Flames

PARABLE? Is Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus a parable?

Answer by Diane Eager and John Mackay The account of the rich man and Lazarus is recorded in Luke 16:19-31 and contrasts two very different Jewish people: an extremely wealthy man living an indulgent lifestyle in opulent accommodation, and a poor beggar named Lazarus who suffering from diseased skin (most likely as a result of […]

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Slaves Georgia c1850

Why is race so intertwined with slavery in the USA?

Answer by Steve Stranghoener Slavery was abolished in the United States in 1863 but Americans are still consumed by race. Racial divisions are deeper than ever, as evidenced by recent protests and riots, with endless wrangling over the amorphous concept of social justice where some have called for Civil War reparations 155 years after the […]

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People

HUMAN RACE? Is there only one race of man?

Answer by John Mackay Mankind! This word has been a great description down through the years of who we are, and what we were made to be. It is derived ultimately from the old English Mann Cynn, back though several thousand years of traditions in Sanskrit about the hero Manu who survived the big flood […]

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Ham on platter

PORK: If God forbad Jews to eat pork, can Christians eat it?

Answer by Diane Eager The short answer to this question is yes, Christians may eat pork.  To some people this seems like a contradiction to God’s instructions in the Old Testament, but to understand it we need to look at the total history of God’s instructions about what to eat. In the beginning God told […]

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Hair

HAIR: Did Jesus have long hair?

Answer by Peter Geyer and Diane Eager. Many people assume that Jesus had long hair. He’s the most painted person in Western art, and all the paintings depict Jesus with long hair.  Hollywood has done the same.  Often he’s portrayed as blonde with piercing blue eyes. But is that accurate? Unknown to most people is the […]

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