Did the first-century Christians employ mechanical instruments of music in their worship of God? If so, where is the evidence of such? If not, why did they refrain from such when instruments were readily available in that era?

Is the doctrine of eternal punishment in hell consistent with the idea of a good and loving God?

What is the meaning in 1 Peter 3:18 where the Bible says that Jesus preached the gospel to spirits in prison?

In times of great crisis, people cry out to God in prayer. While this is understandable, prayers for the dead are both futile, and contrary to biblical truth.

Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea who presided at the trial of Jesus, was truly a tragic character. Yet, he was providentially used by God to establish the innocence of Christ. Wayne Jackson takes a look at Pilate in this week’s Penpoints.

Some lessons in life are worth more than money could buy. There was one such lesson in my early life that was of much greater value than “the nickel” that was involved.

A kindly friend comes calling with a tract on “How To Have a Home In Heaven.” Unquestionably they are sincere. But is sincerity a valid substitute for truth? Jason Jackson addresses this issue.

Homosexuality is not the fun and free lifestyle that the media images we see everyday portray. It is a destructive and damnable pattern of behavior that is characterized as sinful rebellion against our Creator. But it can be overcome.

Rehoboam was a reckless king over the nation of Judah and his folly caused spiritual decay among the Lord’s people. What lessons might one learn from this tragic circumstance in ancient history?

Once we cease struggling with our faith, and let it slide, we are headed down a slippery slope that may lead to eternal ruin. What a horrible thought to contemplate. Lord, I believe; but help me in my times of unbelief!

Man has ever entertained the hope that there is more to human existence that the experiences of earthly life. Even skeptics have a difficult time quenching this desire.

In response to a recent article in which we argued that instrumental music in Christian worship is without divine authority, a critic replied by suggesting that we practice many things in Christianity that are bereft of authority. One example he cited was the use of Bible translations. In this week’s Penpoints, we refute this baseless quibble.

Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” continues to generate controversy —especially the prolonged scenes of violence. How does this emphasis compare to the Gospel accounts of the death of Christ? Read this week’s Penpoints for a discussion of this matter.

Some allege that the Gospel Accounts—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—reflect Old Testament legislation, and therefore these books do not constitute an authoritative body of instruction for Christians. This article addresses the fallacy of this kind of reasoning.

Some songs certainly are unscriptural. But we should be sure that we do not irrationally object to songs based on our own misunderstanding of the Scriptures.

Does Hebrews 2:16 teach that there is no plan of salvation for the angels who fell from God’s favor?

The controversy concerning the so-called “Shroud of Turin” comes and goes. Is this piece of cloth, so venerated by the Roman Catholic Church, really the burial shroud of Jesus?

In this article, Jason Jackson considers the divine imperative, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it” (Eph. 5:25). A husband, living like God wants him to live, will learn to love his wife according to Christ’s example, giving himself selflessly for her spiritual needs. That is agape — a Christian husband’s eternally rewarding obligation.

Can a person uphold the value of life and at the same time argue for the death penalty? The truth is — we esteem life as sacred when we support the principle of capital punishment.

Bertrand Russell once claimed that Jesus, if he ever really existed, was obviously wrong about his second coming. Was the atheist correct?