How Do We Know We Have The Right Books In The Bible?

"Christianity Questions and Answers" podcast CQA 027

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Do we have the right books in the Bible? What about: The Gospel of Thomas, the Apocalypse of Daniel, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, the Protevangelium of James, the Apocrypha (Tobit, Judith, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, etc.), the Pseudepigrapha, and so on? Indeed, there are hundreds of Extra Biblical Writings that can be studied, and they shed light on culture, thinking and history.

So how do we know we have the right books in the Bible? To find out, listen to this podcast by hitting the play arrow above.

In addition, please consider this:

• THE BEGINNING: The Bible’s first words are: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

• THE ENDING: The Bible’s last book (Revelation) is about the end of the world as we know it and our eternal state. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (See Revelation 21:4 ESV)

We have God’s Guidebook from beginning to ending!

That last book (Revelation) contains this warning: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19 ESV)

The Almighty who guided the writing of Scripture also guided the collecting of Scripture into the 66 books so we got the right books in the Bible. 

Listen to this podcast to learn more.

You can listen by hitting the play button above. 

To listen and subscribe in iTunes, click HERE. 

To find out more about why we can trust the Bible (and why we have the right books in the Bible) check out these articles:

• 4 Reasons You Can Love and Trust the Bible Today

• How Digging in the Dirt Proves the Bible is Reliable

• Have You Written Your Own Bible?

• Podcast: Where do dinosaurs fit in the Bible?

• Four Powerful Proofs Jesus Lives 

For more help:

To receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord click HERE.

To develop your relationship with God, get my free eBook “10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth” click HERE.

To learn more about this podcast and how to submit questions, click HERE. 

How Can I Age Gracefully And Productively To The Glory Of God?

"Christianity Questions and Answers" podcast CQA 026

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Our question today is one I have been asking: How can I age gracefully and productively to the glory of God? Before and since turning 60 last year this question has become important to me (when I’m not living in denial!).

Dr. Jim Gwinn

So I asked my great friend Jim Gwinn for some answers during a worship service at the Outdoor Resort in Palm Springs, California.

Listen to this podcast by hitting the play button above. 

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Who is Jim?

Jim was born in Seattle, Washington and graduated from Seattle Pacific College and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He and Karen have been married 54 years and have two married sons, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Jim served as Youth Pastor at Moody Memorial Church, VP of Moody Bible Institute, President of Christa Ministries in Seattle.

He has served on the Board of the National Religious Broadcasters, the Christian Management Association and Western Seminary.

Current he serves 6 months of each year as Chaplain at Outdoor Resorts in Palm Springs. Jim’s greatest joy is to bring hope to life by loving people to Christ.

Jim(& Karen) can definitely answer the question: How can I age gracefully and productively to the glory of God? I had the joy of getting to know Jim when he was a Vice President at Moody Bible Institute in the early 1970’s. Since 2010 I’ve had the joy of speaking at the chapel he leads in Palm Springs each December.

What does the Bible say about our question: How can I age gracefully and productively?

“Gray hair is a crown of glory;     it is gained in a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16:31 ESV)

Scripture often warns of the brevity of life:

“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” (James 4:14 NLT)

The Bible also warns us that the beauty of youth is soon gone: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30 ESV)

It tells us to use our days well:

“So teach us to number our days     that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 ESV)

Here’s a wonderful verse to inspire as we age:

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime–until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Isaiah 46:4 NLT)

For more insights, see this great article from gotquestions.org on What does the Bible say about aging/growing old?

To be sure you are ready to meet the Lord Jesus when you die, click HERE.

For more help with aging, dying, judgment and eternity, check out these articles:

• How to Age Gracefully in the Light of Jesus’ Resurrection

• Facing Death Fearlessly

• How to Prepare for Eternity Now and Face Death with Confidence Later

• What Can We Learn from a Cemetery Under a City Park?

• How to Handle the Death of a Loved One

• 4 Desperately Hopeless Yet Common Approaches to Suffering and Death

To learn more about this podcast and how to submit questions, click HERE.

Do Christians And Muslims Worship The Same God?

"Christianity Questions and Answers" podcast CQA 025

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This question has sure been a hot topic in the news recently. It is certainly not a new question. Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God has been asked by many for a long time.

But what does the Bible say?

Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?

To help understand the issues, here’s a portion of John 8 where Jesus said;

“‘So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.’

39 ‘Our father is Abraham!’ they declared.

‘No,’ Jesus replied, ‘for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.’

They replied, ‘We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.’

42 Jesus told them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.’” (John 8:36-42 NLT)

Listen to this podcast to understand better the answer to the question “Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?”

You can listen by hitting the play button above. 

To listen and subscribe in iTunes, click HERE.

For more help:

• To receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord click HERE.

• To develop your relationship with God, get my free eBook “10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth” click HERE.

To learn more about this podcast and how to submit questions, click HERE. 

For more help with the topic of sins, forgiveness salvation, see these resources on my website:

• Podcast: 3 Proofs Jews, Muslims and Christians Don’t Worship the Same God

• Who Needs Jesus, I’m a Good Person

• Salvation

• Podcast: Have I committed the unpardonable sin?

• Six Reasons all Roads DON’T Lead to Heaven

• Five Questions for Those Who Think Many Roads Lead to Heaven