Answers

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

Why should Christians help people with AIDS? Shouldn't people who sin have to pay a price?

I heard a preacher say the other day that Christians need to respond to the AIDS crisis by helping people with AIDS (especially in places like Africa). But why should we? Doesn't the Bible say that if people sin they have to pay a price?

I've been married three times. Does God reject me because I've ignored Him?

I've been married three times, and I'm thinking about doing it again with my current boyfriend, who moved in with me recently so we can see if it'll work out. Does this mean God won't have anything to do with me? I admit I've ignored Him, but I know I need to get right with Him before I die.

I try to pray and read my Bible before I go to bed, but usually I fall asleep. Should I just not bother?

I always try to pray and read my Bible before I go to bed, but half the time I fall asleep before I finish. Should I just not bother, since I'm not getting anything out of it anyway?

Our new pastor is kind of shy and not at all outgoing, which I think he ought to be.

Our new pastor is a very good preacher but he's kind of shy and not at all outgoing, and I think a preacher ought to be, don't you? Should I say something to him about it? Others feel the same way.

How should we respond to criticism? I admit I get angry and respond in ways I probably shouldn't.

How should we respond to criticism? I admit I get angry and respond in ways I probably shouldn't when people criticize me, but I don't know how to react any other way.

Do you believe everything that happens to us happens for some higher purpose?

Do you believe everything that happens to us was meant to happen, and that it happens for some higher purpose?

My boyfriend claims the Bible says children born out of wedlock can't go to heaven. Is he right?

I know I've messed up my life, but I don't want to make things worse. My boyfriend is demanding I get an abortion, but I don't want to. The reason he gives me is that he claims the Bible says children who are born out of wedlock can't ever go to heaven. Is he right?

I committed my life to Christ when I was a child, but now I wonder if I'm really saved.

When I was a child (about 8, I think), I asked Jesus to come into my life. I'm older now, but down inside I've always worried that my childish commitment wasn't enough, and I wonder if I'm really saved. What do you think?

What does it mean to believe in Jesus?

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? I have a high school friend who says I need to believe in Jesus, but when I ask her to explain she has a hard time doing it. Maybe you can help me understand.

My doctor wants me to take medication for depression. Hasn't God promised to heal us if we have enough faith?

My doctor is trying to get me to take some medicine because he says I'm depressed, but I don't want to. I admit I'm down emotionally, but hasn't God promised to heal us if we have enough faith?

If you were the devil, what would you try to do in the world?

This is probably an odd question to ask someone like you, but if you were the devil, what would you try to do in the world? And how would you do it? Don't worry—I'm not fascinated with the devil or anything like that, but I'm just curious what you'd say.

What's wrong with telling little half-truths that don't hurt anyone?

What is your definition of a liar? I can see why it would be wrong to tell a falsehood that hurts someone, but what's wrong with telling little half-truths that don't hurt anyone?