S.D. Smith

Do Old-Earth vs. Young-Earth Debates Matter? For many Christians, the question of whether or not the Earth is relatively young (6,000-10,000 years) or old (4.5 billion years) is irrelevant. After all, Genesis 1:1 proclaims the most important aspect by identifying God as creator: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (NASB). Why Does Debating Creation matter? American Christians enjoy the privilege of believing and teaching their own interpretations of th

Introduction Henry Morris, who revitalized young-earth Creationism (YEC) in 1961, wrote, “When confronted with the consistent Biblical testimony to a universal Flood, the believer must certainly accept it as unquestionably true” (The Genesis Flood , 118). For many believers, this quotation embraces the traditional attitude toward the global extent of the Genesis Flood. After all, Moses wrote, “The flood came upon the earth,” and “All the high mountains everywhere

“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people” (1 Cor. 5:9, NASB) “For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it— for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while” (2 Cor. 7:8, NASB). Based on the above passages, it is believed that Paul actually wrote four letters to the Corinthians. The two that exist in our New Testaments are not genuinely the first and second, but are as follows

Have you ever heard the Bible called the inspired Word of God ? Perhaps you have even repeated this line to others with only the slightest understanding of its meaning. If you research the use of this doctrine, then you will find that many organizations incorporate this belief in their primary values. Even within my home town of Anderson, Indiana, one can read many such statements of faith online. “The basis of our belief is the Bible which is the inspired Word of God

Once upon a time there was a school for the blind who took their students to the zoo where they would be allowed to touch the animals. Three of the blind girls were allowed to briefly touch an elephant for the first time in their lives. The first girl touched only the tusk. The second girl touched only the ear. The third girl touched only the leg. Afterwards, the first girl exclaimed how elephants were hard and smooth, like a skeleton. The second girl disagreed and insisted t

I study the Bible on a regular basis, but I am equally challenged by the content on a regular basis. Perhaps you feel this way too. Here are three passages that have challenged me. If you struggle with understanding them, then I hope the following interpretations, which are no more than educated opinions, will guide your mind in the right direction. DIFFICULT BIBLE PASSAGE #1 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters,

Who is qualified to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Jesus commands His disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations . . . teaching them to follow all that I commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20, NASB). James writes, “Let not many of you become teachers” (James 3:1, NASB). Jesus also says, “One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters ” (Matt. 23:8, NASB). Which instructions should we follow? Is every believer commissioned to teach, are few to teac

Be ready was the theme growing up. The Rapture could happen at any moment and if you have unrepented sin in your life, you will get left behind and suffer through the Great Tribulation for seven years... or so I was told. I grew up fascinated by the prophecies that I was taught pointed to end-times events. I bought the Prophecy Study Bible by Tim LaHaye and dove into it headfirst, but the more I read his comments, the more questions I had. This conflict disturbed me, so I did

The word scripture is defined as the sacred writings of a religion and is most specifically used to define the writings of Christianity contained in the Bible. However, my own upbringing in the church, and possibly yours as well, has brought about a slightly more specific definition in my mind. I was raised to believe that the Bible, in its entirety, is Scripture – with a capital S – because it is the inspired and infallible Word of God . As I study the Bible and its histor

According to the Pew Research Center , 70.6% of United States residents are aliens. This is no joke. You have aliens living all around you, and, chances are, you are one as well! We should not be surprised by this statistic. After all, the apostle Peter addressed his letter, known as 1 Peter, to aliens. I encourage you to read and analyze chapter one with me. “To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to