Episode 471 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. I have a dear friend who is a devout Mormon who believes she is a Christian. Now, I’m a Christian, and we were in a conversation the other day and she was talking about “the Prophet.” How do I witness to my friend? She believes in Jesus Christ and talks about how Jesus Christ is her savior, but I know that Mormonism is a cult.  2. What does Isaiah mean when in Isaiah 64:6 he says,  “All our righteous acts are as filthy rags”?  3. Why wasn’t Joseph at Jesus’ crucifixion? Any explanation will be of much help.  4. Why was one of Noah’s sons cursed and not the others?  5. Does God ever tell us that we’re with the wrong person, other than what is written in the Bible? Over a year ago, I walked into a lecture hall and I got the weirdest sense that I was supposed to be with someone I saw in the room. I dismissed the thought immediately. I’m happy with my partner. We are dating not married, and I don’t want things to change. But the feeling kept coming back, so I prayed for wisdom and read the Bible. I then prayed for the feeling to go away. Now, I just feel stressed. I can’t shake the sense that this isn’t the life I’m intended to live, and I’m with the wrong person. I thought this feeling would go away once the semester was over, but it’s been over a year. Does God ever do things like this? Resources Knowing God by J. I. Packer  Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 470 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Where do evil and sin come from? Are they from Satan? Do we just have them?  2. How should i understand church government? What kind of authority do elders have?  3. I have been told that we shouldn’t personally address the Holy Spirit in prayer or song because we don’t see that anywhere in Scripture, but the Nicene Creed states that the Holy Spirit, “with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.” Is there any conflict here? I know from John’s Gospel that the Spirit’s role is to glorify the Son and to lead us in all truth (the Word), but can the Holy Spirit be the direct object of our worship?  4. Could you explain what Jesus meant when he told us to “remember Lot’s wife”? What does that mean for us today? Resources Rediscovering the Holy Spirit: God’s Perfecting Presence in Creation, Redemption, and Everyday Life by Michael Horton Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 469 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Do we need to speak in tongues under the Holy Spirit in order to be received by the Father in heaven?  2. In Ezekiel 40, God shows Ezekiel a vision of a temple. What temple is this, since the measurements do not fit the temples built under Ezra and Nehemiah,or by Herod? Now that there is no need for sacrifice because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and there will not be a temple in heaven, what is the purpose of this vision? Where does this fit into prophetic history from Ezekiel’s standpoint?   3. A good friend of mine often says that Satan is the source of the problems we face in life. For example, her sister who is not a believer is going through a divorce, and she often says Satan is to blame and he wants to destroy marriages. Another scenario would be when she feels depressed. She will say that it’s the Enemy. I would like to better understand what the Bible says about Satan’s role in our sufferings. I do believe that Satan and the spiritual forces of evil are at work in the world, but if Satan can’t be everywhere at once, how can we blame him for all our problems? What is the meaning of Ephesians 6:10–20 and how can we apply that to our lives as Christians?  4. I’m concerned that I had a dream last night and the Lord gave me a message. His message was, “Your faith is as sand.” Should I be worried that the Lord is trying to tell me that I am a weak Christian or that he is not happy with how I am living my life? I try to be a good Christian and live a clean life, but maybe there is something more I need to do.  Resources Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God’s Story by Michael Horton Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 468 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. I’m a 77-year-old Christian lady, and I didn’t notice it for years, but my social security number has a 666 number. That has really troubled me a lot. Could you explain what you think that might mean for me, and what I can do about it? 2. It seems like many churches today are program and evangelism driven, with good intentions, but seem to lack theological and biblical depth. And others are theologically and biblically sound but lack outreach. What place should programs and evangelistic outreaches serve in the local church? 3. Should Christians become involved in peaceful protests? 4. Are there any texts I can refer to that point to the Christ as being from above who came down as deity clothed in the flesh? I have a half brother who is a Hasidic Jew, and I think this would be helpful in discussing Jesus Christ with him. 5. Wouldn’t holding up the physical authors of the Bible as holier than ordinary Christians be a form of idolatry? And if yes, wouldn’t the Catholic church’s position that the Pope is a conduit to God be similar because they think he can be something that we cannot?  Resources Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God’s Story by Michael Horton Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 467 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Jehovah’s Witnesses have a different kind of Bible. So how can you even have a discussion on an issue with a person, when you are reading the word, but their Bible doesn’t even say the same thing as your Bible? It is like you are at a dead-end or something.  2. I have a question regarding the Old Testament and hell. I know that hell is taught in the Old Testament, but does this mean that every single person that lived prior to Jesus who was not a part of the old covenant is in hell? There seems to be so many people that lived prior to Jesus who were not part of Israel, and it can make hell hard to stomach. Any help? 3. Is Christianity a religion just like any other? 4. I accepted Jesus Christ when I was a 9-year-old kid. I believed I was forgiven, but then I went through a long period of doubt. I accepted him again at 17. In my mid-20’s, I accepted him again. When I was 30, I accepted him again. But then I would doubt. I don’t doubt that Jesus is God or that he died for me or that I’m a sinner or that I asked for forgiveness, I just wonder if God did forgive me and when he did forgive me? I struggle with the passage that says perfect love casts out all fear. Well, I fear all the time, and I fear that I didn’t have enough trust when I accepted Christ. Resources 9 Ways to Know You Are Really a Christian Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 466 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. I’m trying to do something good that was placed on my heart to help some people out. I’ve been praying for God to help me so that I can help them, but I haven’t received anything. I get discouraged when nothing seems to happen. I believe God placed it on my heart to help them, but why doesn’t anything happen when I pray about it?  2. I believe Christians are baptized by the Holy Spirit. I read a book regarding the filling of the Spirit as though it were a special gift or something. I was a little confused by it.  3. Several decades ago I had hallucinations of being in hell. They were very real and I’m wondering now if I’m saved. I’ve accepted Jesus but it’s hard for me to believe. I’ve been diagnosed with borderline schizophrenia and am on medication, but Satan is tormenting me. How can I know I am really saved?  4. How do we balance our desire for obedience with legalism? avoiding legalism 5. How do you address people who charm people into thinking they are repentant, but their behavior never changes?  Resources True Vs. False Repentance. Whats the Difference? Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 465 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Is it true that, based on John 17:1–11, we are glorious because we are one with God. My understanding of “glorious” is worthy of high praise. I thought that only God was worthy of high praise. Is it correct to say we are glorious?  2. I have been grappling for a long time with the fall of Adam and Eve who chose to eat the forbidden fruit which lead to sin and death. Did God, in his sovereignty, cause Adam and Eve to disobey him and commit the first sin?  3. How does sin actually lead to death?  4. Is mental illness a legitimate problem? Can Christians become mentally ill? Will God have mercy on those with mental illness?  Resources A Place for Weakness: Preparing Yourself for Suffering by Michael Horton Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 464 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. Peter and Judas both betrayed Jesus, but Peter was forgiven and went to heaven. Judas became remorseful in the end and killed himself. Were they just following directions in their betrayal? Or did Jesus, being all-knowing, know how they would react? I know the Bible doesn’t report that Judas repented, but if he had before he killed himself, would he have been forgiven? Would he have still killed himself?  2. Where can a man find a good male mentor?  3. My daughter wants to have her 2-year-old daughter baptized, but her husband, who isn’t a believer, is opposed to it. Should she just put that on hold and believe in Acts 15:31, that her own baptism and faith will cover her daughter? Or should she stand in the gap created by her husband and proceed with the baptism? The teaching about being submissive to her husband is challenging, but I have been taught that if an unbelieving spouse’s desires go against what the Lord has commanded us to do. The believing spouse is not obligated to submit.  4. I accepted Christ at 14, but I’ve lived a sinful life until I was 69. Did I possibly push God too far and lose my salvation? How do I know for certain that I have salvation?  5. What does God mean by, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one?” The idea we get from movies, songs, and culture is that we must feel it. We have this expectation that the purpose of marriage is to be “happy” or “close” to our spouse. Isn’t the purpose of marriage, instead, to bring us to the Father? Are there Christian marriages where the two are not united as one? Or is “united as one” an edict? Sometimes I wonder if I truly believe this based on how I react in my own marriage.  Resources The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 463 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. What is the purpose of meeting as a body of Christ? Because COVID-19 has restricted our fellowship, there was a discussion this week among some of the men in my church who question why we would even attend service if they couldn’t fellowship with others. In that vein, some articulated that the sole purpose of our meeting on Sunday was for fellowship. The word and sacraments were not included in the discussion. I would like to have a biblical source for the understanding of the purpose of meeting as a church body.  2. In the last words of the Old Testament, Malachi, says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” When Jesus first came, that was not the great and dreadful day. That is when Jesus comes back with wrath. So Elijah couldn’t be John the Baptist. Who is this Elijah?  3. As Christians, is it appropriate for us to pray the imprecatory Psalms? How does this square with praying for the salvation of those who mean to do us harm or have done harm? I’m thinking about those who slander Christians and who push for abortion or other things that do great harm to society as a whole.  4. We always say that God is in control of everything. My question has to do with 1 John 5:19 where states, “The whole world is in the power of the evil one.” This seems contradictory. I don’t understand that.  Resources Core Christianity: Finding Yourself in God’s Story by Michael Horton A Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of God-Centered Worship by Michael Horton Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.

Episode 462 | Adriel Sanchez and Bill Maier answer caller questions. Show Notes CoreChristianity.com Key questions answered in today’s show: 1. In Christian circles we often make a distinction between temptation and sin, almost at the expense of downplaying temptation as morally neutral. However, since temptations come from our own sinful desires (James 1), is the desire for something sinful, itself sinful? For example, are homosexual desires sinful? Are these desires the same thing as sexual orientation, or is that a man-mad and unbiblical definition? 2. Do you believe it is possible for someone to lose their salvation? If so, do you believe they can lose it to the point of no return? In Hebrews 6 it speaks about, “It is impossible to bring those people back who have tasted the goodness of God, to renew them to repentance.” And also in Matthew, it talks about blaspheming the Holy Spirit, that it would not be forgiven them. 3. What happened to all those in OT times, who were unaware of Israel and Israel’s God? Where did they spend eternity? And what happens in eternity to folks in NT times that are not aware of the gospel? Would love to have scripture answers on this. 4. I feel very jealous and envious of the other Christians at church. It is so painful for me because I had a daughter who died by suicide a few years ago. Mainly, I’m just having such a hard time with my jealousy and envy with happy Christians when I don’t feel the same way. I’m embarrassed to even admit this. I don’t tell my husband or my children any of this. I feel like a terrible person. I feel like God is disappointed with me for feeling this way. I pray all the time. I read the Bible. I’m a Christian. I love Jesus. I’m just a loner. Resources 10 Things You Need to Know About the Bible and Homosexuality 9 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Depression Request our latest special offers here or call 1-833-THE-CORE (833-843-2673) to request them by phone.