Answers

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

Is it true that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament?

Is it true that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament? I've heard people say that God was angry and cruel in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament He was kind and loving. Is this true?

What good does it do to believe in God?

What good does it do to believe in God? I've tried to believe and go to church and everything, but so far it hasn't made any difference in my life. If anything, things are worse. I'll be interested in your response.

Our church is in shock because our pastor died unexpectedly a few weeks ago. Why did God let this happen?

Our church is in shock because our pastor died unexpectedly a few weeks ago. He'd been here over 25 years, and we all loved him (and he loved us). We'll never find another pastor like him. Why did God let this happen?

Will God still hear my prayers?

Ever since I was a child I was taught to kneel when I pray, and this also has been the practice in my church. But now I'm having some serious knee problems and I really can't do this anymore. Will God still hear my prayers?

Is God in control of everything that happens—even evil things?

Is God in control of everything that happens—even evil things? If He is, doesn't that make Him evil also? And if He isn't in control, doesn't that make Him weak and less than God? I've always been puzzled about this.

Rather than overeating when you're stressed, seek God's peace

I don't understand myself. I've had a lot of stress in my life recently, and I've suddenly realized that whenever I'm under stress I end up eating more and gaining weight (which I don't want to do). Why do I do this?

Why do some people get all wrapped up in trying to predict the end of the world?

Why do some people get all wrapped up in trying to predict the end of the world? We've always experienced wars and natural disasters, and we always will. All those prophecies about the end of the world are just nonsense, in my opinion.

I've been teaching a Bible class at our church for several years, but I'm about to give up.

I've been teaching a Bible class at our church for several years, but I'm about to give up. The class is for junior high students, and I just don't feel like I'm getting through to them. How can I know if it's time for me to quit?

I understand why God is important, and I understand why Jesus is important, but what about the Holy Spirit?

I understand why God is important, and I understand why Jesus is important, but what about the Holy Spirit? Where does it fit into my faith? It's all some people talk about, it seems, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to believe about it.

My friend says he's interested in Christianity, but I'm beginning to have my doubts.

My friend says he's interested in Christianity, but I'm beginning to have my doubts. He'll ask me a question about the Bible I can't answer, but once I research it and give him the answer, he'll come up with another question. Should I just forget about him?

Our daughter is in her first year of college, and she announced over Thanksgiving that she's abandoned the Christian faith.

Our daughter is in her first year of college, and she announced over Thanksgiving that she's abandoned the Christian faith. She said Christians have always oppressed women and minorities, and she doesn't want anything to do with such a backward religion. Where did she get this?

My grandmother says she isn't going to make any New Year's resolutions this year, because she never can keep them.

My grandmother says she isn't going to make any New Year's resolutions this year, because she never can keep them. But I think it's still a good idea, even if some of them end up in the wastebasket. Do you think New Year's resolutions have any value?