The Bible Line - February 26, 2013

Raleigh, NC A listener is confused on the demoniac Jesus healed.  Why did he not let him follow?  Why did Jesus destroy the business of the herders by casting the demons into the swine?

Los Angeles, CA Pastor I have a friend who says he found an error in the Bible.  He said that Matthew 9:18 and Mark 5:22 contradict each other.  I know there are no errors.  

Scott, Springfield, GA I've heard it pointed out in Matthew 24 that when Jesus says that not one stone will be left on another concerning the temple (vs.2), and that because of verse 34 that this complete destruction was supposed to take place within their generation that the Bible is wrong due to only a partial destruction which left the western wall in existence, not to mention that Jesus' second coming also wasn't within their generation.

A caller has had conversations with relatives who say that Christians have a responsibility to address social issues (for example, being active in their communities to help those in need). How do Christians balance our social obligation to help others against our Christians need for righteousness? Should we as a church go and assist with community projects or should our main focus be to assemble ourselves and "bring the community" to the church so that they can hear the Gospel? The relatives seem to have some disdain for some Christians because they don't feel they do enough. How does this caller answer these relatives when they bring this up?

A listener in Augusta, GA In Genesis 17:17, the bible says "Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” and then in Luke 1:18-20, scripture says "Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years. The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Why was God displeased with Zechariah's response and pleased with Abraham's?

Lisa, Bluffton, SC What is your opinion about Christian dating websites? I'm 30 years old, never been married, and would like to meet someone special. I work a full-time job and don't go out really besides going to church, so it's very hard for me to meet people. I almost signed up on ChristianMingle.com but I just can't in good conscience go through with it without hearing your opinion first.

In Ecclesiastes 3:21 Solomon addresses the "spirit of man going upward and the spirit of animals going downward"...does this indicate that animals have a spirit?

A listener's granddaughter wants to know "If Eve had only eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and Adam had not, what would have happened."

In light of the recent decision of the United States government to allow women in combat, what does the Bible say about this issue?