Q. I heard an AM talk-radio personality state this past Saturday morning that Muslims and Christians in the Middle East use the name ‘Allah’ for God, indicating they worship the same God. Is this so? If it is, does this mean both groups worship the same God?
A. Individuals attempting to prove Christians and Muslims worship the same God us this faulty argument. The God of the Bible and that of the Koran are not the same. To say they are based on the term ‘allah’ is incorrect. Let me explain why. Read the rest of this entry »
Q. What does prayer accomplish if God doesn’t change His mind? If God doesn’t intend to heal someone why ask Him to heal?
A. You are not alone in dealing with this question. We know that God commands us to pray. We know that God encourages us to ask, seek, and knock concerning our needs. We know that God promises to answer our prayers. Knowing all of this, how does the sovereign will of God compliment our activity in prayer? It is important to remember that several things are accomplished when we pray. Read the rest of this entry »
Q. Does God cause illness as a punishment for sin? It appears that He does in Deuteronomy 28:22.
A. Yes and No. You are correct that the passage in Deuteronomy reveals a way in which God punishes sin. The passage states, “The Lord will smite you with consumption and fever and with inflammation and with fiery heat . . .” Before entering the Promised Land, Moses reminded the children of Israel of the consequences disobedience would bring. They knew that if they were disobedient, God would discipline and purge.
Similar warnings are given all throughout the Old Testament and even appear in the New Testament. Read the rest of this entry »