Fortify Your Faith in an Age of Doubt

Modernism and the Virgin Birth of Christ

Author: Wayne Jackson

Does the biblical evidence support John D. Crossan's claims that Jesus was not virginally conceived?

John Dominic Crossan is no stranger to those who are familiar with modern attacks against the Bible. He is an emeritus professor at DePaul University and served as co-chair of the infamous Jesus Seminar—a conglomerate of infidelic, self-styled... Read more

May a Minister "Opt Out" of Social Security?

Author: Wayne Jackson

Is it a violation of ethics for a minister to "opt out" of the Social Security program?

“Is it scriptural for a preacher to choose not to be under Social Security? The government allows this, but only on the grounds of ‘conscience.’ Some brethren are opposed to this. They argue that: (1) The exemption constitutes preferential... Read more

The Continuing Search for Man's "Fossil" Ancestor

Author: Wayne Jackson

When you read of another new discovery relative to man's "apeish" ancestors, file it away; within a few months or years, the story will be different!

They frantically search for old bones to see who can “scoop” the other. Each of them wants to make a claim to fame for being the one who discovered the oldest “ancestor” of man. And really, they don’t care much as to how they achieve the... Read more

The Value of Life

Author: Wayne Jackson

Every life is a sacred gift from heaven intended to honor the Creator and prepare us for eternity.

The book of James has been called the gospel of practicality because it contains so many truths of everyday value. One of the dangers of which James warns is the pursuit of material interests to the exclusion of the Lord’s will (cf. Jas.... Read more

Does the Bible Refer to UFOs?

Author: Wayne Jackson

Does the Bible talk about UFOs? What is the meaning of Ezekiel's prophecy of a "wheel within a wheel"? Had the prophet seen a flying ship from outer space?

Could you explain the reference in the book of Ezekiel chapter one about the “wheel within a wheel”? Some say that this is an allusion to ancient visitors to the Earth in “flying saucers.” In recent times a few radical sensationalists have... Read more

Take Two of These and Don't Call Me in the Morning

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article discusses the growing inclination toward physician-assisted suicide.

Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.?), a Greek physician who is known as the “father of medicine,” formulated an oath which was the doctor’s ethical guideline for many centuries. A portion of that oath pledged: I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if... Read more

May a Woman Ask a Question?

Author: Wayne Jackson

This question discusses whether or not a woman may ask a question in a Bible class without violating the Scriptures.

“May a woman ask questions in a Bible class consisting of both men and women? If she may, how is this to be harmonized with Paul’s command that the Christian woman ‘keep silence’ in the church (1 Cor. 14:34)?” First, one needs to define the... Read more

Ethical Guidelines for Writers

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article discusses some of the ethical guidelines that Christian writers should follow.

Any writer is pleased when people value his work and wish to pass it along to others. Writing is a form of teaching, and a dedicated teacher wants his message exposed to as many people as possible. The Christian author rejoices, therefore, when... Read more

Language Keys that Unlocked the Past

Author: Wayne Jackson

Archaeology, time and time again, has confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the Bible as a historical document.

The Bible is a book of ancient history. Some of its literature goes back at least fifteen centuries before the birth of Christ. The Old Testament is largely the story of the Hebrew nation and the role this people would play in the unfolding... Read more

Is the Church a Reed or a Pillar?

Author: Wayne Jackson

A reed is a symbol of instability; a pillar signifies a solid, immovable foundation. The church of today must ask: "Are we a 'reed shaken in the wind' or are we the 'pillar and ground of the truth'"?

Jesus once asked regarding John the Baptizer: “What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?” (Matthew 11:7). A reed is a symbol of instability; it pictures that which yields to other forces. On the other hand, Paul... Read more

Elder Qualifications: What About His Adult Children?

Author: Wayne Jackson

Must an elder resign from office if his adult child defects from the faith?

One of the men who serves as an elder in the congregation where I am a member has a son in a distant city. The son, who is in his late thirties, has recently become discouraged and has stopped attending church services. Does this fact disqualify... Read more

Only a Step into Eternity

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article calls for reflection upon the need to be right with God, in view of sudden tragedies.

Ordinary human beings cannot peer into the future. Consequently, we can be compeletely unaware of dramatic events that are unfolding around us. Some years ago here in Stockton, California, a young, forty-three-year-old widow drove by our... Read more

How Do I Deal with Conflicting Emotions?

Author: Wayne Jackson

How does a single mother harmonize her love for an out-of-wedlock child with her lingering guilt of sin?

I am a single Christian mother. I made a serious mistake and conceived a baby out of wedlock. I love my little girl very much. I struggle with what I’ve done, but I can’t bring myself to be sorry that I have this child. She is the joy of my life.... Read more

A Skeptic Reflects upon Jesus Christ

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article discusses author Lee Stroble's interview with skeptic, Charles Templeton.

There was a time when Charles Templeton was one of the most popular sectarian evangelists in the nation. He was a bosom buddy of Billy Graham. They were, at times, preaching team-mates. During the 1950s and ’60s, Templeton preached to crowds of... Read more

The Creation Week--Reflections on Genesis

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article is a listing of some of the many truths to be discovered from a study of Genesis chapter one.

Man has always been intrigued with the theme of origins. Science, however, cannot satisfy that curiosity, for it cannot deal with the question of origins. That is beyond the scope of the scientific method, which requires observation and... Read more

Is the Bible Creation Account a Myth?

Author: Wayne Jackson

Is the common claim that Genesis 1 is merely an ancient myth accurate?

A student in my Bible class says he believes that the Genesis account of the creation may be a myth, or at least just symbolism. How do I respond to him? There are several lines of evidence which may be employed to show that the Genesis record of... Read more

Changing Theories in Astronomy

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article discusses the constantly fluctuating theories in the field of astronomy.

Recently I viewed a television program out of San Francisco. It involved a panel discussion between several prominent astronomers. The thrust of their exchanges was this: theories in astronomy are changing so rapidly that it is difficult to keep... Read more

What Does "Makes Her an Adulteress" Mean?

Author: Wayne Jackson

Whenever folks discuss Christ's restrictions on marriage and divorce, this question frequently arises. What is the meaning of the phrase "makes her an adulteress" in Matthew 5:32? Wayne Jackson answers this question.

One of the most frequently debated teachings of Christ is that of his restrictions on divorce and remarriage. Many of those discussions revolve around the meaning of one particular phrase found in Matthew 5:32. What does the phrase "maketh her an... Read more

The Anthropic Principle

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article discusses the so-called anthropic principle, i.e., the idea that earth's environment was created for the sake of mankind.

I have in my library a science book that was published almost eighty-five years ago. I recently noticed this paragraph. Read it carefully and tell me if you think it would be found in your child’s science book today. We cannot but admire the... Read more

Examining Premillennialism

Author: Wayne Jackson

Premillennialism, the doctrine that Christ will soon return to set up an earthly kingdom for a thousand years, is a popular idea these days. In this this article, Wayne Jackson examines this theory.

A flood of paperback books, advocating the theory of premillennialism, has invaded the religious market in recent years. One of the first widely-popular efforts was titled, The Late Great Planet Earth. It was authored by Hal Lindsey, a graduate of... Read more