Isn’t Satan just a legendary figure – sort of a symbol of the evil in the world and in the human heart? I’m a fairly new Christian, and I can’t help feeling a little skeptical about some of the things I hear from other believers in this regard. What does the Bible really have to say …
Faith Q&As
I’d like to request prayer for a situation close to my heart. Can I send prayer requests to Focus?
How can there be such a thing as a single, integrated “Christian worldview” when Christians stand divided on so many issues? I’m forever hearing conservative evangelicals talk about the “Christian” or “biblical worldview,” as if that’s a term everyone recognizes, accepts, and understands. But I don’t think any such consensus exists. Everyone believes his or …
Has Focus on the Family reviewed William P. Young’s novel, The Shack?
Do you believe that God still performs miracles today? Christians who believe in “signs and wonders” say that we’re supposed to be doing the same works that Jesus did, “and even greater works than these” (John 14:12). Others claim that the era of supernatural intervention came to an end at the close of the New …
How can a nation that was built on slavery and that’s still full of racial discrimination today possibly have “biblical roots”? I’ve been hurt by racism in so-called “Christian” America, and I just don’t understand why so many conservative evangelicals say this country is based on “Christian values.” As an African-American who has faced racial …
Exactly what is “postmodernism?” I’ve heard a lot of talk about it lately. Supposedly it’s a great threat to Christianity in contemporary culture. Unfortunately, I haven’t found a comprehensive and easily understandable definition of the term. How would you describe the basic beliefs associated with “postmodernism?” Can you name some of the primary philosophers and …
Did God create evil? Some people say no. They argue that man’s free will is the source of evil. But didn’t God create free will? And doesn’t that make Him the ultimate source of evil? Doesn’t that make Him responsible for our sins? Is that why the Lord says in Isaiah 45:7 (KJV), “I make …
Will my pet be with me in heaven? I’m really sad right now because my dog just died. We’ve had the same dog ever since I was a little kid, and I can’t even imagine life without him. I asked my mom if I’d see him in heaven and she told me to go ask …
What does it really mean to be a Christian?
Does God speak today, or only in the Bible? Since becoming a Christian a short time ago I’ve been doing my best to grow steadily in Christ and walk closely with Him every day. I really want to know what it’s like to hear His voice and carry on an intimate conversation with Him in …
Don’t Christians and Muslims worship the same God? Ever since 9/11 we’ve been hearing dire warnings about the “dangers” of “radical Islam.” I’m as concerned as the next person about threats to our national security. Still, I can’t help feeling that this kind of talk is overblown. In fact, it strikes me as being pure …
How can our church encourage its members to be better and more generous stewards of God’s money? I’ve heard that Christians today are giving less than at any time in recent history. Why is this the case, and what can be done about it?
Why should I trust the Bible? I’ve heard experts say that the “canon” of Scripture was actually patched together at a relatively late date by politically driven church councils and ecclesiastical leaders who had agendas of their own to promote. What led these people to include certain books and reject others (the so-called “Apocrypha”)? Why …
If these are the end times, why should Christians pray and get involved in social issues? Many ministries like yours say that believers should be spreading the gospel, praying for solutions to problems like hunger and poverty, and working to shape our country’s laws. I have serious problems with this. My study of the Bible …
Can I really “do all things through Christ?” Besides being a strong Christian, I’m young, full of energy, and enthusiastic about life. As a result, I have big plans and want to do great things for God. When I talk like this, my family and friends tell me I’ve got stars in my eyes. When …
Do unborn children who are aborted or who die in the womb go straight to heaven? Would this be true even if the parents of the baby were not saved?
How can someone claim to be a Christian while continuing in sin? Recently I heard the testimony of a Christian woman who had left the abortion industry to become a leader in the pro-life movement. Most of what she had to say was inspiring. But she made one statement that frustrated and confused me: she …
