Category: Apologetics

How to explalin the Catholic Faith

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Be Prepared: What About Bible “Inconsistencies”?

Let’s be prepared to answer this question: Doesn’t the Bible contain inconsistencies?

This is a common accusation, but it’s completely unfounded. Most people who ask this question have no examples. But a few people will bring up things which appear to be contradictions at first glance. 

I’ve researched some of the differences in the Gospels, and they simply prove that gospel writers were divinely inspired to share different perspectives of the same story. Differences do not equal contradictions.

If you ask four honest people to explain an event they’ve witnessed, one may mention everyone present and another may only mention the key people. Different witnesses will focus on different aspects of the event. These aren’t inconsistencies, merely different perspectives. And God obviously felt these differences were helpful or He wouldn’t have allowed them in Scripture.

So if someone asks you about a specific “inconsistency” in Scripture, there are lots of resources to help you explain (e.g. Apologetics Press).

But before doing research, find out if their question is sincere. Ask them if they would trust Scripture if you could prove it wasn’t inconsistent. 

If they say “no,” don’t waste your time. They are simply being argumentative, and no amount of proof will convince them.

//Bible Love Notes//

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Be Prepared to Answer: Is Jesus the Only Way?

Christians are often “put on the spot” by questions about our faith, and it’s important that we answer graciously but truthfully (Colossians 4:6).

1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 

So let’s look at the best way to answer this question people sometimes ask: “How can you say Jesus is the only way? That sounds arrogant and exclusive.”

The Christian response:
If it was our idea, it would be arrogant and exclusive. But it’s the teaching of Jesus Himself.
In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

But Jesus isn’t “exclusive”—He cares so deeply about each of us that He died a terrible death to make our salvation possible. He offers His salvation to everyone who believes (John 3:16). 

When people ask this question, it’s also good to remind them that all religions believe in different gods and different ways to be saved. All of them contradict each other, so either they are all wrong or only one of them is right. And Christians have many reasons to believe Jesus is the only right way of salvation.

//Bible Love Notes//

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Be Prepared to Answer: Why Push Your Faith on Others?

Scripture tells us to “always be prepared” to answer questions about our faith (1 Peter 3:15). So let’s consider this question:

“Why push your beliefs on others? Why don’t you keep your beliefs to yourself and let others find their own truth?”

Some people who ask this question aren’t really interested in an answer. They simply want to silence Christians. 

But sometimes a person asks this question sincerely, and an answer like the one below can give you opportunities to share more about the gospel:

“If you had the cure for cancer, would you keep it to yourself and watch someone die? I’m sure you wouldn’t.

“And since the Bible teaches that all who refuse to follow Christ will be condemned and spend eternity in hell (Romans 8:1-8; Matthew 10:28; Revelation 21:7-8), I would be cruel to keep that information to myself.

“You may not agree with me about the Christian teaching of hell, but surely you see why I feel compelled to share Christ with others.” Part of sharing our faith effectively is being prepared to answer questions like these.

//Bible Love Notes//

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Be Prepared to Answer: Why God Allows Satan to Exist

Why does Satan have any power at all?

If Christ died to bring everything on earth under His authority, why does Satan still have freedom to wreak such havoc in our world? What can we learn about these things from Scripture?

1. While Christ conquered death and sin, we will not see the completion of His victory until His second coming (Hebrews 2:5-9; John 16:33).

2. When mankind brought evil into God’s perfect world, God provided a way of salvation. Satan’s work must be necessary for mankind’s redemption or God wouldn’t allow it (Genesis 3).(1)

3. God uses Satan to test and strengthen His children (Job; Romans 8:28).(2)

4. God uses evil but does not cause it (Genesis 50:20; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5).

5. One day Satan’s power will permanently and violently end (Revelation 20:10).

6. There’s some mystery involved in these things, but we can trust God (1 Corinthians 13:12).

(1) Satan, a fallen angel, was used by God to test Adam and Eve – who were innocent but untested. When tested, they proved to be sinners in need of a Savior. Thus began God’s redemption process. I don’t think any of us fully understand this process of testing and redemption, but we can trust God’s wisdom and knowledge.
(2) In Scripture, there is one incident that is credited to both God and Satan which clarifies this point that God uses Satan for His purposes. Read about that situation here: Got Questions.

//Bible Love Notes//

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Be Prepared to Answer: Why Didn’t God Create a World Without Senseless Suffering?

People sometimes ask me, “Why didn’t God create a perfect world with harmony between man, God and all living things—a world without evil, pain and suffering?”

And I tell them “He did just that!” Yes, God created everything perfect. 

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31 

But Adam’s sin brought evil, suffering, broken relationships, chaos, decay, sickness, and death into the world (Genesis 3). 

Evil never existed in God’s original creation, and God never has been and never will be responsible for evil (James 1:13-15; 1 John 1:5).

And that’s why our our real question should be this: 

“Since we humans are responsible for bringing evil and suffering into our perfect world, why does God care for us?”

Yes! Why does God save us and offer us an eternal life without suffering or evil when we were and are so rebellious, ungrateful, and selfish? 

That is the greatest mystery of all. God’s loving sacrifice for our sins is beyond understanding.

Isn’t it ironic that we creatures who brought evil and suffering into God’s perfect world have blamed God for it ever since?

//Bible Love Notes//

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Be Prepared to Answer: How Can You Take the Bible Literally?

Scripture says we should “always be prepared” to explain our faith, so let’s consider this question: 

“How can you take the Bible literally? For example, it says trees clap their hands in Isaiah 55:12.”

Although Christians often say we take the Bible “literally,” it would be more accurate to say we believe the Bible is God’s Word and is trustworthy, unchanging, accurate, and true. 

God’s Word contains historical narrative, poetry, proverbs, songs, parables, and instructions. And because God speaks in ways we can best understand, He sometimes uses figures of speech. 

It’s easy to recognize which phrases are figurative, and we don’t take those phrases literally. 

Isaiah didn’t believe trees had hands any more than Jesus meant sinners should chop theirs off (Matthew 5:30). 

God divinely inspired these figures of speech to give us the most vivid, interesting, and accurate understanding of His truth. His Word is the incredible true story of creation, mankind’s fall, and redemption. We trust every word, but we don’t take every word literally. 

P.S. Despite a long-standing rumor, Christians never thought the earth was flat by taking certain verses literally. See Flat Earth Lie.

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//Bible Love Notes//

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Be Prepared to Answer: Is the Bible a Mythological Book? NO!

Let’s be prepared to answer questions about our faith such as:

Isn’t the Bible a mythological book?

Recently someone told me there was no way Jonah could have survived in the belly of a fish because the gastric juices would have killed him. 

My answer about this and similar Bible events (e.g. talking donkeys, parting seas, floating axe heads, healing of the blind) is this: they were miracles.

That means God went against the laws of science when He did them. By their very nature miracles aren’t reproducible unless God Himself wishes to reproduce them. 

And miracles are important–if we can’t accept miracles, we can’t accept Christ.

Why? because ” faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).  And faith is required for the most important miracle of all: the resurrection of Christ from the dead, without which there would be no salvation (1 Corinthians 15:12-22).

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//Bible Love Notes//

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Be Prepared to Answer: What About People Who Never Hear the Gospel?

Let’s be prepared to answer this question:

What happens to people who never hear the Gospel?

Scripture doesn’t fully address this question, but we know these facts:

1. God loved the world enough to send Jesus (John 3:16). He wants people to be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4).

2. the example of Rahab shows us that God goes to great efforts to save a single soul in a pagan culture (Joshua 2 & Joshua 6).

3. It’s possible for a person surrounded by pagan beliefs to find the true and living God, just as Rahab did (Joshua 2 & Joshua 6).

4. God gives every man two solid testimonies even if they don’t have a Bible:
♥ His character revealed in creation
Romans 1:20 
♥ A conscience
Romans 2:12-16

5. God always does what’s right for each individual.
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4

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//Bible Love Notes//

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Be Prepared to Answer: Why Did God Create Man With the Ability to SIn?

Scripture says “always be prepared” to explain our faith, so let’s consider this question: 

“Why did God create Adam and Eve with the ability to sin?” 

We know that God can do anything He wants. He could have programmed mankind like robots, dictating our every move. But He didn’t want robots.

He wanted us to understand genuine love, and genuine love requires freedom to choose. 

I know that I wouldn’t like it if my husband and children were programmed to love me. I want them to love me for myself, and God wants us to love Him for Himself.

So God created Adam and Eve and all of mankind with the ability to make choices, and even though He wants us to make the right choices, He doesn’t force us to do that.

This answer should satisfy us, but we also must admit that we can’t fully understand every aspect of God’s plans because God’s ways are beyond our full understanding (Isaiah 55:9). 

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). 

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//Bible Love Notes//

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Be Prepared to Answer: Why Does God Allow Evil?

Dear Christians, let’s be prepared to answer this difficult question:

Why doesn’t God stop the terrible evil in our world?

First, let’s put evil in context: Death, decay, sickness, natural disasters, and sin are all results of the fall. Adam’s sin damaged God’s perfect world (Genesis 3). 

Second, let’s put evil in perspective: Life involves suffering which is the result of the fall, but life is short compared to eternity (2 Corinthians 4:8-18).

Third, let’s remember how much Christ suffered because of evil: He died on the cross to free us from sin and give us an eternity without suffering and evil (John 3:16; Revelation 21:1-8).

Fourth, let’s admit we don’t have all the answers: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Fifth, let’s remember that God is 100% good: Even if we don’t understand why God allows evil, we know that God didn’t create evil and He hates it more than we do. We can trust Him with our unanswered questions.

Sixth, let’s ask ourselves what we’re doing to stop evil: If we’re honestly concerned about evil, we’ll deal with evil in ourselves by trusting Christ and letting Him transform us (Romans 12:1-2). This won’t answer all of our questions about evil, but it will give us comfort in our suffering so we can help others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

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//Bible Love Notes//