Are emotions in the heart or mind?  God reads the heart, but man says emotions are in the mind.  I am somewhat confused.

Sincerely,
The Thinker

Dear The Thinker,

The Bible uses the terms 'heart' and 'mind' as synonyms.  Mk 7:21 talks about thoughts proceeding from the heart, and 2 Pet 3:1 says that your mind is what thinks and remembers.  The term 'heart' is most often used when referring to the emotional aspects of the human thought process, and the word 'mind' is typically used to refer to the analytical thinking process... but that isn't always the case.  Truthfully, the two terms mean basically the same thing.

Is it okay for a christian to take protein shake?

Sincerely,
Not Stirred

Dear Not Stirred,

There is nothing wrong with a christian drinking protein shakes.  The Bible endorses healthy living and exercise.  The apostle Paul said that our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit and that we ought to take care of our bodies because we were bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20).  The Bible teaches that physical exercise is profitable (1 Tim 4:8)… just not as profitable as spiritual growth.  So feel free to continue your dietary regimen and just make sure your soul gets fed, too.

When Jesus talked to His disciples, He said, "When you fast..."  Later, in Pauline epistles, we read about the early church, and fasting is still referred to sometimes.  As christians, my understanding is that today we are to follow the Word by its commands, inferences, or practices.  So when it comes to fasting, are we as christians to be fasting?  It's interesting to me that we are told what to do when we sing and why, what day of the week to gather together by example, but nothing that I have found has made it clear to me details about fasting.  So should we be regular "fasters" today?

Sincerely,
Snack Time

Dear Snack Time,

Fasting is a Biblical practice, but there are no specific guidelines for when to do it.  Fasting is the practice of not eating for a designated period of time.  Jesus once fasted for forty days (Matt 4:2).  Fasting is often associated with times of grief and difficult decisions (Joel 2:12).  The New Testament doesn’t require fasting, but it also shows the benefits of fasting during times of difficulty or when important decisions needed to be made (Acts 14:23).  Jesus’ disciples were noted for not fasting as often as the rest of the Jewish community (Matt 9:14), an indication that fasting doesn’t have the same level of emphasis in the New Testament.  There is a time for fasting, but it is purely up to personal discretion.

Is it all right for a christian to receive hypnotic treatment as a medical procedure?

Sincerely,
Droopy Eyes

Dear Droopy Eyes,

The ethical issue that is commonly raised with hypnosis is whether or not it has occult roots to it.  It would be wrong for a christian to take part in something that involved idolatry – even if it was for their health.  Some christians believe that hypnotism can be traced back to the occult, and that it is intrinsically tied to things like witchcraft and devil worship… we personally have not found enough evidence to substantiate that position.  Nonetheless, if that is the case, it would definitely be wrong for a christian to take part in any form of hypnosis (1 Cor 10:20-21).

However, not all people feel that hypnosis is an occult practice.  Many christians, in good conscience, feel that hypnosis is a legitimate medical field that helps people with a myriad of ailments.  A number of medical associations at least tacitly approve of hypnosis as a form of treatment for various ills.

In the end, each christian must study and come to a conclusion for themselves on this issue. If a christian does something they believe is sinful – even if it isn’t – they are violating their conscience, and that is wrong (1 Tim 1:5).

Are there really such things as ghosts?

Sincerely,
Spooked

Dear Spooked,

The idea of ghosts cannot be found in the Bible.  Ghosts are supposedly the souls or spirits of those who have died.  These dead souls are presumed to be wandering the Earth interacting with the living from time to time.  The Bible tells us what happens when we die, and there is no Halloween-ish spiriting involved.  Jesus told the story of a wicked rich man and a faithful poor man named Lazarus in Lk 16:19-31.  When these two men died, the rich man immediately woke up in torment, and Lazarus was escorted to Paradise (Lk 16:22-23).  This is what happens when the righteous and the wicked die.  There is no wandering or ghostly haunting.  In fact, the rich man was specifically told that the dead aren’t sent back to the Earth to preach or effect the course of events here (Lk 16:27-31).  We die, and then we wait to face the judgment (Heb 9:27).