THE CURIOUS BELIEVERS

It is alarming to see that there are people promoting abortion here in the country. What’s more disturbing is that these people try to make it look “progressive,” “pro-women,” and “practical,” while hiding the fact that abortion is murdering an unborn, helpless, and innocent child. It is also noticeable how some of them present those who disagree as not “open” or not ready for these kinds of conversations. Really? But in reality, they cannot provide a reasonable basis for promoting such an evil practice. Today, let’s answer some of the common statements/arguments used to support abortion: Based on research conducted in 2013, the reasons why a woman in the US decides to have an abortion are mainly financial reasons, partner-related reasons, and the need to focus on other children. This is similar to the results of an earlier study in 2005 on the same topic, which found that abortions were sought because they interfere with education, work, and the ability to care for other dependents, ...

Two of the most common arguments raised by critics of the Trinity are: (1) the word Trinity never appears in the Bible, and (2) the idea that God is both one and three is logically contradictory. They claim that God must be either one or three—He cannot be both at the same time. The first objection is easy to refute (you can handle that one!), but the second makes you stop and think. So today, let’s focus on the second. Does the doctrine of the Trinity violate the law of non-contradiction? Before we answer, how do we know when two ideas truly contradict each other? Propositions are contradictory when they both affirm and deny the same thing , at the same time , and in the same sense or relationship. Got it? For example, the phrase “married bachelor” is a logical contradiction because a man cannot be married and unmarried (a bachelor) at the same time and in the same sense. Once a man is married, he is no longer a bachelor. The doctrine of the Trinity does not claim that we have “th...

Some critics argue that the Bible supports slavery and is therefore unethical. They often point to the instructions about slavery in the Mosaic Law (found in the first five books of the Bible) as well as in New Testament epistles (Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 4:1, and others) to claim that Scripture condones the practice. They also highlight the presence of slaves in biblical narratives as supposed proof that the Bible endorses inhumane teaching. How should we respond to these accusations? This issue has been addressed in many ways, but here are a few key points: 1. DESCRIPTIVE VERSUS PRESCRIPTIVE Yes, the Bible contains passages describing slavery, but it is wrong to assume that God or Scripture approves of it. These passages record (describe) the existence of slavery without ever promoting (prescribing) it. No biblical text endorses the practice. The Bible notes that Hagar was Sarah’s slave (Genesis 16:1), but it never instructs readers to acquire slaves. It recounts how Joseph was so...

One of the most beloved Bible stories is that of the prophet Jonah, who was swallowed by a great fish—probably a whale, though the text never names it—and released after three days. It’s a fascinating account, but it can also make you wonder if it really happened. The event sounds unusual, which is why some scholars argue that the story should be read allegorically, as if it were written to teach a lesson rather than record literal history. In other words, Jonah may indeed have lived and traveled to Nineveh, but certain details (like the giant fish) might have been exaggerated. Ancient literature often used satire or parody based on real events, so this perspective has some merit. Yet there are strong reasons to believe that Jonah’s experience inside the great fish actually took place. Let’s look at a few of them: 1. HISTORY WITH MORALS Biblical narratives were written not only to report events but also to teach moral truths. It’s undeniable that ancient cultures produced many satiric...

T The world is drowning in a flood of opinions and beliefs. As Christians, there is a greater need today for us to know what we actually believe and why we believe it. If we don’t know what we hold on to, we cannot pass it on to others. That’s why apologetics is necessary in our Christian walk. Peter instructed us: “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense (Greek apologia ) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Hank Hanegraaf, in his book The Complete Bible Answer Book , gives three simple definitions of apologetics: DEFENSE OF FAITH The most basic definition of apologetics is the defense of faith. The Bible instructs us to contend for or affirm the “faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). A particular faith was passed down from those before us to those after them, eventually reaching us—we are also entrusted to pass it on. Because th...

Apart from many Christians being unfamiliar with apologetics, a lot of us also hold negative views about it. According to some, because the Bible is the Word of God and God can defend Himself, it follows that the Bible doesn’t need any defense. Sounds logical, right? Sometimes they even cite Spurgeon’s quote, “Scripture is like a lion. Who ever heard of defending a lion? Just turn it loose; it will defend itself,” to support their view on apologetics. The truth is, the Bible doesn’t actually need our defense. The Bible is true whether we defend it or not. Despite attacks against the Word of God throughout history, it still stands and will continue to prove itself true. The problem is that not everyone knows this, so they may not realize that the Bible is indeed true! Criticism of the Christian faith is everywhere, and many assume that believers are gullible or naïve for continuing to believe. This is where apologetics comes in. By providing solid evidence and reasoned arguments, people...

One common accusation against the Christian faith is that the God of the Bible is arrogant. Critics argue that only someone who is self-centered and proud would demand constant worship and glory. Some even point to passages where God clearly desires that all people know Him (2 Sam. 7:23; Ps. 106:7; Jer. 32:20) and where He calls Himself a jealous God (Ex. 20:5; 34:14; Deut. 4:24). They claim that jealousy is a negative trait found in the self-absorbed. If God is perfectly good, they say, He should not be like this. To address the issue, we need to be clear on several points. 1. GOD CANNOT BE CALLED ARROGANT Arrogance means “exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one’s own worth or importance, often in an overbearing manner” (Merriam-Webster). In other words, arrogance is having an inflated view of oneself. God cannot be arrogant because His view of Himself is perfectly accurate. It is not prideful for God to say He is perfect (Matt. 5:48) when that is the truth. It is not boastful for...

A group that claims to be “Bible-believing” can still be a cult if you examine its teachings. A cult is “a religious group that derives from a parent religion (such as Christianity) but departs from that parent religion by denying some of its essential doctrines” (Dr. Ron Rhodes). However, there are also indicators of a cult that appear in its practices—especially in how members relate to one another and to people outside their group. According to Dr. Rhodes, a respected authority on the subject, here are some of the most common traits of a cult: 1. AUTHORITARIANISM The words of their authority figure—often viewed as a “prophet,” “Messenger from God,” or even the “son of God”—are treated as ultimate and final. A cult is easy to spot when members show unquestionable loyalty to their founder or leader. 2. ISOLATIONISM Extreme cults sometimes create rigid boundaries. They may require members to cut ties with family and friends who are not part of the group. The cult community becomes a ...

If there is a God, why does He seems hidden? Both critics and Christians wrestle with this question. For atheists and agnostics, the challenge is clear: if God truly exists, why doesn’t He reveal Himself in a more obvious way? For believers, the question reflects a longing to seek God and to know Him more deeply. 1. GOD IS SPIRIT In one sense, God seems hidden because He is Spirit (John 1:18; 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:16). Unless God chooses to reveal Himself in a tangible form, we cannot actually see Him. There are moments in Scripture when God does manifest Himself in visible ways, such as the burning bush (Exodus 3:2) and the pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21). 2. GOD WANTS US TO RESPOND IN FAITH God has chosen not to make His presence overwhelmingly obvious because He desires that people respond to Him through faith. His hiddenness serves as a test of faith for believers and as a call to faith for unbelievers. Faith always carries an element of the unseen, for it is “confidence in wha...

If God could create a stone He cannot lift, then we might say He is not all-powerful because He cannot lift the stone He made. But if He can lift it, then He cannot create a stone impossible for Him to lift. This question is often used to argue that it is impossible for God to be omnipotent because the idea is self-contradictory. This “stone/omnipotence paradox” has already been answered in many ways, so let’s look at some common responses. To address it, we should understand the following: THE QUESTION IS ILLOGICAL To conclude that there is an activity God cannot do (and thus prove He is not omnipotent), one must first show that the task is a real possibility. It is possible for us humans to create something we cannot carry because our strength is limited, but it is not the same for God, whose power is unlimited. Obviously, for God to create a stone He cannot lift would be to do something illogical—like creating a “married bachelor.” Because this paradox is unreasonable, it cannot be ...

  Every Easter season, it’s no surprise that many not-so-new "explanations" come to life again claiming Jesus never truly rose from the dead. Many still believe these objections, showing how far some will go to avoid the truth. One of the most popular is known as the Swoon Theory . DIDN’T REALLY DIE—JUST FAINTED Some argue that Jesus never actually died. They claim He merely fainted from exhaustion and blood loss, was mistakenly thought dead, and later revived in the cool tomb. Afterward, His disciples supposedly misinterpreted His recovery as a resurrection. This theory ignores both historical records and medical facts. Roman soldiers were experts in torture and execution, and the documented suffering Jesus endured—flogging, beatings, loss of blood, crucifixion, and a spear wound to the side—makes survival impossible. Even the events leading up to the crucifixion could have been fatal. Archaeological evidence confirms that no one survives crucifixion. To ensure death, a sold...

  Could it be that Jesus’ body was simply stolen from the tomb and the resurrection story fabricated? If no corpse could be found, it would indeed be easy to claim that Christ had risen. Many who deny the resurrection suggest exactly that. But if this theft really happened, who could have taken the body? Those who promote this idea offer several possibilities: MOVED BY THE AUTHORITIES Some propose that the Jewish or Roman authorities removed Jesus’ body and placed it elsewhere, perhaps to prevent the disciples from stealing it—or simply because they wanted to. The disciples, they say, mistakenly concluded that Christ had risen when they saw the empty tomb. Yet if the authorities had really relocated the body, why did they accuse the disciples of theft (Matthew 28:11–15)? And if they knew where the body was, they could easily have ended the Christian movement by publicly displaying it. This notion might explain an empty tomb, but it cannot account for the many appearances of the ris...

Some people claim that Mary Magdalene and the other women went to the wrong tomb on the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion. Given that it was still dark when they set out (John 20:1) and that they were emotionally disturbed, they argue it’s possible the women simply made a mistake. If that were true, the disciples might have believed Jesus had risen only because they visited the wrong burial place. This explanation is known as the “Wrong Tomb Theory.” But the “Wrong Tomb Theory” is itself full of problems. For one thing, if it had been so dark that morning, why did Mary think she was speaking with a gardener (John 20:15)? Evidently it wasn’t too dark to see clearly. And when Peter and John ran to the tomb later that morning (vv. 3–4), there was certainly enough daylight for them to notice the linen strips and burial cloth inside (vv. 4–6). If everyone had truly gone to the wrong tomb, then whose tomb was it that appeared empty? Would we not also have to conclude that someone else had b...

When it comes to aliens, extraterrestrial life, or UFOs, it’s impossible not to stir curiosity. Last 2023, alleged alien bodies were displayed before Mexico’s Congress, capturing global attention. Whether these were real aliens or not, discussions like this are intriguing for us believers. What does the Bible actually say about aliens? If intelligent life forms really exist on other planets, is that enough reason to question our faith in God? Could the existence of extraterrestrial beings ever shake the foundation of Christianity? What does the Bible say? First of all, the Bible is silent on this issue. Just as it never explicitly tells us there are intelligent life forms like us on other planets, it also does not deny the possibility. The Bible’s focus is God’s relationship with human beings here on earth. We cannot expect it to explain in detail things that do not directly concern humanity. Yet we do know we are not alone in the universe—God created spiritual beings such as angels an...

  “If God is all-powerful, He can defeat evil. Evil is not yet defeated. Therefore, God is not all-powerful.” We can never deny the reality of evil. Injustice. Wickedness. Corruption. Sickness. Immorality. Poverty. Sin. We could use many terms, but we all know what evil looks like. We see it every day because we are living in a fallen and suffering world. Now the question is: if God, who has limitless power, can do all things, why does evil still exist? Does this mean that the Lord is not really all-powerful? According to Rabbi Harold Kushner, in his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, the answer is “yes.” For him, God is good, but He is not strong enough to carry out everything He wants to do. In other words, God is finite; the “Almighty” God is not really almighty at all. He even said, “Even God has a hard time keeping chaos in check and limiting the damage that evil can do.” He was so convinced of this idea that he thought it was easier to “swallow” than to believe ...