Team GotQuestions Blog

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Help with a Question (Hinduism, Islam)

October 4th, 2014

I need help, I do not know answer to this question and not finding much help in Google:

1. Was there a Christian named Paul Krishna who converted from Hinduism under the ministry of the missionary Adoniram Judson?

2. When a Muslim is born with a Muslin name like Mohammed and he becomes a Christian, does he usually change his name to a Christian one or keep the Muslim one?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

OLDER

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Check them all out here: http://team.gotquestions.org/?p=467

Thank you from Donors – September 2014
Thank you from Donors – September 2014
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‘ I have had a question form an enquirer who is desperately fearful that he has actually blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. I have had two further follow up questions now and the last question was this ‘ It’s just very confusing. I was always taught that if you were saved then you were going to heaven, no matter what. Then the bible talks about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and it won’t be forgiven. I really do appreciate your help I just can’t find peace. I’m so afraid ill go through my whole life thinking that I’m going to heaven and then get a rude awakening when I die. I have always questioned my salvation and now if I am truly not saved I feel like I can’t be.’ Now my response is that once saved, always saved – so you can NEVER have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit (1 John 5 v.18). I mentioned characters like Esau and Pharaoh as being likely people who did blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. However, I sense I am just going round and round in circles with the enquirer; I seem to feel I am just repeating myself but just rephrasing my answer ? What should I do ?

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  • Wendyl Leslie Question 360577: I know it is really long, but is this article Biblical? It just confused me because it contradicts everything I believe about salvation, but does so in a seemingly Biblical way.http://rcg.org/books/jwitus.html Profile: Female 18-30 North America
    Hello and thank you for writing us! Yes, you’re right, that is a fairly lengthy article and most of what the author’s written is biblical. The author is obviously wanting to touch on all points about the difference between a “Christian” and a “non-Christian” in order to make his point. So, if you’re someone that’s recently been saved and have given your life over to Christ, some of the things he writes about can be a little confusing.
    But not to worry: If you haven’t denied the workings and saving grace of our Lord and Savior, you haven’t committed the “unpardonable sin.”
    Here’s the bottom-line when it comes to understanding what the unpardonable sin is all about. The only unpardonable sin today is that of continued unbelief. There is no pardon for a person who dies in unbelief. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The only condition in which someone would have no forgiveness is if he/she is not among the “whoever” that believes in Him. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). To reject the only means of salvation is to condemn oneself to an eternity in hell because to reject the only pardon is, obviously, unpardonable.
    October 2 at 1:06pm · Unlike · 2
  • Wendyl Leslie Just to eliminate any potential confusion, the article referenced above, is the one that the questioner asked me to read.
    October 2 at 1:15pm · Like
  • Gwen Sellers Hi Dean Revell. It might be time to just let the questioner know that you’re not sure how else to answer their question. You can provide them with what Wendyl has written, direct them to our articles on the unpardonable sin, and maybe just encourage them about ways to rest in the truth. Perhaps suggest they memorize some Scriptures that talk about us being secure in Christ or read some of our articles on the assurance of salvation. You might mention the concept of fear and how to be secure in Christ’s love so that we can overcome fear; or term it as how to experience peace since that is something they mentioned they can’t find. You might even venture into suggesting they meet with someone locally who can guide them in truth and support them with their doubts. It looks like this is not yet a frequent questioner, but I’m wondering if there might be some OCD issues going on.
    October 2 at 1:23pm · Like · 2
  • Dean Revell It seems I am getting a lot of people who clearly are hurting for one reason or another. I dont in any way want to appear uncharitable – I often think that the best way to counsel is from experience. I have been following the Lord since 1985 and I am still learning ! I have never had an issue with the unforgiveable sin afer listening to a sermon by Pastor Don Fortner, who pastors Grace Baptist Church in Danville, KY. He sorted me out ! ( or rather the Lord used him to do so!)
    October 2 at 1:33pm · Unlike · 4
  • Gwen Sellers I love that God continues to grow us and teach us. He is never uncharitable, but always gracious and eager to heal and guide us into truth. He loves me more deeply than I can imagine and is more patient with me than I realize. I’m glad He gives us others to help along the way.
    October 2 at 1:38pm · Like · 2
  • Dean Revell amen ! I have just been reading the above article on the unpardonable sin by David Pack – not sure I agree with everything he says. I am totally convinced that characters by Esau, Pharaoh and the thief on the cross fell into this category, basically from the way they behaved towards God and His Laws. Every person, without Christ, is in a perilous position – but that doesn’t mean they have committed the unforgiveable sin – I love the verse in Romans 10 which says ‘For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that He might have mercy on them.’ That gives us hope !
    October 2 at 1:47pm · Like · 1
  • Lincoln Bostick Wendyl you are right. The primary ministry of the Holy Spirit is to basically convict a person of their sin, and that Jesus Christ is the one who died for their sin. To blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to reject His testimony of who Jesus Christ is and what He did on the cross. It’s to say that’s okay Holy Spirit I can work this out on my own.
    October 2 at 3:27pm · Edited · Like · 3
  • Dean Revell Just like the people of Noah’s time………….He was building an Ark, He as preaching the gospel to those around and all they could do is mock and laugh at his message. Just like the people today. ‘For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. ‘ (1 Samuel 15 v.23)
    October 2 at 5:05pm · Like · 2
  • Lea Ann Davis McCombs It helps to point out that the blasphemy he fears has not occurred because he fears it has. Those guilty of this kind of blasphemy never worry because they don’t care. That’s why it’s unforgivable. It’s never repented.
    October 2 at 5:27pm · Like · 2
  • Michael Karpf I have a friend who has struggled with this. He thinks something he thought or said might make him guilty of committing the unpardonable sin. My understanding of the passage in Matthew is that the exact circumstances cannot be duplicated today. Also, I remind my friend that Christ’s death was the propitation for all our sins. His death covered all our sins. If not, then His death on the cross was meaningless. And also, I reminded my friend that we are saved by grace through faith, and not works. If there is something he can do to make him lose his salvation, then Christianity is nothing more than another salvation by works religion. Either you are trusting completely in the finished work of Christ, or you are not trusting in any of it. Romans 8 (the whole book actually) and Ephesians 1:3-14 are great verses on the work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and our security in Christ.
    October 2 at 6:06pm · Like · 2
  • Patrick Thompson Aloha Dean,
    Wow, that is a rather tough question. It definitely seems like this particular person is not secure in his faith? a thought, for those who are worried about having committed “the unpardonable sin”, the fact that they still recognize the n    eed to be forgiven and have the desire to turn from their sin is evidence that they have not committed the unpardonable sin. Anyone who is guilty of that sin would have no desire to be forgiven or to turn to God. Hopefully, this might help!
    October 2 at 8:05pm · Like · 3
  • Alyson Dreyer If they are new Christians, remind them that demons are still whispering lies hoping to stunt their growth. Have them voice out loud that they are done believing that lie and will continue to trust Jesus Christ.
    October 2 at 8:24pm · Like · 2
  • Ed Chait I have to agree with the questioner about the article. It contradicts some important Biblical truths. The author writes that baptism is a requirement for salvation, that if a person commits suicide they are going to hell, and basically that salvation is by works.
    October 2 at 9:19pm · Like · 1
  • Gwen Sellers

Hit me

Father, I lift up all of our burdens to You. You know what they are. Thank You that no matter what, we can rest in You.

Hit me

Has anyone read “The Mystery of the Shemitah?” –http://www.amazon.com/The-Mystery-Shemitah-000-Year-Old-Americas/dp/1629981931

  • Lori DeGrazia Yes, I have (I also read the Harbinger). It’s thought provoking and reminds me that God’s ways and thoughts are so much higher and deeper than my own. Jonathan Cahn does a very good job of laying out the Shemitah mystery. He offers convincing evidence but doesn’t insist on any particular fulfillment.
    October 1 at 4:33pm · Like
  • William Brenner JD Hall reviewed it on his blog and did not give it a favorable recommendation. Sorry, Lori…Not a fan of Cahn’s, I see these books as novelties that are extra-biblical pop market sensationalism. We have no biblical support for a mystery based on Shemitah. It’s like believing in a fortune cookie.
    October 1 at 6:13pm · Like · 1
  • Robert Pristoop I just bought it today and should have it in two days from Amazon. I did read the Harbinger and my caution is that it should be remembered that the original prophecies were not made to or about America. Interesting parallels but I would not call it gospel.
    October 1 at 6:19pm · Edited · Like · 1
  • Lori DeGrazia Robert, I agree with you and I think Mr. Cahn is clear that he is not saying the prophesy is for America. Both books need to be taken in context with the authors intent in mind. We should not think we can put God into a predictable box but He does gi…See More
    October 1 at 6:35pm · Like · 1
  • Patrick Thompson Aloha Shea,
    I haven’t read this book, but notice that the author is linked to many Hebraic Roots teaching sites. he is mentioned with some of the HRM teachers such as Jim Staley and others. Unfortunately, we have had some experiences in dealing with the HRM in our church. We have lost two members to this movement! Even with good Biblical counseling, most of these individuals are really steeped into that movement.
    October 2 at 3:22am · Like · 1
  • Gwen Sellers

Thanks Shea Houdmann! I am in the processing of downloading my newer, better Logos Diamond suite. I appreciate your negotiating a great discounted price.

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to those of us who are being saved it is the power of God” (I Cor. 1:18).

Some of you may recall that Hawking’s wife (who was a Christian) divorced him when she became increasingly upset with his atheistic views.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1113243777/stephen-hawking-atheism-science-religion-god-092714/

Stephen Hawking Confirms That He Is An Atheist – Science News – redOrbit
In the latest salvo from science, prominent astrophysicist Stephen Hawking has announced that he is an atheist, claiming that science’s explanation of the origins…
REDORBIT.COM

Hello everyone,
I have a question regarding the unpardonable/unforgivable sin. The answer to “What is the unpardonable sin / unforgivable sin?” on the GQ site indicates that “This specific unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit cannot be duplicated today.” However, scripture seems to indicate otherwise:
“Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin” (Mark 3:28-29). Matthew’s account adds that they will not be forgiven, “either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:32). I completely understand about the unpardonable sin and that it is impossible for a true Christian to commit this, but I don’t understand why it cannot be duplicated today as stated In the GQ answer. Wouldn’t this be possible if an unbeliever blasphemed the Holy Spirit by rejecting the obvious work of God and calling it the work of Satan? Or am I misunderstanding something? Any clarification would be appreciated.

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  • Jed Kramer Jun Cotto, I also believe that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit can still be committed today. At least, I don’t believe that Scripture clearly excludes that possibility. However, based on God’s grace through Christ, it is important to realize that it cannot be committed in a trivial way. It is important that we do not promote the idea that God will reject a person the opportunity to come into relationship with Him based on a temporal word or action. Only God knows whether a person has become so closed to Him that their thoughts, words, or actions attest to their blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, I don’t believe that you or I could say with any certainty that a person had committed such a sin.
    September 28 at 9:51pm · Like · 1
  • Joe Maxey Jun, many scholars think that the unpardonable sin is the rejection of Jesus as Lord and Savior. This can be and is, done today and will be until the day when ALL will know Him for who He is. I tend to agree with this view.
    September 29 at 5:56am · Like
  • Justin Tilghman I think what the website is meaning by saying this sin cannot be committed today is that the Pharisees were actively attributing miracles they say Jesus do to Satan’s power. Jesus is not physically here on the earth performing miracles anymore so this particular sin, in this exact manner, cannot be committed today. I agree with Joe Maxey in that the most commonly held view is that the unpardonable sin is ultimate, final rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Pharisees were ultimately guilty of completely and finally rejecting the Holy Spirit’s witness to Jesus as the Christ. If we completely discredit the Holy Spirit’s witness that Jesus is the Christ then there is no further illuminating work the Spirit can do to save the individual. If they come that close and ultimately turn away, there is nothing else that can be done for them (Hebrews 6:4).
    September 29 at 6:24am · Like
  • Lori DeGrazia Jun, the best interpretation I’ve found is by Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum in “The Footsteps of the Messiah”. I highly reccommend this book. He explains that the unpardonable sin was not an individual sin but a national sin, committed by the Pharisees who refused to accept Jesus as Messiah, thereby leading the Jews away, as well. Their conclusion that Jesus’ miracles were performed not of God but by “Beelzebub” was the unpardonable sin. Fructhenbaum states, “The content of the unpardonable sin was the national rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus while He was physcially present on the grounds that He was demon possessed. This sin was unpardonable, and judgment was set…It is not a sin that can be committed by indivuiuals today”.
    I encourage you to get a copy of his book for the full explanation. Hope this helps. God bless you.
    September 29 at 7:18am · Like · 4
  • Tim White There is obviously some disagreement as to what the blaspheme of the Holy Spirit includes. National rejection of Jesus by those who claim to follow God, rejection of the call of the Holy Spirit for a lifetime, attributing the miracles of Jesus to Satan…..
    September 29 at 7:45am · Like · 1
  • Tim White (hit enter too quickly). If the questioner states a specific concern about this, I would address that. Are they a Christian who walks in fear of one sin blowing it? Are they lost and doubting that they could ever be saved? Are they praying for someone and wonder if it is going to do any good? I would perhaps focus on what the unforgivable sin is not, maybe.
    September 29 at 7:47am · Like · 2
  • Robert Pristoop Wise words Tim White. I believe that both Dr. Fructenbaum (who taught us Daniel through Revelation in Seminary) and Tim White are correct. Before I was a believer I questioned the miracles of Jesus and his power source. Since becoming a believer I now know it is because he is God. Footnote on the book, “The Footsteps of the Messiah.” The Talmud teaches that when you see nations rising up against nation and kingdom against kingdom, wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24 basically) you should seek the footsteps of the Messiah. Jesus was teaching what the Jewish people already knew-when the world goes completely crazy in weather, wars, and good being seen as evil–the Messiah will come and Elijah will make all things right. That is why Dr. Fructenbaum chose the title he did for the book. Fun facts from seminary with Dr. Fructenbaum!
    September 29 at 10:00am · Like · 2
  • Timothy Craig Munger It cannot be duplicated as recorded in the Gospels because it was a national sin in Jesus’ day. If someone feels concern or guilt over it, it’s a good indicator they haven’t committed it. I dealt with a young Australian law school student over this topic. He later thanked me for helping him.
    September 29 at 8:03pm · Edited · Like
  • Jun Cotto Thank you all for your input. The questioner misunderstood what the unpardonable sin is. They thought the Holy Spirit leaves a person if the unpardonable sin is commited and asked if it is a contradiction of other verses which indicate that the Holy Spirit will never leave us. The question regarding the unpardonable sin not being able to be duplicated today was my own. I think I understand now that this specific unpardonable sin mentioned in Matthew 12 and Mark 3 cannot be duplicated because Jesus is not on the earth in person performing miracles, therefore He cannot be accused of being demon possessed and the Holy Spirit cannot be blasphemed in this way since there are no irrefutable miracles being performed by the Holy Spirit through Christ in the flesh. However, this leads me to ask, if a disciple of Christ performed genuine miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit and was met with accusations of performing the miracles by demons, would the accusers be forgiven?
    September 30 at 11:40am · Like
  • Tim White Jun, now that we have the completed Word, I have a tendency to believe that the use of miracles (inferior to living by faith in the completed word) switches to the other side (Mark 13:22, 2 Thes. 2:8-10). I believe that God still does miracles, but not for public demonstration and faith-building. So, if one can lose what Christ has guaranteed by that work, I would certainly be in danger.
    September 30 at 12:36pm · Like
  • Jun Cotto I agree Tim, but I was also speaking of Christ’s Apostles in the Bible, e.g. Paul, Peter, etc. who did perform miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit to attract more believers and build faith.
    September 30 at 1:01pm · Like
  • Tim White As I dig more into it, I have to turn away from the unpardonable sin being an individual attributing the miracles of Jesus to Satan. Based on a fact and an assumption (which is risky, at best). Fact, Saul of Tarsus opposed Jesus and undoubtedly attributed His miracles to Satan, and was forgiven. Also, Acts 6:7 probably allows an assumption about the priests in Jesus’ day. “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” Can it not be assumed that these same priests opposed Jesus and spoke against him often before they turned to faith in Christ?
    September 30 at 1:26pm · Like
  • Geoff Eachus Hi Jun, the unpardonable sin is disregarding/blaspheming the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that draws us to Christ. If you ignore, and thus blaspheme the Holy Spirit. you can’t be saved and forgiven of your sin.
    October 1 at 11:08am · Like
  • Marc Weiss I read the article over (I am assuming it is this one) and while GQ does say it cannot be duplicated – they (and I agree) state that continued disbelief is still the unforgivable sin. I think the word ‘duplicated’ in the sense of this article simply means that since Jesus is not walking the earth in His flesh, thus we cannot duplicate the Pharisees. If I am wrong though, forgive me

    http://www.gotquestions.org/unpardonable-sin.html
    October 1 at 3:47pm · Edited · Like
  • Gwen Sellers

If we could offer our question answering team Logos Bible Software packages at a significant discount, how many of you would be interested? –https://www.logos.com/gotquestions

Logos 5: special offers for Got Questions friends – Logos Bible Software
Bible study software that connects your life to the Word—Logos 5 helps you explore and understand…
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Fellow GQ writers, my sister died unexpectedly a few hours ago. I will probably be flying from Bangkok to Dallas in a few days. Although I had shared the gospel with her and my other sister, there was no fruit of repentance. I would appreciate your prayers for me and my other sister

  • Trudy Vanderveen To Geoff: my youngest son, Brian, went home to be with Jesus five years ago. He was 47. He always told me he would die first (his Dad died ten years earlier). It’s lonely without the two of them who were so very close to each other. … I like th…See More
    September 30 at 12:00pm · Like · 2
  • Ed Chait Michael, my older sister and only sibling died 27 years ago. I was not a believer when she died, and to my knowledge, she was not a believer either. It’s been painful and difficult. What peace I have gained has come through God blessing me with more faith in Him and in His perfect plan. Keeping you and your sister in my prayers, brother.
    October 1 at 1:42am · Like
  • Geoff Eachus Trudy, I know what you mean, I could not understand why God took my son,but now I know, and Micheal will also find out. God allows us to experience these sort of things so that we can know what others are going through and comfort them. You can really say ” I know what you’re going through” and mean it.
    October 1 at 11:02am · Like
  • Gwen Sellers

I received this from a friend this morning…passing it on.

My DEAR prayer partner: I received the message below from a friend. PLEASE KEEP THIS SITUATION IN YOUR FERVENT PRAYERS ! ! ! Puts our problems in perspective, doesn’t it?

This is part of an email I received from the former pastor’s wife of Church in the Hills. It puts flesh and blood on the news reports and gives us specifics to pray. Thanks.

…Continue Reading

A little on the lighter side…my question tonight tied directly in to the Sunday School (yes, my church calls it Sunday School still!) lesson this morning. I love seeing the Spirit move like that…and to be just a simple (very simple) conduit for Spirit-work from little ol’ small town Mississippi…it’s pretty cool! Sometimes, I get way bogged down in theology and apologetics and the nuances (all important) that I forget to stop and smell the roses when He drops a big old bouquet in my lap like that. Just wanted to share my “ah-ha” moment with my brothers and sisters.

Father, thank You for continuing to bless this ministry. Thank You for the encouraging news that more and more people are visiting the website and looking for Your answers to their questions.

Lord, help us to keep You on our hearts and minds.

Why should you listen to me when it comes to age of the Earth questions? My words are not inspired. I am not infallible. There are sincere influential Christians who disagree with me. I don’t claim to be the smartest geologist on the planet. And I have less prestige than many geologists who have published more than me. So why should you listen to me?

First of all, I truly do honor the Bible as God’s fully inspired and accurate Word (plenary inspiration). Since my yo…

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Why should you listen to me when it comes to age of the Earth questions? My words are not inspired. I am not infallible. There are sincere influential Christians who disagree with me. I don’t claim to be the smartest geologist on the planet. And I have less prestige than many geologists who have published more than me. So why should you listen to me? First of all, I truly do honor the Bible as God’s fully inspired and accurate Word (plenary inspiration). Since my youth I have been a believer and have never wavered from the faith. My reputation and church standing in that regard are impeccable. I even have a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty Univ. in addition to my geology degrees. You might want to listen to me even if you are inclined to dislike my words just so you can hear a side of the debate that you might not have heard before. But there is another reason I would like for you to know. I have spent all but the last 3 years of my career working for the largest oil company in the world, and by some measures it is the largest corporation in the world. Whether or not that inspires any confidence, it has done one important thing for me: it has given me direct access to fabulous amounts of data, particularly since the company has transferred me so much (often at my request). I have lived in Indonesia, Russia, Nigeria, Kuwait, Qatar, Argentina, America, now in India, and have worked the geology of quite a number of other regions that I could list. I have seen well data, seismic, gravity, paleontology, magnetics, geochem, outcrop, and other kinds of data that far exceed what most geologists see in their lifetime, and it especially exceeds what virtually all university professors and people working for small companies are able to see. There are few geologists who have seen as much as I have during my nearly 40-year long career. In retrospect, I have become pretty familiar with the geology of this planet. That still doesn’t make me infallible. You will have to decide who you believe and not believe when it comes to extra-biblical information, but I do wish you would consider the arguments I have made in my past communications. From a scientific point of view the Earth appears significantly older than 6000 years. It really does. That conclusion is not going to go away in the future – there is way too much interlinking information backing it. And, critically important, I don’t believe this contradicts the Bible in the slightest. I ask that you at least keep an open mind on it. And importantly, realize that your stand on this issue affects the faith of others. I personally know people who would like to believe the Bible but cannot because they think it requires them to believe in a 6000 year old Earth. We are to “be wise in the way you act towards outsiders, making the most of every opportunity” (Col. 4:5). Grace and peace, Steve Webb

A blog post on how easy it is to promote false doctrine simply by taking Scripture out of context: http://www.blogos.org/gotquestions/poverty-gospel.php – what do you all think?

What is the poverty gospel?
What is the poverty gospel? Is the poverty gospel biblical? How does the poverty gospel compare with the prosperity gospel?
BLOGOS.ORG

Is science a pure objective endeavor by truth seeking scientists?

At the heart of many misgivings and mistrust among Christians is the belief that many, if not most, scientists have antipathy if not outright hatred towards Christianity and are working behind the scenes to discredit it. Do such scientists exist? Certainly. And many of them are found particularly in the field of biology. It has become a sad mess when we cannot trust science to take us forward to useful unbia…

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Exxon Halts Oil Drilling in Waters of Russia
The latest round of sanctions by Washington and the European Union ordered companies to cut off help to Russian oil exploration in the Arctic.
NYTIMES.COM|BY CLIFFORD KRAUSS

 

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