When a person is saved, what causes them not to have compassion in there heart?

Sincerely,
Merciless

Dear Merciless,

When we first become Christians, we are only babies (1 Cor 3:1).  It is only after time and practice that we become mature and full-grown adult Christians (Heb 5:14).  Becoming a Christian doesn’t fix all over your shortcomings, and consequently, many Christians struggle with being compassionate, showing love, becoming unselfish, and a host of other internal battles.  We must be patient with one another as we all grow toward the Lord (2 Pet 1:6).

Why does the Bible seem to think either women are completely useless, women don't know anything, or women can't be good preachers or teachers for anyone (including men)?

Sincerely,
Woman Woes

Dear Woman Woes,

Any religious groups that treat women as inferior aren’t reading their Bibles.  The Bible clearly states that women are equal heirs of life with men (1 Pet 3:7).  Men and women are different, but different doesn’t mean one is better than the other.  The Bible is the only great religious document to treat women with such esteem.  Two books of the Bible are named after women (Ruth and Esther).  An entire chapter of Proverbs is dedicated to the worth and wonder of godly women (Proverbs 31).  While the Koran, Dharma, and Veda all treat women as inferior… the Bible protects your rights and esteems your value.

The Bible is clear that men and women have different roles within the church… but lots of things are different but equally wonderful.  Men are to lead the congregation as elders and deacons (1 Tim 3:2, 1 Tim 3:12). Women are to teach in more private settings and by their godly demeanors (Tit 2:3, 1 Tim 2:9-10). Husbands are to lead their families in sacrificial Christ-like love (Eph 5:25), and wives are to bind together their families by their respect for their husbands and love for their children (Tit 2:4, Eph 5:24). Yet, in all these differences, God makes it clear that neither male nor female is greater than the other (1 Cor 11:11-12).

    Recent research says that most of the first chapter of the Bible was written in 100 AD.  The part that is puzzling is that there are two ‘creation of man’ stories.  One is the traditional rib story, and the other is that He created them man and woman.  Which is true – if any?  Another part says that God created man in His image and likeness.  If God is a spirit, what are His image and likeness?

Sincerely,
Fabri-created?

Dear Fabri-created,

We don’t know what recent research you have been reading, but there is not a notable Bible historian on the planet that would say that the first chapter of Genesis was written in 100 AD.  Even if you only used the Dead Sea Scrolls, those manuscripts are dated around 100 BC.

As for the dual creation stories, the confusion comes when people read Genesis 1 and see that God made man and woman, and then read Genesis 2 and see God making man and woman all over again.  The key is to realize that chapter one is an overview of the entire six days of creation (which includes the creation of man on day six), and Genesis chapter two is a more detailed account of what happened when God made Adam and Eve.
Think of chapter two as a microscope honing in to get a closer look at the most important detail of the creation story – the creation of humans.

A divorced man meets his ex-wife and second wife in heaven; what can he expect to be his relationship with both of them?

Sincerely,
Theoreticist

Dear Theoreticist,

Jesus was asked a very similar question by a group of Sadducees in Matt 22:23-28.  Jesus’ answer was simple – there is no marriage in heaven (Matt 22:30).

Thank you for answering my past questions.  I would like to ask another one please.  I have wanted so badly to change things in my life to overall happiness, to a fulfilling job, having friends, a relationship, etc.  I pray all the time and ask for these things and trust that God will show me the way.  I have been praying for about ten years now and still remain stuck in life and in pain.  After a while, I feel like maybe God wants me to search on my own to make a change.  I then look for answers on my own as well and fail time after time, becoming so discouraged.  Either way, I am unable to make a change with or without God’s help.  How do I know if He wants me to stop trying so hard or to look for answers on my own?  Is it His plan that I struggle all my life or that I just accept my life and be thankful for what it is?  I'm confused because I've always thought of Matthew 7:7.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Adrift

Dear Adrift,

Matt 7:7 (and more specifically Matt 7:9-11) teaches that if we seek God, He will provide… but it doesn’t mean He will provide for us in the ways we expect.  Sometimes children ask their parents for a cookie, and the parents give them broccoli instead because what the child really needs is healthy calories, not junk food.  God provides in a very similar manner.  He knows what we really need, and sometimes He answers our requests in unexpected ways.

In 1 Tim 6:6, the apostle Paul explained that trusting in God combined with an attitude of contentment yields great gains.  Sometimes, our lives are already blessed; we just fail to count those blessings.  If every door seems to be shut, then the answer may be to find peace where you are.  We aren’t clairvoyant, so we can’t tell you why God hasn’t had things change in your life, but we can tell you that there are blessings hidden in life if we will accept His will above our own.  Sometimes, life seems like just a struggle, but we forget that God is disciplining us for our eternal good (Heb 12:6).  We can guarantee you that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord, but that is only true when we accept His purposes for us (Rom 8:28).