20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 105)

Faith = Just a Family Tradition?: My husband believes that faith comes about by family tradition, and that someone's faith is just an expression of what their family has taught them rather than actual faith in God. What does the bible say about this?

Q&A question: Faith = Just a Family Tradition?

Wealth & Poverty in Heaven: If we all get different wealth in Heaven based on our deeds on Earth, won’t that create a situation where some people are poor and some are rich? And what happens once we spend it all?

Q&A question: Wealth & Poverty in Heaven

Was Paul Married? Widowed?: Acts 26:9-10: "...cast my vote" has implications that Paul was in the Sanhedrin (also residing over Stephen's trial in 8:1), which would have required him to be married (even though that requirement wasn't recorded until later; I'm guessing it was still implemented). Could Paul have been married? Perhaps widowed?

Q&A question: Was Paul Married? Widowed?

Did Saul Know who David Was?: Why at the end of 1 Samuel 16 did the author emphasize David's service to and recognition by Saul, but in 1 Samuel 17, Saul didn't seem to even know who David was (no one seemed to know him for that matter)?

Q&A question: Did Saul Know who David Was?

Is Doubting OK?: I love Mark 9: 24 - “I believe, help my unbelief.” But how do we understand that along with James 1:6-8 which says to ask in faith with no doubting, as the one who doubts will not receive anything from the Lord?

Q&A question: Is Doubting OK?

Should We Pray to Mary?: How can I respond with Scripture to a Catholic friend who says, “Mary is the mother of Jesus, so why wouldn’t you seek help from her? Jesus wouldn’t like you disrespecting His mom in any way”?

Q&A question: Should We Pray to Mary?

Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?: I was raised in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and they say that the belief in an immortal/immaterial soul is Pagan in origin and has no basis in the Bible. Is this true?

Q&A question: Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?

The Fruit of False Prophets: In Matthew 7: 15-20, what are the fruits of the false prophets? The teaching? The followers? The acts? Or something else?

Q&A question: The Fruit of False Prophets

Leading with Proper Wisdom: In light of 1 Corinthians 3: 18, how can I lead others spiritually with wisdom without considering myself to be wise?

Q&A question: Leading with Proper Wisdom

Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?: I suffer from same-sex attraction. I fight it, but sometimes I give in. Will God give up on me at some point if I give in?

Q&A question: Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?

Premarital Cohabitation Without Sex?: Is it OK for me and my long-distance girlfriend to stay in an Air BnB for a couple of months if we do not fall into sexual sin, but are not married?

Q&A question: Premarital Cohabitation Without Sex?

Must Christians Attend Church?: Do you have to attend church to be a Christian?

Q&A question: Must Christians Attend Church?

When Other Faiths Pray for Us: When people of other religions pray for us and we see these prayers answered, how do we reconcile that with Christianity? Does that mean all faiths are good?

Q&A question: When Other Faiths Pray for Us

Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?: If the payment for sin is death, and both believers and non-believers will die anyways, then why did Jesus have to die for us? Was it for a chance at us entering Heaven?

Q&A question: Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?

Did Augustine Consider the Apocrypha Canon?: How would you respond to those who point out that Augustine considered the Apocrypha as canon?

Q&A question: Did Augustine Consider the Apocrypha Canon?

Satan’s Fall in Luke 10: Could you shed some light on what Jesus meant in Luke 10: 18? Is Jesus talking about Satan's initial fall here, and what purpose does it serve in the passage?

Q&A question: Satan’s Fall in Luke 10

OCD-Like Prayers: Any thoughts on struggles with OCD-like prayers? Ex: feeling the need to pray for protection over family members every day in fear that something bad will happen to them if I don’t.

Q&A question: OCD-Like Prayers

God Didn’t Reveal Himself?: What do you tell an atheist who says he looked for God and God didn't reveal Himself to him? And in general, what do you make of the argument of nonresistant non-believers?

Q&A question: God Didn’t Reveal Himself?

How to Hear God’s Voice: What does it mean to hear God's voice? Many teachings say to listen to your thoughts and discern God's voice. Is this even Biblical, or is it a cliche? Reminds me of imagination (visions/prophecy).

Q&A question: How to Hear God’s Voice

Why did God Change OT Names?: Why does God change the name of Abram to Abraham, Saul to Paul, and Sarai to Sarah? Is there a meaning behind this?

Q&A question: Why did God Change OT Names?