I have been a minister (ordained in the Baptist faith) now for nearly twenty-seven years.  My wife left me after twenty-eight years of marriage, and I'm currently still the pastor.  However, I need a helpmate.  I want to date, but all women are scared of dating a preacher.  I understand that, too.  I don't want to cause a "black eye" on the church, so here is my question:

I'm fifty-one and alone… if I start dating women, should I quit preaching?  Not quit serving God, NO!  Quit preaching.  I think that would look best on God and His church… not a denomination, but the church of all believers of the Son of God.  Please give your honest opinion.  Again, thanks for your honestly.

Sincerely,
Single Baptist

Dear Single Baptist,

You say that you don't believe in denominationalism, but you are preaching for a denomination.  You've been through a lot, and we cannot imagine the pain you must feel having your wife leave you – tragedies like your divorce are a time to evaluate quite a few things in life.  What if we told you that the Lord's church does exist without denominationalism?  What if we told you there are groups of people that do just what the Bible says without denominational ordainings, traditions, and hierarchies?  After twenty-seven years of preaching for a denomination, would you be willing to consider that the Lord's church isn't part of that world?  In the Lord's church, preachers are just men (Acts 14:15) and are treated like all other christians – even when it comes to dating.  There is another way; we urge you to read the article "Down With Denominationalism", and if you are interested, we would be happy to study these issues out with you.

     How would one disprove the Muslim faith?

Sincerely,
Burqa-Free

Dear Burqa-Free,

The Muslim faith is built upon the Q'uran, just like the Christian faith is built upon the Bible.  You can prove that the Bible is a supernaturally-written book inspired by God because it is full of things that only God could write – read "Who Wrote The Bible?" for a detailed list of things that make the Bible unique.

If the Q'uran was really a prophetic book, it would have to pass the same test.  We would start any discussion with a Muslim about their faith by having them show the evidence for the Q'uran's divine inspiration.  Believe us when we say that they will find it impossible to do.

     What would you tell a high school-age school student about Ouija boards and why it is wrong to use one?  The student is not a christian.  I am one of his teachers.

Sincerely,
Teaching The Truth

Dear Teaching The Truth,

The Bible says that we should always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us (1 Pet 3:15).  If this student asks you what you think of Ouija boards, all you have to do is say that you don’t use them because your faith is in the Bible, not superstition.  The Bible has evidence that proves it is trustworthy; the Ouija board doesn’t.  Our goal is always to direct people to the Bible.  It isn’t about proving the Ouija board is wrong (although it is!); it is about showing people that the Bible is right.  If someone learns to embrace God’s Word, they will naturally begin to repel that which is wrong.  After all, there is only room for one master (Matt 6:24).

     I was told that there are two salvations: one in heaven and one on earth. Some chosen christians will go to heaven, and the others will stay on a paradise Earth after the millennium and when all evil has ended.  Is this true?

Sincerely,
Making Reservations

Dear Making Reservations,

No, that isn’t true.  What you are talking about is a popular teaching of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, but it isn’t a biblical teaching.  There was an earthly paradise; it was called the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:8).  Mankind was cast out of that paradise because of sin (Gen 3:22-24).  We are told that the next paradise faithful people see will be a heavenly paradise.  Jesus referred to Paradise as a place that God’s people will see once they die (Lk 23:43).  Paul refers to Paradise as existing in heaven, not on Earth (2 Cor 12:2-4).  Eventually, this world will be totally destroyed by intense heat (2 Pet 3:10-13), and this earthly age will pass away and be replaced by a spiritual one for all eternity (1 Cor 15:49-54).  Jhn 14:2-4 says that we will dwell where God dwells (heaven) and that even now, Jesus is preparing a place for us.  Matt 24:35 says that heaven and earth will pass away – unlike God’s Word.  When the Judgment Day comes, the faithful will go to heaven.  There will be no earthly paradise.

     Are those of the Muslim faith going heaven, too?

Sincerely,
Not Mohammed

Dear Not Mohammed,

Muslims can go to heaven if they renounce their Islamic beliefs and convert to Christianity.  Jesus is the only way to God.  Jesus proclaimed, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jhn 14:6)  Rom 1:16-17 says that the gospel is the tool God uses to bring us salvation.  Muslims follow the Q’uran, not the Bible, and they trust in Mohammed, not Jesus.  Islam is in direct contradiction to the Bible.