(CF. MATTHEW 5:3)— Why does Luke’s version of the Beatitudes differ from those in Matthew? PROBLEM: Luke’s version of the first beatitude states “Blessed are you poor.” While Matthew’s account says “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Luke appears to be speaking about poverty in a financial sense and... [ Continue Reading ]
Are believers the light of the world, or is Jesus? PROBLEM: In this passage, Jesus said to His disciples, “You are the light of the world.” However, in John 9:5, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world.” Who is the light of the world, Jesus or His disciples? SOLUTION: Both. Jesus is theprimar... [ Continue Reading ]
Did Jesus come to do away with the Law of Moses? PROBLEM: Jesus said very explicitly, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” However, on one occasion Jesus approved of His disciples when they broke the Jewish law about working on the... [ Continue Reading ]
Is hell the grave or a place of conscious torment? PROBLEM: Jesus refers here to the “body” being “cast into hell,” and the psalmist speaks of “bones” being “scattered at the mouth of hell [sheol]” (Psalms 141:7, KJV). Jacob talked about his “gray hairs” being brought down to hell (Genesis 42:38, K... [ Continue Reading ]
Did Jesus condemn all oath taking, even in court? (See comments on James 5:12.)... [ Continue Reading ]
Should believers literally give anything to anyone who asks? PROBLEM: Here Jesus clearly said, “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away” (cf. Luke 6:30). But, if we took this literally we would have nothing to provide for our own families. Also, Paul say... [ Continue Reading ]
Why did the OT prescribe that one could hate his enemies? PROBLEM: Jesus said here of the OT, “You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ” How could a God of love (Exodus 20:2; Exodus 20:6; 1 John 4:16) command them to hate their enemies? SOLUTION: God nev... [ Continue Reading ]