100 Bible Questions and Answers for Families E-Book

Alex McFarland

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Seitenzahl: 319

Beschreibung

More of your hardest Bible questions answered. In 100 Bible Questions and Answers, Alex McFarland and Bert Harper, veteran cohosts of the nationally syndicated broadcast Exploring the Word, tackled some of the most common challenges and queries people have about God, the Bible, and Christian living. And the questions have kept coming in. Now, in 100 More Bible Questions and Answers for Families, they're back with fresh research, timely insight, and more of their accessible, concise responses, equipping readers to - understand what Scripture really says about God and life, - discuss the Bible's most controversial passages and topics, - strengthen and grow their relationship with Christ, and - develop the confidence to support and defend biblical truth. Satisfy your curiosity and deepen your knowledge of Scripture as Alex and Bert guide your journey through God's Word.  

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BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC

Savage, Minnesota, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

100 Bible Questions and Answers for Families: Inspiring Truths, Helpful Explanations, and Power for Living from God’s Eternal Word Copyright © 2023 Alex McFarland & Bert Harper

9781424566815 (softcover)

9781424566822 (ebook)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Unless otherwise marked, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible, public domain. Scripture quotations marked KJV1611 are taken from the 1611 King James Version of the Bible, public domain. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Section 1: The Bible

1. How long ago was the Bible written, and who wrote it?

2. What were the original languages of the Bible?

3. How can we know the copies of the Bible we have are accurate?

4. Why are there so many versions of the Bible? How do I know which version to use? .

5. What is the Book of Enoch? Is it part of the Bible?

6. The Book of Enoch claims Eve had sexual relations with Satan to produce Cain. Is this found in the Bible?

7. What does the Bible say about dinosaurs? Are there dinosaurs in the Bible?

Section 2: Alleged Bible Contradictions

8. How could Moses have written the book of Deuteronomy if it records his death?

9. Why are there differences in the details among the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles?

10. How could God be “sorry” (Genesis 6:6) that he made people after making them in his image?

11. Did Jesus cast demons out of one man or two men (Matthew 8:28–33; Mark 5:1–16; Luke 8:26–39)?

12. Why does the Bible say God changed his mind but also says God does not change his mind?

13. Why does Jesus say we should “hate” our father and mother (Luke 14:26) when one of the Ten Commandments teaches us to honor our parents?

14. Did Jesus carry his own cross, or did Simon carry it for him?

Section 3: Old Testament Challenges

15. How were there “days” before the fourth day of creation when God created the sun and moon?

16. How old is the universe according to the Bible?

17. Why did some men have more than one wife in the Old Testament?

18. Why did God command the Israelites to kill all the people of some towns? Does that mean God approves of genocide?

19. How could King David be a man after God’s own heart even though he committed adultery?

20. Is the story of Jonah and the big fish a literal story?

21. Why did God tell the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute?

22. If God loves everyone, how can he say, “Esau I have hated” (Malachi 1:3)?

Section 4: Questions about God

23. How do we know that God exists?

24. Did God create sin?

25. What is the Trinity?

26. What does it mean to test God?

27. Does God really understand how I feel?

28. Does Isaiah 45:7 teach that God created evil?

29. Does God tempt us to sin? What about Abraham in Genesis 22?

30. Why does God allow people to suffer?

31. Why did God allow slavery in biblical times?

32. Why does God permit natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis?

Section 5: Questions about the Holy Spirit

33. Will we be able to see the Holy Spirit in heaven?

34. Will the Holy Spirit still be at work on the earth during the tribulation?

35. Can a Christian lose the Holy Spirit?

36. What is the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

37. What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?

38. How can a person walk in the Spirit?

39. What does it mean to quench the Spirit?

40. What are the gifts of the Spirit?

41. Does every Christian have a spiritual gift?

Section 6: Questions about Worldview

42. How do I respond to someone who says, “It’s true for you but not for me. I have my own truth”?

43. How can I know the teachings of Christianity are real?

44. How do I overcome a bad habit or sin in my life?

45. What does the Bible say about our use of media (video games, movies, television, social media)?

46. What does the Bible teach about social justice?

47. What is a Christian view of sports and physical training?

48. Should I have my children attend public school, go to a Christian school, or be homeschooled?

49. How do I keep my child or grandchild from losing faith while in college?

50. How can Christians claim to be pro-life and still support the death penalty?

Section 7: New Testament Questions

51. If Jesus is God, how could he be tempted by Satan?

52. What did Jesus do between the ages of about twelve and thirty?

53. What happened to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus?

54. If Jesus was already perfect, why did John the Baptist baptize him?

55. Why did Jesus say, “Blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4)?

56. Why did Jesus say heaven would pass away (Matthew 24:35)?

57. What does the word prodigal mean in the story of the prodigal son?

58. Should Christians observe the Sabbath?

Section 8: Questions about Jesus

59. Why is it important that Jesus was born of a virgin?

60. If Jesus was already perfect, how could he have “increased in wisdom” (Luke 2:52)?

61. Why did Jesus compare himself to the brass serpent of Numbers 21 in John 3:14– 15?

62. Does the Bible teach that Jesus predicted his death?

63. How long was Jesus on the cross?

64. Where was Jesus for the three days between his death and resurrection?

65. On which day of the week did Jesus die? Which day was he resurrected?

66. How do we know Jesus was resurrected?

67. Who saw Jesus after his resurrection?

Section 9: Questions about Salvation

68. Were people baptized in the Old Testament?

69. What is baptism, and why is it important?

70. How do you talk with someone who believes hell does not exist because God is love?

71. How can I know if I am truly saved?

72. Can a person lose their salvation?

73. Do infants and young children go to heaven when they die?

74. How should we respond to those who say there is more than one way to heaven or that everyone goes to heaven?

75. Can a Christian’s name be erased from the Book of Life?

Section 10: Questions about Marriage and Parenting

76. What does the Bible say about the importance of family?

77. What does it mean to be a godly parent?

78. What does it mean that God is a father to the fatherless?

79. What does the Bible say about sex before marriage?

80. How are children a blessing from the Lord?

81. What does the Bible say about child abuse?

82. What should our top priorities be in family life?

83. What is the biblical perspective on domestic violence?

Section 11: Questions about Church and Christian Living

84. What does the Bible say about tattoos?

85. What does the Bible teach about female pastors?

86. What is fasting, and should Christians fast today?

87. What does the Bible say about the baptism of infants?

88. What is the biblical view of suicide? Does a believer who commits suicide go to heaven?

89. Why is communion (the Eucharist or Last Supper) important for Christians?

90. What does the Bible teach about Christians and tithing?

91. What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol? Is it a sin?

92. What does the Bible say about gambling?

Section 12: Questions about the End Times

93. What happens after we die?

94. Does the Bible teach that we are living in the last days?

95. Do our pets go to heaven?

96. What is the importance of Ezekiel 38 in the end times?

97. What does the Bible mean when it mentions a third heaven?

98. What is the New Jerusalem?

99. Will there really be streets of gold in heaven?

100. What are the new heavens and new earth?

The Ultimate Question: Do you know for sure you are going to heaven?

About the Authors

INTRODUCTION

For more than a decade, it has been our honor to host the radio program Exploring the Word on American Family Radio. Every weekday afternoon from three to four central time (four to five eastern time), we communicate spiritual truths and enjoy phone conversations with thousands of people who have shared challenging questions and thoughts regarding the Bible.

After we published our first book containing the top one hundred Bible questions, we were overwhelmed by the responses of the thousands of people who requested copies. Many used the book to grow in their own faith, and others shared it with friends or family members. Still others used the book as an outreach tool to discuss the gospel with those who were still uncertain of their own relationship with God.

As we considered what to do next, we quickly realized that we were unable to include dozens of other questions in our first book. We could easily add a second volume to the series to answer even more of the top questions people have asked us over the years.

Our goal for the first volume was straightforward: define the question, consider the options and evidence, and propose biblical conclusions, leaving room for preferences where the Bible does not offer a direct response. Many people greatly appreciated our attitude of sticking to Scripture, reasoning from the evidence, and offering hope and help for the real-life challenges and questions believers and unbelievers face.

Before we dive into this second volume, we want to also share a bit of perspective from our many years of addressing controversial issues as ministers and radio broadcasters. First, a question behind the question often exists. What do we mean by this? Let us share an example. Sometimes a person calls in and says they don’t believe in hell. The person seems to believe what the Bible says on other topics but doesn’t want to address this issue. In conversation, we often discover the true concern or questions behind the question. Usually, the caller has recently lost a loved one and does not want to consider that the person could be in hell for eternity. This is understandable, and we need to offer compassion in such cases. However, we also must direct these tough questions back to the Bible, allowing it to have authority over our emotions.

Second, fruitful questions and answers come in the context of a trusting relationship. For example, we have had the same person call into the radio show on multiple occasions. As this person has come to know us and discovered our genuine desire to help people grow spiritually, they became more open to our discussions and conclusions. This trust often takes time, with some callers telling us they have listened for years before contacting us with a question.

Third, it’s okay to acknowledge gray areas or unknowns in Scripture. Yes, God knows everything. Yes, the Bible is perfect. But no, we do not know everything, and the Bible does not address every detail of life. Instead, God inspired the writers of Scripture to give us the principles we need to address today’s issues. When it comes to using technology or responding to cancel culture or even handling relationships with stepchildren or blended families, we look to what the Bible does say and do our best to apply it to areas that Scripture does not directly address.

Fourth, don’t forget the Holy Spirit’s role. We have God’s Word, but we are not God. As we address questions, we must also pray for those we serve and ask God to intervene in individual hearts and situations. Sometimes the issue is not an intellectual issue; it is a heart issue that only God can change.

We also want to impress upon you the importance of answering the tough questions of others. You may feel inadequate to address the many concerns of others, but Scripture says your efforts are vital. We love the third verse of Jude 3, which says, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jesus’ half brother wrote these words. Jude grew up with the Son of God in his home, and even he believed that it was essential to address tough questions in addition to sharing the gospel with unbelievers.

One of the best ways to share the gospel is by being strong in your own faith. The Great Commandment calls us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). We are good at teaching people to love God with their heart and soul, but we often neglect the mind. If we are to fulfill the Great Commandment, we must also be committed to loving God with our mind through growth and learning.

As we mentioned in our previous book, we have selected some of the most controversial topics of our time. You might not agree with every conclusion we give, especially regarding topics about which the Bible doesn’t give a direct answer. We encourage you to be like the Bereans. Acts 17:11 says, “They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

In addition, remember that we seek to know the truth in order to live the truth. James 1:22–25 warns, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

You may also notice that we have included a lot of Scripture in this book. This is intentional, as we want God’s Word to serve as our authority in answering tough spiritual questions. However, we also encourage you to look up the passages in your own Bible, make notes, and meditate on the Scriptures to better know and apply them to your own life.

Finally, we also want to encourage you to communicate with us regarding how this book helps you and to ask other questions you have. You can send us a message through AlexMcFarland.com or email our Exploring the Word radio program at [email protected]. We also encourage you to join us live every weekday at AFR.net or on an American Family Radio station near you. May God continue to bless your life as you explore the Word!

SECTION 1

THE BIBLE

1. HOW LONG AGO WAS THE BIBLE WRITTEN, AND WHO WROTE IT?

The Bible is a book that consists of sixty-six works, spanning three continents, three languages, and more than fourteen hundred years of revelation. Approximately forty authors, ranging from a shepherd to kings, completed its writings. Few books of the Bible specifically name their authors, but most clearly identify the main characters or the story they would tell. While we do not have absolute proof of authorship because no original manuscripts exist, we can construct a reliable reference for the books and conclude their authorship. This dating and byline are based on the language they used and repeated in other books, on historical references to kings and nations of their time, and on the biblical characters they describe.

The Old Testament includes thirty-nine books written over the course of one thousand years between about 1400 to 400 BC. Those books were written mostly in Hebrew with some Aramaic. Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy, by approximately 1400 BC. These books are often called the Torah or the Law.

The Historical Books (Joshua through Nehemiah) cover 1400 to 400 BC, including the history of Israel in the land of Israel and after their return to Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah. The likely author of Joshua is Joshua. Judges, Ruth, and 1 and 2 Samuel are attributed to the prophets Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. Jeremiah wrote the books of 1 and 2 Kings, whereas Ezra wrote 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Mordecai is the likely author of Esther and Moses of Job.

The Poetical Books (Esther through Song of Songs) include a variety of times. Job may have been the earliest biblical book written as it references events prior to the law of Moses though its date is unknown. The Psalms mostly cover the time periods of David and Solomon (around 1000 BC) though some psalms were written as early as Moses (1400 BC) or as late as the return to Jerusalem (in the 400s BC).

The book of Proverbs was largely written during the lifetime of Solomon—and mostly by King Solomon. God had answered Solomon’s request for wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:10), and as a result, Solomon was able to compose and comprise the wise sayings that make up the first twenty-five chapters of this book. Chapters 25 through 29 are also the Proverbs of Solomon, but Hezekiah’s men are credited with their preservation (Proverbs 25:1). Chapter 30 is credited to one of Solomon’s contemporaries, a man named Agur. Chapter 31 is credited to King Lemuel, but to give credit where it is due, the Word of God specifies that this final chapter of the book contains proverbs Lemuel learned from his mother. We know that the ultimate author of Proverbs (and all Scripture) is God himself through the Holy Spirit (see 2 Samuel 23:2; John 14:26; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 1 Peter 1:20–21). The Triune God—whom the Bible calls “the Spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10)—led Solomon to also pen Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs.

The Prophets begin as early as the 800s BC (as was likely the case of Obadiah and Joel), and the last prophetic books (such as Malachi) were completed in the 400s. The Prophets are usually divided into the Major Prophets (Isaiah through Daniel) and the Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi). They are named for their main character and also their writer, much like the Gospels.

After a “silence” of approximately four centuries, the New Testament was written in twenty-seven books that cover the life of Jesus and the first generation of Christians that spanned the first century AD. The four Gospels include three books likely written in the 60s (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Theologians usually suggest that the gospel of John was written between AD 70 and 90.

Acts was written as the second part of Luke’s gospel. It covers the period from the ascension of Jesus in either AD 30 or 33 to the imprisonment of Paul in Rome in about AD 62. It was likely written in 62 or shortly afterward.

The Epistles of Paul (through Romans through Philemon) were written during his lifetime. He became a follower of Christ by AD 38, within five years of the resurrection of Jesus, and died in the mid-60s.

Hebrews is the one anonymous book of the New Testament, and it discusses events that likely took place in the AD 60s or 70s. Its mention of Timothy, the recipient of 1 and 2 Timothy, suggests a time of writing in the mid-60s to late 60s.

The Later Epistles (or General Epistles) include 1 Peter through Jude and were all likely composed during AD 60s through the 90s. The authors included Peter (who died in the 60s), the apostle John (who died by the end of the first century), and Jude (the half brother of Jesus).

Some scholars suggest the apostle John wrote Revelation either in the AD 60s or 90s. The best evidence suggests a date of around 95–96, making it the final book of the New Testament, produced by the last remaining apostle.

The books of the Bible were copied and collected by the early church, with lists of most books noted together by the second century. The modern order of today’s Bible is largely based on Jerome’s translation of the Bible into Latin in the fourth century.1

2. WHAT WERE THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGES OF THE BIBLE?

The Bible’s sixty-six books were written in three different languages. The Old Testament, covering thirty-nine of the Bible’s books, was mostly written in Hebrew, along with some portions in Aramaic.

The Aramaic portions of the Old Testament include Daniel 2:4–7:28 and Ezra 4:8–6:18 and 7:12–26. Both books were authored during the time when Aramaic had become a more common language among the Jewish people. Aramaic words and influences are found in many additional places in the Bible. In particular, names of people, locations, and selected words in the Old Testament often use Aramaic, as both Hebrew and Aramaic use the same alphabet and are similar in structure.

Aramaic was the commonly spoken language of the Jewish people during the earthly life of Jesus, something that many New Testament accounts reveal, though the original manuscripts of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament were all composed in Greek. For example, in Mark 5:41, Jesus told a dead girl to arise with the phrase talitha koum. The words mean “Little girl, get up!” (NLT) in Aramaic. Ephphatha, used in Mark 7:34, means “be opened.” The word abba that Jesus often uses in the Gospels is also Aramaic, indicating that Jesus likely spoke Aramaic as his main language. Luke 4:17–21 also reveals Jesus reading Hebrew from the book of Isaiah in a Jewish synagogue.

The use of the Greek language in the New Testament is most likely due to its dominant role in the Roman Empire during the first century. Though Latin would later become more common, authors of the Gospels, Paul’s letters, and other parts of the New Testament wrote in Greek and gave the works the widest possible audience during its original time period.

The Bible teaches that its words are inspired, but scholars take much work to evaluate the existing early copies to determine the exact wording and to translate those words into modern languages. Until the Protestant Reformation of the 1500s, most languages did not have access to Scripture in their heart language. The work of scholars during and since that time have made great strides to offer access to God’s Word to many people worldwide.

Today’s translations of the Bible seek to use the best manuscripts of these original language documents to provide comprehensible versions of Scripture. While many readers today likely have access to the Bible in multiple copies or versions, hundreds of languages worldwide have yet to receive even one verse of Scripture in their own language. Of the more than seven thousand languages in use today, more than eighteen hundred languages still need Bible translations started, and many others have access only to portions of Scripture in their language. Further, some tribal languages continue to exist only in an oral version without a written alphabet or symbols, revealing the need for more work to provide God’s Word to “all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).

3. HOW CAN WE KNOW THE COPIES OF THE BIBLE WE HAVE ARE ACCURATE?

The original copies of the Bible’s books no longer exist. How can we know that the copies we have today are accurate? The process of providing an accurate Bible translation includes a close study of the existing early manuscripts and a thorough knowledge of the ancient languages.

For the Old Testament, many of its books have copies dating to the Dead Sea Scrolls that were discovered in the last century, proving that the manuscripts were in circulation well before the earthly life of Jesus and the writings of the New Testament. Jewish scribes meticulously copied the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah, to make certain no changes were made to the text. For other parts of the Old Testament, the multiple remaining early copies allow scholars to compare any differences to help provide an accurate original language copy for translators.

For the New Testament, more than fifty-eight hundred copies of handwritten Greek manuscripts containing parts or all of its books remain available today. Textual critics and New Testament scholars have painstakingly analyzed the differences among manuscripts to help determine the likely wording of the original text in all but a few places.

Nearly all of today’s modern English versions of the Bible include a team of top scholars in the biblical languages who have worked together under a careful set of guidelines to develop a careful, consistent translation for modern readers. Each version of the Bible may include its own style, but the translations are based on the same key manuscripts.

More literal translations are generally best for detailed Bible study as they use the closest possible words to the original languages. The King James Version of the Bible followed a literal approach and has remained popular for more than four centuries. Modern literal versions include the New King James Version (NKJV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), and the English Standard Versions (ESV). Additionally, a variety of less literal English versions exist. Some popular versions include the New International Version (NIV) and the New Living Translation (NLT).

Over the past generation, a concern has arisen over issues related to some translations being gender inclusive or catering to other political influences. Readers should be aware of these concerns. Details about modern influences and associated changes are usually available in the introduction to particular versions. In addition to reading the introduction or foreword in your Bible, we also encourage readers to note the textual comments at the bottom of the pages (especially in the New Testament).

No translation of the Bible is perfect, but today’s versions are generally faithful to the original manuscripts and fulfill the Bible’s command to preserve God’s Word as intended. The claims of some skeptics who criticize the Bible as being intentionally changed do not stand up to the evidence of centuries of research that affirms the high degree of accuracy of the Bible. As 2 Timothy 3:16–17 teaches, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

4. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE? HOW DO I KNOW WHICH VERSION TO USE?

There are various reasons behind the many English versions of our Bible. Each version uses a unique translation method, with many versions offering different insights into the understanding of Scripture.

One reason for the multiple versions of the Bible we have today involves changes in the English language. The words of Scripture have not changed, but the way we use our language has changed greatly over the past five hundred years. For example, the 1611 King James Version of John 3:16 reads, “For God so loued ye world, that he gaue his only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life.” Most of us would not understand this version today, and we certainly don’t speak this way.

A second reason for different Bible translations is based on translation philosophy. In other words, some versions take the most literal approach possible, but others are mostly literal, with some versions allowing more liberty to translate words and phrases into modern equivalents. This can be good or bad, depending on how the translation is conducted. For example, the English Standard Version is mostly literal and follows the same basic approach as the King James Version in using a team of scholars for translation. On the other hand, The Message is one person’s rendering of Scripture in modern English. Both versions may have value for comparative study, but a more literal version by a team of scholars will provide a reading closer to the original meaning of Scripture.

A third reason for multiple Bible versions is theological. For example, a particular denomination may have a preferred translation because its publishing company helped create it (such as the Southern Baptist preference for the Christian Standard Bible). This can be a positive move because it means the translation methodology is consistent with the beliefs of the denomination or publisher. On the negative side, the Bible used by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, called the New World Translation, intentionally changes passages, especially those referring to various names of God, as well as John 1:1 (changing “was God” to “was a god”).

How can we know which version to use? There are many ways. One important method is to read the introduction to the translation you are considering so you can understand how it was translated. Your pastor or church will also usually have a recommended version and reasons for it. Another approach is to use multiple versions and compare verses with one another when studying the Bible. This can be especially helpful when using a more literal version, like the New King James Version, with an easier-to-read version, like the New Living Translation.

We must remember that the inspired Scriptures are those written in the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Our English versions are intended to help us better understand these original languages of God’s perfect, inspired Word. As Psalm 119:105 teaches, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 18:30 adds, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

5. WHAT IS THE BOOK OF ENOCH? IS IT PART OF THE BIBLE?

Many people have asked about the role of the Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish work quoted in the New Testament book of Jude. Some have even claimed the Book of Enoch, also referred to as 1 Enoch, is a “missing” part of the Bible. What is the real story of this controversial book?

The biblical character Enoch is listed in the seventh generation from Adam. In Genesis 5:24, “Enoch walked with God: and…God took him” (KJV). Enoch apparently experienced a direct departure from the earth to heaven, similar to Elijah in 2 Kings 2.

In verses 14–15 of Jude, we read, “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’” The verses are quoted from a document known as the Book of Enoch.

The Book of Enoch was not written by the Enoch from Genesis but was a Jewish writing that existed prior to the New Testament. It was known to many people in that time period. Fragments of this work have been found in the Dead Sea Scrolls in Hebrew and Aramaic. However, the only complete copies are in the Ethiopian language of Ge’ez. It is uncertain whether the Ethiopian version is the same as the original version.

The existing version includes 108 sections that cover “watchers,” who were angel and human hybrids called Nephilim (as in Genesis 6, though it is uncertain how much real connection exists between the Genesis account and the descriptions in the Book of Enoch). The book also includes parables, information about astronomy, and various dreams, visions, and instructions.

The book is certainly not a missing book of the Bible. The Book of Enoch was written between the times of the Old and New Testaments. Instead, the case is an example of the Bible quoting from another written source as an example. However, it does not claim that the entire quoted source is inspired. The apostle Paul also quoted extrabiblical sources in the New Testament. In Acts 17:28, Luke quoted Paul, saying, “Also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” In Titus 1:12, Paul also wrote, “One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’” He certainly did not intend for the work of a non-Christian Cretan prophet to be considered inspired Scripture.

On a related note, it is interesting that the Mormon Church considers Enoch (what they refer to as 1 Enoch) as part of its inspired writings. Portions of Enoch are included in the Mormon book of Moses though it does not include the full Ethiopic version of the book as part of its writings.

Instead of viewing the Book of Enoch as a missing book of the Bible or an inspired work, we should consider it to be similar to other ancient documents. We may use it for historical or cultural information, but we should not consider it to be equal to the Bible.

6. THE BOOK OF ENOCH CLAIMS EVE HAD SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH SATAN TO PRODUCE CAIN. IS THIS FOUND IN THE BIBLE?

The Book of Enoch mentions the world’s first woman, Eve, having sexual relations with Satan and giving birth to Cain. Is this what the Bible teaches?

Definitely not! The view is part of what has been called the serpent seed doctrine. The view claims that the fall of humanity was primarily sexual, with the serpent tempting Eve to have relations with Satan. There are several reasons to debunk this view as historically and biblically inaccurate.

First, the view is not mentioned in the book of Genesis, the primary biblical account of Adam and Eve. Instead, Satan tempted Eve to eat fruit from a tree that was prohibited. She also shared the fruit with Adam, with sin entering humanity through their disobedience.

Second, the Bible specifically teaches that Cain was the son of Adam and Eve. Genesis 4:1 says, “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, ‘I have acquired a man from the Lord.’” Notice that the verse specifically says, “Adam knew his wife,” referring to sexual relations. Cain’s conception was the result of Adam and Eve’s relationship.

Third, Genesis 4:1 also specifically states Cain was “from the Lord.” This means Eve considered Cain a gift from God. How could Cain be a gift from God if he had been conceived by Satan?

Fourth, the rest of the Bible exclusively and repeatedly describes Cain as the son of Adam and Eve. In addition to the multiple times in Genesis that include Cain, the New Testament mentions Cain on three occasions (Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12; Jude v. 11).

Fifth, the serpent seed view is based on a twisted version of Cain as being “of the wicked one,” indicating he was conceived by Satan. First John 3:12 mentions Cain murdering his brother Abel, calling Cain “of the wicked one.” However, the same verse adds that the reason was that “his works were evil.” There was no reference to Cain being conceived by Satan.

In the eleventh verse of Jude, the author blamed wrongdoers in his time as going “the way of Cain.” The reference was clearly to Cain’s sinful actions regarding his unacceptable offering and the murder of his brother. Jude later quoted from the Book of Enoch (vv. 14–15) but did not describe Cain as being conceived by Satan.

Historically, some people have even used the phrase “son of Cain” to refer to those who do evil. The term has also been used as a racist statement. However, the Bible provides no basis for such teachings. Instead, Cain’s disobedience serves as a warning to those who would do wrong, especially in harming others.

The serpent seed doctrine has also been associated with the interpretation of the Nephilim in Genesis 6. Some argue that the Nephilim involved fallen angels (demons) who had sexual relations with women in Noah’s time. While this is one possible view, it does not have any connection with the view of Cain being the result of a relationship between Eve and Satan.

The view of Eve having relations with Satan is biblically, historically, and theologically inaccurate. The Bible describes Eve as the mother of all the living. Though imperfect, she holds an important role in Scripture and in the history of humanity.

7. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT DINOSAURS? ARE THERE DINOSAURS IN THE BIBLE?

Dinosaurs are an important part of historical study and remain a fascinating part of our culture, such as through the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World film franchises. What does the Bible teach about their existence?

First, God created dinosaurs along with all other forms of life. Genesis describes God’s creation of all animals in the sea, on the land, and in the air (Genesis 1–2).