Answers

Read thoughtful responses to a wide assortment of questions from Billy Graham’s My Answer column and other resources.

Why do you believe death isn't the end?

I know you believe in life after death, and I'd like to believe in it also, but I can't. I've had several friends die recently, and it seems to me that once you're dead, that's the end. Why do you believe death isn't the end?

A friend told me once that the Bible says we won't sin once we become a Christian. Is that true?

A friend told me once that the Bible says we won't sin once we become a Christian, and if we do sin it proves we weren't really saved. Is that true? I hope not, because I know I'm not perfect, but I have asked Jesus into my life and I want to go to heaven when I die.

My parents are opposed to my engagement because my fiancé isn't a member of a church, but I wish they'd see his kindness.

My parents are opposed to my engagement because my fiancé isn't a member of a church, but I wish they'd look beyond that and see his real qualities—things like his kindness and thoughtfulness, and other things I've always wanted in a husband. Aren't these the really important things?

Many of the people who go to church don't seem to be any different from those who don't. How do you explain this?

We recently moved to a part of the country that has a lot of churches. The thing that's hard for us to understand is that many of the people who go to church don't seem to be any different from those who don't. How do you explain this?

Does God expect the mentally handicapped to understand all about Jesus and the Bible before they can go to heaven?

I've started teaching in a special school for mentally handicapped children, many of whom have a very difficult time learning. Does God expect them to understand all about Jesus and the Bible before they can go to heaven? I don't see how they ever could, and it worries me.

Is it wrong for a Christian to make a lot of money?

Is it wrong for a Christian to make a lot of money? I've always been good at business and have been very successful over the years, but sometimes this worries me because I wonder if I'm doing something wrong.

What is your definition of sin? I hear lots of people saying one thing or another is sin but they don't always agree.

What is your definition of sin? I hear lots of people saying one thing or another is sin but they don't always agree on what things are sinful, and I'd be interested in what you say.

Where did the idea come from that Jesus would return to earth some day?

Where did the idea come from that Jesus would return to earth some day? I know it's popular in some circles but I never heard it taught in the church where I grew up and wonder where it came from.

My parents are always getting after me because I'm in my mid-30s and haven't gotten married yet.

My parents are always getting after me because I'm in my mid-30s and haven't gotten married yet, and they think I should (I'm their only son). I hope to get married someday, but I'm a very busy person, and also I haven't found the right person yet. How can I get them to back off?

I've never had anything to do with God, but a few months ago I became a Christian. What do I do now?

I've never had anything to do with God, but a few months ago I became a Christian. What do I do now? I turned my life over to Jesus listening to a radio program, but I've never been a member of a church or anything.

We lost almost everything in Hurricane Katrina, and with Thanksgiving coming up I'm having a hard time being thankful.

I hope you won't think I'm trying to put you on the spot, but we lost almost everything in Hurricane Katrina, and with Thanksgiving coming up I'm having a hard time being thankful about much of anything. What would you say to someone like me?

What is Advent? Billy Graham responds

We moved last year and got involved in a new church that's more formal in its worship than our old church. Now they are preparing for what they call the "advent" season, and I'm too embarrassed to admit my ignorance and ask someone what it is. Maybe you can explain it to me.