no, it expands into my perceived right to relabel any and every aspect of life as I see fit. From politics to family dynamics, to workplace expectations to educational environments, we are running towards a social order founded upon disorder. What are we as Christians supposed to do with all of this? How could these unsettling and monumental developments possibly be a part of God’s plan?

Because God is so powerful we might expect that He would have created a world where order and clarity rule. Looking around, our world is clearly not in line with such a seemingly simple guideline. Does this mean the chaos in our society today is beyond God’s ability to manage? The answer here is a simple no. No level of it on any level of creation is beyond God’s capacity to handle. More than that, God has and will often use the chaos of humanity as a tool to further His plan.

We believe the vast majority of the conflict we see around us would – from God’s perspective – fit into the general description of what we will call “permitted chaos.” While chaos can mean complete disorder, it can also mean a disorder that is beyond our capacity to understand or measure. What we see as ridiculously out of control, God can see as a state of affairs that are a means to an end.

Chaos, or perceived chaos, exists in every level of life. It is easy to see it in the big things, like international conflicts and political rivalries. On these levels, we observe the news through whatever version of reporting we have chosen, and then we respond. Our response is often filled with angst and frustration, as what we observed, no matter whose side we are on, is going the wrong way.

We tell people what we think and often do so in an unfiltered and harsh manner. We now are chaos contributors as we further provoke the ill will and combativeness we are already fed up with.

All of this seems to be a vicious cycle of never-ending unrest. So, what do we do? Check out our October 2, 2023 podcast, “Can We Be Content With Chaos?” for more. We examine the varied kinds of “permitted chaos” God allows to affect our lives and establish patterns of response. In this world, chaos is a given, until God’s kingdom is established. Join us as we face its challenge and find ways to have godly contentment as we cope. This is a journey well worth taking!

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It is a natural human response to want to be recognized for who we are and for what we contribute. This is easy to observe. Just look at a small child who does something to be helpful or obedient. When their parent recognizes and praises their behavior, their face beams with delight! While it is positive and nurturing to praise growth and maturity, we also need to be wary. As with anything else that provokes goodness in our sinful world, the simplicity of building another up can be misrepresented and funneled into the ever-growing competition for status among our peers. Now it’s no longer about building up, it is all about establishing our place in the pecking order and fighting our way to be higher up on that ladder. This is NOT a new phenomenon as the Bible has MUCH to say about avoiding it!

It is about being someone who stands out in a crowd. It’s about being seen through a different filter than everyone else. It’s about people looking up to you and following your perspective on issues and subjects that are important to them. The higher your status in the eyes of others, the more powerful and far-reaching your influence becomes. Strong influence means you have the capacity to change other’s perspectives, and that leads to bending social agendas towards your preferred direction. No wonder we fight over our social status rankings! Power and influence go to those at the top!

Let’s settle this whole social status thing once and for all because it all boils down to influence. He or she with the greatest influence is he or she with the greatest standing. So, who would that be? It is Jesus! Why? Social status and influence are inevitably determined through the eyes of the beholder. Whose eyes are most important to be in front of? Is it the eyes of this or that generation? No! Simply stated, status and influence are established in the eyes of God. He is the Creator of all things, the Originator of all life and the Designer of humanity’s destiny. In God’s eyes, Jesus is THE greatest influencer that the world has ever seen or will ever see. Jesus changed the destiny of every man woman and child who ever lived, and there is no greater influence.

This being the case, what do we do with social media and the status seeking that surrounds us daily? Check out our August 7, 2023 podcast, “Am I Playing the Social Status Game?” for some insight. We talk about being influencers, but not being status seekers. We talk about using the social media environment to represent, to truly represent what a Christian should be standing for. Having influence is a good and necessary aspect of being a disciple of Jesus and he taught us how to do it! Don’t miss this opportunity to understand the world of influencers and how we can use our influence to bring glory to God!!

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Sin is a difficult thing to handle. We are constantly challenged to daily live up to godly standards of righteousness. As our social order expands into countless variations of perceived freedoms, there are many questions that need clarifying regarding what is right and wrong in God’s eyes. Today we examine two of those questions. First, is it a sin if I as a Christian get a tattoo? Opinions on this question vary to an amazing degree. Does the Bible guide us on this? Second, is it a sin of I get a blood transfusion? While this is perhaps a small issue for most of us, there are some who have very deep convictions on this matter. What does the Bible say and doesn’t say?

Tattoos are not just normal to life, they in some ways almost seem like a rite of passage. You decide to express your individuality, so you choose a simple or complex display to put on your body. This display may or may not be visible to the world, but it is your unique signature. What could be wrong with such a thing, especially if you’re a Christian and your chosen ornamentation is a witness to Christ?

The Old Testament does speak out clearly against marking our bodies. As we look into the why of the matter, we find that tattoo-like markings were much more than personal ornamentation in ancient times. Pagan nations often used them as forced labels put upon slaves to mark them as such. They were also used by various peoples to represent spiritual or personal protection. With this background, it is easy to see why God told Israel to avoid such markings. However, do those ancient traditions have anything at all to do with our personal decision to get a tattoo here in the 21st century?

Moving on to an entirely different question, is it a sin if I as a Christian get a blood transfusion? While most of the Christian world does not have an issue with this procedure, there are millions who do. Unlike tattoos, this can be a question of life and death. Why would some denominations of Christians forbid the life saving and life preserving transfusing of blood? They claim both Old and New Testaments speak out against it. Do they? Are the majority of Christians missing an important teaching that these few claim is there?

Check out our October 17, 2022 podcast, “Is It a Sin if I…? (Part III)” for more. We get into the practical and spiritual aspects of tattoos. We look at the scriptures, discuss pros and cons and establish a baseline for thinking this question through. Regarding blood transfusions, we examine all of the scriptures cited by those who forbid this practice. By looking at context and broader scriptural reasoning, the answers to this vital issue become clear. Join us for a fascinating journey into these two diverse but important questions as we find answers we all should know!

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Tragedy hurts. But a tragedy that involves the utterly senseless taking of the lives of innocent children is a blow to the heart that can send us reeling. Such a blow is hard to recover from and the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, is a most recent and horrifying example of this profound pain. Heated debates typically spring up after such a tragedy as everyone wants answers as to how to stop such things. One resounding question that comes from believers and unbelievers alike is, how can an all-knowing, all-powerful God see such things happen and just, well, just do nothing? If God is love as the Bible says He is, how do we even begin to understand what so many consider to be His utter lack of attention and intervention in such tragedies?

This means He gave us the abilities to feel emotion, to think critically and to choose. While these abilities are among the greatest aspects of our human freedom, they are also the most problematic. We are also descendants of Adam and were therefore born into his sinful nature. This means our emotions, critical thinking and choices are distorted by unbalanced and broken perceptions of the world around us. While we are all stuck in this sin-driven pattern, those who commit heinous crimes are particularly noticeable. They ruin themselves and destroy the lives of countless others in the process.

While God does allow our sinful emotions, thinking and choices – and their consequences – to rule our lives, this is not the end result of His plan. The pain and suffering we feel as a result of the senseless killing of children and adults heightens our longing for sin and evil to cease their merciless rule in our lives. The uplifting and relieving news is, God’s plan reveals that this change will occur. As a matter of fact, it will occur in dramatic and unmistakable fashion. The problem is we are not yet at the time for that dramatic transition. Right now, we are left to cope with the hurt and sadness of our ever-present grief and losses. So, what do we do?

Check out our June 20, 2022 podcast, “Why Does God Allow the Innocent to Suffer?” for direction. While there is no miracle cure for the pain we feel, we can take small steps towards being able to manage it. The first of these steps is to try and see our horrific experiences through God’s eyes. Seeing what He sees feeds us the renewal and strength to fight another day. Understanding and applying God’s perspective will help with the acceptance we need to slowly put the broken pieces of our lives back together. Such a rebuilding also provides us with the opportunity to reach out and encourage others in their pain and loss. Nothing is easy here, but by the grace and plan of God through Jesus, we can cope with all of this sadness. Join us and shine the light of God’s truth into a dark place!

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Near-death experiences  (NDEs) are common. They have been reported from cultures and religions worldwide for hundreds of years. In this near-death scenario, there is usually a dark tunnel with a warm and calming light at the end. Often there are deceased relatives waiting in that light to receive the person going through the  experience. Sometimes the person feels and sees themselves leave their body. At Christian Questions, we have always held that the Bible teaches that death is the absence of life. Could these NDEs be shedding a different light and proof on this subject? Are these experiences showing us a gateway to the supernatural, or could they in any way be physiological? One way or another, NDEs prove something. This question is, what?

The drama of an NDE is hard to match. There are so many millions of people who have reported them, and their reports frequently indicate a vivid sense of reality. People not only remember having the experience, they remember its details and sensations in extraordinary detail. Because these experiences are common throughout the world and across all religious borders, we need to pay attention to their message. As we acknowledge the commonality of such events, it is also important to recognize that all NDEs are not pleasant or peaceful. Some people are unfortunately terrorized and traumatized by what they report.

Curiously, when you compare the details of these experiences, they seem to gather into categories based upon cultural or religious beliefs. One example of this is the reports that during an NDE, people see their lives panoramically flash before their eyes. While this description of a life review is extremely common in western cultures and Judeo-Christian faiths, it is entirely different in some eastern culture and religious circles.

The Hindu NDE accounts may consist of having someone read the record of the dying person’s life (called the “akashic record”). In Hinduism, a traditional belief is that the reading of a person’s akashic record occurs immediately after death. This concept is widely believed by Hindus all over India. The common western culture panoramic life review does not appear in accounts from India. So, why is this significant?

Check out our November 29, 2021 podcast, “Is a Near Death Experience a Glimpse of Heaven?” We address this core question regarding what an NDE is on several levels. First, we establish a scriptural basis for viewing such experiences. As this story unfolds, it really looks like we are dealing with massive contradictions. The Bible is specific about what death is, and the commonality of near-death experiences seems to indicate a fundamental difference between the two. When we open the door of medical and scientific evidence all of this changes. Join us as we combine biblical perspective with science, medicine and practical application and come up with a fascinating and harmonious conclusion! We also recommend Episode 1201: Can the Dead Communicate With Us?

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