Welcome to the Bible Answer Site, homepage of Don Stewart, The Bible Explorer™. The Bible Answer Site™ stands alone in what it offers those who are interested in studying the Bible; in knowing what Christians believe and why they believe it. We think it is the only place you'll ever need to go to have solid biblical answers to your questions concerning what Christians believe as well as why they believe. There are twenty-four courses on our website. The first twenty are in question and answer form. These twenty courses deal with the subject of "what Christians believe." In other words, they answer questions concerning the major doctrines of the Christian faith. Each of these twenty courses is divided into a number of major sections or topics. Within the twenty courses in this series there will be about one hundred and ten separate topics which we cover. What Christians Believe And The Case For Christianity The first twenty courses on the Bible Answer Site explains what Christians believe. We have also written and recorded a single course which explains why Christianity should be believed. It is called “The Case For Christianity.” This course lays out the fact that the Christian faith is reasonable and sensible and that a person does not have to stop thinking or exercise blind faith to believe in Jesus Christ. To the contrary, the evidence shows that the Christian faith is true beyond any reasonable doubt. We suggest that each student, at some point, also go through this particular course. It will be a tremendous faith-builder. As of this moment, the Bible Answer Site contains the following information . . · 10,801 total pages of written text containing Bible answers to the questions that you ask. This consists of over four million, two hundred eighty-two thousand words. · Answers to over 1,600 Questions about “What Christians Believe.” · 18 Complete Semester Courses (each with true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank tests, answer keys, final exam with answer key). There are six other courses coming soon. · 80 Stand-Alone Topics (each with a true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank test, and answer key) · Approximately 100 hours of MP3 audio. · Over 13,500 test questions listed in the various courses and topics. Course 1: Bible Basics What The Bible Is And Why We Can Trust It Course Explanation We live in a world where there is a crisis around the very nature and authority of the Bible. Can we truly trust what the Bible says? This course looks at Holy Scriptures and discovers what the Bible says and why we can trust it. Four Topics: Topic 1: Introducing The Christian Faith:What Everyone Needs To Know Topic 2: The Bible: Why It Is So Important Topic 3: How God Has Spoken To Us: A Look At The Various Ways He Has Communicated Topic 4: Ten Reasons To Trust The Bible: Evidence For Faith Course 2: The Canon And The Apocrypha How We Know The Right Books Are In The Bible Course Explanation Are the correct books in the Bible? After all the evidence is examined, we will discover that the correct books are indeed in the Bible. Every book that is found in Holy Scripture belongs there, and no books are missing that should be there. Consequently, we can have confidence that our Bible today is the Word of God; with nothing added and nothing missing. Five Topics Topic 1: Introduction To The Canon Of Scripture: Are The Correct Books In The Bible? Topic 2: The Old Testament Canon:Are The Correct Books In The Old Testament? Topic 3: The New Testament Canon: Are The Right Books In The New Testament? Topic 4: The Old Testament Apocrypha:Books That Are Added To Scripture Topic 5: The New Testament Apocrypha: Books That Don’t Belong In The New Testament Course 3: The Authority Of The Bible Is The Bible The Last Word On Every Subject? Course Explanation How are we to understand the authority of the Bible? In what sense is it the divinely authoritative Word of God? This is the subject of our course. Five Topics: Topic 1: Is The Bible The Authoritative Word Of God? What Does It Say About Itself? Topic 2: Inadequate Views Of Authority Of The Bible:Theories That Do Not Fit The Facts Topic 3: Is The Bible The Ultimate Source Of Authority: Does It Have The Final Say On All Matters? Topic 4: Bible Difficulties: Are There Errors In The Bible? Topic 5: The Historical Accuracy Of The Bible: Did The Events Actually Occur? Course 4: The Words Of The Bible: How We Know They Were Transmitted Accurately (Course In Progress) Topic 1: Discovering The Original Text Of Scripture: How Do We Find Out What The Bible Said When First Written? God has revealed Himself to humanity by means of a limited number of sacred books. These writings are found in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The sixty-six books of the Bible are the only written works that God has divinely inspired and revealed to the human race. This being the case, it is absolutely essential that we know how the text of these books originally read; we need to know the exact words the authors used. In this section, we will look at the subject of discovering the original text of Scripture – what did the books of the Bible say when they were first written? How do we know that they read the same way today as when originally composed? ourse 5: Bible Translations: What Everyone Needs To Know (Course In Progress) Topic 1: Introduction To Bible Translations And Versions: Basic Questions Regarding Translation Issues The Bible is the most translated Book in history – no other book even comes close. This is true because most people do not read the Bible in the ancient languages in which it was written. Therefore, they have to depend upon a translation to understand the message of the Scripture. Since this is the case, it is helpful if we have some understanding of the various decisions that have to be made to create a Bible translation. This section will discuss some of the main issues relating to Bible translations. Course 6: The God Of The Bible His Existence And His Ability To Be Known Course Explanation Does God exist? If He does exist, then what is He like? Is it possible for anyone to know Him? Questions such as these have troubled humanity from the beginning of time. We want to know if there exists a being that greater than ourselves. The doctrine of God lies at the very basis of the Christian faith – there can be no faith without God. In this course we look at a number of crucial issues about the God of Scripture. Five Topics Topic 1: The Existence Of The God Of The Bible: He Is There And He Is Not Silent Topic 2: The Doctrine Of The Trinity: One God In Three Persons: Understanding The Nature Of The God Of Scripture Topic 3: When The God Of The Bible Is Rejected: What Non-Christians Believe About God Topic 4: Mysterious Islam:What Do Muslims Believe? Topic 5: God And Us:God’s Involvement With Humanity And Our Ability To Know Him Course 7: God’s Nature What The God Of The Bible Is Like Course Explanation If the God of the Bible is the only God that exists, then what is He like? What is His character, or nature? In this course we look at the different characteristics or attributes that make up the God of Scripture. What can we know about God? How does He differ from us? What characteristics do we have in common with God? All of these issues will be examined in detail, as we look at the majestic and personal God who reveals Himself to us in the Scripture. Five Topics Topic 1: Introducing The God Of The Bible:What God Is Like Topic 2: The Attributes Of God That Belong To Him Alone: God’s Unique Characteristics Topic 3: God’s Personal Attributes:Characteristics That God And Humans Have In Common Topic 4: A New Perspective Of God’s Knowledge: Open Theism: Does God Know Everything? Topic 5: The Plan Of God For Humanity (God’s Decree):To What Extent Has God Determined What Will Happen? Course 8: Jesus Evidence For His Existence And His True Identity Course Explanation Jesus Christ is the most influential person who has ever lived. In this course we will consider the existence of Jesus Christ as well as what we can know about Him. Four Topics Topic 1: The Existence Of Jesus Christ:What We Know About The Historical Jesus Topic 2: The Reliability Of The Records About Jesus:What Sources Can We Trust? Topic 3: The Identity Of Jesus:Who Is Jesus Christ? Topic 4: Inadequate Views Of Jesus Christ: Explanations Of Jesus That Do Not Fit The Facts Course 9: The Life Of Christ The Greatest Story Ever Told Course Explanation Jesus Christ is the most influential person who has ever lived. In this course we will consider His public ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. The topics we will consider are as follows. Five Topics Topic 1: The World Into Which Jesus Came: What The World Was Like In The First Century A.D. Topic 2: The Public Ministry Of Jesus Christ:What Jesus Did When He Was On The Earth Topic 3: The Betrayal and Death Of Jesus:The Last Days Of Christ Topic 4: The Resurrection Of Jesus: Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? Topic 5: The Ascension And Present Ministry Of Jesus: How Jesus Left The Earth And What He Does Today Course 10: The Holy Spirit Who Is He? What Does He Do? Course Explanation This course answers questions about the person and work of the Holy Spirit. It will not steer away from controversial questions, but will attempt to answer them in a straightforward way, presenting all sides of the issues. Five Topics Topic 1: The Identity Of The Holy Spirit: Who Is The Spirit Of God? Topic 2: How The Holy Spirit Works: The Activity Of The Spirit Of God: Past And Present Topic 3: The Baptism With The Holy Spirit: Spirit Baptism: What It Means To Be Baptized With The Holy Spirit Topic 4: The Holy Spirit And The Individual: How The Holy Spirit Works With Believers And Unbelievers Topic 5: The Holy Spirit And Divine Healing: Does God Want To Heal Everyone? Course 11: The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit: What Are They And How Do We Use Them? Course Explanation The subject of this course is the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is an area where there is much ignorance among Christians as well as much controversy. This course looks at exactly what the Bible has to say on this important matter. Four Topics Topic 1: Introduction to Spiritual Gifts: Foundational Truths About The Gifts Of The Spirit Topic 2: The Various Gifts Of The Holy Spirit: What Abilities Has God Given To Believers? Topic 3: The Gift Of Speaking In Tongues: What Does The Bible Have To Say About This Gift? Topic 4: Are All Spiritual Gifts For Today?TheArguments For And Against The Cessation Of Certain Spiritual Gifts Course 12: The Unseen World Angels, Demons, And Satan Course Explanation According to the Bible, there is a world around us that is inhabited with spirit-beings that are unseen to the human eye. These beings include angels, both good and bad, Satan, and demons. There is much that the Bible tells us about the unseen world. However, there are also many things that we do not know. God has removed the veil around the world of angels, demons, and Satan and told us what goes on; but there is also much that is still unexplained. Three Topics Topic 1: Angels: Good And Bad: What The Bible Says About God’s Invisible Messengers Topic 2: Demons: The Existence And Work Of Evil Spirits Topic 3: Satan: Who He Is: How To Have Victory Over Him Course 13: The Bible And Science: Are They In Conflict? Course Explanation Is the universe a result of chance or design? Did humankind evolve from apes or were we made in God’s image? Does the Bible speak with authority concerning science? Many such questions regarding the Bible and its relationship to science are constantly asked. The need for a course on the Bible and its relationship to science became obvious. Eight Topics Topic 1: The Bible’s Relationship To Science: Does The Scripture Conflict With Science? Topic 2: The Biblical Doctrine Of Creation: What The Bible Says Actually Happened Topic 3: Evolution And Creation: A Comparison Between The Two Theories Topic 4: The Days Of Genesis 1: What Do They Represent? Topic 5: Biblical Chronology And The Age Of The Earth: What The Bible Specifically Teaches Topic 6: The Extent Of The Flood: Did The Flood Cover The Entire Earth Or Was It Localized? Topic 7: Dinosaurs And The Bible:What Does The Bible Have To Say? Topic 8: Scientific Issues In Scripture: Dealing With Scientific Questions And Problems Course 14: Genesis 1-11 The Early Years Of Humanity Course Explanation The early chapters of Genesis give God’s explanation of our beginnings. There are so many truths taught in this part of Scripture. This course focuses on the main issues found in these chapters. Our course outline is as follows. Five Topics Topic 1: Introductory Difficulties In Genesis: Some Basic Questions Examined Topic 2: The Genesis Creation Account (Genesis 1 and 2): What Does The Bible Say About It? Topic 3: The Fall Of Humanity (Genesis 3): The Explanation Of The Origin Of Sin Topic 4: From The Fall To The Flood (Genesis 4-6): Cain And Abel, The Sons Of God Topic 5: The Genesis Flood And Its Aftermath (Genesis 7-11): What Were The Reasons God Sent The Flood? Course 15: Humanity, Sin, Salvation: Why We Need To Be Saved From Sin (Course In Progress) Topic 1: The Doctrine Of Humanity: Anthropology: The Nature Of Human Beings According To The Bible In our introductory section of this course, we will look at ourselves – the human race. Who are human beings? Where did we come from? Is there any meaning for our existence? Are we here as a result of blind chance, as the theory of evolution says, or have we been created by a loving God? If we have been created by God, then for what purpose were we made? Also, is it possible to divide humans into different parts? Are we made up of body and soul, or body, soul and spirit, or something else? Does the Bible tell us why God made us? If so, then how can we find out what our purpose is in this life? These all-important issues, also known as the doctrine of anthropology, will be dealt with in this section as we look at the important topic of the identity of human beings according to the Bible. Course 16: The Church: God’s People In Today’s World (Course In Progress) Topic 1: The Nature Of The Church: What Is The New Testament Church? According to the New Testament, the church is not a building; it is people. Those who have trusted Christ as Savior are the church. We are His representatives here upon the earth. In the New Testament, there are a number of things taught about the nature of the church, and these truths should be studied. To begin with, there are some primary matters about the church that need to be addressed. When did the church actually begin? When will the church age end? Which people make up the true church? There are also issues about how the church is to function in the evil world. What is the main role of the church in the world? Is it to reform society, or to preach the gospel? It is important that we understand our mission in the world. The section covers such matters. We will learn who actually belongs to the church and what we, as the church, are supposed to do in this world. Course 17: The Afterlife Death, Heaven, And Hell Course Explanation What is the final destiny of a person who dies? Do they simply become non-existent at death, or does some part survive? If some part does survive, where does it go? Is that person conscious? Can that individual communicate with the living? This is the biggest mystery we all face? Is there life after death? In this course, we will consider what the Bible has to say on the subject of death, dying, heaven and hell - the afterlife. 8 Topics Topic 1: Death And Dying: The Biblical View Of The End Of Physical Life Topic 2: The Intermediate State Of The Dead: What Happens To People Immediately After They Die Topic 3: The Resurrection Of The Dead: What Will Happen To Humans When They Are Raised From The Dead Topic 4: The Biblical Judgments:The Various Ways God Will Judge The Human Race Topic 5: Heaven:The Biblical Description Of The Eternal State Of Believers Topic 6: Hell:The Final Destination Of Those Who Reject God’s Salvation Topic 7: Alternatives To The Traditional View Of Hell Topic 8: Living In Light Of Eternity: How To Live While Waiting For The Next Life Course 18: The Bible And The Future: What Is Going To Happen Next? (Course In Progress) Topic 1: Introduction To Bible Prophecy: What Is Bible Prophecy? Everyone wants to know what will happen in the future. However, finite human beings have no way of knowing what will occur beyond today. We do not have that capacity. However, there is a God in heaven who knows the end from the beginning. He knows exactly what will happen in the future. Indeed, He has actually told us about some events that will come to pass. These predictions are found in only one Book; the Bible. Bible prophecy is a fascinating subject. Before we look at the particulars of what the Scripture has to say about the future, it is important that we examine some introductory matters. We need to know such things as what Bible prophecy consists of, who are the true prophets and who are the false prophets, and how we can tell the difference. With the continued interest that there is in this subject, it is crucial that we know exactly what the Bible does teach, and does not teach, with respect to future events. This section will look into these issues. Course 19: Controversial Issues In Bible Prophecy: Areas Where Believers Disagree (Course In Progress) Topic 1: The Rapture Of The Church: What Is It And When Will It Occur? The Bible speaks of a future event in which living believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Their bodies will be changed from mortal to immortal. The dead in Christ will also be raised and meet the Lord at this time. This is various known as the “rapture” or the “translation” of the church. The fact that the New Testament teaches such an event is clear. However, a number of questions arise as to who will be participants when this event occurs, and when it will actually happen. Most Christians hold to the idea that everyone who is a believer in Jesus will be caught up to meet Him when this event occurs. However, there is a minority who think that only certain believers will be raptured while others will be left behind. For most Christians, this is not an issue. The Bible knows of no such thing as a partial rapture. The big question that divides believers concerns the timing of the rapture. When will it happen? Will it be before a time of terrible trouble that will come upon the world; the Great Tribulation. Will it be sometime during this tribulation period? Or will it be at the end of this period? Bible-believers are divided on this issue with good people holding each of these views. Our desire is to give the best arguments that each side puts forward in an effort to understand why the various viewpoints are held. As is true with many other issues regarding the future, whatever position we ultimately hold should be held with grace and humility. Topic 2: The Antichrist: The Final Caesar In the New Testament writings of John, he says that the spirit of antichrist was already in the world. He also says that antichrist is coming. These statements have been the basis for discussion among believers as to who, or what, John was talking about. Some see the term antichrist as representing all that is evil in the world. This evil attempts to oppose or replace Christ. Others, however, identify antichrist with an actual person who has appeared already in history, or who will appear in the future. He is also known as the “man of sin,” or the “man of lawlessness.” If there is such a person as the antichrist who will appear before the Second Coming of Christ, then how do we identify him? How will we know when he appears? Also, is there one antichrist or two? Will this coming antichrist be accepted as the Messiah by the Jewish people? Will he be a world ruler? What is the significance of the number 666 with respect to this antichrist? Scripture also says that this antichrist will force all people to accept his mark on their forehead or upon their right hand. This is known as the mark of the beast. This part of our course explores these and other related issues with respect to antichrist. We will see why some think antichrist refers to a spirit of evil rather than an actual person. We will also look at why others believe that the Bible is talking about an actual person who will become a world ruler. While believers will disagree with each other on many aspects of the study of antichrist, we all can agree on the fact that the spirit of antichrist, or evil, is certainly with us today, and needs to be defeated by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. This is one of the lessons that we can learn from this study. Course 20: Christian Living How To Live What We Believe Course Explanation For those of us who has trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior it necessary to know how we should live. The Bible contains all the information necessary for the believer to live a godly life. This course deals with some of the basic questions that arise as we seek to live a Christian life in an ungodly world. Seven Topics Topic 1: Introduction To Living The Christian Life: What It Means To Be A Christian Topic 2: God’s Plan For Our Lives: How God Guides Our Steps Topic 3: Prayer: What The Bible Says About Talking To God Topic 4: Sin And Forgiveness: What To Do When There Is Sin Topic 5: Winning The Spiritual War: How To Win Against The World, The Flesh, And The Devil Topic 6: Evangelism; Telling Others About Jesus: What Do We Say And How Do We Say It? Topic 7: Ten Principles For Successful Christian Living: Some Practical Suggestions Course 21: The Case For Christianity Convincing Evidence For The Faith Course Explanation Can an intelligent person embrace the Christian faith? Is it possible for someone to use their intellect and be a Christian at the same time? This course is designed to answer these, as well as other questions, with respect to the truthfulness of the claims of Jesus Christ. Course 22: The Jews, Jerusalem, And The Next Temple Are Long-Awaited Prophecies Beginning To Be Fulfilled? Course Explanation The Bible has much to say on other matters pertaining to the Jews, Jerusalem, and the next Temple. Jerusalem’s Temple Mount has already been the scene of many important biblical events. According to the way many Christians understand Bible prophecy, the Temple Mount will be center-stage for coming events that will signal the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. This course looks at the evidence. Course 23: In Search Of The Lost Ark The Quest For The Ark Of The Covenant Course Explanation One of the most fascinating subjects that a person can study concerns the most sacred object of Israel’s past—the Ark of the Covenant. The story of the Ark parallels the story of a nation who was called by God to be His witness to the world. The Bible records that the Lord supernaturally led Israel from a land of slavery to a land of promise. At the center of their journey was the Ark of the Covenant. Though the Ark has been lost for over 2,500 years the mystique that surrounds this ancient artifact is still with us today. Explorers are continuing to look in various spots around the world for this elusive object. The approach in this course will be to examine the Ark of the Covenant in its overall biblical context. Consequently attention will be paid to its construction, history, and meaning as well as its possible location. Course 24: The Gospel Of Matthew A Verse By Verse Commentary Course Explanation This course contains our own commentary on the Book of Matthew