Tough questions

Principles needed for answering

Respect of the person is paramount. Humility and love is the attitude needed
Regardless of the answer, the person should never be made to feel that they dont have the freedom
to ask any question. They should never be belittled.
1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
Colossians 4 v 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how to answer everyone
The answers dont have to be complicated to be the truth.
Keep your terminology simple and understandable.
Listen carefully to the question.
Re- phrase the question back to the person to make sure that you are understanding their question.
ie: Is this . what you are asking?
The questions you are faced with reveal a persons understanding and view of God
The question sometimes comes from a misinformed/incorrect premise to begin with. Therefore
address the question before the answer.
Dont be afraid to get back to the person asking, if you need time to collate the answer.
Sometimes you need time to think about what is being asked and get the answers.
The Answers we give are from Gods Word, not our opinions.
We need to differentiate between our opinions and Gods Word. If you are giving your opinion or
answers from other sources, you need to let them know so that they know the source.
You need to be in Gods Word. We really need to know the Word of God very well.
Many do not read it and wonder why they dont understand. We study to learn other skills and the
same should apply to spiritual matters. Many things are learned as they are applied, and our faith
grows too as its practically exercised as we think, question and learn. ie: TAFE practical skills
The Word explains the Word.
Many passages are explained by other passages Need to piece it all together to get a complete
answer. ie: Daniel 9 v 1-3, Jeremiah 25:11-12 and 2 Chronicles 36 v 20-21
2 Timothy 3 v 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness
Read and become aware of creation science answers, history, archaeology etc.
Many good and useful resources available to help you.
There is Creation Science, Answers in Genesis, genesisapologetics.com and many other sites. There
are books like the Case for Christ, faith and creation by Lee Strobel in adult and kids versions,
Evidence that demands a verdict by Josh McDowell, The Answers book by Answers in Genesis,
and many other resources you can refer to Rose Publishing does glossy fold out booklets such as
50 proofs for the Bible
Trust the Holy Spirits leading.
There are many times that when asked difficult questions, Ive prayed and been amazed at how the
Lord has brought His Word back into my mind and the stories or experiences that have been needed
for the person asking.
Colossians 1 v 9 we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the
knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.
 Have confidence in the Word of God, as it has answers.
The books of Job and Proverbs tell us that we find wisdom and understanding in seeking to know
Him by not neglecting His Word
Do not use information that is not fully tested/proven for it can jeopardise your credibility
ie: Nostradamus, Mayan calendar etc left many embarrassed
Misunderstandings caused by:
- Accepted sayings that have been passed down for generations and accepted as fact
These beliefs have been just accepted because many people have used them. ie: Why do bad things
happen to good people? Only the good die young
- Taking things out of context or not knowing the correct meaning ie:Do not judge vs to
Judge one means to discern . The words vary in meaning in the original language.
- Second hand knowledge of the Word of God. Many people rely on what someone says the
Bible says without checking it themselves.
- Blinded by their emotions such as anger etc

Questioning and doubt

- Natural as we were created with a mind/soul
Ecclesiastes 3 v 11 tells us that He has set eternity in our hearts
Many prophets questioned God when they looked at the injustices of the world.
- Can build faith or break it, as do trials (story of girl at Keswick)
- Jesus told us to ask, seek, knock Proverbs tells us to seek wisdom and understanding.

Questioning can lead to the joy of finding, unlike burying your head in the sand ignoring reality.
God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Jeremiah 29 v 13 you will seek me and find me when
you seek me with all your heart
Isaiah 45 v 19b I have not saidSeek me in vain. I the LORD, speak the truth. I declare whats right.

Do the research, weigh the evidence and make your decision based on the facts.
In Acts 17 v 2 and 18 v 4 it tells us that Paul reasoned with people using the Word of God so that
they could understand
In Luke 24 v 27 Jesus explained why things had to happen a certain way by using the Word of God.
And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them what was said in the
Scriptures concerning Himself.
To reason (see verse below) means to use your mind. God doesnt expect us to throw our minds out
to have faith. There are plenty of proofs for faith ie: one of the main ones, is the fulfilment of
prophecy
Isaiah 1 v 18 says Come now, and let us reason together, Says the Lord, Though your sins are
like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as
wool
Other resources:
Why I believe lesson by CEF. I am currently producing the PowerPoints of the answers for Kids
Use your own stories and that of those you know of
 Actual Questions

How you can be sure of the truth/accuracy of the Bible?

After extensive study of the Bible by many, the record of the events within have only been verified
by the archaeological finds, fulfillment of prophecy, historical and independent record.
No one questions the ancient writings of Plato (7 copies) or Aristotle (49) but there are ~25,000
Biblical manuscripts. INCREDIBLE! Also over 1 million ancient citations that totals the NT.
Through the exacting work of dedicated scribes through the centuries we have an abundance of
manuscripts that have preserved Gods Word.
The Dead Sea scrolls that were found in the 1950s confirmed the incredible accuracy of the
Scriptures over the centuries. When the scrolls were compared to the Aleppo codex from 1200 years
before, 95% of the text was exact and the remaining 5% had only spelling differences which would
not impact on the message or content of the text at all.

There are many outside sources that also attest to the Scriptures accounts of history. ie: There are
213 recorded flood legends found around the globe etc. on etched stones, walls etc

The Hittites which were often mentioned in the Old Testament, were up until 100 years ago, not
found in the Archaeological record. Just because something hasnt been yet found doesnt mean it
didnt exist, it just means it hasnt yet been found or was destroyed.

Hezekiah tunnel has also now been found. Many of the Biblical artifacts are in the British museum
and you can go and see them for yourself today.

The fulfillment of hundreds of very specific biblical prophecies alone is an incredible proof of the
Bibles divine inspiration and accuracy. Prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the coming of
Jesus were fulfilled hundreds of years after they were written. The tribe He would be a descendant
of Jeremiah 23 v 5-6 was fulfilled. The town He would be born in (Micah 5 v 2), that He would be
cut off for us (Daniel 9 v 26 KJV)His suffering on the cross (Psalms 22 and 53) Men would
gamble for His clothes Psalm 22 v 18 were all fulfilled. The book of Zechariah contains prophecies
that were written 500 years before their fulfillment. King of salvation comes riding on a donkey
(Chapter 9 v 9). The Lord was sold for 30 pieces of silver (Chapter 11 v 13).

Full chapters of prophecies in the book of Daniel were fulfilled through the times of the
Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks and Roman kingdoms with such incredible accuracy even
though they cover hundreds of years. The detail of the fulfillments of the book of Daniel is so
astounding that it makes it one of the greatest proofs of the perfect accuracy of the Bible.

There are many other prophecies which are now being fulfilled in our lifetime. Science professor Dr
Peter Stoner and hundreds of students wanted to see if someone could fulfil Bible prophecies. The
chances of one person fulfilling just 8 prophecies are one in a hundred million billion. The
probability for just one prophecy to be foretold and accurately fulfilled is next to impossible let
alone the thousands of prophecies that have been fulfilled
The Bible told us that the earth was round hundreds of years before scientists discovered that it was.
Psalms 139 tells us that we have been knit together in our mothers womb. We now know about the
DNA helix which looks like knitting, makes us uniquely who we are.
How do we know that Jesus really lived, died and rose again?
Its recorded in history by not only Bible writers, but also non-Christian historians. Hundreds and
thousands of people saw Him before and after He arose again.
There were countless eye witnesses. 1 John 1 v1 That which was from the beginning, which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched this
we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 independent eye witnesses are needed to verify an event.
He was seen by hundreds after the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15 v 5-6.
Roman guards verified Him as dead without doubt. He died from a gruesome flogging and Roman
crucifixion. They pierced (through to His heart) to be sure. He was entombed, sealed in and guarded
by elite guards who guarded Him at the cost of their lives.
They were so terrified at the events of the resurrection (the earthquake, appearance of angelic
beings) that Jesus was gone, that they were believed and their lives spared (not normal procedure).
They were even offered bribery money and were not executed.
The people and disciples that were eye witnesses to the miracles, death and resurrection were so
sure of the truth of the events that they willingly died for their statements.
Our dating system is actually based on the life of Jesus ie: BC and AD

Is Jesus actually God the Son not just a great teacher, prophet, guru
He proved who He was by what He did. No one could or ever has performed the miracles He did.
His miracles were witnessed by thousands of people and even His enemies.
His resurrection from the dead also proved that He has power over life and death.
His power over creation shows He is the creator. He had power over evil spirits showing His power
in the supernatural realm.
He fulfilled prophecies written hundreds of years prior. ie Isaiah 53 written 700 years before
His coming involved the supernatural with angels appearing etc
He told us that He is the way truth and life and that no one comes to the Father (God) except
through Him. He proved His claims of being able to forgive sins by raising the paralysed man.
He died for His claims of who He was. No one is willing to die for a lie/made up story. Under that
kind of pressure one relents.
One would be crazy/mentally ill to die for a lie. Jesus did not exhibit any signs of insanity
throughout His entire lifetime.
In His name, miracles happen to this day. Can share some ...

Who gets to go to heaven, how do you get to heaven?

Its Gods house so He sets the rules, so to enter His presence we have to come the way He sets.
If there was an event and tickets to enter required, and some tickets were real and some flogged
imitations that in the end didnt permit entry, you wouldnt want to be caught out with the fakes.
You want the real deal.
Jesus tells us that the way to God the Father is exclusively through Him. John 14 v 6 He paid the
price, took our punishment/place and satisfied the requirements on our behalf. Bible tells us in
Ephesians 2 v 8-10 that salvation is by grace and not works so that NO ONE can boast. It is a gift.
No matter what we do, we cannot get rid of our sin or pay for it, for it has eternal consequences.
Other religions all focus on mans efforts but the Bible shows us that the solution is from God.
Qu: Why do bad things happen to good people?
People arent good (sinless and perfect). Evil/sin didnt come from God but from human beings who
are given free choice. Humans chose to disobey God and wanted things their way so sin and evil
and its consequences now therefore fill the earth. This was never Gods intended plan for us. We are
given a free choice and didnt use it well and it affects us all. It actually proves Gods love and
goodness for He could of let us live with the consequences of our choices but He chose to save us at
His own terrible cost.
The earth was also affected by the fall of sin and groans in pain and affects us too. Romans 8 v 22
Many of the natural disasters are caused by human poor choices. Deep mining and testing of bombs
etc mucks around with the earths crust and plates and has its consequences. Pollution etc effects the
environment and there is climate change and its affects
Genesis 3 v 15 tells us that the ground is cursed too by sin but in Romans 8 v 21 it tells us that
things will be fixed one day.
When some asked about the blind man- if it was a punishment. Jesus said that it wasnt, but an
opportunity for God to work. Romans 8 v 28 has made an incredible difference to many.
Jesus came and paid the price to rescue us from sin and its curse; Death, disease, pain etc Because
He paid the price, we will one day have a body that will never perish, an eternal home and
inheritance, freedom from sin and its curse and so much more that we cant even begin to imagine.
Good can come out of bad situations. We can learn and grow so much, James 1 v 2-4. Ill share

Why does God allow choice, the Devil and evil?

He wants people to freely choose Him. No one wants to be loved by force or because there is no
other option for love that is real/genuine is voluntary.
In Judges 2 v 22-23a I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the
LORD and walk in it as their ancestors did. The LORD had allowed those nations to remain; and
in Deuteronomy 13:1-5, we see that the Lord allows evil to be an option for He wants people to
choose the good/ His way by choice and not because they have no other option.

? of Reincarnation. Do we come back as something?

No. Hebrews 9 v 27Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Trinity? Was Jesus talking to Himself when He prayed?

No. They are three beings but the word for them being one actually means tri-unity. They are
essentially the same. All truth, all just, all love, perfect etc. A triune God, in three forms.
ie; H2O is elementally found in three forms (water, steam and ice) just an analogy

If God is such a God of love why does He send people to Hell?

He doesnt, they send themselves there by rejecting His rescue plan. He has made a way of escape.
He is equally just and loving. Justice has to happen for Him to be loving. A judge would be unjust
to let a murderer off. The punishment has to be served. He was loving for He took our place.

Sue Richards ksr@iprimus.com.au 042 440 3760