Many scientists say the world is millions of years old (possibly billions).  The book of Genesis says God created the world in six days.  Are we meant to interpret the Bible in a literal sense?

Sincerely,
Time Troubles

Dear Time Troubles,

Many scientists believe that the earth is billions of years old, many others are unsure, and many believe in the biblical account of creation.  In reality, the scientific community is still undecided.  The biggest reason for this is philosophical.  Depending on whether a scientist believes in God or not, his conclusions to the data will be different.  Many scientists assume that there is no God before they even see the data!

The Bible does say that the world was created in six literal days, and the internal context of the Book doesn’t give us any reason to read those days as figurative.  Groups like www.AnswersinGenesis.org are finding more and more evidence that backs the biblical story of Creation.  It isn’t a battle between science and the Bible (Rom 1:20); it is a battle between believers and unbelievers.

I would like to know if once you are saved, are you always saved?  Can you never lose your salvation no matter what you do?  This is what I was told about this basic teaching in Jhn 10:27-29.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
For Keeps

Dear For Keeps,

The idea that you can’t ever lose your salvation is a warping of Christ’s message in Jhn 10:27-29.  “Once saved, always saved” is a basic doctrine of Calvinism (read “Calvin And Sobs” for more details on the errors of Calvinism).  The Bible clearly says that you can lose your salvation.  Heb 3:12 says that we must be wary and protect our hearts because an evil, unbelieving heart can fall away.  2 Pet 3:17 says that we can lose our salvation if we get caught up in false teaching (1 Tim 4:1 also states this).  If we return to a life of ungodliness, then we crucify Christ again (Heb 6:4-6).

I got into a pretty heated argument the other day with my girlfriend.  She is a Jehovah’s Witness, and I am a christian.  I was talking about the day Jesus died, and I mentioned the cross.  She, in turn, began to tell me that all christians got the translation wrong and that it was actually a stake.  I'm not looking to settle a score, but I would like to know some insight on this subject if you could help.  Thanks and keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
Feeling A Little Cross

Dear Feeling A Little Cross,

The Greek word is ‘stauros’, and it means ‘stake, post, or cross’.  The word can mean any of those three things depending upon the context.  Like many words in English, Greek words often require context to give the specific definition.  In the case of Jesus’ crucifixion, the word ‘cross’ is appropriate because the context tells us they nailed Him to it (Jhn 20:25, Lk 24:40)… a historically verifiable technique used by Romans for crucifixion upon a cross.

I have reading some articles about lost years of Jesus.  There are some articles that say that Jesus went to India and learned from Buddhists.  Is that really true?

Sincerely,
Ohm?

Dear Ohm,

There aren’t any lost years of Jesus’ life.  During Jesus’ childhood, He studied with the rabbis and Jewish teachers (Lk 2:42-26).  He also learned and remained obedient to His parents (Lk 2:51-52).  We know that Jesus and His parents fled to Egypt at one point (Matt 2:13-14)… but we have no reason to believe they traveled anywhere else.  Furthermore, Jesus makes it clear that He only worshipped the Lord (Matt 4:10)… which would preclude Him learning from Buddhists.

(This is a follow-up to “Laban’s Luck”)

I have another question similar to the last question about divination.  According to Genesis 44:5, Joseph uses a cup for divination.  Again the Bible doesn't give much information about this.  So far I can think of two possible methods: hydromancy (which is divination using water or maybe other liquids) and/or scrying (which is an occult practice by means of seeing physically on anything clear such as glass, gemstone, crystal, and water or anything that reflects such as mirrors and, again, water).  The most popular object is a crystal ball.  If scrying is it, then either Joseph filled the cup with water and scryed, or if the cup can reflect, then he can scry on the cup.  But I don't know.  Do you know exactly what method he used?  If not, then do you know where I can get more information about this?

Sincerely,
Crying For Scrying

Dear Crying For Scrying,

The Bible gives absolutely no details on how Joseph used that cup for divining… it doesn’t even say that he does – it just mentions that Joseph’s steward was supposed to say that to Joseph’s brothers (Gen 44:1) as part of his ruse to get them to come back (Gen 44:14).  The proof that Joseph actually did use the practice of divining is tentative at best.  Regardless, divining is wrong today.  Though God spoke to the prophets in various forms in the past, today God speaks to us through His Son’s Word (Heb 1:1-2).  When we become christians, we throw away all occult practices (Acts 19:19).  There is nothing to divine that the Lord hasn’t already taught us in His Word (2 Pet. 1:3).