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Looking forward to retirement? Going to keep busy, as Paul suggests? "Moral Questions of the Bible" Ch.30: Work, Even in Retirement Our modern concept of retirement can make people feel useless. Paul encouraged the elderly to do useful work for their family or church. Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-30-work-even-in-retirement.html

Should we promote vegetarianism like Paul did - though for different reasons? Chapter 29: "Eating Animals" A chapter from "Moral Questions of the Bible:Timeless Truth in a Changing World" Paul advised some Christians to become vegetarians because meat might come from animals killed as a sacrifice. Are there different issues today that might give a similarly bad impression? Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-29-eating-animals.html This chapter will be available for about a month, when it will be replaced by others.   I'd be interested to hear comments and discuss different viewpoints.

Does the Bible ban tattoos and jewelry? Ch.28: Improper Fashions A chapter from "Moral Questions of the Bible:Timeless Truth in a Changing World" The Bible implies that some fashions are immoral. It appears to condemn tattoos, jewellery and much more. Is this culture-specific, or are these things still banned? Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-28-improper-fashions.html. This chapter will be available for about a month, when it will be replaced by others.   I'd be interested to hear comments and discuss different viewpoints.

Should men have short hair, like Paul said? "Moral Questions of the Bible" Ch.27: Jesus' Effeminate Hair Flowing wavy locks were popular among promiscuous homosexuals in parts of Roman society, so Paul had to tell Christians to keep it short. Jesus probably did have long hair, but we can't be sure. Is there a rule that we should follow now? Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-27-jesus-effeminate-hair.html

Slavery in the Bible is very different from modern slavery, so should we use a different word? "Moral Questions of the Bible" Ch.26: Ending Slavery Old Testament laws allowed slavery (within limits) and the New Testament allowed slave ownership (but not slave trading). However, the context shows God pushing society at each stage in one direction – towards abolition. Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-26-ending-slavery.html This chapter will be available for about a month, when it will be replaced by others. I'd be interested to hear comments and discuss different viewpoints.

Who should you welcome into your home? "Moral Questions of the Bible" Ch.25: Disappearance of hospitality Roman houses were designed as much for guests as for residents, and Jews regarded hospitality as a moral necessity. Early Christians encouraged each other to excel in this. And now we barely invite anyone in for coffee – has something gone wrong? Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-25-disappearance-of.html This chapter will be available for about a month, when it will be replaced by others. I'd be interested to hear comments and discuss different viewpoints.

Does your church have a prison visiting program? "Moral Questions of the Bible" Ch.24: Visiting Prisoners Jesus listed visiting prisoners among the marks of a Christian life. Many people seek God in prison, but few Christians consider this a suitable place to work for God. Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-24-visiting-prisoners.html This chapter will be available for about a month, when it will be replaced by others. I'd be interested to hear comments and discuss different viewpoints.

When is it appropriate to use offensive language? "Moral Questions of the Bible" Ch.23: Crude Language The Bible has many phrases we can't translate literally because they'd cause offense or giggling. Some authors, like Paul, also use offensive language we'd consider too strong today, though they don't use gratuitous violent or sexual terms merely to shock, as is common today. Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-23-crude-language.html

When is it permitted to tell a lie? "Moral Questions of the Bible" Ch.22:Can you ever tell a lie? Do we criticize the magi for not telling Herod about the baby, as they’d promised? Ananias and Sapphira’s lie got them killed. Is perjury different? Must your yes always mean yes? Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-22-can-you-ever-tell-lie.html

What size of meal makes you a glutton? "Moral Questions of the Bible" Ch.21:Is Gluttony a Sin? In the Old Testament they killed gluttons and in the church it became a 'mortal sin'. So why doesn't the New Testament take it so seriously, and why don't we? Read the full chapter at http://www.biblecontexts.com/2019/10/morality-ch-21-is-gluttony-sin.html