#STRask
How Would Persecuted Christians Have Understood Psalms Promising Protection and Rescue?
November 30, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
How would Christians under persecution (such as those in Rome) have understood verses like Psalm 34:19–20 that promise protection and rescue by God for righteous people? Is it a contradiction for Jesus to say both that some will be put to death and that not a hair of your head will perish (Luke 21:16–19)? Is there evidence that would contradict my coworker’s claim that the Bible has been added to throughout the years?
My Teenage Daughter Walked Away from God Because He Didn’t Answer Her Prayers for Help
November 27, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
How should I respond to my teenage daughter who walked away from God because she cried out to him for years and he didn’t answer, and because she didn’t feel any different after accepting Christ as her Savior?
Are Christians Who Continue to Sin Hypocrites?
November 23, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
What’s the difference between sins of action and sinful character flaws, and does continued sin of either form make Christians hypocrites? Do you think Ananias and Sapphira were saved if they had accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, despite their massive blunder/punishment? Given the stakes of temporary time to choose an eternal destination, why do any Christians do anything but evangelize? Why do churches have state-of-the-art equipment and buildings for a temporary time when they preach an eternal reality? It seems like they’re not practicing what they believe.
Is It Possible Jesus Has Already Come?
November 20, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
Is it possible Jesus has already come in a fashion similar to Elijah coming as John the Baptist? What are the arguments opposing the current view of New Testament scholars that Jesus was an apocalyptic prophet who was ultimately wrong about the kingdom coming within his disciples’ lifetime? What part does Jesus’ resurrection play in salvation?
Are We Limiting God by Putting Him in the “Box” of Scripture?
November 16, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
How would you respond to someone who says we’re limiting God by putting him in the “box” of the 66 books of Scripture and we have no way of knowing all he has done or said because we’re human and can only know so much about God? What would you say to someone who claims to be a Christian but continually talks about missing verses in the Bible and the idea that the Bible is owned by a corporation and is not trustworthy?
Are We Responsible for Enjoying Prayer, Worship, and Bible Reading?
November 9, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
Are we responsible for enjoying prayer, worship, and reading the Bible, or is it up to God to ignite those joys in us? Is it okay for Christians to share about things that cause grief, pain, or discontent, or is that a form of complaining?
How Can I Start a Conversation with the Jehovah’s Witnesses I See around Town?
November 6, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
Do you have any advice for starting up a conversation with Jehovah’s Witnesses who are handing out Watchtower information at temporary kiosks around town? How do I witness to and answer the questions of my three New Age siblings who are misquoting the Bible and Jesus? How should I address non-Christians having experiences where God seemingly answers their prayers or their prophetic dreams come true?
What Is the Biblical Definition of God’s Wrath?
November 2, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
Many people think of wrath as blinding, uncontrolled rage leading to violence or as one of the seven deadly sins, so what is the biblical definition of God’s wrath? How should we as Christians process the heartbreaking idea of decent Jewish people going to Hell because they don’t have Christ?
What if Two Men Who Are Legally Married Choose to Follow Christ?
October 30, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
If two men who are legally married and have an adopted daughter choose to follow Christ, should they divorce and break up the family? As Christians, how can we be compassionate on topics like homosexuality, abortion, and people of other religions?
Why Does It Matter Which Higher Power Someone Believes In?
October 26, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
What should I say to a “lukewarm” Christian who says people need to believe in a higher power “even if it’s Buddha or something”? How do I help a Christian friend see that the church she’s attending is actually hindering her rather than helping? What would be a tactical approach to helping friends and family members realize they’re attending a church of a false teacher/heretic? Are Christians crossing a line into talking to the dead when they wish a happy heavenly birthday to their dead loved ones? How do I know when it’s time to leave a parachurch organization with which I disagree theologically?
Should God Be Held Morally Accountable for Knowingly Creating a World Where People Would Sin?
October 23, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
If we would hold someone morally accountable for giving a suicidal person access to a loaded gun, shouldn’t we hold God morally accountable for creating a world where he knew people would sin? Was the crucifixion of Jesus God’s way of taking some personal responsibility for his part in bringing about sin he knew would take place if he created Adam and Eve? Why would God create a person he knows will go to Hell?
Is God Good?
October 19, 2023 • Greg Koukl
How would you respond to teens whose questions are about whether or not God is good? What’s a good way to respond to coworkers who joke that they would burst into flames if they stepped into a church? How would you engage with an apathetic person who keeps saying they “don’t know” in response to everything? Do you have any evangelism tips for a high school freshman who has made new friends who aren’t Christians?
Why Can We Euthanize Pets but Not People?
October 16, 2023 • Greg Koukl
What is the biblical position on euthanizing pets that are old or sick, and if it’s okay, why doesn’t the same principle apply to people? They shouldn’t have to suffer either. How should I talk to my six-year-old granddaughter about biblical marriage when her parents tell her same-sex marriage is okay and she brings it up often because she’s confused? What do you think of the phrase “biological sex”? What other kind of sex is there?
There’s No Such Thing as an Atheist Argument
October 12, 2023 • Amy Hall, Greg Koukl
There’s no such thing as an atheist argument. We don’t have to make an argument against the Loch Ness Monster either. Is it a fallacy to ask a nonbeliever to prove a negative? How much time would I have to spend disproving flying pigs if someone believed in them? Isn’t it that person’s burden to argue for them? What do you say to an atheist who says morality is determined by consensus in a society and may change over time?