The BIG Picture (Q&A)

QUESTION: Several passages of the New Testament identify the importance of following the commandments but don't say what they are (other than loving God and neighbor)? Is any other commandment essential to the Christian way? ANSWER: This is an excellent question and one that many people might ask. The key to answering this question is knowing what the law is and what is commanded of us to obey. So, let me start with the following. Paul clearly tells us that we (as grace believers) are not under the law, Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What does Paul mean by this? What law is he referring to? Paul is not referring to the 10 commandments. These are the basic moral laws that apply to all humanity. These are the values written in our conscience. It does not matter what nation or language you are from; your conscience will testify to these actions. You will know it is wrong to kill, steal, lie, etc. Thus, Paul is not referrin...

Answer Request: I wanted to hear what your take is on 1 Cor 11 - (head covering when praying). This was a letter written to the church of Corinth by Paul in particular to those Christians - but the way Paul speaks about how the woman came after man, for man, and about dishonour for not covering your head - What is your view on this? Although there are churches today that are practicing this 'rule', it is sad to say that they are not doing it because scripture commands it, but because they are stuck in a man-made system of tradition and/or denominational entrapment. However, for the majority of churches today, this practice is not adhered to and not enforced, and rightfully so. This is not a blatant rejection of scripture today, because when one digs deeper into the truth, one finds that this is more of a cultural issue in Paul's day than a direct command from the Lord that required women to cover their heads ...

Answer Request: How do I stop believing in religion? It seems self-evident that there's a God, but this stuff ties into my self hatred and I want it gone. You might be surprised to hear this, but the religions of the world, including most of Christianity, all have this thing in common; laws and traditions! These laws and traditions are the fabrication of men so that they can measure themselves up against righteousness and commend themselves for the good job they are doing to please God. Its a performance and acceptance system that is not what God asked of us, neither wants from us. When God gave Israel the 10 commandments, its primary objective was to show Israel that even these 10 commands could not be kept! These 10 commandments were to be a tutor for Israel to lead them to Christ… Galatians 3:24-25 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, ...

A short while ago I watched a video of a theological debate featuring 3 prominent speakers who represent 3 different denominations. As a host asked various questions, each of the panelists would respond, and the theology of these participants differed from mildly to wildly depending on the questions. It was interesting to watch how each defended their particular view of theology, and even though they validated their points with scriptures and good arguments, it was quite sad to see how they made the whole debate complex and divisive based on their differences. In Acts 17, Paul arrives at Athens and sees an array of idols set up around the city, probably near the Areopagus, or Mars Hill, where a council of civic leaders met, as well as the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, who were always looking to discover something "new" to discuss. Can you imagine the debates that those philosophers had, each believing in a different god and different theologies. How much did the opinions...

In Paul's epistles, he writes many times that we are not under the law . Does this mean that I am not accountable to follow rules, or I don't need to obey a government or an institutions laws? No. This is not the case. Romans 13 clearly teaches that we are subject to those in authority over us, for God has placed them there. Let's have a look at some key scriptures first, and then determine what Paul means when he says, "we are not under the law" . Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law , but under grace. Galatians 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law , that I might live unto God. Galatians 3:10-12 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse : for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them . 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the l...