QUESTION:
Because of recent things happening in our family, I have had a lot of people say they are praying for us. My question is: If the subject of the prayers is a believer, but the person praying is not a Christian (may think they are i.e. Mormon) will those prayers be heard?
RESPONSE:
First of all, let me say that when things happen in our lives, good or bad, it always helps to travel those roads with a community of people. The relationships we have with believers and non-believers alike are important. They shape and mold us in ways that strengthen our ability to serve God and impact our communities. It is wonderful that your friends know how seriously you take your relationship with God and that it causes them to turn to God in prayer on your behalf. God uses situations like these to bring people to a saving knowledge of His Son.
God has many incredible and awe-inspiring attributes, one of which is His omniscience. He knows everything that is seen, said, heard, and done on this earth. Proverbs 5:21 says, “For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.” Psalm 139:2-4 says, “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.” From Scripture, we know that God does indeed hear everything; including the prayers of non-believers.
In truth, God responds to the prayers of believers and non-believers in the same way: sometimes He answers yes, sometimes no, and sometimes He tells us to wait. The difference is that the believer can take comfort in the fact that God is working His will out in our lives, no matter the answer to our prayer. For the believer, prayer bridges the gap between Heaven and Earth in such a way that it draws us into a closer relationship with Him. Our prayers are two-way streets in which we communicate our desires to Him and, more importantly, He communicates with us.
1 John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
When we communicate with God, and listening is an important part of communication, we can discern the will of God for our lives. Ephesians 3 says that God is able to do more than we ask. His plans for our lives are much broader than our immediate needs. He thinks long-term and has a special route marked out for us. When our non-Christian friends are praying for us, we can help draw them to that saving knowledge of God by celebrating or suffering well, seeking out and deferring to the will of the omniscient God we serve.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
How can God continue to forgive?
Question:
I have a friend that has a very close relationship with Jesus. They have been a Christian since a very young age...watches numerous preachers on TV, listens to numerous preachers on the radio, reads the Bible faithfully, etc. They appear to be a true example of a Christian. My question is this: I know that Jesus died on the cross for all of our sins. I know his forgiveness. When a person (like my friend) continues to choose to make bad decisions, how can God continue to forgive them? It's like they feel like, I love God, I know I'm forgiven, this is wrong for me to do but it makes me feel good so I'm going to do it because I know that God will forgive me...AGAIN. This is a huge concern of mine for this friend because I worry about their salvation and whether they will still be going to Heaven. :(
The Answer:
The answer to your question lies in the Gospel & nature of forgiveness, forms of religion vs. faith in Jesus, and our spiritual fruit.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is how God reconciles humanity back to Himself. God created humanity in His righteous image and He created the world entirely good (Genesis 1 & 2) but through sin humanity died, and that once righteous image became distorted (Genesis 3). Because of our sin, we were rightly doomed in death to hell to suffer apart from God forever (Romans 3:23). God therefore did something to remake the world and to fix humanity so we can be what we once were: pure, holy, and worthy of God’s righteous presence (Revelation 21). Jesus Christ has intervened on behalf of humanity through the cross; he took on the penalty and debt of our sin, removing us from its consequences, and enabling us through faith no longer to be distorted and dead but rather, righteous, alive, and capable of once again dwelling in the presence of the Holy God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Now back to your friend: Forgiveness took place on the cross. Therefore, forgiveness is not doled out incrementally each time your friend sins. Forgiveness for humanity’s sin was a massive event that was paid for on the cross by Jesus Christ. Salvation comes from God; everywhere we turn in Scripture our forgiveness and righteousness is enacted for us by God (Romans 5:9; 8:30) and not through our own actions (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5). This act of God through Jesus Christ is called “Justification” and thankfully is not dependant on our own effort or intelligence. Through the faith that God gives us, we experience all Jesus did through the cross and we are made righteous (Philippians 3:9).
Outward forms of religious culture are completely distinct from a life of faith (2 Timothy 3:2-5). Blending in with other churchgoers is easier than becoming more like Jesus. Whether or not your friend is a believer in Jesus Christ I do not know. However, our lifestyle says a lot about what we believe and who we really are inside. Jesus Himself blasted the Pharisees over their phony outward religious culture on account of their internal spiritual bankruptcy (Matthew 23:25-28). A life of faith in Jesus will produce visible examples; we call these examples “Spiritual fruit” (Galatians 5:22-25) and the process of becoming less like our natural sinful self and more like Jesus is known as “Sanctification” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Our fruit is visible in the way we treat others, the things we say, and the choices we make. The good news is that the same God who “Justified” you by grace through the cross of Jesus also “Sanctifies” us through His Spirit. Jesus is both the “Author” and “Perfector” of our faith (Hebrews 12:2); he doesn’t just start our story, He leads us progressively by faith to be more like Him in this life (Philippians 1:6) in preparation for being in His presence for all eternity (Revelation 11:15).
Your friend needs Jesus just like you and I. Without Jesus we are doomed to live according to our natural desires and impulses. Through Jesus we become free of these things, and are able to live in a way that pleases the Father. Pray for your friend, be humble and live well around your friend (Galatians 5:26), and tell your friend about Jesus. Jesus is your friend’s only hope.
I have a friend that has a very close relationship with Jesus. They have been a Christian since a very young age...watches numerous preachers on TV, listens to numerous preachers on the radio, reads the Bible faithfully, etc. They appear to be a true example of a Christian. My question is this: I know that Jesus died on the cross for all of our sins. I know his forgiveness. When a person (like my friend) continues to choose to make bad decisions, how can God continue to forgive them? It's like they feel like, I love God, I know I'm forgiven, this is wrong for me to do but it makes me feel good so I'm going to do it because I know that God will forgive me...AGAIN. This is a huge concern of mine for this friend because I worry about their salvation and whether they will still be going to Heaven. :(
The Answer:
The answer to your question lies in the Gospel & nature of forgiveness, forms of religion vs. faith in Jesus, and our spiritual fruit.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is how God reconciles humanity back to Himself. God created humanity in His righteous image and He created the world entirely good (Genesis 1 & 2) but through sin humanity died, and that once righteous image became distorted (Genesis 3). Because of our sin, we were rightly doomed in death to hell to suffer apart from God forever (Romans 3:23). God therefore did something to remake the world and to fix humanity so we can be what we once were: pure, holy, and worthy of God’s righteous presence (Revelation 21). Jesus Christ has intervened on behalf of humanity through the cross; he took on the penalty and debt of our sin, removing us from its consequences, and enabling us through faith no longer to be distorted and dead but rather, righteous, alive, and capable of once again dwelling in the presence of the Holy God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Now back to your friend: Forgiveness took place on the cross. Therefore, forgiveness is not doled out incrementally each time your friend sins. Forgiveness for humanity’s sin was a massive event that was paid for on the cross by Jesus Christ. Salvation comes from God; everywhere we turn in Scripture our forgiveness and righteousness is enacted for us by God (Romans 5:9; 8:30) and not through our own actions (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5). This act of God through Jesus Christ is called “Justification” and thankfully is not dependant on our own effort or intelligence. Through the faith that God gives us, we experience all Jesus did through the cross and we are made righteous (Philippians 3:9).
Outward forms of religious culture are completely distinct from a life of faith (2 Timothy 3:2-5). Blending in with other churchgoers is easier than becoming more like Jesus. Whether or not your friend is a believer in Jesus Christ I do not know. However, our lifestyle says a lot about what we believe and who we really are inside. Jesus Himself blasted the Pharisees over their phony outward religious culture on account of their internal spiritual bankruptcy (Matthew 23:25-28). A life of faith in Jesus will produce visible examples; we call these examples “Spiritual fruit” (Galatians 5:22-25) and the process of becoming less like our natural sinful self and more like Jesus is known as “Sanctification” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Our fruit is visible in the way we treat others, the things we say, and the choices we make. The good news is that the same God who “Justified” you by grace through the cross of Jesus also “Sanctifies” us through His Spirit. Jesus is both the “Author” and “Perfector” of our faith (Hebrews 12:2); he doesn’t just start our story, He leads us progressively by faith to be more like Him in this life (Philippians 1:6) in preparation for being in His presence for all eternity (Revelation 11:15).
Your friend needs Jesus just like you and I. Without Jesus we are doomed to live according to our natural desires and impulses. Through Jesus we become free of these things, and are able to live in a way that pleases the Father. Pray for your friend, be humble and live well around your friend (Galatians 5:26), and tell your friend about Jesus. Jesus is your friend’s only hope.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Is speaking in tongues wrong?
QUESTION:
Is speaking in tongues wrong?
RESPONSE:
Many conversations, debates, and disagreements have taken place and continue to take place over the subject of speaking in tongues. The Bible lists tongues or speaking in tongues as one of the mentioned spiritual gifts given to some followers of Jesus by the Holy Spirit at the sovereign discretion of God. Where the debate most often comes in on some of the gifts that sometimes are associated with being more supernatural in nature such as tongues, prophecy, and healing is whether or not all of the gifts are still given by God.
The two main camps in this debate are the cessationist camp and the continuationist camp. In short, cessationists believe that some of these gifts such as tongues have ceased while continuationists believe these gifts, including the gift of speaking in tongues, are still given to some by God.
Regardless of which camp you may side with, we believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of all spiritual gifts. We also believe that when the Bible is silent or not dogmatic on an issue, it is wise for us to take the same approach. The Bible clearly indicates in various Scripture references mentioned below that tongues is one of the listed spiritual gifts given by God to some people at least when the New Testament was written. To whom or if God still chooses to give those gifts today is not for us to determine or to be dogmatic about since the Bible is not dogmatic one way or the other.
It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) such as speaking in tongues are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7–8). We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14, 15). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him (Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10–11).
In conclusion, it is not wrong to speak in tongues for those who have been given that spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit according to what the Bible teaches. It is wrong to try and manufacture a gift or to portray a gift that has never been given to a particular individual in the first place be it the gift of tongues or any of the other mentioned gifts listed in the Bible.
Is speaking in tongues wrong?
RESPONSE:
Many conversations, debates, and disagreements have taken place and continue to take place over the subject of speaking in tongues. The Bible lists tongues or speaking in tongues as one of the mentioned spiritual gifts given to some followers of Jesus by the Holy Spirit at the sovereign discretion of God. Where the debate most often comes in on some of the gifts that sometimes are associated with being more supernatural in nature such as tongues, prophecy, and healing is whether or not all of the gifts are still given by God.
The two main camps in this debate are the cessationist camp and the continuationist camp. In short, cessationists believe that some of these gifts such as tongues have ceased while continuationists believe these gifts, including the gift of speaking in tongues, are still given to some by God.
Regardless of which camp you may side with, we believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of all spiritual gifts. We also believe that when the Bible is silent or not dogmatic on an issue, it is wise for us to take the same approach. The Bible clearly indicates in various Scripture references mentioned below that tongues is one of the listed spiritual gifts given by God to some people at least when the New Testament was written. To whom or if God still chooses to give those gifts today is not for us to determine or to be dogmatic about since the Bible is not dogmatic one way or the other.
It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) such as speaking in tongues are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7–8). We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14, 15). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him (Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10–11).
In conclusion, it is not wrong to speak in tongues for those who have been given that spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit according to what the Bible teaches. It is wrong to try and manufacture a gift or to portray a gift that has never been given to a particular individual in the first place be it the gift of tongues or any of the other mentioned gifts listed in the Bible.
Monday, June 21, 2010
12 Tribes - 12 Members of a Jury?
QUESTION:
In Joshua when God is dividing the land to the 12 Tribes and sets land off for the bad people...Does this have anything to do with our current system of government and the 12 members of a jury? I maybe reaching but I was thinking that with 12 jury members and from all different areas like the 12 tribes getting the lands we were using this thought process when the idea came about?
RESPONSE:
Throughout the history of the United States, there have been questions about the connection between the Bible and our system of government. Whether it is the references to the Creator in our founding documents or the laws that derive from the Ten Commandments, the two link together in a number of ways. However, we need to take a closer look at the two issues referenced in this question to come to a proper conclusion.
The twelve tribes of Israel were formed from the 12 sons of Jacob. These sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, and Joseph (Genesis 35:22-26). While these men were the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel, this list does not match exactly the names of the tribes allotted land in Canaan. The ancestors of Joseph were in two tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were Joseph’s sons (Joshua 16). Also, the tribe of Levi received no land but they inherited cities in which to live (Joshua 21).
The sixth amendment to the United States Constitution provides for trial by jury. The amendment states, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a…trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law….” Misdemeanor cases in many states have juries of six, but felony cases operate with 12-member juries. By the time the framers of our Constitution wrote the sixth amendment, 12-member juries had 700 years of history behind it. England had been using juries since early in the 12th century. Henry II asked that 12 free men be assigned to arbitrate the cases. It was thought that 12 would be an accurate cross-section of the population.
The number 12 has no connection to the 12 tribes of Israel according to the biblical scholars and historical sources that were consulted in this research. For the purposes of the United States Constitution, our 12-member juries came from England. The fact is, evidence of juries can be found as early as ancient Greece. But those juries included several hundred members.
Numerology speculators may find limited success in different areas of the Scriptures, but we cannot let these side issues distract us from the story of hope and redemption that is found throughout Scripture, even in the Old Testament. It is beautiful to see the number of chances God gave to Israel and remember the opportunity He gives to us when He sent His Son to die on the cross. Staying focused on the redemptive story in Scripture will never lead us astray.
In Joshua when God is dividing the land to the 12 Tribes and sets land off for the bad people...Does this have anything to do with our current system of government and the 12 members of a jury? I maybe reaching but I was thinking that with 12 jury members and from all different areas like the 12 tribes getting the lands we were using this thought process when the idea came about?
RESPONSE:
Throughout the history of the United States, there have been questions about the connection between the Bible and our system of government. Whether it is the references to the Creator in our founding documents or the laws that derive from the Ten Commandments, the two link together in a number of ways. However, we need to take a closer look at the two issues referenced in this question to come to a proper conclusion.
The twelve tribes of Israel were formed from the 12 sons of Jacob. These sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, and Joseph (Genesis 35:22-26). While these men were the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel, this list does not match exactly the names of the tribes allotted land in Canaan. The ancestors of Joseph were in two tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were Joseph’s sons (Joshua 16). Also, the tribe of Levi received no land but they inherited cities in which to live (Joshua 21).
The sixth amendment to the United States Constitution provides for trial by jury. The amendment states, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a…trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law….” Misdemeanor cases in many states have juries of six, but felony cases operate with 12-member juries. By the time the framers of our Constitution wrote the sixth amendment, 12-member juries had 700 years of history behind it. England had been using juries since early in the 12th century. Henry II asked that 12 free men be assigned to arbitrate the cases. It was thought that 12 would be an accurate cross-section of the population.
The number 12 has no connection to the 12 tribes of Israel according to the biblical scholars and historical sources that were consulted in this research. For the purposes of the United States Constitution, our 12-member juries came from England. The fact is, evidence of juries can be found as early as ancient Greece. But those juries included several hundred members.
Numerology speculators may find limited success in different areas of the Scriptures, but we cannot let these side issues distract us from the story of hope and redemption that is found throughout Scripture, even in the Old Testament. It is beautiful to see the number of chances God gave to Israel and remember the opportunity He gives to us when He sent His Son to die on the cross. Staying focused on the redemptive story in Scripture will never lead us astray.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Proverbs 31:10-31
QUESTION:
I heard that the first letter of each verse (10-31) is an acronym in Hebrew. If so, what does it say/mean? (I've attempted online translations with no luck.) Secondly, how can this passage apply not only to married women, but all women, and how should men approach/respond to the same?
RESPONSE:
Proverbs 31:10 – 31 is a piece of Hebrew prose written in an alphabetical acrostic form. This means that the first word of each line begins with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in alphabetical order. Many times in Hebrew poetry this was a device used to aid one’s memory in learning and memorizing. It is therefore not a “secret code” within Scripture with hidden meaning, but rather something beautiful and artistic that has been lost in the midst of time and translations. The good news is that we 21st century English speakers can still learn from this, being that this passage was set apart to a degree to carry an important and timeless message about the qualities and character of godly women.
Throughout this passage, the woman of Proverbs 31:10 – 31 is described as an incredible benefit to her husband (v. 11 – 12, 21, 23), family (v. 15; 27 – 28), and others (v. 20). This is a result of her character (v. 10) and wisdom (v. 26) that are rooted in her faith and obedience to the Lord (v. 29 – 30). This example of a hard working woman of faith (v. 17, 26) is worth the attention of both single and married woman, for according to Scripture, a woman exhibiting such traits is to be praised (v. 31).
For men, the lesson seems to be one of singular focus: The wisdom and character of a godly woman is far greater than her outward beauty (v. 30). Such a companion in life is rare and beyond any value that can be assessed (v. 10). Such a woman will build him up (v. 23) and make him better, and he will have great comfort and trust in this relationship (v. 11 – 12). Men, therefore, should honor and seek a woman who exhibits these emblems of high spiritual value above all else (v. 10, 30).
Finally, the acrostic form of this passage is a good indication that it is well worth studying and even memorizing. Women who strive to reflect the woman in this passage are praised for their immeasurable value and strength (v. 28, 31). Men who evaluate a woman’s beauty based on such standards find themselves benefitting from a life focused on virtue and not simply what is pleasing to the eyes (v. 30). These universal and timeless applications have made this passage well known and wisely studied for generations.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
What is the difference between man’s spirit and soul?
QUESTION:
“What is the difference between man’s spirit and soul?”
RESPONSE:
This question is one that is laced with nuances when viewed through a clearer lens that the original languages of the Bible were written. However, the majority of the population does not count Hebrew and Greek as two of their fluent languages. Even those who do will likely tell you that although there are differences, they are very subtle. The Hebrew language of the Old Testament and Greek language of the New Testament do indicate that there is a difference that may get a bit lost in translation when read in English. Without getting swamped in too much religious smart guy talk, there is a pretty good explanation that speaks to your question from a biblical resource book called Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words that is helpful when dealing with words in the Bible in the original languages. Hopefully this will help give a bit more of a handle to the posted question and be a trusted resource for consultation in the future.
As it pertains to these words from a primarily New Testament perspective:
“The language of a passage like Hebrews 4:12 suggests the extreme difficulty of distinguishing between the soul and the spirit, alike in their nature and in their activities. Generally speaking the spirit is the higher, the soul the lower element. The spirit may be recognized as the life principle bestowed on man by God, the soul as the resulting life on man by God, the soul as the resulting life constituted in the individual, the body being the material organism animated by soul and spirit…
Body and soul are the constituents of the man according to Matthew 6:25, Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:20, Acts 20:10; body and spirit according to Luke 8:55, 1 Corinthians 5:3, 1 Corinthians 7:34, James 2:26. In Matthew 26:38 the emotions are associated with the soul, in John 13:21 with the spirit; cf. also Psalm 42:11 with 1 Kings 21:5. In Psalm 35:9 the soul rejoices in God, in Luke 1:47 the spirit.
Apparently, then, the relationships may be thus summed up ‘Soma, body, and pneuma, spirit, may be separated, pneuma and psuche, soul, can only be distinguished.”
“What is the difference between man’s spirit and soul?”
RESPONSE:
This question is one that is laced with nuances when viewed through a clearer lens that the original languages of the Bible were written. However, the majority of the population does not count Hebrew and Greek as two of their fluent languages. Even those who do will likely tell you that although there are differences, they are very subtle. The Hebrew language of the Old Testament and Greek language of the New Testament do indicate that there is a difference that may get a bit lost in translation when read in English. Without getting swamped in too much religious smart guy talk, there is a pretty good explanation that speaks to your question from a biblical resource book called Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words that is helpful when dealing with words in the Bible in the original languages. Hopefully this will help give a bit more of a handle to the posted question and be a trusted resource for consultation in the future.
As it pertains to these words from a primarily New Testament perspective:
“The language of a passage like Hebrews 4:12 suggests the extreme difficulty of distinguishing between the soul and the spirit, alike in their nature and in their activities. Generally speaking the spirit is the higher, the soul the lower element. The spirit may be recognized as the life principle bestowed on man by God, the soul as the resulting life on man by God, the soul as the resulting life constituted in the individual, the body being the material organism animated by soul and spirit…
Body and soul are the constituents of the man according to Matthew 6:25, Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:20, Acts 20:10; body and spirit according to Luke 8:55, 1 Corinthians 5:3, 1 Corinthians 7:34, James 2:26. In Matthew 26:38 the emotions are associated with the soul, in John 13:21 with the spirit; cf. also Psalm 42:11 with 1 Kings 21:5. In Psalm 35:9 the soul rejoices in God, in Luke 1:47 the spirit.
Apparently, then, the relationships may be thus summed up ‘Soma, body, and pneuma, spirit, may be separated, pneuma and psuche, soul, can only be distinguished.”
Friday, February 19, 2010
Does the Bible have anything to say about tithing when things are tight financially and life circumstances change?
QUESTION:
“I understand that the Bible talks about tithing 10% and have been doing so. However, I’m struggling financially at the moment, yet I know that God will provide for me. If I continue to tithe I will be honoring and obeying God while at the same time be headed straight into foreclosure on my house unless my circumstances happen to change again. Is there something in the Bible that talks about tithing during those seasons of life when it does not seem possible at the moment to give what you can or are able to? Because of my full time job and the hours I’m required to work, it's not possible for me to get an additional part time job or I would do that in a heart-beat.”
RESPONSE:
First off, let us start off by saying how sorry we are that you (and many others) are having to deal with the difficulties of the financial landscape that so many are having to navigate during this season of life. Such challenges can be a real stressor and we pray that God would give wisdom and insight to you (and others) who are trying their best to walk God’s path for life during these days.
That being said, yes, the Bible does speak about giving and also speaks that in life we will go through different seasons of life with different circumstances. However, different cases can be made for different perspectives on how exactly giving should be carried out by people who desire to follow Jesus. Some biblical scholars understand the tithe and giving to be just as you have mentioned, a baseline of 10% of the overall income that a person earns or receives. Other biblical scholars make the case that it is less about a specific percentage, and more about becoming people who are living generously and giving generously as they live as faithful stewards with the resources God puts in their care. Regardless, the scriptures are full of passages that call for followers of God to be people who care for the poor financially, give sacrificially, cheerfully, and in faith, and live lives that are not controlled by money.
It is also important to remember that God does not need our money. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills as it says in Psalms. If God wants steak for dinner, God will not put it on a credit card. God will just kill another cow! It all belongs to God. God just entrusts people with what is already under God’s authority and care. The whole reason for giving and tithing and being generous with the resources God has put in our care is to make us people who grow to become more like God in every area of our lives. This is why we stress week in and week out that when we pass the plates at The Heights, we continue in our worship and give our church family an opportunity to worship through giving. It is when we give that we “put our money where our mouth is” from a worship and trust perspective. It is much less costly from our perspective to sing a song about trusting God to provide for our every need than it is to write a check or put our cash in the offering plate. The rubber meets the road of our faith when we trust God with our finances.
The Bible does not specifically speak to the question above with a chapter and verse. You will not find, “Thou shalt tithe 10% unless things get tight. At that time thou shalt reduce giving to 5% and then fend off the banks against foreclosure. Once things stabilize, thou shalt go back to 10% and increase giving to 12% just to get back on God’s good side.” Sorry, you just don’t find that kind of explicit explanation. However, what you do find are principles about giving and living and being wise with the money that is under your authority. For example, God speaks in Galatians 6 about people “reaping what they sow.” Meaning, if we have (sow) a huge house payment and the circumstances of our lives change, unless we live with margin in our lives (sow) and have a plan in advance for when our circumstances change (sow), there will consistently be too much month at the end of the money. That leaves us with the dilemma: do we give to God what God has commanded us to give as people who are to trust Him and give sacrificially and generously…or…do we give to the bank what we said we would when we signed the note? One is our God…the other is our house…unless we have made our house into a god that we worship.
What we are trying to say is this: God does not need your money. God wants us to be people who are generous and cheerful givers who give and live sacrificially. God also speaks in Proverbs 22:7 about how “the borrower is slave to the lender.” Meaning, if you are not wise with your money, and you always owe other people money, you very well can feel like you are living life like a person in bondage to slavery. God does not say borrowing money is unbiblical. God is saying that you limit your options for freedom in your life when you live under the bondage of always owing someone else money.
If circumstances do not allow you to get another part time job to make ends meet and keep giving sacrificially, in faith, and cheerfully like you understand God to command, then perhaps it is time to make steps towards getting out of slavery. That may mean evaluating whether or not you need to sell the house rather than it being foreclosed on you. It may mean spending less and living within your means if you have not yet reviewed your budget with a fine toothed comb. It may mean making some real change in your life as it pertains to your lifestyle and what you spend money on. It may mean talking with people who have money and know how to live within a budget and spend and invest wisely so that you can begin to get a game plan on how to take action steps towards doing the same. The Bible speaks about surrounding ourselves with wise people who can help us know how to live wisely and make wise choices be it in our pursuit of God, our relationships with others, or even how to handle money in a wise way.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Does the Bible have anything to say about organ donation?
QUESTION:
“Does the Bible have anything to say about organ donation? The question about cremation got me to thinking about that issue?"
RESPONSE:
As it pertains to the types of organ donation that you and I would think about for transplants in the field of medicine, the Bible does not speak of such things. One reason is that such medical practices were not yet available as options in the days the Bible was written. However, the Bible does speak about doing good to others, serving others, considering others as more important than yourself. We can interpret some of what Jesus says about giving His body for others in such a way that He could be viewed as pro-organ donation.
At the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus says these words to His friends that we echo in churches today in preparation for partaking of the bread and cup.
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” --Luke 22:19-20
From one point of view Jesus is saying, “I am becoming an organ donor. In fact, I am also becoming a blood donor. If you want to push the metaphor, I am donating my whole body for the good of mankind and the salvation of those who will receive my body and blood as a sacrifice for their own sinful, decaying, and dying bodies. Receive the gift of a new heart, soul, mind, and strength and receive eternal life in me.”
God speaks of heart transplants in the Old Testament when He speaks of how He will renew Israel when they come back to Him in repentance.
“And when they come here, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.” --Ezekiel 11:18-21
Jesus goes on in John 10 to speak of how He lays down His life and in a very real sense, donates His life for the life of those who may be saved when He says these words.
“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:17-18
In conclusion, Jesus does not specifically speak of organ donation as we ponder the issue today. The Bible does not explicitly speak for or against organ donation in the manner we consider it in our day and time because it was not an issue in that day due to medical limitations. However, a case can be made that Jesus modeled giving His own life away that others may benefit. God’s desire is that faulty hearts and souls might be made right by receiving healthy hearts and souls that have been made new by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.
“Does the Bible have anything to say about organ donation? The question about cremation got me to thinking about that issue?"
RESPONSE:
As it pertains to the types of organ donation that you and I would think about for transplants in the field of medicine, the Bible does not speak of such things. One reason is that such medical practices were not yet available as options in the days the Bible was written. However, the Bible does speak about doing good to others, serving others, considering others as more important than yourself. We can interpret some of what Jesus says about giving His body for others in such a way that He could be viewed as pro-organ donation.
At the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus says these words to His friends that we echo in churches today in preparation for partaking of the bread and cup.
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” --Luke 22:19-20
From one point of view Jesus is saying, “I am becoming an organ donor. In fact, I am also becoming a blood donor. If you want to push the metaphor, I am donating my whole body for the good of mankind and the salvation of those who will receive my body and blood as a sacrifice for their own sinful, decaying, and dying bodies. Receive the gift of a new heart, soul, mind, and strength and receive eternal life in me.”
God speaks of heart transplants in the Old Testament when He speaks of how He will renew Israel when they come back to Him in repentance.
“And when they come here, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.” --Ezekiel 11:18-21
Jesus goes on in John 10 to speak of how He lays down His life and in a very real sense, donates His life for the life of those who may be saved when He says these words.
“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:17-18
In conclusion, Jesus does not specifically speak of organ donation as we ponder the issue today. The Bible does not explicitly speak for or against organ donation in the manner we consider it in our day and time because it was not an issue in that day due to medical limitations. However, a case can be made that Jesus modeled giving His own life away that others may benefit. God’s desire is that faulty hearts and souls might be made right by receiving healthy hearts and souls that have been made new by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Does the Bible have anything to say about cremation?
QUESTION:
“Does the Bible have anything to say about cremation? I know it talks about burying people, but did not know if there was any direction about the practice of cremation as an option when people die instead of burying them?”
RESPONSE:
“For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 Those are the final words that God said to Adam and Eve after the Fall just before the Lord God made coverings of skins and clothed them in their nakedness. When dealing with the issue of death, it is important for us to remember that regardless of how one’s life on earth is remembered, all will eventually return to dust until the time God makes all things new and brings history to its final culmination of restoration and ultimate renewal.
The Bible has countless records of how the majority of those who were followers of the one true God responded to those who died. They primarily buried the bodies. Great significance was placed around the remembering of life and making sure the bodies were properly dealt with rather than simply being left in a field for the birds of the air or wild beasts to dispose of them. Such an act was actually seen as a curse in the eyes of biblical society.
However, there is one reference in the Old Testament that references a type of cremation that took place that is worth noting as we consider the question listed above. It is recorded that the people of Jabesh-gilead cremated the bodies of Saul and his sons and then buried their bones under a tamarisk tree. Saul and his army, which included his sons, were brutally defeated in battle by the Philistines as recorded in 1 Samuel. Chapter 31 speaks of how Saul died and how the Philistines treated his body and the bodies of his sons and soldiers with great disrespect.
However, 1 Samuel 31:11-12 indicate that people of Jabesh-gilead took it upon themselves to take risky steps to ensure Saul and his sons did not remain in such a humiliating fashion even in their state of death.
“But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.” 1 Samuel 31:11-13
In a very real sense, Saul and his sons were cremated before their bones (and ashes) were finally laid to rest. The men of Jabesh-gilead were simply speeding up the process of decay most likely out of an act of mercy due to the severity of how badly the bodies had been mutilated by their captors. However, when people were buried in biblical days, the custom for burial was to place the body in a tomb for a year to let the body decay. Then, after the year of decay had passed, family members would return to the tomb or cave where the body had been laid, and would gather the remaining bones. These bones were then buried in a type of box called an ossuary where they were then placed or buried with other family members who had died.
Different cultures and different time periods have recorded different ways to approach the process of disposing of the body at the time of death. However, it has been consistent throughout history that much significance was given to a person’s life in a memorial or way of remembrance across the different cultures on the earth. It seems that in Saul’s case and in the case of his sons, their cremation, along with those who have been cremated throughout church history in different cultures up to present day, are simply speeding up the process that God spoke of in Genesis 3:19 when God said, “and to dust you shall return.”
In conclusion, the Bible does not specifically speak for or against cremation. It merely indicates that cremation did occur for Saul and his sons at the end of their lives and that they were properly remembered and honored at the end of their lives by those who remained alive.
“Does the Bible have anything to say about cremation? I know it talks about burying people, but did not know if there was any direction about the practice of cremation as an option when people die instead of burying them?”
RESPONSE:
“For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 Those are the final words that God said to Adam and Eve after the Fall just before the Lord God made coverings of skins and clothed them in their nakedness. When dealing with the issue of death, it is important for us to remember that regardless of how one’s life on earth is remembered, all will eventually return to dust until the time God makes all things new and brings history to its final culmination of restoration and ultimate renewal.
The Bible has countless records of how the majority of those who were followers of the one true God responded to those who died. They primarily buried the bodies. Great significance was placed around the remembering of life and making sure the bodies were properly dealt with rather than simply being left in a field for the birds of the air or wild beasts to dispose of them. Such an act was actually seen as a curse in the eyes of biblical society.
However, there is one reference in the Old Testament that references a type of cremation that took place that is worth noting as we consider the question listed above. It is recorded that the people of Jabesh-gilead cremated the bodies of Saul and his sons and then buried their bones under a tamarisk tree. Saul and his army, which included his sons, were brutally defeated in battle by the Philistines as recorded in 1 Samuel. Chapter 31 speaks of how Saul died and how the Philistines treated his body and the bodies of his sons and soldiers with great disrespect.
However, 1 Samuel 31:11-12 indicate that people of Jabesh-gilead took it upon themselves to take risky steps to ensure Saul and his sons did not remain in such a humiliating fashion even in their state of death.
“But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.” 1 Samuel 31:11-13
In a very real sense, Saul and his sons were cremated before their bones (and ashes) were finally laid to rest. The men of Jabesh-gilead were simply speeding up the process of decay most likely out of an act of mercy due to the severity of how badly the bodies had been mutilated by their captors. However, when people were buried in biblical days, the custom for burial was to place the body in a tomb for a year to let the body decay. Then, after the year of decay had passed, family members would return to the tomb or cave where the body had been laid, and would gather the remaining bones. These bones were then buried in a type of box called an ossuary where they were then placed or buried with other family members who had died.
Different cultures and different time periods have recorded different ways to approach the process of disposing of the body at the time of death. However, it has been consistent throughout history that much significance was given to a person’s life in a memorial or way of remembrance across the different cultures on the earth. It seems that in Saul’s case and in the case of his sons, their cremation, along with those who have been cremated throughout church history in different cultures up to present day, are simply speeding up the process that God spoke of in Genesis 3:19 when God said, “and to dust you shall return.”
In conclusion, the Bible does not specifically speak for or against cremation. It merely indicates that cremation did occur for Saul and his sons at the end of their lives and that they were properly remembered and honored at the end of their lives by those who remained alive.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Did Haiti make a pact with the Devil?
QUESTION:
“I heard that some are saying the reason for the earthquake in Haiti is because the people of Haiti made a pact with the devil? What do you think about this?”
RESPONSE:
I think God’s heart beats for the people of Haiti and is broken for the people who are suffering in Haiti.
Please do continue to pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down by the disaster in Haiti. One theme that I see over and over in the Bible is how God’s heart beats for the poor, the marginalized, and those who suffer from injustice. I read a quote in Richard Stearn’s book entitled The Hole in Our Gospel that may stir your heart and cause you to pause and think more deeply about such things and such people. The quote listed at the beginning of chapter fourteen in his book reads:
“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it.” “Well, why don’t you ask Him?”“Because I’m afraid He would ask me the same question.”--Anonymous
May our hearts begin to beat in rhythm with God’s heart as we invest time in prayer this week for those whom God deeply loves that are experiencing life in poverty, suffering and injustice today. As we invest time in prayer and in God’s presence, may we then do whatever God leads us to do by His Holy Spirit and in accordance with His Word.
One who has responded so well to this very question is a man named Dr. James C. Denison. Without reinventing the wheel in a response to this question listed above, I have linked Dr. Denison’s response to the same question below. I think what Dr. Denison has written thus far is solid and accurate based on what God has already said in the Bible. It may be helpful for you to read other essays by Dr. Denison that cover other questions and issues of the Bible, faith, current events, and other issues that are relevant to our lives. His article below begins to deal with the question: Did the people of Haiti make a pact with the devil? I “amen” everything he has written below and hope you find it helpful as you seek to acquire perspective and truth on this question.
By Dr. James C. DenisonPresident, The Center for Informed Faith, Dallas, Texas
January 14, 2010
Topic: God, Satan, and suffering
Haiti and the devil (part one)
Is God punishing Haiti for worshipping the devil? I was preparing this morning's essay on the crisis in Haiti when I heard the story on the morning news: Pat Robertson has claimed that Haiti made a pact with Satan for which they are now facing the wrath of God.
I immediately changed topics to investigate the story. My research on the historical background behind this alleged pact is taking longer than I imagined, so I'll give you what I'm learning in tomorrow's essay. For today, let's consider Robertson's statement in biblical perspective.
We begin with Rev. Robertson's actual statement as I transcribed it from the video clip: "Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French, you know Napoleon the third or whatever, and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French.' True story. And so the devil said, 'Okay, it's a deal.' And they kicked the French out, you know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since they have been cursed by one thing after the other, desperately poor." He went on to contrast Haiti's poverty with the Dominican Republic's prosperity and called on the Haitians to turn to God.
I need to make four biblical responses.
First, God loves the suffering people of Haiti. He cares passionately for the poor and oppressed. His word tells us, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done" (Proverbs 19:17). The Lord said of King Josiah, "He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" (Jeremiah 22:16).
The alleged pact with the devil in 1791 would put our Father on the side of slavery and Satan on the side of those seeking freedom. The reverse is actually the case. Satan is a "murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44), a thief who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10) and seeks to make us "slaves to sin" (Romans 6:17). Satan enslaves-God liberates.
Second, the Haitians are suffering because we are all fallen people living on a fallen planet. In the Garden of Eden, this tragedy would not have occurred. In God's perfect plan there would have been no Hurricane Katrina, no tsunami in southeast Asia, no cancer or heart disease or earthquakes. But when we fell into sin, the entire planet was affected. As a result, "the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time" (Romans 8:22). The earthquake is not the Haitians' fault. God cares for their pain as his own.
Third, God's people must respond. We are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12), his hands and feet. He will help the suffering Haitians through us. Give to help the relief effort; go if you can; pray fervently. Don't speculate on the causes of this crisis-respond personally and practically.
Last, I must state that Robertson's statement is unbridled audacity. Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, told a television reporter that it is "arrogance" to claim that we can interpret such events as divine judgment. Franklin Graham told the media that "I do not agree" with the comments, and was right to add, "God loves the people of Haiti." As we will see tomorrow, Robertson should have checked his sources before making his allegation. Scripture calls us to "test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
Pray now for the Haitians. Ask God to redeem this horrific tragedy for his glory and their good. Know that God is love (1 John 4:8), and prove his compassion with your own. This is the word, and the call, of God.
[Read More from Dr. Denison]
“I heard that some are saying the reason for the earthquake in Haiti is because the people of Haiti made a pact with the devil? What do you think about this?”
RESPONSE:
I think God’s heart beats for the people of Haiti and is broken for the people who are suffering in Haiti.
Please do continue to pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down by the disaster in Haiti. One theme that I see over and over in the Bible is how God’s heart beats for the poor, the marginalized, and those who suffer from injustice. I read a quote in Richard Stearn’s book entitled The Hole in Our Gospel that may stir your heart and cause you to pause and think more deeply about such things and such people. The quote listed at the beginning of chapter fourteen in his book reads:
“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it.” “Well, why don’t you ask Him?”“Because I’m afraid He would ask me the same question.”--Anonymous
May our hearts begin to beat in rhythm with God’s heart as we invest time in prayer this week for those whom God deeply loves that are experiencing life in poverty, suffering and injustice today. As we invest time in prayer and in God’s presence, may we then do whatever God leads us to do by His Holy Spirit and in accordance with His Word.
One who has responded so well to this very question is a man named Dr. James C. Denison. Without reinventing the wheel in a response to this question listed above, I have linked Dr. Denison’s response to the same question below. I think what Dr. Denison has written thus far is solid and accurate based on what God has already said in the Bible. It may be helpful for you to read other essays by Dr. Denison that cover other questions and issues of the Bible, faith, current events, and other issues that are relevant to our lives. His article below begins to deal with the question: Did the people of Haiti make a pact with the devil? I “amen” everything he has written below and hope you find it helpful as you seek to acquire perspective and truth on this question.
By Dr. James C. DenisonPresident, The Center for Informed Faith, Dallas, Texas
January 14, 2010
Topic: God, Satan, and suffering
Haiti and the devil (part one)
Is God punishing Haiti for worshipping the devil? I was preparing this morning's essay on the crisis in Haiti when I heard the story on the morning news: Pat Robertson has claimed that Haiti made a pact with Satan for which they are now facing the wrath of God.
I immediately changed topics to investigate the story. My research on the historical background behind this alleged pact is taking longer than I imagined, so I'll give you what I'm learning in tomorrow's essay. For today, let's consider Robertson's statement in biblical perspective.
We begin with Rev. Robertson's actual statement as I transcribed it from the video clip: "Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French, you know Napoleon the third or whatever, and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French.' True story. And so the devil said, 'Okay, it's a deal.' And they kicked the French out, you know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since they have been cursed by one thing after the other, desperately poor." He went on to contrast Haiti's poverty with the Dominican Republic's prosperity and called on the Haitians to turn to God.
I need to make four biblical responses.
First, God loves the suffering people of Haiti. He cares passionately for the poor and oppressed. His word tells us, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done" (Proverbs 19:17). The Lord said of King Josiah, "He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" (Jeremiah 22:16).
The alleged pact with the devil in 1791 would put our Father on the side of slavery and Satan on the side of those seeking freedom. The reverse is actually the case. Satan is a "murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44), a thief who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10) and seeks to make us "slaves to sin" (Romans 6:17). Satan enslaves-God liberates.
Second, the Haitians are suffering because we are all fallen people living on a fallen planet. In the Garden of Eden, this tragedy would not have occurred. In God's perfect plan there would have been no Hurricane Katrina, no tsunami in southeast Asia, no cancer or heart disease or earthquakes. But when we fell into sin, the entire planet was affected. As a result, "the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time" (Romans 8:22). The earthquake is not the Haitians' fault. God cares for their pain as his own.
Third, God's people must respond. We are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12), his hands and feet. He will help the suffering Haitians through us. Give to help the relief effort; go if you can; pray fervently. Don't speculate on the causes of this crisis-respond personally and practically.
Last, I must state that Robertson's statement is unbridled audacity. Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, told a television reporter that it is "arrogance" to claim that we can interpret such events as divine judgment. Franklin Graham told the media that "I do not agree" with the comments, and was right to add, "God loves the people of Haiti." As we will see tomorrow, Robertson should have checked his sources before making his allegation. Scripture calls us to "test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
Pray now for the Haitians. Ask God to redeem this horrific tragedy for his glory and their good. Know that God is love (1 John 4:8), and prove his compassion with your own. This is the word, and the call, of God.
[Read More from Dr. Denison]
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