A popular Christian teacher recently stated that sincere people, regardless of their religious affiliation, should not be discouraged from praying for miracles. In this week’s Penpoints, Wayne Jackson respectfully challenges this assertion.

Based upon a misunderstanding of Ephesians 2:8, some argue that “faith” is a gift from God, and that it is not, therefore, a condition of salvation. This theory is the offspring of Calvinism. This week’s question explores this issue.

Does one generation “inherit” accountability for the sins of a previous generation? Is “guilt” genetically transmitted? Some passages may seem to suggest this, but what is the truth of the matter? Study this issue with us.

In what seems to be a rather blunt statement, Paul wrote to the Roman Christians, “Let God be found true, but every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4). What is the meaning of this challenge?

Is there a valid connection between evidence and faith? Or is “faith” a wispy, feel-good emotion that simply “leaps” into the dark, and believes based upon a sort of “holy hunch”?

What was Paul’s meaning when he affirmed that woman could be saved through her child-bearing (1 Timothy 2:15)?

Wealth can be a great blessing if used in God’s service. But covetousness is a curse.

Is justification from sin by faith or works? Does it result from neither, one as opposed to the other, or both?

Jesus once observed a poor widow contributing into the treasury of the Jewish temple. This incident is twice recorded in the Gospel records. Of what significance is this narrative? Study this fascinating account in this week’s Penpoints.

There are many ways in which mankind has attempted to deal with his sinfulness. Yet the only effective remedy is redemption through and obedience to Christ .

Jesus once declared, “Salvation is from the Jews.” What did he mean?

In one of his final prayers, Paul prayed for those who had neglected him. What can we learn from this selfless act?

Some claim that Matthew’s Gospel record (12:1-4) provides biblical precedent for the philosophy of situation ethics. They are wrong.

As I was studying recently through the Gospel of Mark, I was reintroduced to this wonderful individual—the Syrophoenician woman. I know that we can learn from this episode in the life of Jesus. Consider with me why our Lord described this Gentile lady as a woman of great faith.

Socially sensitive people are greatly concerned about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that continues to rage in the Middle East. Unfortunately, midguided political and religious commentators are adding fuel to the controversy. Who has the legitimate claim to the so-called “Holy Land”? This week’s Penpoints addresses this issue.

Some Jews adamantly deny that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah. They contend that the true Messiah is yet to come? Study this matter with us.

Modern critics are attempting to re-invent the reason for Christ’s death.

Did Moses really part the Red Sea? Was this event a true miracle, a contrived myth, or a natural event?

Do the signs of Matthew 24:3ff pertain to the impending destruction of Jerusalem, or do they depict conditions near the end of time? Some allege that Matthew 24:21 prohibits an interpretation that focuses upon Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70. Wayne Jackson responds to this objection.

An article, widely circulated in newspapers around the country a while back, announced that Jesus was coming “very, very soon.” Allegedly, “signs” in the Bible indicate such. In this week’s Question & Answer column, we respond to this baseless assertion.