Bible Questions with Andrew Farley

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Christianity

Each episode will ask tough, provocative, and even forbidden questions about Christianity—and offer surprising Biblical answers you may never hear in church.

6 days ago

What is total depravity?

Sin is total in its reach (it affects the whole person and reigns), but grace is total in its remedy: Jesus transfers us from Adam to Christ and makes us alive (Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 2:4–5). We don’t get rescued by self-improvement—we’re rescued by Christ’s finished work and received by faith.
4 Aug

Should You Examine Yourself Before Taking the Lord's Supper?

Two thousand years ago, the Corinthians were getting drunk and eating up all the food at the Lord’s Supper. It was for this reason that Paul said they were partaking in an “unworthy manner” and needed to examine themselves. But the Lord’s Supper is to be done in remembrance of Jesus Christ and His finished work, not in remembrance of our recent track record of sins. So, we can keep the focus on Jesus and celebrate the Lord’s Supper with joy!
28 Jul

Why does James 5:15 say our sins will be forgiven?

James 5:15 does express the believer’s forgiveness using future tense. However, James is simply presenting a hypothetical situation (“if he has committed sins”) and assuring his readers that such a person will be forgiven in that scenario. This passage is intended to be comforting for anyone who might be afraid of a future struggle. Any sin committed will be forgiven because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, once for all (Hebrews 10:14).
21 Jul

Can women speak in the church?

There are two primary verses which might seem to teach against women speaking in church: 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, and 1 Timothy 2:12. However, neither verse is presenting a universal restriction for all time. Paul was addressing situations in the early church, not forbidding women from speaking in church for all of human history.
14 Jul

Can women be deacons or elders?

There is no Scripture that forbids women from being pastors/elders or deacons. The two verses commonly used to argue against women in leadership (1 Timothy 2:12; see also 1 Corinthians 14:34-35), are addressing specific situations in the early church. There are various examples of women in leadership in the New Testament.
7 Jul

Should Christians be “witnessing?"

Witnessing (or evangelism) is often held up as the ultimate in Christian experience or duty. While witnessing (sharing the Gospel) can be a great thing, problems can arise when we make witnessing into a duty, obligation, or measure of spiritual maturity. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs us to “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.” The key lies in simply being prepared to offer an answer to someone and to do so with gentleness and respect. (This attitude is very different from militantly seeking to persuade someone.) Experience shows that we can only spiritually help those who are truly seeking our help.
30 Jun

Do you need to go to church?

Hebrews 10:25 instructs us not to “neglect” meeting together. This does not mean we must meet with other believers for a formal church service on a Sunday morning, but we are designed to live in community with trusted Christian friends. We gather for the purpose of receiving encouragement in the truth of the Gospel.
23 Jun

Is gambling a sin?

Scripture does not say gambling is sinful. All things are permissible, however, not all things are beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23). This means we need to determine whether gambling, or any activity, is mastering us or if we are simply doing it for enjoyment (like other activities that cost money). If we have any history of gambling addiction, godly wisdom and discernment would have us steer clear of it. (Note: There is a reason the casinos are so large and nice: They are typically going to win more often than you do!).

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Each episode will ask tough, provocative, and even forbidden questions about Christianity—and offer surprising Biblical answers you may never hear in church.