(Peer reviewed)
1) What exactly is sin?
Ans. We don't define sin by listing do vs don't. Sin is actually anything that isn't in agreement with God's standard and living out life independent of him. It is a state when we choose our ways instead God’s. Such a life would produce any outcome that would neither please him nor glorify him. Hence, it is a way we fail to accomplish our function as humanity to live in accordance to his ways and will. For example, like “When we lie or disobey, we’re choosing our way instead of God’s, and that’s sin. We can have David’s sin with Bathsheba, or God abandoning King Saul for not obeying God’s command to destroy all cattle.
Biblical References:
Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Explains sin as missing God’s glory or standard.)
1 John 3:4: “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (Shows sin as going against God’s commands.)
James 4:17: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” (Highlights sin as failing to do what’s right.)
2) Who made God?
Ans. Interestingly, nobody made God; He has always existed! He is indeed the creator! The answer to the question who made God has indeed no ending and it has to rest somewhere on a final answer: someone who is uncreated. Genesis 1 teaches us He is the creator.
Biblical References:
Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Establishes God as the creator, not a created being.)
Psalm 90:2: “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Highlights God’s eternal nature.)
Isaiah 40:28: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” (Reinforces God’s uncreated, eternal existence.)
3) Why should we read the Bible?
Ans. It is the Bible through which God reveals himself to us. It is a wonderfully equipped book which has everything in it that we can know about God, creation and ourselves. wouldn't he speak to us personally instead? He may! He can! But he always doesn't because he has already done such communication to our past generations and now he speaks through his Word: Bible. It carries timeless truth about his nature, character and will! For example, The Bible is like a letter from God, telling us who He is and how to live for Him. Reading it helps us grow closer to God, like talking to a friend.
Biblical References:
2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (Shows the Bible’s purpose and divine origin.)
Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Illustrates the Bible as a guide for life.)
Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…” (Emphasizes the Bible’s power and relevance.)
4) Jesus died on cross for our sins. But how can a God die? And if he died, who was controlling this universe?
Ans. This is an interesting question! The Bible teaches us that the God whom we worship is a Triune being! He is One being but unlike us, he is Tri-personal. He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Each of them is truly God but they aren't Three different Gods! This is something a mystery! Like, we have four gospels but we know gospel is only one not four! When Jesus died on the cross, he died as Man as a substitute so that we can be saved! Also, it is not Father and Holy Spirit who became man! Father was in heaven and working! what's more? If God could easily manage the sacrifice of Jesus for our sake despite the challenges of Satan and jealous Jewish leaders and cruel Roman empire, what's hard for him to keep controlling the universe? Our God is perfect planner! 😊😃😄
Biblical References:
John 1:1, 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (Affirms Jesus’ deity and incarnation.)
Philippians 2:6-8: “Who, being in very nature God… made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Explains Jesus’ divine nature and human death.)
Matthew 28:18: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’” (Shows God’s control even during Jesus’ earthly life.)
Colossians 1:17: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Confirms God’s ongoing sovereignty over the universe.)
5) What about other religions and deities?
Ans. great question! All the world religions are human endeavours to reach either heavenly state or to fill some purpose in their life. Deities they worship are their own ways of searching gods. These deities could be either personification of certain forces in nature, or highly revered persons later made gods, or some maybe merely imaginations. All this came to be into existence because of separation from God. The basic difference lies here: all religions teach we have to do efforts to reach heaven but Christianity teaches it has been done by Jesus for us! And if we are troubled by miracles of their gods, we should not forget how Egyptian magicians were able to replicate some of God's miraculous deeds. The Bible is full of such stories where other powers besides God himself are capable to work wonders! Even the Bible itself says that in future, many deceivers would come with powers of wonders. Miracles alone don't define God but as Egyptian magicians admitted God obviously can do genuine miracles that nobody can replicate!
Biblical References:
John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (Affirms Jesus as the only way to God.)
Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Emphasizes Jesus’ unique role in salvation.)
Exodus 7:11-12, 8:7: (Describes Egyptian magicians replicating some of Moses’ miracles, showing other powers can perform wonders but are limited compared to God’s.)
Isaiah 44:6: “This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” (Declares God’s exclusivity.)
6) Did Jesus ever claim to be God?
Ans. Yes, plenty of times! The only reason we don't seem to find his direct claims of God is because of our cultural insight. We try reading the Bible from our culture but the Bible also has its own culture. The Jewish culture would exactly know Jesus claiming to be none other than God by his words and actions. interestingly, it was the mere reason Jews religious leaders wanted to kill him! They would have no idea of God becoming human! Jesus claimed to be God in flesh! And even his disciple John connected Jesus with Greek concept of universal wisdom or word or logos in John 1:1-18 to make a point that the same being came to flesh on earth to be with us! We have bold claims like "I and My FATHER, we are One"; "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life"; "Every mouth shall confess his name and every knee shall bow down to him"; "Jesus at right hand of God"; "Jesus as Son of Man" etc. are some of his bold declarations that he is God! Next, another reason he usually didn't claim to be God is that his work on earth was to live a human life as a true man so that he could save us from our sins by imputing his righteousness onto us and taking away penalty of sin by his own sacrifice and canceling our death by his own death!
Biblical References:
John 10:30-33: “I and the Father are one.’ Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him… ‘We are not stoning you for any good work,’ they replied, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.’” (Shows Jesus’ claim and the Jewish reaction.)
John 8:58: “Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’” (Jesus uses God’s name, “I AM,” claiming deity.)
John 14:9: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (Affirms Jesus’ unity with God.)
Philippians 2:10-11: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord…” (Echoes Isaiah 45:23, applying God’s glory to Jesus.)
Daniel 7:13-14 (referenced by Jesus’ “Son of Man” title): “There before me was one like a son of man… He was given authority, glory and sovereign power…” (Links to Jesus’ divine authority.)
7) Why didn't God just destroy Satan immediately?
Ans. that's an interesting question! See, God could have done that! But he also have certain laws of himself! Being a holy and serious God, he couldn't let the Satan go unpunished. Satan's fate or future is already determined which is eternal destruction. However, He is just letting him to do whatever he can on the earth. This is a kind of tactics in showing how God could achieve his glory and goals out of chaos. The true glory lies in victory over the evil. And God is also trying to show how the kingdom differs when Satan rules and when God rules. He has also granted humans a free choice of living so that they can freely choose between the two: Satan or God. See! our God doesn't force anything or anyone ! Yes, it could have been better if God had taken away Satan from the scene! But he had some plan instead! In our language, he had some goals to accomplish! He is trying to show how he can also use evil for a good outcome! Hence, he didn't set Satan aside but he ultimately came to the field and co-worked with humans indeed and participated until the ultimate victory over the Satan! This could be the best alternative of showing God's glory, love, mercy, grace and justice to humanity!
God could stop Satan, but He’s waiting to show how strong and loving He is. He lets us choose Him freely, and one day, Satan will be gone forever!
Biblical References:
Revelation 20:10: “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur… tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Confirms Satan’s ultimate defeat.)
Job 1:6-12: (Shows God allowing Satan to act within limits, demonstrating His control.)
Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” (Supports God using evil for good purposes.)
2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise… he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (Explains God’s patience, allowing time for human choice.)
John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Affirms Jesus’ victory over evil.)
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