Misconceptions

03
Oct
2022

We Don’t Know The Devil’s Name

Devil's Name

If you ask anyone what the Devil’s name is, they will almost certainly respond that it is Satan, Lucifer, or perhaps Beelzebub. This is what Bible teachers and Hollywood alike teach us, so it is understandable that most people will give one or all of these answers. However, this is a case where Bible teachers and Hollywood both got it wrong. In reality, the Bible never tells us what the devil’s personal name is.

Someone may say, “Not so fast! Both Job and Isaiah mention the devil’s name and the gospels mention Beelzebub.” It is true that these “names” are in the Bible, but there is more to the story. Let’s take a look at some of the passages where people think the Bible reveals the devil’s name.

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Misconceptions
18
Jul
2022

Your Pastor Probably Isn’t A Preacher

Preacher

The New Testament uses several words to describe the role of those who have the spiritual oversight of a local church. They are elder (or presbyter), shepherd (or pastor), overseer (or bishop), and steward. The word preacher is perhaps the term most frequently used by Christians to refer to a pastor. It is quite remarkable, therefore, that the New Testament never refers to a congregation’s leader as a preacher!

Most Christians use the words preacher and pastor interchangeably, but the Bible does not. The New Testament makes a distinction between the two roles. It is understandable why this difference is overlooked; most of us were never taught to notice the difference. Even well educated teachers and scholars typically fail to point out the differences in the two roles. 

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in 1 Timothy, Church Leadership, Misconceptions, Preaching
22
Nov
2021

How Long Were The Israelites Really In Egypt?

Israelites In Egypt

How long were the Israelites in Egypt? Conventional wisdom says they were there for 400 years. The problem with conventional wisdom is that it’s not always correct. Does the Bible say the Israelites were in Egypt that long? No it doesn’t, except in that one place where it does. 

When God “cut a covenant” with Abraham in Genesis 15, God gave Abraham a glimpse into his offspring’s future. 

13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” (Gen. 15:13–16 ESV)

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Genesis, Misconceptions
26
Apr
2021

The Real Reason God Rejected Cain’s Offering

Cain

Why is it that God rejected Cain’s offering, but found Abel’s offering acceptable?

“3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.” (Gen. 4:3–5 ESV)

The answer I was taught as a child in Sunday School was that Cain’s offering was inadequate because it wasn’t an animal. The idea underlying this is that for an offering to be acceptable to God it had to be a blood sacrifice.

Others have proposed that the offering was rejected because it was the fruit of the ground. Since the ground had been cursed (Gen 3:17) anything that grew from the ground was somehow tainted and unacceptable as an offering. Is it true that God only accepted animals as offerings? 

What offerings did God consider suitable?

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Genesis, Misconceptions, Worship
15
Mar
2020

Does The Bible Permit Women Preachers?

Women Preachers

There has been much controversy recently over the idea of women preachers. Does the Bible permit a woman to preach? Can a woman be a pastor? Isn’t a preacher and a pastor the same thing? Actually, they are not the same but even famous, well educated, highly credentialed ministers and scholars typically fail to make this distinction. 

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Church Leadership, Misconceptions, Preaching