gotquestion

The father, the son, and the holy spirit being one person, how does one understand that Jesus Christ being God was actually talking to Himself? How does one come to grasp that? Jesus the Christ Is God...

Posted By: CHRIS COSTANZA, HOLDEN, LOUISIANA

I don't think any church holds that Father Son and Spirit are one person. Rather they believe they are three persons in one "Godhead." This language is not found in scripture. There, God presents himself as "Family," in terms of Father and Son. This is discussed in much more depth in the book, "The Lonely God," Available from CEM or Amazon.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Do you have courses for college that would count as credit toward a degree in Theology? Thank you Cam

Posted By: Cam Rea, Kendallville, Indiana

Sorry, but no. We attempted an online class in Old Testament Survey a year or so ago, but found the results less than encouraging. We are re-thinking the course right now, and might return to something like it later.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Hello Mr. Dart, my queston is Jesus states in Matthew 22 Verse 30 "For when the dead rise, they won't be married. They will be like the angels in heaven" For some with an ex-wife this might be a relief. Given our 50% divorce rate God must have something better. Your thoughts on this matter are greatly appreciated. Thank you and God Bless.

Posted By: Carlos Morales, Wichita Falls, Texas

There isn't much to say about this beyond Jesus' words. In marriage, a man and a woman become one flesh. When we are no longer flesh, I would think that relationship would become meaningless. We'll know soon enough.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Hello, I am trying to find out if and where there are scriptures that speak about a persons right to self defense and to defend loved ones. I know in my heart that God does not forbid such actions, but I am not familliar enough with the scriptures yet to know where to turn to convince a friend who is stuck on the "turn the other cheek" statement made by Jesus. Thnaks Mike

Posted By: Mike Cline, Indpls, In

I hope to do some more definitive work on this in the future. As you can see, it is a very large subject. I touched on the theme, though, in a couple of other essays. See these links.

Capital punishment, a Christian Dilemma

A Hard Look at Vengeance.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

I am certain many WEB sites are used in the studies by those who teach in CEM. Please give me as many as possible....expecially bible versions or translations. You probably know exactly to what I am referring. thanks.

Posted By: Ronald Tressler 658, Sanford, FL

We will see what we can do about developing a section of useful links.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

I would like to know the "youth Ministry Philosophy " Can you give answer.

Posted By: Mosharaf Hossain Khan , Dhaka , Bangladesh

I am afraid I don't understand what you are looking for. Could you clarify?

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

you have spoken of satan's name as being hillel? where can i find this information documented?

Posted By: frank popielski, pearl, ms

This comes from Isaiah 14:12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" From the context, this is said to be Satan. But the Hebrew word translated "Lucifer" is Heylel.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

In regards to purchases "online" I am unable to locate on your website the tapes/cds of: 1) Who killed Christ and, 2) The resurrection of Jesus & 3 days & 3 nights. Could you please direct me accordingly.

Posted By: DW Folsom, co spgs, co

You shouldn't have to purchase these, as they are still available online for download. Go to the audio Archives. If you want DVDs or tapes, just call the office at 1-888-BIBLE44.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Unclean meats althought they are listed in Leviticus 23, when Paul was on the roof praying, Acts 10:15, and the Lord let down the sheet with all manner of meats, did this make the law of unclean meats null and void? As I read in Matt 15:11 and Romans 14:14it seems like all manner of meat is allowed to be eaten. Please clarify. Thank You

Posted By: Bob Howard, Southington, CT

I think you mean Leviticus 16, and it was Peter who had the vision in Acts 10. Here is an article that will help: God's Diet Plan for Healthy Living.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

How do you find fellowship and a church to worship on sat, if you are not a Jew or do not want to drive over an hour to get there

Posted By: sandra Johnson, richmond, va

That can be difficult. Here is one thing to remember. You don't have to agree with everything a church teaches in order to join in worship. There are too many nitpickers out there who have to get everything just right. Don't be one of them. Probably the largest group, and the one most likely to be close to you is the Seventh Day Adventist Church (I am not personally of that persuasion, but they are good people). You can also email our office just in case there is someone near you that we happen to know about.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

I thank you so much for answering my previous question so quickly. Many church leaders don't have that type of personal commitment to followers of the word. I have another question regarding the name of "God" and the Son. It had been revealed to me before that the true name of "the LORD" is YHWH, or Yahweh and that the true name of the son is Yoshua. I know that you've also acknowledged this. Why then is it acceptable to teach or preach using terms like GOD, the LORD, or Jesus? I understand that some believe the name is too sacred, but many in the Bible called upon the name of Yahweh ,and Jesus isn't even the English translation of Yoshua. Would it be more accurate and Biblically correct to preach using the Hebrew names and teach others to do likewise?

Posted By: Antoinette Eyth, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Thanks for the question, it is a frequently asked. The true name of the LORD of the Old Testament is, transliterated from the Hebrew, YHWH. (Hebrew includes no vowels.) This is variously rendered Yahweh or Yehovah, depending on vowel points and English alphabet conventions. In answer to your last question, if it were more "biblically correct" to use the Hebrew names, Paul would have done so in his Epistles, and so would Mark, Luke, and John, in their works. There may have been a Hebrew Matthew, but it is lost to us. Instead of Yahweh, Paul, writing in Greek renders the word, Kurios, Lord. That being the case, and Hebrew names having meaning rather than meaningless phonetic sounds, I see nothing wrong with following the meaning, and rendering God's name appropriately in whatever language we are using. If Paul could do it, so can we.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

From a biblical standpoint, is it wrong for a Christian to opt for cremation instead of burial? Thank you for your reply.

Posted By: inquiring for friend wishes to remain anonymous, Capon Bridge, WV

There is nothing in the Bible to forbid cremation. It is a matter of personal choice.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Regarding the controversy about the three days and three nights: You have stated that you believe that the sabbath referenced here is a high-day, the first day of Passover. But in Matthew 26:17, it is written that "On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked 'Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?'" It would seem that from this verse, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread had already taken place, so how could that have been the Sabbath referenced in regards to the death and resurrection? I respect your program and ministry and am a strong believer in the Word. I just want to be clear about the truth of this matter.

Posted By: Antoinette Eyth, Pittsburgh, PA

We are at a disadvantage in reading the New Testament for two reasons. One, the NT was written in Greek and copied. Two, there are customs that the first readers understood well enough, but that we don't quickly grasp. Jewish custom called for removal of leaven from the house at the end of the 13th. This made the 14th a de facto day of unleavened bread even though the law didn't call for it until the 15th. The disciples often write in terms of common usage which confuse us until we look a little deeper. Got a new book coming this summer which goes much deeper into the subject. Watch for it. Working title is "The Thread, God's Appointments with history. Early drafts of various chapters can be read at this link.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Dear Mr. Dart, are todays Jewish people the people of God even if they are not observant Jews? Thank you.

Posted By: Manny Baquero, Miami, FL

I'm not sure everyone would agree on the meaning of "the people of God." Some people would deny that even observant Jews are the people of God. But they are sons of Judah and Israel, and to whatever extent God considers them his people, that's what they are.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

I want know men in the bible who saw God face to face. Or if i can ask it as this. Did any man ever saw God face to face?

Posted By: festty frost, lagos, lagos

(Exodus 33:11) And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

(Genesis 32:30) And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

(Deuteronomy 5:4) The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,

There are more examples. Just check a concordance.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

If Paul spoke to the Jews in Hebrew in Acts 22:1-2. Then would it be posssible that Matthew and some of the other books were originally written in Hebrew - rather tham Aramaic or Greek. Vic.

Posted By: vic williams, Burleigh Heads, Qld

It is possible, but there are no known manuscripts of a Hebrew Matthew older than the 11th century. There is a tradition that Matthew wrote a Hebrew Gospel, but there is no reason to think the late manuscript is that Gospel. It is plain that the New Testament books we have were all originally written in Greek.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

What is the Biblical perspective (as you see it) on gambling by both definition and in practice? Particularly, how is a Poker Game that is played for money classified?

Posted By: Nancy Myers, Lee^s Summit, MO

As far as I can see, there are two issues at risk in gambling. One is the 10th commandment, "Thou shalt not covet." The other is in risking money that would be better spent on other things, like clothes for your children. Some feel that modest amounts of money spent for entertainment in the playing of games does not violate these principles. No one but the person playing the game knows for sure.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

What should a believer's stance be on blood transfusions? I have always thought that this was not permitted because of Lev 17. But my husband and I are doing our living wills and a lot of discussion has come up. Thanks

Posted By: Mary Williamson, Asheville, NC

The Law prohibits the eating of blood, but that appears to have aimed at the ingesting of blood orally, probably as a part of a covenant. In early semitic cultures, a covenant might have been sealed by drinking another person's blood (blood brotherhood). In time, the sharing of the blood of a sacrificed animal substituted for human blood. Even later, a shared meal of the flesh of the sacrificed animal sufficed. (See the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, article "Covenant.") There is nothing that would prohibit a blood transfusion as part of a medical procedure.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Ok I'll be short - 1st WOW Mr. Dart your deep and you've got me thinking. On kksl 3/17/06 a talk about trees? anyway you bring up 1 Cor 11:27-30, My question is what prcisely is "it"? to not eat and drink "unworthily"?? and how does that tie into physical healing? I cetainly don't want to be "Unworthy" Thank you Jack

Posted By: Jack Gabbert, Portland, OR

I understand your concern. Who could possibly ever be "worthy" of the body and blood of the Lord. It is well to know that "unworthily" is an adverb applying to the manner of eating and drinking, not an adjective applying to the person taking the bread and wine. As to the rest of your question, that will be part of the content of my next book. Meanwhile, it is covered in the series of radio programs, available in album form, "Christian Holidays."

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Have you read the book, 'Lost Books of the Bible'? I feel if God wanted them in the bible, they'd be there. Do you find a historical value to that book?

Posted By: Sue Cronberg, Chisholm, MN

Historical value? Perhaps. They certainly are not "lost books of the Bible." They are what some call the Apocrypha or the psuedepigripha. They are of no greater value than many other historical books of the time. Those books that were never accepted into the canon of the Bible are of value only in telling us what some Christians in some places may have believed and practiced. They are surely not authoritative.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Biblically speaking, it having an autopsy done wrong? How can one know the disease or medical problems which attributed to death if this is not done? Aren't we to know what was wrong with a family member for the heritage or genetic makeup for the remaining generations?

Posted By: Diane Marino, Metairie, LA

I can't think of any reason why an autopsy should not be done if one is needed. In some cases it is a legal requirement, but I can easily see your point. I think in most cases of genetic problems, the diagnosis has been made before death. But there is nothing in the Bible to forbid it in any case.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

12 tribes - who are they today. Also, Ephraim = Britain, Manasseh = USA. How did that get figured?

Posted By: Sue Cronberg, Chisholm, MN

Some information on this concept can be found at this link.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

does God hear sinners prayers. i've been searching the scriptures for an answer.

Posted By: elonda bush, new orleans, louisiana

Well, yes, of course. If he didn't, we would all be out of luck, wouldn't we? But the one prayer of a sinner you can count on God hearing is the prayer of repentance. Try Psalm 51

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

I was baptised in a non sabbath believing church at age 12. Their doctrine was heavly steeped in Acts 2-38. That was more years ago than I like to admit and I sure haven't lived a life very pleasing to God. My question is since I have been enlightened by you and other sources over the years, is re-baptisim #1 necessary #2would re-baptism be a slap in the face of Jesus by not trusting in Gods grace. #3 How do I know who is a God ordained minister to perfom this.

Posted By: Leland McDowell, Sioux Falls , SD

When Paul encountered a group of disciples at Ephesus, he asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit since they were baptized. It turned out that they knew nothing about the Holy Spirit, having known only John's baptism. Paul baptized these people again and laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the question you have to answer is whether you have received the Holy Spirit since you were baptized. In any case, it is no slap in the face of Jesus to be baptized again in his name because you feel you had not really repented at your earlier baptism.
As to a "God ordainded minister" to baptize you, the important thing is not who baptizes you, but whether you in your heart have repented of your sins, and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. If these two things are in place, everything else fades into the background. Your trust must be in Christ, not the minister who puts you under the water and, hopefully, brings you up again.

Answered By: Ronald L. Dart, Tyler, TX

Mr Dart. Could you tell me who is Jesus speaking to in John 15:1-17. Believers.unbelievers, or both.