I am an elderly Christian who can find himself in discussions about burial plans. When I share that my remains will be donated for medical research, some people react negatively. Please comment.
Big Questions
Our panel of contributors replies to questions from readers on topics like these: ethics, relationships, missional living, faith formation, vocation/calling, digital life, church/Bible/doctrine, and stewardship. Got a question you’d like answered?
School is the most straightforward way to get this kind of education, but it’s not the only way nor even always the best way.
I suspect that you want to see God at work—even long to—but the possibility often seems quite elusive.
Occasionally I cannot honestly sing all the words of a song. With “Amazing Grace,” for example, I would be lying if I sang “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.” I did not have a Damascus Road experience. What should I do when I cannot honestly sing some lines in church?
Should we connect with a former daughter-in-law for the sake of our grandkids when our son would feel betrayed by our having any connection?
We are constantly told that voting is our civic duty. Is this true? And if voting is a civic duty, is it also a moral duty?
My mom took a phone call from someone claiming to be her granddaughter, saying she had been in a car crash, was in jail, and needed help. Thankfully Mom figured out it wasn’t her grandchild and hung up. How do we guard ourselves from scammers?
A number of people around me are switching jobs. How do I know if I should be doing the same?
When our pastor prays, he uses the word “Lord” or “Father God” in nearly every sentence, sometimes more. Is it wrong for me to be annoyed by this?
- September 9, 2024| |
What would extraterrestrial intelligence mean for our faith?
I am concerned that by preserving my marriage I am compromising myself and risking my emotional, mental, and physical health.
Do some methods cause us to multitask too many things? Do some of the things churches do during communion, such playing music, make it hard for us to meditate?
God is at work wherever the Spirit has placed us, and we are sent to remain.
Skepticism regarding human nature is certainly warranted, and even wise.
It’s been more than a year since artificial intelligence—especially generative artificial intelligence—took over technology news.
A friend with a serious illness recovered quickly. He believes that God miraculously healed him. Medical websites say some people with that illness naturally recover quickly. Should I tell him?
Friends of mine are struggling to decide whether they should move for a job. It sounds like a great opportunity for her, but she and her family are happy here. What advice can I give them, and how do I support them?
There are real forces of evil at work in the world, so it can be tempting to conflate spiritual warfare and culture war. But it is also dangerous.
It’s clear our college-age children are living with their partners out of wedlock. We know breaking ties is not a good response, but how do we convey our disapproval?
We recently moved into a neighborhood where not many seem to know about our Reformed faith. How quickly should we bring this into conversations? Or do we leave it out unless asked?
When someone needs help, is praying for them enough? Or should Christians do more to directly help?
A fellow church council member insists that having doubts about our faith is not something “real” believers would experience. It’s made me even more doubtful. What should I do?
We continue to fight with our teenagers about being on their phones when we’re together. My husband’s constant glancing at his phone isn’t helping. Is this just a modern problem I need to learn to live with?
I’ve heard Christians say that COVID vaccines are “against their religion.” What do they mean? Does the Christian Reformed Church have a position?