Do We Have An Immortal Soul?

 

Question:  Is the soul of man immortal, or does it ceases to exist at death?  D. in Crozet, VA.

Answer:  The word immortal basically means not liable to death, undying or deathless.  There is a debate both within the church and without about whether the soul is immortal.  To truly understand this issue, we need to first understand what we mean by death. Continue reading

Is Cremation Okay for a Christian?

Question:  Is it okay for a Christian to be cremated?  What does the Bible say?  ~ Pastor S. from Fluvanna, VA

Answer:  This is an interesting question that is being asked more frequently.  With the rising cost of funerals many people—including Christian believers—are considering cremation as an acceptable alternative to the traditional funeral and burial.  But how are we to view this practice?  Does the Bible have anything to say about cremation? Continue reading

Islam and Mormonism

Through the years quite a number of people writing about Mormonism have noted similarities between Islam and the LDS Church.  As early as 1831 critics of Joseph Smith compared him to Muhammad.  Smith himself was known to make the same comparison.  In the midst of the so-called “Mormon War” of 1838 Joseph defied his enemies by declaring:  “I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Alcoran [Koran] or the Sword.’  So shall it eventually be with us — ‘Joseph Smith or the Sword!’ ”

In light of this, we have prepared a chart listing some of the similarities between Islam and Mormonism.  We hope you will find this interesting and informative.  Just click here to view the chart of Similarities Between Islam and LDS.

Does Theology Matter?

Does theology matter?  If you listen to some people, you would have to say, “No!”

For example, a few weeks ago I was talking with a friend who is taking some classes in theology.  He told me how excited he was in his studies.  He also told me that he shared his excitement with a friend of his.  His friend commented positively, but then said, “But really, in the grand scheme of things, what does all that matter?  In our everyday lives, what good is theology?”

My friend was telling me this to make the point that theology is okay for theologians, philosophers, and academicians.  But for the common man, living in the real world, it has no value. Continue reading

God, Heisenberg and “Quantum Theology”

An area that I find fascinating to study is quantum theory and the world of sub-atomic reality.  Here is a world that is more bizarre than any science fiction story.  Things are both particles and waves.  Particles can be in two places in the same time.  Once particles interact they can affect one another instantaneously, although separated by great distances.  Time speeds up and slows down.  Reality is affected by the simple act of observation.  (We have to wait until the box is opened to find out if that live/dead cat is actually either one.)  Things pop into and out of existence.  And chance and randomness and probability seem to be the order of the day.  Continue reading