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Churches Of Christ/Questions Answered by Expert Hoyt Roberson
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Bible questions | 1/21/2012 |
| Q: Does the Bible support ordination of women to pastoral ministry or not? A: Well, we have two answers to this question. The first is the regular Church of Christ answer which ... | |
| Bible questions | 1/19/2012 |
| Q: John 19:31,Mat.12:39-40 When was Jesus crucified on which day of the week? A: Sorry for the delay. The John passage refers to the "day of preparation," the day before the ... | |
| Bible questions | 1/17/2012 |
| Q: Lev.25:2-7 Explain this verse and why don't we get a Sabbath rest from tithing every seventh year? A: Land laying "fallow" is a well known agricultural necessity. Land that is worked hard every year ... | |
| Bible questions | 1/14/2012 |
| Q: Mark 2:27 Was Sabbath made for man Jews or for everyone all mankind? A: Qhelisa The context of this verse does not consider whether the Sabbath was made for Jews or all ... | |
| Divorce | 11/19/2011 |
| Q: Regarding Divorce. We have children , but not ours. He has a daughter and a step son, (we have a ... A: Good afternoon, Lynn [disclaimer: I am not familiar with Family Law in California and am not a ... | |
| Sin | 11/15/2011 |
| Q: We all know even Christians are not perfect and have struggles. We also know that Sanctification ... A: When does sin become a serious problem in a Christian's life? Let's start from a bit further back in ... | |
| Question | 10/31/2011 |
| Q: My question is which bible translation is the closet to the Greek that the new testament was written ... A: Josh, The questions about accurate translations and which are closest to the Greek are hotly ... | |
| Saved? | 10/7/2011 |
| Q: I recently had a campus pastor tell one of my recent graduates that he isn't saved. He has been ... A: Hey Mark, While Churches of Christ do place a lot of emphasis on baptism, the specifics of that ... | |
| Hell | 10/2/2011 |
| Q: my question is can a christian go to hell? Can one loose their salvation? A: Church of Christ teaching is that yes, a Christian can lose their salvation. This is based on Paul's ... | |
| Matt 7:21-23 | 9/7/2011 |
| Q: what is your thoughts on Matt 7:21-23? With these verses in mind what is your thoughts on the will ... A: Josh, These two verses have two points of departure for me. The first is the idea of prophets, ... | |
| Four gospels | 8/27/2011 |
| Q: Are the four gospels still under the mosaic law since Jesus didn't die till the end of each gospel? ... A: Hey Josh! Chronologically the Gospels describe events prior to the death of Jesus. However, they ... | |
| Fellowship with liberal and conservative brethren | 7/3/2011 |
| Q: Is it wrong to have fellowship with liberal and conservative churches of Christ? Which of the two of ... A: Dan You ask a couple different questions, actually. We don't actually fellowship congregations, we ... | |
| Church Choice | 5/11/2011 |
| Q: ..I've recently moved to a new state and am trying to find a church. I had only started attending ... A: You're welcome. "Following Scripture" is an interesting concept. As I said, there are variations of ... | |
| Church Choice | 5/10/2011 |
| Q: ..I've recently moved to a new state and am trying to find a church. I had only started attending ... A: Shannon, The answer to you question depends largely on what you think "right" is. There are any ... | |
| sin/willfull sin/ lawlessness | 4/12/2011 |
| Q: I love God and I pray everyday, and I go out and spread his word to people in other towns and I ... A: Josh. Yes, it is willful sin; no you are not practicing lawlessness. As John tells us in his ... | |
| hello | 3/20/2011 |
| Q: i just got divorced.iwas a widower over 6 years.had a wonderful marriage of almost 34years. there ... A: David, I'm sorry for both your loss and the divorce. But...... Give yourself a break. God will ... | |
| salvation | 2/22/2011 |
| Q: My son is being baptized this Sunday and i was going over a couple of verses with him on why baptism ... A: Cindy, My first observation is, if your husband accepts faith only, then he must believe your son ... | |
| Ghosts - What does the bible say? | 2/16/2011 |
| Q: Hoyt, I have never believed in ghosts mainly because I was raised to not believe. However, I know a ... A: The most famous, if not the only reference to a "presence of a dead person" is when the Witch of ... | |
| Remarriage | 1/19/2011 |
| Q: I'm not allowed to teach and preach because of a past marriage. A member in the congregation decided ... A: Wilfredo, (sorry for the delay; I thought I had already answered this but it appears I have not.) ... | |
| Marrage..divorce and Remarrage | 1/16/2011 |
| Q: I was reviewing your discussion on this topic and would love for you to expand on your view. I ... A: Jim Following the exile, Ezra and Nehemiah found that some Hebrews had married foreign wives and ... | |
| Perpetual Adultery | 1/11/2011 |
| Q: I was in discussion with a minister who claims that one who is in a second marriage that was not ... A: Yes, this is a common argument. Unfortunately, the view is considerably flawed. God does not pretend ... | |
| Perpetual Adultery | 1/10/2011 |
| Q: I was in discussion with a minister who claims that one who is in a second marriage that was not ... A: Ethan, Since you asked for my thoughts, these are them: The minister is missing the point and is ... | |
| worship | 1/6/2011 |
| Q: Are there other churches than Church of Christ that's Biblically acceptable? A: Mr. Jones, Many churches of Christ would answer "no," and would do so on the basis of patternism. ... | |
| about religion | 1/3/2011 |
| Q: I used to wonder about God, so I studied the bible and wondered who wrote it..because some of the ... A: The Bible is a collection of writings about God and His creation, including people. It is not ... | |
| Marriage-how best to arrange it | 11/8/2010 |
| Q: I wish you help me out in this. A christian brother, on engaging a sister, opt she put-up with him ... A: My advice is that the couple seek pre-marital counseling. There is no Scripture for pre-marital ... | |
| reverend | 7/28/2010 |
| Q: can you please tell me where the verse is at in the bible that has the word reverend in it. thanks ... A: Rita, According to Biblegateway.com, "reverend" appears in the KJV, Psalm 111.9. According to the ... | |
| Commonality of Scriptures | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: "What do the following scriptures have in common: Psalm 2:6-7, 2 Samuel 7:12-17, Psalm:4, Psalm 45, ... A: Well, let's look... Psa 2:6 "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." Psa 2:7 I ... | |
| Clarification for Hebrews 2:5-8 | 5/4/2010 |
| Q: I keep reading this and trying to get a picture in my mind, spiritually as well as intellectually ... A: Darlene, To directly answer your question, the Son of Man is Jesus; the angels are heavenly ... | |
| Stone vs Campbell | 3/15/2010 |
| Q: Now I do have a question (or 3). While I've heard the names of "Barton W. Stone" and "Alexander ... A: Both Stone and Campbell, if memory serves, were originally Presbyterian ministers, went through a ... | |
| Marriage/ divorce | 12/31/2009 |
| Q: Since reading your response, I decided to talk to my husband regarding his first marriage, asking ... A: Michelle, If you were members in the congregation of which I am an elder, I would tell you that ... | |
| Marriage/ divorce | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: I have a question regarding divorce and need answers. I am a member of a church of Christ. I have ... A: Michelle, In short, you're worrying too much about stuff that doesn't matter - really. Depending on ... | |
| Regulative Principle of Worship | 12/5/2009 |
| Q: I put this question to Onaga but, as far as I can discern, he didn't really respond to it. So, I'm ... A: Several questions there;) The problem with principles of any type is that they come to be seen as ... | |
| baptism | 10/26/2009 |
| Q: My question is in response to your answer of "Churches Of Christ - Is sprinkling baptism? Expert: ... A: I agree with your conclusion that a child cannot decide to be baptized. I would go further and argue ... | |
| Divorce. | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I have been married for three years.During these three years, I have dealt with physical abuse, and ... A: The first half of your follow-up sounds pretty good to me, and demonstrates that you have reflected ... | |
| Divorce. | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I have been married for three years.During these three years, I have dealt with physical abuse, and ... A: You have have asked several questions, but it seems your question is really rather simple. Are you ... | |
| Instruments | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: I appreciate your considered answers to so many questions by others. I a not from a churches of ... A: Luke, The standard Church of Christ reasoning for a capella singing is based on both a ... | |
| forgiveness | 8/1/2009 |
| Q: I grew up in an abusive family[mental emotional & spiritual no physical].Mother was a ... A: I suspect you are saved. The Hebrews text you referenced is written in a context of folks ... | |
| Indwelling of the Holy Spirit | 5/12/2009 |
| Q: How does the Holy Spirit dwell in the Christian today? Are we individually His "temples" or ... A: I believe the answer is "both." Passages that imply that you have the Spirit: John 14.15-23 ... | |
| Can't find it anywhere! | 4/2/2009 |
| Q: My question is to find a way to prove a liquid is a liquid. I am in fifth grade and I can't think of ... A: The first place to start would be your science text book, to make sure that what I'm going to give ... | |
| Women Modesty | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: I am a member of the church of Christ and I have few questions which I would like you to address, ... A: Zandile! I will respond to your questions in the order you asked them. The way any individual ... | |
| Female deacons | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: The church of Christ where I have been a member since 1991 is wanting to add female deacons. I am ... A: Are female deaconesses Scriptural? Depends largely, on how you want to interpret the various texts ... | |
| SIN FALL of MAN | 2/20/2009 |
| Q: 1. In accordance to the Bible,: Could Christ Hve Sinned supporting scripture please. 2. Wen Adam ... A: Well, good evening, Thermon! Your first question is somewhat difficult to answer, but I'll give it ... | |
| Holy Spirit | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: Can you explain to me the "Church of Christ" beliefs on the Holy Spirit? If I am understanding my ... A: Good question. As you may know, churches of Christ have varying ideas on a variety of topics and ... | |
| Definition of words... | 1/26/2009 |
| Q: Firstly, I am a Christian according to the definition of the word, however, I am not a bible toting, ... A: Jeri, The study of language, its translation, and our use of ancient texts is both a science and ... | |
| Definition of words... | 1/23/2009 |
| Q: Firstly, I am a Christian according to the definition of the word, however, I am not a bible toting, ... A: Well Jeri, I'm not a "Bible-toting, damning to Hell" Christian either. Well, except that I've been ... | |
| Who is God | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: What is the relationship between, the father, the son and the holy spirit? Are they all gods? ... A: Chuck, I'm enjoying this conversation; don't know if we're going to see eye-to-eye on it, but it's ... | |
| Who is God | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: What is the relationship between, the father, the son and the holy spirit? Are they all gods? ... A: Well, Chuck, your observation is a pretty good one - Churches of Christ have beliefs that run the ... | |
| Who is God | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: What is the relationship between, the father, the son and the holy spirit? Are they all gods? ... A: Chuck, Thanks for asking your questions. Well you ask some tough questions. Unfortunately, your ... | |
| womens role in the Church | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: I just was reading one of your responses to a women who was interested in the Lord's Church and ... A: We really do have some good things to offer larger Christendom and good folk like you are one of ... | |
| Is sprinkling baptism? | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: In Hebrews 9 the inspired author describes the various acts of sprinkling found in the old ... A: There are two responses I could give you; I'll give you both. The first is the standard Church of ... | |
| Is sprinkling baptism? | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: In Hebrews 9 the inspired author describes the various acts of sprinkling found in the old ... A: The import of the discussion in Hebrews 9 is not the form of cleansing, but the blood that is ... | |
| MODE OF WORSHIP -CHURCHES OF CHRIST | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: How can we use psalms to pray? Or are they just for reading sake? ANSWER: Dear friend, The Psalms ... A: The standard Church of Christ view is that you should meet with the local church and if you don't, ... | |
| PSALMS | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: How can we use psalms to pray? Or are they just for reading sake? A: The Psalms can indeed be used to pray, and to inform our prayer life. By reading the Psalms we can ... | |
| Ernie L | 9/1/2008 |
| Q: I learned this technique from Ernie, and find it somewhat useful on this particular board. Why ... A: Unlike Ernie, I don't intend to rate myself all 10's for this answer to my own question. At least ... | |
| Subjective Truth | 8/30/2008 |
| Q: Hoyt, In regards to Biblical interpretation and Truth, is truth/interpretation subjective or ... A: Man, I feel like I've applied to be preacher at your church ;) 1. Scripture is clear that the ... | |
| Subjective Truth | 8/28/2008 |
| Q: Hoyt, In regards to Biblical interpretation and Truth, is truth/interpretation subjective or ... A: Ernie, Objective truth is truth. Interpretation, by definition, is subjective. The attempt to ... | |
| God command of killing | 8/26/2008 |
| Q: An Atheist asked me if your God Jesus is love and love us then why He command Saul to killed every ... A: So let me understand the question....you want me to explain the behavior of the Judeo-Christian God ... | |
| God command of killing | 8/25/2008 |
| Q: An Atheist asked me if your God Jesus is love and love us then why He command Saul to killed every ... A: Nick! We don't need to limit ourselves to 1 Samuel for this type of example. The Old Testament is ... | |
| Church of Christ Leadership | 8/17/2008 |
| Q: Part I. Who leads the congregation in decision making when there are no elders and deacons......only ... A: Jenna. This will be difficult since there are precious few verses that deal with congregational ... | |
| Salvation/ divorce | 8/7/2008 |
| Q: Do you believe that a person is not saved if they do not belong to thr Church of Christ, even if ... A: Salvation: One does not need to meet in a building with "Church of Christ" on it to be saved. ... | |
| baptism and salvation | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: What does the church of Christ believe on baptism?? I want to know their whole doctrine. Is it true ... A: This is not a question, the answer to which, is easy for science-minded folks, those that like to ... | |
| baptism and salvation | 7/25/2008 |
| Q: What does the church of Christ believe on baptism?? I want to know their whole doctrine. Is it true ... A: Well, you don't ask questions that require short answers do you? ;) Let's take your questions one ... | |
| things a Christian must do | 7/4/2008 |
| Q: I was talking to a Churches of Christ person and he was talking about what a person must do by ... A: "by virtue of the fact that he is a Christian" is simply a rather verbose way of saying "because he ... | |
| who governs your church | 7/2/2008 |
| Q: In reading about your doctrine there are so many points that elicit an "ah ha", the truth seems to ... A: Blanca, Thank you for your question. One of the common tenets among Churches of Christ is the ... | |
| Christian depression | 6/24/2008 |
| Q: I have been trying to live life of a christian but have often backsliden and feel i am not forgiven ... A: Good afternoon, Toby! The good news is that we were all in rebellion against God when He (time and ... | |
| your opinion/advice | 3/28/2008 |
| Q: I recently had a debate/discussion with some of my friends(they are traditional southern baptist) on ... A: You're welcome. I agree with your assessment of 1 Cor 5. It seems to me that verses 4 and 5 are ... | |
| your opinion/advice | 3/27/2008 |
| Q: I recently had a debate/discussion with some of my friends(they are traditional southern baptist) on ... A: Bill, You're welcome, and thanks. I don't know that "God wants everyone to attend church." At ... | |
| your opinion/advice | 3/26/2008 |
| Q: I recently had a debate/discussion with some of my friends(they are traditional southern baptist) on ... A: Bill, My first bit of advice is to not argue the point with your buddies. But, friendships being ... | |
| trend or an anomaly | 1/29/2008 |
| Q: The following is an article I found interesting. I was wondering if this is a trend or an anomaly ... A: I don't mind being on the spot. ;) Now, for a waffle......I neither approve or disapprove. In ... | |
| trend or an anomaly | 1/28/2008 |
| Q: The following is an article I found interesting. I was wondering if this is a trend or an anomaly ... A: The introduction of instrumental music into congregational worship periods of churches of Christ is ... | |
| very curious | 12/20/2007 |
| Q: I have just recently started going to a church of christ with a friend, but i dont really know that ... A: The short answer to your question is "no." But there are some members and a few congregations that ... | |
Churches Of Christ
Answers by Expert:
Hoyt Roberson
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer just about any doctrinal, relational, or Scriptural question from a "traditional" church of Christ perspective, and from perspectives of somewhat more progressive congregations. If you want an answer from a particular perspective, let me know that up front, and I'll respond in that vein. If you want to peg me on the liberal-conservative spectrum, I would suggest a bit left of center. Depending on the question though, I might be far left, or perhaps rather toward the right.
Experience
I am currently a shepherd of a congregation (which means, for those of you who aren't Church of Christ folk, I'm one of a handful of people responsible for the spiritual direction and maturity of the congregation, and who hire and fire the ministers). I have served in many capacities including adult class teacher (also current), deacon, administrator, and lay leader at two military bases. I am a life-long member of churches of Christ, mostly mainline congregations, but am quite familiar with more conservative and more liberal congregations and views as well. I read and subscribe to various books and periodicals for churches of Christ, and have discussed a variety of topics with representatives of our various groups both in person, and via mail.
Organizations
Christian Association for Psychological Studies, American Association of Christian Counselors, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Publications
www.robersonblog.blogspot.com
Education/Credentials
I hold a Masters of Ministry degree from Pepperdine University, as well as a Masters of Counseling degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Phoenix.
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