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Bible Studies/Questions Answered by Expert J.M.J. West

Subject	Date Asked
Some Bible Questions	1/10/2010
Q: Hey there! :-) As a part of my new years resolution, I have decided to read the Bible in its ... A: Q1. In Genesis 1:11, God produces plants. However, in Genesis 2:4-5 it says that there are no ...
One or three	12/30/2009
Q: brother west greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I have one question ... A: One of the three persons. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was WITH God, and the Word ...
Beggars Gate	8/23/2009
Q: M.J., I would be grateful for some help please. I have heard the words 'Beggars Gate' mentioned in ... A: Gary, Thanks for the question. I'm pretty sure that, if this is a biblical reference, it would ...
God's Word for All	4/7/2009
Q: I'm needing a more mature Christian,please, to help me find an exact scripture. Can you please tell ... A: Lisa, Thanks for the question. Your friend isn't entirely wrong, but certainly some clarification ...
Valley of dry bones	4/5/2009
Q: I am looking for a word or phrase in the Old Testament language for Valley of dry bones. Also a ... A: The valley of dry bones passage is found essentially in Ezekiel 37. Valley ...
Holy Spirit	2/26/2009
Q: How many people in the bible was recorded of have the holy Spirit. A: Angel, Thanks for the question. There are very many people who are recorded as having the holy ...
angels	2/9/2009
Q: when were angels created A: Cynthia, Great question. According to Wikipedia: "An expansion franchise, the club was founded ...
Changes to the Bible	1/26/2009
Q: Is there any specific verse in the Bible in which changes to the scriptures negate it's validity? ... A: Richard, Thank you for your questions and follow up. You have a few points to answer, but each is ...
Changes to the Bible	1/23/2009
Q: Is there any specific verse in the Bible in which changes to the scriptures negate it's validity? ... A: Richard, Thanks for the follow up. I've never really heard of the Council of Nicea being blamed ...
Changes to the Bible	1/23/2009
Q: Is there any specific verse in the Bible in which changes to the scriptures negate it's validity? A: Technically, any "change" which is substantial would negate the validity to some degree. By ...
new testament	1/16/2009
Q: When the apostle Paul wrote the new testament did he have such a thorough knowledge of the Greek ... A: Insofar as I am aware, St. Paul was relatively fluent in Greek. He was still human, and though the ...
Atonement	11/10/2008
Q: When God sent Jesus to the cross, is it possible that He was atoning for His own sin in failing to ... A: Brian, Thanks for the follow-up. I'm sorry you don't feel the answer was quite satisfactory, but ...
Atonement	11/8/2008
Q: When God sent Jesus to the cross, is it possible that He was atoning for His own sin in failing to ... A: Brian, Thank you for your questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. YOU WROTE: "When God ...
Tower of Babel	10/17/2008
Q: Are there any other instances in history that God scattered His children? (Forcing them to use ... A: Verne, Thanks for the question. In the very first instance, Adam and Eve are removed from ...
Original Bible Texts	10/15/2008
Q: I would like to know where the original hand-written Bible scriptures are now. From where do all ... A: Gina, thanks for your questions. <<I would like to know where the original hand-written Bible ...
Abraham	9/18/2008
Q: Did God get mad at Abraham's family because he married Sarah and then slept with Hagar and other ... A: Textually speaking, there isn't much to denote the anger of God with Abraham over this issue, but ...
bible	9/18/2008
Q: Is Luke 16:19-31 talking about heaven and hell or it some other place? Where can/does a person soul ... A: The Site says: >>Apocrypha Catholic Bibles, old testament has the forgoing 39 books, plus 7 books; ...
bible	9/18/2008
Q: Is Luke 16:19-31 talking about heaven and hell or it some other place? Where can/does a person soul ... A: Allen, Thanks for the great questions! I suppose this question comes down to: Where did we get ...
bible	9/17/2008
Q: Is Luke 16:19-31 talking about heaven and hell or it some other place? Where can/does a person soul ... A: Allen, Thank you for your questions. >>Is Luke 16:19-31 talking about heaven and hell or it some ...
gud day	9/9/2008
Q: what are the contributions of Jacob in Israel? A: I'm sorry, but I don't know fully what you are asking. Nevertheless, I'll take a stab. Let me know ...
Throne and Lamb	8/21/2008
Q: according to Bible Who is sit on the Throne in Revelation 4:10 and who is the lamb in Revelation 5:6 ... A: Hope this helps; these answers are pretty straightforward in scripture. The throne of Revelation is ...
Old and New Testaments	8/12/2008
Q: What is the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament? Are they both bibles? A: They are the two main divisions of the Bible (the word "bible" itself means "book", but because of ...
Bible quotes	8/10/2008
Q: I have two questions: 1. Does the quote: "Oh, how the mighty have fallen" come from the Bible? 2. ... A: Thomas, Interesting questions. 1) 2 Samuel 1 - it's in there thrice, verses 19, 25 and 27" ...
Quastion about the creation	8/5/2008
Q: i came across a question when i was saying to one of my friends that God created everything like the ... A: God does not have a creator, He is THE Creator, Himself uncreated. We know that the world is not ...
3 unclean spirits	7/11/2008
Q: In revelations it talks about three unclean spirits coming out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast ... A: The next verse of Revelation says of these frog shaped spirits "These were demonic spirits who ...
2Chron 7:14	6/27/2008
Q: this passage is "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves..." What is the ... A: Patty, thanks for the question again; I'm glad my first answer was helpful. (If possible, ask ...
2Chron 7:14	6/25/2008
Q: this passage is "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves..." What is the ... A: Patty, Great question! Some alternate translations of this passage render it thusly: "And if my ...
A Question	6/15/2008
Q: I do have a detailed question for you, in hopes of searching for the truth. There is an on going ... A: Great questions. I think the simplest answer to this is that if this is true: "Allah (AL=THE ...
Day of the Resurrection	6/1/2008
Q: M.J. West: I have been told by one who says that Jesus was Resurrected on Saturday or the sabbath ... A: The scriptures are pretty clear that Christ was resurrected on the "first" day, which would be ...
finally the light is shinning !	5/28/2008
Q: Oh brethren how long, how long shall We waver between two opinions ? If Jesus Christ is the body of ... A: Please do not spam the board. I know it feels exciting to think you are in possession of secret ...
I Kings 22: 24-25	5/17/2008
Q: King Ahab and King Jehosphaphat was deciding whether to go to war with the Syrians over ... A: Zedekiah was a false prophet who was pandering to the kings to tell them what they wanted. This is ...
Books of the BIble...	4/10/2008
Q: How do you know what books belong in the scriptures if this knowledge is itself not in the ... A: I've not ever encountered another answer that would permit one to have infallible knowledge of what ...
Books of the BIble...	4/8/2008
Q: How do you know what books belong in the scriptures if this knowledge is itself not in the ... A: Samir, Great Question! It is very true that IF we do not know without doubt that the books in the ...
Prayers of Jesus	4/6/2008
Q: Can you provide with all the verses where the bible says Jesus prayed? Thank you. A: Jesus Prayed! AT HIS WATER BAPTISM LUKE 3:21-22 NKJ 21 Now when all the people were baptized, it ...
Animal Souls	4/1/2008
Q: I'm not 100% sure I know what my United Methodist background says about this topic, I am a strong ... A: I'm afraid I'll not fare so well on this question as I've not read that book (though I am familiar ...
Animal Souls	3/31/2008
Q: I'm not 100% sure I know what my United Methodist background says about this topic, I am a strong ... A: Ecclesiastes 3:21 "Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that ...
Evolution and the Bible	3/21/2008
Q: What does the bible say about evolution? Is a Christian permitted to believe it? A: The bible is...pretty silent on the issue. Here is the Catholic take on this: St. Augustine once ...
Historical Jesus	3/20/2008
Q: Is there substantive proof of the historical Jesus? Thank you- Steve ANSWER: Yes. The New ... A: I doubt it. In part because most Christians wouldn't have felt this need to "prove Jesus existed" ...
Historical Jesus	3/19/2008
Q: Is there substantive proof of the historical Jesus? Thank you- Steve A: Yes. The New Testament. It contains hundreds of references to the man Jesus of Nazareth, who ...
Bible errors	3/7/2008
Q: Every word in the bible is true, thus I have heard. However, I have a list of verses from the Bible ... A: Because this isn't an original question, but merely a copy-paste job from ...
origin of bible	3/1/2008
Q: who wrote the bible and how was its preparation?is the bible coming with jesus as one document or ... A: The bible was not written by any one person, but rather a group of people over a long period of time ...
righteousness in christ	2/21/2008
Q: I am looking to find several verses in the bible that prove that we inherited Christ's righteousness ... A: Here are a few verses that might be what you're looking for: "This is the name by which he will be ...
sick children	2/14/2008
Q: I think there is a scripture in the bible that says something like mothers should not deny their ... A: Alas, this is a very difficult passage to pin down. It does strike a very vague chord in the back ...

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J.M.J. West

Top Expert on this page

Expertise

I have a wide knowledge of the Old and New Testaments, a working knowledge of biblical Greek, and a fundamental understanding of 1st century Aramaic. I can answer questions regarding the nature of salvation and the God-head, the relation of Christ to his Church, the nature of the Sacraments, etc. I do specialize in Catholic and Orthodox issues (why they believe in apostolic succession, or the Real Presence in the Eucharist, etc) and in giving biblical (and historical) perspective on such topics. I have a good working knowledge of the Pre- and Ante-Nicean fathers too.

Experience

I am the Director of RCIA, which is for people studying to become Catholic; I've done this for 2 years, and have over 5 years experience in this field. I am the official Catechist of Benedictine College. I am also a pastoral assistant at Benedictine College.

Education/Credentials
BA, Philosophy BA, History

Encyclopedia

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