The QandA Times

Faith vs Works

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2013-06-25 09:55:34

Q-I accept the fact that there is a hereafter. I am sure also about which of the two places I want to go. My problem comes when I hear some clerics say that all you have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and have a personal relationship with him; and others who say that regardless of what you’ve done insofar as accepting Jesus Christ as your savior, if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell. Why are there so many different opinions on something so serious: spending an eternity of happiness vs. spending an eternity of punishment?

A-The expression “to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and have a personal relation-ship with him” was cited by Martin Luther at the time (16th century) of his protesting against the Catholic Church’s teaching about the necessity of good works in order to be saved. Granting that in Luther’s time some expressions of Catholic teaching and some Catholic practices were frequently misunderstood and indeed seemed to go against the Bible, the Catholic Church never taught that a person is saved by works alone or by the merits of their own good deeds. The Church did encourage various good works by granting indulgences for the performance of such works. An indulgence is a remission in whole or in part of the punishment due to sin. The Church has from Jesus the authority to forgive the sins of human persons, and uses that authority to foster various practices of piety and prayer. Good works (e.g. charity and fasting and almsgiving and prayers and teaching and the Sacraments) all suppose the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ. All these good works cultivate a close personal relationship with Jesus. That faith proves itself and is alive when expressed in good works. In his rejection of the Catholic Church, Luther protested against the use of indulgences and various Catholic practices of religious devotion, including veneration of the saints and relics connected with them, and eventually against that most important expression of Catholic faith and practice: the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Luther’s followers and successors would eventually restore many of these practices, which are rooted in early Christianity. Luther’s insistence that we are saved “by faith alone” (Luther’s words) is contradicted by Jesus’ cousin, St. James, in his epistle in the New Testament. Therein (chapter 2, verses 14-26) St. James answers Luther’s protestation. The Apostle writes: “My brothers, what good is it for someone to say that he has faith if his actions do not prove it? Can that faith save him? Suppose there are brothers and sisters who need clothes and don’t have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them: ‘God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!’ – if you don’t give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and does not express itself in actions, then it is dead. But someone will say: ‘One person has faith, another has good deeds.’ My answer is: Show me how anyone can have faith without good deeds. I will show you my faith by my good deeds. Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The devils also believe – and tremble with fear. Do you want to be shown that faith without deeds is useless? How was our ancestor Abraham made righteous before God? It was through his good deeds. . . . His faith and his deeds worked together; his faith was made perfect through his good actions. And this is why Scripture says of him: ‘Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.’ And so Abraham was called God’s friend. You see then, that it is by his deeds that a person is made righteous before God, and not by his faith alone. . . . . So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without good works is dead.” Luther preferred his own opinion to that of the Apostle, and so rejected the Epistle of James from the New Testament. By now however most Protestants, including Lutherans, have recognized that the Epistle of James has been part of the New Testament, since the time when the Canon of the Bible was determined (around the year 100). In the gospel (Matthew 7:21) Jesus says: “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the Will of my heavenly Father.” Faith is expressed not only by words, but requires deeds for proof. The person, who chooses to do evil, in that action, is rejecting the faith he might profess with his lips. Religion is not a matter of picking and choosing according to the individual’s tastes. The television mogul, Ted Turner recently said that he prefers the Ten Commandments be styled “the ten suggestions.” He acknowledges that the Commandment forbidding adultery makes him uncomfortable. But the Commandments are from God, and do not depend on human acceptance or individual opinion. Each person will be judged by God: according as to whether or not they have lived their faith through good deeds, which include the Commandments. Those persons, who have practiced good deeds, evidence living faith, and so their faith will enable them to go to heaven. Those persons who chose to ignore the Commandments and neglected to practice good deeds will go to hell, even though they might protest: “I believe.” By their evil deeds, committed during life on earth, they effectively denied the faith. So in hell they will believe, along with the devils, and tremble with fear!

Faith vs Works

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2013-06-25 09:52:21

Q-I accept the fact that there is a hereafter. I am sure also about which of the two places I want to go. My problem comes when I hear some clerics say that all you have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and have a personal relationship with him; and others who say that regardless of what you’ve done insofar as accepting Jesus Christ as your savior, if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell. Why are there so many different opinions on something so serious: spending an eternity of happiness vs. spending an eternity of punishment?

A-The questioner is really asking about the “eternal security” of the child of God. Can a person once they are saved lose their salvation? There are two major views to the question of “eternal security” vs “conditional salvation.” This controversial battle has been known rooted in the scriptures and the historical doctrinal positions held by John Calvin (Calvinism) and Jacob Arminius (Arminianism). But the battle is rooted in the Sovereignty of God and the Free Will of man. There is a huge tension between the two. The more free will man has, the less power God has. More power God has, the less free will man has. This struggle has been played out in history with Augustine vs Peligius (410), Luther and Erasmus (Early1500), Calvin and Arminius (mid to late 1500’s) and Whitfield and Wesley (1740s England & America). Now there are scriptures quoted by both sides defending their positions. For instance, the Arminian side of “conditional salvation” states that true Christians can fall away, but they disagree over whether or not such fallen Christians can return again to salvation (ie. Wesleyans believe they can, and Arminians deny that they can). The sense of the doctrine is that there is a tentative quality to our salvation and is predicated on how well we can keep and hold on to our salvation till the end. Like the questioners example then, “if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell.” Scriptures pointed to support this view point are: {Hebrews 6:4-6} “if they fall away,” {1 Corinthians 9:27} “I myself be disqualified,” {Hebrews 10:26-27} “if you deliberately continue on sinning,” {2 Peter 2:20} “and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were in the beginning,” and other such passages. This side is very man centered. On the other side of the argument is Calvinism’s view as spelled out in the “Westminster Confession of Faith.” The doctrine, known as the “Perseverance of the Saints” titled so at the “Synod of Dort” says, “They whom God hath accepted in His Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.” (Westminster Confession of Faith, chap. 17, sec. 1). Scriptures of eternal security come also plentifully: {John 10:28-29} “I give them eternal life…no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand,” {John 3:16} “…has everlasting life,” {Romans 8:38-39} “nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” and {1 Thessalonians 1:4} “knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you,” along with other passages. This side is very God centered. Now what do we make of all this? Well for me, it is to live like an Arminianist but believe like a Calvinist. I make every effort to live in the power of Jesus and obey, strive, submit, walk, fight the fight of faith, all words and commands God in the scriptures calls me to do on my part because I love Him. On the other hand I realize from beginning to the end my salvation is totally predicated on the Grace and Mercy of God. I didn’t deserve salvation because I was too depraved to even want to be saved but God reached down, effectively called me and saved me through His Son. I realize my weakness and sinfulness that still tempts me, the world that tries to seduce me and the devil who wants to devour me. I haven’t the ability or the strength to withstand my own sinful nature, the temptations of the world and the vicious spiritual assaults and temptations of the devil. I need one greater than I to withstand all that and make it to the end still saved. That is why I, like the Apostle Paul, who called himself the “chief of sinners” {1 Timothy 1:15} place my eternal assurance in the hand of our Sovereign God through His grace in Jesus Christ. I know in myself I cannot be good enough to make God’s grade of perfection. {Ephesians 2:8-9} That as a stumbling and struggling sinner believer, my security is in God keeping me in Him. As scripture testifies in 2 Timothy 1:12; “ For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” My security from beginning to end depends on Him and there is no better place to be. “He Is Able.” [Ephesians 3:20} In Christ, Pastor Dave PS – “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.” Jude 1:24 (NLT)

How to read the Bible

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2013-05-29 10:27:44

Q-In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

A-Let me applaud you for wanting to better understand God’s revealed Word, the Bible (which by the way means “the Book”). Initially, the Bible can seem very daunting; yet if one takes the time to understand how it is assembled, reading the Bible can be very rewarding, exciting, and more importantly, reveal God’s will for our lives and enable us to know him better. Let me start with the last question first, “…is the Old Testament relevant any longer?” My short response is Yes… “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” (Heb 6:17-18 ESV) [see also Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 7:21 and James 1:17; emphasis added] It is important to remember that God doesn’t change; it is in his steadfast character that we find hope regardless of our circumstances, knowing He ALWAYS keeps his promises. What we are allowed to see may change, we may see difference aspects or qualities of God at different times; yet God doesn’t change. So if we want a complete understanding of God and how he interacts with mankind, we need to understand all of his word. Further, to understand the New Testament, we must understand the Old Testament, as the New Testament is the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. In reading the Bible, always remember it is a real message, from the very real and living God. He wrote specific things to specific people in specific places for specific purposes. Please understand, the Bible is not written as a novel or a textbook. It is really a collection of books/writings from God to His people, and His people responding to Him (i.e. the Psalms). The Old Testament contains three general sections being History, Wisdom/Writings, and the Prophets (speaking God’s Heart to His People). The New Testament has the Gospels (1st hand biographies and teachings of Jesus), Acts (of the Holy Spirit in his disciples), Letters (with teaching and encouragement) and Revelation (Jesus’ revelation for what is to come). For an overview of the Bible, let me suggest the following reading plan shown in the chart below, which can be done in 2-3 weeks (based loosely on a plan @ http://tinyurl.com/3eqaf2d by Dane Ortlund): After this, I would recommend reading entire books of the Bible, as each book or psalm was intended to be read/heard in its entirety. A good starting point would be perhaps the gospel of John, and Paul’s letter to the Romans. There are as many reading plans as there are people. The important thing is that you read God’s word and get to know the Lord of the Universe, our Savior.

How to read the Bible

By Rev.Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Rev.Amy Baumgartner

2013-05-29 10:25:37

Q-In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

A-The Bible is a very big book and very different than most other books we encounter because it is comprised of different “books” or sections written by different authors in different styles and was compiled over a long period of time. While most of us pick up a book and begin reading at page one and work our way to the end, this is not always advisable for the Bible because early on the reader will encounter seemingly boring lists of names (genealogies) and a compilation of laws that seem to have little relevance for most of us who do live in a post-agrarian society. I would encourage you to begin reading the type of literature that resonates best with you. For instance, if poetry is your thing, start with the Psalms. If you enjoy stories, choose either the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John in the New Testament) or the books of Samuel or Kings (in the Old Testament). If you like more straight-forward writings with ready application, the Epistles (letters) of the New Testament or Proverbs would be a good starting spot. I personally have found that different genres have resonated and spoken to me differently at different points of my life. As you read, I would encourage you to stick with your reading. Realize that the Bible was written a long time ago and mentions places and employs illustrations that may be difficult to understand (for instance, what does it mean to “heap burning coals” on someone’s head?). Some background books on the Bible can help you understand more fully some puzzling things found in the Bible. Another difficult part of reading the Bible is that some of the stories seem very implausible. Can God really make the sun stand still in the sky? Could Jesus really walk on water? When you encounter unbelievable parts, instead of being distracted by how it seems implausible therefore rendering the Bible a fictional book, ask yourself why God would have the text presented in this way. Ask God to reveal what God is saying through the passage. You also asked about the Old Testament’s relevance. The term “old” implies that it is outdated or obsolete; however, the Old Testament books (also referred to as the Hebrew Scriptures) are hugely important to understanding Jesus’ life, ministry and death because Jesus was a Jew who grew up reading and following the mandates of the Hebrew Scriptures. The basis of the Old Testament also helps understand concepts found in the New Testament. For instance, the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament is difficult to understand unless you have a background in the sacrificial system that God established in the Hebrew Scriptures. While the Hebrew Scriptures form the backbone to the New Testament, many people find the New Testament easier to read because it is written in a style more comprehendible for our Western minds. May you be blessed in your reading of the Bible.

How to read the Bible

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2013-05-29 10:16:46

Q-In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

A-The reason the Christian church urges the reading of the Bible is because it is believed to be the very word of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16 it is “God Breathed” or “inspired” by God; not like a song writer is inspired to write a musical from his emotions. Rather, Scripture is not from the will of man nor is its interpretation, but all of it is from God. {1 Peter 1:20-21} The writers of the scriptures were given God’s message through the Holy Spirit who taught them and superintended their writings, using the writers’ personalities and styles, but the very words of God. The Bible evidences its uniqueness because it was written by 40 different authors, over a period of 1500 years with chilling historical accuracy. It is truly amazing because it is the only book of its kind in the whole world. But it is more to us than just a cool book. It is the supreme and ultimate authority for faith and life! It is not a book of man’s thoughts about God. It is the very words of God for us to humbly live under. It is called the “Canon” or “the rule” or “measuring stick” for all of our lives. It is God’s final word and no matter what men think of it, or what opinion polls say about it, or how many disagree with it; {Isaiah 55:9-11} in the end what matters is only what God thinks about it, because that’s forever! {Matthew 24:34-35} It is very real and practical. Real, because it covers people, like you and me, especially in the Old Testament, who dealt with the same problems we have, tempting and challenging us; everything from adultery to worry. And it gives us insights in how to overcome by faith in God. {Romans 10:17} It tells us what God wants from our lives {Exodus 20:1-17} and how we are to live them. {Proverbs 3:5-6} It is a light to our path {Psalm 119:105} and gives us the plan to build strength in the Lord {Ephesians 6:10-18} The Word does surgery on our souls {Hebrews 4:12} and is a great tool we can use every day for knowing God’s will; a spiritual check-up, correction and training for the job He has for us. “God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” {2 Timothy 3:17 NLT} Beyond that, the Bible gives us the Gospel (or good news), that God gave His only Son for us out of His love, to die and forgive our sin, to save us from eternal death with His eternal transaction and to empower us to live abundant lives on earth while living in us, assured of heaven. {John 3:36} Now, how does this happen? First, begin by getting a Bible you can understand when you read it. For first time readers I suggest the New Living Translation (easy to understand translation) or even The Living Bible (which is a paraphrase from an English Bible, written by a dad who wanted his kids to understand the message of the Bible). Second, pray and ask God to send His Holy Spirit so you can understand and apply what you read to your life. We want more than information. We want God’s transformation to take place in our lives. Third, begin with a simple passage like Matthew chapter 5,verses 13 through 16, the Sermon on the Mount. Read it several times and then ask first; what is Jesus teaching His disciples or the people around Him? What does God want them to know? Then, ask yourself this set of questions to understand what God is saying to you. 1. Is there a promise to claim? 2. A command to obey. 3. A sin to confess? 4. A sin for me to avoid? 5. An example to follow? 6. Is there a new thought about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit or the devil? Next, ask how do I apply this to my life. Make a specific and achievable goal. Make it personal. Write your thoughts and goals down. Pray for God’s help in doing what He told you to do in his word. Share it with a Christian friend who can ask you about it later for accountability. Every day do this and watch God change you by His word, through the Holy Spirit. Make this time with God an everyday part of your schedule, like a meal that you need for nourishment. Make it at a specific time and a specific place where there are no distractions. I find this in my car, in the park, with my phone off. Plan what you are going to read, like a work out. Know what you are going to do before you get to the gym. (If you want a plan, email me and I can send you the break- down of the Sermon on the Mount and also other important verses to study.) Also, keep a little pad handy with a pen because when you slow down enough for this quiet time with God, your mind may get flooded with all the things you need to do or didn’t do. Write them down so they don’t distract your mind, and you can be free to pick them up at a later time. This pattern of quiet time was what Jesus did during His earthly ministry {Mark 6:46; Luke 9:28}. God’s spiritual giants have come to know their quiet time is their source of His strength. {Psalm 1:2-3}. Come to His table to enjoy His sumptuous meal with the bread of life who satisfies {Isaiah 55:1-3}, Pastor Dave.

How to read the Bible

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2013-05-29 10:14:58

Q-In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

A-Jews and Christians consider the (so-called) Old Testament to be the written Word of God. This means that God Himself, through his Holy Spirit, inspired the human authors of the various books of the Bible (e.g., Moses, David, Solomon, the prophets, etc.) . The Christians likewise consider the Old Testament, along with the New Testament, as having been inspired by God with the ideas, which the human authors (e.g. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, Jude, etc.) wrote down in their respective books. Accordingly, for Jews and Christians, God is considered the principal author of the whole Bible in all it’s parts. The human author, in his turn, expressed in writing the ideas God put into his mind, but wrote them according to his own understanding and culture and background and manner-of-expression; so that he too is author of the work(s) he wrote. In Islam, the Bible is held to reflect the true unfolding revelation from God, but revelation by human hands. The Koran clearly recognizes the Old Testament prophets as divinely inspired and their words as the very words of God. The Muslims in general believe that the Bible contains original revelation from God, but is supposedly corrupted to one degree or another. Therefore they believe that neither the Bible nor the Koran is the inspired and preserved word of God. Nestorian Christians (early heretics) did provide some source material for the Koran. Gradually however Moslem scholars alleged that succeeding generations changed various words from their original context. There is no evidence of any such changes in the thousands of ancient manuscripts available for all to study. They respect the Bible, as sources for many teachings and stories related by their Prophet Mohamed and preserved in the Koran. The Bible is not only a large book; rather, it is a library of books: of a variety of types of literature, such as one finds in a large library. Some books of the Bible are history, while others treat of philosophy (the first eleven chapters of Genesis and all the books of Wisdom). Here by “philosophy” I mean: the authors endeavor to respond to basic questions of humanity, e.g. is there just one God or many gods, how did the world originate, why did God create us, who were the first humans and our ancestors, what is cause of evil in this world created by God, what about the ancient tradition of a universal flood, what is the destiny of man and woman? God inspired Moses to write about these topics in a manner easy for unlearned people to remember. Of course, he consulted the collective memories of the Hebrew people. Thus he composed the first chapters of the book of Genesis. Other books are collections of sermons preached by zealous prophets and apostles. Some books are political propaganda (e.g. Chronicles, which was written to glorify the reign of King David). Still others are collections of official records (e.g. Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), genealogies, laws, pastoral letters of busy bishops (the epistles of St. Paul and of James and John and Jude) and apocalyptic writings, the ancient form of “Star Wars” with terrifying cosmic struggles (e.g. Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation). The four gospels were intended originally as catechisms to instruct Christian converts about the life and teachings of Jesus, rather than as strict history or biography, although indeed they contain also some of the history and biography of Jesus. The Song of Songs is a script written for theater performance of courtly love. Nevertheless each of these books is inspired by God’s Holy Spirit and is the Word of God. The Psalms contains prayers and songs and reflections for liturgical usage. Being a library of many books, it is not wise to read the Bible straight through, as if it were a single book. Rather, it ought to be read selectively, at least until the reader is thoroughly familiar with the whole Bible. I suggest the reader begin by reading the gospel of Mark, then go back and read the first two books of the Old Testament (Genesis and Exodus), then read some of the psalms (for prayer as well as reflections on the history just read). Then read a couple of St. Paul’s epistles and follow them with the Book of Proverbs (an ancient form of Dear Abby’s practical advice). Then read the gospel of Luke and follow that immediately with Acts of the Apostles (the history of the primitive Christian community), which St. Luke wrote as companion books. Then go back and read one of the prophets, and the beautiful Wisdom of Solomon. Then read the gospel of St. John, understand that Wisdom is the Word of God, which became incarnate in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Other books of both the Old and New Testaments can then be read, according to the reader’s taste and time, with clearer understanding of what one is reading. The final book of the Bible (Revelation) ought to be read in conjunction with it’s Old Testament precedents (Ezekiel and Daniel), and then the two Books of Maccabees. The Old Testament remains very relevant, containing God’s instructions and laws for his people, as well as for the history and culture, which contributed to the developments of Christianity and Islam, as well as of Western Civilization. Of course, the Old Testament is the foundation book of Judaism. But it also influenced greatly the framers of the American Constitution, as well as the legal codes of other countries. More than any other book, the Bible has helped shape the history of the world, and continues to witness to the presence and power of God in this his world. It continues to influence our culture and every worthy human endeavor. Sometimes certain texts of the Bible have been exploited by false teachers, crooked politicians and ambitious religious leaders: for their own purposes. But such abuse does not put God’s approval on their movements, even though they might quote God’s words in attempting to support their agenda. The apostles, Peter and Paul warned about such false teachers, and told us to avoid them. One reason Jesus established his Church was to provide an authentic interpreter for understanding and living: the Word of God in the Bible.

Sins: big & little

By Rev.Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Rev.Amy Baumgartner

2013-04-29 13:35:05

Q-Which sins are big and which sins are little? Which sins are serious and grave, mortal and deadly (for the soul), and which sins are not so grave or venial? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

A-Human beings were created in the “image of God” yet often humans behave in a way that is contrary to God’s design of us. The human life is marked by attitudes and actions that are a distortion of the image of God in which we were created. The Bible names this disconnect between who we were created to be and how we truly are as sin. It causes us as humans to treat God, others and ourselves in ways that are not loving and just. Sin causes a breakdown in relationship; it causes alienation from God by breaking the relationship of love and trust God seeks to have with humans. The Bible likens sin to being a prisoner in a prison camp who needs liberation. The Bible portrays the human race as enslaved to and imprisoned by the power of sin. Sin is, in the words of Reformer John Calvin, “inherited corruption.” He wrote in Institutes of the Christian Religion that “all of us, who have descended from impure seed, are born infected with the contagion of sin” (II.1.5). Sin affects our nature and our actions. For instance, sin can self-delude us into believing that some sins are not as bad as others while in fact, all sin in reality causes a separation between humans and God. And sin affects our relationships with each other, the earth, and even within ourselves. So, to answer your first question simply, all sins are sins, there are no big or little sins. They all cause alienation and result in consequences. The varying consequences may lead some to believe that some sins are “little.” For example, one may ask, is my speeding on the highway really as bad as murdering someone? The consequences resulting in the damage to the family of the slain person are more substantial; however, all violations of God’s ways and design will result in separation from the Holy God. And one day, all humans will stand before God the Judge to give an account of our actions and attitudes—the good ones that reflect us being created in the image of God and the bad ones that cause separation (sins). While this may sound like bad news, there is hope. Sin is a corruption of the human race that can only be restored by the radical action of God. And God’s radical action was in the giving of the one who will “save God’s people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21): Jesus Christ.

Sins: big & little

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2013-04-29 13:32:07

Q-Which sins are big and which sins are little? Which sins are serious and grave, mortal and deadly (for the soul), and which sins are not so grave or venial? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

A-Our first question really asks about the grading or qualitative nature of sin. In the scriptures all and any sin, no matter what the grade or quality, brings separation from God {Isaiah 59:2}. Sin is missing the mark, God’s mark. All sin is against God and His holy will. {Psalm 51:4} It’s a breaking or transgressing of God’s law. (1John 3:4} The problem is “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” {Romans 3:23} and “the wages of sin is death.” {Romans 6:23} Notice there are no grades of sin but all sin brings eternal separation from God. So we see three things. First, God is the one who sets the standard. Second, sin is anything that is a rebellion or misses God’s standard and way. Third, that there is no difference when it comes to sin, whether quality or kind of sin, it all separates us from God eternally. Now when it comes to the eternal perspective, sin is sin. “All sin” as Calvin said, “is Mortal,” because it brings eternal death to mankind. In reality it doesn’t matter what one person or group or preacher or even church thinks. What matters is what God says about it! Who is right? God! Now the scriptures do make some distinctions of sin when it speaks about certain sins being more grievous {Genesis 18:20}, or an abomination {Leviticus20:13}, detestable {Jeremiah 16:17} and some seem to have a higher level of offensiveness to God. {Leviticus 20:10-21} In the New Testament, Paul speaks to the new Corinthians Christians who were very much accustomed to living with sexually promiscuous life styles; he makes a higher distinction to emphasize a point that sexual sin is a direct sin against Christ and the Holy Spirit. {1 Cor. 6:15-20} Now the Catholic Church had made further distinctions of sin with Mortal and Venial Sins, however the Protestant side of Christianity would not go as far. Protestants still held to the distinctions between ordinary and heinous sins because the scriptures made those distinctions, especially in the Old Testament. A lot of the clear distinctions are for the penalties of different criminal acts, some punishable by death, other corporal penalties and even the levying of fines. Our system of justice has similar distinctions like first and second degree murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. {Numbers 35:15-34} The second question is more individually oriented on how a person’s individual beliefs affect their responsibility for a sin or not. Where is the doubt? If the Bible says it is a sin, then, guess what? It is a sin! Whether the person wants to believe it or not, if God says it is, then it is. If a person is naïve and doesn’t know it is, does it change the matter? Men used to drink out of beautiful ornate lead mugs, believing it was ok. But they still died of lead poisoning. Their belief was false. The Bible is filled with people who made that same mistake. Eve {Genesis 3:1-24}, Korah {Numbers 16}, Achan {Joshua 7}, Saul {1 Samuel 15}, Uzzah {2 Samuel 6:6-7} and the Sons of Sceva {Acts 19:13-16}. They didn’t believe Him, but still paid the price. In my experience, most of the time, the problem is not lack of knowledge but the will. The definition of sin can be seen as I was taught in junior high youth group. It is the center letter “I” in the word sin. It is the theology of Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way,” not God’s way. I have friends that don’t agree with God that certain things they do are sin, but they are sins. They even deny, argue and even laugh at the idea of sin by treating it as a mythical idea. Sadly, it is their sinful fallen natures that are driving them. {Romans 7:14} They are slaves to sin. {Romans 6:20} Mankind still denies it because Satan has blinded man’s eyes to it and the only relief man can have is by admitting sin is a problem and seeing the need for Jesus to save them. {1 Corinthians 4:4} In fact in our generation the world renowned psychiatrist Karl Menninger of Topeka, Ks in 1976 was prophetic in writing his secular book, “Whatever Became of Sin?” As a psychiatrist, he recognized that our society removed the word “sin” from its morals, but in reality just gave it a different name and called it normal. Western society had renamed it as sickness, deviance or crime and it had far sweeping effects all across our society. Even the stars of our generation, 30 years later, like Edwards, Clinton, Woods and the like have been excused of their sin and are now called “victims” of sexual addiction. Society’s collective responsibility has been lost due to the shift in the concept of sin and has left us paying and will continue to pay dearly in America. What is needed for society to do is leave its denial and admit that we are all sinners and we sin. {Romans 3:23} Second, we need a savior Jesus Christ to pay the debt to God we owe for our sin and wash away our sin. {6:23; 8:1-2} To have Him make us anew with a desire to follow Him {2 Corinthians 5:17} That we choose every day to die to our sinful natures with its desires and passions {Romans 7:14-25} and begin living in His freedom and righteousness. {Galatians 2:20} May that be our task before we implode on ourselves! Living with you in the victory Christ has given us, Pastor Dave.

Sins: big & little

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2013-04-29 13:30:29

Q-Which sins are big and which sins are little? Which sins are serious and grave, mortal and deadly (for the soul), and which sins are not so grave or venial? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

A-All sin is understood to be an offense against God. Sin involves a rejection of God, even opposition to God, even as sin continues to weigh heavily on human life. Only in the light of the Bible and the Church's Tradition can we recognize sin clearly. Without God's revelation we are tempted to explain sin as merely a developmental flaw, a psychological weakness, a mistake, or the necessary consequence of an inadequate social structure, etc. Only in the knowledge of God's plan for mankind can we grasp that sin is an abuse of the free-will that God gives to every human person:so he/she is capable to loving God and loving one another. Sin is an offense against reason, truth and right conscience. Sin is any thought or word or action, which turns our heart away from God. God loves each one of us, and He created us to love Him in return. There are many kinds of sins. The Bible provides several lists of them. In his Epistle to the Galatians (5:19-21) St. Paul lists "fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you . . . that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." The root of sin is in the heart of man, in his free will, according to the teaching of Jesus: "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person" (Mt 15:19-20). The distinction between mortal (serious, grave) sin and venial (lesser) sin in taught by St. John in his first epistle (5:16-17): "There is such a thing as deadly sin. . . . True, all wrongdoing is sin, but not all sin is deadly." This is corroborated by human experience. Mortal (serious, grave) sin is sin whose object is grave matter, and which is committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent. Serious or Grave Matter is spelled out by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother" (Mk 10:19). The gravity (seriousness) of sins is more or less great: e.g. murder is graver than theft. One must also take account who is wronged: to steal from a poor person is more serious than theft from a rich person. In order that a sin be serious (mortal, grave) it is necessary that the sinner have full knowledge of what she/he is doing, and that they are doing it with their complete consent. To pretend ignorance or habit does not diminish, but rather increases the willful character of a sin. God is not deceived by pretense. The gravity of a sin can be diminished by unintentional ignorance, and sometimes by external pressures, or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is most serious (grave, mortal). When a sinner dies unrepentant for a serious (mortal, grave) sin, she/he is excluded from God's kingdom. However, although we can judge that an act is in itself a serious sin, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God. A person commits a venial (little) sin when, in a non-serious matter, he/she does not observe the moral law, or when she/he violates the moral law in a grave matter, but is lacking full knowledge or complete consent. Venial sin weakens the will and impedes the individual soul's progress towards God. It deserves temporary punishment. Who sins in small matters is not deprived of friendship with God, and consequently can obtain eternal happiness. "While in this life, a person cannot help but have at least some light sins" (St. Augustine). But even these should be repented every day. Small sins, which a person takes-for-granted, can lead easily to repetition, and then to hardening the conscience: so that gradually it becomes easier to commit greater sins. Eventually, the repetition of small sins can lead to mortal (serious, grave) sins, which separate a person from union with God. Now I return to the example mentioned in the original question: ". . . if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right?If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?" Pre-marital sex is the serious sin of fornication. Whoever believes it is not a sin is wrong because it is against God's Law, as I cited from St. Paul above in the second paragraph. Whoever believes some small matter to be a serious sin is wrong in their opinion. But, if they go ahead and do it anyway, they will be held accountable: not by reason of the small matter, but because of their rejection of God in sinning against their conscience. Every human person is endowed with conscience as part of reason, whereby she/he can recognize the moral quality of a concrete act that he/she is going to perform, or has already completed. In everything she/he says and does, a person is obliged to follow faithfully what he/she knows to be just and right. To act against one's conscience is sinful. Through ignoring the good intentions of one's conscience, it is possible to deaden one's sensitivity to sin, and think of the evil, to which a person is inclined, as being perfectly natural. A sinner, who has "killed" his conscience, is unlikely to repent before he dies, and therefor will suffer the consequences throughout eternity.

Sins: big & little

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2013-04-29 13:28:19

Q-Which sins are big and which sins are little? Which sins are serious and grave, mortal and deadly (for the soul), and which sins are not so grave or venial? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

A-The true issue at hand is: What does God say about sin? And how does He respond to sin? We also need to make some assumptions, which we must make by reasonable faith based on the evidence we find: * That God exists, by definition is all powerful, all knowing, all present, * That He is not silent, that He has spoken to us that we may understand His will, * And that all of us are answerable to Him as we are His creation. What does God say about sin? Simply put, ‘Sin’ is rebellion against God and His will. It is disbelieving God, and His word, and attempting to take His authority over our lives and/or the lives of others. This is what happened in the Garden through Adam and Eve (see Genesis 3). As a result, we are all sinners by nature, through Adam. It is our nature by birth to rebel against God; by birth, but not by creation. (Please see Romans 3:23-25 and Romans 5:12-21 for starters) What is God’s response to sin? 1. As God, He must punish offenses, disobediences, and wickedness in order to be Just. Any ‘sin’ against an Infinite and Just God deserves infinite punishment. Consider how the punishment of a crime increases based upon the authority and honor of the offended. If you slap your brother, you would be punished differently than if you slapped a police officer, and more severely yet if you slapped the President. Offenses against God, by nature, deserve infinite punishment. ‘Big’ or ‘Little’ each and every sin separates us from God and deserves to be punished accordingly. The ‘Bigness’ of a sin generally speaks to the severity of the ‘immediate’ consequences of an individual’s sin. Consider the following passages in regards to the issue of differences in sins: 1Samuel 15:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8, 22:15 just as some examples. What is God’s response to sin? 2. In His just wrath on ungodliness, he also extends mercy, forgiveness and grace. In this there seems to be a tension: Wrath is necessary for Justice; yet Mercy is necessary for Forgiveness. In His love for the men and women He has created, He provides a way to be both Just and Merciful. Someone must die to pay the infinite punishment justice requires. That someone must be infinite by nature to absorb the full penalty of sin. This someone must be God. This person must also by nature be man (to fully identify with the offender), though perfectly sinless. Into this space steps Jesus the Christ (the Anointed One). Jesus accepted our punishment, the penalty, for all men, at all times, for all time. Further, God raised him from the dead to demonstrate Jesus was the acceptable sacrifice and to provide us with a living hope, showing us that we too will live like him in the fullness of time. See Galatians 4:4-7 In accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our substitute, we receive Mercy (i.e. not receiving justly deserved punishment) from God. More than that we receive Grace (blessings we do not deserve) beginning with eternal life and peace with God. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:16-18 ESV) Questioning whether one sin is big and another is little allows us to compare ourselves to others, rather than the Perfect One who died for us. Further, we miss the point that any and all sin separates us from God. Jesus paid for ALL our sins: past, present and future. Our focus now should be to live a godly life FOR HIM, rather than focusing on how little or much we can or have sinned.

God's existence

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2013-03-25 14:00:02

Q-What is the evidence for God’s existence, apart from the Bible?

A-What an exciting privilege to talk about the evidence for the existence of God! There is so much to talk about in such a short amount of space. The scriptures tell us that God shows evidence of Himself in “General Revelation” {Romans 1:19-20} and “Specific Revelation.” {Hebrews 1:1-2} There will also be some who will say even after an article like this, like Doubting Thomas “that unless I see Him, I can’t believe in Him.” Even though they believe in air, love, life, and intelligence that they cannot see they believe because there are evidences all around them. Well the same is true of God. There are evidences of the invisible God that can be clearly seen, says Romans 1:20 if one wants to clearly see. First, is the law of cause and effect that we use in our lives every day. We know logically that behind every event there is a cause. The greatest of all events is the existence of the universe and what was the corresponding cause for its existence? Could it just happen or was there something Greater that caused it? Secondly, then we consider the complexity of the design of the earth and the universe. Its size and the gravity that keeps all the necessary elements we need to survive about 50 miles above the earth with no other planet like it. We rotate at 67,000 mph around the sun, angle and axis fit together so we don’t burn up or freeze to death and stay between -30 to 120 degrees. The distance of the moon and the tides keep the oceans from stagnating, and yet restrain the tides from spilling across the continents is more evidences of intelligent design. Then thirdly, consider the orderliness and the uniformity for which the universe was put together. Johannes Kepler, German mathematician and astronomer of the 17th century thought about becoming a theologian but learned that in doing his work in astronomy he glorified God by seeing how God is and how He made the uniformity of the universe. Johannes realized that he was thinking God’s thoughts after God in his discoveries of the universe. Kepler is best known for his laws of planetary motion. With all his great scientific work he uttered the words of David in Psalm 19, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” A fascinating evidence of our age is the discovery of the DNA Code that programs and informs the cells in our bodies with very detailed instruction. In fact it is with 3 billion lettered programs to every cell. You cannot find this type of programing or instruction without someone intentionally doing it. These are all “General Revelation” which David also saw centuries ago when he spoke about the amazing intricateness of a baby and a human being as phenomenal (Psalm 139) even when he had no idea of DNA! But we also need to consider Jesus Christ’s existence as evidence to the existence of God. Consider the space of time for which His coming to earth was prophesied for over 1500 years. Over 333 specific prophesies gave place, activities and actions of Him and the people around Him. They predicted His birth, life and death. That was so impacting; it changed our world and has left evidence of His impact all around us. Why do Christians worship God on Sunday and not on Friday night like the Jews who worshipped in the synagogue or the Temple for centuries? It is in celebration of His resurrection on the first day of the week which is Sunday. Why do we in our calendar mark time by B.C. and A.D.? Because of the impact He has with His coming to earth. B.C. means “Before Christ” and A.D. means “Anno Domini” means “the year of our Lord.” He was not only a real historical character, but a man who claimed to be God and would conqueror death through resurrection. History validates this taking place, as evidenced by the cowardly followers fearful and hiding after He was crucified. But after they saw Him resurrected, they were willing to not only speak out for Him all over the world; they were willing to die for Him! All these abundant proofs, evidences and arguments are wonderful, but they will not build faith in a person. Because faith is not built by reasoned arguments but on what God has revealed about Himself. Faith is produced by God. It is His gift through His Word and His Spirit. Our confidence in faith comes from God’s very Word and a commitment to entrusting ourselves to the Lord. He is our sure confidence. But what a host of evidence and proofs He has left us, confirming our faith and looking past our obstacles to faith. With great joy and thrilling experiences along the journey with you in the presence of God every day, Pastor Dave!

God's existence

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2013-03-25 13:58:05

Q-What is the evidence for God’s existence, apart from the Bible?

A-You can find in the Bible any idea you wish, including the statement: "There is no God!" But in the context that statement reads: "The fool says in his heart: there is no God." The Bible contains the Word of God, God's messages and the expression of his Will for mankind and individual human beings. This very world, indeed the whole universe, is filled with evidence for the existence of a god, and that apart from the Bible or any written testimony or revelation. But since many people deny the existence of God, it is necessary to point out some of the proofs, evidence that we take for granted. The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw each human being to himself. Rightly does the psalm in the Bible call the person, who would deny the existence of God, a fool. The person who denies God is like a blind person, who denies the existence of the sun or of color because he cannot see them. But his denial does not make the sun any less hot or color less vivid. In the physical world: the order and beauty of the universe evidence a Creator. As the poet Joyce Kilmer wrote about a hundred years ago: "Only God can make a tree." What human person can design and create a living tree from scratch? The movement of the planets around the sun, the almost infinite number of galaxies in the universe, the regular succession of seasons and days, and process of generation in plants and animals and humans: all these cannot happen by mere accident or chance. The development and perfection of the human organism, especially our brain, as well as the order and progress in human learning and society: cannot be the result of some blind irrational force, like a big-bang. The original big-bang itself had to come from somewhere, from someone. If there were no God, this whole universe would quickly collapse in chaos. We can view the products of irrationality in wars and vandalism and after a tornado. Those phenomenon cannot produce a detailed masterpiece like a symphony of Beethoven, or a beautiful building like our nation's capitol in Washington, or Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa, or the works of Shakespeare, or the contents in the Library of Congress. Only a rational being can produce something so lovely as these and other works of human genius. And from where did humans receive such genius? Ultimately, from another and a supreme Genius, which we call God. A lot of work and effort and energy and talent goes into producing this newspaper. No irrational animal or dog or fish or bird or plant can put together this journal. Only human beings, endowed with the ability to think and write and collaborate and operate delicate machines, can accomplish such a marvel as this very journal you are reading. The persons, who made this paper, did not make themselves. Neither did the trees, from whence came this paper, make themselves. It all goes back to the First Cause of all things, which we call God. Perhaps the best definition of God is that given by the ancient philosopher Aristotle: The unmoved Mover. God is He Who sets in motion everything that exists. God is without beginning or end. God is perfect in Himself, absolutely different from any of his creatures. Being infinite Goodness, He created other things and human beings: in order to share himself and his goodness with others in varying degrees. God has no need of anything or anyone. He loves everything that he has made. He allows imperfections in his creatures: to encourage them to strive for perfection, to come to Him, Who is the summit of Perfection. Since this is God's world by title of creation, and we humans are his creation, placed in this world for a short time, it behooves us to cooperate with our Creator in his plan for us. He requires of us: faith in Him, the Supreme Being, and using well our natural talents for the improvement of this world.

God's existence

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2013-03-25 13:55:40

Q-What is the evidence for God’s existence, apart from the Bible?

A-Looking for God apart from the Bible is a dubious proposition at best. Evidence, or facts as we like to refer to them, must be interpreted. And how one interprets evidence depends upon our worldview, the philosophical foundation from which we make decisions. “ . . . For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. . . .” (Rom 1:19-20 ESV) Even 2000 years ago, the apostle Paul stated that the evidence could be clearly seen. How so? In our modern world, we have insulated ourselves from as much of the created world as possible. We fail to see the structure and order around us not realizing that the order we impose ourselves is evidence of God’s handiwork. However, today with the advancements in science, we have additional evidence to examine. In fact, the evidence is so numerous it is difficult to know where to begin and end. Some limited examples include: * Mathematics – the simple fact that we can have rational rules and logic, consistent in describing the world around us, is a profound evidence that is often overlooked. Our universe would not exist without the rational, mathematical structure it has, nor would we be able to accurately describe it. * Biology & life – When my first child was born, I was utterly amazed at the wonder that a child could enter the world so small yet so complete. The notion that a child could be produced as a result of random selection became blatantly absurd to me. Other subjects for discussion might include: the wonder of the information stored in DNA, complexity of the eye, instincts of animals, symbiotic relationships, etc. . . . * Ecology and Geology—Looking at the systems in place for watering the earth is amazing. One can actually see the water cycle in action in places like Salt Lake City where water can be seen rising from the lake, entering clouds, snowing on the mountains nearby, only to thaw and run-off in the spring. * Astronomy and Sub-Atomic Physics—I have been in awe of God’s power and design for years in this field. * The nuclear forces in the atom are so precise that if constants differed by a fraction of a percent matter would not exist. * The placement of the earth’s orbit around a particular kind of star in a particular place in the galaxy, with its particular rotation and tilt are all necessary for life to exist on our planet. Further, a moon of sufficient, but not too large size to provide necessary tidal action. * Gas giants placed such as to block many incoming threats from the outer solar system. * Food for Thought. Light exists simultaneously as both electromagnetic wave and particle, yet we cannot observe it as both at the same time. These are just a sampling of the evidences of God’s handiwork, if you are willing to interpret them as such. It is not so much in any one example, but the weight of all the examples that is so compelling. Yet, our struggle is in understanding that how we interpret is a matter of faith, faith in God’s word or faith in the fallen-faulty thinking of man. Man’s theories change. God and His Word does not. We need to remember the words surrounding the quote above: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. . . . For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,. . .” (Rom 1:18-22 ESV) Ultimately, where we spend eternity will be depend upon who we place our hope in. Trust in Jesus as your lord and Savior, today.

God's existence

By Rev.Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Rev.Amy Baumgartner

2013-03-25 13:53:00

Q-What is the evidence for God’s existence, apart from the Bible?

A-God has not left his name etched upon the universe; however, there are several evidences that point to God outside of the Bible. First, there is the evidence of God based on design. When we investigate anything that has a purpose from a mousetrap to a skillet, we can conclude that it had a designer. For instance, someone designed a mousetrap to eliminate the problem of rodents in a space or a skillet to cook food. The universe and humans reveal an incredible amount of design. The complexity of the design points to a Designer. The universe is incredibly complex. Scientists have determined that the size of our universe is perfect for life to happen. I would encourage those who can grasp intricacies of scientific details to look further into excess quarks, the size of universe, the right laws of physics, and other such concepts that reveal evidence of an amazing Designer behind the world and life as we know it. Similar to design, everything we can encounter or think of has been caused by something else. Every effect has a cause. The immensity of the universe is no different. Many scientists will point to the Big Bang Theory as explaining the effect of the universe’s existence; however, the Big Bang still requires a cause. More evidence for God’s existence focuses on human beings themselves. We are complex creatures with personality. It seems improbable that such complexity would have emerged from nothing with no cause behind it. It is more probable that human personality was created or designed by a Being with a similar or greater level of complexity. In addition, throughout most cultures, there are some common “morals” that are common. For instance, in most cultures it is not culturally acceptable to murder (although in all cultures individuals deviate from the culture as a whole on these morals). Due to the fact that most humans are “wired” with certain morals points to a Moral Lawgiver as the Designer. Others will point to history as evidence of God’s existence. The Jewish race is the prime example. Throughout ages, the Jewish people are known as “God’s people.” Despite many campaigns to eradicate the Jews, they have survived as a people group while other people groups have not survived. This historical perspective reveals a Being protecting the Jews. None of these perspectives on their own (or even collectively) can “prove” God’s existence; however, taken together, they provide a beginning point to accept that there is likely a Higher Being (God) that was and is behind the creation of the universe and human beings within the universe.

Secret Church

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2013-03-01 14:53:00

Q-What is “Secret Church”?

A-Many Christians around the world gather together at risk of their freedom and lives to worship and learn the Word of God. They gather secretly in countries such as Iran, parts of China, North Korea and many other countries. In many areas, simply having one printed Bible in a village is a luxury, and perhaps forbidden. For many, perhaps even most, gathering together is a hazardous occasion. As such they seek to make the most of their time together. So they meet secretly, in caves, woods and homes…thus “Secret Church.” “Secret Church” is also an opportunity to identify with these Christians in restricted nations who don’t have the opportunity to worship freely. It is a gathering to remember that the true church is not a building, but rather the gathering of the disciples of Jesus Christ. We use “Secret Church” events once or twice a year to identify with, pray for, and in some cases, worship with (via the internet) our brothers and sisters around the world. This year we will be studying what the bible has to say on “Heaven. Hell. The End of the World.” led by David Platt via Simulcast. For more information on this visit: http://www.radical.net/secretchurch/gatherings/simulcast.html

Questions on baptism

By Rev.Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Rev.Amy Baumgartner

2013-03-01 10:46:13

Q-Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That’s kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one god, was there only one of these persons who “always was”? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but what about the Holy Spirit?

A-The Trinity is a difficult concept, and generations of church leaders have debated about the existence and the understanding of the Trinity. The difficulty is compounded by the fact that the term “Trinity” never appears in the Bible; however, the concept of a triune God (one God in three persons) is found throughout the Bible. Also found various places in the Bible is the idea of the eternal existence of God in all three persons. Two scriptures particularly come to mind when exploring the eternal existence of God as Son and God as Spirit. The first passage is from John 1:1: in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Later in the prologue to John’s Gospel, we learn the identity of “the Word” as Jesus Christ. So, in the beginning, Jesus was existent with God the Father. The Son came in flesh some 2000 years ago; however, before coming in the flesh to dwell with humanity, Jesus was with God and in existence. The second scripture begins similarly to the John passage. Genesis 1:1-2 starts “in the beginning” was God (indicating God’s eternal existence) and that God created the heavens and the earth. Prior to earth’s creation, there was a formless void and the spirit of God (could also be translated as “wind of God”) was hovering over the void. Again, the presence of God’s Spirit before creation reveals the eternal existence of not only the Son but also the Spirit. All three parts of the Godhead “always were.” In addition, Jesus, the Son and the Spirit both had a role in creation. Colossians 1:15-16 indicates that in (or by) Jesus, all things were created. The Spirit’s role in creation is indicated in Psalm 33:6-7: by the word of God and the breath of his mouth the heavens were made (again, “breath” is the same Hebrew term translated elsewhere as Spirit or wind). To be able to create something, a person needs to be in existence before the creation occurred. All things were created by Jesus and the Spirit; therefore, both would have had to exist before the creation of the world. While some people may point to the Spirit appearance at Pentecost (see Acts 2) as the beginning to the Spirit’s earthly ministry, throughout the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament, the Spirit comes upon individuals, empowering them to do special work in God’s name (examples include David, Gideon, Samson, and Ezekiel). The presence of the Spirit helping individuals throughout the Bible reinforces the Spirit’s existence throughout time. Therefore, after much church-wide debate studying the above scriptures (and many more), the church leaders concluded God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit were eternally existent.

Questions on baptism

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2013-03-01 10:44:28

Q-Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That’s kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one god, was there only one of these persons who “always was”? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but what about the Holy Spirit?

A-You are attempting the impossible: to understand the concept of the Trinity. This is the primary mystery of the Christian faith. I use the term “mystery” in the sense of something we cannot fully understand. Some of the greatest thinkers and minds, who ever lived, e.g. St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Hilary of Poitiers, Karl Barth, and other great intellectuals have pondered and studied and written many volumes about God; but most of this writing is pure human speculation, and in the end the truthful author has to admit that there is so much we don’t know and cannot know. They recognize the impossibility for human reason to explain or understand the concept of three persons in one God. This is because of the weakness of our intellect. Not even the most brilliant human or angelic intellect is capable of understanding the full life of God. The Bible, in both testaments, gives us inspired insights about God; but the more it says, the less we really understand about the Supreme Being. We know for certain that there is only one God; nevertheless in this one only God there are three distinct persons. Each of the three persons in God is eternal, i.e. has no beginning nor end, and equal and all-powerful, and the ultimate Source of all life and of everything that exists. We Christians accept it as a fact based on faith in Jesus, from whom we learned it. You ask: “If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who ‘always was’?” I answer: There are three persons in God, each of which ‘always was.’ Therefore both the Son of God (who took on a human nature in time and in that human nature is known as Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit do not have a beginning as they with the Father constitute the one eternal God. You ask whether all these three persons are eternal. The second verse of the Bible says that God’s Spirit hovered over the face of the formless earth. The Gospel of John starts with a strong assertion that Christ (the Word of God) was in the beginning and was the co-creator of everything: “. . . The Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word was God.” Even though the word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, it certainly is taught there. The word Trinity was invented by disciples of Jesus and his Apostles. It expresses what we believe. We believe that from all eternity God the Father begot his Son, and that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, equal to each and equal to both of them. But we cannot understand all the implications of that fact. We believe that at a certain point in time, determined by the Father, God sent his Son into this world: to be conceived in a unique manner of a Virgin without human intervention, and this Son was born of her in a human manner. Thus Jesus is the Son of God and of the Virgin Mary. This is the mystery of the Incarnation. As a human being, Jesus remained God, but comported himself in human fashion in every way, except sinning. Jesus is perfect God and perfect man! Jesus is one person with two natures, human and divine. Jesus has two Wills, which are perfectly coordinated and in union with the Will of God. As a human being, Jesus can say truthfully: “The Father is greater than I” (John 14:28), as God is greater than any human being. In his divine nature Jesus says: “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30). In the same chapter 10, Jesus says: “The Father is in me and I in him” (verse 38). In his final words spoken before his Ascension into heaven, i.e. in the Great Commission, Jesus states: “Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18-19). These statements do not contradict belief in the Trinity; that the three persons are equal. Rather these statements confirm it. Yet all this is a matter of faith, incapable of scientific proof. If science could explain these mysteries, they would no longer be matters of faith. True science and authentic faith are not opposed; rather they are two distinct and separate sources of knowledge; and both have God as their author.

Questions on baptism

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2013-03-01 10:42:19

Q-Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That’s kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one god, was there only one of these persons who “always was”? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but what about the Holy Spirit?

A-What the questioner says about the Trinity being a mystery is very true. But then what can we expect when we are dealing with an infinite Creator-God who always was and will be, with no beginning or end. {Genesis 1:1}How does one of finite understanding, truly understand something so far beyond our reach mentally? Explaining it we come up short but we can still affirm its truth. We can bear witness to the fact that He reveals Himself throughout the scriptures as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For instance we see hints of the Trinity already in Genesis “the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.”{1:2} and “Then God said, "Let Us (plural) make man in Our image…{1:26a}. In the New Testament we see a strong reference to the Trinity in Jesus’ own words when He commissions the disciples to baptize “in the name (which is singular) of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” {Matthew 28:19b} We see Jesus even claim deity when He almost gets stoned by the Jews for claiming His pre-existence before Abraham and calls Himself “I Am.” Through this title every Jew knew He was claiming to be the Eternally Existing God. {John 8:58} Later on in John’s gospel Philip asks, “Lord, show us the Father” {14:8} and Jesus responds, “…Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!”{9b} and then goes further about being the same substance or essence as the Father when He says, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.”{10} In the same passage Jesus speaks to the Holy Spirit being sent so that the disciples are not left alone but like Jesus, He is “another Counselor” {16} sent by the Father and the Son to be with them forever. We see also the Holy Spirit being seen as the same essence and substance of the Father in Acts 5 when Annias and Sapphira are being hypocritical liars. Peter is alone with Annias and proclaims, “You lied to the Holy Spirit.” {3b} In the same exchange Peter says to him, “You weren’t lying to us but to God!” Notice that Peter proclaims God and the Holy Spirit as the same being. {4b} After Annias drops dead and is carried off, his wife comes in and Peter interviews her. She lies to Peter and then he says, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test?” {9} Peter again addresses the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of the Lord.” Notice to, the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal “it,” but a person who is reasoned with because He is lied to as God. Now some will protest the word “Trinity” is not in the Bible which is true but the doctrine is all through the scriptures. The doctrine was more explicitly developed by the early church fathers than it was by the biblical writers. The technical terms are not found in the Bible which the early church fathers used to describe the doctrine. People like Athanasius were not seeking to float a new doctrine but were affirming what the scriptures already proclaimed and what Christians already believed. The raw materials for the doctrine of the Trinity were already in the scriptures. The early church fathers just drew the doctrine out for us to understand God more clearly. As far as Jesus and the Holy Spirit having a beginning, they are co-eternal with the Father with no beginning and no end. {1Timothy 1:17} We affirm with the Jews that God is truly one {Deuteronomy 6:1} and yet with three distinct persons {2 Corinthians 13:14}. It is so incomprehensible but yet so refreshing to know that our God is so much greater than what we could ever imagine or think. To think I am known and loved by this magnificent God who is greater than anything that could come at me in this world. Even further, that I have the privilege of knowing Him personally because of the Fathers’ love, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit, brings great comfort and peace to me. God paints the portrait of Himself to Isaiah and to all of us, “…for I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.” {Isaiah 46:9b} What a truth to come to grips with. On my knees in awe filled worship with you before such a great and awesome God! Pastor Dave.

Questions on baptism

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2013-02-01 09:57:38

Q-Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? If a person who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? If one is not sure whether she/he was baptized, should she/he be baptized again?

A-The Lord Jesus himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation: “I say to you that noone can enter the kingdom of God unless he is reborn of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). Jesus also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them: “Go throughout the whole world and preach the Gospel to all mankind. Whoever believes and is baptized, will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed, and who have the possibility of asking for this Sacrament. The Church takes very seriously this injunction of her Lord, and endeavors to provide that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has tied salvation to Baptism, but He Himself is not bound by His Sacraments. This truth affords hope of salvation for good persons not formally baptized. The Church has always been convinced that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith or of morality (authentic martyrs), without having received Baptism, are baptized by their death in union with Christ. This “Baptism of blood,” assumes the desire for Baptism and achieves the effects of Baptism. Likewise, those persons who are preparing for Baptism but die before receiving the Sacrament: are considered to have received “Baptism of desire,” through their explicit desire to receive it, and are repentant for their sins. These alternate forms of Baptism assure those persons the salvation that they were not able to receive through “Baptism by water.” Also, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Every person, who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the Will of God insofar as he/she understands it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired baptism explicitly, if they had known its necessity.” Baptism is so necessary that, in a situation of emergency, anyone (even a non-Christian) can perform the simple ceremony of baptizing with water and pronouncing the words: “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This presupposes a real act of faith and desire on the part of the person being baptized. In the case of infants, that faith and desire is supplied by the parent or guardian or by the Church herself. Since a real Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual seal, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship, Baptism cannot be repeated. Thus, when a baptized Christian changes to another Christian church, ordinarily s/he is not re-baptized, but recites a profession of faith. This presupposes the baptized person already has accepted the authentic Christian faith, as summarized in the Apostles’ Creed. If there is any doubt about the validity of the former baptism, or a person is not sure whether s/he has actually been baptized, then the person is baptized conditionally, by the baptizer saying: “If you have not been baptized, then I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” while pouring water on the person being baptized. In Orthodox Churches the correct formula is: “The servant of God , (name of person being baptized ), is baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” If a person has been baptized in the Mormon religion, the Unitarians, Witnesses of Jehovah, Christian Scientists, or in any religion, which denies the Holy Trinity or any doctrine of the traditional Christian faith, then that baptism is considered invalid. An invalid baptism does not join the person to Jesus in his death and resurrection. Regardless of what such a group may call themselves, e.g. “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” or “Reorganized Church of God,”etc., their baptism is not valid. Likewise, when the person who baptizes changes the words of the baptismal formula, to accommodate popular language, e.g. “I baptize you in the Name of the Creator and of the Redeemer and of the Sanctifier,” such an abuse of hallowed language probably makes the attempted baptism invalid. Those persons, who have been baptized with such a formula, ought to have themselves re-baptized by a person, who respects the Church’s tradition and rules.

Questions on baptism

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2013-02-01 09:55:58

Q-Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? If a person who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? If one is not sure whether she/he was baptized, should she/he be baptized again?

A-In the area of the sacraments you will find a wide range of different beliefs and even interpretations of some of the same scriptures used to affirm a particular denomination’s practice. For instance, even with our first question, the Catholic Church in the Council of Trent in Session VII, De Baptismo, (primarily written by Tertullian for the church in early 210AD) declared that the belief, “Baptism is free, that is not necessary for salvation” was heresy. However, this belief is held by most protestant churches. The Church of Rome holds that in Baptism salvation is bestowed and entrance into the family of God begins at infant baptism. (John 3:5) Other groups, like the Mormons, that claim to be Christian, think baptism is so necessary that they baptize the dead or will baptize by proxy their loved one if they have died without baptism. Joseph Smith claimed Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 15:29 referred to that procedure. On the other side of the Christian spectrum some protestant groups like the Salvation Army and the Quakers do not believe it is necessary and don’t practice the institution of baptism. Both groups believe that “how a person lives their life is a sacrament and the formal observances are not necessary…baptism is an inward act, not outward, act.” (Romans 2:29} The same diversity is held in the second question. Some churches will not accept you into their fellowship if you are not baptized by their church or their way or in their belief of baptism. Some churches say if you are not baptized by believer’s immersion baptism that it is of no effect to you. They hold that you had no idea what was going on and you did not believe. They claim New Testament baptism is believer’s immersion baptism. (Acts 2:38; 8:26-40} On the other hand some point to the Baptism of the Philippian jailor and “all his household were baptized” {16:33} which indicates infant baptism, children, women and slaves. They point out that the early church accepted it as signifying God’s work of inward washing already in a young life as entrance into the body of Christ. To some churches the mode is very important because it speaks to a church’s theology. The Catholic Church bestows salvation at infant baptism; some see it as entrance, others in the hope of the promise God has placed on the child for salvation. Others feel that it is totally wrong to baptize an infant so they dedicate their children to the Lord and only baptize them when they personally accept Jesus as Lord and savior as a mature child or adult of their own volition. Some feel strongly even about the words used in the ceremony saying it has to be in the Trinitarian formula, “Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” {Matthew 28:20} Others, like the Oneness Pentecostals, hold that it is only to be done “in the name of Jesus.” {Acts 17:11} Now having an understanding of the wide field of beliefs and practices in Christianity with baptism, I want to answer all three questions from my understanding of the scriptures beginning with the last question. If you haven’t been baptized then you should for several reasons. First, for the scriptures call us to be baptized. {Acts 2:38, 41} Second, Jesus submitted to baptism in obedience to the Father. {Mark 1:9} It’s a visible sign and advertisement of our allegiance to Christ through the washing away of our sin, the burial of our old nature and being raised in Christ as new creatures. {Romans 6:3-10} Now if you have already been baptized as a Christian, the scriptures testify that “there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, {6} and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.” {Ephesians 4:5-6} These are the words of God as Paul addresses the body of Christ speaking about its unity. Now I understand that this may not be acceptable to some denominations as you look at their theological distinctions. This you must pray and seek God’s guidance. As you search the scriptures, ask yourself how and what is the most important thing in God’s eyes? Whether I get re-baptized or not, is that crucial? If a person truly comes to Christ and is not baptized, will that keep him out of heaven? Will it affect a person’s eternal destiny? We can say with scripture absolutely not. In Ephesians 2:8 we are saved totally “by grace through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God!” Not even baptism. Grace from beginning to end! Paul had this heated debate with Peter and with the Jewish Christians of Galatia and wrote the book of Galatians because of the problem. He says adding anything to the gospel is a distortion. {Galatians 1:7}Then look at the strong words he uses in verses 8 & 9; “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!{9}As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” Baptism is not necessary to save us, but we do it out of obedience in affirming our belief in His grace. God gave us baptism to show what words fall short to say! In Him, PD.

Questions on baptism

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2013-02-01 09:54:57

Q-Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? If a person who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? If one is not sure whether she/he was baptized, should she/he be baptized again?

A-Wow, so much to address, so little space, and on important issues that have been argued for years. As always, we want to rely on the authority of God’s Word (and as best we can, all of it) to arrive at an answer, and not man’s traditions or opinions. [For the sake of space, references rather than quotes of scripture will be used.] Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? God the Father saves through the fully sufficient sacrifice of Jesus, the Infinite Son of God (ref ). HOWEVER, a saved person will seek to be baptized as an act of loving obedience to the one who loves us and saves us, following the example of Jesus himself (Matt 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:31-34) and who commands that his disciples make disciples teaching them and “…baptizing them’ in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit…” (Matt 28:18-20). However, we also need to consider Peter’s words… “Baptism, which CORRESPONDS to this, now saves you, . . . as an APPEAL to God for a good conscience, THROUGH the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21 ESV, emphasis added). Lacking the nuances of the Greek language, we fail to see Peter is referring not to water baptism but Christ’s suffering for sin in verse 18. The word ‘saves’ can be and might better be translated ‘protects’. Remember, those who are saved, who identify with Jesus the Christ, are going to seek out the opportunity to be baptized (see Acts 8:26-40). If a person, who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? The Apostle Paul speaks of only one Baptism (Ephesians 4:4-5) in calling for unity within the collective body of the church, Christ’s body; therefore there should be no need to be re-baptized going from one Christian church to another. This would be why Scripture does not specifically speak directly on this issue. There are allusions to letters of reference or commendation from one church to another (Acts 15; 21; 28:21; 1 Cor 16:3; 2 Cor 3:1-3; Philemon). If one is not sure whether he/she was baptized, should he/she be baptized again? I’m uncertain as to the intent of this question, so let’s look at the purpose and significance of Baptism. Baptism comes from the Greek word ‘baptizo’ meaning to wash by immersion. Further, when used with a conversion in scripture, baptism is always a repentant response to the Gospel as an act of obedience to being saved, for example, the Ethiopian eunuch with Philip in Acts (8:26-40). This implies that one should always be cognitive (knowing) of the baptism experience. Baptism is a sign, a symbol, a public acknowledgement of the event in a believer’s life. The believer is identifying with the death, burial and Resurrection of his Savior (Romans 6:1-5; Col 2:11-14). Ultimately, our salvation is a result of the sacrificial work of Jesus and his Lordship of our lives. What follows after that is our obedience in love for the one who loved us first. Have you repented of your sins, and acknowledged Him as your LORD and Savior?

Questions on baptism

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2013-02-01 09:51:04

Q-Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? If a person who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? If one is not sure whether she/he was baptized, should she/he be baptized again?

A-Different streams ofChristianity approach baptism with slight variations. The following articulates a Reformed Christian perspective. We believe that baptism is a sacrament that unites us with Jesus Christ and makes us members of God’s family. At baptism, one receives the promise of God’s love and this promise helps those baptized to find new life with God and the church. We believe that baptism only needs to be done once; however, it is a source of strength throughout one’s life, reminding us of God’s love. The sacrament of baptism reminds us that Jesus paid for our sins with his life that people may live according to God’s will. At baptism, the Holy Spirit marks us as God’s own and helps us to accept God’s forgiveness through repentance. We are regularly encouraged to remember our baptism that we might follow God more fully. Unlike some streams of Christianity, Reformed Christians do not believe that one must be baptized in order to be saved. Baptism is on outward sign of an internal change. While some denominations focus on the individual’s choice to be baptized, the reformed tradition highlights God’s role in calling people. Baptism acknowledges that God is at work in our lives even before we realize. Thus, parents are encouraged to bring their children for baptism on the basis of their own faith, with the hope that the child will grow in faith, love and service to God. No matter when or where you were baptized, baptism celebrates the start of new life with Jesus Christ. And by being baptized, you have taken a step on a life-changing journey that began in the mind of God even before you were born.

Questions on baptism

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2013-02-01 09:37:29

Q-Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? If a person, who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? If one is not sure whether he/she was baptized, should he/she be baptized again?

A-Wow, so much to address, so little space, and on important issues that have been argued for years. As always, we want to rely on the authority of God’s Word (and as best we, can all of it) to arrive at an answer, and not man’s traditions or opinions. [For the sake of space, references rather than quotes of scripture will be used.] Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? God the Father saves through the fully sufficient sacrifice of Jesus, the Infinite Son of God (ref ). HOWEVER, a saved person will seek to be baptized as an act of loving obedience to the one who loves us and saves us, following the example of Jesus himself (Matt 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:31-34) and who commands that his disciples make disciples teaching them and “…baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit…” (Matt 28:18-20). However, we also need to consider Peter’s words… “Baptism, which CORRESPONDS to this, now saves you, . . . as an APPEAL to God for a good conscience, THROUGH the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21 ESV, emphasis added). Lacking the nuances of the Greek language, we fail to see Peter is referring not to water baptism but Christ’s suffering for sin in verse 18. The word ‘saves’ can be and might better be translated ‘protects’. Remember, those who are saved, who identify with Jesus the Christ, are going to seek out the opportunity to be baptized (see Acts 8:26-40). If a person, who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? The Apostle Paul speaks of only one Baptism (Ephesians 4:4-5) in calling for unity within the collective body of the church, Christ’s body; therefore there should be no a need to be re-baptized going from one Christian church to another. This would be why Scripture does not specifically speak directly on this issue. There are allusions to letters of reference or commendation from one church to another (Acts 15; 21; 28:21; 1 Cor 16:3; 2 Cor 3:1-3; Philemon). If one is not sure whether he/she was baptized, should he/she be baptized again? I’m uncertain as to the intent of this question, so let’s look at the purpose and significance of Baptism. Baptism comes from the Greek word ‘baptizo’ meaning to wash by immersion. Further, when used with a conversion in scripture, baptism is always a repentant response to the Gospel as an act of obedience to being saved, for example, the Ethiopian eunuch with Philip in Acts (8:26-40). This implies that one should always be cognitive (knowing) of the baptism experience. Baptism is a sign, a symbol, a public acknowledgement of the event in a believer’s life. The believer is identifying with the death, burial and Resurrection of his Savior (Romans 6:1-5; Col 2:11-14). Ultimately, our salvation is a result of the sacrificial work of Jesus and his Lordship of our lives. What follows after that is our obedience in love for the one who loved us first. Have you repented of your sins, and acknowledged Him as your LORD and Savior?

The fall of the angels

By Bill Emmerling

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Religion

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Bill Emmerling operates 'the Rescue Tech' out of the Homer Cole Community Center at 3003 N. Joplin, Pittsburg. A 'CompTIA A+' and 'Network+' certified technician, Bill has serviced computers since the 1980s in a variety of environments including homes, schools, offices and retail operations for over 20 years. Bill may be reached at info@the-Rescue-Tech.com or by phone at 620-308-6448.

Bill Emmerling

2013-01-02 15:10:36

Q-What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?

A-While the scriptures provide much information about Satan and angels, the information we are given about their creation and fall is rather limited. It appears that God has limited that information knowing our tendency to be fixated on such things, even to the point of worshipping created beings rather than the Creator Himself. (Romans 1:18-23) What we do know about the fall of angels is found primarily in the following passages. Let us examine these briefly. “And he [Jesus] said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”’ (Luke 10:18 ESV) Here we have a very brief, definitive statement by Jesus. However, we need to look at the context surrounding it. Yes, Satan fell from God’s grace and his place in the created order; however this isn’t the real point Jesus is trying to make with the disciples. Seventy-two disciples just returned and shared the excitement of having demons obey them, and this was PART of his response. He continues and drives home the real point: “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20 ESV, emphasis added). He is deliberately pointing to what is truly important, their relationship with God the Father, not their authority over demons. 1 Timothy 3:6 tells us the devil was condemned for the sin of pride. Jude 6 tells us of rebellion and punishment. Revelation 12 speaks about angels who have left their position, been swept out of heaven, following the dragon, Satan. However few details about the how and why are given. Some indirect indication is given in the message to human kings of Babylon and Tyre in Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19 respectively. Ultimately, we need to turn our attention back to God and His Majesty. Angels and demons are created beings. Being created they are finite and continue to be subject to him, even should they rebel. They are not to be feared or worshiped, but as demons are our enemy. We need the knowledge God provides in his word about him: to understand the origin of evil, to see that evil (even angelic evil) is punished by God, to know that Satan is the enemy. As believers in Jesus Christ, he has no authority over us. In fact we need to take to heart the message in 1 Peter 5:8-10 (ESV) to be firm in the faith and resist the devil knowing “…And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” If we truly understand God’s majesty, His Holiness, His Mercy and Grace for sinners who need salvation, we will have little desire to pursue an interest in Satan. In all things seek Jesus. Be blessed. Be a blessing.

Jesus’ predictions about destruction

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2013-01-02 13:55:58

Q-In the Gospel of Luke (21:5-19) Jesus talks about the destruction of the temple and the persecution that will take place. How do we know that our Lord wasn’t talking about what happened in A.D. 70, instead of the end of the world?

A-Through the centuries scholars have discussed about when each of the books of the Bible were written. It is impossible to fix an exact date. However, through careful study of the language and ideas current at various times, it is possible to fix an approximate date for the composition of books. Most scholars are agreed that St. Luke wrote his Gospel and followed it with the Acts of Apostles approximately around the year 75 A.D. Jerusalem fell to the Roman army in the year 70 A.D. In the verses cited above St. Luke recalls that Jesus had predicted the fall and destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and he includes Jesus’ warnings about the end of the world. In this chapter our Lord is talking about both events. The Jewish people thought their capital city would become the capital of the world and would last forever. Therefore those who heard Jesus speaking, assumed his predictions about the proximate destruction of Jerusalem would coincide with the end of the world. Many peoples, who have witnessed great cataclysms have thought the end of the world has arrived, e.g. the residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki who experienced the atom bombs at the end of World War II, and those persons who experienced the tsunamis & earthquakes in Oceania and the Indian Ocean, all the way from New Guinea to the east coast of Africa, several years ago on the days after Christmas. Writing around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem St. Luke included some of the things he had seen or heard of that terrible event, recalling that Jesus had foretold them. “The day will come when not a single stone here will be left on another, but it will all be torn down” (verse 6). Like his master, St. Paul, Luke thought the end of the world could not be far off. So he included some predicted signs of that coming event. Many of these signs occur in every generation and in various places throughout the world. “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes, plagues and famines in various places, and in the sky fearful omens and great signs. . . . You will be betrayed even by your parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death . . . because of me” (verses 11 and 16). Such happenings are reported in our daily newspapers. As Jesus did not assign a specific date for either the fall of Jerusalem or the end of the world, it is understandable that St. Luke was confused about those events. The gospel verses following that passage cited in the question go on to spell out some details particular to the situation in Jerusalem when Luke was writing. “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its devastation is near. Those in Judea at that time must run away to the mountains” (verses 20-21). (The Christian community remembered those words of Jesus, and left Jerusalem before it was destroyed.) “Some people will be killed by the sword; and others will be led captive in the midst of the gentiles. Jerusalem will be trampled by the gentiles” (verse 24). Other verses in this chapter 21 of Luke's Gospel clearly refer to the final times of this world. Before the Second Coming there would appear many false claimants to be the Christ, and great upheavals take place. “Many will come in my Name saying, ‘I am He’ and ‘The time is at hand.’ Do not follow them! Neither must you be perturbed when you hear of wars and insurrections. These things are bound to happen first, but the end does not follow immediately” (verses 8-9). How many false prophets and various sects have risen in our own times, and have predicted the end of the world as imminent? I recall Jim Jones leading his followers to death by drinking cyanide in Guiana, and the followers of David Koresh at Waco, Texas, and the Moonies and Scientologists, and Amy Semple McPherson’s church of the Foursquare Gospel, and the early Witnesses of Jehovah: all these and others promised and expected the end of the world in their lifetime. “There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish, distraught at the roaring of the sea and the raging tides (verse 25).” Recent issues of the National Geographic Magazine testify to such current happenings. The passage cited in the question states that Jesus clearly foresaw and foretold the terrible persecutions his people would have to suffer for his sake in the days to come. Every century has witnessed the sufferings of Jesus’ members in various places. Even now in the province of Darfur in the Sudan, Christians are suffering terribly at the hands of the government in Khartoum: only because they refuse to abandon Jesus for Mohamed. This gospel passage will become much more intelligible: if we remember that it contains not one consistent idea, but several allied thoughts and images.

Jesus’ predictions about destruction

By Rev.Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Rev.Amy Baumgartner

2013-01-02 13:53:59

Q-In the Gospel of Luke (21:5-19) Jesus talks about the destruction of the temple and the persecution that will take place. How do we know that our Lord wasn’t talking about what happened in A.D. 70, instead of the end of the world?

A-The rebuilt temple of Herod that the disciples witnessed first-hand was impressive. Started around 20 B.C.E, the temple’s reconstruction lasted more than eighty years until 63-63 C.E. Josephus, the famous Jewish historian, noted that some of the stones used in its construction were 12 to 60 feet in length, 7.5 feet in height and 9 feet in width (Josephus Jewish Wars 5.5.1-2 189-90 gives these measurements in cubits.). The temple emerged over the city like a "snow clad mountain" (Josephus Jewish Wars 5.5.6 223) and was ornately decorated with gifts from other countries and had finely crafted gates and doors (Josephus Jewish Wars 5.5.3-5 206-18). It is no surprise that the disciples expressed national pride as they looked over the temple; it is also of no surprise that Jesus’ words about the temple’s destruction would have struck a chord because the temple was intended to last for a long, long time. Jesus’ words were predicting in prophetic terms the arrival of judgment that harkened back to past experiences of the Israelites when the temple and Jerusalem were overrun and destroyed by the Babylonians hundreds of years previously. Yet prophetic language is a tricky for the audience. One of my Old Testament professors in seminary used the illustration of a mountain range to explain prophetic language. From far off, a mountain range appears to be one line of mountains; however, as you get closer to the mountains, you begin to notice that the mountain range is comprised of different individual mountains separated by valleys. The Scriptures record many prophecies, and some of the fulfillments have taken place, yet there are circumstances where the full fulfillment of these prophecies could still have future timetable. While the prophecy is one statement on the lips of a prophet, the totality of that statement could be comprised of many different fulfillments along the way like the individual mountains join together to comprise a mountain range. The events in Luke’s gospel speak to events of the end and those of Jerusalem’s fall side by side in prophetic presentation. We can look back and know that the events are separated by a long period of time in between. Yet the prophetic “foreshortening” is designed to show a parallel or link between the two events. So, when the initial event occurred (the destruction of the temple), Jesus’ followers would understand that the rest of the prophecy was also coming even if for the initial audience, it would be difficult to distinguish the times of these mirrored events. The important part is that both the end and Jerusalem's fall are part of the divine movement toward fulfillment of promise. If we were among the original audience, we might have assumed the end would come with the fall of Jerusalem like the disciples anticipated; however, Jesus revealed the real sign of the end will be the return of the Son of Man. And Jesus, in his care of his disciples prepares his disciples for the era to come by conveying that chaos does not mean that God is not in control. Even in the midst of chaos, God’s plans are coming to fruition in the midst of judgment. And that is a message that still gives hope to Jesus’ disciples today.

Jesus' predictions about destruction

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2013-01-02 13:51:53

Q-In the Gospel of Luke (21:5-19) Jesus talks about the destruction of the temple and the persecution that will take place. How do we know that our Lord wasn’t talking about what happened in A.D. 70, instead of the end of the world?

A-I find myself as I pray and study over this passage that I see that Jesus was talking about the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., but also more events still to come in our age and ages to come, if He so decides to delay His final return. It is true that Jesus, in this passage, is warning His disciples of the coming persecution in their time; but there are aspects in this passage that have far reaching effects in ages to come. The disciples were awe struck by the temple. Jesus makes use of the Temple structure to prepare them. Some of the stuff He shares will take place in their life time. The stones of the temple were not left on each other (Luke 21:6) which happened in 70 A.D. when the second temple was destroyed. When they ask for signs, He tells them that false teachers will be abundant in their day {vs 8}. He also explained that all kinds of worldwide disturbances from wars to earth quakes, famines and plagues {vs 9-11} and persecution of Christians {vs 12-24} would take place. Most of those events are repeated in every century in the history of our world. Here, I believe that Jesus spoke to His first century disciples, but also the disciples who would follow in future centuries. Notice Jesus’ emphasis in a lot of His end times preaching is preparedness for the disciple. Several parables deal with our preparedness. {Matthew 20:1-16; 22:1-14; Luke 12:35-38; 39-40} In these passages we see the already, and not yet, aspect of prophecy. The destruction of the temple has taken place but several pieces of the prophecy have not taken place as Jesus unveils it in verses 35-38. We can see a similar aspect of prophecy in Acts 2 when Peter quotes Joel about the Spirit being poured out on all flesh, which was evident at Pentecost. But then he speaks of a cataclysmic event taking place where He says, “And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives.” {2:19-20} Now I know some have interpreted these as spiritual things that happened that day, but I believe as the tongues are seen in Peter’s day in the inauguration of the “Church age” or the “Messianic Age,” so are those events showing the culmination of the age, in Luke 21:25-28, in the Revelation of John and also in Joel’s prophecy. But there is even a third aspect to this that must have our attention. That is the rebuilding of the third Temple. In the future the temple would be violated with the “abomination of desolation” prophesied by Daniel in 9:27 and 12:11. Then Jesus confirmed it in Matthew 24:15 where he says, “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration, standing in the Holy Place.” This apostasy, in some respects, occured in 168 BC when Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig to Zeus on that altar, and then in 70 AD when Titus put an idol on the site of the burned altar of the Temple. Even so, the scriptures tell us that in the final end, the Anti-Christ will set up an image of himself, and order everyone to worship it. In order for this to be fulfilled the temple must be rebuilt. {2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:14-15} Now I bring this to your attention because prophecy, in the scriptures, has several aspects as it moves through history. The theologian, Berkhof says it so well, "The fulfillment of some of the most important prophecies is germinant, i.e., they are fulfilled by installments; each fulfillment being a pledge of that which is to follow.” It may have meaning in Jesus’ day but also in centuries to come. The key for us in all of this is; what does this mean for us, in our age, as Christians practically? 1. We don’t know the time or the season when Christ will come, but Jesus tells us to be ready. {Matthew 24:42-44} 2. Don’t be deceived by false teachers. Don’t follow them. {Luke 21:8} Don’t be surprised when you are persecuted for standing for God’s truth of the gospel. It will happen if you are faithful. {21:12-13} 4. Don’t be worried about how you will be treated and how to defend yourself. God will take care of you. {21:14-15} 5. Realize even your closest relationships may turn on you and even hate you for Christi’s sake. {21:16-17} 6. God will protect you {21:18} 7. The key is to stand firm in Him. {21:18} 8. When you see the cataclysmic happenings, know that the time is close and don’t fear. {21:25-28} 9. Remember His word lives forever so abide in it. {21:32} 10. Watch how you live your life {21:34-35}. Finally, watch and pray so that you will be able to stand before the Son of Man. {21:36} May the Lord guide you as you prepare for His coming either today, tomorrow or in the next age. Working on that alongside of you, Pastor Dave. Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!

What was the star the wise men followed?

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2012-11-19 11:44:53

Q- What was the star the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus in Matthew 2:1-11?

A- Matthew is the only gospel writer to record the presence of this star. Many things have been suggested as an explanation such as a comet, meteor, or a supernova (exploding star). Yet the most compelling explanation I have encountered has been put forth by Rick Larson at BethlehemStar.net. There are nine conditions he draws from Matthew’s account needing to be satisfied. • It signified birth. • It signified kingship. • It had a connection with the Jewish nation. • It rose in the east, like other stars. • It appeared at a precise time. • Herod didn’t know when it appeared. • It endured over time. • It was ahead of the Magi as they went south from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. • It stopped over Bethlehem. Working from historical records, discoveries by scientists such as Johannes Kepler and the power of computers to simulate the stars in the sky through time, Mr. Larson makes the case that the star is Jupiter moving through the constellations during the time surrounding the birth of Christ Jesus, the Messiah. Even so, as amazing as the thought that God put the very heavens in motion thousands of years before to point to the birth of His Son is, it is most important that we recognize that He used these signs to point to our Messiah, who died for our sins in our place, that we may be made right with God, and that God the Father raised this Messiah, Jesus, from the dead to provide proof of his worthiness and give us hope that he will do the same for us when He sends the Messiah back for us. The best way to celebrate the season is to know the Messiah and worship him as our Savior. Have a blessed Christmas.

Israel and Judaism: is it a biblical thing?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-11-19 10:10:43

Q- We have a relationship with Israel, whereby whatever (to a point) they get involved in, the U.S.A. government backs them. Is it a biblical thing?

A- Early in the beginning of the nation of Israel God gave Abram a special promise as he followed the call of God to go into the world , “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. {2} I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.” {Genesis 12:1-2} Since that day we have seen God in history work through His chosen nation to become a great and powerful nation. There were times she became a weak nation, even at the point in becoming a vassal state of some of the great nations of the world in certain periods of time. Even to this day, as God said, she would be a very powerful influential nation and the land a pivotal piece of the world. {Revelation 16:16} She has played a huge part in keeping peace throughout the world. God has also used Israel to give the greatest blessing of all eternity to mankind which is the Lord Jesus Christ who provided our eternal salvation. God saw fit that our salvation would come from Israel and this is why Paul says the gospel is to the “Jew first.” {Romans 1:16} He was of Jewish heritage back to Abraham {Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:34} and given in land of Israel {Micah 5:2}. Israel has fulfilled already the missionary call of God in being “blessed to be a blessing.” That is so true for all Christians and Western Civilization. But also this promise to Abram came with an affirmation and a warning to the rest of the world’s nations. “And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." {Genesis 12:3} We see this throughout her history that those who play nasty with Israel pay a price. {2 Chronicles 32:31} Even when God uses a nation to punish Israel for her sin, God brings upon that nation punishment for doing the damage she has done to Israel later on in history. {Ezekiel 26:1-5}} Some of us have even seen Israel in our present day against great odds glean victory that leaves observers scratching their heads wondering how Israel could have pulled off those victories. {Consider her War for Independence in 1947.The Sinai War in 1956, The 6 Day War in 1967, The Yom Kipper War in 1973 or even the Lebanon War in 1982 and 2006.} Israel is truly a blessed nation and has a special protection around her. But does this warrant that we as a nation right or wrong stand behind Israel no matter what she does? Now I do believe our nation does need to stand with Israel as a good ally but we also need to be very careful how we stand with her. The scriptures tells us, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” {Proverbs 14:34} America like a good friend should when we see our ally committing sinful acts confront her and tell her so. The scriptures are clear that every nation, including Israel, is like clay in the potter’s (God’s) hand in Jeremiah 18. That God through the prophet says, {7}”If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed,{8} but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. {9} And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, {10} but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.” {Jeremiah 18:7-10} There is no better way of being a good ally then by preventing such catastrophe from coming upon Israel. Even further, much of the foundation blocks for our legal system and the laws in America that protect us come from the Law God set down for Israel. “Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?” {Deuteronomy 4:8} Our forefathers who were the framers of the constitution modeled and cloned it. Our Second President, John Quincy Adams wrote, "The law given from Sinai was a civil and municipal code as well as a moral and religious code. These are laws essential to the existence of men in society and most of which have been enacted by every Nation which ever professed any code of laws. Vain indeed would be the search among the writings of secular history to find so broad, so complete and so solid a basis of morality as the Ten Commandments lay down." This is all part of the blessing that has come to us because of our affinity with the God of Israel and His people. The framers also saw the connection of God with our country’s blessings as Israel did in verse 7 where it says; “For what great nation has a God as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him?” Why did the framers of the constitution stop at critical points to bow their heads, get on their knees and pray? Even Ben Franklin made a motion in a log jam debate to ask the framers call upon God in prayer to break the jam. May our Leaders stand with our ally Israel and these principles from the Torah. Blessed of God, PD.

Israel and Judaism: is it a biblical thing?

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2012-11-19 10:09:23

Q- We have a relationship with Israel, whereby whatever (to a point) they get involved in, the U.S.A. government backs them. Is it a biblical thing?

A- I appreciate the desire for a biblical answer on this topic. Opinions on Israel are often very emotional and heated. It is important for us to recognize that the Bible is God’s Word and ask the question, “What does God say on this issue?” Israel is the name God gave Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. The history of this family is given in Genesis 12 through the end of the book. Of importance to us are the covenant(s) God made with Abraham, which carry down to Jacob and the nation his family becomes. These are found in Chapters 12, 15 and 17. ‘Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."’ (Gen 12:1-3 ESV, emphasis added) Here God promises to make a great nation of Abraham (Israel). Of particular note for our discussion is the emphasized portion, “…I[God] will bless those who bless you[Israel], and him who dishonors you[Israel] I[God] will curse, …” This would seem to clearly indicate that the welfare of others (nations by implication) would be determined by how God’s people are treated by them. Also of significance, ‘God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.’ (Gen 17:19 ESV, emphasis added) This further suggests that these promises are without end. This does not mean that God overlooks the sins of the offspring of Abraham. One has only to look to the book of Judges, 1 & 2 Kings and the prophets to see that God punishes Israel for their sins, to point of exiling the nation to Babylon (modern Iraq). Yet he continues to love and bless Israel, even as He disciplines (punishes) them. All of this is not unlike how he disciplines His children (Christians) today. In Genesis chapters 12, God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising to bless him, give him (his offspring) the land of Canaan, make him a great nation and make him a blessing. A covenant is more than a contract, it is a promise. This covenant is one God made with Abraham, initiated by God as the greater party. Further God indicated that he would pay the penalty for violation of the conditions, pointing to Jesus’ sacrifice. As important as blessing Israel may be, it is more important that see Jesus’ sacrifice for us for what it is, repent of our sins, and follow Him. He is coming back for His Bride the Church, and He will be coming back as King, not that suffering servant.

Israel and Judaism: is it a biblical thing?

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2012-11-19 10:07:51

Q- We have a relationship with Israel, whereby whatever (to a point) they get involved in, the U.S.A. government backs them. Is it a biblical thing?

A- The earlier settlers of what would become the United States of America came to this new land from Europe to be able to exercise religious freedom. Their beliefs were based upon the Bible. The majority of the Bible is the story of God’s people, the Jews, who God promised land in what is known today as Israel. So, there is a similar thread that links both Israel and the United States. This common heritage is a major reason why the United States has historically supported Israel. In addition to that heritage, Christians will lift up several Biblical verses to support the close relationship with the current country of Israel: Genesis 12:3 relates God’s promise to bless Israel’s friends and curse its enemies; Genesis 12:5-7; and 13:14-15 state that God promised the land (that is now Israel) to Abraham and his descendants forever; and 1 Kings 8:33-34 speak that the blessing of salvation will be extended to all peoples and nations through the Temple. Similarly, Jesus in his ministry indicated that his first priority was to extend salvation to the Jews; however, salvation was extended to other nations (for example, see John 4). Non-Jews are encouraged to be thankful to the Jews for our salvation because our blessing of salvation was originally through our common ancestor Abraham. With biblical support for protecting Israel, there are Christians who would point to lack of faith within the modern country of Israel is a reason not to support Israel. Essentially there is the belief that modern day secular Israel has given up its status as God’s chosen people because of the lack of adherence to God’s laws. There are some Christian streams who view the Church as “replacing” Israel as God’s chosen people. In contrast to this idea, there are other Christians who believe that God will deal with the Jews and the Church differently at the end of the age and that the Jews remain as God’s chosen people (and the Church is viewed as God’s “other” chosen people). New Testament scriptures can support both positions. While the situation between the United States and Israel is not as definitive as some may desire, it is my belief that like the Psalmist, we should continue to pray for peace in Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

Israel and Judaism: is it a biblical thing?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-11-19 10:06:27

Q- We have a relationship with Israel, whereby whatever (to a point) they get involved in, the U.S.A. government backs them. Is it a biblical thing?

A- This is a very delicate question. My response will not please everyone, as I am not seeking to be politically correct. Perhaps in a future article I can present the problems of the displaced peoples of Palestine. First of all, we must distinguish clearly between the state of Israel and the Jewish religion. Judaism is not co-extensive with Zionism. Judaism is the religion and culture, handed down from the patriarch Abraham and Moses and the prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible, and the Talmud and other ancient Jewish testimonies. Israel is the proper name of the patriarch Jacob, whose sons and grandsons gave their names to the twelve tribes of ancient Israel, the land bordered on the west by the Mediterranean Sea, on the North by the Lebanon and Syria, on the east by the Jordanian desert and the Dead Sea, and on the south by Egypt and the Negev desert. That Israel was formed into a kingdom by King David a thousand years before Christ. That state of Israel was destroyed by the Roman army under Titus in the years 69-70, when the conquered Jewish people were exiled from their homeland and dispersed around the world. Their homeland was occupied by native Palestinians, Arab nomads, and settlers from various countries, especially during the Crusades. Within a hundred years after the foundation of Islam by Mohamed, Palestine was dominated by Moslems, first by Saracens and later by Turks. For nineteen centuries the Jewish people dreamed of returning to their homeland, encouraged by the writings of their ancient prophets, but also by their sages, e.g. Moses Maimonides, one of the great philosophers and codifiers of Law in the Middle Ages. Through the centuries most Jewish families prayed every night and every Passover: “Next year in Jerusalem!” Sometimes Jews were prohibited from coming to Palestine, which was and is commonly called “the Holy Land.” After World War I, which Turkey lost, the Holy Land was entrusted by mandate of the League of Nations to Great Britain. The British allowed a trickle of Jewish immigrants to settle in their ancient territory. Gradually, this trickle became a stream: so that, within a few years there were many Jewish settlers in that land. In Europe there formed a movement called “Zionism,” which worked for and encouraged the return of Jews to Palestine. Persecution of Jews in several countries of Europe forced many Jews to emigrate to the Americas and Africa and, of course, to Palestine. After World War II, the British retired from their mandated territory, and there was a brief power-vacuum, in which several groups struggled to gain power. In May 1948 the Jews in the Holy Land seized the opportunity to establish their own sovereign country, which they called Israel. The U.S.A., under President Truman, was the first of the countries of the world to recognize this new nation. The Arab countries, bordering Israel, undertook a war against the new nation, which war was won by the military forces of Israel aided by the U.S.A. and Great Britain. This return of Jews to their ancient homeland necessarily involved the dispossession of many Arabs and non-Jews, who had been living in the Holy Land peacefully for some nineteen centuries. The Arabs have always been hospitable to strangers and visitors and exiles, and welcomed Jews --- until the Jewish settlers took control of all Palestine. The now-dominant Israelis occupied the homes and buildings abandoned by Palestinians, who felt their former hospitality had been betrayed. Many Palestinians became refugees in neighboring countries, and some have settled in the Americas and Australia and Africa. The Israelis have transformed that country, formerly known as Palestine, into a modern state patterned somewhat on America. The Jewish citizens of America and Great Britain exercised great pressure on the leaders of those countries to recognize and aid their relatives in the new state of Israel. In New York city there are more Jews than in the whole country of Israel. And those American citizens and their friends do vote. American and British politicians watch carefully for the Jewish vote, just as they are interested in the Catholic vote. Thus, our country’s backing of Israel in most undertakings is more a political matter than religious. However, Jewish culture and life is based on their ancient religion. Thus indirectly there is a religious influence in that backing. Israel is a secular state, in which religious freedom is guaranteed to all citizens and visitors. Secondly, we should understand that the Jewish religion, while looking at and remembering their ancient homeland, does not require that all Jews support the state of Israel. In fact, many Jews – even some of those living in Israel – do not support or back the government of that small state in the Middle East. The majority of Jews in Israel and around the world are not particularly religious, except on their high holydays. But they support and defend their fellow-Jews who are religious. Thirdly, the Catholic Church holds in great esteem the Jewish religion, and the Vatican state has diplomatic relations with the state of Israel. To understand the Church’s relationship with Judaism it is necessary to read in the New Testament: St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans, chapters 9 and 10 and 11. The Church recognizes that the Jewish people were chosen by God to be his special people. God made with them the first or Old Covenant and gave them his Law through Moses. The Church realizes that she was born from Judaism, as the fulfillment of that ancient religion, and that her roots are thoroughly Jewish. The Church’s founder, Jesus and all his Apostles and early disciples were Jewish. Thus the relationship of the Church to Judaism is indeed “a religious thing.” But the relationship of the Church to modern Israel is a political thing.

What is a

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2012-11-07 11:32:03

Q- I see in your advertisement that you are a ‘Family Integrated Church.’ What exactly does that mean?

A- In short, a ‘family-integrated church’ is one who worships, learns and serves together as a family. This is really an old concept. However, segregation by age is a relatively new concept introduced by the modern education system. In Deuteronomy 6:7, God gives instruction to teach your children throughout the day, with the expectation that parents and children are together. Further, nowhere in scripture are there examples given of children being separated from parents. While we don’t consider family segregation a salvation issue, we believe that God’s best occurs in relationship together. God designed the family, it was His idea. There are many benefits of ‘family-integration.’ First and foremost, instead of being pulled in separate directions, the family shares in the experience. Children see their parents worshiping. Families share in the experience of serving together as they visit the sick or those less fortunate. Parents know what their children are being taught, as they were present when it was done. Further, parents can reinforce the message throughout the week, or more importantly, the church reinforces what Dad is teaching at home. When we hold Sunday school, we sit as families, encouraging fathers to lead, and allow new fathers the opportunity to learn from other fathers around them how to lead and teach their family. Is this a legalistic matter? No. There are times when it is necessary to separate to discuss business or relational issues. However, segregation is not the rule, but rather the exception to how we relate to one another and our God. After all, we are part of His family, ‘the household of faith’ (Ephesians 2:19; Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 3:15).

The fallen angels

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2012-11-01 14:50:36

Q- What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?

A- The term “fallen angels” does not appear in the Bible; however, there are a few places that indicate a battle happened among angels resulting in about a third of the angles to follow the rebellion led by the Accuser (typically referred to as Satan) Before we discuss that battle, it might be helpful to first briefly discuss the subject of angels in general. The Bible assumes their existence; in fact, 34 of the 66 books in the Bible refer to angels. In addition, Jesus taught about their existence (see Matt.8:10; 24:31; 26:53). Angels were created by God (see Ps.148:2,5; Col.1:16) unlike God who had no beginning (1 Tim.6:16). Angels were created before the world and man (see Job 38:6,7), and angels were created holy (see Ezek.28:15; Jude 6). The fall of angels is associated with the fall of Satan. Christian scholars will point to two passages when describing the fall of Satan: Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14. Ezekiel 28:11-19 is a prophetic lamentation over the “King of Tyre” who many Christian scholars interpret as describing Satan’s fall and not a mere human king. Satan is an illustrious form of the human ruler of Tyre in 28:2 (“prince/ruler”) and called a “king” in 28:12. Though Tyre had a human “ruler,” it is believed that Satan was the real “King” behind that wicked earthly kingdom. In the Ezekiel passage, the king is described before his fall as the model of perfection, blameless at creation until his fall, and beautiful. Yet he became proud and corrupt so he was cast to the earth where he would deceive others. In Isaiah 14:12-15, scholars will interpret Satan as the manifest king of Babylon. As in Ezekiel 28, Satan is pictured here as the real “king” behind the wicked human kingdom of Babylon. The imagery of a “star” and “falling from heaven” in this passage suggests a supernatural fulfillment. “Stars” are symbolic of the angelic realm elsewhere (see Job 38:6,7; Rev.12:4). The definitive form of pride (“I will be like the Most High” in v.14) fits the New Testament description of Satan’s fall 1 Tim.3:6. It is clear that Satan has a following of like beings (for instance, Satan is call the “Prince of the demons” in Matt.12:24 and Matt. 25:41 mentions the Devil and his angels). At the fall of Satan, many angels followed him in that rebellion (demons are considered fallen angels). A third of the angelic host seem to have fallen with Satan according to Rev.12 (where the imagery of Satan as a “dragon” and angels/demons as “stars” is used). Admittedly, the Bible does not communicate a great deal about the fall of angels. However, the subject of their fall does remind us of Paul’s words that there is spiritual battle going on in our world. Our charge is to put on the full armor of God that we might stand our ground and be strong in the Lord (see Ephesians 6:10-18).

The fallen angels

By Father Cleary

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-11-01 14:48:58

Q- What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?

A- Only from divine revelation can we know anything about God and his creatures before the creation of man. In the last book in the Bible, Revelation, (chapter 12, verses 7-9), St. John informs us that: “War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he was hurled down to earth and his minions with him.” Revelation, as such, is outside the order of time. Therefore it seems appropriate that God reserved this information to the final book of the Bible: to explain the eternal conflict between the forces of good and evil, which is a major theme of the whole Bible. Earlier, St. Peter had written in his second epistle, warning about false prophets: “In times past there were false prophets among God’s people, and among you also false teachers will appear. They will introduce pernicious untrue doctrines, and will deny the Master who redeemed them, and so they will bring upon themselves sudden disaster. Even so, many will follow their immoral ways. . . . Their condemnation has not lain idle all this time. . . . God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them into hell, where they are kept chained in darkness, waiting for the Day of Judgment” (2 Peter 2:2-4). The Apostle then goes on to describe some of the evils perpetrated by unprincipled men, and the appropriate punishments they have received or are awaiting them. That text certainly describes the fate of the fallen angels. Some Fathers of the Church e.g. Origen and St. Augustine) considered a sentence in the first chapter of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, as referring to this conflict between the angels (Gen 1:4): “God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness.” Here the light represents the good angels, while the darkness refers to the bad angels. St. Peter mentioned “the angels who sinned.” This fall consists in the free choice of those created spirits, who radically and irrevocably rejected God and his reign. The Church’s tradition holds that this rejection was the sin of pride. The angels are pure spirits, and each angelic spirit is specifically different from every other angel. This difference is as great as the difference of man from brute animal, and the brute animal is different from a plant, and a plant is different from a mineral. Mankind embraces each of these latter differences, being composed of spirit and matter. Possessing a nature superior to mankind, each angel is more brilliant and more intelligent that all of mankind. Before he created human beings, God confided to the angels his plan for the creation of mankind and this universe. He also indicated that, in the course of time, his own Son would take on human nature in the Incarnation. Some of the angels, led by Lucifer, felt insulted by this plan of God: that God would have his own Son become a man, assuming a nature lower than their own nature. And so they exercised their free will in rebellion against God, saying: “I will not serve (a man)!” Those angels sinned by this rejection of God’s plan and were cast out of heaven, becoming the devils. Their choice against God is definitive. They try to associate man in their revolt against God (cf Catholic Catechism, Para. 414). God permitted such painful upheavals as the angels’ fall and man’s sin: only as occasions and means for displaying his power and beauty, and the whole measure of the love he wanted to give the world (cf Catholic Catechism, Para. 760).

The fallen angels

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2012-11-01 14:47:34

Q- What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?

A- While the scriptures provide much information about Satan and angels, the information we are given about their creation and fall is rather limited. It appears that God has limited that information knowing our tendency to be fixated on such things, even to the point of worshipping created beings rather than the Creator Himself. (Romans 1:18-23) What we do know about the fall of angels is found primarily in the following passages. Let us examine these briely. “And he [Jesus] said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”’ (Luke 10:18 ESV) Here we have a very brief, definitive statement by Jesus. However, we need to look at the context surrounding it. Yes, Satan fell from God’s grace and his place in the created order; however this isn’t the real point Jesus is trying to make with the disciples. Seventy-two disciples just returned and shared the excitement of having demons obey them, and this was PART of his response. He continues and drives home the real point: “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20 ESV, emphasis added). He is deliberately pointing to what is truly important, their relationship with God the Father, not their authority over demons. 1 Timothy 3:6 tells us the devil was condemned for the sin of pride. Jude 6 tells us of rebellion and punishment. Revelation 12 speaks about angels who have left their position, been swept out of heaven, following the dragon, Satan. However few details about the how and why are given. Some indirect indication is given in the message given to human kings of Babylon and Tyre in Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19 respectively. Ultimately, we need to turn our attention back to God and His Majesty. Angels and demons are created beings. Being created they are finite and continue to be subject to him, even should they rebel. They are not to be feared or worshiped, but as demons are our enemy we need the knowledge God provides in his word about him: to understand the origin of evil, to see that evil (even angelic evil) is punished by God, to know that Satan is the enemy. As believers in Jesus Christ, he has no authority over us. In fact we need to take to heart the message in 1 Peter 5:8-10 to be firm in the faith and resist the devil knowing “…And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1Peter 5:8-10 ESV) If we truly understand God’s majesty, His Holiness, His Mercy and Grace for sinners who need salvation, we will have little desire to pursue an interest in Satan. In all things seek Jesus. Be blessed. Be a blessing.

The fallen angels

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-11-01 14:46:31

Q- What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?

A- The scriptures give us a glimpse but there is still too much mystery, probably to be learned in heaven. Now we know that angels are created beings. {Psalm 148:2, 5 & Colossians 1:16} They are unlike God in that He is eternal with no beginning and no end. {Genesis 1:1; 1 Timothy 6:16} We know that the angels were created before the world began, {Job 38:6-7} as spirits, not with material bodies. {Hebrews 1:14} They have intellect, {Matthew 28:5} emotions, {Luke 2:13} and also a will. {Jude 1:6} That will became prideful and conceited, causing the Devil to fall in 1Timothy 3:6 which is one of the only direct references about his fall. The Apostle John in The Revelation talks about the battle for the takeover of heaven that got Satan cast out, along with 1/3 of the angels who rebelled with him. {Revelation 12:4-9} Now there are some who wish they had more of an explanation but Calvin, in his Institutes of Christian Religion, didn’t feel it to be necessary, and felt that “we should be content with this concise information.” However, there are others who like to add the passages from Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:12-18 to give more understanding. In Isaiah the verses are talking about the King of Babylon but they believe there is a double meaning, especially to the reference about Satan’s rebellion. “The morning star” is thought to be referring to Lucifer, which is a translation that began with Origen, and Jerome concurred; how he was cast down {12} and how he would make himself like God Almighty but he was brought down to the pits instead. In the passage there are five “I will” proclamations that manifest his rebellious desire to dethrone God. In Ezekiel 28:11-17, although the prophesy is against the King of Tyre in the day of Ezekiel, the double reference is seen by some as about not only the ancient King but of the fall of Satan. The poetic language and imagery describes the King of Tyre at creation, in Eden, as a strong priest fully clothed, as the guardian cherub. As you read it you can see the double meaning as it also describes Satan as full of wisdom, beauty and splendor in the early stages and then corrupted by pride. The wording, like the use of the word “cherub,” is heavily leaned on as reference to Satan. Some have reasoned that it happened after Adam and Eve were created, because in Genesis God said that His creation was “very good.” {Genesis 1:31}At that point Satan was a created being and was still good but then rebelled and became the “god of this world” {2 Corinthians 4:4} and began his work of evil, deceit, lying, undermining, etc to derail mankind from following God. His big game is to make sure that the world doesn’t believe that he exists. {2 Corinthians 4:4} Yet Jesus referred to Satan {Matthew 11:33; Luke 10:18;11:18} and was even tempted by Satan and spoke to him. {Luke 4:1-11}Paul speaks of principalities, strongholds and dominions.{Ephesians 6:11-13; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5} Some like the caricature of the little guy with a red horned costume, or a cartoon villain they can laugh about and treat as a fantasy of myth. But in the real world, the devil is alive and well and seeking to bring men and women down. The blessing in all of this is; even though Satan does have power, the power of the Holy Spirit that is in the Christian is greater than the “Prince and Power of the Air” (the devil), as it says in 1 John 4:4, and that God has given us the equipment to battle the very dark forces around us. {Ephesians 6:10-19} But we have to be alert as the Apostle Peter tells us, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. {9} Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” {1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT)} As the Lord continues to give us victories, let us keep our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. {Hebrews12:2} In the battle with you in the strength of the Lord until the end, Pastor Dave.

Who gets to go to Heaven?

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2012-10-03 11:22:40

Q- There are several verses in the Bible that deal with how many people are saved. Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it! And Luke 13:24: Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. Do these mean that more than half of all people are not saved?

A- To be direct, looking at these texts and the passages that surround them seems clear, "…how few there are who find it!" However, behind many questions there is an unasked question, and I wonder if the true concern is about fairness. Perhaps one is questioning God's (Jesus') judgment in this matter. We live with a man-centered view of the world. Because of this we are often troubled by the thought that God would judge the 'majority' unworthy. Remember, God is the ultimate authority on holiness, purity, goodness, justice, love and all other virtues. Not only did he 'make' them, He is the ultimate expression of them. He alone is the standard, and we in our rebellion cannot measure up alone. We need only to look to Genesis 3 and see that Adam and Eve's rebellion against God's will represented us (also see Romans 3), just as Jesus' sacrifice makes us righteous/innocent before God (John 1:29,36; John 19), and His Resurrection proves his sacrifice was acceptable to God and gives us hope (Romans 6:5; Hebrews 10, esp v10 and following). While many of us know John 3:16, we seldom read the verses that follow, and they are significant as well: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." Because we are sinful by nature, we are already condemned. God must be just. This is why Jesus took on our punishment, in order that God would remain just while offering mercy and forgiveness. While Jesus died for all [the many] (though not all accept his Lordship), he deals with each of us, wanting each of us to deal honestly with him. In Luke 13 he was asked about Galileans who were killed while making sacrifice, and of 18 who died in the collapse of a tower. Twice, His response was "…but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3, 5) The ultimate question is "How will 'I' respond to Jesus?" Will 'I' repent of my sinful nature and embrace him as the loving Lord of my life and enjoy the eternal life he gives? Or will 'I' reject him, and insist on living life MY way and reap the results of it? This is a decision that we must make, even if we ignore the question.

Is heaven a lonely place with disembodied souls?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-10-02 14:00:35

Q- Many believe that at the end of time the body will be resurrected an rejoin the soul for all eternity. If this is so, and the soul has no physical presence by itself, won't heaven be a pretty lonely place until the end of the world happens? I mean the only ones there right now with a soul and body are God, and some believe the Blessed Virgin Mary, Enoch and Elijah.

A- I don’t believe it is a lonely existence for those taken physically for several reasons. It is true as the scriptures tell us that those who died before Christ returns will be rejoined with their bodies first and then those who are still alive will join them at the second coming. {1 Thessalonians 4:16} If we follow that truth then those who are dead, have no physical bodies but are existing in the presence of the Lord according to Philippians 1:23. Now at this point I must point out that there are some things we can’t fathom because of our finite minds and we are dealing with the infinite eternal realm of God. {1 Corinthians 2:9} We know that God is “Spirit” as Jesus shares with us in John 4:24. Jesus gives us the definition of that in one of His resurrection appearances where He says, “touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." {Luke 24:39} Now there are illusions to God having body parts like “eyes” {1 Peter 3:12} or an “arm” {Exodus 15:16}but these are what theologians call “Anthropomorphisms” which are human figures of speech. They represent God as having human characteristics that are symbolic to help us understand how God acts and works among us. When it says God speaks, it doesn’t mean that He has vocal cords. Almighty God isn’t prevented from having audible conversation with man without vocal cords. When the Bible speaks about Him walking, it is a figure of speech of Him moving about. Seeing, he doesn’t have eyes but that He perceives. This is not hard to understand when we consider in creation where the bat sees with its hearing. As Almighty God, He can do it and is not limited even though He really doesn’t have a physical body as Jesus said by calling Him “Spirit.” God by His very nature is “Spirit,” an incorporeal being, not limited by a certain size or shape. Just the vastness of creation would otherwise overtake Him if He was just human size. How could He maintain and control the universe? He’s omni-present or everywhere. If He were human size how could He do that? How could He maintain the control and direct the universe that is 12 billion light years across? It would be overwhelming to Him if He were shrunk to human size? But in fact, Solomon understood this before he built the physical temple, “But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him?” {2 Chronicles 2:6} Paul conveyed this same thought in his preaching to the Pagans in Athens in Acts 17:24-25. Now with God being Spirit, it does not keep Him from relationship with those saints who have been taken in bodily form. It didn’t keep Him from relationships with the angels{Isaiah 14:12ff}or humans on earth, {Exodus 3:4-5} Is it so with those who die in the Lord, who are in the presence of Christ Jesus, are they not communing with these and others saints who have died with or without a body? Has not their sweet fellowship begun even though they are spirit? How often we limit God’s goodness and creativity. Think about it, but how did the disciples recognize Moses and Elijah who lived centuries before the disciples at the transfiguration? The scriptures tell us we will recognize more people in the next life than we do now. {1 Corinthians 13:12}. That to be departed from this life before the final resurrection is “far better.” {2 Corinthians 5:6-8} The scriptures testify to the existence being in a far greater level beyond what we can imagine. How could that be if there is no interaction with others? But that’s the joy it is! It is a greater experience where our connection between us and each other is God. {Revelation 21:3} How could it not be joy filled and extremely delightful? The sinful patterns of selfishness, insecurity, un-forgiveness and the like that hamper our relationships are all gone. We all then wait for the final consummation of perfection when all of earth and heaven will be made new. {21:1} That our bodies will be redeemed from decay to glorified bodies.{1 Corinthians 15:51-53} With the final consummation will come with it another level of experience because everything will be new. {Revelation 21:3} Even love and marriage will be on a whole new different plain. {Matthew 22:23-33}What wonderful things believers have to look forward to after death either before or after the final consummation of the age! Pastor Dave PS - “Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” {1 Corinthians 13:12}

Is heaven a lonely place with disembodied souls?

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2012-10-02 13:59:28

Q- Many believe that at the end of time the body will be resurrected an rejoin the soul for all eternity. If this is so, and the soul has no physical presence by itself, won't heaven be a pretty lonely place until the end of the world happens? I mean the only ones there right now with a soul and body are God, and some believe the Blessed Virgin Mary, Enoch and Elijah.

A- The question of what happens when individuals die can be very perplexing, particularly because all of us have experienced the death of someone we love and each of us is mortal and will face our own deaths. As a pastor, I often get the question (although sometimes not verbally asked) “where is my loved one right now?” This question of what happens to the body and the soul/spirit after death is difficult because there are more Biblical passages on the ultimate outcome than on the immediate situation of our souls/spirits and bodies after physical death. The Bible speaks of three different types of death. There is physical death in which the body is separated from the spirit/soul (see Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:4-5, Ecclesiastes 12:7); it is the result of sin. These is spiritual death in which a person is cut off from God (see Ephesians 2:12), and there is eternal death, a final state of separation (also referred to as “second death” in Revelation). Your inquiry asks about the time between physical death and the final resurrection, when the eternal death is determined. Interestingly, there are very few Biblical passages that discuss the “intermediate state” of people. Many theologians believe the lack of information was because the early church did not consider that a vital topic because it was believed Jesus Christ would return quickly. Yet from the few passages, it seems that for the righteous, their souls will be received into paradise or a blessed place with God upon physical death (see Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:19-26). Those who are not righteous may be in a sleep-like state until the final resurrection and judgment. While you surmise that heaven might be a lonely place from now until the end of the world, I would encourage you to take a wider view. In light of eternity, the time from now until the end of the world might actually be a very short time. And in the meantime, the spirit/soul of the righteous is with God, and the righteous individuals will receive their spiritual, resurrected bodies at a future time. Death can be frightening because of the unknowns; however, death does not need to be a fearful predicament if we put our trust and faith in God. Because as Paul writes in Romans, we know that nothing—neither death nor life—will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38).

Is heaven a lonely place with disembodied souls?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-10-02 13:57:06

Q- Many believe that at the end of time the body will be resurrected an rejoin the soul for all eternity. If this is so, and the soul has no physical presence by itself, won't heaven be a pretty lonely place until the end of the world happens? I mean the only ones there right now with a soul and body are God, and some believe the Blessed Virgin Mary, Enoch and Elijah.

A- This question is confused; but then so are many people, particularly when dealing with life after death, about which we have only sparse information from Jesus, who was in a position to know the facts, and from the disciples He taught. Evidently, the questioner believes the Apostles' Creed, which concludes: "I believe in . . . the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen." It is true that, at the end of time, our bodies will be resurrected and rejoin their proper souls for all eternity. And it is true that the soul, being spiritual but real, has no physical presence by itself. But, by God's arrangement, the individual souls of those who have lived on earth are able to communicate by their intellect and will, and interact with their companions in heaven or purgatory or hell. There is no communication between the souls in heaven and those in hell. (Refer to Jesus' parable about the rich man and the poor man in St. Luke's Gospel, chapter 16: 19-31.) In Luke, chapter 19: 27-38 Jesus addresses a similar question raised by the Sadducees. The dead are like the angels of God: those who are children of God (verse 36) are rejoicing with the angels and the saints, all their friends old and new, and enjoying the beatific vision of God. As regard the dead whose souls are in hell: they are experiencing intense physical pain, utter loneliness and despair. Separated from God forever, they are like the devils, fallen angels, consumed with self-pity, hatred of others, and wallowing in the consequences of their sins which dragged them down to eternal punishment. At the end of the world and the general resurrection, all persons, who have ever lived, will be reunited body and soul forever. All souls long for the completion of their person, which will happen at the resurrection. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, each person will rise in the fullness of their youth, which is a consolation for infants who die prematurely as well as for the aged. But their happiness or suffering is not in suspense until that final consummation. Pope John XXII in 1320 defined as a doctrine of faith that, immediately after death, the individual soul enters into heaven or hell. That doctrine allows for the temporary situation of Purgatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraphs 1030-1031) says that: "All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still are imperfectly purified of sins they committed, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name of Purgatory to this final purification of the saved, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned." Pope St. Gregory the Great (509-604) wrote: "As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He Who is Truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this world nor in the world to come (cf Matthew 12:31). From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this world, but certain other sins only in the world to come." Those who die with some attachment to sin on their soul pass into Purgatory (a temporary condition wherein the soul of a person, who is saved, undergoes purification of any remnants of sin and undue attachments to things of this world). Purgatory is not available for hardened sinners and those who die in grave sin without repenting. The questioner is in error to say that God has a body. God is pure spirit. However, God's Son Jesus assumed a human body with a human soul, in which He resides in heaven. The Father and the Holy Spirit do not have bodies. As a special favor to the Virgin Mother of Jesus, God granted that her holy body not corrupt: so that holy Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. Perhaps Enoch and Elijah also were granted resurrection in anticipation; but probably they had to return to earth and died, as do all other human beings in consequence of original sin.

How many people are saved?

By Rev.Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Rev.Amy Baumgartner

2012-08-29 14:47:28

Q- There are several verses in the Bible that deal with how many people are saved. Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it! And Luke 13:24: Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. Do these mean that more than half of all people are not saved?

A- To be saved in the Bible means to be rescued from danger and restored to a condition of well-being. In the New Testament, “saved” is the result of divine deliverance through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Salvation is new life by release from slavery to sin for all who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Jesus saves individuals by bringing healing in his/her relationship with God, others and himself/herself. Salvation is a gift from God; we are saved by God’s grace alone when we respond and receive God’s gracious redemption by faith. Behind salvation is the loving nature of God and the incarnation of Jesus—God coming in flesh—is proof of God’s love. God’s heart is that all will be saved. There are numerous verses that speak to this: God “is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10); “every knee should bow and…every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11); and “God has bound all human being over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all” (Romans 11:32). Romans 5:18 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 state that condemnation came to all human beings through Adam but that all will be made alive through Jesus Christ. So, there are Biblical passages that seem to open the door to salvation to all people. However, there are also verses that clearly teach that some will be eternally lost instead of all being saved as you mention (see Matthew 25:46; John 3:16; 5:28-29; Romans 2:5; 9:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 21:8). Yet in all these verses, there is no specific verse sharing exactly how many people will be saved. While some people may not accept God’s gift of salvation, the fact remains for the potential of salvation. Those who know they have been saved are encouraged to share the freedom and peace they have received from God through Jesus Christ because how can other people accept God’s gift of salvation without hearing God’s message of good news (see Romans 10:14-15)?

How many people are saved?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-08-29 14:42:57

Q- There are several verses in the Bible that deal with how many people are saved. Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it! And Luke 13:24: Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. Do these mean that more than half of all people are not saved?

A- The questioner asks us a quantifying (amount) question that in the scriptures is a number only God knows. (John 17:9-25) It will be a great number no man knows. {Revelation 7:9} However, compared to what the number could be, considering all previous generations, it will be considerably less as we read the words of Jesus in these two passages. Jesus gives words that speak of exclusiveness in using “narrow,” “rough” and “few” of the way to life compared to the way of destruction as “broad,” “wide,” and “many.” Is it few because of a space problem in heaven? That the gate can’t accommodate everyone? I’m being facetious! In studying for this question one of the commentators wrote a great summary truth, “Gods way of salvation is remarkably simple, but it is not easy.” The reason I agree with that statement is because man has difficulty accepting God’s way in everything since the beginning of time, especially when it comes to salvation. Look at Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 who thought they could have it their way by choosing the lie of the serpent that they could be equal with God by eating the forbidden fruit. Paul talks about it in Romans 1 where mankind worships everything, even creation, but God. What caused these choices? The Bible gives us two words that have the same middle letter, “sin” and “pride” with the middle letter “I.” Inside man sin works its way out in pride and man wanting it his way. The “I” shows itselfin man doing it his way and then trying to justify his sinful patterns through religious justification. He creates his own religion or modifies it for self- justification, self –righteousness that leads to self-indulgence and self- satisfaction which is the wide, easy, attractive and self-pleasing way. Our Matthew 7 passage is in the context of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount,” in which He elaborates on the 10 Commandments in chapters 5-7. When readwe see Jesus take the commands to a whole new level from outward physical to a higher inward spiritual level. For instance; He takes the 7th command of adultery from just the physical act to saying if a man looks on a woman lustfully, that’s adultery. (5:28}Jesus radically says it’s better to lose an eye than to bear the consequences of that behavior. (29-30) The religious made a mockery of this in Jesus’ day. If aman saw a hottie (cute woman) down the street that he wanted to get with, he’d write a certificate of divorceon the frivolous grounds of his wife burning breakfast. This would break the sanctity of marriage (Genesis 2:24), so he could get with the hottie, butin the religious eyes of the community it would be ok. (5:31-32)That way was not God’s way but man’s. It was a sham! Other religious movements are harsh and have a rigorous path laden with rules and regulations that need to be met by the follower. They are well meaning people but filled with pride that man can actually think he can please Almighty God and live totally for God. This passage flies in the face of any group that tries to blend religions in “easy-going syncretism,” says writer John Stott.The problem is, no man can live perfectly. (Matthew 5:45) That is God’s standard. That is why Jesus talks about how man is unable to do it. (Matthew 19:26) Read the Sermon on the Mount and see if there is anyone who could live that way perfectly! (Romans 3:23) That is why Jesus comes to His disciples and us saying there is only one choice between two gates that is right. One way is God’s way of salvation that leads to life and the other, man’s way that leads to destruction. That narrow way is only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Act 4:12). It is solely through what His death on the cross accomplished that gives all men grace to be saved. Nothing else! There is not one thing we can do that saves us. (Ephesians 2:8-9) This is why it is so “simple” and yet not so “easy.” Because man’s sinful pride can keep him from that grace. Many good people, church people, who follow the 10 Commandments, who do a lot of good for others and keep the Golden Rule, don’t make it. (Luke 13:24-27; Matthew 7:22-23) They trust their own self religious effort and not Christ. I’ve seen people even get upset with me about it. Look at the struggle Peter had in letting go of self -effort and trusting Christ fully. (John 13:37-38; 18:25-27; 21:15-25) It is when we let go of our self-effort and fully trust Him for our salvation, we see the selfish desires and worldly ways diminish and our desire to do His will becomes prominent. (Galatians 2:20) It is then we really need to trust Him more and more because we have declared war on our flesh, the world system and the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 John 2:16; 1 Peter 5:8) Then it’s on and the battle is intense. So trust Him only and fully on the rough and narrow way made for only those with faith of heart in Him. I’m in the battle with you every day trusting only in Him. Pastor Dave

How many people are saved?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-08-29 14:05:47

Q- There are verses in the Bible that deal with how many people are saved. Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, an how few there are who find it! And Luke 13:24: Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. Do these mean that more than half of all people are not saved?

A- Only God knows who and how many persons go to hell! God gives to each person a free will, with which he/she is able to choose good or evil, right or wrong; and in the end each will be judged by God for the choices they have made. Then each will receive the reward appropriate to his/her behavior in this life. That final judgment and reward depends ultimately on the final choice made by the individual person. All other choices in this life are a preparation for that one final determinate choice, on which will depend our salvation or our damnation. God sees and knows everything, even our most secret thoughts and desires as well as all our actions. God is merciful, but also most just. He wills that all peoples be saved and enjoy the rewards for virtue. But God will not force any human will! He gives us Commandments and holy guides and good examples and warnings and the helps of his grace; but he will not force anyone to come to him. God even sent his only Son, in the person of Jesus Christ, to teach and suffer and die and rise from the dead: in order to draw human beings to freely choose what is good. But if, nonetheless, someone freely chooses to ignore God and his helps, then that person will go to hell, separated from God and every consolation for all eternity. The words of Our Lord cited above serve as a warning. That warning is itself a help to persuade humans to use their free will in a manner pleasing to God. But, as Jesus observed, there are many who choose to ignore God and his commandments, choosing instead to pursue their own selfish interests and even to harm their neighbors. There are many who prefer the creature to the Creator. Such preferences and choices prepare them to make as their ultimate choice: the slippery wide road to hell. Those persons hope there is no God, or that there is no hell, or that God is so merciful that all persons go to heaven. They will find out too-late how mistaken they have been, how foolish they are: to have blown their opportunity to be happy forever in heaven. God is absolute Justice! If God were to admit into heaven those who in this life have freely chosen evil and die unrepentant, then God would not be just, and his Word would not be true, and his Commandments would be empty words. God’s mercy is so great that He is willing to grant salvation even to persons, who have ignored Him during their life, but are truly repentant before they die. Only those who die unrepentant for their sins go to hell. But many persons neglect to repent before death catches them unaware and unprepared, and they make that final bad choice, which sends them to hell. Because we don’t know just when we will die, whether we will have a long or short life, whether we will be granted time to repent our sins, it behooves every one to be always prepared for that critical moment of death. This is why many persons freely choose to live the Commandments of God, to follow the teachings of Jesus, to practice all the virtues, to never harm their neighbor, and to maintain through this life habits of prayer and communion with God: so that their final choice will be easy: as they pass through the small door and narrow path into heaven.

How many people are saved?

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2012-08-29 13:40:51

Q- There are several verses in the Bible that deal with how many people are saved. Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it! And Luke 13:24: Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. Do these mean that more than half of all people are not saved?

A- God created each of us to with the intention to live in a relationship with Him. A loving relationship where God dwells in our midst and we share in His power, presence, and love.But our human condition tends to prompt us to choose to live in a way that embraces things that cannot exist with God in our life. The church calls this sin. God respects our free will to choose what we do with our lives and lets us. The bible is filled with true stories of people who realized this truth and experienced the love of a Heavenly Father here and now. It is also filled with stories of many who chose to ignore the reality of this relationship and their lives missed out on the possibility of living together with God through Christ. If you want to be an Olympic swimmer you must live your life along a path in a certain way to reap the rewards of that life. If you want to be claimed by God as a His own child you must live as He would to reap the rewards. That way is living as Jesus taught. There are many other paths we can chose in life. But any path that does lead to the love of the Heavenly Father leads only to everything that is against our Heavenly Father. Jesus is the fullest presence of God in human flesh and it is in and through living His life we find life that is truly life – with God! God in His Wisdom chose to reveal this truth only through hearts that are willing to trust in Him and His goodness. To those who are not willing to trust Him this truth, all this sounds like foolishness. But that does not make the truth that we have living God who wants to live in our lives less true. To live into this life we must be loving willing to go where he asks, live as he would live, and love as he loves. That path in life is called the ‘narrow path’ scriptures because there is only one way that leads to it. Those who chose it discover it is absolutely true, and discover a fullness to life that they previous never knew existed! To be saved means to be saved from a life and death that draws you away from the narrow path defined by God through Jesus!

What does God expect of me as a man?

By Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

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Religion

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Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510

Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr

2012-08-02 11:14:23

Q- Growing up no one ever really told me what it means to be a man. What does God expect of me as a man?

A- There are a lot of confusing messages in the world for us as men. We tend to grow up without a strong male figure in a home that is too often times lead by Mom. Then, as we leave the home, we are expected to know what a man is and does which too often leads to chasing the latest and greatest things our world offers instead of living the life we were intended to live. In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul contrasted the first Adam and the 'second/last Adam,' Jesus the Messiah. Looking at the two Adams, we gain insight as to what God intended. 1. Adam was passive; Jesus as proactive in his role of leading the church. 2. Adam rejected his responsibilities; Jesus accepted them and carried them out. 3. Adam refused to lead; Jesus chose to lead courageously, even to the cross and beyond. 4. Adam looked only to the here and now; Jesus looked to God's greater reward, to our redemption and the Father's Approval. While we are physically Adam's offspring, we are spiritually called to live and lead like Jesus.

God's Plan

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-08-02 09:19:56

Q- I understand that God is all-knowing, which means that: at the time He created man, He knew He was going to send His Son several thousand years later to save believers. My questions are two: If He knew He was going to send His Son anyway, why didn’t He do it initially? Since He did not, why did He wait so long to do it?

A- I don’t know the answers to your questions, and neither does any other human being, nor do even the angels. God has not revealed everything about himself to creatures. Only the uncreated Son of God and their Holy Spirit know. And even the Son, in his human nature as Jesus, does not know, or at least He has not revealed those matters. It is impossible for our finite weak limited intelligence to answer these and many other questions regarding God’s life and knowledge and activity. We know about God only what He has deigned to tell us: by revelation in the Bible, by the evidence of his activity in this world, by the life and teaching of his Son Jesus, and by the teaching authority of the Church established by Jesus. In these sources of knowledge God has informed us about his plan in creating the world, and his plans for the salvation of some human beings. He created all human beings with the gifts of intelligence and free-will, and gave us directions about the use and mis-use of those gifts, supported by promises and warnings. But Jesus did not reveal the answers to your questions. God has not informed us about alternate plans He might have chosen. Indeed it is quite possible that, in another galaxy created by God, He sent His Son to live among intelligent beings right from the beginning, and those people have never sinned and enjoy perfect happiness. Or He might have created humans who have sinned and, like the devils, are condemned to eternal punishment without any hope for salvation. But we don’t know anything about such matters. We can only conjecture. God is outside of time. Time is the measure of motion and matter, of which God is their creator. God has neither beginning nor end. Consider that human science is able to perceive the existence of numerous galaxies, some quite beyond our own galaxy, about which we know very little. Human astronomers guess-estimate that our own planet Earth with the Sun may be may be five billion years old. Our universe is about thirteen and a half billion years old since “the big bang.” Other galaxies are younger than that “big bang.” Many of these could have been created by God eons before or after Earth and the Sun. In regard to your second question: in his epistle to the Galatians (chapter 4, verse 4), St. Paul writes that “in the fullness of time God sent his Son” or, as the Good News Bible expresses it: “when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son.” Why that period, 2012 years ago, happened to be the right time, we can only speculate without knowing for sure. It seems God had prepared the world for that precise time, through his sending various prophets beforehand and through the progress already achieved by human industry. For example, the conquests of Alexander the Great and his successors two centuries earlier had established through much of the world a good system of roads and mail and a common language, by means of which the Good News about the coming of God’s Son into this world could be spread more rapidly than before. Of course, if God had waited until the present time, that Good News could be spread immediately. So we are back to your original question. The Bible commences with the words: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). St. John commences his Gospel with the words: “In the beginning was the Word [Logos] and the Word was with God” (John1:1). But neither writer nor any other place in the Bible indicates how distant from known human history occurred “in the beginning.” The Book of Job proposes several basic questions, regarding life and death, sickness and health, poverty and wealth, the extent of this world, etc. in lengthy reflections, and God does not give a precise answer to any of them. And thus Job concludes humbly: “I know, o Lord, that you are all powerful; that you can do everything you want. You ask how I dare question your wisdom, when I am so very ignorant. I talked about things I did not understand, about marvels too great for me to know.” (Job 42:2-3). In reflecting about God’s plans for the Jewish people in the history of salvation, St. Paul exclaims: “Who can explain God’s decisions? Who can understand his ways? . . . Who knows the mind of the Lord? . . . For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory forever!” (Rom. 11:33-36).

God's Plan

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-08-02 09:11:17

Q- I understand that God is all-knowing, which means that: at the time He created man, He knew He was going to send His Son several thousand years later to save believers. My questions are two: If He knew He was going to send His Son anyway, why didn't He do it initially? Since He did not, why did He wait so long to do it?

A- God created us and placed us in a garden of choices, the scriptures call it the Garden of Eden or Paradise. In God's intended plan for us we would live in this place where a loving God gave us free will to decide if we wanted to live in relationship with Him. This Garden was a garden of choices where we had everything we needed or wanted. When we called out God's name He responded, and when God spoke to us we heard God directly. When we live out of God's intended plan for human life God has given us virtually total freedom. God asked of us only one thing, beyond that in everything else we had total freedom. That one thing was to trust His Will for our lives. When we choose to do those things in our life that are against God's Will we push away from God. God is unwilling to live with those things that are against His Will, so our choice of going against the virtual total freedom in God results in us not living in God's plan for intimacy with Him. This is the human story. When we make choices that go against God's Will for our lives we deny His loving intent for our lives. When this happens we can find ourselves down the road of life wondering if there is not something more in this life; or in a dead end or destructive place outside of God's care and love. But this does not change God's unfailing Love for us. God knows that the fullest, most significant life we can ever live was and is found in being who God created us to be and living in relationship with Him. God longs to be in relationship with you and me as a divinely loving parent. So because of His unfailing Love for us and despite our human condition being on of turning away God sent His Son to show us how deeply God loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. In and through the life and death and resurrection of Jesus God reminds us of the life we are missing out on living away from the intimate relationship He created us for. In Jesus' life we see how God's fullest human presence would live life if He us on earth. In Jesus' death we see how hurtful and violent our own life turned away from God is to God's fullest presence on earth. In Jesus' resurrection we see that God in Jesus always intended to be with us even today and that in and through that intimacy with God we have a promise of the fullest and most significant life possible and a death that is not the final word. So God is patient and loving and knows all loving relationship are based on our free will and respect for the one you love, but God is always willing to let us come to our own choices. Nevertheless He openly welcomes all who would come to an uprising of their soul and a life and death of greatness!

God's Plan

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-08-02 08:48:51

Q- I understand that God is all-knowing, which means that: at the time He created man, He knew He was going to send His Son several thousand years later to save believers. My questions are two: If He knew He was going to send His Son anyway, why didn't He do it initially? Since He did not, why did He wait so long to do it?

A- It is with questions like this, we along with Paul who was contemplating God’s plan for the Jews, quotes the Prophet Isaiah, “For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?” {Romans 11:34; Isaiah 40:13} How many times have we questioned God about His timing and actions that have asked the puzzling question as we go through the trial or difficulty, “Why?” or “Why now?” We are puzzled and even doubt His love and yet we realize He is God and we are not. That He knows every intricate and minute detail that we have no clue as a Omniscient (All Knowing) and Sovereign God. Even in the midst of cluelessness we can claim by faith and assurance, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”{Romans 8:28} That is because we know by faith that He loves us and acts according to His purpose as Job said, “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” {Job 13:15} Even though Job was a Godly man and did nothing deserving of his crisis but only to be an example to Satan and us of true faith. Read Job chapter 1 and see for yourself. Now in the account of the fall in Genesis, it doesn’t say why God put them in temptation garden. Why He took so long to send Jesus Christ even though the promise is there already in Genesis 3:15. Were they set up in the context of a choice not to eat or eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.{2:17} Obedience vs disobedience? Did God do this to show man’s free choice as a reflection of God’s image to choose? Did God know man would fall by giving free choice to man labeled by theologians as “Infralapsarianism?” Or did God cause man to give into his selfish way and fall for a deeper purpose known a “Supralapsarianism”? Some speculate that God did this to resolve the problem of rebellion and sin that had already begun when Satan rebelled against God in heaven (Isaiah 14). That this was God’s way of getting it right. All these sound palatable and are proclaimed from many pulpits around the world or is there something more here? First we have to ask why God created the world. Did He create it for man and man’s benefit or did He create it for His glory to be display? Creation declares His glory. {Psalm 19:1} Would it have been better if man had not fallen into sin? The Bible gives us reason to change our perspective from a man centered approach to a God-centered approach. That history is His Story. It is to reveal God’s character of love, justice, mercy and grace in the most sweetest and extreme forms because of man’s fall. If man had not sinned would we know the aspects of His character like His power in the deepest sense within the darkness of death comes the resurrection? Does not God show us His loving-kindness in His dealing with faithless Israel as Paul says in Romans 9:22-23? “In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who were made for destruction. {23}He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.” Do you see what God does? Both His wrath and grace show His glory. Before the fall did Adam and Eve have the perspective of the difference between good and evil? Did they praise God before they sinned? Could they appreciate the magnificence of the Garden without ever knowing anything different? If they never were sick, how could they appreciate the health they had from the perspective of never experiencing sickness? Is it only as humans when we experience evil that we understand what good is? How many heard the word “evil” without a condescending smirk by the world until we experienced 911. Then that mythical Bible word was the hot topic on all the media outlets. Many times we don’t appreciate what we have or need to change until we experience the negative, the loss or when things get really difficult. Growth and change often begin to happen then. For us to understand the beauty of God’s character, to see the beauty of God’s love and His power over sin and rebellion to be forgiven comes in God’s plan through “the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world.” {Revelations 13:8} We may not understand all the ways of God, {Isaiah 55:9} It’s a mystery.{Deuteronomy 29:29}Why did God send Jesus when He did? Because He’s God and I’m not! {Isaiah 45:18-19; 48:9-1} What we do know is that the word of God says that it was the perfect and right time.” But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. {Galatians 4:4} Trusting Him fully with you, Pastor Dave

God's Plan

By Rev.Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Rev.Amy Baumgartner

2012-08-02 08:46:52

Q- I understand that God is all-knowing, which means that:at the time He created man, He knew He was going to send His Son several thousand years later to save believers. My questions are two: If He knew He was going to send His Son anyway, why didn't He do it initially? Since He did not, why did He wait so long to do it?

A- From the foundation of the world, God knew he would send Jesus Christ into the world at a specific time. We cannot know for certain why God waited to send Jesus; however, perhaps the delay is related to God’s desire for humans to realize they were in need of a Savior. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the Messiah is foreshadowed, so it was God’s plan to wait for the perfect time (in God’s mind) to send his Son into the world (although the Son always existed with God and was not created to come into our world). So why did God wait so long? God is all-knowing and the Creator of all, including time. Because God created time, God exists outside of time as we know it. While it may be difficult for us to comprehend, Jesus came to earth at God’s pre-ordained time. And from a historical standpoint, Jesus’ coming to the earth during the Roman domination, under pax Romana (peace to much of civilized world under the Romans), with Roman roads and transportation systems, a common language of Greek, and a relative allowance for religious freedom allowed the message of Jesus Christ to spread throughout the world easier than would have been possible at other times in history. (It would be interesting to speculate about why God did not wait until our age to send Jesus Christ with the Internet, 24-hour news stations and technology, but God’s timing was perfect for God’s purposes). God chose God’s pre-ordained time for his will and purposes. It may seem like God waited a long time, but for God a year is as a day and a day as a year. A similar question could be asked: why has God waited so long to have Jesus Christ return? God is waiting for the full number of Gentiles to come to faith in God and for the Israelites to believe that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. In the meantime, we wait and pray, Come Lord Jesus.

Salvation and the variety of religious opinions

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2012-08-01 14:18:17

Q-The world is a big place. There are lots of religions. Some claim their religion to be the only one that will allow entrance into Heaven. Some claim it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with Him in heaven. Why would God allow the creation of so many religions and the overwhelming confusion they have caused with respect to salvation?

A-The greatest power God gave us is the power to choose. It holds the power of life and death. We are granted freedom by God to choose to live our lives anyway we want. In the story of Adam and Eve we see that God gives us total freedom to live free from all the challenges of this world under His promises and blessings if we will only do one thing. Absolutely everything else is within our freedom to choose! That one thing will be the one thing we most often choose to ignore, but it is what is needed to know God and to be with Him here and in heaven. That one thing we choose to ignore is to live in accord with the Will of God. Adam and Eve were created and put in Paradise living in the present as well as eternity as long as they would follow His will but they used the power of choice to choose not to follow God’s will in their lives. As a result they choose not to live in intimacy with God. This is the story of our human condition. We all fall under this reality of often choosing to live against God’s will. This very same power of choice is the cause of so many religions. They are humankind’s search for the path to living in intimacy with the Creator of the Universe, God. Over time many others have come with their own ideals and paths to connection with the Creative force of the Universe that is the power of Wisdom that defines the creation and everything in it. These have become many differing religions. But none have ever allowed the experience of that reality except for those who choose Jesus Christ as Lord over their life and death! There is only one that is true and verified in the lives of communities of faith over the world and across 20 centuries. That is the path that leads to salvation found in Christ. When you follow this path in life it leads to the experience the fullness of heaven in you here and now as a foretaste of the promise of eternity with God forever!

Salvation and the variety of religious opinions

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-08-01 14:16:29

Q- The world is a big place. There are lots of religions. Some claim their religion to be the only one that will allow entrance into Heaven. Some claim it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with Him in heaven. Why would God allow the creation of so many religions and the overwhelming confusion they have caused with respect to salvation?

A-This is one of the biggest dilemmas facing America as race was in the past. Religious pluralism is affecting the American landscape according to Diana L Eck in her book, “A New Religious America.” It is a rather complex issue in which we need to understand what we believe and how to address this question because it affects friends and loved ones for eternity. Yes, we want to respect each other’s belief, “tolerance,” and in Jesus’ terms “love all,”{Matthew 5:43-48} but in loving we also want people believing what is truth and not false and unable to save for eternity. We need to fight passionately and stand firmly for the truth because belief in the false does no one any good in the end! {John 8:32} Since the beginning of time, when man chose from the tree of knowledge and disobeyed God, man has designed gods that will meet his needs and comfort him rather than the true God. {Genesis 3:1-7} A perfect example of this was as Moses was getting the word from God that would protect man in his relationship with God and his fellow man in the words of the Ten Commandments. Man grew impatient and decided to make their own god, something they could fashion into what they liked and tangible. The people brought gold to make the golden calf to worship, rejecting the true God for their cheap substitute. {Exodus 32} This behavior is still going on and religions have been made by men to affirm their style of life, establish parameters and boundaries for people and establish power in the hands of certain select group of a society among other things. This is why atheists and agnostics use Karl Marx’s quote, “Religion is the opiate of the people.” It’s like a drug created by man to oppress and keep man in a hypnotic state rather than experience real life in this world. Now I can concur with some those thoughts for all other religions of the world, and have even seen men use Christian belief to forward their own selfish agenda, which was and is wrong. But I believe, as Paul did in Athens loaded with the world religions and ideologies, {Acts 17:16-33} Christianity is the only valid faith in the world. Many of the religions of the world have some similar under lying beliefs but do not have the Living God of the Living Christ who died and rose from the dead in history. Who conquered death and rose from the grave. Some of their leaders are in a grave. Some religions are just a body of philosophical ideas and sayings, but do not save eternally as Christ did. Most of the world is ignorant of Him because they do not desire the true God. Why? They would rather have gods of their own making. {Romans 1:21-24} Man doesn’t have it in him to want God. {Romans 3:9-20; 1 Corinthians 2:14} That Satan has darkened their minds. {2 Corinthians 4:4} But I think it is something deeper and mysterious so God can show His un-fathomable mercy and grace which I believe Paul speaks to in the epistles but are throughout the scriptures. Right off the bat we see God chooses a people who were not a people and had nothing to give to God. {Deuteronomy 7:7-8; 14:2} It is the same way He saves a soul, not that we are worthy but that He chose us. {Ephesians 1:3-14} It is by total grace {Ephesians 2:1-9} Not that a man or women could do it by their own wisdom but totally by God’s grace so no one can boast of their own doing. {1 Corinthians 1:18-31} When we come to understand our salvation, the grace is much deeper and richer that we could ever imagine. Often I ask, why me? I am amazed when I think, why was I born in America? Why in a predominantly Christian culture? Why was I brought up in Christian home? Why did I respond to the gospel and other friends in the same situation not respond? It’s all God’s grace. {2 Thessalonians 2:13-14} Now I believe these are all part of the pieces to the great mysterious tapestry of God’s will, that He is weaving throughout time and history. Right now, on this side of eternity, it looks like a bunch of knots and strings that are confusingly tangled and just one big mess. But when we get to the other side of eternity, the mysterious portrait woven by the Sovereign designer will be the most beautiful, elegant and exquisite portrait of love, mercy and grace we will ever know. Until then, we live in that grace and mercy of God.

Salvation and the variety of religious opinions

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-08-01 14:14:11

Q- “The world is a big place. There are lots of religions. Some claim their religion to be the only one that will allow entrance into heaven. Some claim it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with Him in heaven. Why would God allow the creation of so many religions and the overwhelming confusion they have caused with respect to salvation?”

A- The human mind can ask any number of similar questions regarding God and his activity or non-intervention in this world created by Him. Why did God allow Hitler and Stalin and similar devils to murder and injure so many innocent people? Why didn’t God intervene on September 11, 2001 to prevent the terrorists from the catastrophes they perpetrated on New York and Washington? Where was God when the Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi were killing one another? In the Old Testament the Book of Job wrestles with similar questions about God and the problems of life in this world, and comes up with the answer: we really don’t understand much about God and his purposes. As his creatures, subject to error and sickness and all kinds of evils, we have a brief time of life, during which we ought to do the best we can to honor God and to help our neighbor. For reasons of his own, God has chosen to reveal to us only a part of his plans for the destiny of human beings, and his Will for our salvation. But it behooves us to pay attention to that part which he has revealed! God is Truth, and cannot contradict Himself. Also, God creates human persons with the gift of free-will: meaning each person is able to choose his/her manner of action in accordance with God’s revealed Will, or to act in defiance of that Will, or to neglect and ignore God completely. His revelation promises eternal happiness to those who obey his Will. That same revelation also promises eternal punishment with total frustration to those who defy his Will, or deliberately ignore and neglect him during their life. Therefore each person is free to accept or reject God’s revelation. We believe that God does reveal his Will, first of all, in the law of nature impressed in each person’s mind and heart. In addition, to this natural law, God has provided us with his revelation in the Bible. Further, God instituted the Jewish religion and completed it in Christianity: to instruct and guide people to salvation. To help people avoid making errors about so important a matter as salvation, he established his Church, with authority to interpret the Bible and to teach in his Name. With all these helps for salvation, it ought to be easy for a person to know God’s Will and to do it. But the multiplicity of conflicting religions in this world evidences that it is not easy to achieve salvation. Each religion reflects its proper history. Some of these religions possess much truth of God’s revelation, while other religions were invented by charlatans or charismatic leaders or pseudo-prophets: to deceive people into promoting a particular political agenda. Other religions are devised to make people feel comfortable in this life, without reference to God, or to support the extravagance of a privileged few. Almost every week a new religion springs-up somewhere in the world; usually the founder(s) pick and choose what they like from established religions, and discard what they don’t like. The followers of such religions exercise their free will in choosing and adapting their religion. God respects their choice, and will follow through with what he has promised. The apostle, St. Peter warns (2 Peter 2:1-3): “There were false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive, untrue doctrines, and even deny the Master who redeemed them, bringing sudden destruction on themselves. Even so, many will follow their immoral ways; and because of what they do, others will speak evil of the Way of truth. In their greed these false teachers will exploit you with fabrications; but for a long time now they stand condemned.” St. Peter goes on to describe various man-made religions and cults: “They promise freedom, though they themselves are slaves of corruption; for a person is a slave of whatever overcomes him” (2:19). The brief epistle of St. Jude is also a warning about false religions. Note particularly verses 18-19: “In the final times people will appear who will make fun of you, people who follow their own godless desires. These are the people who cause divisions, who are controlled by their natural desires, who do not have the Spirit.” As for those who claim that “it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with him in heaven,” the apostle St. James (Jesus’ cousin) wrote: “You believe in God? Good! The devils also believe, and tremble with fear” (James 2:19). Having given human beings all that is necessary for salvation, God does not intervene ordinarily to prevent the abuse or misuse of human freedom. When each individual dies – and noone can escape death – he or she is judged very exactly by God: on the choices they made in this life and especially on their final choice. Those who freely chose to be friends of God and followed his revelation will be saved, i.e. happy forever in heaven. Those who freely chose to ignore God and his revelation will not be saved, i.e. they will suffer forever in hell. Among those, who will be in hell, are those who have caused confusion with respect to salvation.

Salvation and the variety of religious opinions

By Rev.Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Rev.Amy Baumgartner

2012-08-01 14:11:33

Q- The world is a big place. There are lots of religions. Some claim their religion to be the only one that will allow entrance into heaven. Some claim it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with Him in heaven. Why would God allow the creation of so many religions and the overwhelming confusion they have caused with respect to salvation?

A- The world indeed is a big place. The crux of your question seems to center on why God would allow many different religions. We could also ask a similar question as to why God would allow for the creation of deception and evil in our world. In the words of theologian Karl Barth, God is the “one who loves in freedom.” God is so concerned with the freedom of those created in God’s image that God allows us freedom to choose to worship God or to worship someone or something else. Turning to the Bible will shed some light on why there are lots of different religions. The Bible presents a world in which there is a cosmic battle between God and the enemies of God. Within this battle between God and not-god, the enemy masquerades as angel of light to deceive people (see 2 Cor. 11:14). While this may seem unfair of God, we also know from the Bible that those who truly seek God will find him. Again, God holds freedom of his creation as important. To understand multiple religions, we also have to be honest about the state of humans. We read in the first chapter Romans that humans are prone to go their own way. God and God’s nature is plainly seen through nature yet by choosing to worship that which is not the true God, God gives people over to their depravity. The writer of both letters of Timothy warns about a coming day when people will abandon sound doctrine to follow what their “itching ears want to hear” (see 1 Tim. 4:1-2 and 2 Tim. 4:3-4). This leads me to conclude that some religions are deceptions of the enemy of God and some flow from the depravity of human beings. The example of the apostle Paul in Athens suggests a way to handle the multitude of religions. Paul engaged with those in the city who worshipped a multitude of different gods. He called the people of Athens to repent because God will one day judge all people on their beliefs and life actions. The question raised by the world of multiple religions should not get in the way of our sharpening our focus on Jesus Christ. Regardless of how others say they have come to encounter faith, Christians are a people who have discovered that God has come to us quite clearly and openly in Jesus Christ, and announce this fact with no room for doubt. The challenge remains to consistently conform our lives to what God has done in and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Similar to Paul in the Biblical book of Acts, I would encourage you to seek God. God is not like a divine being made by the design of human hands but the ruler of the universe who has reached out to us that we might find salvation.

Salvation and the variety of religious opinions

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2012-06-21 08:49:41

Q: “The world is a big place. There are lots of religions. Some claim their religion to be the only one that will allow entrance into heaven. Some claim it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with Him in heaven. Why would God allow the creation of so many religions and the overwhelming confusion they have caused with respect to salvation?”

A: The greatest power God gave us is the power to choose. It holds the power of life and death. We are granted freedom by God to choose to live our lives anyway we want. In the story of Adam and Eve we see that God gives us total freedom to live free from all the challenges of this world under His promises and blessings if we will only do one thing. Absolutely everything else is within our freedom to choose! That one thing will be the one thing we most often choose to ignore, but it is what is needed to know God and to be with Him here and in heaven. That one thing we choose to ignore is to live in accord with the Will of God. Adam and Eve were created and put in Paradise living in the present as well as eternity as long as they would follow His will but they used the power of choice to choose not to follow God’s will in their lives. As a result they chose not to live in intimacy with God. This is the story of our human condition. We all fall under this reality of often choosing to live against God’s will. This very same power of choice is the cause of so many religions. They are humankind’s search for the path to living in intimacy with the Creator of the Universe, God. Over time many others have come with their own ideals and paths to connection with the Creative force of the Universe that is the power of Wisdom that defines the creation and everything in it. These have become many differing religions. But none have ever allowed the experience of that reality except for those who choose Jesus Christ as Lord over their life and death! There is only one that is true and verified in the lives of communities of faith over the world and across 20 centuries. That is the path that leads to salvation found in Christ. When you follow this path in life it leads to the experience of the fullness of heaven in you here and now as a foretaste of the promise of eternity with God forever!

Salvation and the variety of religious opinions

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2012-06-21 08:36:23

Q: “The world is a big place. There are lots of religions. Some claim their religion to be the only one that will allow entrance into heaven. Some claim it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with Him in heaven. Why would God allow the creation of so many religions and the overwhelming confusion they have caused with respect to salvation?”

A: The world indeed is a big place. The crux of your question seems to center on why God would allow many different religions. We could also ask a similar question as to why God would allow for the creation of deception and evil in our world. In the words of theologian Karl Barth, God is the “one who loves in freedom.” God is so concerned with the freedom of those created in God’s image that God allows us freedom to choose to worship God or to worship someone or something else. Turning to the Bible will shed some light on why there are lots of different religions. The Bible presents a world in which there is a cosmic battle between God and the enemies of God. Within this battle between God and not-god, the enemy masquerades as angel of light to deceive people (see 2 Cor. 11:14). While this may seem unfair of God, we also know from the Bible that those who truly seek God will find him. Again, God holds freedom of his creation as important. To understand multiple religions, we also have to be honest about the state of humans. We read in the first chapter Romans that humans are prone to go their own way. God and God’s nature is plainly seen through nature yet by choosing to worship that which is not the true God, God gives people over to their depravity. The writer of both letters of Timothy warns about a coming day when people will abandon sound doctrine to follow what their “itching ears want to hear” (see 1 Tim. 4:1-2 and 2 Tim. 4:3-4). This leads me to conclude that some religions are deceptions of the enemy of God and some flow from the depravity of human beings. The example of the apostle Paul in Athens suggests a way to handle the multitude of religions. Paul engaged with those in the city who worshipped a multitude of different gods. He called the people of Athens to repent because God will one day judge all people on their beliefs and life actions. The question raised by the world of multiple religions should not get in the way of our sharpening our focus on Jesus Christ. Regardless of how others say they have come to encounter faith, Christians are a people who have discovered that God has come to us quite clearly and openly in Jesus Christ, and announce this fact with no room for doubt. The challenge remains to consistently conform our lives to what God has done in and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Similar to Paul in the Biblical book of Acts, I would encourage you to seek God. God is not like a divine being made by the design of human hands but the ruler of the universe who has reached out to us that we might find salvation.

Sins: big and little

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-06-05 09:45:44

Q: Which sins are big and which sins are little? Which sins are serious and grave, mortal and deadly (for the soul), and which sins are not so grave or venial? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

A: The questioner raises some good questions that many Christians have in the daily struggle with sin and its nature. Now I know some in Christendom have made a differentiation of sin in their doctrine like the Catholic Church with venial (forgivable) and mortal (acts that send a person to Hell) sins. But protestant churches don’t make such differentiation. Scripture sees sin as offenses against God and His law. David when he sinned, he saw his failure against God in Psalm 51:4 and His law in Deuteronomy 9:7. The Apostle James debunks that idea of big and little sins when he puts all sin on the same level when he says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”{2:10} Now it seems in the question today the standard is set by people and through their own wisdom, they measure what’s right and wrong by their feelings and standards. The problem with that is, man is sinful by nature {Jeremiah 17:9} or flawed with an inner pollution that wants to go against God’s way. {Romans 3:10-12} If you want to define sin, look at the middle letter. Right: it is “I.” Man sings along with the great American theologian Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way,” and not God’s. That is why from time to time good people turn bad and call things God calls wrong or sin, man declares them right or good. It may seem practical like sleeping together or living together before marriage, but is it right? {1 Corinthians 7:36; Exodus 20:14} When a person uses his or her feelings as the compass, they put themselves in grave danger and create a whole ocean of pain and suffering. How many homes and marriages have been destroyed by betrayal legitimized by “I don’t feel like I love them anymore,” or one day a person realizes they have more feelings for a co-worker than their spouse? That is why sin is a violation of God’s righteous character. Not what we think or what our government leaders think or say, but it is a violation to God’s standard of perfection. It is ignoring and violating His standard. It is missing the mark as if we are shooting an arrow at a target and miss it. Sin is going beyond the limits of what God says is good and right. It is the choosing deliberately to go against what God says because it feels good or it’s what I think is right, practical and reasonable. One of the influential men of our state in history was Psychiatrist Karl Menninger. He saw the maladies and problems in many patients’ lives were due to the lack of understanding sin and guilt. In fact back in 1973 he wrote a book entitled, “Whatever Became of Sin?” and asked the question because it was and still is hurting America. The whole idea of sin had dropped off society’s radar. It is killing individuals, families and society. Today we call adultery an affair, homosexuality a preference and abortion a right. But the question everyone will have to answer is, “What does God say about it?” His standard is the only one that matters now and in the end. {Revelation 20:11-15} God takes sin seriously and the consequences of sin make us lost, blind, fools, dead, enslaved and helpless. These are just some of the descriptions God gives in the Bible. Sin needs to taken seriously. You see, this is life, not “Comedy Central” or “Lettermen” where we can laugh at sin making it cute. Some reading this don’t believe we have a sinful nature but I ask you, what is your first reaction when you go by a sign reading “wet paint?” Why does a child bite another child or take a toy from another? Do we have to teach temper tantrums? Why do we have to lock cars in parking lots? It’s more than education because some of the brightest have bilked others from millions. Or developed perfect crimes? Cheated to get a degree! Now if you sin the bible says you have an advocate or attorney who goes before the Judge, Almighty God who knows our hearts, minds and actions. It is Jesus Christ who paid the debt we owe for our sin and gives us a clean slate to start all over. As long as we live, we will sin due to our nature. But not only are we forgiven but when a person accepts Christ, he or she becomes changed. The Holy Spirit enters into us and will give us the power to conquer our sinful nature and the sins. It is a constant battle internally {Romans 8:14-20}. There is also a battle from outside of us as described in Ephesians 6:10-17. The devil prowls like a lion trying to trip us up. (1Peter 5:8) But the promise is that no temptation can own us because God knows what we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13) and provides an escape from it. Be aware of sin’s ability to take us down. {10:12} But we can win because God’s power is in us {1 John 4:4} if we use it. If we stumble we can be forgiven {1 John 1:9} because of our advocate {2:2}. Let us walk together in the victory of Christ over sin! Pastor Dave

Sins: big and little

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2012-06-05 09:42:07

Q: Which sins are big and which sins are little? Which sins are serious and grave, mortal and deadly (for the soul), and which sins are not so grave or venial? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

A: Simply stated, sin is not living up to God’s standards. It is violating how God desires us to live by not following the holy commands of the holy God. All sins are serious. As the apostle Paul wrote early in the book of Romans, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We all like sheep have gone astray. God has put God’s standards in our hearts yet we too often choose to violate those requirements and live for ourselves instead of how God would have us live. The first chapter of Romans paints a bleak view of the universal problem of sin and its consequences. Because of humanities’ propensity to deny God and sin, God gives us over to our sinfulness. While our conscience warns us, we choose to ignore God’s warnings. And as a result, we live in a world of hurt and pain because of sin. No one is righteous (meaning no one lives completely correctly according to God’s perfect standards), While all sin is serious, I personally believe that the consequences of some sins carry more weight than others. For instance, driving slightly over the speed limit is a sin; it is a violation of God by disobeying the rules of the land. However, the consequences or repercussions of speeding are generally only between the driver and God. You mention sex outside the covenant of marriage in your question. It is a sin that can have wider consequences of breaking down the family bonds as God intended them to be. And sexual sin can have far reaching consequences, affecting whole communities. We will all be held accountable and judged by God for how we live our lives and the sins we commit. We live in a culture that places high value on being able to do whatever is deemed right in your own eyes. We regularly hear, “whatever is right for you; whatever feels good, do it.” Many people have lost the ability to sense right and wrong. Yet just because our culture denies the seriousness of sin, it does not erase the fact that God cannot tolerate sin. As a result, our sins will be revealed and judged in the end. While this should be sobering, there is hope for all of us who fall short. God’s Holy Spirit helps us to become sensitive to sin if we ask so that we might avoid getting into the habit of sinning. In addition, if and when we confess our sins, God forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Sins: big and little

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2012-06-01 09:35:57

Q: Which sins are big and which sins are little? Which sins are serious and grave, mortal and deadly (for the soul), and which sins are not so grave or venial? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

A: The Scriptures are very clear about sin. In the Creation story of Scripture we see how God sees our unsaved human condition. In that story our loving God created humankind and gives us our life and places us in a place called the Garden of Eden or Paradise. God defines this place as the place where we live our lives out in intimacy with God. In Paradise when God speaks we hear his voice directly for our lives, and when we speak God responds directly. God has given us complete freedom or free will, to do whatever we want with our lives and to be who we want to be. There is only one thing God asks us to do – one thing! That one thing is to trust God’s Will for our lives and obey what He asks for our lives. As long as we choose to live by that one thing God promises to look out for us and provide for all our needs! Unfortunately our human condition is in a fallen state so that even though God has given us complete freedom by only asking us to obey that one thing, we often choose to go against following God’s Will. This is Sin. Sin is really anything that goes against God’s Will for our lives. When we go against God’s Will God sees our Sin as a turning of our backs on Him. Sin is Sin – either you respect and honor God’s Will for your life or you don’t. If you don’t respect God’s Will for your life you are turning your back on Him. If we choose to follow God’s Will we will live out the abundance of our God – if we choose not to follow God’s Will we will live trying to control our own destiny! Our response to God has consequences. After all, if someone snubbed their nose and turned their back on you every day of their life and then all of a sudden when they wanted something they came back to you with a desire for a relationship based only upon what they could get out of you, it would not be a very rewarding one for either party! Sin robs us of the blessing of living in intimacy with the Living God! The Good News is God is ever ready to have you back in a relationship if you are willing to stop turning your back on Him. As far as one sin being major or grievous and another minor it’s simple to acknowledge that turning your back is turning your back. Whether you do this in a major or a minor way you are still sinning and turning your back on God.

Sins: big and little

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-06-01 08:59:25

Q: Which sins are big and which sins are little? Which sins are serious and grave, mortal and deadly (for the soul), and which sins are not so grave or venial? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

A: All sin is understood to be an offense against God. Sin involves a rejection of God, even opposition to God, even as sin continues to weigh heavily on human life. Only in the light of the Bible and the Church’s Tradition can we recognize sin clearly. Without God’s revelation we are tempted to explain sin as merely a developmental flaw, a psychological weakness, a mistake, or the necessary consequence of an inadequate social structure, etc. Only in the knowledge of God’s plan for mankind can we grasp that sin is an abuse of the free-will that God gives to every human person: so he/she is capable of loving God and loving one another. Sin is an offense against reason, truth and right conscience. Sin is any thought or word or action, which turns our heart away from God. God loves each one of us, and He created us to love Him in return. There are many kinds of sins. The Bible provides several lists of them. In his Epistle to the Galatians (5:19-21) St. Paul lists “fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you . . . that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” The root of sin is in the heart of man, in his free will, according to the teaching of Jesus: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person” (Mt 15:19-20). The distinction between mortal (serious, grave) sin and venial (lesser) sin is taught by St. John in his first epistle (5:16-17): “There is such a thing as deadly sin. . . . True, all wrongdoing is sin, but not all sin is deadly.” This is corroborated by human experience. Mortal (serious, grave) sin is sin whose object is grave matter, and which is committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent. Serious or Grave Matter is spelled out by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: “Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother” (Mk 10:19). The gravity (seriousness) of sins is more or less great: e.g. murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: to steal from a poor person is more serious than theft from a rich person. In order that a sin be serious (mortal, grave) it is necessary that the sinner have full knowledge of what she/he is doing, and that they are doing it with their complete consent. To pretend ignorance or habit does not diminish, but rather increases the willful character of a sin. God is not deceived by pretense. The gravity of a sin can be diminished by unintentional ignorance, and sometimes by external pressures, or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is most serious (grave, mortal). When a sinner dies unrepentant for a serious (mortal, grave) sin, she/he is excluded from God’s kingdom. However, although we can judge that an act is in itself a serious sin, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God. A person commits a venial (little) sin when, in a non-serious matter, he/she does not observe the moral law, or when she/he violates the moral law in a grave matter, but is lacking full knowledge or complete consent. Venial sin weakens the will and impedes the individual soul’s progress towards God. It deserves temporary punishment. Who sins in small matters is not deprived of friendship with God, and consequently can obtain eternal happiness. “While in this life, a person cannot help but have at least some light sins” (St. Augustine). But even these should be repented every day. Small sins, which a person takes-for-granted, can lead easily to repetition, and then to hardening of the conscience: so that gradually it becomes easier to commit greater sins. Eventually, the repetition of small sins can lead to mortal (serious, grave) sins, which separate a person from union with God. Now I return to the example mentioned in the original question: “. . . if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another person believes it to be a grievous sin: which person is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?” Pre-marital sex is the serious sin of fornication. Whoever believes it is not a sin is wrong because it is against God’s Law, as I cited from St. Paul above in the second paragraph. Whoever believes some small matter to be a serious sin is wrong in their opinion. But, if they go ahead and do it anyway, they will be held accountable: not by reason of the small matter, but because of their rejection of God in sinning against their conscience. Every human person is endowed with conscience as part of reason, whereby she/he can recognize the moral quality of a concrete act that he/she is going to perform, or has already completed. In everything she/he says and does, a person is obliged to follow faithfully what he/she knows to be just and right. To act against one’s conscience is sinful. Through ignoring the good intentions of one’s conscience, it is possible to deaden one’s sensitivity to sin, and think of the evil, to which a person is inclined, as being perfectly natural. A sinner, who has “killed” his conscience, is unlikely to repent before he dies, and therefore will suffer the consequences throughout eternity.

How to read the Bible

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-04-19 14:42:39

Q: In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

A: The Bible is the key to the Christian faith because it is “God’s word written to us.” It is His divine revelation to mankind with practical relevance. It is as Paul tells Timothy, “God breathed” {2 Timothy 3:16a} or “God inspired” using human authors who had their personal writing styles penning the very words of God. Some see it as a book of men’s thoughts about God but that is totally wrong and a heresy. Peter tells us that these are the words of God when he says in 2 Peter 1:20-21 “Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.” The Bible is special revelation to us otherwise we would not know the words of life or to eternal life. Look what man does with just general revelation through nature. Man worships the creation (ie. sun or moon) rather than the creator. {Romans 1:23} Man gives himself over to even more sinful and God despising acts rather than God honoring acts of righteousness {1:24-27} That is why the scriptures have such a practical aspect and importance to the faith. First they teach us about salvation. They teach us about Jesus Christ and the Bible is His Story or some call it history. Christianity is a historic faith. John in his gospel and epistle write that very element by saying, “But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.” {John 20:31} and again in his epistle to assure us of our iron clad salvation, “ I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” {1 John 5:13} That faith grows as we listen to it, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. {Romans 10:17} The scriptures are important for practical living in the here and now. That we as individuals enjoy life to its fullest as Jesus says, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” {John 10:10b} That we don’t get side tracked by the allurements and enticements of this world. It’s a mirror to take a look at ourselves and see where we are missing God’s mark for this abundance as Paul was saying to Timothy, “is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” {2 Tim 3:16b-17} It also warns us of our enemy, the accuser, the devil who is seeking to destroy us {1 Peter 5:8} and our own sinful nature that can be very selfish and destroy all the good God gives us {Jeremiah 17:9}. It gives us direction like the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 and gives us God’s standard like verse 14, “You must not commit adultery.” Then throughout scriptures you see God’s people deal with this like Joseph who was strong in the Lord and was victorious {Genesis 39} or David {2 Samuel 11, Psalm 32, 51} who failed and experienced God’s forgiveness but consequences. How Jesus took it to a higher level {Matthew 5:28} and how Job who protected himself in a covenant he made. {Job 31:31} In fact, part of our question is about the Old Testament and it is so relevant not only with the laws, but how people work at living Godly lives in a fallen world. As the reader watches God’s people Israel and individuals struggle in their faith journeys. Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:6 says it well, “These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did.” Now if this is the first time you are going to read the Bible get the New Living Translation or a paraphrase like The Living Bible so it is easy to understand. Then go to the gospel of Matthew chapter 5 beginning at verse 11-12. Pray and ask the Lord to show you what you need to see and hear. Then Meditate or think on those verses in your mind. Ask first, “What did it mean to them in their time?” Second, “What timeless principle is here for all to see? (Is it saying something about God, or mankind, or behavior, etc) Third, “How does this apply to me? Is there something I need to change, or be aware of, or do differently, or enjoy about God or give thanks for or confess? Then pray and ask God to help you start putting it into practice. Then each day, have a time when you get together with the Lord and listen to Him speak to you through His word and watch the changes to your life. Continue to go through Matthew paragraph by paragraph getting several applications asking those questions. If you are struggling with an issue or problem, get a concordance or Nave’s Topical Dictionary. Take a topic like “worry.” Read and meditate on the passages it gives you. Believe me, it will change you! It changes me every time I meditate on it!

How to read the Bible

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2012-04-19 14:41:03

Q: In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

A: The Bible is a very big book and much different than most other books we encounter because it is comprised of different “books” or sections written by different authors in different styles and was compiled over a long period of time. While most of us pick up a book and begin reading at page one and work our way to the end, this is not always advisable for the Bible because early on the reader will encounter seemingly boring lists of names (genealogies) and a compilation of laws that seem to have little relevance for most of us who do live in a post-agrarian society. I would encourage you to begin reading the type of literature that resonates best with you. For instance, if poetry is your thing, start with the Psalms. If you enjoy stories, choose either the gospels or the books of Samuel or Kings. If you like more straight-forward writings with ready application, the Epistles (letters) of the New Testament or Proverbs would be a good starting spot. I personally have found that different genres have helped at different points of my life. As you read, I would encourage you to stick with your reading. Realize that the Bible was written a long time ago and mentions places and employs illustrations that may be difficult to understand (for instance, what does it mean to “heap burning coals” on someone’s head?). Some background books on the Bible can help you understand more fully some puzzling things found in the Bible. Another difficult part of reading the Bible is that some of the stories seem very implausible. Can God really make the sun stand still in the sky? Could Jesus really walk on water? When you encounter unbelievable parts, instead of being distracted by how it seems implausible therefore rendering the Bible a fictional book, ask yourself why God would have the text presented in this way. Ask God to reveal what God is saying through the passage. You also asked about the Old Testament’s relevance. The term “old” implies that it is outdated or obsolete; however, the Old Testament (also referred to as the Hebrew Scriptures) are hugely important to understanding Jesus’ life, ministry and death. For instance, the Book of Hebrews is difficult to understand unless you have a background in the sacrificial system that God established in the Hebrew Scriptures. While the Hebrew Scriptures form the backbone to the New Testament, I would encourage you to begin your reading in the New Testament because it is written in a style more comprehendible for our Western minds.

How to read the Bible

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2012-04-19 13:00:15

Q: In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

A: The Old Testament is the truth about how God has been revealed in and through the history of the people who chose to follow God for centuries prior to Jesus’ birth. The Old Testament reveals to us the truth of how God spoke to His people through events and through the people selected by God to be prophets. It helps us all understand how we can find God and relate to God as uncovered through centuries of experience. So it is very relevant. The New Testament is the most incredible writing of human history. It reveals to us exactly what God wants us to understand about living life to the fullest and the truth about death in and through the life and teachings of Jesus. Our greatest fear in life is not death, but not having lived life to the fullest. So God sent His Son Jesus, the fullness of God in human flesh to live in our midst and teach us so we might live as he created us to live – in communion with Him! Reading the Bible should include both the Old and New Testaments. A good way to start is with the gospel of Matthew and then on to the gospel of John. This will give a good understanding of who Jesus is and what God is up to here and now. Then the Old Testament books of the Bible will have context that brings it all together. Then reading the wisdom books of Psalms and Proverbs will give you the context to read the rest of the bible. Most importantly when you read any part of the Bible we must recognize that God is Spirit and so we should always read the Bible prayerfully. Lastly the bible should be read often and every day if possible!

How to read the Bible

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-04-19 12:58:30

Q: In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

A: Jews and Christians and Moslems consider the Bible to be the written Word of God. This means that God Himself, through his Holy Spirit, inspired the human authors of the various books of the Bible (e.g., Moses, David, Solomon, the prophets, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, etc.) with the ideas which they wrote down in their respective books. Accordingly, God is considered the principal author of the whole Bible in all its parts. The human author, in his turn, expressed in writing the ideas God put into his mind, but wrote them according to his own understanding and culture and background and manner-of-expression; so that he too is author of the work(s) he wrote. Indeed, the Bible is not only a large book; rather, it is a library of books: of a variety of types of literature, such as one finds in a large library. Some books of the Bible are history, while others treat of philosophy (the first eleven chapters of Genesis and all the books of Wisdom), and still others are collections of sermons preached by zealous prophets and apostles. Some books are political propaganda (e.g. Chronicles, which was written to glorify the reign of King David), while others are collections of official records (e.g. Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), genealogies, laws, pastoral letters of busy bishops (the epistles of St. Paul and of James and John and Jude) and apocalyptic writings, the ancient form of “Star Wars” with terrifying cosmic struggles (e.g. Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation). The four gospels were intended originally as catechisms to instruct Christian converts about the life and teachings of Jesus, rather than as strict history or biography, although indeed they contain also the history and biography of Jesus. The Song of Songs is a script written for theater performance of courtly love. Nevertheless each of these books is inspired by God’s Holy Spirit and is the Word of God. The Psalms contains prayers and songs and reflections for liturgical usage. Being a library of many books, it is not wise to read the Bible straight through, as if it were a single book. Rather, it ought to be read selectively, at least until the reader is thoroughly familiar with the whole Bible. I suggest the reader begin by reading the gospel of Mark, then go back and read the first two books of the Old Testament (Genesis and Exodus), then read some of the psalms (for prayer as well as reflections on the history just read). Then read a couple of St. Paul’s epistles and follow them with the Book of Proverbs (an ancient form of Dear Abby’s practical advice). Then read the gospel of Luke and follow that immediately with Acts of the Apostles (the history of the primitive Christian community), which St. Luke wrote as companion books. Then go back and read one of the prophets, and the beautiful Wisdom of Solomon. Then read the gospel of St. John, understand that Wisdom is the Word of God, which became incarnate in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Other books of both the Old and New Testaments can then be read, according to the reader’s taste and time, with clearer understanding of what one is reading. The final book of the Bible (Revelation) ought to be read in conjunction with its Old Testament precedents (Ezekiel and Daniel), and then the two Books of Maccabees. The Old Testament remains very relevant, containing God’s instructions and laws for his people, as well as for the history and culture, which contributed to the developments of Christianity and Islam, as well as of Western Civilization. Of course, the Old Testament is the foundation book of Judaism. But it also influenced greatly the framers of the American Constitution, as well as the legal codes of other countries. More than any other book, the Bible has helped shape the history of the world, and continues to witness to the presence and power of God in this his world. It continues to influence our culture and every worthy human endeavour. Sometimes certain texts of the Bible have been exploited by false teachers, crooked politicians and ambitious religious leaders for their own purposes. But such abuse does not put God’s approval on their movements, even though they might quote God’s words in attempting to support their agenda. The apostles, Peter and Paul warned about such false teachers, and told us to avoid them. One reason Jesus established his Church was to provide an authentic interpreter for understanding and living: the Word of God in the Bible.

alvation...a variety of opinions

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2012-03-22 15:42:17

Q: I hear some clerics say that all you have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, and have a personal relationship with him. Others say that, regardless of what you’ve done insofar as accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell. Why are there so many different opinions on something so serious: spending an eternity of happiness vs. spending an eternity of punishment?

A: You ask a good question of why there are so many different opinions on the eternal state of human beings. I would approach the question of “why” from a number of different angles. First, God and God’s ways are mysterious. That does not mean that God’s ways are not understandable but that it is difficult for us to comprehend God’s ways fully. This is because God is beyond our finite understanding; I believe it is also that we might more fully cling to God. For instance, if I knew I only had to do “x” or “y” to go to heaven, it would diminish the need for an actual relationship with God. And I firmly believe that God’s intent is to be in relationship with each one of us. Your question is good because it prompts us to turn to God to ask how we might know God better and spend eternity with God. A second aspect could be attributed to the fact God has created each of the Biblical writers as unique individuals. It is logical that God would use each writer to highlight a different aspect of relationship with God. These different aspects should be taken together. To illustrate, the Gospel of John and Paul’s letter to the Romans seem to indicate eternal life with God is dependent on belief in Jesus Christ alone. However, the Book of James and the end of Matthew’s Gospel covey that actions for those less fortunate are necessary to live with God for eternity. Both faith and action together are important. I personally see the Spirit of God through the centuries of Christianity emphasizing different elements in our relationship with God. While this is a bit of an oversimplification, for example, the early monastic movements emphasized denial of self. The Reformation stressed the access of the Bible for all people and the Sovereignty of God. Some evangelical streams uphold the need to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Some Pentecostal denominations promote a need for speaking in tongues. Each of these different streams of Christianity highlight a different aspect in our relationship with God and taken together help us come to understand what is required for eternal life. One of my seminary professors continued to talk about relationship with God as being a razor’s edge. It is much easier to promote one aspect like faith or works above the other in our relationship with God; however, I believe God desires us to wrestle to find the balance in the middle (hence the razor’s edge). This is why there are different opinions about important matters of faith. Yet there is one God who awaits our wrestling and delights to be found when we seek God with our whole hearts and lives.

Salvation...a variety of opinions

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-03-22 15:06:42

Q: I hear some clerics say that all you have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, and have a personal relationship with him. Others say that, regardless of what you’ve done insofar as accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell. Why are there so many different opinions on something so serious: spending an eternity of happiness vs. spending an eternity of punishment?

A: I don’t know if you have ever been to a sports event and seen a play before your eyes take place but the official on the field makes the call opposite the way you saw it. Or maybe you witnessed it but the people you came with saw it differently. Now there are a lot of factors that come into play. Sometimes it is the team we are rooting for, like a predisposed position that can slant or sway our point of view. That is called in biblical study hermeneutics. Today there are hermeneutics for feminists, homosexuals, liberationists, etc. Sometimes it is the angle through which you have seen it while someone else sees it with a little closer perspective. I love it when we go to Yankee Stadium and the empire calls a strike against a Yankee and the guy in the top of the stadium yells because he believes he saw the pitch better than the umpire who is three foot from the strike zone. Sometimes people feel they see a theological issue better than theologians of the past or pastors or the Bible while living in a sinful life style. The difficulty also is that mankind is tainted by sin. We’re not perfect and we can misread and misunderstand God. The scriptures say and rightly so in {2 Peter 1:20} “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation.” God’s word is not the problem, it is man’s inability to understand what He says because mankind is clouded. Our humanity gets in the way and begins to interpret according to our intent. Sadly history is filled with this where people used the scriptures unintentionally and intentionally to hurt and suppress others. Consider the Crusades or Slavery in this country in the south where many good Christians felt it biblical. Well-meaning Christians can follow an interpretation made out of ignorance {Acts 19:2}, selfishness {19:13-17}, deception {5:1-11} or outright heresy from the devil’s tool box.{2 Corinthians 11:13-15} Now the example we have been given today is a good example. Salvation has been used and abused as a means to give the comfort of eternal life but it has also been useful to extort cash from the faithful. Sometimes it has come from the perspective that has changed personal thinking to theological precepts. The theological perspectives on salvation and eternal security went through some changes. Augustine in the 300’s with the early church fathers affirmed the teachings of the scriptures of our Sovereign power of God. But in the 16th century unprecedented change came that swept over the world’s thinking where man began to think more highly of himself with the modern era of science, exploration and literature. A shift began to take place in theology that man began to have more to say in his salvation. This came to a head in the Dutch Parliament when Calvinism (1600’s) in which God is totally sovereign with predestination now was brought into question. Jacob Arminius with the 5 points of the Remonstrant disagreed with the main points of Calvinism. Renewal Pelagianism and Semi-pelagianism 3rd century thoughts of man not tainted or partially tainted by original sin were renewed. Man had free will to choose God in Jesus Christ. Where Calvin and Luther with his work “The Bondage of the Will” said man was not free until he was saved. God needed to effectually call man’s rebellious heart to save him by grace alone. Up until that point man was following his sinful rebellious nature {Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23} and his father the devil {John 8:44}. God is the only one who could save man’s soul by grace {Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5}. Salvation is a gift from God by grace. For grace to be grace, it begins and ends with God with no attachments. {Romans 6:23;5:8} That is why we can say the person who at the last minute makes a genuine confession to God by the Holy Spirit is saved as we see the thief on the cross. {Luke 23:43} That a person who is truly saved as God knows all the secrets of our hearts, nothing can separate us from His love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:31-39} Sin and even the devil himself could not take God’s elect from the security of our Lord. {John 10:28} May the Lord give you that assurance as you walk through this life striving to please Him in all you do! Living in the grace and assurance of our God who keeps us in that grace{Jude 1:24}.

Salvation...a variety of opinions

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-03-22 15:05:09

Q: I hear some clerics say that all you have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, and have a personal relationship with him. Others say that, regardless of what you’ve done insofar as accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell. Why are there so many different opinions on something so serious: spending an eternity of happiness vs. spending an eternity of punishment?

A: In this question there are three issues to be considered. First, it is true that to be saved: it is necessary to accept Jesus as your Savior and have a personal relationship with him. This acceptance of Jesus and personal relationship involves not just words, but actually to have a personal relationship, which involves frequent communication through prayer, and carrying out all that Jesus has commanded through his teachings in the Bible and in the Church, which he established to interpret and to promote those teachings. Even those persons who do not know Jesus as such, but undertake to direct their lives according to his teachings, which are in the natural law and in the conscience of every person, can be saved by following that good will and ordering their lives towards God. Jesus knows and accepts such good-willed persons. Your next statement is also true: “If you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell.” But the earlier part of that statement: “regardless of what you’ve done insofar as accepting Jesus” must be qualified. Being God, Jesus knows everything you have done. He loves you and wants you to be saved. If your acceptance of Jesus is proved by your actions through life, Jesus is not going to abandon you to die in the state of grievous sin. He will help the sincere person to repent of that grievous sin before death, and so that soul will be saved from hell. Those go to hell, who have ignored the teachings of Jesus and his Church through much of their life, and so really never accepted Jesus, or they have rejected their earlier acceptance of Jesus. Even the most grievous sinner can be saved by repenting, by expressing sorrow for grievous sin before they die, even at the final moment of their life. But it is extremely dangerous to wait until the moment of death to express sorrow for sin, for offending God. Usually, persons in grievous sin have a long history of personal disregard for God, and in their final moments they are cursing and unrepentant. Still, God’s mercy is infinite and, if they did some good earlier in life, we can hope that Jesus might grant them the grace to repent on their way to final judgment. We don’t really know about such a person after death. The Bible seems to indicate they go to hell. Your third question is simple. God gives every person a free will. Observe how many and what a variety of religions are in your world and elsewhere. There are several hundred sects (groups of persons) who call themselves Christians, but by their choice Jesus is not part of their lives. In jest we call them “cafeteria-Christians.” And there are innumerable non-Christian sects, a great variety teaching their own opinions, as if they came from God. Most of them borrow teachings from other religions. Most of these claim to be true. But many include some falsehoods (e.g. Scientology). Some of their founders allege divine inspiration (e.g. Mormons). But opinion is not truth as such. Some founders of religion do so for the sake of gaining money or attention (e.g. followers of Reverend Moon) or fame or whatever. Jesus Christ founded one Church, and it continues to teach his truth, regardless of popular opinions or current political fads.

More to heaven than worship?

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2012-02-27 14:18:39

Q: The other day my friend and I were talking about Heaven and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It’s difficult for me to understand how that’s all one will do, . . . and do it forever. I have an even harder time imagining my husband enjoying it. Although we both go to church regularly, it’s not something he looks forward to. Is there more to heaven than this, or will this be enough?

A: At the root of our response to what we will do in heaven rests our understanding of what heaven is and what our view of God’s character is. According to Scripture heaven is that place where nothing separates us from the fullness of God’s presence. What you know (there is a difference between knowing and believing) God’s character to be will define how you respond to being fully in God’s presence. If your image of God is as a rule-maker that we must obey, being in the full presence of God will be a fearful and anxious experience. If your image of God is as an impersonal autocratic King, then being in the full presence of God will be like an earthly slave. But the fullest understanding of God’s character is told in both of the Old and New Testaments. The character revealed in this the full canon of Scripture is of a God who has the aforementioned as part of His character but is much, much more than that. God does set down rules, but those rules are rules for our best life that lead us to the fullest life possible! God is a King who looks for us to be His subjects, but when we do He crowns us with love, mercy, grace, joy and a full and abundant heart and life! We become ones living in a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe! Heaven is much more than a destination for eternity! It does not matter how much you go to church without a commitment and awe towards God, because this is meaningless. What does matter is that the church we go to is one where the promises of God revealed in scripture become reality in our lives. It is indeed an amazing gift of salvation that God offers us through faith in Christ that we would spend eternity together with him and overcome death! The loving sacrifice God made is exactly so we might not miss the point of life and of death. The fullest truth of Jesus’ time here on earth is that in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are not only that we see the promise of eternal life and get into heaven, but that Christ came to get heaven into us here and now! If you chose to live your life for you alone without God you can chose that. Then when you come to the end of your life all of your accomplishments will be the sum total of your own individual independent journey and your last breathe will be the loneliest a human being can ever take. You will have missed out on an amazing journey that God had planned for you. God has so much more planned for your life that is revealed through your relationship with Jesus! So how would one respond to God face to face when nothing separates us from the fullness of God’s love, living in intimacy with God? I believe the answer to that rests in whether we have experienced heaven in us here and now! If God does not know you and live in your life then it’s likely to be a somber meeting. If we do know each other intimately then we know that all the very best of what is available to us here and now is but a thimble full of what God has planned for us in eternity and our life has been preparation for that! Grounds for praise and honor? Well I don’t know about you but as for me - ABSOLUTELY!!!

More to heaven than worship?

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2012-02-27 14:14:21

Q: The other day my friend and I were talking about Heaven and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It’s difficult for me to understand how that’s all one will do, . . . and do it forever. I have an even harder time imagining my husband enjoying it. Although we both go to church regularly, it’s not something he looks forward to. Is there more to heaven than this, or will this be enough?

A: Heaven, while giving many people hope, is shrouded in mystery. The Bible describes heaven as the place where God dwells, and Jesus told his followers that he was going to prepare a place that where he went they would also go. Therefore, heaven is the place where believers will be with the Lord forever. Jesus encouraged followers to store up treasures in heaven instead of accumulating treasures on earth; this indicates there can be a preparation process for heaven while one is still on earth. Yet, eternity is difficult for us to grasp fully. The final book of the Bible speaks of a new heaven where God will live with God’s people forever. The writer seems to speak in metaphorical language about heaven using a brilliant light, gold, splendor and beauty. Heaven is presented as a place of great glory because God is there. Perhaps we do not have many details about heaven because ordinary language fails to sum up what it will truly be like. However, it is described as a place where there is no more death, mourning, crying or pain. Beyond the presence of God, the Bible does not give many details of what is there. Perhaps by focusing on the negative aspects of life that will not be present, it reveals how wonderful a place it will be. While it is difficult to comprehend eternity, it is also difficult to fully grasp what it will be like to live without the reality of death and pain. As to your question about what we will do in heaven, the few Biblical images of heaven describe worship. But there will also be feasting (Revelation mentions the wedding feast of the Lamb). Heaven will also be a place of rest. This rest is not necessarily the cessation of activity but an end to our daily struggle against our flesh, the world, and evil. It will be the completion of our Christian journey. While it may be difficult to fathom worshipping forever, we only know worship from this side of heaven with all its imperfections. Without death or pain, worship is likely to take on a deeper and richer depth. In addition to rest, feasting and worship, some of Jesus’ stewardship parables about the end times seem to indicate that work will continue in heaven. Our work or service in heaven will be on behalf of the King. I realize I may not have finitely answered some of your concerns about heaven; however, I will end with words from 1 Corinthians 2:9-10: no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him.

More to heaven than worship?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-02-27 13:52:10

Q: The other day my friend and I were talking about Heaven and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It’s difficult for me to understand how that’s all one will do, . . . and do it forever. I have an even harder time imagining my husband enjoying it. Although we both go to church regularly, it’s not something he looks forward to. Is there more to heaven than this, or will this be enough?

A: Praising and honoring God in heaven is going to be much more than the experience of sitting in church and singing for all eternity. That is so limited because heaven and our eternal existence will be praising and glorifying God but, in some of the very ways we should be living it now. As we live today we should be “glorifying God in all we do” {1 Corinthians 10:31} and that our eternal existence in heaven is a continuation of our existence as it is now but not hampered by the sin {Romans 1:28; 3:23; 7:14}, miseries {Revelations 21:4} and the brokenness {Romans 8:23} that holds us back and cripples on earth. Yes there will be a great amount of celebration around the throne because of what we have been saved from and how grateful we are to Jesus Christ for securing our salvation along with the Love of God that generated it! There will be celebrating that will make our Super Bowl parties look like little kid parties. Banquets are referred to and why not? {Matthew 22:1-14} Heaven will be a social existence. We will be city dwellers who socially interact {Revelations 21:2}. It will be close relations as described in terms of home dwelling {John 14:1-2}. It will be close with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as with our Lord in the most intimate encounter. {Rev. 21:3} But we are also going to be very busy serving our Lord. It will be a conscious existence as Jesus describes it in Luke 16: 19-31. We will also have great responsibilities as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:3 that includes even judging angels. All the things that hinder us from serving the Lord like tiredness, hunger, thirst, sickness, and bad attitudes will all be done away with and we will serve “day and night” with none of the restrictions of the past {Revelations 7:15-17}. We won’t be having any more of the problems working with each other that even the best of Christians can have on earth. Why? Because the curse of sin and our selfishness will be gone. No more misunderstandings that grow into bitter disputes. No more broken friendships or marriages or rebellious kids and the like. No more death and sorrow {Revelation 21:1-6}. Think of all the fears and inadequacies that have held you back over the years from doing what you were made to do. Think of the circumstances that have stopped you or the expectations of others that hemmed you in or the physical limitations that hampered you. Maybe the time demands. All these are done away with and you will feel secure to do and live to your fullest potential in honor of God. Everything we have from abilities to gifts to talents will all be at His disposal to use to honor our God. Even for those who wish they could sing will be able to sing in perfect pitch. We will also be constantly growing and learning about our amazing God which is an endless pursuit but a great adventure of discovery and joy. Think of all your dreams, expectations and aspirations you have had for yourself that were never realized here on earth will now be realized in heaven. We see glimpses of it in the scriptural characters like the disciples who were enabled to speak many languages which they never could before {Acts 2:1-13} Even their fullest potential was never fully realized here on earth. It will be a great opportunity for spending time in relationships. We will be able to visit with loved ones who have died before us. Paul wrote about this to comfort the Thessalonians that were fearful of not seeing their loved ones again who had died before Christ returned. He assures them they will reunite with them {1 Thessalonians 4:17}. There will be physical recognition of those who died as was the case at the transfiguration where Peter, James and John recognize Moses and Elijah who were dead for a long time and who they had never even seen before. (Matthew 17:3-4}. Think of all the great people of faith from the past who were in the scriptures and from history who we will be able to sit down with as Jesus tells us in Matthew 8:11. We have no clue how great it is going to be. That is why I love the verse God inspired Paul to write that sums it up for me in 1 Corinthians 2:9 where it says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” Awed by Him, Pastor Dave

More to heaven than worship?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-02-27 13:50:59

Q: The other day my friend and I were talking about Heaven and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It’s difficult for me to understand how that’s all one will do, . . . and do it forever. I have an even harder time imagining my husband enjoying it. Although we both go to church regularly, it’s not something he looks forward to. Is there more to heaven than this, or will this be enough?

A: Heaven is a place or situation of absolute happiness. St. Paul in 1 Cor. 2:9 attempts to give us some idea of this happiness, but the best he can do is repeat what the prophet Isaiah (64:3) had taught: “Human eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man: what wonderful things God has prepared for those who love him.” We are unable to even imagine the happiness of heaven. There are no vices in heaven. Jealousy or envy is a vice. Therefore there can be no jealousy in heaven. The definition of jealousy is: “sorrow over the good of another person.” Nor can any other vices be found in heaven. The bad angels preferred themselves to God, and so were kicked out of heaven, along with the devil and his followers. In heaven the saints are privileged not only to see and know God, but also experience an infinite variety of delights, with all their legitimate desires fulfilled. All our senses will be sharp and satisfied. There’s lots more activity and enjoyment in praising God than in playing harps and singing. As with St. Paul, it is impossible for us to imagine or describe the delights of heaven. In the gospels of Matthew (22:23-30) and Mark (12:18-25) and Luke (20:27-36), Jesus Himself seems to have anticipated your concern about your husband being bored in heaven. Some Sadducees proposed to Jesus the situation wherein a woman had seven husbands in succession, having lost each one by death. Then they asked: “At the resurrection, whose wife will she be? Remember: all seven married her.” Jesus replied: “The children of this world marry and are given in marriage, but those who are judged worthy of a place in the age to come and of resurrection from the dead, will not then marry. They will be like angels and are no longer liable to death. They are the sons of God, because they will have risen from death.” Everyone in heaven will be filled with love for God and for one another. Each will rejoice in the other’s good. Therefore in heaven you, filled with happiness, can only rejoice about your relatives and friends, and be happy for the joy and comfort they have given you and others in this life. In heaven you will enjoy the companionship of all the other good persons, who ever lived, including those folks, whom in this life you might not have liked. If anyone of your present friends turns evil and doesn’t’t repent before they die, he/she won’t be in heaven, and you won’t be concerned about them. You see, life after death is quite different from anything we have experienced or can imagine. Each person in heaven is filled with happiness, according to their capacity for such happiness. The saints and those individuals, who have lived good and holy lives, will have a greater capacity for happiness: than will those persons, who spent their lives in selfish pursuits and neglect of God. Through God’s mercy those latter sinners, who were able to repent before they died, eventually will go to heaven. But their capacity for happiness will be much less than the capacity of those persons who devoted their lives to serving God and their neighbor. Of course, those who do not repent before they die will not go to heaven! Unrepentant sinners go to hell, and in hell there is plenty of jealousy along with every other misery. In hell there is no fun, no enjoyment, no rest or relaxation, but only terrible lonesomeness and physical misery. But in heaven there is no jealousy; each person is perfectly happy in whatever capacity they have for happiness. Here on earth your husband might be bored in church; but he certainly won’t be bored in heaven. He will be so happy to be there, and will take delight in every moment. We just cannot imagine what wonderful things God has prepared for those who love Him. Your husband ought to look forward gladly to his future with God and you and the saints. I illustrate this idea with a crude example. Let us suppose that water represents happiness. The seas and rivers have a greater capacity for being filled with water than do a swimming pool or a bathtub or a bowl or a cup. During this life each person increases or decreases his/her capacity for happiness (or for suffering in hell) according to the virtues or vices they practice. By reason of their many virtues, the saints might be compared to the seas and rivers in their capacity for happiness, whereas those persons with few virtues, but who have repented of their vices, will have a capacity for happiness comparable to a bowl or a cup or a thimble. Yet the bowl is not jealous of the bathtub. Each can be completely full of water. Still, there is more water in a bathtub than in a bowl or a thimble. The holy Virgin Mary, in her capacity for happiness, must be compared to the ocean. Therefore, while you still have life, strive to increase your capacity for happiness, which will be fixed forever at the moment of your death. In heaven you will rejoice at the happiness of everyone, even those who have a greater capacity for happiness than you have. But you cannot be sad or jealous over others because your own soul will be completely full of the love of God. That is the perfect happiness, awaiting you in heaven.

Requirements to enter Heaven?

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2012-01-26 14:08:19

Q: I read recent articles in The Q & A Times and other places on Heaven and what it will be like. What are the “requirements” to enter Heaven? Are there different requirements for people of different religious persuasions?

A: Heaven is often used to describe the final condition of those who are righteous. Yet Biblically speaking, heaven is used in three basic ways. First heaven is cosmological. For instance, the phrase “heaven and earth” are used to denote the entire universe. It is the region where stars are set and where rain and lightening originate. The term heaven in the Bible can also be synonymous for God. Matthew’s gospel uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven” instead of “kingdom of God” (as found in parallel passages in Luke’s gospel) because Matthew’s main audience was Jewish; they would not pronounce the name God; therefore, Matthew uses “heaven” as a synonym for God. The third meaning of heaven in the Bible is the abode of God, the place where God dwells. One of the most famous prayers begins “Our Father, who art in heaven…” Likewise, angels (also called heavenly hosts) come from heaven and return to heaven. It is from this dwelling place of God that Christ is to be revealed. Before he left the earth, Jesus told his disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them. While we do not know the exact nature of this preparatory activity, it is implied that Jesus is readying a place where believers and followers will fellowship with him and God. As God’s dwelling place, heaven is the place where those who believe and put their trust in him will be for all eternity. The various writers articulate the concept of believers dwelling with God in God’s presence throughout the New Testament. For instance, Paul speaks of the “hope that is stored up for you in heaven” (Col. 1:5). In Revelation 21:3, the new heaven is likened to the tabernacle, the tent where God had dwelt among the Israelites recorded in the Old Testament. God’s intention from the beginning was to have fellowship with humans. This led God to establish the tabernacle and temple—places where God could dwell with God’s people. The incarnation (Jesus Christ in the flesh dwelling with people) was another way to fulfill God’s intention of fellowship with God’s creation. The ultimate fulfillment is taking humans to be with God in heaven, where God dwells. The privilege of dwelling with God according to the Bible is granted to those whose righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. While different religions present a paradise-like place like heaven, I believe based on the Biblical witness that to enter heaven requires righteousness. The only way to truly be righteous is through Jesus Christ. Yet I also trust in the grace of God to judge all people to determine who will be invited to enter into God’s presence. As in other Q&A Times articles, I would encourage you to focus less on the future afterlife of who is potentially in and out of heaven and seek God for God’s abundant life today through Jesus Christ.

Requirements to enter Heaven?

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2012-01-26 14:04:55

Q: I read recent articles in The Q & A Times and other places on Heaven and what it will be like. What are the “requirements” to enter Heaven? Are there different requirements for people of different religious persuasions?

A: Christians believe that you must believe in Christ as God’s only Son who came to take away your sin (separation from God) and that if you confess your sins, accept Christ as your Savior and repent you will be saved and united with God in Heaven. Heaven, at its core, is a condition of closeness; it’s the state of a soul being enveloped in the Oneness of the Divine. Purgatory or Hell would be the opposite, a condition of distance and disconnection. The first is beautiful, tranquil and comforting to the nth degree. The second is exactly the opposite. Each of us has an immortal soul that spends eternity either in a place of blessedness called heaven or a place of torment called hell. One’s destination depends on whether one is saved, forgiven by God’s grace and converted to a life growing toward sinless perfection. What salvation means is to be free of sin and thus able to live in the presence of God. This presence is available to believers in this life, but is available fully and directly in the life to come. It should be noted that as much as Jesus came to offer the promise of eternal life with God – Jesus also always said he has come to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth in a new act of Creation. So Jesus came not only to get us into heaven BUT also to get heaven into us here and now!!

Requirements to enter Heaven?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2012-01-25 15:57:05

Q: I read recent articles in The Q & A Times and other places on Heaven and what it will be like. What are the “requirements” to enter Heaven? Are there different requirements for people of different religious persuasions?

A: First, I want to handle the second question concerning the different requirements of varying religions to enter heaven. Now, there are several world religions but also some religious groups that are more philosophies then they are religions. Buddhism is more like a philosophy in that the goal is reaching nirvana, the elimination of desires and to escape suffering. One follows an eight fold path or system freeing the Buddhist from desire and eventually achieving nonexistence. Transcendental Mediation™ is similar but they believe you are god within. Doing good in excess of evil (or kind of like your good has to outweigh the evil side) in order to finally achieve the highest state of union of self with Brahman, but there is no heaven or hell. Hinduism sees one going through many cycles of reincarnation, which can take many life times. This is done by mediation and yoga. A person is reborn in the cycle to pay for sins of the previous life. Final salvation is being absorbed into Brahman or like a drop of water being absorbed into the vast sea. Islam believes humans are basically good but need guidance. The balance between good and evil deeds determines whether one goes to heaven or hell. Everyone needs to live in fear of Allah and his judgment day because he can arbitrarily tip the balance one way or another. They believe in the bodily resurrection and that righteous men will go to paradise which is designed with virgins to give them sexual pleasure. Kabbalah, which is an off shoot of Judaism, has caught media attention with Madonna ascribing to its teachings. Man carries the spark of the creator and is repairing god the universe by right living and grasping more of the Creator’s light. Salvation comes when we are able to understand and practice living in harmony with the spiritual laws of the universe. Man reincarnates and climbs the tree of life to god and returns to restored Eden of Paradise. Judaism believes by prayer, repentance and obeying the Law salvation is achieved. To some in Judaism there is resurrection and is achieved by obedience that one lives forever with God and the unrighteous suffer. Another branch of Jews do not believe in the conscious life after death but live on through one’s heritage. Scientology believes hell is a myth and heaven is delusional thinking. There is no need of repentance but freedom comes when an “auditor” works with the individual on cleansing engrams (negative experiences of the past) so one achieves the “Clear” state. Progression takes many stages to reach the “Operating Thetan” state. This is when one is in control of “MEST” or Matter, Energy, Space and Time. Christian Science believes human are already saved and sin, evil, sickness and death are not real. They are states of mind as well as heaven and hell. The deal for them is oneness (At-One-Ment) or harmony with god. Mormon’s believe resurrection by grace and salvation or exaltation to godhood (becoming a god) is by good works, Mormon baptism, faithfulness to church, tithing, ordnances, marriage and sacred Temple rituals. One must be a Mormon to be saved and at death one goes to one of three grades of heaven judged by performance. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe one must be baptized as a Jehovah’s Witnesses and go door to door in faithful work to be saved. Only 144,000 go to heaven as spirits and the rest of the righteous live on earth in perfect obedience for 1,000 years or they will be annihilated. All these are well meant people and sincere in their belief but contrary to what the Bible says. Heaven is a free gift of God, not by works otherwise we could brag about it (Ephesians 2:8-9). Try to live a perfectly good life by God’s standards as Jesus described them in His elaborating on the 10 Commandments in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:21 through 7:28. How do you measure up? Man at conception is born in the state of fallenness and sin (Psalm 51:5). Everyone is a sinner (Romans 3:23). The payment we deserve for sin is eternal death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). We are saved because of God’s mercy to us by washing us in the blood of Jesus’s sacrificial death and the Holy Spirit giving us that rebirth and renewing us in Jesus (Titus 3:5). Knowing this intellectually is not enough, we need to accept by faith and trust Jesus Christ by an act of the will that He alone will save us. (Romans 10:9). This truly is Amazing Grace because Jesus did for me what I could not do for myself! Secure in Him.

Requirements to enter Heaven?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2012-01-25 15:53:49

Q: I read recent articles in The Q & A Times and other places on Heaven and what it will be like. What are the “requirements” to enter Heaven? Are there different requirements for people of different religious persuasions?

A: The Apostle Paul, writing to his disciple Timothy, remarks that “Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners” (1 Tim 1:9), and “God our savior wills everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1Tim 2:4-5). “To be saved” means: to be able to go to heaven after death. Those who are not saved cannot enter heaven. After death, the non-saved go to hell. In hell there are various degrees of suffering, according to the evil in one’s life, but the greatest suffering in hell is the absence of God, to be unable to enjoy the companionship of the saints, and knowing that it is one’s own fault to suffer such deprivation: forever. On the other hand, those who are saved go to heaven and enjoy the companionship of God and the saints and are filled with happiness. Their happiness corresponds to the good will they demonstrated in this life, and their obedience to God’s law, which is intended to guide each person safely through the present life into life everlasting with God. In addition to the various commandments given by God through Moses and other spiritual leaders, there exists the natural law, planted by God in every human soul, which usually inclines a person to do good rather than evil, and is expressed by what we call conscience. Conscience is a kind of natural knowledge regarding the morality of human acts. The word is derived from Latin conscientia, meaning: with knowledge. Every human person, who has reason, also has a conscience. If a person acts according to their conscience they will be saved. But it is possible for a person, through repeated evil acts, to stifle their conscience, and so continue their evil habits until they end in hell. There exists also the positive law of God, expressed in the Ten Commandments and in religion. Those persons, who observe these teachings, which re-enforce the natural law of conscience, will be saved. Those who choose to ignore the commandments and religion, will not be saved. God the Creator sent his Son, in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, to complete God’s instructions given in the Jewish religion. Jesus founded the Church to continue his mission on earth. In this world there are also many other religions, established by individual humans who were charismatic leaders. Most of these religions teach God’s truth…more or less. Jesus established only ONE Church…not churches! Since we have only one life, in which to gain or lose heaven, it is important that we find that Church and follow its teachings: so that we can safely pass through this life into heaven. God is Truth, and therefore God cannot contradict himself. A particular teaching cannot be both true and false at the same time and under the same aspect. Since human reason makes mistakes and the human will is weak, it is important also that we find and follow what is true. If we do our best, acting in accord with our conscience, then God will receive us into heaven when we die. If we ignore the truth and stifle our conscience, then at death we will go to hell. As there is one God and one mediator with God, the man Christ Jesus, so there cannot be different requirements for different persons to enter heaven. Every person, who sincerely seeks to do what is good according to his/her conscience, will be saved and will go to heaven. The person, who does evil and does not repent of such evil, acting against their conscience, cannot be saved, i.e. the evil person goes to hell. In the practical order, it is much easier to be saved by living in and with the Church established by Jesus, than it is to live apart from that Church. Everyone who is saved, is saved through the Church, whether they realize it or not. The Church considers as belonging in some way to the Body of Christ: all those persons of good will, who in this life sincerely tried to be good and acted in accord with their conscience. Even if their conscience is in error about a particular matter, the sincere good person can be saved by following their conscience. It is terribly wrong for a person to ignore or stifle his/her conscience. But habitual sinners do just that; and -- unless they repent…in the end they go to hell. And so, at the end we can expect to find in heaven many persons we didn’t expect to find there, individuals who sincerely tried to direct their lives in accordance with God’s purpose, as expressed in his Commandments and the teachings of religion, but primarily in the individual conscience. But we will note that some persons, whom we might have expected to be in heaven, are not there; these are the individuals who, against their conscience, violated God’s Commandments and taught falsehood and practiced what is wrong to do. Likewise, those who in this life are unconcerned about God and about their neighbor, who are selfish and live for themselves alone, cannot be saved. In this connection, it is well to read Jesus’ parables about the rich man and the poor man (Luke 17:19-31), and the scene of the final judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). Those two parables indicate the basic requirements to be saved.

Do you have to go to church to be saved?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-12-27 10:30:31

Q: My brother says that one does not have to go to church and tithe to be saved. He says as long as you live a good life, believe in God, and treat your neighbor right, you will be okay. I say there’s a lot more to it than this. Who is right?

A: Technically your brother maybe right, but in true heart and soul affection, I have my doubts. It’s kind of like the guy who fathers a child through biological means with a woman. But he never sees the child, spends time or cares for the child financially or attends to any of the child’s needs. Technically he is the father, but in reality, the step dad who was there at birth, encouraged, cared and supported the child, is the real father. Christians who make such statements really have to question their motives and even their faith, if they really truly are a genuine Christian. I know some people who physically can’t go to church due to illness or a work situation, but they fellowship with people of the church and also love to watch church on TV or get a tape of the service. It’s like their life line to the worshipping community. But to those who are not home bound, or due to work can’t go but are just not wanting to go, they need to look deep below the superficial reasoning to the depths of which God knows the motives of their hearts (Psalm 139:23-24). First, one has to ask themselves, “Am I truly a Christian?” I can remember when I was a child, my mom and dad made us go to church twice on Sunday. It was a drudgery and sometimes painful. {1 Corinthians 1:18} I didn’t want to have to memorize verses and do a Sunday School lesson. I wanted to sleep in or stay home and play with my pagan friends. I didn’t want to have to put on those Sunday go to meeting clothes. It was all because I was dead to spiritual things. {Ephesians 2:1} I was going through the motions of religious activity, but my heart wasn’t in a relationship with Jesus, it was far from him. I had “Religiosity Syndrome” that the people of Jesus’ day had, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”{Matthew 15:8}My heart needed to be changed. My religious experience was a mechanical facade. It looked good on the outside, but it was very wrong on the inside. {Matthew 23:27} But in my sophomore year of high school, all the stuff my parents made me go to, listen to, do lessons and learn verses, came to a whole new meaning. A young friend of mine died of Leukemia and I came to be confronted with my own mortality. The day of her funeral I opened my heart up to Christ and trusted Him for my salvation and a radical change took place in my heart. {2 Corinthians 5:17} I was born again or anew. {John 3:4-16} All those Bible stories and verses I memorized began to take on a whole new meaning and it seemed like a light bulb was turned on in my head.{2 Corinthians 4:3-6} My attitude about going to church was so different. I couldn’t wait to get there and learn more about God. I couldn’t wait to sing with my friends about Him. Even those old hymns really spoke to my heart that I was so foolishly blind to for 16-years of my life. {Isaiah 55:1-2} I really had and still do have a hunger to know Him more every day. {Lamentations 2:22-23} Secondly, the person may be a Christian but is living a carnal (worldly) lifestyle. {1 Corinthians 3:1} I say that for several reasons but first, you are living in disobedience to God’s word according to Hebrews 10:24-26. The Christian who says, “he doesn’t need to go to church…” needs to look deep within their heart with God. It could be spiritual pride that thinks, “I don’t need others, it’s just me and Jesus,” or the “Lone Range Christian” even though the Lone Ranger needed Tonto! In every place, God converted in the New Testament, people came together as a church. {Acts 20:7} Jesus died for His church {Ephesians 5:25} and it shouldn’t be neglected. Its purpose is to provide encouragement {1 Thessalonians 5:11}, accountability {Proverbs 27:17}, support {Acts 6:1-7}, power prayer {Matt 18:19-20}, special communion with Christ{Acts 2:46-47} and a team to work together with in bringing God’s kingdom to earth {Luke 10:1-3} just to name a few benefits God gives. The second part of the question about “tithing” has a similar answer. Yeah, but again ask the deep question, why don’t I tithe? Is it that I can’t afford it? Or is it because I’m greedy and want to keep it for myself? I don’t trust God that he will supply my needs. Does money have a hold on me? God doesn’t need our money. But we need to tithe to break a sinfully selfish root in us which is the “love of money.” {1 Timothy 6:10} Tithing is God’s very practical tool in purging that stronghold from our lives and keeping God first. The key to all of this is our relationship with God. Is it personal? Is it one sided, all my way? Going to church, tithing, being in a fellowship, seeing other perspectives, accountability, helps keep it genuine and more in reality. Without the church body, it’s easier to control and be where I want it but not where God is pleased with it. That is why, even though the church is not perfect, God calls us to be in vital communion in it in order to stay in healthy communion with Him. To all of God’s family, thanks for being in it with me.

Do you have to go to church to be saved?

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2011-12-27 10:28:52

Q: My brother says that one does not have to go to church and tithe to be saved. He says as long as you live a good life, believe in God, and treat your neighbor right, you will be okay. I say there’s a lot more to it than this. Who is right?

A: What you associate with the church will define who is right. Do you associate the church as the services, the clergy or the building? But the church is much more than any of these. It isn’t a building or a service. It is the tribe of Jesus living and moving throughout human history to transform the world for God’s purposes and with God! Church is not a place. It is all those united by God’s Holy Spirit. The church is the people of God, a community of the people that belong to God. Imperfect and messed up people seeking to be filled with God’s power, presence and potential in their lives through belonging to God and one another. The Church is where we prepare our hearts to be in this unique and beautiful journey as a force that is engaged in shaping human history for the One who created every one of us and all things. Those who grow deep and flourish in the promises of God are the ones who understand that God created you to be in a relationship with Him. God did not create you to simply inform you about Him, but to form you through that relationship for the fullness life was meant to be. Tragically everything that has ever been done wrong under the umbrella of the church has been used to brand what the church stands for. This is not accurate. The church will never be perfect; it will always be messy because people are the mess. Yet the church does so much good in and for people and the world! The world desperately needs us to come together and show what human community is meant to be all about. This is clear simply by turning on the news. The church is God’s gift to us and our gift to the world because we were created to belong to one another – this is the hope for our world. The church is God’s engagement in human history to bring us back to each other. It is the place where God meets us to show us He would do anything and everything to make us one with Him and one another. You simply cannot become one with God without also becoming one with each other. Each of us chooses to be spectators or participants but -you cannot belong to God and not belong to one another!

Do you have to go to church to be saved?

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2011-12-27 09:23:49

Q: My brother says that one does not have to go to church and tithe to be saved. He says as long as you live a good life, believe in God, and treat your neighbor right, you will be okay. I say there’s a lot more to it than this. Who is right?

A: On the surface, I would agree with your brother that church attendance does not “save” a person, yet gathering and worshipping with a community of believers is a gift of God and can be vital to one’s spiritual health. In the early chapters of the Bible, God determined that it was not good for the first man to be alone. God created us for community. The writer of the book of Hebrews encourages the community of faith, and to give up the habit of meeting together. A colleague of mine would often illustrate the importance of gathering together as a church by comparing cut flowers to a plant. Once you cut flowers to put in a vase, they are initially beautiful; however, their life will fade quickly. A plant that maintains connection to soil through a root system will have a continual life source. Those who gather with other believers are likened to the planted plant. There are benefits to being part of a worshipping community. I am intrigued by your brother’s phrase, “you will be okay” if you live a good life, believe in God and treat neighbors right. I am not sure if your brother’s “okay” is now or in a forever (afterlife) perspective. There is more possibility in this life than to live with heaven as the goal. God desires to be known by us, to be in relationship with us now. This is what abundant life is all about. While your brother may just want to be “okay” I would encourage him to consider that he could be missing out on abundant life by focusing on what he does (living a good life and following the golden rule) instead of seeking to know and be known by God. I would also challenge your brother to what living a “good” life is all about. Jesus said that only God is good. It is difficult to truly do “good” without knowing the good that God wants from us. Good is not based on societal norms but based on God’s perspective alone. To truly do “good” involves surrendering to how we think we should live our lives. It involves surrendering to the desire to make ourselves look perfect. Surrendering means throwing ourselves on the mercy and righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. It involves the constant choice to pursue God and God’s ways. As for your last statement of who is right, I would encourage you to less seek to prove that you are correct and with your brother seek instead to not just believe in God but to pursue God—to know God. It is a lifelong pursuit to encounter the living and majestic God, but it also has great rewards.

Do you have to go to church to be saved?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2011-12-27 09:22:01

Q: My brother says that one does not have to go to church and tithe to be saved. He says as long as you live a good life, believe in God, and treat your neighbor right, you will be okay. I say there’s a lot more to it than this. Who is right?

A: In the gospel of St. Matthew (19:16-24), a man asked Jesus: “Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?” St. Luke (10:25-28) relates the same on a similar incident, in which “an expert in the Law of Moses asked: ‘Teacher, what must I do to enter heaven?’” To the first inquiry Jesus responded: “If you want to have eternal life, you must obey the Commandments.” To the second, Jesus asked: “What is written in the Scriptures?” and He endorsed the reply: “The Scriptures say: ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength and mind. Then you must love your neighbor as yourself.’ Jesus said: ‘If you do this, you will have eternal life.’” You ask whether there are different requirements for people of different religious persuasions? The answer is no. Whoever fulfills the above requirements of Jesus will enter heaven. You mention your brother, who says: “he does not have to go to church and tithe to be saved; he says that so long as you lead a good life, believe in God, and treat your neighbor right, you will be okay.” You feel there’s more to it than this. Who is right? Both of you are correct but if your brother truly is a good man, leading a good life, a man who observes ALL of God’s commandments, worships God regularly, generously shares his goods, not just with family and friends, but with persons who are truly poor and needy, and who never sins or offends God in the slightest degree; then your brother is a saint and destined for heaven. But, by reason of original sin -- which is a natural inclination towards selfishness and evil -- very few people are free from sin and selfishness. In fact, only Jesus and his mother Mary and St. John the Baptist were born completely free from sin (the natural inclination to evil). If your brother is not completely free from sin and selfishness, then he is not okay and is not headed for heaven. Indeed, he will go to hell when he dies -- unless he gets out of his self-complacency and gets busy about fulfilling all God’s commandments. St. James the Apostle, who was also Jesus’ cousin, writes in his epistle (2:19) “Even the devils have faith, and they shake with fear.” That ought to take care of your brother’s argument that his belief in God can save him. True belief in God proves itself by regular worship of God, by reverencing God’s holy Name, and by contributing to worthwhile causes for the honor of God. Your brother says he believes in God. I hope he puts that belief into action; otherwise, his belief will be like that of the devils. This relates particularly to those politicians, who proclaim: “I don’t let my religious faith influence my private life or my political decisions.” Then, I ask, what good is such faith. Such a person’s faith is dead, useless to God and to himself and to others. The devils believe, but their faith is useless (by their own choice) and they are excluded from heaven. The Church was established by Jesus for sinful human beings: to help us on our journey in this world to heaven. The Church continues to guide and help sinners. And most of the people, who sincerely relate to the Church and accept her guidance, do get to heaven. But most of those people, who ignore the Church and do not tithe, do not reach heaven. As Jesus explained in the parable about the sower of wheat and the weeds in his field, many people hear the Word of God, but it does not develop in their souls and they are unproductive in virtues and useless for God. Such persons will find themselves excluded from the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, to the brother who says he doesn’t go to Church and tithe, I would say: “Good luck!” A good life consists not only in avoiding evil but also doing virtuous actions, which help merit heaven. “Treating the neighbor right” means a lot more than not hurting the neighbor; it involves generosity to many people; it requires the maintenance of strict justice in all our dealings with another person; it means observing all God’s commandments relating to our neighbor. I hope your brother is aware of this. If your brother truly lives a good life, practicing all the virtues, including: the worship of God, giving generously to the poor, to worthy causes and IF he never sins in the slightest degree, then he is correct and will go to heaven. But, if he is guilty of some sin, which he has forgotten and has not repaired, and he ignored the duty of going to Church and of tithing (almsgiving), then all his supposed faith and his assumed righteousness is not sufficient to get him into heaven. Heaven is God’s gift and reward for those who truly believe in Him and prove it by their worthy lives. Those persons, who are indifferent and choose to not be bothered about religion in this life, simply do not fulfill the requirements for entering heaven.

Science vs. religion

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-11-17 15:08:11

Q: Is there now, and has there always been a conflict between science and religion? If so, how do we know which is correct in each situation?

A: Christianity is the mother that gave birth to science. Most of the early scientists were Christians like Copernicus, Galileo, Pascal, Newton, Linnaeus, Keppler, Boyle, Pasteur, Fabre, Faraday, Fleming, and others. They looked at their disciplines through the framework of their Christian faith. Discovering what God has put in His world for them to gain for the good of mankind and the glory of God. They believed they were following God’s example of being creators, healers and redeemers. They were just following God’s command to man back in Geneses 1:28 “…subdue and rule over...” it. Now the reason I said early that western Christianity gave birth to scientific development was due to the God they believed in is a rational and orderly creator who has natural laws that govern His universe. The world was not to be worshipped but to be examined. That they saw God’s handiwork and exhibited His creative nature. {Psalm 19} The Christian faith worldview opens the door for science to indulge itself in God’s creation and work with it. Science, as some suggest and I agree, could not have begun fore instance in the Muslim faith because it is fatalist and does not accept progress. Their worldview does not accept as possible and views it as inappropriate the very ideas of natural laws. It would be considered blasphemous because it would take away Allah’s ability to govern the universe as he saw fit. Also, Science could not have begun in the Hindu or the Buddhist world views because their belief is that the physical world is an illusion and has no reality. You have to believe the world exists to do the inquiry of it as a scientist. Now the church has not always been a friend with science and has shot itself in the foot a time or two, but not because of the scriptures, more due to wrong philosophy. A case that is often written about is the church during the Middle Ages rejected Galileo’s theory that the world revolved around the sun rather than the belief of that day that the sun revolved around the earth. The church rejected Galileo’s theory, not because of scripture but because of the Greek philosophy of the Middle Ages that held that the sun revolved around the earth. Interesting, Galileo sent a letter to a Christian friend, Johannes Kepler complaining that the bishops wouldn’t look into his telescope to give the thought a chance. Kepler encouraged his Christian friend with these words, “I wanted to be a theologian; for a long time I was unhappy. Now, behold, God is praised by my work even in astronomy.” As Christians, the Bible is our sole source of authority for our lives, but it is not a scientific text book. The scriptures don’t instruct us in physics, chemistry or calculus. It has revealed certain truths related to science and interestingly enough gave scientific knowledge before mankind developed this technological knowledge. The Bible has some pre-scientific information in the areas of health, disease control and agriculture before it was called science. (ie. Levitical Dietary Laws) But the serious rub for Biblical faith came when theories emerge in science leaving God out of the equation. Much conflict has emerged from the area of the origins of man being a cosmic accident rather than a creation of God. Biology can describe to us how things could have happened but not how they happened. That is a matter of history. Interestingly enough, Darwin’s theory of evolution has come under fire from places like Rice, Yale, Emery and MIT along with Nobel Prize nominee in Chemistry Henry Schaefer world renowned chemist. Not because of scripture or belief in God but purely from the scientific evidence. Scientists are giving a look at design which leads to a designer. Molecular biologist Robert Behe has come to believe in Intelligent Design as he has studied life at the cellar level. {Psalm 139:13-14} Another like Physicist John Pokinghorne said, “I also believe in God. Why? Even though I’ve never seen Him, it makes sense of all the evidence I see out there ---- of the incredible complex nature of the world, of the multi-faceted levels of reality, of the fact that people long for worship and hope, the fact that there is a phenomenon of Jesus throughout the world.” {Isaiah 40:22} It is amazing, even the leading Observational Cosmologist in the world, Allan Sandage at 60 years old having spent most of his life studying the vast expanse of the universe came to believe in God as a Christian at 50. When asked, “Can a person be a scientist and a Christian?” Here’s how he answered that question. “Yes. As I said before, the world is too complicated in all its parts and interconnections to be due to chance alone…” The evidence is there! It’s a matter of how people interpret it. The Bible says, “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1). How He did it is a mystery. We will know someday but in the mean time we know He did it. Let us rejoice with science over the beautiful job He did. {Ps 84:1-2} I am overwhelmed by our God.

Science vs. religion

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2011-11-17 14:02:15

Q: Is there now, and has there always been a conflict between science and religion? If so, how do we know which is correct in each situation?

A: We live in a world that establishes reality through the lens of fact.Fact is everything that can be seen and can be proven through measurable, repeatable and predictable results. Science starts from the premise that everything that is determined in fact is so because it is repeatable and predictable. That is what makes it scientific fact. But it is also the case that an investigator can never prove something or disprove something that is not subject to the methods they employ for proof. For example, if I look into my microwave oven to try to observe repeatedly that my food is in fact getting warmer because of the microwave generator that is inside heating my food, I will be disappointed because microwaves are not visible through the lens of our human eyes. This does not mean that my food is not heated! So when we look at life through a lens that limits what we can actually see our view will be restricted. We may even come up with an explanation that fits the humanly observed reality even though that is not the full picture. We will miss experience of the eternal beauty that is the purest reality of our life. So when science begins with the premise that God is either not part of Creation of our natural order, or if God is,then God must be totally explainable through the lens of the human mind we will create a conflict between science and religion because God is at times greater than the human mind to fully comprehend. You can’t find God in a system of thinking whose premise is to exclude any idea of God as a factor! Such a scientific worldview is perfectly designed to produce the results it does, filter out anything it cannot fully understand, like God. The greatest scientific mind of the modern world...was not at all in contradiction with faith and God.Interestingly enough, if one listens to Albert Einstein the one in whom the greatest hope for science and fact only is placed by the world he was not at all with bringing science and religion together. In fact, he said this when asked if he believed in God. The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mysterious (Holy). It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is snuffed out like a candle (the experience of the Holy) is as good as dead. To sense that behind anything that can be experienced (proven by fact) there is something that our minds cannot grasp whose beauty and sublimity reaches only indirectly (by faith), this is religion. (p 387 Einstein, Walter Isaacson, 2007). Faith is not the absence of doubt. It is the commitment to the reality that God is often times beyond our human ability to fully describe or comprehend, and that to see the fullest beauty and truth of Creation we must also use faith to seek understanding. There is something eternal that lies beyond humanity’s ability to fully see. Yet it remains a privilege when we encounter beauty and truth in their truest forms when science and faith are brought together!

Science vs. religion

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2011-11-17 12:10:38

Q: Is there now, and has there always been a conflict between science and religion? If so, how do we know which is correct in each situation?

A: From my perspective, it seems that many people want there to be a conflict between science and religion. However, science and religion are a bit like comparing apples and oranges. They each seek to explain aspects of life; however, they approach that task from different angles and approaches. For instance, science involves knowing in a way that can be tested and verified. The scientific method includes creating a hypothesis and testing that hypothesis to learn about an aspect of life or being. Religion is also about knowing, but the focus is upon the knowledge (and worship) of God and the supernatural. Religion, while also seeking to explain matters of this world, also leaves room for that which one cannot see, hear, taste or touch. Science is more concrete, dealing with what can be measured and documented through the senses. I find it particularly interesting that some of the early scientists were religious men and women who sought to understand more about how God created the world, which lead them to study God’s creation, the world. For them, the pursuit of religion led to a pursuit of science. In a similar manner, I perceive some scientists in our day and age upholding science to a degree (in hopes to “prove” religion wrong) that science itself become religion-like, a set of beliefs about the world. As for your question of what is correct to use in each situation, it depends on the purpose of the knowledge. If you wanted to understand the mechanics of photosynthesis, I would consult a science text book. If you want to understand how early people perceived God’s activity in the creation of the world (without the need for scientific specifics), I would turn to religious texts like the Bible. It is imperative to remember that the purpose of the Bible was not a scientific textbook. It is the story of God and God’s creation and interaction with humans and creation. Both science and religion are important; both have their specific place in our world of knowing.

Science vs. religion

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2011-11-17 12:07:39

Q: Is there now, and has there always been a conflict between science and religion? If so, how do we know which is correct in each situation?

A: In view of past and present and future discussions stemming from this question, it seems well to present the facts clearly. God is absolute Truth! By definition, God is true and in Him there is not and cannot be any contradiction. Confusion and contradiction exist only in human minds because we are limited, finite creatures and our understanding of things is only partial. Therefore at times it can seem to us that truths of faith are contradicted by truths of science. Here I would emphasize the words “it can seem” because the whole truth is not immediately apparent to weak humans, and we humans are liable to being deceived. We can be deceived by ignorance of the facts, or by partial knowledge (a little learning is a dangerous thing) or by lies and superstition and illusions and imagination and dreams and even by the devil. The latter is a fallen angel and still possesses an intellect much sharper than any human mind. True science and true religious faith come from God, who cannot deceive or be deceived. In fact, therefore, there is not and cannot be a real conflict between authentic scientific knowledge and authentic religious faith. When a conflict appears between the two, then there is an error either in the science or in the understanding of the faith. Faith and science are friends, handmaids of the Divine Intelligence, freely given by God to his human creatures. But neither faith nor science is given in its fullness. We have to struggle to understand both true faith and true science. In earlier centuries, it was generally-accepted as an evident scientific fact that the world is stationary, around which the sun and other planets revolve. Religious faith, as such, did not dispute or even enter into that matter. Authentic religious faith does not concern geography or the natural sciences. But in the 17th century, when the great astronomer Galileo demonstrated that the earth revolves around the sun, some churchmen viewed his scientific experiments as contradicting a text in the Bible, which would seem to indicate that the sun moves around the earth. The reference is to the joyful song of Joshua, calling up the sun to stand still in order to prolong the victory of that day. “And the sun stood still, and the moon halted, till the people had vengeance on their enemies” (Judges:10:12-13). Actually, Joshua was speaking or singing according to common terminology, in the same way that we refer to sunrise and sunset. Of course, the sun does not rise and does not set. It only appears to rise and to set. But at the time of Galileo, our knowledge of the Holy Scriptures was so limited that it didn’t distinguish between literal fact and literary genre (i.e. various manners of speaking truth). Often truth is expressed in poetry, and this is by metaphors and similar images. But if anyone insists on interpreting a piece of poetry as literal fact, then he or she is liable to get into error and perhaps domestic trouble. For example, read to your wife the lovely poem Ode to a Grecian Urn, and she will be pleased. But, if you compare her size or shape to an urn, you might feel her breaking that urn over your head. The churchmen, involved in the controversy with Galileo were wrong to interpret Joshua’s song, in a fundamentalist way, as if Joshua was expressing literal scientific fact. Galileo was right in pointing out that Joshua’s song had nothing to do with Faith and Religion. The proponent of religious faith has no business becoming involved, and is generally not competent to pronounce, about matters of natural science. Likewise the true scientist, like the great Albert Einstein, will respect the limitations of his fields of competence, and leave to religious persons to pursue the areas of faith. At times, in a rare and delicate situation, both science and religion share a common interest, e.g. in human stem-cell research. Then great respect for each other is required of the part of both the authentic theologian and the genuine scientist. Both are struggling to arrive at truth. When an apparent conflict happens, then either the understanding of the religious faith is defective OR the alleged scientific statement is deficient. The duty remains, for scientists as for theologians, to continue to study, indeed to collaborate and help each other; to advance our human knowledge of both science and faith, which have as a single source... God the Creator.

Deism

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-10-20 12:19:13

Q: Deism, which is based upon the light of nature and reason, teaches us to not worry about the hereafter as we should trust nature’s God with our future. Thus, we should do everything we can in life to make for a better world. What do religions based upon revelation have to say about Deism?

A: Deism as a philosophy of belief has been around for a long time but it really took hold among the intellectual elite of Europe during the 18th Century. This cultural movement was called the “Age of Enlightenment” or “Age of Reason”. It was a cultural revolution that began in the mid 1600’s and went on through to the 1800’s with some of our founding fathers of America (Paine, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison to name a few). Their Theology can even be seen in the wording of our “Declaration of Independence”. ie, “...the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them...” They truly believed that there is one supreme God who should be worshipped; with part of that worship being man’s virtue and piety that man lived out every day. That man should be sorry for his sins and repent but also that God would take care of man with rewards and punishments both here and the next life. At the core of the theology of Deism, God does existence but that He can only be understood through reason and nature. It rejects all supernatural revelation found in the Bible. Their main belief is summarized in God being the “Supreme Architect” or “Divine Watchmaker”. God the watchmaker put this complex universe together with intelligent design and wound it up. Then the Almighty placed it in motion and stepped aside to let it run on its own through the laws of nature God ordained. Since then, He remains uninvolved and indifferent to it. Now it is up to man to harness and use with the reason of his mind to run the show. At the height of the Age of Enlightenment, where man with his reason was the measure of all things, most intellectuals could not fully agree on how this theology/philosophy fully understood God and His world. Kant from Germany thought it was reason plus experience. While Rousseau, the Frenchmen through reason and senses. Locke the Englishman thought reason and perception; Spinoza the Dutchman reason, intellect and deduction. This philosophy spilled into the theological realm with later spawning “Biblical Criticism”. Between scientific thought changing and rethinking its longstanding theories along with some of the abuses stemming from dogma in the church, change was occurring on all fronts. Some of it was necessary and some not so good. From the Christian point of view Deism is flawed in many ways and it tragically misses the beauty of all that God has done and has to offer mankind. Kepler in that day saw his discoveries as a Christian mathematician and astronomer as God’s thoughts expressed in the way He put the universe system together. It was a matter for rejoicing over the brilliance of God’s thinking, which gave more impetus to the Praise and Worship of Him. With the same information, some Deist began a step away from God toward Atheism by reducing God to a “mathematical abstraction”. Explanations for the universe became mechanical reasons of blind chance. Faith started to be looked down on by the intellectual elite and viewed as a matter of superstition and mythology. Deism is also flawed in thinking humans could by reason and nature know God. Paul in his letter to the Romans covers this in the first three chapters. There is something to be known about God from creation but the danger, as in this case man falls into idolatry by worshipping the creation and not the creator {Romans 1:18-25). He even makes a statement that fits the Age of Reasons’ philosophy in verse 22, “Professing themselves to be wise, they become fools.” The sinful nature of man corrupts what we know and even acts it out in deviant sinful behavior (1:26-32). Job (40-41), Isaiah (40:25-28), Paul (Romans 1:21) contend, man because of his fallen sinful nature, cannot fully know God without God revealing Himself (3:11). Man’s blindness due to sin (3:23) will misunderstand and misread what his mind tries to put together about God (1:23-25). My greatest sadness is for them because they miss the true God who revealed Himself in Jesus Christ to save them from their sins (John 3:16-21) and give eternal life (John 20:31). Also missing for the Deist is a God who really cares for them and knows their pain.(Isaiah 53:1-6; Hebrews 4:15) God is not at distance, uncaring Sovereign but who cares to know us closely and intimately. (Matthew 10:30) My pity even goes deeper because it can lead to Atheism, a godless people and society that lives for today and self with no thought for their personal future or society’s. This selfishness leads to no hope or accountability that leads to all kinds of atrocities. (2 Timothy 3:1-13) Read Ravi Zacharias’ book “Can Man Live Without God?” is very telling. My prayer is that if you or anyone you know is struggling to know who God is, go to the scriptures in prayer with your mind open for God to reveal His saving, caring and intimate love in your life. He’s delightful!

Deism

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2011-10-20 10:47:35

Q: Deism, which is based upon the light of nature and reason, teaches us to not worry about the hereafter as we should trust nature’s God with our future. Thus, we should do everything we can in life to make for a better world. What do religions based upon revelation have to say about Deism?

A: Deism is the belief that God exists but that God is not directly involved in the world. Often, the analogy is drawn that deism views God as the great “clockmaker” who created the clock, wound it up, and let it go. God under the deism belief system is often portrayed as ambivalent, uncaring and uninvolved. Those religions that are based upon revelation, like Christianity, have a different view of God. The Bible, believed by Christians as the revelation of God, is full of different instances in which God interacts and interferes with God’s creation. Christians also believe that God is still involved in the world today through God’s Spirit. Many individuals have instances in which they sense God’s work in the world even today. It is not difficult to understand why deism is appealing. Looking around our world full of violence and suffering causes many people to question the existence of a good God who is in control and cares for his creation. In addition, many who claim to follow Jesus Christ instead of nature and reason live their lives as poor examples of Jesus’ model of loving God and loving thy neighbor. The Bible presents God as sovereign and God’s ways that are often beyond human comprehension. Our inability to completely grasp God and God’s ways can cause some to question God’s existence or involvement in the world. However, that does not make deism the only way to view God. By asking God for further revelation of who God is, one can move beyond an ambivalent understanding of God to knowing God more fully.

Deism

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2011-10-20 10:45:28

Q: Deism, which is based upon the light of nature and reason, teaches us to not worry about the hereafter as we should trust nature’s God with our future. Thus, we should do everything we can in life to make for a better world. What do religions based upon revelation have to say about Deism?

A: Deists believe in God, or at least a divine principle, but follow few…if any…of the other beliefs and practices of Christianity and Judaism. We distinguish Deists from Theists, who believe in a personal God. Developed in the 17th and 18th centuries, Deism envisions God as a kind of clock-maker, who created the universe and set it in motion, but then allows it to run on its own, without further concern. Thereby, it denies the Jewish, Christian and Moslem teaching about God’s intervention in human history. Some important Americans of the Revolutionary period, including Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine, were Deists, as also were many of the personalities of the French Enlightenment, including Rousseau and Voltaire. Deism is a kind of theological attitude in-between traditional skepticism and atheism. It does not reflect the beliefs of any specific sect. Rather it is an attitude, almost exclusively confined to intellectuals among the upper classes. These pseudo-philosophers are not interested in religion as such, except to express their contempt for current expressions of Christian tradition and organized religion. Representing the secularism of their day, they propose a philosophical and ethical substitute for revelation, based on the power of nature and the light of human reason. Originating in England during the 17th century, which witnessed many wars and conflicts fought in the name of religion, the early Deists attempted to achieve peace by preparing a confession of faith, to which all rational people might subscribe. They sought to discover a minimal creed that would put an end to the controversies, which led to armed conflict and civil war. The scientific rationalism of the late 17th century (represented by Sir Isaac Newton) encouraged the ideas of the early deists. Their desire for social harmony seemed analogous to the harmony existing in the universe, as explained in Newton’s famous Mathematical Principles. Scientific discoveries also cast doubts on the truth of traditional theology. Natural reason demands a prime mover, and a moral law with future rewards and punishments. This is the summary of “natural religion;” everything else, including “revelation” was regarded as expendable. Naturally, there followed disputes between the deists, who wish to “purify” Christianity, and the orthodox, who wished to retain as much of revelation as possible. The deists attacked everything that cannot be proved by the senses, including revelation and miracles. They alleged that traditional religion is based on superstition and has contributed little to the moral improvement of mankind. In Protestant countries, the deists strove to reduce religion to an ethical code, and to transform the established Church into a quasi department of morality within the government. The Deist movement lost momentum towards the end of the 18th century, thanks to the rise of the Methodists and Evangelicals, both of which offered a more enthusiastic religion than that afforded by the rational deists. They were so successful that they inspired the Christian revival of the 19th century. In France, deism influenced the French revolution. Voltaire hoped that natural religion would shape better citizens. He used rationalism to attack the Roman Catholic Church, practiced by a majority of French people. Rationalism reached its zenith in 1793, at the height of the “reign of terror” in Paris, when the cathedral of Notre Dame was proclaimed a “temple of reason” and a naked prostitute was enthroned on the altar as “the goddess of reason.” This nonsense was overthrown when it’s promoter, Robespierre, had his head severed from his shoulders by the guillotine. The French deists were proclaimed a danger to society. In Germany, deism became fashionable among some of the upper classes after 1750; but there, as elsewhere in Europe, a spiritual re-awakening, generally called “the Romantic Movement,” checked the spread of philosophical deism. Nevertheless, deism established an ideal of toleration and liberty, which all right-thinking peoples can endorse. It promoted an improvement in public morality. Although it rejected divine revelation, it emphasized the value of scholarship as an aid to a more pure religion. As a direct consequence, there followed in the 19th century the monumental biblical studies, and then the beginnings of the liturgical renewal. The deists’ attempts to reconcile religion and science, along with other intellectual currents, set a precedent for major developments.

Contradictions in scripture?

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2011-09-29 10:28:05

Q: While I understand from time to time there might be a contradiction in the way a Bible passage is interpreted, there is one that is causing me some difficulty....it says in one passage that if you do not acknowledge God before man, Jesus will not acknowledge you before His Father. In another passage it says that one should not boast of doing things in honor of God for if you do, you will have already received your reward. Are these not contradictory?

A: To not acknowledge God before man is to not acknowledge the one God sent to fulfill God’s plan for humanity – Jesus. Jesus was the fullest example of human life impassioned and empowered with the Holy Spirit, that is God’s presence. God sent His Son Jesus born both of human means and the Holy Spirit, to give us the very example of how to live life to the fullest. If you chose to not acknowledge God before man – you are choosing also to not acknowledge Jesus as well. In not acknowledging God you deny God’s purpose and will for your life and God will deny you also! To acknowledge God is to acknowledge the truth that all of what we do for God’s glory comes only as a gift from God and through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. This is the reward of being a disciple of Christ, our lives are instruments of God and we receive the gift of living and serving in the kingdom of God here and now. So if one boasts for themselves then they are seeking credit for what is totally a gift of God and thereby denying the truth that all of that which is for God’s glory comes from God. Those who truly live in the kingdom of God deny for themselves a desire to seek to bring credit to their lives and instead seek to live only to let their life bring glory / credit to God here and now! Our response matters to God, in fact it will determine our destiny before God, boasting for oneself means denying God’s gift of grace of new life in the kingdom. Jesus is sent by God to show us how to live life in a way that assures our life brings glory to God and blessed with abundance of God’s presence! Jesus’ invitation to follow him is our reward – a journey of divine significance for God. A reward that makes possible life freed from the fear of death and those that experience that life have a joy in life. A joy that radiates from truthful worship of God proves an irresistible witness!

Contradictions in scripture?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2011-09-28 16:40:40

Q: While I understand from time to time there might be a contradiction in the way a Bible passage is interpreted, there is one that is causing me some difficulty....it says in one passage that if you do not acknowledge God before man, Jesus will not acknowledge you before His Father. In another passage it says that one should not boast of doing things in honor of God for if you do, you will have already received your reward. Are these not contradictory?

A: These two statements are not contradictory. I will consider these statements in their proper contexts, and then show how they complement one another. In Luke 9:29 Jesus is quoted: “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory, and that of the Father and of his holy angels.” This idea occurs again in Luke 12:8-9, where Jesus is quoted: “I say to you: everyone who acknowledges me before men, him will the Son of Man also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before men, will be disowned before the angels of God.” Jesus’ meaning seems quite clear. Loyalty to Jesus will have its reward, and disloyalty its punishment. During this life we must bear faithful witness to Jesus and his teaching, if we wish him to claim us, at the judgment, as his members and friends. But if by our lives we disown him, even though with our lips we sometimes acknowledge him, the day will come when, in honesty, he cannot do other than disown us. Persons, who call themselves Christians and disciples of Jesus ought to live-up to what they profess; otherwise they will be condemned as hypocrites. In his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-6), Jesus warns his followers against hypocrisy: “Take heed not to do your good before men in order to be seen by them; otherwise you shall have no reward with your Father in heaven” (verse 1). The saints, and those who bear public witness to Jesus and his teachings, do so out of loyalty and fidelity to Him, rather than “in order to be seen by men.” Their intention is what counts. Sometimes our good works will be noticed by other people and admired; however, those who want to please God are not concerned about what others might think. Really, what is important to them is what God thinks. But some people do act only out of vanity. If they undertake to do good in order to be seen by others, then they will have received their reward, namely being observed by others: they got what they wanted, and that’s all they are going to get. A person may give alms, not really to help the person to whom he gives, but simply to demonstrate his own magnanimity, and to bask in the warmth of someone’s gratitude and praise. Human praise is very short-lived and fickle. A person might pray in such a manner that his prayer is not really addressed to God, but to his audience. A person might fast, not really for the good of his/her soul, nor to humble himself in the sight of God, but for the sake of having a beautiful body or to lose weight. While this might be a good thing for health, it is not necessarily in praise of God. Fasting can be undertaken: both to honor God as well as to lose weight. But the intention to honor God must be explicit. God alone can see what is in the human heart, and knows why individual persons act as they do: whether it is out of love for Him or for themselves. If their witness, however good or worthy, is only for the sake of their own vanity, then their reward will be quite shallow; whereas, if their witness is done for love of God, their reward will be great in heaven. Verse 6 concludes: “Thy Father, who sees in secret, will reward thee.” A person can practice good works simply to win praise from other people, to increase their prestige, and to show the world how good they are. This is frequently the case with prominent and wealthy persons, who are concerned “to establish their legacy” (I am thinking about a certain recent president). This desire for human praise happens often when wealthy persons establish a Foundation, attempting to control beyond the grave the riches they must leave behind in death. To such persons Jesus is saying: “If you give alms to demonstrate your own generosity, you will get the admiration of people. But that is all you will ever get! That is your payment in full.” Jesus is saying: “If your one aim is to get yourself rewards in this world, you might achieve them; but you ought not expect the rewards that God has reserved for his own people, who during their life struggled to be faithful to Him.”

Contradictions in scripture?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-09-26 14:42:32

Q: While I understand from time to time there might be a contradiction in the way a Bible passage is interpreted, there is one that is causing me some difficulty....it says in one passage that if you do not acknowledge God before man, Jesus will not acknowledge you before His Father. In another passage it says that one should not boast of doing things in honor of God for if you do, you will have already received your reward. Are these not contradictory?

A: This is a good example of understanding some simple rules of interpretation. When we follow them, it eliminates confusion and brings a wonderful opportunity to understand eternal truth. First, ask “Who?” In both passages, Jesus speaks. One passage He speaks to the crowds and the disciples and the other just to the disciples. Second, ask “What”? What are the circumstances, situations, problems Jesus is addressing and dealing with. This is all part of the context. Third, how does it apply to us today? An example of this I remember is the night before I went to college my mother gave me a crash course in doing laundry. I learned (context) separating the lights from the darks, putting them in the machine at different times with the right temperature of water and laundry soap. I also learned whites got hot water along with bleach, but whites only. It is all about doing laundry, but not all laundry is handled the same way. With Jesus it is all about our hearts. Circumstances reveal our hearts allegiance. He directs His disciples and us with the appropriate faith actions in particular situations to express our hearts love. Lets deal with the second passage first because it happens earlier in the ministry of Jesus. It is as part of what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says, ““Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”{Matthew 6:1} Jesus is trying to teach the crowds and his disciples {5:1} the difference between true and phony righteousness. The hypocritical phony righteousness “do gooder” wants to announce to the world one’s goodness and greatness that appears on the outside but is devoid of compassion and love for others. It’s all about benefiting one’s ego, all for show and appearances for others to notice the do gooder but is really a hallow motive. {1 Corinthians 13:1-3} Jesus even alludes to the Pharisees who like to blow a trumpet (“blowing their own horn”) in the synagogue and street corners when they gave to the poor.{6:2}These empty acts will get accolades with pats on the back from men but means nothing to God because He knows the motive. It’s all about the “do gooder!” They better enjoy the praise of men for that’s all they will get. True righteous giving is not letting anyone know but about doing it out of compassion for another and God getting the glory. God rewards that in heaven. That is true, genuine, godly righteousness when it is given out of a heart of pure love to God and another. The second heart issue is in a different context. Jesus is preparing His disciples to be sent in the world to proclaim the gospel in Matthew 10:32-33. Jesus is talking to them about the persecution they will receive for proclaiming His gospel to the world. He pulls no punches and tells them they will be beat {10:17-18}, jailed {19}, betrayed by family {21}, hated {22} persecuted from city to city {23} and accused falsely just as He had been {24-25}. In the midst of this Jesus is affirming them not to fear over the evil done to them. It will come to light in the end {26-27} even if they hurt them physically; the Father knows and is in control. But they can’t send anyone to hell {28}.The witness is of great value to the Father so don’t fear {29-31}.With that backdrop Jesus gives His followers even more reason to proclaim the message of the gospel bravely when He shares the verses in question; {32}“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. {33}“But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” What Jesus is encouraging is boldness of the proclamation of the gospel by His disciples when they are being persecuted and dragged into the courts. What we find is not contradiction but different situations where God is to be glorified and not about us. Good works are not about us getting the glory but expressing God’s goodness through our acts of kindness and righteousness. Our suffering for proclaiming His name is not about us but moving aside our worries and fears and boldly proclaiming God’s truth with no thought of our security, safety or even social status. In both instances from two sides of the spectrum is the importance of God and His glory and not us. As John the Baptist who later was martyred for speaking the truth of God to Herod {Matthew 14:10-11}, said it well in summary of the truth in these two passages, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” {John 3:30} My prayer is that Jesus is glorified in our righteous acts of goodness and when we are called to speak boldly the truth of Jesus saving work no matter what the conditions we do so without fear.

Contradictions in scripture?

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2011-09-26 14:34:35

Q: While I understand from time to time there might be a contradiction in the way a Bible passage is interpreted, there is one that is causing me some difficulty....it says in one passage that if you do not acknowledge God before man, Jesus will not acknowledge you before His Father. In another passage it says that one should not boast of doing things in honor of God for if you do, you will have already received your reward. Are these not contradictory?

A: I have heard many times the accusation that the Bible is full of contradictions or contradictory statements. Often these contradictions are, as you noted, based on interpretations. Therefore, it is vital that the whole of scripture must be taken into account when trying to interpret any passage found in the Bible. Another aspect that is important in Bible interpretation is the context of any given passage. Your dilemma could be used as an example of how context plays a role in understanding the potential contradiction. The first passage you cite, from Matthew 10, is a passage on discipleship. Jesus is sending out his disciples to minister in his name. As they are being set out, Jesus gives some guidance. In the particular verses you mention, the test of a disciple’s commitment to Jesus are revealed in how they respond to opposition. If in the midst of their mission, the disciple encountered resistance and denied Jesus Christ, it would indicate he or she was not a true disciple. True disciples acknowledge the Lordship of God no matter what happens. In the second passage, you refer to the passage from Matthew 6 where Jesus is highlighting the behavior of those he calls “hypocrites”. They are the ones who make a show of giving offerings, praying and fasting. The purpose of their religious acts was to bring attention and glory to themselves. Because they are doing their religious activities to look better in the eyes of those around, Jesus indicated they would receive their reward now. Rewards are not necessarily bad (later in Matthew 16, it states individuals will be rewarded when the Son of Man returns); however, working to get rewards in the sight of other people is not right in the eyes of God. Both passages indicate right attitudes before God. We should be willing to stand up in the face of hostile to follow God; however, we should not do “religious” rituals, hoping to win more approval. We are to live before God. Utilizing more of the whole of scripture, we are to boast in the Lord and the cross alone as followers of Jesus Christ (see 1 Cor. 1:31; Gal. 6:4). In interpretation, it is vital not to selectively pick out verses but to read all of the words of God in the Bible including taking note of their context, while being open to the Holy Spirit’s direction, to understand how we are to behave and what we are to believe.

Origins of the holy Trinity

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2011-07-01 08:19:00

Question: Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That’s kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who ‘always was’? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but how about the Holy Spirit?

Answer: The Trinity is the first and fundamental doctrine of the Christian religion, which is a mystery of faith. No one can understand, much less comprehend, this mystery. If you could understand it, it would not be a matter of faith, but simply a matter of fact. It does NOT require faith to understand that 2 plus 2 = 4; we know that as a matter of fact. It does require some measure of faith to believe that Abraham, King David, Jesus Christ, Mohammed and George Washington really lived; that requires natural faith in the testimony of historical documents and other material proofs. But the fact, of accepting that there is only one God, and that somehow in this one God there are three equal persons, requires supernatural faith. This fact cannot be demonstrated or proved scientifically. We accept it as true, on the authority of Jesus Christ, who taught it to his Apostles and to his Church, which teaches it to us. This mystery about the inner life of God was discussed and argued and studied during the early centuries of the Church. It was determined once and for all time by all the bishops of the world, who assembled at the first ecumenical council, held at Nicea in the year 325, and at the second council held at Constantinople in the year 369-370. There the bishops witnessed to the faith they had received from their Christian parents and teachers, going back to the Apostles of Jesus. Many learned scholars, theologians and saints have written lengthy volumes about this mystery, attempting to explain it for human understanding. But, when all has been said, the Trinity still remains a mystery, which cannot be understood. At those councils, the bishops, as successors of the Apostles, expanded the basic Apostles’ Creed, and included therein their decisions about the Trinity and about the person and natures of Jesus. Ever since then the expanded Creed has been recited or sung every Sunday during the liturgies of most Churches of East and West: Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and most other Christian denominations. It is known as the Nicean-Constantinopolitan Creed. From that same time, the 4th century, we have another summary of the Christian faith, which includes the truths of faith expressed in the Nicean-Constantinopolitan Creed. This summary of belief is attributed to St. Athanasius of Alexandria, who was a staunch defender of the apostolic Tradition about the Trinity. I think it best expresses everything we know about the Holy Trinity. This creed might provide some answers to your questions: “Whoever wishes to be saved must preserve this faith whole and untarnished; otherwise he will most certainly perish forever. Now this is the Catholic faith: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in unity. The person of the Father is distinct; the person of the Son is distinct; the person of the Holy Spirit is distinct. Yet the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit possess one Godhead, equal glory and co-eternal majesty. The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, the Holy Spirit is uncreated. The Father is infinite, the Son is infinite, the Holy Spirit is infinite. The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, the Holy Spirit is eternal. Nevertheless, they are not three eternals, but one Eternal, even as there are not three uncreateds, or three infinites, but one Uncreated and one Infinite. So likewise, the Father is almighty, the Son is almighty, the Holy Spirit is almighty. And yet there are not three almighties, but one Almighty. So also the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but only one God. So too the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord. And still there are not three Lords, but only one Lord. “For just as we are obliged by Christian truth to profess that each Person is individually God and Lord, so also we are forbidden by the Christian religion to hold that there are three Gods or Lords. The Father was made by no one, being neither created nor begotten. The Son is from the Father alone, though not created or made, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son, though neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeding. Consequently, there is one Father, not three Fathers; there is one Son, not three Sons; there is one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits. Furthermore, in this Trinity there is no ‘before’ or ‘after,’ no ‘greater’ or ‘less,’ for all three Persons are co-eternal and co-equal. In every respect therefore, as has already been stated, unity must be worshiped in Trinity and Trinity in unity. This is what everyone who wishes to be saved must hold regarding the Blessed Trinity. “Now the true faith requires us to believe and acknowledge that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and Man. He is God, begotten of the substance of the Father before the world began; he is Man, born in this world of the substance of his Mother: perfect God, perfect Man, a substance composed of a rational soul and a human body: equal to the Father in divinity, less than the Father with respect to his humanity. And, although he is God and Man, still He is only one Christ, not two. He is One: not by any turning of the divinity into flesh, but by the taking up of humanity into God. He is One only, not by any confusion of substance, but by the unity of his Person. For, just as the rational soul and the body form one human being, so God and Man form one Christ. He suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father all-mighty, whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.” Even after this Creed was published, through subsequent centuries some persons have misunderstood these principles of faith. In the 7th century, the Arabian prophet Mohammed misunderstood the Trinity as belief in three gods. Being a strict monotheist (a believer in only one God), Mohammed rejected Christianity because of this misunderstanding. In religious matters, a mystery is defined as: something we cannot fully understand, but which we accept on the authority of God revealing it.

Origins of the holy Trinity

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-07-01 08:19:00

Question: Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That’s kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who ‘always was’? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but how about the Holy Spirit?

Answer: Theologians have wrestled with these questions throughout the ages. The orthodox (established or ortho means “straight” and doxa means “belief”) doctrine of the Christian Church was entitled with the familiar term known as the Trinity. Our coming to discover the Trinitarian nature of God, didn’t just show up when Jesus was born or when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. It always was there but the framers of the creeds and confessions of the early church worked hard at coming to understand it more fully. Now early on in the scriptures we see the eternal nature of God, “In the beginning God...” {Genesis 1:1}. He was already there. He is the “Eternal God” {Deuteronomy 33:27} and “the Everlasting Father” {Isaiah 9:6} which points us to His no beginning and no end. He is “from everlasting to everlasting.” {Psalm 90:2} The Triune God was already existing when God said within the Trinity, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness:”{1:26b}. We see the presence of the Holy Spirit at creation where it says, “the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.” {Genesis 1:2} We read in the NT Jesus was also there when John tells us, “He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” {John 1:2-3} Paul echoes the fact of Jesus’ creation involvement, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” {Colossians 1:16-17} How do we know they were always part of the Godhead? Well if God being eternal and immutable (He never changes), then what God is today, He was in the past and will be the same forever. God says in Malachi 3:6a, “I the Lord do not change.” James 1:17a confirms that with “God above, who created all heaven’s lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows.” The same attribute is assigned to Jesus because they are one when it says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” {Hebrews 13:8} Now the whole concept of the Trinity took several years to come to fruition and be appreciated as a well developed understanding of God through much prayer, study, theological discussions and Councils. The earliest creed was the Apostles Creed but it didn’t go far enough. A lot of unanswered questions centered on Jesus. For instance: the Agnostics said Jesus could not be God because the material world they believed was evil so Jesus only seemed to be God but was not God with us. The Ebonites (2nd Century) who were Jewish Christians saw Jesus as a prophet but not God. The Modalist (3rd Century) saw God as one but with three names but not different persons. Arians (Bishop Arius of the 4th Century) saw Christ as a created being and not coeternal as scripture shows and not the same substance. This is why the Council of Nicea in 325 began the process of formalizing the statement of the Trinity as seen in the Nicene Creed which was a long process coming into being. It said Jesus was the same substance of God and that He was begotten from God and not created. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit was also hammered out. He was the same substance and “proceeds from the Father…together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified.” This idea of procession was draw together in the 2nd Ecumenical Council in Constantinople in 381. Later in 419 under the influence of Augustine came the idea of the Holy Spirit proceeded from “the Father and the Son” known as the double procession and termed the “Filoque” (Latin means – “and the Son”). The Roman (Western) church accepted the change but the Eastern (Orthodox) church did not in Constantinople and it was one of the Theological reasons for the split of the church between the east (Eastern Orthodox Church) and the west (Roman Catholic Church). What does this mean to us? The blessings for us are that God is eternal and gives us eternal life because Jesus Christ is the substance that can save us. The Holy Spirit comes inside of us and gives us God’s eternal life through Jesus. That this God we worship is always consistent in His love and grace, not changing. That we have a sure anchor in a Father who we can count on and doesn’t fluctuate or waver. What a great God! Very blessed and overjoyed with you because of His consistent grace to our lives.

Origins of the holy Trinity

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2011-07-01 08:19:00

Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That’s kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who ‘always was’? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but how about the Holy Spirit?

Answer: You are correct that the concept of the Trinity is difficult. Numerous church councils and groups have wrestled through understanding the Trinity since the birth of the church. Basically put, the doctrine of the Trinity asserts that while there is one God, three persons make up the Godhead. These three persons are historically called the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three of the persons have always existed. This is attested to in Scripture. For instance, John’s Gospel begins by talking about Jesus (called the Word). In the beginning, the Word (Jesus) was with God and created all things. Jesus, the Son, always existed even before God (the Father) sent him to be born in human form. In addition the Holy Spirit has likewise always existed; the Spirit played a role in the creation of the world, hovering over the waters. The Spirit of God also is present through the Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament), empowering different leaders to do specific tasks. The Holy Spirit began to live within believers at Pentecost (recorded in Acts 2). Thus, all three have always existed. As further evidence of the eternal existence of all three members of the Trinity, many theologians use Genesis 1:26 as evidence of the triune composition of God. In this passage, God said, “Let us make humankind in our image…” The plural nature of the pronouns have led many to conclude the “always was” existence of all the members of the Trinity.

Origins of the holy Trinity

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2011-07-01 08:19:00

Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That’s kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who ‘always was’? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but how about the Holy Spirit?

Answer: The three persons of the Trinity can often be one of the most challenging concepts of the character of God to understand. A helpful way for me to understand the concept of the Trinity is the analogy that I am a father, a husband and a pastor. I function in the world in each of these three roles – each one individually, at different times and for different purposes. In a similar fashion God is Father, that is Creator; God is Son, that is Redeemer; and God is Holy Spirit that is Sustainer. Each of the three persons of the Trinity in one Godhead are present in the world in different ways. All three have existed from the very beginning of Creation and each has a unique function and appears most predominantly in the world at different times. In the book of Genesis (Genesis 1.1-26) it is the attribute (person) of God as Father and Creator of heaven and earth, that took center stage yet all three persons were present. Jesus’ arrival on earth as the Son of God introduced into the world the second person of the Trinity to us. Jesus shows us that God’s character is as a redeeming or saving God. God seeks to reconcile a world that has turned its back on God back to Him so that we may live the fullness life was intended to be! Yet we see that Jesus, as the Word of God made flesh, was present at Creation with God and as God and all things that have life on earth came into being through him. (John 1.1-4) So too the Holy Spirit was there from the beginning. The principal role of the Holy Spirit is clearly throughout the history of creation. The Holy Spirit is also shown to be doing the work of God the Father throughout the Old Testament and the Gospels. Most clearly at Creation, and at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit arrived in the Upper Room with a fresh mission from the Father! Indicating that the Spirit’s involvement with believers would be different than before, Jesus told the disciples, “He abides with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). God’s Holy Spirit had come alongside the disciples during their time with Christ. But following the completion of Jesus’ work on earth, He would dwell within them. God continues to be the creator of new life in us and in the world! God continues to redeem us and guide us through life’s darkest times and even overcomes death! Now that is GOOD NEWS!!

“End of times” predicted?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2011-06-01 12:22:00

Question: For centuries there have been those who have proclaimed the “end times” is at hand. Today it seems like this message is more prevalent than ever. I remember from Bible school as a child that no one is supposed to know when it will be, yet there is the Book of Revelations that supposedly predicts when it will be based upon certain things that happen. That seems contradictory to me. What is right?

Answer: Regarding the end of time, in the gospels Our Lord Jesus, Who is “the Way and the Truth and the Life,” says: “No one knows, however, when that day or hour will come -- neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; only the Father knows. Be watchful, be alert: for you do not know when the time will come.” (Mark 13: 32-33). See also Matthew 24:36-44, and Luke 17:26-30. And that’s the gospel truth! No one, except God, knows when the end of this world will happen. When he says: “nor the Son,” Jesus is referring to his human knowledge, which does not extend beyond the capacity of a human being. But, as God, in his divine nature, Jesus knows everything known by God his Father. In every period of time, before and since the New Testament books were written, there have appeared persons, who allege that they have precise knowledge about the dates for the end of the world. Such persons are either liars, hallucinating or pretending; because God the Father certainly would not share with them knowledge which he did not share with his own Son, when that Son assumed human nature. Jesus warns his hearers to not follow such deceivers. The final book in the New Testament, called Revelation or Apocalypse, was composed during the last years of the first Christian century. It was not intended to be a collection of data in order to date precisely the end of this world or the end of time. Rather the author (St. John the revelator), himself an exile on the island of Patmos for being a Christian, wrote that book as a result of a carefully ordered series of revelations intended to encourage and console his fellow Christians, who were suffering terribly the persecutions launched by the Roman Emperor Domitian, who desired to abort the young Christian community. Domitian himself acted more like a beast than a human. He practiced all the capital sins, delighting in every kind of excess, being a sadist and reveling in the sufferings of others. St. John is writing to remind his fellow-sufferers that the end of such suffering is near, that in the end Goodness (represented by the Lamb of God, which is a figure of Jesus suffering) will triumph over the forces of evil, represented by the devil in various forms. So far as each individual sufferer is concerned: the end will come at death. And death will yield either the beauty and happiness of the saints in heaven, or the torments and punishments of the damned in hell. St. John does say that this world will end eventually, that there will be a general judgment, and a final resolution of all things; but he does not say when all this will happen. He does indicate various signs that serve as reminders about the end, without indicating precisely when the end will occur. Such signs, in the heavens and on the earth and under the earth, occur in every age. They serve to remind human beings that life is short, that God oversees everything, that evil persons figure in God’s plan for this world inasmuch as they serve to test God’s people, and the eventual punishment of wicked & selfish persons will serve to manifest God’s justice. The message of the Book of Revelation is primarily this: good Christian people, hold on to your faith and hope! Your virtue is not in vain because in the end (both at death and at the end of the world) you will be rewarded with Jesus, who is well-acquainted with suffering and death. That’s what Revelation is about! It is not a calendar or almanac of coming events, except as a general reminder that those of God’s people, who persevere through patient suffering will be rewarded, while those who inflict such sufferings will receive their just punishments. In the end, everyone will see and be amazed at the grandeur of God’s plan for the universe. Therein everyone will see how the saints, those who have suffered unjustly and been persecuted for the sake of Jesus, will be restored to full physical perfection and beauty, as they share in God’s glory. Even the unborn infants, who are murdered by abortionists, will be vindicated (see also 6:9-11 and 14: 3-5), while those who killed them will be hurled into the lake of burning fire (cf 20:13-15 and 21:8). This book is both a consolation and a warning for all time and all people until the end of the world.

“End of times” predicted?

By Reverend Amy Baumgartner

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Religion

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The Reverend Amy Baumgartner is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Amy was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas in June 2008. She earned a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Before attending seminary, Amy graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and worked several years for an architectural firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may contact Rev. Baumgartner by email AssociatePastor@firstpresbywichita.org, or by phone at (316) 263-0248.

Reverend Amy Baumgartner

2011-06-01 12:07:00

For centuries there have been those who have proclaimed the “end times” is at hand. Today it seems like this message is more prevalent than ever. I remember from Bible school as a child that no one is supposed to know when it will be, yet there is the Book of Revelations that supposedly predicts when it will be based upon certain things that happen. That seems contradictory to me. What is right?

Answer: When I hear discussions about the “end times,” I usually respond tongue-in-cheek, “Well, today, we are closer now to the end of the world than we ever have been before.” (To which I usually get a response of rolled eyes). You have remembered correctly from your childhood, days that no one knows the exact time of the end except for God alone (Matthew 24:36). Yet the Bible, including the words of Jesus, give us some signs of when the end may be near: many claiming to be Christ, wars and earthquakes, and people led into sin (see Matthew 24). The Book of Revelation also shares signs of the end. We need to remember that the apocalyptic genre in which the Book of Revelation was written is purposely complex, filled with imagery. Instead of having definite answers, it conveys through symbolism what will happen in the future. While the Bible may give some “clues” as to the end, the focus on the Bible seems to be on certainty that the end will indeed come and on being ready. We are to have our houses in order and to be prepared, knowing that it will happen soon (even if we do not know exactly how long “soon” will take). 1 Thessalonians 5 puts it, “stay alert and sober” and encourages us to build each other up as we await the end. While talk about the end seems more prevalent today than ever, all we can know for sure is that it will happen in God’s perfect timing.

“End of times” predicted?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-06-01 10:02:00

Answer: It is true as the questioner says, for centuries people have proclaimed the “end is at hand.” Throughout the Bible, the time is forewarned by the prophets {Isaiah 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-5}; Jesus {Matthew 24-25} and the Apostles {2 Timothy 3; 2 Peter 3; Revelations 4:1} that the end is near. For every generation there is an end but there is also an expectation of “the end.” These were not predictions as they were living in the anticipation along with some of the indications of what the signs of “the end” were being seen. All throughout history there have been predictions; even by the secular writers like Nostradamus a man of the occult sciences in the 1500’s predicted that 2012 would be the end. Some have sensationalized his predictions to this day. Other religions like Islam have their day of judgment. There have been times with the rise of persecution of God’s people would bring an emphasis or some of the world events would show some of those signs. Hope would stem from a future judgment when God will make it all right. Even the early church saw glimmers in Chiliasm in the 4th century{a belief of a 1000 years of peaceful reign & utopia would begin} in harsh times. Seventh Day Adventist followed the prophetic calculations of William Miller that it would happen in 1844 and wait for Jesus to appear. The Jehovah’s Witnesses said He would come back in the 1918 after the liberation of Israel by the British in 1917. John Nelson Darby, founder of the Plymouth Brethren, began to move in organizing the Bible into periods of time called dispensations. These were popularized in the Scholfield Reference Bible. This helped point to the end in this generation. Also, with the re-establishment of Israel in 1948, the 6 Day War in Israel in 1967 and the European Union, Dispensationalist like Hal Lindsey began to make his predictions in the 70’s. Back then I could remember well meaning Christians foolishly getting caught up in saying things like the Anti-Christ could be President John Kennedy if he rises from the dead after being mortally wounded as the Anti-Christ would do in Revelations 13:14. Others pointed to Ronald Wilson Reagan because his three names had only 6 letters in each or 666 the sign of the Beast (13:18}. Even today you still have books like “The Left Behind Series” by Tim LeHaye and Jerry Jenkins on Armageddon made of fiction along with Pre-millionalist biblical interpretation. There is also Harold Camping, popular Bible Teacher, who is predicting Christ’s return May 21, 2011. As you can see there are a host of speculations and interpretations of scripture but what is true? Scripture does not give exact dates. Some would like to think that but, in fact, as Jesus said to His disciples leaving this earth as the resurrected Lord in Acts 1:7, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; “as the questionnaire rightly learned in their Bible School lesson. However, I disagree with their assessment that there is contradiction here. There is no inconsistency with what Jesus said and the book of Revelation. The book of the Revelation is not a time line. Some have interpreted it as already having taken place like the A-millennialist who don’t read the book as a time line. Even the Pre-millennialist and Post-millennialist would be hard pressed to date the time from the book of Revelation as some have tried and done so. Most of what the Apostle John saw were the last moments of the judgment. Dating and speculating when it will take place are not to be part of it as Jesus shared in Acts 1:7. What we are told, as Jesus points out to us, is that their will be birth pangs of His coming {Matthew 24:8} which we need an awareness of but that is not what is important. Many will claim to have had sightings of His coming back {Matthew 24:26}; however, when He returns it will be unmistakable. {vs 27} The key is to warn people of it’s inevitability and some will scoff at the thought. {2 Peter 3:3-18}. That we are ready for His return for we do not know when it will take place.{Matthew 24:36,42; 25:13} That we are to be using what we have in the mean time. {Matthew 25:14-46} The key is not the knowing when it will be but being out in the world sharing the good news preparing others in the power of the Holy Spirit which Jesus leaves as His last will and testament in Acts 1:8. Instead of being future gazers, as the Angels warned His disciples in Acts 1:11, let’s join God’s warning and evacuation team on earth. Sharing His Good News along with you, Pastor Dave! PS – Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Requirements for heaven’s entry

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-05-01 11:25:00

Question: I read the recent articles in The Q & A Times on heaven and what it will be like. What are the “requirements” to enter heaven? Are there different requirements for people of different religious persuasions?

Answer: Religion is man’s quest for God and we see this very vividly throughout the Bible as in the Old Testament when idols were made and worshipped. Sometimes it was due to pragmatism and it was easier to develop a designer god who fit one’s desires. In Acts 17, we see the Apostle Paul broken hearted and grieved over the more than 30,000 idols in Athens being worshipped. Paul demonstrates in Romans 1, God has revealed Himself through creation but man has distorted it by worshipping the creature rather than the creator. The reason I speak about this is because there are many well meaning and good intentioned people who have developed religions from a sense or a feeling and they have been generated by sincerely wrong leaders. Islam, was founded in Mecca by Muhammad in about 600 AD. He is considered by Muslims the greatest man that ever lived and the last of 124,000 messengers sent by Allah (God). Humans are basically good but fallible and need direction. They are rigorous in their prayers and for the Sunni branch, it is following the “Five Pillars” (or duties) of faith is crucial. The Shi’a branch hold to the “Ten Practices” which includes rigorous practices. A person’s destiny in paradise or hell depends how the balance between good and evil have been kept. Allah may even tip the balance toward heaven but it depends on man’s doings. The body will be resurrected to a garden populated with maidens made by Allah to provide sexual pleasure to a righteous man. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world and one of the oldest. It is a eastern religion, more like a philosophy where you reincarnate until you get it right. It takes yoga and mediation to finally get out of the cycle when a person becomes finally absorbed in Brahman or “The Absolute,” universal spirit or part of God. It is a religion that man has to do it through actions of meditation. Off shoots of this faith are the Hare Krishna, New Age teachings and Transcendental Meditation. Buddhism was started by a young prince named Siddhartha seeking the meaning of life. He had no belief in God but spoke of the goal of life was reaching Nirvana, the state where one elimates all desires and cravings, which also frees one from suffering. They follow a rigorous “Eightfold Path” which is their religious system to which the Buddhist becomes free from any desires and achieves sooner or later nonexistence. Judaism began with the call of God to Abraham and the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses in the Middle East. God is seen differently by different sects of Jews. Some see Him as a powerful, personal, compassionate God; while others, an impersonal and unknowable being. It is interesting, even their view of salvation and heaven is different. Some see salvation coming to the Jew by prayer, repentance and keeping the law. Other Jews see salvation as just as an improved society and “the passing on” of through one’s heritage, As you have seen in the world religions, the concepts are wide and varied. Some don’t even believe in heaven but see it as a state of mind. You can also note, that the ones who do believe in heaven, they are by the works and doings of man. Even in the newer religions of our country like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, one must be baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness and earn everlasting life on earth by their door to door work. Heaven is limited to only 144,000 really faithful. Mormon’s believe resurrection for all but salvation (having exalted Godhood) is by works of faithfulness to church leaders, Mormon baptism, ordination, marriage and secret temple rituals. No one has eternal life without being a Mormon. Scientology on the other hand sees heaven and hell as myths or “false dreams.” Salvation is getting rid of “negative experience units” and becoming “clear.” The goal is to move to a higher level by getting in control over (MEST) Matter, Energy, Space and Time. The difference between all these other “Religions” and Biblical Christian faith comes in two words: “Doing” and “Done!” In religion, man continues to strive by works (man’s doings) to appease, please and satisfy God by actions and deeds. But when the requirement for living in God’s heaven is perfection, {Matthew 5:45} no one can ever make God’s grade.{Romans 3:23} Man also accumulates offenses against God that He stores up for His wrath to punish.{Romans 2:5} But in the Christian Faith, God entered into His world {John 1:14}. He died and rose again according to His prophesies given hundreds of years earlier in time space dimension which came to fulfillment! {1 Corinthians 15:3-10} That His historical death on the cross cancelled the debt of guilt for our sin that man owed {Colossians 1:13-14}. All this Christ has DONE for man on the cross and through His resurrection. Totally by His grace {Ephesians 2:8-9} and Mercy {Titus 3:5} not by man’s deeds but Christ! We just receive it! {Romans 6:23} Unable to do it for myself, trusting Christ alone!

Requirements for heaven’s entry

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2011-05-01 11:25:00

Question: I read the recent articles in The Q & A Times on heaven and what it will be like. What are the “requirements” to enter heaven? Are there different requirements for people of different religious persuasions?

Answer: Presbyterians believe, as stated in our Westminster Catechism, that the “righteous” shall be received into heaven. We also believe that no human being is “righteous” on his or her own, however; we believe that Christ’s righteousness is imputed to sinful humanity, and it is only by grace that we are given eternal life in heaven. Even faith itself is a gift of God’s grace; we are justified by grace through faith. Across the wide spectrum of Presbyterian belief, there are those who hold variant understandings of who might be in heaven. Some believe that Christ’s righteousness is imputed to all people; thus, they are called Universalists and believe heaven is open to all. Some believe that Christ’s righteousness is imputed only to those who are elect; thus, heaven is not open to all. I trust in God’s grace and leave this mystery to Him. You ask if there are different “requirements” for heaven for people of different “religious persuasions.” I cannot speak for other faiths, nor should I speak for other Christians, Catholic or Protestant. I do know that the major points of difference between the Protestant denominations are on one or both of these two issues: polity (or governance) and the understanding of the sacraments. Yet there are theological differences as well; I would want you to seek your answer with someone in each denomination to be sure.

Requirements for heaven’s entry

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2011-05-01 10:46:00

Question: I read the recent articles in The Q & A Times on heaven and what it will be like. What are the “requirements” to enter heaven? Are there different requirements for people of different religious persuasions?

Answer: There are many similarities between the understanding of God between Muslims, Christians and Jews. In particular, all three claim Abraham as a forefather in the faith and all intend to worship the same God. In each of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism God’s steadfast love and mercy goes before God’s wrath and judgment. God wants us all to be united and enter heaven, but it all depends on the person’s response to God. It is in the individual’s response to God that the requirements differ. In Christianity, the requirements to enter heaven are based upon on accepting Jesus as the Lord of your life as the only way into Heaven. Committing your life to follow Christ and his teachings and examples are what make you a Christian. All who profess faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior, repent of their sins, and welcome Jesus into their life receive God’s free gift of grace and the promise of God that they will be united for eternity in Heaven. Muslims, like people of many faiths, believe in an afterlife and whoever has worshipped Allah will be qualified to enter heaven. Everyone has the same potential to get into Heaven and on the Day of Judgment if your good works outweigh your bad works you’ll go to heaven. Judaism does not recognize Jesus as the Christ, or Messiah, the One God sent to usher in the dawning of a new age called the Kingdom of God and as the way to Heaven. Jews believe Jesus was a great teacher and perhaps even a prophet, but not the way to life united in Heaven with God. They do not see that giving your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is the requirement to enter Heaven, instead they await the one they see as the true Messiah as the one who will establish God’s reign here on earth.

Requirements for heaven’s entry

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2011-05-01 10:46:00

Question: I read the recent articles in The Q & A Times on heaven and what it will be like. What are the “requirements” to enter heaven? Are there different requirements for people of different religious persuasions?

Answer: The Apostle Paul, writing to his disciple Timothy, remarks that “Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners” (1 Tim 1:9), and “God our savior wills everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1Tim 2:4-5). “To be saved” means: to be able to go to heaven after death. Those who are not saved cannot enter heaven. After death, the non-saved go to hell. In hell, there are various degrees of suffering, according to the evil in one’s life, but the greatest suffering in hell is the absence of God, to be unable to enjoy the companionship of the saints, and knowing that it is one’s own fault to suffer such deprivation: forever. On the other hand, those who are saved go to heaven and enjoy the companionship of God and the saints and are filled with happiness. Their happiness corresponds to the good will they demonstrated in this life, and their obedience to God’s law, which is intended to guide each person safely through the present life into life everlasting with God. In addition to the various commandments given by God through Moses and other spiritual leaders, there exists the natural law, planted by God in every human soul, which usually inclines a person to do good rather than evil, and is expressed by what we call conscience. Conscience is a kind of natural knowledge regarding the morality of human acts. The word is derived from Latin conscientia, meaning: with knowledge. Every human person, who has reason, also has a conscience. If a person acts according to their conscience they will be saved. But it is possible for a person, through repeated evil acts, to stifle their conscience, and so continue their evil habits until they end in hell. There exists also the positive law of God, expressed in the Ten Commandments and in religion. Those persons, who observe these teachings, which re-enforce the natural law of conscience, will be saved. Those who choose to ignore the commandments and religion, will not be saved. God the Creator sent his Son, in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, to complete God’s instructions given in the Jewish religion. Jesus founded the Church to continue his mission on earth. In this world there are also many other religions, established by individual humans who were charismatic leaders. Most of these religions teach God’s truth -- more or less. Jesus established only ONE Church -- not churches! Since we have only one life, in which to gain or lose heaven, it is important that we find that Church and follow it’s teachings: so that we can safely pass through this life into heaven. God is Truth, and therefore God cannot contradict himself. A particular teaching cannot be both true and false at the same time and under the same aspect. Since human reason makes mistakes and the human will is weak, it is important also that we find and follow what is true. If we do our best, acting in accord with our conscience, then God will receive us into heaven when we die. If we ignore the truth and stifle our conscience, then at death we will go to hell. As there is one God and one mediator with God, the man Christ Jesus, so there cannot be different requirements for different persons to enter heaven. Every person, who sincerely seeks to do what is good according to his/her conscience, will be saved, will go to heaven. The person, who does evil and does not repent of such evil, acting against their conscience, cannot be saved, i.e. the evil person goes to hell. In the practical order, it is much easier to be saved by living in and with the Church established by Jesus, than it is to live apart from that Church. Everyone who is saved, is saved through the Church, whether they realize it or not. The Church considers as belonging in some way to the Body of Christ: all those persons of good will, who in this life sincerely tried to be good and acted in accord with their conscience. Even if their conscience is in error about a particular matter, the sincere good person can be saved by following their conscience. It is terribly wrong for a person to ignore or stifle his/her conscience. But habitual sinners do just that; and -- unless they repent -- in the end they go to hell. And so, at the end we can expect to find in heaven many persons we didn’t expect to find there, individuals who sincerely tried to direct their lives in accordance with God’s purpose, as expressed in his Commandments and the teachings of religion, but primarily in the individual conscience. But we will note that some persons, whom we might have expected to be in heaven, are not there; these are the individuals who, against their conscience, violated God’s Commandments and taught falsehood and practiced what is wrong to do. Likewise, those who in this life are unconcerned about God and about their neighbor, who are selfish and live for themselves alone, cannot be saved. In this connection, it is well to read Jesus’ parables about the rich man and the poor man (Luke 17:19-31), and the scene of the final judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). Those two parables indicate the basic requirements to be saved.

Honoring God enough fulfillment for eternity?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2011-04-01 13:55:00

Question: The other day my friend and I were talking about Heaven and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It’s difficult for me to understand how that’s all one will do… and do it forever. I have an even harder time imagining my husband enjoying it. While we both go to church regularly, it’s not something he looks forward to. Is there more to Heaven than this… or will this be enough?

Answer: First, we ought to realize that God made us to “praise and honor him all day.” In this life, that is what we are supposed to do. Even in the midst of our many daily activities of work, recreation, entertainment, relaxation and sleep, our whole life ought to reflect praise and glory to our Creator. You probably do this without realizing it, so I am assuming your present familiar daily routine is not boring. Why, therefore, would your life after death become boring because of continuing to give praise and glory to God? Heaven, by definition is “the state or place of complete fulfillment, of perfect happiness; fullness of joy; sharing the companionship of the saints and of good persons of every time and place; in familiar conversation with God and his angels.” All attempts to describe Heaven, even in the Bible, fall far short of the reality. How can a person adequately describe an intense spiritual experience, or the exhilaration of complete fulfillment, perfect satisfaction and a soul lifted-up to unimaginable delights? Both the Old Testament (the prophet Isaiah) and the New Testament (St. Paul to the Corinthians) assure us that “human eyes have not seen, nor human ears heard: what wonderful things God has prepared for those who love him.” When the Book of Revelation speaks of God’s saints continually singing “Alleluia” and dancing in white robes, the author is attempting to describe the indescribable. He is telling us that in Heaven there is so much joy that it might be compared to dancing at a perpetual marriage feast. That everyone there is young and beautiful, and that the beauty of heaven in every aspect far surpasses anything that can be experienced on earth. Each person will be fully satisfied, filled with love and free from any kind of sickness or injury or hurt or disappointment or sadness. This is the reality of heaven, and it is awaiting the friends of God immediately after death. By contrast, hell is also a reality and the very opposite of heaven. Hell is a state and place of complete and total frustration. Those, who in this life have usually preferred themselves and other creatures to the Creator, will at death continue to make a bad choice, preferring themselves and creatures to the Creator. They will get what they want… themselves separated from God. They will discover too late to reverse that bad choice… how petty and ugly they are by their own choice of ignoring or disobeying God during this life. In hell, there is no love, nor anything lovely. In hell, everybody is hideously ugly, tormented by physical pain and a guilty conscience that allows them no peace. In hell, there is neither touching nor sex, because each person is too selfish to allow another person to get near them, besides being so ugly that no one would want to come near them. In hell there is no rest nor recreation nor relaxation; only suffering of every kind. In hell there is neither encouragement nor hope. Everyone in hell realizes that they really blew the many opportunities God had given them to be happy and free from this suffering. But now it is too late. Their pain and punishment honors God’s keen justice. Those in hell cannot be helped by intercession of the saints in heaven because everybody knows it’s too late for such help. The saints are neither concerned nor sad about their relatives and former friends, who ended in hell. This is because the saints are busy celebrating God’s perfect justice, as well as his mercy, which saved them and brought them such great happiness. While we might object that such strict justice seems to lessen God’s great mercy, we must realize that God is perfect justice and perfect mercy. He respects the free will of his creatures. He provides plenty of guides and sign posts and good teachers and good examples on earth: to draw people to freely come to Him. But if, in the end, they choose themselves and ignore God, in the judgment God respects their free decision, which drags them down to hell. God’s justice would not be perfect if he were to close his eyes to malice, to connive in evil, to not punish evildoers, as he had threatened. Indeed, for God to not carry out the promised punishments would make him to be a liar. God is perfect Truth and perfect Justice! Even if both truth and justice in this world are imperfect, still they are a dim reflection of God’s inner life and perfection.

Honoring God enough fulfillment for eternity?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2011-04-01 10:42:00

Question: The other day my friend and I were talking about Heaven and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It’s difficult for me to understand how that’s all one will do… and do it forever. I have an even harder time imagining my husband enjoying it. While we both go to church regularly, it’s not something he looks forward to. Is there more to Heaven than this… or will this be enough?

Answer: Your friend asks a question that many people ask. We want to know what heaven will be like. As human beings, we are always curious. Her remark that people will spend time praising God is not an uncommon one; many persons of faith, including our Presbyterian forebear John Calvin, spoke of heaven as a place of praising God, and worshiping and working in God’s service, something we will do joyfully. Most of us will admit that we do not know exactly what heaven will be like, even those of us who have done great study of the Bible. That means that we need not and should not speculate very much about it, for there is no profit in that. What is clear, however, is that being in heaven means being in the presence of God, which will mean great joy, whatever we are doing. Further, because we don’t completely understand what the resurrection of our bodies will be like, it’s difficult to say much about what we will be “doing” in this state. Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 15 about the mystery of what is to be in this sense. Given what the Bible does say about heaven, we can say by faith, as our Westminster Catechism puts it, that Christians “shall be received into heaven, where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery; filled with inconceivable joy; made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and angels, but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Spirit, to all eternity.”

Honoring God enough fulfillment for eternity?

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2011-04-01 10:42:00

Question: The other day my friend and I were talking about Heaven and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It’s difficult for me to understand how that’s all one will do… and do it forever. I have an even harder time imagining my husband enjoying it. While we both go to church regularly, it’s not something he looks forward to. Is there more to Heaven than this… or will this be enough?

Answer: At the root of our response to what we will do in heaven, rests our understanding of what heaven is and what our view of God’s character is. According to Scripture, heaven is that place where nothing separates us from the fullness of God’s presence. What you know (not believe) God’s character to be will define how you respond to being fully in God’s presence. If your image of God is as a rule-maker that we must obey, being in the full presence of God will make us be fearful and anxious. If your image of God is as an impersonal autocratic King, then being in the full presence of God will be like an earthly slave. But the fullest understanding of God’s character is told in all and both of the Old and New testaments. The character revealed in this full canon of scripture is of a God who has the aforementioned as part of His character but is much, much more than that. God does set down rules, but those rules are rules for our best life that lead us to the fullest life possible! God is a King who looks for us to be His subjects, but when we do He crowns us with love, mercy, grace, joy and a full and abundant heart and life! We become ones living in a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe! Heaven is much more than a destination for eternity! It does not matter how much you go to church. What does matter is that the church we go to is one where the promises of God revealed in scripture become reality in our lives. It is indeed an amazing gift of salvation that God offers us through faith in Christ that we would spend eternity together with him and overcome death! The loving sacrifice God made is exactly so we might not miss the point of life and of death. The truth of Jesus’ time here on earth is that in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is not only that we see the promise of eternal life and get you into heaven, but that Christ came to get heaven into you here and now! If you chose to live your life for you alone you can chose that. Then when you come to the end of your life all of your accomplishments will be the total sum of your own individual independent journey and your last breath will be the loneliest a human being can ever take. You will have missed out on an amazing journey that God had planned for you. God has so much more planned for your life revealed through our relationship with Jesus! So how would one respond to God face-to-face when nothing separates us from the fullness of God’s love, living in intimacy with God? I believe the answer to that rests in whether we have experienced heaven in us here and now! If so we know that all the very best of what is available to us here and now is but a thimble full of what God has planned for us in eternity! Grounds for praise and honor? Well I don’t know about you but as for me - ABSOLUTELY!!!

Honoring God enough fulfillment for eternity?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-04-01 10:42:00

Question: The other day my friend and I were talking about Heaven and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It’s difficult for me to understand how that’s all one will do… and do it forever. I have an even harder time imagining my husband enjoying it. While we both go to church regularly, it’s not something he looks forward to. Is there more to Heaven than this… or will this be enough?

Answer: The common concepts of heaven have come from a mixture of folklore and bits and pieces of a scripture emphasizing certain aspects of it. One image I had as a child came from Saturday morning cartoons in black and white when a person died they would leave their body in kind of a ghost like image and then end up on a cloud playing a harp. Another image came when I was at a funeral and the preacher talked about that faithful choir member joining the great choir in heaven singing praise forever. Some see it as a retirement community with numbing boredom. Sadly, heaven has gotten bad press because it is nothing like what our Lord has prepared for us. In the Bible, we are given glimpses of what heaven will be really like. It gives us enough to look forward to it, but enough to keep us guessing. First, it is a definite place (John 14:3). In fact, it is also called a country (Hebrews 11:16), a city (1:10) of which the believer is a citizen (Philippians 3:20). If we mediate on these we see them as a depiction of a place where we belong, a place where there is always activity, action and a place where many people live with a great amount of social interaction. But the neat thing about it, all the things that prevent us from having true, intimate fellowship will no longer be there. Our relationships will be regained and renewed. (Revelations 21:5) They will be on levels never known before on earth. They will be deep, rewarding and fulfilling with none of the disappointments, selfishness’s and pride that hurt them here on earth. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Second, we will accomplish many and great things in the Lord. We won’t have the insecurities that often hamper us from striving for good and great accomplishments. We won’t doubt the Lord or rebel when He calls us to do anything, because in perfect obedience like Jesus, we will do whatever He asks us. (1 John 3:2) Yes, there will be singing and rejoicing around the throne of God, but no longer will it be burdensome. (Rev. 14:3) As a cheer for our favorite sports team, flies in jubilant expression from a mouth and bodily gymnastics in front of thousands or our friends in front of a TV, so will the praise flow. But we all will enjoy it because it is the expression of a deep hearted gratitude and awe of the Holy captivating presence of the Almighty! Third, it will be much like what we experience now on this earth without all the impediments of this fallen creation. It will be a time of great discovery and learning (1 Corinthians 13:12). We know in this life we only use a small portion of our brain capacity where in heaven that will no longer be so. We discover the magnificence of God and all that He did with His new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1). We also will be able to appear and go places without being inhibited as Christ did during His resurrection appearances (Luke 24:36) and be tangible to touch (vs 39) and physically embrace (John 20:17). It will be a time of getting re-acquainted with loved ones who have gone on before us from angels and biblical characters to ancestors (Rev. 5:11; 6:11). Fourth, the sheer beauty and magnificence of His new creations will be overwhelming and enthralling! John in the limitations of earthly language tries to describe it to us and it is truly brilliant the way he describes it in Revelations with walls made of translucent gold and foundations of precious jewels, gates made of a single pearl and streets of gold. (Revelations 21:18-21). It will all be part of our experience! WOW! But the greatest experience beyond all the glitz, beauty and immeasurable growth, is being in the full presence of the Lord. (Revelation 21:3) All the other stuff is great but that is what it is all about! Galileo rightly said, “The intention of the Holy Spirit is not to teach us how Heaven goes, but how one goes to Heaven.” You see, as Sir Issac Newton the famous astronomer who after looking at God’s vast universe with his telescope said, “But when I lay it aside, go into my room, shut the door, and get down on my knees in earnest prayer, I see more of Heaven and feel closer to the Lord than if I were assisted by all the telescopes on earth.” My prayer is that all who read this article know that Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose so they could enjoy the wonderful joy of Heaven in the end but start tasting it now. That you will share in the magnificent life with God in His heaven. Not a boring place but a place greater than you ever imagined. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) Looking forward in seeing you there!

Is there evidence proving God’s existence?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2011-03-01 11:31:00

Question: Apart from the Bible, what is the evidence for God’s existence?

Answer: You can find in the Bible any idea you wish, including the statement: “There is no God!” But in the context that statement reads: “The fool says in his heart: there is no God.” The Bible contains the Word of God, God’s messages and the expression of His will for mankind and individual human beings. This very world, indeed the whole universe, is filled with evidence for the existence of a god, and that apart from the Bible or any written testimony or revelation. But since many people deny the existence of God, it is necessary to point out some of the proofs, evidence that we take for granted. The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw each human being to himself. Rightly does the psalm in the Bible call the person, who would deny the existence of God, a fool. The person who denies God is like a blind person, who denies the existence or the sun or of color because he cannot see them. But his denial does not make the sun any less hot or color less vivid. In the physical world, the order and beauty of the universe is evidence of a Creator. As the poet Joyce Kilmer wrote about a hundred years ago, “Only God can make a tree.” What human person can design and create a living tree from scratch? The movement of the planets around the sun, the almost infinite number of galaxies in the universe, the regular succession of seasons and days and the process of generation in plants and animals and humans. All these cannot happen by mere accident or chance. The development and perfection of the human organism, especially our brain, as well as the order and progress in human learning and society cannot be the result of some blind irrational force, like a big-bang. The original big-bang itself had to come from somewhere, from someone. If there were no God, this whole universe would quickly collapse in chaos. We can view the products of irrationality in wars, vandalism and after effects of: a tornado. Those phenomena cannot produce detailed masterpieces like: Beethoven’s symphonies, a beautiful building, our nation’s capitol in Washington, Leonardo DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, the works of Shakespeare or the contents in the Library of Congress. Only a rational being can produce something as lovely as these and other works of human genius. And from where did humans receive such genius? Ultimately, from another supreme Genius which we call God. A lot of work, efforts, energy and talent goes into producing this newspaper. No irrational animal, dog, fish, bird or plant can put together this journal. Only human beings, endowed with the ability to think, write, collaborate and operate delicate machines, can accomplish such a marvel as this very journal you are reading. The persons who made this paper did not make themselves. Neither did the trees from whence came this paper, make themselves. It all goes back to the first cause of all things which we call God. Perhaps the best definition of God is given by the ancient philosopher Aristotle: The unmoved Mover. God is He who sets in motion everything that exists. God is without beginning or end. God is perfect in Himself, absolutely different from any of His creatures. Being infinite Goodness, He created other things and human beings: in order to share Himself and His goodness with others in varying degrees. God has no need of anything or anyone. He loves everything that He has made. He allows imperfections in His creatures: to encourage them to strive for perfection, to come to Him, Who is the summit of Perfection. Since this is God’s world by title of creation, and we humans are His creation, placed in this world for a short time, it behooves us to cooperate with our Creator in His plan for us. He requires of us: faith in Him, the Supreme Being, and using well our natural talents for the improvement of this world.

Is there evidence proving God’s existence?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-03-01 11:31:00

Question: Apart from the Bible, what is the evidence for God’s existence?

Answer: Besides the Bible which is part of God’s special revelation, it also points to the person of Jesus Christ. In the book of Hebrews, it tells us that God proves Himself in the person of Jesus Christ (1:2) “in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” The life of Jesus and the mark He left upon the world is outstanding and we in western civilization are the most to have benefited by Christianity’s impact on it. The historical evidence behind the resurrection of Jesus Christ is reflected in what we see even to this day. For instance, why did these first believers who were Jewish start worshiping on Sunday rather than Saturday? It is because the resurrection took place on Sunday. The Christian belief system opened the flood gates for people like Johannes Kepler, astronomer and mathematician who saw the universe reflecting the mind of God. It was his theology that drove him to discover the motion of the planets when others gave up. He saw science as the study of discovering “God’s thoughts after Him.” In fact, scripture declares that creation is God’s way making Himself known as it says in Roman 1:19-20, “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” The Psalms also says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1) From that have come several philosophical arguments for the proof of the existence of God. One is the argument entitled the “Theleological Argument” or argument from design. The significance of the order and complex design of the universe down to the single cell organism. It all shouts that there has to be some supreme intelligence behind it’s coming together. From that has stemmed the argument of “Intelligent Design” which several point to for supporting creationism and others theistic evolution. With that comes also the “Cosmological Argument” which says this world and creation didn’t just happen. It needed a prime mover or a first cause to get it started. Plato and Aristotle pushed these arguments and Parmenides summarized it in his statement “nothing can come from nothing.” Another argument given for the existence of God is the “Ontological Argument” which reasons if man can conceive of the idea that God exists, He must exist. Anslem for instance believed that there is no greater place one can start in having knowledge than with God. Descartes started with the knowledge of God’s perfections. This form of reasoning totally uses intuition and reason alone. The “Moral Argument” says that mankind has within him certain normative moral actions as being right and wrong. This sense of ought to do and not do comes with the awareness and sense, which shows God exists. There are many more rational arguments and proofs presented for the existence of God of which I have tried to highlight just a few. However, for me the existence of God is like the existence of love. We don’t see love but it is very much a reality of our lives and we see evidences of it all around us. The same is true of wind, we only see outward manifestations and feel it’s presence when we Kansans go into it. The same is true of God. He is there but only seen through the eyes of faith. The Bible begins with that premise, “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1) Since the era of modernism and materialistic science, our world has even closed itself more to the idea of the existence of God. We have been like the little mouse that lived in the piano with his parents. They told him that the beautiful sounds of music he heard were from the Great Piano Player whom they never saw. Well the little mouse didn’t believe and went to discover it for himself. He came back and said the music was not generated by a Great Piano Player but by some long metal wires. But his dad asked, “What makes those wires move? The mouse didn’t know. So he went back a second time and went further into the piano and discovered that the wires moved at different times because some cloth hammers hit them. So proudly again he went to the family declaring, “There is no pianist but it is cloth hammers that caused strings to play and it’s all mechanical.” But his mom asked, “What causes the hammers to move?” Of course he didn’t know but he would go back and look some more. The problem is we can’t measure God or put our little standards around Him. We, like the little mouse are limited. In Isaiah 40:25, God poses the question, “‘To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?’ asks the Holy One” Man can’t! Only the heart of faith can begin to see as God reveals it to man. May God improve your vision to see Him more! Wanting to see more of Him, Pastor Dave.

Is there evidence proving God’s existence?

By Pastor Dave Henion

X

Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-03-01 11:31:00

Question: Apart from the Bible, what is the evidence for God’s existence?

Answer: Besides the Bible which is part of God’s special revelation, it also points to the person of Jesus Christ. In the book of Hebrews, it tells us that God proves Himself in the person of Jesus Christ (1:2) “in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” The life of Jesus and the mark He left upon the world is outstanding and we in western civilization are the most to have benefited by Christianity’s impact on it. The historical evidence behind the resurrection of Jesus Christ is reflected in what we see even to this day. For instance, why did these first believers who were Jewish start worshiping on Sunday rather than Saturday? It is because the resurrection took place on Sunday. The Christian belief system opened the flood gates for people like Johannes Kepler, astronomer and mathematician who saw the universe reflecting the mind of God. It was his theology that drove him to discover the motion of the planets when others gave up. He saw science as the study of discovering “God’s thoughts after Him.” In fact, scripture declares that creation is God’s way making Himself known as it says in Roman 1:19-20, “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” The Psalms also says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1) From that have come several philosophical arguments for the proof of the existence of God. One is the argument entitled the “Theleological Argument” or argument from design. The significance of the order and complex design of the universe down to the single cell organism. It all shouts that there has to be some supreme intelligence behind its coming together. From that has stemmed the argument of “Intelligent Design” which several point to for supporting creationism and others theistic evolution. With that comes also the “Cosmological Argument” which says this world and creation didn’t just happen. It needed a prime mover or a first cause to get it started. Plato and Aristotle pushed these arguments and Parmenides summarized it in his statement “nothing can come from nothing.” Another argument given for the existence of God is the “Ontological Argument” which reasons if man can conceive of the idea that God exists, He must exist. Anslem for instance believed that there is no greater place one can start in having knowledge than with God. Descartes started with the knowledge of God’s perfections. This form of reasoning totally uses intuition and reason alone. The “Moral Argument” says that mankind has within him certain normative moral actions as being right and wrong. This sense of ought to do and not do comes with awareness and sense, which shows God exists. There are many more rational arguments and proofs presented for the existence of God of which I have tried to highlight just a few. However, for me the existence of God is like the existence of love. We don’t see love but it is very much a reality of our lives and we see evidences of it all around us. The same is true of wind, we only see outward manifestations and feel its presence when we Kansans go into it. The same is true of God. He is there but only seen through the eyes of faith. The Bible begins with that premise, “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1) Since the era of modernism and materialistic science, our world has even closed itself more to the idea of the existence of God. We have been like the little mouse that lived in the piano with his parents. They told him that the beautiful sounds of music he heard were from the Great Piano Player whom they never saw. Well the little mouse didn’t believe and went to discover it for himself. He came back and said the music was not generated by a Great Piano Player but by some long metal wires. But his dad asked, “What makes those wires move? The mouse didn’t know. So he went back a second time and went further into the piano and discovered that the wires moved at different times because some cloth hammers hit them. So proudly again he went to the family declaring, “There is no pianist but it is cloth hammers that caused strings to play and it’s all mechanical.” But his mom asked, “What causes the hammers to move?” Of course he didn’t know but he would go back and look some more. The problem is we can’t measure God or put our little standards around Him. We, like the little mouse are limited. In Isaiah 40:25, God poses the question, “‘to whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?’ asks the Holy One” Man can’t! Only the heart of faith can begin to see as God reveals it to man. May God improve your vision to see Him more! Wanting to see more of Him, Pastor Dave.

Is there evidence proving God’s existence?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2011-03-01 11:31:00

Question: Apart from the Bible, what is the evidence for God’s existence?

Answer: Presbyterians have a “faith seeking understanding.” This means we do not collect evidence and then come to a conclusion that God exists; rather, we are given the gift of faith, and we spend our lives exploring and living that faith. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” We know of God, then, through the gift of revelation. We do say, however, that there is a general revelation to all. One cannot look at creation and not sense that there is a creator. The psalms testify to this, and Paul also writes of it in Romans 2. This general revelation leads us to seek out this creator. The creator was revealed to us more specifically in the person of Jesus Christ. We know of Christ through the Bible; we when read it, the power of the Holy Spirit reveals him to us. Our forebear John Calvin said we know of the existence of God when we survey nature, but the Bible is like a pair of glasses that help us to see this God clearly.

Is there evidence proving God’s existence?

By Reverend Dennis Paschke

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Religion

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Reverend Dennis Paschke is the senior pastor at Evangel Holton United Methodist Church, in Holton Kansas. Evangel church is a vital and growing congregation full of life that is changing lives and our community one person at a time. Dennis’ family emigrated from North Dakota to Alberta, Canada to homestead when his father was just a young boy. Rev. Paschke returned to the United States and has lived in many parts of the country. His life has afforded him many blessings before answering God’s call to full-time ministry, including being a vice president of a Fortune 100 company, serving as a chairman of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and holding a U.S. patent. His greatest blessing in life is his walk with Christ! He believes strong faith always engages the heart and mind. EDUCATION: BSEE from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master’s of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. FAMILY: He is married to wife Dawn and they have three sons Corey, Kyle and Marc. The family also includes one “wonder-dog” named Tucker! You can reach Reverend Paschke via email dpasch01@gmail.com.

Reverend Dennis Paschke

2011-03-01 10:26:00

Question: Apart from the Bible, what is the evidence for God’s existence?

Answer: Any time we learn of the truth of the existence of something we always begin with an act of faith that it is true. Then when our experience provides the evidence of its existence we come to know it to be real. In other words, our experience proves the truth of the existence of something. This is also true for evidence of God’s existence. Let’s use an example to illustrate. We have all been told that there is a universal force of gravity, even though there is no way to see it. The force of gravity itself is invisible so we can only experience the affect of its existence. Our evidence for its existence comes through our experience of that force when we stumble and fall down a set of stairs, or throw a baseball and notice something always pulls the ball to the ground. Therefore, evidence of the existence of gravity is based upon first our faith that there is such a force called gravity, and then it becomes true through our experience of its existence (the evidence). Ironically whenever we doubt something we do take it on faith, a faith in doubting that it is true! If we chose not to first take on faith the truth and seek for the evidence then we will never experience it as reality. The same is true for the evidence of the existence of God. Let’s look at an analogy. Suppose we could speak to a frog that lives in a pond about the beauty of the ocean. The frog cannot even begin to appreciate the beauty of the ocean or believe in its existence until it first accepts on faith that such a thing as the ocean can and does exist, and then proves this so by experiencing it. Once it does experience the truth of the ocean’s existence (the evidence) nothing is ever the same! If the frog chooses not to embrace faith in the truth and seek the existence of the ocean - it holds onto faith in doubt, and everything remains and looks like life in a pond! But in the end it’s the frog’s choice! When one starts with faith in the truth that God exists in our lives and the world, we begin to experience God in many ways in our lives (the evidence). Our heart and mind cannot see God with clarity through our experience until we chose to focus on the world in the way that God sees the world and take this on faith. When we focus our heart and mind through God’s lens our experience brings to focus both heart and mind and enables us to see the evidence for the existence of God. God will not force you to look at the world through His lens but when we do, God does for us what we cannot do alone - God becomes visible to our heart and mind! There are many places we can see the evidence of the existence of God in the world. For example we see that it is at the darkest hour of night that light begins to emerge! We see new and abundant life springing forth in the seasons with a depth of beauty that shouts of a living giving God that brings new life! We see the currency of compassion, mercy and forgiveness offered and received that overcomes bitterness, fear, hatred and brings peace! We see the power of God’s sacrificial love, healing and empowering lives with a purpose and meaning that no human heart or mind alone can ever imagine alone! All of these examples are but a few that shout of evidence for the existence of God! As our ability to see God in the world and our lives grows it translates into happiness and our hearts are filled with God’s love that spills back out into the world in service and love to neighbor! This is perhaps the most obvious evidence of the existence of God - God alive in those who will take on faith the truth of His existence and then share it! To know God exists and is real is to experience Him in your life. We must do what He won’t do for us, believe in Him on faith, trust in Him with our life choices, and as we do we come to experience the evidence of His existence. Those who chose not to do so won’t be able to speak of the evidence of God’s existence since they chose life in a pond. In the end of the matter the choice is yours and mine. Just as surely as we know the love of anyone is real through our experience, when you taste and see God’s love, nothing is ever the same! The difference is surely as clear as believing honey is sweet and having the experience of the actual taste of its sweetness!

Is there evidence proving God’s existence?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2011-03-01 10:26:00

Apart from the Bible, what is the evidence for God’s existence?

Answer: You can find in the Bible any idea you wish, including the statement: “There is no God!” But in the context that statement reads: “The fool says in his heart: there is no God.” The Bible contains the Word of God, God’s messages and the expression of His will for mankind and individual human beings. This very world, indeed the whole universe, is filled with evidence for the existence of a god, and that apart from the Bible or any written testimony or revelation. But since many people deny the existence of God, it is necessary to point out some of the proofs, evidence that we take for granted. The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw each human being to himself. Rightly does the psalm in the Bible call the person, who would deny the existence of God, a fool. The person who denies God is like a blind person, who denies the existence or the sun or of color because he cannot see them. But his denial does not make the sun any less hot or color less vivid. In the physical world, the order and beauty of the universe is evidence of a Creator. As the poet Joyce Kilmer wrote about a hundred years ago, “Only God can make a tree.” What human person can design and create a living tree from scratch? The movement of the planets around the sun, the almost infinite number of galaxies in the universe, the regular succession of seasons and days and the process of generation in plants and animals and humans. All these cannot happen by mere accident or chance. The development and perfection of the human organism, especially our brain, as well as the order and progress in human learning and society cannot be the result of some blind irrational force, like a big-bang. The original big-bang itself had to come from somewhere, from someone. If there were no God, this whole universe would quickly collapse in chaos. We can view the products of irrationality in wars, vandalism and after effects of: a tornado. Those phenomena cannot produce detailed masterpieces like: Beethoven’s symphonies, a beautiful building, our nation’s capitol in Washington, Leonardo DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, the works of Shakespeare or the contents in the Library of Congress. Only a rational being can produce something as lovely as these and other works of human genius. And from where did humans receive such genius? Ultimately, from another supreme Genius which we call God. A lot of work, efforts, energy and talent goes into producing this newspaper. No irrational animal, dog, fish, bird or plant can put together this journal. Only human beings, endowed with the ability to think, write, collaborate and operate delicate machines, can accomplish such a marvel as this very journal you are reading. The persons who made this paper did not make themselves. Neither did the trees from whence came this paper, make themselves. It all goes back to the first cause of all things which we call God. Perhaps the best definition of God is given by the ancient philosopher Aristotle: The unmoved Mover. God is He who sets in motion everything that exists. God is without beginning or end. God is perfect in Himself, absolutely different from any of His creatures. Being infinite Goodness, He created other things and human beings: in order to share Himself and His goodness with others in varying degrees. God has no need of anything or anyone. He loves everything that He has made. He allows imperfections in His creatures: to encourage them to strive for perfection, to come to Him, Who is the summit of Perfection. Since this is God’s world by title of creation, and we humans are His creation, placed in this world for a short time, it behooves us to cooperate with our Creator in His plan for us. He requires of us: faith in Him, the Supreme Being, and using well our natural talents for the improvement of this world.

To whom should we pray?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-02-01 14:24:00

Question: Who should one pray to…God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Angels? Saints?

Answer: The danger with answering a question like this is for someone to get the mistaken idea that if we use the right combination of words or formula, it will be the magical incantation for getting what I need or want from God. Kind of like a Harry Potter chant. I hope our readers don’t think that. To be honest, the sincere call to God in desperate times can be an appropriate prayer with one word looking to Him saying, “Help!” God knows the heart. In fact, scripture even says in some of our difficulties, we can’t even put those feelings into words, we just groan. The Bible assures us that God hears those prayers because the Spirit intercedes for us in deeper tones than our words could ever say. (Romans 8:26) The promise is that God hears those deep sighs of pain and grief! But now that I have said all that, scripture gives us great insights in addressing God in our prayers. One of the ways that is important we see all throughout the Bible is having faith in the One true living God who is the source of all blessings. (James 1:17) He is addressed most frequently in the prayers of the OT as “God,” “My God,” “Lord” Or “Lord God.” In the New Testament, we see more intimacy as Jesus teaches His disciples to pray by starting with “Our Father” reminding us that we are calling on a very loving and personally intimate God in Matthew 6:9. Jesus consistently does so in His prayers (John 17:1; Luke 22:42) and we also see this in Paul (Ephesians 5:20). Stephen as he is being stoned in Acts 7:59-60 appeals to “God,” “Lord Jesus,” and Lord. Also in the New Testament, we see the Christian prayer taking on an even fuller understanding of God in His Trinitarian elegance. Jesus tells His disciples to ask “in my name” (John 14:13) and we see that as Paul reminds us that we go in the “name of the Lord Jesus Christ to God” (Ephesians 5:20). Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, we have “bold access and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12). That bold confidence to go to God with all our requests (Philippians 4:6) to the Holy throne of God comes through the “blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19) Further still, at conversion, we receive by grace Jesus Christ in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 12:3). The Holy Spirit gives us assurance that we are God’s children through Christ (Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:15-16) but also He helps us in our prayer life (Romans 8:26-28). He even cleans up our prayers and contours them to the will of God. Our access is through Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:18). That’s why many choose to end their prayers with “all this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.” This acknowledges approaching God in prayer is a gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. In addressing the issue of praying to or with Angels, saints or Mary, there are major disagreements with the different Christian traditions. Many in Protestantism have historically called it idolatry. That it doesn’t square with scripture because, prayer is worship. In the book of Revelation, John goes to bow down to an angel and is stopped from doing it (Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9). That is only for God. When it comes to the saints or Mary, the Catholic Church’s official position is that they do not pray to the saints or Mary, but ask for them to pray for you just as you would ask a friend on earth to pray for you. This is due to the belief that the phrase “communion of the saints” in the Apostles Creed is speaking of both those Christians living on earth and those in heaven. However, some Protestants have struggled with this because prayers written and said to Mary or the saints sound as if they are prayed to God Himself only with the name of the saint. Even further, there is no mention of their advocacy in scripture. In The New Catholic Encyclopedia, there is an indirect admission with the phrase “explicitly mentioned” that the intercession by “saints” has no Biblical support. In the Bible, it tells us in 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” and that “He is always interceding” (Hebrew 7:25). I read a quote of St Bernard that spoke of the greatness of Jesus and the reason for the need of the second advocate Mary. It made me sad that he felt that Jesus was so far beyond and difficult to reach that he needed a second advocate when scripture says just the opposite. Beyond our differences, which will be all cleared up when we get to heaven, let us look at what scripture calls all Christians to do. It calls us all to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8) That our prayers be humble and sincere (Matthew 6:6-7), trusting by faith that God hears all our prayers (Psalm 34:17) and answers them according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). How can we not feel that we are greatly loved and blessed? We have this wonderful conduit of communication with God called prayer and His promise is that He hears all our prayers. My prayer is that we take time everyday to enjoy such sweet communion with Him.

To whom should we pray?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2011-02-01 14:24:00

Question: Who should one pray to…God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Angels? Saints?

Answer: Presbyterians often look to the Westminster “standards” for their full discussion of prayer. The Larger Catechism in particular devotes questions 178 through 196 specifically to prayer. The catechism makes it clear that prayer is to be to God only, and in light of your question, certainly not to angels and saints. That prayer is to God, and that we believe God is triune, indicates that we may address our prayers to God, to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. We are, however, to pray by the help of the Spirit and in the name of Christ. Jesus offered to his disciples a model prayer, what we now call “The Lord’s Prayer.” In that prayer, Jesus addressed God as “Our Father.” This does not mean that all prayer has to begin with the words “Our Father who art in heaven”; rather, it tells us, as the catechism puts it, that “when we pray, we are to draw near to God with [both] confidence of his fatherly goodness,” and yet “with reverence” for his majesty and power.

To whom should we pray?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2011-02-01 14:24:00

Who should one pray to…God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Angels? Saints?

Answer: The primary and fundamental doctrine of the Christian religion is belief in only ONE God, and that somehow in that One God there are three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. We call this doctrine: the Blessed Trinity. At a time determined by God, the second person in the Trinity (God the Son) assumed a human nature in addition to his divine nature. He appeared on earth as Jesus, also known as the Christ (the anointed One of God and the Messiah). He was sent on earth by God the Father to teach human beings the Will of God, and also to repair the outrages of sin against God, committed by the entire human race. Jesus completed this latter satisfaction by his sufferings and death, as might be seen in Mel Gibson’s dramatic film The Passion. After rising from the dead, Jesus ascended into heaven and sent to His disciples: the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity: to guide God’s people until the end of time. The Holy Trinity is a mystery, something that cannot be grasped or explained by human reason, a fact known only through faith in Jesus, Who revealed it. The one God is eternal and knows all things: past, present and future. Nevertheless He has taught His human creatures to pray. We may pray to each person of the Trinity. In the Church, most prayers are directed to God the Father, according as Jesus taught by His example and prayer: “Our Father, Who art in heaven . . .” Also we pray in the Name of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit. God wants us to pray, even though He is aware -- better than we are -- of our needs and concerns: in order that we maintain with Him the communication of love and service, for which He created us. It is legitimate to address prayers also to the saints, i.e. to the human friends of God, who have achieved their salvation and are already enjoying eternal happiness in heaven, the reward for their lives on earth, which were pleasing to God. In praying to the saints, we give honor to God, whose holiness is reflected in their lives. A familiar example might help explain this idea of praying to the saints. As children, we were subject to our parents or guardians and teachers. We knew which parent or guardian was most likely to be disposed to favor our requests. So, when we really wanted something, we would ask that parent or guardian or their friend to put in a good word for us with the person who could give us what we wanted, i.e. to intercede for us. In a family of three boys and three girls, I was a normal boy, and at times would do something to annoy my sisters. Our dad tended to favor his girls. When I was in trouble for having pulled my sister’s hair (her pigtails), I knew my dad would spank me. So I went to mother, asking her to please intercede for me with dad: to spare me from being punished. Likewise, when I wanted a new bicycle, I asked Mother to ask Dad for such a present. In similar fashion, God has disposed to bestow certain of his gifts and favors through the intercession of various saints. The saints in heaven see God and can put-in a good word for us with the Almighty. We believe that this intercession of God’s friends lends support to our prayers directed to God. God loves each of us, and He is pleased that we invoke the saints, and be friends with them and imitate their virtues, which really are expressions of God’s own life.

To whom should we pray?

By Pastor Dave Henion

X

Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Who should one pray to…God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Angels? Saints?

Answer: The danger with answering a question like this is for someone to get the mistaken idea that if we use the right combination of words or formula, it will be the magical incantation for getting what I need or want from God. Kind of like a Harry Potter chant. I hope our readers don’t think that. To be honest, the sincere call to God in desperate times can be an appropriate prayer with one word looking to Him saying, “Help!” God knows the heart. In fact, scripture even says in some of our difficulties, we can’t even put those feelings into words, we just groan. The Bible assures us that God hears those prayers because the Spirit intercedes for us in deeper tones than our words could ever say. (Romans 8:26) The promise is that God hears those deep sighs of pain and grief! But now that I have said all that, scripture gives us great insights in addressing God in our prayers. One of the ways that is important we see all throughout the Bible is having faith in the One true living God who is the source of all blessings. (James 1:17) He is addressed most frequently in the prayers of the OT as “God,” “My God,” “Lord” Or “Lord God.” In the New Testament, we see more intimacy as Jesus teaches His disciples to pray by starting with “Our Father” reminding us that we are calling on a very loving and personally intimate God in Matthew 6:9. Jesus consistently does so in His prayers (John 17:1; Luke 22:42) and we also see this in Paul (Ephesians 5:20). Stephen as he is being stoned in Acts 7:59-60 appeals to “God,” “Lord Jesus,” and Lord. Also in the New Testament, we see the Christian prayer taking on an even fuller understanding of God in His Trinitarian elegance. Jesus tells His disciples to ask “in my name” (John 14:13) and we see that as Paul reminds us that we go in the “name of the Lord Jesus Christ to God” (Ephesians 5:20). Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, we have “bold access and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12). That bold confidence to go to God with all our requests (Philippians 4:6) to the Holy throne of God comes through the “blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19) Further still, at conversion, we receive by grace Jesus Christ in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 12:3). The Holy Spirit gives us assurance that we are God’s children through Christ (Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:15-16) but also He helps us in our prayer life (Romans 8:26-28). He even cleans up our prayers and contours them to the will of God. Our access is through Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:18). That’s why many choose to end their prayers with “all this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.” This acknowledges approaching God in prayer is a gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. In addressing the issue of praying to or with Angels, saints or Mary, there are major disagreements with the different Christian traditions. Many in Protestantism have historically called it idolatry. That it doesn’t square with scripture because, prayer is worship. In the book of Revelation, John goes to bow down to an angel and is stopped from doing it (Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9). That is only for God. When it comes to the saints or Mary, the Catholic Church’s official position is that they do not pray to the saints or Mary, but ask for them to pray for you just as you would ask a friend on earth to pray for you. This is due to the belief that the phrase “communion of the saints” in the Apostles Creed is speaking of both those Christians living on earth and those in heaven. However, some Protestants have struggled with this because prayers written and said to Mary or the saints sound as if they are prayed to God Himself only with the name of the saint. Even further, there is no mention of their advocacy in scripture. In The New Catholic Encyclopedia, there is an indirect admission with the phrase “explicitly mentioned” that the intercession by “saints” has no Biblical support. In the Bible, it tells us in 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” and that “He is always interceding” (Hebrew 7:25). I read a quote of St Bernard that spoke of the greatness of Jesus and the reason for the need of the second advocate Mary. It made me sad that he felt that Jesus was so far beyond and difficult to reach that he needed a second advocate when scripture says just the opposite. Beyond our differences, which will be all cleared up when we get to heaven, let us look at what scripture calls all Christians to do. It calls us all to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8) That our prayers be humble and sincere (Matthew 6:6-7), trusting by faith that God hears all our prayers (Psalm 34:17) and answers them according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). How can we not feel that we are greatly loved and blessed? We have this wonderful conduit of communication with God called prayer and His promise is that He hears all our prayers. My prayer is that we take time everyday to enjoy such sweet communion with Him.

To whom should we pray?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Question: Who should one pray to…God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Angels? Saints?

Answer: Presbyterians often look to the Westminster “standards” for their full discussion of prayer. The Larger Catechism in particular devotes questions 178 through 196 specifically to prayer. The catechism makes it clear that prayer is to be to God only, and in light of your question, certainly not to angels and saints. That prayer is to God, and that we believe God is triune, indicates that we may address our prayers to God, to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. We are, however, to pray by the help of the Spirit and in the name of Christ. Jesus offered to his disciples a model prayer, what we now call “The Lord’s Prayer.” In that prayer, Jesus addressed God as “Our Father.” This does not mean that all prayer has to begin with the words “Our Father who art in heaven”; rather, it tells us, as the catechism puts it, that “when we pray, we are to draw near to God with [both] confidence of his fatherly goodness,” and yet “with reverence” for his majesty and power.

How is accountability for a sin determined?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Question: Which sins are big and which sins are little? How is it determined? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another believes it to a grievous sin . . . who is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

Answer: Protestants and Presbyterians have typically not separated sin into classes. We understand sin to be sin, and as the Bible says, we understand that all are sinners and have fallen short of God’s glory. Our forebear as Presbyterians, John Calvin, wrote in his classic Institutes of the Christian Religion that distinctions such as mortal and venial sins are invalid. He cited various Biblical passages to support this, in particular, Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, “therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” Calvin further argued that all sin is rebellion against God and thus great. Yet, in that same classic work, Calvin did recognize the reality of the circumstances of sin. Some are public, and some are secret, and some have much greater consequences and must be dealt with in a different way. Calvin wrote about this in his section as to how persons in the church should be disciplined for their sins. Our own Westminster Catechism recognizes this as well. In questions 150 and 151, the catechism notes that some sins have what it calls “aggravations.” These are from the person offending, the parties offended, the nature and quality of the offense, and the time and place of the sin. Personally, I also believe sin is sin and against God’s will for us; we should seek to avoid all sin. We are to let God’s Spirit bloom and grow within us so that we become more and more like Christ. It may be that some sins have greater visible consequences than others and need a different way to be handled, but all have some sort of consequences for us, for others, and for God. When Paul wrote of sin in his letters, for example, in the same breath, he would include sins like gossip and slander right along with adultery and murder. I believe this is what Jesus was trying to say when he said, again in the Sermon on the Mount, “you have heard it said, but I say to you…..” We are all called to “better righteousness.”

How is accountability for a sin determined?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Question: Which sins are big and which sins are little? How is it determined? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another believes it to a grievous sin . . . who is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

Answer: Every sin, big or little, is an offense to God. Since it is God who is offended, it is up to Him to determine whether the offense is grievous or slight. Whether or not something is a sin does not depend on my opinion or my pleasure. Sins are evaluated according to their gravity. The distinction between mortal (serious) sin and venial (not grave) sin is taught in the Bible and by the Church, following the instructions of Jesus, particularly in his Sermon on the Mount. Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his true happiness, by preferring an inferior good to God. Venial sin allows charity to remain in the soul, although it offends and injures the soul. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be present together: the object must be serious matter, which is committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent. Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man (Mark 10:19): “Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.” The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger. Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God’s law. It also implies consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin. Unintended ignorance and misinformation can diminish or even remove the imputability of a grave offense. But no one is completely ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are in the conscience of every person. The promptings of feelings and passions can also diminish the voluntary and free character of the offense, as can external pressures or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is the gravest. Venial sin does not set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God. However, deliberate and repeated venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. Repeated mortal sins gradually harden one’s heart. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal damnation. The ultimate judge in the matter of sin is God. Each human person has been endowed by God with a conscience. The word “conscience” means: with knowledge. Every person has a moral sense about good and evil, whether something is nice or naughty. Every person is endowed also with a free will, i.e. the ability to choose whether they will do, or refrain from doing, what they know deep down in their conscience is good or is evil. The more frequently they choose to do good, the easier it becomes; and thus good habits are formed. And the more often a person chooses to do what they think is evil, the easier it becomes to repeat evil actions, like a second nature. Pre-marital sex is the sin of fornication, i.e. sex between persons who are not married to anyone. Intercourse with a married person, who is not one’s spouse, is the sin of adultery. According to the Bible, both fornication and adultery are serious sins against God’s law, as well as an abuse of what is proper in marriage. Adultery is also a sin of injustice against the married sexual partner’s spouse. Nowadays many teenagers are ignorant or misinformed about the morality of sexual activity. The responsibility for such ignorance is shared by their parents and teachers and clergy, who will have to answer to God for their neglect in teaching correctly the young persons, entrusted to their charge. Each person will be held accountable for his or her own sins, but also for the sins they caused other persons to commit. Each person has a duty to learn and be informed about good and evil. Only when a person has tried to learn and then been misinformed, so that their conscience does not accuse them, can he/she be held not accountable for particular sins. Objectively, the goodness or the sinfulness of any human action is determined by the extent that it corresponds to God’s law or is opposed to God’s law. Subjectively, the sinfulness of a human action can be diminished or increased through genuine ignorance or being mis-informed about God’s law. For example, someone with a delicate conscience might consider drinking alcoholic beverages to be sinful. In itself, such drinking is not sinful but good, as contributing to health of the body or to relaxation or joy. It becomes sinful only when done to excess. Another example: Abortion is a grievous sin, the sin of killing innocent persons not yet born. It is forbidden by God’s law in the Commandments. Many people are really ignorant of the Commandments and, since the Supreme Court decided to make abortion legal, some persons think that abortion must also be good or morally indifferent. Instead of considering abortion as murder of innocent babies, they view it as removal of an inconvenience, unwanted tissue, a wart. This is misinformation and ignorance, which can diminish the gravity of the sin of murder by abortion. However, the five Justices, who made abortion legal, knew that they were acting against God’s law and they must answer to God for all the murders caused by their wrong decision. On the other hand, the ignorant or misinformed mother, who undergoes an abortion, might not be guilty of sin, in following her conscience, which has been misinformed by that legal decision.

How is accountability for a sin determined?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Question: Which sins are big and which sins are little? How is it determined? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another believes it to a grievous sin . . . who is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

Answer: Sin is an enormous topic that has stretched the minds of Christian thinkers throughout the ages. We begin with “Original Sin” that sets the table for mankind. This is traced back to when Adam and Eve listened to Satan’s logic and chose to reject God’s word {Genesis 2:16-17} and committed the first sin of rebellion. {Genesis 3:6} With that came God’s promise “you will surely die.” {2:17} from that day on, man spiritually died {Ephesians 2:1}. A corruption and pollution overshadowed man which left unchecked; man is unable to tell right from wrong {Romans 1:21}. Physical life became an arena for physical pain even in giving birth to a child {Genesis 3:16a}. Power struggles would even enter in to the security of the family with husbands and wives battling each other to be top dog {16b}. Physical suffering would also be so intense Paul tells Christians we can’t even put the pain we are feeling at times into words {Romans 8:26} and even creation groans {Romans 8:22}. Making a living would even be harsh at times {Genesis 3:17-19a} and living in this world we should expect tribulations {John 16:33}. Physical death also entered in the picture {Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12-21} and also eternal death {Matthew 13:42,50; Revelations 14:11} With the inheritance of this original sin, comes the disposition to want to rebel and wander away from God’s way {Isaiah 53:6} committing actual sins (acts like lying, adultery, etc but also in thought i.e. Matthew 5:22, 28). Sin originates from a polluted heart as Jesus tells us in Matthew 15:19 “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Jeremiah addressed this pollution we all have in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” From that stems the attitude that I know better than God as Adam and Eve had. One definition of Sin is exemplified by the middle letter in its spelling, “I.” In the words of Sinatra, “I did it my way,” rather than God’s. Now there are some who classify sin like our brothers and sisters in the Catholic faith into two classifications. “Venial Sins” are lesser sins that don’t cut one off from the grace of God but do injure the relationship between the sinner and God. Forgiveness is more easily attained even in some cases without confession. “Mortal Sins” are those serious sins that cut the sinner off from the grace of God and are a rejection totally of God. These need the sacrament of penance. We Protestants don’t hold to such a distinction. Sin is sin, it’s a rebellion against God and according to the Bible, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” {Romans 3:23}. They are against God; great and small {Psalm 51:4}. We deserve death for them “but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” {Romans 6:23} For the child of God who sins, sin is pleasurable for a season, but they are short lived {Hebrews 11:25} The more we hide it or try to cover it up, the more painful or draining it can become {Psalm 32:3-4} God loves His children and will discipline them as a good parent to get it right {Hebrews 12:6-8} and sometimes leaves them to their own consequences {Luke 15:16-17}. He’ll forgive His child when we acknowledge it {Psalm 32:5} but the tragedy is that they may live with the consequences for the rest of their lives. David is a case in point who after his adultery {2 Samuel 11:1-5} and murder cover-up {6-27}, he confessed and was forgiven {Psalm 51}. But David’s indiscretion played out in the deaths of three of his children {2 Samuels 12:15-23; 13:19-39; 18:9-17} and one daughter raped {13:1-14}. All were natural consequences that were set in motion by his inconsistency and moral failure. I want to encourage you to live in His presence so it will keep you from falling {1 Timothy 1:12}. When you fall go to Christ to receive forgiveness and restoration {1 John 1:9}. Go into the future forgetting the past and reaching for the high calling He has mapped out for you {Philippians 3:8-14}. With relief over the past forgiven and excitement of what He has ahead of us, seize the day, Pastor Dave.

Why did Jesus rebuke Peter?

By Pastor Michael Hart

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Religion

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Pastor Michael Hart has served for 9 1/2 years at the Trinity Baptist Church in Pittsburg, KS. He has a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Mike welcomes your contact at 620-231-4410.

Pastor Michael Hart

2010-12-01 15:07:00

Question: In Luke 9:18, our Lord asked the disciples, who people said He was. They replied John the Baptist, Elijah and an old prophet that had risen. He then asked Peter who he thought He was. Peter responded that he was the Christ. Then our Lord rebuked him and the others and told them not to tell this to anyone. Why would he have rebuked Peter and the others, when He knew He would have to suffer and be rejected, be killed and be raised up on the last day, which He stated immediately after this?

Answer: Someone has said there is no such thing as bad publicity. With all the negative stories surrounding celebrities these days, I’m not so sure that statement is true. Jesus was, at least for a short time, a celebrity. Everywhere he went, people followed him. Some followed him because they were convinced that he was the promised Messiah. Others followed him convinced he was a deceiver. Those people were always looking for some weakness in his character or contradiction in his message which would discredit him. But most of those who followed Jesus simply wanted to see a miracle or receive the healing he offered. Remember that during a good part of his earthly ministry, Jesus was extremely popular due to his ability to heal people. His power to heal brought great notoriety throughout the cities and regions of Palestine. Wherever he went, large crowds pressed in around him following him from place to place. On one occasion, the people were pressing in so closely that when a woman touched his robe for healing, he felt power leave his body. You can imagine the disciples’ confusion when Jesus asked them who touched him. They must have thought, What a silly question. Everyone was touching him. At times, the crowds became so large and the demands on Jesus to heal the sick and diseased so great, that he would steal away to a secluded place to rest. During his earthly ministry, Jesus went everywhere proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom of God, but also healing all kinds of illness, and doing many mighty works. It’s easy to see why his popularity grew so rapidly. Everyone had heard of the amazing things he accomplished. They wanted him to perform a miracle in their lives. One of the many miracles Jesus performed was feeding over five thousand people from five loaves of bread and two fish. Following this event and after the crowds went home filled, Jesus was alone praying. As his disciples joined him, he asked them what people were saying about him. Who did they think he was? The answers varied, but Peter spoke for the entire group proclaiming that Jesus was “the Christ of God.” What he meant with that statement was simply that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise. He was the Savior all the Jews were anticipating. Unfortunately, only a small number of people believed that Jesus was the Messiah. So why did Jesus command his disciples to be silent about who he was? That’s the question we’re trying to answer. So many people failed to understand exactly who Jesus was. Oh, they enjoyed the benefit of his healing power, but Jesus came to do more than just heal the physical body. He came to take away the sins of the entire world. He came to heal people spiritually. The disciples needed to understand that his messiahship was directly connected to his death and resurrection. Only after his resurrection did the disciples finally get it. Jesus came to establish a heavenly kingdom, not an earthly one. Many people believed that Jesus would deliver Jews from Roman oppression. Even the Apostles mistakenly thought they would be part of an earthly kingdom. Two, who were brothers, asked if they could sit at Jesus’ right and left hand when he came into power. While the crowds were happy to have their sicknesses and diseases healed, the truth of who Jesus was would be much harder for the Jewish people to accept. Had the disciples began proclaiming that Jesus was Messiah, the crowds may have risen up and called for a revolution against Rome. Another reason Jesus commanded them to be silent was that his time had not yet come. At the appropriate time, Jesus would suffer, be rejected by the religious elite of Israel, die on the cross, and arise three days later. Now, it wasn’t as if no one knew who he was. The few who did embraced him as Messiah. But the general population saw Jesus as someone who had remarkable power, unique confidence before the religious leaders, and who could meet their immediate needs. Some time later, Jesus taught the crowds what it meant to truly follow him, which resulted in a serious decline in his popularity and celebrity status. From that point on, people no longer followed him. Very much like our own day, the crowds can be extremely fickle. Who Jesus is remains a most important question. As one writer says, “It is impossible to be wrong about Jesus and right with God.” Who do you say Jesus is? Is he just a good man who did good things a long time ago or is he who he said he was – “the Christ of God?” I hope each one who reads this article will give that question serious consideration. Investigate for yourself what the bible says about Jesus and why he came to earth. The Christmas Season is upon us. It’s my prayer that when you see the babe in the manger, you will be reminded that Jesus, God’s one and only Son, came to earth for no other reason than to provide eternal healing through his suffering, his death, and his resurrection for all humanity. There just isn’t any better gift than that!

The divine and human nature in Jesus

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-12-01 13:20:00

Question: : Recently you answered questions about the divine nature and human nature of Jesus. Tell me, as he was growing up, did he have to learn everything he knew with his human nature? For instance, when he was teaching in the temple, was he teaching things he had learned with his human nature or his divine nature?

Answer: This is a difficult question to answer because Jesus was truly human and truly divine. That itself is a difficult concept. We believe it by faith. As we understand it, however, Jesus of Nazareth was a human being who had to learn human knowledge, just as any human being does. Regarding your specific question about his teaching in the temple, we can say the following. Luke includes this story in his gospel to show that Jesus was a true Israelite. He also uses the story to say that, just as Jesus was “given to the Lord” in his dedication, Jesus himself now claims a special relationship with God. Further, the story is connected to Samuel’s story in the Old Testament. In the story, it does seem as if Jesus has knowledge and understanding beyond his years here, as well, but we cannot say much more than that, for that is not the point of the story for Luke.

Why did Jesus rebuke Peter?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-12-01 11:33:00

Why did Jesus rebuke Peter, after the Apostle acknowledged Him as the Messiah? In the Gospel of Luke (9:18-27), our Lord asked the disciples, who people said he was. They replied: John the Baptist, Elijah, or an old prophet that had risen. He then asked Peter whom he thought he was. Peter responded that he was the Anointed One of God (the Christ). Then our Lord rebuked him and the others, and told them to not tell this to anyone. Why would he have rebuked Peter and the others, when he knew he would have to suffer and be rejected, be killed and be raised up to life three days later, which he stated immediately after this (Luke 9:22)?

Answer: You ask a good question. Preacher and commentator Fred Craddock suggests in his commentary on Luke that Luke’s emphasis here is not that the disciples must be silent about who Jesus is, that is, the Messiah. Matthew and Mark make this the emphasis in their gospels. Rather, Luke’s emphasis is that the disciples must be silent about the fact that the Messiah will suffer. Why? Craddock goes on to say that the disciples are to be silent about this because the people will not be able to understand it or accept it, just as the disciples have difficulty with it. As Craddock notes, this suffering Messiah is still difficult for Christians to understand or accept today, but he argues that we cannot get to Easter without Good Friday. I agree.

Why did Jesus rebuke Peter?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-12-01 10:56:00

Why did Jesus rebuke Peter, after the Apostle acknowledged Him as the Messiah? In the Gospel of Luke (9:18-27), our Lord asked the disciples, who people said he was. They replied: John the Baptist, Elijah, or an old prophet that had risen. He then asked Peter whom he thought he was. Peter responded that he was the Anointed One of God (the Christ). Then our Lord rebuked him and the others, and told them to not tell this to anyone. Why would he have rebuked Peter and the others, when he knew he would have to suffer and be rejected, be killed and be raised up to life three days later, which he stated immediately after this (Luke 9:22)?

Answer: It is necessary to read the gospel verses immediately before and after this passage, which is parallel with Matt. 16:13-28 and Mark 8:27-38. Only Luke tells us that Jesus was praying at the time of the incident. Luke omits Jesus’ commendation of Peter, and the statement about the Church with Peter as its foundation rock. The question posed by Jesus shows that public opinion placed our Lord on the highest pedestal by identifying him with some of the national heroes of the past; at least that men recognized in him someone outstanding. The comments about “John the Baptist and Elijah or one of the ancient prophets arisen” recapitulate Herod’s thoughts in trying to identify Jesus. Peter’s answer to the question Jesus put to the disciples about himself is given briefly, and is followed by the Lord’s prediction of his rejection and death at the hands of the Jewish leaders, and his subsequent resurrection. This is the first acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah made by any of his disciples. But then St. Luke records only Jesus’ warning to the disciples how they were to follow him. Yes, Jesus is the Messiah ushering in a new age, in which all can participate; but that new age comes with a price. They must take up their cross and be prepared to lose their life for his sake. Here is the first mention of the cross in Luke. The people were not yet ready for this announcement because of their earthly views of the kingdom. But Jesus was ready to confront his disciples with the question that has been tantalizing audiences since the beginning of his ministry: “Who is this man?” (Lk 8:25). Jesus asked this question when he was already headed towards Jerusalem (John 9:51). He knew well what awaited him there. But still in his human nature he wanted to know before he went, if there was anyone who had really discovered who he was. The correct answer would make all the difference. If there was any realization, however incomplete, it meant that he had lit a torch in the hearts of men, a torch which would never be extinguished. When Jesus asked the disciples for their conclusion about the public opinion, Peter unhesitatingly spoke up for the rest. How Jesus’ heart must have been lifted when Peter exclaimed: “You are the Anointed One of God! (the Christ, the Messiah)” When Jesus heard this, he knew he had not failed. Not only did the Twelve have to discover this fact; they had also to discover what the fact meant. They had grown up in the expectation that God’s Messiah would be a conquering king, who would lead them to world domination. But Jesus had to teach them that God’s Anointed One had come to die upon a cross. He had to take their ideas of God and of God’s purposes, and turn them upside down. From this time that is what he set himself to do. Lest his mission be misunderstood (cf Lk 23:35). Jesus imposed silence until he had the opportunity to instruct them in the true meaning of his Missiahship. Jesus’ reaction to the disciples’ confession was not a harsh rebuke, but rather a gentle & firm directive from their beloved Master: “He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone” (vs. 21) until the time had come for proclaiming God’s plan. They had discovered who Jesus was; now they had to learn what that discovery meant. Jesus knew he had a destiny to fulfill. He had no other object but to do on earth what God had sent him to do.

Why did Jesus rebuke Peter?

By Pastor Dave Henion

X

Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-12-01 10:56:00

Answer: The verse in question is part of a turning point in the ministry of Jesus. He had begun to bring together His group of disciples in Luke 5 with the call to Peter to leave his fishing nets and start “catching men.” {5:10} The next chapters are devoted to Christ calling His disciples, teaching and healing so the disciples have a first hand view of what their master did. But then in chapter 9, Jesus commissions them with His healing power and authority. {9:1} They come back with exciting accounts of what took place and the crowds knew it too. {9:10-11} The crowds around Jesus grew to 5,000 and were even skipping their own hunger needs to listen to Jesus. At the end of the day, they needed sustenance and instead of sending them home empty as the disciples suggested, Jesus feeds them with limited resources, fives loaves and two fish, satisfying their hunger along with food left over.{9:12-17} But Jesus knew the hearts of people {John 2:23-24}. Crowd enthusiasm brings fickleness that would follow for a while but not last past their emotions.{John 6:66} But now it was time to begin to really invest His disciples with some of the secrets of the Kingdom that they would carry to the world after He left. This is why He is alone with them for prayer. He also wants to see what the disciples were picking up from the crowds in their thinking about Him {Luke 9:18-19} and also what the disciples were thinking.{vs 20a} When Peter makes the proclamation that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah, Deliverer), Jesus immediately puts Peter and the disciples under orders not to proclaim it.{20b} At least for now! The Savior does this because He knew that “His time had not yet come” {John 7:30} and the crowd wanted Him to be the national deliverer and overthrow the Roman occupation. Even His disciples thought that as revealed during the dark days after His death.{Luke 24:21} This is why Jesus comes on so strong. Both the disciples and the crowds were looking in the wrong direction, being earthly minded and not thinking of the eternal significance Jesus was bringing of save the whole world from sin. {John 3:16-18} It is not until afterwards we see the eyewitness writers (disciples) explain their misunderstanding with words after He rose from the dead. {John 2:21-22} As Jesus’ disciples, we can easily fall into the same tap that our first century brothers fell into when understanding the will of God. Their expectation and hope was Christ conquering Roman and restoring Israel as a nation. Instead it was for Christ to die on the cross and rise from the dead for our eternal life. Today, some see Jesus coming in their life is to make them happy but God’s will is to first make us “holy” {1 Peter 1:16} and “conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.” {Romans 8:29} This brings eternal joy! But I have seen it where the Bible tells us plainly but people envision something at times, even opposite. I had an incident when a man left his wife and children for a woman he fell in love. I told him that he was having an affair and breaking the 7th commandment. He said; “It’s not like that! God had brought this person into my life. I am so happy! God wants me happy!” I told him, “God didn’t do that because God calls it adultery. He does not go against His own will!” How easy my friend had deluded and confused the truth with his own desires and happiness. Selfishness! That is an extreme case but it makes the point. It is easy for us to hear what we want to hear and make Jesus be what we want Him to support our desires. The sad thing is we have fashioned Him into our image and liking rather the true Christ who only saves us from ourselves. May we always desire to listen and hear what our Lord truly says to us and be open to His changing work through the Holy Spirit every day! In Christ, Pastor Dave.

The divine and human nature in Jesus

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-11-01 13:31:00

Question: Tell me, as Jesus was growing up, did he have to learn everything he knew with his human nature? For instance, when he was teaching in the temple, was he teaching things he had learned with his human nature or his divine nature?

Answer: This is a difficult question to answer because Jesus was truly human and truly divine. That itself is a difficult concept. We believe it by faith. As we understand it, however, Jesus of Nazareth was a human being who had to learn human knowledge just as any human being does. Regarding your specific question about his teaching in the temple, we can say the following. Luke includes this story in his gospel to show that Jesus was a true Israelite. He also uses the story to say that, just as Jesus was “given to the Lord” in his dedication, Jesus himself now claims a special relationship with God. Further, the story is connected to Samuel’s story in the Old Testament. In the story, it does seem as if Jesus has knowledge and understanding beyond his years here, as well, but we cannot say much more than that, for that is not the point of the story for Luke.

The divine and human nature in Jesus

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-11-01 13:31:00

Question: Tell me, as Jesus was growing up, did he have to learn everything he knew with his human nature? For instance, when he was teaching in the temple, was he teaching things he had learned with his human nature or his divine nature?

Answer: The basic creed of the Christian faith expresses the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, whom St. John the gospel-writer called the Word of God, “came down from heaven and became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.” He did this so that we might know God’s love, and be our model of holiness. This does not imply that Jesus is part God and part man, nor that he is the result of a confused mixture of the divine and the human. He became truly man, while remaining truly God. Jesus Christ is true God and true man! During the first centuries, the Church had to defend and clarify this truth of faith against the heresies that attempted to falsify it. Thus, remaining God from all eternity, Jesus’ person assumed a human nature. Therein he was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary, born as a normal male baby, cried and laughed, ate and drank and functioned as a human being, grew through childhood to adulthood, learned from books and teachers, worked and taught, had friends as well as enemies, suffered and died on a cross, later he rose from the dead and, after being seen and recognized by persons who knew him before death, ascended into heaven. All this he did as a human being, while remaining divine and in union with God his Father in heaven. As related in the Gospels, at times Jesus invoked his divine nature without revealing it at the time, as when he performed miracles or demonstrated extraordinary knowledge and powers. The questioner asks about Jesus teaching in the temple. He probably spoke about matters he had learned as a boy or young man, but also showed knowledge and insights about heavenly things, which he might have learned from prayer and intense contemplation in the manner of certain saints, who are only human. At times he performed actions, which only God can do, e.g. instantaneous healings, calming the storm at sea, healing the man-born-blind, passing through an angry crowd at Nazareth who were determined to kill him before he had fulfilled his mission, foretelling future events, and his greatest feat: coming back to life after being murdered by crucifixion. These prove the reality of his divine nature. Jesus is God, a divine person, without a human personality but possessing two natures, human and divine. This doctrine, carefully worked out in the early Christian centuries, provides for the unity of his personality as well as for the reality of his humanity.

The divine and human nature in Jesus

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-11-01 13:31:00

Answer: In trying to get our minds around this set of questions, we need to begin with the pre-existence of Christ in heaven to His coming to earth as a man (incarnation). Paul uses tremendous theology about Christ in Philippians 2 as an example of practical importance of true humility and sacrifice that should take place in Christian relationships. Verse 6 tells us before Christ came to earth, “He existed in the form of God.” The word “form” means He was the same “essence” or “substance” meaning that He was God. When He came to earth He didn’t hold on to His equality, even though He remained God, He “emptied Himself” (verse 7) or set aside the privilege position and became a bondservant to die for our sins and glorify the Father in heaven. This is where the root of the question asked sits. In His “emptying,” how much limitation did Jesus have on His divine powers? Being fully man and fully God, how much of the knowledge Jesus possessed was learned as a human and how much was already divinely possessed? Was there a time, fore instance, that Jesus came to realize He was the Messiah or did He always know it? Now the portrait we get of Jesus in the gospels is growing up in a very spiritual home as we see Mary and Joseph both in tune with the Lord. They both heard from the Lord and were obedient to God’s calling. Mary accepted the news of her impregnation by the Holy Spirit by faith as a true bond-servant {Luke 1:26-38; 46-56} and trusting God all the way through it and through out her life. {John 19:26} Joseph was also a man of God who before the angel revealed God’s plan of birth of Jesus the Messiah through Mary, the scriptures tell us how this Godly man was going to handle it. {Matthew 1:19} But when the angel of the Lord reveals to Joseph God’s plan of Jesus’ birth, Joseph obediently did everything the angel commanded {1:24-25}. Joseph also obeyed God when the angel of the Lord warned him to go to Egypt to avoid Herod’s massacre of infants trying to eliminate Jesus. He obediently took Mary and the Baby to Egypt. {Matthew 1:13-15} Together, after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary presented Him for circumcision on the eighth day {Luke 21:1-7}. They also took Him for Passover to Jerusalem every year {Luke 2:21-24}. We see so far that Jesus grew up in a God centered home and the scripture affirms that in Luke 2:39-40. Together they did a great job of parenting Jesus in the ways of God and as the scriptures tells He continued to grow. But I also believe that Jesus’ divine nature shows through as {2:40b} says, “the grace of God was upon Him” and we see this when He was 12. When the family was on their way home from Jerusalem and Jesus turned up missing because He was at the Temple for 3 days learning and teaching. Still adding to the human side, listening and asking questions,” {vs 46} but then imparting to them some deep stuff they had never heard. This is why it says in verse 47, “And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.” You see, I think God did exactly what He planned to revealed through Him using both means in unveiling Jesus’ humanity and deity to mankind. This debate and speculation of what Jesus knew will go on until we will all know it someday perfectly {1 Corinthians 13:12} at His feet in heaven. In the mean time there are four things we can glean from all this. First, that in our relationships we need to practice the humility of Jesus in our minds and “regard one another more important than ourselves.” {Philippians 2:3b} Marriages and friendships would be very different. Secondly, our need as parents for consistency of spiritual matters both by teaching and modeling the faith {Deuteronomy 6:4-9}. Thirdly, the importance of going to and being involved the faith community of the church {Hebrews 10:23-25}. Finally, being open to the movement of God’s grace and truth in our lives every day {2 Timothy 2:1-2}. May God grow you everyday as He does me, Pastor Dave.

The particular and final judgments

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-10-01 11:45:00

Question: Is there a judgment passed upon a person immediately when that person dies? Is the judgment final? If so, why would there be what is called a final judgment at the end of time? Is it possible that, if there is a judgment passed when a person dies, that judgment could later change?

Answer: It’s already upon us... You might find what Billy Graham has said about judgment helpful; he has said that there are three judgments. The first is that we have already been judged for our sins, and Christ has taken that judgment upon himself in his death on the cross. The second is the judgment of individuals at the end of time. The third is the daily self-judgment we should make of ourselves, a continual self-examination of our daily lives. Presbyterians would not generally disagree with Graham’s explanation, though there is a wide spectrum of belief on this issue among Presbyterians. We, like Graham, assert that there has already been one judgment, in a sense, in that Jesus submitted to judgment on the cross for our sake. And though many of us would like to leave judgment at that, we must also note that scripture speaks of a day of judgment, and though we do not and cannot fully understand how that will work, we cannot ignore the words of scripture about it. Further, we affirm in the Apostles Creed, with other Christians, that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead.

The particular and final judgments

By Pastor Dave Henion

X

Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-10-01 11:45:00

Answer: What a challenging question from our questioner but as I read the scriptures, the state of a person does not change after death. The judgment that begins at death signifies the importance God has put on this life and the responsibility we have now. The finality of the judgment is due to God’s time and culmination of all things. The intermediate state (the state between the individual’s death and the final judgment) keeps all of the dead and the living in waiting on Him, the Sovereign God of the universe to evidence what He said is true and that He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. That He will end it as Lord of all. The intermediate state is not for the unbeliever to get a second chance. The Bible has a lot to say about God’s judgment here on earth because this life is important and what you do and believe here means much. Right in the beginning of time God’s judgment comes upon mankind in the form of suffering and death because of Adam and Eve’s original sin (Genesis 3:16-19). All throughout the Old Testament we see it in all of mankind with Noah (Genesis chapters 6-8), Babel (11) and Sodom and Gomorrah (19). We also see it personally with Cain after he killed Abel (4), Hophni and Phinehas were both killed for their sinful and rebellious ways (#1 Samuel 4:11; 3:13). This is a judgment that is seen as a present reality because God is the ruler of the earth, the just creator of the earth, who strives with man as a gracious God but also is just which calls also for His judgment. There is also eternal judgment for all mankind. This eternal judgment is resolved for believers at the point of conversion, when a person receives Christ and accepts Him as Savior and Lord. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24). The believer is declared righteous before God. (Romans 5:1) At that moment of regeneration or of being born again, the believers name is written in the Lambs book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 21:27) as an adopted child of God (Romans 9:4; Ephesians 1:5). The unbeliever continues to live under the judgment as Jesus says in John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Now few details are given about the intermediate state but what we see in the scriptures is that the soul is without the body and the believers are in the conscious joyous presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Revelation 14:13). The unbelievers, however, await the resurrection in the state of suffering already (Luke 16:23). We know it is a conscious existence as is shown in Jesus’ parable of the Rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Some groups point out this to mean “soul sleep” but that can’t be because they are consciously existing and the unrighteous dead are kept in prison (1 Peter 3:19). If they are unconscious do they need a prison? Others suggest “purgatory” but there is no passing over from one condition or another after death. Final judgment or redemption settles what has already begun at the time of death (Hebrews 9:27). The Final Judgment comes at the final consummation of the world, after the intermediate state, when Christ returns and will judge all (Hebrews 12:23) and “… God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom” (2 timothy 4:1). A clear understanding of the relationship with the Father and Jesus Christ at the end is given in Acts 17:31 where it says, “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” The reason for the final judgment will not be to see the quality of character but to just disclose it and assign each person their eternal place for their trust or lack of trust in God. Believers will be judged not with unbelievers. The believer will be judged not for salvation because he/she already has it but rather to appraise their works (2 Corinthians 5:10). On the other hand the unbeliever will stand before the Great White Throne to be judged and cast into the lake of fire along with Satan who goes first (Revelations 20:10-15). That is why the Bible calls us to grab a hold of the salvation offered so we can escape this eternal doom. There is immediacy to it, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Are you sure your name is written in the book of life? Have you trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior? It’s His book. It’s His pen filled with His blood and hand that can be the only one to write your name in that book. Don’t be left off of His roster! Don’t be banking on second chances after you leave this earth. “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). Grateful He wrote mine in the book back in 1969. How about you? Pastor Dave

The particular and final judgments

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-10-01 11:45:00

Answer: The Catholic Catechism says (paragraph 1021): “Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each person will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus, and words of Jesus on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul -- a destiny which can be different for some and for others. Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven -- through a purification or immediately -- OR immediate and everlasting damnation.” So, to answer your first question: Yes, judgment is passed upon a person immediately when that person dies. And that judgment is final, not subject to change! So why will there be any Last Judgment, as the place in eternity of each person is already determined immediately after death? The Catholic Catechism continues (paragraph 1038): “The resurrection of all the dead, ‘of both the just and the unjust’ (Acts 24:15) will precede the Last Judgment. This will be ‘the hour when all who are in the tombs will hear the Son of man’s voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment’ (John 5:28-29). Then Christ will come ‘in his glory, and all the angels with him. . . . Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. . . . And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life’ (Matthew 25:31, 32, 46).” The Catechism continues: “In the presence of Christ, who is Truth itself, the truth of each man’s relationship with God will be laid bare. The Last Judgment will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life.” The Last Judgment will come when Christ returns in glory. Only the Father knows the day and the hour; only he determines the moment of its coming. Then through his Son Jesus Christ he will pronounce the final word on all history. We shall know the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and understand the marvellous ways by which his Providence led everything towards its final end. The Last Judgment will reveal that God’s justice triumphs over all the injustices committed by his creatures, and that God’s love is stronger than death. The message of the Last Judgment calls men to conversion while God is still giving them “the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). It proclaims the blessed hope of the Lord’s return, when he will come “to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all who have believed” (2 Thess 1:10). At the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come into its fullness. After the universal judgment, the righteous will reign forever with Christ, glorified in body and soul. The universe will be renewed. And the sufferings of those damned in hell will give glory to God’s Justice forever. --Fr. Richard James Cleary

The mystery of the Holy Trinity

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-10-01 10:11:00

Question: I find myself “stuck” in the mystery of the Trinity. I’m sure there had to be a good reason why God chose to do it the way He did, but it sure is confusing. We have been taught that there are three persons in the one God. We are taught that they are all equal. They are all the same. Yet, in John 14:28, Jesus says: “ You heard that I said to you, I go away and I will come to you. If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.” It seems there are several places in the Gospels where Jesus talks about him being subordinate to God the Father. Was he talking just about his human nature? Where are places in the Bible where Jesus talks and shows he is equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit in his divine nature?

Answer: What a wonderful opportunity to plunge into one of the greatest truths and mysteries of God’s nature in the Christian faith. In the history of the early church, questions arose about the connection Jesus and the Holy Spirit had to God the Father. Answers came from one extreme to the other. On one extreme a group called “Modalists” followed the thinking of Sabellius in the 3rd century who believed God was one unit, but had different modes or roles that God showed. That was declared false and rejected as heresy by the early church. It is still held by groups like “Oneness Pentecostals” and leaders T.D. Jakes and Gwen Shamblin of the popular weight loss program “Weigh Down Worshop.” On the other extreme came Arius, a Presbyter from Alexandria, in the 4th century, who said Jesus was created and was not co-eternal with God the Father. This made Jesus a “second-class” god and not really God. This was declared heresy by the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicea and brought the formulation of the Nicene Creed. A second creed was later formulated to more clarify the “Trinity”called the Athanasian Creed. Today, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons hold this concept of Jesus Christ’s relation to the Father. The Christian Church, however, settled on the concept “Trinity,” even though the term never is used in the Bible, the relational concept is there. Our questioner today understands that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are equal and are of the same substance of God the Father as the early church affirmed. But he sees some contradiction of the Trinity doctrine with what Jesus says in John 14:28 or is Jesus saying something else? Jesus was not denying His own deity or His equality with God, for then He would have been contradicting what He said earlier in John 10:30, “I and My Father are one...” He would have contradicted His claim to the Jewish leaders, “I Am” {John 8:58} referring to Himself as God which caused those Jews to pick up rocks in order to stone Him for committing the greatest heresy by claiming to be God. When He says “the Father is greater than I,” He is referring to His earthly position rather than His essence. When Jesus came to earth He laid aside or “emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:5-8) in order to fulfill His purpose of redemption. We see that even more in John 5:19 where He says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing.” His dependency was on the Father and always worked to do the will and fulfill the purpose of the Father. Yet, He still had the privileged status as the same substance and essence of God in His own description of Himself when He says, “I am: the bread, door, light, way…” statements. What a wonderful miracle of God’s grace in revealing Himself as this Tri-une God. In it I want to highlight two great things He teaches us. First, about His love and grace. God in His self-sufficiency does not need man. He is fully content in perfect relationship within the trinity. But out of His love, He creates mankind from the pleasure of His will and gives us life. He bestows His image upon man and gives us relationship with Him and provides us with safety and protective boundaries. But we rebel and out of His love He saved us by coming to earth, experiencing life as we do and then taking the abuse of mere men by dying and satisfying His righteous justice for our sin and gives us eternal life. He raises from the dead and deposits Himself in the believer’s life through His Holy Spirit. Second, it is as the apostle Paul saw it as a great example of how we are to treat each other in relationships, especially in marriage. To follow the example of Jesus Christ in Philippians 2:1-11 where we are to consider others, our partners in the unselfish way Christ looked upon us; unselfish, humbly, looking out for the other, emptying ourselves and sacrificing for their betterment. True Love! If that attitude were to take place in our churches, homes and our lives, this world would be a very different place. As you go out today, be assured of that “Tri-une God’s love” and as you live, “Cop an attitude.” Christ’s attitude! In Him, Pastor Dave.

The mystery of the Holy Trinity

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-10-01 10:11:00

I find myself “stuck” in the mystery of the Trinity. I’m sure there had to be a good reason why God chose to do it the way He did, but it sure is confusing. We have been taught that there are three persons in the one God. We are taught that they are all equal. They are all the same. Yet, in John 14:28, Jesus says: “ You heard that I said to you, I go away and I will come to you. If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.” It seems there are several places in the Gospels where Jesus talks about him being subordinate to God the Father. Was he talking just about his human nature? Where are places in the Bible where Jesus talks and shows he is equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit in his divine nature?

Answer: I reply: You are attempting to understand the most difficult article of the Christian faith. Several centuries of studies, writings, argumentation, even quarrels and wars among Christians, in order for the majority of the followers of Jesus to agree on the basic truths about the Persons in the Trinity and in the two natures in Jesus. We must recognize that these are sacred mysteries, which God has not fully revealed to mankind, and which no one (not even the most brilliant intellects) can fully understand and explain. These facts, the mysteries of the Trinity and of the Incarnation (God the Son assuming a human nature) are the basic and essential elements of our Christian faith. We know them by faith, taught by Jesus to his Apostles, and partially explained by seven ecumenical councils. Most of the statements in your question are theologically correct. But your statement “They are all the same” is not exact or adequate. Each Person of the Trinity has his own proper attributes. The equality is spelled out by Jesus in the great commission, spoken to the Apostles just before his Ascension: “Go and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). In his discourse after the Last Supper, Jesus makes several references to the Trinity. [That word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, although the idea is clearly there]. In John 14:16 Jesus tells the Apostles: “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Paraclete – to be with you always, the Spirit of truth.” Here we understand Jesus is referring to himself as a Paraclete (Counselor, Advocate). A little earlier Jesus had remarked that “I am in the Father and the Father is in me. The words I speak are not spoken of myself; it is the Father who lives in me accomplishing his works” (John 14:10). This is an expression of the divine equality. Of the divine Persons working together. Yet, shortly afterward, in John 14:28, Jesus says the words you cited in your question: “The Father is greater than I.” You are correct that there Jesus is referring to his human nature. In John 16, Jesus again promises to send the Paraclete Spirit: “Being the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. . . In doing this, he will give glory to me, because he will have received from me what he will announce to you. All that the Father has belongs to me. That is why I said that what he will announce to you he will have from me” (John 16: 13-15). The Trinity is witnessed at the Baptism of Jesus (cf Matt 3:16-17), when the Spirit of God descends like a dove and hovers over Jesus, while a voice from the heavens says “This is my beloved Son; my favor rests on him.” St. Mark (1:10-11) relates this incident thus: “On coming up out of the water Jesus saw the sky rent in two and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. Then a voice came from the heavens: “You are my beloved Son, on you my favor rests.” St. Luke (3:21-22) also relates this event in similar words. In the 3rd century, when the priest Arius of Alexandria publicly denied that Jesus is equal to the Father as God, this matter was paramount in discussions throughout the Roman Empire. In the year 325 the emperor Constantine I summoned all 318 bishops of the world to meet at his summer palace in Nicaea (now called Iznek in western Turkey) to decide whether it is truly a part of our Christian faith that Jesus is divine and equal to the Father as God. All the bishops at this First Ecumenical Council agreed that this is the faith received from the Apostles and passed down in their own families. Around 369-370, when the divinity of the Holy Spirit was being questioned, the bishops of the world met in the Second Ecumenical Council held at Constantinople, and there agreed that the faith, received from their forefathers and mothers, was that the Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son: three separate Persons in one God. They recognized that this is not a contradiction, but a mystery which human reason cannot fathom. It is a fact to be accepted on faith. And this is expressed in the Apostles’ Creed, which was expanded somewhat in the Creed of Nicea-Constantinople: to explain the distinct qualities proper to each person in the Trinity. This Creed is sung or recited every Sunday in each Catholic and Orthodox Church, as well as in many churches stemming from the Reformation. Through the centuries great theologians, e.g. St. Hilary, St. Augustine, Photius of Constantinople, St. Thomas Aquinas, Karl Barth, and many others have struggled to better understand the Trinity. All of them conclude that it remains a mystery. One of the more beautiful summaries of God’s internal life is this ancient formula: “In the one God there are three Persons: One who loves him who is his Son from all eternity, and One who loves Him who is his Father, and One who is that very love itself.” Now that is a mystery of faith! Misunderstanding this faith, Mohamed and other non-Christians mis-interpreted the doctrine of the Trinity as worshiping three gods). But they are simply wrong. Our creed commences: “We believe in ONE God!

The mystery of the Holy Trinity

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-10-01 10:11:00

Question: I find myself “stuck” in the mystery of the Trinity. I’m sure there had to be a good reason why God chose to do it the way He did, but it sure is confusing. We have been taught that there are three persons in the one God. We are taught that they are all equal. They are all the same. Yet, in John 14:28, Jesus says: “ You heard that I said to you, I go away and I will come to you. If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.” It seems there are several places in the Gospels where Jesus talks about him being subordinate to God the Father. Was he talking just about his human nature? Where are places in the Bible where Jesus talks and shows he is equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit in his divine nature?

You are correct when you say the Trinity is a mystery! Indeed it is! Perhaps my answer will help you to have a better sense of the mystery, though no one can explain it fully. As Presbyterian theologian, Donald McKim puts it, “early Christians worshipped the God who had been revealed to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament….But [they] also believed that in the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth they encountered God in an altogether unique way,” coming to confess that Jesus Christ was also God. After Pentecost, early Christians “believed that God was present in the church and in their experience of the Holy Spirit.” The church codified this belief in the Nicene Creed in the 4th century, one God in three persons, all equal. The passage you cite from John 14:28 has been cited at various times to suggest that Jesus was somehow “lesser” in equality or value than God the Father. It was particularly used by Arius in early theological arguments. In the passage, however, Jesus is speaking of himself as a man. As Johannine scholar Raymond Brown puts it, “as the divine Son, Jesus is equal to the Father.” (See especially chapter 1). Here in verse 28, Jesus is assuring the disciples that despite his physical departure as a man, they will receive peace through the Holy Spirit, a peace which reflects the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You asked for other passages where Jesus asserts this equality with the Father. Simply look back earlier in chapter 14 to verse 7, 9, 10-11, to find a few examples.

Was there sin before the commandments?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-09-01 13:38:00

Question: Since there were no Ten Commandments from the time of Adam and Eve, to the time that God gave them to Moses, were things like false idols, murder, adultery and stealing: sins for those living during that period?

Answer: Yes, indeed mankind sinned from the time of Adam and Eve, from whom we have the original sin. This is clear in the first book of the Bible, Genesis; and their children sinned, e.g. Cain. Sin is in this world so abounded that God was moved to wipe-out by drowning all mankind in the time of Noah, whose family was saved in the ark. Even the holy patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and their children sinned, and some of these repented of their sins. The Ten Commandments, promulgated by God to Moses, in the second book of the Bible, Exodus, spells out man's fundamental duties towards God and towards his neighbor. They reveal in their content, grave obligations, obliging man and woman always and everywhere. From the Creation these commandments are engraved by God in the human heart. The Ten Commandments from God became necessary because the light of reason in human beings was obscured and their will had gone astray. Not only in the Bible, but also in other ancient writings from before the time of Moses, it is clear that the sins you mentioned were abundant and considered evil. This is the natural moral law, the work of Divine Wisdom. It prescribes for man the ways, the rules of conduct that lead to authentic happiness. It proscribes the ways of evil, which turn man away from God and his love. This natural moral law is the basis for the human conscience. Even in those erroneous persons who attempt to deny or ignore conscience. Thus, also before the Ten Commandments, human beings could be saved and go to God, Whom they did not know, by following the natural law of conscience. And those persons, who ignored the natural law and their conscience, even before the Commandments were promulgated, and died without repenting the evils they had done, went to hell. The Commandments and all law finds its first and ultimate truth in the eternal law, which is declared and established by reason, the source of which is God. The early Christian writer, Tertullian (c. 200 a.d.) wrote: “Alone among all animate beings, man can boast of having been counted worthy to receive a law from God: as an animal endowed with reason, capable of understanding and discernment, he is to govern his conduct by using his freedom and reason, in obedience to the One who has entrusted everything to him.” The natural law is engraved in the soul of each and every person, because it is human reason directing him to do good and forbidding him to sin. It's principal precepts are expressed in the Ten Commandments. This law is called “natural,” not in reference to the nature of irrational beings, but because human reason, which decrees it, properly belongs to human nature. St. Thomas Aquinas summarizes this beautifully: “The natural law is nothing other that the light of understanding placed in us by God; through it we know what we must do and what we must avoid. God has given us this light or law at the creation” (Aquinas on the Ten Commandments, chapter one).

Was there sin before the commandments?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-09-01 13:38:00

Question: Since there were no Ten Commandments from the time of Adam and Eve, to the time that God gave them to Moses, were things like false idols, murder, adultery and stealing: sins for those living during that period?

Answer: This is an interesting question. To answer, I need to first note that the Ten Commandments were given to God’s people in the wilderness as he shaped them into a people. The commandments set the boundaries for behavior for a people who had been slaves and were not used to freedom and choices. In giving the commandments, God was showing them the way to live. Thus, the commandments should not be seen as a list of negatives, but as the way to abundant life. One commentator has compared the commandments to the lights that outline a runway at night when a plane is trying to land; they show the way to safety. I also need to note that sin is not simply breaking a rule or a commandment given by God. Ever since Adam and Eve chose to rebel against God and not to trust in his direction, choosing instead to follow their own way and eat of the tree, humanity has a fallen nature. That is, we are in a state of sin; it is only through God’s grace that we can be saved. Any good we do is then empowered by God’s Spirit within us. So, to answer the question, those who lived “in between” Adam and Eve, and Moses, were sinful human beings, as we all are. Also, as Paul notes in Romans 1, creation itself reveals God and goodness, so there is no excuse for anyone. I should also note that Hebrews speak of those who, during that period, lived by faith, not knowing of the law to come or even of Jesus Christ. The good news is that Jesus died for all persons and his salvation is for all, not simply for persons who knew the law or those who lived after him.

Was there sin before the commandments?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-09-01 13:38:00

Question: Since there were no Ten Commandments from the time of Adam and Eve, to the time that God gave them to Moses, were things like false idols, murder, adultery and stealing: sins for those living during that period?

Answer: Even though the 10 Commandments were not codified, or introduced, as a formal code until Moses, they were in existence since the beginning of time. It would be like mankind not knowing anything about the physical law of gravity. It did not take away from the law being active and keeping men and women on earth. So it is with the spiritual laws that govern our world that reflect the heart of almighty God the maker and sustainer of the earth. Even if man claims ignorance by not knowing, it still is a sin. Doing 67 MPH in a 45 mile zone and not realizing it because you didn’t see the sign, the officer who pulls you over with his radar gun clocking you at 67 has the right to ticket you because the fact of the matter is that you are guilty of breaking the law. Now the scriptures show us there has always been a witness of God but man has rejected Him and given himself to unworthy pursuits and idols (Romans 1:18-23). That even the law is written on the heart of gentiles who know and keep the law by conscience more than even the Jews (Romans 2:14-15). With man being made in God’s image, we have the ability to choose, unlike animals that are instinctual. Adam and Eve’s experience in the garden is a prime example (Genesis 3:1-4). Adam and Eve’s experience of freedom to make moral choices, caused them to disobey the commands that were spelled out to them in God’s instructions. In their disobedience they put their desires ahead of serving and obeying God (Exodus 20:3 command 1). The other god they listened to was Satan (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Eve coveted the fruit of the tree they were not to eat (vs 17 command 10). They took what was not theirs to have which is stealing (20:15 command 8) and they hid, lied and blamed (20:16 command 9). Even further, every command was given pre-Moses as exhibited in the first five books of the Bible. Jacob did away with the idols in Genesis 35:2-4 which violated the 2nd command. In (Exodus 20:4-6) we see the vainly taking of the Lord’s name breaking the 3rd command which was violated in the first book of the Bible written when Job’s wife calls for him to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). The fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) of Sabbath rest was already established in Genesis 2:2-3. The fifth command (20:12) to honor parents, we see broken when Noah’s son dishonored him (Genesis 9:24-25). The early incident of Cain murdering Abel (Genesis 4:10-11) violated the sixth commandment (Ex 20:13) and God had warned Cain earlier and called the act “Sin” (Genesis 4:7). The 7th command of adultery (Ex. 20:14) is already seen as sin with the episode with the Potifar’s wife who tries to seduce Joseph. His response to her shows the command was already known when he says, “…How could I violate his (Potifar’s) trust and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9b) With all of these we see the law was always there. When God had Moses write them out and codify it for Israel, God showed them the beauty and function of the law. It was to help them live right with Him by understanding His heart and nature of Holiness. To live in practical ways that reflect His nature as they lived together in community to meet each others needs in a loving and responsible manner as He designed them to do. But most misunderstood it’s use and saw it as a means to their end and to earn God’s favor and protection. Keeping the law became the end in itself and not a relationship to God of love but of duty. But God’s intention for the Law was to expose people to their need for a relationship with Him of grace and mercy. In Galatians 3:24, Paul reminds us the law reveals our sinfulness and need for Jesus Christ who gives us that grace and mercy. For we don’t always do or keep the law perfectly. We can see that as we read Jesus’ practical elaboration on the Ten Commandments in His Sermon on the mount in Matthew Chapters 5-7. Now, we know that living according to the Ten Commandments can’t save us, because we can never fulfill them perfectly to get into heaven, but they are still relevant guidelines in loving God and our fellow man. These laws resonate with what the heart of God desires for us and how we can live a healthy and fruitful life. They are Spiritual Laws still to be abided by because they give us practical instruction on how to love our God and our neighbor. Some have said they don’t need to follow the law because they just live in love with others. But they have quoted that to justify a breach of the law like committing adultery because they have said they had to be true to themselves and love the one they were with. But the scriptures say, if you are really a lover, love is committed to fulfilling the Law. Let’s see what God says about it in Romans 13:8-10 where it says: “Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting—and any other commandment—are all summed up in this one commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements.” This kind of love is the extreme opposite to the superficial love that does whatever it wishes for its own selfish gratification the world presents to us today often through the media and the arts. That false image of love brings brokenness and a lot of hurt. The real love God calls us to goes the distance and is true to His commands. May the Lord work in our hearts by faith to make us true lovers that respect and honor God’s wishes for our lives and others. Striving everyday to truly being a godly lover, Pastor Dave.

Why did Jesus say to buy a sword?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-08-01 13:01:00

Question: (quotation from Luke 22:35-38): Then Jesus asked his disciples, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. He said to them: “But now,” Jesus said, “whoever has a purse or a bag must take it; and whoever does not have a sword, must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that the Scripture which says, ‘He shared the fate of criminals ,’ must come true about me, because what was written about me, is coming true.” The disciples said, “See Lord! Here are two swords!” “That is enough,” Jesus replied. What did Our Lord mean here?

Answer: It is true that these words of Jesus are only recorded by Luke, but he is purposeful in including them in the gospel at the beginning of Christian persecution. To some it seems as if it is a contradiction to what Jesus has said earlier. Some also have wrongly used this passage as a proof text to use weapons and violence. There are other places in scripture, where their justification can be found, but not in this passage. In the context of our passage, Jesus is in the upper room with His disciples having the last supper. (Luke 22:14-38) As they are having the supper, Jesus tells them His time of suffering is about to begin. (14-16) He shares Passover with them in verses 16-20 and of His betrayal of which they begin to look at each other. (21-23) It is here that an argument erupts between the disciples’ over who is the greatest among them. Jesus takes the time to teach them about true greatness (24-27). He also encourages them all by telling them of their reward for hanging in there with Him (28-30). Jesus gets personal with Peter informing him that Satan was going to be allowed to “play with” or “sift” Peter for a while and Peter would deny the Lord 3 times (31-24). At this point, Jesus contrasted their ministry together up until this point. There was no need to take provisions because the generosity of the people they ministered too met their needs (Luke 10:4-7). But now the momentum was about to change and Jesus was trying to prepare them. People would now be reluctant to show them hospitality and might even suffer persecution if they helped the disciples. The major shift comes in verse 36 when Jesus says, “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your clothes and buy one!” The reason they will treat the disciples’ like Him, as a “transgressor” or a “condemned criminal” (37) in fulfillment of the scriptures. Now, Luke records the disciple’s response as understanding the Lord literally when they say, “Lord, were good. We have two swords!” (38) How ridiculous their assumption was that two swords could fight off a group of Roman soldiers. Second, they didn’t get Jesus’ point that they were heading into very difficult and ruthless persecution. (21:16-17) Luke records Jesus frustration with the disciples, “Enough of this!” It is like the parent who explains certain results to their child of a certain action but they just don’t get it. The child would have to learn in the school of hard knocks. That they do. William Barclay, compiled from history and church tradition, each one of the disciples’ difficulties, trials and deaths in a book entitled, “The Master’s Men.” It was not about taking up physical arms, but Jesus was alluding to the courage and stamina it takes in the battle to hang in there by persevering against all odds no matter how bad it looks. This would be their lot. Courageous battling for the souls of men and women when they shared the gospel to the world. Jesus hinted at it earlier. “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan falling from heaven as a flash of lightning!” (10:18) We get a better understanding of what Jesus meant when Judas comes with the soldiers to arrest Him. Here is where the use of those upper room swords could be handy. Look what happens; “When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, ‘Stop! No more of this.’ And He touched his ear and healed him.” (49-51) They didn’t get it. Each one of us has battles we face all through life. Some are every day. Others have been long range battles. I see it in my ministry when people give up in the midst of the battle because their tired, worn down and depleted of motivation and drive. Sometimes they list outside circumstances or things, “If I only I had..” more money, a different spouse, a better job, etc. But are they the problem or is it the battle within (2 Corinthinians 10:5), of our minds (Colossians 3:1), or of our hearts (James 4:8). Maybe our perspective is all wrong (Luke 12:23) and we are seeking the wrong things (Matthew 6:33)? Are the present crisis just stepping stones to handle greater crisis (Romans 5:3-11)? Are they Spiritual (Ephesians 6:10-17) and we are trying to win the battle in our own strength and power. Then we wonder why we feel defeated and are ready to give up. We’re thinking we have enough with our measly 2 little swords, and we’re battling a whole army. We should not be surprised when the battles come but found ready, trusting Christ and dressed in the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11) In the thick of the battle and assured of the final victory, (2 Cor 4:1) Pastor Dave Henion grew up for the first 18 years of his life in the diverse atmosphere of the NY metropolitan area, and Dave learned a lot about living the life of faith with convictions in a very diverse world. Being part of a religious and cultural minority, Mr. Henion learned the essence of tolerance and tactfulness with a loving witness. He moved to Pella, Iowa where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at Central University of Iowa. There, he also played on the offensive line with the team that won the NCAA National Championship in 1974, and met a freshman cheerleader his senior year who became his wife, Sandy. They moved to Michigan where she finished her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 3 years, and they married while Dave finished his Masters of Divinity Degree at Western Seminary in Holland. Reverend Henion took a call to a small church along the Hudson River in Fort Lee NJ, home of the George Washington Bridge. There his early training diversity in his 12 years of ministry paid off dearly. He was blessed with 3 children. In 1991, the family took a call from the Reformed Church in America denomination, to plant a church in Wichita. The church started at Kensler Elementary School, moved to the Zoo and now is located at 8340 W. 21st N. He also became Dr. Dave in 2006, having received his Doctorate from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, became a father-in-law two years ago and a proud grandfather 10 months ago. He also ministers as Director of the Police Chaplains for the Wichita Police and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Departments. He can be reached at, 316-7299736.

Why did Jesus say to buy a sword?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-08-01 13:01:00

Question: (quotation from Luke 22:35-38): Then Jesus asked his disciples, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. He said to them: “But now,” Jesus said, “whoever has a purse or a bag must take it; and whoever does not have a sword, must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that the Scripture which says, ‘He shared the fate of criminals ,’ must come true about me, because what was written about me, is coming true.” The disciples said, “See Lord! Here are two swords!” “That is enough,” Jesus replied. What did Our Lord mean here?

Answer: It seems that he is saying something different than he said in any of the other Gospels. This is one of the more difficult texts in the Gospels for us to understand. Many commentators (e.g. the great Presbyterian scholar William Barclay) ignore that episode in Luke 22, as if it doesn’t exist, or they don’t understand it. I don’t understand it either. Therefore, I can only speculate what St. Luke intended. It appears only in Luke’s Gospel. In the context, this episode is situated after the Last Supper and Jesus’ prediction of Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial, and Jesus’ warning to the Apostles about Satan wanting them. The quotation cited in our question is followed immediately with the narrative of Jesus’ Agony in the garden and his Passion. This episode seems extraneous in that context, as if Luke inserted a kind of zigzag, seeming to reverse some of Jesus’ earlier instructions regarding the mission of the Apostles. First, Jesus reminds the Twelve of their earlier missionary work, when he sent them out “without purse and bag and sandals.” “You didn’t go without anything, did you?” he asks them, and they agree. Now he gives a directive different from that cited in the question: “Whoever has a purse or a bag must take it, and whoever does not have a sword, must sell his cloak and buy one.” The purse is for money; the bag is for provisions; the sword is a long knife or short sword. But note: he wants us to carry swords now? Well, we can’t go buy any just this minute, after sundown on the night of the Passover feast. How many can we scrounge between us? “See, Lord, we have two swords with us.” Jesus says simply: “That is enough.” What does St. Luke think Jesus meant by this directive, a change in his earlier program? If there was no mention of swords, then we might think that Luke is trying to account for the differences between the missionary commands cited above (Luke 9:1-5 and 10:1-16), and the actual practice of the Apostles in Acts, which Luke composed later. But “sell your cloak and buy a sword,” particularly in view of Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” and “sell your possessions and give to the poor,” arouses a problem. Some have suggested that it is a warning about the dangers ahead for Jesus’ followers, the equivalent of “You thought things were bad? You ain’t seen nothing yet.” The disciples take Jesus too literally; “that’s enough” is his exasperated termination of this discussion. A slight variation makes “purse, bag, and sword” symbolic of the kind of spiritual preparation needed to be successful apostles, like the “armor of the Lord” in Ephesians 6:11-17. Another explanation would make Jesus’ words ironic. First, he gets them to admit that his teachings about voluntary poverty and non-violence actually worked: they needed nothing when they were being obedient. Then, he gives them an ironic contradictory command: go and do the opposite of what I told you: a command that, because it was Passover, they could not actually obey. And it turns out that they already have two swords, proving that they have not actually been living by Jesus’ teachings after all. So we might paraphrase Jesus’ last remark as “I give up.” I think Jesus is speaking in a figurative or ironic language. This seems the only way to make sense of the episode, not mentioned in the other Gospels. However, the tradition as it reached Luke included the scene where, as Jesus was being arrested, one of those with him drew a sword and used it to wound the servant of the high priest (Mark 14:47). Why would Peter, one of Jesus’ close associates, be armed, especially in view of his teachings on non-retaliation (Luke 6:27-29) and of his instructions to the apostles to carry not even a staff (Luke 9:3)? Luke inserts this puzzling scene to explain why the disciples had swords: Jesus had ordered them to get some. And why would Jesus command such a thing? Luke tells us: “what has been written must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned among the wicked’; and this, I tell you, must come to be fulfilled in me” (Luke 22:37). Here “fulfilled has the sense of “goal” as well as “termination.” The background is what happened to the suffering servant of the Lord in Isaiah 53. Jesus’ quotation is from Isaiah 53:12. Luke’s understanding is that everything written about Jesus must be fulfilled (24:44). Jesus is a prophet (7:16) and so must die a prophet’s death in Jerusalem (13:33). Jesus is a servant (22:27), and so what is written about God’s servant must be completed by his experience. Possibly, this is how Luke makes sense of the sword incident in the garden. But by calling them “wicked,” Luke means not to exonerate the armed apostles, who are “wicked” because they already have swords, evidencing yet again that they have not given up everything to follow Jesus. I mentioned above that I don’t really understand this episode in Luke’s Gospel. I have consulted many commentaries written through the centuries. My efforts seemed to be in vain until last month in our monastery library I found the recently published “Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary.” Their volume Luke by Richard B. Vinson (Macon, Georgia 2008), pages 686-688, provide a satisfactory explanation of our question. I acknowledge that I have used many of his ideas in composing this article. Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at (660) 660-2877 or by email: rjcleary@juno.com

Why did Jesus say to buy a sword?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-08-01 13:01:00

Question: (quotation from Luke 22:35-38): Then Jesus asked his disciples, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. He said to them: “But now,” Jesus said, “whoever has a purse or a bag must take it; and whoever does not have a sword, must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that the Scripture which says, ‘He shared the fate of criminals ,’ must come true about me, because what was written about me, is coming true.” The disciples said, “See Lord! Here are two swords!” “That is enough,” Jesus replied. What did Our Lord mean here?

Answer: You are correct when you say that these verses are unique to Luke: they are unique. They are very interesting as well. As always, it is helpful to look at the context of Bible verses when trying to understand them. Here, the verses are in the larger context of Jesus’ farewell instructions to his disciples. Jesus has shared the Last Supper with them, he has spoken with them about what true greatness is, he has shared with them knowledge about the gift of God they are to receive, and he has predicted Peter’s denial. In verses 35-38, Jesus goes on to tell the disciples that things will be different once he is arrested. When he was with them early on, he told them a purse, bag and sandals were not necessary because persons would be looking out for them and welcome them. On this night, however, he tells them the atmosphere will change, and they will need to take care. Things will move from hospitality to hostility. The disciples respond to Jesus in verse 38 by saying they are ready; they say they have two swords. Some have interpreted Jesus’ words back to them as indicating that they do not really understand, however; Jesus’ intention is not for them to be armed; it is simply for them to be aware of the coming change and be ready for it. And so he says, “it is enough.” He does not want to continue talking about this. He does indeed then go on to pray before his arrest. Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United States and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita or by phone at, 316-263-0248, ext. 26.

The genealogy of Jesus

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-07-01 12:04:00

Question: The Gospel of St Matthew commences with the lineage from Abraham to Jesus. This chronology attempts to list all the descendants of Abraham to Jesus. In chapter one, verse 16, it is stated: "Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah." If Joseph, husband of Mary was a descendant of Abraham, was Mary as well? If not, and the Holy Spirit "came upon" (Luke 1:35) Mary, how did our Lord descend from Abraham?

Answer: Before getting to the specific question, it must be noted that genealogies in the Bible were written and included for specific reasons not usually simply historical and factual. As Biblical commentator Fred Craddock has noted, the genealogies could be both stylized and symbolic. Craddock points to Biblical commentator Joseph Fitzmyer’s fine explanation of genealogies in the Bible in Fitzmyer’s commentary on the book of Luke and the genealogy of Jesus contained in Luke 3:23-38.

With regard to the genealogy in Matthew, Biblical commentator Douglas Hare points to three purposes for it. One, it was to declare Jesus as king, as a true descendant of King David. Second, it was to show Jesus was an authentic Jew, but it was also to show, by including Gentiles, that God’s salvation also included the Gentiles. Third, some scholars emphasize here that the word for genealogy here is also closely related to the word "genesis," thus Matthew probably intentionally used it to "evoke associations with the first book of the Hebrew scriptures," suggesting that in Jesus "God had made a new beginning." One can also note the style and symbolism in the genealogy; it includes multiples of seven, an important spiritual number, for example. In answer to your specific question, Hare answers it this way. "For Matthew, it was essential that Jesus be recognized as truly the son of Joseph, because only so was he an authentic descendant of David. But how could Matthew simultaneously deny and affirm the paternity of Joseph? Apparently for Matthew, God’s miraculous action in causing the pregnancy included the miraculous incorporation of the child into Joseph’s family. Joseph’s role was simply to acknowledge this part of the miracle by naming the child. It was common for women to name their babies. Joseph’s naming of Mary’s baby constituted in this instance an acknowledgement that, by God’s will and act, the boy is authentically his son." The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United States and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita or by phone at, 316-263-0248, ext. 26.

The genealogy of Jesus

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-07-01 12:04:00

Question: The Gospel of St Matthew commences with the lineage from Abraham to Jesus. This chronology attempts to list all the descendants of Abraham to Jesus. In chapter one, verse 16, it is stated: "Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah." If Joseph, husband of Mary was a descendant of Abraham, was Mary as well? If not, and the Holy Spirit "came upon" (Luke 1:35) Mary, how did our Lord descend from Abraham?

Answer: The lists of Jesus genealogy in St. Matthew and in St. Luke (3:23-38) are quite different, each including only a few of the same-named persons. Since the time when those Gospels were written, various commentators have attempted to explain the differences. Some have suggested that the list in Matthew is the genealogy of Joseph, while that in Luke is the genealogy of Mary. After all, only Mary could have told Luke about the events related in the first and second chapters of his Gospel. "Jesus’ mother kept all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:51). But, really there is much that we don’t know. Abraham lived two-thousand years before Jesus. All the names mentioned by Matthew and Luke, even if they had long lives, could not make-up the totality of Abraham’s descendants during two-thousand years. Thus the three series of "fourteen generations from Abraham to David, and fourteen from David to the exile in Babylon, and fourteen from then to the birth of the Messiah (Matthew 1:17) must omit many persons in direct line from Abraham to Jesus. 14 times 3 = 42. Usually a generation is reckoned as thirty to forty years. 42 times 40 = 1678. Granting that some of those persons named lived 50 or 60 or even 90 or 120 years, many of those named were short-lived, as we read about them in the books of Kings and Chronicles.

All the persons named by St. Matthew are descendants of Abraham, whether by blood or by adoption. The Mosaic Law required the Jews to marry within their own tribe. By the time of Jesus, each of the twelve tribes numbered several hundred-thousand persons, if not millions of persons. Therefore a Jew could marry within his/her tribe without crossing blood-lines. Both Joseph and Mary were faithful Jews and therefore eligible to marry each other, and each was a descendant of Abraham. Mary was born of faithful Jewish parents, themselves descendants of Abraham. Joseph, her husband, was likewise a direct descendant of Abraham, as was his father Jacob. The answer to your question is simple: Our Lord Jesus descended from Abraham through the physical blood line of Mary, and through adoption by Joseph, the husband of Mary, in their virginal marriage. -- Fr. Richard James Cleary Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010 he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at (660) 660-2877 or by email: rjcleary@juno.com

The genealogy of Jesus

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-07-01 12:04:00

Question: The Gospel of St Matthew commences with the lineage from Abraham to Jesus. This chronology attempts to list all the descendants of Abraham to Jesus. In chapter one, verse 16, it is stated: "Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah." If Joseph, husband of Mary was a descendant of Abraham, was Mary as well? If not, and the Holy Spirit "came upon" (Luke 1:35) Mary, how did our Lord descend from Abraham?

Answer: Sometimes we can get to a genealogy in the Bible and skip over it, but how unfortunate. Especially as we consider our Lord’s, it can tell us so much. It was racially mixed and it had the good, the bad and the ugly. But God uses Jesus’ entire earthly lineage for His purpose to bring the son of God into the world. Some of our readers may not appreciate all their relatives or be unhappy about their heritage, but don’t despair, God has a purpose in it all and a reason you have that lineage.

Now Matthew writes his gospel with his Jewish friends and neighbors in mind. The Jews were meticulous at keeping genealogies but they seemed to disappear after Christ came and the destruction of the temple. The reason the Jews did was because they were looking for the Messiah (Daniel 9:25-26) and that He had to be of the right stuff, the right lineage. The Romans kept it for keeping track of people for tax purposes and it is why Joseph and Mary made their way to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) to register being of the "House of David" (Luke 2:4). Now Matthew chooses the line of Joseph, which was Jesus’ legal but not natural father which still poised Jesus as part of that Royal line of David and Solomon (Matthew 1:6). The person from that line would be the great king and royal rule over Israel and the eternal kingdom. Matthew goes further to show His roots reach all the way back to where the Hebrew faith began for the nation of Israel, Abraham (1:1), the father of the faith. Luke on the other hand is speaking to his gentile friends, especially Theophilus (Luke 1:3), who is a gentile dignitary of some kind. Rather than record Jesus’ lineage in descending order from Abraham as Mathew does (Matthew 1:1), he presents it in an ascending line starting from Jesus (Luke 3:23) through David (3:31), Abraham (34) all the way to Adam(38). Luke also traces it through Jesus’ mother Mary’s line, naming her dad, Joseph’s father in law, Eli or Heli (3:23). He also shows her blood line through David, but not through Solomon, but through David’s other son Nathan. This shows Jesus was of the royal line not only legally through Joseph, but also physically and biologically through Mary’s line. It also shows the human side of His nature being united with fallen man, as it traces His lineage all the way back to Adam. Luke also gives us another gift in that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. making Him Divine, but also being physically united to Adam and Abraham. Interesting also was that His right to the Royal line of David was protected from disqualification as King. Joseph’s line was disqualified by God because of his ancestor Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) was a wicked King to which God curses him and his line after him (Jeremiah 22:30). But Nathan’s was not and still held the royal privilege in God’s sight. Mary’s blood line not only gave Jesus His human right to rule, but also circumvent the curse of Jeconiah, and still maintained the royal privilege to rule. My hope in going through some of this stuff that it causes you to pause in the mist of the busyness of your day and realize the picture is bigger than you, your issues and the minutia you deal with every day. That you realize God even has the tiny details of your life weighed and measured. That worry and fretting does not need to be part of our life of faith journey. (Matthew 6:30) How marvelous it is just to look and gaze upon the brilliance of the mind of God to have all these aspects covered. (Romans 11:33-35) How sure a foundation He is to lean on for all ages. (Malachi 3:6) Our God knows the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 48:3) We can go through life with a tremendous sense of security even as we have our plans (Proverbs 16:9), He orders our steps for our good. (Jeremiah 29:11) May His peace flood over you even in the details of life He has set out for you. Pastor Dave Henion grew up for the first 18 years of his life in the diverse atmosphere of the NY metropolitan area, and Dave learned a lot about living the life of faith with convictions in a very diverse world. Being part of a religious and cultural minority, Mr. Henion learned the essence of tolerance and tactfulness with a loving witness. He moved to Pella, Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at Central University of Iowa. There he also played on the offensive line with the team that won the NCAA National Championship in 1974 and met a freshman cheerleader his senior year who became his wife, Sandy. They moved to Michigan where she finished her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 3 years and they married while Dave finished his Masters of Divinity degree at Western Seminary in Holland. Reverend Henion took a call to a small church along the Hudson River in Fort Lee NJ, home of the George Washington Bridge. There his early training diversity in his 12 years of ministry paid off dearly. He was blessed with 3 children. In 1991, the family took a call from the Reformed Church in America denomination, to plant a church in Wichita. The church started at Kensler Elementary School, moved to the Zoo and now is located at 8340 W. 21st N. He also became Dr. Dave in 2006, having received his Doctorate from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, became a father-in-law two years ago and a proud grandfather 10 months ago. He also ministers as Director of the Police Chaplains for the Wichita Police and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Departments. He can be reached at, 316-7299736.

Sequence of events at the end times?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-05-01 14:05:00

Well, I hope I haven’t confused you like I have myself. I once had a church interested in me being their pastor but I had to have a "Pre-millennial Mid Tribulational" belief, if not, I shouldn’t fill out the application they sent. Sometimes I am spell bound by folks who have the charts, diagrams and scriptures supporting their point of view and I can see some of their points of view and say to myself, "maybe!" But I’m not so sure God wants us to have it all down so pat. A huge red flag comes up when a presenter starts predicting the year of Christ’s return as they point to current events in the newspaper. Why? Jesus told His disciples before He ascended into heaven who wanted to know when He would return in Acts 1:7-8 it’s not for them to know. Instead He gave them His power by the Holy Spirit to witness until He returned. In His teachings Jesus emphasized being ready (Matthew 24:44), watching (25:13) and doing (Luke 12:35-38) His kingdom work until He returns. That’s what we should do! Always being ready and doing His will - for Him to end this world and come again in His time! I am watching and working with great anticipation along with you for His tremendous cataclysmic return, Pastor Dave.

Sequence of events at the end times?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-05-01 14:05:00

Question: Some religions believe that the world will end when our Lordcomes. He will pronounce judgment on all souls living and dead; then Heaven or Hell will commence in body and spirit for all. Others believe that there will be the rapture, then our Lord will come. He will pronounce judgment on all souls living and dead; then He will rule over a "new heaven and a new earth" for a thousand years; then there will be Heaven or Hell for all in body and spirit. Other religions believe other things. In accordance with your religion, what is the sequence of events that will be happening?

Answer: Presbyterians find their unity in Christ, but have a diversity of beliefs on a number of issues. The "end of the world" is one of those issues. Together, however, based on the Bible and tradition, we affirm in the Apostles Creed that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead. We also affirm in that creed the resurrection of the body. Further, we trust in the promise of eternal life in a new heaven and new earth. Finally, we admit that we do not and cannot know exactly when Jesus will come again, but we live in anticipation of it. Now, to your specific question: as outlined by Presbyterian scholar Donald McKim, Presbyterians do not adopt any one view of the millennium, whether pre-millennialism (Christ comes before a thousand year reign), post-millennialism (Christ comes after a thousand year reign), or a-millennialism (a figurative view of the thousand year reign). We are comfortable with different views on this within our denomination, and we don’t require any one of these views for belief. Finally, you should know that we also differ on our interpretation of 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, which some believe describes a "rapture" event. But we look forward to Christ’s return as a positive event rather than having doubt or fear about it for ourselves. In our Brief Statement of Faith, we say "In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, "Come, Lord Jesus!"

Sequence of events at the end times?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-05-01 14:05:00

Question: Some religions believe that the world will end when our Lord comes. He will pronounce judgment on all souls living and dead; then Heaven or Hell will commence in body and spirit for all. Others believe that there will be the rapture, then our Lord will come. He will pronounce judgment on all souls living and dead; then He will rule over a "new heaven and a new earth" for a thousand years; then there will be Heaven or Hell for all in body and spirit. Other religions believe other things. In accordance with your religion, what is the sequence of events that will be happening?

Answer: You are asking about matters of which we have very little knowledge. The ideas you mention (except the rapture) are found in the Bible, but in no particular order. The Word of God in the Bible does not provide us a time-table for these events. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "When he comes at the end of time to judge the living and the dead, the glorious Christ will reveal the secret disposition of hearts and will render to each man according to his works and according to his acceptance or refusal of grace" (#682). "We know neither the moment of the consummation of the earth and of man, nor the way in which the universe will be transformed. The form of this world, distorted by sin, is passing away, and we are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells, in which happiness will fill and surpass all the desires of peace arising in the hearts of men" (#1048). "The holy Roman Church firmly believes and confesses that on the Day of judgment all men will appear in their own bodies before Christ’s tribunal to render an account of their own deeds" (#1059). ` In the Gospel Jesus, the Son of God, states explicitly: "As the exact day or hour, no one knows it: neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son (i.e. Jesus Himself), but the Father only" (Matthew 25:36). Jesus goes on to relate from the Old Testament how people were ignorant of the flood in the time of Noah right up until it came. Thus he admonishes: "Stay awake therefore! You cannot know the day your Lord is coming" (25:42). If the Son of God does not know the sequel of final events, how can we expect to know? In his Gospel St. Mark writing about the end times advises: "If anyone tells you at that time: "Look the Messiah is here,’ Look, he is there!’ - do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will appear performing signs and wonders to mislead, if it were possible, even the chosen. So be constantly on guard" (Mark 13:21-22)! Therefore anyone who alleges s(he) knows the schema for the end-times is not telling the truth. The idea of a "new heaven and a new earth for a thousand years" is borrowed from the Book of Revelation, which contains many numbers, all of which are symbolic, i.e. they are not exact numerical scientific determinations.Confer: Rev. 20:2, 4, 6,7. In each of those texts "a thousand years" means: eternity, forever, countless ages. This present world will be succeeded by eternal life: an endless life of happiness for God’s friends, those who have struggled in this life to please God. And there will be the eternal death of punishment for those who in this life preferred themselves and their own pleasures and interests without reference to God, choosing to ignore the God, who created them for happiness, but who chose selfishness and sin, and so have merited the full measure of God’s justice in hell. Their torments will last not just a thousand years, but forever; just as the joy and peace of God’s friends in heaven will last not only a thousand years, but forever and ever. Your mention of the "rapture" does not occur in the Bible as such. According to Wikipedia (www.google.com), it first appears in the Scofield Reference Bible of 1909. Basing themselves on these passages: Daniel 12:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (and a few other biblical phrases taken out of context), many evangelical Protestants hold that the return of Jesus will be in two stages. As this is not part of our Apostolic Tradition, I shall not waste time about their speculations. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches do not attempt to know what is unknown to Jesus.

Book of Revelation...is it relevant today?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-04-01 12:04:00

Question: In my Bible Study group we have had discussions whether the Book of Revelation is describing happenings that would be occurring closer to the time this book was written, rather than a foretelling of the end of time for us today. What is your opinion?

Answer: The Book of Revelation was written by St. John to advise and console the early Christians, who were suffering terrible persecutions under the pagan Roman emperors Titus and Domitian and Trajan, as well as other persecutors of the Church before and after those rulers. The Apostle was concerned to encourage his converts to persevere in their faith in Jesus, Who is coming soon. As a visionary, he is writing outside the order of time, peering into eternity, where "soon" can mean proximate or well beyond our lifetime. Every generation of Christians, especially in our own times, can identify with the first and second and third generations of Christians, who suffered loss of property and exile and imprisonment and various tortures and cruel deaths, simply because they were Christians at a time when our religion was proscribed by the Roman imperial authorities. Just as Jesus had to suffer all kinds of indignities leading to his death by crucifixion, so his members throughout all time have been afflicted with similar and other sufferings, some of which are described in the Book of Revelation. The sufferings of Jesus’ members are only for a short time, until they are taken to their eternal happiness in heaven, which John attempts to describe. Also the terrible fates awaiting those whose crimes cry out to heaven for vengeance, eternal suffering in hell, are also vividly described in Revelation. We ought not seek in Revelation particular events in time; but rather a view of eternity. St. John did not intend to write a datebook or to predict specific events of the future. He attempts to describe some of the qualities of eternal happiness awaiting those who are persecuted and suffer unjustly by the devil and his servants. But John attempts to describe also some of the types of punishment awaiting their persecutors and all evildoers, who have freely chosen to rebel and fight against God. Those readers of Revelation, who attempt to apply particular scenes to current events, are generally mistaken in their specific interpretation. Each of those scenes in the Book of Revelation, describing the joys of heaven prepared for God’s people; and the punishments of the wicked, who choose to oppose God; apply to persons living in every century and every place. The saints and martyrs of our times are included among those who are singing and rejoicing around the throne of God and the Lamb of God. Evil men and women, like emperors Nero and Caligula as well as Hitler and Stalin and unrepentant thieves and rapists and murderers, are included among those who are destined to be thrown in the lake of fire to suffer for all eternity. Understand therefore that the Book of Revelation is not a timetable of happenings in the past, or prophecies about specific future events! Inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, it was intended, like all of Holy Scripture, to teach us how to live this life in a manner pleasing to God, and what to expect if we choose to ignore God and to do evil.

Book of Revelation...is it relevant today?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-04-01 12:04:00

Question: In my Bible Study group we have had discussions whether the Book of Revelation is describing happenings that would be occurring closer to the time this book was written, rather than a foretelling of the end of time for us today. What is your opinion?

Answer: The book of Revelation (meaning- unveiling or uncovering) is part of the Apocalyptic (symbolic) writings of the Bible that give us a view of future things. The big question interpreting each of these books is; what future? Is it for the near future, the distant future or all the above. There are several different ways scholars have interpreted the book of Revelation with those reasons of time and emphasizing different verses. There are four major interpretation tracks. 1. The Preterist (means gone by) who believe that all the events described in the Revelation have taken place during the Roman Empire which is when Apostle John authored it. 2. The Futurist believe that except for the first three chapters, John is describing what will happen at the end of history. 3. The Historicist hold the book of Revelation is a presentation of history from John’s day until the second coming and beyond. 4. The Idealist see the book as a symbolic representation of the continual struggle of good and evil. It does not refer to any particular historical events. It is applicable at any point in history. As you can see, each of these can bring many differing conclusions. As I read, study, teach or preach on the book of the Revelation, I can see all four points of view at different spots in the book. I have learned to keep a very open mind as I go through the book. I can see John as a prisoner on the Island of Patmos whether in the Reign of Nero (70 AD) or Domitian (90 AD), speaking to his fellow first century sufferers. I can see the Preterist view, however there are things spoken about that I see the three other points of view also. Prophecy can be that way of having meaning for many ages. The wonderful thing it presents to me is Almighty God’s control over history. Even in a world that is bent against God and where Christians are persecuted for His name sake, they don’t have to give into discouragement. They can take courage and persevere in great adversity because they know it is all part of His plan. He is Lord over all! (Revelation 1:1-11). This book has wonderful insight both for the present church and the funk churches can slide into that create unhealthy and sinful patterns. (Chapters 1-3) It shows God’s dealings with them. When you read it with the other three points of view, it can be a scary and a very pain filled experience for Christians and our non-believing friends. It can seem that things are out of control but in reality, He is ruling over it all (Chapters 4-5). The comfort for the Christian comes at many points in the book to show us, even evil is not free to operate at its will and God’s justice is right and perfect because it is all controlled by God. (5:1; 6:1; 7:3; 9:1; 11:3; 14:1-2; 16:1). That His judgment is sure! The devil himself will be first (chapter 20) and all mankind will stand before Christ and He is fair (20:11-15). Even in His judgment is tremendous hope and joy for those whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb! (Chapters 21 & 22). I must be honest if you haven’t caught on, I’m not totally sure about how to interpret it. I am humbled by the mystery of it. I try to learn from it how I can be ready for whatever God has planned and until the end be a faithful witness due to the gravity of its content. The great theologian, John Calvin, wrote commentaries on all the books of the bible except the book of Revelation. The reason was that he did not want to do what the book warns against in Revelation 22 verses 18-19, "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book." Along with Calvin, I don’t either! Taking God’s Word seriously, Pastor Dave.

Book of Revelation...is it relevant today?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-04-01 12:04:00

Question: In my Bible Study group we have had discussions whether the Book of Revelation is describing happenings that would be occurring closer to the time this book was written, rather than a foretelling of the end of time for us today. What is your opinion?

Answer: The book of Revelation is a pastoral letter written to Christians in what is now Turkey who were facing persecution. It is apocalyptic literature, and thus it is full of symbols and images. Those who read/heard the letter at the time it was written understood these symbols and images, but we are farther removed from them, so it takes us more time and study. The purpose of the letter was to interpret events theologically and to encourage these Christians. Again, those reading/hearing the letter would have understood this. Over the years since then, Christians have taken different positions on when the happenings within it have occurred or will occur. Some have said that the events within it have already occurred, others say the events cover the times from when it was written until the end times, still others say it is only about the end times, and others take it not to apply to any specific historic period, but to say that good will prevail over evil. In spite of all these interpretations, I have heard the book of Revelation summed up best in two words, "God wins!" That short summary is, of course, simplistic, but it reminds us that what is important about the book is that God holds history in his hands and is at the end of history. It also tells us that whatever kingdoms seem to be "in charge" in our lifetimes on this earth, it is ultimately God’s kingdom that rules and reigns. Christians are not, then, to fall victim to accommodating to the current culture, but we are to stay true to God, whatever consequences that might bring, because God will always be faithful. It seems to me, then, that much of what Revelation says was most applicable to those at the time it was written, but it was also included in the Bible because it has timeless truths that can help all Christians make sense of the world around them. We can take much of what is in it and compare it to events in our time. This does not mean, however, that there are exact correlations between it and historic events in our time or in the future; we can never predict the end; it will come, as the Bible says, "like a thief in the night."

Why can’t it be a simple “yes” or “no?”

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-02-01 08:42:00

49. Will all human beings be saved? No one will be lost who can be saved. The limits to salvation, whatever they may be, are known only to God. Three truths above all are certain. God is a holy God who is not to be trifled with. No one will be saved except by grace alone. And no judge could possibly be more gracious than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Question 51. How will God deal with the followers of other religions? God has made salvation available to all human beings through Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. How God will deal with those who do not

Answer: It is not for me to determine anyone’s salvation. That is God’s choice alone. You may call this “dancing around the answer”: I call it a recognition of the limits of humanity and the sovereignty of God. Therefore, I can only answer your question by reference to the PCUSA Study Catechism, questions 49 and 51. They are as follows: Question 49. Will all human beings be saved? No one will be lost who can be saved. The limits to salvation, whatever they may be, are known only to God. Three truths above all are certain. God is a holy God who is not to be trifled with. No one will be saved except by grace alone. And no judge could possibly be more gracious than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Question 51. How will God deal with the followers of other religions? God has made salvation available to all human beings through Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. How God will deal with those who do not know of or follow Christ, but who follow another tradition, we cannot finally say. We can say, however, that God is gracious and merciful, and that God will not deal with people in any other way than we see in Jesus Christ, who came as the Savior of the world.

Why can’t it be a simple “yes” or “no?”

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-02-01 08:42:00

Question: So often Pastors, Ministers and Clergy seemingly “dance” around the answers to two questions: “If one lives a good and moral life, helping others, yet never accepts our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as his or her personal Savior, and that He came down from Heaven to suffer and die for each of us, to purchase our salvation…will he be saved?” I would think with the billions of people that have been born into this life, the answer should be either a simple “yes” or “no.” The second question, “If there are only two possibilities (Heaven or Hell), will an all-merciful and all-just God condemn a person like this to Hell?”

Answer: God, by definition, is all-merciful and all-just! Since you want a simple answer, I say to your first question: YES. And to your second question: NO. If you wish some explanation, as we are dealing with a very important matter, namely the final judgment and destination of each individual human being, I shall write a bit further. But you already have my conclusion to your questions. A person, who lives a good moral life, helping others, implicitly recognizes and honors God, whether he/she knows and accepts God and Jesus as his personal Savior. Indeed through his/her good works a person is pleasing to God, and can be saved. Without realizing it, he/she belongs to Jesus and is saved by him. Every authentic good work is ultimately inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. This being said, Faith and Baptism are still necessary for salvation. However, the person who is unaware of that truth but intends to honor God, can be considered to have Faith in God (as did Abraham before he was circumcised), and to have Baptism of Desire, as do those good persons who do not know Jesus (the case with many good-willed persons on this earth, who have never even heard of Jesus and salvation through Him). Only if a naturally-good person knows God’s will about the necessity of Faith and Baptism, and then freely rejects it and rejects Jesus Christ, is he/she deprived of salvation. Their good works are natural virtues, which may merit some kind of reward from God but, lacking any kind of Faith and Baptism, they cannot see God. St. Thomas Aquinas explains that God, in his mercy, assigns such persons to a kind of natural paradise, where they enjoy natural happiness, but are deprived of the much greater supernatural happiness with the blessed Vision of God and his saints in heaven. Of course, those unfortunate persons, who have deliberately and knowingly rejected God and the salvation wrought by Jesus, go to hell. Only God knows their whole life, from birth to death, and only He is able to judge each person. Perhaps some person, whose life is a compendium of evil, will be so ignorant and badly-taught, and their will trained in perversity: that their sins cry out to heaven for vengeance, might be excused by God in virtue of some good work they may have performed unselfishly or through the prayers of someone else who loved them. Only God knows who can and will be saved through some kind of Faith and Baptism. I believe, with Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, that unborn infants, who die in their mother’s womb or are aborted, are saved through the Faith of good parents, or the Faith of holy mother the Church, who desires such persons, whether a fetus or an infant, to be saved. The Catholic Church believes in Purgatory. God, in his kindness, has provided a kind of intermediate state or situation, wherein those persons who die in God’s friendship, but were only imperfectly purified of some sins on their soul, at their particular judgment are assigned by God to a final cleansing of human imperfection. Every sin, even small or venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, and must be purified either here on earth or after death. This purification is called Purgatory (from the Latin word “purgare” -- to cleanse, to purify). Those sins will be purged (cleansed) through appropriate punishment before they are able to enter the joy of heaven. This is because only those souls, which are free from any attachment to sin, are in heaven. This punishment should not be conceived as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. Repentance or conversion, which proceeds from a fervent charity, can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain to delay their entering into heaven. The consolation of Purgatory is that it is temporary. The souls detained there know they are saved, and that sooner or later they will go to heaven.

Why can’t it be a simple “yes” or “no?”

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-02-01 08:42:00

Question: So often Pastors, Ministers and Clergy seemingly “dance” around the answers to two questions: “If one lives a good and moral life, helping others, yet never accepts our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as his or her personal Savior, and that He came down from Heaven to suffer and die for each of us, to purchase our salvation…will he be saved?” I would think with the billions of people that have been born into this life, the answer should be either a simple “yes” or “no.” The second question, “If there are only two possibilities (Heaven or Hell), will an all-merciful and all-just God condemn a person like this to Hell?”

Answer: No, sadly they will go to hell according to scripture. This answer is spelled out very clearly in the first three chapters of Romans where Paul does a marvelous job laying out for all to understand. He begins to inform us that God’s righteousness {Romans 1:17} is the theme where we not only see God as the only right and perfect standard, but how this righteous God saves an unrighteous, imperfect and fallen people. Since Adam and Eve bought into the serpent’s deception to deny what God said and rebel against God to be their own gods (Genesis 3:1-7), sin entered the world. Sin is defined by the center letter “I” which follows the path of Frank Sinatra theology, “I Did It My Way!” From that point on man has struggled with alienation from God (vs 8), fear and insecurity (vs 10), and covering up by blaming others (vss12-13). For rebelling God gives curses to the snake (vs14), to mankind who will now battle evil (vs15), women will experience pain in child birth and power battles with husbands (vs 16), men will face hardship in making a living in creation (17-18), life will be toil with the ending of it in death (spiritual and physical) (19). Men and women began to cover up from even each other (20-21) and the blessed life in the Garden of Eden ended to now live in this fallen state in a hostile world (22-24). We see the aftermath of this fallen state unravel beginning with murder (4:1-15), destruction of earth and some of mankind (ch 6), drunkenness, incest, rape and division of mankind. Mankind’s quest both individually and corporately continues to this day to try to overtake God’s throne (11:4). Ever since, it has caused every kind of hurtful evil action of mankind, also devastation from weather to all kinds of health issues because now this world is broken and fallen (3:19) which is the outworking of the curse. Now the Apostle Paul comes to us and brings this Righteous God’s Good News for this fallen world. Paul speaks to three groups to help them understand their condition and why Jesus Christ is the only way. First, he starts with man who does not know God. Event though God has revealed Himself through nature very plainly that He is there (Romans 1:20), man doesn’t get it (vs21). In fact man often times doesn’t want to get it (vs 22-23). God hands them over to their own sinful desires (vs24) and all kinds of immoral, anti-social and perverse acts wreak havoc on society due to their rejection of God.(25-32). Interesting in this passage the phrase “God gave them over” appears three times in this passage (vss 24, 26, 28) showing us that this is man’s desire and God is allowing mankind to do this to himself. Mankind is choosing to sin and rebellion against God and is sending himself to hell. God just backs off and has His wrath stored up against sin which as a righteous, pure, just and holy God cannot and does not tolerate. The second group he investigates is the morally critical who think they are a cut above the others of the world, only to hear they are condemned alongside of the pagans (2:1-4). God’s judgment they cannot escape. God’s judgment is righteous (5-11) and impartial (12-16). God will judge on what a person does both good and evil (vs6). Even though the moralist doesn’t have the Law of Moses (10 Commandments), there is a law in his heart that the moralist breaks (13-14). How many good, well meaning people make resolutions or diets or commitments even to themselves and break them. God knows and the conscience bears witness that we are guilty before God (vss 15-16). The Apostle James supports this when he says in James 4:17 “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” The third group is the Religious Jews who had been given the law of God and circumcision. Yet they break the law and even worse than some who have never even heard of the Law (Romans 2:23). The whole point is that it is not the outward side of man but the inside of man, his heart needs to be changed by God’s Spirit and forgiven (vs 29). So the religious person is just as guilty. So Paul concludes in his very inclusive statement leaving no one out, “for all have sinned and fall short of God’s perfect standard.” ( 3:23) With all of us guilty, how can we be saved from our sin and its debilitating effects now and experience righteous God’s perfect heaven forever? Through out Romans and the scriptures we are told that we are saved by the gift of God’s Grace (Romans 3:24,6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9), through Faith (3:22; 5:1, Titus 3:5-6) that trusts only in Jesus Christ (6:4-5,7:25-8:2, John 14:6, Acts 4:12). This Good News is to every man, woman, child, race and nationality that salvation is By Grace, Through Faith, In Jesus Christ! As a sinner I am grateful to know for certain I am going to heaven because of what God did for me through Jesus Christ and that is the only reason! How about you? In the grip of His Grace, Pastor Dave.

What does “much” mean in this context?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2010-01-01 15:32:00

Question: Luke 12:48 states, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Is it possible that when our Lord used the word “much” the first time, He was talking about all of the chances we have in this life to hear and heed the Word of God, as opposed to meaning material things?

Answer: The questioner seems to have answered correctly his/her own question. But that answer is incomplete. Indeed, Jesus, being God, Who will judge everyone, will require from each person a reckoning of how he/she used or misused the talents and gifts s/he has received throughout life, from birth to death. This is amplified in Jesus’ parable about the silver pieces or talents (Matthew 25:14-30): “Happy is that servant whom his master discovers at work on his return; he will put him in charge of all his property. But if the servant is worthless, and tells himself, ‘my master is a long time in coming,’ . . . . that man’s master will return when he is not ready and least expects him. He will punish him severely.” Jesus also spoke encouragement for poor persons, who are generous, in the parable about the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1-4): “I assure you, this poor widow has put into (the temple treasury) more than all the rest. They make contributions out of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, gave all she had to live on.” And in Jesus’ parable describing the last judgment (Matthew 26:31-46), referring to those persons who are selfish or self-centered and negligent of the needs of others, Jesus says: “I assure you, as often as you neglected to do it to one of these least ones, you neglected to do it to me. These will go off to eternal punishment, and the just to eternal life.” Thus indeed “much will be required from the person who has been given much.” No doubt Our Lord is referring to how we hear and heed all the chances we have in this life. But also Our Lord is referring to the material things we receive or accumulate during this life. As St. Basil the Great realized: “The superfluities of the rich are really the property of the poor. God allows some persons to acquire riches and have more material goods than they need: precisely in order that they might have the where-with-all to aid their less-fortunate neighbors.” Those superfluous material goods really are part of God’s property by title of creation. God expects us to use our material goods (which in reality He has loaned to us for a time) for our own needs, and those of our family and neighbors and friends; but also to assist other persons in real need, who are unable to provide for themselves and their families and neighbors. God is pleased to help poor persons through the generosity of others. And woe betide those wealthy persons, who heap up riches for themselves and their families, thinking to keep and control them after death, and neglect to assist less-fortunate and poor persons, for whom God has a special love. Jesus also spoke this message (Luke 12:32-24): “Do not be afraid . . . for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell all your belongings and give the money to the poor. . . . Save your riches in heaven, where they will never decrease, because no thief can get to them, and no moth can destroy them. For your heart will always be where your riches are.”

What does “much” mean in this context?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2010-01-01 15:32:00

Question: Luke 12:48 states, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Is it possible that when our Lord used the word “much” the first time, He was talking about all of the chances we have in this life to hear and heed the Word of God, as opposed to meaning material things?

Answer: This passage is set in the context of Jesus teaching His disciples as His popularity is growing and the crowds are swarming to have more of Jesus, like a celebrity or a rock star (Luke 12:1). But Jesus is addressing His disciples who would carry on His work after he leaves because He knows how both persecution and on the other side, success can turn a head and destroy great leadership and ministry, something leadership in every age needs to hear. Most of us have heard the phrase, “absolute power corrupts absolutely,” and Jesus was giving a seminar on this to His disciples in order for them not to get side tracked. He begins the discourse on the danger of hypocrisy (12:1-12), when you say one thing to put on the show to friends, parishioners or constituents and do something else ourselves. Remember we will answer to the Lord and every word will be known. Don’t fear their threats and persecution because God has our backs. Just acknowledge God and the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. Second, beware of wealth (12:13-21) and the tendency to be greedy. It can make us arrogant, turn our heads from God and presumptively think that it will always be there, that we are the masters of our own fates, who with lip service say we depend on God but in all reality really acting like we don’t need God. But remember, life with money and material props will not last, and there will come a day, when we will face Him and none of it will do us good. The third lesson is about worry (12:22-34), especially the material things of life. Jesus speaks of nature and how they are effortless in preparation and yet they are provided and cared for richly by the heavenly Father with abundance. The key comes in verses 33-34 where we are told to “… seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” In the fourth lesson He spends more time on being careful to prepare for His coming (12:35-48). He tells two parables, the first illustrating through a wedding groom coming to pick up his bride but not knowing the time he was coming but being ready so not to miss the opportunity. In the midst of this the disciples ask if this is just for us disciples or for everyone. Here he says it for those who are faithful followers who are not only watching and waiting for His coming, but are actively doing His will and work in the world, that all the talents, gifts, abilities and blessings we have been given are being used by us as the stewards of these gifts. Are we squandering them with frivolous living, selfish living, and presumptive living or do we use them to bring Glory to God? Do we use them to bring our friends to Christ? In this passage Jesus is talking to us about everything we have is a gift from God (James 1:17) “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” For the believer, there will be accountability for what we have been given and what we have done with what we have been given. In fact we will be rewarded for what we have done. (Revelation 20:12) As we look over all these blessings, we need to ask ourselves, have I used what God has given me for the purposes He has ordained them for? (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) Will we be found ready when He returns fulfilling His game plan and executing His plays on the field of life? (1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 2:10) Are we discovering the deposit God has given us and striving to improve in its use? (2 Timothy 1:6) Striving to grow in His grace with you everyday! Pastor Dave

What does “much” mean in this context?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2010-01-01 15:32:00

Question: Luke 12:48 states, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Is it possible that when our Lord used the word “much” the first time, He was talking about all of the chances we have in this life to hear and heed the Word of God, as opposed to meaning material things?

Answer: I understand the verse you quote from Luke 12: 48 to be in the context of a larger story, verses 42-48, which Jesus is addressing to his disciples and, specifically, to those who are or will be leaders. In the story, a master has put persons in charge of his estate, and these persons know the master’s will. This responsibility and knowledge are the “much” that the persons have been given. They have a kind of power and privilege that can be misused. Because of that, then, in turn “much” is expected of them, and if they fail, their punishment will necessarily be greater. You offer an interesting thought on the passage, however. You wonder whether what Jesus says here could also be applied to those who either have the chance to hear and heed God’s Word, but do not, and those who actually do hear it and then ignore it. Under that interpretation, a higher responsibility and punishment would go to those persons than to persons who have never had the chance to hear God’s Word. It may be that this is something we can gain from the passage, but it is my belief that its original application was specifically to leaders.

Souls - torment or happiness before Christ?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-12-01 08:24:00

Question: When people died in the Old Testament, before our Lord came, was crucified and re-opened the gates of Heaven, where did their souls go? Were they in a place of torment or happiness?

Answer: In the context of explaining the Apostles’ Creed, which is the basic statement of faith for most Christians, the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers some insights into that question. The phrase in the Creed, “He descended into hell,” is confusing for many persons. It means: Jesus’ soul descended into the lower parts of the earth, that the crucified One sojourned in the realm of the dead prior to his resurrection. This is the first meaning of the apostolic preaching that Jesus, like all men, experienced death, and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead. But he descended there as Savior, “proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there” (cf 1 Peter 3:18-19). The Holy Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, calls the abode of the dead: “Sheol” in the Hebrew language, “Hades” in Greek, and “Hell” in English, because the souls detained there are deprived of the Vision of God. Such is the case for all the dead, whether evil or righteous, while they await the Redeemer. This does not mean that their lot is identical, as Jesus shows through the parable of the poor man Lazarus, who was received into “Abraham’s bosom” (cf Luke 16:22-26). It is precisely these holy souls, who awaited their Savior in Abraham’s bosom, whom Christ the Lord delivered when he descended into hell. This descent of the soul of Jesus into hell is called by the poet Milton and other English writers: “the harrowing of hell.” Jesus did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the souls of the just persons who had died before him. In his magnificent epic “The Divine Comedy,” the supreme poet Dante` beautifully describes the several circles or degrees of hell, from the lowest prisons of the damned to the upper natural paradise. “The Gospel was preached even to the dead” (1 Peter 4:6). Jesus’ descent into hell fulfills his messianic mission: it signifies the spread of Christ’s redemption to all human beings of all times and all places, to all who are saved through sharing in his redemption. The souls of the damned, of course, have chosen to not share in that redemption, and God respects their free will. The souls of all the just persons, who had been freed from the restraints of the upper parts of hell (deprived of the Beatific Vision of God) shared in Jesus’ resurrection, and accompanied him as he ascended into heaven. Until that happy event they were in a natural paradise, enjoying unending life without suffering or inconvenience. This is the uppermost circle of Dante`’s hell, a state of natural bliss, but without the Vision or companionship of God, which is the summit of human happiness. We can only imagine the joy in heaven on that day, when the Son of God, bearing the marks of the nails on his human body, took his place at the side of the eternal Father, and presented to the Father and to the angels: the millions of souls of good and holy persons, who had been waiting for that glorious destiny. That joy will be even greater at the end of this world, when the general resurrection will happen, and our human bodies will rise in perfect youthful condition: to be reunited with our souls, and will share the happiness of heaven. The bodies of the damned in hell will also be resurrected and reunited to their souls in hell, thus adding to their eternal shame and suffering. At the judgment they will have caught a glimpse of the glory of heaven, and then fully realize what they have rejected and lost through their own foolishness: in preferring their own wills to the Will of their Creator. Their suffering endures through all eternity, testifying to God’s justice and truth. In hell each person is uglier than everyone else, and their sufferings correspond to the grave sins they committed on earth. Those persons, who support and commit murder by abortion of innocent unborn children, have reserved places in the lower regions of hell, and their sufferings will be more intense than the punishments of those who deliberately murdered adult persons, who at least had some opportunity to know and love God while on earth. At the same time the souls of aborted infants are filled with joy in the presence of God, along with the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem, who were killed by King Herod (cf Matthew 2:16-18). Before and after Jesus’ death and ascension, the souls of evil persons are confined to the eternal torments of hell, while the souls of those who choose to obey and please God in this life are received into eternal happiness at their death. This happiness increased immensely when Jesus ascended into heaven, opening the gates thereof, which had been closed since the original sin of our first parents.

Souls - torment or happiness before Christ?

By Pastor Dave Henion

X

Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-12-01 08:24:00

Question: When people died in the Old Testament, before our Lord came, was crucified and re-opened the gates of Heaven, where did their souls go? Were they in a place of torment or happiness?

Answer: In researching the concept of the afterlife in the Old Testament, one finds not as much interest and emphasis as in the New Testament. More emphasis is focused on one’s earthly existence, living purposely in relationship with God and fellow man. But there are hints and Jesus helps us fill in some of the gaps in His parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16. Early in the book of Genesis the afterlife is referred to in vague terms as found in 25:8 a person was “gathered to their people” or a rejoining of loved ones after their death. It was spoken also as a place where the wicked are “cut off from their people” in Genesis 17:14. The finality of death is also emphasized when it speaks in terms of returning to “dust” (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20) and as being “water being spilled on the ground which cannot be gathered up again.” (2 Samuel 14:14). Also in the OT, afterlife was alluded to as a shadowy place called “Sheol.” It’s seen as a place of darkness (Job 10:21-22), silence (Psalm 115:17), and located in the low places (Psalm 88:7). It’s the place where God puts people (1 Samuel 2:6) and even the great leaders who the Lord has brought low (Isaiah 14:9-10). The whole idea of judgment also arises in Daniel 12:2 where it says, “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.” Now Jesus sheds some light on the O.T. afterlife experience when He speaks of the parable of the “Rich man and Lazarus” in Luke 16. He uses it in the context of teaching His disciples, while the Pharisees were eavesdropping, on the proper use of wealth. Jesus then paints a picture of the very human side of wealth and its temporary value through two men, the rich man who has no name and the poor man who is named Lazarus. The rich man in life could have easily helped Lazarus out, had a lot and was very flamboyant with special clothing and hosted many parties, even had a burial of which Lazarus was even too poor for a burial but the rich man didn’t really have much. When the leveling moment of death comes to both men, judgment comes to the rich man, who probably had no name because in the end he really had nothing of eternal value. What we see though as far as what is understood about the afterlife that Jesus exposes in this parable is: 1. There are two different parts to Hades or Sheol in the afterlife. 2. There is a huge chasm that separates the two places and never the two shall meet. 3. There is a conscious existence while one is there and even an awareness of both sides. 4. There is a part of it that is of peace and security called “Abraham’s Bosom” and the other side of judgment’s torment, agony and suffering. As we have seen throughout the scriptures the idea of the afterlife is very prevalent and that it is just not going into nothingness or unconsciousness or non-existence. We see it is a specific place of conscious existence where there is a separation between the place of comforting peace and painful torment. There is a place of judgment, where a person will give an accounting of their life and receive their just rewards and punishment. A place where you wish you could redo things and help those who you know who have not died yet that you would like to warn, but it is here where it is too late. What we see here is the consistency of God, where evil will go along fairly flamboyant for a season, doing at times better than any good we can see. But keep trusting in God for rest assured, it will not last! God’s balance of justice will turn for His good and all mankind will give an account of the lives they lead. Are you sure what your destination will be? Do you have the hope of eternal life, joy, peace and life ever-lasting with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven? If you were to die tonight, do you think you would go to heaven? What are you resting your hope in? In your own goodness? Look what Isaiah 64:6 says about that, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” We need something more outside of ourselves to get us there. That we have been given by God who provided Jesus Christ to die to take away our sin and give us eternal life. We need more than just an intellectual knowledge of this, we need to accept Christ as our savior and Lord, and then we have eternal life. Listen as the Apostle Peter tells those in his congregation who were facing death everyday by the Emperors’ sword, (1 Peter 1:3-5) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Looking forward in seeing you here and if not here, then there in His eternal bliss, Pastor Dave

Souls - torment or happiness before Christ?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-12-01 08:24:00

Question: When people died in the Old Testament, before our Lord came, was crucified and re-opened the gates of Heaven, where did their souls go? Were they in a place of torment or happiness?

Answer: You ask about where the souls of those who died before Christ went at their death. Your question also implies that you believe something changed about their “place” when Christ was raised from the dead. Let me answer your question one step at a time. First, based on the Bible, Presbyterians believe that death is not the end of life. The Bible seems to say that after we die, we “sleep” until the resurrection, but we also believe that we will not be aware of this “sleeping,” this time passing, for it will seem to us that we will immediately be in the presence of God. We believe this because of Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” We find other places in the Bible to support this as well. Second, again, based on the Bible, we believe that our physical body stops functioning at death, but that it will be resurrected again, as a spiritual or resurrection body, as Paul puts it. We also believe that when the physical body stops functioning, the soul also “sleeps.” We do not believe that souls are immortal, as the ancient Greeks did, and that our souls simply “go off” somewhere. They rest with our bodies. Thus, the souls of those who died before Christ also rest with their bodies. Like those who die now, they await the resurrection. Some incorrectly believe that the souls of those who died before Christ went to hell, as they had no opportunity to be saved, but the Bible as a whole does not support that. Others believe that the article in our creed “he ascended into hell” means that Christ freed these people from hell, but that is not what it means. Rather, “he ascended into hell” simply means that Jesus suffered all that a forsaken person would suffer.

Are the Three Persons in God equal?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-11-01 15:55:00

Question: In the Bible: The Gospel of St. John (chapter 14, verse 28) quotes Jesus saying: “You have heard that I said to you: ‘I am going away, and I will come back to you.’ If you truly loved me, you would rejoice to have me go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” Doesn’t this statement somewhat contradict the belief in the Trinity that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, are co-equal?

Answer: In your question, you wonder about Jesus’ words in John 14:28, where he says “for the Father is greater than I.” You ask whether this statement contradicts the Trinitarian understanding that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are equal. It is a good question, for the words, on their face, do seem to contradict this understanding. For help in interpreting John, I often turn to the great Johannine scholar Raymond Brown. In a commentary on this passage, he writes that the statement has an interesting history. In fact, it was used by Arius in the great debate about Jesus’ divinity and humanity. Arius used it to argue that Jesus was not fully divine. The early church fathers understood Jesus’ words here in another way, however. They understood Jesus to be speaking here as a human, noting that God is greater than any human. They also understood Jesus as the divine Son to be equal to the Father in power, and they asserted that as Son he knew that. Brown agrees with these early church fathers, as do most other contemporary Johannine scholars. You should know, though, that there are those who use this and other passages in John to continue to argue that Jesus was not divine and never claimed to be. They are in a minority, however.

Are the Three Persons in God equal?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-11-01 15:55:00

Question: In the Bible: The Gospel of St. John (chapter 14, verse 28) quotes Jesus saying: “You have heard that I said to you: ‘I am going away, and I will come back to you.’ If you truly loved me, you would rejoice to have me go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” Doesn’t this statement somewhat contradict the belief in the Trinity that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, are co-equal?

Answer: The Holy Trinity is the most profound mystery of the Christian faith. I use the term “mystery” as the sense of something we cannot fully understand. We can talk about the inner relationships between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, but we cannot fully understand the inner life of God. Holy and learned persons have written many volumes about God; but most of this writing is pure human speculation, and in the end the truthful author will have to admit that there is so much we don’t know and cannot know. This is because of the weakness of our intellect. Not even the most brilliant human or angelic intellect is capable of understanding the full life of God. The Bible, in both testaments, gives us inspired insights about God; but the more it says, the less we really understand about the Supreme Being. We know for certain that there is only one God; nevertheless in this one only God there are three distinct persons. Each of the three persons in God is eternal and equal and all-powerful, and the ultimate Source of all life and of everything that exists. We believe that from all eternity God the Father begot his Son, and that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, equal to each and equal to both of them. But we cannot understand all the implications of that fact. We believe that at a certain point in time, determined by the Father, God sent his Son into this world: to be conceived in a unique manner of a Virgin without human intervention, and this Son was born of her in a human manner. Thus Jesus is the Son of God and of the Virgin Mary. This is the mystery of the Incarnation. As a human being, Jesus remained God but comported himself in human fashion in every way, except sinning. Jesus is perfect God and perfect man! Jesus is one person with two natures, human and divine. Jesus has two Wills, which are perfected coordinated and in union with the Will of God. In the text cited by the question, Jesus is speaking as a man about his human nature. As a human being, he can say truthfully: “The Father is greater than I” (John 14:28), as God is greater than any human being. In his divine nature, Jesus can say: “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30). Again in the same chapter 10, Jesus says “The Father is in me and I in him” (verse 38). In his final words spoken before his Ascension into heaven, i.e. in the Great Commission, Jesus states: “Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18-19). These statements do not contradict belief in the Trinity: that the three persons are equal! Rather these statements confirm it. Yet all this is a matter of faith, incapable of scientific proof. If science could explain these mysteries, they would no longer be matters of faith. True science and authentic faith are not opposed; rather they are two distinct and separate sources of knowledge; and both have God as their author.

Are the Three Persons in God equal?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-11-01 15:55:00

Question: In the Bible: The Gospel of St. John (chapter 14, verse 28) quotes Jesus saying: “You have heard that I said to you: ‘I am going away, and I will come back to you.’ If you truly loved me, you would rejoice to have me go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” Doesn’t this statement somewhat contradict the belief in the Trinity that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, are co-equal?

Answer: The verse in question is part of the last week (beginning in John 12:1) of Jesus’ earthly life where He had entered Bethany on His way to Jerusalem. It is there John subtlety discloses this with the incident of Mary anointing Jesus feet with costly perfume and wipes them with her hair in preparation for His death (vs7). The crowd was growing because of the news which had spread about Lazarus being raised from the dead earlier in Chapter 11. At this point the Jews wanted to kill Jesus and Lazarus (12:9-10). Jesus then moves on with this swelling crowd leaving Bethany, going to Jerusalem where the Triumphal entry (Palm Sunday) parade takes place as Jesus rides into Jerusalem as a Triumphant warrior. John makes a comment about the disciples ignorance about many of the things that were about to happen and would not fully understand the events of Holy Week until after Jesus is resurrected (John 12:16). As Jesus and His disciples make their way through the week, He prepares His disciples for His crucifixion, death and resurrection through the teachings He makes in the rest of chapter 12. In that He also makes several outstanding statements about His relation to the Father and His being of the same essence as God (vss 26, 32, 34, 36, 44-50). His bold statements like, (45) “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me” makes it obviously clear about His identity. He was God who became flesh. In Chapter 13 we see Jesus “knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father…” (vs 1), celebrates the Passover which He institutes the Last Supper. Christ also teaches them not only about His death and resurrection in the instituting of the Supper, He also prepares them for their ministry and lives without His physical presence. Jesus teaches them about serving through washing their feet and also the cleansing He will provide them with through His death. Christ tips them off about His betrayal and John again throws us a hint of the ugliness of the moment when he comments in verse 30, “…it was dark.” Christ then speaks of His glorification (31-32), their remaining on earth and the importance of living His distinguishing trade mark of love toward one another (33-35) and foretells Peter’s denial (36-38). In chapter 14, Jesus fills a lot more in of the coming events for the disciples so He can bring comfort, strength and knowledge as they spread the message of good news in the years to come. Christ shares with them He is going to heaven before them (1-4) and how they can get there (5-6). Jesus then explains again more on His relationship to the Father and His relationship in essence (7-14) and then shares about the Holy Spirit’s role in comforting them and His connection to the Father (15-27). Having gone through chapters 13 and 14, we also see them overflowing with references to His unique oneness with the Father (Ch13:13,16,19,20,31, Ch 14:1,6,7,9-11,20,21,23,24,26) Jesus now brings them back to the touchy subject He started in verse 3 about His departure that they should be rejoicing over and not be sorrowful as He tells them in the first part of verse 28. He makes the statement, “I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” This statement many have taken out of context. For instance, 300 years after Jesus, a Bishop in the church by the name of Arius (318 BC) said Jesus was a created being, was not God and denied the Trinity. If you have a friend who is a Jehovah’s Witness, Unitarian, Unity, etc that is their belief that Jesus is not co-eternal and not the same substance of God. The church fought that teaching off by writing three Creeds, The Apostles (150), The Nicean (325) and the Athensian Creeds (362), each making it very clear with stronger statements that the Christian Church through scripture saw Jesus of the same substance and essence of God. That Jesus Christ is God. In the phrase in question “the Father is greater than I,” Christ is not speaking of the essence of His being, but referring to His incarnate state on earth. That during His earthly life He accepted the subordination (Hebrews 12:2) in order to fulfill His purpose of our redemption and eternal life (Philippians 2:5-11). But He was no less God. Jesus said He only could do what the Father does (John 5:19) and He affirmed “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) That is why our Triune God, [Father (Acts 2:24), Son (John 2:19) and Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11)] raised Jesus from the dead which has given us a sure salvation and eternal life. Because he provided for us with such a great eternal future, we can also trust Him for our present earthly lives. To see the essence of true greatness is having all the power at one’s disposal and yet putting it aside in humble submission to attain for the weak and incapable, freedom and relief, from the bondage we could never attain for ourselves. With a flood of gratitude to our Awesome God “who saved a wretch like me,” I write this, Pastor Dave.

How often should one receive communion?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-10-01 09:07:00

Question: My question is about taking the Lord’s Supper (communion). In 1 Cor 11:23-26 St. Paul quotes Jesus: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Does this mean to do it “often,” or “as often as you do it?” I am aware that Catholics are encouraged to take communion daily, Christian churches weekly, Baptists only every three months, and some churches take it rarely or never. I would appreciate your insight on what this Scripture really means.

Answer: The questioner brings out a very interesting text in a passage that is very instructive about the Lord’s Supper. The area he has chosen to focus, does not ascribe a specific amount of times to the frequency a church body should take the sacrament, “as often as you do it.” What the passage does say is that we should make it a regular practice, it does not spell out the regularity but it does speak of purposes and attitude (done in a meaningful and not a disgraceful or unworthy manner). A strong argument can be made for daily communion from the early church in Acts 2:46 which states, “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,” The passage however in Corinthians deals with a terrible problem that these young, selfish Christians were experiencing where they would have a “Love Feast” and part of that was the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The problem was that they were acting contrary to what the Lord’s Supper was to exemplify. Instead it was a mockery. They were betraying God’s love by using class distinctions between rich and poor. The poor would get last chance or the least of the meal. The rich were using their clout and were jumping ahead of others to get first dibs on the food. As they approached the Lord’s Supper, they were nullifying its real spiritual meaning of Christ’s love and sacrifice. Next, Paul sets forth the institution of the Lord’s Supper, explaining the purpose behind the meal. First, it was to be a simple meal, as Jesus exhibited on the “night He was betrayed, took bread…” (1 Cor 11:23). It doesn’t need to be an elaborate ceremony that takes away from the spiritual significance, but a very simple action like our Lord showed his disciples. Second, it was taken to remind us, “this do in remembrance of me” (1 Cor 11:24) of the love and saving grace of God all wrapped up in the brokenness He experienced on the cross for us. Third, it was to be a symbolic experience for us in understanding it is His covenant He first made with us, “this is the new covenant in my blood” (11:25). By His mercy not giving us what we deserve for our sins and giving us what we don’t deserve which is grace. This was the binding agreement (covenant) He made to us who have nothing to give Him but our sin. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Fourth, it is a proclamation of the ground of our faith as Christians. (1 Corinthians 11:26) “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” This, as a church, we hold as our foundation stone until the Lord returns. When Paul finishes explaining the meaning and purpose of the supper, he gives a warning with great instruction on how not to let the Lord’s Supper‘ be taken in an unworthy manner. (11:27) “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.” First, we are to examine ourselves, (11:28) “But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” It means looking deep within and asking the Lord to reveal our sinful ways we have acted on or thoughts we have nurtured or nursed (Psalm 51:1). Then confess that sin, honestly admit (Psalm 32) and agree with God what you have done is wrong (1 John 1:9). Then, recommit your way unto the Lord (Roman 12:1). If there is someone who you are out of sorts with or unforgiving too, go and get it right (Matthew 5:23-24). Second, he drives the point home how serious a matter it is in taking the Lord’s Supper. So much so that people who do it in an unworthy manner, they drink judgment on themselves here and now (11:29) “For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.” What that judgment looks like in practical terms he spells out in the next verse, (11:30) “That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.” Pretty serious wouldn’t you say? That is why when we come to the table, it’s not “mindlessly” just to get it done and out of the way, or hurriedly because it’s the ceremony we always do at the end of the service before we go home or hoping to get it done quickly so we can get to the restaurant before the rest of the crowd from other churches gets there. People who take it frequently can easily fall into a pattern of familiarity and can lose it’s meaning, like reciting memorized prayer that Jesus warned against (Matthew 6:7). Ministers and priests can fall into the temptation of “getter’ done” or running through it because the service is running long or beyond the time everyone expects to be out. No matter what the frequency, we should approach it reverently, discreetly and in the awe of God. It is not to be done or thought of lightly or just doing it, but thoughtfully, reflectively, prayerfully confessing our sins and rejoicing. As we remind ourselves and proclaim our great release from the bondage of guilt and shame because Jesus washed away our sins on the cross and gave us the hope of eternal life. It is in that message that we stand as friends of our Holy and Perfect God. Sincerely grateful every time I participate in the Lord’s Supper, Pastor Dave.

How often should one receive communion?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-10-01 09:07:00

Question: My question is about taking the Lord’s Supper (communion). In 1 Cor 11:23-26 St. Paul quotes Jesus: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Does this mean to do it “often,” or “as often as you do it?” I am aware that Catholics are encouraged to take communion daily, Christian churches weekly, Baptists only every three months, and some churches take it rarely or never. I would appreciate your insight on what this Scripture really means.

Answer: You ask about the Lord’s Supper; specifically, you ask about the interpretation of a particular Scripture, and you also ask how often the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is and should be celebrated. I am a Presbyterian (PCUSA) minister of Word and Sacrament; let me answer the latter question first. Our PCUSA Directory for Worship states the following: “The Lord’s Supper is to be observed…..regularly and frequently enough to be recognized as integral to the Service for the Lord’s Day.” The church I serve celebrates the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of each month, as well as on other occasions such as Maundy Thursday and Christmas Eve. Now, to the Scripture. It is important to note first the context of the Scripture. Paul is speaking to the Christians in Corinth in the context of abuses of the Lord’s Supper. Persons who arrive early are going ahead with the meal without waiting for the gathered community. In that context, Paul is reminding them that the meal is to be a remembrance of Jesus, and a proclamation of what God as Jesus has done for humanity, not simply a meal to satisfy their appetites. He is also making the point that when they celebrate the Lord’s Supper, they should do so as a community, not as a collection of individuals. So, when Paul speaks of Jesus as saying “as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,” he is simply saying that each time they celebrate the Lord’s Supper, they are to remember and proclaim Jesus. He is not trying to tell them how often to celebrate it.

How often should one receive communion?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2009-10-01 09:07:00

Question: My question is about taking the Lord’s Supper (communion). In 1 Cor 11:23-26 St. Paul quotes Jesus: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Does this mean to do it “often,” or “as often as you do it?” I am aware that Catholics are encouraged to take communion daily, Christian churches weekly, Baptists only every three months, and some churches take it rarely or never. I would appreciate your insight on what this Scripture really means.

Answer: The reason that churches celebrate the Lord‘s Supper at various times is simply because the Bible does not clearly instruct us to do this at any exact times. The examples in the Scriptures seem to vary, as your examples illustrate well: “Whenever you drink...”As often as you eat this...” Apparently from the first, the Believers celebrated this Supper at various times...whenever appropriate and/or convenient. There was much freedom. Now, most Christians accept their church’s times and usually celebrate the Lord’s Supper only with and at their Church. Have you ever had this Supper anywhere else or with other Christians? Many people feel that it “cheapens” this worship activity to have it apart from the Church. I remember hearing about a group of Marines celebrating the Lord’s Supper on the shore of a Pacific Island. I thought that was great. My opinion is that most Christians take the Lord’s Supper too seldom. If done with proper worshipful attitude, they should be celebrating The Supper more often and in more places, especially in their homes. The Father then acts as the spiritual leader of his family, a role too often lacking. “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship; to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:24.

How often should one receive communion?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-10-01 09:07:00

Question: My question is about taking the Lord’s Supper (communion). In 1 Cor 11:23-26 St. Paul quotes Jesus: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Does this mean to do it “often,” or “as often as you do it?” I am aware that Catholics are encouraged to take communion daily, Christian churches weekly, Baptists only every three months, and some churches take it rarely or never. I would appreciate your insight on what this Scripture really means.

Answer: You are correct that the Catholic Church encourages her faithful people to receive the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) “on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily” (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1389). As you mention, other Christian churches take the Lord’s Supper less frequently, according to their proper traditions. Jesus and his Apostles did not give specific instructions about the frequency of celebrating and receiving “the Lord’s Supper.” The Acts of the Apostles makes only an occasional reference to “the Breaking of the Bread,” another term for “the Lord’s Supper” or Holy Communion. Early Christian writers, e.g. St. Justin martyr (100-165), speaks of the Christian community coming together on the first day of each week: to celebrate this memorial of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This mention relates what Justin observed in various places he visited as a traveling philosopher, and refers to very small groups of Christians. During the first two and a half centuries of her existence, the Church was living and spreading in various places, always under threat of persecution. So It was neither practical nor possible to hold the Lord’s Supper frequently and regularly. Only after the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great granted the Edict of Toleration for the Christian religion in the year 311, did it become possible for Christians to hold the Lord’s Supper regularly on Sundays and on special occasions. Only gradually over several centuries, as the Christian community grew in numbers and formed stable communities, the liturgies for the Lord’s Supper developed in various places. Alongside the liturgies, there arose various practices of devotion in regard to the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion. Even during the times and places of persecution priests and deacons would reserve in their homes some particles of the consecrated bread (the Lord’s Body) for sick and dying persons to have as a consolation with Jesus in his Sacrament as their companion on their final journey. In the 4th century at Jerusalem there developed the annual memorial of Jesus’ death and resurrection with the Lord’s Supper being celebrated each day during the week before Easter. Rather soon, this week developed into two weeks, and then into the forty weekdays of Lent in preparation for Easter. Proper Masses for each day of Lent were composed to be used at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. It was customary for all the Christians present at each celebration to take the Lord’s Supper. During the Middle Ages, i.e. from the 6th century on, particularly in monasteries and convents, gradually there was adopted the practice of holding the Lord’s Supper several times each week. By the 10th century this practice was extended to a daily celebration, but it was not general in parishes, which retained the earlier tradition of the Lord’s Supper just on Sundays and feast days and at funerals. During the 12th and 13th centuries devotion to the Holy Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper) expanded rapidly throughout the Christian world. Not only daily Mass but also various devotions, e.g. processions with Benediction, in which the consecrated breads were reverently carried, but also permanent reservation of the Eucharist in each church was introduced. Now the consecrated breads were reserved in the churches: not only for the sick and dying, but also for private and public adoration. The Catholic faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Communion was commonly held by all Christians until the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. At that time various Protestant leaders interpreted the gospel texts in a variety of ways, different from the traditional Catholic and Orthodox belief. As they broke from the Catholic Church, the Protestants differed one from another in regard to the frequency of holding “the Lord’s Supper” and even more about how often their members should take communion. These differences continue to the present.

Did He die to make us holy?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-08-01 13:52:00

Question: I heard a Protestant preacher say that our Lord Jesus died on the cross for us: to make us holy. He added: the fact that we can now get into heaven, as the result of his dying on the cross, is a side-benefit. I thought this is most interesting. Can you comment how your particular faith regards that statement?

Answer: Each of the preacher’s statements by itself is true. Jesus died to make us holy. Jesus died so that we can now get into heaven. Whoever strives to become holy will surely enter heaven! The phrase “. . .a side-benefit” is a useless comparison. It seems to divide something indivisible. It’s similar to asking: “Which is better to have: six or half-a-dozen?” I suggest the preacher may have gotten carried-away by his own eloquence, like the frequent expression: “uh.” Holiness is sharing in God’s own life through God’s grace. All persons are called (invited) by God to the perfection of charity, which is the life of God. Jesus taught: “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). In order to reach this perfection, the individual person should use the strength and grace given them by God: so that, doing the Will of the Father in everything, they may wholeheartedly devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor. This invitation is a free gift of God, not forced on his creatures, a gift to be accepted or rejected by each individual, to whom God has given also a free-will to choose good or to choose evil. Those who choose the good, become the friends of God (saints), and they go to heaven. Those who choose to ignore and oppose God’s Will, by doing evil, will not go to heaven. In the end evildoers will go to hell. Read Jesus’ parable about the final judgment in the Gospel of Matthew (25:31-46). The preacher could have added many other reasons why Jesus died on the Cross, e.g. to make reparation to his heavenly Father for all the sins of the whole world in every time and place; to give us the supreme example of self-sacrifice in God’s love for us; to open the gates of heaven, which had been closed to human souls since the sin of our first parents; to demonstrate the immensity of God’s love for all humanity; to fulfill the Old Testament and inaugurate the New Covenant of mankind with God; to express God’s understanding of all human weakness by allowing his Son in human nature to take upon himself the totality of human pain and suffering -- so that no one can say “Why does God allow this to happen to me?”; to identify with human beings and take away the horror of death: in view of the resurrection and life everlasting. All of these reasons why Jesus died, those mentioned by the preacher in the question, and by me in this paragraph, are of supreme importance to God the Father. And there are still other reasons, none of which I would depreciate with the term “a side benefit.”

Did He die to make us holy?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-08-01 13:52:00

Question: I heard a Protestant preacher say that our Lord Jesus died on the cross for us: to make us holy. He added: the fact that we can now get into heaven, as the result of his dying on the cross, is a side-benefit. I thought this is most interesting. Can you comment how your particular faith regards that statement?

Answer: The preacher is right. Holiness is very much a part of God in fact, everything that God does and His number one attribute (characteristic) of His being, is that He is holy. It comes from the word Hebrew word “kedushah,” which means separate and totally other or different than what we know. The Lord God was constantly calling Israel to Holiness and being a holy assembly (ex Ex 12:16), a holy people (Deut 7:6), a holy nation (Ex 19:6) and just plain holy. The Levitical system of law was the constant reminder of that as we read in Exodus 30:29,“You shall also consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them shall be holy.” Things were also set apart like the place where God met His priest in the Tabernacle and then in the Temple was called the “Holy of Holies” (Ex 26:34) at which the priest would only meet with God once a year on the day of Atonement to wash away the sins of the people. God called Israel in Leviticus 11:44 to be consecrated and Holy because God’s own character was holy as we read, ‘For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth” In that same vain we see Peter quoting those same words in speaking of God’s called out people, the church, in the New Testament where Peter says, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Notice with a very practical emphasis of exhibiting it! Now Paul in the book of Ephesians in a very challenging chapter that separates denominations and Christians in its interpretation declares the whole process of God’s work in His salvation history to us before the world began. He tells us God’s purpose was in laying it out the way He did; (Ephesians 1:4a) “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” Then He goes on to explain His attitude when He did it; (1:4b) “In love.” Then he explains how God did it, (1:5a) “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself,” and then he goes on to explain whose will it comes through, (5b)“according to the kind intention of His will,” and then the avenue it is dispersed, (6) “to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Then Paul goes further on explaining the tremendous benefits and blessings that are ours because of this super great mysterious plan that a wonderful loving and gracious God has let us in on. I guess the question that this brings us to is have you experienced this in your life? Have you heard God’s call to be holy that comes through Jesus Christ and accepted this marvelous gift of change in being a different and set apart, adopted child of His choosing? Have you let His Holy Spirit work in you and change those rebellious ways as you move forward in your life in the sanctification process of salvation where the old rebellious ways that go against God are no longer your desire but now you have a passion for God and a desire to please Him in living a life of holiness? Many in our generation are looking for happiness which does not last and often is elusive. God wants us to be Holy, because it is the infusion of His holiness in our lives through Jesus Christ. It becomes the Fruit of the Holy Spirit which is “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:22–24) How many people and the people around them benefit and love to live with those traits in their lives? In God’s sanctification process, Pastor Dave.

Did He die to make us holy?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-08-01 13:52:00

Question: I heard a Protestant preacher say that our Lord Jesus died on the cross for us: to make us holy. He added: the fact that we can now get into heaven, as the result of his dying on the cross, is a side-benefit. I thought this is most interesting. Can you comment how your particular faith regards that statement?

Answer: You began your question with a statement. You said you had heard from someone that Jesus died on the cross to make us holy, and his death on the cross allowing us to have eternal life was merely a “side benefit.” You then asked whether my particular faith accepts this statement or not. Presbyterians understand Jesus’ death on the cross in the following way. Because humanity had sinned over and over again, humanity’s relationship with God was broken. The holy and just God cannot simply accept sin. In order to resolve this situation, Jesus took our sin upon himself in dying on the cross, thus re-establishing our relationship with God and paying the price for our sin. How he paid this price---that is, how he “atoned” for our sin---is the subject of a variety of “theories of the atonement.” These include Jesus as “victor,” the cross as “satisfaction,” and the cross as a “model.” We agree, however, that his atonement made us “at-one” with God; it put us into right relationship with God. This doesn’t really “make us holy”; rather, because of Jesus’ death, we are able, through him, once again to stand before God through justification---being “put right with” God---and live a life in which God seeks to make us holy through sanctification. After Jesus’ death on the cross, God raised him from the dead. It is this act which conquered the power of death, and it is this act which allows us eternal life, or as you say, us “getting into heaven.” Jesus rose from the dead, and his body was resurrected. We do not fully understand exactly how this happens or how exactly we will be raised from the dead, but we believe that God’s power is greater than the power of sin and the power of death, and that we will be raised with Jesus to live in heaven.

Did He die to make us holy?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2009-08-01 13:52:00

Question: I heard a Protestant preacher say that our Lord Jesus died on the cross for us: to make us holy. He added: the fact that we can now get into heaven, as the result of his dying on the cross, is a side-benefit. I thought this is most interesting. Can you comment how your particular faith regards that statement?

Answer: It is difficult to put God’s purposes in time order to say which came first. Clearly, our lack of holiness restricted all of our contact with God. He could not bring sinful man into His fellowship since we were rebels against Him. Sinful people resent God and seek to avoid Him. He could not welcome us into His presence when we were like that! We had to be made holy by Jesus substituting for us on the cross. You can say that every result of this is “a side benefit” and that making us holy was the first required step. But being able to go to Heaven is such an important thing for any person that it is hard to call it a side benefit. It is like saying that life is a side benefit of birth! Since these go together, it is not possible to make one to be the “main” and the other the “side” benefit. Listen to this from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. “We do not lose heart...we fix our eyes not on what is seen, for what is seen is temporary. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have an eternal house in heaven, not made with human hands...our Heavenly dwelling.” II Cor. 4:16-5:1 “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” II Cor. 5:21 (NIV)

Does God think?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-08-01 12:16:00

Question: In Mark 8:33, our Lord rebuked Peter because he was thinking as a man and not as God thinks. I was reading this chapter this morning and for the first time I wondered, “Does God think? After all, He is all-knowing, all-logical, all-understanding…all-everything. I guess I have always thought, “God does.” Am I wrong?

Answer: You noted that a passage in the Bible caused you to wonder whether God “thinks” or whether God simply “does.” The passage you mentioned was Mark 8:33. In the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, the translation of that passage is “for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” I believe this is a more accurate and helpful translation than the one you cited, or, perhaps, paraphrased. But to get to the heart of your question, to say that God “thinks” is another way we anthropomorphize God. That is, in trying to understand God, we attribute to him human characteristics. The reality is that God is wholly Other than humanity; he is, as the Bible tell us, “spirit.” Therefore, we cannot simply anthropomorphize God in this way. God is; as God puts it, “I am who I am.”

Does God think?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-08-01 12:16:00

Question: In Mark 8:33, our Lord rebuked Peter because he was thinking as a man and not as God thinks. I was reading this chapter this morning and for the first time I wondered, “Does God think? After all, He is all-knowing, all-logical, all-understanding…all-everything. I guess I have always thought, “God does.” Am I wrong?

Answer: Yes, God thinks. But his thinking is not according to our manner of thinking. We know very little about the inner life of God, except for what The Bible teaches us and we are able to realize through our limited reason. Still, it seems evident that you are correct. Thinking is an exercise of the rational faculty, i.e. the Intellect or Reason, like the Will, is a gift proper to spiritual realities, i.e. to God and angelic spirits and human beings. Thinking and conceiving in the mind, anticipating and remembering, intending and determining, reflecting and pondering, considering and believing: are activities of the intellect or reason, i.e. of the soul or spirit of an individual. Intelligent and well-ordered speech is also part of the faculty of reason. Some brute animals can be trained to makes sounds that resemble speech, but they are unable to carry on an intelligent conversation because brute animals are lacking an intellect or reason, the soul. Animals do have an imagination, which is not the same as reason. Animals do not possess a spirit or soul, which would enable them to exercise the above-mentioned faculties. God is a pure spirit, without beginning or end, and He possesses all these faculties in the supreme degree. Numerous texts in the Holy Bible mention God exercising those faculties. Of course, the human author of each particular book of the Bible, was writing according to his own understanding of God’s operations. Yes, in doing so, the human author was using part of his faculty of reason, which he had received as a gift from God, as a share in God’s own life. And the human author wrote according to his own understanding and experience, which he applied to God. In the biblical narrative of God’s act of creation, we read in Genesis 1:27: “God created man in his image, in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” And, after human disobedience, we read in Genesis 3:22: “The Lord God said: ‘See the man has become like one of us, knowing what is good and what is bad!’” Further on we read in Genesis 6:5-6: “When the Lord saw how great was man’s wickedness on earth, and how no desire that his heart conceived was ever anything but evil, he regretted that he had made man on the earth, and his heart grieved.” These and many other biblical texts give evidence that God plans, and also seems to regret some of his earlier decisions; therefore God thinks. However, by definition God knows all things, past, present and future. Everything is open and clear to him. In his thinking there is neither progression nor succession. For God everything is eternally present, all is NOW! But in his act of creation God provided that his creatures live in time, a succession of motion, a continuous series of progression as well as retrogression, and that is what we call history. In Himself God contains all history and knows everything. Still he can recall and compare and appear to develop, according as he wishes man to know him and relate to him. In the Gospel of Luke (2:46-47, 52) we read the Jesus, the Son of God, at age 12, went into the temple at Jerusalem and “was sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and his answers. Jesus progressed steadily in wisdom and age and grace before God and men.” It was in order to direct humans to God, that God sent his only Son, in the person of Jesus, to assume a human identity with human limitations: so that humans could identify with Him, and thus know God’s Will for them. In a lovely hymn in his epistle to the Philippians (2:6-11), St. Paul summarizes what I have attempted to say: “Though he was in the form of God, (Jesus) did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human estate, and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross. . . . So that at Jesus’ name every knee must bend . . . and every tongue proclaim the glory of God the Father.”

Does God think?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-08-01 12:16:00

Question: In Mark 8:33, our Lord rebuked Peter because he was thinking as a man and not as God thinks. I was reading this chapter this morning and for the first time I wondered, “Does God think? After all, He is all-knowing, all-logical, all-understanding…all-everything. I guess I have always thought, “God does.” Am I wrong?

Answer: I think the questioner is asking the philosophical question on the premise that an all knowing and all understanding perspective means that God does not have to think but just react. On the contrary, God’s thoughts are way beyond all that we could ever muster with all the brightest people and computers in the world. First, think of the complexity of the human mind in all of its intricate thoughts, processes and patterns, its layers of conscious and unconscious thoughts. Yet the Psalmist says, “He knows our words we are going to say before we formulate them on our tongues.” (Psalm 139:3) The mind has its protection mechanisms that hide the painful events of our lives and yet He knows those pains. In fact, when we are going through those pains and difficulties which are so hurtful that the only thing we can do is groan, He intercedes for us. His Holy Spirit puts those hurts into words and He communicates them to the heart of God (Romans 8:27-28). This comes because God is not just an inanimate force or power, He is an intimate relational God who thinks and knows our situations and tailor makes them grow us in the image of His Son. (Romans 8:29) It is marvelous how He fashioned us. We are unlike any other creature because we reflect the image of God as thinking human beings. We have emotions, personalities (Psalm 139:13-15), wills to make our own decisions and a spiritual component within that allows us to have deeper relationships, and especially with God, that no other created being has with God. It gives us the ability to make the unbelievable advancements that we have made in science, technology and life that no other creatures on earth have done. (Genesis 1:24-31; 2:7) In fact, does it not amaze you that we have only tapped about 10 percent of our mind’s potential and yet we have accomplished a lot by reflecting the image of God as thinking human beings? I get fascinated and blown away when I stand on Broadway in NYC and see the sidewalks and streets filled with this mass of humanity that is moving at rush hour and think He knows every person intimately, personally and intricately. So intricately, that He even knows every hair on our heads (Luke 21:18). If Jesus were to speak in the language of today he would probably change the metaphor from hair to molecule or cell of our body. Is that not a comfort He knows us that closely? Beyond that, He knows all the circumstances and situations that every person is going through in the world. He is directing and working in all those situations, beyond the scenes and the comfort for the believer, He does so “for our good” and so that we can be the best we can be by being conformed to the image of Christ.(Romans 8:28-29) Sometimes we don’t understand all that takes place in our lives and the lives of those around us, but Isaiah penned God’s words to bring understanding to a confused people having just gone through a difficult time in her country’s history, “My thoughts are completely different from yours,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) When you think of all that is in outer space and beyond that all kinds of telescopes, huge computers and processors are trying to get a glimmer by working around the clock and still they haven’t touched His infinite wisdom that has created galaxies far beyond. (Psalm 19:1) Or even the intricacies of the human body with the miles of veins and arteries. All this takes thinking. In fact all that we do in science said Kepler is “thinking God’s thoughts after Him.” Because God had it all well thought out and perfectly planned. Take for instance, His providing in bacteria the substance of what we call penicillin that is the mother of antibiotics. Take the man named Alexander Flemming, who, not accidentally but God would providentially, orchestrate its discovery. Yes, God does think and along with the Psalmist we can say, “How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, You are still with me!” (Psalm 139:17-18). Overwhelmed with God’s awesome thinking and yet very much at peace and filled with comfort to know that He has it all thought out and planned for my life and yours, go and enjoy life. Pastor Dave.

Body and soul renunited?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-06-01 10:29:00

Question: I have always been taught that at the end of time, the soul will be reunited with the body and each will be judged by our Lord. How is it in Matthew 17:2-7, Moses and Elijah appeared to Peter and James during the Transfiguration? How did their souls reunite with their bodies if the end of time has yet to come?

Answer: In researching this question, I was hard pressed to find much written on the subject. There are hints of thoughts we can speculate on, but that is all it is, speculation and conjecture. With those come a host of other questions we can ask, but are left to a mystery until our Lord reveals it. Now we realize that the setting is the highest of all the mountains in the region the two special guests are the greatest representatives of the Laws (Moses the law-giver of which Jesus completely fulfills the law) and the greatest prophet, Elijah (signifying Jesus’ perfect fulfillment of the prophets). Curiously, both of them had unusual death experiences that are surrounded by mystery. Moses dies alone on Mount Pisgah, across from Jericho looking on to the Promised Land because he was not allowed to enter because of his previous disobedience. (Deuteronomy 32:48-52) Then the Bible tells us there was a battle for his body between Michael the Archangel and the Devil (Jude 9) and that he is buried by God (Deuteronomy 34:6) but no one knows where. Elijah dies differently. In fact, he doesn’t die, but the chariot of fire from the Lord comes in a whirlwind (Kansas tornado?) and takes him up into heaven. (2 Kings 2:11). Could it have been their bodies that were just taken into heaven? Another interesting thing that raises another eyebrow is the words used in the accounts given of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3, Mark 9:4 and Luke 9:31). The same word is used when Jesus made his appearance after the resurrection (Mark 16:9). He also resurrected the body of Lazarus while He was on the earth to show His power over the grave even before His resurrection. (John 11:1-44) Could it have been a resurrected body? Another possibility could have been that they were spirits that were recognizable emanations or ghost like figures that were recognizable. We see that possibility when we read the account of King Saul going to the witch/medium at Endor to bring up the Prophet Samuel from the dead. ( 1 Samuel 28:8-25) She describes Samuel in visible form first as a god (v 13) and then as an old man wrapped in a robe of whom Saul bows too (v 14). Then Samuel speaks with Saul and tells him that he along with his sons will be joining Samuel in the spirit world and his army will lose to the Philistines because of his disobedience. Could it have been the spirits of Moses and Elijah? All these in my finite mind are possibilities and there may be more because our Lord is the God far above any impossibility. As the Angel Gabriel informed Mary of the virgin birth in which she would bring the Savior of the world, he also gives her the reason for that taking place in Luke 1:37 when He says, “For nothing is impossible with God!” Secondly, as at the transfiguration, also at the resurrection, God does His great work in changing individuals and brings His glory out visibly for the whole world to see. The word used for that change in the original Greek Bible language is the same word we know as metamorphous. It is a change from the inside out, like the caterpillar who struggles from the inside of the cocoon to become a beautiful butterfly. So it is with us as Paul describes our beautifying process, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13} May God give us great joy as we experience His process us. (James 1:2} In His Process, Pastor Dave!

Body and soul renunited?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-06-01 10:29:00

Question: I have always been taught that at the end of time, the soul will be reunited with the body and each will be judged by our Lord. How is it in Matthew 17:2-7, Moses and Elijah appeared to Peter and James during the Transfiguration? How did their souls reunite with their bodies if the end of time has yet to come?

Answer: You ask in your question about the soul and the body, their separation and uniting, and the end of time and judgment. Yet the Biblical passage you refer to is the transfiguration. In my judgment, the passage about the transfiguration in Matthew 17:2-7 is not really applicable to your question. Its purpose is to describe Jesus’ transfiguration, and through it, according to Biblical commentator Dale Bruner, show who had authoritative power in the early church. Bruner explains that, among the people of God from the time of the Old Testament, those who were thought to have this power were Moses and the law, and Elijah and the prophets. Now comes Jesus, with the gospel. Moses and Elijah’s presence at the transfiguration show that Jesus is continuous in a line with them, but there is also a discontinuity because, in the Matthew story, God says, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” Jesus is the one God calls the people to listen to. With regard to your question, we believe that physical death is not the end of our lives. God will, at the resurrection, raise us up with a spiritual body, as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 15. We cannot fully comprehend what happens at death and at the resurrection, but we know that the soul doesn’t “go off somewhere” at death while the body lays in the ground. Neither the body nor the soul is immortal. Some say that they “sleep” until the resurrection, but again, because we are mere creatures, we do not know exactly what happens. Paul puts it beautifully, however, in 1 Corinthians 15:51 and 52: “Listen I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

Body and soul renunited?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-06-01 10:29:00

Question: I have always been taught that at the end of time, the soul will be reunited with the body and each will be judged by our Lord. How is it in Matthew 17:2-7, Moses and Elijah appeared to Peter and James during the Transfiguration? How did their souls reunite with their bodies if the end of time has yet to come?

Answer: The idea of resurrection of the body (reunion of the soul with its proper body) is a matter of faith, and therefore impossible to explain scientifically or by human reason. Remember how the Creed concludes: “I believe . . . in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.” While we attempt to explain each of the articles of the Creed and other matters of faith, we must be aware that faith and reason, while not opposed, are in different orders of being, e.g. such as earthworms and the stars. If we could understand an article of faith, then it would no longer be a matter of faith. I don’t BELIEVE that two plus two equals four; I KNOW that 2 + 2 = 4. Only God knows how the human soul can be reunited to its proper body. What we do know is that it can and does happen, e.g. as in the resurrection of Jesus and that of Lazarus, and what the prophet Elisha did to the dead son of the generous Shunammite widow (cf 2 Kings 4:28-37). Also in St. Matthew (27:52-53) we read that at the death of Jesus: “the earth quaked, tombs opened; many bodies of saints who had fallen asleep, were raised. After Jesus’ resurrection they came forth from their tombs, and entered the holy city and appeared to many.” So the phenomenon, witnessed by the Apostles at the transfiguration, is not unique. The Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, relates also that angels have appeared to human persons. Since an angel does not have its own proper body, the angel assumes an appearance of the human form, according to God’s permission. But Moses and Elijah appeared in their own proper bodies: the various parts, which had been dispersed after death and corruption, came together in an instant, according to God’s permission. After the event, for which they had anticipated their own resurrection, was completed, they died again and their remains returned to dust: to await the final resurrection at the end of the world. To answer the “how” in your question is impossible. This “how” exceeds our imagination and understanding. We can discuss and speculate about what happened, but cannot explain how it occurred - apart from God working a miracle.

Body and soul renunited?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2009-06-01 10:29:00

Question: I have always been taught that at the end of time, the soul will be reunited with the body and each will be judged by our Lord. How is it in Matthew 17:2-7, Moses and Elijah appeared to Peter and James during the Transfiguration? How did their souls reunite with their bodies if the end of time has yet to come?

Answer: I don’t know who told you that soul would be re-united with the same body. See I Cor.15:35-55 for an answer to the question, “With what kind of body will they come?” The answer, given in detail, is that the resurrection body is very different from the earthly body. We are not told what the bodies of Moses and Elijah looked like when they met with Jesus on Transfiguration Hill. If it was different from the one they had during their lifetime, the disciples would not know it. I think they were recognized from the conversation, not from their looks. Their temporary body for this appearance was not important, and it could have been temporary.

How could Jesus become more “all-wise”

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: In Luke 2:52, it states, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.” I can understand how He would advance in age from his human nature, but how could He advance in wisdom? If God is all-knowing and all-wise, how could He be more all-knowing and more all-wise?

Answer: Through the Christian centuries learned theologians and scholars have pondered this statement, which St. Luke learned from the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles. Jesus is a divine person, the Son of God. He has two natures, the one divine and the other human, joined in one divine personality. Jesus does not have a human personality. This is a divine mystery, which the bishops and theologians struggled to understand, or at least to express in human terms, during the course of the first six ecumenical councils. In the Christian religion the word “mystery” means: a truth revealed by God, which we cannot fully understand. Lengthy books have been written about this mystery, attempting to penetrate the inner life of God. And still we know very little about God, apart from what God has revealed of himself in the Bible. The fifth Ecumenical Council held at Constantinople in the year 553 confessed that “there is but one person, which is our Lord Jesus Christ, one of the Trinity.” The Trinity refers to the fact that there is only one God. Yet somehow in this one God, there are three distinct persons, which the Bible designates as the Father who generates the Son, and the Son is begotten from the Father, and the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from both the Father and the Son. All three have existed forever, having no beginning and no end, and the Source of all life and everything created. This is the primary truth of the Christian religion. Thus in Jesus’ human nature everything is to be attributed to his divine person as its proper subject, not only his miracles, but also his sufferings and even his death: “He who was crucified in the flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ, is true God, Lord of glory, and one of the Trinity.” Thus spoke all the bishops at the Second Council of Constantinople in 553. In his human nature Jesus had a human soul, as well as a human body. His human soul is endowed with a true human knowledge. As such, it could not be unlimited: it was exercised in the historical conditions of Jesus’ existence in time and space. This is why the Son of God could, when he became man, “increase in wisdom and age and grace (favor) with God and man,” and would even have to inquire for himself about what a person in the human condition can learn only from experience and study. (cf: Mark 6:38 and 8:27; also John 11:34.) This corresponded to the reality of his voluntary emptying of himself and taking the form of a slave” (Epistle to the Philippians 2:7). But at the same time, this truly human knowledge of God’s Son expressed the divine life of his person. St. Maximus the Confessor (580-662) wrote: “The human nature of God’s Son, not by itself but by its union with the Word, knew and showed forth in itself everything that pertains to God.” Such is first of all the case with the intimate and immediate knowledge that the Son of God become man, has of the Father.” The Son in his human knowledge also showed the divine penetration he had into the secret thoughts of human hearts (cf Mark 2:8 and John 2:25). By its union to the Divine Wisdom in the person of the Word Incarnate, Christ enjoyed in his human knowledge the fullness of understanding of the eternal plans he had come from heaven to reveal to humanity. What he admitted to not knowing in this area, he elsewhere declared himself not sent to reveal. Thus Jesus stated when questioned about the end of the world: “As to the exact day or hour, no one knows it, neither the angels in heaven, nor even the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32). In this question we are dealing with profound theology, difficult to understand but truth based on faith in the divine person of Jesus, and in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to the Church in order to enlighten her with God’s truth

How could Jesus become more “all-wise”

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: In Luke 2:52, it states, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.” I can understand how He would advance in age from his human nature, but how could He advance in wisdom? If God is all-knowing and all-wise, how could He be more all-knowing and more all-wise?

Answer: You have just discovered one of the great beliefs of Christianity! God became a man! He experienced humanity, starting from a few microscopic cells and ending as a 33 year old man; He didn’t skip a single stage, so that we can know that Christ in Heaven can actually understand us! Other religions may believe that a man became God, but not that God became man. This means that He experienced every thing that we do, including having to learn to walk and talk. The Bible says that He gave up (for a time) many of the characteristics of God the Father, as you quote. Listen to some of the descriptions of this in the New Testament: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, ...and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God has highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 2:5-11. “He had to be made like His brothers in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18 “For we do not have a great high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 Since Jesus lived life like a human, having to go through “growing up”, learning everything just as we do, and under near-poverty conditions....we can believe that He can understand us when we pray. He was tempted! And He died to pay for our sins! He had no sins of his own to pay for. The Good News of the Gospel is that He offers us forgiveness and His help for living. Have you invited Him into your life?

How could Jesus become more “all-wise”

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: In Luke 2:52, it states, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.” I can understand how He would advance in age from his human nature, but how could He advance in wisdom? If God is all-knowing and all-wise, how could He be more all-knowing and more all-wise?

Answer: There is much here to think about but this is where the idea of the mysterious workings of God which give theologians opportunity for speculation and conjecture, but not much more. The questioner helps us peek into the transcendence (beyond our ability to understand) of God who is immutable (means unchanging) and omniscient (all knowing). The passage that helps us here and gives a hint of an answer to all this is Philippians 2:6-7 as Paul describes Jesus’ coming as God in the flesh “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied (Greek word “kenosis”) Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” What we have here when Jesus left His pre-existent state of heaven, He unselfishly left heaven and “emptied Himself.” The key question is what did that “emptying” entail? The word in the original Bible language could have three different meanings; of total emptying, or in a relative sense or in a metaphorical sense. The scripture says he took on the “form a servant” but nothing is mentioned of abandoning His divine attributes. Now there are several theories concerning this “emptying.” Some have said He laid down some of His divine attributes, others have said He gave up all and still others have said that He abandoned His divine mode. Now the last one is a revisit to an old heresy that it looked like Jesus both God and man died on the cross but only the man did. God can’t suffer. Can’t feel and experience pain. But the church fought against that because Christ was seen, as the Apostles and Nicene Creeds spell out, fully god and fully man on the cross otherwise that salvation is not there for us. It is here we see He took on the limitations of man, even though fully God, for awhile to identify with us, limited Himself and subjected Himself to the limits of humanity. As He grew in body, so did He grow in His knowledge as a human being. Even though He was God He took on the human form, as an ordinary man, a baby who came through Mary’s birth canal, needed to be carried, diapered and fed by His mother, skinned His knee and learned how to read and pray. Who experienced growing in knowledge and truth or as scripture says, “…advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.” (Luke 2:52) Jesus took His most privileged position as God, unselfishly limited it and entered our world in human form and came to set us free. His ability to do that came as God ( John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15; and Hebrews 1:1-3) and as a man who knew all our temptations (Hebrews 4:15) who experienced the full thrust of them and conquered them as a man so that we can look to Him as our victor over our temptation and sin. We go to one who can empathize with us and give us victory! Second, that Christ fills the bill to be the only perfect sacrificial representative that is worthy to pay for my sin. He perfectly filled all the requirements as a human and never sinned. He is worthy to then be the spotless lamb that appeases God’s anger and wrath for my sin. Finally, being this God-man, He has the power to overcome sin’s curse which is death. He has the power to raise Himself from the dead. I love how the bible portrays Christ resurrection where it says, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Thank the Lord for using His privileged status in order to give us eternal life! To God Be the Glory, Pastor Dave!

How could Jesus become more “all-wise”

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: In Luke 2:52, it states, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.” I can understand how He would advance in age from his human nature, but how could He advance in wisdom? If God is all-knowing and all-wise, how could He be more all-knowing and more all-wise?

Answer: As I am sure you know, Christians believe that Jesus was both fully human and fully God. As God, he did not need to grow in wisdom. But as a human, he grew up and faced the same issues of life all human beings face. He also developed as human beings develop, growing and learning. Also, it is important to read Luke 2:52 not simply in isolation but in its larger context. In the larger context, Jesus went to the temple with his parents for the festival of Passover. He stayed behind with the teachers there after his parents left, and they found him upon their return. Biblical commentator and preacher Fred Craddock puts it this way, “…clarity on the story comes, not by reading Jesus’ future back into this scene, but by reading again Luke’s model for this unit, I Samuel 2. The boy Samuel was given to God by his mother Hannah, and in time he was taken to live in the temple. It was in the temple that Samuel came to an awareness of his special mission. And of the boy Samuel it was said that he ’continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men..”” (See Craddock, Luke, in the Interpretation series, pp.41-43) In this story of the temple in Luke, Jesus begins to be aware of his identity and vocation. “Even so,” Craddock concludes, “Jesus returned home with Mary and Joseph and was subject to them. It was with them that he “increased in wisdom and in years.”

Christianity diminishing?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: Has Christianity in America failed?

Answer: Last year a reporter from the New York Times came to Wichita to do a story about my ministry in Wichita, and how politics were a part of the message that I preached from my pulpit—and in pulpits across the country. They ran the story in their paper’s magazine; I received invitations for interviews from all over the world. The article was discussed in hundreds of blogs and was debated in seminaries across the world. The point of the article was that religious conservatives are losing the battle for traditional values and turning away from a biblical worldview. They argued that “value voters” would continue to lose influence in the days ahead and that liberalism would reign in America. Were they right? Some would say they were correct because of the election of President Barack Obama, an unashamed, self-proclaimed liberal. A recent NewsWeek magazine featured an article entitled The End of Christian America. They stated that the number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has doubled since 1990. Fewer people now think of the United States as a Christian nation than when George W. Bush was President. Two-thirds of the public (68%) now say religion is losing influence in America. Those who think religion can answer all or most of today’s problems are now at a historic low of 48%. During the Bush and Clinton years, the figure never dropped below 58%. President Obama recently proclaimed that America is not a Christian nation. I don’t think that we, in the religious community, can ignore or dispute these findings. Even if they are partially correct, the influence of Christianity in America is changing—and is losing ground. This however, does not have to continue. But before we can change this direction, we have to diagnose the problem. What is causing this downward trend in America? I think this can be found in some key platforms in our country. The first platform being that many pastors have stopped preaching controversial messages—they do not want to be seen as being “political” in the pulpit. They are afraid that they might offend some of their church-goers or leaders in the church who give money and have influence. I have been threatened in my own ministry throughout the years and told to stop preaching the entire Bible—that they were tired of hearing about hot topics such as abortion, gay marriage, and evolution. I’m glad that I didn’t listen and chose to stay faithful in preaching all of the Word of God. Political Correctness is weakening our pulpits and its effect is being felt in the pews across America. The second platform in the downward trend is in our schools. For many years now liberal thinking has controlled our educational system. We see this movement all the way from our early education through our colleges, and even our seminaries. In many cases, they have denied such things as absolute truth. Often they have misled and even re-written historical facts about the spiritual foundation of America and the spirituality of our fore-fathers. Conservative points of view are mocked, or are not even allowed. I have come to believe that liberalism is like a cancer. If liberalism is not stopped, it will damage and will eventually destroy the heritage of our great nation. The third platform that is aiding in the downward trend is seen in the self-righteous judges who are trying to make laws rather than interpret and enforce the laws. Our American system was not designed for this to happen. Gay marriage has been refused in election after election (except in one state—Vermont), but rebellious and activist judges keep imposing their morality on the people. Morality in our culture should be defined by the people and not these judges. In conclusion, we see that America is changing. The less spiritual we become, the more violent, vicious, and divided we become. I remember, growing up, that it was okay not to lock your doors at night. You could leave the keys in your car. Teachers could teach in the classroom and be respected. In our schools the day began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Preachers and policemen were held in high regard. A family could sit and watch TV without being embarrassed about the programming. There was pride and sovereignty in America. Our borders meant something. Law and traditional values were cherished. Please forgive me, but I miss that America. Yes, America may have fewer Christians, but is that really what we want? Perhaps what we need is an old-fashioned revival and a spiritual awakening—that’s what we are working and praying for at the Summit.

Are we supposed to look like God?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: We are said to have been made in the image and likeness of God. Does this mean that, if we were to see God, he would resemble a human being? Or, does it mean our immortal soul is in his image and likeness?

Answer: So far as I know, the Bible never offers an explanation, but I think it is clear that God does not physically resemble a human. Heaven is not likely to resemble earth; I do not think that it has time and three-dimensional space. But God is a mental being Who has knowledge, emotions, love and hate for things, persons and ideas. Physical descriptions of God in the Bible, such as Isaiah 6, Revelation 1 and 4 are so elaborate and difficult to imagine that I cannot find help from them. I cannot say what God is like “physically.” This is why we needed God to live among us in the body of a human, Jesus. See John 14 where Jesus talks to His disciples the night before His Crucifixion. Philip says, “Lord, show us the Father.” And Jesus answers, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” In the Psalms, David talks to God continuously. What is clear, and different from all other religions, is that God loves humans! He can have emotions. He is also referred to as hating or desiring things. Apparently life on earth is for the purpose of developing a race of eternal-living beings, who can communicate with God, and who can become higher than the Angels by living in the peculiar circumstances of earth. Is this a question we will have in Heaven, or will it be so obvious there that we will not need to ask it ?

Are we supposed to look like God?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: We are said to have been made in the image and likeness of God. Does this mean that, if we were to see God, he would resemble a human being? Or, does it mean our immortal soul is in his image and likeness?

Answer: This is a wonderful blessing and privilege that God has bestowed on mankind. First, we must establish that “God is Spirit,” not physical, as Jesus declared to the women at the well in John 4:24. Some have imagined Him as an old man with a white robe and beard, out of touch and hard of hearing but that is for cartoon caricature and not the truth. In fact, in the passage, where the idea of man being made in the “image of God,” God shows Himself as something very different than all of creation. God shows Himself to be Triune or the trinity when He looks at His creation and says, “Let Us make man in our image.” {Genesis 1:26a} The privilege is that God makes His own self-expression through human kind. We have special qualities in our nature that manifest God’s likeness. We are Spiritual beings as God is, that reflect His glory in our lives everyday. Not only are we spiritual, but we are also creators who make and create all kinds of things from a door stopper to complex chemical equations. We are communicators, logical thinkers and volitional like no other creatures on earth. That is why He created man last because humans as image bearers are the crown of His creation. {Psalm 8:5} We are free agents who can make decisions with a totally different ability and capacity than any others of His creation. Mankind interacts creatively and has also been given “dominion” (Genesis 1:26b} over all of creation. Being made in His image has relational and moral implications that no earthly creatures possess. When God said, “Let Us,” God was saying that from a relational standpoint knowing Himself the joy and fulfillment relationships provide in the community of the Trinity, he decided to provide Adam with a suitable mate. So He made Adam in relation to Him but also saw that even before the fall, man was lonely without someone like him, {Genesis 2:18} of the same substance, yet different to be his companion. So God created Eve out of the rib of Adam so he would have someone like him, close to his heart, on the same level and under the arm of his protection. {2:21} As man understood the love of God, man would act in accordance with the moral laws of the one who loved him and also reflect that love to his fellow man. {James 2:8} God also endowed mankind with some of His other attributes like justice, patience, forgiveness, kindness, faithfulness to name a few. {Galatians 5:22} Our spiritual self awareness gives us the capacity for spiritual / moral reflection and growth. Our ability to be self reflective from a rational thought process that has the capacity for abstract and symbolic thought, along with concrete deliberation and decision making, has set us high above all created beings. All this gives us a capacity to have a centeredness and completeness that allows us the possibility for self-actualization and participation in God’s sacred reality. {Ecclesiastes 3:11} Realizing that you are made in the “Image of God” or an image bearer, there are two things I would like for everyone to think about applying to their own personal lives. The first has to do with your self image. Because you reflect God in your life and share in His characteristics, you are of great value. Your worth is not based on your possessions, achievements, physical attractiveness or public acclaim; you are of worth because He created you in His image and formed you in your mother’s womb with great care. {Psalm 139:13-14} We should feel real good and positive about ourselves as His reflectors. We shouldn’t put ourselves down or deny what gifts and talents He has blessed us with, otherwise we are putting down and criticizing the work that God has called very good! Knowing that you are a person of worth whom God has created special and specifically, helps us love God even more and desire to know Him more and more {Psalm 139:15-18} and make a valuable contribution to those around. {Genesis 12:2} Second, as image bearers we can delight in the work, accomplishments and things we create in this life because we are reflecting God’s nature. {Genesis 1:31} With a sense of gratitude we can rejoice and not feel guilty for doing something very good but feel a sense of joy that God has made us in His image and we can do, accomplish and create. We shouldn’t feel guilty for having a good time or feeling good about an achievement. {2 Timothy 4:7} As God felt good about His work, so we can also because we are just reflecting the image of God we have been given. May the joy of the Lord fill your life as you complete what He has set out for you to accomplish. {Ephesians 2:10}. Learning more every day of the deposit He has made in me, Pastor Dave.

Are we supposed to look like God?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: We are said to have been made in the image and likeness of God. Does this mean that, if we were to see God, he would resemble a human being? Or, does it mean our immortal soul is in his image and likeness?

Answer: The question of what “the image of God” means has been debated by theologians for a long, long time. Various explanations have been offered, one of which is that, as you suggested, we look like God physically. Because the Bible tells us that God is Spirit, we know this cannot be true, however. Another explanation is also what you suggested, that our soul is in his likeness. We know, though, that as creatures, even before the fall, we are very distinct from God, so that explanation is problematic. I believe that the most likely meaning of “image of God” is that we were made both to “reflect” God and to be God’s “stewards” on earth. An image is like a reflection in a mirror; that we are made in God’s image means we are to seek to live like him. Jesus Christ came to earth to show us what that image would look like. Also, historically, when kings could not physically be in all the places they ruled, they put images or statues of themselves in those places to signify their rule. Perhaps we are something like that for God. God, of course, is ever present, but not present physically, so he put us here to be his stewards and to show his love. This is a high calling for us, to seek to reflect God and to be his stewards. It is only through the gift of God’s Spirit that we can begin to fulfill this calling.

Are we supposed to look like God?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: We are said to have been made in the image and likeness of God. Does this mean that, if we were to see God, he would resemble a human being? Or, does it mean our immortal soul is in his image and likeness?

Answer: In the very first chapter of the first book of the Bible we read: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27). The conclusion of your question is correct, but requires explanation. Throughout this article the reader should understand that I include woman in the term “man.” Of all visible creatures only man is able to know and love his creator. He alone is called to share, by knowledge and love, in God’s own life. That is the purpose for which God created us, and this is the fundamental reason for man’s dignity. Being in the image of God, the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. Each man is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession, and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons. In creating man, God endowed him with an intellect and free-will. Those qualities are an extension of God’s own being. There is only one God, existing from all eternity. But somehow in that one God there are three distinct persons, which we call the Trinity. God the Son proceeds from God the Father by way of an intellectual activity, the expression of God’s Wisdom. God the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father by way of the freely-willed mutual Love of the Father and Son, which Love is the Holy Spirit. God created everything for man, who is more precious in the eyes of God than all other creatures. For man the heavens and the earth, the sea and all the rest of creation exist. God attached so much important to man’s salvation, that he sent his own Son to assume human nature for the sake of man. This Son, retaining his divine personality, became the man Jesus, who assumed a human body and a human soul: two natures in one person. Here is a profound mystery of faith. The human person, created in the image of God, is at once both corporeal and spiritual. The Bible expresses this reality in symbolic language when it affirms that “the Lord God formed man out of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Gen 2:7). In Holy Scripture the term “soul” often refers to human life or the entire human person. But “soul” also refers to the innermost aspect of man, that which is of greatest value in him, that by which he is most especially in God’s image: “soul” signified the spiritual principle in man. The human body shares in the dignity of the image of God: it is a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul. Man, composed of body and soul, is a unity. Through his bodily condition he sums up in himself the elements of the material world. Through man all material things are brought to their highest perfection, and are able to give praise to God. For this reason man must not despise his bodily life. Rather he is obliged to regard his body as good, and to hold it in honor: because God created it and will raise it up with its soul on the last day. The Church teaches that every spiritual soul is created immediately by God: it is not produced by the parents. And the soul is immortal: it does not perish when it separates from the body at death. And both soul and body will be reunited in the final Resurrection at the end of the world. Your first question poses a curious but interesting inquiry: If we were to see God, would He resemble a human being? We don’t know and cannot even imagine what God looks like. He is all-perfect and contains all beauty and knowledge and goodness, and dwells in unapproachable light. After our death God will allow us to see him, according to our human condition, face-to-face. But St. John, the beloved apostle, tells us: “No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, ever at the Father’s side, who has revealed him” (John 1:17). After death, those persons, who go to heaven (the saints) see God in the Beatific Vision forever, and their happiness is full and complete. Those persons, who are damned, receive at their judgment a brief glimpse of the glory of God, and then are cut off from that sight as they enter into the everlasting punishment of hell, where their greatest suffering is the realization that they are deprived forever of such beauty and goodness, and that they lost it through their own fault.

Purpose behind the Transfiguration

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-04-01 14:39:00

Question: My question deals with the Transfiguration. Most of the things I read about in the Bible or have heard our pastor discuss, I can understand why the event occurred. I cannot however understand the purpose behind the Transfiguration. As He did with our Lord’s Baptism, God the Father let us know this was His beloved Son in Whom He was well pleased, but other than that…why did this event occur?

Answer: You are not alone in not quite understanding the significance of the Transfiguration. First of all, we pastors often do not talk about it, for a variety of reasons. Second, it is an event unlike any other which is difficult to comprehend. The Transfiguration describes an event which occurred when Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the three disciples who were closest to him, with him to a high mountain. The name of the mountain is not mentioned, so it seems not to be important; it is significant that they go up, however, closer to heaven, if you will. On the mountain, Jesus’ form was changed before their eyes. It is described that his face shone like the sun, his clothes became dazzling white, and Elijah and Moses appeared with him. God then said, ‘This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!” God is clearly speaking not to Jesus, as he was at his baptism, but to Peter, James, and John. The event’s purpose thus seems to be for Peter, James, and John. First, it confirms who Jesus is. The three disciples are given a glimpse of who Jesus truly is, a glimpse of his true glory. They also hear directly from God in words who Jesus is and that they should listen to him. Second, it confirms who Jesus is not. He is not, as some say, Elijah and Moses returned, for they appear with him. Third, the event comes shortly after Peter has confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, but also after Peter has had difficulty accepting Jesus’ predicted suffering and death. Therefore, it occurs to give encouragement to the three disciples. That Jesus tells Peter, James, and John not to tell anyone about the transfiguration until after he has been raised from the dead appears to confirm this. Finally, perhaps the transfiguration is also a hint of Jesus’ coming again in glory at his second coming.

Purpose behind the Transfiguration

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-04-01 14:39:00

Question: My question deals with the Transfiguration. Most of the things I read about in the Bible or have heard our pastor discuss, I can understand why the event occurred. I cannot however understand the purpose behind the Transfiguration. As He did with our Lord’s Baptism, God the Father let us know this was His beloved Son in Whom He was well pleased, but other than that…why did this event occur?

Answer: Notice the context in the gospels: Matt. 17:1-9 and Mark 9:2-10 and Luke 9:28b-36. The narrative of Jesus’ Transfiguration occurs shortly after “He began to teach his disciples that the Son of Man had to suffer much, be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, be put to death, and rise three days later.” He said these things quite openly. . . He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them: “If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and follow in my steps” (Mark 8:31-34). Jesus realized that such teaching fell upon deaf ears. His disciples and hearers didn’t understand or believe that so popular a preacher would have to suffer. Even less that they too would have to suffer, if they would be his disciples. At the time those who heard Jesus did not take notice of his mentioning the resurrection. Like most people, they were thinking about the here and now. Jesus knew that his disciples would be shocked and scandalized by his passion and death, and that they would be hurting so much that most - if not all - of them would no longer believe in him, and some would look for another messiah. As happened at the time of his teaching about the Holy Eucharist (John 6:25-64), “Jesus knew from the start, of course, the ones who refused to believe, and the one who would betray him. . . .From this time on, many of his disciples broke away and would not remain in his company any longer” (Jn 6:64-66). Jesus knew how weak was the faith of his disciples. They had witnessed his many miracles, but their faith in him would be supremely tested by his passion and death, and many more persons, who had believed in him, would abandon him at his death. Therefore he determined to strengthen their faith by providing them with an extraordinary experience, which would help them persevere in their loyalty to him during the terrible ordeal just ahead. Jesus was concerned about the faith of his friends. So he chose his three close associates, Peter and James and John, who were among his first disciples and had been with him throughout his public ministry. This is the Peter, who had confessed before all the others: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). The other disciples would learn from those three witnesses of the Transfiguration. Their faith was shaken but did not fail during the dark hours of Jesus’ death and burial. And so upon a high mountain Jesus showed those three Apostles a glimpse of his glory as the Son of God, something they would experience again after Jesus had risen. He anticipated for them the outcome of his passion and death, showing them something of his resurrected body. He invited the great leaders of the Jewish Law and the Prophets (Moses and Elijah) to appear with him in conversation about his approaching passion and death. “They appeared in glory and spoke of his passage, which he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). This vision was so wonderful that the chosen Apostles didn’t want to leave the mountain, but preferred to remain there forever, as they felt they were already in heaven. God the Father’s testimony, repeating what he had said at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, i.e. at his Baptism, confirmed what the three Apostles were experiencing. This event occurred only a short time before Jesus’ passion. That experience of the Transfiguration remained indelible in the minds of those Apostles. They told the other Apostles about it, and all the Apostles shared it with the other disciples of Jesus. Some decades later the Christian author of 2 Peter recalled St. Peter’s testimony about the Transfiguration: “We were eyewitnesses of his sovereign majesty. He received glory and praise from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him out of the majestic splendor: ‘This is my beloved Son, on whom my favor rests.’ We ourselves heard this said from heaven while we were in his company on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:17-18). So now you can understand the reason for the Transfiguration. It wasn’t that God the Father needed to make himself heard again, but rather it was to strengthen the faith of the disciples of God the Son during the terrible dark hours of his suffering and death and burial. That testimony can also encourage us in times of suffering, darkness, persecution and death. Therein we know that a better condition of life awaits us, who are united with Jesus in his suffering and death, but also in his resurrection and glory.

Purpose behind the Transfiguration

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2009-04-01 14:39:00

Question: My question deals with the Transfiguration. Most of the things I read about in the Bible or have heard our pastor discuss, I can understand why the event occurred. I cannot however understand the purpose behind the Transfiguration. As He did with our Lord’s Baptism, God the Father let us know this was His beloved Son in Whom He was well pleased, but other than that…why did this event occur?

Answer: We cannot with certainty say why things happened to Jesus since He was unique. Some happened to Him for His sake and some, at least partially, for the sake of those with Him. This may be true of the “Transfiguration”. Jesus was a human and may have needed some “human experience” with God. He was also incarnate God, the second person of the Trinity...and beyond our understanding of His needs. Was this activity for Jesus’ needs, the disciples’ needs or for the need of God-the-Father...or some combination? The Scripture gives no clear answer! Here are some possibilities. Jesus took three disciples with Him, so there must have been some benefit for them. They saw a reality of Jesus’ being that we could not otherwise know. They -and we- are thankful for this view of Jesus. Jesus seems to have benefited from the connection with the Old Testament Prophets. The disciples saw this connection also...they (and we) were shown His superiority over them. The purpose of God is seen! Jesus was not acting alone; He was the fulfillment of centuries of history! How thankful I am that the disciples have shared this experience with me through the Bible.

Purpose behind the Transfiguration

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-04-01 14:39:00

Question: My question deals with the Transfiguration. Most of the things I read about in the Bible or have heard our pastor discuss, I can understand why the event occurred. I cannot however understand the purpose behind the Transfiguration. As He did with our Lord’s Baptism, God the Father let us know this was His beloved Son in Whom He was well pleased, but other than that…why did this event occur?

Answer: The questioner does a good job in framing the question in the context of our day and my hope is that I can help him see that it not only makes sense for our day but in every generation. First, we must understand that not many, if any of Jesus’ disciples were at baptism and heard the words of God spoken in Luke 3:22 saying, “and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” It was not until after Jesus baptism and temptation in the wilderness that Jesus begins His ministry and brings together His disciples. (Luke 5:1-11) So, first they may have never even heard it and they needed to if they were going to carry on the ministry in His behalf. Second, though, the transfiguration takes places toward the end of His ministry, Jesus is trying to prepare them for what they would embark upon with the events to happen with His crucifixion and resurrection and if the ministry were to carry on. In the synoptic accounts, Peter makes the great affirmation that Jesus is the Christ (or the Messiah – Luke 9:18-20), however, most agree Peter really didn’t understand what that meant. Then Jesus predicts His passion (21-22) and tells them what it means to be His follower (9:23-27). It would be tough but He gives them a glimpse of what is waiting for the disciple who endures and is willing to give up His life for Christ’s Kingdom. Luke says, “about eight days later,” vs 28 which could signify is beyond the perfection number of seven, the three disciple leaders are with Jesus to pray, they see this glorious transforming effect takes place on Jesus where His face and clothing radiate dazzling white. That “Holy Glow” so to speak, took place when Moses came down off the mount after being in the presence of God and receiving the Law. (Exodus 34:29-35) This luminescence takes place when the direct encounter with God takes place for Moses in the Tabernacle. Then a further significant thing takes place when Moses and Elijah show up also in the glorious radiance. They show of course that they are still alive and are partakers of eternal life. Second, they are the primary representatives of the greatest in representing the Law and the Prophets. The significance of their appearance was that Jesus was the one who completely fulfilled the Law and the prophecies of the prophets. (Matthew 26:56; John 19:28). Christ’s significance is greater than they thought before. Further, on the mountain where both Moses and Elijah received their words, they both were deliverers. Moses was the deliverer who brought the children out of bondage in Egypt and Elijah delivered the children of Israel from the bondage of the false gods under Ahab and Jezebel. (1 Kings 18:20-40) How interesting we humans can be to want to hold on to the high of the experience because Peter is experiencing the ultimate. The Great Law giver, the Greatest Prophet and his present favorite, Jesus, what more could a religious Jew want? Peter having this experience wants to keep the moment and set up memorial booths and hold on to the moment (Luke 9:33) But God had more to reveal to the disciples and more for them to do! God wanted to emblaze on their memories, deep seated truths about the person and work of Jesus Christ. That is why the final and crowning affirmation to the disciples and us comes when a cloud overshadows the event, “Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying; This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him! (Luke 9:35) God singled out for these disciples to see Jesus as the long awaited Messiah who possessed the divine authority and who fulfilled both the Law and the Prophets. Jesus Christ is the only one and there is no other! (Acts 2:22-28; 4:12) But the experience was to be remembered to supply more confident faith as good news that is truly worthy of our full trust. It is a gospel of one individual who is worthy of our full trust and faith. Jesus Christ is the supreme object of our faith. This message we have is true and worth spreading throughout the whole world. That Jesus was the one both the law and the prophets pointed too. That along with the Apostles, we can truly rest our hope and faith on what He has done for us by acquiring our salvation on the cross and can trust His word everyday! This is the rock that the whole world needs to experience peace!

Why go to church?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2009-04-01 14:39:00

Question: Church, Why Bother??

Answer: Many in our culture are not committed to attending the local church, for various reasons. Some simply say that they are too busy. Others have been hurt or offended by church members or think that church is boring and not relevant. There are a lot of things that compete for our time, such as family obligations, work, hobbies, and sporting events. These oftentimes, are given priority over church. Sometimes, we do not put a priority or importance on the local church until we encounter a problem or some kind of crisis in our life. When 9/11 occurred, church attendance increased significantly across America—but did not last. There are several views about church. Some say that church should not be a “pep rally” for Heaven. However, neither should church be a funeral service for Jesus. I grew up in Arkansas and because of that, was a Razorback. The Arkansas Razorbacks were known for their loyal following. When I attended sporting events, the stadium was full of devoted and loud fans—the place would rock—you could just feel the enthusiasm and excitement. On Sundays, I would attend church with some of the same people, and they would look like statues sitting in the pews. I often wondered why we could get so excited about a ballgame and not church, where we go to celebrate the fact that our sins have been forgiven, and that we have victory over the grave and the promise of Heaven. I truly believe that going to church should be the most exciting place that we go. It sure is for me! Some have said that their church is boring and “out of touch”. Perhaps you need to change, or you need to change churches and find a place where you feel encouraged and motivated. Church can be reverent and alive at the same time. I hope that you will not take on the attitude of “church, why bother?” because, sooner or later, we are all going to need the Lord and a sweet and loving church family to help us through the difficulties and challenges that life brings. Even though we will never find a church with a perfect pastor, or perfect parishioners, we can all be assured that God would want us to make church a priority. Perhaps, God says it best, as He states in Hebrews 10:25, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Love God or fear Him?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2009-02-01 14:22:00

Question: Which is more important: to love God or to fear Him? I don’t see how it is possible to do both at the same time and to the same extent.

Answer: This is a great question because I think we will find ourselves pleasantly surprised how closely related they are rather than being opposites. Also many get confused with the idea of the “fear of God” and that the question is not an either or question but a “both and” type of deal. That they go hand and hand. In the great love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 we find a tremendous definition of love. But in that passage we see the biblical idea of “the fear of God” comes through the action words that describe love as honor, awe and respect. There are other types of fear in the Bible like the God given feeling one gets when we are threatened with eminent danger, pain or disaster. But that is a different kind of fear. God has this awesome authority and power that can make us tremble with that kind of fear but what we find is that it enhances the aspects of His love. That is why when we come to know God, it is so overwhelmingly spontaneous to want to love Him, because “He first loved us.” (1 John 4:10) He did not have to do anything for us but He did. (1 John 4:9) A person should have that trembling fear if they live without God and reject His marvelous offer to us (John 3:18-20) but we are told when we do accept His love gift of Christ as personal savior, that perfect love of God expels all fear. (1 John 4:18) That eternal life is ours. (John 3:16) This past week I preached on “Hell” which is a hot topic but not very popular these days but what a symbol of the fear and love of God. Hell as it is described in the Bible is a very scary place. A place Jesus spoke about often with the metaphors of “fire,” (Mark 9:44) “gnashing of teeth,” (Matthew 13:50) “torment, agony and pain” (Luke 16:19-31) and “outer darkness” (Matthew 22:13) just to name a few. Some will try to write them off as just metaphors but the deal is Jesus is saying it is worse than we could ever imagine. So it is a place that should be feared for those who do not trust Christ for their eternal life assurance policy. But Hell says more about the love and awe, respect and honor (fear) of God than the fear (threat of eminent danger) of God. First, the love of God does not send people to Hell. Instead, God allows man as free agents to do that to themselves. (John 3:19-20) He just lets them do it to themselves. (Romans 1:24) C.S. Lewis says it well by saying that there are two types of people in the end. The first who trust God and say to Him, “Thy will be done” and are saved. The second group is those who are doing what they want and want no part of God in their lives in which He says to them, “thy will be done.” The second message of love God gives us with Hell is that God is a just god and there will be a final day when all the injustices, all the wrongs of this life that are not resolved in this life will be made right. The final justice will finally be paid and made right. From Satan on down, justice will be served and all made right. The third message of Hell is most compelling to draw us to God’s love. Christ left the joy and beauty of Heaven in perfect communion with the Father to come to earth to suffer and die for our sin (Philippians 2:6-8). It was on the cross He took alienation, agony, torment and pain of Hell when He cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) It was God’s good plan that He should experience the pain of His perfect wrath for our sin to satisfy His righteousness and bring justice through His Love (Isaiah 53:10-11). When we see the severity and gravity of Hell, we realize the cost of God’s love and it is beyond our imagination (2 Corinthians 9:15). In the words of the hymn writer, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my heart, my soul, my mind.” What does such costly love do for you? Living in the loving fear of God, Pastor Dave.

Love God or fear Him?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2009-02-01 14:22:00

Question: Which is more important: to love God or to fear Him? I don’t see how it is possible to do both at the same time and to the same extent.

Answer: Jesus states it clearly: “The greatest commandment is that you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” But, you may say, the Bible also talks about “fearing” God. The writer of Ecclesiastes says, “Fear God, and keep his commandments. That is the whole duty of everyone.” Throughout the Bible, when people encounter God, they find themselves afraid, and an angel often says, “Do not be afraid.” So what does “fear” mean in the Bible? Generally, it means one of two things. The word used can connote “awe”. We are to recognize that God is God; he is the Creator, the holy one, and we are the creatures, the sinful ones. The word can also connote “respect.” We recognize what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. The analogy is limited, but it is something like a child’s relationship with his/her parent. He/she loves his/ her parent, of course. But he/she also must recognize the different roles of parent and child, and the authority that a parent has. This is not “fear” in the sense that we are to be afraid of either God or our parents; rather, it is to recognize the difference between the two. So, is it more important to love God or to fear him? I would assert that love of God includes “fear” in the sense that we know we are not equal to him. Love of God does not include “fear” in that we should be frightened into belief or action.

Love God or fear Him?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2009-02-01 14:22:00

Question: Which is more important: to love God or to fear Him? I don’t see how itis possible to do both at the same time and to the same extent.

Answer: In the Gospels Jesus teaches that we are “to love God above all things.” Throughout the Bible, we find statements that “fear (reverence) for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Probably you understand the word “fear” only in a limited meaning: an emotion aroused by danger, evil or pain, apprehension, dread; to be afraid. The dictionary gives also another meaning: reverence or awe. It is this latter meaning that the Bible intends, when it encourages us to fear God: reverence and respect Him, hold Him in awe. In this latter sense we can understand that fear, reverence and love are two sides of one coin. They define our relationship to God. We love God above all things and therefore we reverence and respect Him. We reverence and respect whatever we really love. In human relationships, we reverence and respect especially those persons whom we love. God is our loving Father. We are his children. Just as we love our parents for the good they provide for us, so we also respect and fear them. But, when we are naughty or do something we know is bad, we fear them in the first sense of that word: we are afraid of them on account of the punishment we know will follow our wrongdoing. At times, when a son or daughter is bad, a loving parent must inflict on that son / daughter an appropriate punishment for the evil that child has done. In punishing a bad child, the parent does not cease to love that child. Indeed, often the parent will remark with sincerity: “This hurts me more than it does you.” Thus, when we sin we have reason to fear God for his just punishments, which necessarily are a consequence of sin; and yet we still love God. And God continues to love us, even when He inflicts punishment for sin. If we truly love God, we fear to offend Him, and that is a reverential fear. So also good children fear to offend good parents, and usually that is also a loving fear. Fear of the Lord is a Gift of the Holy Spirit, Who is essential Love. That gift is understood as the virtue of Reverence and Respect, which are parts of the virtue of Love.

Love God or fear Him?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2009-02-01 14:22:00

Question: Which is more important: to love God or to fear Him? I don’t see how it is possible to do both at the same time and to the same extent.

Answer: It IS possible to do both! A main purpose for Jesus coming to earth was so that we may be able to understand God. The night when Jesus was with His disciples before His death, one of them said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” (John 14:8). Jesus answered, “Don’t you know Me, Phillip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me?” So the answer to your question may be found best in the person of Jesus Christ. Did His disciples both love and fear Him? Jesus said the two important things to believe were: “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind.” And “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” So love is the important virtue. Among the great religions of the world, only the Bible teaches of a God Who loves mankind! Others believe in a god of wisdom, righteousness and power, but only Jews and Christians are taught that God loves them! Christians believe that God loved us so much that He took on humanity and lived among us so we could understand this, and suffered so that we could become able to live with Him! God is called “Father”. Can a child both love and fear his father? Suppose my father was also the judge in the local court and I was brought before him on a charge of wrongdoing. I would face one who I both loved and feared! This is the situation we have with God. He had to pronounce me guilty, then took the punishment on Himself. Can I doubt His love? Can I reject it? Sadly, the answer is, “Yes we can and do!” What is God’s hope for us? That we will be with Him forever! Does that make you love or fear Him?

Accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-12-31 10:43:00

Question: All my life I have heard that all one has to do is to accept our Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior, and he or she will be saved. But I also read in James 2:14-16, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” Can someone tell me, saying and meaning you accept our Lord as your personal Savior seems to be a lot easier than doing that plus a non-quantified number of works. What does it really take?

Answer: This is a great question especially in the western culture we live in today. At least 5 driving principles infect out thinking spiritually which can bring about a spiritual still birth rather than true saving spiritual birth. But some of it is universal through all ages as James dealt with in the first century. First, in our culture we have microwaves and instant dinners that get us used to a quick fix. Second, one can easily compartmentalize by putting things into compartments or shelves, and only use them when we want them or when needed and leave them in their place not to affect other areas. Third, we are also living in a postmodern era where religion and beliefs are personally designed by the individual and made to fit what that person wants to feel comfortable. It’s like going to a religious salad bar and choosing what I like and want to believe that makes me feel good, comfortable and happy about myself. Fourth, it may not even matter whether it is true or not, just as long as it makes me feel good about myself. Fifth, it’s all about me and my feelings. Not what Almighty God thinks or says about a certain thing as the Supreme Ruler and Lord of all. Some preaching today has been crafted to make us feel good and God forbid that any guilt be felt. Now to help us clarify the issue I want to turn to Acts 16 where the Philippian jailor asked Paul and Silas in verse 30, ‘What must I do to be saved?” Paul kept him from committing suicide due to his fear of a mass escape of the prisoners by God’s miraculous opening of the prison doors. They answered simply, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke to them a little more about the Lord and then the change in the jailor is seen in his washing the wounds of the Apostles and the Baptism of him and his family. Notice the answer seems simple and similar as our questioner states but in its simple wording are several keys. First the apostles use the word “believe” which means more than just an intellectual assent to some body of knowledge to get me out of a jam or even hell. It means a complete trusting and giving oneself totally to the person of “Lord Jesus Christ.” That title means more than just as savior which is important but now as my Lord, CEO, Ruler and King who I submit to fully. It means letting Him take over the domination and complete control of my life. I’ve counseled at several crusades and there have been times people have come forward for many different reasons. Some it was the emotional appeal of the preacher or the group that came with them that encouraged others to come down and the words or a crisis in their life that moved them to pray the prayer or even to influence a girlfriend or boyfriend and some because God truly touched their hearts and drew them. However, I’m not convinced a person going forward and saying a few words gives them true eternal conversion. Jesus even talks about it in His parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-11). Now God can begin His saving work of conversion at a crusade or a retreat or in a locker room or anywhere and anyway He wishes (John 3:8). In that saving, He justifies us by faith in His grace (Romans 5:1) or declares us to have the righteousness of Jesus by the free gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). We become His adopted children who could do nothing to deserve such love and adoption (Romans 8:15). God also begins the washing of regeneration and cleaning us up by redeeming us and washing away our sin through the blood of Christ (Titus 3:5). All this is God’s work on us. Then while our sinful nature is part of us, He begins the work of Sanctification or working in us through His Holy Spirit by the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26). Purging us from the old sinful habits, patterns and selfishness to make us more and more like Jesus everyday (Romans 8:30). This then is the growing experience we do with the Holy Spirit that most of the New Testament addresses where the scriptures are given to “reprove, correct and train us in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Why, because this does not come naturally and this is why James addresses the congregation the way he does because his church people were not showing Christ-like behavior. So James gets to the heart of the issue by saying that their claim to have faith is not evident or seen. If they had the heart of Jesus, then they would begin helping the poor and not neglecting them (James 2:14-16). Jesus even states in more challenging terms with our moral lives when He says in John 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” If we continue in rebelling against God’s word, doing what we want and ignoring God, then we have to ask a hard question, “Am I really saved?” Those works do not save us but they evidence that God has saved us eternally and is saving, changing and ruling in our hearts now. If you are unsure you are saved then just talk to God (pray), 1. Admit that God and His way has not been first place in your life. Ask Him to forgive your sin and rebellion against Him. 2. Believe (trust) that Jesus died for your sins and will wash the guilt of them away. 3. Accept God’s free gift of eternal salvation through what Jesus did on the cross and raising from the dead. 4. Invite Jesus Christ to come into your life and entrust Him to be the Lord, director, CEO of your life. Learn about His way and live it, not your own way According to God’s own words of promise, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” {Romans 10:9} Those words you can take to the {eternal} bank! Saved only by Christ’s grace, Pastor Dave!

Accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-12-31 10:43:00

Question: All my life I have heard that all one has to do is to accept our Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior, and he or she will be saved. But I also read in James 2:14-16, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” Can someone tell me, saying and meaning you accept our Lord as your personal Savior seems to be a lot easier than doing that plus a non-quantified number of works. What does it really take?

Answer: Your question points up a seeming paradox in Christian faith. Are we saved by our faith or by our works, or even, are we saved by some combination of the two? This seeming paradox arises when people simply quote, out of context, two particular passages. Paul writes in Romans 10:9: “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” James writes in James 2:17: “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” The answer to this question is that we are not saved by anything that is “ours”. We are saved by God, and God alone. God justifies us by grace through faith; that is, it is even God who gives us faith. This is the Reformed Biblical position. This stands in opposition to the old Catholic position that we are saved by our works, and in opposition to the Arminian position that somehow it is our acceptance of God that saves us, that acceptance being our “work.” Further, it is even God who allows us to do good works through faith. James writes what he writes because he is trying to show that simply saying “I believe” or “I am saved” is not what God wants. True faith lives itself out in good works. And yes, even these good works are enabled by God through the power of his spirit. This has always been a difficult concept for we human beings to understand. That is the mystery of how God works. His ways are not our ways.

Accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-12-31 10:43:00

Question: All my life I have heard that all one has to do is to accept our Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior, and he or she will be saved. But I also read in James 2:14-16, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” Can someone tell me, saying and meaning you accept our Lord as your personal Savior seems to be a lot easier than doing that plus a non-quantified number of works. What does it really take?

Answer: Open your Bible to the New Testament Epistle of James and read the whole of chapter 2, from which you cited only two verses. A better translation of the first part of verse 14, which you cited, is: “My brethren, what good is it to profess faith without practicing it?” Then read again the text you cited., and continue to read verse 17 and on through the end of that chapter 2. St. James answers your question in no uncertain words. Verse 17 says: “So it is with the faith that does nothing in practice. It is thoroughly lifeless (worthless).” St. James goes on to cite some persons of the Old Testament, who proved their faith by doing good works. He concludes that chapter with the statement: “Be assured then that faith without works is as dead as a body without breath!” So, to answer your question, what does it really take: to save our soul it is necessary to have both faith AND good works, which give evidence of that faith. I agree with you that it is a lot easier to say that you accept our Lord as your personal Savior, than to have to undertake a lot of good works. But without the good works, which are inspired by true faith, and merely saying “I accept our Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior” is only words, words, words, which are useless in the sight of God. Read the teaching of Jesus in the Gospels and you will find: “not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father in heaven, will enter heaven.” All of Jesus’ teaching insists that Faith and Good Works go together, hand-in-hand. A person, who says that he/she accepts Jesus as his/her personal Savior, proves that acceptance by good works. A person, who claims Jesus as his/her personal Savior, but does nothing about it or goes on to commit terrible sins: is really a liar. On the other hand, a person, who undertakes good works, without professing in words to have Jesus as his/her personal Savior, demonstrates his/her basic faith in Jesus. Without words, he/she is saved by that hidden faith, which God sees as evidenced in the good works. Among many of Jesus parables on this topic, I would recall the parable of the two sons, related in Matthew 21:28-31. “What do you think of this case? There was a man who had two sons. He approached the elder and said: ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son replied: ‘I am on my way, sir’, but he never went. Then the man came to his second son and said the same thing. This son said in reply: ‘No, I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. Which of the two did what the father wanted? They said: ‘The second.’” Then Jesus goes on to commend persons who, without formally professing faith (accepting him as their personal Savior), undertake works of mercy and generosity out of love for God and their neighbor. These works demonstrate the faith in their hearts, whereby they have already accepted God (and Jesus) as their personal Savior, perhaps without realizing it. Such persons enter the kingdom of heaven. Martin Luther rejected this whole Epistle of James and excluded it from his version of the Bible, because of this teaching of James about the necessity of good works for salvation. Luther was so insistent on the importance of faith, that he declared: “Faith alone is sufficient for salvation.” Hence, the Protestant practice of professing to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. In rejecting the importance of good works for salvation, Luther intended to reject the excesses in certain practices of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly the abuse and misunderstanding about indulgences. In the time of Luther there were some abuses and excesses in the Catholic teaching about indulgences, which abuses were corrected by the Council of Trent. But, in rejecting the whole Epistle of James, Luther “threw out the baby with the bath-water” - so to speak. Happily, in our own times, Lutheran and other Protestant scholars have restored the Epistle of James to their New Testament Bibles. Happily, also in our own times, the Catholic Church has down-played the matter of indulgences, while correcting misunderstandings about that practice. An indulgence is a remission, in whole or in part, of the temporal punishment due to sin. But let’s save that topic for another time.

Religion within broken relationships

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-12-31 09:59:00

Answer: This question could have been proposed to “Dear Abby,” who might have referred it to me or to another religious leader. I believe it is God’s grace that is prompting your present feeling, moving you to ask for help. When you say “I have never been that religious . . . ,” I assume you mean: “I have never been religious.” That is the root of the problem! However, if you were religious as a child, you can still recover your earlier devotion. You certainly “have missed providing your kids with something they need.” Fortunately, your children are still young enough to learn, even if they have to be bribed or compelled by your withholding privileges - in case they don’t hear you. Often children hear more than parents think they do. Inasmuch as their other parent has not been any part of their lives for several years, she or he can hardly object to your injecting religious and moral training into their lives, and into your own life. First of all, your children are old enough to understand that they and you and everybody makes mistakes. I suggest you sit down with them, and tell them you have made a great mistake by ignoring an important part of life, namely their and your religious and moral education. Tell them that from now on, you and they are going to church (or synagogue, if your roots are Jewish) every Sunday or Saturday. You don’t ask them, you tell them! Explain that religion is necessary for your and their souls, as it is natural for everyone to experience a hunger for God. Discipline is a very important part of rearing children. If you don’t have any discipline in your home, your life must be an anticipation of hell. I hope you have the backbone to insist on some discipline, and use the system of rewards and punishments for good and bad behavior. Discuss with your pastor or rabbi or some good religious parents, who are acquainted with you, about how your ought to proceed. I suggest that you need the instruction as much as do your kids. Perhaps, if religion had been a part of your life from the beginning, you and your ex might still be happily together. Religion provides principles for a good and happy life, both in this world and after death. Without religion you make many more mistakes, some of which can be avoided with the help of religious practice. Religion is very important for forming good character with worthy ideals. I suspect your kids will be more open than you think to your insistence that you and they become attached to the Church or to some traditional religious group. Probably have friends from school or the neighborhood, who are involved with their church groups. I invite you to visit with your children a nearby Roman Catholic Church and meet the priest or some good Catholic person and discuss with them your situation. Also, I urge you to avoid the many cults, so-called new-age religions, and many television preachers that have sprung up in recent decades, attract large crowds, and are more interested in getting money than in leading persons to have a relationship with God. Such preachers are not from God! Their followers tend to drift into agnosticism and indifference to religion and morality, or superstition; and they are the folks who mock religion and generally are self-centered and selfish. Above all, get a prayerbook and use it. Have a good translation of the Bible in your home, and read from it every day - at least a brief selection. I use the version “Good News for Modern Man,” published by the American Bible Society, as it is a translation easy to read and understand. In reading the Bible, skip over the census records and genealogies and antiquated laws regarding treatment of leprosy, as in the Book of Numbers, and go on to read the more interesting and instructive parts of the Bible, which the Word of God inspired by God. Daily prayer is essential for any kind of union with God. Become acquainted also with the lives of the Saints, who are God’s friends and in a position to help you through life. Teach your kids to pray with you. Begin with short prayers, e.g. the Lord’s Prayer, and/or one of the Psalms in the Bible. Don’t delay! Your kids are growing older every day, and the present time may be the only time you can influence them toward God. True religion and communication with God can be the most precious and lasting inheritance you can leave to your children. At death they must leave behind their money and material things and go to account to God for their lives spent here on earth. You don’t want them to appear before God’s judgment seat naked and ignorant of him and his laws.

Religion within broken relationships

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-12-31 09:59:00

Question: I am a single parent. My ex lives on the coast and has not seen the kids (ages 11 and 9) for several years. I have never been that religious, but now I feel I may have missed providing my kids with something they need. However, they are now at an age where I’m not sure they will pay attention. What can I say or do that would have the best chance of getting their interest?

Answer: You do have a difficult situation because your children will tend to follow your example You have lived with no interest in God and the result is a failed marriage and lack of trust by your children. It is clear that your first step must be to turn to God yourself. Do you know that you need God as much as your kids? You will likely stand before God before they do and must then account for your life. You will be the example for them! The message of Christianity is that God loves you and will welcome your seeking Him. He loved you so much that He sent His Son to live as a human and be rejected and killed to pay for our sins. Jesus said “Come to Me all who are tired and have heavy loads and I will give you rest. Take My yoke on you, for I am gentle and you will find rest for your soul.” You must confess to God that you have rejected Him all your life, and you now admit failure and ask forgiveness. You can accept Jesus’ suffering and death for you and throw yourself on His mercy. Tell Him that you now accept Him as your loving Lord and want to know Him. Talk to Him and invite Him into all your thoughts. Read about Him in the New Testament of the Bible. Peace and joy will result! If you do this truly, your children will begin to see you as their loving mother! Jesus said that we must “be born again” and that the result is eternal life. To help you in this you need a church that teaches the Bible as God’s word...and one that has a joyous youth group; your kids will respond best to their peers who are following Christ. Pray that God will lead you to other true believers who understand you and know the Lord Jesus.

Religion within broken relationships

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-12-31 09:59:00

Question: I am a single parent. My ex lives on the coast and has not seen the kids (ages 11 and 9) for several years. I have never been that religious, but now I feel I may have missed providing my kids with something they need. However, they are now at an age where I’m not sure they will pay attention. What can I say or do that would have the best chance of getting their interest?

Answer: What a wonderful thing for God to be opening your heart to spiritual things He has in store for you. No matter when and where you start, God has great plans for you and your family {Jeremiah 29:11}. Commit yourself and family to build a home that lives for the Lord no matter what others do {Joshua 24:15} and entrust the situation to Him by continuously bathing it in prayer {Psalm 127:1-2}. Then begin to live your life in Christ as an example {Philippians 3:17} and as transparently as you can so they can see God’s love and patience with you {1 Timothy 1:16}. As they get older, much will be caught by watching what you do more then what they hear you say to them. {1 Thessalonians 1:3-7}We must show them that what God says and asks us to do, is of the utmost importance in our lives. We need to live it! Be real in your faith and ask them their opinions when you are wrestling with the difficulties, challenges and issues of life. Ask them their opinion about what the Bible says about it. Don’t put them down for their views which may at times surprise you. Sometimes they will say things to get you frustrated, or try to get your goat. Don’t jump on them and say, “that’s stupid,” or “that is really immature.” Let them express their views. If they detect you are listening, they may listen to you. Be cool, lay out to them why you think God wants you to do certain things. Also, explain to them it is because he loves you, wants to protect you and wants you to get the most joy out of life. {John 10:10} Find out about their interests, get involved with them and weave in the biblical truths where they are interested. Jesus did this with the women at the well in John 4:1-26 and Paul did the same thing with all of his audiences that he shared the gospel with as in Acts 17:16-34. Find out about the beautiful people in their world that Hollywood portrays and see if there are points of contact that you can share with them. What kind of spiritual discussions could those life styles and interests stimulate? How could the Bible be helpful? Many of the episodes of the people in the Old Testament can really resonate to their hearts. Moses struggled with insecurity {Exodus 3}, Jacob was a liar and cheat whom God loved and used{Genesis 27-35}, Chain was jealous {Genesis 4} and so was Saul {1 Samuel 18-19}, David was young, small and not taken seriously, yet accomplished much {1 Samuel 17, 2 Samuel 5}, Daniel and his friends stood for what was right {Daniel 1-6} and Joseph had such a big view of God that he could forgive his brothers for selling him into slavery {Genesis 37-50}. You may want to set a side a time after supper to have a devotional reading and a prayer with them for their needs and those of their friends. If they are still young and you help them get settled for bed time, it is another great time to get a Bible Story book where it is broken down into the different characters of the Bible and maybe read one a night. Then pray with them about the things that went on in their day. It is a great time of connection to listen to their hearts and develop their spiritual lives. God inspired Moses with some dynamic principles for developing Godly homes early in the establishing of a Godly nation. He was given principles for family spirituality in Deuteronomy 6:4-9: First, he lays down the principle that there is one true God too worship – {4}“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” Second, he declares we are to give ourselves completely to Him – {5}“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Third, that we obediently do God’s will from our hearts – {6}“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.” Fourthly, we then teach our kids both verbally and through our actions in the many areas if life - {7}”You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Fifthly, that we leave little reminders for them and ourselves of God’s grace around the home, {8}“You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.” {9}“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” At times you may seem to get discouraged because you may not see any change. Don’t give up! God is at work as you deposit faith matters {1 Corinthians 15:58}. As a single mom, I want to encourage you with the example of Timothy. His father was not a believer, but his faith-filled mom and grandmother by God’s grace, poured themselves into that young man who became a great hero of faith {2 Timothy 1:5}. My prayer is that you persevere and entrust the rest to God!

Religion within broken relationships

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-12-31 09:59:00

Question: I am a single parent. My ex lives on the coast and has not seen the kids (ages 11 and 9) for several years. I have never been that religious, but now I feel I may have missed providing my kids with something they need. However, they are now at an age where I’m not sure they will pay attention. What can I say or do that would have the best chance of getting their interest?

Answer: First of all, let me commend you for realizing that both you and your children need God and the church in your life. It is never too late! Second, let me note that there are many ways you can all become involved in a church. As the parent, you should take the lead in finding a community of faith in which your family can learn, grow and serve. I would urge you to ask family, friends, neighbors and colleagues at work for their recommendations. Or, you could look on the web; many churches have very helpful web sites that give you a sense of their community. Then, try out those places. Sometimes, however, “a little child shall lead them,” and you could ask the parents of your children’s friends where they go, or even the children themselves. That might make your children more comfortable. Third, be persistent. Pray for yourself and your children, that God might lead you to the church best for you. Keep trying when you visit churches; you will find one in which you can feel at home. Finally, I do not know where you live, but if you are in Wichita, I would invite you to come visit the church I serve. We have many programs for children, and you will find us a warm and welcoming community.

Jews who do not accept Jesus Christ

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-12-01 14:19:00

Question: Will Jews, who do not accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior, be condemned to Hell?

Answer: Jews definitely will not be condemned to hell. The Bible says clearly, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29) As our PCUSA Study Catechism notes, “God made a covenant with Israel, promising that God would be their light and their salvation, that they would be God’s people, and that through them all the peoples of the earth would be blessed. Therefore, no matter how often Israel turned away from God, God still cared for them and acted on their behalf…..With the coming of Jesus, the covenant with Israel was expanded and confirmed. By faith in him Gentiles were welcomed into the covenant. This throwing open of the gates confirmed the promise that through Israel God’s blessing would come to all peoples…..The God who has reached out to unbelieving Gentiles will not fail to show mercy to Israel as the people of the everlasting covenant.”

Jews who do not accept Jesus Christ

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-12-01 14:19:00

Question: Will Jews, who do not accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior, be condemned to Hell?

Answer: Not as such! Provided that the individual Jew, or Christian or Muslim, is faithful to his/her conscience, and does the best s/he is able in order to please God: that individual Jew and Christian and Muslim can be saved. But the person of whatever faith or no faith, who ignores God and his/her own conscience, and indeed rejects God, will go to hell! The Catholic Catechism (para. 1033) teaches: “We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love him. But we cannot love God if we sin gravely against him, against our neighbor or against ourselves. Jesus warns that we shall be separated from him, if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren. To die in grievous sin without repenting, and accepting God’s merciful love means remaining separated from God forever by our own free choice. This situation of definitive self-exclusion from union with God is called “hell.” I believe that most Jews sincerely believe in God, and want to live in union with him.” The Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, bears witness that the Jewish people are special to God. Recorded history begins with God calling Abraham (Genesis 12). The Bible goes on to show God’s special favor to Abraham’s son Isaac, and to Isaac’s son Jacob, and Jacob’s sons and grandsons, the forefathers of the Hebrew people. In the gospel of John, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well: “Salvation comes from the Jews” (Jn 4:22). In his epistle to the Romans (chapters 9 and 10 and 11) St. Paul discusses this topic in great detail. He writes that “they (the Jews) are God’s people, God chose them and revealed to them his glory, and gave them the Law and the true worship; they have received God’s promises, and Christ, in his human nature, belongs to their race” (Rom 9:4-5). This choice of God stems from God’s special love for those forefathers and some of their descendants, especially Moses and Elijah and King David. But this choice of God entails on the part of the Jewish people: their special responsibility to live according to God’s commandments and to witness to God’s truth in this world. Time and time again the Jewish people fell away from God through idolatry, for which reason God punished them again and again. But always a remnant of faithful Jews kept alive: the true faith in the one God. “In the fullness of time God sent his Son, born of a human mother, who lived under the Jewish law” (Gal. 4:4). This is Jesus, who came to complete God’s revelation to mankind and to redeem humans from the consequences of sin. Jesus also taught St. Paul that “whoever believes in him will be saved. That includes everyone, because there is no difference between Jews and gentiles: God is the same Lord of all, and richly blesses all who call upon him. . . . Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved” (Rom 10:12-13). St. Paul explains that the gentile Christians (non-Jews) have been called by God to share in the promises God made to the Jewish patriarchs and prophets. He compares the non-Jews to a wild olive tree, whose branches have been grafted onto the tree of the cultivated olive tree (the Jews), and joined to it: so that non-Jews share the strong spiritual life of the Jews” (Rom 11:17-18). Thus the non-Jewish Christians have become the spiritual descendants of Abraham, and share in Abraham’s faith and the blessings of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus. This is God’s plan for the salvation of all peoples: so that no people can boast arrogantly over another people, as all have been invited by God to salvation. All people have sinned, and everyone needs salvation. This choice of God and his invitation does NOT mean that everyone will be saved automatically: whether by being descended from Abraham, or by belonging to Christ through faith and Baptism. All people are invited to share this faith and to live it. But only those who believe in the faith revealed by God and, according to the light of their conscience, sincerely try to live that faith, will be saved. Those who decline to believe and to live according to God’s Will, as expressed in his revelation, freely choose to be separated from God in eternity; i.e. they cannot be saved and will be condemned. Notice that I said: “. . . only those who believe . . . according to the light of their conscience.” Where knowledge of God and Jesus is lacking, through no fault of the person, that person is not responsible for his/her unbelief. That light implies knowledge. God’s special favor extends to both Jews and non-Jews alike, to all who seek him in faith and in obedience to God’s law, as did Abraham and Jesus. Everyone who is “saved” is saved by Jesus, whether or not he/she realizes it. Thus many, who reject Jesus, are actually rejecting a mistaken notion of him, rather than the reality which is Jesus. The Catholic Catechism explains: “Jesus asked the religious authorities of Jerusalem to believe in him because of God the Father’s works which he accomplished. But such an act of faith must go through a mysterious death to self, for a new “birth from above” under the influence of divine grace (cf Jn 3:7; 6:44). Such a demand for conversion in the face of so surprising a fulfillment of the promises (cf Isa. 53:1) allows us to understand the Sanhedrin’s tragic misunderstanding of Jesus; they judged that he deserved the death sentence as a blasphemer (cf Mk 3:6; Mt. 26:64-66). The members of the Sanhedrin were thus acting at the same time out of ignorance, and the hardness of their unbelief (cf Lk 23:34; Acts 3:17-18; Mk 3:5; Rom 11:25, 20).” Those persons go to hell, who know Jesus as Lord and Savior and Messiah; and nevertheless reject him, preferring themselves or some creature to the Creator, and ignore God and Jesus’ teaching, without repenting before they die. Only such persons go to hell. However, those persons who do not know Jesus (e.g. native Americans who lived before the news of Christianity arrived on these continents) but recognize that there must be a good Creator or Lord of the Universe, and strive to conduct themselves in a manner which they think is pleasing to that Lord, will be saved. The great majority of Jewish people, who lived during the lifetime of Jesus, never heard of Jesus. Many Jews know about Jesus only in some vague or distorted form. Nevertheless they endeavor to conduct their lives according to the Law of Moses and strive to please God. They too will be saved. Muslims, who know Jesus only as a prophet praised by Mohamed in the Koran, but who endeavor to live in a manner which they believe is pleasing to God, can be saved. Those persons who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of Jesus but who practice virtue according to their conscience, can be saved by God’s mercy. Still, the Bible teaches that without faith it is impossible to please God. Persons, who live naturally good lives but seem to be lacking in faith, probably possess some modicum of faith sufficient for salvation. But all such judgment rests with Jesus, in the eternal plan of God.

Jews who do not accept Jesus Christ

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-12-01 14:19:00

Question: Will Jews, who do not accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior, be condemned to Hell?

Answer: It is always a dangerous thing to state who God will admit, and who He will not admit, into Heaven. The New Testament often warns that those who reject Christ are in danger of this fate. But the Jews of Jesus generation consisted of those who knew of Jesus and His life and claims, and those who did not. We might find religious Jews today lacking knowledge of Jesus’ life and claims, and who may be treated as the Jews in Jesus’ generation....if they have not really heard that their Messiah has come. It is for this reason that we want to go to them with their Old Testament and show “classical” Jews that their expected One has come. In such cases, the religious Jews may differ from Gentiles in their relation to God. If they do not, then they are the same as we Gentiles: salvation comes only through personal trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. No religious membership or heritage will open Heaven’s door. If it could, then the Son of God would not have had to come to live and suffer on earth.

Jews who do not accept Jesus Christ

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-12-01 14:19:00

Question: Will Jews, who do not accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior, be condemned to Hell?

Answer: As I answer this honestly, I realize two negative reactions can come on me. First, by some in this generation, that I’m not tolerant. However, tolerance means I can disagree on our beliefs and be free to share, reason and expose to others my opposing view points and yet still like the other person. That is tolerance! The second negative view, one could be seen even by other Christians as anti-Semitic or prejudice toward Jews. However that is also wrong because if one hated the Jews, believing what I do, I would not share my views if I wanted them to go to hell. But I do care and love the Jews as God does because the good news of Jesus Christ is “first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16) That is why I share and believe what I do. I do believe that Jews who do not accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and savior, along with gentiles, will be condemned to hell! There are several Biblical reasons I believe this truth. First, the words of Jesus as He spoke to His contemporaries and said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” {John 14:6} This is what was so cutting to the Jews when He told them that if they really “knew God, they would know and accept Him. {John 8:19} Secondly, the preaching in the book of Acts by the apostles was to all peoples and especially to the Jews. The gospel was to go forth beginning with Jerusalem {Acts 1:8} and spread to the whole world. Peter’s Pentecost sermon (Acts 2) was a call to repent and come to Jesus the Messiah for salvation from sin (Acts 2:34-41). When Peter and John were before the Sanhedrin (which was the Jewish ruling party) they told them Jesus was the chief cornerstone of the faith and that in Acts 4:12 they say a very clear statement, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Thirdly, Paul also deals with this in a major way in Romans with a consistency with the rest of scripture and helps lift the veil on the mysterious will of God in reference to the Jews. In chapters 9-11 he paints the picture of Israel’s script in God’s plan. The Jews for a period of time would reject His salvation through Christ for the benefit of the whole world {11:15}. That the natural branches (Jews) were broken off the vine so that the gentiles could be grafted to the vine (11:17-21). Then he goes on to say the Jews can be grafted in “if” they do not continue in unbelief (11:23). This “partial hardening” is so the full number of Gentiles receive Christ {11:25}, then “all Israel will be saved” {11:26}. “All Israel” could mean a believing remnant at that present time or of the entire company of Jews and Gentiles who make up the new Israel of the church or the total elect of the Jews from the beginning of time to the present. But the common thread in all of this is that salvation to the Jews and Gentiles comes through the “Deliverer…from Zion…taking away their sins” {11:26}, Jesus Christ the Messiah, Savior of the world. Then he speaks about the character and plan of God is full of God’s mercy and just bursts out into a praise chorus to God being so overwhelmed by God’s kindness and mercy (11:33-36). At the end of it He reminds us that all this mercy flows through Christ. Now, knowing all of this and believing these words, do I hold back and not share salvation in Christ to the Jews? Do I say nothing and let them believe what they believe, die and go to hell? Would that be the kind and loving thing to do? Of course not! Listen to the rational common sense in the following sanerio. If I came in contact with a friend who told me that he just found out he had a specific kind of terminal cancer, little did he know, I had just come from having lunch with my cousin who is a research scientist and just uncovered the cure for that specific form of cancer. He gave me a vile to keep in my possession and if I knew someone with the cancer, even though it was not completely approved by the world, give it to them so they could be cured. But instead I kept it in my pocket. Went and visited my friend with the cancer. Encouraged him, prayed with him, read him books, told jokes to cheer him up, helped him go to the bathroom and gave him baths as he got weaker but never once shared with him the contents of the vile, how good a friend would I be? Would I be a true loving friend or would I be a sadistically sick person never giving him the cure he needed so desperately as I made him feel comfortable and good watching him die? Is it not obvious how we as Christians need to love our Jewish friends? Shalom in Christ, Pastor Dave.

Wrong to celebrate Halloween?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-10-01 15:56:00

Question: Is it wrong for a Christian to celebrate Halloween?

Answer: This depends on what you mean by “celebrate”. There was a time when many people in England celebrated Halloween by trying to contact the dead, or trying to avoid “spooks”, i.e.,visits by the dead. The name, Halloween, means the “een” (evening) before “All Hallows” (All Saints) Day. This holy day of the Church was corrupted by belief in visits by the dead or demons just before All Saints Day. You can see why Christians opposed this activity. However, as the centuries have passed, most people do not live in fear of spooks, and Halloween is simply a time for masquerade parties. But we still see goblins, haunted houses and vampire castle activity at Halloween. Some wonder if there is danger of encouraging belief in visits by ghosts and “spooks”. Children who do not have strong Christian teaching are most vulnerable to such frightening and harmful ideas...things that waken them in the night. So some parents are properly afraid of Halloween. Also, Satanic worshippers have resurrected many of the ancient cults’ Halloween practices. Moses warned, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.” Lev. 9:31. And Paul warned “that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” I Tim:1 Your question’s answer may depend somewhat on where you live. We might hope that Halloween has lost it’s original harmful meaning, just as Christmas has regrettably lost its good Christian meaning for many Americans

Wrong to celebrate Halloween?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-10-01 15:56:00

Question: Is it wrong for a Christian to celebrate Halloween?

Answer: Growing up in New Jersey on Halloween was always fun. The night before would be “Mischief Night” where we would run from angry neighbors after we soaped their windows on their cars or TP’d their homes or did a host of pranks to irritate them. Especially that old cranky crotchety neighbor who gave us all a hard time during the year for walking on his sidewalk or getting too close to his lawn. The next day was Halloween or candy day. The costume was made up and I always wanted one of those store bought costumes. I got my first one when I was in 3rd grade and I was disappointed because the mask with the little elastic band broke by the third house we visited in the neighborhood. They also were light and some nights they were cold and thin. We would come home with bags bulging with every sort of goodie imaginable. It was a sugar addict child’s dream of heaven. Now was it wrong to celebrate Halloween? Halloween is rooted in an old ancient Celtic pagan festival signifying the end of harvest. It was a time to store and slaughter livestock to prepare for winter. The festival on the 31st of October was special to the Gaels also because they believed the separation of the dead and living became close to being non-existent on that day and evil spirits would come and cause diseases and sickness among the people. They would celebrate and wear masks mimicking and placate the spirits through the rituals. Now we as Christians are cautioned in the scriptures to “test everything, hold on to the good and avoid every evil” (1 Thess 5:21-22) and “abhor that which is evil and cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). We need to avoid the evil practices of the world and not become polluted by them (James 1:27). This is not only with the subject of Halloween but in everything we do. But like the scripture says, we can take the good from situations and experiences and redeem them for the glory of God. The history of the church has done this time and time again. Paul never condemned Christians for eating meat offered to idols, for its own act but only cautioned them not to do it if it was an offense to a brother or sister who came out of paganism with a weak conscience and it bothered them. (1 Corinthians 8 & Romans 14) But the food was seen by Paul as a gift of God. (14:20) Paul also when he witnessed to the pagans in Athens (Acts 17:16-31), he does not use any scripture in message but uses quotes from the pagan philosophers to reason with them to come to Christ. He was using those quotes for the glory of God. Now the church has followed the Biblical tradition and seen the good in the world’s things and redeemed it for the glory of God. Luther, for instance, took some of the old bar tunes of his day and made them with new words beautiful hymns that we still sing in church today. In my younger days we used to take rock n’ roll tunes like “The House of the Rising Sun” which was a tune written about a house of prostitution in New Orleans and we would redeem it by using the words, to “Amazing Grace” and it was a hit with our both believer and unbeliever friends. The Church did this also with Halloween. In the early church Popes Gregory III & IV moved “All Saints Day” in May to the same day as Halloween and made it a spiritual holiday. The Protestant Reformed tradition that my denominations come from made it Reformation Day. Halloween came to the United States by way of the Irish migration after the Irish Potato Famine of 1845. The Scottish version took hold in the United States where children would put on costumes and go from door to door ringing doorbells saying, “trick or treat” to solicit candy from a neighbor. I believe as Christians we can celebrate it as a fun time to share with our children and their friends. We can redeem it for the glory of God and use it as a great opportunity to witness and enjoy the life God has given us. If you feel it is the devil’s day, then let’s steal it from him and give it over to the glory of God. Celebrating this great life with you that God has given us and willing to taste test the candy your kids bring home, Pastor Dave.

Wrong to celebrate Halloween?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-10-01 15:56:00

Question: Is it wrong for a Christian to celebrate Halloween?

Answer: Each Christian must make that decision for him or her self. Many Christians see nothing wrong with participating in the fun of Halloween, but others are concerned about some of the holiday’s pagan heritage. They may also be concerned about the modern holiday’s increasing emphasis on darkness and death, as well as the growing commercialism and adult “partying” on this holiday. As I understand it, our modern Halloween has both pagan and Christian roots. The pagan roots are from the Celtic people who were Druids. They believed that on the night of Halloween, spirits, including evil spirits, were “out and about.” People would put on masks and take on evil-looking costumes to keep evil spirits away from them. There were many other customs and superstitions that arose over the years, including fires and jack-o-lanterns. The Christian roots of Halloween come from the ancient church. The church wanted to have a way to remember the many early martyrs of the faith, and so All Saints Day arose. The day after it was All Souls Day. One of the traditions of the night before All Saints Day, “all hallow’s eve,” was children getting “treats” in return for a prayer for the dead. There were also other traditions. As years passed, given the nearness of these dates on the calendar, the pagan and Christian practices of Halloween and All Saints Day began to meld together. Because of this, most Americans probably see Halloween as neither a pagan nor a Christian holiday. Again, whether that is good or bad is for each Christian to decide for him or her self.

Wrong to celebrate Halloween?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-10-01 15:56:00

Question: Is it wrong for a Christian to celebrate Halloween?

Answer: The word Halloween is a contraction of the words “All Hallows Eve,” which means: All Saints Evening. The Christian festival in honor of All the Saints, who do not have their own proper feastday in the course of the year, includes also these latter saints, and other saints who have been canonized by the Church, as well as all good persons, who died in the state-of-grace (i.e. in a situation of friendship with God) and are not-yet canonized. The Saints are those persons whom, after their death and sometimes even during their lifetime, the Church has recognized as special friends of God already enjoying the presence of God in Heaven. The Church honors these real persons, now deceased, as having influence where it counts, and are able to intervene with God on our behalf. This festival is celebrated on November 1, the anniversary of the dedication of an important church in Rome. The 2000-years old Pantheon was originally erected by the pagan Roman emperors in honor of all their gods, who might have been overlooked in having their own proper temple in or near Rome. This famous building is generally considered by having been built by Marcus Agrippa around the year 27 A.D., during the lifetime of Jesus. The entrance porch was added about ninety years later by the Emperor Hadrian. After the Christian community was granted the official right to exist by the first Christian emperor Constantine the Great in 311, Christians increased greatly in numbers, and built churches and hospices, and gradually became a majority in the old Roman Empire. In the year 604 this building, the Pantheon, was cleansed of pagan impurities, and given by the Christian Roman Emperor Phocas to Pope Boniface IV, who converted it into a church and dedicated it in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Christian Martyrs. During the times of the barbarian invasions of Rome, the bodies of the martyrs and other saints were dug-up from the cemeteries and catacombs located outside the city of Rome, and were re-buried under the floor of the Pantheon. Thus this church became a special place where the Saints are honored. During the Middle Ages and later throughout Europe and still-later in the Americas, there arose the custom of Christians anticipating this feast on the preceding evening by holding processions around their parish churches and cemeteries, while singing the Litany (a processional chant, in which various Saints are invoked by the cantors and the people respond: “pray for us”). During these processions the children are dressed in different costumes, each of which represents an individual Saint. Thus, the boy who represents St. Patrick, is dressed like a bishop and carries a three-leafed clover and a bishop’s staff. And the girl, who represents St. Catherine of Sienna, is dressed in a kind of Dominican habit (long white dress & veil with a black coat and carries a large rosary. This custom of an All Saints Procession has been revived in recent times in many parishes. As it occurs on the evening of All Saints Day, i.e. All Hallows evening, that day (October 31) is called Halloween. It originated as a religious observance. The word “hallow” is an old-English word, meaning: to reverence, to make holy, e.g. as in the Lord’s Prayer: “Hallowed by Thy Name.” In North America, where the majority of inhabitants were Protestants, this observance was adapted to secular meanings derived from the procession through the cemetery and its recalling dead persons (the Saints). Thus was introduced the various ghosts, goblins, witches, skeletons, and pumpkins, in which are carved some human facial features; and all these without any reference to the Saints. Originally that was supposed to be a kind of mockery of Catholic practice. But in more-civilized times Catholics and Protestants join together in a holiday spirit, and sometimes even recall together recently-deceased persons worthy-of-recognition, and join in praying for their souls. The more recent practice of “Trick or Treat” has no relationship whatever to All Hallows Eve, but probably derives from the Dutch observance of St. Nicholas Day (December 6), on which neighbors bring presents to poor persons and their children, and to other persons whom they wish to express gratitude and friendship. Fortunately, the custom of “Trick or Treat” is fading away fast, for which I am glad. Probably this fading is due to the fact that in some places evil persons have given children candies laced with poison or drugs, broken glass and nails, and even doggy-poop in a candy-wrapper. Parents ought to be very careful to examine what their children receive on Halloween. To answer the original question: It is right and proper for Christians and all people to celebrate Halloween - provided they are careful about the “treats” they receive.

What about Purgatory?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-10-01 08:48:00

Question: Often you hear of Purgatory, particularly from Catholics. Many say it is never mentioned in the Bible. What is meant in First Corinthians 3:15? Is this verse describing Purgatory?

Answer: Well meaning and thoughtful Christians have wrestled with the idea of the “Intermediate State” which is the time between one’s death and Christ’s coming with, the last judgment. The Jews of Jesus day understood this place was called “Sheol” in the Hebrew or “Hades” in the Greek. We have the idea of what it is in the parable Jesus tells in Luke 16:19-31. There we find a place divided in two where the poor man is carried by the Angels to righteous Abraham’s side (vs22a). The other part is where the cruel rich man is buried and from a lower place where there is torment of fire (22b-24). There is communication and visibility of each other also. From this understanding the early church went many different ways. Some thought it to be the pre-cursor of the final state before the final judgment. Others saw it as the state before the resurrection of Christ where he at that point made the great proclamation of release to the captives freeing the saved to be with Him in heaven and others to their destruction in Hell (1 Peter 3:19). Still others saw it as a time to pray for their loved ones caught in this state and an opportunity to free them from the one place to the other. Now, along the path of history it has been written about and wrestled about but there is not much said in the scriptures and there is almost a mystery about it. Some have developed theology and practices about it that have gone beyond scripture and it has had segments of Christians having great disagreement. This is where we come to finding “Purgatory” which means “to make clean or purify.” The Western (Roman Catholic) Christian Church and the Eastern (Orthodox) Church had their different practices. The Western church progressively moved from Augustine in the 4th Century to the 12th century with Gregory the Great as a full blown doctrine which today is defined in the Catholic Church’s Catechism as “a state of final purification after death and before entrance into heaven for those who died in God’s friendship, but were only imperfectly purified; a final cleansing of human imperfection before one is able to enter the joy of heaven.” It is seen as the place where a person can be cleaned up and made ready for the final entrance into heaven. When the Reformation came, most Protestant churches rejected the idea of Purgatory and some had differences as to what happened. Luther had the idea of a “soul sleep.” Calvin and others totally disavowed the whole idea and felt that to die; the judgment (Hebrews 9:27) would happen immediately and would be in the immediate presence of the Lord (Philippians 1:21). Salvation is declared by God justifying us (Romans 5:1) through faith in Jesus Christ by His blood at the day of conversion. That salvation is a free gift of God and it is not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9); and that your name is in the book of eternal life The questioner points to 1 Corinthians 3:15 as a support for the concept of Purgatory. In looking at this passage, Paul is challenging his detractors to see whose work and words will stand the judgment of God. That “the day will show” (judgment day vs 12; 1 Thess 5:2-9) will reveal the believer’s quality of work which will tell if we sowed it in the flesh for ourselves, our fame and our glory, or if it was sown for God’s glory. The reality Paul says is that if it is real, true and sown for God’s glory it will last into eternity and His reward will come with it (Revelations 22:12) according to the Apostle John. As far as seeing purgatory in the passage, I can’t see it. However, what a great reminder to all of us is what does matter is the depth of faith, purity and love on that day of His reward. An old missionary friend once said to me a phrase that would keep what’s really important before me, “All of this life will pass, only what is done in Christ will last.” May that be every Christian’s motto! In Him, Pastor Dave.

What about Purgatory?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-10-01 08:48:00

Question: Often you hear of Purgatory, particularly from Catholics. Many say it is never mentioned in the Bible. What is meant in First Corinthians 3:15? Is this verse describing Purgatory?

Answer: The issue of what the Catholic Church says on purgatory is best answered by someone who is more familiar with current Catholic doctrine than I am. I do know that purgatory was once a part of Catholic beliefs, but I recall reading in the paper a while ago that the church had formally changed its position on it. Protestants, however, do not believe in purgatory, as we do not understand the Bible to speak of it. Further, that purgatory is supposed to be a place where dead sinners are further “purified” to go to heaven is antithetical to our understanding of God’s grace. We believe we are saved only by God’s grace and not by anything we do or others do on our behalf. Regarding your question on 1 Corinthians 3:15, I do not understand that verse to be about purgatory. It comes in the context of Paul speaking to the Corinthian church about divisions within the church due to various people saying they follow various leaders. He says in previous verses that all those who began, nurtured, and led the church are God’s fellow workers building the church, Christ’s body. He has also said that each leader is building on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and what each leader adds will ultimately be tested by God. In verse 15, he makes the point that God will be the final judge of the value of each leader’s work. The language about fire is metaphorical.

What about Purgatory?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-10-01 08:48:00

Question: Often you hear of Purgatory, particularly from Catholics. Many say it is never mentioned in the Bible. What is meant in First Corinthians 3:15? Is this verse describing Purgatory?

Answer: The word “Purgatory” is not found in the Bible! But the idea is there. The word is derived from the Latin word “purgare,” meaning: to cleanse, to purge, to purify. The idea of Purgatory is that: all persons who died in God’s grace and friendship, but still are not completely cleansed from sin, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they must undergo some kind of purification in order to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. Sometime in the 11th century the Church gave the name Purgatory to this final purification of the souls of those chosen by God for heaven. This purification is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The church formulated her doctrine of faith about Purgatory on Tradition, as well as on the Bible. The Tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire, as Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604) wrote: “As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He Who is Truth (Jesus) says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be pardoned either in this world nor in the age to come (cf: Mt. 12:31). From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this world, but certain others in the age to come” (cf: Dialogues 4:39, PL77). This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in the Old Testament: “Therefore Judas Maccabeus made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin” (2 Macc: 12:46). From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead, and offered prayers for their souls, above all the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist (the Mass): so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific Vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: “Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice (cf Job 1:5), why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them” (St. John Chrysostom in the year 415). The questioner asks about the text in 1 Cor 3:15: “If anyone’s work is burnt up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, but only as one fleeing through fire.” From early centuries many Christians have interpreted this obscure statement of St. Paul as describing the purification of those who die without being fully cleansed from sin. However the Church’s teaching authority has never determined that this text specifically applies to the doctrine about Purgatory. From the Book of Revelation we know that nothing defiled can enter heaven. And from various biblical texts we learn that all justice must be satisfied before a person can enter heaven. St. Paul is quite explicit in 1 Cor: 6:9-10: “Surely you know that the wicked will not possess God’s Kingdom. Do not fool yourselves: people who are immoral or who worship idols or are adulterers or perverts or who steal or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others or are thieves – none of these will possess God’s Kingdom. Some of you were like that. But you have been purified from sin; you have been dedicated to God . . . through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Indeed, many persons are included in that list of those excluded from God’s Kingdom, if they have not repented and repaired the wrongs they have done. We know that to be saved, all that is necessary is for a person to be sorry for their sins before they die, and to do what is possible to repair the damages of their sins. But often death intervenes before they have opportunity to repent and to repair. Those who are hardened in sin and unrepentant are definitely excluded from God’s Kingdom. But those who are sorry for their sins are saved. This does not mean that repentant sinners enter heaven immediately with angelic trumpets welcoming them. Before they can get into heaven, God’s justice requires that they undergo some form of punishment commensurate with their unrepented and unrepaired sins. We call this punishment Purgatory. But such former sinners have the consolation of knowing that eventually they will get into heaven through the merits of Jesus and the mercy of God his Father. Such persons, undergoing the sufferings of Purgatory, can be helped by our prayers and sacrifices and works of charity performed for them. We believe God recognizes the good actions of friends praying for them, and applies to the souls detained in Purgatory the merits of Jesus and his Saints: to diminish the remaining punishment so that they can take their place in heaven earlier than the sentence received at their first judgment immediately after death. The doctrine of Purgatory is based on our belief in the infinite mercy and justice of God. God is all-merciful, but he is also all-just. Justice requires that sins be repented and repaired before a soul can enter heaven. Some people deny the idea of Purgatory as a Catholic superstition. They assert that, after death, the soul goes immediately to heaven or to hell. They acknowledge that nothing defiled can enter heaven. Accordingly, if there is no Purgatory, those who believe this had better take care in this life: to cleanse their souls from all sins and attachment to evil, lest they die and go to hell. Of course, they are hoping that at death God will cover over their unrepented sins and unrepaired injustices with the Blood of Jesus. That notion was taught by mortals, 1400 years after the time of Christ, and not by any of the Apostles or Saints of the Church. The Church condemned this heresy.

What about Purgatory?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-10-01 08:48:00

Question: Often you hear of Purgatory, particularly from Catholics. Many say it is never mentioned in the Bible. What is meant in First Corinthians 3:15? Is this verse describing Purgatory?

Answer: it is true that Purgatory is not mentioned in the Bible. The New Testament teaching is that Jesus died for the sins of the world. His sacrificial death was sufficient to pay for all the sins of mankind, both “serious” sins and “trivial” ones. The context of I Cor. 3:15 is dealing with rewards for our work for Christ. Some works result in rewards. Some will not, depending on the motivation and circumstances. These may be like gold, silver, precious stones, or like wood, hay or “stubble”. When we appear before Jesus Christ for rewards, the works we have done will be “tested” for being genuine or lacking in proper motivation. It will be as though they are given the fire test: gold, silver and precious stones will be seen to be genuine, and works which lacked the proper motivation will disappear, just as wood, hay and stubble would in a fire. Such a person will himself be accepted, due to Christ’s payment for his sins if he has accepted Christ for this. But he will have no reward or praise for his works. His false works will be gone as though they were burned off leaving him naked and ashamed.. That person will be saved by Christ’s sacrifice, but he will enter Heaven with no reward, like a person with his clothes burned off. It is a clear and clever illustration, but not a teaching on suffering for sin. That was completed in Christ’s death on the cross. No suffering of our own is useful for our salvation. Only Christ’s death can provide this. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5

Marriage of Christians and unbelievers

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-08-01 09:35:00

Question: 2nd Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” Does this mean a marriage between a “believer” and a “non-believer” is invalid?

Answer: The answer to your question is: YES! But your question is complex and requires explanation. In the context of St. Paul’s letter, he was addressing his converts at Corinth. These were first-generation Christians, who formerly had been pagans. St. Paul was advising his converts to give up certain pagan practices, which are incompatible with the teachings of Jesus. A pagan practice was (and still is) promiscuity and successive marriages, usually - but not always - with divorce intervening. The text cited in the question continues: “What accord is there between Christ and Belial (one of the devil’s names), what common lot between believer and unbeliever? Tell me what agreement there is between the temple of God and idols. You are the temple of the living God. . . . Let us purify ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and in the fear of God strive to fulfill our dedication perfectly” (2 Cor 6:15-7:1). The questioner applies this teaching to the matter of marriage. Certainly that was in the mind of the Apostle. Christians ought not marry non-Christians! Christians ought to marry Christians! This principle is part of Church Law, based on the teachings of Jesus and the above cited text of St. Paul. And that is because both parties in a Christian marriage share common ideals, particularly about fidelity in marriage, permanence of the union, rearing the children, etc. Sooner or later, in every marriage there arise differences between the spouses. When the spouses share the same faith and same moral code, there are fewer occasions for misunderstandings. And the Christian faith, shared with other Christians, can help quarreling spouses resolve their difficulties. However, it happens at times that a good Christian falls in love with a pagan, and they wish to marry. Without a common understanding about the principles of married life and how the children are to be raised, it is inevitable that such a marriage is destined to have major problems, that the spouses fall out-of-love, and probably break-up. That is why the Church requires that, before a Catholic can marry a non-Catholic, the latter party must be given some instruction about the Church’s (and Jesus’) teachings on marriage and family-life. The non-Catholic must agree to respect these principles for the sake of his/her spouse and their children. Otherwise, the required dispensation for a “mixed-marriage” cannot be granted. Only when the pastor or bishop is satisfied, that the non-Catholic party will not interfere with the Catholic party practicing his/her religion, can a dispensation from that ancient law be granted. If the parties to a “mixed-marriage” ignore the Church’s law, do not obtain a dispensation from the Church authority, and go ahead and contract a civil marriage, that marriage is invalid. As far as the Church is concerned, those parties are not married, even if they live together and bear children. Often, it happens that, after such an invalid marriage, the parties will approach a priest, and receive instructions and a dispensation to have their civil marriage validated by the Church. Understand clearly: the children of an invalid marriage are NOT illegitimate! Church Law recognizes as legitimate all children who are born: 1) in a true marriage; 2) in a putative marriage; 3) in subsequent marriage of their parents; and 4) when the bishop declares them legitimate regardless of the non-validity of their parents’ marriage. Let me explain nos. 2 and 4. A putative marriage is any kind of marriage recognized by the state and civil authorities. It is putative (“thought to be”) by everyone concerned, even though that thought might be in error. Occasionally, when the matter of inheritance arises and illegitimate children are excluded from the Will or by law, one of the parties concerned can request the bishop to write a letter granting legitimation to the children of an invalid marriage. Usually the bishop is glad to perform this service of charity and justice. Thereafter the children of an invalid marriage are considered legitimate in the eyes of both the Church and the State. Divorce or annulment of a marriage can never make the children of that marriage illegitimate. Sometimes quarreling parents will say: “We’d divorce, except that we don’t want to make our children illegitimate bastards.” That is an erroneous idea. No one or nothing can make children illegitimate, unless their parents never went though some form of marriage. If illegitimate parents are concerned about bastardy of their children, let the parents go to a Justice of the Peace and get married. Then, if they so desire, on the following day they can file for divorce. Their children remain legitimate.

Marriage of Christians and unbelievers

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-08-01 09:35:00

Question: 2nd Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” Does this mean a marriage between a “believer” and a “non-believer” is invalid?

Answer: This question was answered by the Apostle Paul in his earlier letter to the one you quote. First Corinthians 7:12-16 “If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving man woman leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?” (New International Version) Clearly, the marriage is valid. It may not be clear what is meant by “the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife” (and vice versa). It must not mean that he has been saved; otherwise the later mentioned hope that he may be saved would be unnecessary. The New Living Translation may help. It says: “For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not have a godly influence, but now they are set apart for Him.” So the teaching of the two letters is: Marriage between a believer and non-believer is to be avoided... but if it exists because one of the partners has become a believer, it should not be disrupted but continued in the best possible way. Salvation is a personal act of accepting Christ as Savior and Lord, and cannot be obtained through the acts of another person or one’s relation to that person. We may have a holy influence on our spouse or children, but their salvation remains a personal decision of their own.

Marriage of Christians and unbelievers

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-08-01 09:35:00

Question: 2nd Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” Does this mean a marriage between a “believer” and a “non-believer” is invalid?

Answer: This passage is set in the context of Paul’s dealing with the constant pull of the Corinthians toward unbelieving false teachers. They continued to struggle with their beliefs and values because they were being seduced away from God’s word to the philosophies of the day. Paul even felt they were holding back their love and affection (6:12) because they were of a divided heart. Their love and affection was divided between truth and titillating error. (Matthew 6:24) They could not give themselves fully to God their lover. Paul’s remarks can be applied not only to marriage but business relationships, friendships and the like. Why? Because when we become connected with someone like this, two things can happen. We will begin to compromise our walk and become like those we hang with or we will be in conflict with them and battle over even the most basic beliefs and foundational truths. That compromise cost Solomon (I Kings 11:1-14) especially his heritage, the full kingdom. Later in history when the rebuilding of Jerusalem took place, due to Solomon’s choice leading to its downfall, the push back to purity was a call to put away all contaminating foreign relationships (Ezra 10:11). All this was due to the unequally yoking principle. In biblical times they would talk about an ox and a donkey being yoked together (Deuteronomy 22:10). They have different natures, with different priorities and would not get along together. It would be cruel to them to put them together. In our day it would be like two people wanting to start a restaurant together but one wanting it to be a Chinese Restaurant and the other person wanting it to be an Italian Restaurant. They would live in frustration, disappointment and anger because at every aspect and level they will be working against each other from decorating the restaurant to writing up the menus. The same is true with marriage. If one person is a believer and one is not, how can they go to the depth of a soul-mate. They do not share the same love for Christ (2 Peter 1:3-4). Values and morals begin to be a problem and other issues begin to surface. Priorities about church and the things of Christ become battle grounds. Then also Satan has tremendous fertile ground to sow his seeds of temptation and seduction. I’ve seen some very committed believing men and women marry an unbeliever thinking their spouse will change, and wind up discouraged about going alone to church without the spouse. Some drop away from church because they develop rituals and family traditions especially as the kids get older or sports become more prominent taking them away from the church. Some I’ve sadly seen have affairs develop from the affinity between opposite sexes at church, in a bible study or a choir. A spiritual vacuum is there. As spiritual sisters and brothers go to church without their spouses, they meet someone in the same predicament; they develop a friendship, pray together and even share scriptural insights. Sometimes naively and subtly, the spiritual connection gets deeper. Suddenly, a slippery slope can develop that slides beyond the appropriate and easily slips into the sin of adultery. If one looks a little, it’s not hard to see how this scenario can happen. At some point it’s not naivety, it’s humans with real emotions, who give up, tired of trying and give in to the seemingly easy way. However, as Proverbs 6:32-33 states, it brings brokenness and disaster. Now if a “believer” marries an “unbeliever,” that relationship is valid even if it is committed to in rebellion to God’s will. The commitment has been made to God and that does not change, even if people do not understand or realize what they are saying before God and what the ramifications will be (1 Samuel 14:24-35). When a believer makes a commitment, their word is solid and firm (Matthew 5:37). Now, by the grace of God, the word gives instruction about an unequally yoked marriage relationship in 1 Corinthians 7. In verse 12-13 even though they have an unbelieving spouse, divorce is not an option for a believer. Rather the Christian spouse is to be the bridge God uses to bring the unbelieving spouse and children to Christ. Peter elaborates even further on the attitude and practical living that needs to take place in winning a spouse to Christ (1 Peter 3:1-16). Paul points out that in living as a witness for Christ in the every day life, the believer may win the unbelieving spouse to Christ (vs 16). Sometimes, the unbeliever doesn’t want to stay in the relationship as Paul notes in verse 15, especially when the believer will not go in a direction that is disobedient to God’s law and will. I’ve seen this several times where that took place. Once, a wife refused to participate in group sex and swinger relationships in which the unbelieving spouse wanted to become involved that he felt was a more mature open life. The marriage which is to be submitted to each other in Christ (Ephesians 5:21-25), at those points, believers are put in a position to reject that submission to the spouse and submit to God only. (Acts 4:19) Sadly, that marriage ended in divorce. May God give believers wisdom and strength in dealing with like situations. My prayer is that we obey these words of scripture, not only because they are practically wise and can save us a lot of heartache and frustration. But because this is God’s will that is worthy to be obeyed, in and of itself, whether they are practically helpful or not. For His Glory, Pastor Dave.

Marriage of Christians and unbelievers

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-08-01 09:35:00

Question: 2nd Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” Does this mean a marriage between a “believer” and a “non-believer” is invalid?

Answer: In this section of his second letter to the Christians in Corinth, Paul is telling the Corinthians how to deal with false teachers. It has been argued that his statement about a believer not being “yoked together” with an unbeliever does not, then, refer to marriage. It refers instead to working together with those who preach a false gospel. I would agree with this, for several reasons in addition to the context of the statement. First, this interpretation makes Paul’s advice consistent, for in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul does speak about marriage between believers and non-believers, and there, he urges such couples not to divorce. He writes, in 1 Corinthians 7:14, “for the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband.” If the unbelieving spouse leaves, however, Paul tells the believing spouse to let him/her do so. Also, the interpretation is supported by the point that those who are married are not “yoked together,” but in fact, those who are married become “one flesh.” Therefore, the passage in 2nd Corinthians 6:14 does not make a marriage between a believer and non-believer invalid.

Can the Bible be contradictory?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-07-01 15:11:00

Question: The Bible seems contradictory in several areas. For instance: 1) Jesus taught that people who would go to heaven (be saved) must become as little children (Matt 18:3-4 and 19:14; Mark 9:36-37 and 10:14-15; and Luke 18:15-17). But St. Paul wrote that maturity demands us to forsake the things of childhood (1 Cor 13:11). Also, 2) The Bible states that “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11). But Jesus stated, some 900 years after Elijah’s time, that “none has ascended to heaven except the One who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man” (John 3:13). Can you explain these two instances, and then give an overall comment in regard to the Bible not being contradictory?

Answer: Most of the seemingly contradictions on the surface have to deal with context, the message needed to be conveyed and who the audience is you are speaking to. This is particularly true of the first instance. Jesus is stressing in His message the need to have the same humble, unguarded openness and faith that children possess when coming to Him. It is that aspect that Jesus wants His disciples and audience to understand. We see that come to fruition in Jesus’ boldest disciple, Peter, as our Lord restored Him from his humbling brokenness to a much deeper faith and calling to ministry in John 21:18. Jesus tells him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” No more childish cocky rebellion. Now he will have a healthy humble child-like obedience that will take the direction of his Father in heaven. Paul, on the other hand, was speaking to the Corinthians who were evidencing childish immaturity in many areas. This rose its ugly head in the area of spiritual gifts (1 Cor.14:20) which he speaks about in chapters 12 and 14. Why do you think the chapter on love is between those two chapters on gifts? You’re exactly right! He wanted them to get off the childish attitudes of “my gift is better than your gift,” or “I have more gifts than you” or “my gift makes me more important than you in God’s kingdom.” His desire was to get them to realize that it is not about them but it is about others (12:7; 14:12). Paul emphasizes desiring the gifts given by God to better minister to others but they also need to realize that they are only temporary in nature (13:8-10). Then he downplays them in reference to bearing the fruit of love which is far more excellent (12:31), it is the greatest of all (13:13) and eternal (13:8). He further tries to get them off the childish use of the gifts by explaining to them that without love, one could be mightily endowed with all kinds of gifts but it is just commotion, it doesn’t improve your status or profit a person in any way (13:1-3). So we see there were two different situations that were being addressed that do not contradict but emphasize two very different and important aspects of the Christian walk. The second alleged contradiction in John 3:13 takes a little more technical understanding. In the original Greek, in which the NT was written, it becomes clear. The word in English, “ascended” in the Greek is in the perfect tense which denotes a past completed action the effects of which still continue in the present. In the original Greek, Jesus is not discounting others like Elijah or Enoch being taken up, but Jesus is speaking about something totally different. Jesus had not yet ascended physically like them. That would come later after His resurrection in Acts 1. What John has Jesus revealing to his readers was the pre-existent life of Jesus in heaven as part of the trinity was now with mankind having “descended from heaven.” That Jesus, in His pre-existent state in heaven, had already ascended, but it was to the heights of heaven or all the aspects of God’s eternity. This is what gives Jesus such authority to speak on these spiritual mysteries like being born again to Nicodemus in this passage. It was His having “been there, done that” and being that which gave Him the authority! Notice the context. It is answering Nicodemus’ question, “How can these things be?” (vs 9) The Bible is the most unique book in the world because it covers centuries of time with many different authors and cultures. God used men (2 Peter 1:20-21) by His providence to address situations and circumstances to reveal the truth about Himself and His ways. Now, sometimes the perspectives of the authors can bring what seems to be an inconsistency. Like the incident in the gospels of Jesus healing of the blind men near Jericho. In Matthew 20:29 “they were going out from Jericho” and Luke 18:35 records “He was approaching Jericho.” To confuse the Bible reader more, Mark 10:46 records, “they came to Jericho. And as he was going out from Jericho with His disciples.” Were they all conflicting with each other and Mark trying to compromise to get everyone to get along? The case is that they all were accurate but telling the incident from the perspective to which their audience could understand. First we must realize that there are two Jericho’s in Jesus day. Old Jewish Jericho which was still around but mostly abandoned. New Jericho was several miles away that was built by Herod the Great and was a very active city. Matthew is writing to Jewish people and is telling it from the Jewish perspective affirming their Jewish heritage. Luke is writing to his gentile friends from a gentile perspective favoring the New Jericho. Mark tells the story from a general perspective, but people in his day understood what he was saying. All are correct but they are all telling it from different points of view. That is the beauty of God’s word. It is true and consistent in delivering to us God’s word for the salvation of man. It was written by human authors who were directed and inspired to give the consistent message of God without taking away from their own style, perspective and personalities. The word “inspired” does not mean these men were excited by their own emotions like being inspired by a pep talk of a coach or a speaker at a banquet for a cause. The word inspired is used to mean “God breathed” {2 Timothy 3:16} into men His desired message by the Holy Spirit through their personalities and styles. May the Lord bless you this month living in this fast changing world that you remember, “the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” {Isaiah 40:9}

Can the Bible be contradictory?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-07-01 15:11:00

Question: The Bible seems contradictory in several areas. For instance: 1) Jesus taught that people who would go to heaven (be saved) must become as little children (Matt 18:3-4 and 19:14; Mark 9:36-37 and 10:14-15; and Luke 18:15-17). But St. Paul wrote that maturity demands us to forsake the things of childhood (1 Cor 13:11). Also, 2) The Bible states that “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11). But Jesus stated, some 900 years after Elijah’s time, that “none has ascended to heaven except the One who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man” (John 3:13). Can you explain these two instances, and then give an overall comment in regard to the Bible not being contradictory?

Answer: Presbyterians affirm, in The Confession of 1967, that the “one sufficient revelation of God is Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate, to whom the Holy Spirit bears unique and authoritative witness through the Holy Scriptures, which are received and obeyed as the word of God written. The Scriptures are not a witness among others, but the witness without parallel. The church has received the books of the Old and New Testaments as prophetic and apostolic testimony in which it hears the word of God and by which its faith and obedience are nourished and regulated.” The first example cited to you of the Bible being “contradictory” is not in fact an example of contradiction at all. Both passages are true; they just have different emphases. Jesus was speaking of the trust of children. Paul was telling adults who had faith that they should not remain static in their faith and understanding; they should allow it to grow, and work toward that. The second example is also not “contradictory;” again, the point is different because the context is different. The Bible states Elijah did go up by a whirlwind into heaven without death; this is unique to this great prophet, and it makes one point. The kind of ascension of which Jesus speaks in John, however, is particular to him. He is to “ascend,” that is, be lifted up onto the cross, and only after that “ascend” to heaven. This makes another point. When someone points out to you “contradictions” in the Bible, go with that person to the passages in their context. Taking a passage here and a passage there, and comparing them out of context is not helpful.

Can the Bible be contradictory?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-07-01 15:11:00

Question: The Bible seems contradictory in several areas. For instance: 1) Jesus taught that people who would go to heaven (be saved) must become as little children (Matt 18:3-4 and 19:14; Mark 9:36-37 and 10:14-15; and Luke 18:15-17). But St. Paul wrote that maturity demands us to forsake the things of childhood (1 Cor 13:11). Also, 2) The Bible states that “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11). But Jesus stated, some 900 years after Elijah’s time, that “none has ascended to heaven except the One who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man” (John 3:13). Can you explain these two instances, and then give an overall comment in regard to the Bible not being contradictory?

Answer: Being inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, Who is Truth and cannot contradict Himself, the Bible expresses truth. But the Holy Spirit used human authors to express the ideas He inspired. These men expressed that truth in words and phrases and terms familiar to them, as also we humans do when we speak and write. Although we know from early childhood that the sun does not move, that the earth revolves around the sun, we still use the words “sunrise” and “sunset.” To understand what a text is saying: it is necessary to read that text in it’s context. In regard to Jesus’ teaching about heaven being reserved for little children, Jesus was referring to those virtues or qualities commonly associated with children, e.g. openness to learning, obedience to parents and superiors, candid honesty, trustfulness, open to learning, welcoming strangers, simplicity, lovableness, innocence, faith and hope and charity, etc. Note Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:2: “Unless you change and become LIKE little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus means: “Unless you retain or acquire those virtues and qualities, you cannot enter heaven. Be childlike, but not childish!” Jesus is not encouraging silly childhood pranks, irresponsibility, immaturity, lying, and other vices characteristic of immature adults and also of some children, whose parents neglected to teach them correct manners. It is beautiful to see some of the virtues of childhood exhibited in elderly persons, who have lived worthy lives. The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these, God’s children. And in heaven they will remain forever young. Elijah’s death and ascension into heaven is a problem. Aware of the universality of death, a consequence of the original sin described in the first book of the Bible, the Jewish scribes insisted that Elijah must return to earth and die. Taking his clue from that opinion, Jesus applied it to John the Baptist. In Matthew 17:10-13 Jesus says: “‘Elijah is indeed coming, and he will restore everything. I assure you though, that Elijah has already come, but they did not recognize him, and they did as they pleased with him. The Son of Man will suffer at their hands in the same way.’ The disciples then realized that he had been speaking to them about John the Baptizer.” But John himself insisted: “I am not Elijah” (John 1:21). Recognizing this apparent contradiction, the Catholic Catechism says: “Going before Jesus ‘in the spirit and power of Elijah,’ John bears witness to Christ in his preaching, by his baptism of conversion, and through his martyrdom” (paragraph 523). We don’t know when or how Elijah died. But he did die before he entered heaven. The flaming horses and chariot, which took him up to heaven, symbolize God’s approval of Elijah’s ministry. Perhaps that great prophet expired in the chariot on the flight to heaven? Perhaps he returned to earth to die and (like Moses) was buried secretly? The Bible does not say. Before Jesus’ ascension, no one could enter into heaven. The saints of the Old Testament, including Elijah and the holy patriarchs and prophets, waited in some situation of natural peace and happiness: until Jesus opened the entrance to heaven, which had been closed since the fall of Adam and Eve in their original sin, which caused them to be expelled from paradise. And all these saints entered heaven along with Jesus (cf Micah 2:13): “With a leader to break the path, they shall burst open the gate and go through it; their King shall go through before them, and the Lord at their head.” Truth cannot contradict itself. But often there are various aspects of the one truth. Several persons may witness the same event, but each will describe it in his/her own fashion, adding or omitting details mentioned by other witnesses. Still other details, of interest to a later generation, will not have been recorded. At times, particularly as regards details mentioned in the Bible, the precise truth will be elusive. This is why we need the Church to help us understand the Word of God in the light of Tradition, as it was understood by those, whom Jesus and his disciples taught, namely the early Fathers and Writers accepted by the Church.

Where was Jesus after he died?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-07-01 15:11:00

Question: What did Jesus do (where did He go) after He died on the cross until he was resurrected?

Answer: Presbyterians affirm that after Jesus died on the cross, he was taken down from the cross. His body was wrapped in cloth and placed in a tomb. On the third day, God raised him from the dead. We understand that Jesus was dead during that time, but we also believe, as we state in the Apostles Creed, that before Jesus was resurrected, “he descended into hell.” Various theologians explain this phrase in a variety of ways, but we largely understand it to mean that Jesus suffered all that a forsaken man would suffer, even separation from God.

Where was Jesus after he died?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-07-01 15:11:00

Question: What did Jesus do (where did He go) after He died on the cross until he was resurrected?

Answer: All we know about the interval between Jesus’ death and resurrection is derived from the four Gospels and early Christian Tradition. This is summarized in the Apostles’ Creed. “He was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose from the dead.” Jesus’ body slept in death on the cross, from which he was taken down by a few of his disciples. Here is how the gospel writers describe the burial of Jesus’ body: “When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea arrived; his name was Joseph, and he also was a disciple of Jesus” (Matt 27:57). “He was a respected member of the Sanhedrin, who was waiting for the coming of the Kingdom of God. It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), so Joseph went boldly into the presence of Pilate and asked him for the body of Jesus” (Mark 15:43). “Pilate gave orders for the body to be given to Joseph. So Joseph took it, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock” (Matt 27:58-59). “Nicodemus, who at first had gone to see Jesus at night, went with Joseph, taking with him about one hundred pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh and aloes. The two men took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices according to the Jewish custom of preparing a body for burial” (John 19:39-40). “The women, who had followed Jesus from Galilee went with Joseph and saw the tomb, and how Jesus’ body was placed in it”(Luke 23:56). “Then he (Joseph) rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away” (Matt 27:60). “Then they (the women) went back home, and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body. On the Sabbath they rested, as the Law commanded” (Luke 23:55-56). On Holy Saturday the Church’s liturgy quietly observes “The Resting of our Lord in his tomb.” That phrase in the Creed, “He descended into hell,” is confusing for many persons. It means: Jesus’ soul descended into the lower parts of the earth, that the crucified One sojourned in the realm of the dead prior to his resurrection. This is the first meaning of the apostolic preaching that Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead. But he descended there as Savior, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there. (cf 1 Peter 3:18-19). The Holy Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, calls the abode of the dead: “Sheol” in the Hebrew language, “Hades” in Greek, and “hell” in English, because those souls who are there are deprived of the Vision of God. Such is the case for all the dead, whether evil or righteous, while they await the Redeemer. This does not mean that their lot is identical, as Jesus shows through the parable of the poor man Lazarus, who was received into “Abraham’s bosom” (cf Lk 16:22-26). It is precisely these holy souls, who awaited their Savior in Abraham’s bosom, whom Christ the Lord delivered when he descended into hell. This descent of the soul of Jesus into hell is called by the poet Milton and other English writers: “the harrowing of hell.” Jesus did not descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free the souls of the just persons who had died before him. In his magnificent epic “The Divine Comedy,” the supreme poet Dante beautifully describes the several circles or degrees of hell, from the lowest prisons of the damned to the upper natural paradise. Jesus’ descent into hell fulfills his messianic mission: it signifies the spread of Christ’s redemption to all human beings of all times and all places, to all who are saved through sharing in his redemption. The souls of the damned, of course, have chosen to not share in that redemption, and God respects their free will. The souls of all the just, who had been freed from the restraints of the upper parts of hell (deprived of the Beatific Vision of God) shared in Jesus’ resurrection and accompanied Him as he ascended into heaven. We can only imagine the joy in heaven on that day, when the Son of God, bearing the marks of the nails on his human body, took his place at the side of his eternal Father, and presented to the Father and to the angels the millions of souls of good and holy persons, who had been waiting for that glorious destiny. That joy will be even greater at the end of this world, when the general resurrection will happen, and our human bodies will rise in perfect youthful condition: to be reunited with our souls, and will share the happiness of heaven. The bodies of the damned in hell will also be resurrected and reunited to their souls in hell, thus adding to their eternal shame and suffering. At the judgment they will have caught a glimpse of the glory of heaven and fully realize what they have rejected and lost through their own foolishness in preferring their own wills to the Will of their Creator. Their suffering for all eternity testifies to God’s justice and truth. In hell each person is uglier than everyone else, and their sufferings correspond to the grave sins they committed on earth. Those, persons, who support and commit murder by abortion of innocent unborn children have reserved places in the lower regions of hell, and their sufferings will be more intense than the punishments of those who deliberately murdered adult persons, who at least had some opportunity to know and love God while on earth. At the same time the souls of aborted innocents are filled with joy in the presence of God, along with the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem who were killed by King Herod (cf Matt 2:16-18).

Where was Jesus after he died?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-07-01 15:11:00

Question: What did Jesus do (where did He go) after He died on the cross until he was resurrected?

Answer: I am afraid that the best answer to your question is: “We really don’t know.” Perhaps He was unconscious! I am aware that some have made elaborate answers to this that involves Jesus’ preaching to the Old Testament saints or to good people of antiquity who had never heard of the Messiah. But these are based on two verses in Ephesians 4, which quote a verse from Psalms 68:18. These are short, parenthetical statements in passages on other topics. It is dangerous to make large doctrines based on so few words. Since this requires no obedience on my part, I will wait until I am in Heaven to get a clear answer to your good question!

Where was Jesus after he died?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-07-01 15:11:00

Question: What did Jesus do (where did He go) after He died on the cross until he was resurrected?

Answer: There are some things the Lord gives us clear answers to in His word, and there are other things we can only imagine or speculate about but not speak with any authority. The early church Fathers help us in the factual time line progression written in the Apostles Creed where it states, “crucified, dead and buried, He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead.” The idea is that Jesus spent that time in the place of the dead, “Hades,” “Sheol” or “Hell.” Jesus experienced the wrath of God on the cross and was buried staying under the power of death. On the third day He gains the victory over death for us. The passages often cited for this understanding comes to us first out of Psalm 16:10 “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.” Peter in his sermon elaborates on this text further when he says in Acts 2:24-27,31, 24“But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. 25“For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence; For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. 26 ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; 27 Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay….he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.” Now this is why Paul could proclaim boldly, 9“knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.” {Romans 6:9-10} He lived through it, experienced it and then broke death’s chains that no longer have power over the believer. Read again as Paul highlights this victory we have over death because Christ actually died and resurrected, “53For our earthly bodies, the ones we have now that can die, must be transformed into heavenly bodies that cannot perish but will live forever. When this happens, then at last this Scripture will come true—“Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55-56O death, where then your victory? Where then your sting? For sin—the sting that causes death—will all be gone; and the law, which reveals our sins, will no longer be our judge. 57How we thank God for all of this! It is he who makes us victorious through Jesus Christ our Lord! {1 Corinthians 15:53-57 TLB} There is also a passage in 1 Peter that may lift the curtain of God’s mysterious ways slightly on what took place with Christ between His death and resurrection. The problem though, the passage is ambiguous and it is hard to interpret by what we know now as to what it exactly means. The passage is 1 Peter 3:18-20}”For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.” Now there are several interpretations but two are seen as telling us what Christ did during His death and resurrection. One group believes that He went to the prison where the fallen angels are held because they left their spiritual state and had married human women during the time of Noah in Genesis 6:1-4. That Christ went there to proclaim victory. The second interpretation is that Jesus went to the place of the dead and preached to the wicked contemporaries of Noah. As to what He proclaimed is speculative. Some say it may have been the gospel, others say the declaration of Christ’s victory and doom to the hearers. These are only speculations. The marvelous truth we can know for certain as a believer is that as scripture tells us, “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” {Romans 6:8} That truth is for us and our loved ones we bury in Christ as Baptism is the illustration of the death and resurrection. May God bless you today as you live in the assurance of the victory you have over death! Alive in Christ, Pastor Dave!

Virgin Mary’s role in salvation

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-05-01 13:20:00

Question: I know each of you represents a different faith. Can you tell me, in accordance with your faith, how important is the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary towards one’s salvation?

Answer: According to God’s eternal plan for the history and destiny of this world, the holy Virgin Mary has an essential role. When he created human beings with a free will, God knew already that they would abuse that freedom by sin. That sin of disobedience to God is a serious sin, requiring an infinite reparation, of which human beings by nature are incapable of satisfying. To demonstrate his love and mercy towards his weak human creatures, God the Father determined that his only Son should become a man “in the fullness of time” and repair all sins. 2000 years ago God the Son became a man in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, who suffered greatly and was crucified and died in order to atone for the sins of all mankind. But for God the Son to become human, it was necessary that he take on a human nature, in addition to his divine nature because the divine nature is impassible, i.e. God as such cannot suffer or die. In order to assume human nature, God the Son had to be born of a human person. This became the role of the Virgin Mary. God selected for the mother of his Son: a holy humble simple maiden girl of Nazareth in Galilee. God sent the angel Gabriel to announce to Mary that she was chosen to become the mother of God’s Son. Mary gave her free consent to participate in God’s plan, without fully understanding what that entailed. God the Holy Spirit provided the active male principle in the conception of Jesus, acting directly on the womb of holy Mary. St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, was part of God’s plan in order to protect Mary from any charge of fornication or adultery. Although Joseph was Mary’s spouse, they never engaged in conjugal relations. This also was part of God’s plan: that his Son be born of a Virgin, according to the ancient prophecies. Without Mary, we would not have Jesus. Without Jesus, we would not have salvation according to the eternal plan of God the Father. God could have provided for the salvation of mankind in a different and less-complicated manner; but God chose this particular plan. All this is a matter of faith. To those who believe, it is the most wonderful thing that God has done. To unbelievers, it seems mere fantasy and nonsense. We cannot understand many of God’s decisions and dealings with humanity. We simply have to accept them on faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (cf Hebrews 11:6). As Jesus told his Apostles on the Sunday evening, a week after his Resurrection from the dead: “Blest (happy) are they who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29)! The Catholic and Orthodox Church, established by Jesus, has always regarded Mary as our mother and patroness in heaven. Just as Jesus on earth paid attention to his mother (cf. John 2:3 and John 19:26-27), so in heaven Jesus, the Son of God, continues to respond favorably to her requests for her spiritual children, i.e. all those who are Jesus’ members by Baptism, and all who invoke her aid. Thus we regard Mary also as Mother of the Church.

Virgin Mary’s role in salvation

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-05-01 13:20:00

Question: I know each of you represents a different faith. Can you tell me, in accordance with your faith, how important is the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary towards one’s salvation?

Answer: Mary holds a very special place in all of Christianity being the vessel called into service by God to carry for 9 months and give birth to His child into history. The angel Gabriel proclaimed her such when he told her of her mission to bear the child. His first statement to her was to declare her, “highly favored” (Luke 1:28) that she was being given this incredible mission in Luke 1:31-33 to give birth to “the Son of the ‘Most High.’” Her attitude was that of gentle submission and humbleness. This of course stemmed not from her but the realization it is God’s grace bestowed upon her all her life. She heard it from Gabriel where he identifies to her the source of her mission comes from God who showed his favor (Luke 1:30). She was very aware of this when she says, “For He has regarded the humble estate of His bondslave.” (Luke 1:48) She also is a great example of what a disciple is supposed to be like. Her everyday faith is exemplified in her handling this incredible and unbelievable situation she has been given. In the midst of the announcement of these things scripture says she is “perplexed” and “pondering” in verse 29, “fearful” in 30, and asks a practical question of Gabriel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” in verse 34. But no matter her perplexity, confusion, fears and questions she moves forward in faith because she has ultimate trust in God and His word. What an example when she commits to God’s plan no matter what that meant for her when she says, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to Your word.” She obeyed no matter what! This faith is what carried her through watching her son unjustly crucified but as the will of God. However, Mary also holds a sacred place in history because of the virgin birth explained to her in Luke 1:35 and to Joseph in Matthew 1:20. This is history and critical to Christian doctrine that Jesus was fully divine and fully man. He was fully divine because his conception was not of man but of God and he was “born of a women,” making Him human. This was later highlighted in the early creeds of the church, (Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed), to make sure everyone was on the same page of his dual nature. These creeds were put together by the early church fathers in order to stave off the heresies of the Ebeonites (Jewish Christian sect who did not believe Jesus divine or of virgin birth in the 1st-4th centuries), Mariconites (believed Jesus was a phantom but not physical), Manichean’s (did not believe Jesus came in the flesh) and the Arians (250-356 who believed Jesus was not God but a kind of created angel). Her virgin birth counter acts all of these heretical views of Jesus that rob Him of either Divinity or humanity. She also is a tremendous example of being a virgin even though engaged, which meant having all the rights of marriage, except sexual relations. It would not be until the final ceremony that they would consummate the relationship as it says in Matthew 1:24b-25, “and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a son, and called His name Jesus.” Ironically, although pregnant out of wedlock, both her and Joseph stand as pillars of sexual purity. Mary, also gives us insight into the most important relationship every person needs with her Son. That she, like all of us need Him to be our Savior. Listen to Mary, after she finds out she is pregnant with Jesus, she sings with joy to her cousin Elizabeth and to the Lord, “My soul exalts in the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior (Luke 1:47-48). Notice she sings personally, “my savior.” Mary needed a savior because she was a sinner. As a child of the seed of the first Adam (1 Corinthians 15:22), she realized her need for God to save her through the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45) who is Jesus Christ. It is her Son Jesus we give our hearts to in faith as the Angel said to Joseph, “She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) May God visit us with His favor and follow Mary’s example by giving God the glory!

Virgin Mary’s role in salvation

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-05-01 13:20:00

Question: I know each of you represents a different faith. Can you tell me, in accordance with your faith, how important is the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary towards one’s salvation?

Answer: In the Presbyterian Church (USA), there is not a required belief with respect to Mary for salvation. We understand that our salvation is a gift of God through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. We do affirm the Apostles’ Creed which declares that Jesus was “conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.” We also believe that Mary was a human being and a sinner. She is recognized for her great faith, however, answering the Lord when he called her through the angel, “Here I am, a servant of the Lord. Let it me to me according to your word.”

Virgin Mary’s role in salvation

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-05-01 13:20:00

Question: I know each of you represents a different faith. Can you tell me, in accordance with your faith, how important is the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary towards one’s salvation?

Answer: Since the Bible says nothing about Mary’s role in our salvation, my response will be short! We are intrigued by the marvelously brave young girl who obeyed God’s instructions to her or her husband. How we wish we knew of her years as mother of the growing Jesus and his brothers and sisters. Her husband must have died before Jesus was 30 years old when He began his 3 year public ministry. She and other women traveled with Jesus and His disciples, cooking and supporting them as needed. The four Gospels tell a few times when she spoke up during His public work. In Matthew 12:46-50, someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are outside and want to speak to You.” Jesus answered, pointing to His disciples, “Here are My mother and My brothers.” She was present at the cross and was the last person to leave Him there as He sent her away in the care of His disciple, John. But she was not among the women who watched to see where He was quickly entombed, nor was she among those who came to the open grave on Easter morning, nor was she mentioned as one of the several persons He appeared to on that day. He appeared often during the next six weeks as He gave further instruction to His disciples, but she is not mentioned. When He returned to Jerusalem for His Ascension to Heaven, she was not present. She is mentioned for the last time in Acts 1:14 as being with her other sons at the ten-day prayer meeting in downtown Jerusalem with the about 120 other believers. Was she present on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon them? Probably! His brothers became leaders in the Church after this. The rest of the Bible tells of the development of the Church and its spreading the news of salvation throughout the Roman Empire. But God did not seem to see fit to give her any part in this. It remained for later generations to give Mary an important place in the Christian Church, its doctrine, our salvation and even in Heaven!

Are these Bible passages contradictory?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-04-01 12:10:00

Question: In several passages of the New Testament (e.g. Matthew 16:27 and Romans 2:6), it is stated that man is justified by his works, and they should shine like a light before men. Yet, in other passages (e.g. Ephesians 2:8), it is stated that salvation is through faith and grace, not by works. In the Gospel (Matthew 6) Jesus advises to keep our good works secret. Is the Bible contradictory in this regard?

Answer: No, this is not a contradiction. You are seeing the two sides of salvation discussed in different places in the Bible. Christian salvation is given freely by the sacrifice of Jesus and the love of God. It is not earned by our works so that God is obligated to give it. But the result of salvation is what Jesus called “new birth”, a change in the nature of the person who has accepted Christ as Lord and Master of his or her life. The good works are the result and the evidence of salvation. If a good life does not result from the experience of salvation, there is reason to doubt that salvation has occurred. What is this “new birth”, this “born again” that Jesus offers? It is change in the personality of the person: a sensitivity to sin, a desire for forgiveness, a love for others, a joy of the presence of God, honesty and humility. Paul’s’ writings often emphasize that our goodness cannot buy salvation, while James may emphasize that goodness is expected to accompany salvation. But these are not exclusive. Note what Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, it is a gift of God -not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” See that both aspects are present here. (Don’t stop after verse 9.) And Paul gave the warning in II Cor.13:6: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, or course, you fail the test?”

Are these Bible passages contradictory?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-04-01 12:10:00

Question: In several passages of the New Testament (e.g. Matthew 16:27 and Romans 2:6), it is stated that man is justified by his works, and they should shine like a light before men. Yet, in other passages (e.g. Ephesians 2:8), it is stated that salvation is through faith and grace, not by works. In the Gospel (Matthew 6) Jesus advises to keep our good works secret. Is the Bible contradictory in this regard?

Answer: Being the Word of God and inspired by the Holy Spirit of Truth, the Bible cannot contradict itself. However, it is possible for a reader to lift out of context any words or statements that might suit his/her agenda. We need to read and understand each part of the Bible in its proper context. The Church can help us in this matter. Martin Luther made a great mistake in attempting to read a contradiction in the above cited texts, and he set in opposition grace & faith vs good works. When he found that the Epistle of St. James (chapter 2) refuted his opinion, Luther who did not appreciate being contradicted in his opinions, threw that epistle out of the Bible, calling it an “epistle of straw.” Today most Christians, including the majority of Lutherans, recognize that epistle as part of the original authentic New Testament, realizing that Luther often acted from strong emotions, using intemperate speech. In his epistle St. James writes: “My brother, what good is it to profess faith without practicing it? Such faith has no power to save one, has it? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food for the day, and you say to them: ‘Good-bye and good luck! Keep warm and well fed.’ But do not meet their bodily needs, what good is that? So it is with the faith that does nothing in practice. It is dead. To such a person one might say: ‘You have faith and I have works – is that it?’ Show me your faith without works, and I will show you the faith that underlies my works! You must perceive that a person is justified by his works and not by faith alone... Be assured that faith without works is as dead as a body without breath” (James 2:14-18, 24, 26). Now I address each of the specifics in the question. Matthew 16:27 says: “When the Son of Man comes, he will repay each man according to his works.” Here the term “works” means: human actions undertaken in a spirit of faith, or without faith. Most good human works are inspired, at least implicitly, by some kind of faith. Most sinful actions are done in ignorance or neglect or defiance of faith. And so each person will be repaid “according to his works.” In Romans 2:6-9, the Apostle says: “When the just judgment of God will be revealed, he will repay every man for what he has done: eternal life for those who strive for glory and honor and immortality by patiently doing right, wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and follow wickedness. Yes, affliction and anguish will come upon every man who has done evil.” It is clear that “those who strive for glory and honor and immortality” are living by faith, while those who do evil are ignoring faith, which comes from God. Those latter just don’t care.. Ephesians 2:8 states that “it is owing to God’s grace that salvation is yours through faith. It is not your own doing, it is God’s gift.” But this gift presupposes active faith, as St. James has described above. The advice of Jesus in Matthew 6 warns against doing good works in order to be seen and admired by others (like hypocrites), rather than striving through faith to please God. Jesus says that the hypocrites have already received their reward, namely human admiration and praise or publicity, just as they desired. Jesus (God) wishes us to perform good works in view of pleasing him, without regard to human opinion. If someone observes our good works, without our intending such observation, then we have furnished them good example and also pleased God. Here the motivation for such good works comes from faith in God and faith-inspired concern for helping our neighbor. There is no contradiction between true faith and authentic good works! Each presupposes the other, inspires, and guides the other. Luther was wrong when he rejected good works in favor of strong faith. In a passionate sermon, Dr. Luther said: “Sin strongly, but believe even stronger.” In that same speech, Luther mentions that his bowels have not been able to function for several days. Perhaps that physical necessity prompted his exaggerated words. Luther was a brilliant theologian, but also a master of contradictions. When Luther urged the peasants of Germany to revolt against their masters, he told them to forget their faith and pursue the good works of killing their overlords in the name of Christian freedom. Shortly thereafter, seeing the anarchy he had caused, Luther urged the lords of Germany to put down the revolt without regard for the Christian faith of the peasants. Luther’s life demonstrates numerous examples of contradictions, not only regarding faith and good works, but also between good and evil.

Are these Bible passages contradictory?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-04-01 12:10:00

Question: In several passages of the New Testament (e.g. Matthew 16:27 and Romans 2:6), it is stated that man is justified by his works, and they should shine like a light before men. Yet, in other passages (e.g. Ephesians 2:8), it is stated that salvation is through faith and grace, not by works. In the Gospel (Matthew 6) Jesus advises to keep our good works secret. Is the Bible contradictory in this regard?

Answer: Reading scripture is a wonderful and enriching experience but it needs to be done in two stages. In order to get the abundance of life that God wants us to get and experience, we have to try to understand it in the context it was given. Then apply it to our situation. The first verse in Matthew 5:16 is in the context of what is familiarly called, “The Sermon on the Mount.” In verses 1 & 2, Jesus retreats from the crowds and pulls His disciples aside, maybe 12 or more, and takes the teaching position of a Rabbi or “teacher.” He teaches then in verses 3-12 what a Christ centered character looks like and then he goes on to use two metaphors of what Christian influence looks like. The first is salt which was a preserver, purifier, cleanser and seasoning. The second was light that chases away the darkness, exposes what is done in darkness and radiates with the inner joy that Christ can bring in all circumstances and not the superficial happiness that comes with favorable circumstances. Verse 16 speaks to the already justified and what our influence looks like. Our second passage in Matthew 16:27 is in the context of telling the disciples the game plan of His crucifixion and resurrection and Peter’s rebuke of the Lord {22}. This was followed by our Lord’s rebuke of Peter {23}. Then Jesus gives His disciples a lesson of the cost of discipleship. It is denying and losing oneself in Christ; we gain everything. As the believer sows by faith, they gain rewards for the works they have sown in faith. A helpful litmus of a “genuine faith” are the actions and works a person does. But it gains no salvation. It is an indicator that the faith is there but some can do good to try to impress God of their goodness but if they do not trust in Him, their works are useless in eternity and saying we don’t rely on Christ. They are trying by good works rather than giving the good works they do as a thank you to God for what He has already done. They may help others and do kind acts but it does not get them into heaven. There is a common grace of goodness all men have because it makes sense. Take for instance the unbeliever who puts up traffic lights. This is good so we don’t kill each other but that person is not a believer in Christ. It will get him no standing with God because he rejected God’s Son. Our third passage in Romans 2:6 was written with the context of Roman Christians where Paul is explaining God’s plan of salvation. In the first section of chapters 1-3 he explains man’s fallenness and how “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” {Romans 3:23} In chapter one he speaks about the depravity of the gentiles and pagans. In chapter 2 he speaks about the Jews who had the law but did not live up to its standard of perfection. They need to have their hearts “circumcised.” {2:29} God sees all the good works they do and sees through them. Their good works come from flawed sinful hearts that do them for many different reasons and motivations. They will get all they deserve because in verse 8 he says it is “self seeking,” “truth rejecting,” and “follow evil.” In 6:23a “the wages of sin is death.” The person who perfectly and persistently does good, seeks God’s glory in it and does it eternally well will have eternal life. {8} Who can live up to that? He concludes the section saying both Gentiles and Jews, are flawed sinners. “There is no one righteous, no not one.” {3:10} “There is no one who does good, not even one” {3:12} That is why the second part of 6:23b is so important for everyone, “But the free gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” That is why what he says to the Ephesians, in 2:8 is critical. Here he speaks to the Ephesians and explains that salvation is a work of God’s grace. Not our work. We are dead in our sin to God {2:1}and it is by His grace and mercy that He calls us and saves us. He regenerates our rebellious hearts to receive this marvelous gift. Our good works do not justify us but they give evidence {1 Peter 1:7} that we are already justified and circumcised in our hearts. That is why a Christian who does not evidence good works and obedience to Jesus needs to wonder if they truly love Jesus.

Are these Bible passages contradictory?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-04-01 12:10:00

Question: In several passages of the New Testament (e.g. Matthew 16:27 and Romans 2:6), it is stated that man is justified by his works, and they should shine like a light before men. Yet, in other passages (e.g. Ephesians 2:8), it is stated that salvation is through faith and grace, not by works. In the Gospel (Matthew 6) Jesus advises to keep our good works secret. Is the Bible contradictory in this regard?

Answer: The Bible is not contradictory with regard to faith and works. We are saved by grace through faith. Our salvation is totally God’s work and God’s initiative. Various passages in the Bible emphasize works, however. Each passage must be read in its context. Some emphasize works to indicate that true faith bears itself out in good works; by one’s fruits you will know. Other passages emphasize works to show that they are the natural and right response to God’s gift of faith. Still other passages emphasize that we are to witness to God through good works. Those passages which seem to diminish works also must be read in their contexts. Usually, if they seem to diminish works, they do so to say that works are to be done humbly, not for show. Or, they may be saying that works should not be done in a way that makes them “empty”; they should be done out of love and gratitude.

Questions about baptism

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-04-01 11:22:00

Question: Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? If a person, who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? If one is not sure whether he/she was baptized, should he/she be baptized again?

Answer: Your questions about baptism are common. Let me address them one at a time. First, in the Presbyterian Church (USA), we believe that one does not need to be baptized to be saved. In itself, baptism is not the saving act. God’s gift of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection are the saving act. Baptism is a sign and symbol of this act, and “a visible sign of God’s invisible grace,” as it has been called. Second, in the Presbyterian Church (USA), one needs only to be baptized once in a Christian church in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe there is one baptism, no matter the mode. We do not re-baptize persons. Third, again, in the Presbyterian Church (USA), we do not re-baptize. We do have a rite for those who want to renew their baptisms called a renewal of baptism. This can be used for those who have been estranged from the church, for a congregation, to mark an occasion of growth in faith, and in pastoral counseling. In a situation where one was not sure whether he or she was baptized, I would want to know more about the facts of that case before making a decision, and I would need to consult with the session of my church and my presbytery.

Questions about baptism

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-04-01 11:22:00

Question: Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? If a person, who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? If one is not sure whether he/she was baptized, should he/she be baptized again?

Answer: The answers to these three questions are clearly answered in the New Testament. (1) Must one be baptized to be saved? There was one example of one who was never baptized, but was assured by Jesus that he would be in heaven: the thief on the cross beside Jesus. This is not to encourage people to fail to be baptized, but does erase it as a requirement for salvation. (2) Can one be baptized more than once? Certainly one can be...but there is no need or value in doing so. Since this is an obedience to Jesus command to show one’s subjection to Jesus, it needs to be done publicly once. People generally understand that one is a Christian if he/she has decided to be baptized and has done so. This is particularly true in lands which have another dominant religion. (3) Since baptism is an act of obedience of one who has accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, a valid baptism was done after that person made the decision to become a follower of Jesus. If it was done before that time, it probably should be repeated. In Acts 8:36-38, the Ethiopian asks Philip, “Shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he is told that he may “if you have believed with all your heart.” All examples in the Bible are baptized after they have chosen to believe in Christ as Savior and Lord. Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized...” Rom. 6:4 “We were buried with Him through baptism....in order that ...we may have a new life.” Baptism becomes a picture of burial and resurrection in water, just as Christ experienced it in the earth.

Questions about baptism

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-04-01 11:22:00

Question: Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? If a person, who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? If one is not sure whether he/she was baptized, should he/she be baptized again?

Answer: The Lord Jesus himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation: “I say to you that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is reborn of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). Jesus also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them: “Go throughout the whole world and preach the Gospel to all mankind. Whoever believes and is baptized, will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed, and who have the possibility of asking for this Sacrament. The Church takes very seriously this injunction of her Lord, and endeavors to provide that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has tied salvation to Baptism, but He Himself is not bound by His Sacraments. This truth affords hope of salvation for good persons not formally baptized. The Church has always been convinced that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith or of morality (authentic martyrs), without having received Baptism, are baptized by their death in union with Christ. This “Baptism of blood,” assumes the desire for Baptism and achieves the effects of Baptism. Likewise, those persons who are preparing for Baptism but die before receiving the Sacrament: are considered to have received “Baptism of desire,” through their explicit desire to receive it, and are repentant for their sins. These alternate forms of Baptism assure those persons the salvation that they were not able to receive through “Baptism by water.” Also, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Every person, who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the Will of God insofar as he/she understands it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired baptism explicitly, if they had known its necessity.” Baptism is so necessary that, in a situation of emergency, anyone (even a non-Christian) can perform the simple ceremony of baptizing with water and pronouncing the words: “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This presupposes a real act of faith and desire on the part of the person being baptized. In the case of infants, that faith and desire is supplied by the parent or guardian or by the Church herself. Since a real Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual seal, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship, Baptism cannot be repeated! Thus, when a baptized Christian changes to another Christian church, ordinarily s/he is not re-baptized, but recites a profession of faith. This presupposes the baptized person already has accepted the authentic Christian faith, as summarized in the Apostles’ Creed. If there is any doubt about the validity of the former baptism, or a person is not sure whether s/he has actually been baptized, then the person is baptized conditionally, by the baptizer saying: “If you have not been baptized, then I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” while pouring water on the person being baptized. In Orthodox Churches the correct formula is: “The servant of God, N. (name of person being baptized ), is baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” If a person has been baptized in the Mormon religion, the Unitarians, Witnesses of Jehovah, Christian Scientists, or in any religion, which denies the Holy Trinity or any doctrine of the traditional Christian faith, then that baptism is considered invalid. An invalid baptism does not join the person to Jesus in his death and resurrection. Regardless of what such a group may call themselves, e.g. “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” or “Reorganized Church of God,” etc., their baptism is not valid. Likewise, when the person who baptizes changes the words of the baptismal formula, to accommodate popular language, e.g. “I baptize you in the Name of the Creator and of the Redeemer and of the Sanctifier,” such an abuse of hallowed language probably makes the attempted baptism invalid. Those persons, who have been baptized with such a formula, ought to have themselves re-baptized by a person, who respects the Church’s tradition and rules.

Questions about baptism

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-04-01 11:22:00

Question: Must a person be baptized in order to be saved? If a person, who is already baptized in a Christian church, changes to another church, is it necessary for him/her to be re-baptized? If one is not sure whether he/she was baptized, should he/she be baptized again?

Answer: According to scripture, salvation is by grace alone through faith and it is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). Peter makes the declaration of salvations equation to the jailor in Philippi, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31). Jesus in His marvelous declaration in John 3:16 said, “…whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Baptism is a symbol, an important one at that, of the inward work God does. Like the engagement ring (a symbol) I gave my wife pledging my love to her that was already inside, ring or no ring, in the same way it is with the sign of baptism, the symbol of what is already within. The ring is not necessary but it is an outward sign of a marvelous promise and pledge of love as is baptism. Not necessary for salvation, but what a tremendous affirmation of God’s love. Now to some churches and denominations, their church’s instituted baptism is the only one they accept so they require a person who wants to join that body to be baptized with their baptism. Now I appreciate their desire to have it done properly, decently and with reverence to the Lord, but I wonder in God’s eyes if there is a difference. Is it like the problem that John had in Mark 9:38-41. A person did miracles in Jesus’ name and He told Jesus to stop him {38}“because he wasn’t a follower like us.” Jesus response was, {39}“Don’t stop him…” {40} “….For whoever is not against us is for us” I imagine a person can get baptized again, but as far as its necessity in God’s eyes, I don’t believe it is necessary. But in reality, one could make it as a renewal or reaffirmation of what is in their heart and already been done. When it is done in Jesus Christ, is it not the “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” of Ephesians 4:5? Do we as humans sometimes split hairs and cause disunity rather than the unity Paul fought to preserve in verse 3 and our Lord prayed for in John 17:21. In heaven we will all be surprised at the lack of denominational and racial segregation that is now present in the church. Will we all just drop down before the same Christ with the 4 living creatures, the 24 elders, angels and living creatures singing and proclaiming His worthiness {Revelation 4:7 thru 5:13}? If one is unsure they have been baptized, why not. It can be a great affirmation to the person and the congregation of God’s work in the heart of the individual. It is also a great witness to loved ones who are not saved of God’s work in the life of that believer. It can be a great tool to witness of that believer’s death, burial and resurrection to new life in Christ {Romans 6: 4-14}. That the life of Christ is evident in the way they live {Galatians 2:20}.

Destruction of the world or the temple?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-03-01 09:38:00

Question: Luke 21: 5-19 talks about the destruction of the temple and the persecution that will take place. How do we know that our Lord wasn’t talking about what happened in 70 A. D. instead of the end of the world? (all answer the same question).

Answer: This is a very powerful passage that has been disputed by scholars for years. The questions that are asked by the disciples are three: When would the temple be destroyed? What would be the sign of His coming? What would be the signs of the end of the age? They all were asked by the disciples who thought they were simultaneous events. That is why some serious commentators have held the belief that this was a message for Jews and was locked into the age in which Jesus lived and was mostly fulfilled in 70 AD. This school of thought called Amillennialist, feel that His prophecy of the temple and the rest was for His present age and His immediate future especially pointing to verse 32. They also regulate some of His prophet language as not literal but allegorical. Others have taken it in a split up form in which Jesus was foretelling the temple being destroyed in 70 AD and the rest as still to come at the end of the age. Premillionals and postmillenials have more of this type of point of view. Others view that prophecy has its own nature. When one foretells, it not only tells of the present but also can have meaning in the distant future to another generation. In my own reading of the passage I find that Jesus of course is definitely speaking to His present future with the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. No doubt about it. But I find some of the cataclysmic events that He fore tells, are hard to say they are allegorical or have already taken place. There is too much in the passage with earthquakes, plagues and famines and the like to relegate it to allegory (v10,26). However, one recognizes that the church is not spoken about. Only the Jews are mentioned. It is complicated and challenging especially to our generation who want time lines, maps and graphics with specifics. But Jesus doesn’t give us that, instead, he wants us to live by faith and trust in our Lord not only as to the matter of timing, but also what and how it will all take place. It is interesting that it all seems to weave together. I think He does this purposefully. A key to this passage is not for us to depend on these things, especially like the Jews, who thought the temple was a symbol of privilege and special blessing. Jesus wanted them to get the message, it wasn’t going to last and only their relationship with God through the Messiah would mean anything. He draws attention to this in verse 1-4 of this passage. The key to it all is what are we depending? Is it outward signs of religious life and activity or an inward experience of God in our lives? Then notice Jesus’ emphasis in the parable connected to it (21:29ff) was to recognize the signs of its nearness. That we are to be on our guard (34), on the alert (36), ready for His return whether today or tomorrow, making a difference everyday and ready for even possible harsh times (36). This is the way we as Christians should live everyday, expecting His return possibly today, being and doing the will of God in our lives.

Destruction of the world or the temple?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-03-01 09:38:00

Question: Luke 21: 5-19 talks about the destruction of the temple and the persecution that will take place. How do we know that our Lord wasn’t talking about what happened in 70 A. D. instead of the end of the world? (all answer the same question).

Answer: I understand that Jesus, in Luke 21:5-19, is speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D. He continues this in verses 20-24. In verses 25-28, however, Jesus goes on to speak of his second coming; this is where he talks about what you refer to as “the end of the world.” The destruction of Jerusalem is a separate event from his second coming; there will be time in between the two events. Further, the second coming and what happens then will be a far greater event than Jerusalem’s demise. However, the two events share that both have elements of judgment and deliverance, and in both events, believers are called to be strong and faithful. May the Lord give our leaders and this nation the wisdom to follow God’s leading in world affairs and especially in the middle east.

Destruction of the world or the temple?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-03-01 09:38:00

Question: Luke 21: 5-19 talks about the destruction of the temple and the persecution that will take place. How do we know that our Lord wasn’t talking about what happened in 70 A. D. instead of the end of the world? (all answer the same question).

Answer: Several of Jesus’ predictions, like many of those in the Old Testament before Him, join short-term and long-term prophecies. (cf. Daniel 7 & 8, for example). But in this case, the questioner inadvertently, asked two questions. Jesus had just told of the destruction of the temple which would happen within the lifetime of some of the hearers. The questioner asked: (1) “When will these things happen?” And then (2) “What will be the sign that they are about to take place?” When Matthew records this conversation, he says that the second question was, “what will be the sign OF YOUR COMING and of the end of the age?” The answers Jesus gives in Luke and Matthew are almost exactly the same, which makes us wonder if the Luke question is correctly recorded. Jesus answers the second question first: He tells about a much later time (some still future to us). We recognize much of this as having taken...or now taking...place. These are vss. 8-19. Then her first question regarding the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem are detailed in vss. 20-24. It ends with the times following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jews scattered “to all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Many believe that this was fulfilled in 1948 when the nation of Israel was formed by the United Nations and the Jews given the right to return. Vss. 25-28 then moves on ahead to a time still future to us. In vs 29 He gives a parable for the use of the listening crowd and recorded as for Jesus’ followers for all times. What about vs.32? “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” If generation is one lifetime (less than 75 years), it was not true. But the word generation also was used to mean a nationality, especially if it was the offspring of a single person. In this case, it predicts the remarkable existence of the Jewish nation.

Destruction of the world or the temple?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-03-01 09:38:00

Question: Luke 21: 5-19 talks about the destruction of the temple and the persecution that will take place. How do we know that our Lord wasn’t talking about what happened in 70 A. D. instead of the end of the world? (all answer the same question).

Answer: Through the centuries scholars have discussed about when each of the books of the Bible were written. It is impossible to fix an exact date. However, through careful study of the language and ideas current at various times, it is possible to fix an approximate date for the composition of books. Most scholars are agreed that St. Luke wrote his Gospel and followed it with the Acts of Apostles approximately around the year 75 A.D. Jerusalem fell to the Roman army in the year 70 A.D. In the verses cited above St. Luke recalls that Jesus had predicted the fall and destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and he includes Jesus’ warnings about the end of the world. In this chapter our Lord is talking about both events. The Jewish people thought their capital city would become the capital of the world and would last forever. Therefore those who heard Jesus speaking, assumed his predictions about the approximate destruction of Jerusalem would coincide with the end of the world. Many peoples, who have witnessed great cataclysms have thought the end of the world has arrived, e.g. the residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki who experienced the atom bombs at the end of World War II, and those persons who experienced the tsunamis & earthquakes in Oceania and the Indian Ocean, all the way from New Guinea to the east coast of Africa, three years ago on the days after Christmas. Right around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem St. Luke included some of the things he had seen or heard of that terrible event, recalling that Jesus had foretold them. The day will come when not a single stone here will be left on another, but it will all be torn down (verse 6). Like his master, St. Paul, Luke thought the end of the world could not be far off. So he included some predicted signs of that coming event. Many of these signs occur in every generation and in various places throughout the world. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes, plagues and famines in various places, and in the sky fearful omens and great signs. . You will be betrayed even by your parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death . .because of me (verses 11 and 16). Such happenings are reported in our daily newspapers. As Jesus did not assign a specific date for either the fall of Jerusalem or the end of the world, it is understandable that St. Luke was confused about those events. The gospel verses following that passage cited in the question go on to spell out some details particular to the situation in Jerusalem when Luke was writing. When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its devastation is near. Those in Judea at that time must run away to the mountains (verses 20-21). [The Christian community remembered those words of Jesus, and left Jerusalem before it was destroyed.] Some people will be killed by the sword; and others will be led captive in the midst of the Gentiles. Jerusalem will be trampled by the gentiles (verse 24).Other verses in this chapter 21 clearly refer to the final times of this world. Before the end of the world there would appear many false claimants to be the Christ, and great upheavals take place. Many will come in my Name saying, I am He and The time is at hand. Do not follow them! Neither must you be perturbed when you hear of wars and insurrections. These things are bound to happen first, but the end does not follow immediately (verses 8-9). How many false prophets and various sects have risen in our own times, and have predicted the end of the world as imminent? I recall Jim Jones leading his followers to death by drinking cyanide in Guyana, and the followers of David Koresh at Waco, Texas, and the Moonies and Scientologists, and Amy Semple McPherson’s church of the Foursquare Gospel, and the early Witnesses of Jehovah: all these and others promised and expected the end of the world in their lifetime. There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish, distraught at the roaring of the sea and the raging tides (verse 25). Recent issues of the National Geographic Magazine testify to such current happenings. The passage cited in the question states that Jesus clearly foresaw and foretold the terrible persecutions his people would have to suffer for his sake in the days to come. Every century, has witnessed the sufferings of Jesus members in various places. Even now in the province of Darfur in the Sudan, Christians are suffering terribly at the hands of the government in Khartoum: only because they refuse to abandon Jesus for Mahomet. This gospel passage will become much more intelligible: if we remember that it contains not one consistent idea, but several allied thoughts and images.

Israel and Judaism: Is it a biblical thing?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-02-01 10:12:00

We have a relationship with Israel, whereby whatever (to a point) they get involved in, the U.S.A. government backs them. Is it a biblical thing?

This is a very delicate question. My response will not please everyone, as I am not seeking to be politically correct. Perhaps in a future article I can present the problems of the displaced peoples of Palestine. First of all, we must distinguish clearly between the state of Israel and the Jewish religion. Judaism is not co-extensive with Zionism. Judaism is the religion and culture, handed down from the patriarch Abraham and Moses and the prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible, and the Talmud and other ancient Jewish testimonies. Israel is the proper name of the patriarch Jacob, who sons and grandsons gave their names to the twelve tribes of ancient Israel, the land bordered on the west by the Mediterranean Sea, on the North by Lebanon and Syria, on the east by the Jordanian desert and the Dead Sea, and on the south by Egypt and the Negev desert. That Israel was formed into a kingdom by King David a thousand years before Christ. That state of Israel was destroyed by the Roman army under Titus in the years 69-70, when the conquered Jewish people were exiled from their homeland and dispersed around the world. Their homeland was occupied by native Palestinians, Arab nomads, and settlers from various countries, especially during the Crusades. Within a hundred years after the foundation of Islam by Mohamed, Palestine was dominated by Moslems, first by Saracens and later by Turks. For nineteen centuries the Jewish people dreamed of returning to their homeland, encouraged by the writings of their ancient prophets, but also by their sages, e.g. Moses Maimonides, one of the great philosophers and codifiers of Law in the Middle Ages. Through the centuries most Jewish families prayed every night and every Passover: “Next year in Jerusalem!” Sometimes Jews were prohibited from coming to Palestine, which was and is commonly called “the Holy Land.” After World War I, which Turkey lost, the Holy Land was entrusted by mandate of the League of Nations to Great Britain. The British allowed a trickle of Jewish immigrants to settle in their ancient territory. Gradually, this trickle became a stream: so that, within a few years there were many Jewish settlers in that land. In Europe there formed a movement called “Zionism,” which worked for and encouraged the return of Jews to Palestine. Persecution of Jews in several countries of Europe forced many Jews to emigrate to the Americas and Africa and, of course, to Palestine. After World War II, the British retired from their mandated territory, and there was a brief power-vacuum, in which several groups struggled to gain power. In May 1948 the Jews in the Holy Land seized the opportunity to establish their own sovereign country, which they called Israel. The U.S.A., under President Truman, was the first of the countries of the world to recognize this new nation. The Arab countries, bordering Israel, undertook a war against the new nation, which war was won by the military forces of Israel aided by the U.S.A. and Great Britain. This return of Jews to their ancient homeland necessarily involved the dispossession of many Arabs and non-Jews, who had been living in the Holy Land peacefully for some nineteen centuries. The Arabs have always been hospitable to strangers and visitors and exiles and welcomed Jews - until the Jewish settlers took control of all Palestine. The now-dominant Israelis occupied the homes and buildings abandoned by Palestinians, who felt their former hospitality had been betrayed. Many Palestinians became refugees in neighboring countries, and some have settled in the Americas and Australia and Africa. The Israelis have transformed that country, formerly known as Palestine, into a modern state patterned somewhat on America. The Jewish citizens of America and Great Britain exercised great pressure on the leaders of those countries to recognize and aid their relatives in the new state of Israel. In New York City there are more Jews than in the whole country of Israel. And those American citizens and their friends do vote. American and British politicians watch carefully for the Jewish vote, just as they are interested in the Catholic vote. Thus, our country’s backing of Israel in most undertakings is more a political matter than religious. However, Jewish culture and life is based on their ancient religion. Thus indirectly there is a religious influence in that backing. Israel is a secular state, in which religious freedom is guaranteed to all citizens and visitors. Secondly, we should understand that the Jewish religion, while looking at and remembering their ancient homeland, does not require that all Jews support the state of Israel. In fact, many Jews, even some of those living in Israel, do not support or back the government of that small state in the Middle East. The majority of Jews in Israel and around the world are not particularly religious, except on their high holydays. But they support and defend their fellow-Jews who are religious. Thirdly, the Catholic Church holds in great esteem the Jewish religion, and the Vatican state has diplomatic relations with the state of Israel. To understand the Church’s relationship with Judaism it is necessary to read in the New Testament: St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans, chapters 9 and 10 and 11. The Church recognizes that the Jewish people were chosen by God to be his special people. God made with them the first or Old Covenant and gave them his Law through Moses. The Church realizes that she was born from Judaism, as the fulfillment of that ancient religion, and that her roots are thoroughly Jewish. The Church’s founder, Jesus and all his Apostles and early disciples were Jewish. Thus the relationship of the Church to Judaism is indeed “a religious thing.” But the relationship of the Church to modern Israel is a political thing.

Israel and Judaism: Is it a biblical thing?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-02-01 10:12:00

We have a relationship with Israel, whereby whatever (to a point) they get involved in, the U.S.A. government backs them. Is it a biblical thing?

Answer: There are several view points among Christians on the backing of Israel in everything they get involved with right or wrong. Some feel we should do so because they are God’s Chosen People as a nation since the original call of God in Genesis 12:1-5; 17:1-2. They are blessed to be a blessing to the whole earth. Israel has a special privilege that God may show the Glory of His saving grace by taking the weakest among the nations to become the strongest as found in Isaiah 65:22. Anyone who stands with her will be blessed and those who curse her will fall (Genesis 12:3). Others think, yes, even though she is God’s chosen vessel, when Israel is wrong, she needs to be made aware and stood against. We see God doing this Himself all throughout the Old Testament times and punishing her waywardness. (Number 14:22; Jeremiah 25:8ff). Still others feel that the true “Israel” is no longer the nation of Israel, but it is now the church. The true Jew is the one who is circumcised of the heart (Romans 2:29). Jesus seems to infer that the new true Israel of Abraham will be from all the nations (Matthew 21:33-22:10). Paul affirms that in Philippians 3:2-3 and the New Testament church saw themselves as heirs of Israel’s position as God’s people (1 Peter 2:9-10). The way I perceive it in the scriptures, is that we are to stand with God’s Chosen, Israel when she is right and let her know it when she is wrong. That is God’s way. That also for a period, God has cast off Israel as seen in Matthew 21:33-44 which actually is driven by what Isaiah said in Isaiah 5:1-7. Paul resonates this and weaves this mystery together in showing that the bulk of contemporary Israel has forfeited their place in the true Israel, but God has not cast her off forever since it would make Him unfaithful to Himself (Romans 11:29). Rather, Israel is experiencing a temporary condition so that we Gentiles (how very grateful we should be) can experience salvation (Romans 11:25) and that in the end “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26) May the Lord give our leaders and this nation the wisdom to follow God’s leading in world affairs and especially in the middle east.

Fallen angels

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2008-01-01 14:23:00

What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?

The Bible does indeed speak about angels, but, fortunately or unfortunately, there is not simply one section of scripture that cohesively and exhaustively explains all about angels; rather, there are many references to angels throughout scripture. Further, as Susan Garrett (Professor of New Testament at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary) has written, “Biblical authors depict angels in a remarkable wide variety of ways,” and this diversity “makes it hard to generalize about ‘the Biblical view of angels.’” Presbyterians do not thus worry too much about this issue; this is consistent with our Reformed heritage. Garrett notes that our Presbyterian forebear John Calvin admonished Biblical “readers not to concern themselves with details about the creation, nature and functioning of angels that Scripture has not given us to know.” Presbyterians do believe generally, however, based on what the Bible says, that angels are spiritual beings who are messengers of God, and they are subordinate to God and different from human beings. Angels were created by God before humanity. Angels did have free will, and there was a time when a group of angels, led by Lucifer, chose to sin by rebelling against God and thus were driven from heaven. The Westminster Catechism in our Book of Confessions speaks to this in “Question 19,” and, with regard to your specific question, it cites the Biblical verses Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4. It might be interesting for you to take a Biblical concordance and look up the word “angel.” See how many citations you find! Then take the time, slowly, to look up all of those passages and see what you find out about angels.

Fallen angels

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-01-01 14:23:00

What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?

Only from divine revelation can we know anything about God and his creatures before the creation of man. In the last book of the Bible: Revelation (chapter 12, verses 7-9), St. John informs us that: War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he was hurled down to earth and his minions with him. Revelation, as such, is outside the order of time. Therefore it seems appropriate that God reserved this information to the final book of the Bible: to explain the eternal conflict between the forces of good and evil, which is a major theme of the whole Bible. Earlier, St. Peter had written in his second epistle, warning about false prophets: In times past there were false prophets among God’s people, and among you also false teachers will appear. They will introduce pernicious untrue doctrines, and will deny the Master who redeemed them, and so they will bring upon themselves sudden disaster. Even so, many will follow their immoral ways. . . . Their condemnation has not lain idle all this time. . . God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them into hell, where they are kept chained in darkness, waiting for the Day of Judgment (2 Peter 2:2-4). The Apostle then goes on to describe some of the evils perpetrated by unprincipled men, and the appropriate punishments they have received or are awaiting them. That text certainly describes the fate of the fallen angels. Some Fathers of the Church (e.g. Origen and St. Augustine) considered a sentence in the first chapter of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, as referring to this conflict between the angels (Gen 1:4): God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. Here the light represents the good angels, while the darkness refers to the bad angels. St. Peter mentioned the angels who sinned. This sin consists in the free choice of those created spirits, who radically and irrevocably rejected God and his reign. The Church’s tradition holds that this rejection was the sin of pride. The angels are pure spirits, and each angel is specifically different from every other angel. Their difference is as great as the difference of man from brute animal, and the brute animal is different from a plant, and a plant is different from a mineral. Mankind embraces each of these latter differences, being composed of spirit and matter. Possessing a nature superior to mankind, each angelic spirit is more brilliant and more intelligent that all of mankind. Before he created human beings, God confided to the angels his plan for the creation of mankind and this universe. He also indicated that, in the course of time, his own Son would take on human nature in the Incarnation. Some of the angels, led by Lucifer, felt insulted by this plan of God: that God would have his own Son become a man, assuming a nature lower than their own nature. And so they exercised their free will in rebellion against God, saying: I will not serve (a man)! Those angels sinned by this rejection of God’s plan and were case out of heaven, becoming the devils. Their choice against God is definitive. They try to associate man in their revolt against God (cf Catholic Catechism, Para. 414). God permitted such painful upheavals as the angels fall and man’s sin: only as occasions and means for displaying his power and beauty, and the whole measure of the love he wanted to give the world (cf Catholic Catechism, Para. 760).

Fallen angels

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2008-01-01 14:23:00

What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?

Answer: There has been some debate over the two prominent passages in the Old Testament that point to his pre-creation fall. The passages can be seen to fit well in their historical context of the kings of which the prophets wrote. However, in these passages, they reach beyond any earthly king ability and give us insight into Satan’s past with God. We learn too, that prophecy from God is a powerful and more far reaching tool that has a way a speaking in the present, past and future terms at the same time. In Ezekiel 28:12-19, he is called the ‘prince of Tyrus,” which some have said is the earthly king of Tyre. However, we see the title is figurative for someone who is greater than any king could be or become. The references speak of his perfection and sinless of which angels are and speak of him becoming sinful. The pride of his beauty and perfection corrupted his knowledge with a passion for more glory and splendor for himself. Here in lies the ingredients of his and many angels and humans demise. The passage in Isaiah 14:12-15 shows us the natural outcome of his thinking. His pride, as the “first and brightest star,” brought him to believe that his assignment on the earth from God was to insignificant for an angel of his stature. We see in the passage he exalts himself with five “I will” statements and sets himself against the will of God by whatever means and ways he can. In Isaiah and Ezekiel, as the “prince of this world” one of Jesus’ titles for him (John 14:30), he attaches himself to leading political powers and cultures throughout the world, as he does even to this day and will until the end of time. But also in the lives of individuals like our parents, Adam and Eve, he tempts and seducing people into thinking they can make a better plan for their lives with out God’s impute or even without God. However, he is a defeated enemy (Colossians 3:15). The power of Christ is greater in you than his in the world (1 John 4:4). He can only do what God allows him to do (Job 1:9-12) and he can’t force you to do anything but he can tempt. God even gives us a protective shield of limitation on how much and to what extent Satan can tempt us (1 Cor 10:13). Finally, this adversary is the first big loser because his judgment is for sure (Rev 20:10).

Fallen angels

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2008-01-01 14:23:00

Question: What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?

Answer: From the beginning, angels were part of the divine hierarchy. They were created beings (Ps.148:2,5) and were exuberant witnesses when God brought the world into being (Job 38:7). By nature, they were spiritual entities and not subject to the limitations of human flesh. But angels could behave foolishly (Job. 4:18). Probably these quantities led to the “fall” of some angels, including Satan. See (Jude 6)....and especially Isaiah 14:12-15: “How you (Lucifer) have fallen from Heaven, O Morning Star, Son of the Dawn. You have been cast down to the earth....you said in your heart, “I will ascend to Heaven, I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the grave; to the depths of the pit”! Rev.12:7 speaks of “the Dragon and his angels”. We must assume that there is a real kingdom of evil, in grotesque caricature of the angelic kingdom. These and their leader have been defeated at the cross (Col.2:15) and will finally be condemned (Matt.25:41). Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years; now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

At the end of time...what happens to the soul?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2008-01-01 11:17:00

Many believe that at the end of time the body will be resurrected and rejoin the soul for all eternity. If this is so, and the soul has no physical presence by itself, wont heaven be a pretty lonely place until the end of the world happens? I mean the only ones there right now with a soul and body are God, and some believe the Blessed Virgin Mary, Enoch and Elijah.

This question is as confusing as many of us are confused, particularly when dealing with life after death, about which we have only sparse information from Jesus, who was in a position to know the facts, and from the disciples He taught. Evidently, you believe the Apostles’ Creed, which concludes: “I believe in . . . the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.” It is true that, at the end of time, our bodies will be resurrected and rejoin their proper souls for all eternity. And it is true that the soul, being spiritual but real, has no physical presence by itself. But, by God’s arrangement, the individual souls of those who have lived on earth are able to communicate by their intellect and will, and interact with their companions in heaven or purgatory or hell. There is no communication between the souls in heaven and those in hell. (Confer Jesus’ parable about the rich man and the poor man in St. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 16:19-31.) In Luke, chapter 19: 27-38 Jesus addresses a similar question raised by the Sadducees. The dead are like the angels of God: those who are children of God (verse 36) are rejoicing with the angels and the saints, all their friends old and new, enjoying the beatific vision of God. As regard the dead whose souls are in hell: they are experiencing intense physical pain, utter loneliness and despair. Separated from God forever, they are like the devils, fallen angels, consumed with self-pity, hatred of others, and wallowing in the consequences of their sins which dragged them down to eternal punishment. At the end of the world and the general resurrection, all persons, who have ever lived, will be reunited body and soul forever. All souls long for the completion of their person, which will happen at the resurrection. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, each person will rise in the fullness of their youth, which is a consolation for infants who die prematurely as well as for the aged. But their happiness or suffering is not in suspense until that final consummation. Pope John XXII in 1320 defined as a doctrine of faith that, immediately after death, the individual soul enters into heaven or hell. That doctrine allows for the temporary situation of Purgatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraphs 1030-1031) says that: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still are imperfectly purified of sins they committed, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name of Purgatory to this final purification of the saved, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.” Pope St. Gregory the Great (509-604) wrote: “As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He Who is Truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this world nor in the world to come (Matthew 12:31). From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this world, but certain others in the world to come.” Those who die with some attachment to sin on their soul pass into Purgatory (a temporary condition wherein the soul of a person, who is saved, undergoes purification of any remnants of sin and undue attachments to things of this world). Purgatory is not available for hardened sinners and those who die in grave sin without repenting. The questioner is in error to say that God has a body. God is pure spirit. However, God’s Son Jesus assumed a human body with a human soul, in which He resides in heaven. The Father and the Holy Spirit do not have bodies. As a special favor to the Virgin Mother of Jesus, God granted that her holy body not corrupt: so that holy Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. Perhaps Enoch and Elijah also were granted resurrection in anticipation; but probably they had to return to earth and died, as do all other human beings in consequence of original sin.

Is it really true that more than half of all people are not saved?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-12-01 09:11:00

There are several verses in the Bible that deal with how many people are saved. Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it! And Luke 13:24: Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. Do these mean that more than half of all people are not saved?

The quotations are clear: The majority will be wrong! A minority will choose God’s invitation. We wish it were not so, but an examination of history reveals that this is the case, agreeing with God’s prediction. Sin is attractive and the Devil is clever. Humans usually choose what appears to be the easy way. The situation was so desperate that God, to rescue us, had to become man, live among us and allow us to do our worst to Him. He died in our place to save us. Even then, His prediction that the majority would reject His salvation has proven to be true. Those of us who have accepted Christ’s salvation must devote our lives to helping others to receive the free gift of life under Christ’s direction...for here and eternity. “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him......whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:17-18 “God demonstrates His love for us: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:6

Is it really true that more than half of all people are not saved?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-12-01 09:11:00

There are several verses in the Bible that deal with how many people are saved. Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it! And Luke 13:24: Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. Do these mean that more than half of all people are not saved?

While Jesus did say what you have cited, as well as some other passages in the Bible which state similar ideas, we have no way of knowing what our Lord meant by few and many. Certainly, he desires that all of us be saved (cf 1 Tim 2:4)! And certainly he gives everyone, even the unborn infant in the womb, the opportunity to go to heaven. But nobody knows how many are saved and how many are damned. The overwhelming generosity and goodness of God incline us to believe that a majority of persons, who ever lived on this planet, will benefit from the vast ocean of mercy that flows from the side of the crucified Christ and will attain heaven. Nevertheless, some persons deliberately ignore God, abuse their free-will against God’s commandments, die without repenting of the evils they have done, and so end up in hell. Such persons reject the grace and mercy of God, and they freely choose hell over heaven. God respects the human free-will. He does not force anyone to be saved. Various saints and religious teachers have suggested that a majority of human beings (even 90%) end up in hell, so that only a few (perhaps 10%) make it to heaven. Still, the truth is: they don t know any more about the final & eternal census than I do, and I don’t know. Even the saints don’t know. They can only guess. When a person experiences wars and terrorist-criminals, the evils of real poverty and drug-infested, gang-dominated neighborhoods, it is easy to draw the conclusion that most people go to hell. But, looking beyond that local scene and considering the goodness of many dedicated generous, peace-loving and holy persons throughout the world, striving to please God, it seems probable that the good will outnumber the evil in the final reckoning. Certain Protestant sects have attempted to interpret the Book of Revelation, chapter seven, as stating that only 144,000 persons will be saved. Naturally those sects expect their members to be included in that number, to the exclusion of other persons and groups. But they too don’t know. St. John the Revelator used that symbolic number to express a great multitude. For the ancients the numbers 7 and 12 and 100 symbolize perfection or completion; the number 1000 represents infinity. Thus, 12 x 12 x 1000 means that an almost infinite number of persons will achieve perfection and thus be in heaven. Surely, in that book of symbols, St. John can be speaking with a literary device called hyperbole or exaggeration. For example, if you are caught in a swamp on a warm summer night, you will be attacked by millions of mosquitoes, while the actual number of those pests might be sixty-five thousand, four-hundred and thirty. Whatever the percentages of the saved and the damned turn out to be, there is no reason for sincere devout disciples of Jesus and his holy Mother to lose hope. We must place our trust in them, and pray that the Father will deliver us from evil, and that the Blessed Mother will pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Is it really true that more than half of all people are not saved?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2007-12-01 09:11:00

here are several verses in the Bible that deal with how many people are saved. Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it! And Luke 13:24: Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. Do these mean that more than half of all people are not saved?

Answer: This of course is a deduction that some make from these passages for several good reasons. No one can know how many will be saved except the Lord Himself. The Bible does say there will be a “great multitude” from nations and generations who are saved in Revelation 7:9. However, in the Matthew 7 passage the emphasis is on how difficult it is for man to set his pride aside, die to the worldly ways and totally rest his faith in Christ’s grace for salvation and bear the fruit of righteousness in his life. The narrow way is costly, at times lonely and narrow. The world’s way is wide and easy. “Everyone is doing it.” The limiting amount in this passage comes when Jesus says, “few there be that find it.” With good reason “few” in the original language is an absolute and means small in number because as Jesus said there are all kinds of things in the world preventing people from finding it. He lays out three in the Parable of the Sower, the devil, trials and pleasures/cares of the world. In others places he speaks of false teachers and religions. In our passage in Luke, the emphasis stretches us in another direction. It talks of complacency and taking God’s offer for granted. Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders of His day who had a false sense of security in this parable known as the Narrow Door. They had Jesus with them in their midst but never trusted Him. Then the day comes when the time is up to enter the party and the master of the house (God), closes the door and there is no more opportunity to give one’s life to Jesus or enjoy the party. They’re left out in the cold. Personally I’ve seen this happen several times but one time most vividly. One night, doing street evangelism, I spoke with a half drunk young man on a basketball court about Jesus. He said he was interested but too young and had a lot of life to live before he did that. The next night he was killed in a motorcycle accident. Sadly, many also put off the most important decision of their lives by putting a lot of other things ahead of the decision and never receive the gift of eternal life. When we see the picture that Jesus paints in these two passages, we can see why one can have a pessimistic view on the amount of people who will be saved in the end. The key for the Christians is to continue to invite friends into a saving faith with Christ. If you are letting things or the timing keeping you from giving your life to Christ, don’t delay. “Don’t be foolish. This night your soul will be required of you….” Luke 12:20

At the end of time...what happens to the soul?

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

2007-11-01 09:55:00

Many believe that at the end of time the body will be resurrected and rejoin the soul for all eternity. If this is so, and the soul has no physical presence by itself, wont heaven be a pretty lonely place until the end of the world happens? I mean the only ones there right now with a soul and body are God, and some believe the Blessed Virgin Mary, Enoch and Elijah.

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You are talking about what theologians call the "Intermediate State." The Bible presents to us that the body and the soul will be joined at the final resurrection in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16. However, in the mean time, scripture tells us that there will be a conscious existence for the wicked of misery (Luke 16:23), bound in prison which would not be important if they were not conscious (1 Peter 3:19). For the believer it is a place of the consciousness of the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). It is also a joyous and more pleasurable existence than living here on earth (Philippians 1:23). That it is a time of "rest from their labors" or the harshness of life (Revelations 14:13) but not a time of soul sleep as some have purported. It is also a time when believers under the altar of God cry out for vengeance on those who persecute the church (Rev. 6:9) and the souls of those martyred will reign with Christ (Rev. 20:4). In fact, quite the contrary to being a lonely place, it seems there will be a lot going on and to do, even before our bodies show up. Will it be a period of time ever experiencing the infinite limitless knowledge of our Lord (1 Corinthians 13:12)? After we die, will we be part of the great cloud of witnesses made up of Moses, Abel, Noah, Abraham, Enoch, etc. (Hebrews 11), at the Stadium of Life watching and cheering on future generations of believers running the race of life (Hebrews 12:1)? Won’t it be exciting and thrilling to share with all the rest of these bodiless believers?

End of the world...how’s it going to happen?

By Charlie Traffas

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-10-01 11:09:00

I enjoy reading this column very much. Most of the time you are all pretty much in sync with your answers. Maybe it is coincidental, but it seems as though most of the things I have been taught all my life, about how the world will end, are happening now. In accordance with your interpretation of the Bible, can you state in relatively brief, layman’s terms, how you see the end of the world happening?

Our Lord Jesus Christ said that no one knows the day or the hour of the end of the world, except God His Father. Indeed, Jesus foretold many signs of the coming end of the world. In his gospel, St. Matthew (chapter 24) relates Jesus predicting various signs that will precede the end of the world. Some of these signs have been evident in every century. “Watch out and do not let anyone mislead you. Many will come, claiming to speak for me. They will say: ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will deceive many people. You are going to hear the noise of wars, and rumors of wars; but do not be troubled. Such things are bound to happen, but they do not mean that the end has come. Nation will rise against nation, kingdoms will attack one another. There will be famines and pestilence and earthquakes in many places... Many will give up their faith at that time; they will betray one another and hate one another. Then many false prophets will appear (verse 11)...They will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God’s chosen people, if possible (verse 24)... No one knows, however, when that day and hour will come: neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; the Father alone knows (verse 36). . . . So then you must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him (verse 44).” St. Mark states in almost identical words: ‘No one knows, however, when that day or hour will come, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; only the Father knows’ (13:32). Therefore it is presumptuous, vain, foolish and false, for any human being to pretend to know what is hidden from even the Son of God. As for those religions that attempt to predict the end of the world based on contemporary events, I suggest you ask them the source of their knowledge, pretended knowledge which is directly opposed to the words of Jesus cited above. The leaders of the Witnesses of Jehovah have had to change four or five times their appointed dates for the end of the world. Their founder, Charles Taze Russell predicted the end of the world would take place in 1900, and then changed it to 1914, when he observed the beginning of World War I. His successor, Judge Rutherford appointed the date of October 23, 1944 as the end of the world. On that occasion the Los Angeles Times newspaper announced in a small box on page one: ‘The Witnesses say that the end of the world will occur tonight. If it happens, we’ll put out an extra and tell you all about it. In every age false prophets and hucksters of religion have drawn foolish and ignorant persons to follow them by offering to satisfy their curiosity about contemporary events and the final times. Around the year 600 there were so many wars, earthquakes, floods and famines throughout Europe and the Mediterranean area that Pope St. Gregory I, while preaching, observed:quite possibly the end of the world will happen before I finish this sermon. Those of us, who have had to endure lengthy sermons, can easily share Pope Gregory’s sentiment. Current events in the Middle East are part of God’s plan for the history of this world, rather than signals for the end of time. The signal message that God is sending through them is: Be ready at all times, for you know not the day nor the hour! As far as anyone now living is concerned, the end of the world will occur at the moment of our death. And for that event we had better be prepared! As to how the world will end, St. Peter, in his second epistle (chapter 3), writes: The heavens and the earth that now exist are being preserved by God’s word in order to be destroyed by fire. They are being kept for the day when godless people will be judged and destroyed (verse 7). . . . The day of the Lord will come like a thief, and on that day the heavens will vanish with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and all its deeds will be made manifest (verse 10). What we await are new heavens and a new earth where, according to his promise, the justice of God will reside (verse 13). Since the questioner asks: ‘How do YOU see the end of the world happening?’ I believe all the above. The fire can be caused by lightning or hydrogen bombs or collision of this planet with the sun or whatever. Probably around the year 35,000 A.D. readers and inquiring minds will be asking the same questions, which have been asked by every generation of recorded history. Some folks even think this world will last forever, despite the clear teaching of our Lord Jesus to the contrary. So many foolish people build palaces and store up money and provisions, as if they intend to live forever. Being a priest for 52 years, I have conducted many funerals. In no funeral procession have I seen a Brinks truck carrying all the possessions of the deceased. The tombs of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt show their plans for taking it with them into eternity. Nevertheless what they accumulated serves as loot for grave-robbers and archaeologists and museums. Not even one of their carefully-preserved mummies has been restored to life. But they did take with them into eternity God’s judgment on the good and evil they did on earth.

End of the world...how’s it going to happen?

By Dr John Click

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-10-01 11:09:00

I enjoy reading this column very much. Most of the time you are all pretty much in sync with your answers. Maybe it is coincidental, but it seems as though most of the things I have been taught all my life, about how the world will end, are happening now. In accordance with your interpretation of the Bible, can you state in relatively brief, layman’s terms, how you see the end of the world happening?

I doubt that we will be “in sync” on this! There is not agreement among Bible scholars on this subject, but Jesus made this clear: He could return at any time! However, several events seem to precede the end: The Jew’s nation was to be restored and they were to return from around the world. This seems to have happened. The Gospel was to be preached to all parts of the earth, and this has been done to a great extent. Then “The Rapture” occurs, as described in I Thes. 4:13-17 , in which the true believers are caught up into the heavens to meet Christ, preceded by those who have previously died. They have both “bodies raised” and receive new bodies, described in I Cor.15:35-58. I believe this is the next step. After the disappearance of the Christians, things on earth become chaotic, as described in Daniel 6-12, II Thes. 2, II Peter 3, and Revelation, among others. A new world government takes over, led by an evil genius, the “Anti-Christ.” All who become Christ-followers or are Jews are persecuted until, within seven years a great battle occurs in the vicinity of Palestine. All life would be extinguished if Christ did not at that time appear in His glory and execute judgment over all mankind. This is, of course, not the end of all things....and there is great disagreement among Bible scholars about details. Also, the Bible does not foretell the future so clearly that we can pre-write history....and maybe I have just made the mistake of trying to do so. (But that is what you asked for!) I think that Bible prophesy is written so that those alive AT THAT TIME can recognize it, just as some few did at the coming of Christ as a baby and as a teacher and Savior. For us, the Gospel (good news) is “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - -the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify Himself a people that are his own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14

End of the world...how’s it going to happen?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2007-10-01 11:09:00

: I enjoy reading this column very much. Most of the time you are all pretty much in sync with your answers. Maybe it is coincidental, but it seems as though most of the things I have been taught all my life, about how the world will end, are happening now. In accordance with your interpretation of the Bible, can you state in relatively brief, layman’s terms, how you see the end of the world happening?

As Donald McKim notes in his helpful little book:Presbyterian Questions- Presbyterian Answers: Exploring Christian Faith, “Presbyterians have varying beliefs about the end of the world. This is because the Bible says a number of things about the future that have been variously interpreted. If you go into a bookstore and see a whole shelf of books that claim to present the ‘biblical’ view of the end of the world, you’ll find that each one construes what will happen and when a little differently. These writers should realize the Bible does not intend to give us a detailed blueprint about when the world will end, or a sequence of events that will follow one after another. Instead, the Bible wants to convey theological convictions to give us with all we need for facing the future.” As McKim goes on to note, the main theological conviction conveyed by the Bible is that when the world ends, and Jesus comes again, this will initiate the beginning of God’s ultimate victory and reign, and the accomplishment of God’s purposes. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. In the meantime, God stands with God’s people through all that occurs, and we are to focus on living the Christian life as Jesus taught. As we live that life, we cannot predict when the world will end, as it will come like a thief in the night; we can only be alert to it. We also cannot say exactly what will happen and how, but as stated in the Bible and the Apostles’ Creed, a creed Christians share, we do believe that Jesus will come again, there will be a judgment, and there will be a resurrection of the body and a life everlasting.

Do some of the saints have to die a natural death again?

By Dr John Click

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-09-01 09:59:00

I have always thought that until the Last Judgment, only the souls are in Heaven, and following the Last Judgment, the souls of all will be reunited with their bodies. But in the Gospel of Matthew 27:52-53, we read that , at the moment of Jesus’ death, “the graves opened, and many bodies of saints who had died, were raised to life. After Jesus’ resurrection they came forth from their tombs, and entered the holy and appeared to many persons. What happened to them after this event? Did they have to die a natural death again? Were their souls and bodies reunited and then entered Heaven?

You have asked a question for which there is no certain answer. Many strange things happened in connection with the crucifixion and death of Jesus: Earthquake, Darkness at mid-day; Spontaneous tearing of the thick temple curtain from top-to-bottom; All the impossible events connected with the Resurrection! These were singular events of history; and now another one...the one you describe. It is as though God was saying: “Look! I am doing something never done nor repeated. This is the central event of human history”. Some graves opened! Then...three days later, “after His resurrection, the bodies of many saints which ‘slept’ arose and came out of the graves and went into the Holy City and appeared unto many.” We are not told how long they appeared, nor what happened to them after this appearing. Did they go to Heaven? Return to the graves (surely not!)? Only Matthew tells this, so we get no help from other parts of the Bible. Add this to the list of things you want to ask in Heaven.

Do some of the saints have to die a natural death again?

By Father Cleary

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2007-09-01 09:59:00

Question: I have always thought that until the Last Judgment, only the souls are in Heaven, and following the Last Judgment, the souls of all will be reunited with their bodies. But in the Gospel of Matthew 27:52-53, we read that , at the moment of Jesus’ death, “the graves opened, and many bodies of saints who had died, were raised to life. After Jesus’ resurrection they came forth from their tombs, and entered the holy and appeared to many persons. What happened to them after this event? Did they have to die a natural death again? Were their souls and bodies reunited and then entered Heaven?

Answer: Here we are dealing with a fascinating detail from the Gospel, about which we have no further information. This strange incident is told only in Matthew’s Gospel. We are not told what happened to the saints between our Lord’s death and his resurrection, nor what happened to them afterwards. Possibly their graves remained empty, and they were translated into heaven when Jesus ascended. The fact that graves were opened is a symbol declaring that Jesus conquered death. In dying and in rising again he destroyed the ultimate power of the grave. The grave has lost its power, and death has lost its tragedy, because neither is absolute and eternal. Just as Jesus lives after death, so we too shall live again after death! The Creed concludes with this definitive statement: “I believe in...the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.” The prophet Elijah ascended into heaven without having died (cf 2 Kings 2:11). Jesus raised from the dead the son of the widow of Naim (Luke 7:15), and the daughter of Jairus (cf Luke 8:55), and also his friend Lazarus (cf John 11:43-44). The saints too, whose souls were reunited to their bodies at the time of Jesus’ death, are obliged by the universal law of dying. Certainly, God can dispense them from that law. But then, having never died, Elijah and Lazarus would be lacking in some degree their resemblance to Jesus, the exemplar of perfection, who underwent death. Accordingly, it is most probable that Elijah and Lazarus experienced natural death in some manner unknown to us. Those other saints mentioned above had already undergone death and resurrection. Therefore, as I said, they could have accompanied Jesus in his Ascension right into heaven. However, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, along with some earlier Christian writers, offered as their opinion that these saints experienced only a temporary resurrection, and then died again and their bodies corrupted naturally: so that they will rise again, their souls and bodies reunited, along with all human beings, at the Last Judgment and final resurrection. The Church has not and will not decide the issue of this question; so it remains open for speculation.

Do some of the saints have to die a natural death again?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2007-09-01 09:59:00

I have always thought that until the Last Judgment, only the souls are in Heaven, and following the Last Judgment, the souls of all will be reunited with their bodies. But in the Gospel of Matthew 27:52-53, we read that , at the moment of Jesus’ death, “the graves opened, and many bodies of saints who had died, were raised to life. After Jesus’ resurrection they came forth from their tombs, and entered the holy and appeared to many persons. What happened to them after this event? Did they have to die a natural death again? Were their souls and bodies reunited and then entered Heaven?

There are certainly various interpretations of this verse in the Bible within Christianity and within Presbyterianism. I understand this verse first to make the point that in Jesus’ death, death itself was overcome; this opening of the graves and rising of the dead serves to emphasize that point. The verse also makes the point that Christians believe in a bodily resurrection, not simply something like one’s spirit living on. Finally, the verse makes the point that Jesus’ death and resurrection have the power to work backward and forward, in a sense, so that we need not worry about those who died before Jesus lived on earth. Some may interpret this verse literally, others symbolically and theologically only. Should one interpret it literally, I cannot say with absolute certainty what happened to these persons after this event. I can only look to the story of Lazarus, who, by the power of God, was also raised from the dead. It appears that he went on to live and then at another time die, and he will be raised again at Jesus’ second coming.

An attempt to understand the Trinity

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2007-07-30 15:23:00

Question: I have a difficult time understanding the Trinity. I am bewildered when I think how all three persons in God were present at Jesus’ Baptism and at his Transfiguration. Is there any explanation of the Trinity that can help us, who did not attend theology classes?

Answer: The Trinity is a mystery, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! It cannot be easily explained, but that does not mean it is not true. We have to allow for mystery in our faith, as we are limited and finite human beings, not God. The Trinity is a doctrine developed from the Bible and supported by the Bible. It was developed in history largely to explain who Jesus is, fully human but also fully God, the only Son of the Father, pre-existent with the Father and the Holy Spirit. One can see this clearly in the Nicene Creed, a creed shared by both Catholics and Protestants. There are ways one can “get at” glimpsing this mystery, however, and one helpful way is by analogy. Just as God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so can the following situations exist. A man is a husband, a father, and a coach. Water is steam, liquid, and solid. It is the same substance for each, but different “roles” and “functions,” if you will. Presbyterians find other aspects of the Trinity significant as well. It shows that God is, in Himself, community. Thus we believe each person is an individual but made for community. The Trinity also shows that God is a “self-giver,” one who sacrifices the Son and sends the Holy Spirit. Thus we believe we are to be “self-givers” to others.

An attempt to understand the Trinity

By Rev Tom Hawks

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Rev Tom Hawks

2007-07-30 15:23:00

I have a difficult time understanding the Trinity. I am bewildered when I think how all three persons in God were present at Jesus’ Baptism and at his Transfiguration. Is there any explanation of the Trinity that can help us, who did not attend theology classes?

Trinity is the Theological term used to define God as the undivided unity expressed in the three fold nature of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It’s considered a divine mystery beyond human comprehension to be reflected upon only through scriptural revelation. The term “thinking” does not appear in Scripture, but the Trinitarian structure appears throughout the New Testament to affirm that God Himself is manifested through Jesus by means of the Spirit. Perhaps four statements can summarize and clarify this: God is One ( Deut. 6:4, 1 Kings 8:60, Isa 44:6, Mark 12:29, 32 John 10:30) The God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament. His offer of salvation in the Old Testament receives a fuller revelation in the New Testament in a way that is not different, but more complete. The Doctrine of the Trinity does not abandon the monotheistic faith of Israel. God has three distinct ways of being in the Redemptive event, yet He remains an undivided unity. The Father God imparts Himself to mankind through the Son and Spirit without ceasing to be Himself is at the very heart of the Christian faith. The primary way of grasping the concept of the Trinity is through the threefold participation in salvation. The approach of the New Testament is not to discuss the essence of the Godhead, but the particular aspects of the revelation event that includes the process of the Father in the person of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. • I am one man…But I have three distinct characteristics … I’m a Father, Son and Husband. • I am one apple…But I have three distinct parts…the fruit, the core and the seeds. • I am ice in a pan…water, then steam. • I am larva…caterpillar, and a butterfly. The doctrine of the Trinity is a mystery. It is primarily known, not through speculation, but revelation.

An attempt to understand the Trinity

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-07-30 15:23:00

I have a difficult time understanding the Trinity. I am bewildered when I think how all three persons in God were present at Jesus’ Baptism and at his Transfiguration. Is there any explanation of the Trinity that can help us, who did not attend theology classes?

Answer: You are attempting to understand something impossible for the human intellect to understand. From the time of the Apostles of Jesus to the present time, some of the greatest thinkers and philosophers and theologians have studied one another and written volumes about the doctrine of the Trinity. All of them end by admitting that, while we can talk and write about it, we can never understand or comprehend it. Ultimately, it is a matter of faith. Faith is about realities, which we cannot fully understand; it is “conviction about things we do not see” (cf: New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter 11, verse1). If we can understand something, it is no longer a matter of faith! (I do not BELIEVE that two and two make four; I KNOW that as an evident fact. Here belief and scientific knowledge go their separate ways.) We accept matters of faith, not because they seem reasonable or are evident but, on the authority of the person revealing them. All the articles in the Creed were revealed to the holy Apostles by Jesus, whom we accept as God. And God is the ultimate authority, about Whom we know only what he chooses to reveal about himself. To assist you in your attempt to better know the true God, I offer the following insights from the great teachers of the Christian faith, who lived closer to the time of the Apostles, from whom they learned these truths. The most blessed Trinity is the most profound mystery of the Christian faith. It is the first and fundamental article of belief: there exists only one God, and that in this one God there are three distinct persons, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. This fact was revealed to us by the Second Person of the Trinity, who became man as Jesus Christ and who taught us this mystery. Through twenty centuries great theologians have written about the Holy Trinity and have attempted to explain the inexplicable, to help us understand something about the inner life of God, Who made us and to Whom we are to return at death. And still, when all has been said, it remains a mystery, which we cannot understand. It requires great faith to accept what seems to be a paradox or a riddle or even a contradiction. Jews and Moslems do not believe in the Trinity: Jews assume that it is opposed to their belief in one God, while the Moslems follow their prophet Mohammed in misunderstanding the Trinity as three gods. At least, Jews and Christians and Moslems agree in the statement that THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD! But we quickly part ways in attempting to penetrate the inner life of this one God. Jesus is God’s ultimate revelation to mankind, and he taught us the fact of the Trinity without explanation. Jesus did not come into this world to explain God; he came to help us know and experience the reality of God. The Church is responsible for finding ways to help us understand this experience. If we are made in the image of God, we are made in the image of the Trinity; and the life of the Trinity must in some sort be reflected in the pattern of our human life. Perhaps one such reflection is between the activities identified with each person of the Trinity, and the various activities in which we human beings engage. Thus to God the Father is attributed all that we understand by generation, creation, maintenance; and much of our human activity can be seen as cooperation in that kind of work. Everything we do to awaken and cherish new life, to fashion and cultivate and develop our physical environment, shares in that work of God the Father. Thus also, the activities of fathers and mothers in bringing new life into this world, and the work of designing and building, growing crops and breeding cattle, shaping and tending the landscape, manufacturing, organizing, fashioning all kinds of things for our use and delight, all crafts and arts and technologies, indeed every kind of making: shares in the life of God the Father. Likewise, to God the Son are related all human activities of compassion, reconciliation, sacrifice, forgiveness, making amends and repairing, everything that falls under the title of caring. These reflect the work of redemption and reconciliation, the mission of God the Son, who came into this world to identify with poor, sinful, sorrowing and suffering humanity. And finally the special role of the Holy Spirit is reflected in every positive idea and inspiration, however humble, in every advance in knowledge and wisdom, in every flash of imagination, in every movement of the heart. The artist and lover and poet and philosopher and inventor express this area of human experience in wonderful ways. These activities touch the most simple persons and feelings, as well as those which are more complex. And all proceed from the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son! The Bible doesn’t use that word “Trinity,” which was not invented until around the 4th century, although the idea of one God in Three Persons was taught by Jesus to His Apostles. Indeed, Jesus’ final words on earth, in the great commission (Matt 28:19), Jesus expresses this basic truth: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus spoke to his Father in prayer, and He spoke often about his Father. He also promised to send the Spirit, who is the source of the Church’s Tradition. In his discourse after the Last Supper, Jesus said: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. When he comes, however, being the Spirit of Truth, he Will guide you to all truth. . .and will announce to you the things to come. . . He will have received from me what he will announce to you.” God Himself began the process of tradition, the handing-on of revealed truth, in His relationship to Jesus: “All that the Father has belongs to me.” The Spirit continues to announce in the Church, this truth along with the things to come. Being the Soul of the Body of the Church, the Holy Spirit guides the Church according to truth, preserving her faith and her teaching from error. It is the Holy Spirit who is the author of the Church’s constitution, her Faith, which is based on the Bible AND Tradition. To express this more precisely, our Faith is based on the Bible interpreted in the light of Tradition by the authentic teaching authority of the Church. Notice, when you read or recite the Creed, how it is structured according to the Persons in the Trinity: the first part treats of God the Father creating; the second part tells us about God the Son becoming man and redeeming; the third part speaks of the Holy Spirit guiding the Church unto life everlasting.

An attempt to understand the Trinity

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-07-30 15:23:00

I have a difficult time understanding the Trinity. I am bewildered when I think how all three persons in God were present at Jesus’ Baptism and at his Transfiguration. Is there any explanation of the Trinity that can help us, who did not attend theology classes?

You are right: the Bible clearly teaches that God is a “Trinity”, although this term is not used. Don’t think of trinity a PROBLEM, but as a CLUE!” It is meant to help us relate to a Being Who is so very different. He is a “Person” with knowledge, emotions, will, etc. But He is much more than we usually mean by “person”. He is not in our Time/Space; He can be more than one place at one time! We can relate to Him without fully understanding Him, just as my dog can relate to me without really understanding me. I remember being embarrassed when someone asked me, “To whom do you pray, God the Father...the Son...or the Holy Spirit?” After praying for years, I didn’t know! I had never thought about it! But I soon realized that I should not be embarrassed. One cannot pray to only One or the Other. When I pray, I look up to the Father, with my prayer mediated through Christ while the Holy Spirit within me brings thoughts to mind and helps me find words. I pray to God, through God and by God! Somehow, even the newest Christian seems to grasp this unconsciously when he prays. Consider the peculiar situation during the 33 years when God was on earth incarnated as Jesus. He came into the limitations of time/space! He could be at only one place at one time. But He was still controlling the universe while He was growing up in Nazareth! It is helpful to think of Him as being two persons at that time. And when I accept Christ as Saviour, I am told (and experience) that God comes to live in my body and regenerates my nature. Then God is dwelling in me, and It is helpful to think of God as three. But...the Three in my experience are truly One. All are eternal, holy, infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. You mentioned the three-fold presence of God seen at Jesus baptism. Also, the second verse in the Bible says God’s Spirit hovered over the formless earth. And John 1 says “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God...all things were made through Him...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory”’ So Christ was co-creator of everything! Is Jesus the Son of God just as I am the son of my father? No...the human relationship which is most like theirs is a good father/son relationship. But I soon learn that it is much more than that! When we get into multi-dimensional, timeless reality of God’s universe....and we will in Heaven...we will be able to understand without these mental models which are helpful here. Our universe will be seen as a tiny, limited incubator for making Children of God out of human creatures.

Is cloning wrong?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-07-01 16:13:00

Our lunch group is composed of fellow employees (some Christians and some not) at one of our city’s manufacturing firms. We talk about every topic imaginable. The other day ‘cloning’ was brought up. Most of us who are Christians knew it was wrong, but when asked why, none of us could give any good reasons that the others would accept. I thought perhaps the forum of clerics you have might help.

You may find this strange, but I will base my answer more on Aldous Huxley’s book:”Brave New World”, than on the Bible! This is because there was no such thing as cloning when the Bible was written while Huxley, a biological scientist, could see it coming and realized its dangers. In Brave New World, which was a prediction of a future time, Huxley anticipated what governments would do when cloning was available to them. Children would no longer be made by couples, but the government would choose those who would be donors for making children. The “clones” would not be singular, but rather a number of identicals would be grown in bottles and “decanted” when they were ready to live without life support. Since they had no parents, the government took care of them in large children’s homes where they were taught whatever they would need to know in order to serve society. “Mother” was almost a dirty word, since it referred to the vulgar child-bearing ways of the past. Sex was available, but care was taken to avoid pregnancy. (Read the book!) Huxley’s view of cloning may be extreme, although if it is possible, some tyrant may do it. In any case, cloning is anti-family. Possibly, some childless couples would choose cloning of one of the couple. This is the usual argument for cloning. But most likely cloning would be used by a single woman or man to get an offspring without a family. The Biblical view of family was given in the very first chapter of the Bible. This is the natural view and is virtually universal in the world: a child is to have a father and a mother! Cloning cannot give a child two parents! It avoids a two parent necessity. But all studies show that a child suffers from not having both male and female involved in its nurture. Cloning tends to ignore nurture...and people could pick a child from any donor they wish. When a couple have children, none are copies of one parent. Children are often surprises. Most geniuses did not come from genius parents....they tend to be unpredictable. Some combination from parents produce exceptional kids! Cloning would avoid these happy surprises. The most beautiful girl I ever knew came from parents who were actually ugly! Many exceptional musicians had parents with no musical interest. Some of our Presidents, including Lincoln, had quite common parents. Do we want only “copies”? Would multiple-copies be permitted? It’s always a temptation: a basketball team of 5 Michael Jacksons! Michael 1, Michael 2, etc. How many of us are egotistical enough to choose our own clone?

Is cloning wrong?

By Dr John Click

X

Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-07-01 16:13:00

Our lunch group is composed of fellow employees (some Christians and some not) at one of our city’s manufacturing firms. We talk about every topic imaginable. The other day ‘cloning’ was brought up. Most of us who are Christians knew it was wrong, but when asked why, none of us could give any good reasons that the others would accept. I thought perhaps the forum of clerics you have might help.

When discussing human cloning, one must distinguish between therapeutic (or non-reproductive) cloning and reproductive cloning. Therapeutic cloning is a process that allows a person’s own cells to be developed and transplanted back into the person for the purposes of healing and health, and to relieve suffering. Reproductive cloning is a process in which a fetus is ultimately developed in order to replicate a whole person for some other reason or reasons. I believe, as a Christian and a Presbyterian, that God gives us minds, gifts, and skills to use for good purposes, including healing and health, and relieving suffering. I also believe that just because we CAN do something technically using those minds, gifts, and skills we should not do it for that reason alone or for unwise reasons. Therefore, I understand therapeutic cloning to be appropriate for us to do, given its purposes, but I understand reproductive cloning to be inappropriate. Aside from the facts that it is not scientifically safe and there are not appropriate regulations in place for it at this point, theological concerns weigh heavily against it. It wanders too far into God’s domain of the creation of life, and inherently, it has too many possibilities for sin and evil. Presbyterians in the PCUSA denomination still continue to explore the issues of stem cell research and cloning. Some of these discussions and resources in this area may be found on our denomination’s web site, www.pcusa.org.

Is cloning wrong?

By Pastor Tom Hawks

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Religion

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Pastor Tom Hawks

2007-07-01 16:13:00

Our lunch group is composed of fellow employees (some Christians and some not) at one of our city’s manufacturing firms. We talk about every topic imaginable. The other day ‘cloning’ was brought up. Most of us who are Christians knew it was wrong, but when asked why, none of us could give any good reasons that the others would accept. I thought perhaps the forum of clerics you have might help.

Answer: I have given this question considerable thought and, as always, turned to the Word of God for insight and wisdom. In Genesis 11:1-9, we have the story of the Tower of Babel. God stopped mankind from building the tower because man’s imagination was taking him far from his created intent. He then continued their language and they were scattered. I think we might be there again, where nothing we can imagine is impossible for us to do. How far will God allow us to go in fooling with manipulating the genes of His own creation? I don’t know. I do think God will bring all this to a halt sooner or later. The question is where will you stand? How far will you think it’s O.K. to go? Consider these options… …create animals for medical research, clone the insulin gene, repair present nonreversible injuries (spinal cord, liver), ability to regrow fingers, toes, arms and legs. Help infertile couples create offspring without worry of bad genes. Sounds great, who would want to keep this benefit from mankind? But how far do you go? Would you improve the human race? By whose standards? Create an entire group of clones, developed for certain jobs or tasks? Clone spare parts of yourself? Recreate those who have died? Do we have the character to manage all this properly? Given our fallen nature (Genesis 3:1-24) I don’t think so. Do the potentials outweigh the dangers if it is abused? Can we trust scientists to make correct moral decisions? I don’t believe so, because our moral rudder is not our faith, belief, or trust in God. The driving motivation will be money, not ethics, or morality. Let me give these thoughts ~ 1. We are created in the Image of God…not cogs in some social engineering idea. We are not created to be manipulated and used as pawns in someone’s social design, but created to Worship & Serve a living God. 2. The problem is on te inside…manipulating genes will only make us smarter, taller, and better looking “sinners”! 3. Not all change is progress… Genesis 11 makes that clear. 4. Cloning does not create eternal life…ultimately, our hope is not in technology, however advanced and sophisticated, but in Jesus Christ (Col. 1:27). I want to look, think, feel and act like Jesus…Someday I will (1 John 3:2).

Is cloning wrong?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-07-01 16:13:00

Our lunch group is composed of fellow employees (some Christians and some not) at one of our city’s manufacturing firms. We talk about every topic imaginable. The other day ‘cloning’ was brought up. Most of us who are Christians knew it was wrong, but when asked why, none of us could give any good reasons that the others would accept. I thought perhaps the forum of clerics you have might help.

As Christians and Jews, you have a good instinct about what is right and wrong. The Catholic Catechism teaches: (Paragraph 2275): “It is immoral to produce human embryos intended for exploitation as disposable biological material. Certain attempts to influence the chromosomes or genetic inheritance are not therapeutic, but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities. Such manipulations are contrary to the personal dignity of the human being, and his/her integrity and identity, which are unique and unrepeatable.” (Para. 2295) “Research or experimentation on the human being cannot make legitimate: actions which in themselves are contrary to the dignity of persons and to the moral law. . . . . Experimentation on human beings is not morally legitimate if it exposes the subject’s life or physical and psychological integrity to disproportionate or avoidable risks. Experimentation on human beings does not conform to the dignity of the person, if it takes place without the informed consent of the subject, or those who legitimately speak for him.” To put this in simple language: do not do to another person what you would not want done to you! Each person, from the fetus in the womb to the dying unconscious patient, possesses full human dignity, and is to be respected. Would you wish to have some parts of your living body taken, without your knowledge and consent, to be used for the convenience of other persons? Sometimes a person in good health, moved by love or generosity, will give their functioning bodily organ to an infirm person: in order to provide life and health to that other person, e.g. transplant of an eye or an ear or a kidney or bone-marrow, etc. Such organ transplants are acts of true charity, and (Para. 2296) “are in conformity with the moral law, provided that the physical and psychological risks to the donor are proportionate to the good that is sought for the recipient. Organ donation after death i s a noble and meritorious act, and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity. It is not morally admissible if the donor or his proxy has not given explicit consent. Moreover, it is not morally admissible directly to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons.” As regards cloning: attempts for obtaining a new human being without any connection with sexuality through twin fission, cloning or parthenogenesis, are contrary to the moral law, since they are in opposition to the dignity both of human procreation and of the conjugal union. The Church’s opposition, to cloning embryos for research, is based on good ethics and not simply religious arguments. Therapeutic cloning is an assault upon the dignity of the human person in its most vulnerable and earliest moments of existence. Human cloning sets up a system whereby the suffering of some people is alleviated through the destruction of the lives of others. It creates two types of human life: those destined for life and those destined for death. Hitler promoted such unjust evils in his attempts to create a “super-race.” Therapeutic cloning has not realized any of its intended promise. While scientists might be able in the future to clone a human body (like the sheep Dolly), a human personality is indivisible and cannot be cloned: because the personality is unique and formed by the soul, which is created immediately by God, and implanted by God, into the fertilized ovum at the moment of human conception. However, the Church strongly supports research based on adult stem cells, and from those derived from umbilical cord blood. The Church encourages scientific research that could help in the fight against such degenerative diseases as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cystic fibrosis. But this must be done in accord with God’s commandment: “Thou shalt not kill” or mutilate another human being!

Can you tell me about the sin of apostasy?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-06-01 09:43:00

It seems that the universal definition of apostasy is the formal renunciation of one’s faith. If one quits practicing the Catholic faith, and becomes a member of another Church (other than Catholic), then openly criticizes Catholicism and its teachings, is one guilty of apostasy? Then, if that same person comes back to the Catholic faith, is that person guilty of committing apostasy with the other church?

Let’s begin by clarifying the definition. Webster’s Dictionary defines apostasy as “desertion of one’s religious faith, party, or principles.” The Catholic Catechism says in Paragraph 2089 that “apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith.” So there’s some difference in what the questioner and the dictionary understand by the word “apostasy,” and what the Catholic Church understands by that word. The questioner and the dictionary seem to mean: partial or temporary renunciation or rejection or abandonment of their former religion, whereas the Church views apostasy as total repudiation. The questioner doesn’t state which church the former Catholic has joined, but he does call it a “church.” The word “church” is exclusive with Christians, as the Jews use the terms synagogue and temple, and Moslems have mosques. Jehovah’s Witnesses have “kingdom halls.” In as much as the former Catholic joined another church, he/she must have retained some of the beliefs of the Catholic Church (e.g. the Apostles’ Creed); otherwise, if he/she rejected every single teaching of the Christian faith, he would not have been accepted into another Christian church. The Catholic Church restricts the word “apostasy” to “total renunciation of the Christian faith.” Although the former Catholic rails against Catholicism and its teachings, there must be some elements of the Catholic Church, which he/she has retained in order to be accepted into another Christian community. Accordingly, in proper terminology, we would describe such an ex-Catholic as being a heretic or a schismatic. Heresy is the obstinate denial of some truth which must be believed as revealed by God, while Schism is the refusal of submission to the Bishop of Rome, or of communion with the members of the Church in union with the Pope (Cf. Para. 2089). So, as long as the ex-Catholic retains some of the Catholic faith, he/she is not an apostate, properly speaking. And, through Baptism, he/she retains some relationship with his Catholic roots, even when he/she is living in heresy or schism as a member of another church. When that ex-Catholic receives from God the extraordinary grace to return to the Catholic Church, he/she is welcomed as a repentant sinner returning home. As Jesus established only one Church (not churches), he/she is not an apostate from that other Christian community or church, regardless of what those members might think. Rather he/she is returning to the fullness of the faith, which comes from Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that everyone has sinned and is in need of God’s grace in order to be saved. The returning Catholic may have found the help and encouragement he/she needed during his/her sojourn in another Christian community, which helped him/her to find his/her way back home on his journey to God. Catholics recognize and honor whatever of the truth is found in other Christian communities, but also in Judaism and in Islam. But we have to admit that those communities, which are separated from the Catholic Church, are deficient in that they lack some measure of that faith, which has been handed down from Jesus and his Apostles. As regards the ex-Catholic who “openly criticizes Catholicism and its teachings,” the ancient proverb observes: “Unhappy is the bird, that be fouls it’s own nest”

Can you tell me about the sin of apostasy?

By Dr John Click

X

Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-06-01 09:43:00

It seems that the universal definition of apostasy is the formal renunciation of one’s faith. If one quits practicing the Catholic faith, and becomes a member of another Church (other than Catholic), then openly criticizes Catholicism and its teachings, is one guilty of apostasy? Then, if that same person comes back to the Catholic faith, is that person guilty of committing apostasy with the other church?

The definition given is right: “A formal renunciation of one’s faith.” However, it is a shame that one Christian church should define this to mean that one must be a member of that church or else he has renounced his faith. Basic Christianity, is based on the Bible’s teachings, and no one church is named exclusively. True faith is a relationship between a person and God; it is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Church organizations were a much later addition and may be useful, but faith is in Christ, not in an organization. I may feel disappointed if one leaves my church, but I cannot say that the person has “left the faith” unless I have reason to believe that he/she has renounced allegiance to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Once, when one of Jesus’ disciples told Jesus, “Master, we saw a man driving out demons in Your name and we tried to stop him, because he was not one of us.” Jesus answered, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you,” Luke 9:49-50. “It is by the name of Jesus Christ....Whom God raised from the dead...Salvation is found in no one else..... for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4: 9-12. Therefore, I will call no one an apostate unless he has renounced belief in Jesus Christ as the One Savior.

Can you tell me about the sin of apostasy?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2007-06-01 09:43:00

It seems that the universal definition of apostasy is the formal renunciation of one’s faith. If one quits practicing the Catholic faith, and becomes a member of another Church (other than Catholic), then openly criticizes Catholicism and its teachings, is one guilty of apostasy? Then, if that same person comes back to the Catholic faith, is that person guilty of committing apostasy with the other church?

I understand “apostasy” for Christians not as rejecting a church or denomination such as the Catholic or Protestant church, or the Presbyterian or Lutheran denomination. I understand “apostasy” rather as a renunciation of the Christian faith in general; that is, abandoning belief in the God in whom Christians assert is the one true God. While Catholics and Protestants, and various Christian denominations have differences in belief and practice, they all are and remain Christian, and moving from one to other, while being significant, does not constitute “apostasy.”

Can you tell me about the sin of apostasy?

By Rev Tom Hawks

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Religion

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Rev Tom Hawks

2007-06-01 09:43:00

It seems that the universal definition of apostasy is the formal renunciation of one’s faith. If one quits practicing the Catholic faith, and becomes a member of another Church (other than Catholic), then openly criticizes Catholicism and its teachings, is one guilty of apostasy? Then, if that same person comes back to the Catholic faith, is that person guilty of committing apostasy with the other church?

The word apostasy means “the act of rebelling against, forsaking, abandoning, or falling away from what one has believed.” The Old Testament speaks of “falling away” in terms of a person’s deserting to a foreign king (Jer. 37:13-14), being “backslidden” (Jer.2:19), or the often used picture of Israel’s history of turning from God to other Gods (Jer. 2:19, 14:7-9, 8:4-7). In the New Testament the word “Apostasy” is derived from the Greek word (apostasia) that means “to stand away from.” One of the favorite verses concerning this thought is found in Hebrews 3:12 “see to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from God.” The writer wants us to make sure we stay close to God, worship, study, pray, fellowship and trusting in His promises. Apostasy certainly is a biblical concept, but the implications of the teaching have been “holy” debated. The debate has centered on apostasy and salvation. Some hold “once saved, always saved”. Though we may stray, if we are truly “saved”, we will never stray far from God. Others hold that we go in and out of grace and must always be careful to seek forgiveness, almost in a legalistic fashion. Whenever I have “one” who is a Christian and because of some sin they deem unforgivable, they are in fear of “Apostasy”, I encourage them that their conviction of sin in itself is a sign they have not fallen away. A desire for salvation shows one does not have “an evil heart of unbelief!” My favorite verse to remind me of staying close to Christ is found in Jude 24-25 “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!” God is able to keep us, make us blameless, triumphant because He is wise and powerful. To that I say “Amen!”

How can one best explain, it’s a mortal and not the Church?

By Rev Tom Hawks

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Religion

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Rev Tom Hawks

2007-05-01 11:08:00

There are a lot of good members of the clergy, and there are a few ‘bad apples’ among them. Why is it that, when a member of the clergy of one faith does something wrong, some people immediately condemn the faith of the offender? How can one best explain that the infraction was committed by a mortal, and not the Church of the cleric?

I don’t know of anything that hurts me more then to see a friend in the Ministry “fall”. I have a personality that wants to help and often wonder what can I do to help or, why didn’t I see this coming? It also amazes me that people get this news about a “fallen” friend and begin to spread hate and hostility about the person and the faith. There are many reasons news of “fallen” clergy seem to excite people. There are those who have no faith of any kind and use this as an excuse to attempt to destroy any faith in an all powerful God. There are others who feel better knowing someone is worse than themselves, and still others who gloat over being “above” the one who fell. In a recent survey I read I learned some sad news. • Over 1300 pastors each month are forcibly terminated without just cause. • Only 50% of all who start out in Ministry retire in Ministry. • The profession of pastor is near the bottom of a recent survey of the most respected professions…just above a car salesman. • Over 1200 pastors each month leave the ministry due to stress, church-related issues, family issues or moral issues. • 20% of pastors say they view pornography at least once a month. • Clergy divorce has risen 65% in the last 20 years. So what can we do to help our Pastor, Priest or Clergy Leader? We can pray for them, we can encourage them, we can lovingly hold t hem accountable for a clean heart (Psalm 51), we can encourage them to spend “vested” time with their families, and we can make sure they have a fair compensation for their work. I’m very grateful to be in a church where leadership cares, people pray, and our staff works to encourage and keep themselves dressed in the Armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-20). If you are a church member don’t get wrapped up in the misery of the “fallen” pastor, but get wrapped up in Jesus and pray for the victory of your pastor, and the “clergy” of the church all over the world.

How can one best explain, it’s a mortal and not the Church?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-05-01 11:08:00

There are a lot of good members of the clergy, and there are a few ‘bad apples’ among them. Why is it that, when a member of the clergy of one faith does something wrong, some people immediately condemn the faith of the offender? How can one best explain that the infraction was committed by a mortal, and not the Church of the cleric?

Answer: Human nature, infected with original sin, is the culprit on both sides. Original sin is the natural inclination to evil, inherited from our original parents. The clergy-person who does something wrong may be ignorant, or mis-informed, or could be deliberately sinful and culpable in a particular situation. Likewise, the person who immediately condemns him/her might be indulging gossip without knowing the full truth, or might be telling lies, or satisfying a grudge against that cleric, or could be reporting the truth. If the offense is sinful, and the person(s) to whom (s)he reports the infraction has no right to that information, then the reporter is guilty of the sin of scandal. In the gospel Jesus warns about spreading scandal: “Woe to that man, through whom scandal happens” (Mt 18:7). When the reporter of gossip attributes to the Church (or the faith community of the offender) that offense committed by an individual cleric, then the reporter is committing the sins of detraction and calumny, which are serious offenses against God: in as much as it harms other members of the Church, members who probably are innocent of the offense. A wrong done deliberately by a ‘bad apple’ cleric is more serious than a similar wrong done by an ordinary person. This is by reason of the religious and public character of the cleric, who has a duty to do what he/she knows is good and just, as well as an obligation to not cause scandal to others. Jesus said also: “To whom much has been entrusted, of him much will be required” How to explain? Well, it is obvious that every human being is mortal,i.c. they will die, whether they want to or not. And each person, including clergy, will have to answer to God, the supreme Judge, for every thought and word and action of his/her life, including that infraction. Jesus said: “Judge not that you may not be judged!” Thus, the person who condemns the offending cleric or his/her Church, can expect from the all-just Judge a severe judgment of their whole life. Perhaps the questioner intended to say “human” rather than “mortal.” If so, I repeat: it is human to offend, to make mistakes, to sin. It is by God’s grace that a person can say “I’m sorry,” “Forgive me,” and be forgiven. God’s judgment is most just; but at the same time God is merciful to the person who expresses regret for his/her mistakes, and God does forgive. The person who condemned the offender had better say often: “I’m sorry for my offenses, including hasty judgment of others and their Church.” If the reporter does not admit such, then (s)he is in a worse situation than the offending person. The Church on earth is madeup of sinners and people who offend and make mistakes. Every day the Church acknowledges the sinfulness of her members and begs God’s forgiveness, and also urges all her members to forgive one another. The person who judges and condemns another makes him/herself liable for judgment and condemnation by God. Judges and other persons in authority have an obligation, a duty to consider all aspects of the offender and the offense before passing judgment and sentence on the offender. And they must make sure, to the best of their ability, that their judgment is just, as they will have to answer to God for each case submitted to their judgment.

How can one best explain, it’s a mortal and not the Church?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2007-05-01 10:29:00

There are a lot of good members of the clergy, and there are a few ‘bad apples’ among them. Why is it that, when a member of the clergy of one faith does something wrong, some people immediately condemn the faith of the offender? How can one best explain that the infraction was committed by a mortal, and not the Church of the cleric?

Christians understand that all human beings are sinners. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This certainly includes members of the clergy and all those in positions of leadership in the church. Often when people refer to a sin by a church leader, the sin is a “warm sin,” that is, a sin associated with the “sins of the flesh” like adultery. Or, the sin has to do with money, that is, a church leader uses church funds improperly or outright steals money. These kinds of sins are pretty visible sins and are easily condemned. This is to say it can be easy for others to say, “I have not committed adultery or taken money that is mine, so I have a right to judge those who do!” Further, those who are suspicious of church leaders seem to like to see them fall, pointing out their sins, saying in a way, “See? I told you so!” Church leaders are also subject to other sins as well, sins that perhaps aren’t so “warm” or “fleshy” or “visible.” Many church leaders are guilty of pride or arrogance, just as many church leaders in Jesus’ day were. These sins are perhaps less visible, and people are less willing to name them. One reason is that people like their leaders to be confident, and there can be a fine line between confidence and pride. Also, it is harder to condemn the sins you see in yourself in others. It is perhaps true that in some cases church leaders are in fact especially susceptible to sin. Most work very hard and can rationalize their sin, saying, “I work hard, I’m a good person, I’m not always appreciated, I DESERVE this little sin!” Or, church leaders can find themselves put on a pedestal they do not want to be on, and their sin is almost a kind of “cry for help.” It is probably true as well, however, that church leaders do bear a kind of special responsibility to seek not to sin for they are, whether they like it or not, role models and examples for many in their churches. Do we question our whole system of justice when a lawyer breaks the law? Do we question our medicine when chemotherapy doesn’t work for a doctor? So in the same way, we should recognize that when a church leader sins, this does not negate the faith or doctrine in which the leader stands. It means rather that the person is a sinner, and one could say that the sin actually proves the point that we all are sinners! It may also mean the person is experiencing unhealthy pressure from themselves or others, and does not have a healthy way to deal with that. Hopefully, these kinds of situations can be addressed before they result in sin. Once the sin has occurred, however, it must be dealt with. The Biblical method of gentle confrontation and accountability, and increasing confrontation should the sinner deny the sin, is the preferable way to deal with the sin. In the Presbyterian Church (USA), church leaders are specifically subject to The Rules of Discipline. These rules are to be exercised as a dispensation of mercy and not of wrath. The goal is to restore the sinner, not to condemn them.

Is it ever right to go to war?

By Pastor Tom Hawks

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Religion

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Pastor Tom Hawks

2007-04-01 08:09:00

When our family gets together, like we did over Christmas, our discussions sometimes get heated about whether our troops ought to be going overseas to fight or not. I know the Bible says somewhere “an eye for an eye,” but it also says something about “turning the other cheek.” How can we determine the proper answer to this question?

As a nation, whenever we are engaged in war, we struggle with the morality and ethics of it all. We see demonstrators carrying signs and religious leaders stating war is “criminal”. The question we need to ask is not what we “feel” or “think”, but rather what does God “feel” and “think”. Does God take pleasure in War? According to Ez. 18:32, Rom 15:33, Psalm 7:11, God does not rejoice in death or war, but God does have a purpose for war. Let me give you three: Defense, Liberation and Judgment. There are times when one must defend his family and country. Look at Num. 10:9, Lev. 26:7-8, and you will see that God expects us to defend our families and our freedom. There are also times we go to war to liberate and emancipate. War is an evil thing, but to submit to evil men is worse. Look at Gen. 14:14-16, Isa 1:17 and you will see that God does not want His people to live in subjection to evil men. There are also times when war is right because of Judgment or Punishment. In Rom. 13:1-3, 1 Sam. 15:1-3 and Isa. 2:20, God uses war to wake us up to the realities of our rebellion and sin against Him. I believe the question I’m asked most concerning war is, “Isn’t war against the teachings of Jesus?” When Jesus came the angels announced peace (Luke 2:14), yet in Luke 12:51 Jesus talked not of peace but division. The peace that Jesus came to bring is not peace at any cost that the world talks about (John 14:27) but a peace between man and God, man and man and man and creation. That peace cost Jesus his life (John 19:30) and divides the world into two camps: God’s Children and Satan’s Children. There is a war going on that is Spiritual and a part of that war is physical. Iraq, Iran, Korea all are about control…God control or Satan control. Don’t be fooled about war. God does not take pleasure in war. He does allow war to accomplish His purpose. As such war is not inconsistent with His nature or the teachings of Jesus. There is a day coming when all wars will cease and as the Prophet Micah tells us, “men will beat their swords into plowshares and the spears into pruning hooks, nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn of war any more”. Micah 4:30 That day will occur when the Lamb of God sits on the throne of David and reigns supreme. Until then war will happen, and rumors of war, there will be the absence of social, political and even to a degree, spiritual peace. In spite of all the “war” around you, you can have peace, give your heart, your mind and your “worry over war” to Jesus.

Is it ever right to go to war?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-04-01 08:09:00

When our family gets together, like we did over Christmas, our discussions sometimes get heated about whether our troops ought to be going overseas to fight or not. I know the Bible says somewhere “an eye for an eye,” but it also says something about “turning the other cheek.” How can we determine the proper answer to this question?

This question opens a minefield, through which I shall tread carefully in view of the current political situations, while explaining Jesus’ teaching in the words cited. Let me begin by quoting the biblical contexts. In the Old Testament book of Exodus (21:22- 24), after receiving from God the Commandments, Moses taught: “When men have a fight, . . . if injury ensues, you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, etc.” And in Leviticus (24:19-20) Moses told the Israelites: “Anyone who inflicts an injury on his neighbor shall receive the same in return: limb for limb, eye for eye, tooth for tooth! The same injury that a man gives another shall be inflicted on him in return.” In the New Testament our Lord and Teacher Jesus cited and replaced that teaching of Moses with his new teaching, recorded in St. Matthew’s Gospel (5:38-39): “You have heard the commandment: ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’ But now I tell you: do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. When a person strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him the other cheek.” The law of retaliation (tit for tat) goes back to the earliest code of laws, the Code of Hammurabi, and was passed down into the Law of Moses. Far from being a savage and bloodthirsty law, it is the beginning of mercy. It’s original aim was: the limitation of vengeance. In the earliest times the blood feud and vendetta were characteristic of tribal society. If a man of one tribe injured a man of another tribe, then ALL the members of the injured man’s tribe were to take vengeance on ALL the members of the tribe of the man who committed the injury. This law deliberately limits vengeance! It prescribes that only the man, who committed the injury, is to be punished, and his punishment must be no more than the equivalent of the injury he has inflicted, and the damage he has done. Seen in its historical setting, this law of Moses is not a savage law, but a law of mercy. Further, this law of Moses was never carried out literally. The Jewish interpreters of the law argued correctly that to carry it out literally might in fact be the reverse of justice: because it might involve the displacement of a good eye or a good tooth for a bad eye or a bad tooth. Very soon the injury done was assessed at a monetary value, and the Jewish law carefully laid down how the damage is to be assessed. There are other glimpses of mercy in the Old Testament: “You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against your own people” (Leviticus 19:18). “If you enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink” (Proverbs 25:21).“Do not say, I will do to him as he has done to me” (Proverbs 24:29). But Jesus, with the authority of God, changed that law: because retaliation, however controlled and restricted, has no place in the life of God’s people. Jesus says that, if anyone smites us on the right cheek, we should turn and offer him our other cheek also. Here there is far more than a mere matter of blows on the face. Suppose a right-handed man is standing in front of another man, and wants to hit him on the right cheek. How is he to do it? Unless he goes through a complicated contortion, he can hit the other man’s cheek only in one way: with the back of his hand. According to Jewish rabbinic law, to hit a man with the back of the hand was twice as insulting as to hit him with the flat of the hand. So what Jesus is saying is this: “Even if a man directs at you his most calculated insult, you must not retaliate and you must not resent it.” Jesus also said that we are to love our enemies, and do good to those who hate us. Unfortunately, through the centuries many Christians have failed in this matter. On the other hand, the Fathers of the Church, who learned from the disciples of Jesus, taught that each person has the right to defend himself and his family and home and guests in his house: from the attacks of an unjust aggressor. This principle was extended to a person’s community and town and country. The divine Commandment “Thou shalt not kill” forbids any private individual from undertaking violence against another person, except an unjust intruder or aggressor. The conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The Catholic Church teaches (Catechism, n. 2309): “Governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed. The gravity of such a decision requires that it conform to the rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. These are: 1) the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation must be lasting, grave, and certain; 2) all other means of putting an end to it must be shown to be impractical or ineffective; 3) there must be serious prospects of success; and 4) the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern weapons weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition. The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.” In your family discussions, you might consider each of these conditions “about whether our troops ought to be going overseas to fight or not.” Certainly, our country was attacked by unjust aggressors on September 9, 2001, just as it was on December 7, 1941 by unjust aggressors. In both cases the legitimate authorities, who have responsibility for our common good, declared war. The war against terrorists everywhere is continuing. Regardless of what excuses they offer, all terrorists are enemies of God and of decent people everywhere. Terrorism is an invention of the devil: to disturb and destroy God’s handiwork in creation and man’s development. The terrorist leaders have made it clear that they intend to destroy us and our civilization. In the end it’s either them or us. Terrorism must be restrained and eliminated wherever possible! Our troops are going overseas to fight for good peoples oppressed by criminals, e.g. Al Qaeda and the Taliban, who were not elected, but (like Saddam Hussein) who seized power through murder and unjust aggression.

Is it ever right to go to war?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2007-04-01 08:09:00

When our family gets together, like we did over Christmas, our discussions sometimes get heated about whether our troops ought to be going overseas to fight or not. I know the Bible says somewhere “an eye for an eye,” but it also says something about “turning the other cheek.” How can we determine the proper answer to this question?

Christians have long struggled with the issue of war. I would assert that there is Biblically and theologically a spectrum of belief on this issue, and Christians may in all good conscience and faith fall on one end or the other, or somewhere in between the two ends. On the one hand, citing Jesus’ life and his statement that we are to “love our enemies,” a Christian might believe in pacifism and assert that we should not be involved in violence and war. On the other hand, citing some of Paul’s letters, a Christian might believe that we are to obey our leaders, including when we are called to war. In between those two views, for example, one might find Augustine’s “just war” theory in which he set forth a way to determine whether war, though evil, was nonetheless just and necessary. To speak to the specific verses you raise, note that the “eye for the eye” phrase in the Old Testament is actually not a justification for violence and war. It is rather a limiting instruction. That is, if one’s eye is taken, that person cannot kill the other person in response; the reaction must be equal to the response. Also, some have argued that the phrase “turning the other cheek” does not only mean do not take revenge. Slapping someone on one cheek was how one struck a slave; the opposite cheek was for someone of “higher” status. The remark means then, turn your cheek and challenge someone to treat you as something more than a slave. It is clear from the Bible that Christians are to be people of peace and peace-makers. Wherever we find ourselves on the Christian spectrum of interpretation of the Bible on the issue of war, we must, at the very least, acknowledge that peace and non-violence are to be our preference and our ultimate aim.

Is it ever right to go to war?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-04-01 08:09:00

When our family gets together, like we did over Christmas, our discussions sometimes get heated about whether our troops ought to be going overseas to fight or not. I know the Bible says somewhere “an eye for an eye,” but it also says something about “turning the other cheek.” How can we determine the proper answer to this question?

This question has always divided Christians. Yes, Jesus did tell His followers to turn the other cheek and not be personally defensive. But when one of my neighbors is hitting the other over the head with a shovel, how do I show my love? Being a peace maker is hard. During America's wars, those Christians who believed that the Bible requires us to be pacifistic have been excused from combat requirements. During WW II Mennonite youth did some alternative duty to the country. But I must ask: Should not Hitler have been stopped before He was able to do as he promised: Kill millions of Jews; enslave the "inferior "Slavic people; kill the disabled, elderly and handicapped who were useless to the State. We knew this, but were going to "sit out" the war until simultaneously Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and Germany declared war on us. Many of today's problems are results of European meddling and plundering, especially in the Middle East. But situations sometimes call for someone to perform "police action". If we had not fought in Korea in the l950's, the people in South Korea would now be suffering the same horrors as those in North Korea. I have South Korean friends who are most grateful. What does the New Testament say about this? Romans 13:1-7 gives instruction to Christians living and suffering under the cruel Roman Empire. They are told to obey the authorities who ruled "by the sword". "Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Won't you be afraid of them. Do what is good and you will have the praise of them....but if you do evil, be afraid; for they do not carry a sword in vain." Governments are necessary to protect people from the unscrupulous among them. People are sinful; protection is required. Even Roman local governments often liked law abiding, honest citizens more than dishonest ones. Christians have often suffered under anti-Christian rulers and made them grudgingly learn to value Christ's followers. Pacifists have often served best in that role. The question is, can a country serve best passively? And those of us who serve in the military must pray that we can fight without hatred of those we must fight.

Is having a few drinks sinful?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-03-01 11:38:00

My husband drinks three beers before and with dinner, and sometimes wine also. I was raised to believe that using alcohol is not part of God's plan; but my husband says I am wrong, and that it is totally okay. Can you help me understand what God expects of us with regard to alcohol use?

The Bible never prohibits alcoholic drinks. Wine drinking was common in Old and New Testament days. Jesus drank wine, as did almost everyone in the Near East. Clean water was scarce, as it was in Europe until the 19th century; wine had enough alcohol to kill germs. However, wine was generally "cut" 50% with water; in Biblical terminology undiluted wine was referred to as "strong drink". Constantly, drunkenness was warned against in the Bible. So moderation was the Jewish and Christian standard. How is the situation different today? First, clean water is commonly available. Second, drinks available today are strong compared to those of earlier days. Distillation was invented rather recently permitting whiskey to be made. Cocktails are lethal compared to wine. Whiskey can have 50% alcohol while wine is usually less than 20%. Beer is similar but is usually taken in much larger quantities. Also, the automobile changed the situation. The horse was always sober and knew the way home. Autos need all the skill and attention one can provide. Drinking (not necessarily drunken) drivers kill hundreds in the USA daily! You probably know some victims. So while the Bible does not call for prohibition, the Biblical principle of concern for the welfare of our neighbor, our children and our self still applies. Alcoholism is easy to acquire and hard to quit. Liquor is costly in any form, and danger is always present. Your family was wise in choosing to live without it; mine has done the same. Three beers before dinner and wine with dinner is certainly on the edge of "excessive". Your children are watching. Who will they be drinking with...and how soon? Will they be able to handle alcohol without danger of alcoholism? Can you? But this is a question of wisdom rather than of a rule. I pray that your husband will discuss this with you and understand your concern for him and for your children. Is he a Christian? How does this affect his witness and influence?

Is having a few drinks sinful?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-03-01 11:38:00

My husband drinks three beers before and with dinner, and sometimes wine also. I was raised to believe that using alcohol is not part of God's plan; but my husband says I am wrong, and that it is totally okay. Can you help me understand what God expects of us with regard to alcohol use?

The first pages of the Bible (Genesis 1, verses 12, 18, 25, 31) tell us that God viewed all of his creation, and declared it good. The use of good things of God's creation is good or virtuous, while the abuse of anything is bad or sinful. Wine and beer and other alcoholic beverages are good: so long as they are drunk in moderation. It is not part of God's plan that such drink be used to make a person drunk or incapacitate him/her to function with reason. Drunkenness is the sin of Gluttony, one of the capital sins. Numerous passages in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible accept that drinking wine and other fermented drinks, particularly during meals and at celebrations, is a normal part of human life. The Apostle Paul advises his disciple Timothy: "Stop drinking water only. Take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because of your frequent illnesses" (1 Tim 5:23). A little later the same Apostle cautions: "Be sober" (2 Tim 4:5). In the Old Testament book of Genesis we learn that, after the great deluge, the patriarch Noah "was the first to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of the wine, he became drunk" (Gen 9:21). The Scripture does not condemn him for drinking, but there is a silent reproof of his getting drunk. Psalm 104 (103) praises God for his creation; verse 14-15 says to God: "You produce bread from the earth, and wine to gladden men's hearts." The Old Testament book Wisdom of Sirach, verses 25-31, sum up the Judeo-Christian view about wine and strong drink: "Let not wine-drinking be the proof of your strength, for wine has been the ruin of many. . . .Wine is very life to man: if taken in moderation. Does he really live, who lacks the wine which was created for his joy? Joy of heart, good cheer and merriment are wine drunk freely at the proper time (in moderation). But headache, bitterness and disgrace is wine drunk amidst anger and strife. More and more wine is a snare for the fool; it lessens his strength and multiplies his wounds. Rebuke not your neighbor when wine is served, nor put him to shame while he is merry." The example of Our Lord Jesus Christ is most important. Jesus worked his first miracle at a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee, when he changed water into the best wine in order to spare a young bridegroom from embarrassment of running out of wine during the banquet: cf. John 2:1-11. Further, as his perpetual memorial, at the Last Supper on the night before he died, Jesus instituted his greatest Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist. He took bread and told his apostles: "Take and eat, this is my body." Then he took the cup of wine and gave it to his apostles saying: "Take and drink, for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, to be shed in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20). Many other texts in the Bible also encourage the use of wine and other beverages, but always in moderation. In the times when the Bible was written, beer and many other alcoholic beverages had not yet been invented, or at least were not in common use in the biblical lands. What the Bible says about wine can be applied also to those other beverages.At various times in the Church's history there have appeared religious persons, usually fanatics, who seeing the widespread abuse of alcoholic beverages, instituted movements to prohibit the use of anyone using such beverages. They thought to correct the abuse by banning something God created for human use. Among such persons-in-error are the Manichees and Albigensians and Moslems and Puritans. Also wrong were the leaders of the Womens' Christian Temperance Movement, who successfully pushed for the 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1919, which outlawed the sale, importing and possession of all intoxicating liquors. That prohibition led to more drunkenness than before, as well as to innumerable violations of civil laws. Fortunately, that amendment was repealed by the 21st amendment in 1933. In most countries, except where Islam is dominant, alcoholic beverages are a part of every meal. And even many Moslems secretly enjoy drinking alcoholic beverages. I grew-up in Wichita, when Kansas was officially a "dry" state. Yet it was common knowledge at that time that probably more alcoholic beverages were available in Kansas than in neighboring "wet" states. The lady, who raised this question is in error. According to God's plan, her husband has the right to drink beer and other beverages before, during and after his meals: provided he does so in moderation and doesn't get drunk or abusive. That wife might also indulge a bit of wine "for the good of her stomach," of course, - according to St. Paul, as I cited above -- and for harmony in her marriage.

Is having a few drinks sinful?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2007-03-01 11:38:00

My husband drinks three beers before and with dinner, and sometimes wine also. I was raised to believe that using alcohol is not part of God's plan; but my husband says I am wrong, and that it is totally okay. Can you help me understand what God expects of us with regard to alcohol use?

I understand the Bible to not prohibit the use of alcohol for adults but to suggest some limits on its use. There are many Biblical stories in the Old and New Testament that refer to alcohol in a kind of matter-of-fact way; this suggests there isn’t really a morality or immorality associated with its moderate and healthy use. There are places in the Bible which explicitly say that people should not abuse alcohol by excess use and by getting drunk. Sometimes, certain people, as part of a set of particular vows, would choose not to use alcohol. Further, one might say that, if and when alcohol is a “stumbling block” to some, its use should be avoided. Today, we might add that some people are genetically more prone to alcoholism, so they should avoid its use. It is important to note, however, that one of our two sacraments as Protestants is Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper. The elements of this sacrament are bread and wine, or, in the alternative, grape juice. Also, Jesus’ first sign in the gospel of John is to change water into wine! Paul even tells young Timothy to drink a bit for his stomach problems! Many other examples could be used here. With regard to the particular issue mentioned in the question, it sounds as if the husband’s use of alcohol is excessive. This may be less a moral issue and more an emotional and physical health issue. He may be using it out of habit, or out of physical addiction. He may as well be using it to “self-medicate,” that is, to numb some physical or emotional pain or avoid dealing with some issue. In any event, that his use is causing friction with his wife is certainly an issue. All this certainly should be explored by the couple together with a third party.

What are the different beliefs between Christianity, Judaism and Islam?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

X

Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2007-02-01 14:25:00

Can you provide a synopsis of your faith's teachings on the different beliefs of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and a statement on who is to say, which is right, if any at all?

Our Christian Presbyterian faith understands Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to be the three Abrahamic faiths. We all have Abraham as our spiritual ancestor. God called Abraham to be the father of a nation, Israel, the people we know as the Jews. Jesus was born a Jew, and he brought Christianity to the world. The prophet Muhammed began Islam, which he said was a further development of Christianity. It is important to note, however, that Muslims believe that Jesus was only a prophet, not the Son of God. Some Presbyterian Christians believe that Jews, Christians, and Muslims ultimately worship the same God, though in different ways and through different names. Others believe that Jews worship God the Father and Creator, (and as the Bible notes will not be forgotten by God), and Christians worship the full Trinitarian God, while Muslims worship some other God or are mistaken in their understanding of God. Our PCUSA Study Catechism has several important questions and answers in this regard: Will all human beings be saved? No one will be lost who can be saved. The limits to salvation, whatever they may be, are known only to God. Three truths above all are certain. God is a holy God who is not to be trifled with. No one will be saved except by grace alone. And no judge could possibly be more gracious than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Is Christianity the only true religion? Religion is a complex matter. When used as a means to promote self-justification, war-mongering, or prejudice, it is a form of sin. Too often all religions---and not least Christianity---have been twisted in this way. Nevertheless, by grace, despite all disobedience, Christianity offers the truth of the gospel. Although other religions may enshrine various truths, no other can or does affirm the name of Jesus Christ as the hope of the world.

What are the different beliefs between Christianity, Judaism and Islam?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-02-01 14:25:00

Can you provide a synopsis of your faith's teachings on the different beliefs of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and a statement on who is to say, which is right, if any at all?

Herein I endeavor to respond as would the great majority of Christians: Roman Catholics, the Orthodox Christians, and also most Protestants, at least those in the Anglican (Episcopal), Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian traditions. The basic beliefs of Christianity are summarized in The Apostles’ Creed, which is accepted by most Christians as the statement of belief: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: who became a man born of the Virgin Mary, lived and taught in the lands of Israel and Jordan and Egypt and Lebanon, suffered in the time of Pontius Pilate (who was Roman governor of Palestine), was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day thereafter he arose from the dead, then ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right-hand of God the Father, and from thence (at the end of time) he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body (at end of time), and life everlasting. Catholics and Orthodox believe that Jesus founded only one Church, and gave her the charism of infallibility in teaching about matters of faith and morals. By infallibility we understand: the Holy Spirit of God guides the Church in teaching God’s truth, and also He preserves her from teaching error. The Orthodox recognize that infallibility exists in an ecumenical Council composed of all the bishops, with the bishop of Rome as the natural head of the Council. Catholics believe that infallibility belongs to the bishop of Rome, as successor of the chief Apostle Peter, when he (the pope) defines a matter of faith or morals, and this in union with the bishops of the world (as in a General Council, of which he is the head). Anglicans and Protestants do not claim to have this charism of infallibility, and generally each denomination chooses which of the traditional beliefs they accept and which they reject or ignore. Christians (the New Covenant) recognize they are linked with the Jewish people: in their origin and roots, in their original sources of faith and moral teachings, and manner of worship (liturgy). From the Jews (the Old Covenant) Christians have received the Bible (the Old Testament) and with it the patriarchs and prophets, and above all the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God, who assumed human flesh of the Jewish race. The great majority of the Jewish people, remaining faithful to the traditions and religious practices of their ancestors, have not accepted Jesus as their Messiah, and they await the coming of a Messiah, whose features remain hidden until the end of time. Christians recognize that the Jews are God’s original chosen people, and God does not repent of his choice. Through being joined to Jesus by Baptism, Christians believe they enter into that privilege of being also God’s chosen people, sharing the promises God made to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and the Jewish prophets. As Pope Pius XI expressed it: “We Christians are spiritual Jews, the spiritual children of Abraham through Isaac.” Therefore all Christians ought to respect Jewish people as their brothers and sisters. The Catholic bishops at the 2nd Vatican Council stated: “God’s plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, who will judge mankind on the last day.” Moslems and most Arabs consider themselves also descendants of Abraham through Ishmael, who was Abraham’s son by Hagar. Islam (meaning “submission” or “surrender” to the Will of God) was founded by Mohammad in the 6th century in Arabia. His teachings are derived partly from the Bible, partly from what he learned about Jews and Christians, and partly from native arab traditions. After the death of Mohammad in 632, his followers collected those teachings into a book called the Quran (Koran), which Moslems have received as the Word of God. They believe that, since God is One, God speaks through this scripture. The word Quran (Koran) means: “recitation.” They believe it contains all wisdom, and so they recite it daily. Islam is built on five pillars: 1) Profession of faith in Allah (God) and in Mohammad as prophet of Allah; 2) Prayer carried out five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and after the fall of darkness; 3) Almsgiving to the poor and for a just society; 4) Observance of Ramadan, a month of fasting from food and drink and sexual activity during the hours of daylight; and 5) Pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime. As regards who is right: ultimately only God knows, and will determine these matters. It is our duty to believe and to live according to the principles of our religion. We should respect the persons and the religions of others, who do not share our religion. We can and should share with one another our ideas, and be open to learn from others, even when we think they are mistaken. Christians and Jews and Moslems can and ought to share friendship and material possessions (especially to those in need), and cooperate in all worthy undertakings, cultural endeavors, and the political community, without attempting to impose by any kind of force our religion on others. We need one another and must work together: for a just civil society, in which each person is able to worship God openly according to his/her conscience.

What are the different beliefs between Christianity, Judaism and Islam?

By Pastor Tom Hawks

X

Religion

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Pastor Tom Hawks

2007-02-01 14:25:00

I will attempt to answer this question by sharing what each of these three believe and then give my opinion of the “correct” BELIEF SYSTEM.

I will attempt to answer this question by sharing what each of these three believe and then give my opinion of the “correct” BELIEF SYSTEM. Judaism is a monotheistic religion which believes the world was created by a single, all-knowing divinity (GOD), and that all things within that world were designed to have meaning and purpose as a part of a divine order. According to their teaching, God’s will for human behavior was revealed to Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. There are three branches of Judaism, The Orthodox who observe most of the traditional dietary and ceremonial law. Conservatives hold the importance of a Jewish political state, but more emphasis on the historic and religious aspects of Judaism. Reforms are the “liberal” wing of Judaism, culture and race oriented with little agreement on doctrinal or religious belief. They all wait for the coming Messiah. Islam is the religion of Allegiance to the Prophet Mohammed, who lived around 570-632 and came from a family of Tradeds from Mecca, they study the Koran. The Koran contains 114 chapters written in vivid, rhyming pose and was settled in its current form within 30 years of Mohammad’s death. There are five pillars, their profession of faith in Allah, the centrality of Mohammed as his prophet, formal worship of prayer, the giving of alms to the poor, and a, at least once in a lifetime, pilgrimage to Mecca. About 90% of the world’s Muslims are Sunni and about 10% Shia. They believe Jesus was a good teacher and prophet. Christianity is the belief that Jehovah God created and sustains the world, created man in His image, sent His one of a kind son into the world to save the world from sin, gave us His God- breathed word sufficient for our rule & practice. Jesus was born of a virgin (Luke 1:35), lived a holy life (2 Corinthians 5:21), died on a cross for our sin, (Mark 15:33-37) was buried, (Mark 15:46) rose again (Mark 16:1-7) ascended (Acts 1:1-11) to the father, is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1) and will come to take us to live with Him forever (Revelations 19:11-21) Christianity believes that Jesus is God in the Flesh (John 1:14). Which is worth believing? Judaism says the Messiah is still to come. Islam’s Messiah is dead and buried. Jesus died, rose again, and is waiting for the trumpet to sound. I bet my life on Christ crucified and risen again.

What are the different beliefs between Christianity, Judaism and Islam?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-02-01 14:25:00

Can you provide a synopsis of your faith's teachings on the different beliefs of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and a statement on who is to say, which is right, if any at all?

I will try to give a short answer to a very long question, calling on Dr. Ergun M. Caner to help. He was a very well trained Moslem before becoming a Christian. Here is a table giving beliefs of Christians (C), Hindus (H), Buddhists (B), Moslems (M) and Jews (J) in five main areas. GOD (C) One, revealed as 3 persons. Knowable; Creator; Loving. (H) Impersonal. Unknowable; A part of all creation. (B) None. (M) Allah, Unknowable; All powerful, but merciful. (J) One; Creator; Self-revealing through prophets. AUTHORITY (C) Bible; Inspired, Preserved and True.(H) Vedas and other writings. (B) Buddah's sayings and others. (M) Koran; Allah's exact words. (J) Torah (Old Testament). HUMANS (C) Valuable/spiritual, but separated from God by sin. (H) Part of God; Good. Reincarnated after deaths. (B) Valuable as part of Life. Reincarnated. (M) Born pure; naturally religious. (J) Valuable as God's special creation. HUMAN PROBLEM (C) Sinful nature; rebellion against God. (H) No sin, only ignorance. Reincarnate to improve. (B) Human desires. Reincarnate to improve. (M) Breaking Allah's rules. (J) Choosing to do wrong; breaking God's Law. SALVATION (C) Accept God's provision of Christ's sacrifice gives assurance of Heaven. (H) Escape Karma; become part of God after many reincarnations.(B) Be absorbed into non-existence after many reincarnations. (M) Obey Koran's rules. Hope for Paradise after purification .(J) Please God by keeping His Law and praying. .....Who is to say which is right, you ask? (1) Get to know persons who are committed believers in each and see how their lives are affected. (2) Read the basic parts of the authoritative writings. (3) Pray: "God, if You are there, show me the truth". I am convinced that God has acted in love to recover us rebellious humans. Despite our proud arrogance, He came to show us His love, live life as we live it so that we can believe that He does understand our needs. He paid the penalty due for our rebellion and offers to forgive all our sins...past and future...if we will submit to Him in trusting faith and invite Christ to come into our lives and change our hearts. Because He rose from the dead, the fear of death is replaced by the hope of Heaven.

In this world of science, of what real value is religion?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2007-01-01 10:14:00

With science trying to replace religion, and more and more people trying to remove God from our lives, what value does religion provide today for the world as a whole?

***image1:left I will give a few of the possibilities: (1) To provide a purpose for living. Some wise person said: "If a man has a 'why' for his life, he can endure almost any 'how' ". For a cow, pasture is enough; people need purpose. We need to have something worth living...or...dying, for. Those who do not, often destroy their life with drink, drugs, or divorce....see the daily papers. Those who know Jesus as Lord get the reason for living. " 'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek and find Me when you seek with all your heart.' " Jer. 29:11-13 (2) To give hope. As one gets older, the future offers nothing on its own. Only if God has given promise of life after this can one honestly look forward. Otherwise, an attempt at blindness is all that can be endured. A friend of mine said that as a Christian he looked at death as a "birth canal" to Heaven, rather than as suction into oblivion. Christ's death for our sins and His resurrection gives the solid basis for this hope "Now, if we are the children of God, what we will be has not yet seen made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is Everyone who has this hope purifies himself, just as He is pure." I John 3:2-3 (3) To give a moral standard. We need a basis for "right and wrong" in order to get along with one another. All religions try to provide this, because experience shows people that certain behaviors are destructive to life. But most attempts at legislating morality are destructive to some people in the society: women, a low caste, a racial group, a competing tribe, etc. Sinful people cannot invent a fair system. Only God provided the 10 commandments, the love-based morality demonstrated by Jesus Christ, and the inner change we need to be able to live right when we come to know it."Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Eph 4:32

In this world of science, of what real value is religion?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2007-01-01 10:14:00

With science trying to replace religion, and more and more people trying to remove God from our lives, what value does religion provide today for the world as a whole?

I think it is a big assumption to say that "science is trying to replace religion." There are some who believe that, as we learn more in the field of science, which they consider totally factual, we can abandon what they consider the "myths" of religion. However, there are many more who see that science and religion are in fact two different fields, and yet they can support each other. The well-known scientist John Polkinghorne fits into this latter category. He believes that the more science discovers, the more it comes closer to saying there has to be some supernatural power behind this world. As I understand it, science observes, identifies, describes, and investigates the world of nature. It utilizes the scientific method, which involves observing, forming a hypothesis, and testing and retesting the hypothesis in order to discover truths. Religion is the field in which systems of belief in a supernatural power are expressed. As Presbyterians, we have a "faith seeking understanding," as Anselm put it hundreds of years ago. We believe in God, and we continue to try to understand more and more about God and ourselves as we live lives of faith. Religion, for us, provides a perspective on life, a guide for living, education, fellowship, mission, and so much more. We look to our faith as important, yet we do not neglect what the field of science tells us as well.

In this world of science, of what real value is religion?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2007-01-01 10:14:00

With science trying to replace religion, and more and more people trying to remove God from our lives, what value does religion provide today for the world as a whole?

There is no conflict between authentic science and authentic religion! This is because God the Creator is the source of truth and knowledge, and He is the author of true religion. True science helps us to better understand God in his marvelous works throughout the universe. True religion helps us understand and appreciate those works. Science and Religion are as sisters who respect each other's distinct properties and limitations. The apparent conflicts between religion and science are only that: apparent. When conflicts happen: either science has overstepped it's competence by attempting to pronounce on religion, OR religion is being misunderstood and abused beyond it's competence. A classic example of such conflict is the Galileo controversy. In the 16th and 17th centuries the great astronomer-scientist Galileo Galilei, by observation and reasoning argued that the planets revolve around the sun. This led him to support Copernicus' theory about the solar system. But Galileo came into conflict with the Catholic Church's Inquisition, which condemned him. (The pope of that time was a personal friend and admirer of Galileo, and so did not participate in the official condemnation.) The members of the Inquisition had read in the Old Testament book of Joshua (10:12-14) that on the day of a great military victory the jubilant leader of the Israelites, Joshua, spoke a song in which he told the sun to stand still and the moon to stop. The Bible relates that "the sun stood still and the moon did not move until the nation had conquered its enemies" (verse 13).Attributing to the biblical text a fundamentalist inerrancy even in scientific matters, those well-meaning-but-ignorant inquisitors considered the theory of Copernicus and Galileo to be contrary to the Bible. They were wrong in judging a true scientific discovery by the words of a poem or song found in the Bible, which is primarily a religious text. Joshua was simply describing the happiness of the occasion. As we know from personal experience, happy days seem to pass too quickly, and we wish they might be prolonged: "O would that this day might continue forever! O sun, stand still!" We continue to use the words "sunrise" and "sunset," although we know the sun neither rises nor sets, but rather it appears to do so by reason of the movement of the earth around the sun. (The late Pope John Paul II officially rejected that bad decision of the Inquisition, and rehabilitated Galileo.) But scientists also make mistakes by attempting to pronounce on matters of faith and religion. The brilliant physicist, Stephen Hawking has made a number of foolish statements regarding God and religion, thinking in his pride that science has the explanation for everything in the universe. By contrast, the greatest scientist of the last century, Albert Einstein humbly acknowledged God's role in the universe and the limitations of natural science, of which he became the master.Religion has helped science in situations where science is ignorant or unable to understand. Thus, it was by reading in the first books of the Bible, about tar pits and sulphur in various places of the Middle East, that early geologists learned to explore for oil. They did so with enormous success. Medical science and psychologists and psychiatrists cannot explain diabolical possession, and so must yield to religious authorities to cast-out devils. Three times, in the book of Psalms, we read: "The fool has said in his heart 'there is no God.'" Those persons, who attempt to remove God from our lives, are really fools. Consider the late unlamented Madilyn Murray O'Hare, a professed atheist, who attempted to remove any mention of God from our public schools and civic institutions. Eventually she was murdered for her money, while her impact on society is quickly fading. As St. Paul mentions in his 1st epistle to Timothy (6:6): "Religion brings great benefits to a person." But also it benefits society, as President George Washington observed in 1793, when he recommended to Congress that the churches and synagogues be exempted from paying taxes because they confer innumerable benefits on the common weal. Without the teachings and restraints of religion, society would be in constant danger of anarchy, and morality would collapse. Religion teaches respect for one's neighbor and the neighbor's property. Religion encourages people to help one another, even strangers, and to undertake those necessary works which the state is unable to provide. Religion helps to reconcile enemies, to rectify injuries, to restore order when such has collapsed, as well as to give comfort and consolation, at the important events of life and sickness and death. Religion affords joy to most people who participate in its rituals and celebrations. Without religion, civil society would soon degenerate into an "animal farm" ruled by beasts and thugs. Remember the Nazis under Hitler, Albania under Hohxa (when it was the first officially-declared atheist state), Russia and its satellites under Stalin, Cambodia under Pot Pol, etc. The devils attempted to remove all religion from the peoples ruled by those dictators, who succeeded only to destroy millions of their people and many beautiful traditions and cultures. In the end they destroyed themselves, leaving only ruins behind their cursed souls. Religion returned to those poor countries, and encouraged the survivors to forgive and to rebuild and recover whatever possible.

Is the soul AND the body in Heaven or Hell before the end of time?

By Pastor Tom Hawks

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Religion

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Pastor Tom Hawks

2006-12-01 09:28:00

In Luke 16:19, Jesus speaks a parable about the rich man and the poor man Lazarus. At the end of this parable, after both die, the rich man sees Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom, and begs Abraham to allow Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool the rich man’s tongue. I know that at death, the soul separates from the body. The soul is judged and goes to eternity. The body goes to the grave. At the end of time, both the body and soul will be reunited and spend eternity together, either in eternal bliss or in eternal torment. Since the end of time has yet to arrive, how could the rich man want his tongue to be cooled, when the only part of his being in hell is his soul?

ANSWER: There is much debate about whether the story of the rich man and the beggar is parable or an actual experience. There are those who believed that because Jesus gave Lazarus a name and never gave names to characters in other parables, this was a real “happening!” What we must remember is that spiritual and eternal truths have to be described in human and earthly language. This does not lesson the blessing nor the terror of the truth. I don’t know that I have the answer some may want to this question, but let me share some valuable lessons from this story. There was one main difference between Lazarus and the rich man. But what a big difference. It is the difference between being known by God and not being known or honored by God. Lazarus, which means “God is my helper”, knew God and trusted God. The rich man was healthy, Lazarus was disabled. The rich man had plenty, Lazarus was helpless. Lazarus died and was escorted to Paradise, the rich man died and was buried. There was a difference in life, death, and in eternity. Let me give you ten contrasts in this passage we need to know about eternity. 1.The rich man was in hell…Lazarus in Paradise. The term “Abraham’s breast” meant to be feasting with Abraham in Paradise…a place of joy and rest following death. 2.The rich man only saw Glory…Lazarus was living in and experiencing glory. 3.The rich man was painfully alone…Lazarus had companionship. 4.The rich man had a burning sensation…Lazarus had water. 5.The rich man was tormented…Lazarus was comforted. 6.The rich man remembered his former life…Lazarus was silent. 7.The rich man was fixed in hell…Lazarus was fixed in Paradise. 8.The rich man agonized for loved ones…Lazarus was settled in eternity. 9.The rich man begged for another chance…Lazarus was at peace with the Scripture’s promise. 10.The rich man was unable to intercede for his family…Lazarus rested in God’s grace. Remember, God wants you in heaven (2 Peter 3:9, John 14:1-6). If you are a believer know one day you’ll be there…all of you…body and soul. (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

Is the soul AND the body in Heaven or Hell before the end of time?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2006-12-01 09:28:00

In Luke 16:19, Jesus speaks a parable about the rich man and the poor man Lazarus. At the end of this parable, after both die, the rich man sees Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom, and begs Abraham to allow Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool the rich man’s tongue. I know that at death, the soul separates from the body. The soul is judged and goes to eternity. The body goes to the grave. At the end of time, both the body and soul will be reunited and spend eternity together, either in eternal bliss or in eternal torment. Since the end of time has yet to arrive, how could the rich man want his tongue to be cooled, when the only part of his being in hell is his soul?

ANSWER: This is a parable; an illustrative story that makes a single point. It is similar to Aesop's "fables". We understand that the point of the story of the tortoise and the hare is that the serious, plodding worker often wins over the self-confident star. We would not think that it taught us that animals participate in athletic contests! Similarly, Jesus often told parables in which there was a single main point and the details were not to be taken as special teachings or revelations. The Lazarus-and-Rich-Man story had a clear message: A person's attitude and actions are an indication of where he is headed for in eternity, and our "stations-in-life" may be reversed after death. The details which bother you are many. The parable is NOT teaching such things as: (1) People in heaven and hell can see and communicate with each other. (2) Abraham is the administrator of heaven. (3) Those in heaven or hell can influence what happens back on earth. To learn what the Bible teaches about life after death, concentrate on the passages which deal directly with that subject: I Cor. 15:35-56, II Cor. 5:1-9, Matt. 25:31-46, Mark 13:5-37, Luke 18: 22-37, Luke 21: 5-29, II Peter 3:3-13, I John 3:1-3, Revelation 19-21. While these do not give us the ability to pre-write history, they do give a basic understanding of God's plan for our future. It is clear that our situation for eternity depends on the decisions we make now regarding Jesus Christ. He is God's loving provision for forgiveness of our sins and curing of our sinfulness...and for our being capable of living in His presence in Heaven. Jesus' death and resurrection from the dead gives us eternal hope if we repent of our sins and accept Him as our personal master and Savior. To fail to act in faith is a decision to reject Him and His sacrifice. This much about the future is certain.....Do not make that mistake!

Is the soul AND the body in Heaven or Hell before the end of time?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2006-12-01 09:28:00

In Luke 16:19, Jesus speaks a parable about the rich man and the poor man Lazarus. At the end of this parable, after both die, the rich man sees Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom, and begs Abraham to allow Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool the rich man’s tongue. I know that at death, the soul separates from the body. The soul is judged and goes to eternity. The body goes to the grave. At the end of time, both the body and soul will be reunited and spend eternity together, either in eternal bliss or in eternal torment. Since the end of time has yet to arrive, how could the rich man want his tongue to be cooled, when the only part of his being in hell is his soul?

ANSWER:I understand this parable as to be more about "reversal," as is common in Luke (see Fred Craddock, Luke), than about what happens after death. Craddock notes that this parable is addressed to the Pharisees and their love of wealth (see Luke 16:14). The parable criticizes them for not sharing with the poor, and thus, their fortunes are "reversed" after death. Regarding what happens when we die, there are arguably two lines of thought in the Bible. In one, the Bible indicates that when we die, we body and soul) "sleep" until the resurrection, but we are not aware of the passage of time while we are "sleeping." When we "wake," we are in the presence of God, and it seems immediate, as Paul writes, "in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:52). In another line of thought, after death, we are actually immediately in the presence of God. There is a tug here, however, in the New Testament between the Greek idea of "immortality of the soul" and the Hebrew idea that people are one whole being with "parts" that are not divided. Jesus' statement to the thief on the cross, "Truly I tell you today you will be with me in paradise" can support either of the Biblical lines of thought. It depends on where one puts the comma; is it "Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise," or "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise"? I find it most helpful to trust God in these matters. I would urge you to read 1 Corinthians 15, in which Paul explains that we cannot fully understand what happens at death and resurrection. I also find it helpful to remember the words of a seminary professor who told me once that we shouldn't "speculate about the details in heaven" but focus rather on living lives of grateful response to God's love and trusting in his promises.

Is the soul AND the body in Heaven or Hell before the end of time?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2006-12-01 09:28:00

In Luke 16:19, Jesus speaks a parable about the rich man and the poor man Lazarus. At the end of this parable, after both die, the rich man sees Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom, and begs Abraham to allow Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool the rich man’s tongue. I know that at death, the soul separates from the body. The soul is judged and goes to eternity. The body goes to the grave. At the end of time, both the body and soul will be reunited and spend eternity together, either in eternal bliss or in eternal torment. Since the end of time has yet to arrive, how could the rich man want his tongue to be cooled, when the only part of his being in hell is his soul?

ANSWER: Note that Jesus is teaching with a parable. In his gospel, St. Matthew (13:34-35) states that “Jesus taught the crowds in the form of parables. He spoke to them in parables only, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet (Psalm 78:2): ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce mysteries from of old.’” The definition of a parable is: A short, simple tale based on familiar things, meant to convey a moral or religious lesson. Thus a parable is not necessarily the narrative of an historical or scientific fact. It is a manner of teaching a lesson in the context of a story or images, which the hearer or reader can easily understand. The parable utilizes ordinary human terms and expressions, e.g. we speak of sunrise and sunset, although we know that the sun does not rise or set, even if it appears to do so; rather the earth revolves around the sun, which is fixed in our galactic system. In this parable about the diverse fates of the unnamed rich man and the poor man Lazarus, Jesus was accommodating his teaching to the common understanding of his listeners. Jesus was not giving a philosophical discourse about the separation of soul and body at death. Those who heard Jesus speak had no experience of either heaven or hell, or of the human soul separated from it’s body. So Jesus was telling his audience about what will happen to those people, who have an abundance of material things, and ignore the real needs of poor people. You are correct that only at the end of time will the body be reunited with the soul. Meanwhile the rich man is in hell and experiencing terrible suffering. His extreme thirst is only one of the kinds of suffering he has to endure. He is also lonesome for human companionship, and greatly desires to experience some kind of mercy and goodness, represented by Lazarus. But his fate was sealed at the time of his death. All his riches and fine foods cannot help or satisfy his hunger and thirst in hell. Abraham speaks for God in telling the rich man that there is no communication between the people in heaven and those who are damned in hell. The rich man enjoyed lots of pleasures when he was in this world, and he didn’t give a damn about the poor represented in the person of Lazarus. After death their situations are reversed. As Jesus had stated at the beginning of his sermon on the Plain: “Blessed (happy) are you poor: for the kingdom of heaven is yours” (Luke 6:20). A few sentences later Jesus states: “But woe to you rich, for your consolation is now. Woe to you who are full: you shall go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now: you shall weep in your grief” (Luke 6:24-25). While you are correct that in hell the soul separated from its body doesn’t have a tongue, it is easier to understand the lesson by imagining the damned person as he was in this world and as he will be again, when soul and body are re-united, at the end of time. Notice in that parable of Jesus that the rich man is not condemned for kicking Lazarus or ordering his servants to remove the poor man from his gate; he is condemned simply because he didn’t have concern for his poor neighbor, whom he could have helped but didn’t.

Will we all get along in Heaven?

By Dr John Click

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Religion

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Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com.

Dr John Click

2006-11-01 08:56:00

There are many verses in the Bible that show heaven to be a place of absolute happiness, including 1 Corinthians 2:9. My wife and I have been married for many years. I am happier being with her than with anyone else. Suppose I die first, and she remarries, and all of us (me, her, and her new husband) end up in Heaven. Will I spend an eternity watching her with her new husband? Will he spend an eternity watching me with her? How does all of this work out?

ANSWER:Jesus was asked almost the same question by some religious leaders who were trying to show that the idea of life-after-death was foolish. See Matthew 22:23-30. They told Him a ridiculous story of a woman who had six husbands die, and married a seventh. "Whose wife will she be in the resurrection?" Jesus said that they were ignorant of the Scriptures, and that in Heaven there would be no marriage but that we will be like the angels. I understand Him to mean that there will be no sexes! Does that disappoint you? Can you believe that there will be something better? It is like telling a child that in Heaven there will be no chocolate or bicycles! That doesn't sound so deprived to an adult. We will have relationships so intimate and satisfying that my wife and I will be delighted with our new situation. If I die before my wife, I hope she finds another husband...she is too good a wife to be without a husband. She actually has suggested a replacement wife for me should she die first. (We haven't told the woman of her plan.) I hope you can trust God to give you His best....joy and fulfillment beyond your imagination. So receive His gift by entrusting yourself to His Son as your Lord and Savior. I Cor. 2:9 is true!

Will we all get along in Heaven?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2006-11-01 08:56:00

There are many verses in the Bible that show heaven to be a place of absolute happiness, including 1 Corinthians 2:9. My wife and I have been married for many years. I am happier being with her than with anyone else. Suppose I die first, and she remarries, and all of us (me, her, and her new husband) end up in Heaven. Will I spend an eternity watching her with her new husband? Will he spend an eternity watching me with her? How does all of this work out?

ANSWER: In Jesus' conversation with the Sadducees in Matthew 22:23-33 (see also Mark 12 and Luke 20), the Sadducees asked Jesus a similar question, not with genuine concern about the answer, but as "bait" or a "trap" for him. They didn't believe in the resurrection, so they were challenging him. He knew that they weren't really interested in his answer, so he addressed their question less pastorally than one might in the first part of his answer, and in the second part of his answer, he addressed their intent. I sense you ask this question with genuine concern about the answer, however, especially given your situation. My answer, then, would be that as Jesus said, life after death is something beyond a continuation of the kind of life we know here on earth; our minds cannot even comprehend what eternal life will be like. We do know, however, that, as you note, it will be pure joy. We are to hold fast to that. I would add that an early theologian warned Christians not to "speculate about the future in heaven." His point was that we are to trust in the promises of God and not be anxious about trying to "figure it all out." I find Job's wisdom helpful here. Job noted that he should not "utter what he did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." He noted only "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at last he will stand upon the earth, and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another."

Will we all get along in Heaven?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2006-11-01 08:42:00

There are many verses in the Bible that show heaven to be a place of absolute happiness, including 1 Corinthians 2:9. My wife and I have been married for many years. I am happier being with her than with anyone else. Suppose I die first, and she remarries, and all of us (me, her, and her new husband) end up in Heaven. Will I spend an eternity watching her with her new husband? Will he spend an eternity watching me with her? How does all of this work out?

ANSWER:You are correct that heaven is a place or situation of absolute happiness. You have well cited St. Paul in 1 Cor. 2:9. Therein the Apostle is repeating what the prophet Isaiah (64:3) had taught: “Human eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man: what wonderful things God has prepared for those who love him.” We are unable to even imagine the happiness of heaven.There are no vices in heaven. Jealousy or envy is a vice. Therefore there can be no jealousy in heaven. The definition of jealousy is: “sorrow over the good of another person.” In the gospels of Matthew (22:23-30) and Mark (12:18-25) and Luke (20:27-36), Jesus Himself seems to have anticipated your concern about your wife’s possible new husband after your death. Some Sadducees proposed to Jesus the situation wherein a woman had seven husbands in succession, having lost each one by death. Then they asked: “At the resurrection, whose wife will she be? Remember: all seven married her.” Jesus replied: “The children of this world marry and are given in marriage, but those who are judged worthy of a place in the age to come and of resurrection from the dead, will not then marry. They will be like angels and are no longer liable to death. They are the sons of God, because they will have risen from death.” Everyone in heaven will be filled with love for God and for one another. Each will rejoice in the other’s good. Therefore in heaven you, filled with happiness, can only rejoice about your wife, and be happy for the joy and comfort she has given you and will have given to any future husbands. In heaven you will enjoy the companionship of your wife and of all the other good persons, who ever lived, including your successor, whether in this life you liked him or not. This supposes that he was a good man. If he was not good, he won’t be in heaven and you won’t be concerned about him. You see, life after death is quite different from anything we have experienced or can imagine. Each person in heaven is filled with happiness, according to their capacity for such happiness. The saints and those individuals, who have lived good and holy lives, will have a greater capacity for happiness: than will those persons, who spent their lives in selfish pursuits and neglect of God. Through God’s mercy those latter sinners were able to repent before they died, and so eventually they will go to heaven. But their capacity for happiness will be much less than the capacity of those persons who devoted their lives to serving God and their neighbor. Of course, those who do not repent before they die will not go to heaven! Unrepentant sinners go to hell, and in hell there is plenty of jealousy along with every other misery. But in heaven there is no jealousy; each person is perfectly happy in whatever capacity they have for happiness. I illustrate this idea with a crude example. Let us suppose that water represents happiness. The seas and rivers have a greater capacity for being filled with water than do a swimming pool or a bathtub or a bowl or a cup. During this life each person increases or decreases his/her capacity for happiness (or for suffering in hell) according to the virtues or vices they practice. By reason of their many virtues, the saints might be compared to the seas and rivers in their capacity for happiness, whereas those persons with few virtues, but who have repented of their vices, will have a capacity for happiness comparable to a bowl or a cup or a thimble. Yet the bowl is not jealous of the bathtub. Each can be completely full of water. Still, there is more water in a bathtub than in a bowl or a cup or thimble. The holy Virgin Mary, in her capacity for happiness, must be compared to the ocean. Therefore, while you still have life, strive to increase your capacity for happiness, which will be fixed forever at the moment of your death. In heaven you will rejoice at your wife’s happiness with her new husband and you will rejoice at his good fortune in succeeding you. But you cannot be sad or jealous over either party because your own soul will be completely full of the love of God. That is the perfect happiness, awaiting you in heaven.

Will we all get along in Heaven?

By Pastor Tom Hawks

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Religion

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Pastor Tom Hawks

2006-11-01 08:42:00

There are many verses in the Bible that show heaven to be a place of absolute happiness, including 1 Corinthians 2:9. My wife and I have been married for many years. I am happier being with her than with anyone else. Suppose I die first, and she remarries, and all of us (me, her, and her new husband) end up in Heaven. Will I spend an eternity watching her with her new husband? Will he spend an eternity watching me with her? How does all of this work out?

ANSWER: This question has been discussed and discussed for thousands of years. To at least give some clarity to this issue I encourage you to look at the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:23-33. The Sadducees were trying to challenge the authority of Jesus concerning the Resurrection. They denied and scoffed at the idea of a literal Resurrection. They used a law, based on Deut. 25:5-6, that when a husband died without a son, the brother was to marry his wife and bear a son. This would assure the family name would continue and that the property would remain in the family. They went wild with their story and had all seven brothers die, no son born, and finally the wife dies…I wonder why? Their question was, because they were trying to show how impossible a Resurrection would be, who was the husband in eternity? There was logic, but it was cold, egotistical, unbelieving and downright revolting. They were only thinking of the physical world and believed that eternity would be nothing more than a continuation of this world, both in its nature and in its relationships. I love the answer of Jesus…”You are wrong, you don’t know the scriptures and you don’t know the power of God” (22:29) He then stated that the Resurrection exceeded earthly relationships even beyond the bond of marital relationships. Jesus compared that heavenly relationship to heavenly angels and God.That means at least two things. Our heavenly life and relationships will be PERFECT. No selfishness or sin will affect our love and lives. Everyone will love everyone perfectly. God will change all relationships into perfection, just like the relationship between angels and God. Secondly, our heavenly life and relationships shall be eternal. Not only will everyone love everyone perfectly, but eternally we will enjoy the presence of each other, even as the relationship between angels and God is enjoyed eternally. I don’t begin to say I understand all of this. I can’t imagine any relationship being more joyful or complete than the one I have with my wife. But this I know, someday as Christians we will gather for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-8) and a whole new way of living will begin. A way that is perfect and eternal.

How can something be a sin for some and not for others?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2006-10-01 12:27:00

QUESTION: My question is about sin. Some religions believe a certain action is a sin. Some do not. Some religions believe a certain action is a serious sin, some do not. Quite often, even clerics within a particular religion disagree about whether or not something is a sin, or a serious sin. How will one be judged when there are so many different interpretations?

ANSWER: Presbyterian Christians believe that judgment, final judgment about one's heart and soul, is up to God. We also believe, however, that the Bible shows us what sin is, and therefore we can discern generally between what is right behavior and what is wrong behavior. We do this discerning not to see who is "better" than each other, but to seek to live faithful and full lives of obedience to God; we believe God has shown us the "straight and narrow" way that leads to our best lives. This discerning is important most of all for our own behavior, but it also allows us to discern right and wrong for others as well. We are to be concerned about the "logs in our own eyes," for example, before we begin to point out "the specks in others' eyes." And, we are to be a forgiving people, just as we have been forgiven. Sin is, generally, rebellion against God. There is a "Sin" with a capital "S" that describes the state of being human beings are in after the fall; then, there is a "sin" with a small "s" that describes specific behaviors. We agree on what Sin is, but we may in fact disagree about whether certain acts are sin or not. This can be on what some may consider "minor" issues, and it can be on what some may consider "major" issues. This can present difficulty, and it has presented difficulties for the PC (USA) denomination over the issue of homosexuality. Some believe homosexuality is something over which one has no choice, some believe even homosexual orientation is sinful, some believe it is only the behavior which is sinful, others believe it is only promiscuous homosexual behavior which is sinful. As a denomination, we are now in a place where our church's official position is that homosexuality is not God's intention for life, and those who are ordained, heterosexual or homosexual, must meet the standard of faithfulness in marriage and chastity in singleness. However, we have recently adopted a report that allows presbyteries to have some freedom in applying this and other standards. How this works out in the life of our denomination remains to be seen.

How can something be a sin for some and not for others?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2006-10-01 12:27:00

QUESTION: My question is about sin. Some religions believe a certain action is a sin. Some do not. Some religions believe a certain action is a serious sin, some do not. Quite often, even clerics within a particular religion disagree about whether or not something is a sin, or a serious sin. How will one be judged when there are so many different interpretations?

ANSWER: Sin is present in human history. Any attempt to ignore it, or to give this dark reality other names, would be futile. To understand what sin is, we must first recognize the profound relation of man to God, for only in this relationship is the evil of sin unmasked in its true identity: as a rejection of God and opposition to God, even as sin continues to weigh heavy on human life. Only in the light of the Bible and the Church’s Tradition can we recognize sin clearly. Without God’s revelation we are tempted to explain sin as merely a developmental flaw, a psychological weakness, a mistake, or the necessary consequence of an inadequate social structure, etc. Only in the knowledge of God’s plan for mankind can we grasp that sin is an abuse of the free-will that God gives to every human person: so that he/she is capable to loving God and loving one another. Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience. It is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain things. Sin is any thought or word or action against God, and which turns our heart away from God. God loves each one of us, and He created us to love him in return. Sin is a rejection of that divine love, a revolt against God: through the human will to prefer oneself in pride even to contempt of God. There a many kinds of sins. The Bible provides several lists of them. In his Epistle to the Galatians (5:19-21) St. Paul lists “fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you . . . that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” The root of sin is in the heart of man, in his free will, according to the teaching of Jesus: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person” (Mt 15:19-20). Sins are evaluated according to their gravity. The distinction between mortal (serious, grave) sin and venial (lesser) sin is taught by St. John in his first epistle (5:16-17): “ There is such a thing as deadly sin. . . . True, all wrongdoing is sin, but not all sin is deadly.” This is corroborated by human experience. Mortal (serious, grave) sin is sin whose object is grave matter, and which is committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent. Serious or Grave Matter is spelled out by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: “Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother” (Mk 10:19). The gravity (seriousness) of sins is more or less great: e.g. murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: to steal from a poor person is graver than theft from a rich person. In order that a sin be serious (mortal, grave): it is necessary that the sinner have full knowledge of what she/he is doing, and that they are doing it with their complete consent. To pretend ignorance or habit does not diminish, but rather increases the willful character of a sin. God is not deceived by pretense. The gravity of a sin can be diminished by unintentional ignorance, and sometimes by external pressures, or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is most serious (grave, mortal). When a sinner dies unrepentant for a serious (mortal, grave) sin, he/she is excluded from God’s kingdom and goes to hell for all eternity. However, although we can judge that an act is in itself a serious sin, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God. A person commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the moral law, or when he violates the moral law in a grave matter, but is lacking full knowledge or complete consent. Venial sin weakens the will and impedes the individual soul’s progress towards God; it deserves temporary punishment. Whoever sins in small matters is not deprived of friendship with God, and consequently can obtain eternal happiness. "While in this life, a person cannot help but have at least some light sins" (St. Augustine). But even these should be repented every day. Small sins, which a person takes-for-granted, can lead easily to repetition, and then hardening the conscience: so that gradually it becomes easier to commit greater sins. Eventually, the repetition of small sins can lead to mortal (serious, grave) sins, which separate a person from union with God. Every human person is endowed with conscience as part of reason, whereby he/she can recognize the moral quality of a concrete act that he is going to perform, or has already completed. In everything he says and does man is obliged to follow faithfully what he knows to be just and right. To act against one’s conscience is sinful. By ignoring the good inclinations of one’s conscience, it is possible to deaden one’s sensitivity to sin, and think of the evil, to which a person is inclined, as being perfectly natural. A sinner, who has “killed” his conscience, is unlikely to repent before he dies, and therefore will suffer the consequences throughout eternity. After death, each person will be judged immediately by God, who knows all things and sees clearly the virtues and the sins in each soul. God’s judgment is objective, true and final!

How can something be a sin for some and not for others?

By Pastor Tom Hawks

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Religion

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Pastor Tom Hawks

2006-10-01 12:27:00

QUESTION: My question is about sin. Some religions believe a certain action is a sin. Some do not. Some religions believe a certain action is a serious sin, some do not. Quite often, even clerics within a particular religion disagree about whether or not something is a sin, or a serious sin. How will one be judged when there are so many different interpretations?

ANSWER: The question is, “How will one be judged when there are so many different interpretations about what is sin and which sin is worse.” That is an easy answer for me because of my belief that all sin is wrong and equal in the sight of God (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Colossians 2:13, Hebrews 7:27, 8:12, 10:12) and Christ came to die for all sin, for all man, for all time. What we need to do is not to worry about what others think and be concerned with what God thinks. But “how do I know if something might be sinful, but I don’t find it covered in the Bible?” Let me give you some tests I use in my own life to avoid missing God’s mark. Test #1 - The test of conscience ~ Romans 14:23 Test #2 - The test of duty ~ (James 4:17) Test #3 - The test of influence ~ (Matthew 18:6, Romans 14:1-23) Test #4 - The test of Prayer ~ (Colossians 3:17) Test #5 - The test of Preparedness…Would I do this if Jesus were here?...He is! (Luke 12:40) Test #6 - The test of Perfection ~ does what I’m contemplating move me toward or away from Christ? (2 Timothy 3:16-17). I’m grateful that Jesus died for me, rose for me and will take me to Him someday. I’m grateful He loves me and accepts me as His own. I’m glad sin is sin and He died to set us free!

How can something be a sin for some and not for others?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2006-10-01 12:27:00

QUESTION: My question is about sin. Some religions believe a certain action is a sin. Some do not. Some religions believe a certain action is a serious sin, some do not. Quite often, even clerics within a particular religion disagree about whether or not something is a sin, or a serious sin. How will one be judged when there are so many different interpretations?

ANSWER: We have to understand that we are not angels; we are human beings. By nature human is a sinner. However, the majority of people who commit sins never repent nor admit their sin; therefore, they go astray. On the other side there is a group that commits sin, yet, right away repent and ask God for forgiveness. Yes, there is a major difference in Islam between killing and lying, although they are both sin. Sin in Islam is divided into two categories, minor and major. Minor sin can be wiped through doing good deeds; however, major sins require asking God for forgiveness, repentance, feeling sorry for what has been committed, doing good deeds, and promises not to do it again. Since our nature is sinner, some of us may sin again and again and again. As long as we are repenting and asking God for forgiveness, God will wipe out the sin. Repentance means to come back to God and to have a guilt feeling in the heart with eagerness to a new page. In Islam, there is not what is called "an original sin". Each individual is responsible for his/her own self. Each individual is rewarded or punished for his/her own deeds. Therefore, repentance is essential. Who is in need for repentance? The one who commits minor or major sin is in need for repentance. Even the one who repents is in need for repentance. You may claim that you don't commit sin, therefore, you are not in need for repentance. Or you may think you are not committing major sin, therefore, you are not in need for repentance. Well, let's examine our daily life and see how we spend most of our time. Let’s evaluate each act and document each word we utter. You will be surprised to know that some of us are committing many major sins without realizing it. For example, how many of us worship God as he deserves to be worshiped? How many of us honor his parents, neighbors, his relatives, etc.? How many of us associate others with God…..The list never ends. Yes, we are in need for God and we are in need for repentance many times a day. We need to repent for sin which we have committed in the past and we forgot about. God forgives all sins, but the first condition is repentance. He knows our ability and nature, therefore, He forgives and forgives. We have to ask God for forgiveness, do good deeds and quit committing the same sin. Life is full of temptations, not all of us are pious, therefore, the concept of repentance is very important. In the Holy Qur'an God says about Himself "He is the One who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful". The concept of repentance in Islam is a vital concept. It is renewal of oneself with God. As God states in the Holy Qur'an about His love to those who repents He also teaches us that when you repent, you purify yourself and elevate yourself to a higher level "Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves". God is very explicit when it comes to those who reject or refuse to repent. He said, "And those who do not repent are the ones who have transgressed". Repentance is not an act of burden, yet, billions of people don't have this concept in their heart. It is not even part of their ideology. The Devil said "My God I swear in Your Honor that I will continue to take Your people astray". God said, "In my Honor I will forgive them as long as they repent". This proves that the concept of repentance is connected to the concept of sin. As long as evil exists, is as long as people sin. As long as people sin, is as long as repentance is needed. To leave you with some wisdom I would like to quote one of the sayings of prophet Mohammad, peace be with him, "Most of the people of hellfire are those who say, I will repent tomorrow". Don't wait for tomorrow to repent, you may not have it tomorrow. None of us know when the angel of death will approach us; therefore, repent and go back to God. The Devil is working hard to make us sin, but the mercy of God is so great that He made repentance a way to wipe out sin. We ask God to forgive our past, present and future sin and to make us among those who listen, comply, and act upon His words.

Will there ever be anything more than what we have in the Bible?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2006-09-01 16:04:00

QUESTION: I wonder why God had the Bible and Koran (Quran) written,for all future generations of mankind, by people from around 1500 B.C. to the first few centuries A.D. Why did He not allow for other people to be so inspired as to write additional books through the present day? Is everything, that any generation ever needs to know, contained in what we already have?

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ANSWER: The Quran and the bible are some of many books God has sent down to the people through the Angel Gabriel. The difference between a prophet and messenger is simple. Prophets did not receive books; however messengers did. God sent thousands of prophets and messengers since the time of Adam. All messengers came up with one common message – to worship only one God. Many people have abandoned their faith totally and distorted the faith just a few years after the departure of their prophets and messengers. Frankly, all the books of God beside the Quran were not sent to last. In other words, the bible and other books were sent to specific people at a specific time. The Quran was sent to mankind – to all humanity. Before God created man, he knew that he will be sending a book is called Quran, to mankind.
The Quran is the only book of God that is divine. Not written by a man. It is the only book that’s still intact as if it was revealed an hour ago. The Quran is not protected by the Arabs or any Muslim group. It is protected by God. He said, “We have revealed this book and we shall protect it.” It is not easy to keep a book for thousands of years without alterations; however the Quran has never been altered.
God has challenged the Arabs of yesterday to come up with a verse like it, they were unable to. For inspiration; not every individual can receive a revelation (book) from God. Prophets and messengers are special people who are pious and were the best to carry the message of God. Prophets and messengers of God are special people whom God himself has bestowed his peace and blessings upon.
I would be glad to give a translation of the meaning of the Quran to anyone who has interest to read it.

Will there ever be anything more than what we have in the Bible?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2006-09-01 16:04:00

ANSWER: Christians and Jews believe that God moved certain men to set down in writing ideas which He inspired: in order to provide authentic teaching for His people during their journey through life: so that they might come to know and love and serve Him in this life, and so please Him that they deserve to be with Him forever in heaven.Although every part of the Bible is inspired by God, the written text is authored by human individuals, whose manner of writing and expression reflects their own culture and education and concerns of life. Thus we say the Bible has as author: both the human writer and God inspiring him. Christians believe that official revelation concluded with the death of St. John the Beloved, the gospel-writer, who died around the year 97 A.D. Thus the Bible was complete at that time.Learned Muslims recognize that, during his lifetime their prophet Mohammed himself wrote very little. After his death, his followers collected all the notes, written on parchment or skin or papyrus and even bark of trees by those who heard the Prophet, as well as explored the collective memory of those who had heard Mohammed speak or cited by their ancestors, and gathered these fragments into the book called the Koran (Quran). The collectors of Mohammed’s sayings and teachings did not bother to place them in logical or chronological order; hence the various Sura contain sayings on a variety of topics, frequently unrelated to each other. Gradually this book took on a kind of divine aura, as if God had given it directly from heaven to the Prophet. Copied and re-copied through the centuries, and distributed and read devoutly through-out the Muslim world, this book came to be considered the very words of God. Just as in the Bible, so in the Koran one can find contradictory statements. These statements,often used out-of-context, in controversy, have given rise to divisions and even civil wars among the believers. Many Muslims believe that the Koran is an encyclopedia containing all useful knowledge about Allah (God), the Creator, and his universe. That opinion seems unrealistic.In view of the immense problems confronting the world community today, it would be most useful if God would resume direct revelation and preferably to a large group of people. In the meantime He has left the interpretation of his inspired writings to weak human believers. For Catholics, that is the function of the Pope and a General Council of the Church. Protestants allow each individual to interpret the Bible according to his/her faith and reason. For Jews, interpretation is made by learned and skilled rabbis, who often disagree among themselves. For Muslims, this duty is left to temporary leaders, although there is no official authority to determine or interpret the Koran. The interpretation of one leader can be challenged and changed by any other Moslem leader. For example, Osama Bin Laden’s calls for all-out war, which he alleges to be based on the Koran, have been rejected by the majority of Moslem scholars and leaders. Osama is lying when he pretends to speak for all Muslims. No one can speak for all Muslims!As to why God has limited his official revelation to a certain specific period in world history, you must ask God. Certainly, God is able to resume his revelation! A synod of Jewish rabbis, meeting at Jamnia sometime between the years 90 and 100 A.D. determined which books were to be included in the Old Testament. This was approximately the time of the conclusion of the New Testament. The Muslims consider official revelation concluded with the death of Mohammed. Probably, these conclusive determinations were made for the sake of truth: to preserve what the believers consider as inspired by God, and to exclude alleged revelations of human origins seeking acceptance into the Canon of Scripture in order to promote a private agenda. Private revelations from God to certain holy individuals continue in various places and at unexpected times and circumstances. But these are not official and are not accepted by many believers. The messages in private revelations must not be confused with or preferred to official revelation, about which we can be certain.

Will there ever be anything more than what we have in the Bible?

By Pastor Tom Hawks

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Religion

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Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283.

Pastor Tom Hawks

2006-09-01 16:04:00

I wonder why God had the Bible and Koran (Quran) written,for all future generations of mankind, by people from around 1500 B.C. to the first few centuries A.D. Why did He not allow for other people to be so inspired as to write additional books through the present day? Is everything, that any generation ever needs to know, contained in what we already have?

When it comes to hearing a new revelation from God we might ask, “Is there any more?” Has God any additional word to say to us about creation, life, salvation, heaven, or hell? Why haven’t we seen or heard anymore “new” revelations? To answer that question I had to go to the revealed Word of God and there I find the writer of Hebrews express these words, Hebrews 1:1-3 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”These verses tell us that God spoke to men at different times and in different ways about the coming of the Savior of the World. Now Jesus has come as the cumulation of all those bits and pieces of truth given by those men at different times and different ways. “Jesus is the Revelation. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life.” John 14:6Therefore no additional information needs to come to us, no new revelations about a new truth, or new way of life.I also believe (2 Timothy 3:16) that the Bible is the only book that is God breathed. The Bible is the only book that reveals Substitutionary Atonement. That is, every other book says man is bad and must pay for his “bad”. The Bible makes it very clear (Romans 5:8, 6:23, I Timothy 1:15, I Corinthians 15:3) Jesus took our place and paid the price for our sin. No other author of any other book died and rose again for me or you!“Is there anymore?” There is NO new revelation but the final revelation we will experience when we see Jesus face to face and simply say Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

With all the mess, are we closer to the end times?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2006-08-01 09:43:00

QUESTION: I wonder why God had the Bible and Koran (Quran) written,for all future generations of mankind, by people from around 1500 B.C. to the first few centuries A.D. Why did He not allow for other people to be so inspired as to write additional books through the present day? Is everything, that any generation ever needs to know, contained in what we already have?

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ANSWER: If God speaks, He can do so for all of mankind's needs. Our nature and needs have not changed over the centuries. However, the Bible was written over a period of 2000 years and covered the history of a people who underwent the whole range of experiences that a country can undergo: small family; large group in slavery; a new nation forming; a nation becoming divided and losing its initial uniting vision; a conquered nation reforming; a nation living under a conquering super-power; a nation with a new God-given message and purpose; that nation destroyed and scattered.
Within this nation, there were featured poets, kings, prophets of doom, women from foreign nations struggling to immigrate, philosophers, military leaders, prophets of the future. These were presented with all the faults and failures of real people. Prophets were not perfect saints, but real people coming into contact with God.
The writers included a physician, a tax collector, fishermen,business men, farmers, ranchers, high officials in foreign governments, and a multi cultural missionary. Any of us can relate to some of these whose life experiences are like ours. Do more samples need to be repeated for our times?
However, the Bible makes it clear that absolutely new times are coming and that we should not assume that our conditions will continue....but the Author of the First Book will control the new world coming. It is essential that we know the one continuing reality: The God Who has directed these writings; they are to make us ready for the future.
The need to take care of human evil was provided in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God in human form, who showed that the Creator God is One Who loves humans...Who actually wants us to be able to be with Him. Heaven is God's desire for us! "For God loved the world of men so much that He gave His only Son so that whoever trusted in Him would have life eternal." John 3:16
( I have not answered your question in relation to the Quran. It was written by one man, at one time, in one land, for one culture. You may find it more difficult to make it relevant to your time and place.)

With all the mess, are we closer to the end times?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2006-08-01 09:43:00

QUESTION: I wonder why God had the Bible and Koran (Quran) written,for all future generations of mankind, by people from around 1500 B.C. to the first few centuries A.D. Why did He not allow for other people to be so inspired as to write additional books through the present day? Is everything, that any generation ever needs to know, contained in what we already have?

ANSWER: Christians and Jews believe that God moved certain men to set down in writing ideas which He inspired: in order to provide authentic teaching for His people during their journey through life: so that they might come to know and love and serve Him in this life, and so please Him that they deserve to be with Him forever in heaven.
Although every part of the Bible is inspired by God, the written text is authored by human individuals, whose manner of writing and expression reflects their own culture and education and concerns of life. Thus we say the Bible has as author: both the human writer and God inspiring him. Christians believe that official revelation concluded with the death of St. John the Beloved, the gospel-writer, who died around the year 97 A.D. Thus the Bible was complete at that time.
Learned Muslims recognize that, during his lifetime their prophet Mohammed himself wrote very little. After his death, his followers collected all the notes, written on parchment or skin or papyrus and even bark of trees by those who heard the Prophet, as well as explored the collective memory of those who had heard Mohammed speak or cited by their ancestors, and gathered these fragments into the book called the Koran (Quran). The collectors of Mohammed’s sayings and teachings did not bother to place them in logical or chronological order; hence the various Sura contain sayings on a variety of topics, frequently unrelated to each other. Gradually this book took on a kind of divine aura, as if God had given it directly from heaven to the Prophet. Copied and re-copied through the centuries, and distributed and read devoutly through-out the Muslim world, this book came to be considered the very words of God. Just as in the Bible, so in the Koran one can find contradictory statements. These statements,often used out-of-context, in controversy, have given rise to divisions and even civil wars among the believers. Many Muslims believe that the Koran is an encyclopedia containing all useful knowledge about Allah (God), the Creator, and his universe. That opinion seems unrealistic.
In view of the immense problems confronting the world community today, it would be most useful if God would resume direct revelation and preferably to a large group of people. In the meantime He has left the interpretation of his inspired writings to weak human believers. For Catholics, that is the function of the Pope and a General Council of the Church. Protestants allow each individual to interpret the Bible according to his/her faith and reason. For Jews, interpretation is made by learned and skilled rabbis, who often disagree among themselves. For Muslims, this duty is left to temporary leaders, although there is no official authority to determine or interpret the Koran. The interpretation of one leader can be challenged and changed by any other Moslem leader. For example, Osama Bin Laden’s calls for all-out war, which he alleges to be based on the Koran, have been rejected by the majority of Moslem scholars and leaders. Osama is lying when he pretends to speak for all Muslims. No one can speak for all Muslims!
As to why God has limited his official revelation to a certain specific period in world history, you must ask God. Certainly, God is able to resume his revelation! A synod of Jewish rabbis, meeting at Jamnia sometime between the years 90 and 100 A.D. determined which books were to be included in the Old Testament. This was approximately the time of the conclusion of the New Testament. The Muslims consider official revelation concluded with the death of Mohammed. Probably, these conclusive determinations were made for the sake of truth: to preserve what the believers consider as inspired by God, and to exclude alleged revelations of human origins seeking acceptance into the Canon of Scripture in order to promote a private agenda. Private revelations from God to certain holy individuals continue in various places and at unexpected times and circumstances. But these are not official and are not accepted by many believers. The messages in private revelations must not be confused with or preferred to official revelation, about which we can be certain.

With all the mess, are we closer to the end times?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2006-08-01 09:43:00

QUESTION: This world is in quite a mess: so many diseases, crimes, terrorism, moral decay, poverty, serving of personal agendas, and other disorders caused by human beings. History shows that other societies were as messed-up as we are. Apart from the fact that we are further along in time than they were, is there any reason to believe that we are closer to the end times?

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ANSWER: If we would look back and examine what previous civilizations have faced in the past, we would notice a common factor. Tribulations and calamities. Tribulations and calamities are signs from God; to believers and disbelievers. For the believers, it is trials and test of their faith; the more patient they are, the higher their status will be in heaven. For the disbelievers, it is a punishment in this life and will face more punishment in the hereafter. God says in the Quran,”Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passes away before you? They were afflicted with sever poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believe along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near! Today’s diseases, poverties, crimes, moral decay, etc are signs of abandonment of the words of God. People of today are the same as the people of yesterday. God is no longer part of their lives. Even many of those who call themselves followers of certain faith are actually not practicing it. All monotheistic religions believe that only few of the people are believers and many (who are non-believers) will be heading to hellfire. God, does not wrong the people, but they wronged themselves.

With all the mess, are we closer to the end times?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2006-08-01 09:43:00

QUESTION: I wonder why God had the Bible and Koran (Quran) written,for all future generations of mankind, by people from around 1500 B.C. to the first few centuries A.D. Why did He not allow for other people to be so inspired as to write additional books through the present day? Is everything, that any generation ever needs to know, contained in what we already have?

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ANSWER: I know that many people have wondered about this issue. Let me say two things about it. First, I believe that all that any generation needs is contained in the Bible. The Bible may not, for example, give us a specific answer to a question in our time such as stem cell research, but it does give us principles to use in determining an answer. Also, God has given us minds to use in his service so that we might think on our own, based on the principles in the Bible.
The second thing I would say is that we continue to be "inspired" by God through his Spirit each time we read the Bible in faith. We should test our "inspiration" to make sure it does not contradict the Bible, but we also have to allow God's Spirit to inform our understanding of what is written in the Bible. The great motto of the Reformation was "the church reformed, and always being reformed, by the Word of God and the Spirit." That is what Presbyterian Christians still believe today.

What would be the religious explanation if life were found on other planets?

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2006-07-01 09:38:00

: If life were discovered on another planet, what would be the religious explanation?

ANSWER: One of my seminary professors put it well. "Faith," he said (and I am paraphrasing here), "should not get too excited either way ifscience 'proves' something or 'disproves' something. Science is limited by what we can know as humans. It may challenge our faith one day, andsupport it the next."For Christians, God is the Creator. The Bible tells us about life, human life, on the earth; it doesn't talk about life on other planets. As Christians, we trust that God has told us in the Bible what we need to know, but that being said, nothing is impossible with God. On this point, I would take the caution of Job, that I might not "utter what I [do] not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I [do] not know." (Job 42:3b)

What would be the religious explanation if life were found on other planets?

By Rev Terry Fox

What would be the religious explanation if life were found on other planets?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2006-07-01 09:38:00

: If life were discovered on another planet, what would be the religious explanation?

ANSWER: God states in the Quran 42:29, "And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He has power to gather them together when He wills."Many Muslims scholars explained this verse as of a hint that if God wills, He will gather people of the earth and heavens (sky) together. The Islamic explanation is very clear that there are others who exist somewhere else beside the earth. Who they are and how they look like is not explained! Yet the main issue of this verse is not the form of the people; rather, it is the will of God to gather the people of the earth and the sky. The verse indicates that our gathering depends on our knowledge (technology). Space has been invaded for the past 40 years and with the advancement of technology, which is provided by God, more knowledge will be explored, which may lead to finding other planets and other people. All of above assumption will occur under one condition, by the will of God, if He desires.

What would be the religious explanation if life were found on other planets?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2006-07-01 09:38:00

: If life were discovered on another planet, what would be the religious explanation?

ANSWER: I respond: No problem! The Creator of the universe has infinite power and is able to create an infinite variety of living things. Just think of the millions of humans, who have inhabited this planet, each one an individual person with varying talents and likes and dislikes, good and bad and in-between! There are thousands of different viruses to infect and harm these humans, along with trillions of mosquitoes, which I wish God would have omitted from his agenda. The National Geographic Magazine has published many articles about outer space and the infinite number of galaxies, many of them much larger than our small galaxy with its numerous planets revolving around the sun. Thus it is not only possible, but quite likely, that God has created and continues to create new planets and galaxies, and individual plants and animals and humans to inhabit them, along with things we cannot even imagine.Life on another planet? Such is probable and, as our knowledge expands during this and future centuries, our children’s grandchildren might have some experience of such living beings. The Bible tells us that every human contracts original sin, i.e. the natural inclination to do evil. (The Church believes that Jesus and his mother were exempt from that universal law of sin.) But also we know that God is lavish in giving us his grace to do good. And he has given every person a free-will to accept or to reject that grace, to follow or to restrain that inclination to evil. So on another planet we might find human beings who have never sinned, or human beings who are completely sinful. We might find that God, through his Son Jesus or in another manner, has redeemed some persons, while perhaps he has condemned others without any hope of redemption. We simply don’t know what might be the condition of human life on another planet! So far we have only our experience of life on this good planet Earth. God may have reserved for our descendants surprises, which we are unable even to imagine.Of this we can be certain: there is only one God, Who is all good and loving and merciful and just. Being all powerful, he is able to expand his creation, and all the details therein, well beyond what we know at present. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches (para. 337): “God himself created the visible world in all its richness, diversity, and order. The Bible presents the work of the Creator symbolically as a succession of six days of divine work, concluded by the rest of the seventh day. On the subject of creation the sacred text teaches the truths revealed by God for our salvation, permitting us to recognize the inner nature, the value, and the ordering of the whole of creation to the praise of God.”The Catechism continues in paragraph 338: “Nothing exists that does not owe its existence to God the Creator. The world began when God’s word drew it out of nothingness; all existent beings, all of nature, and all human history are rooted in this primordial event, . . . by which the world was constituted and time begun. Every creature possesses its own particular goodness and perfection. God loves all his creatures, and takes care of each one, even the sparrow. Man is the summit of the Creator’s work. Through him, all creation is destined for the glory of God.”

Christianity, ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and the ‘lost gospels’

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

2006-06-01 08:53:00

: What does Christianity have to say about "The Da Vinci Code" and other books and ancient manuscripts (i.e. the Gospels of Thomas and Judas), which contain alleged teachings of Jesus and his Apostles, hidden by the Church authorities during the early Christian centuries and recently discovered in the deserts of Egypt

QUESTION: What does Christianity have to say about "The Da Vinci Code" and other books and ancient manuscripts (i.e. the Gospels of Thomas and Judas), which contain alleged teachings of Jesus and his Apostles, hidden by the Church authorities during the early Christian centuries and recently discovered in the deserts of Egypt and Palestine and Syria?

Christianity, ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and the ‘lost gospels’

By Rev Terry Fox

Christianity, ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and the ‘lost gospels’

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2006-06-01 08:48:00

: What does Christianity have to say about "The Da Vinci Code" and other books and ancient manuscripts (i.e. the Gospels of Thomas and Judas), which contain alleged teachings of Jesus and his Apostles, hidden by the Church authorities during the early Christian centuries and recently discovered in the deserts of Egypt and Palestine and Syria?

ANSWER: "The Da Vinci Code" is simply a novel, as the author admits. It is based on ancient falsehoods regarding the person and teachings of Jesus.Nowadays, just as in past centuries, the devil is active to diminish or even destroy our faith. Books and films are being published in increasing numbers, alleging new ideas about Jesus and his teachings and the origins of his Church, supposing that these ideas are based on ancient documents recently discovered in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine and Syria. Some of these documents are attributed to various apostles and disciples of Jesus, and – they allege – were hidden or buried by the Catholic Church. Thus, in the news lately we have read or heard about the so-called “Gospel of Thomas,” the so-called “Gospel of Bartholomew,” and the “Letter of Judas Iscariot.”While it is true some of these documents may be dated from the 2nd or 3rd centuries, they were certainly not written by any of Jesus’ disciples, and were known to the Fathers of the Church, who rejected them as being of Gnostic origin. That word gnostic is a Greek word, meaning knowledge, particularly some secret knowledge. They are like children who pretend: “I know something you don’t know.” In their epistles, the Apostles Peter and John warned about false doctrine being taught by persons pretending to have some secret knowledge of sacred mysteries, knowledge not shared by the rest of the Christian community. Such teachings are contained in those spurious manuscripts, recently discovered. Just as some persons today have their own political agenda, which they wish the Church to adopt, so also in ancient times, there were false teachers with their own agenda. They would pretend that their agenda was taught by Jesus, even though it had been rejected by the Apostles and the Church.Basing himself on such gnostic teachings, Mohammed denied the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The founder of Islam taught that Jesus fell into a coma on the Cross, and later was revived in the coolness of the tomb. Proponents of modern errors, such as “one religion is as good as another,” promoters of same-sex marriages, women-priests and euthanasia (putting to death elderly sick persons, who might be inconvenient to someone), and other falsehoods | will likely allege that they found some divine authority for their causes | based on recently-discovered ancient manuscripts.Not every manuscript that is found and claimed to be ancient, is actually so. You can make your own “ancient manuscript” by writing your text in indelible ink on parchment skin, then put the parchment into boiling water with tea-leaves for several minutes, and it will turn brown and look wrinkled and aged. Bury it in the ground for six-months, and then have someone dig it up and proclaim “the discovery of an ancient manuscript,” which teaches or prophesies what you had written on it.

What does the Bible say about capital punishment?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2006-04-01 13:20:00

Question: Often at capital punishment executions, conducted under the authority of the state, religious groups hold vigils in protest of the killing, saying: “It’s against God’s law.” Isn’t this counter to what the Bible says, particularly in the Old Testament?

Answer: It is true that the Bible teaches God’s commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.” Like some other laws of God, promulgated in the Bible, this is not an absolute rule. There are a few exceptions to the law against killing a human person. For example, when the party guilty of a serious crime has been clearly identified and their responsibility has been fully determined, the state can have recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor. Ordinarily, only the state or legally constituted government has the right to execute criminals. However, you do have the right to defend yourself, your family, your home and guests against an unwelcome intruder, who seems intent on causing you physical harm, even if this means that you have to kill the intruder to save your own life and the lives of your family and guests.Certain crimes are so enormous that the guilty perpetrator seems to have forfeited his/her own right to life. Among such crimes are: wilful murder, hijacking an airplane, indiscriminate bombing of innocent civilians, assassination of a leader and other crimes which disturb the good order of society. In our times, the state has various possibilities for effectively preventing crime, by rendering a criminal incapable of doing harm, e.g. life imprisonment at hard labor. This allows the apparently incorrigible prisoner the possibility of redeeming himself and becoming a useful member of the human community even in prison. Thus “the cases, in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity, are very rare, if not practically non-existent” (cf: Catechism of the Catholic Church).Terribly tragic, in our civilization, is the barbaric crime of infanticide and murder by abortion of innocent babies. The victims are not guilty of any offense, except being inconvenient to their mother. Those persons, who perform abortions, are really guilty of violating God’s commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” And, unless they repent of those crimes, the Justice of God requires that they suffer eternal punishment.

What does the Bible say about capital punishment?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2006-04-01 13:20:00

Question: Often at capital punishment executions, conducted under the authority of the state, religious groups hold vigils in protest of the killing, saying: “It’s against God’s law.” Isn’t this counter to what the Bible says, particularly in the Old Testament?

ANSWER: It is always dangerous to use the Bible to prove a particular point of view that one holds. The Bible says many things about capitol punishment, or, more accurately, the Bible can be made to say many things about capitol punishment. One can interpret the Bible to be both in favor of and against this practice, and one can pull out any number of scripture passages to “prove” one’s chosen point of view. The greater challenge to the person of faith is to first allow the Bible to speak in its original context, then allow it to speak to us in our present context, and then seek to understand how we as, persons of faith, are called to live out our lives in response to what we hear being said. The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, include a prohibition against killing (Ex. 20:13). A more accurate translation of that text from the Hebrew is “You are not to commit murder.” rather than “You shall not kill.” While it might be seen as splitting translation hairs, I think it is important to understand that this commandment has to do with the willful taking of a life for reasons of settling a grudge or dispute. Our society does not condone the killing of another person because one does not like them for whatever reason. The suggestion of “An eye for an eye” has to do with due process and making sure that punishment for a crime is not out of proportion with the actual crime. The task for the person of faith is not to simply quote the Bible as proof of a preferred position. Rather the task is to engage with the Biblical text and allow it to act on how we are to live in the world. In the case of capitol punishment, it becomes vital that we stop hurling Biblical texts at one another across the divide of whether we believe capitol punishment is either moral or effective and start hearing first what the Biblical texts have to say to us. There are persons of faith on either side of this debate, so until we stop vilifying the ones who disagree with our preferred side and start engaging in serious conversation with each other and the Bible we will come to no better agreement that we have at the moment. The Bible is not a weapon at our disposal to be used to vanquish those who disagree with us, it is the story of a God who loves humanity and who seeks to have humanity love one another and God in return.

Is oral sex between a husband & wife a sin?

By Rev Terry Fox

Is oral sex between a husband & wife a sin?

By Charlie Traffas

Is oral sex between a husband & wife a sin?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2006-03-30 14:20:00

UESTION: I understand that adultery and sex outside of marriage are serious sins, but is oral sex between a husband and wife a sin...or a serious sin? Is masturbation a sin...or a serious sin?

ANSWER: The Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Christian Churches in Corinth states, at two different points that, “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful.” (I Cor. 6:12; I Cor. 10:23) In each of these instances he is repeating back to the Corinthian Christians statements that he has heard from them as a defense for their continued bad behavior. The issue before the Corinthian Church was that those who had converted to Christianity wanted to continue to engage in idol worship, to visit the temple prostitutes and to generally make no changes in their lifestyle because as “saved” persons they were no longer at risk because they had been freed from the laws of humanity. Their theory was that with their salvation assured their behavior in this life made no difference, hence they could say that to them, “all things were lawful.” They could engage in gluttonous behavior, be sexually promiscuous, and generally do what they desired at the moment because what they did in this life no longer mattered. The only thing that mattered was their ultimate salvation which they took to be assured. Paul responds by agreeing with them that all things may be lawful but not all things are either helpful or lead to the up-building of the person or the community. “Not all things are helpful.” (I Cor. 6:12b) “Not all things build up.” (I Cor. 10:23b). The implication of what Paul is stating here is that it is not the behavior it self that is at issue, rather it is the effect that it has upon the person and the community that is more to the point. In Paul’s time, temple prostitution was clearly a legal and lawful behavior that a person of Corinth could engage in, whether they were a Christian or not; but to engage in such behavior was not helpful to the building up of the community and was therefore a behavior that the Christian was to no longer engage in. It is important to note here that Paul does not use the word sin or salvation in these passages because, for him it is not an issue of abstaining from behavior in order that one might obtain salvation, rather it is that one behaves in a different way that attempts to build up all people because one is living into the salvation that is assured because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.So… To answer the questions posed about oral sex and masturbation, I must do so by asking a question. Do these behaviors build up or destroy the marriage relationship? Do they cause conflict with in the relationship or create new bonds of understanding about what it means to commit one’s whole life to another person? My opinion is that we need to spend less time trying to figure out what is sinful and what degree of sinfulness a particular behavior might be and more time living into the life that has been given to us by our creator. We need to search our hearts and faith understanding to help us discover whether what we do in all parts of our lives is helpful in building up our relations to one another and to God. I would suspect that if we engage in behavior that demeans either ourselves or others we cannot be engaging in behavior that honors the God we claim to worship. However, if we are engaging in behavior that allows for the dignity of ourselves and others to shine through and grow, then we are doing so in honor of or God.

Is oral sex between a husband & wife a sin?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

Are good works necessary for salvation?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2006-03-01 10:52:00

QUESTION: Are good deeds necessary for my savlation?

ANSWER: In his epistle in the New Testament St. James the Apostle, called “the brother of the Lord” (actually, he was Jesus’ cousin), takes up this very idea about the necessity of good works for salvation. In Chapter 2, Verses 14 and following, James wrote: “My brothers, what good is it for someone to say that he has faith, if his actions do not prove it? Can that faith save him? Suppose there are brothers and sisters who need clothes and don’t have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them: ‘God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!’ – if you don’t give them the necessities of life? So it is with your faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then your faith is dead.The Apostle James continues: “But someone will say: ‘one person has faith, another deeds.’ My answer is: ‘Show me how anyone can have faith without deeds. I will show you my faith by my deeds.’ Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The devils also believe, and they tremble with fear. You fool! In our father Abraham . . .his faith and actions worked together; his faith was made perfect through his deeds. . . . And so Abraham was called God’s friend. You see then, that it is by his deeds that a person is put right with God, and not by his faith alone. . . . Faith without deeds is dead.”At the time of Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther rejected this epistle, calling it “an epistle of straw,” precisely because of the above chapter, which contradicts Dr. Luther’s insistence on the necessity of faith alone as necessary for salvation. Luther was protesting against the Catholic Church’s practices of various devotions and good works, so that whoever did them were granted indulgences. These practices and works were expressions of their Catholic faith, which inspired them to undertake the devotions and good works. Granting that sometimes there were abuses in those matters, abuses do not invalidate the whole teaching about the necessity of good works as evidencing authentic faith. In time the Catholic Church corrected those abuses, and today we don’t hear much about indulgences. Still, the Church teaches, with St. James, that good works are evidence of real faith, which is necessary for salvation. Faith alone, as the Apostle points out, is insufficient for salvation, just as the devils believe, and they are in hell because they are lacking good deeds. No one before Luther (16th century) rejected this epistle. Happily today most Lutherans accept the epistle of James as an integral part of the New Testament. And most Lutherans practice good works as evidence of their genuine Christian faith.

Ask the insurance man-series

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2006-03-01 10:52:00

QUESTIONL Are good works necessary for salvation?

ANSWER: Is Christian salvation by a person's "works" or by the work of Jesus Christ? It is by the work of Christ. This is what distinguishes Christianity from other religions. It is surprising, and may seem contradictory. In all of life we get what we work for and deserve....why is this not the case with God? It is hard to give up the idea of "works salvation!" To think that we can earn our way to heaven is to fail to understand the following: (1) God's standards are too high for fallen man to achieve. He is holy! We can never improve ourselves to be able to live with Him. (2) We are sinful. Our human nature is perverse, selfish, dishonest and rebellious. (3) If salvation was available to us, Christ would not have had to come to earth. The price paid in the incarnation, life and the death of the Son of God shows us how terrible was our plight. He paid the price of our rebellion. (4) We need to have a new nature to survive in God's presence...and that is what Heaven is. It is not a celestial retirement community! It is life in the presence of God. Forgiveness AND a new nature are necessary. Jesus emphasized it: "You must be born again or you cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is necessary to be acceptable to God, and this follows our acceptance of Jesus as our substitutionary Savior and Lord.No one in heaven will be able to say, "I am here because I deserve to be here." All will praise Christ for His grace. Humility will be the common standard there! Then why does the Bible spend so much time teaching about living good lives? For two reasons: (1) Living a good moral life is good for you. When Moses brought down the commandments of God, he stated that God had given them "for our own good." This is the way that life will be most fulfilling. The essence of sin is believing that I know better than God what is best for me. And when we try, we find it difficult to do what is right. (2) Even after receiving Christ as Savior, we need all this instruction and encouragement to recover from the moral sickness that has infected our race. The understanding that we need much moral instruction is common to all religions; that we can receive God's total forgiveness and internal help is the Christian distinction. Let me say it this way: Christians believe that living a good, moral life is the result and proof of salvation, not the method of getting it. But don't some non-Christians live better lives that some Christians? I am afraid so! Only God understands their true selves...where they are coming from and what their inner and outer circumstances are...and whether or not they are truly Christ's. Jesus warned about false believers. Fortunately, I don't have to judge. The Bible warns against trying to be the judge except for judging myself. My hope for Heaven rests on what Christ has done for me, not what I have done for Him. But His love for me must result in my obeying and serving Him and serving those for whom He lived and died. "Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy He has saved us; by the washing of regeneration and a renewing by the Holy Spirit" {Titus 3:5).

Are good works necessary for salvation?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2006-03-01 10:52:00

QUESTION: Are good deeds necessary for my salvation?

ANSWER: The people of paradise will enter paradise by the grace and mercy of God. However, to enter paradise there are two conditions that must be met. First is to believe in God and second is to support that belief with actions. To state that you are a believer through uttering the word but the heart says otherwise, is a sign of disbelieves. The same for actions and deeds, to say that you are guaranteed heaven just because you sated the word of belief but the actions and the characters of oneself does not support that is called disbeliever.In several verses, the Holy Quran emphasizes and combines between “faith and good deeds.” You hardly see any verse that states faith without deeds. Other religions who relied on the assumption of faith alone as of a way to salvation have suffered a tremendous setback mainly in terms of worship. Many followers who relied on their faith alone have gone astray step by step. If we view the life of all of the prophets and messengers of God, we notice that they spent all of their lives for the sake of God; with full of faith, devotion, and perseverance. They invited their people to follow the commands of God, do good deeds and believe in Him. I have visited many churches throughout the State and noticed major difference among Christians on the issue of “faith alone will lead to salvation vs. faith and good deeds.” Islam is clear on this issue; any one submits to God will eventually enter paradise; however good deeds will elevate you and determine your place in paradise. As we all believe there are seven heavens. Some people will be in the lower part and others will be in the upper part. Prophets, messengers, righteous people, etc. will be in the upper part of paradise. Other people will be in the other levels according to their deeds. For that reason, Muslims are encouraged to do good deed and forbid evil. Muslims are encouraged to compete with others in doing good deeds. Those who are doing good deeds, compete in doing it and the first in doing it will be the near to God in paradise. One of the attributes of God is The Just. The question, is it fair that two individuals believe in the same way; however one spends for the sake of God, treats others good, obedient, good worshipper, etc. and the other does none of the above except he is a believer; is it fair that both of them would be in the same place? Definitely no; therefore, salvation is in the hands of God alone; yet your deeds are your investment and the only thing that you will carry leaving this world.

Are good works necessary for salvation?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2006-03-01 10:52:00

QUESTION: Are good works necessary for my salvation?

ANSWER: The short answer is that no the performance of good works is not necessary for salvation. The apostle Paul writes in II Corinthians that Christ died for all so that all could live no longer for themselves. (II Cor. 5:15) The implication being that Christ’s death and resurrection and therefore humanities salvation were not contingent upon any action of humanity. So no amount of good works could or will affect our salvation. However… The writer of James states, “What good it is, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you?” (James 2:14) And then a little later states, “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17). So the question then is which is right? Do works affect salvation or not? And the only responsible answer can be both yes and no. I believe that the message of the Bible is that salvation is for and available to everyone, no exceptions. As Paul says over and over in his letters to different Christian communities Christ’s Death was for the purpose of bringing God’s salvation to the entire world. But what James states is very important to hear as well. As a Christian I understand and believe Jesus to be my Savior and Lord. I believe that his death and resurrection was for the purpose of salvation of all people. But I also believe that, since I am an inheritor of this gift and have some awareness of its impact on my and others lives I can do nothing less than respond with gracious acts and good works myself. Paul stated it so well in I Corinthians 13 when he wrote (and I paraphrase) “If I speak in tongues, if I have prophetic powers, if I am able to move mountains, but do not have love I am nothing.” In other words, If I understand the gift that has been given to me through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and simply keep it to myself, neither speaking of my faith or more importantly living out my faith in my daily life through all of the various deeds I do, then I am nothing and my faith is nothing as well. So are good works necessary for salvation? Not to achieve salvation because that is a gift we cannot earn. But, so that we might live into the gift we have been given, yes good works are necessary. Because without those works we do not respond to the gift that has been given and in not responding we will not live into our salvation. In all that we do we are called to recognize who it is that has gifted us and we are called to respond by being gracious and loving ourselves. So go do good deeds! But do them in response to the one who loves us all not because you need to collect brownie points to earn God’s favor.

How to talk religion with a non-believer?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2006-02-01 14:37:00

QUESTION: My best friend sums up his feelings about Christianity and salvation as follows: "I am perfectly content as a non-Christian. I do not believe in an afterlife and would never consider a religion so restrictive and exclusive as Christianity anyway." My family and I are Christians, but I do not feel I am ready to get into a conversation with him about this. I do know he reads this column. Can you provide your comments for me to refer to when I do visit with him?

ANSWER: Whatever he may call himself, your friend is NOT a Christian! His statement sounds as if he is quite ignorant of Christianity. I doubt he has ever read or listened to an honest and objective presentation of the Christian faith, and its practical teachings and history. Perhaps he has picked-up some snippets about various religions, mixed them together, and ignorantly decided to reject the whole area of religion in his life.Possibly he has some partial information about Christianity from a source, who was prejudiced against religion in general and against the Church in particular, for whatever reason. As for his disbelief in an afterlife, I would simply remark: “Friend, you are not alone in that opinion; but, sooner rather than later, you will find out for certain that there is life after death, and you will learn that your present judgment about Christianity was the biggest mistake in your life.”If your friend lives a naturally good life, is honest and faithful in his dealings with others, is charitable in helping people in their needs, respects the rights of others, and sincere in stating his opinions: then he could be a potential Christian without realizing it. But that doesn’t make him a Christian! Many good pagans do as much. Because he is your friend, I would assume that he is honest and sincere, although ignorant about what he is saying. I would take the opportunity to challenge him to read a summary of our Christian faith, or better: to discuss his views with a priest or with someone who is knowledgeable about Christianity, and to listen carefully to their presentation about the true faith and life after death. After all, if he is sincere, he should be well acquainted with what he has rejected. How would he feel if you had given him as a Christmas gift, a lottery ticket, which he threw away, assuming that he didn’t have a chance in competition with several million people; and then it turns out that the ticket you gave him was the winning-ticket, which had been found by a poor person digging threw his trash? Well, what you represent, in your knowledge and practice of the Christian faith, is indeed more precious than a winning lottery-ticket. And you wish to share with him the treasure you have found!The fact that your friend reads this column seems to indicate that he is sincerely seeking to learn the truth about God and religion, and the mysteries of life and death. The Christian faith is the best investment a person can make in life, as it opens the door to perfect happiness after death, a happiness which cannot be lost or ended. Rejection of this faith is, in the long run, the greatest mistake any person can make; as such rejection opens the way to an eternity of unending misery and terrible lonesomeness. Believe it or not, he will find out!

How to talk religion with a non-believer?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2006-02-01 14:17:00

My best friend sums up his feelings about Christianity and salvation as follows: "I am perfectly content as a non-Christian. I do not believe in an afterlife and would never consider a religion so restrictive and exclusive as Christianity anyway." My family and I are Christians, but I do not feel I am ready to get into a conversation with him about this. I do know he reads this column. Can you provide your comments for me to refer to when I do visit with him?

ANSWER: There is probably nothing you could say now that would change anything. He has decided how he wants to live right now. I remember saying to a young man who told me this that I would pray that he would be miserable...but I am not sure it helped. You can be sure that your friend will encounter some of the storms of life that will shake his confidence in himself.As St. Augustine said, "God has made us for Himself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Him." It sometimes takes a few years before some people realize that the things of this world never satisfy the deepest needs of the human heart. Often disappointments, accidents or failures open the eyes...or fear of death. These may be the gifts of God for those so blind. Sometimes such a person sees joy in the life of a Christian who is going through great difficulty or loss, and this causes him to see what he is missing.True joy is missing apart from Christ. So continue your friendship, show love even if it is not reciprocated, and pray for him to become miserable now, rather than for eternity.

How to talk religion with a non-believer?

By Rev Patrick Notley

X

Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2006-02-01 14:17:00

My best friend sums up his feelings about Christianity and salvation as follows: "I am perfectly content as a non-Christian. I do not believe in an afterlife and would never consider a religion so restrictive and exclusive as Christianity anyway." My family and I are Christians, but I do not feel I am ready to get into a conversation with him about this. I do know he reads this column. Can you provide your comments for me to refer to when I do visit with him?

ANSWER: I suppose I must say that as a Christian and as a pastor I do not see Christianity as either restrictive or exclusive. I believe in a God who is quite inclusive and very loving and I believe that this point of view is well supported in the Bible. I suppose my focus would more be with why you – the one posing the question – are not ready to engage in a conversation with your friend about your beliefs and their desire to not believe. I believe our purpose as Christians is to proclaim the Good News as we know it to be true in our lives. It is not our purpose to convert; only God can convert so to claim to be engaging in conversion is to claim to be gods ourselves. I would therefore, encourage you to engage your friend in conversation. Find out why they feel Christianity is restrictive and exclusive and share with them why you feel it is not that way. However, if your approach is to say that, “you will never be truly happy unless you are a Christian.” Then stop before you start. I find that the place to start is with personal experience, not theological content. What is your personal experience of being a Christian? What difference does it make in your life to say that you are a Christian? Hear what your friend has to say and then ask your friend to hear you as well, not for the purpose of conversion but for the purpose of building up one another. And remember the words of one wiser than me, “Bidden or not, God is present” You may not ever know what difference such a conversation might have but you can know that God will be present in the conversation and that is enough.

What do Secular Humanists believe?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2005-12-29 14:16:00

: My son and his wife (ages 26 and 24) have informed our family that they are no longer going to go to Church. After much thought, they have chosen to become 'Secular Humanists.' I had never heard of this before. All I can find is that this position is 'atheistic' in nature. My son and daughter-in-law say differently. I'm not sure they know what they believe or why. Can you help me understand what this faith or 'position' is about and how I might discuss it with them?

ANSWER: Those who ascribe to the ideals of secular humanism would say that they are nontheists as opposed to being atheists. While it might seem to be splitting hairs to claim to be nontheists is to suggest that they have no desire to relate to religion in general or God in specific. Atheists, by contrast, will claim that there is no God and thus continue to define themselves in relation to God. As I understand this form of philosophical thought, a secular humanist will rely upon their and society's ability to rationally conceive of what is right and what is wrong. Secular humanists are committed to critical reason, observable and factual evidence about the world and the scientific method of inquiry. It is their contention that through these rational methods a better, more just world can be made for all people. A primary touchstone for the secular humanist will be that of both personal freedom and personal responsibility. While I agree, in part, with the philosophical leanings of the secular humanist, I find them to be lacking in several areas. A primary point of departure for me is that the secular humanist can show no better degree of success in moving society toward being more just, healthy, etc. than the religious communities that they point to as failing through "religious dogma" to move toward a better world. So while there is the claim that rational, critical thinking is all that is necessary to make society better, there seems to be little movement toward that better society through the sole use of this method. In response to the specific question of how might the questioner discuss with their son and daughter-in-law their choice to be secular humanists, I would suggest that the most appropriate way would be to engage them in a time of inquiry. By this I mean to be honestly open to what secular humanism, as they understand this line of thought, is. This means that the basic method is to ask questions about this philosophy rather than to state that since you are not aware of this philosophy you doubt whether they know what they believe and why. I am in no way suggesting that the questioner should adopt or even agree with this form of thought. However, I am suggesting that the questioner allow for the possibility that they might learn something from open inquiry. The challenge for all people, including those who claim a specific faith tradition, is to not assume that your way is the only right way of understanding. As a person of faith how lives in the Christian understanding of God, I understand that I do not hold the only answer to who God is or how I am called to live in this world. Therefore I must be open to hearing the thoughts and beliefs of others, especially those with whom I may disagree; for it is in this exchange of ideas that growth can occur. So my advice is to ask them about their philosophical leanings; honestly and openly listen to what they have to say; engage with them in dialogue about what your faith suggests to you and why; and then form a conclusion on what they have said for yourself.

What do Secular Humanists believe?

By Charlie Traffas

What do Secular Humanists believe?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-12-29 14:16:00

: My son and his wife (ages 26 and 24) have informed our family that they are no longer going to go to Church. After much thought, they have chosen to become 'Secular Humanists.' I had never heard of this before. All I can find is that this position is 'atheistic' in nature. My son and daughter-in-law say differently. I'm not sure they know what they believe or why. Can you help me understand what this faith or 'position' is about and how I mi

QUESTION: My son and his wife (ages 26 and 24) have informed our family that they are no longer going to go to Church. After much thought, they have chosen to become 'Secular Humanists.' I had never heard of this before. All I can find is that this position is 'atheistic' in nature. My son and daughter-in-law say differently. I'm not sure they know what they believe or why. Can you help me understand what this faith or 'position' is about and how I might discuss it with them?

Hell and Satan: real or myth?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-11-01 16:19:00

: Is it myth or is it real that satan was an angel? What happened? Did God create the hell of today for the devils at the time of their sin?

ANSWER: The Bible never gives a detailed explanation of the Devil, but there are many references to him by the names of Satan, Devil or Lucifer...Isaiah 14:12-15 speaks of his rebellion and fall: "Oh, Lucifer, Son of the Morning, you have been cast down to the earth. You said, 'I will raise my throne above the stars of God, I will sit enthroned on the utmost heights, I will ascend above the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High'. But you are brought down to the depths of the pit."Rev. 12:7 also describes Satan's rebellion; "And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back...and they lost their place in Heaven."Jesus spoke of Satan's fall in Luke 10:18: "I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven."Jude wrote of the angels who followed in Satan's rebellion. Jude 6: "And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority, but abandoned their own home...these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgement on the great Day."I think most scholars would say that Satan was an Archangel like Michael or Gabriel. Jesus referred to Hell as "the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matt. 25:41).The Devil is a main character in the Bible, from Adam and Eve to the Battle of Armageddon. He was the tempter of Eve, of Jesus and of every person on earth. Christians are told to "resist the Devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7) and that "greater is He that is in you (the Holy Spirit) than he that is in the world (the Devil)," (I John 4:4).When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, the Devil's fate was sealed. He had lost the ultimate battle. But for us to share in this victory, we must join Jesus. Each of us must acknowledge that Christ's death was for our personal sinfulness and throw ourselves on His mercy. We must receive Him as our Savior and as master of our life. He promises to give each one a new birth of power, joy and sensitivityto sin...a new lifestyle in fellowship with other believers. The devil will continue to be the tempter, but we will now have power over him.

Hell and Satan: real or myth?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-11-01 16:19:00

: Is it myth or is it real that satan was an angel? What happened? Did God create the hell of today for the devils at the time of their sin?

ANSWER: Angels and humans and devils are not myth, but are real beings, made by God. God created both angels and humans with the gift of intellect and free will. The word "angel" is derived from the Greek word angelos, meaning messenger. This word is applied by the Bible and Tradition to all the spiritual non-corporeal beings, although not all spirits are messengers. Each angel is a distinct personality, endowed with a free-will and an intelligence, which far surpasses that of the most brilliant human beings. To human beings God allows multiple choices of free-will, all in preparation for each person's final choice of God or self. But God limited the freedom of the angels to one definitive choice, made by each angel before the creation of this world.After He had created the heavenly spirits, God the Father showed them His plan for the universe He was about to create, including human beings and the incarnation of His Son. Some of those spirits exercised their free-will in sinful pride, becoming jealous of human beings and of the honor that God intended to bestow on mankind by the Son of Godassuming human nature. They were offended that God would choose to identify with a nature lower than themselves. They chose to side with Lucifer, one of the highest angels, who considered himself equal to God, and who led a revolt in heaven. Refusing to acquiesce in God's plan, they were thrown out of heaven into hell. They became the devils.They hate intensely, are terribly unhappy and are jealous of human beings: because we still have an opportunity for eternal happiness. Since the Creator knows all things, past and present and future, it is probable that God created hell at the same time He created the heavens. So it was hot, and ready to receive those who choose to rebel against God. In the New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter one, we read: "The Son of God is greater than the angels" and "all God's angels must worship Him. . .They are spirits who serve God and are sent by Him to help those who are to receive salvation." Throughout our life, each human being has the freedom to choose good or evil, to prefer the Creator to the creature, to choose between God or self. All these choices are in preparation for the one ultimate choice, on which will depend whether we spend eternity in heaven or in hell.The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" (para. 390-395) teaches that "satan was at first a good angel, made by God. The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God; but they became evil by their own doing." There is no repentance for the angels after their fall, just as there is no repentance for men after death. The power of satan is not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit; but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God's kingdom! Although satan may act in this world out of hatred for God, and although his action may cause grave injuries of a spiritual nature and even indirectly of a physical nature to each human being and to society, such action is permitted by God's Providence, which continues to guide human history. It is a mystery that Divine Providence should permit diabolical activity; but "we know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him" (Rom 8:28).

Is baptism required to enter heaven?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2005-10-01 14:59:00

: Does a person have to be baptized in order to enter heaven? Abraham and Isaac and Jacob were not baptized, yet Scripture affirms that they are in heaven. Did the Old Testament have a different type of Baptism than we have?

ANSWER: The short answer is, "No, baptism is not a requirement to enter heaven!" The Sacrament of Baptism, for the Christian Church is a sign and seal of a person's inclusion in the Family of God. What this means is that baptism points to the reality that God has named and claimed each person and in response to that we acknowledge God's presence in our lives through the Sacrament of Baptism. When we grasp onto the reality that it is God who chooses, God who claims and God who acts we are freed up to respond to these gracious gifts. A very important and meaningful response for the Christian is baptism. For when we truly understand the lavish gift that has been given to us by God - God's presence and God's love - how could we not respond? How could we not want to publicly proclaim that we understand that God has chosen us? How could we not want to mark that occasion of understanding and response in such a manner as offered to us through the Sacrament of Baptism? So, no it is not a requirement for entrance into heaven, but it is a sacred and meaningful way to mark that we understand, at least in part, that God cares for and claims humanity as God's own.

Is baptism required to enter heaven?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-10-01 14:59:00

: Does a person have to be baptized in order to enter heaven? Abraham and Isaac and Jacob were not baptized, yet Scripture affirms that they are in heaven. Did the Old Testament have a different type of Baptism than we have?

ANSWER: The Lord Jesus himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation: "I say to you that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is reborn of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). Jesus also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them: "Go throughout the whole world and preach the Gospel to all mankind. Whoever believes and is baptized, will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16). Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed, and who have the possibility of asking for this Sacrament. The Church takes very seriously this injunction of her Lord, and endeavors to provide that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has tied salvation to Baptism, but He Himself is not bound by His Sacraments. This truth affords hope of salvation for good persons not formally baptized.The Church has always been convinced that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith or of morality (authentic martyrs), without having received Baptism, are baptized by their death in union with Christ. This "Baptism of blood," assumes the desire for Baptism, and achieves the effects of Baptism. Likewise, those persons who are preparing for Baptism but die before receiving the Sacrament: are considered to have received "Baptism of desire," through their explicit desire to receive it, and are repentant for their sins. These alternate forms of Baptism assure those persons the salvation that they were not able to receive through "Baptism by water."Also, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Every person, who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the Will of God insofar as he/she understands it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired baptism explicitly, if they had known its necessity."The Gospels report that St. John the Baptist was performing a kind of baptism, when he recognized Jesus as "the Lamb of God," a term associated with the Messiah. John's baptism was a sign for repentance of sins, and an invitation to conversion of one's life. This kind of baptism seems to have had occasional usage among the Jews of the Old Testament and the Qumran community. It was not considered necessary for salvation until Jesus gave it that new meaning, which involves a re-birth and incorporation into the Body of Christ, his Church.God gave the people of the Old Testament another sign for salvation, namely Circumcision. Thus Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and their descendants, male and female, underwent Circumcision. Jesus, as the Son of God and Messiah, replaced this sign of Circumcision with that of Baptism, giving to Baptism the power to take away sins, and to enable the baptized person to identify with Him. And so those, who were circumcised in accordance with the Old Testament, and really lived the meaning of Circumcision, i.e. they cut themselves off from a sinful way of life, are in heaven. After Jesus' death and resurrection, Circumcision became irrelevant to salvation. The Catechism continues: "As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church entrusts them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God, who desires that all persons should be saved (cf 1 Tim 2:4), and Jesus' tenderness toward children, which caused him to say: 'Let the children come to me, do not hinder them' (Mk 10:14), allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children, who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of Baptism."

Is baptism required to enter heaven?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-10-01 14:59:00

: Does a person have to be baptized in order to enter heaven? Abraham and Isaac and Jacob were not baptized, yet Scripture affirms that they are in heaven. Did the Old Testament have a different type of Baptism than we have?

ANSWER: Baptism was not practiced by Jews until a few decades before Christ. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament or the Apocryphal. The Dead Sea Scrolls imply that some Jewish sects practiced it as a symbol of repentance and spiritual washing. John the Baptist used it in this way. Jesus adopted baptism for His followers and gave it new meaning. As He died for us and was buried and raised again, we who receive Him are to die to our old life and be raised to a new life. Romans 6:1-12 explains this. Baptism is to represent burial and resurrection, and is done to one who has received Christ as his/her Savior. It is a public acknowledgement of new allegiance to Christ and usually serves as an initiation into a Christian church. Acts 8:26-39 tells the baptism of a new believer. Phillip explained the Gospel to the Ethiopian who then asked to be baptized when they came to an oasis. Phillip said that he could be baptized if he truly believed. Being assured that he did, Phillip led him into the water and baptized him.Baptism, according to the Bible, is an act of obedience on the part of a new Christian. It symbolizes death, burial and resurrection. Baptism requires a new believer to be laid back into the water and then lifted up. In some southeast Asian cultures burial is done in a round basket which is lowered straight down into the ground. So they baptize by taking the shoulders and pushing the person down into the water and raising him straight up. You ask if baptism is required for salvation. The thief on the cross was not baptized, but was saved. A person is required to be saved before he is permitted to be baptized. Since this is an initial act of obedience of a new Believer, you might doubt the sincerity of the person if he neglects to be baptized, but there is no Scriptural grounds for requiring baptism for entry into Heaven.I know that baptism has been altered in the centuries following Christ. It was simplified by putting the water on the person instead of putting the person in the water...but this rather destroys the symbolism of burial and resurrection. Some baptize infants as a dedication by the family to bring up the child as a Christian, then the baptism is "confirmed" when the child is old enough to choose to be a Christian. The danger in this is that the child may think he has some special relation to Christ because of an act he does not remember. Every person must make a commitment to Christ himself, receiving Him a his only hope of forgiveness and as his Lord and master for life.

“We can all be certain they are in a better place.” How do we know?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-09-01 11:27:00

: I recently attended my nephew's funeral. He had been killed in a car accident. He was only 27. The minister who gave the eulogy said three different times, "We can all be certain that Tommy's in a better place." I am sure he said this to help console the family, but isn't there another way? Why do members of the clergy say this at funerals so often when there is no way to know where Tommy's soul is... for sure?

ANSWER: Every Pastor dreads this. It is difficult to conduct a funeral for one who I did not know. But it is doubly difficult if I find that the deceased person had shown no concern for knowing or serving God. I can review the life as a memorial "celebration of life". But I cannot settle for only that. There are people present who are being forced to think about the certainty of death. Some avoid the thought and do not hear about it in church, either because they do not go to church, or because death is not a topic addressed from the pulpit at that church. This may be the only time that they will hear the good news of salvation in Christ and the warning of the judgment of God. Of course, this might add to the sorrow of the close family and friends, so I try not to make a direct connection with the one in the casket. However, I want to correct one thing in your question: There IS a way to know where Tommy's soul is...for sure! That is the Christian Gospel ("good news"). This separates Christians from all other religions. Others teach that we can earn our way to Heaven IF WE ARE GOOD ENOUGH. Christ taught that we cannot save ourselves, so He came to save us. He paid the price for our sins, and promised to change our nature so that we could be fit for Heaven. See Ephesians 2:8-10: "By grace are we saved through faith...it is a gift of God; not by our works, lest anyone should boast. We are then God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, which God has prepared in advance for us to do."So I do emphasize that each person must make a decision and commitment. It is as simple as A,B,C,D: (A) Admit that I am a sinner; selfish by nature, lacking in loving acts toward others, and unwilling to open my life to God's inspection or to seek His will. (B) Believe that God loves me and sent Jesus Christ to earth to suffer for my sins, showed victory over death in His resurrection, and offers to come into my life as loving Lord. (C) Commit myself to Him as Savior, trust Him to enter my life, change my nature, and follow Him as Master. This...and only this... will give me assurance of Heaven after my death. (D) Decide now! Count the cost! You will be changed. He is to be your hope of Heaven, but also has a plan for your life. Were it not for His love, this would be a frightening thing. But see Christ as described in the four "Gospels" (the first 4 books of the New Testament), and talk with a sincere Christian who knows the joy that comes with Him and fellowship with other Believers. This Biblical basis for these are: (A) Ephesians 2:1-3, (B) John 3:16-20 and I Peter 1:3-5 & 8-9, (C) II Corinthians 5:14-21, (D) Acts 4:12 Rev. 3:20 John 1:12 Romans 10:9-10.

“We can all be certain they are in a better place.” How do we know?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-09-01 11:27:00

: I recently attended my nephew's funeral. He had been killed in a car accident. He was only 27. The minister who gave the eulogy said three different times, "We can all be certain that Tommy's in a better place." I am sure he said this to help console the family, but isn't there another way? Why do members of the clergy say this at funerals so often when there is no way to know where Tommy's soul is... for sure?

ANSWER: You have asked a good question, relevant to many modern funerals. You are correct that "there is no way to know where Tommy's soul is for sure," i.e. unless he will be declared a saint by the Church. The clergyman has no authority from the Church to anticipate a canonization, which can happen only after a thorough study has been made of the deceased person's life and writings and deeds, and it is recognized that the deceased practiced all the virtues in a heroic degree. Further, this study must be supported by at least two miracles from Heaven, to indicate God's approval that this person is in Heaven, and worthy to be imitated on earth. Such a process of study and miracles normally requires many years, even decades or centuries. Accordingly, the clergyman at Tommy's funeral was out-of-order, even if he thought he was helping "console the family." Even if Tommy lived a holy life, it would not be prudent for the clergyman to proclaim that he is "in a better place," because he doesn't know whether that is true or not. And, if Tommy's life was lacking in virtue, i.e. if Tommy might have died in the state of serious sin, it would be an outright lie for the clergyman to proclaim that he is "in a better place." The family of the deceased generally knows the situation of their deceased in regard to virtue and sin; and they are not consoled by lies or exaggeration. In her ritual book for funerals, the Catholic Church directs the minister to be very careful to not anticipate the judgment of God and of the Church regarding the final destiny of the deceased. The minister is directed to speak on the lessons of the Bible read at the funeral service, or to encourage some particular virtue(s) exemplified in the life of the deceased. Sometimes, in view of those attending the funeral, the clergyman might take the occasion to speak general truths about the certainty of death, judgment, Heaven and hell, topics which most people avoid and seldom consider. The clergyman might also speak about God's infinite love and mercy, His goodness and understanding of human nature. But the minister ought to avoid any kind of judgment regarding the final destination of the soul of the deceased.I remember that the deaths and funerals of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Princess Diana of Wales occurred in the same week. Journalists and preachers generally associated the two women, who were personal friends, as being united in Heaven. I hope this is so! But, actually, the death of each woman was as different as possible. After a lengthy preparation for a happy death, Mother Teresa died peacefully surrounded by her Sisters and the prayers of the Church and of the thousands of poor persons she had helped. Princess Diana met a sudden and unfortunate death when she was living and riding with her fiancé, in a situation of apparent adultery. Adultery is a serious sin against God's commandment: "Thou shalt not commit adultery!" If not repented, this sin excludes a person from the kingdom of Heaven (cf. 1 Cor 6:9-10). I hope that Diana's last conscious thoughts were an act of sorrow for her sins and of love for God.

“We can all be certain they are in a better place.” How do we know?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2005-09-01 11:27:00

: I recently attended my nephew's funeral. He had been killed in a car accident. He was only 27. The minister who gave the eulogy said three different times, "We can all be certain that Tommy's in a better place." I am sure he said this to help console the family, but isn't there another way? Why do members of the clergy say this at funerals so often when there is no way to know where Tommy's soul is... for sure?

ANSWER: The eighth chapter of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans, offers a great deal of clues to why members of the clergy often use words that claim a certainty about where a person ultimately resides after their death. Paul uses some of the most powerful and poetic words to share his understanding that God's intention is to bring all of creation into a holy and healthy union with God's self. Paul notes that there is nothing that will separate God from those whom God chooses as God's own. Paul, in later chapters goes on to explain that while we do not have any control over whom God will choose, it is God's intention from the very beginning of time that all that has been created will come under God's ultimate reign. So it is with that understanding that I, when officiating at a funeral can with confidence state that the person who has died is now with God, because I understand that God's will is that all people, in fact all creation will be rectified and will thus be with God.

What happens to suicide bombers who die for their faith?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2005-09-01 07:39:00

: My question is on suicide bombings. If a young man is raised in his faith to believe that he will immediately enter heaven if he dies for God, what happens to him when he does? Most all of us, of course, would say that he is wrong and misguided, as are the people who misguided him; but where will his soul go if that is all that he knew, and he followed what his faith had taught him?

ANSWER: There is no faith on earth that would condone any type of killing, whether it is an act of suicide or murder. There is no verse in the Holy Quran nor the teaching of the prophet that would allow suicide or killing at all. Killing IS allowed in Islam under one condition and one condition only; for self defense. The Holy Quran is full of verses that explicitly give importance to life and promises hellfire and severe punishment to those who kill others without an excuse. Many non-Muslims (mainly Pastors) have quoted the Holy Quran saying that Allah will grant martyrs seventy virgins in paradise. I would challenge anyone who could find a verse like that in the Holy Quran. Suicide for a specific cause is not a new phenomenon that started with Muslims. As we know, the Japanese utilized suicide bombings to perfection in the form of the infamous kamikaze pilots. They were feared and hated by Americans just as much as Muslim suicide bombers today. Are most suicide bombers Muslim? Yes. The question is who allows it and on what basis? Well, Muslim scholars have two different opinions on this issue, and is a major dispute among scholars. Some deplore it and others condone it. Scholars who work for Muslim governments are among the few who deplore it whereas non-government scholars have condoned it under certain conditions. For example, in the Holy Land, many Muslim scholars view Israeli citizens as militants and since the land is occupied then the whole land is a battle field; therefore they've permitted suicide bombing/ killing. We see the same edict in other occupied lands like Iraq and Afghanistan. The destiny of a suicide bomber - the martyr - the killer - etc. depends on many factors, but mainly his/her intention. I am not in a position to make an edict on this issue. Many Pastors, Sheiks, Reverends, etc. have decided others fate and have acted as God. Judgment should be declared by God. In the Holy Quran, a verse states that whosoever takes a life; it is as if he killed all humanity, and whosoever saves a life, it is as if he saved all of mankind. Placement of the soul is dependent on the faith of each individual. Only the believers shall inherent paradise. The puzzle is that each individual believes that his/her faith is the only salvation.

What happens to suicide bombers who die for their faith?

By Charlie Traffas

What happens to suicide bombers who die for their faith?

By Rev Terry Fox

Is there such a thing as ‘rebirth’ or reincarnation?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2005-08-01 08:54:00

: : Is there such a thing as rebirth, or what some call (reincarnation)?

ANSWER: In general, the past-life regression business hasn't got much of a future in Muslim territories. Islam has no place for returning in the form of another person after dying. There is no leeway in this teaching. Islam teaches that the purpose of each life is to encounter Allah--or God--and that no matter how limited the life, it is sufficient to determine that person's ultimate destiny--paradise or perdition. Islam clearly defines the soul as part of each specially-created individual and holds that nothing can change that. The soul cannot be detached and move on to another body; it cannot engage in upward or downward mobility in the chain of creation; elements of it, such as memory, cannot be transplanted into someone in a later generation.Tenasukh refers to the transmigration of souls, the doctrine that after death the soul moves on to inhabit another body, then die again and then another body, and so on. This doctrine is called in English 'reincarnation' or 'metempsychosis'. Of course, it is not an Islamic doctrine. Belief in some form of this doctrine of endless cycles of birth, death and re-birth, can be found in almost all societies, primitive or sophisticated. Variations in it exist according to the local and regional differences in faith and popular culture. In the most materialistic societies especially, whose formal culture denies spiritual life, there is almost a fashion for pseudo-religious belief among certain small circles of people who claim-whether as a joke or seriously, it is not clear-that the spirits of the dead wander about, sometimes taking physical form, and can influence the living, until they (the spirits) settle into their 'new' bodies. It would be impractical here to go into the details of the different forms and fashions of this doctrine; more worthwhile perhaps would be to describe the main substance of it and to see it from the Islamic viewpoint.One argument for the antiquity of the doctrines of reincarnation is the 'evidence' in ancient literature, in the tales of metamorphosis-for example, Ovid's colorful extravagances of that name, in which 'gods' take on human and animal forms, humans take on a diversity of different shapes, etc. But these tales do not constitute a doctrine; the doctrine proper is not to do with, simply, colorful change of form, but with a belief that an individual soul must pass through every 'level' of creation, every species of life-form, animate or inanimate, sentient or insentient. If we reflect upon this we soon realize that the doctrine is really a strange elaboration on the immortality of the soul. In other words, the kernel of it is the intuition that the soul is immortal. That kernel is true; the rest is not. The doctrine may also have arisen from the observation of the likeness in physical and other traits between parents and offspring: in other words, the biological phenomena of heredity, perfectly intelligibly explained by the laws of genetics, are given a less intelligible, indeed irrational, explanation by the doctrine of reincarnation.Belief in reincarnation in Egypt, India and Greece, developed as a result of distortion of once sound beliefs in the hereafter, and from a longing for the immortality of the soul. Neither in Ahen-Aten's Egypt nor in Pythagoras' Greece did anyone know of the reincarnation which these distorted beliefs brought about. To Ahen-Aten, when man's life ends in this world, a different one starts in Heaven. As soon as one dies, one's soul sets off on its journey to reach 'the Greatest Court' in Heaven. It goes so high that it reaches to the presence of Osiris, and hopes to give an account of itself in words like these: 'I have come to thy presence as I was free from sins, and throughout my life, I did do everything I could that would make devout men pleased. I did not shed blood nor did I steal. Neither did I make mischief nor did I mean any. I did not commit any adultery nor fornication whatever'. Those who can speak so, join Osiris' congregation; those who cannot, whose evil deeds outweigh their good, are hurled into hell and tortured by demons.Likewise, in Ancient Greece, the belief in resurrection and the immortality of the soul were quite sound. The great philosopher Pythagoras, for example, believed that the soul on leaving the body has a life peculiar to itself; in fact any soul has this same kind of life even before it quits the earth. It is commissioned with some responsibilities on earth; if it commits any evil, it will be punished, thrown into hell and tormented by demons. On the other hand, in return for the good that it does, it will be given high rank and blessed with a happy life. Allowing for the changes that might have been made in the views of Pythagoras over time, we can certainly still see that there are fundamental similarities with the Islamic creed of resurrection. Plato's account is not so different either. In his famous treatise The Republic, he says that the soul on leaving the body forgets the material (corporeal) life totally; it ascends into an appropriate realm, a spiritual one, saturated with wisdom and immortality; the soul is free from all scarcity, deficiency, error, fear, and from the passion and love which afflicted it while it lived on earth; and then, being free from all the evil consequences of human nature, it is blessed with eternal bliss.After reincarnation was inscribed into the beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians, it became one of the central themes of songs and legends throughout the vicinity of the Nile region. Elaborated further with the eloquent expressions of Greek philosophers, it came, with the expansion of Greek influence, a widespread phenomenon. The Hindus consider matter as the lowest manifestation of Brahman, and deem that the convergence of body and soul is a demeaning of the soul, a decline into evil. However, death is believed to be salvation, a separation from human defects, a possible chance to achieve an ecstatic union with the truth. The Hindus are polytheistic in practice. Their greatest god is 'Krishna', who is believed to have come in a human figure in order to eradicate evil. Their second greatest god is 'Vishnu', which means that which can penetrate the human body. According to Hinduism, Vishnu has descended into this world nine times in different shapes (human, animal, or flower). He is also expected to descend for the tenth time. Since they believe that Vishnu will next come to this world in the shape of an animal, killing any animal is absolutely prohibited. Killing animals is only allowed during war; and the zealots of that religion do not normally eat meat. According to the Vedanta, the most important religious book of the Hindus, the soul is a part, a fragment, of Brahman; it will never be able to get rid of suffering and distress until it returns to its origin. Soul achieves gnosis by isolating itself from the ego and all wickedness pertaining to the ego, and by running towards Brahman, just as a river flows down into a sea. When the soul reaches and unites with Brahman, it acquires absolute peace, tranquillity and stillness, a state which Buddhists call Nirvana. In this state, there is an abatement of active seeking, a passivity of soul in the latter, whereas the soul is dynamic in Hinduism.All ancient, new and contemporary acceptance of the doctrine of reincarnation has one characteristic, one root, in common, that is the belief in incarnation. There is a shared failure of intellect to both grasp and accept the Absolute Transcendence of God: corrupted by this failure, people have been persuaded to believe that the Divine mixes with the corporal and that the corporal or the human will mix or can mix with the Divine. This failure is, except for Islam which, by God, has retained its strict purity of belief, all but universal.The scholars of Islam have all, unanimously and unequivocally, rejected reincarnation as totally contrary to the spirit of Islam. This is true of scholars in every field-jurisprudence, theology, Qur'anic commentary (tafsir) or commentary on Hadith. The reason for this stand is simple: the absolute centrality in Islam of the belief that every individual lives and dies according to his or her individual destiny, carries his or her individual load, will be individually resurrected and individually called to answer for his or her intentions and actions and their consequences, and each individually will receive Divine judgment (which is perfect justice) according to the same criteria.Let us look at what Allah Almighty said in the Noble Quran: "From the (earth) did We create you, and into it shall We return you, and from it shall We bring you out once again." (The Noble Quran, 20:55) "And Allah has produced you from the earth, growing (gradually), and in the end He will return you into the (earth), and raise you forth (again at the Resurrection)." (The Noble Quran, 71:17-18) "Nor will they there taste death, except the first death; and He will preserve them from the penalty of the blazing fire." (The Noble Quran, 44:56) " 'Is it (the case) that We shall not die, except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?' Verily this is the supreme achievement! For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive." (The Noble Quran, 37:58-61)From the above Noble Verses, we clearly see that Allah Almighty created us to die only once. This clearly refutes the reincarnation theory from the Islamic perspective. To summarize, Islam altogether rejects the doctrine of reincarnation. Belief in Islam requires belief in the Resurrection and Judgment when justice is meted out to each individual soul according to that individual's record in life.

Is there such a thing as ‘rebirth’ or reincarnation?

By Rev Terry Fox

Is there such a thing as ‘rebirth’ or reincarnation?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-08-01 08:54:00

: Is there such a thing as rebirth, or what some call (reincarnation)?

ANSWER: The Catechism of the Catholic Church (para. 1013) states: "There is no 'reincarnation' after death." Death is the end of man's life on earth, of the time to prepare for his ultimate destiny, which will be determined according as he cooperated with or deliberately neglected God's plan for human life. When the course of our earthly life is completed, we shall not return to other earthly lives: "It is appointed for men to die once" (Hebr 9:27). Reincarnation refers to the rebirth of a human soul in a new body. Several natural religions, e.g. Hinduism and Buddhism, believe that the soul, upon the death of the body, returns to the earth in another body or a new form. Such religious belief stems from a primitive hope or desire for reward or revenge; but, in reality, such reincarnation does not happen. Occasionally, there may happen coincidences, which seem to lend credence to such a belief. Thus one person might bear some resemblance to an animal or to another person in history. Sometimes in dreams a person might seem to recall a former existence. But such coincidences are fantasy rather than reality. Reincarnation is quite different from resurrection of the body. All Christians and Moslems and most Jews believe that, after death, God judges each human soul and assigns it a proper place in eternity, while the body disintegrates into dust and ashes. At the end of time, through the power of God, all persons who ever lived will be resurrected, i.e. their soul will be reunited with their body. Jesus is the first to be resurrected from the dead. These truths are part of our faith and are certain! The Christian Creed concludes with the affirmation: "I believe . . . in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen."

Is there such a thing as ‘rebirth’ or reincarnation?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2005-08-01 08:54:00

: Is there such a thing as rebirth, or what some call (reincarnation)?

ANSWER: "There are two ways," begins the Didache, a second century A.D. document dedicated to Christian Doctrine, "one of life and one of death; and great is the difference between the two ways." While related to the moral life and an explication of how the Christian is to live, and not related to reincarnation this second century document may help to illuminate the issue of reincarnation, at least from a Christian perspective.As I understand the idea of reincarnation - and to say understand is only to say that of the very limited knowledge I have, I have interpreted reincarnation in a particular way - the basic idea is that one's present life in some way or another determines how one will return and in what sort of temporal body that return will take place in. Thus, as I understand it one's performance in this life will determine how and how often one will have to return before earning the privilege of moving on to the next level. From a Christian perspective, the human person can not earn salvation rather it is a gift freely given by God through the life, death and resurrection of God's Son Jesus the Christ. I mentioned the Didache at the beginning of this response because the two ways is an early explication of this idea of earning salvation. It suggested that if one worked hard enough and was faithful enough one was saved. Conversely if one did not do so one was damned. It goes on to suggest that one can get a "real time" understanding of their status by what is happening to them in their life. If they are reaping the benefits of a good life - comfortable living, plenty of food, good job, etc. - one was on the way to salvation; but if one is suffering from loss of job, loss of freedom, etc. one was not working hard enough and was therefore being punished for bad deeds. Early Christian Theologians, rightly, tossed out this thought process in favor of a more accurate understanding of God's graciousness toward humanity which results in the free and unearned gift of salvation. Therefore from a Christian perspective, reincarnation does not make sense. We are called to live in response to a gift freely given not work toward earning enough points to gain salvation. Thus it does not make sense for a Christian to hold to the idea of reincarnation which operates to some extent on the same principle.

Who in Heaven has their soul already reunited with their body?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2005-07-01 10:52:00

: Matthew 27:52-53 says, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." What happened to them? Are they the only ones in heaven presently with a soul

***image1:left***QUESTION: Matthew 27:52-53 says, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." What happened to them? Are they the only ones in heaven presently with a soul reunited to their body?

ANSWER: The short answer is: "Nobody knows"! This is the only mention in the Bible of this event. There are several happenings associated with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ that were mentioned by the authors of the New Testament that are like this one. We anxiously read and want to say: "Really? Tell me more about that." Was the darkness (Matt.27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44) and the earthquake (Matt. 27:51 & 54) which occurred while He was on the cross local events only? After the thick curtain in the Temple was torn from top to bottom by the hand of God (Matt.27:51, Luke 23:45). Did the priests sew it up and go back into the sacrifice business? Paul tells us that Jesus appeared to 500 at once during the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension (I Cor. 15:6); Where? Why? Did He ever appear to His mother Mary after His resurrection?
The authors wrote under the influence of the Holy Spirit, so I suppose we have no need to know these things....but I intend to ask a lot of questions when I get to Heaven. Perhaps you can ask this one.

Who in Heaven has their soul already reunited with their body?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

Who in Heaven has their soul already reunited with their body?

By Charlie Traffas

Who in Heaven has their soul already reunited with their body?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-07-01 10:52:00

QUESTION: Matthew 27:52-53 says, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." What happened to them? Are they the only ones in heaven presently with a soul reunited to their body?

***image1:left***QUESTION: Matthew 27:52-53 says, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." What happened to them? Are they the only ones in heaven presently with a soul reunited to their body?

ANSWER: This curious incident is related only in the gospel of Matthew. We can only speculate about what happened to them subsequently, as there is no further mention of these particular Saints in either the Bible or Christian tradition. St. Matthew mentions this incident to teach that Jesus conquered death. In dying and rising Jesus overcame the power of the grave. Because of Jesus' life and death and resurrection, death has lost its terror, and is only temporary. At the end of time every human being, who ever lived, will rise for the final judgment, each human soul being reunited to its body. Tradition tells us that Lazarus and other persons, whom Jesus raised from death, lived for a while and then died again, and their bodies disintegrated into dust, like all other mortals. The Christian faith rests upon the fact that Jesus died and later arose from the dead, having been restored to life in his human body, with which he ascended into heaven and is living with his Father, God the Creator, forever.
According to the faith of the Catholic and Orthodox and Anglican Churches, as well as some Protestant communities, a faith based on early Christian tradition, the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, died. Afterwards her soul was reunited to her body, when she was assumed into heaven. Thus we know for certain that Jesus and Mary have experienced death and their souls reunited with their human bodies, now in a glorified state. Jesus is a divine person, who assumed a human nature at the Incarnation; while his mother is a complete human being. Her assumption is a special privilege, granted her by God, wherein she anticipates the general resurrection at the end of the world. So far as we know, only the bodies of Jesus and Mary have been reunited to their souls in a permanent condition, and are in heaven presently and forever.

How odd of God... to choose the Jews

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-06-01 09:50:00

: Who said that the Jews are God's chosen people? Does this mean God favors Jews over all other people?

ANSWER: Both the Old and New Testaments bear witness that the Jewish people are special to God. Recorded history begins with God calling Abraham (Genesis 12). The Bible goes on to show God's special favor to Abraham's son Isaac, and to Isaac's son Jacob, and Jacob's sons and grandsons, the forefathers of the Hebrew people. In the gospel of John, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well: "Salvation comes from the Jews" (Jn 4:22). In his epistle to the Romans (chapters 9 and 10 and 11) St. Paul discusses this topic in great detail. He writes that "they are God's people, God chose them and revealed to them his glory, . . . and gave them the Law and the true worship; they have received God's promises, . . . and Christ, in his human nature, belongs to their race" (Rom 9:4-5). This choice of God stems from God's special love for those forefathers and some of their descendants, especially Moses and Elijah and King David. But this choice of God entails on the part of the Jewish people: their special responsibility to live according to God's commandments and to witness to God's truth in this world. Time and time again the Jewish people fell away from God through idolatry, for which reason God punished them again and again. But always a remnant of faithful Jews kept alive: the true faith in the one God. "In the fullness of time God sent his Son, born of a human mother, who lived under the Jewish law" (Gal. 4:4). This is Jesus, who came to complete God's revelation to mankind and to redeem humans from the consequences of sin. Jesus also taught St. Paul that "whoever believes in him will be saved. That includes everyone, because there is no difference between Jews and gentiles: God is the same Lord of all, and richly blesses all who call upon him. . . . Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved" (Rom 10:12-13). St. Paul explains that the gentile Christians (non-Jews) have been called by God to share in the promises God made to the Jewish patriarchs and prophets. He compares the non-Jews to a wild olive tree, whose branches have been grafted onto the tree of the cultivated olive tree (the Jews), and joined to it: so that non Jews share the strong spiritual life of the Jews" (Rom 11:17-18). Thus the non-Jewish Christians have become the spiritual descendants of Abraham, and share in Abraham's faith and the blessings of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus. This is God's plan for the salvation of all peoples: so that no people can boast arrogantly over another people, as all have been invited by God to salvation. All people have sinned, and everyone needs salvation.This choice of God and his invitation does NOT mean that everyone will be saved automatically: whether by being descended from Abraham, or by belonging to Christ through faith and Baptism. All people are invited to share this faith and to live it. But only those who believe in the faith revealed by God and, according to the light of their conscience, sincerely try to live that faith, will be saved. Those who decline to believe and to live according to God's Will, as expressed in His revelation, freely choose to be separated from God in eternity; i.e. they cannot be saved and will be condemned. God's special favor extends to both Jews and non-Jews alike, to all who seek Him in faith and in obedience to God's law, as did Abraham and Jesus.

How odd of God... to choose the Jews

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-06-01 09:50:00

: Who said that the Jews are God's chosen people? Does this mean God favors Jews over all other people?

ANSWER: The Old Testament clearly states that the Jews were God's special people. Why would He pick a single nation to treat in a special way? There are a number of hints in the O.T. that there was once a wider knowledge of the true God, but that it was dying out or becoming corrupt. A few examples of these non-Jews were:Melchizedek. Abram (later changed to "Abraham"), the first Hebrew (or "Jew"), met a man named Melchizedek (Gen.14:18-20) who was "a priest of God most high".He blessed Abram who gave him a tithe of his wealth. Later in his life, Abram dealt with a "pagan" king named Abimelech (Gen. 20:3-18) who was in touch with God. In his prayers, God directed him in his dealings with Abram. Reuel: The father-in-law of Moses, was "a priest of Midian" and a follower of the true God (Exod. 2:6). He gave Moses helpful counsel (Exod. 18:1-23). Balaam: A "prophet" and advisor to the king of Moab. The king instructed him to seek God's curse against the Israelites. Balaam consulted God, and told the king that God instructed him to give a blessing, not a curse. (Num.22-24). The king's offers of higher and higher rewards resulted in Balaam's repeated blessings of Israel. He was a "prophet for hire", but still was in touch with God. Finally, at Jesus birth (Matt. 2:1-12) there were the Magi who came from a country far to the East to pay homage to the new King of the Jews. They somehow knew the prophecies of the Messiah and the star as the sign of His birth. So they came many month's journey to give Him gifts. But these remnants of Godly knowledge were few. God therefore picked a nation to come from Abram's lineage to be a people whose dealings with God would be recorded, and through whom God would send the Savior for all mankind. They were told:"The Lord thy God has chosen you to be a special people...The Lord did not set His love on you because you were many in number, because you were few." (Deut.7:6-7) "Do not say, 'The Lord has brought me to take possession of this land because of my righteousness'. No, it is on account of the wickedness of the nations there." (Deut. 9:4) But Abram had the promise, "The Lord said, I will make you a great nation...and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen. 12;2-3). When the time was right, The Messiah came and offered Himself to the Jews. He was welcomed by the common people, but the religious and civil leaders feared Him as a threat to their position and power. Jesus prayed at the end of His ministry, "O Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets...I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wing, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate." (Matt. 23:37-38) Looking back at the Temple, He told His followers, "Truly, not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down" (Mt. 24:2).One generation later, in 70 AD, the Roman General Titus besieged Jerusalem, killed over a half million, destroyed Jerusalem and drove the Jews from Palestine. They have spread over the world and most often found no welcome. Were God's chosen people a failure? They were often rebels against their God, but they preserved the knowledge of Him and His ways. And after Christ's resurrection, His followers -all Jews- spread the good news of Christ, the Savior of all people throughout the Roman empire and beyond. The first 40,000 Christians were all Jews. They produced the New Testament which tells that a new people of God, the Church, which opens "God's special people" status to Jews and Gentiles...to all nations. Christ was God-in-human-form, coming to rescue man and pay the penalty for sin to all who will entrust themselves to Him. This was the Jew's role in God's plan.Are the Jews no longer in God's plan? There are many prophecies for the Jews yet to be fulfilled. Their dispersion was predicted, but also their regathering from all over the earth to their former land when their nation was to be recreated "in one day"....but still not acknowledging their Messiah. God will yet make them a blessing to the world.

Is John the Baptist greater than Mary?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-04-01 10:50:00

: In Matthew 11:11, Jesus said: "Amen, I say to you that, among those born of women, there has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he." Since John the Baptist was born after Jesus' mother, was he saying that John is greater than Mary?

ANSWER: Jesus statement must have startled His listeners. Greater than Moses? Greater than King David or Elijah? Why? Jesus would later explain to His Apostles that after His Ascension the Holy Spirit would come into His followers and remain with them permanently. This had not occurred before His payment for sins. Now the Spirit which had come upon men for specific needs would be resident in the Christians. In this sense, the simplest Believer has a status greater than the best of mankind before.But they would not have asked the question you asked: "Was He saying that John the Baptist was greater than His mother?" The early Christians did not think of Mary, Jesus’ mother, as occupying a special status. Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell of Jesus being interrupted while speaking to a crowd. (Mt. 12:46-50, Mk. 3:31-34,Lk. 8:19-21) His mother and half-brothers were outside wanting to speak to Him. He replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? Pointing to His disciples, He said, ' Here are my mother and my brothers.' " It is remarkable that all three biographers tell this event that sounds almost impolite. Why? Mark 3:20-21 tells that just before that event, Jesus family heard about Jesus talking to large crowds and "went to take charge of Him, for they said, 'He is out of His mind.' " John 7:2-10 tells of His brothers urging Him to go to Jerusalem where more people would hear Him. But He sent them on, saying that the time was not right for Him to go. But after His brothers had left, He and His disciples went there quietly. It is clear that He did not want to put His mother or half-brothers on the public podium with Himself. Perhaps they were not ready to be questioned about Him and would create problems.While John's Gospel tells us that Mary was at the cross when Jesus was near death, she is not mentioned as one at the tomb on Easter morning-- although two other Marys were there-- nor as one to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. However, after Jesus' ascension, His mother and brothers were at the prayer meeting of about 120 followers. (Acts 1:14) And His half-brother, James, became the leader of the Jerusalem church and wrote a "book" of the New Testament. I Cor. 9:5 tells of His brothers being travelling evangelists, along with the apostles about 15 years after the resurrection. But Mary, Jesus mother, was never mentioned in the Bible after that prayer meeting event. In later centuries, Mary was gradually made an important part of some Christian's teachings. But the comment you asked about is not a problem. Mary was in the same situation as the other followers of Christ. Mary was saved by the death of her son. He died in her place, as He did for all people, and those who believe in Him and submit to His lordship, are forgiven of sins, given a new Spiritual nature and assured of Heaven. We will see Mary there!

Is John the Baptist greater than Mary?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-04-01 10:50:00

QUESTION: In Matthew 11:11, Jesus said: "Amen, I say to you that, among those born of women, there has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he." Since John the Baptist was born after Jesus' mother, was he saying that John is greater than Mary?

ANSWER: This question is a clear example of the perils of looking at only one verse of a larger section and not taking into account the theological framework of this portion of the Gospel of Matthew or of what it means to be a prophet.
When taken in its larger context what is being talked about here, by Jesus and to some extent by John and his followers, is what is the relation between John the Baptizer and Jesus and what is the relation between the time of the prophets and this new age that has been commenced by the birth of Jesus.
It is good to note that from the perspective of the writer of the Gospel of Matthew, there is no question that Jesus is the Messiah, the one who has come to usher in the new age of God's reign. From this perspective John represents the end of the age of prophets. He is the last in the line of the great prophets who were called by God to proclaim that the dawning of this new age is at hand. Therefore, behind Jesus' statement that, "among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist…" is the understanding that Jesus is talking about those who are prophets, not about all of humanity and certainly not about Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The simple message behind this statement is that John represents the final and greatest prophet whose task it is to announce not just the future coming of the Messiah but the actual presence of the Messiah. In doing so, John then stands with one foot firmly planted in the old age - the age of prophets - where he represents the last of the line and with the other foot in this new age - the age of the Messiah - where he represents the one who has come to "prepare the way."
So, to answer the question in another way. Mary, Jesus' mother, is not at all in his mind when Hhe makes this comment. There is no comparison being made between Mary and John. The comparison that is being made, if it can be called a comparison at all, is a proclamation to all of those gathered at that time and place (and to all who now read this passage today) who have expectations and pre-conceived notions about what a prophet and/or a Messiah should be like. This is the reason for the challenge to the crowds in Luke 11:7-10, about what they expected to find when they went seeking John the Baptist in the wilderness.
The message behind the words is, God will use whom God chooses as God chooses, and our notions about how that works are not necessarily most important.

Is John the Baptist greater than Mary?

By Rev Patrick Notley

Why no mention of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-04-01 10:50:00

: I have been taught the Trinity is made up of three persons in one God; and that God always was and always will be. Therefore the Trinity must have always been and always will be. My question then is why wasn't Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, and the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, ever discussed in the Old Testament?

ANSWER: The doctrine of the Trinity refers to the inner life of the one true God, who reserved that particular knowledge about Himself to be taught by the Son of God, when He became a man.The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews commences his treatise by observing that: "in the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets; but in these last days He has spoken to us through his Son. (This Son) is the one through whom God created the universe." What all this means is that God revealed Himself and his truth "to our ancestors" only gradually, not all at once from the beginning. Our ancestors in the faith are the Jewish patriarchs and prophets, the people from whom we gentiles, and all peoples, gradually received our faith in the one true God. Only gradually, through the course of history, did God reveal knowledge about Himself and His will to Adam, then to Noe, then to Abraham and the patriarchs, then to King David and Solomon and the prophets. Two thousand years ago God sent the final revelation of Himself, when He sent his Son in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Even then God's revelation remains only partial. As St. Paul observes: "Our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear. . . . What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face" (1 Cor 13:9-10,12). The fullness of God's revelation is reserved until the end of the world and the final judgment, with the resurrection of the dead. Then we shall learn so much more about God, as much as He wills to inform us, and as much as we are capable of receiving!The doctrine of the Trinity is the highest and most difficult mystery of the Christian faith. While we can talk about it, we cannot understand it! Always it remains a mystery! Our faith, received from Jesus, informs us that, with the Jews, we believe there is only one God. But somehow in this one God there are three distinct personalities, to which Jesus referred as "the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Christians are baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Note that Christians are baptized in the name (singular) of these individual persons, not in their names (plural). This primary article of the Christian faith has been handed-down from Jesus to the Apostles and their successors, as the fundamental doctrine of faith: so that, in order to be a Christian, a person must believe in the Holy Trinity. This doctrine is not taught as such in the Old Testament because God, for reasons he knows, had reserved it for the Christian dispensation. We can find hints of this doctrine in obscure passages of the Old Testament, e.g. the three mysterious angels, who visited Abraham & Sarah in Genesis 18, and traces of this truth in His creation (e.g. the Irish shamrock). This central Christian belief was taught in the Apostles' Creed, handed down from one generation to the next, and solemnly canonized by all the bishops of the Church at the first ecumenical Council held at Nicea in the year 325. Every Sunday thereafter this Creed has been sung or recited during Christian worship in every part of the world. Further the Holy Trinity is invoked in each of the Church's prayers and formulae of blessing. The Trinity is a mystery of faith, in the strict sense, a mystery which is hidden in God and cannot be known unless it is revealed by God. Knowledge of God's innermost being is inaccessible to reason alone, and even to the Jewish faith before the incarnation of God's Son Jesus, and His sending of the Holy Spirit: to continue his mission of teaching human beings about God.Mohamet and some other false teachers misunderstood this teaching as belief in three gods, and therefore accused Christians of being pagans, who worship a plurality of gods. But Christians endeavor to make clear that we believe in only one God, who is eternal in three persons. Each person in God is equal to the others; nevertheless there is only one God, not three gods. This is THE mystery!

Why no mention of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-04-01 10:50:00

QUESTION: I have been taught the Trinity is made up of three persons in one God; and that God always was and always will be. Therefore the Trinity must have always been and always will be. My question then is why wasn't Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, and the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, ever discussed in the Old Testament?

***image1:left***QUESTION: I have been taught the Trinity is made up of three persons in one God; and that God always was and always will be. Therefore the Trinity must have always been and always will be. My question then is why wasn't Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, and the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, ever discussed in the Old Testament?
ANSWER: The doctrine of the Trinity refers to the inner life of the one true God, who reserved that particular knowledge about Himself to be taught by the Son of God, when He became a man.The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews commences his treatise by observing that: "in the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets; but in these last days He has spoken to us through his Son. (This Son) is the one through whom God created the universe."    What all this means is that God revealed Himself and his truth "to our ancestors" only gradually, not all at once from the beginning. Our ancestors in the faith are the Jewish patriarchs and prophets, the people from whom we gentiles, and all peoples, gradually received our faith in the one true God.   Only gradually, through the course of history, did God reveal knowledge about Himself and His will to Adam, then to Noe, then to Abraham and the patriarchs, then to King David and Solomon and the prophets.   Two thousand years ago God sent the final revelation of Himself, when He sent his Son in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.   Even then God's revelation remains only partial. As St. Paul observes: "Our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear. . . . What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face" (1 Cor 13:9-10,12). The fullness of God's revelation is reserved until the end of the world and the final judgment, with the resurrection of the dead.   Then we shall learn so much more about God, as much as He wills to inform us, and as much as we are capable of receiving!
The doctrine of the Trinity is the highest and most difficult mystery of the Christian faith.   While we can talk about it, we cannot understand it!   Always it remains a mystery!   Our faith, received from Jesus, informs us that, with the Jews, we believe there is only one God.   But somehow in this one God there are three distinct personalities, to which Jesus referred as "the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."   Christians are baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."   Note that Christians are baptized in the name (singular) of these individual persons, not in their names (plural).   This primary article of the Christian faith has been handed-down from Jesus to the Apostles and their successors, as the fundamental doctrine of faith: so that, in order to be a Christian, a person must believe in the Holy Trinity. This doctrine is not taught as such in the Old Testament because God, for reasons he knows, had reserved it for the Christian dispensation. We can find hints of this doctrine in obscure passages of the Old Testament, e.g. the three mysterious angels, who visited Abraham & Sarah in Genesis 18, and traces of this truth in His creation (e.g. the Irish shamrock).   This central Christian belief was taught in the Apostles' Creed, handed down from one generation to the next, and solemnly canonized by all the bishops of the Church at the first ecumenical Council held at Nicea in the year 325. Every Sunday thereafter this Creed has been sung or recited during Christian worship in every part of the world.   Further the Holy Trinity is invoked in each of the Church's prayers and formulae of blessing.
The Trinity is a mystery of faith, in the strict sense, a mystery which is hidden in God and cannot be known unless it is revealed by God.   Knowledge of God's innermost being is inaccessible to reason alone, and even to the Jewish faith before the incarnation of God's Son Jesus, and His sending of the Holy Spirit: to continue his mission of teaching human beings about God.
Mohamet and some other false teachers misunderstood this teaching as belief in three gods, and therefore accused Christians of being pagans, who worship a plurality of gods.   But Christians endeavor to make clear that we believe in only one God, who is eternal in three persons.   Each person in God is equal to the others; nevertheless there is only one God, not three gods.   This is THE mystery!

Why no mention of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

Are religion and theism effectively the same thing?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-02-01 11:24:00

: Are religion and theism effectively the same thing, such that every religion is theistic and every theist is also religious?

ANSWER: Jesus statement must have startled His listeners. Greater than Moses? Greater than King David or Elijah? Why? Jesus would later explain to His Apostles that after His Ascension the Holy Spirit would come into His followers and remain with them permanently. This had not occurred before His payment for sins. Now the Spirit which had come upon men for specific needs would be resident in the Christians. In this sense, the simplest Believer has a status greater than the best of mankind before.But they would not have asked the question you asked: "Was He saying that John the Baptist was greater than His mother?" The early Christians did not think of Mary, Jesus’ mother, as occupying a special status. Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell of Jesus being interrupted while speaking to a crowd. (Mt. 12:46-50, Mk. 3:31-34,Lk. 8:19-21) His mother and half-brothers were outside wanting to speak to Him. He replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? Pointing to His disciples, He said, ' Here are my mother and my brothers.' " It is remarkable that all three biographers tell this event that sounds almost impolite. Why? Mark 3:20-21 tells that just before that event, Jesus family heard about Jesus talking to large crowds and "went to take charge of Him, for they said, 'He is out of His mind.' " John 7:2-10 tells of His brothers urging Him to go to Jerusalem where more people would hear Him. But He sent them on, saying that the time was not right for Him to go. But after His brothers had left, He and His disciples went there quietly. It is clear that He did not want to put His mother or half-brothers on the public podium with Himself. Perhaps they were not ready to be questioned about Him and would create problems.While John's Gospel tells us that Mary was at the cross when Jesus was near death, she is not mentioned as one at the tomb on Easter morning-- although two other Marys were there-- nor as one to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. However, after Jesus' ascension, His mother and brothers were at the prayer meeting of about 120 followers. (Acts 1:14) And His half-brother, James, became the leader of the Jerusalem church and wrote a "book" of the New Testament. I Cor. 9:5 tells of His brothers being travelling evangelists, along with the apostles about 15 years after the resurrection. But Mary, Jesus mother, was never mentioned in the Bible after that prayer meeting event. In later centuries, Mary was gradually made an important part of some Christian's teachings. But the comment you asked about is not a problem. Mary was in the same situation as the other followers of Christ. Mary was saved by the death of her son. He died in her place, as He did for all people, and those who believe in Him and submit to His lordship, are forgiven of sins, given a new Spiritual nature and assured of Heaven. We will see Mary there!

Are religion and theism effectively the same thing?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-02-01 11:24:00

QUESTION: Are religion and theism effectively the same thing, such that every religion is theistic and every theist is also religious?

***image1:left***QUESTION: Are religion and theism effectively the same thing, such that every religion is theistic and every theist is also religious?

ANSWER: I respond:    To understand precisely what we are dealing with, let's commence by going to the dictionary.   Religion is defined as: 1) a belief in a divine or superhuman power or principle, usually thought of as the creator of all things; 2) the manifestation of such belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc.; 3) Any system of religious faith or practice, e.g. the Jewish
religion; 4) Anything that elicits devotion, zealor dedication; Theism is defined as: Belief
in a god or gods; 2) Belief in a personal God as creator and supreme ruler of the universe.
Accordingly, every theist is also religious; but not every religion is theistic.   The very word theism indicates belief in a god, being formed from the Greek word "theos," which means God. The word religion is formed from the Latin word "religare," meaning: to tie or bind together two or more things.   Usually, this word refers to binding a person in faith and loyalty to God, or to whatever a person substitutes in place of God.   Whatever may be the principal goal of that person's life, that which is the basis of their morality, is God, or their
god.   Thus we might say: "Politics is his
religion, or Socialism is her religion, or the pursuit of success is his/her religion."   For the miser: money is his god.   For the hedonist: pleasure is her god.   For the glutton: good food and drink is his god.   For the lazy: relaxation and fun is her god.   For those exceedingly vain and unduly proud: vanity and fame is their god. In themselves all material things are good, being created by God for the use of human beings. It is the abuse of material things that is wrong. The pursuit of those things becomes for people, whose hearts are set on those things, a kind of religion.   But that kind of religion is not theistic as such.
However, those persons whose hearts are directed to some divinity -- whether to the true God or some other deity -- and who worship with prayers and ritual that divinity: such worship is a form of religion. If, in fact, a person really believes that what they are pursuing is a divinity, and that pursuit involves some ritual and prayers, then we can say that for them: the object of their life is a god.   In such a case, theism and religion are identified.   That can happen when a person totally ignores the true God in his/her dedicated lust for power (e.g. Stalin) or for a particular person (e.g. Augustus Caesar or Helen of Troy) or for control of the world (e.g. Hitler and Satan).   Persons addicted to drugs or gambling, who dedicate all their energy to acquiring money for the "high" attached to indulging such addictions, are practicing a kind of pseudo-religion.
In our times, as in ancient Greece, the cult of athletics - with its rituals and prayers -- seems a form of religion, which is not theistic. The goal of some game-enthusiasts, as of some financiers, is: winning at all costs (e.g. athletes who use steroids), gaining as much profit as possible (e.g. the corporate executives who voted for themselves obscene salaries and bonuses, while ruining their companies in the process), destroying one's opponents regardless of the methods employed (e.g. the mafia). There is plenty of ritual and preying involved in those games, and they are certainly not theistic.

Is it true that most people who have lived on this earth will go to hell?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2005-02-01 09:22:00

: In Matthew Chapter 7, and Luke Chapter 13, our Lord says, "Struggle to enter the Kingdom through the narrow door. The road to hell is wide with plenty of room and most go that way. But the door is small and the path is hard and narrow that leads to life and only a few find it." Is it true that most people who have ever lived on this Earth go to hell?

ANSWER: First let us deal with what The Gospels of Matthew and Luke actually say. Using the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), the Gospel of Matthew 7:13-14 records Jesus as saying, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and many take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it." The Gospel of Luke records a similar saying in chapter 13, verse 24 when Jesus says, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able." The Greek word apolelia which is translated destruction is incorrectly translated in the New International Version (NIV), the Today's English Version (TEV) and the Living Bible as "the road to Hell". This raises an important issue to remember that such versions as the NIV, TEV and the Living Bible are all paraphrases which, while seeking to place the Biblical story in a more modern accessible language, are never-the-less not accurate word for word translations of the actual text. Thus a good practice is to use a variety of translations and paraphrases when studying the Bible so that a greater sense of the message is gained.Now to deal with the question at hand… The simple answer to the question is; no these texts do not support a conclusion that most people who have ever lived on Earth will go to hell. When taken in their larger contexts these sayings of Jesus in both Matthew and Luke take on a different meaning. Matthew 7:13-14 is a portion of a much larger setting which starts back in chapter 5 with the sermon on the mount or more familiarly "The Beatitudes" and concludes at the end of chapter 8. The context of this entire section is to give to both the disciples - those closest to Jesus, and the crowds - those still inquiring about his ministry and teaching, lessons about what it means to be a disciple. Two themes that run through this portion are first that God is the one who is in control and God's love for humanity means that God will care for humanity. The second theme is that in response to God's love and care humanity is called to treat one another with the same love and care as God does. This is highlighted especially in the emphasis placed on the special care given to those who are least able to care for themselves - the poor and weak. In the midst of this sermon the call to enter through the narrow gate is both a call to live as God would have us to live and a realistic look at the world to notice that the overwhelming majority of those living on earth during the time of Jesus were not living in a way that either honored their fellow human beings or God. The Gospel of Luke follows a similar theme starting at the beginning of chapter 12 through at least the end of chapter 13, if not further. A major theme of this section of Luke is to challenge the apparent and visible hypocrisy of those who claimed to be religious and faithful yet who never-the-less treated their neighbors with contempt and arrogance. An underlying pattern of thought in that day was that one could tell how faithful one was by the amount of good or bad fortune that was present in one's life. In other words; if one was successful and had not experienced tragedy in their life they were faithful and were thus being rewarded by God. In contrast, if one experienced loss it was because they had done something to displease God and were thus being punished. For example if one's house has been destroyed by a tornado it is because they have been unfaithful and are thus being punished by God. The point Jesus is making in this section is that all fall short of the glory of God and thus all are in need of repentance. In this context, a portion of the message being given by Jesus is that those who are so inflated or puffed up by their own egos are going to find it very difficult to enter into God's kingdom. It is those who are going about the work that God calls them to and who are not trying to equate their lack of tragedy some scale of holier-than-thou that will be recognized as true disciples. In short both of these passages are not prescriptions or predictions of who or how many will enter heaven. Rather they are descriptions of what the life of a disciple is like. It is good to note that in both of these larger sections of the gospels of Matthew and Luke the passages about not worrying but seeking the kingdom of God are central in their placement and content. The basic message here as in the entire works of Matthew and Luke is to spend less time trying to figure out who is saved and who is not and to spend more time living as a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Is it true that most people who have lived on this earth will go to hell?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2005-02-01 09:22:00

: In Matthew Chapter 7, and Luke Chapter 13, our Lord says, "Struggle to enter the Kingdom through the narrow door. The road to hell is wide with plenty of room and most go that way. But the door is small and the path is hard and narrow that leads to life and only a few find it." Is it true that most people who have ever lived on this Earth go to hell?

ANSWER: Before answering the question, I would like to use a simple example. The world population is about six billion people. How many of those are truly believers? How many of those believers are practicing their faith? How many of those who are practicing their faith are truly practicing it with intention to serve God? If I would say only a few million out of the six billion, do not be surprised. Why? Most of God creatures are not believers. In another word, are most of God creatures going to hell? Well, let's examine the Islamic perspective of this life, the hereafter and the human lifestyle. God created both hell fire and paradise. He sent messengers and prophets and descended with them books to guide us to the straight path; yet the majority of people rejected. Why?Let's review our life and what we do in it."Beautified for mankind is the love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring, and stored up heaps of gold and silver and horses branded with their mark and cattle and land. That is comfort of the life of the world. Allah, with Him is more excellent abode.""Pastime and pageantry and boasting among you and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain whereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller but afterwards it dries up and takes on a yellow color and then it becomes straw."These are a few examples from the Holy Quran expressing the value of this life. Man spends one third of his life asleep, another third serving his employer and another third serving his family, himself and community. Take the life of most of us here in America; most of the people spend their time working and producing to serve and run the affairs of this life ONLY. As the Holy Quran says, "The desire of increase in worldly provision has distracted you (your attention to God) until you come to the graves. Nay, but you will soon come to know (of the vanity of your pursuits), Nay, but you will come to know. Nay, would that you knew (now) with a sure knowledge." The majority of people have so many priorities in life and God is their last. How do you expect an engineer to become an engineer? Is it by hoping and wishing? Or is it by hard work and passing exams. Many people think paradise is like life; paradise is not cheap. The messenger of God, Mohammed said, "The world is the believer's prison and the unbeliever's Paradise." Look at our life; God has bestowed upon us many bounties; He said every thing in this life is lawful except very few unlawful things which I had made to test you. Unfortunately we see that billions of people are attracted to the few unlawful things and leave many of the lawful bounties.To compare this world with the Hereafter is just like one of you putting his finger in the sea. Let him see what it returns with? This is truly the meaning of life. It is not equivalent to the value of the wing of a gnat. That's why in Islam we are taught to look at those who are inferior to us and not look at those who are superior to us, for this will enable us to appreciate better the favors of God. It will keep us away from despising God's favor to us.The messenger of God said, "I looked into the Paradise and saw that most of its dwellers were the poor." In fact he also said, "The poor will enter Paradise five hundred years ahead of the rich." The meaning is clear. Wealth is one of the major tests to man. To the majority wealth is a goal and objective of life; but to the believer it is nothing but a tool to get to God. To summarize, yes most people who have ever lived on this earth will go to hell. One of the reasons is, because the majority of people are not thankful to God. So how can we not be among the majority? We need to understand God first. What He wants from us and why we are in this life. Understanding that there is no life but the life of the Hereafter is the secret to heaven. To live for this life as if you are living for are dying tomorrow.

Is it true that most people who have lived on this earth will go to hell?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-02-01 09:22:00

: In Matthew Chapter 7, and Luke Chapter 13, our Lord says, "Struggle to enter the Kingdom through the narrow door. The road to hell is wide with plenty of room and most go that way. But the door is small and the path is hard and narrow that leads to life and only a few find it." Is it true that most people who have ever lived on this Earth go to hell?

ANSWER: Only God knows who and how many persons go to hell! God gives to each person a free will, with which he/she is able to choose good or evil, right or wrong; and in the end each will be judged by God for the choices they have made. Then each will receive the reward appropriate to his/her behavior in this life. That final judgment and reward depends ultimately on the final choice made by the individual person. All other choices in this life are a preparation for that one final determinate choice, on which will depend our salvation or our damnation.God sees and knows everything, even our most secret thoughts and desires as well as all our actions. God is merciful, but also most just. He wills that all peoples be saved and enjoy the rewards for virtue. But God will not force any human will! He gives us Commandments and holy guides and good examples and warnings and the helps of his grace; but he will not force anyone to come to Him. God even sent His only Son, in the person of Jesus Christ, to teach and suffer and die and rise from the dead: in order to draw human beings to freely choose what is good. But if, nonetheless, someone freely chooses to ignore God and His helps, then that person will go to hell, separated from God and every consolation for all eternity.The words of Our Lord cited above serve as a warning. That warning is itself a help to persuade humans to use their free will in a manner pleasing to God. But, as Jesus observed, there are many who choose to ignore God and his Commandments, choosing instead to pursue their own selfish interests and even to harm their neighbors. There are many who prefer the creature to the Creator. Such preferences and choices prepare them to make as their ultimate choice: the slippery wide road to hell. Those persons hope there is no God, or that there is no hell, or that God is so merciful that all persons go to heaven. They will find out too-late how mistaken they have been, how foolish they are: to have blown their opportunity to be happy forever in heaven.God is absolute Justice! If God were to admit into heaven those who in this life have freely chosen evil and die unrepentant, then God would not be just, and his Word would not be true, and his Commandments would be empty words. God's mercy is so great that He is willing to grant salvation even to persons, who have ignored Him during their life, but are truly repentant before they die. Only those who die unrepentant for their sins go to hell. But many persons neglect to repent before death catches them unaware and unprepared, and they make that final bad choice, which sends them to hell.Because we don't know just when we will die, whether we will have a long or short life, whether we will be granted time to repent our sins, it behooves every one to be always prepared for that critical moment of death. This is why many persons freely choose to live the Commandments of God, to follow the teachings of Jesus, to practice all the virtues, to never harm their neighbor, and to maintain through this life habits of prayer and communion with God: so that their final choice will be easy: as they pass through the small door and narrow path into heaven.

Is it true that most people who have lived on this earth will go to hell?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-02-01 09:22:00

: In Matthew Chapter 7, and Luke Chapter 13, our Lord says, "Struggle to enter the Kingdom through the narrow door. The road to hell is wide with plenty of room and most go that way. But the door is small and the path is hard and narrow that leads to life and only a few find it." Is it true that most people who have ever lived on this Earth go to hell?

ANSWER: I would like to say "No", but the verse, that quote, was clearly the teaching of Christ. In the Bible, it is Jesus Who speaks most often and fervently of life after death and the judgement to follow. He spoke of "Laying up treasures in Heaven" and the horrors of hell. But didn't Jesus teach about the love of God? Yes! He said that God's love was the reason Christ came to rescue people from the doom they were facing. Does a loving God send millions of humans to hell? Listen to II Peter 3:9 "God is patient, not wishing anyone should perish, but that everyone should come to repentance." Most people view Heaven as a sort of celestial retirement club with a great climate and a better class of people....where one can do what he likes, including some forbidden on earth! The Biblical Heaven is an existence wholly different. It is not Happy Hunting Grounds, Nirvana nor Valhalla. It is God's presence! Rev.21:3-4 tells us: "I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God Himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain, for the old order has passed away.' " The "infection" from earth is quarantined: "Nothing impure will ever enter, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of Life." (Rev.21:27)I think one can make a Biblical case for saying that everyone who can enjoy Heaven (or even survive it) will be there! To be in Heaven is to be with God, but: "God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, lives in unapproachable light, Whom no one has seen nor can see..." (I Tim.6:16) When Moses was going up Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, God told him to "warn the people not to force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish." (Exod.19:21) When Moses asked to see "God's glory", God told him"...you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live." Great changes in the nature of a sinful, rebellious human must take place to be able to be in God's presence. I Cor. 15:35-44 tells of the "spiritual body" contrasted to our natural (earthly) body. The perishable body is to be replaced by an imperishable, immortal one. Jesus stressed that a new birth, a "spiritual birth", must take place if we are destined to receive a spiritual body. (see John 3:3-18). Life in Heaven is very different from earth-life. There will be no genders or marriage! (Matt.22:30) People who go there will "reign" with Christ (I Tim.2:12) and "judge Angels"

Will we be judged more harshly than those of the Old Testament?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2005-01-01 09:20:00

: Since the beginning of the New Testament, we have a myriad of resources to aid in our salvation, unlike those who lived and died during the Old Testament. Will we be judged more harshly when we die, than they were?

ANSWER: Yes, the Bible seems to say that this is true. In St. Paul's speech to the religious philosophers in Athens he said: "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts:17:30-31)Regarding the Jews who had God's revelation of the Old Testament, they were responsible for acting on the light they had. They knew to avoid idol worship and to follow the ethical standards which are summarized in the Ten Commandments. Their knowledge, and responsibility, increased over the centuries as prophets writings became available.When Christ came, He raised the standards for them In the "Sermon On The Mount", He said: "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt.5:20). This must have been a shock! The Pharisees lived by hundreds of rules and were notoriously religious. Then He raised the requirements again by making the requirements based on internal attitudes rather than only external acts: " You have heard that it was said long ago, 'Do not murder'. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement." (Matt.5:21) Hate = murder! He did the same with adultery and lustful looking. Lust = adultery! Essentially, all that was lacking in each case was the opportunity.Then Jesus did the same with virtues: "You have heard, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: 'love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'" (Matt.5:43-44) The requirements were made harder and He called this "Good News" (Gospel) Why? For two reasons: (1) Christ paid the penalty for sin by dying on the cross and will accredit His righteousness to any who accepts and entrusts themselves to Him. "By grace are we saved... not of works." (Eph2:8-9) (2) The Holy Spirit will indwell the Believer and empower him to live a truly righteous life as described in the Sermon on the Mount. It is clear that none could qualify by their own efforts. By God's grace, a rescue has to take place.In answer to your question, Jesus stated the principle: "Everyone to whom much is given, of him will much be required." (Luke 12:48) And we have so much more than the pre-Christian Jews. More what? Revelation, information, and the example of Jesus Christ. The responsibility extends to our wealth of time, possessions, influence, education, etc. To whom much is given, much shall be required.

Will we be judged more harshly than those of the Old Testament?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2005-01-01 09:20:00

: Since the beginning of the New Testament, we have a myriad of resources to aid in our salvation, unlike those who lived and died during the Old Testament. Will we be judged more harshly when we die, than they were?

ANSWER: The simplest answer to this question is, I do not know. Only God knows how God will judge people of any age and God has not chosen to reveal that knowledge. And while this response should be sufficient, it is clear from the numerous questions that have and, no doubt, will continue to be posed about what will happen to us when we die, more needs to be said.As a Christian, I consider there to be only one source of salvation, and that is God's love and response to humanity in the wake of humanity's action to kill Jesus as shown to all in the resurrection of Jesus. All other "resources" that Christians have are witnesses to that event. However, as one who has also gratefully inherited the wisdom and words of the Old Testament I must acknowledge that there were many witnesses to God's love during the time before Jesus as well. However, the simple fact remains whether one lived before or after Jesus, whether one had only the law and prophets of the Old Testament or the entirety of the Biblical witness to draw upon, there is no one who will measure up fully to the perfection and love of God. So in a very real way, all people will be judged and all people will be found wanting. This is to say that we should be less concerned about what we have no control over - how we will be judged when we die, and more concerned about how we are called to respond to God in this life right here and now. God has gifted us with a gift that we can hardly imagine - God's infinite love and faithfulness. So it seems to me that our task is to, in all ways and at all times, work at living into the fullness of that gift. If we focus on that then we can do nothing less than continue to seek to be fully present with God each day of our lives, and if we are fully engaged in that process there will be little time for us to worry about that which we can not control and can not change, namely how God has and will act.

Will we be judged more harshly than those of the Old Testament?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2005-01-01 09:20:00

: Since the beginning of the New Testament, we have a myriad of resources to aid in our salvation, unlike those who lived and died during the Old Testament. Will we be judged more harshly when we die, than they were?

ANSWER: The theory that Jesus died on the cross and that Jesus is the only way to salvation has confused Christians more so than other religious denomination. Muslims and Jews do not believe in that theory. Does it mean that we are not going to be saved; yes we will be saved without believing that the only salvation is Jesus. The Holy Quran refers to the new and old testaments as one book. Yet, many non-Muslims view the new and old books as two different books. This is a major issue in the ideology of faith. Jesus said, "I did not come to change, I came to fulfill."We need to start thinking on our own. We need to start not letting others dictate our path. All the prophets and messengers of God came to save us. Came to bring us out of darkness to light. From Hell to Paradise. To believe that the only salvation is through following the new testament leaves the door wide open for questioning the fate of the previous nations. Moses, Abraham, Noah, Mohammad, Jacob, and many other prophets and messengers came to save humanity.The greatest source of hope is that God shall allow those people who accept Him to enter Paradise and, more importantly, to be close to Him. The Holy Quran contains many references on Paradise, and also on Hell, the destination of those people who know-ingly reject God. Paradise is quite literally a place of indescribable joy, whereas Hell is its indescribable opposite. "And whoever rebels against God and His Apostle and transgresses His bounds, him will He commit unto fire, therein to abide; and shameful suffering awaits him." [4:14]Are certain people arbitrarily guaranteed the Favor of God, while others are excluded? The Mercy of God is not restricted arbitrarily to any one person. Everyone and anyone is free to accept the path to God using their own free will and reason,"And they claim, `None shall ever enter Paradise unless he be a Jew' - or `a Christian'. Such are their wishful beliefs! Say [to them, O Prophet]: `Produce an evidence for what you are claiming, if what you say is true!' Yea, indeed: everyone who surrenders his whole being unto God, and is a doer of good, shall have his reward with his Sustainer, and all such need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve." [2:111-112]. The consequence of this is responsibility - everyone will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. Some of us may be uncomfortable with this, but it is simply the price of freedom, "It may not accord with your wishful thinking - nor with the wishful thinking of the followers of earlier revelation - [that] he who does evil shall be requited for it, and shall find none to protect him from God, and none to bring him succor, whereas anyone - be it man or woman - who does good deeds and is a believer, shall enter Paradise, and shall not be wronged by as much as [would fill] the groove of a date-stone." [4:123-124]If we sin, what should we expect from God? If we subsequently feel guilty and repent after doing something evil, God wants us to expect Him to be forgiving, forgiving, and more forgiving. However, there is one sin which God will not forgive: worshipping anything besides Him (unless the person realizes his or her error and returns to worshipping the One God), "Verily God does not forgive the ascribing of divinity to anything beside Him, although He forgives any lesser sin to whomever He wills: for he who ascribes divinity to anything beside God has indeed contrived an awesome sin." [4:48]Yes there are known myriad of resources that aid in our salvation; yet, we must understand and know GOD Himself first. Do we really know Him? Do we really honor Him? Do we really follow His commands? Do we really worship Him? Are we truly on the straight path? Answering these questions is essential if we are truly looking for salvation. Each clergy will tell you that his/her way is the only way to salvation; however, you have obligations to find out the true way. For more information please visit my web site at http://www.seyam.org/

Will we be judged more harshly than those of the Old Testament?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2005-01-01 09:20:00

: Since the beginning of the New Testament, we have a myriad of resources to aid in our salvation, unlike those who lived and died during the Old Testament. Will we be judged more harshly when we die, than they were?

ANSWER: While it is true that in the New Testament and after those books were written, we Christians (those who believe in the New Testament), have a myriad of resources and examples to aid in our salvation, it is none-the-less true that those who lived and died under the Old Testament also had and have numerous resources and examples for salvation. Both Testaments were inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, the primary author of the books of the Bible. Both the Old and New Testament produced saints, friends of God, and heroes for salvation. Likewise the lives and teachings of the saints of all times and places: provide worthy role-models of how to direct our lives towards God. We are very fortunate to have so many more resources and examples to encourage and help us than did those early patriarchs and prophets, who believed in God and were pleasing to Him. Think of Abraham, the father of all true believers, whose history is recorded in the first book of the Bible, Genesis (chapter 12 following). He was born and reared in the pagan culture of ancient Mesopotamia. Nevertheless he reasoned and believed that there must be one true God, whom he worshiped to the best of his ability, and so became the friend of God, and the father of all true believers. The New Testament epistle to the Hebrews, chapter 11, praises the faith of Abraham, as well as that of Abel and Enoch and Noe, who lived before Abraham, and also that of Abraham's descendants who live by faith. Only gradually in time, did God reveal more of Himself, and most especially in the person of his Son, Jesus the Messiah, who taught his Apostles. These in turn taught other Christian disciples down to our own day. With so many witnesses to the true faith revealed by God, we have less excuse, than those who lived before us, for neglecting God and his revel-ation or for rejecting the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of St. Luke (12:48), Jesus observes: "Much will be required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given." The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The coming of God's Son on earth is an event of such importance that God willed to prepare for it over centuries. . . . all the rituals and sacrifices figures and symbols of the First Covenant. God announces Him through the mouths of the prophets, who succeeded one another in Israel. Moreover, God awakens in the hearts of the pagans a dim expectation of this coming" (Para. 522). Even the Koran, which is a collection of the sayings and recollections of Mohammed (compiled by Mohammed's followers after his death), does provide some aids for salvation for those who sincerely believe in it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says also: "At all times and in every race, anyone who fears God and does what is right has been acceptable to Him. He has, however, willed to make men holy and save them: to make them into a people who might acknowledge Him and serve Him in holiness. He chose the Israelite race to be His own people and established a covenant with it. He gradually instructed this people. All these things, however, happened as a preparation for . . . that new and perfect covenant, which was to be ratified in Christ. . . . He called together both Jews and Gentiles, which would be one race, not according to the flesh, but in the Spirit" (Para. 781). So, to answer the question: yes, we will be judged more harshly when we die: than will those people, who have not received the fullness of God's revelation. But also, those who live by this faith: will receive a greater share of happiness in heaven: than will those who have not received it, but have lived good lives in accordance with the light of their conscience and whatever truths have come to them.In the epistle to the Hebrews the Apostle has a serious warning for those who fall away from the faith they have once received: "What then of the person who despises the Son of God? who treats as a cheap thing the Blood of God's covenant, which purified him from sin? who insults the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse is the punishment he will deserve! For we know who said: 'I will take revenge, I will repay' and who also said: 'The Lord will judge His people.' It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebr. 10:29-31). The text then goes on with words of encouragement: "Remember how it was with you in the past: . . . you suffered many things . . . because you knew that you still possessed something much better, which would last forever. You need to be patient, in order to do the Will of God, and receive what He promises. . . . My righteous people will believe and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with him" (Hebr. 10:32-38).

Once saved, serious sin will still send you to hell, right?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2004-12-01 09:19:00

: Sin is defined by many members of the clergy as an offense against God. Just because one is saved doesn't mean he/she will never again offend God. If one has been saved, and offends God… and it is a serious offense against God… such as adultery or fornication… and then dies in that state… will that soul be damned forever?

ANSWER: Before I answer your question, I need to know: Why did you ask this question? I think there are three possibilities:(1) Are you considering doing one of these "serious" offenses and want to know if you can get by with it? If so, Stop! This is a dangerous business. God has warned: "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he shall also reap. He who sows to the flesh will reap corruption..." Gal.6:7-8 You may find yourself in a position like Judas, with regret but no place for repentance.(2) Have you already fallen into such a sin and now wish to repent and return to an obedient life? If so, there is hope. God's grace is sufficient for a repentant believer. You can do as the disciple Peter who denied the Lord, but wept and returned to Him. King David loved God and wrote Psalms that showed a heart devoted to his Lord. But he fell into sexual sin and tried to cover it up. Psalms 32 and 51 show the sincerely of his repentance. He was forgiven and restored...but the consequences of his sin were still tragic.(3) Are you asking about someone else who is a believer but has committed this "serious offense"? If that person repents, seeks forgiveness, and tries to make amends, he probably is a Christian and His Heavenly Father will restore him. If he is arrogant and shows no remorse, he is likely not truly a Christian. Sometimes it is difficult to know. Paul had this problem. In II Timothy 2:16-19 he told of two men who formerly worked with him but now were opponents of Christian teachings. Paul really did not know where they stood. He illustrated by an official seal whose two sides were: (1) "The Lord knows who are His, and (2) Let everyone who goes by the name of Christ depart from evil." Only the Lord knows his heart, and we can see only his lifestyle. And it is not our job to be his judge. Your question is uniquely difficult for Christians. Most religions believe that salvation is earned and deserved. Christianity teaches that persons are corrupted, lost, and in a state of selfish rebellion against God. Our only hope is God's grace. Not just that He is a gracious God, but that we have nothing to offer and must throw ourselves on His grace. A hymn says this well: "Nothing in my hand I bring; only to Thy cross I cling." Since Christ died in my place, the cost has been paid. This leads some to say, "Salvation is free." But it wasn't! It's free to me, but it cost Christ His life! There is a danger that one may say, "I can just believe this and be assured of Heaven." Nothing in the New Testament speaks of such "easy believism." Jesus warned people of the cost of following Him. "If anyone follows Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." And St. Paul wrote to Christians, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." Christ cannot be accepted as Savior without receiving Him as Lord.A foreign student heard the Gospel of God's grace and the resulting assurance of heaven and he interrupted the speaker: "You must not say that! If you tell someone that he is assured of heaven, then he will live like the devil. You have lost the power of the fear of God." The answer to him was that we dare to teach salvation by acceptance of Christ alone because we believe that the Holy Spirit will enter that person and "regenerate him". The new believer is given a new nature: II Cor.5:16 "If anyone be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away and all things are new". "Born again" is a Biblical term for this. Like most truths, the doctrine of salvation can become 'hearsay' if one stresses one aspect to an extreme limit. For example, if one does not agree that Christ's death is adequate for forgiveness of all of a person's sins, then good deeds, religious rites, and following rules are required. The first half of the book of Romans refutes this idea of "works salvation". Galatians refutes the teaching that, while salvation is received by faith and trust in Christ, it must be retained by living a moral/religious life. A holy life is the evidence of salvation, not the method of obtaining it. The other extreme is that believing in Christ gets the ticket to heaven, and if one has this, he can live a self-centered, immoral life without consequences. I'm afraid some preachers do present a "ticket to heaven" gospel, but the Bible corrects this. The book of I John speaks realistically about our continuing temptations and sins, but also gives tests for having assurance of salvation. "Faith alone is enough to save"...but true, saving faith will not be alone." The book of James helps us to keep this balance. And in II Cor.13.5 Paul instructs us to "Examine yourself, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourself. Don't you know that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you fail to meet the test?"

Once saved, serious sin will still send you to hell, right?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2004-12-01 09:19:00

: Sin is defined by many members of the clergy as an offense against God. Just because one is saved doesn't mean he/she will never again offend God. If one has been saved, and offends God… and it is a serious offense against God… such as adultery or fornication… and then dies in that state… will that soul be damned forever?

ANSWER: We have to understand that we are not angels; we are human beings. By nature human is a sinner. However, the majority of people who commit sins never repent nor admit their sin; therefore, they go astray. On the other side there is a group that commits sin, yet, right away repent and ask God for forgiveness. Yes, there is a major difference in Islam between killing and lying, although they are both sin. Not like Christianity that considers all sins alike in status. Sin in Islam is divided into two categories, minor and major. Minor sin can be wiped through doing good deeds; however, major sins require asking God for forgiveness, repentance, feeling sorry for what has been committed, doing good deeds, and promises not to do it again. Since our nature is sinner, some of us may sin again and again and again. As long as we are repenting and asking God for forgiveness, God will wipe out the sin. Repentance means to come back to God and to have a guilt feeling in the heart with eagerness to a new page. In Islam, there is not what is called "an original sin". Each individual is responsible for his/her own self. Each individual is rewarded or punished for his/her own deeds. Therefore, repentance is essential. Who is in need for repentance? The one who commits minor or major sin is in need for repentance. Even the one who repents is in need for repentance. You may claim that you don't commit sin, therefore, you are not in need for repentance. Or you may think you are not committing major sin, therefore, you are not in need for repentance. Well, let's examine our daily life and see how we spend most of our time. Let’s evaluate each act and document each word we utter. You will be surprised to know that some of us are committing many major sins without realizing it. For example, how many of us worship God as he deserves to be worshiped? How many of us honor his parents, neighbors, his relatives, etc.? How many of us associate others with God…..The list never ends. Yes, we are in need for God and we are in need for repentance many times a day.We need to repent for sin which we have committed in the past and we forgot about. God forgives all sins, but the first condition is repentance. He knows our ability and nature, therefore, He forgives and forgives. We have to ask God for forgiveness, do good deeds and quit committing the same sin. Life is full of temptations, not all of us are pious, therefore, the concept of repentance is very important. In the Holy Qur'an God says about Himself "He is the One who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful". The concept of repentance in Islam is a vital concept. It is renewal of oneself with God. As God states in the Holy Qur'an about His love to those who repents He also teaches us that when you repent, you purify yourself and elevate yourself to a higher level "Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves". God is very explicit when it comes to those who reject or refuse to repent. He said, "And those who do not repent are the ones who has transgressed". Repentance is not an act of burden, yet, billions of people don't have this concept in their heart. It is not even part of their ideology. The Devil said "My God I swear in Your Honor that I will continue to take Your people astray". God said, "In my Honor I will forgive them as long as they repent". This proves that the concept of repentance is connected to the concept of sin. As long as evil exists, is as long as people sin. As long as people sin, is as long as repentance is needed. To leave you with some wisdom I would like to quote one of the sayings of prophet Mohammad peace be with him "Most of the people of hellfire are those who say, I will repent tomorrow". Don't wait for tomorrow to repent, you may not have it tomorrow. Non of us know when the angel of death would approach us, therefore, repent and go back to God. The Devil is working hard to make sin, but the mercy of God is so great that He made repentance a way to wipe out sin. We ask God to forgive our past, present and future sin and to make us among those who listen, comply, and act upon His words. For more details, please visit my web site at http://www.seyam.org/

Once saved, serious sin will still send you to hell, right?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2004-12-01 09:19:00

: Sin is defined by many members of the clergy as an offense against God. Just because one is saved doesn't mean he/she will never again offend God. If one has been saved, and offends God… and it is a serious offense against God… such as adultery or fornication… and then dies in that state… will that soul be damned forever?

ANSWER: Many Protestants understand being "saved" as a one-moment-in-time act of repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as one's "personal Lord and Savior." (That phrase, by the way, is nowhere in the Bible.) They consider this action as a life-changing transformation of "lost" sinner, who becomes a "saved" child of God. It's an irrevocable step that cancels the penalties of past sins and guarantees, no matter what might happen from that point forward, that nothing can undo or rescind the person's salvation. "Once-saved-always-saved" is a slogan many Protestants use to describe their belief in a Christian's absolute assurance of salvation. Although not-all Protestants accept this "once-saved-always-saved" formula, many Southern Baptists and non-denominational Christians, do accept it. Two passages in the New Testament are commonly cited in support of this view: (1 John 5:13) "I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." And (John 10:27-29): "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." St. John's assurance that "you have eternal life" is a statement of every Christian's moral - not absolute - assurance of salvation. Christ offers us the gift of salvation, and he will not go back on his word. But you and I are entirely capable of going back on our word: by abandoning Christ and his teaching; and, thereby, forfeiting his gift of salvation. St. Paul speaks about this in his 2nd Letter to Timothy (2:11-13): "If we have died with him, we shall also live with him. If we endure, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself." So, it is true that we have been saved; but whether or not we remain saved is another matter, as St. Paul demonstrates in the texts I shall cite.But first, let's consider St. John's other statement: no one can snatch out of Christ's hand, those whom the Father has given him. No external power is capable of wrestling us out of Christ's loving embrace (cf. Romans 8:28-29), but you can do it! If you decide deliberately to rebel against God through serious sin (cf 1 John 5:16-17), and if you die unrepentant in that state, you will have lost your salvation: because you will have, in effect, snatched yourself out of Christ's hand. God respects our free-will up to our final choice at death. While we are in this life, we are capable of rejecting the salvation we once accepted, by preferring something sinful to God.This is demonstrated by the following verses: (Romans 11:13-22) "They [i.e. those who lost their salvation by rejecting Christ] were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will be spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off." And Hebrews 10:26-31: "If we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. . . . How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said: 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' And again 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."Again, 2 Peter 2:20-21: "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them." Is there some way to "escape the defilements of the world" other than by being "saved?" No! So this means that some who have been saved fall back into grievous sin, thereby losing - through their own fault - their salvation.Recall also the Unforgiving Servant in St. Matthew's gospel (18:21-35): He is a perfect parallel with the sinner who repents, pleads for mercy, was forgiven by God, and his debt of sin wiped out. But the Unforgiving Servant proceeded to mistreat a fellow servant, and when the King discovered this, he reinstated his debt and threw him into prison. Thus it is possible for us to lose our salvation by sinful rebellion against God, for as Christ promised: "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." Ask yourself: Why would Christ warn us about this, if there was no danger that it could happen? Only after death and a favorable judgment, is it possible for a person to have absolute assurance of being saved.

Once saved, serious sin will still send you to hell, right?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-12-01 09:19:00

: Sin is defined by many members of the clergy as an offense against God. Just because one is saved doesn't mean he/she will never again offend God. If one has been saved, and offends God… and it is a serious offense against God… such as adultery or fornication… and then dies in that state… will that soul be damned forever?

ANSWER: Sin is defined by many members of the clergy as an offense against God. Just because one is saved doesn't mean he/she will never again offend God. If one has been saved, and offends God… and it is a serious offense against God… such as adultery or fornication… and then dies in that state… will that soul be damned forever?What does it mean to be in a right relationship with God? Is the only reason we attempt to do good and not sin, to avoid punishment? The questioner has raised an issue that is neither simple nor as cut and dried as the question might suggest. It may be true that members of the clergy define sin as an offense against God. This is an accurate statement for how far it goes. However, members of the clergy who then do not continue on to suggest that sin is not just an offense against God but also an offense against humanity are not sharing the full story. It must also be clarified that the act of salvation and the human ability to engage in "sinful acts" are not mutually exclusive issues nor are they so neatly tied together as this question suggests.Let us first talk about sin. One need only look at the Ten Commandments to gather some valuable insight into the issue of sin. When one takes time to read through these ten statements one will notice that they are of two sorts; how one is to relate to God and how one is to relate to humanity. The basic message is that, in order to be in a right relationship with God one must also be in a right relationship with humanity and in the same way in order to be in a right relationship with humanity one must be in a right relationship with God. Or in other words the two are inseparably linked; there is no way to act on one with out acting on the other as well. Inagrace Dietterich puts it this way in the collaborative book Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America, "Sin is not a violation of abstract divine law but a personal offense or estrangement jeopardizing the love, unity, peace, and thus the ministry and witness of the community." (P.167) In other words it is not just the offense against God that is at issue but also the offense against humanity that is critical as well.Christians believe that the salvation of humanity occurred through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is a gift that has been given to humanity by a God who witnessed the world put to death in a most horrific way the one called the "Prince of Peace" instead of the justice that humanity deserved for this act of ultimate hatred toward God and humanity. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Christians in Rome, "Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus or Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, paraphrased) we must accept that first of all it is God's choice and God's alone as to who enters into the full presence of God and how that happens; and second that the more important issue is that our focus needs to be on how we respond to this gift that has been given us instead of on how to avoid punishment. To put it another way… Humanity has been given the most generous gift we can imagine - God's love and faithfulness to humanity in spite of humanities seemingly infinite ability to reject that love and respond with hate. Given that we have been gifted in such a way it seems to me that the most appropriate response is that of humble gratefulness that moves us to not only want to do that which is loving toward God and humanity but to actually act on that desire. God knows that we will not always act in such a way and yet God promises to remain faithful and loving to us anyway. To be Christian means that one constantly works toward living a life that Christ calls us to. That life is one that moves a person to respond to God's love through appropriate worship and praise to God and through appropriate interactions with the rest of humanity. So I find it far more useful to consider how much God loves me and therefore how I can respond to that love appropriately, rather than to attempt to rank order the seriousness of a variety of unhelpful and unhealthy acts and then try to figure out where the break point line is as to what acts I can get away with and still get into heaven versus which ones will land me in hell.

Do you have to be baptized to enter heaven? What about babies?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-10-01 15:07:00

: Does one have to be baptized in order to enter Heaven? What about babies who die early in life or at birth and never get a chance to be baptized?

ANSWER: The Presbyterian Church (USA)'s most recent statement of faith, adopted and included in its Book of Confessions in the mid-1990's, begins, "In life and in death we belong to God." This very same statement concludes, "With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (A Brief Statement of Faith, lines 1 & 77-79) The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Christians in Rome, writes, "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, NRSV) It is with these statements in mind that I have become convinced that the Sacrament of Holy Baptism is neither a pre-requisite to entering the full presence of our creator and God nor is the fact that a person might not have been baptized at the time of their death a barrier to their coming into God's presence in the heavenly realm. This is not to say, however, that this sacrament is either meaningless or unimportant. For I believe that it is both an extremely important sacrament and a greatly meaningful part of the faith tradition that I belong to.The scripture text proclaims very clearly that there is nothing that can separate us from God's love. So by extension if there is nothing that can separate us from this love there is nothing that we must do or, in fact, are able to do to earn that love or work our way into heaven. So baptism is not a form of "fire insurance" that keeps our children or us out of hell any more than it is some sort of "get into heaven pass" that earns our way through the pearly gates. So it is then to be asked, "Why be baptized at all if we are already assured of God's love for us?" The response to this is at the very core of the meaning and importance of this sacrament. To be baptized is to affirm that which is already present, that God loves us and desires to be in relationship with us. To be baptized is to affirm, for yourself, or on behalf of your children, that you intend to accept the invitation God has given to you to be in relationship. It is to state clearly that, with God's help, you will turn away from an old life that could well have been filled with less than healthy and less than helpful ways of living and turn toward a life that is filled with the presence of God in all aspects of your life. It is to affirm that, on behalf of your children, you will assist them to do the same until such time that they can affirm for themselves that they seek to live in the presence of their God as well. Baptism is also a confirmation that we live in community. It is a confirmation that we do not live alone but are supported in our journey of faith by a group of believers who will travel with us as we live into the life we have been called to live. So, to directly answer the question posed. No, I do not believe that you must be baptized to enter heaven. But, I can not imagine proclaiming Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, actively participating in a community of faith that cares for and nurtures along your faith journey, or truly desiring to live a life that is filled with the love of God and not being baptized. Baptism is the sign and seal of our inclusion in the family of God in the Body of Christ. It is the way a Christian proclaims and claims the gift of God's love.

Do you have to be baptized to enter heaven? What about babies?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2004-10-01 15:07:00

QUESTION: Does one have to be baptized in order to enter Heaven? What about babies who die early in life or at birth and never get a chance to be baptized?

***image1:left***QUESTION: Does one have to be baptized in order to enter Heaven? What about babies who die early in life or at birth and never get a chance to be baptized?

ANSWER: The Lord Jesus himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation: "I say to you that no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is reborn of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). Jesus also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them: "Go throughout the whole world and preach the Gospel to all mankind. Whoever believes and is baptized, will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16).
Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed, and who have the possibility of asking for this Sacrament. The Church takes very seriously this injunction of her Lord, and endeavors to provide that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has tied salvation to baptism, but He Himself is not bound by His Sacraments. This truth affords hope of salvation for good persons not formally baptized.
The Church has always been convinced that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith or of morality (authentic martyrs), without having received Baptism, are baptized by their death in union with Christ. This "Baptism of blood," assumes the desire for Baptism, and achieves the effects of Baptism. Likewise, those persons who are preparing for Baptism but die before receiving the Sacrament: are considered to have received "Baptism of desire," through their explicit desire to receive it, and are repentant for their sins. These alternate forms of Baptism assure those persons the salvation that they were not able to receive through "Baptism by water."
Also, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Every person, who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the Will of God insofar as he/she understands it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired baptism explicitly, if they had known its necessity." The Catechism continues: "As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church entrusts them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God, who desires that all persons should be saved (cf 1 Tim 2:4), and Jesus' tenderness toward children, which caused him to say: 'Let the children come to me, do not hinder them' (Mk 10:14), allows us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children, who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of Baptism."
As regards infants who are aborted or who die in their mother's womb, many theologians teach that these are saved and go to heaven: through "Baptism of desire" on the part of their parent or at least on the part of holy mother Church, established by Jesus as the common mother of all God's children.

Do you have to be baptized to enter heaven? What about babies?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2004-10-01 15:07:00

QUESTION: Does one have to be baptized in order to enter Heaven? What about babies who die early in life or at birth and never get a chance to be baptized?

***image1:left***QUESTION: Does one have to be baptized in order to enter Heaven? What about babies who die early in life or at birth and never get a chance to be baptized?

ANSWER: The Lord Jesus himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation: "I say to you that no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is reborn of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). Jesus also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them: "Go throughout the whole world and preach the Gospel to all mankind. Whoever believes and is baptized, will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16).
Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed, and who have the possibility of asking for this Sacrament. The Church takes very seriously this injunction of her Lord, and endeavors to provide that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has tied salvation to baptism, but He Himself is not bound by His Sacraments. This truth affords hope of salvation for good persons not formally baptized.
The Church has always been convinced that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith or of morality (authentic martyrs), without having received Baptism, are baptized by their death in union with Christ. This "Baptism of blood," assumes the desire for Baptism, and achieves the effects of Baptism. Likewise, those persons who are preparing for Baptism but die before receiving the Sacrament: are considered to have received "Baptism of desire," through their explicit desire to receive it, and are repentant for their sins. These alternate forms of Baptism assure those persons the salvation that they were not able to receive through "Baptism by water."
Also, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Every person, who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the Will of God insofar as he/she understands it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired baptism explicitly, if they had known its necessity." The Catechism continues: "As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church entrusts them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God, who desires that all persons should be saved (cf 1 Tim 2:4), and Jesus' tenderness toward children, which caused him to say: 'Let the children come to me, do not hinder them' (Mk 10:14), allows us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children, who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of Baptism."
As regards infants who are aborted or who die in their mother's womb, many theologians teach that these are saved and go to heaven: through "Baptism of desire" on the part of their parent or at least on the part of holy mother Church, established by Jesus as the common mother of all God's children.

What is meant... “there will be just one Church” at the end of time?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2004-10-01 11:05:00

: I have heard different scholars say that at the end of time, there will be just one Church. What does this mean?

ANSWER: In the Old Testament prophecy of Ezechiel (chapter 37), it is written that God says: "I will take my people from the midst of the nations, where they have been scattered, and make them one nation in their own land, and they will have one king ruling over them. There will be one shepherd over them, and they will keep My commandments, and I shall make with them a covenant of everlasting peace, and I will dwell in their midst. I will be their God, and they will be My people." In the New Testament Gospel of John (10:11-16), Jesus is quoted as saying: "I am the good shepherd: I know my sheep and they know Me. . . . They will become one flock with one shepherd." And just before His passion and death, Jesus prayed to the Father in Heaven that those who believe in Him "may be one as you and I are one. . . . I pray that they be one: so that the world may believe that you sent Me" (John 17:21). We believe that Jesus is God, and therefore His prayer will be answered. The Catholic Church has always understood these texts as referring to the unity among the followers of Jesus, which will be achieved by the end of the world. With so many divisions in the world, it is difficult to foresee how this unity will be achieved. Being the Son of God, Jesus is able to do what human powers cannot accomplish. In the gospel of Matthew (16:18) Jesus appointed Peter to be the rock on which He would build His Church. Note that Jesus said: Church - not churches. Jesus established one Church. And Peter's faith is the foundation rock of that Church. The faith of Peter and the Apostles continues to be preserved and taught throughout the Catholic Church. As history demonstrates, other churches and communities of Christians come and go through various times and places; but the Catholic Church remains firm in confessing the Faith handed-down from the Apostles.

What is meant... “there will be just one Church” at the end of time?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2004-10-01 11:05:00

QUESTION: I have heard different scholars say that at the end of time, there will be just one Church. What does this mean?

***image1:left***QUESTION: I have heard different scholars say that at the end of time, there will be just one Church. What does this mean?

ANSWER: "Truly, my prayer and my devotions, my life and my death, are (all) for God, the Cherisher of the Worlds." (Holy Qur'an, Al-anam 162)
With the above holy words I would like to make an important clarification. The question of what church is the true church of God cannot be explained in an article. Therefore, a few clarifications have to be made. Muslim loyalty is to God above any and all things. Many people are loyal to just about everything but God, and/or God is not on their priority list. To be loyal to a specific party or church, yet no loyalty to God, would lead to an un-Godly lifestyle. Those who have faith are considerate in their behaviors, aiming to attend the will of God, and remain committed to their people and purpose at any cost. On account of minor benefits, they never leave the righteous path and they demonstrate an unshakable and unswerving loyalty to believers and especially to the leader of believers. God describes the loyalty shown by the believers in the Qur'an as follows:
Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with God: of them some have been true to their vows to the very end, and some still await their end: but they have never changed (their determination) in the least. (Al-Ahzap, 23)
Loyalty keeps all believers who struggle for their faith directed toward one goal. This attribute, the essential characteristic of determination, is vital for any community of believers that is steadfast. A believer would fail to keep his self-respect if even once he/she demonstrated a minor neglect in his/her loyalty. Once one loses self-respect completely, one gradually approaches a point where one loses faith.
Being truthful is one of the most important subjects that a believer should be sensitive to. Yes, this is more important than what church to follow. While informing us about hypocrites who are ever ready to escape their obligations, God bids us to give our attention to the pledge they take in the Qur'an about not turning their backs and accordingly states that such people bear a heavy responsibility. And yet they had already sworn to God not to turn their backs in flight, and a covenant with God must (surely) be answered for. (Al-Ahzap, 15) A pledge made to God is indeed a heavy responsibility. Hence, God commands the believers: Nor sell the covenant of God for a miserable price: for with God is (a prize) far better for you,
if you only knew. (An-Nahl, 95)
No doubt, the most significant sign of loyalty is obedience. Obedience is an essential attribute of believers, as stated in the Qur'an.
It is actually the key to earning the mercy of God, to attaining Heaven and gaining a victory against unbelievers. And obey God and the Messenger, so that you may obtain mercy. (Al-E-Imran, 132) Those are limits set by God: those who obey God and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; to abide therein forever and that will be the supreme achievement. (An-Nisa, 13)
Under all circumstances, believers should be committed to obedience for all time. Hypocrites, too, can be obedient, but only when the conditions are not so tough and demanding. However, in times of difficulty and trouble, only true believers persevere in their obedience. In the Qur'an, God informs us that hypocrites living in the time of the Prophet find the fight for faith to be difficult. However, they
join believers in their struggle when they find that it means "immediate gain and an easy journey". Another of the main attributes of believers is to maintain their obedience in every situation and under all circumstances. Obedience is a sure sign of one's faith in God and his total willingness to be a servant to Him. This is surely the only way to
man's salvation. As God states in Surat' Al-Anfal, 24: "O you who believe! Give your response to God and His Messenger, when He calls you to that which will give you life." The messenger calls man to his
eternal salvation. In another verse God states that the Messenger summons the believers to salvation, freedom, contentment and avoidance of evil.
To summarize, the loyalty with God is the secret to success in this life and the hereafter. If we follow his commands, surely we will be guided. For more information please visit my web site at http://www.seyam.org/

What is meant... “there will be just one Church” at the end of time?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-10-01 11:05:00

: I have heard different scholars say that at the end of time, there will be just one Church. What does this mean?

ANSWER: The basic response is that this has to do with the idea that there will be no denominations at the end time, only the Church of Christ. While I have no issue with that, I think that it is important to look behind this question and response and see what drives this issue.One can do a rather thorough survey of the New Testament and find many mentions of the word “church” in a variety of settings. I would suspect that the scholars alluded to, but not named - so much more the loss. It is difficult to respond to the work of unnamed scholars since there is no reference point by which to engage their thoughts, theology, or beliefs - are probably pointing to one of the many passages where Jesus is prophetically describing the end times, like chapter 24 of the Gospel of Matthew and linking it with Jesus' pronouncement, in Matthew 16: 18, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." (NRSV) While those linkages are in themselves not problematic to me, I again wonder what might be behind this process. Since no one, except for God, has any specific understanding of what will occur at the end time or, for that matter, when it would occur. I find it difficult to do more than simply affirm, that there is evidence from my reading and understanding of the Bible to suggest that the intent of God and Christ is that there be one gathering of the faithful for the purpose of worship, praise and response to our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. Further it is clear to me from this understanding that the fact that we have so many denominations may suggest that we humans are not as adept at understanding God's desires as we would claim to be. This being said, my suspicions of the unnamed scholars proclaiming that there will be one church at the end time are, that the one church that will be "left standing" will possibly look a whole lot like the church that they presently are aligned with.So my caution is to act on the words of Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (V. 36, NRSV) and "Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." (V. 44, NRSV) - live a life that is responsive to God's presence and activity in your life and not get distracted worrying about the mechanics of the end time. One church or many; it is not up to us to decide, rather it is up to us to live into the life that God calls each of us to have.

What is meant... “there will be just one Church” at the end of time?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2004-10-01 11:05:00

: I have heard different scholars say that at the end of time, there will be just one Church. What does this mean?

ANSWER: I don't know what teachers you are quoting or on what "end time prophecies" they base their teachings. But maybe you have been reading predictions about The Tribulation. In this case, the prophecy is that the only church permitted will be the False Church! Or if the "end of time" refers to Heaven, then the True Church will be the only one. This consists of all persons who have trusted the true God, thrown themselves on His mercy, accepted forgiveness based on Christ's sacrificial death, and taken Him as Lord of their lives. The Greek word translated "church" in the New Testament, meaning "a recognizable group" or "a congregation." It was used in the New Testament for the early Christians, once in reference to the people of Israel at an earlier time, and even once used for a pagan mob. Today we use "church" in reference to a church organization or even to the building in which people worship. One denomination makes it a practice to use the word correctly by labeling their buildings: "The - - Street Church of Christ meets Here". There may be changes as the "End" draws near. But even then, the visible church will be as described by Jesus in His parable about the Tares and the Wheat. The genuine wheat and the fake wheat grow together and become discernable only at harvest time. (Matt. 13:24-30)

Something is missing... but we don’t want to be pressured

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2004-09-01 11:07:00

: My husband and I are in are mid 30s. We have two children. Neither of us have ever been baptized nor the children. We feel like something is missing from our lives but we're not sure.We feel no matter who we talk to, he or she will proclaim that his or her religion or church is the best one for us. We read the Q & A Times each month and we would very much like to read your comments on our situation.

ANSWER: You have presented a delicate problem, difficult to answer because "no matter whom we talk to, he or she will proclaim that his or her religion or church is the best one." Freethinkers and members of community churches ("everybody welcome") will advise you to pick & choose whatever you wish to believe and discard the rest of religion, or make-up your own religion, or allege that one religion is as good as another: even they may contradict one another, etc. This world offers many religions, and it is difficult to ascertain which is true and which is false. The absence of religion in your family is truly a loss, as you perceive. The word religion is from the Latin word "religare," which means: binding to something. In ordinary usage the word religion refers to a creed or code or group, which binds people to God. But with so many creeds and beliefs and groups competing for your attention, how can a person find his/her way to God? In your search for God, you are seeking truth and goodness and beauty and wisdom and justice and all the virtues in their eminent degree. That is one definition of God. Being Truth, God cannot teach falsehood or contradict himself. From the beginning of the human race, persons have sought God in various things and evolved different philosophies about the Supreme Being. Since it is impossible in your short lifetime to examine all those forms of religion, I suggest that you accept that many good & sincere people before you have pursued the search you have undertaken. Accordingly, study the teachings and lives of the great religious figures in history. Then consider which of these has truly represented God and God's Will for the universe He created. I assume you accept that this world did not evolve out of nothing, without a intelligent Creator; otherwise there is no explanation for the order of things in the universe. Christians and Jews accept the Bible as a compendium of God's word. Muslims replace the Bible with their Koran. Study the history of the world! Which religion has had the greatest influence for good in this world? Which religion has produced so many Saints, friends of God, who practiced the virtues in heroic degree? Which religion will bring you closer to God, with whom you hope to be happy forever in heaven?Jesus taught the necessity of Baptism: "Unless a person is reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, he/she cannot enter the kingdom of heaven" (John 3:5). But Baptism is only the initiation to the Christian way-of-life, which is intended to guide a person securely through this world to God. If you read the lives of the saints, you will learn that they lived their Baptism, conformed their lives to God's Will, as did Jesus, no matter how difficult that might be. And they were happy persons: very happy, already in this life! And they are happy now and forever in heaven. You want to be happy? The true religion will help you to be happy both in this life and after death.

Something is missing... but we don’t want to be pressured

By Dr Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2004-09-01 11:07:00

: My husband and I are in are mid 30s. We have two children. Neither of us have ever been baptized nor the children. We feel like something is missing from our lives but we're not sure.We feel no matter who we talk to, he or she will proclaim that his or her religion or church is the best one for us. We read the Q & A Times each month and we would very much like to read your comments on our situation.

ANSWER:Frequently, I often visit many religious communities and attend their religious teachings. A common statement always heard is that "our way is the only way, and our way is the only way to paradise."This is not a bias statement, but an expression of self satisfaction of a way of life. The question is valuable and we all seek the truth or the right path that leads to heaven. The world is full of religions, if we would say thousands, we would not be exaggerating. So, which one is the true religion; and are they all true and/or the same? If you would ask any Clergy about the authenticity of other religions, most if they were candid enough would say, "Salvation can be achieved only through our faith." Other clergy may not be candid enough and give you an answer that contradicts his/her preaching, "we leave that matter to God, He is the judge."Since I am representing the Islamic faith I would state the Islamic perspective here.Islam views Judaism and Christianity as monotheistic religions, like Islam "believing in one God." Therefore if any would like to search for the right path, he/she must begin on the right road. There are more similarities among these three religions than many may think. Therefore, it is a great asset to remove bias from our hearts and start reading and investigating these religions. Read the Torah, the Bible and the Qur'an from cover to cover. Attend religious meetings and sermons. Visit their communities and associate with their people and become an imminent friend with them all. Above all that, pray to the one God, to guide you to the right path that leads to heaven. Prophet Mohammad, said, "The Jews will be divided into seventy groups, the Christians will be divided into seventy one groups, and the Muslims will be divided into seventy two groups, all of these groups in hellfire except for one." The numbers here mean multi denominations.Our father and Prophet Abraham, thought the sun was His God, the moon was His God, and the stars were His God. Then he directed his prayers to God to guide him to the right way. In Islam there is no compulsion. Daily, we receive individuals who seek knowledge about Islam. Many of these individuals read authentic Islamic literatures and/or seek information about Islam via the Internet. For information or literatures about Islam please call the Islamic Society of Wichita at (316) 682 5479.

Something is missing... but we don’t want to be pressured

By Rev Patrick Notley

X

Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-09-01 11:07:00

QUESTION: My husband and I are in are mid 30s. We have two children. Neither of us have ever been baptized nor the children. We feel like something is missing from our lives but we're not sure.
We feel no matter who we talk to, he or she will proclaim that his or her religion or church is the best one for us. We read the Q & A Times each month and we would very much like to read your comments on our situation.

ANSWER: It is natural, especially as parents, that you feel this way. We all "have a God-shaped vacuum" in us.
We sense that we are more than biology and psychology. We are Spiritual beings with a need for purpose and moral guidance. "If a person has a why for his life, he can endure almost any how."
Thus: people are "religious".
And you are right: each of us will tell you that our brand of religion is right -or best. If we don't think so then we shouldn't be writing answers. So I suggest that you investigate Christianity as presented in the Bible. Decide at the start that you will not settle for a little religion to add to your lives. This won't satisfy your deepest need but might inoculate your kids against religion. A relationship with God is the only worthy goal for you and your children. Start reading the Bible in the New Testament at the Gospel of John. This is the fourth book in the N.T. and tells some of the life and teachings of Jesus.
The author tells why he has selected these events and words: John 20:30-31 "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book, but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." So..... this was written for people like you.
Not knowing your religious background (if any), I suggest reading two books by English authors which are approved by most Christians: "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis and "Basic Christianity" by John Stott. These are
available in most libraries, or certainly in Christian bookstores in paperback. This is Christianity without specific denominational emphases.
You will find that Jesus taught that God is knowable, that He loves people and wishes us to have life here and in Heaven with Him; He has made us for Himself. But we are self-centered, rebellious creatures who sin against Him and other people. We need to be forgiven and begin being changed into the kind of person
that has peace with Him, with others, and with ourself. Christ is the key to meeting this need, as you will see in the readings I suggested. We need forgiveness and a perfect, loving Lord to follow. Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins and will forgive them if we trust Him as Savior and receive Him into our lives as Master. Then, His rising from the dead will give us confidence that we too will rise to be with Him in heaven.
But being a Christian is not a private thing. You belong with others who have this relationship with God. These are grouped in churches having some differences in activities, worship styles, and even beliefs. Many of the differences are not in essentials, but some are serious differences. Be sure that you find one where the emphasis is on knowing God through Jesus Christ and has people who are serious about this. Becoming a Christian is somewhat like getting married. It is very personal, but
not private. Public baptism is like a public marriage; a "secret marriage" is a contradiction in terms.
You may also look for an opportunity to join a small group for Bible study and sharing of needs and joys....a prayer-and-share spiritual family. Many churches have these in Sunday School classes, others in "cell" groups or neighborhood Bible studies. In such groups we discover that we have joined a family. And your children need to be with peers who are seeking to follow the Lord. They are growing up in a dangerous world, where temptations to actions with disastrous consequences are presented to them constantly. They need to see joy accompanying obedience to a living Lord.
I will pray that you carry through with this and that God will lead you to the right church.

Something is missing... but we don’t want to be pressured

By Rev Terry Fox

What body and mind will we have in eternity?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2004-08-01 09:19:00

: What body and mind will one have in eternity… the one he or she had at death or the one he or she had when both were the best they ever were?

ANSWER: When we talk about eternity, we must differentiate between eternity in paradise and eternity in hell. Physically, human is the same human, however, life is different. In both places we eat, drink, live, feel, etc. Yet, the enjoyment is different. One is in beauty and the other is in pain. The people of paradise will be so beautiful and youthful... and all have the same age. In paradise the heart has no jealousy or envy. The entire eternity in paradise is peace above peace. Eternity in hell is totally the opposite. The people of hell will be blaming each other, they argue, they are ugly and are forced to eat and drink. They feel alas for where they end up at. They scream and shout, "get us out."There is life in hell. Yet it is a life in which every moment is full of torture and anguish. In that life, every type of physical, mental and psychological torment, along with various types of torture and disgrace rage unchecked. To compare it to any distress in the world is impossible.People in hell perceive pain through all five senses. Their eyes see disgusting and terrible images; their ears hear frightening screams, roars and cries; their noses fill with terrible and acrid smells; their tongues taste the most unbearable, vile tastes. They feel hell deep in their cells; this is a maddeningly severe pain that is difficult to imagine in this world. Their skin, their internal organs and their whole body are wracked and they writhe in pain.The people of hell are very resistant to pain and they never die. Hence, they can never save themselves from torture. Their skins are mended as they burn; the same torture continues for all eternity; the intensity of torture never decreases. God says in the Qur'an: "Burn in the flames of hell. It makes no difference whether you bear it with patience, or not." (Surat at-Tur: 16)No less than physical pain, mental pain is also severe in hell. People in hell have profound regrets, fall into hopelessness, feel desperate and spend ages in despair. Every corner, every place in hell is designed to give mental suffering. The suffering is eternal; if it were to end after millions or billions of years, even such a long-term possibility could arouse fervent hopes and remain a strong reason for happiness and joy. Yet, the eternity of torture will inspire a kind of hopelessness that cannot be compared to any similar feeling in this world. The people of hell live a life infinitely more debased than that of the animals in this dirty and disgusting environment. The only nourishment they have is the fruits of the bitter thorn and the tree of zaqqum. Their drink, on the other hand, is blood and pus. Meanwhile, fire engulfs them everywhere. With skin rent, flesh burned, and blood splattering all over, they are chained and whipped. Hands tied to their necks, they are cast into the core of hell. Angels of punishment, in the meantime, place those who are guilty in beds of fire, with their covers also of fire. The coffins they are placed in are likewise covered with fire. Disbelievers constantly scream to be saved from such anguish. And in return, they often receive more humiliation and torture. They are left all alone. Believers live far from every spiritual anxiety and sorrow, because they remain in the awareness of God, Who created them, and so conform to His commands and prohibitions; because they live according to His commands, because they nurture hope and great expectations for the life to come. Above all, our Lord's assistance and support is with them, for: "God sent down His serenity on His Messenger and on the believers" (Surat at-Tawba, 26). Believers find a sense of comfort in the knowledge that God sees them in every prayer they observe, in every faithful work they perform, and in everything they do, both great and small, to gain His good pleasure. In addition, they also know that angels record their deeds in books and that they will be rewarded in the afterlife for what they have done. This is the sense of security that comes from their knowledge that God supports them with unseen hosts and angels, that they have a "succession of angels in front of them and behind them, in order to "guard them by Allah's command" (Surat ar-Ra'd, 11), that they will overcome the challenges they will face in God's way, and that they always have the joyful promise of Paradise. So, sincere believers, according to what God revealed to the angels, will never be overcome with fear or excitement, for: "I am with you, so make those who have faith firm" (Surat an-Anfal, 12).As we observe in this earthly life, the human spirit derives great pleasure from water, especially flowing water. Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and streams flowing in a forest all speak to the human spirit. All artificial pools and fountains in mansions, residences, estates, and villa gardens, as well as artificial and natural streams, arise from this longing for the spiritual aesthetic.The Qur'an announces that the people of Paradise are blessed with the finest food and various drinks. But since these people require no nourishment, we can understand that such food and drink have been created only to give pleasure. The houses where believers live their earthly lives are "places in which Allah has permitted to be built and in which His name is remembered" (Surat an-Nur, 36), places that are cared for and kept spotlessly clean according to God's command. Houses in Paradise are like these, in that they are incomparably refreshing places in which God is remembered and offered thanksgiving. In the same way as these beautiful houses and mansions may be built amid natural beauty, it is also possible that they may have been built in outstandingly modern cities with aesthetically beautiful architecture and superior technology.These are just a few of what the body and mind will taste and witness in eternity.

What body and mind will we have in eternity?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-08-01 09:19:00

QUESTION: What body and mind will one have in eternity… the one he or she had at death or the one he or she had when both were the best they ever were?

***IMAGE1:LEFT***QUESTION: What body and mind will one have in eternity… the one he or she had at death or the one he or she had when both were the best they ever were?

ANSWER: I have now sat with this question for a great while before attempting to respond. During this time I have noticed that of all the questions posed to me, so far, this one has been, by far, the most difficult to answer. So I hope you will allow me a bit of a digression, as I talk first about that difficulty and then attempt to respond directly to the question posed.
What is so difficult about the question? It is rather concise in its inquiry and on the surface, at least, not a particularly challenging question to wrestle with theologically. So what is the problem? I don't have any particular issues about body image - other than the fact that I could have less body to image at this stage in my life; and I seem to still have a mind that allows me to think, not only in theological terms, but also in terms of every day living and interaction with my fellow human beings - although this could and is disputed by others on a somewhat regular basis. So again I have had to ask myself, what is the problem? The response that has finally come to me after many days of searching and reflection is, that the question posed is not of any great importance to me. This is in no way to be seen as an attempt to demean the one who has asked this question, for questions posed, especially in the arena of faith, are quite important to the one who posed the question if not to others who will hear and reflect on their own views to the question. It is only to say that, for me, the issue of what body or mind I will have after I leave this earthly realm and enter into the full presence of my creator, redeemer and sustainer is not particularly significant or engaging.
I come to this conclusion, in part from my understanding of a conversation Jesus had with his disciples about, what is commonly referred to as, "The Second Coming." As recorded in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus says near the end of this conversation, "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come." (Mark 13:32-33, NRSV) Now, while not a direct response to the question posed, this passage does bear, for me at least, on why I find the question not a significant issue. The underlying message of this passage is that there are certain events that humanity, as the children of God, are simply not privy to. Another way to put it is that God acts as God will act and our "job" is to be ready to respond to God's actions. Or, still another way, The Mark passage counsels each human to a live a life that is worthy of meeting God at the very next moment. So to dwell on the question of what body or mind I will have is to not focus on living for God it is to focus on living for self.
However, a more pointed response to this question can be found in the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Christian community in the city of Corinth. Paul is writing to a community that is predominantly Greek in outlook and is trying to explain ideas that are predominantly Jewish in nature, that is, bodily resurrection. So in the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul has an extended discussion starting with the Christian's faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ and then moves to the human person's own death and eventual resurrection. Starting with the 35th verse of that chapter, Paul writes, "But some will ask, 'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?' Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And, as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed…But, God gives it a body as God has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own kind of body." (I Corinthians 15:35-37a, 38; NRSV) Once again what becomes evident is that God acts. God will give to each person as God sees fit a body that is appropriate to that person.
However, I would be remiss if I did not also comment on the whole issue of the bodily resurrection of persons. It is part of the ancient Christian creed we know as the Apostles Creed and this idea is part of the basic theological understanding of, I would dare say, most Christian believers; however, to push the issue too far is to, again, step into the realm of God's action. In other words, I do not see that it is a very productive issue to dwell upon to any great extent, because we, as human beings, simply have no idea what this will all look like in the end. Our sole purpose in this life is to live a life that is worthy of God's claim on our lives as the children of God. So to dwell upon the issues of whether there is a bodily resurrection, how it will happen, what we will look like, and so on is to attempt to get inside the mind of God, which, at best is simply a frustrating endeavor and at worst is to attempt to be God ourselves. God calls each of us to live well and to live each moment as if we will be fully in God's presence in the next and God calls us to let God deal with the rest.

What body and mind will we have in eternity?

By Rev Terry Fox

What body and mind will we have in eternity?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2004-08-01 09:19:00

QUESTION: What body and mind will one have in eternity… the one he or she had at death or the one he or she had when both were the best they ever were?

***image1:left***QUESTION: What body and mind will one have in eternity… the one he or she had at death or the one he or she had when both were the best they ever were?

ANSWER: It is evident that at death the soul or spirit of the individual person is separated from the body. What you call "the mind" I understand to be: the principle of life and intelligence or understanding, (i.e. the soul or spirit.)    By faith we know that the soul or spirit lives on: that there is life after death. Reason helps faith to understand that at death the souls of good and just persons enter into a state of perfect happiness, whereas the souls of selfish and evil persons enter into eternal punishment. It is evident that the remains of the human body quickly corrupt and disintegrate into dust.
Faith also convinces us that, at the end of time, there will be resurrection from the dead before the general judgment of all mankind.   This resurrection involves the restoration of each person's soul and body in the unity of each individual person. The soul of the just person will be restored to its body for complete happiness in heaven. The soul of the damned person will also be reunited to its body for complete frustration in hell.
St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that at the resurrection: each person will rise and their soul be reunited to it's body in the state of perfect manhood or womanhood. Thus children and even aborted infants will rise as full adults; whereas persons, who lived until old age before dying, will rise with their bodies restored to young adulthood. This applies even to persons, whose bodies were atomized, as happened to those killed in the catastrophe of September 11, and those whose bodies were eaten by cannibals, who in turn were eaten by other cannibals. God, the Creator, can do all things.   Therefore He is able to make it easy for the various parts of our body to be reintegrated into the complete person.
Just how or when this resurrection will happen only God knows!   So far only Jesus and His holy mother Mary have experienced the resurrection. Their human bodies are completely united with their human souls in heaven. The other saints await, as we do, the final resurrection. As regards the individual parts of our body, remember that in each human body the process of nourishment and regeneration continues through life on earth: so that the individual parts of our body are completely replaced atom-by-atom every seven years. Nevertheless we recognize our present body as having the same identity with us as it did seven years ago or in childhood. Our aged parents have no problem recognizing us adults as the same identical person, whom they brought forth as an infant many years ago. Really, this process is a miracle accomplished by the God of nature. So it is not a problem for God to restore the individual parts of our body to our soul or spirit or mind.

Cremation... is it a moral or spiritual issue?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2004-07-01 09:14:00

: Is cremation a moral or spiritual issue? Is it now or was it ever considered to be a desecration of the body.

ANSWER: My answer to both questions... NO! Cremation is no longer a moral or spiritual issue. Christians, Jews and Muslims believe in some kind of life after death for the human soul, along with God's judgment on each person. Death of the body is an evident fact: every living thing in this world undergoes corruption and dies. But our faith is certain: the human soul (the principle of each life) continues to live on after death, although in a different situation, according to the judgment of God, which is based on what that person did or did not do during their lifetime in this world. The corruption or disintegration of the human body can take place over a period of time, as with burial in a cemetery, or it can happen swiftly, even instantly - as in the case of the 3000 persons killed in the catastrophes of September 11, 2001. At the moment of death each human soul goes before the judgment of God, having made his/her final choice of good or evil, which determines their ultimate situation in eternity. The souls of still-born infants, and of children murdered by abortion, also go to the judgment of God to receive their consolation. Such persons, dying in their innocence, go directly to heaven by Baptism of Desire, that desire being either on the part of their parents or on the part of our common mother, the Church. The destruction of their bodies, whether swift or delayed, is a moral issue only for those who perpetrate abortion. But the death of a still-born infant in the womb, which is not intended by anyone, is not a moral or spiritual issue. It is an accident of nature.In former times, most pagan peoples considered death to be final | and the end of everything. As a sign of that denial of life after death, it was customary to burn the body of a deceased person. Christians and Jews objected to such cremation, which denies the truth of the eventual reunion of the body with its soul at the end of time. No longer is cremation interpreted as a denial of life after death. Most bodies commence the process of corruption within a few hours after the soul leaves the body. Thus the Church does not object to cremation, which is merely a swifter means of disintegration of the body than is burial in the ground. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states simply: "The Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body" (paragraph 2301). Cremation is even encouraged in times of plague and war, in order to diminish the spread of disease.Cremation has never been considered a desecration of the body. It is simply a hastening of the process of death with final disintegration of the body. The cremains (remains of cremation) are treated with reverence, and are buried or reposed in a fitting place, as are the bodies in a cemetery.

Cremation... is it a moral or spiritual issue

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2004-07-01 09:14:00

: Is cremation a moral or spiritual issue? Is it now or was it ever considered to be a desecration of the body.

ANSWER: Islam is clear on this issue. The wisdom is that God has forbidden us to use fire on His creation. As for the rest of His orders and prohibitions He doesn't need to explain Himself. As Muslims we believe that the body continues to feel after the soul has left it. The Islamic law recommends for Muslims to wash it gently, not roughly, and to use lukewarm water, neither cold nor hot. Are they sure they will not feel the flames? Islam views cremation as a deviation from the norm. God has shown us from the very first death in the time of Adam that burial as opposed to cremation is the proper and most fitting way to dispose of a body after death. Scholars generally agree that burial is best and all else prohibited except in a case of extreme hardship or emergency which would necessitate something elseGod gave the proper way for us to bury our dead with the example of the Raven. God is all knowing and if cremation (although it was not available to man at the time of Cain) was the proper way for burial, God would have provided that as an example vice burial. Embalming means using some form of preservative on the body. We Muslims do not preserve the body of the dead.

Cremation... is it a moral or spiritual issue?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-07-01 09:14:00

: Is cremation a moral or spiritual issue? Is it now or was it ever considered to be a desecration of the body.

ANSWER: The simple answers to these questions are: Yes, for some it is both a moral and a spiritual issue; and yes, for some it is now and has been in the past considered a desecration of the body. Regardless of method, how an individual desires their remains to be handled after their death has much to do with their personal faith and the cultural traditions they grew up in and live in. Cremation has been part of the human experience since around 3,000 B.C.E. and has been practiced in many cultures. It has also been banned in many cultures since their inception as well. The Jewish faith bans the practice of cremation in favor of a burial that leads to an expedient and natural decomposition of the body. The Roman Catholic faith banned the practice of cremation until as recently as the 1960's. Many religious traditions are neutral relying on the wishes of the family and deceased. The Old Testament speaks of cremation usually as a punishment for sinful behavior and usually in connection with execution by fire. The New Testament has few references to the practice of cremation; more often it is in conjunction with the burning of objects related to pagan worship when a person converted to Christianity. During many periods of human history cremation was used more as a method of insuring public health than for religious or moral reasons. One notable period would be in the mid-1300's during the time of the "Black Plague".For me personally, cremation is a process that is neither inconsistent with my faith nor problematic as I consider my own demise or work with families who have experienced a death. So cremation is both a moral and a spiritual issue, but it is also a personal issue that one needs to work out in the context of their own faith tradition and cultural upbringing.

Cremation... is it a moral or spiritual issue?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2004-07-01 09:14:00

: Is cremation a moral or spiritual issue? Is it now or was it ever considered to be a desecration of the body.

ANSWER: Yes, it has been considered to be a spiritual issue, and even a public health issue. It is a difficult spiritual issue because there is no direct mention of it in the Bible. The Hebrews used earth burial or entombment and there seems to have been no Middle Eastern country that used cremation in Biblical times. The Egyptians, of course, placed enormous emphasis on proper burial and developed embalming and mummifying technology that still confounds morticians.However, in Europe cremation was common. At the time of Homer (about 800 BC) it was the common Greek method and was encouraged for reasons of health, especially for battlefield aftermath. The Romans accepted cremation around 600 BC and it was so common that an official decree was issued in the mid 5th century forbidding cremation of bodies inside the city of Rome. During the Roman Empire, 27 BC to 395 AD, it was widely practiced, and cremated remains were generally stored in elaborate urns.So the early Christian church encountered this decision in its early days. Following the Jewish example and with the strong belief in the resurrection of the body at the Christ's return, cremation was rare. After the Christianization of the Empire under Constantine, earth burial completely replaced cremation except for rare instances of plague or war for the next 1500 years. The anti-cremation stance hardened into doctrine and was forbidden by canon law. In the 8th century Charlemagne declared it a capital offense. Only with Vatican II did Roman Catholics relax the ban, but burial is still the church's preference. In the East, Hindus in India used cremation almost exclusively, as is logical with their belief in reincarnation of the soul.American and European cremation began only a little over a century ago. Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Henry Thompson, concerned with health conditions near cemeteries, founded the Cremation Society of England in 1874. In 1876 the first American crematory opened in Pennsylvania. Many Protestant clergy desired to reform burial practices and the medical profession was concerned with health conditions around cemeteries. By 1900, there were 20 crematories in operation in the USA; in 1975 there were 425 crematories and nearly 150,000 cremations. In 1999, in America, over 25% of the deaths led to cremations. This is small compared to England's 70% and 98% in Japan. So this is an issue that is not likely to go away. We commonly hear of persons who direct that their ashes be scattered on some place that was dear to them, believing that this is a spiritual act.Those who are most concerned with desecration of the body have led to mortuary cosmetologists and very high funeral costs. We have always had to face the question of how resurrection of the body applied to martyrs burned at the stake and sailors buried at sea. And there is little left of bodies buried centuries ago. But Christians can be assured that God still remembers their bodies and can reconstitute them according to the changes described in I Cor.15. We who are Christian believers rest in the assurance that "Jesus Christ...will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body" ( Phil.3:21 ). And "we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." ( I John 3:2). All of us face death and judgment. So the larger concern should be whether we have accepted the salvation purchased for us by Christ and offered to each of us who will entrust our lives to Him. For now, cremation is usually a matter of personal or family choice with some guidance from the clergy. I have a close friend - a teacher - who willed his body to the medical school so that it could help teach physicians. Upon his death, this was done and a Memorial Service was held with no body present. Later his remains were cremated and returned to be buried with his wife. Some may have questioned whether this was a proper Christian burial, but most joined him in rejoicing in his "last teaching job".

Why repent when you’re going to commit the same sins again?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-06-01 09:59:00

: What's the point of repenting your sins when you just know you will commit the same sins over and over again?QUESTION: What's the point of repenting your sins when you just know you will commit the same sins over and over again?

ANSWER: I have noticed, over the years, that there is a great deal of confusion about the concept of repentance. This question is a good case in point. The questioner seems to be confused with the difference between confessing sins and repenting. In basic terms to confess is to simply admit to wrongdoing and seek forgiveness. In other words it is to say, "I am sorry for what I have done." We are all familiar with this because it is a common occurrence in our daily lives. And yet, we are also familiar with persons who say they are sorry only to do the same thing over and over again, each time repeating that they are sorry. This is not repentance! Repentance literally means to turn about face. In other words to repent means to first confess and seek forgiveness and then to turn around and head away from the sinful behavior that caused you to confess in the first place. We see this happen in our common language as we say or hear others say, "I have to turn my life around." So to truly repent means that committing the same sins is not an option because you have turned away from that behavior and toward the one who forgives. A wonderful example of this concept can be found in the Gospel of Luke in The Parable of the Prodigal and is Brother (Luke 15:11-32). This familiar story has many lessons to tell but for our purposes I will focus on the life of the young son who asks for his portion of the father's estate while the father still lives. The son then goes off to waste that inheritance in "dissolute living" until he has nothing left and then must work as a common laborer on a pig farm - not a good occupation for a good Jewish boy. In verse seventeen of this story we read that he came to himself or in more modern language he came to his senses and left what he was doing in order to seek his father's forgiveness. The son then set out away from the life he had lived, away from the dissolute living and back toward the life we knew with his father. He turns his back on his sinful behavior and his face toward the one who will forgive. Now, we do not know whether he was successful in remaining true to his desire to live a new life and we do not know if he ever committed another sin. That does not matter. What matters is that we have an example of what repentance is all about; the desire to admit wrong, to seek forgiveness and to not engage again in that behavior. To repent does not mean that we will be sinless, for all we need to do is look around to know that humanity is far from sinless. To repent means that we turn our face to God and continue to seek God's help in our lives so that little by little we may move toward a more holy and healthy life. So the point of repentance is to understand more fully what it means to have God in our lives so that we slowly but surely refrain from that which is Godless.

Why repent when you’re going to commit the same sins again?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2004-06-01 09:59:00

: What's the point of repenting your sins when you just know you will commit the same sins over and over again?

ANSWER: I think you are limiting the word "repent" to mean "confess to receive forgiveness". It can be frustrating to have to ask fororgiveness again and again for the same sin. But sin is more than guilt, and repenting is more than seeking forgiveness. God told the Hebrews that His law was given to them for their own good. Sin is unhealthy...like taking drugs. Repeated confessing and repenting is often part of the cure. To repent is to change direction, or at least to express the desire to change. "Oops, I've done it again" doesn't qualify as repentance. There must be a recognition of the seriousness of the consequences. Sin really is like drugs. The thrill diminishes: an ever increasing hunger for an ever decreasing satisfaction. The Devil is just as interested in giving pleasure as a fisherman is in feeding fish...just enough to keep getting you hooked. So repeated confession and plea for help from God is normal. It may even be said to be His chosen method! Suppose I could overcome all of my weaknesses and shed the obnoxious parts of my personality easily. Wouldn't I become sure of my moral superiority and be a proud religious prude. God will only give me progress toward righteousness when I am fully aware that He has given me this victory. It is hard for me to sympathize with a person who is trapped by a sin which has not been a problem for me. It is so easy to feel superior, and God-- and everybody else --dislikes proud, self-sufficient people. God wants me to be like Jesus. He was sinless, but not arrogant, and they called Him "a friend of sinners". An awareness of one's personal sin and moral weakness is the first step in salvation. The only people who want to be saved are those who realize they are lost and in danger. God's Holy Spirit works on the conscience to produce guilt and the understanding that I do not deserve forgiveness. The conscience can be weakened by pretending that I am not bad compared to other people....but then realization of really shameful words, acts or attitudes breaks in and a fear of facing God results. Then the Gospel is seen really as Good News. Jesus has suffered and died in my place. He Who had no sin of His own, and was Deity so He could die for us all, offers me total forgiveness if I accept Him as my Savior and Lord. He will perform a moral surgery by putting the Holy Spirit into the sinner so that new power, desires, sensitivity to sin and joy in His presence are implanted.. And we begin to learn what sin really is: It is unbelief. It is telling God, " I know better what is good for me that You do." It tells Him that I do not trust His goodness or I do not trust His knowledge. His love or His wisdom is flouted. Repentance...even repeated repentance... is then seen as the necessary method to become Christ-like.

Why repent when you’re going to commit the same sins again?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2004-06-01 09:59:00

: What's the point of repenting your sins when you just know you will commit the same sins over and over again?

ANSWER: To understand why we have to repent daily, we must understand the meaning of repentance and to whom we repent to. Repentance means to come back to God and to have a guilt feeling in the heart with eagerness to a new page. In Islam, there is not what some have called "an original sin". Each individual is responsible for his/her own self. Each individual is rewarded or punished for his/her own deeds. Therefore, repentance is essential. Who is in need for repentance? The one who commits minor or major sin is in need for repentance. Even the one who repents is in need for repentance. You may claim that you don't commit sin, therefore, you are not in need for repentance. Or you may think you are not committing major sin, therefore, you are not in need for repentance. Well, let's examine our daily life and see how we spend most of our time. Lets evaluate each act and document each word we utter. You will be surprised to know that some of us are committing many major sins without realizing it. For example, how many of us worship God as He deserves to be worshiped? How many of us honor His parents, neighbors, His relatives, etc.? How many of us associate others with God…..The list never ends. Yes, we are in need for God and we are in need for repentance many times a day.We need to repent for sin which we have committed in the past and we forgot about it. God forgives all sins, but the first condition is repentance. He knows our ability and nature, therefore, He forgives and forgives. We have to ask God for forgiveness, do good deeds and quit committing the same sins. Life is full of temptations, not all of us are pious, therefore, the concept of repentance is very important. In the Holy Qur'an God says about Himself "He is the One who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful". The concept of repentance in Islam is a vital concept. It is renewal of oneself with God. As God states in the Holy Qur'an about His love for those who repents He also teaches us that when you repent, you purify yourself and elevate your self to a higher level "Allah loves those who turn into Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves". God is very explicit when it comes to those who reject or refuse to repent, He said "And those who do not repent are the ones who has transgressed".Repentance is not an act of burden, yet, billions of people don't have this concept in their heart. It is not even part of their ideology. The Devil said "My God I swear in Your Honor that I will continue to take Your people astray". God said, "In my Honor I will forgive them as long as they repent". This proves that the concept of repentance is connected to the concept of sin. As long as evil exists, is as long as people sin. As long as people sin, is as long as repentance is needed.To leave you with some wisdom I would like to quote one of the sayings of prophet Mohammad peace be with him "Most of the people of hellfire are those who say, I will repent tomorrow". Don't wait for tomorrow to repent, you may not make it to tomorrow. None of us know when the angel of death will approach us, therefore, repent and go back to God.We ask God to forgive our past, present and future sin and to make us among those who listen, comply, and act upon His words.

Why repent when you’re going to commit the same sins again?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2004-06-01 09:59:00

: What's the point of repenting your sins when you just know you will commit the same sins over and over again?

ANSWER: Repentance means to feel remorse or regret for something done or not done. It includes contrition: sorrow for having done wrong; to change one's mind concerning a past action. And it includes a detestation of the offense committed, along with the resolution to not commit that sin again. God creates human beings, each with a free will, and provides commandments and directives about how to use that will freely and correctly. But that freedom includes also the freedom to abuse God's gifts. Knowing that humans are weak and prone to evil from birth, God nevertheless provides a remedy for sin, namely repentance. Repentance ought to be sincere. This means that at the time of repentance the person is not only sorry, but also rejects that sin and intends to not repeat it. Often it happens that gradually this repentance is forgotten or ignored. Under the pressures of passion or the urging of other persons, the once-repentant individual again and again and again and again commits the same sins. These later sins do not void the earlier acts of repentance. Jesus and his Apostles and the Church urges the sinner to repent again and again and again, even if they are prone to repeat sinful actions. The point of repentance is the continuing struggle of a weak individual to please God. Human existence involves many struggles, not least the struggle between good and evil, between virtue and vice. The Bible reminds us that "even a just person sins seven times a day." While that is an exaggeration, it does convey the truth that humans are prone to evil. Yet God in his mercy is willing to forgive again and again and again. Repeated acts of repentance help the individual sinner to recognize his/her weakness and their dependence on God. Repeated acts of repentance help an individual to diminish the frequency of sinning, and gradually to arrive at that blessed state of union with God, where there is no more sin.As old age creeps upon a person, there takes place in our body a lessening of the passions and urges for sin. Still, we continue to practice repentance, expressing to God our sorrow for past sins; and also we ought to express to our neighbors: our regret for any hurts or injustice we might have inflicted on them in the past. Such acts of repentance and reconciliation prepare the soul for the life of heaven, where there is no need for regret, nor any enmity or offense; because in heaven all sins and offenses will have been repented and forgiven. If an individual person is so proud or arrogant as to assume they have never sinned and need not repent, that person can only go to hell, to join all the damned who died unrepentant. In hell they experience eternal regret and pain, but then it is too late for repentance. Good parents, teachers and guardians teach their children and pupils to pray every night, before they go to sleep, a prayer of repentance: "O my God, I am sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins: because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. But, most of all, because they have offended you, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love."

Who should one pray to... God... Jesus... The Holy Spirit... the Saints?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2004-05-01 08:19:00

: Who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…the Saints?

ANSWER: I remember how embarrassed I was when I was first asked this. I had been praying for years and I didn't know! I had never thought about it. But soon I realized that I had no reason to be embarrassed. One cannot pray exclusively to One or the Other. When I pray, I am looking up to the Father, with my prayer mediated through the Son while the Spirit within me is bringing thoughts to mind and helping me to find the words. I pray TO God, THROUGH God and BY God. Somehow, even the newest Christian seems to grasp this unconsciously when he prays.In my early attempts to understand the Trinity I thought that God had various roles, just as my father was a son of his father, a father to me, and a husband to my mother. He was also an employee, a citizen, etc. The Trinity, I thought, must be a method of recognizing God's various functions. So the next time I read through the Bible I decided to list the functions and their related three names for God. Well, it didn't work.I found that all three were creators, teachers, judges, etc. Each of them were even credited with raising Jesus from the dead! Except for dying on the cross, I couldn't find anything that was exclusively done by one of the members of the Godhead...including being prayed to. So your question is a starting place for knowing The Trinity. However, you included "the Saints". Praying to Saints is an idea introduced centuries after the Bible was written. I believe this was added because Christ was considered to be so high and holy that He could not truly understand and sympathize with us in our sins and troubles.But the Bible says that He came as a man and lived in obscurity for 30 years precisely so that He can know our feelings. See how this is said in Hebrews 2:17-18 "He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted." Hebrews 4:15-16 "For we do not have a high priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we have -- yet without sin. Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." I Timothy 2:5-6 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all men.

Who should one pray to... God... Jesus... The Holy Spirit... the Saints?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2004-05-01 08:19:00

QUESTION: Who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…the Saints?

***image1:left***QUESTION: Who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…the Saints?

ANSWER: This is a one million dollar question; because if we answer it correctly, then we are on the right track; but if not, then all of our efforts are gone for nothing. The first and foremost duty in Islam, after faith has been planted in the heart, is the regular prayer. It is the most special act of worship, which a Muslim can do for God. Prayer in Islam is the foundation of the faith. In fact, the Blessed Prophet Mohammad once remarked that you can't get any closer to God than in bowing to Him. So, who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…The Saints?
If we would ask, who created us…who is providing us…who is protecting us…who do we seek refuge to…who…who…who? We would say God. Therefore, He is the Master of all Masters. He is the Lord of all Lords. He is the King of all Kings. He is the only worthy of worship.
Then why do others pray to Jesus, Mary, God(s), Holy Spirit, Fire, Cow, Man, Idols, Wind, etc.? Unfortunately, for a long time Man has fallen in the trap of old tale of associating other partners with God. If we would examine the life of our Messengers/Prophets and ask, who did they worship…who did they pray to? The Holy Qur'an clearly answers these questions quoting God speaks to Moses, "Verily, I am God (Allah) none has the right to be worshiped but I, so worship Me, and perform prayers for My Remembrance." Another verse illustrates another fact on the tongue of Jacob, "Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob? When he said unto his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We shall worship your God - Allah the God - AIlah of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, One God, and to Him we submit".
Even Jesus has said the following to the people of Israel as stated in The Holy Qur'an, "But the Messiah (Jesus) said: "O Children of Israel, Worship God, my Lord and your Lord" 'Verily whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with God, then God has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the polytheists and wrong-doers there are no helpers".
The United States of America has one president. Each state has one governor. Each city has one mayor, and each company has one CEO. Why does man tend to confuse himself through praying to too many Gods and insist on associating partners with the creator of all creatures?
Islam still follows the original teaching of Abraham, Moses and Jesus; worshiping and praying to only One God and associating no partners with Him.

Who should one pray to... God... Jesus... The Holy Spirit... the Saints?

By Charlie Traffas

X

Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2004-05-01 08:19:00

QUESTION: Who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…the Saints?

***image1:left***QUESTION: Who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…the Saints?

ANSWER: The primary and fundamental doctrine of the Christian religion is belief in only ONE God, and that somehow in that One God there are three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.    We call this doctrine: the Blessed Trinity.     At a time determined by God, the second person in the Trinity (God the Son) assumed a human nature in addition to his divine nature.   He appeared on earth as Jesus, also known as the Christ (the anointed One of God and the Messiah).    He was sent on earth by God the Father to teach human beings the Will of God, and also to repair the outrages of sin against God, committed by the entire human race.   Jesus completed this latter satisfaction by his sufferings and death, as might be seen in Mel Gibson's dramatic film The Passion.   After rising from the dead, Jesus ascended into heaven and sent to His disciples: the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity: to guide God's people until the end of time.   The Holy Trinity is a mystery, something that cannot be grasped or explained by human reason, a fact known only through faith in Jesus, Who revealed it.
The one God is eternal and knows all things: past, present and future.   Nevertheless He has taught His human creatures to pray.    We may pray to each person of the Trinity.   In the Church most prayers are directed to God the Father, according as Jesus taught by His example and prayer: "Our Father, Who art in heaven . . ."    Also we pray in the Name of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit. God wants us to pray, even though He is aware -- better than we are -- of our needs and concerns: in order that we maintain with Him the communication of love and service, for which He created us.
It is legitimate to address prayers also to the saints, i.e. to the human friends of God, who have achieved their salvation and are already enjoying eternal happiness in heaven, the reward for their lives on earth, which were pleasing to God.   In praying to the saints, we give honor to God, whose holiness is reflected in their lives.    A familiar example might help explain this idea of praying to the saints.   As children, we were subject to our parents or guardians and teachers.   We knew which parent or guardian was most likely to be disposed to favor our requests. So, when we really wanted something, we would ask that parent or guardian or their friend to put in a good word for us with the person who could give us what we wanted, i.e. to intercede for us.    In a family of three boys and three girls, I was a normal boy, and at times would do something to annoy my sisters.   Our dad tended to favor his girls.   When I was in trouble for having pulled my sister's hair (her pigtails), I knew my dad would spank me.   So I went to mother, asking her to please intercede for me with dad: to spare me from being punished. Likewise, when I wanted a new bicycle, I asked Mother to ask Dad for such a present.    In similar fashion God has disposed to bestow certain of his gifts and favors through the intercession of various saints. The saints in heaven see God and can put-in a good word for us with the Almighty.   We believe that this intercession of God's friends lends support to our prayers directed to God. God loves each of us, and He is pleased that we invoke the saints, and be friends with them and imitate their virtues, which really are expressions of God's own life.

Who should one pray to... God... Jesus... The Holy Spirit... the Saints?

By Rev Patrick Notley

X

Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-05-01 08:19:00

QUESTION: Who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…the Saints?

***image1:left***QUESTION: Who should one pray to…God…Jesus…The Holy Spirit…the Saints?

ANSWER: Prayer is the most personal conversation we can have with our creator. As a pastor in a Presbyterian (USA) church, the appropriate response, for me, to this question is, that one prays to God through the intercessory work done by Jesus, the Christ, on our behalf. This answer must, however, be placed within its particular context; that context being Christian in faith and reformed in nature. By that I mean prayer for the non-Christian, while perhaps directed toward God will not be done so in the name of Jesus, the Christ, nor should those persons of faith who do not share the Christian perspective be expected to adopt that which is particularly Christian. To be reformed in nature is to claim a heritage that may recognize those who are called Saint by others but does not accord to those Saints the same privilege of conversation that is engaged in when one prays to God.
But, back to my first statement… Prayer is the most personal conversation that one can have with one's creator. Prayer is conversation, not formula. It is give and take not one-sided chatter. Prayer is how we bring ourselves in to the presence of the Holy One so that we can be more fully open to who we are, whose we are, and how we are called to live. So if your faith tradition leads you to prayer to the Saints, then do so. If your faith tradition leads you to pray to God, then do that. In other words do that which allows you to be more fully present to the divine and assists you in living into the life you have been given by the creator.

Are Middle East happenings signals to the end of time?

By Rev Patrick Notley

X

Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-04-01 13:46:00

: I believe our Lord said that no one knows the day or the hour of the end of the world but God, His Father. Why then do so many religions make so much of what is currently happening in the Middle East as 'signals' to the end of time?

ANSWER: A very good question… But first, let's deal with a couple of issues before going onto the question posed in the second sentence. From the wording of the first sentence, I will assume that the writer of this question is a Christian. However, I will not assume that every person who will read this question and the responses to it are all Christians. In fact by using simple statistical data on the percentage of the U. S. population that is Christian verses other religions it would be fair to assume that possibly as little as one third of the readership of Q & A Times is Christian. Therefore a more accurate first sentence would be either "I believe that my Lord said…" or "I believe that Jesus, the Christ, said…" As for the second sentence and the question asked… Again, I am not sure that it is so much religions - Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc. - but, denominations of Christianity that are most interested in trying to figure out how all of the events of the Middle East might somehow predict the end of time. In any case the simple answer to why so many people of faith, whatever expression their faith might take, are so interested in trying to predict the end of time is that they wish to control God.The Gospel of Mark records Jesus as saying, "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, Keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come." (Mark 13:31-33, NRSV) Similar words are recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, all of which is to suggest that the clear message from Jesus is that the knowledge of when, where and how the end of time will occur is not ours to have. That knowledge rests only with God and we are not privy to the mind of God. To therefore spend time making predictions about when it will occur based upon current events and ongoing strife in the Middle East is to attempt to claim for ourselves that which is not ours to know. The final part of the quoted text from Mark is the key for how we should be spending our time. We have been counseled to keep alert, to be prepared. Often this has taken the shape of poring over the newspapers and watching CNN in an attempt to divine God's mind through what is happening in our world, be it events of human making such as war in the Middle East or the natural occurrences of earthquakes, floods and fires instead of paying attention to how we live our lives, how we treat ourselves and our neighbors and how we relate to our God. Keeping alert has to do with living a life that is open to God's living in us. It has to do with being aware enough of ourselves and our lives that we are ready and able to respond to God's call. It does not have to do with being so preoccupied with wanting to know God's mind or worse yet wanting to be God ourselves that we miss God's invitation to live in us and for us to live in God.

Are Middle East happenings signals to the end of time?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2004-04-01 13:46:00

QUESTION: I believe our Lord said that no one knows the day or the hour of the end of the world but God, His Father. Why then do so many religions make so much of what is currently happening in the Middle East as 'signals' to the end of time?

***image1:left***QUESTION: I believe our Lord said that no one knows the day or the hour of the end of the world but God, His Father. Why then do so many religions make so much of what is currently happening in the Middle East as 'signals' to the end of time?

ANSWER: To answer the question precisely, we have to know the signs of the Hour first (judgment day). From an Islamic prospective the following signs have been quoted from the sayings of prophet Mohammad and the Holy Quran. There are minor and major signs of the Hour.
The Minor Signs:
1. The coming of the prophet Mohammed.
2. Splitting the moon.
3. The defeat of Rome.
4. Shepherds will compete in the instruction   of tall buildings.
5. Knowledge of Islam will be taken away   while ignorance will increase. 6. The population of men will decrease and   women increase till fifty women shall be for every man.
7. Drinking and fornication will increase heav  ily.
8. People will claim to be prophets.
9. There will be such an abundance of wealth that people will not be able to find   recipient of charity.
10. Killing will increase.
11. Time will be shortened so that the year,   like a month, a month like a day, and a day like an hour.
12. Earthquakes will increase in numbers.
13. A person will pass by graves and wish to   trade places out of despair.
Now the Major Signs which will happen within a very, very short time before the Hour:
1. False Massaya will come claiming to be   God.
2. Al-Mahdi will come; he will call to the   truth.
3. Jesus will come back and appears in   Damascus, Syria.
4. An animal will talk to people.
5. Gog and Magog will break free of the damn that holds them back, and ravage the earth.
6. Three places in the world will sink and be   swallowed up by the earth, one in the west, one in the east, and one in the   Arabian Peninsula.
7. Fire will come from the area of Aden in   Yemen.
8. The sun will rise from the west.
9. Smoke will appear all over the earth.
When Prophet Mohammad was asked about the Hour, the answer came from God as a revelation to Mohammad saying, "They ask you (O Mohammad) about the Hour - when will be its appointed time? You have no knowledge to say anything about it. To your Lord belongs the term thereof. You (O Mohammad) are only a Warner for those who fear it. The day they see it, as if they had not tarried except as afternoon or a morning". Now what is the relationship between the Hour and the Middle East? None whatsoever. It has been the habit for thousands of years that people always connect worldly affairs to the Hour. In fact there were many sects of religions who thought the Hour was going to be in the end of 2000. Nothing happened. What is happening in the Middle East today is a copy and paste of what has happened to other civilizations, nations or countries. It may seem that the only boiling area is the Middle East; however, yesterday it was other nations. Review the history. The American Civil War is not too far from us.
None of the prophets or messengers of God has ever claimed that they knew the Hour; neither do the Holy books of God state such a claim. Therefore, we as normal people have to concentrate on working for that day, working for the Hour instead of predicting it. We need to work for the Hour as if we are dying tomorrow, and work for the hereafter as if we are living forever. None of us will live on this earth forever. Our Hour is approaching, and the best to who have worked for it.

God said after the flood He would never do it again... will He?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2004-03-01 14:01:00

: In the book of Genesis it says that God will not destroy all of mankind the way he did with Noah and the flood. So why is it in Revelations that all of mankind (aside from those who have been saved) will be destroyed during the tribulation?

ANSWER: You haven't read the Genesis passage carefully. Gen. 8:21 says, "And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done." He then expands on this in Gen. 9 where it is put in the form of a Covenant (a word repeated 6 times). Gen. 9:11 "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will life be cut off by waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." God then goes on to state that the rainbow "will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth". This is restated several times between verses 12 and 17. I believe you will agree that no such thing is predicted in Revelation.There are interesting possibilities connected to the flood story. There is geological evidence of a great flood. Also, legends of people all around the world tell of a family and animals that were saved in a boat from a terrible flood that covered the world. Sudden climate changes are evidenced by tropical plant and animal remains found in frigid regions such as northern Siberia. If the earth originally had a cloud shroud at high altitude- somewhat similar to Venus- then the greenhouse effect would give a temperate climate over most of the planet. (See Gen. 2:6) Above 150,000 ft. altitude, where the pressure is very low and air is ionized, the temperature is above the boiling temperature of water. Such a cloud-band around the earth might be unstable and if disturbed in some way (a large meteor?) could fall as an enormous rain. This would explain the rainbow as a symbol; no rainbow would have been seen before since there had been no direct sunlight. Without the cloud shroud, no rain of such magnitude would be possible again. The effect of a cloud shroud on life on earth's surface would be to protect us from some space radiation, and losing it could explain the reduction in life span after the time of Noah. But I may be telling you more than you asked. You are rightly concerned about the prophecies in Revelation. Jesus told us to be always ready for His return and to read the events as we read the weather. We are told enough to know that our eternal destiny is in His hands and our only security is to be committed to Him as Lord and Savior. Only His sacrifice on the cross can pay for our rebellious, sinful attitude and acts. His love invites us to receive forgiveness and become children in God's household for eternity. "But to as many as did receive Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in and rely on) His name." John 1:12 (amplified version).

God said after the flood He would never do it again... will He?

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

2004-03-01 14:01:00

: In the book of Genesis it says that God will not destroy all of mankind the way he did with Noah and the flood. So why is it in Revelations that all of mankind (aside from those who have been saved) will be destroyed during the tribulation?

ANSWER: The story of Noah and the flood, in chapters 6 thru 9 in the first book of the Bible, is a part of pre-history: it is religious philosophy given in the context of some historical memories. Actual history commences with the introduction of Abraham in Genesis, chapter 11:27. Archeologists and historians and Bible-scholars are not certain about the extent of the flood in the time of Noah. Did it cover the whole planet or just Asia Minor or another limited area? We don't know. The biblical teaching behind this narrative is that human beings abused the gift of free will, given them by God at the time of the creation of man and woman. This abuse is sin. "When the Lord saw how wicked everyone on earth was, and how evil their thoughts were all the time, he was sorry that he had ever made them and put them on the earth (Gen 6:5). The flood, with its destruction of most of mankind, was intended to demonstrate how much God hates sin. This, in turn, is intended to serve as a warning to human beings to not abuse the gift of free will. After the flood God told Noah: "I promise that never again will all living beings be destroyed by a flood" (9:11). Both the warning and the promise endure through human history.Completing the Bible, the book of Revelation is not history, but rather is a type of literature called apocalyptic. That means it contains God revealing some things about the end of the world and of time. St. John, who received the Revelation, wrote his book to encourage the young Christian community during a period of terrible persecution from the Roman imperial authorities around the end of the first century A.D. The message is that everyone must die, those who are good as well as those who have done evil during their life in this world. And there will be a judgment after death, and a final judgment at the end of time. God's judgment on evildoers is much worse than the flood of Noah. Their end is not in floodwaters, but in a variety of torments, plagues, the lake of fire and sulfur, being tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev. 20:10). "This lake of fire is the second death. Whoever does not have his name written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire" (20:15). This is also a warning and a promise, to which every human being ought to pay attention. All mankind must die. But not all will be destroyed. Those persons, who have lived good lives before God, will enter into the joy of eternal life and happiness. Those persons, who chose to do evil in this life, will suffer terribly forever and ever, as their material world will be destroyed, and come to an end. But no human person, not even aborted infants, can or will be destroyed in the sense of being annihilated or wiped-out completely.

God said after the flood He would never do it again... will He?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2004-03-01 14:01:00

: In the book of Genesis it says that God will not destroy all of mankind the way he did with Noah and the flood. So why is it in Revelations that all of mankind (aside from those who have been saved) will be destroyed during the tribulation?

ANSWER: To answer the question precisely, we have to know the signs of the Hour first (judgment day). From an Islamic prospective the following signs have been quoted from the sayings of prophet Mohammad and the Holy Quran. There are minor and major signs of the Hour.The Minor Signs: 1. The coming of the prophet Mohammed. 2. Splitting the moon.3. The defeat of Rome.4. Shepherds will compete in the instruction of tall buildings. 5. Knowledge of Islam will be taken away while ignorance will increase. 6. The population of men will decrease and women increase till fifty women shall be for every man.7. Drinking and fornication will increase heavily. 8. People will claim to be prophets.9. There will be such an abundance of wealth that people will not be able to find recipient of charity.10. Killing will increase.11. Time will be shortened so that the year, like a month, a month like a day, and a day like an hour.12. Earthquakes will increase in numbers.13. A person will pass by graves and wish to trade places out of despair. Now the Major Signs which will happen within a very, very short time before the Hour:1. False Massaya will come claiming to be God. 2. Al-Mahdi will come; he will call to the truth.3. Jesus will come back and appears in Damascus, Syria.4. An animal will talk to people. 5. Gog and Magog will break free of the damn that holds them back, and ravage the earth.6. Three places in the world will sink and be swallowed up by the earth, one in the west, one in the east, and one in the Arabian Peninsula. 7. Fire will come from the area of Aden in Yemen.8. The sun will rise from the west.9. Smoke will appear all over the earth.When Prophet Mohammad was asked about the Hour, the answer came from God as a revelation to Mohammad saying, "They ask you (O Mohammad) about the Hour - when will be its appointed time? You have no knowledge to say anything about it. To your Lord belongs the term thereof. You (O Mohammad) are only a Warner for those who fear it. The day they see it, as if they had not tarried except as afternoon or a morning". Now what is the relationship between the Hour and the Middle East? None whatsoever. It has been the habit for thousands of years that people always connect worldly affairs to the Hour. In fact there were many sects of religions who thought the Hour was going to be in the end of 2000. Nothing happened. What is happening in the Middle East today is a copy and paste of what has happened to other civilizations, nations or countries. It may seem that the only boiling area is the Middle East; however, yesterday it was other nations. Review the history. The American Civil War is not too far from us.None of the prophets or messengers of God has ever claimed that they knew the Hour; neither do the Holy books of God state such a claim. Therefore, we as normal people have to concentrate on working for that day, working for the Hour instead of predicting it. We need to work for the Hour as if we are dying tomorrow, and work for the hereafter as if we are living forever. None of us will live on this earth forever. Our Hour is approaching, and the best to who have worked for it.

God said after the flood He would never do it again... will He?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-03-01 14:01:00

: In the book of Genesis it says that God will not destroy all of mankind the way he did with Noah and the flood. So why is it in Revelations that all of mankind (aside from those who have been saved) will be destroyed during the tribulation?

ANSWER: This is a very good question… But first, let's deal with a couple of issues before going onto the question posed in the second sentence. From the wording of the first sentence, I will assume that the writer of this question is a Christian. However, I will not assume that every person who will read this question and the responses to it are all Christians. In fact by using simple statistical data on the percentage of the U. S. population that is Christian verses other religions it would be fair to assume that possibly as little as one third of the readership of Q & A Times is Christian. Therefore a more accurate first sentence would be either "I believe that my Lord said…" or "I believe that Jesus, the Christ, said…" As for the second sentence and the question asked… Again, I am not sure that it is so much religions - Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc. - but, denominations of Christianity that are most interested in trying to figure out how all of the events of the Middle East might somehow predict the end of time. In any case the simple answer to why so many people of faith, whatever expression their faith might take, are so interested in trying to predict the end of time is that they wish to control God.The Gospel of Mark records Jesus as saying, "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, Keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come." (Mark 13:31-33, NRSV) Similar words are recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, all of which is to suggest that the clear message from Jesus is that the knowledge of when, where and how the end of time will occur is not ours to have. That knowledge rests only with God and we are not privy to the mind of God. To therefore spend time making predictions about when it will occur based upon current events and ongoing strife in the Middle East is to attempt to claim for ourselves that which is not ours to know. The final part of the quoted text from Mark is the key for how we should be spending our time. We have been counseled to keep alert, to be prepared. Often this has taken the shape of pouring over the newspapers and watching CNN in an attempt to divine God's mind through what is happening in our world, be it events of human making such as war in the Middle East or the natural occurrences of earthquakes, floods and fires instead of paying attention to how we live our lives, how we treat ourselves and our neighbors and how we relate to our God. Keeping alert has to do with living a life that is open to God's living in us. It has to do with being aware enough of ourselves and our lives that we are ready and able to respond to God's call. It does not have to do with being so preoccupied with wanting to know God's mind or worse yet wanting to be God ourselves that we miss God's invitation to live in us and for us to live in God.

What does it mean to get the ‘Holy Spirit’?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2004-02-01 09:19:00

Question: What does it mean to "Get the Holy Spirit?" Why do some religions believe in this and others do not? Is this the same as speaking in tongues? Why can the average person not understand it when someone is speaking in tongues?

Answer: The expression "Get the Holy Spirit" is a phrase lifted out of context and can be used in whatever way the speaker or writer intends. The context is the New Testament Gospel of St. John or Acts of the Apostles. In the Gospel Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit (John 15:26), and later actually imparts the Holy Spirit, when he says to his Apostles: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). Acts of Apostles relates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the primitive Christian community on the day of Pentecost: "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to talk in other languages, as the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak" (Acts 2:4). Acts 19:6 relates about St. Paul's converts at Corinth: "They were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Paul placed his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them; they spoke in strange tongues and proclaimed God's message." In his first epistle to the Corinthians St. Paul speaks of a variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit, and different ministries for which the Spirit equips different individuals (cf I Cor 12:3-11). These texts and others show various distributions of God's Holy Spirit. The Spirit is manifested in a variety of virtues as well as of talents given to individual persons in different places and under various circumstances. Among these gifts is that of speaking in tongues (foreign languages). Most of us have to learn a foreign language with effort, study and practice with someone familiar with that language (usually by personal contact or recorded tapes). But at times the Holy Spirit will give to particular individuals, as He did to the Apostles, the charism of being understood in languages they have not studied or experienced. Some missionaries (e.g. St. Francis Xavier) have received this gift. But speaking in tongues is not the same as "to get the Holy Spirit." It is one evidence of the Spirit, but not to be identified with God the Holy Spirit. Why do some religions not believe in this? Ask them, it's their problem. Followers of such religions pick and choose from the Bible and other books whatever they wish to believe, and they reject whatever they don't like. The gift of speaking in tongues is not a common characteristic of Christians. It is exceptional. Most persons, who are fluent in several languages, acquired those languages by their own efforts. Sometimes, among certain fundamentalist groups, the members allege that they speak in tongues, but what comes out of their mouths is unintelligible babble or their own particular agenda, as with soothsayers and palm-readers pretending to have uncommon knowledge. This babble is not from God the Holy Spirit. There are persons who, under hypnosis or drugs or craving attention, pretend to "get the spirit." Whatever spirit they allege might come from hallucination or imagination or the devil. And, of course, there are bottled spirits available at any liquor store. Patrons thereof can also "get the spirit," perhaps of Jack Daniels or Chivas Regal etc. And then there is the "spirit of Christmas" and other occasions of celebration.

What does it mean to get the ‘Holy Spirit’?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2004-02-01 09:19:00

: What does it mean to "Get the Holy Spirit?" Why do some religions believe in this and others do not? Is this the same as speaking in tongues? Why can the average person not understand it when someone is speaking in tongues?

ANSWER: When one says "get the Holy Ghost" he usually means that a Christian needs to have a "Second Blessing" by receiving the Holy Spirit into his life. Those who believe this are frequently called "Pentecostal" or "Charismatic". Such an experience is described in the New Testament three times: (1) [Acts 2] At Pentecost, ten days after Christ's ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon the believers assembled to pray. They were flooded with joy and a desire to tell others about Jesus. As they went out into the streets of Jerusalem where many foreign-born Jews had come for the religious holidays, they were able to speak the native languages of these pilgrims. (2) [Acts 8:14-17] The Gospel news was heard and believed by the half-Jews of Samaria. When Peter came, they were given the Holy Spirit in the same manner as the Jews many months before. (3) [Acts 10] Peter was led by God to a Roman Army officer, Cornelius. He and some in his household became the first Gentile Christians with an experience similar to the Jews at Pentecost. All three of these events were presided over by the Apostle Peter. He had been promised to have the "keys to the kingdom" and he opened the door to each of these classes of persons: Jews, half-Jews and Gentiles. However, the Scriptures teach that since that transition time, all who become Christians, receive the Holy Spirit at the time they receive Christ as their Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit was often spoken of in the Old Testament. He came upon a person to give special ability, strength, or to prophesy, and then left. He did not remain permanently with a person.After King David sinned, he prayed, "Do not take Your Spirit from me." He needed the Spirit to be a godly king. There were many promises that in the future, the Spirit would be given to all God's followers. See, e.g., Joel 2:28-29, Isa.59:20-21, Ezek.36:26-27, II Pet.1:20-21. Until the atonement for the human race was done by Christ's death, the Holy Spirit would not "abide" in persons. Jesus told His disciples on His last night with them, that after He returned to Heaven, the Holy Spirit that had been WITH them would be IN them. [John 14:16-17,25]. After the start of the Church age, the Holy Spirit performs many things in the new Christian. He "regenerates" i.e. gives a "new life", a "new birth" [Jn.3:6, Rom.8:9,16-17]. He "Indwells" them [Gal.3;24, I Cor.2;11-12].He "baptizes" the new Believer into the Church [I Cor.12:12-13]. All these are done to us unconsciously when we commit ourself to Christ in faith. However, I am commanded consciously to "be filled with the Spirit" [Eph.5:18] and not to "quench" or "grieve" Him. Then the "fruit of the Spirit" will fill my life [Gal.5:22-23].

What does it mean to get the ‘Holy Spirit’?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-02-01 09:19:00

: What does it mean to "Get the Holy Spirit?" Why do some religions believe in this and others do not? Is this the same as speaking in tongues? Why can the average person not understand it when someone is speaking in tongues?

ANSWER: In the twelfth chapter of First Corinthians, The Apostle Paul writes to the Christian community in Corinth that there are varieties of gifts given to people by God. Among those gifts he lists the ability for some to speak in tongues and the ability for others to interpret what is being spoken. So the simple answer to he question of why the average person is not able to understand when someone speaks in tongues is that it most likely, is not a gift that they possess. However the reason for Paul writing to the Christian Community in Corinth as well as to the Christian communities in Galatia and Ephesus (Galatians and Ephesians in the New Testament) about this issue of the "Gifts of the Spirit" was to suggest that their practice of trying to determine who was the best Christian by what or how many of the gifts they claimed to possess was inappropriate. Thus Paul's statements in I Corinthians 12:4-6 "Now there are varieties of gifts but the Same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone." And later in Ephesians 4:12, Paul writes that the purpose of these various gifts are, "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the Body of Christ…"So why do some religions believe in these practices and others do not? I suppose the simple answer is that this may be a particularly Christian issue, so it may simply not be an issue for other religions. As far as the Christian community is concerned I do not know of any particular denomination that would not agree that there is, at least a possibility, that such practices occur and that they are in fact a gift from God. Some denominations will place a greater or lesser importance on their existence within their particular community as a sign or witness to God's presence in that community. In other words, God is greatly present in this community because of the great number of persons who speak in tongues and interpret those tongues. Regardless of the importance a community places upon these various gifts, I think that it is important to hear again Paul's warning that these gifts, in and of themselves, do not make a person a better Christian or a more faithful person than one who does not possess these gifts. These "Gifts of the Spirit" are just that; gifts. They are given for the purpose of building up the community, not for the purpose of separating it into the haves and the have-nots.

Where in the Bible does Jesus say He is God?

By Rev Patrick Notley

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Religion

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Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org

Rev Patrick Notley

2004-01-01 13:00:00

: Where does Jesus say in the Bible that He is God? If He existed before His life on Earth, why doesn't the Bible mention Him in the Old Testament?

ANSWER: The Gospel of John is one of my most favored books of the Bible. I enjoy both the way in which it was written and the theology that is shared. To me it is this Gospel that comes the closest to having Jesus actually say that He is God. John begins the Gospel with the theological statement of who Jesus is instead of a narrative about His birth. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him not one thing came into being." (John 1:1-4) While these are not words claimed to come from Jesus, they are, never the less, the foundation for John's understanding of who he is writing about. Later on in the Gospel, Jesus speaks, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) It is interesting to note that the Pharisees immediately challenged Him stating that any statements He would make about Himself were suspect and not to be believed. Therefore the issue, for me is not what Jesus said or did not say about Himself, rather it is about what others believe and understand about Jesus. Through the eyes of the Gospel writers, the Apostle Paul, and the writers of the Epistles we can gain a clear understanding of the one called Messiah who was God incarnate in human flesh. The question Jesus asked of his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" is far more important for each of us to answer than the question of what did Jesus say about Himself. So why doesn't the Old Testament mention Jesus? I believe that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. This does not mean that God wrote every word. Human beings attempting to tell the story of God's interaction with humanity wrote the various books of the Bible. Those writers of the Old Testament, being human, could only write about what they knew. There are many allusions in the Old Testament to one who would come as Messiah. But, given the limited ability of the human person to know future events it is no surprise that Jesus is not mentioned by name in books that were written hundreds of years before His birth.

Is this like Sodom and Gomorrah, or what?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2003-12-01 08:41:00

: It seems as though there has never been a time when the world was further removed from God than at present, unless it was prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but we're almost at that point now it seems. What universal message needs to be given to mankind, and what can each of us do to get us back on track?

ANSWER: There have been many times in history when things looked hopeless. Consider these: (1) During the collapse of the Roman empire when the Huns destroyed cities and killed the populous. (2) After the plague killed 1/3 of all Europeans in a two-year period. (3) 1942, with the USA still in the Depression and Hitler and the Japanese military were conquering the world. (4) 1960's, when two great powers were poised to nuke the earth to a cinder. So hope can exist in such times. But, many Biblical warnings tell that things will get worse as the end approaches. See II Tim.3:1-5, Matt.24:3-31, Luke 21:8-10 and 24-28. The peace and prosperity that America enjoyed in the 20th century was almost unique in history. Much of it was due to the underlying Christian beliefs in God and His moral standards. Our legal system grew from the 10 Commandments. Marriage and family were influenced by Biblical teachings which gave women equal standing with men in God's sight. Believing that everyone is "endowed by their Creator with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" led us into a Civil War to abolishing slavery. None of these were threatened by The Great Depression. Families remained stable among all groups; church influence was high; crime rate did not increase; moral standards were strong. But all of these are under attack now. Your reference to Sodom and Gomorrah suggests that you are thinking of the blatant promotion of homosexuality as normal and the disastrous sexual drenching of our culture during the past 40 years. Prime time TV has programs which would have resulted in the closing of a theater if shown in 1975. The TV networks compete to "expand the envelope" of sexually specific content. Children are exposed to sexual information that they are not capable of handling. Marriage is under attack. The media preaches a lifestyle for men that is lifelong adolescence: "dating" from one relationship to another without commitment. And they picture women as having "the right" to live this same disastrous way, including the aborting of a baby if it is inconvenient. Our founding fathers warned that liberty requires that "the passions" of men must be under self-control for liberty to be workable. If we do not put the limits on ourselves, then government will have to do so. Young men especially require a father's guidance and modeling if we are to avoid lawless and irresponsible gangs. But 25% of our babies now are born to unmarried women and half grow up in households without a father present. In all this I agree with your comment: America's future appears bleak. We are similar to England in 1700. The State Church was lifeless; gangs of orphans stalked the cities; public drunkenness was pervasive; a poverty-stricken minority was expanding, and rigid "class distinctions" left the poor without hope. The historian Leckey said that England would have had a bloody revolution similar to the French Revolution if it had not been for the revival led by the Wesleys. It transformed British society. The Wesleyan revival spread to America just before the formation of the United States. We were the beneficiaries of this Christian influence.... but in this past generation we have lost most of it. Anti-Christian forces have passed laws permitting obscenity and sexual license, but restricting Christian influence in public schools, court rooms and the entertainment media. Pray for revival! Who will be our Wesley, our Whitefield, Moody or Wilberforce? So you ask, "What universal message needs to be given to mankind?" The same message that has been required for 2,000 years. God isloving and merciful, but our sin separates us from Him as well as from other people. Jesus Christ suffered death to pay for our sins and rose from death to give us hope. He lives to offer forgiveness and new life to all who will trust Him to invade their life and change their thoughts, wants and actions. The alternative is a self-centered, joyless life and condemnation after death. Only under God's control can we live peacefully and happily. That's the life-giving message for individuals and for our culture.

Is this like Sodom and Gomorrah, or what?

By Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Nabil Seyam

2003-12-01 08:41:00

QUESTION: It seems as though there has never been a time when the world was further removed from God than at present, unless it was prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but we're almost at that
point now it seems. What universal message needs to be given to mankind, and what can each of us do to get us back on track?

***image1:left***QUESTION: It seems as though there has never been a time when the world was further removed from God than at present, unless it was prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but we're almost at that
point now it seems. What universal message needs to be given to mankind, and what can each of us do to get us back on track?
ANSWER: There have been many times in history when things looked hopeless. Consider these: (1) During the collapse of the Roman empire when the Huns destroyed cities and killed the populous. (2) After the plague killed 1/3 of all Europeans in a two-year period. (3) 1942, with the USA still in the Depression and Hitler and the Japanese military were conquering the world. (4) 1960's, when two great powers were poised to nuke the earth to a cinder. So hope can exist in such times. But, many Biblical warnings tell that things will get worse as the end approaches. See II Tim.3:1-5, Matt.24:3-31, Luke 21:8-10 and 24-28.
   The peace and prosperity that America enjoyed in the 20th century was almost unique in history. Much of it was due to the underlying Christian beliefs in God and His moral standards. Our legal system grew from the 10 Commandments. Marriage and family were influenced by Biblical teachings which gave women equal standing with men in God's sight. Believing that everyone is "endowed by their Creator with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" led us into a Civil War to abolishing slavery. None of these were threatened by The Great Depression. Families remained stable among all groups; church influence was high; crime rate did not increase; moral standards were strong.
   But all of these are under attack now. Your reference to Sodom and Gomorrah suggests that you are thinking of the blatant promotion of homosexuality as normal and the disastrous sexual drenching of our culture during the past 40 years. Prime time TV has programs which would have resulted in the closing of a theater if shown in 1975. The TV networks compete to "expand the envelope" of sexually specific content. Children are exposed to sexual information that they are not capable of handling. Marriage is under attack. The media preaches a lifestyle for men that is lifelong adolescence: "dating" from one relationship to another without commitment. And they picture women as having "the right" to live this same disastrous way, including the aborting of a baby if it is inconvenient. Our founding fathers warned that liberty requires that "the passions" of men must be under self-control for liberty to be workable. If we do not put the limits on ourselves, then government will have to do so. Young men especially require a father's guidance and modeling if we are to avoid lawless and irresponsible gangs. But 25% of our babies now are born to unmarried women and half grow up in households without a father present.
   In all this I agree with your comment: America's future appears bleak. We are similar to England in 1700. The State Church was lifeless; gangs of orphans stalked the cities; public drunkenness was pervasive; a poverty-stricken minority was expanding, and rigid "class distinctions" left the poor without hope. The historian Leckey said that England would have had a bloody revolution similar to the French Revolution if it had not been for the revival led by the Wesleys. It transformed British society.
   The Wesleyan revival spread to America just before the formation of the United States. We were the beneficiaries of this Christian influence.... but in this past generation we have lost most of it. Anti-Christian forces have passed laws permitting obscenity and sexual license, but restricting Christian influence in public schools, court rooms and the entertainment media. Pray for revival! Who will be our Wesley, our Whitefield, Moody or Wilberforce?
   So you ask, "What universal message needs to be given to mankind?" The same message that has been required for 2,000 years. God is
loving and merciful, but our sin separates us from Him as well as from other people. Jesus Christ suffered death to pay for our sins and rose from death to give us hope. He lives to offer forgiveness and new life to all who will trust Him to invade their life and change their thoughts, wants and actions. The alternative is a self-centered, joyless life and condemnation after death. Only under God's control can we live peacefully and happily. That's the life-giving message for individuals and for our culture.

Is this like Sodom and Gomorrah, or what?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-12-01 08:41:00

: It seems as though there has never been a time when the world was further removed from God than at present, unless it was prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but we're almost at that point now it seems. What universal message needs to be given to mankind, and what can each of us do to get us back on track?

ANSWER: This lament has been stated in every generation of recorded history. And it will continue to resound until the end of time, or so long as there are human beings endowed with free will. The faculties of intelligence and free will are what distinguish human beings from animals. They are gifts from God, Who always realized that His human creatures would abuse these gifts. Therefore God gave us also external guides for the correct use of his gifts. These guides are: 1) natural law inscribed in the soul of each person, which expresses itself in conscience; 2) positive commands and examples written in the books of the Bible, which God Himself inspired; 3) the instructions of good and holy teachers, whose lives are ordered towards God; 4) positive warnings about the dire consequences of abusing these gifts, along with secure promises of present and future rewards for using well these gifts.Plenty of books and journals as well as the daily news reports testify to the corruption of mankind and the evils done by so many people, who live without reference to God. At the same time there is much good in this world. Many people use their intelligence and free-will in a worthy manner, and order their lives towards God. Many people live virtuous lives, worshiping God regularly, and helping their poor and sick neighbors, in whom they recognize the image of God. In the course of history each generation seems to improve a bit on the preceding generation. For example, the wicked practice of human slavery has been legally abolished in almost every country on earth. The practice of justice is much improved in our times over the injustices of former ages.Now, more than in earlier times, many persons are concerned about improving the health and living conditions of less-fortunate people in various parts of the world. In most parts of the world the rights and freedoms of individuals are officially guaranteed by laws. In spite of numerous and barbarous civil wars around the world, peoples and nations are coming together, striving for some kind of consensus and agreement in regard to the numerous problems and evils still afflicting the human race. There is also an increasing awareness of and appreciation for animals and plants and minerals and even for the entire universe. The catastrophe of September 11 demonstrates the terrible evil in the souls of some fanatics, who are alienated from the true God and who attempt to justify their destruction of lives and human achievements in the name of a deity, whom they imagine to be as capricious as their evil leaders and approving of their crimes. That catastrophe demonstrates also the goodness and virtues of many more persons, who have generously given themselves and their property to help alleviate the terrible suffering caused by those fanatics.In the Bible: the Old Testament books of Job and Daniel and the New Testament book of Revelation were written expressly to console the suffering people of God, and to assure the reader or listener that in the end: Good will triumph over Evil. This is God’s world! Even with all it’s evils and imperfections, which He foresaw, God pronounced His work of creation to be good.

Do troubles in the Middle East mean the end of the world is near?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-11-01 15:24:00

: With all the troubles in the Middle East, I am wondering why it is that such a small region is always the top story, and how far back in history does this conflict go? Is this just coincidence, or is it because the conflict signals the end of the world?

ANSWER: First of all, Jesus tells us that no one knows when will happen the end of the world ( Matt 24:36 and Mark 13:32). There are always plenty of signs to remind us that the end of the world is coming: “but no one knows when that day and hour will come – neither the angels in heaven nor the Son. The Father alone knows.” As far as each one of us is concerned, the end of the world occurs at the moment of our death, when we will be judged. But also the whole fabric of this universe will be concluded at some time in the future, when the dead will arise and Jesus will return in glory for the final judgment. The signs, mentioned in the gospels, are intended as constant reminders that everything in this world is temporary, and we ought to prepare for death and a happy eternity with God and his saints. Every conflict is in someway a signal about the end of the world! Jesus warns repeatedly: “Be prepared!” Now I reflect on that particular piece of geography called the Middle East. The books of the Bible talk mainly about that part of the world, which was familiar to the human writers of the Bible. In the Book of Tobit (chapter 1, verse 4) we read: “When I was young I lived in northern Israel. All the tribes in Israel were supposed to offer sacrifices in Jerusalem. It was the one city that God had chosen from among all the cities, as the place where his temple was to be built for his holy and eternal home.” Why God chose Jerusalem and the Holy Land and the Jewish people as his special people: is a mystery known only to God. But there are other mysteries also, which we have to accept on faith. Our Judeo-Christian faith is based on the books of the Bible. And faith is something we cannot fully understand. If we could understand a matter of faith, then it is no longer a matter of faith: it becomes a scientific fact. In his epistle to the Romans (chapters 9 thru 11) St. Paul discusses this mystery of God’s choice of peoples (and their land). It is a beautiful treatise about God’s free choice, but really doesn’t enlighten us as to the WHY of God’s choice, except that God was well-pleased with a person named Abraham, who was living at Ur in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). Abraham lived about 1800 years before Jesus, and is the patriarch-progenitor of both the Jewish and the Arab peoples. Abraham is also the spiritual father of all Christians. The reason given for God’s pleasure is that, of all people then living on earth, only Abraham believed in and trusted the true God. Recorded history commences in the first book of the Bible (chapter twelve), with God calling Abraham to move a thousand miles west, to the land of Canaan, which we call the “Holy Land.” As the late prime-minister of Israel, Golda Meir, remarked: “How strange of God to choose this land, the only land in the whole Middle East under which there is no natural deposit of oil." Others have remarked: “How odd of God: to choose the Jews!” But he did. The Bible narrates also some of the many conflicts happening in the Middle East before and during and after the time of Abraham. Of the children of the first parents, Cain murdered his innocent brother Abel. Of the children of Abraham and his wife Sara, already in the womb there is rivalry between the twin brothers Esau and Jacob. Esau became the father of the Arab peoples and Jacob became the father of the Jewish people. That rivalry developed into conflicts, which endure to the present day, and underlies some of the troubles in the Middle East. Those conflicts are typical for the rest of the human race.

Do troubles in the Middle East mean the end of the world is near?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2003-11-01 15:24:00

QUESTION: With all the troubles in the Middle East, I am wondering why it is that such a small region is always the top story, and how far back in history does this conflict go? Is this just coincidence, or is it because the conflict signals the end of the world?

***image1:left***QUESTION: With all the troubles in the Middle East, I am wondering why it is that such a small region is always the top story, and how far back in history does this conflict go? Is this just coincidence, or is it because the conflict signals the end of the world?

ANSWER: Most historians would not agree that it has "always" been a top story. Palestine was a minor province of ancient Rome. In 70 AD, Rome grew tired of the Jews' rebellions and sent an army under Titus, a General who later became Caesar, to destroy Jerusalem and drive the Jews from the area.
   Over a half-million were killed, Jerusalem was destroyed and burned, and the Jews scattered around the Empire. Nearly 300 years later, the mother of Caesar Constantine became a Christian and influenced her son to declare Christianity the national religion. Persecution of Christians stopped and there was an interest in visiting the places where the Biblical history occurred. Churches were built over places where Jesus lived, taught, died and arose.
   As the Roman empire faded and the Moslem empire covered the Middle East, European Christians continued to make pilgrimages to the Holy Land until the eleventh century when the Turks from Central Asia swept over Persia, the Middle East and Asia Minor (present day Turkey). They forbade the European pilgrimages to Jerusalem, and the Pope called a meeting of European leaders and proposed sending troops to capture the "Holy Lands" from the Moslems. Between 1100 and 1300 there were eight Crusades, some of which captured Jerusalem but were not supported enough to hold it for very long, but they worsened relations between the two religions.
   After about 1300 the European powers turned their attention inward for the Renaissance and the Reformation, and outward for exploration and expansion into the "New World" (the Americas). Affairs of the Middle East were again of small concern. This remained true until the twentieth century.
   In 1948, Jerusalem was a small city. Palestine was a poor, dry country, smaller than Kansas. Archeologists loved to dig there, but it was of slight interest to the political leaders of the world until 1948. Two things brought the world's attention: (1) The discovery of huge amounts of petroleum in the Middle East and North Africa. (2) The unstoppable desire of the Jewish people to return to their ancestral homeland, resulting from the slaughter of Jews by the Nazis and their lack of welcome from other countries. These two conditions were not connected: Golda Meir complained that Moses led the Hebrews around the Middle East for forty years and stopped in the only place without any oil.
   In 1948, the British, who had a mandate over Jordan and Palestine, suddenly decided to leave the area and the United Nations recognized Israel and Jordan as nations. The United States was one of the first countries to formally concur.
   The surrounding Arab nations invaded to prevent a Jewish nation in their midst, and this brought the attention of the world to this region.
During the past 55 years, this little space has both blossomed and suffered. A modern, democratic, industrialized nation has grown as thousands of Jews have immigrated each year. But three wars have been fought against Israel by its neighbors and internal warfare continues. As you say, it is a trouble spot.
Many Christians before the 1940's found it difficult to believe the Bible prophecies that the great nations of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa would choose up sides with or against Israel and go to a war-to-end-all-wars.
It is easy to visualize this today. Now to your second question: "Is this just a coincidence or does it signal the end of the world?" The correlation of Biblical predictions and the way events are happening leads many of us to believe that this is the fulfillment of prophecy. The Jews are returning from all over the earth to the land promised by God to Abraham nearly 4,000 years ago. They are speaking their old language; a language which had not been spoken for two millennia. They are returning while still rejecting Jesus as their Messiah. All as predicted!
   But be careful. Biblical prophecies were not given to enable us to pre-write history, but it should enable those who know the prophecies to recognize them as they happen. Recent novels based on an interpretation of Bible predictions about to take place have had huge sales, showing that many Americans are concerned with your question.
The main personal issue for us is this: Am I ready if this should be the end? Jesus spoke constantly of life after death. His mission to earth was to open the way to Heaven. This must begin with a trusting submission to Him as Savior and Lord during our time here.

Wasn't God harsh in closing the gates of Heaven for 4000 years?

By Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Terry Fox

2003-10-01 09:00:00

: Wasn't it rather harsh of God to punish man and close the gates of Heaven for 4,000 years (until he sent His only Son to redeem us) because of Adam and Eve's sin? It seems like we do a lot of things worse than that today and many don't bat an eye.

ANSWER: Where did you get the idea that God closed the gates of heaven until Christ had risen? Haven't you noticed that three-quarters of the Bible is the Old Testament which tells of God's dealings with people in the post-Eden world? The Jews were being prepared for the coming of the Messiah Who was promised to Eve immediately after her (and Adam's) sin (See Gen.3:15) After that there were many righteous men and women. For example, Enoch and Ezekiel were taken to Heaven without dying (Gen.5:21-24 and II Kings 2:11). Even Job, who apparently was not in contact with- or predated- the Jewish people, was sure that after his own death, a "redeemer" would come to earth for him: "And as for me, I know my Redeemer lives, and at last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God; Whom I myself shall behold, and Whom my eyes shall see...." (Job 19:25-27). Abraham was accredited with righteousness because of his faith in what God told him. God promised him a lineage from which the great blessing (Jesus) would come to earth. After that, the Jews referred to the Godly people who died as having "been gathered into Abraham's arms," 400 years later Moses went to a hilltop alone for God to bury him. King David scoffed at "men of this world, whose portion is in this life..and leave their possessions to their babes. As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake." (Psalm 17:14-15) The New Testament is full of explanations of God's using the Jewish nation to reveal Himself to men, and to prepare a people to receive His Messiah (Christ).How could they be saved if the payment for sin had not been made? They confessed their unworthiness, but accepted God's promise that He would forgive their sin if they sacrificed an animal life on His altar to symbolize their inability to pay. They said that their sins were "covered" by the blood of the animal. The "erasing" of sins was to be taken care of by God in His own way. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, believing Jews quickly saw God's plan carried out in Jesus and they flooded into the Christian churches. The book of Hebrews (in the New Testament) was written to explain this connection of Old and New. Just how God dealt with godly people who died before Christ came is not told in detail. A few places in the New Testament hint at this: (Ephesians 4:7-9, Matt.27:50-53, and I Peter 3:18-20). Trusting God now should be easier. We have seen His love for us rebels. He came and lived the perfect human life in order to bridge the chasm between us. He offers forgiveness by Christ's death on the cross, acceptance as His children and His own Spirit to empower us to obey. His resurrection assures me of His victory over death, mine as well as His. This is the only cure for the human condition which is displayed by history, our own conflicts with self and others, and.... well... look at the TV sitcoms and news reports. I am invited to admit my need, believe that He loves me and is willing to take me as I am if I will trust Him to take charge of my life. New life will be given...a life that will continue into eternity. You had another question: "Wasn't the punishment of Adam and Eve too harsh?" They were faced with a simple choice. There was one thing which was withheld from them....a thing they did not need. The only reason to take it was to exert their independence. It was a failure to trust God Who had given them everything they needed, and even the joy of His presence and attention. Distrusting His love, they believed that He was withholding something good from them. This is the essence of sin: "God is not to be trusted.... I know better than He what is good for me." It may seem like a small infraction, but it contained the key choice that separates each of us from God.

Wasn't God harsh in closing the gates of Heaven for 4000 years?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-10-01 09:00:00

: Wasn't it rather harsh of God to punish man and close the gates of Heaven for 4,000 years (until he sent His only Son to redeem us) because of Adam and Eve's sin? It seems like we do a lot of things wo

Father Cleary QUESTION: Wasn't it rather harsh of God to punish man and close the gates of Heaven for 4,000 years (until he sent His only Son to redeem us) because of Adam and Eve's sin? It seems like we do a lot of things worse than that today and many don't bat an eye.

What's the best way to approach an atheist?

By Steve Worley

X

Religion

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Steve Worley

2003-09-01 15:15:00

QUESTION:I have a good friend who has chosen to be an atheist. He is in his eighties. I cannot understand how anyone can choose a belief like this. I think if I was an atheist, I'd switch just in case the theists were right. Is there anything I can say that might persuade him to change his beliefs before it's too late?

ANSWER:It is obvious from your letter that you are concerned about your friend's eternal fate, which is understandable given your own religious beliefs. Assuming that you have already expressed your concern to him, the best way to approach him about it is not to do so. After all, he is not a child, and although you might not accept, respect, or even understand his point of view, you must respect his right to believe as he does. Having freedom of religion necessarily grants all of us the right to freedom from religion as well. It is unlikely that you are going to change his mind. Quoting the bible would most likely drive a wedge further between the two of you, and only weaken what friendship you have. At the age of 80, he undoubtedly has been preached to before.
Your argument that it would be better for him to believe in God just in case he's wrong, shows little conviction on your part. Beliefs aren't arrived at as simply as choosing what flavor of ice cream you happen to be in the mood for. Most people's beliefs are acquired from a combination of their upbringing or culture, their education, their own experiences, and, hopefully, a lot of thought. Your friend could pretend to believe, but if God does exist and is "all knowing", then He is surely able to tell the difference between a true believer and someone who isn't. If you truly believe in God, maybe you should talk to Him about your friend. In the meantime, be a friend and not a preacher. You may think he's foolish for not believing in God, and risking eternal damnation, but he probably thinks you're foolish for living in a supernatural fantasyland. You're both entitled to your opinions.

How can I be assured of my salvation?

By Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Nabil Seyam

2003-09-01 14:53:00

: Religion teachers of all faiths believe and preach that their religion is the correct one. How does one really know whether or not his/her religion is the right one for salvation?

ANSWER: Frequently, I often visit many religious communities and attend their religious teachings. A common statement is "our way is the only way, and our way is the only way to paradise." This is not a bios statement, but an expression of self satisfaction of a way of life. The question is valuable and we all seek the truth or the right path that leads to heaven. The world is full of religions, if we would say thousands, we would not be exaggerating. So, which one is the true religion; and are they all true and/or the same? If you would ask any clergy about the authenticity of other religions, most, if they were candid enough, would say, "salvation can be achieved only through our faith." Other clergy may not be candid enough and give you an answer that contradicts his/her preaching. "We leave that matter to God, he is the judge."Since I am representing the Islamic faith I will state the Islamic perspective here. Islam views Judaism and Christianity as monotheistic religions, like Islam "believing in one God." Therefore, if anyone would like to search for the right path, he/she must begin on the right road. There are more similarities among these religions than many may think. Therefore, it is a great asset to remove bias from our hearts and start reading and investigating these religions. Read the Torah, the Bible and the Qur'an from cover to cover. Attend religious meetings and sermons. Visit their communities and associate with their people and become an imminent friend with them all. Above all that, pray to the one God, to guide you to the right path that leads to heaven. Our father and Prophet Abraham, thought the sun was his God, The moon was his God, and the stars were his God. Then he directed his prayers to God to guide him to the right way. In Islam there is no compulsion. Daily, we receive individuals who seek knowledge about Islam. Many of these individuals read authentic Islamic literatures and/or seek information about Islam via the Internet. For information or literatures about Islam please call the Islamic Society of Wichita at 682-5479.

How can I be assured of my salvation?

By Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Terry Fox

2003-09-01 14:53:00

QUESTION: Religion teachers of all faiths believe and preach that their religion is the correct one. How does one really know whether or not his/her religion is the right one for salvation?

***image1:left***QUESTION: Religion teachers of all faiths believe and preach that their religion is the correct one. How does one really know whether or not his/her religion is the right one for salvation?

ANSWER: You have asked the right question. Do not listen to those who say that all religions are the same.....that "all roads lead to the top of the same hill," and that all that matters is "you are sincere".   Isn't this is an insult to all who seriously believe? The different faiths are really different. They do not all worship the same god. Your question is serious, too.
   Are you asking about all the earth's religions, or only about the different branches of Christianity in this country? Probably the latter is the case, since Christianity provides the world-view that has produced our Constitution, legal system, respect for human rights, and (until recently) our educational institutions.
   Christianity is the only religion whose Founder was expected! God had given the Jews centuries of preparation for the coming of the Messiah. They had catalogued over 400 prophecies about Him: His birthplace, conception, lifestyle, purpose, etc. Even the time of His birth was predicted over 400 years ahead, resulting in several "false messiahs" while He was here. The Jewish animal sacrifice system taught them that sin must be paid for by a substitutionary death. Jews wrote almost all of the New Testament and the Gospel was spread throughout the Roman Empire on Jewish lips.
   If you have chosen "Christianity", the question is one of "churches" or "denominations". Some of the differences between denominations are minor, so learn the difference between important doctrines (e.g., the basis for salvation, or the deity of Christ) and minor options (e.g., style of church music, or type of church organization).
   Some churches make the church the basis or arbiter of truth; others make the Bible the standard for doctrines. May I suggest that you add another one: The main aim in Christianity is knowing God! Not knowing ABOUT Him, but having a personal relationship with Him. This is possible because Christ has returned to Heaven as the God-Man.... the perfect intercessor between a person and the Creator God. He has opened the way by allowing us to reject and kill Him, rising in victory over death, and returning to Heaven with understanding of human feelings and trials. "Knowing God" is the criteria.
   Does this church lead you to know Him, rather than mainly to keep His rules and perform religious acts? Actually, many people would prefer to be given the rules and duties of the religion, rather than having to deal with God Himself! That is scary! But "rule keeping" treats Heaven as a prize to be earned. If we could earn eternal life ourselves, it would not have required Christ's death. God's grace (undeserved gift) is the essential of salvation.
   Be sure the "Clerics" teach the Risen Christ as your personal Companion and Lord. Even the Jews looked for this: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty man glory in his might, nor the rich man glory in his riches, but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and KNOWS ME, that I am the Lord..", declares the Lord. (Jer. 9:23-24)
   Your question referred to salvation. Salvation is not just an "after-life" insurance policy; It is a new life here. None of us are fit to run our lives alone. Christ said He came so that we could "have life abundantly" and "have fullness of joy". Don't settle for less.
   One final warning: don't try to study all the religions. You could spend your life on this and not know God. Seek God- not the "best religion". "Call unto Me, and I will answer you and will show you great and mighty things that you do not know." (Jer.33:3). We all have a hunger for God and need a way to deal with our guilt. Jesus claimed, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."(John 14:6) You don't have to have all your questions about God answered before you can know Him.

How can I be assured of my salvation?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-09-01 14:53:00

Question: Religion teachers of all faiths believe and preach that their religion is the correct one. How does one really know whether or not his/her religion is the right one for salvation?

Answer: Frequently, I often visit many religious communities and attend their religious teachings. A common statement is "our way is the only way, and our way is the only way to paradise." This is not a bios statement, but an expression of self satisfaction of a way of life. The question is valuable and we all seek the truth or the right path that leads to heaven. The world is full of religions, if we would say thousands, we would not be exaggerating. So, which one is the true religion; and are they all true and/or the same? If you would ask any clergy about the authenticity of other religions, most, if they were candid enough, would say, "salvation can be achieved only through our faith." Other clergy may not be candid enough and give you an answer that contradicts his/her preaching. "We leave that matter to God, he is the judge."
Since I am representing the Islamic faith I will state the Islamic perspective here.
Islam views Judaism and Christianity as monotheistic religions, like Islam "believing in one God." Therefore, if anyone would like to search for the right path, he/she must begin on the right road. There are more similarities among these religions than many may think. Therefore, it is a great asset to remove bias from our hearts and start reading and investigating these religions. Read the Torah, the Bible and the Qur'an from cover to cover. Attend religious meetings and sermons. Visit their communities and associate with their people and become an imminent friend with them all. Above all that, pray to the one God, to guide you to the right path that leads to heaven.
Our father and Prophet Abraham, thought the sun was his God, The moon was his God, and the stars were his God. Then he directed his prayers to God to guide him to the right way. In Islam there is no compulsion. Daily, we receive individuals who seek knowledge about Islam. Many of these individuals read authentic Islamic literatures and/or seek information about Islam via the Internet. For information or literatures about Islam please call the Islamic Society of Wichita at 682-5479.

Deism...what do 'revelation' religions have to say?

By Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Terry Fox

2003-08-01 13:57:00

: Deism, which is based upon the light of nature and reason, teaches not to worry about the hereafter as we should trust nature's God with our future. Thus, we should do everything we can in life to make for a better world. What do religions based upon revelation have to say about Deism?

Terry Fox Question: Deism, which is based upon the light of nature and reason, teaches not to worry about the hereafter as we should trust nature's God with our future. Thus, we should do everything we can in life to make for a better world. What do religions based upon revelation have to say about Deism?Answer: Deism is the belief in a creator god without reliance on any supernatural revelation. Often god is seen as a Sustainer; a "Providence", but not a personal god. Thomas Jefferson is often called a Deist. Chiseled in the marble in the Jefferson monument is his quote: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can that liberty long endure if we deny the God who gave it?" At the other extreme is Voltaire who said that, if there was a god, he was like the captain of a ship and we are like the mice running around in the hold. He may be taking us somewhere, but he takes no thought of our individual welfare. Deism is an incomplete religion. It lacks a clear idea of (1) the nature of God, (2) the nature of humans, and (3) a set of ethics. However, Deists often draw on the teachings of their surrounding religion for ethics. Jefferson issued his own edition of the teachings of Jesus. It included Jesus' teachings on social ethics but omitted all of the claims of Jesus about Himself, and about heaven, miracles and prophesies of the future. Deists' ethical teachings have no authority except the argument that the world would be better if we all lived by these rules. Answers to most of the important questions of life are missing: Who am I? Why am I here? Does my life have any purpose? Is there life after death? What are my rights and responsibilities? How do I know what is right or wrong? Does God care about me? How can I be acceptable to God? Lacking these, Deism has never been a popular movement.

What's the best way to approach an atheist?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-08-01 11:28:00

Question: I have a good friend who has chosen to be an atheist. He is in his eighties. I cannot understand how anyone can choose a belief like this. I think if I was an atheist, I'd switch just in case the theists were right. Is there anything I can say that might persuade him to change his beliefs before it's too late?

Answer: In the Bible, in Psalms 14 and 53, it is stated: "The fool has said in his heart: 'There is no God.' They are corrupt and have done terrible things." The denial of God's existence is often a wish or a hope that there is no God, Who sees and knows the evil such an alleged atheist has done. Deep in their soul lies a suspicion that perhaps there might be an awful reckoning and punishment after death, which is "payback-time." So although your friend might claim to be an atheist, it is quite possible that he is not sure and, in expressing his lack of belief, is hoping you might confirm it. But, allowing that your friend is a convinced atheist, then he is indeed a fool! And "there's no fool like an old fool!" I don't think there is any argument that will persuade an old fool. Still, if he is really a friend, you might attempt to unsettle his conviction and plant some seeds of doubt about his position. If the theists (those who believe in God) are right, then he/she is dreadfully wrong, and in danger of the eternal punishment reserved for fools. If the theists are wrong, then neither they nor the atheists have lost anything. If the theists are wrong, then they have come from nowhere and are going nowhere. But, just in case God does exist, then wouldn't it make sense to get on God's good side before it's too late? Generally, theists are happier people than atheists.Usually by age eighty, the human mind is set in it's convictions; but not always. Everyday the Church receives new members, some of whom are elderly. As the atheist is your friend, you might present to him the ancient arguments for the existence of God. Some of these are: the established order of the universe, the regular recurrence of the seasons and climates, the balance in nature, the intricate construction of the human body - particularly the human mind, the great works of genius (e.g. the Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci, the pyramids of Egypt, the marvelous discoveries of science, the compositions of Shakespeare, the variety and beauty of flowers and plants and animals, the fact that each snowflake differs from every other snowflake, etc.) These cannot happen by chance. Their very existence requires an ultimate Maker, an unmoved Mover, Who is able to create things and preserve them in existence and order. Theists call that unmoved Mover: God. The atheist has the problem of explaining how all these things came to be, if there is no God. Can a primordial "big-bang" theory explain the delicate designs of frost on a windowpane or a butterfly's wings? If chance or luck is the atheist's explanation, then how come chance or luck has allowed him/her a well-functioning body rather than a human head with the body of a snake, the hands of a bear and the legs of a jackass? How come your atheist is able to think, but his canary or his pet-rock cannot think? Is it conceivable that devils like Hitler and Stalin and Mao and Saddam should have the same end as Moses and Jesus and Ghandi and Mother Teresa and other great benefactors of mankind? Does not the atheist's sense of justice demand retribution for evil, as well as for good done in this world? God, by definition, is supreme Justice and Goodness and Wisdom and Love and Perfection. Why not join the billions of theists, who have decided to go with the idea of God, rather than opposing it with the stupidity of atheism, which is unable to explain the existence of the universe? Just because he denies the existence of God, does not make it so! After death, the alleged atheist will see clearly how foolish is the choice they made for atheism.

What's the best way to approach an atheist?

By Nabil Seyam

What's the best way to approach an atheist?

By Rev Terry Fox

Were people less accountable in the Old Testament?

By Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Terry Fox

2003-07-01 16:09:00

: Since God had not yet given His Son to people in the Old Testament, were they ultimately held to a lower standard (less accountable) than people who live in the time of the New Testament who have His Son?

ANSWER: Yes, the Bible seems to state that this is true. A direct reference is St. Paul's speech to the religious philosophers in Athens. Referring to their idol worship, he said: "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts:17:30-31) But your question is directed more to the Jews who had the Old Testament. They were clearly responsible for avoiding idol worship; and they knew that there was One God and they had the Ten Commandments. But Christ raised the standard for them. In Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" He said, "Unless your righteousness supercedes that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matt.5:20) This was a shock to the Jews because the Pharisees lived by hundreds of strict rules and were notoriously religious. Then He went on to make the requirements based on internal attitudes rather than external acts: "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder'. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement." Matt.5:21 [hate = murder] "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery' . But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matt. 5:27 [lust = adultery] Essentially, all that was lacking in each case was the opportunity! Also: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy'. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matt.5:43-44 The requirements were made harder.....then how could this be called "Good News" (Gospel)? Because Christ paid the penalty for sin by dying on the cross and will accredit His righteousness to any who accept and entrust themselves to Him; then the Holy Spirit indwells the new believer and enables him to live a righteous life. It is clear that none could have qualified on their own. By God's grace, a rescue has to take place. Jesus stated the principle this way: "Everyone to whom much is given, of him will much be required." (Luke 12:48) Much what? Probably: Information, opportunity, time, influence, intelligence, possessions.

Were people less accountable in the Old Testament?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-07-01 16:09:00

QUESTION: Since God had not yet given His Son to people in the Old Testament, were they ultimately held to a lower standard (less accountable) than people who live in the time of the New Testament who have His Son?

***image1:left***QUESTION: Since God had not yet given His Son to people in the Old Testament, were they ultimately held to a lower standard (less accountable) than people who live in the time of the New Testament who have His Son?

ANSWER: According to Jesus (Luke 12:48): "The servant, who knows what his master wants him to do, but does not get himself ready and do it, will be punished with a heavy whipping. But the servant, who does not know what his master wants and yet does something for which he deserves a whipping, will be punished with a light whipping. Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given."
   We Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Servant of Jahve-God, foretold by the Jewish prophets. The majority of Jews, even in Jesus' time, were ignorant of Jesus or chose to ignore him. Their culpability, in rejecting the Messiah sent by God, is lessened by reason of their ignorance. Those Jews, who sincerely endeavor to live the Law promulgated by Moses, are pleasing to God and will be saved. In their ignorance of the true Messiah, Jews are less accountable than are Christians, who know Jesus and his teachings and nevertheless choose to ignore Him.
   In revealing His Son Jesus as the Messiah of the Jews, God has bestowed on humanity an immense benefit. Jesus is God's ultimate revelation to mankind. In giving to Christian peoples faith in Jesus and knowledge of him, God gives us Himself and the very best of gifts. Therefore Christians are held by God to a stricter account for their use or misuse of these gifts, than are Jewish people and others, who have not received the gift of faith in Jesus.
   In his epistle to the Romans (chapters 9 and 10 and 11), St. Paul explains something of the mystery of God's choice of the Jewish people as His Own People, their rejection of God's plan for salvation, and then God's choosing the gentile (non-Jewish) people to share the inheritance originally intended for the Jews. In the persons of their ancestors, the Jews were faithful to the ancient covenant with God, while the gentiles went their own way, sinning. Then the Jews sinned grievously in rejecting God's plan for salvation through Jesus. So God, through the holy apostles, invited the gentiles to enter by faith into the community of His people. But now many gentiles are falling away from that faith, and gradually - little by little - the Jews are coming to accept God's plan of salvation. All peoples have sinned and all are in need of God's mercy! And no people, Jews or gentiles, can pride themselves over the other in regard to fidelity to God. "For God has made all people prisoners of disobedience, so that He might show mercy to them all". (Rom. 11:32)

The end of times... is it getting close?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-07-01 13:54:00

Question: For centuries there have been those who have proclaimed the 'end of times' is at hand. Today, it seems like this message is more prevalent than ever. I remember from Bible school as a child that no one is supposed to know when it will be, yet there is the Book of Revelations that supposedly predicts when it will be based upon certain things that happen. That seems contradictory to me. What is right?

Answer: Regarding the end of time, in the gospels Our Lord Jesus, Who is "the Way and the Truth and the Life," says: "No one knows, however, when that day or hour will come -- neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; only the Father knows. Be watchful, be alert: for you do not know when the time will come." (Mark 13: 32-33). See also Matthew 24:36-44, and Luke 17:26-30. And that's the gospel truth! Noone, except God know when will happen the end of this world. When he says: "nor the Son," Jesus is referring to his human knowledge, which does not extend beyond the capacity of a human being. But, as God, in his divine nature, Jesus knows everything known by God his Father. In every period of time, before and since the New Testament books were written, there have appeared persons, who allege that they have precise knowledge about the dates for the end of the world. Such persons are either liars or hallucinating or pretending; because God the Father certainly would not share with them knowledge which he did not share with his own Son, when that Son assumed human nature. Jesus warns his hearers to not follow such deceivers. The final book in the New Testament, called Revelation or Apocalypse, was composed during the last years of the first Christian century. It was not intended to be a collection of data in order to date precisely the end of this world or the end of time. Rather the author (St. John the revelator), himself an exile on the island of Patmos for being a Christian, wrote that book as a result of a carefully ordered series of revelations intended to encourage and console his fellow Christians, who were suffering terribly the persecutions launched by the Roman Emperor Domitian, who desired to abort the young Christian community. Domitian himself acted more like a beast than a human. He practiced all the capital sins, delighting in every kind of excess, being a sadist and revelling in the sufferings of others. St. John is writing to remind his fellow-sufferers that the end of such suffering is near, that in the end Goodness (represented by the Lamb of God, which is a figure of Jesus suffering) will triumph over the forces of evil, represented by the devil in various forms. So far as each individual sufferer is concerned: the end will come at death. And death will yield either the beauty and happiness of the saints in heaven, or the torments and punishments of the damned in hell. St. John does say that this world will end eventually, that there will be a general judgment, and a final resolution of all things; but he does not say when all this will happen. He doesindicate various signs that serve as reminders about the end, without indicating precisely when the end will occur. Such signs, in the heavens and on the earth and under the earth, occur in every age. They serve to remind human beings that life is short, that God oversees everything, that evil persons figure in God's plan for this world inasmuch as they serve to test God's people, and the eventual punishment of wicked & selfish persons will serve to manifest God's justice. The message of the Book of Revelation is primarily this: good Christian people, hold on to your faith and hope! Your virtue is not in vain because in the end (both at death and at the end of the world) you will be rewarded with Jesus, who is well-acquainted with suffering and death. That's what Revelation is about! It is not a calendar or almanac of coming events, except as a general reminder that those of God's people, who persevere through patient suffering will be rewarded, while those who inflict such sufferings will receive their just punishments. In the end everyone will see and be amazed at the grandeur of God's plan for the universe. Therein everyone will see how the saints, those who have suffered unjustly and been persecuted for the sake of Jesus, will be restored to full physical perfection and beauty, as they share in God's glory. Even the unborn infants, who are murdered by abortionists, will be vindicated (see also 6:9-11 and 14: 3-5), while those who killed them will be hurled into the lake of burning fire (cf 20:13-15 and 21:8). This book is both a consolation and a warning for all time and all people until the end of the world.

Is 'Hell' for real?

By Pastor Pete Dominguez

Can someone be reincarnated?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2003-06-01 10:13:00

: Is it ever, under any circumstance, possible that someone is or was 'reincarnated'?

ANSWER: In general, the past-life regression business hasn't got much of a future in Muslim territories. Islam has no place for returning in the form of another person after dying. There is no leeway in this teaching. Islam teaches that the purpose of each life is to encounter Allah--or God--and that no matter how limited the life, it is sufficient to determine that person's ultimate destiny--paradise or perdition. Islam clearly defines the soul as part of each specially-created individual and holds that nothing can change that. The soul cannot be detached and move on to another body; it cannot engage in upward or downward mobility in the chain of creation; elements of it, such as memory, cannot be transplanted into someone in a later generation.Tenasukh refers to the transmigration of souls, the doctrine that after death the soul moves on to inhabit another body, then die again and then another body, and so on. This doctrine is called in English 'reincarnation' or 'metempsychosis'. Of course, it is not an Islamic doctrine. Belief in some form of this doctrine of endless cycles of birth, death and re-birth, can be found in almost all societies, primitive or sophisticated. Variations in it exist according to the local and regional differences in faith and popular culture. In the most materialistic societies especially, whose formal culture denies spiritual life, there is almost a fashion for pseudo-religious belief among certain small circles of people who claim-whether as a joke or seriously, it is not clear-that the spirits of the dead wander about, sometimes taking physical form, and can influence the living, until they (the spirits) settle into their 'new' bodies. It would be impractical here to go into the details of the different forms and fashions of this doctrine; more worthwhile perhaps would be to describe the main substance of it and to see it from the Islamic viewpoint. One argument for the antiquity of the doctrines of reincarnation is the 'evidence' in ancient literature, in the tales of metamorphosis-for example, Ovid's colorful extravagances of that name, in which 'gods' take on human and animal forms, humans take on a diversity of different shapes, etc. But these tales do not constitute a doctrine; the doctrine proper is not to do with, simply, colorful change of form, but with a belief that an individual soul must pass through every 'level' of creation, every species of life-form, animate or inanimate, sentient or insentient. If we reflect upon this we soon realize that the doctrine is really a strange elaboration on the immortality of the soul. In other words, the kernel of it is the intuition that the soul is immortal. That kernel is true; the rest is not. The doctrine may also have arisen from the observation of the likeness in physical and other traits between parents and offspring: in other words, the biological phenomena of heredity, perfectly intelligibly explained by the laws of genetics, are given a less intelligible, indeed irrational, explanation by the doctrine of reincarnation. Belief in reincarnation in Egypt, India and Greece, developed as a result of distortion of once sound beliefs in the hereafter, and from a longing for the immortality of the soul. Neither in Ahen-Aten's Egypt nor in Pythagoras' Greece did anyone know of the reincarnation which these distorted beliefs brought about. To Ahen-Aten, when man's life ends in this world, a different one starts in heaven. As soon as one dies, one's soul sets off on its journey to reach 'the Greatest Court' in heaven. It goes so high that it reaches to the presence of Osiris, and hopes to give an account of itself in words like these: 'I have come to thy presence as I was free from sins, and throughout my life, I did do everything I could that would make devout men pleased. I did not shed blood nor did I steal. Neither did I make mischief nor did I mean any. I did not commit any adultery nor fornication whatever'. Those who can speak so, join Osiris' congregation; those who cannot, whose evil deeds outweigh their good, are hurled into hell and tortured by demons. Likewise, in Ancient Greece, the belief in resurrection and the immortality of the soul were quite sound. The great philosopher Pythagoras, for example, believed that the soul on leaving the body has a life peculiar to itself; in fact any soul has this same kind of life even before it quits the earth. It is commissioned with some responsibilities on earth; if it commits any evil, it will be punished, thrown into hell and tormented by demons. On the other hand, in return for the good that it does, it will be given high rank and blessed with a happy life. Allowing for the changes that might have been made in the views of Pythagoras over time, we can certainly still see that there are fundamental similarities with the Islamic creed of resurrection. Plato's account is not so different either. In his famous treatise The Republic, he says that the soul on leaving the body forgets the material (corporeal) life totally; it ascends into an appropriate realm, a spiritual one, saturated with wisdom and immortality; the soul is free from all scarcity, deficiency, error, fear, and from the passion and love which afflicted it while it lived on earth; and then, being free from all the evil consequences of human nature, it is blessed with eternal bliss. After reincarnation was inscribed into the beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians, it became one of the central themes of songs and legends throughout the vicinity of the Nile region. Elaborated further with the eloquent expressions of Greek philosophers, it came, with the expansion of Greek influence, a widespread phenomenon. The Hindus consider matter as the lowest manifestation of Brahman, and deem that the convergence of body and soul is a demeaning of the soul, a decline into evil. However, death is believed to be salvation, a separation from human defects, a possible chance to achieve an ecstatic union with the truth. The Hindus are polytheistic in practice. Their greatest god is 'Krishna', who is believed to have come in a human figure in order to eradicate evil. Their second greatest god is 'Vishnu', which means that which can penetrate the human body. According to Hinduism, Vishnu has descended into this world nine times in different shapes (human, animal, or flower). He is also expected to descend for the tenth time. Since they believe that Vishnu will next come to this world in the shape of an animal, killing any animal is absolutely prohibited. Killing animals is only allowed during war; and the zealots of that religion do not normally eat meat. According to the Vedanta, the most important religious book of the Hindus, the soul is a part, a fragment, of Brahman; it will never be able to get rid of suffering and distress until it returns to its origin. Soul achieves gnosis by isolating itself from the ego and all wickedness pertaining to the ego, and by running towards Brahman, just as a river flows down into a sea. When the soul reaches and unites with Brahman, it acquires absolute peace, tranquillity and stillness, a state which Buddhists call Nirvana. In this state, there is an abatement of active seeking, a passivity of soul in the latter, whereas the soul is dynamic in Hinduism. All ancient, new and contemporary acceptance of the doctrine of reincarnation has one characteristic, one root, in common, that is the belief in incarnation. There is a shared failure of intellect to both grasp and accept the Absolute Transcendence of God: corrupted by this failure, people have been persuaded to believe that the Divine mixes with the corporal and that the corporal or the human will mix or can mix with the Divine. This failure is, except for Islam which, by God, has retained its strict purity of belief, all but universal. The scholars of Islam have all, unanimously and unequivocally, rejected reincarnation as totally contrary to the spirit of Islam. This is true of scholars in every field-jurisprudence, theology, Qur'anic commentary (tafsir) or commentary on Hadith. The reason for this stand is simple: the absolute centrality in Islam of the belief that every individual lives and dies according to his or her individual destiny, carries his or her individual load, will be individually resurrected and individually called to answer for his or her intentions and actions and their consequences, and each individually will receive Divine judgment (which is perfect justice) according to the same criteria. Let us look at what Allah Almighty said in the Noble Quran: "From the (earth) did We create you, and into it shall We return you, and from it shall We bring you out once again." (The Noble Quran, 20:55) "And Allah has produced you from the earth, growing (gradually), and in the end He will return you into the (earth), and raise you forth (again at the Resurrection)." (The Noble Quran, 71:17-18) "Nor will they there taste death, except the first death; and He will preserve them from the penalty of the blazing fire." (The Noble Quran, 44:56) " 'Is it (the case) that We shall not die, except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?' Verily this is the supreme achievement! For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive." (The Noble Quran, 37:58-61)From the above Noble Verses, we clearly see that Allah Almighty created us to die only once. This clearly refutes the reincarnation theory from the Islamic perspective. To summarize, Islam altogether rejects the doctrine of reincarnation. Belief in Islam requires belief in the Resurrection and Judgment when justice is meted out to each individual soul according to that individual's record in life.

Can someone be reincarnated?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-06-01 10:13:00

Question: Is it ever, under any circumstance, possible that someone is or was 'reincarnated'?

Answer: First of all, we must distinguish reincarnation from resurrection of the body. Resurrection is a fact and a basic doctrine of the Christian faith. Resurrection means: bringing back to life a person who has died. Jesus Christ died and three days later, through the power of God, arose from the dead in his same body. Likewise, those persons restored to life by miracles of Jesus had their souls reunited with their own bodies, e.g. Lazarus and the son of the widow of Naim and the daughter of Jairus. Similarly, on the day of final judgment at the end of time the soul or spirit (the principle of life) of every person who ever lived - from the first man and woman to the infant aborted in the womb -- will be reunited to its body by the power of God. No matter how changed and separated might be the particles of that body, they will be reassembled with their proper soul. Those who lived virtuous lives will arise to eternal life in heaven, while those who are wicked will arise to suffer forever in hell. That is the doctrine about resurrection of the body.
   Reincarnation, however, is a theory about the rebirth of a soul in a new body. Sometimes this is called "transmigration of the soul." Various religions have at times entertained the idea that the soul of an individual human person, after death of its body, passes into another body or a new form. But such an idea is only speculation or wishful thinking. No one, under any circumstances, has been or will be reincarnated!
   The great Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, who lived in the first century, states that the Pharisees, a strict Jewish sect to which St. Paul belonged (cf: Acts 23:6 and 26:5), believed in reincarnation. Josephus writes that the Pharisees believed that "souls have an immortal life in them, and that under the earth there will be rewards or punishments, according as they have lived virtuously or viciously in this life" (Antiquities of the Jews, book 18, chapter 1, paragraph 3). Josephus adds: "The souls of good men only are removed into other bodies, but the souls of bad men are subject to eternal punishment" (Wars of the Jews, book 2, chapter 8, paragraph 14).
Although many of the beliefs of the Pharisees entered the Christian Church, the theory of reincarnation did not. Jesus and St. Paul were certainly familiar with the beliefs of the Pharisee sect. Being God, Jesus certainly knew the truth. If reincarnation were true, then Jesus and his Apostles would have mentioned it, along with their explicit teaching about the resurrection of the body. But they did not! And the Church, established by Jesus and guided by his Holy Spirit, has explicitly rejected the idea of reincarnation whenever and wherever it appears in the writings of Christians, e.g. the Synod of Whitby in 664 condemned that opinion held by some Celtic Christians, and the papacy in the 13th century authorized a crusade against the Albigensians who included reincarnation among their various erroneous teachings. The 5th ecumenical council held at Constantinople in 553 declared: "If anyone asserts the fictitious pre-existence of souls, or shall assert the absurd reincarnation, which follows from it: let him be anathema (excommunicated and condemned)."
   Buddhists and Hindus believe in transmigration of human souls, from one body to another, even to animals and reptiles and birds and bugs, depending on whether in this life the person did good or evil. But they cannot demonstrate as fact even one example of such reincarnation.

Can one be 'saved' then lose it?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2003-05-01 11:29:00

: I am certainly no theologian, but as I look at the different religions and their distinctive beliefs, it seems like one or the biggest controversies is whether or not one can be saved and then come back under judgement. I continue to be amazed at those who answer this question with a "no". I have yet to read anywhere in the Bible that once one is saved, they lose their free will. Free will allows a person to do what they want to do. Sometimes this is in accordance with God's law and sometimes it is not. I am more of a believer in the state you are in when you die is the state you will remain for all eternity. If you are in union with God, you will go to Heaven. If you are not, you will go to Hell. I welcome your answer.

ANSWER: God created us for one main reason, to worship him. Worshipping God comes in many different forms, such as, praying, fasting, giving charity; and you are also in a state of worship through treating others kindly, honoring your parents, neighbors, relatives, etc. Many people claim that they are believers or follow a specific faith; however, when it comes to practicing the faith, only few are. Prophet Mohammad stated in his saying that, "any person that has an atom weight of a grain of faith in his heart will enter heaven." The price of heaven is not cheap as many people think. To enter heaven you must pass the test of this life. In Islam, both deeds and faith must go together. In other religions it is enough to believe that you are saved, therefore, you are guaranteed heaven. If we would investigate the life of all messengers and prophets of God, we would notice that all of them worshiped God explicitly. They were pious and humble. Their belief and action were parallel. When an individual claims that he/she is guaranteed heaven there is no more meaning for this life, nor is there an incentive to do good. Many religions claim that their religion is the path to heaven. Therefore, many of us will die on a different state. Yes, it is true, the state you are in when you die is the state in which you will remain for all eternity. If you are in union with "GOD, the one GOD" you will go to heaven. If you are not, you will go to hell.

Can one be 'saved' then lose it?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2003-05-01 11:29:00

QUESTION: I am certainly no theologian, but as I look at the different religions and their distinctive beliefs, it seems like one or the biggest controversies is whether or not one can be saved and then come back under judgement. I continue to be amazed at those who answer this question with a "no".
I have yet to read anywhere in the Bible that once one is saved, they lose their free will. Free will allows a person to do what they want to do. Sometimes this is in accordance with God's law and sometimes it is not. I am more of a believer in the state you are in when you die is the state you will remain for all eternity. If you are in union with God, you will go to Heaven. If you are not, you will go to Hell. I welcome your answer.

***image1:left***QUESTION: I am certainly no theologian, but as I look at the different religions and their distinctive beliefs, it seems like one or the biggest controversies is whether or not one can be saved and then come back under judgement. I continue to be amazed at those who answer this question with a "no".
I have yet to read anywhere in the Bible that once one is saved, they lose their free will. Free will allows a person to do what they want to do. Sometimes this is in accordance with God's law and sometimes it is not. I am more of a believer in the state you are in when you die is the state you will remain for all eternity. If you are in union with God, you will go to Heaven. If you are not, you will go to Hell. I welcome your answer.

ANSWER: Is your view that of Shakespeare? Hamlet learned that his father, the king of Denmark, had been fatally poisoned by his (Hamlet's) uncle, who then took both his father's crown and wife. Hamlet went to kill his uncle but found him praying, confessing his guilt to God. Hamlet hesitates, thinking that killing him while he was so penitent would simply send his soul to heaven. "No", he says and puts away his sword. "When he is drunk...or in a rage...gambling, swearing or about some act that has no relish of salvation in it...then trip him, that his soul may be as damn'd and black as hell, whereto it goes."
     Did the uncle's eternal destiny really depend on his attitude or actions at the exact moment of death?
     Christianity differs from other religions in that salvation cannot be earned- or deserved. We are fallen rebels who can be saved only by throwing ourselves on God's mercy and accepting Christ's substitutionary death as our payment.....and accepting Him as Lord of our life. When this has truly been done, the New Testament is filled with promises that we are eternally secure. Here are a few samples.
     1. John 10:28 (Jesus is speaking) "My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand."
     2. Romans 8: 33-34 "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies.
Who is He that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died- more than that, Who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
     3. Romans 8: 38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
     4. Luke 23:43 (Jesus speaking to the thief on the cross) "I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
     5. John 5:24 "Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me HAS eternal life and WILL NOT BE condemned; he HAS crossed over from death to life".
     But I must make this clear: These promises apply to those who have made a valid personal transaction with Christ. "To those who received Him...He gave the right to become the children of God..." This is not simply agreement with Christian teachings or rituals of the Church. It is not inheritable from a parent (someone has said "God has children...but no grandchildren"). There are warnings about casual belief:
     II Cor.13:5 "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you- unless, of course, you fail the test?" A "new birth", a "regeneration", a "new nature" are the descriptions of the result of true commitment. But once this has occurred, your destiny is assured.
     Is our "free will" extinguished? No....but a willingness to submit it to Him is a necessary part of conversion. Our rebellious nature doesn't disappear; temptation still has its lure. When we are disobedient, our Father treats us as true children: we are disciplined, not disinherited. (see Hebrews 12:5-11). Sins do not separate us from God's eternal family, but they disrupt our fellowship with God and our joy, just as they do in any personal relationship- husband/wife, parent/child. We are restored to sweet fellowship and strengthened when we confess sin: I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
     A test of being truly a Christian is the desire to be thus restored after failing. But for true disciples, the penalty has been paid for sins past, present ....and FUTURE!

Is it important to sacrifice?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-04-01 10:06:00

Question: If this world is the place to test one's worthiness for what God has made for us in the next world, how much importance should be placed upon our sacrificing of worldly pleasures, foods, drinks, etc.?

ANSWER: The question presupposes that this world is a testing place for humans, and that, after death, God will give to each person that for which they are worthy. Good and just persons are worthy of eternal happiness, while evil and unjust persons are worthy of eternal suffering. In view of that fact comes the point of the question: what value is there in sacrificing pleasures? As created by God, worldly pleasures are good. As directed by the Creator God, those good worldly pleasures are to be used in moderation, and according to their natural purpose. Pleasure is not to be sought as an end in itself, but rather as a gift from God: to be used in ordering one's actions towards God. Food and drink, mentioned in the question, are both good and necessary for sustaining life. They are also pleasant and useful in many ways for individuals as well as for groups in human society, e.g. nourishment, health, parties, conviviality, as gifts and expressions of love or esteem or appreciation. Used as such and in moderation, they are pleasurable for humans and pleasing to God. But when these gifts are abused or wasted, as in gluttony (over-eating and drunkenness) or throwing away what other hungry persons might welcome for sustenance, then God is not pleased and the abuser is sinning. The great religions: Judaism and Christianity and Islam and Buddhism and Hinduism teach that we ought not only to use in moderation such pleasures, but also at times to abstain from using them, abstain from pleasures of the senses: in order to moderate our sensuality and to control our body. Abstinence from the pleasures of food and drink and sex, and vanities and the exercise of power, helps lift up the individual's soul to God, to contemplation of realities, to restrain sensual urges, to make reparation for sin and to exercise virtue. The money and food and drink that is saved, by fasting and abstinence, ought to be given in alms to poor persons and to worthwhile charities. Then God is pleased by such sacrifice. Since the sacrificing of worldly pleasures helps to establish discipline and growth in virtue, it is an important part of this life, on our journey towards God. Over-indulgence of sensual pleasures leads a person away from God, making him/her selfish, self-centered, and deluded into thinking of themselves as the center of the universe. That is the capital sin of pride, the sin which caused the devil and his angels to be kicked out of heaven into hell, and which leads human beings to lose their souls and end in hell. Over-indulgence of some pleasure can lead to addiction, which is also harmful to health. It also diminishes virtue in the soul. If not brought under control, such addiction shortens life and destroys the sense of pleasure in a person. This fact is part of the reason why religion and philosophy, along with right reason, urge moderation and regular times of fasting and abstinence from eating and drinking and sex and the pursuit of vanity and power. Long ago the Church instituted the season of Lent and days of abstinence: to encourage self-discipline and as an opportunity for penance to repair the excesses of sin. This year the season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, March 5. We ought to pay attention to this period of sacrificing worldly pleasures, and undertake the traditional practices of Lent: fasting and prayer and almsgiving: so that we might become happier and healthier and holier persons, pleasing to God.

What happens when a person dies?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-03-01 12:24:00

Question: What happens when a person dies? Is the process the same whether or not that person believed in Jesus Christ?

Answer: At death the soul, or principle of life, departs from the body. What happens to the body is evident according to the circumstances of the death of each individual person. Separated from the soul, the body commences to disintegrate and eventually returns to small particles of matter. What happens to the soul is not always evident, and here we are compelled to rely on religious faith. Through the centuries of recorded history, various religions have expressed a variety of opinions regarding the soul's fate after death. Most religions are agreed that the soul of a good and virtuous person enters into a state of unending happiness, while the soul of a malicious and evil person commences to suffer torments commensurate to the evil perpetrated during their life on earth. The virtues of equity and justice cry out for some such compensation after death: because in this life often it happens that good persons have to suffer much, while the wicked seem to prosper. So, what happens when a person dies? Immediately at death the individual soul passes to judgment in the sight of God, who is absolute Truth and absolute Justice. Then the soul makes the ultimate choice of his/her life. Those who have the habits of virtue easily choose God and companionship with his friends, the saints and holy angels. Those persons, who have formed evil habits, continue to choose badly; and their ultimate decision is to choose themselves in preference to God, thereby condemning themselves to an eternity of suffering in total frustration. Then they see clearly what they have lost through their own fault, what they could have had, but have deprived themselves of it: by stifling their conscience and ignoring the guidelines of true religion. Confer: the Gospel of John, chapter 5, verse 29. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came on earth to teach and help sinful humans: how to live in a manner pleasing to God, and beneficial to their own ultimate interests. Belief in Jesus is a great help to achieving the salvation of one's soul. But Jesus does not force himself on anyone! If a person is ignorant of Jesus, but endeavors to live a virtuous life according to conscience and the natural law, implanted into his/her soul by the Creator, then s(he) can be saved and be happy after death. But if a person knows that Jesus is God's true prophet, and consciously rejects or ignores Jesus, then that person will be damned in the day of their judgment (cf. John 3:36).The old adage is generally true: as you live, so shall you die! But not always. Occasionally, a person, who has lived what appears to be a virtuous life, will turn foolish at the end and die in sin. Sometimes, a person, who has lived a sinful life, will experience a conversion on his/her deathbed, when they turn to God. Such a conversion is sufficient for salvation. But God alone can judge the ultimate destiny of the person who dies in a state of sin. We know that God is Just, and he is also Merciful. The Bible speaks of damnation and eternal punishment as certain realities. It is foolish to take-for-granted that every person will be saved. We must not presume on God's mercy, lest we be unprepared for that ultimate choice. In the gospels Jesus warns us to be prepared for death at any time. He states clearly that those who die, in a condition of alienation from God (which is sin), are excluded from heaven. But those who die in friendship with God: enter into such happiness that human eyes have not seen, nor can human tongues describe: what wonderful things God has prepared for those who love him.

Why did God wait so long to send Jesus?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-02-01 12:11:00

Question: I understand that God is all-knowing, which means that: at the time He created man, He knew He was going to send His Son several thousand years later to save believers. My questions are two: If He knew He was going to send His Son anyway, why didn't He do it initially? Since He did not, why did He wait so long to do it?

ANSWER: It is impossible for our finite, weak and limited intelligence to answer these and millions of other questions regarding God's life and knowledge and activity. We know about God only what He has deigned to tell us: by revelation in the Bible, by the evidence of his activity in this world, by the life and teaching of his Son Jesus, and by the teaching authority of the Church established by Jesus. In these sources of knowledge God has informed us about his plan in creating the world, and his plans for the salvation of some human beings. He created all human beings with the gifts of intelligence and free-will, and gave us directions about the use and mis-use of those gifts, supported by promises and warnings. God has not informed us about alternate plans He might have chosen. Indeed it is quite possible that, in another galaxy created by God, He sent His Son to live among intelligent beings right from the beginning, and those people have never sinned and enjoy perfect happiness. Or He might have created humans who have sinned and, like the devils, are condemned to eternal punishment without any hope for salvation. In regard to your second question: in his epistle to the Galatians (chapter 4, verse 4), St. Paul writes that "in the fullness of time God sent his Son" or, as the Good News Bible expresses it: "when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son." Why that period, 2006 years ago, happened to be the right time, we can only speculate without knowing for sure. It seems God had prepared the world for that precise time, through his sending various prophets beforehand and through the progress already achieved by human industry. For example, the conquests of Alexander the Great and his successors two centuries earlier had established through much of the world a good system of roads and mail and a common language, by means of which the Good News about the coming of God's Son into this world could be spread more rapidly than before. Of course, if God had waited until the present time, that Good News could be spread immediately. So we are back to your original question. The Book of Job proposes several basic questions, regarding life and death, sickness and health, poverty and wealth, the extent of this world, etc. in lengthy reflections and God does not give a precise answer to any of them. And thus Job concludes humbly: "I know, o Lord, that you are all powerful; that you can do everything you want. You ask how I dare question your wisdom, when I am so very ignorant. I talked about things I did not understand, about marvels too great for me to know." (Job 42:2-3). In reflecting about God's plans for the Jewish people in the history of salvation, St. Paul exclaims: "Who can explain God's decisions? Who can understand his ways? Who knows the mind of the Lord? For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory forever!" (Rom. 11:33-36).

Why did God wait so long to send Jesus?

By Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Nabil Seyam

2003-02-01 12:11:00

I understand that God is all-knowing, which means that: at the time He created man, He knew He was going to send His Son several thousand years later to save believers. My questions are two: If He knew He was going to send His Son anyway, why didn't He do it initially? Since He did not, why did He wait so long to do it?

***image1:left***QUESTION: I understand that God is all-knowing, which means that: at the time He created man, He knew He was going to send His Son several thousand years later to save believers. My questions are two: If He knew He was going to send His Son anyway, why didn't He do it initially? Since He did not, why did He wait so long to do it?

ANSWER: To elaborate on this question from an Islamic perspective, a few issues have to be pointed out. Islam and Muslims view Jesus as the son of Mary. Islam and Muslims view Jesus as a prophet and messenger of God.
With that, Islam teaches us that God had sent many messengers and prophets to guide people, purifying them, instructing them, warning them and giving a glad tiding. God states in the Holy Qur'an "We have sent a messenger to every nation." As a fact, thousands of messengers were sent since Adam. Saving people from hell fire has always been one of the missions of the messengers of God. Yes, Jesus was sent to save people, but Moses, Isaac, Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Joseph, Elisha, Job, David, Aaron, Hud, Enoch, Elias, Jesus, Ishmael, Salih, Shuaib, Solomon, Ezra, John, Jonah, Zachariah, Muhammad, etc. were also sent to save people.
The period between Adam and Jesus was thousands of years. Many prophets and messengers were sent between them. According to the teaching of Islam, all of them called for humanity to worship one God "monotheism." With that being said, Jesus was sent with the same message as the prophets and messengers before him. Sending Jesus to the people of Israel at the time and place He was sent was for a purpose meant by God. Why did Moses come before Jesus? Why did Noah come before Abraham? It was all meant by God.
God, by definition, is Just, Wise, Merciful, Compassionate, and Perfect. Therefore, each person is responsible for his/her own sin. God did not wait so long to send Jesus; He sent many prophets and messengers that are like Jesus.
God states in the Holy Qur'an "Say, we believe in God and which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the offspring of the twelve sons of Jacob, and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted."
To summarize, the Islamic perspective view the timing of sending Jesus as a prescribed time by God, for a mission and revelation just like any other prophet and messenger of God. The sending and departure of Jesus over 2000 years ago confirms that all messengers and prophets came for a mission. Some were able to fulfill it and some were not.

Why did God wait so long to send Jesus?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2003-02-01 12:11:00

I understand that God is all-knowing, which means that: at the time He created man, He knew He was going to send His Son several thousand years later to save believers. My questions are two: If He knew He was going to send His Son anyway, why didn't He do it initially? Since He did not, why did He wait so long to do it?

***image1:left***QUESTION: I understand that God is all-knowing, which means that: at the time He created man, He knew He was going to send His Son several thousand years later to save believers. My questions are two:   If He knew He was going to send His Son anyway, why didn't He do it initially? Since He did not, why did He wait so long to do it?
ANSWER: It is impossible for our finite, weak and limited intelligence to answer these and millions of other questions regarding God's life and knowledge and activity.    We know about God only what He has deigned to tell us: by revelation in the Bible, by the evidence of his activity in this world, by the life and teaching of his Son Jesus, and by the teaching authority of the Church established by Jesus. In these sources of knowledge God has informed us about his plan in creating the world, and his plans for the salvation of some human beings. He created all human beings with the gifts of intelligence and free-will, and gave us directions about the use and mis-use of those gifts, supported by promises and warnings.   God has not informed us about alternate plans He might have chosen.   Indeed it is quite possible that, in another galaxy created by God, He sent His Son to live among intelligent beings right from the beginning, and those people have never sinned and enjoy perfect happiness.   Or He might have created humans who have sinned and, like the devils, are condemned to eternal punishment without any hope for salvation.
In regard to your second question: in his epistle to the Galatians (chapter 4, verse 4), St. Paul writes that "in the fullness of time God sent his Son" or, as the Good News Bible expresses it: "when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son."   Why that period, 2006 years ago, happened to be the right time, we can only speculate without knowing for sure. It seems God had prepared the world for that precise time, through his sending various prophets beforehand and through the progress already achieved by human industry. For example, the conquests of Alexander the Great and his successors two centuries earlier had established through much of the world a good system of roads and mail and a common language, by means of which the Good News about the coming of God's Son into this world could be spread more rapidly than before.   Of course, if God had waited until the present time, that Good News could be spread immediately.   So we are back to your original question.
The Book of Job proposes several basic questions, regarding life and death, sickness and health, poverty and wealth, the extent of this world, etc. in lengthy reflections and God does not give a precise answer to any of them.   And thus Job concludes humbly: "I know, o Lord, that you are all powerful; that you can do everything you want.   You ask how I dare question your wisdom, when I am so very ignorant.   I talked about things I did not understand, about marvels too great for me to know." (Job 42:2-3).
In reflecting about God's plans for the Jewish people in the history of salvation, St. Paul exclaims: "Who can explain God's decisions? Who can understand his ways? Who knows the mind of the Lord? For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory forever!" (Rom. 11:33-36).

Did all of mankind descend from just two people?

By Fr Paul OCallaghan

X

Religion

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Fr. Paul O'Callaghan has been Dean of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral since January 1, 1993. Fr. Paul is a graduate of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA, and was ordained to the priesthood of the Orthodox Church in 1979. Fr. Paul and his wife Jeannie were married in 1978 and have four children. He is the author of The Feast of Friendship and a number of articles. Fr. Paul can be reached at St. George Cathedral at (316) 636-4676, by E-mail at vrev@stgeorgecathedral.net. Web site is at www.stgeorgecathedral.net

Fr Paul OCallaghan

2003-01-01 11:18:00

: The Bible says God made Adam by breathing life into a handful of clay; then He made Eve by taking a rib from Adam's side. Are these the only two people He made in this fashion? If so, did all mankind evolve from sons and daughters of Adam and Eve?

ANSWER: Answers to these kinds of questions depend on how one interprets the book of Genesis. Some Christians read Genesis very literally, like a blow-by-blow report from the scene of creation. Other Christians view Genesis as more of a symbolic account that sets forth theological truths about the relationships between God, humanity, and the world. I am going to follow the latter approach in answering your questions. In portraying man being formed from a lump of clay, Genesis shows us that our earthly, physical nature is an essential aspect of being human. In this respect, human beings are of a kin with the rest of the material world; we have material bodies that are formed from the same elements as all other creatures, whether living or inanimate. The formation of humanity from "a lump of clay" reveals us as belonging essentially to the material universe. God's "breathing" of life upon the lump of clay is understood by the Church Fathers to refer to God's gift of a rational soul to man, or alternately, as the gift of his own Holy Spirit. In any case, the "breath of God" is a spiritual reality that gives humanity a spiritual nature. Thus the book of Genesis shows man to be composed of an earthly, physical nature on one hand, and a spiritual nature on the other. It is this two-fold nature that distinguishes him both from angels, who do not a have a physical body, and animals, which do not have a spiritual soul. In this sense, the answer to your first question is "yes." The creation of mankind with a dual nature is absolutely unique in the process of creation. The formation of Eve from Adam's rib represents the fact that man and woman share the same nature - Eve is made of the exactly same stuff as Adam. This is a dramatic picture of the principle laid out in Genesis 1:27: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them." The two genders share equally the one human nature created in the image and likeness of God. The splitting of Eve from Adam's original unity also provides the biblical rationale for marriage. "Therefore shall a man leave father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh" (Gen. 2:24). Men and women seek marriage to recover the unity of human nature that originally existed in Adam. To put it another way, the fullness of humanity exists in the unity of man and woman.This provides the answer to your second question. The formation of humanity is a special creative act of God, and the nature given to the first humans is the same nature all of us share. All human beings of both genders and whatever race or nation are part of the one human family. In this sense, yes, we are all descendants of our first parents, or, as you put it, we have "evolved" from the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve.

Did all of mankind descend from just two people?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2003-01-01 11:06:00

Question: The Bible says God made Adam by breathing life into a handful of clay; then He made Eve by taking a rib from Adam's side. Are these the only two people He made in this fashion? If so, did all mankind evolve from sons and daughters of Adam and Eve?

ANSWER: Apart from the Bible, we don't know. The question refers to the first chapters of the first book of the Bible, which describes the creation of this world and culminates in the creation of the first man and woman. The other books of the Bible take-for-granted as true what Moses had written in those first chapters of Genesis. Today most Bible scholars consider chapters one through eleven of the book of Genesis as religious philosophy rather than scientific history. Thus in those chapters are taught that there is only one God, Who created everything that exists, and that all God's creation is good. Humans differ from brute creation by God making Adam in his own image and infusing into him a soul with intelligence and free-will. [Gen.2:7 "TheLord God took some dirt from the earth and formed a man out of it; he breathed into it a life-giving soul."] God makes man the lord and head of all his creation, and so Adam gives names to all the animals and plants. To describe the role and dignity of woman, we read that God took a rib from Adam's side and fashioned it into woman (Eve). That action signifies that in God's design for human society: man is the head and woman is the heart of the social body, which is the family. Evil enters this good creation through the devil tempting Adam and Eve to abuse the gift of free-will to disobey God. From such disobedience follows all the evils and sorrows and hardships of human life on this earth, and also death itself. This basic philosophy is described in the story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. We don't know whether this is strict history or legend told to enshrine basic truths in the human memory. We do know that actual human history commences with the call of Abraham in chapter twelve of Genesis. Accordingly, it seems probable that God commenced our human race with a single couple, from whose children all humans are descended. In writing about the universality of sin, in his epistle to the Romans (5:12), St. Paul states that "sin came into the world through one man, and his sin brought death with it. As a result, death has spread to the whole human race, because everyone has sinned." Thus we have original sin, which is the natural inclination to evil, with which all human beings are infected. [Jesus and his mother Mary were exempted by God from any sin.]Those who do not accept this biblical teaching, or reject the Church's teaching about original sin, have the burden of trying to prove their opinions as factual. They cannot produce a fully rational person, who is absolutely innocent and who is not inclined to do something naughty. (Even an otherwise innocent baby can be strong-willed and disobey.) Nor can those who reject divine revelation produce solid evidence of humans descended from parents other than Adam & Eve. Maybe they are descended from monkeys, but most of us are not.In light of the above, it appears that the human race commenced through incest. The Bible does not address this idea as such; but, immediately after informing us about the contrast and conflict between the first two sons of Adam and Eve, the Book of Genesis (4:17) relates that "Cain and his wife had a son and named him Enoch." Where would Cain have obtained a wife, except from among his sisters? It is evident that, in the beginning, the divine law prohibiting incest had not yet been promulgated. Likewise, the divine prohibition against bigamy had not been decreed in the time of Abraham (cf. Genesis 16). Only gradually did the Creator reveal his will and purposes in this world, as the Apostle says at the beginning of the epistle to the Hebrews: "In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets."

Did all of mankind descend from just two people?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2003-01-01 11:06:00

: The Bible says God made Adam by breathing life into a handful of clay; then He made Eve by taking a rib from Adam's side. Are these the only two people He made in this fashion? If so, did all mankind evolve from sons and daughters of Adam and Eve?

ANSWER: In the Holy Qur'an God says the following "O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord. Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from him (Adam) He created (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women; and fear God through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, God is Ever an All-Watcher over you." From the first two human beings came all of us today. Scientists are in virtual agreement that every human being alive today can be traced back to the same ancestor couple. Genetic tests and DNA studies have confirmed that we are all one large extended family. The oldest known humanoid remains have been found in East Africa and date back about three million years. However, Anthropologists are constantly arguing about where we came from. Many people of faith know the answer, but others are proud to accept the idea that God created us. Muslims do not accept the idea that we came or evolved straight from ape-like creatures. Our species is entirely new and without explanation by normal scientific means. In the Holy Qur'an God says "O mankind, verily We have created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous." The foundations of this Islamic value of equality are deeply rooted in the structure of Islam. It stems from basic principles such as the following: (1) All men are created by one and the Same Eternal God, the Supreme Lord of all. (2) All mankind belong to the human race and share equally in the common parentage of Adam and Eve. (3) God is just and kind to all his creatures. (4) All people are born equal in the sense that none brings any possession with him, and they die equal in the sense that they take back nothing of their worldly belongings. (5) God judges every person on the basis of his own merits and according to his own deeds. (6) God has conferred on man, man as such, a title of honor and dignity. The above is the Islamic perspective of the esteemed question. Islam views Adam and Eve as the mother and father of all races, which means that all of us as human being are tied in a brotherly and sisterly relationship. This bond makes us a one large family. Therefore, as we became different in many aspects of life, still our ancestors' relationship as one family must be intact.

Did all of mankind descend from just two people?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2003-01-01 11:06:00

The Bible says God made Adam by breathing life into a handful of clay; then He made Eve by taking a rib from Adam's side. Are these the only two people He made in this fashion? If so, did all mankind evolve from sons and daughters of Adam and Eve?

***image1:left***QUESTION: The Bible says God made Adam by breathing life into a handful of clay; then He made Eve by taking a rib from Adam's side. Are these the only two people He made in this fashion? If so, did all mankind evolve from sons and daughters of Adam and Eve?

ANSWER: Well, it doesn't exactly say "a handful of clay”. It says, “fashioned from the dust of the earth". But the idea is the same.
And you are right: Only Adam and Eve were made that way and all other people are descendants of this flawed pair.
But I suspect that this is not the end of your questions. Were you also wondering how so many people could result so quickly from only one pair, and how they could be so diverse? Of course, If you reject the idea of miracles totally you will find direct creation of a man by God to be "unscientific" and unacceptable. Or were you worried about the incestuous reproductions for the first few generations?
The reason for avoiding marriage with close relatives is that this increases the likelihood of genetic birth defects.
They occur because we all carry genetic flaws, most of which are recessive are only occur if both parents are carriers. These flaws have occurred, probably due to mutation damage, during hundreds of years. They would not have been present in the first few generations, so the problem of intermarriage would not exist.
I can't answer all of your possible questions, but let me mention some ideas that might be helpful.
"Fashioned from the dust of the earth" may mean literally 180 lbs. of dirt and water containing the required chemicals which were made, atom-by-atom, into a trillion-celled human male.
Could all of our "races" have derived from a single pair? We know that there is a great deal of genetic variety in each person and certain physical features are more suited to a given environment, and the fittest survive. The numbering system of the ancient Hebrew language is difficult to evaluate with confidence. They used letters to represent numbers, and didn't have the decimal system... so some of the numbers are questioned. But it is clear that life-spans of early man described in Genesis were very long. What would be the results? Very many children per mother? Great technical advances during one "generation"?
Read Genesis 1 to 11 carefully. If a worldwide flood due to the destruction of both the cloud-shroud above and the great aquifers below produced continent-wide geological changes, and permitted cosmic rays to damage the living cells and thus reduce life-spans and then....well...there are still lots of things we don't know about our planet's past.
But it is easy to believe that humans are a special creation because we are so different from animals. Try making a list of things which are true of humans alone:
1. We wear clothes, and therefore can live all over the planet.
2. We use fire; every animal fears fire.
3. We invent tools and weapons.
4. We bury our dead and think of a life after death.
5. We use symbols; thus can record knowledge for later generations.
6. We have languages of great complexity and subtlety .
7. We build shelters of many types for living places.
8. We make transportation systems: boats/sails, wagons, skis, etc.
9. We paint pictures and make music which is not instinctual.
You can add many more... one of which is a sense of "spirituality"... having a conscience... feelings of guilt... needing to have a purpose and to devise a religion and knowing our Maker.
The Garden of Eden story contains the first promise of God to provide for our redemption from the evil Adam and Eve brought into our race. In Genesis 3:15, after they had disobeyed, God told Adam and Eve of their punishment and then spoke to the Devil:
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head and you will strike His heel." Christ, the offspring of a woman, destroyed the Devil’s authority and Himself suffered a bodily wound on the cross..
John 3:16 gives the New Testament description:
"God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that whoever trusts in Him shall not perish but will have eternal life."

How is one ‘saved’?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2002-12-01 17:35:00

: I accept the fact that there is a hereafter. I am sure also about which of the two places I want to go. My problem comes when I hear some clerics say that all you have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and have a personal relationship with him; and others who say that regardless of what you've done insofar as accepting Jesus Christ as your savior, if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell. Why are there so many different opinions on something so serious: spending an eternity of happiness vs. spending an eternity of punishment?

ANSWER: I was once trying to explain the Christian Gospel to some college students when one of them, a Hindu student from India, stood and almost shouted: "Stop ! That is dangerous! If you tell people that they can be sure they are going to heaven...then they will live like the devil for the rest of their lives." His logic was good, but he hadn't heard the whole Gospel. One cannot preach salvation by God's grace alone without the assurance that a change in the nature of sinners occurs when they entrust themselves to Christ. One is "converted", i.e. changed. The Bible calls this "rebirth" or "regeneration" (Titus 3:5), "new birth" or "born of The Spirit" (John 3:3-8), and becoming "a new creation" (II Cor.5:17).This change in moral personality results from genuine repentance, trust and submission to Jesus as Lord. All this is contained in the Biblical word BELIEVE. It is not simply agreeing with a set of teachings. Phrases which the New Testament writers use to illustrate this conversion are: "participate in the divine nature" (II Peter 1:4), and "turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God." (I These. 1:9). A clearly changed life is expected as evidence that a person has actually entered into a saving relationship with God. There are frequent warnings of a false or inadequate "belief". IICor. 13:5 says to "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not know that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?" If Jesus lives in me, it should be obvious. Ephesians 2:8-10 says: "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith -and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- NOT BY WORKS, so that no one can boast. For WE ARE GOD'S WORKmanship, created in Christ Jesus TO DO GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do." The questioner may well be puzzled because the Christian conversion is often inadequately -or incompletely- presented. An "easy believism" makes God's gift of salvation sound like a gift you can take home and file with your other fire insurance policies. But the Biblical descriptions call for REPENTANCE. This is: (1) an acknowledgement of my sinful, helpless condition....a rebel against God's rule in my life....spiritually bankrupt; (2) belief that God is loving and has paid for my sins in the suffering of Christ on the cross; (3) a desire to turn from all sin, welcome God's Spirit into my mind and obey and please God. Such a repentance leads to a major lifestyle change which progressesinto all areas of life as the months and years go by....a new birth followed by a new type of life. And this new life is promised to persist right through physical death. A "life insurance"? Yes! But you do not have to die to start collecting and enjoying. Jesus said he came to give "fullness of joy". And this is available now: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom.10:13/But that doesn't fully answer your question. "Suppose I commit some "grievous sin"? There have always been some Christian teachers who are unwilling to say that Christ's death covers my sins past, present AND FUTURE! Jesus promised: "My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27-28) Sin brings pain and punishment, but not banishment. This is what it means to be a son or daughter of God. St. Paul celebrated this in Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord".

How is one ‘saved’?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-12-01 17:35:00

Question: I accept the fact that there is a hereafter. I am sure also about which of the two places I want to go. My problem comes when I hear some clerics say that all you have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and have a personal relationship with him; and others who say that regardless of what you've done insofar as accepting Jesus Christ as your savior, if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell. Why are there so many different opinions on something so serious: spending an eternity of happiness vs. spending an eternity of punishment?

Answer: The expression "to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and have a personal relationship with him" was cited by Martin Luther at the time (16th century) of his protesting against the Catholic Church's teaching about the necessity of good works in order to be saved. Granting that in Luther's time some expressions of Catholic teaching and some Catholic practices were frequently misunderstood and indeed seemed to go against the Bible, the Catholic Church never taught that a person is saved by works alone or by the merits of their own good deeds. The Church did encourage various good works by granting indulgences for the performance of such works. An indulgence is a remission in whole or in part of the punishment due to sin. The Church has from Jesus the authority to forgive the sins of human persons, and uses that authority to foster various practices of piety and prayer. Good works (e.g. charity and fasting and almsgiving and prayers and teaching and the Sacraments) all suppose the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ. All these good works cultivate a close personal relationship with Jesus. That faith proves itself and is alive when expressed in good works. In his rejection of the Catholic Church, Luther protested against the use of indulgences and various Catholic practices of religious devotion, including veneration of the saints and relics connected with them, and eventually against that most important expression of Catholic faith and practice: the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Luther's followers and successors would eventually restore many of these practices, which are rooted in early Christianity.
Luther's insistence that we are saved "by faith alone" (Luther's words) is contradicted by Jesus' cousin, St. James in his epistle in the New Testament. Therein (chapter 2, verses 14-26) St. James answers Luther's protestation. The Apostle writes: "My brothers, what good is it for someone to say that he has faith if his actions do not prove it? Can that faith save him? Suppose there are brothers and sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them: 'God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!' - if you don't give them the necessities of live? So it is with faith: if it is alone and does not express itself in actions, then it is dead. But someone will say: 'One person has faith, another has good deeds.' My answer is: Show me how anyone can have faith without good deeds. I will show you my faith by my good deeds. Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The devils also believe - and tremble with fear. Do you want to be shown that faith without deeds is useless? How was our ancestor Abraham made righteous before God? It was through his good deeds. His faith and his deeds worked together; his faith was made perfect through his good actions. And this is why Scripture says of him: 'Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.' And so Abraham was called God's friend. You see then, that it is by his deeds that a person is made righteous before God, and not by his faith alone. . . . . So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without good works is dead." Luther preferred his own opinion to that of the Apostle, and so rejected the Epistle of James from the New Testament. By now however most Protestants, including Lutherans, have recognized that the Epistle of James has been part of the New Testament, since the time when the Canon of the Bible was determined (around the year 100).
In the gospel (Matthew (7:21) Jesus says: "Not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the Will of my heavenly Father." Faith is expressed not only by words, but requires deeds for proof. The person, who chooses to do evil, in that action, is rejecting the faith he might profess with his lips. Religion is not a matter of picking and choosing according to the individual's tastes. The television mogul, Ted Turner recently said that he prefers the Ten Commandments be styled "the ten suggestions." He acknowledges that the Commandment forbidding adultery makes him uncomfortable. But the Commandments are from God, and do not depend on human acceptance or individual opinion. Each person will be judged by God: according as to whether or not they have lived their faith through good deeds, which include the Commandments. Those persons, who have practiced good deeds, evidenced by living their faith, will go to heaven. Those persons who chose to ignore the Commandments and neglected to practice good deeds will go to hell, even though they might protest: "I believe." By their evil deeds, committed during life on earth, they effectively denied the faith. So in hell they will believe, along with the devils, and tremble with fear!

How is one ‘saved’?

By Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Nabil Seyam

2002-12-01 17:35:00

I accept the fact that there is a hereafter. I am sure also about which of the two places I want to go. My problem comes when I hear some clerics say that all you have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and have a personal relationship with him; and others who say that regardless of what you've done insofar as accepting Jesus Christ as your savior, if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell. Why are there so many different opinions on something so serious: spending an eternity of happiness vs. spending an eternity of punishment?

***image1:left***QUESTION: I accept the fact that there is a hereafter. I am sure also about which of the two places I want to go. My problem comes when I hear some clerics say that all you have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and have a personal relationship with him; and others who say that regardless of what you've done insofar as accepting Jesus Christ as your savior, if you die in the state of grievous sin, you will go to hell. Why are there so many different opinions on something so serious: spending an eternity of happiness vs. spending an eternity of punishment?
ANSWER: I was once trying to explain the Christian Gospel to some college students when one of them, a Hindu student from India, stood and almost shouted: "Stop ! That is dangerous! If you tell people that they can be sure they are going to heaven...then they will live like the devil for the rest of their lives." His logic was good, but he hadn't heard the whole Gospel. One cannot preach salvation by God's grace alone without the assurance that a change in the nature of sinners occurs when they entrust themselves to Christ. One is "converted", i.e. changed. The Bible calls this "rebirth" or "regeneration" (Titus 3:5), "new birth" or "born of The Spirit" (John 3:3-8), and becoming "a new creation" (II Cor.5:17).
This change in moral personality results from genuine repentance, trust and submission to Jesus as Lord. All this is contained in the Biblical word BELIEVE. It is not simply agreeing with a set of teachings. Phrases which the New Testament writers use to illustrate this conversion are: "participate in the divine nature" (II Peter 1:4), and "turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God." (I These. 1:9). A clearly changed life is expected as evidence that a person has actually entered into a saving relationship with God. There are frequent warnings of a false or inadequate "belief". II
Cor. 13:5 says to "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not know that Christ Jesus is in you
-unless, of course, you fail the test?" If Jesus lives in me, it should be obvious. Ephesians 2:8-10 says: "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith -and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- NOT BY WORKS, so that no one can boast. For WE ARE GOD'S WORKmanship, created in Christ Jesus TO DO GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
The questioner may well be puzzled because the Christian conversion is often inadequately -or incompletely- presented. An "easy believism" makes God's gift of salvation sound like a gift you can take home and file with your other fire insurance policies. But the Biblical descriptions call for REPENTANCE. This is: (1) an acknowledgement of my sinful, helpless condition....a rebel against God's rule in my life....spiritually bankrupt; (2) belief that God is loving and has paid for my sins in the suffering of Christ on the cross; (3) a desire to turn from all sin, welcome God's Spirit into my mind and obey and please God. Such a repentance leads to a major lifestyle change which progresses
into all areas of life as the months and years go by....a new birth followed by a new type of life. And this new life is promised to persist right through physical death. A "life insurance"? Yes! But you do not have to die to start collecting and enjoying. Jesus said he came to give "fullness of joy". And this is available now: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom.10:13/
But that doesn't fully answer your question. "Suppose I commit some "grievous sin"? There have always been some Christian teachers who are unwilling to say that Christ's death covers my sins past, present AND FUTURE! Jesus promised: "My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27-28) Sin brings pain and punishment, but not banishment. This is what it means to be a son or daughter of God. St. Paul celebrated this in Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord".

How should one go about reading the Bible?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-11-01 14:20:00

Question: In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

ANSWER: Jews and Christians and Moslems consider the Bible to be the written Word of God. This means that God Himself, through his Holy Spirit, inspired the human authors of the various books of the Bible (e.g., Moses, David, Solomon, the prophets, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, etc.) with the ideas which they wrote down in their respective books. Accordingly, God is considered the principal author of the whole Bible in all it's parts. The human author, in his turn, expressed in writing the ideas God put into his mind, but wrote them according to his own understanding and culture and background and manner-of-expression; so that he too is author of the work(s) he wrote. Indeed, the Bible is not only a large book; rather, it is a library of books: of a variety of types of literature, such as one finds in a large library. Some books of the Bible are history, while others treat of philosophy (the first eleven chapters of Genesis and all the books of Wisdom), and still others are collections of sermons preached by zealous prophets and apostles. Some books are political propaganda (e.g. Chronicles, which was written to glorify the reign of King David), while others are collections of official records (e.g. Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), genealogies, laws, pastoral letters of busy bishops (the epistles of St. Paul and of James and John and Jude) and apocalyptic writings, the ancient form of "Star Wars" with terrifying cosmic struggles (e.g. Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation). The four gospels were intended originally as catechisms to instruct Christian converts about the life and teachings of Jesus, rather than as strict history or biography, although indeed they contain also the history and biography of Jesus. The Song of Songs is a script written for theater performance of courtly love. Nevertheless each of these books is inspired by God's Holy Spirit and is the Word of God. The Psalms contains prayers and songs and reflections for liturgical usage.It seems to me unwise to read the Bible straight through, as if it were a single book. Rather, it ought to be read selectively, at least until the reader is thoroughly familiar with the whole Bible. I suggest the reader begin by reading the gospel of Mark, then go back and read the first two books of the Old Testament (Genesis and Exodus), then read some of the psalms (for prayer as well as reflections on the history just read). Then read a couple of St. Paul's epistles and follow them with the Book of Proverbs (an ancient form of Dear Abby's practical advice). Then read the gospel of Luke and follow that immediately with Acts of the Apostles (the history of the primitive Christian community), which St. Luke wrote as companion books. Then go back and read one of the prophets, and the beautiful Wisdom of Solomon. Then read the gospel of St. John, understand that Wisdom is the Word of God, which became incarnate in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Other books of both the Old and New Testaments can then be read, according to the reader's taste and time, with clearer understanding of what one is reading. The final book of the Bible (Revelation) ought to be read in conjunction with it's Old Testament precedents (Ezekiel and Daniel), and then the two Books of Maccabees.The Old Testament remains very relevant, containing God's instructions and laws for his people, as well as for the history and culture, which contributed to the developments of Christianity and Islam as well as of Western Civilization. Of course, the Old Testament is the foundation book of Judaism. But it also influenced greatly the framers of the American Constitution, as well as the legal codes of other countries. More than any other book, the Bible has helped shape the history of the world, and continues to witness to the presence and power of God in this his world. It continues to influence our culture and every worthy human endeavor.Sometimes certain texts of the Bible have been exploited by false teachers, crooked politicians and ambitious religious leaders: for their own purposes. But such abuse does not put God's approval on their movements, even though they might quote God's words in attempting to support their agenda. The apostles, Peter and Paul warned about such false teachers, and told us to avoid them. One reason Jesus established his Church was to provide an authentic interpreter for understanding and living: the Word of God in the Bible.

How should one go about reading the Bible?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2002-11-01 14:20:00

In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

***image1:left***QUESTION: In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?

ANSWER: First, I recommend that you read the Bible in a modern English translation such as the New International Version (NIV), the Living Bible or the New American Standard Version (NASV). Some like the King James Version because of the beauty of the language. But it is Old English and may be more difficult to understand.
Second, remember that the Bible is not really a "book", but is more like a shelf of 66 books, not arranged strictly in chronological order. So your question is a good one.
I recommend reading one of the "biographies" of Jesus first.....probably the Gospel of John. It is written to tell the claims of Jesus about Himself. Next, read the Gospel of Luke which gives much of the teachings of Jesus. Then read the book of Acts; this tells about Christ's followers during the 40 years following the His death and resurrection.
These are all in the New Testament - the Christian part of the Bible.
Now you may want to go to the beginning book: Genesis. This will start to give you the history of God's preparing a people who (1) would illustrate God's dealings with people and (2) would be prepared to receive His promised Messiah (Christ).
Yes, the Old Testament IS still relevant, but should be read with an understanding of its historical setting. A grasp of the Old Testament (O.T). will help greatly in understanding the New Testament (N.T)., especially those parts that were written mainly to the Jews, such as the Gospel of Matthew, the Book of Hebrews and the Epistles (Letters) of James and 1st Peter.
Before Jesus was born, the Jewish scholars had listed 432 prophesies about the Messiah in the Old Testament. See Isaiah 53 for an example of a predictions of His death.
Also in the Old Testament, you may want to sample the devotional writings, the poems and worship songs of Israel. My suggestions are Psalms 1, 8, 19, 25, 100 and 139. Then Proverbs 3 and 10.
The Apostle Paul wrote 12 letters of instructions which are in the N.T., so I suggest you read the Letter to the Philippians as a sample of these.
This will give you a start. Talk with someone who knows the Bible well to discuss what you have discovered and suggest what to read next.
As you read, remember that Bible study is not only to increase your knowledge, but is to help you to know God and His central truth: we are sinners separated from God and we can only be saved because Jesus Christ died for us and rose again. He was without sin, but in God's perfect plan all of our sins were transferred to Him on the cross, and now we can be cleansed of our sins. See II Cor.5:21 "God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
Pray before you read that God will give you understanding and obedience.
This is the GOOD NEWS ....that is what "Gospel" means.

How does one know how big a sin is?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2002-10-01 12:20:00

: Which sins are big and which sins are little? How is it determined? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another believes it to a grievous sin . . . who is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

Question: Which sins are big and which sins are little? How is it determined? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another believes it to a grievous sin . . . who is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin? Answer: Maybe we have been in school too long, because most people think their eternal destiny depends on getting "a passing grade"....a grade dependent on the ratio of good-to-bad deeds. Since only the bottom half of a class ever fails the course, you only have to make sure you're above average. I have asked many crowds to raise their hand if they were in the bottom half of the human race morally. No one ever raised his hand.One student said it well: "If God grades on the curve, I'll be a hard man to beat in the Judgement"! This attitude brings people to ask your question: "How many points will THIS sin be worth on the Final?" Christianity differs from other religions in its answer to the question, "How good do I have to be, to be acceptable to God?" At this point other religions tend to become bookkeeping systems for rights-and-wrongs done. But the Christian answer is startling: "PERFECT!!" (Matthew 5:48, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.") The human race is infected with a rebellious, selfish nature. (All parents discover this quickly.) God will not permit this disease to infect heaven. A changed nature is necessary....but first there is the guilt problem. The penalty for our sins is beyond our ability to pay, so God Himself has come in human form to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. He died for us on the cross! Then He rose from the dead, showing God's acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice and His victory over death. Because He was perfect, He could die for others. Because He was Deity, He could die for everyone."God made Him (Jesus) Who had no sin, to be a sin offering for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (II Cor.5:21)If I admit my guilt and accept His forgiveness, and invite Him to invade my heart and rule my life, He will credit me with the righteousness of Christ, implant a "new nature", and assure me of His eternal acceptance and love. The Bible's says it this way: "God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that anyone who trusts in Him would never perish, but would have eternal life." (John 3:16) But, you ask, "What about doing good or bad? Isn't this important"? Certainly. But not as a payoff to earn your way to heaven. That costs more than you can ever pay. "Won't really bad people be punished more than ordinary people?" Surely. And we all agree that sins usually cause suffering in the sinner, as well as in other people around. And some sins have worse consequences than others. But the big "crime" which affects everything else is an attitude toward God that says, "You can be God everywhere else, but I wanna do what I wanna do, so don't try to be God to me." When two or more persons who are trying to be their own gods get together, all sorts of problems occur. Just read the newspaper or watch the TV to see illustrations. Am I ducking your question? Well, let me go on. A person who has received the New Life that Christ gives still is tempted, often lacks wisdom, and is very aware that he/she sins. God's grace is that He begins to make true in practice the perfection He has already given credit for being true. It is unconditional acceptance, just like I have for my children. The process of dealing with evil is lifelong, and as a loving Father, He has high standards for His sons and daughters. Disciplinary action is taken, but the joyous relationship is settled. Christ made it difficult to set up a "ranking of sins". In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, He raised the standards of the 10 Commandments by emphasizing the motives. He said hating was the same as murder, and lustful looking was the same as fornication. Perhaps He meant that the only difference was the "opportunity". And in Matt. 25:31-46, He said that His judging would be on the basis of GOOD acts done or not done; "sins of omission". But in this story, both the good and bad persons asked Him the same question: "When did I do that?" Neither had done these things in relation to getting God's approval. Their true character was displayed by their response to other people's needs. I once had a reclusive, retired neighbor who said that she never sinned any more. "Why, I go for days without seeing anyone, so how could I sin." She defined sin as "harming someone". When Jesus was asked to rank the Commandments, he selected two old Jewish instructions: (1) "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind"....and (2) "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." (Luke 10:27) My retired neighbor seemed to be unfamiliar with either of these, unless "loving" meant "not harming". But practically speaking, the opposite of loving for most of us is not "hating" or "harming", but is "not caring". Sins of omission!So don't try to get away with doing something wrong because it is only a "minor" sin. Any willful sin disturbs your relation with God. When we get married, we do not receive a list of Forbidden Acts, ranked in order of severity. A loving committed relationship is disturbed by ANY ugly act or insulting word. Similarly, those who have committed themselves to Christ must live in a loving relationship. If you are not in that committed relationship, don't play games. Your sins will have their natural costs in this life, and eternity demands much more attention than just trying to minimize your "sin score".

How does one know how big a sin is?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

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Religion

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Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Dr Nabil Seyam

2002-10-01 12:20:00

Which sins are big and which sins are little? How is it determined? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another believes it to a grievous sin . . . who is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

***image1:left***Question: Which sins are big and which sins are little? How is it determined? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another believes it to a grievous sin . . . who is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?
Answer: Every sin, big or little, is an offense to God. Since it is God who is offended, it is up to Him to determine whether the offense is grievous or slight. Whether or not something is a sin does not depend on my opinion or my pleasure. Sins are evaluated according to their gravity. The distinction between mortal (serious) sin and venial (not grave) sin is taught in the Bible and by the Church, following the instructions of Jesus, particularly in his Sermon on the Mount. Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God's law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his true happiness, by preferring an inferior good to God. Venial sin allows charity to remain in the soul, although it offends and injures the soul. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be present together: the object must be serious matter, which is committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.
Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man (Mark 10:19): "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother." The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger.
Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God's law. It also implies consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin. Unintended ignorance and misinformation can diminish or even remove the imputability of a grave offense. But no one is completely ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are in the conscience of every person. The promptings of feelings and passions can also diminish the voluntary and free character of the offense, as can external pressures or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is the gravest.
Venial sin does not set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God. However, deliberate and repeated venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. Repeated mortal sins gradually harden one's heart. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal damnation.
The ultimate judge in the matter of sin is God. Each human person has been endowed by God with a conscience. The word "conscience" means: with knowledge. Every person has a moral sense about good and evil, whether something is nice or naughty. Every person is endowed also with a free will, i.e. the ability to choose whether they will do, or refrain from doing, what whey know deep down in their conscience is good or is evil. The more frequently they choose to do good, the easier it becomes; and thus good habits are formed. And the more often a person chooses to do what they think is evil, the easier it becomes to repeat evil actions, like a second nature.
Pre-marital sex is the sin of fornication, i.e. sex between persons who are not married to anyone. Intercourse with a married person, who is not one's spouse, is the sin of adultery. According to the Bible, both fornication and adultery are serious sins against God's law, as well as an abuse of what is proper in marriage. Adultery is also a sin of injustice against the married sexual partner's spouse. Nowadays many teenagers are ignorant or misinformed about the morality of sexual activity. The responsibility for such ignorance is shared by their parents and teachers and clergy, who will have to answer to God for their neglect in teaching correctly the young persons, entrusted to their charge.
Each person will be held accountable for his or her own sins, but also for the sins they caused other persons to commit. Each person has a duty to learn and be informed about good and evil. Only when a person has tried to learn and then been misinformed, so that their conscience does not accuse them, can he/she be held not accountable for particular sins. Objectively, the goodness or the sinfulness of any human action is determined by the extend that it corresponds to God's law or is opposed to God's law. Subjectively, the sinfulness of a human action can be diminished or increased through genuine ignorance or being mis-informed about God's law.
For example, someone with a delicate conscience might consider drinking alcoholic beverages to be sinful. In itself, such drinking is not sinful but good, as contributing to health of the body or to relaxation or joy. It becomes sinful only when done to excess. Another example: Abortion is a grievous sin, the sin of killing innocent persons not yet born. It is forbidden by God's law in the Commandments. Many people are really ignorant of the Commandments and, since the Supreme Court decided to make abortion legal, some persons think that abortion must also be good or morally indifferent. Instead of considering abortion as murder of innocent babies, they view it as removal of an inconvenience, unwanted tissue, a wart. This is misinformation and ignorance, which can diminish the gravity of the sin of murder by abortion. However, the five Justices, who made abortion legal, knew that they were acting against God's law and they must answer to God for all the murders caused by their wrong decision. On the other hand, the ignorant or misinformed mother, who undergoes an abortion, might not be guilty of sin, in following her conscience, which has been misinformed by that legal decision.

Spirituality vs. religion

By Tom Welk

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Religion

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Tom Welk DMin is Director of Pastoral Care & Professional Education at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. He also teaches at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita. He has certification with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors in Clinical Pastoral Education. His memberships include Park Ridge Center for Study of Health, Faith, and Ethics, and St. Louis University Center for Health Care Ethics, Charter Board Member Kansas Health Ethics, Inc., and Ethics Committee Member for National Hospice Organization. He has received the President's Award of Excellence for Public and Community Awareness, for the "Dying Well" project from The National Hospice Organization. Tom's group presentations include: Association of Kansas Hospices, Midwest Congress on Aging, and Kansas Health Ethics Conference. Tom Welk can be contacted by fax at (316) 265-6066, by e-mail at: twelk@hynesmemorial.org, or at his office at (316)219-1791.

Tom Welk

2002-10-01 12:06:00

: What is the difference between spirituality and religion?

Tom Welk Question: What is the difference between spirituality and religion? Answer: Acknowledging that spiritual needs are a part of human functioning is one thing; defining what is meant by spirituality is another. Spirituality and religion are frequently understood as one and the same. Even though there is a close connection between the two, at the same time a clear distinction must be made.Religion is the means whereby spiritual needs generally are meant. In a religious setting or environment those questions about life that are profoundly human are addressed. Individuals must be free to choose the setting/church/religion they decide best suits them.Religion in and of itself is not spirituality. What, then, is spirituality? It is a question not easily answered and one that lends itself to a great deal of diversity by way of reflection. What is most common in all this diversity is the human need to know why. What are we about? What is the meaning of our existence? There is a deeply rooted need in human beings to make sense.As a Calypso chant puts it so well (pardon the exclusive language): "Tiger got to hunt; bird got to fly; man got to sit and ask, why, why, why? Tiger get to rest; bird get to land; man have to tell himself he understand." Humanity is the only part of the created universe that reflects on its existence. We have this innate need to figure out why we are. We do so philosophically and theologically. Libraries are filled with volumes of books delving into this basic question. We are all philosophers and theologians. No human being is excused from struggling with the question of "Why am I here?" An episode within this past year of the popular TV program Everyone Loves Raymond had this as its theme. The oldest girl in the Romano family asks her Dad, Raymond, "Why did God put us here?" He leaves her room, promising to come back shortly with an answer to her question. Through most of the program the adult members of the family hotly debate the question; they come to no satisfactory answers.In the final scene Raymond and his wife, Debra, are ready to tackle the question. They really don't know what they are going to say, but at least they are ready to talk to their daughter about her question. In the hallway outside the girl's bedroom Raymond wants reassurance that Debra will back him up, and not just "make funny faces from across the room."But they don't find her in the bedroom. Hearing some playful laughter coming from another bedroom down the hall, they enter to find the three children gleefully engaged in a pillow fight, enjoying one another's company. They ignore the parents' invitation to talk, and the parents join their children in the joy of the moment. The program ends with no further dialogue; it simply allows the viewer to draw his/her own conclusion. Why did God put us here? It is as simple as living and enjoying fully the gift of life, lived responsibly in relationship with one another.This question is reflected on more seriously in a recent article in the British medical journal the Lancet. In-depth interviews were conducted with terminally ill individuals. Some of them had desired euthanasia or assisted suicide, primarily because of disintegration and loss of community. They expressed this with statements such as, "I am no longer who I was."The question is properly asked, then, "How do people know who they are unless they are told?" Loss of community/relationship is keenly and painfully felt. This issue is addressed when dealing with terminally ill patients and their families. Enabling terminally ill patients to live life to the full to its very last minute is the essence of the hospice philosophy of care. Why are we living? Religious groups, in their basic catechism, answer this question in a simple way: "To know, love and serve." That is the essence of living.

How does one know how big a sin is?

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-10-01 12:06:00

Question: Which sins are big and which sins are little? How is it determined? For example, if one person believes that pre-marital sex is not a sin or a small sin, and another believes it to a grievous sin . . . who is right? If a person really believes something is not a sin or a minor sin, will he/she be held accountable for the sin as if it is a grievous or serious sin?

Answer: Every sin, big or little, is an offense to God. Since it is God who is offended, it is up to Him to determine whether the offense is grievous or slight. Whether or not something is a sin does not depend on my opinion or my pleasure. Sins are evaluated according to their gravity. The distinction between mortal (serious) sin and venial (not grave) sin is taught in the Bible and by the Church, following the instructions of Jesus, particularly in his Sermon on the Mount. Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God's law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his true happiness, by preferring an inferior good to God. Venial sin allows charity to remain in the soul, although it offends and injures the soul. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be present together: the object must be serious matter, which is committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent. Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man (Mark 10:19): "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother." The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger. Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God's law. It also implies consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin. Unintended ignorance and misinformation can diminish or even remove the imputability of a grave offense. But no one is completely ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are in the conscience of every person. The promptings of feelings and passions can also diminish the voluntary and free character of the offense, as can external pressures or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is the gravest. Venial sin does not set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God. However, deliberate and repeated venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. Repeated mortal sins gradually harden one's heart. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal damnation. The ultimate judge in the matter of sin is God. Each human person has been endowed by God with a conscience. The word "conscience" means: with knowledge. Every person has a moral sense about good and evil, whether something is nice or naughty. Every person is endowed also with a free will, i.e. the ability to choose whether they will do, or refrain from doing, what whey know deep down in their conscience is good or is evil. The more frequently they choose to do good, the easier it becomes; and thus good habits are formed. And the more often a person chooses to do what they think is evil, the easier it becomes to repeat evil actions, like a second nature. Pre-marital sex is the sin of fornication, i.e. sex between persons who are not married to anyone. Intercourse with a married person, who is not one's spouse, is the sin of adultery. According to the Bible, both fornication and adultery are serious sins against God's law, as well as an abuse of what is proper in marriage. Adultery is also a sin of injustice against the married sexual partner's spouse. Nowadays many teenagers are ignorant or misinformed about the morality of sexual activity. The responsibility for such ignorance is shared by their parents and teachers and clergy, who will have to answer to God for their neglect in teaching correctly the young persons, entrusted to their charge. Each person will be held accountable for his or her own sins, but also for the sins they caused other persons to commit. Each person has a duty to learn and be informed about good and evil. Only when a person has tried to learn and then been misinformed, so that their conscience does not accuse them, can he/she be held not accountable for particular sins. Objectively, the goodness or the sinfulness of any human action is determined by the extend that it corresponds to God's law or is opposed to God's law. Subjectively, the sinfulness of a human action can be diminished or increased through genuine ignorance or being mis-informed about God's law. For example, someone with a delicate conscience might consider drinking alcoholic beverages to be sinful. In itself, such drinking is not sinful but good, as contributing to health of the body or to relaxation or joy. It becomes sinful only when done to excess. Another example: Abortion is a grievous sin, the sin of killing innocent persons not yet born. It is forbidden by God's law in the Commandments. Many people are really ignorant of the Commandments and, since the Supreme Court decided to make abortion legal, some persons think that abortion must also be good or morally indifferent. Instead of considering abortion as murder of innocent babies, they view it as removal of an inconvenience, unwanted tissue, a wart. This is misinformation and ignorance, which can diminish the gravity of the sin of murder by abortion. However, the five Justices, who made abortion legal, knew that they were acting against God's law and they must answer to God for all the murders caused by their wrong decision. On the other hand, the ignorant or misinformed mother, who undergoes an abortion, might not be guilty of sin, in following her conscience, which has been misinformed by that legal decision.

Apart from the bible... how do we know God exists?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-09-01 09:27:00

Question: What is the evidence for God's existence, apart from the Bible?

Answer: Take a look around you from where you sit. You will notice that everything in the room is "made": the walls, the upholstery, the ceiling, the chair where you sit, the glass on the table and countless other details. None of them happen to exist in your room of their own accord. Even the simple loops of the carpet were made by someone: they did not appear spontaneously or by chance.
A person who is about to read a book knows that it has been written by an author for a specific reason. It would not even occur to him that this book might have come into being by chance. In the same manner, a person who sees a sculpture has no doubt whatsoever that it was made by a sculptor. And not just works of art: even a few bricks resting on top of one another make one think that they must have been brought to rest just so by someone within a certain plan. Therefore, everywhere where there is an order - either small or big - a founder and protector of this order must also exist. If, one day, somebody came forward and said that raw iron and coal came together to form steel by chance, which in turn constructed the Eiffel Tower again by chance, would not he and those who believed him be regarded as insane?
The claim of the theory of evolution, the unique method of denying the existence of God, is no different from this. According to the theory, inorganic molecules formed amino acids by chance, amino acids formed proteins by chance, and finally proteins formed living creatures again by chance. However, the probability of a living creature being formed by coincidence is less than the probability of the Eiffel Tower being formed in the same manner, because even the simplest living cell is more sophisticated than any man-made structure in the world.
How is it possible to think that the balance in the world came about by coincidence when the extraordinary harmony of nature is observable even with the naked eye? It is the most unreasonable claim to say that the universe, each point of which suggests the existence of its Creator, has come into being on its own.
Therefore, there should be a designer of the balance visible everywhere from our body to the farthest corners of the inconceivably vast universe. So, who is this Creator that ordained everything so subtly and created all?
He cannot be any material being present within the universe, because His must be a will that existed before the universe and created the universe therewith. The Almighty Creator is One in Whom everything finds existence, yet Whose existence is without any beginning or end.
Religion teaches us the identity of our Creator Whose existence we discover with our reason. Through what He has revealed to us as religion, we know that He is God, the Compassionate and the Merciful, Who created the heavens and the earth from nothing.
Although most people have the capability to grasp this fact, they spend their lives unaware of it. When they look at a landscape painting, they wonder who its painter is. Later, they praise the artist at length for his beautiful work of art. Despite the fact that they face numerous originals of the natural world he painted the moment they turn around, they still disregard the existence of God, Who is the only owner of all these beauties. In truth, no lengthy research is needed to understand the existence of God. Even if one of us had to live in a room from the time he was born, countless pieces of evidence in this room alone would be enough for him to grasp the existence of God.
The human body so overflows with evidence that it could not be contained in many multi-volumed encyclopedias. Giving only a few minutes of conscientious thought to it all is enough to understand the existence of God. The present order is protected by God and maintained by Him.
The human body is not the only food for thought. Life abides in every square millimeter of the earth, be it observable by men or not. The world overflows with many living beings, from unicellular organisms to plants, from insects to sea animals, and from birds to human beings. If you take a handful of soil and look at it, even therein you can discover manifold living creatures with diverse characteristics. The same is true also for the air you breathe. Even on your skin, there are many living creatures whose names are unknown to you. In the intestines of all living beings are millions of bacteria or unicellular organisms that help digestion. The animal population in the world is many times greater than the human population. When we also consider the plant world, we see that there is not a single spot on the earth where there is no life. All of these creatures that are spread over an area of millions of square kilometers have different body systems, different lives and different contributions to the ecological balance. It is preposterous to claim that all these have come into existence by chance with no aim or purpose. No living being has come to exist through its own accord or effort. No coincidental happening can ever result in such complicated systems.
All of this evidence leads us to the conclusion that the universe works with a certain "consciousness". What, then, is the source of this consciousness? Surely it is neither the living nor the non-living beings in it. Nor can they be the ones that maintain the harmony and preserve the order. The existence and glory of God reveals itself in countless proofs in the universe. In fact, there is not even a single man on the earth who will not accept this evident reality from the heart. Yet they still deny it "in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls are convinced thereof" as stated in the Qur'an. (The Qur'an, 27:14)
I think it necessary to remind the reader at this point that one does not need reams of information to grasp that the universe and everything in it, including oneself, have been created. It is as much within the scope of the conscience and reason of a small child as it is within that of an adult to grasp that he was created. The prophet Abraham's words in the Qur'an are a very good example of what we mean.
The Prophet Abraham once lived in a community that did not believe in God and worshiped totem poles instead. Although he had never received any teaching about the existence of God, he had grasped with his reason and conscience that he had been created-moreover, that he had been created by God, Who created the heavens and the earth. In the Qur'an it is related like this:
When the night covered him over, he saw a star. He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, he said: "I love not those that set." When he saw the moon rising in splendor, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moon set, he said: "Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among those who go astray." When he saw the sun rising in splendor, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to God. For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I ascribe partners to God." (The Qur'an, 6:76-79)
As we see in the example of the Prophet Abraham, everyone who has reason and conscience and, more importantly, who "does not reject in iniquity and arrogance" is capable of understanding that the universe was created and, moreover, that it was created with a great order and plan.
No doubt the state of those who reject the existence of God, despite all the manifest signs displayed for all to see, is quite astonishing to those who have reason and conscience. In the Qur'an, the following is stated about those who do not believe in God's power of creation:
If you marvel (at their want of faith), strange is their saying: "When we are (actually) dust, shall we indeed then be in a creation renewed?" They are those who deny their Lord! They are those round whose necks will be yokes (of servitude): they will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (for aye)! (The Qur'an, 13: 5)
The things related in this article are more important than anything else in your life. Perhaps you have so far failed to give due consideration to the importance of this subject or perhaps you may never have even thought about it before. However, be assured that to recognize God, Who has created you, is more important and urgent than anything else you can do.
Think about what He has granted you: you live in a world subtly-planned down to its slightest detail and created specially for you. You had no part in this process. You opened your eyes one day and found yourself amidst countless blessings. You can see, you can hear, you can feel…
And it is so because He willed such a creation. In a verse it is said:
It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that you may give thanks (to God). (The Qur'an, 16:78)
As stated in the verse, it is none but God Who has given you everything you own and Who created the universe you live in. Therefore, come and submit your whole self to God and be grateful to Him for all the blessings He has endowed you with and thereby earn an eternal reward. If you do the opposite, you will be showing ingratitude and exposing yourself to a penalty that, by the will of God, shall last forever.
Be assured: He does exist and He is very close to you…
He sees and knows everything that you do, and hears every word you utter…
And be assured that everyone, including you, will soon give account to Him…

Apart from the bible... how do we know God exists?

By Rev Terry Fox

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Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2002-09-01 09:27:00

: What is the evidence for God's existence, apart from the Bible?

Answer: The classical answer is: "The Creation". A creation implies a Creator.In recent times, tremendous amounts of work have been done to explain the presence of the universe without a Designer or Maker. If the universe is eternal, then there is no need for an Initiator. As Carl Sagan would say, "The Cosmos is all there is, ever has been or ever will be." However, the unavoidable evidence that the universe is expanding from a point in space with a corresponding starting time. This "Big Bang" has presented a problem for those who do not wish to consider "the creation event". Darwinism is under attack from within. Christians and Jews still repeat, "The Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1)A second answer that has been given through the ages is the instinctive belief of mankind in a spiritual world with a powerful creative god. There is also an universal instinctive belief that there is a system of right and wrong which is above our ability to achieve; this leads to a sense of guilt. Then the strangest thing happens: We make the god to be concerned about our failure to be good! This is the last thing anyone would wish for. I am guilty to Him ! It leads to attempts to appease the god by sacrifices or rituals. Some have even said that one mark of difference between humans and animals is that no animal has ever made an altar or sacrifice, and no human groups have ever failed to do so. (Some modern human groups may seem to be exceptions.) Since all instincts seem to have a reason for being, usually to prevent our harm, this instinct must also have a purpose. Some thinkers refer to "the god-shaped vacuum in every man". Of course, evidence is not proof. Some leap of faith is required to say that God exists. Many people will testify to personal experience with God, but their testimony can be doubted. God has not forced belief on anyone... at least not yet. Christians add to this one more evidence: Jesus Christ. We say that God showed His reality and loving nature by becoming a human after many prophetic promises to do this. He lived a simple yet powerful life and allowed humans to reject and kill Him, rose from the dead, appeared repeatedly for six weeks, then departed from earth. He promised to forgive those who would accept His suffering to pay for their sins and trust Him to direct their lives. He promised to return to judge and end our human system on earth and give eternal life in Heaven to those who trusted Him. Ultimately, we will all know the answer to your question.

Apart from the bible... how do we know God exists?

By Dr Nabil Seyam

Trying to understand the ‘Trinity’

By Father Cleary

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Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-08-01 10:47:00

Question: Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That's kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who 'always was'? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but how about the Holy Spirit?

Answer: Even though the word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible, it certainly is taught.
The most helpful thing I ever heard about understanding the Trinity was this: "Don't think of the Trinity as a problem, but as a clue." It is meant to help us relate to a Being Who is so very different. He is a "Person" having knowledge, emotions, will, etc. But He is much more than we usually mean by "person". He is not in our Time/Space. He is not at only one place at one time. While we cannot really understand about Him, we can relate to Him, just as my dog can relate to me without understanding me.
I remember how embarrassed I was when some one asked me, "To whom do you pray, God the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit?" I had been praying for years and I didn't know! I had never thought about it. Soon I realized that I had no need to be embarrassed....one cannot pray exclusively to one or the other. When I pray I am looking up to the Father, with my prayer mediated through Christ while the Spirit is within me bringing thoughts to mind and helping me to find the words. I pray to God, through God and by God. Somehow, even the newest Christian seems to grasp this unconsciously when he prays.
Consider the peculiar situation during the 33 years when God was on earth incarnated as Jesus.
He came into the limitations of time/space! He experienced being in one place at one time. But God is outside time. He was still controlling the universe while He was growing up in Nazareth !!
It is helpful to me to think of Him as being two persons at that time. And when I accept Christ as Saviour, I am told (and experience) that God comes to live in my body and regenerates my nature. Then God is dwelling in me. It is helpful to think of God as three.
But the Three in my experience are truly ONE. All are eternal, holy, infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. You asked whether all are eternal. The second verse of the Bible says that God's Spirit hovered over the face of the formless earth. The Gospel of John starts with a strong assertion that Christ was in the beginning and was the co-creator of everything.
"...The Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word was God". Christ is called the Son of God the Father.
Does this mean that they have the same relation as my father and I?
No, of course not. But the human relation which is most like theirs is a good father/son relationship. It is a place for me to start understanding, though I soon see that it is much more than a human father/son. When we get to the multi-dimensional, timeless reality which is God's universe, we will have the capability to understand without these mental models which are helpful here and now. And our universe will be seen as a tiny, limited incubator for making Children of God out of human creatures. Perhaps being squeezed into this little three-and-a-half dimensional universe was the greatest humiliation God the Son experienced in becoming Jesus the Christ.
If you want to read something helpful on this subject, see the last section of C.S. Lewis' book, ‘Mere Christianity’, entitled "Beyond Personality".

Trying to understand the ‘Trinity’

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2002-08-01 10:40:00

: Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That's kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who 'always was'? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but how about the Holy Spirit?

Question: Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That's kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who 'always was'? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but how about the Holy Spirit? Answer: Even though the word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible, it certainly is taught.The most helpful thing I ever heard about understanding the Trinity was this: "Don't think of the Trinity as a problem, but as a clue." It is meant to help us relate to a Being Who is so very different. He is a "Person" having knowledge, emotions, will, etc. But He is much more than we usually mean by "person". He is not in our Time/Space. He is not at only one place at one time. While we cannot really understand about Him, we can relate to Him, just as my dog can relate to me without understanding me. I remember how embarrassed I was when some one asked me, "To whom do you pray, God the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit?" I had been praying for years and I didn't know! I had never thought about it. Soon I realized that I had no need to be embarrassed....one cannot pray exclusively to one or the other. When I pray I am looking up to the Father, with my prayer mediated through Christ while the Spirit is within me bringing thoughts to mind and helping me to find the words. I pray to God, through God and by God. Somehow, even the newest Christian seems to grasp this unconsciously when he prays.Consider the peculiar situation during the 33 years when God was on earth incarnated as Jesus.He came into the limitations of time/space! He experienced being in one place at one time. But God is outside time. He was still controlling the universe while He was growing up in Nazareth !!It is helpful to me to think of Him as being two persons at that time. And when I accept Christ as Saviour, I am told (and experience) that God comes to live in my body and regenerates my nature. Then God is dwelling in me. It is helpful to think of God as three.But the Three in my experience are truly ONE. All are eternal, holy, infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. You asked whether all are eternal. The second verse of the Bible says that God's Spirit hovered over the face of the formless earth. The Gospel of John starts with a strong assertion that Christ was in the beginning and was the co-creator of everything. "...The Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word was God". Christ is called the Son of God the Father. Does this mean that they have the same relation as my father and I? No, of course not. But the human relation which is most like theirs is a good father/son relationship. It is a place for me to start understanding, though I soon see that it is much more than a human father/son. When we get to the multi-dimensional, timeless reality which is God's universe, we will have the capability to understand without these mental models which are helpful here and now. And our universe will be seen as a tiny, limited incubator for making Children of God out of human creatures. Perhaps being squeezed into this little three-and-a-half dimensional universe was the greatest humiliation God the Son experienced in becoming Jesus the Christ. If you want to read something helpful on this subject, see the last section of C.S. Lewis' book, ‘Mere Christianity’, entitled "Beyond Personality".

Trying to understand the ‘Trinity’

By Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Nabil Seyam

2002-08-01 10:40:00

: Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That's kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who 'always was'? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but how about the Holy Spirit?

Nabil Seyam Question: Although difficult, I am trying to understand the concept of the Trinity, where there are three persons in one God. I have come to understand that God the Father always was and always will be. That's kind of tough to imagine, but it does lead me to my question. If there are three persons in one God, was there only one of these persons who 'always was'? Did then both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have a beginning insofar as being a God? If so, I know when Jesus was born, but how about the Holy Spirit? Answer: The three monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - all purport to share one fundamental concept: belief in God as the Supreme Being, the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Known as "tawhid" in Islam, this concept of the Oneness of God was stressed by Moses in a Biblical passage known as the "Shema," or the Jewish creed of faith: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." (Deuteronomy 6:4) It was repeated word-for-word approximately 1500 years later by Jesus when he said: "...The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord." (Mark 12:29) Muhammad came along approximately 600 years later, bringing the same message again: "And your God is One God: There is no God but He, ..." (The Quran 2:163) Christianity has digressed from the concept of the Oneness of God, however, into a vague and mysterious doctrine that was formulated during the fourth century. This doctrine, which continues to be a source of controversy both within and without the Christian religion, is known as the Doctrine of the Trinity. Simply put, the Christian doctrine of the Trinity states that God is the union of three divine persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - in one divine being. If that concept, put in basic terms, sounds confusing, the flowery language in the actual text of the doctrine lends even more mystery to the matter: "...we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity... for there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, another of the Holy Ghost is all one... they are not three gods, but one God... the whole three persons are co-eternal and co-equal... he therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity..." (excerpts from the Athanasian Creed) Let's put this together in a different form: one person, God the Father + one person, God the Son + one person, God the Holy Ghost = one person, God the What? Is this English or is this gibberish? It is said that Athanasius, the bishop who formulated this doctrine, confessed that the more he wrote on the matter, the less capable he was of clearly expressing his thoughts regarding it. How did such a confusing doctrine get its start? Trinity In The BibleReferences in the Bible to a Trinity of divine beings are vague, at best. In Matthew 28:19, we find Jesus telling his disciples to go out and preach to all nations. While the "Great Commission" does make mention of the three persons who later become components of the Trinity, the phrase "...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" is quite clearly an addition to Biblical text - that is, not the actual words of Jesus - as can be seen by two factors: 1) Baptism in the early Church, as discussed by Paul in his letters, was done only in the name of Jesus; and 2) The "Great Commission" was found in the first gospel written, that of Mark, bears no mention of Father, Son and/or Holy Ghost - see Mark 16:15. The only other reference in the Bible to a Trinity can be found in the Epistle of I John 5:7, Biblical scholars of today, however, have admitted that the phrase "...there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" is definitely a "later addition" to Biblical test, and it is not found in any of today's versions of the Bible. It can, therefore, be seen that the concept of a Trinity of divine beings was not an idea put forth by Jesus or any other prophet of God. This doctrine, now subscribed to by Christians all over the world, is entirely man-made in origin. The Doctrine Takes ShapeWhile Paul of Tarsus, the man who could rightfully be considered the true founder of Christianity, did formulate many of its doctrines, that of the Trinity was not among them. He did, however, lay the groundwork for such when he put forth the idea of Jesus being a "divine Son." After all, a Son does need a Father, and what about a vehicle for God's revelations to man? In essence, Paul named the principal players, but it was the later Church people who put the matter together. Tertullian, a lawyer and presbyter of the third century Church in Carthage, was the first to use the word "Trinity" when he put forth the theory that the Son and the Spirit participate in the being of God, but all are of one being of substance with the Father. A Formal Doctrine is Drawn UpWhen controversy over the matter of the Trinity blew up in 318 between two church men from Alexandria - Arius, the deacon, and Alexander, his bishop - Emperor Constantine stepped into the fray. Although Christian dogma was a complete mystery to him, he did realize that a unified church was necessary for a strong kingdom. When negotiation failed to settle the dispute, Constantine called for the first ecumenical council in Church history in order to settle the matter once and for all. Six weeks after the 300 bishops first gathered at Nicea in 325, the doctrine of the Trinity was hammered out. The God of the Christians was now seen as having three essences, or natures, in the form of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Church Puts Its Foot DownThe matter was far from settled, however, despite high hopes for such on the part of Constantine. Arius and the new bishop of Alexandria, a man named Athanasius, began arguing over the matter even as the Nicene Creed was being signed; "Arianism" became a catch-word from that time onward for anyone who did not hold to the doctrine of the Trinity. It wasn't until 451, at the Council of Chalcedon that, with the approval of the Pope, the Nicene/Constantinople Creed was set as authoritative. Debate on the matter was no longer tolerated; to speak out against the Trinity was now considered blasphemy, and such earned stiff sentences that ranged from mutilation to death. Christians now turned on Christians, maiming and slaughtering thousands because of a difference of opinion. Debate ContinuesBrutal punishments and even death did not stop the controversy over the doctrine of the Trinity, however, and the said controversy continues even today. The majority of Christians, when asked to explain this fundamental doctrine of their faith, can offer nothing more than "I believe it because I was told to do so." It is explained away as "mystery" - yet the Bible says in I Corinthians 14:33 that "... God is not the author of confusion..." The Unitarian denomination of Christianity has kept alive the teachings of Arius in saying that God is one; they do not believe in the Trinity. As a result, mainstream Christians abhor them, and the National Council of Churches has refused their admittance. In Unitarianism, the hope is kept alive that Christians will someday return to the preachings of Jesus: "...Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." (Luke 4:8) Islam And The Matter Of The TrinityWhile Christianity may have a problem defining the essence of God, such is not the case in Islam. "They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity, for there is no god except One God." (Quran 5:73) It is worth noting that the Arabic language Bible uses the name "Allah" as the name of God. Suzanne Haneef, in her book WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ISLAM AND MUSLIMS (Library of Islam, 1985), puts the matter quite succinctly when she says, "But God is not like a pie or an apple which can be divided into three thirds which form one whole; if God is three persons or possesses three parts, He is assuredly not the Single, Unique, Indivisible Being which God is and which Christianity professes to believe in." (pp. 183-184) Looking at it from another angle, the Trinity designates God as being three separate entities - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If God is the Father and also the Son, He would then be the Father of Himself because He is His own Son. This is not exactly logical. Christianity claims to be a monotheistic religion. Monotheism, however, has as its fundamental belief that God is One; the Christian doctrine of the Trinity - God being Three-in-One - is seen by Islam as a form of polytheism. Christians don't revere just One God, they revere three. This is a charge not taken lightly by Christians, however. They, in turn, accuse the Muslims of not even knowing what the Trinity is, pointing out that the Quran sets it up as Allah the Father, Jesus the Son, and Mary his mother. While veneration of Mary has been a figment of the Catholic Church since 431 when she was given the title "Mother of God" by the Council of Ephesus, a closer examination of the verse in the Quran most often cited by Christians in support of their accusation, shows that the designation of Mary by the Quran as a "member" of the Trinity, is simply not true. While the Quran does condemn both trinitarianism (the Quran 4:17) and the worship of Jesus and his mother Mary (the Quran 5:116), nowhere does it identify the actual three components of the Christian Trinity. The position of the Quran is that WHO or WHAT comprises this doctrine is not important; what is important is that the very notion of a Trinity is an affront against the concept of One God. In conclusion, we (Muslims and Jews) see that the doctrine of the Trinity is a concept conceived entirely by man; there is no sanction whatsoever from God to be found regarding the matter simply because the whole idea of a Trinity of divine beings has no place in monotheism. In the Quran, God's Final Revelations to mankind, we find His stand quite clearly stated in a number of eloquent passages: "...your God is One God: whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner." (Quran 18:110) "...take not, with God, another object of worship, lest you should be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected." (Quran 17:39) I ask God to guide us all to the straight path. O' God I have conveyed this message you are the witness.

End of times... what will happen and when?

By Nabil Seyam

X

Religion

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Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org

Nabil Seyam

2002-07-01 10:41:00

Question: End of times...what will happen and when?

Answer: From and Islamic prospective the following has been quoted from the sayings of the prophet and the Holy QuranThere are minor and major signs of the Hour, however, these events actually take place prior to the hour. God states in the Holy Quran:"It is a Day whereon mankind will be like moths scattered about, and the mountains will be like carded wool. The earth will shaken with its final earthquake. The earth will throw out its burdens. Heaven will split asunder. The earth will stretch forth and will cast out all that was in it and become empty. Stars will fall and scatter. The seas will burst forth. Graves will turn upside down. The sun will wound round. Its light is lost and is overthrown, and the wild beats will gather together. The seas become as blazing fire.The minor signs:-The coming of the prophet Mohammed - Splitting the moon-The defeat of Rome-Shepherds will compete in the instruction of tall buildings -Knowledge of Islam will be taken away while ignorance will increase -The population of men will decrease and women increase till fifty women shall be for every man-Drinking and fornication will increase heavily -People will claim to be prophets-There will be such an abundance of wealth that people will not be able to find recipient of charity-Killing will increase-Time will be shortened so that the year like a month, a month like a day and a day like an hour-Earthquakes will increase in numbers-A person will pass by grave and wish to trade places out of despair The major signs which will happen within a very short time before the hour:-False Messaya will come claiming to be God -Al-Mahdi will come, he will call to the truth-Jesus will come back and appears in Damascus, Syria-An animal will talk to people -Gog and Magog will break free of the damn that holds them back, and ravage the earth-Three places in the world will sink and be swallowed up by the earth, one in the west, one in the east, and one in the Saudi Arabian Peninsula -Fire will come from the area Aden in Yemen-The sun will rise from the west-Smoke will appear all over the earthThe last hour will appear on the unbeliever, when no one person on earth will bear witness of the existence of God. At that time the Hour starts. Then God, through the Angels, blow the sound where every one dies. Resurrection will then occur after God orders the Angle to blow again. The people then face God for the Judgment Day.

End of times... what will happen and when?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-07-01 10:27:00

Question: What will be the sequence of events at the end of time? What are the supposed three warnings?

Answer: Most writings about the end of time are mere speculation on the part of individuals. The Bible offers only a few facts, and these are not in sequential order. In his 2nd epistle to the Thessalonians, chapter 2, St. Paul warns against deceptions in this matter: "Do not be alarmed either by a spirit or by an oral statement . . . that the day of the Lord is at hand. Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition . . . and you know what is restraining him. . . . But the one who restrains him is to do so only for the present . . . and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill . . . and render powerless by the manifestation of his coming."By the term "lawless one" is understood the Anti-Christ, who represents the devil.In his first epistle St. John states: "The last hour is at hand; and, just as you have heard the the Anti-Christ was coming, so now many anti-christs have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour" (2:18). Commenting on this text around the year 420, St. Augustine says: "This last hour may be a long one, but it is definitely the last. It is St. John's expression for the last days, during which our Lord Jesus Christ will come."The Old Testament book of Daniel (7:21-22) is referring probably to the wicked King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who invaded the Holy Land and even God's temple at Jerusalem, only to die a wretched death. But this text might also refer to the end of time and the Anti-Christ: "I watched as that horn made war against the holy ones and was victorious until the Ancient One arrived; judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom." The imagery in the context, both of Daniel and St. Paul, suggests an attempt to install someone in the place of God, pretending that he is a god (confer also Ezekiel 28:2). In his epistle to the Romans (chapter 11), St. Paul writes authoritatively that the rejection of Jesus by a majority of the Jewish people is only temporary: until the full number of the Gentiles will come into the Church. Then the Jews will accept Jesus as their Messiah, "and thus all Israel will be saved" (verse 26). The Apostle warns his non-Jewish converts to not look down on the Jews, who reject Jesus, because mercy has been shown to them (the Gentiles). The Jews remain God's chosen people! They have temporarily rejected God's plan of salvation through Jesus, but eventually will come to accept it. Likewise, non-Jewish Gentiles for the most part also will reject Jesus, while the Jews will come to accept him. And this exchange will happen so that no one can pride themselves before God: because both Jews and Gentiles will have rejected Jesus as Messiah, and all who will be saved have received God's mercy, and by that grace will have come to receive the Messiah.Throughout the history of the Church in every year some Jews come to accept Jesus and become faithful Christians; at the same time in every place some non-Jewish Christians give up their faith in Jesus and abandon his Church. And this phenomenon will continue until the final times. The New Testament book of Revelation (Apocalypse) was written to console and encourage the 2nd and 3rd generation of Christian believers, who were suffering persecution. With many symbols and in apocalyptic language St. John writes about the end of time, the final judgment and heaven and hell. But it is impossible to establish a real sequence of events in this book of visions, which are outside the order of time. The only sequence of events, about which we can be certain, is that those who have done evil in this life will be judged strictly and suffer forever punishments proportionate to their evil deeds; while those who have struggled to be friends of God and obeyed his commandments in this life, will receive a merciful judgment and will be happy forever with God and his angels and saints in heaven. In the Gospel of Matthew (25:31-46) we have a parable of Jesus about the last judgment, which confirms my previous statement.As to the "supposed three warnings," I am unaware of what they might be and to what they refer.As such, they do not figure in Christian tradition, although one can find any number of warnings in the Bible and in other writings about the final things.

Why would God allow so many different religions?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2002-06-01 14:17:00

Question: The world is a big place. There are lots of religions. Some claim their religion to be the only one that will allow entrance into heaven. Some claim it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with Him in heaven. Why would God allow the creation of so many religions and the overwhelming confusion they have caused with respect to salvation?

Answer: Yes, there are lots of religions. People are naturally religious. We create something to give life meaning and purpose, and to provide a system of ethics by which we can get along with other people and calm our sense of guilt and failure.As to why God would allow people to create so many religions: I don't presume to explain God's motives. His purposes and reasons are far beyond us. But we do know that He has given humans free will; we can do what displeases Him without immediate punishment. It seems that He values obedience which is freely given. His first great commandment was to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind, and we can understand that the only worthwhile love is love freely given. He cannot both give us freedom and NOT give us freedom, so we are free to invent religions. But this does not mean that they are all equally true. He has not left us on our own but has revealed Himself to us in several ways. Romans 1:20 says nature reveals Him: "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."Then He spoke through Prophets and the written Word, recording His relations to people in history. And finally, Christians believe that He revealed Himself most completely by coming to live among us in the person of Jesus Christ, the God-Man who showed God's attitudes in an understandable way (See Hebrews 1:1-3). He also suffered human hatred and death on the cross to provide forgiveness to us.And, Christ did say that there is no other way to achieve acceptance with God: John 14:6 "I am The way, The truth and The life; no one comes to the Father except by me." Christ's resurrection showed His victory over death and God's acceptance of His sacrifice. We see His high, holy standards, but also His love and gracious offer of new life in a living relationship to Himself when we repent of our sin and throw ourselves on His mercy. Romans 5:8 "God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."This contrasts with the religions which people naturally invent. In these, man attempts to placate the god(s) and earn his way into a happy afterlife. This usually means getting god to leave me alone now, to live life as I please. When I do so, isn't God suffering a defeat? Maybe....but it seems that He so values our freely-given choice that He takes the risk.

Why would God allow so many different religions?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-06-01 14:17:00

Question: The world is a big place. There are lots of religions. Some claim their religion to be the only one that will allow entrance into heaven. Some claim it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with Him in heaven. Why would God allow the creation of so many religions and the overwhelming confusion they have caused with respect to salvation?

Answer: The human mind can ask any number of similar questions regarding God and his activity or non-intervention in this world created by Him. Why did God allow Hitler and Stalin and similar devils to murder and injure so many innocent people? Why didn't God intervene last September 11 to prevent the terrorists from the catastrophes they perpetrated on New York and Washington? Where was God when the Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi were killing one another? In the Old Testament the Book of Job wrestles with similar questions about God and the problems of life in this world, and comes up with the answer: we really don't understand much about God and his purposes. As his creatures, subject to error and sickness and all kinds of evils, we have a brief time of life, during which we ought to do the best we can to honor God and to help our neighbor. For reasons of his own, God has chosen to reveal to us only a part of his plans for the destiny of human beings, and his Will for our salvation. But it behooves us to pay attention to that part which he has revealed!Also, God creates human persons with the gift of free-will: meaning each person is able to choose his/her manner of action in accordance with God's revealed Will, or to act in defiance of that Will, or to neglect and ignore God completely. His revelation promises eternal happiness to those who obey his Will. That same revelation also promises eternal punishment with total frustration to those who defy his Will, or deliberately ignore and neglect him during their life.Therefore each person is free to accept or reject God's revelation. We believe that God does reveal his Will, first of all, in the law of nature impressed in each person's mind and heart. In addition, to this natural law, God has provided us with his revelation in the Bible. Further, God instituted the Jewish religion and completed it in Christianity: to instruct and guide people to salvation. To help people avoid making errors about so important a matter as salvation, he established his Church, with authority to interpret the Bible and to teach in his Name. With all these helps for salvation, it ought to be easy for a person to know God's Will and to do it. But the multiplicity of conflicting religions in this world evidences that it is not easy to achieve salvation. Each religion reflects its proper history. Some of these religions possess much truth of God's revelation, while other religions were invented by charlatans or charismatic leaders or pseudo-prophets: to deceive people into promoting a particular political agenda. Other religions are devised to make people feel comfortable in this life, without reference to God, or to support the extravagance of a privileged few. Almost every week a new religion springs-up somewhere in the world; usually the founder(s) pick and choose what they like from established religions, and discard what they don't like. The followers of such religions exercise their free will in choosing and adapting their religion. God respects their choice, and will The apostle, St. Peter warns (2 Peter 2:1-3): "There were false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive, untrue doctrines, and even deny the Master who redeemed them, bringing sudden destruction on themselves. Even so, many will follow their immoral ways; and because of what they do, others will speak evil of the Way of truth. In their greed these false teachers will exploit you with fabrications; but for a long time now they stand condemned." St. Peter goes on to describe various man-made religions and cults: "They promise freedom, though they themselves are slaves of corruption; for a person is a slave of whatever overcomes him" (2:19). The brief epistle of St. Jude is also a warning about false religions. Note particularly verses 18-19: "In the final times people will appear who will make fun of you, people who follow their own godless desires. These are the people who cause divisions, who are controlled by their natural desires, who do not have the Spirit."As for those who claim that "it will be sufficient just to know God and desire to be with him in heaven," the apostle St. James (Jesus' cousin) wrote: "You believe in God? Good! The devils also believe, and tremble with fear" (James 2:19).Having given human beings all that is necessary for salvation, God does not intervene ordinarily to prevent the abuse or misuse of human freedom. When each individual dies - and no one can escape death - he or she is judged very exactly by God: on the choices they made in this life and especially on their final choice. Those who freely chose to be friends of God and followed his revelation will be saved, i.e. happy forever in heaven. Those who freely chose to ignore God and his revelation will not be saved, i.e. they will suffer forever in hell. Among those, who will be in hell, are those who have caused confusion with respect to salvation.

In heaven... will everyone be treated the same?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-04-01 13:45:00

Question: In heaven, is there any difference in the way people are treated? For instance, will those who have lived exemplary lives be treated better than those who did not?

Answer: In his treatise about resurrection of the body (1 Cor 15) St. Paul observes in verse 41: "The stars differ among themselves in splendor." Or, as an older translation has it: Star differs from star in glory." The Apostle is referring to final resurrection at the end of time and the different degrees of splendor or glory in the resurrected bodies of those in heaven.Somewhere in the gospels Jesus states that "whoever gives a cup of cold water, in his name to someone who is thirsty, will not be lacking a reward."If this is true for so simple and humble an act of mercy, how much greater will be the reward for someone who has lived an exemplary good life? Everyone who is saved goes to heaven, where there is a diversity of rewards according to the different merits of the individuals who are saved. These merits are acquired primarily from the grace of God through Jesus Christ, but also correspond to the good will and the good works of each person.During this life everyone has opportunity to increase their capacity for happiness in eternity. What you call "better treatment," I call: capacity for happiness.Everyone in heaven is completely happy, all their desires being fulfilled. But everyone does not have the same degree of happiness. I use a crude illustration: imagine in succession the following containers: a thimble, a drinking-glass, a large bowl, a bathtub, a swimming pool, a lake, and an ocean. Each of these containers is filled with water. (Here the water is a symbol of happiness.) If I ask: which is more full?... you must reply: "Well, each is full. But it is evident that the lake holds more water than does the drinking-glass." Each container is full according to its capacity. But not everyone has the same capacity. During this life each person is given by God the ability to increase his/her capacity for happiness in eternity. That capacity is fixed at the moment of death, i.e. of our passing from this life into eternity. Then it is fixed forever. In heaven there is no jealousy or sadness over another person having a greater capacity for happiness. But various individuals have attained a greater or larger capacity for happiness than others. The saints, those friends of God who passed their lives on earth in loving and serving God and their neighbor, certainly have a greater degree of happiness than do those individuals, who neglected God and their neighbor until their deathbed, when they repented and received forgiveness.The holy Virgin Mary is compared with the ocean in her capacity for happiness. Every moment of her life was completely in accord with the Will of God for her: "Let it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38). By contrast, the person who has led a sinful and selfish life, but who receives the grace of repentance on his/her deathbed, will be saved and go to heaven. But their capacity for happiness is like that of the thimble. Thus each person ought to strive, while they have life, to increase their capacity, which will be fixed forever at death. I remember that Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Princess Diana of Wales were personal friends and died within a few days of each other. Journalists and news-reporters associated both ladies as walking hand-in-hand together in heaven. I doubt it turned out that way. Mother Teresa seems to have died in perfect love for God, after a lifetime of generous service to her poor neighbor. Princess Diana seems to have died in a situation of adultery, which is a serious offense against God. Thus the capacity for happiness in both women was not the same, could not be, as God is perfect Justice.We have reason to hope that the princess was saved by her faith and her charity, in addition to being aided by the prayers of her friend, the holy foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. The circumstances of their respective deaths would seem to indicate quite a difference in their respective capacities for happiness.

In heaven... will everyone be treated the same?

By Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Terry Fox

2002-04-01 13:45:00

Question: In heaven, is there any difference in the way people are treated? For instance, will those who have lived exemplary lives be treated better than those who did not?

Answer: This is a difficult question for two reasons. First, the Bible gives very little description of life in heaven; probably because we could not understand it. Second, Christianity differs from all other religions in the qualifications for heaven. We do not qualify for heaven by being good. All are born with a fatal spiritual disease, a rebel attitude toward God that shows itself as selfishness, greed, lust, dishonesty, etc. The Bible calls this "sin". I must acknowledge my helpless sinful condition, repent of living "my way" and shutting God out of my thoughts and choices, and accept the sacrifice of Christ as payment for the penalty for my sin. Then I am accepted as a child of God just as though I had the righteousness of Christ. And I don't expect to spend eternity with a bunch of people who think they deserve to be there, when I know I don't. We will all know that we are there by the grace of a loving God.Your question was, "Will some be treated better because they lived better lives?" It makes us ask, "How could some be treated better than others, considering the basis for our being there?" There are hints in Scripture of rewards (Matt. 5:12). Jesus urged people to "lay up treasures in heaven" (Matt.5:19-21). Five times in the Epistles the apostles promise "crowns" at the return of Christ for deeds done. But surely this will not be a ranking system where some can be proud and others envious! Bigger mansions! Better medals! Sounds too much like earth's society!Let me hazard a possible explanation. Maybe those barred from heaven cannot come because it would not be heaven for them; they couldn't survive. It would be like taking a fish from a filthy river and placing it in a palace. It doesn't have the lungs for it. The Bible tells us that when one becomes a Christian, he or she receives a new nature, is "born anew" (John3:3), is "regenerated" (Titus 3:5), "becomes a new creation" (II Cor. 5:21), is "born of the Spirit"(John3:8), etc. This spiritual child could survive heaven and grow. Without this, one can neither obey, understand nor please God. Perhaps the reward is the ability to enjoy the presence of God and the wonders of heaven. Then rewards would result from what we have truly become as we live in trusting obedience and loving service to God and man. We would feel at home in heaven.

How many worlds have there been?

By Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Terry Fox

2002-03-01 16:11:00

Question: How many worlds have there been? Was the fall of the angels, which apparently preceded our world, a world unto itself? Have there been any others? Will there be any more?"

Answer: This question grows from two pieces of information we have.(1) There is much evidence of cataclysmic events on the earth: Meteorite impacts, shifts in the rotation axis probably due to the close approach of a comet, etc. (2) Several short mentions in the Bible of a testing and fall of angels: Ezek.28:12-17, Isaiah 14:9-15 for example. The once-popular Scofield Reference Bible suggests, in a footnote to Genesis 1:2, that these two things may be connected.No one can say with certainty whether this is true, and we certainly cannot say if there have been "other worlds", or if there will be others. Science-fiction writers feel free to propose "parallel universes", but we must be careful to regard all answers to your questions as guesses until new information is available, and maybe only God can supply it.

How many worlds have there been?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-03-01 15:09:00

Question: How many worlds have there been? Was the fall of the angels, which apparently preceded our world, a world unto itself? Have there been any others? Will there be any more?"

Answer: To each of these questions the the most honest answer is: I don't know.And nobody else does either. These questions pertain to the realm of speculation. The only one who does know is God, and He has said very little about such speculation. His written word in the Bible has a couple of references to the fall of the angels, which serve as fuel for our curiosity. But there is really no way of our knowing about other worlds, unless the Creator deigns to inform us. Human science has discovered in outer space an almost infinite number of galaxies of stars and planets, many of them larger than our galaxy, which includes millions of stars and planets. We can only guess about their age in creation, and it is impossible for our limited minds to ascertain how many there are, or have been, or will be.In the New Testament epistle of St. Jude, who was Jesus' relative, there is an obscure reference to the fall of the angels: "The angels too, who did not keep to their own domain but deserted their proper dwelling, he (God) has kept in eternal chains, in gloom, for the judgment of the great day.Likewise, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual promiscuity and practiced unnatural vice, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire." St. Jude is referring to Genesis 19:4-11, where the townsmen of Sodom violated both hospitality and morality, by demanding that Lot's two visitors be handed over to them so that they could abuse them sexually. In reality the two visitors were messengers of God (the word for messenger in Greek is angelos or angel). St. Jude's term "unnatural vice" refers to the desires for intimacies by human beings with angels.The book of Apocalypse or Revelation, chapter 12, verses 7-8, says: "Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they did not prevail; and there was no longer any place for them in heaven." That text goes on to identify the dragon (verse 9): "The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it." Since the fall of the angels preceded God's action of creating this universe, those texts relate to events, which are outside the order of time and occurring in other worlds, as are both heaven and hell.

Is the Bible contradictory?

By Rev Terry Fox

X

Religion

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Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.

Rev Terry Fox

2002-02-01 15:35:00

: While I understand from time to time there might be a contradiction in the way a Bible passage is interpreted, there is one that is causing me some difficulty....it says in one spot that if you do not acknowledge God before man, Jesus will not acknowledge you before His Father. In another spot it says that one should not boast of doing things in honor of God for if you do, you will have already received your reward. Are these not contradictory?

Rev. Terry Fox Question: While I understand from time to time there might be a contradiction in the way a Bible passage is interpreted, there is one that is causing me some difficulty....it says in one spot that if you do not acknowledge God before man, Jesus will not acknowledge you before His Father. In another spot it says that one should not boast of doing things in honor of God for if you do, you will have already received your reward. Are these not contradictory?Answer: The first is from Matthew 10:32-33 (or Luke 12:8-9): "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will also disown before my Father in heaven." The second is from Matthew 6:1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Then verses 2, 3 and 16 explain what he means by "acts of righteousness". "When you give to the needy...", "And when you pray...", "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men that they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." These are very different cases. The first hides his religion and the second brags about it. In both cases they are crowd-pleasers, but are trying to impress two different crowds. Unfortunately, both of these are still common temptations and failings. Jesus contrasts both of them with genuine God-pleasers. The first is a person who tries to fit in with the crowd at his or her work place and is afraid of being different, so never objects to unfair practices or filthy jokes or blasphemous language. The second is the same person, but on Sunday at church he pretends to be a faithful and pious follower and servant of Christ. There is no contradiction in Christ's two reprimands.

Is the Bible contradictory?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-02-01 15:35:00

Question: While I understand from time to time there might be a contradiction in the way a Bible passage is interpreted, there is one that is causing me some difficulty....it says in one spot that if you do not acknowledge God before man, Jesus will not acknowledge you before His Father. In another spot it says that one should not boast of doing things in honor of God for if you do, you will have already recei

Answer: The first is from Matthew 10:32-33 (or Luke 12:8-9): "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before   men, I will also disown before my Father in heaven."
     The second is from Matthew 6:1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
Then verses 2, 3 and 16 explain what he means by "acts of righteousness".
   "When you give to the needy...",   "And when you pray...",    "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men that they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."
     These are very different cases. The first hides his religion and the second brags about it.   In both cases they are crowd-pleasers, but are trying to impress two different crowds. Unfortunately, both of these are still common temptations and failings. Jesus contrasts both of them with genuine God-pleasers.
     The first is a person who tries to fit in with the crowd at his or her work place and is afraid of being different, so never objects to unfair practices or filthy jokes or blasphemous language. The second is the same person, but on Sunday at church he pretends to be a faithful and pious follower and servant of Christ.
     There is no contradiction in Christ's two reprimands.

Science vs. religion... is there always a conflict?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2002-01-01 13:32:00

Question: Is there now, and has there always been a conflict between science and religion? If so, how do we know which is correct in each situation?

Answer: In view of past and present and future discussions stemming from this question, it seems well to present the facts clearly. God is absolute Truth! By definition, God is true and in Him there is not and cannot be any contradiction. Confusion and contradiction exist only in human minds because we are limited, finite creatures and our understanding of things is only partial. Therefore at times it can seem to us that truths of faith are contradicted by truths of science. Here I would emphasize the words "it can seem" because the whole truth is not immediately apparent to weak humans, and we humans are liable to being deceived. We can be deceived by ignorance of the facts, or by partial knowledge ("a little learning is a dangerous thing") or by lies and superstition and illusions and imagination and dreams, and even by the evil. This latter is a fallen angel and still possesses an intellect much sharper than any human mind. True science and true religious faith come from God, who cannot deceive or be deceived. In fact, therefore, there is not and cannot be a real conflict between authentic scientific knowledge and authentic religious faith. When a conflict appears between the two, then there is an error: either in the science or in the understanding of the faith. Faith and science are friends, handmaids of the Divine Intelligence, freely given by God to his human creatures. But neither faith nor science is given in its fullness. We have to struggle to understand both true faith and true science. In earlier centuries, it was generally-accepted as an evident scientific fact that the world is stationary, around which the sun and other planets revolve. Religious faith, as such, did not dispute or even enter into that matter. Authentic religious faith does not concern geography or the natural sciences. But in the 17th century, when the great astronomer Galileo demonstrated that the earth revolves around the sun, some churchmen viewed his scientific experiments as contradicting a text in the Bible, which would seem to indicate that the sun moves around the earth.The reference is to the joyful song of Joshua, calling up the sun to stand still in order to prolong the victory of that day: "And the sun stood still, and the moon halted, till the people had vengeance on their enemies" (Judges:10:12-13). Actually, Joshua was speaking or singing according to common terminology, in the same way that we refer to sunrise and sunset. Of course, the sun does not rise and does not set. It only appears to rise and to set. But at the time of Galileo, our knowledge of the Holy Scriptures was so limited that it didn't distinguish between literal fact and literary genre (i.e. various manners of speaking truth). Often truth is expressed in poetry, and this is by metaphors and similar images. But if anyone insists on interpreting a piece of poetry as literal fact, then he or she is liable to get into error and perhaps domestic trouble. For example, read to your wife the lovely poem Ode to a Grecian Urn, and she will be pleased. But, if you compare her size or shape to an urn, you might feel her breaking that urn over your head. The churchmen, involved in the controversy with Galileo were wrong to interpret Joshua's song, in a fundamentalist way, as if Joshua was expressing literal scientific fact. Galileo was right in pointing out that Joshua's song had nothing to do with Faith and Religion. The proponent of religious faith has no business becoming involved, and is generally not competent to pronounce, about matters of natural science.Likewise the true scientist, like the great Albert Einstein, will respect the limitations of his fields of competence, and leave to religious persons to pursue the areas of faith. At times, in a rare and delicate situation, both science and religion share a common interest, e.g. in human stem-cell research. Then great respect for each other is required of the part of both the authentic theologian and the genuine scientist.Both are struggling to arrive at truth. When an apparent conflict happens, then either: the understanding of the religious faith is defective OR the alleged scientific statement is deficient. The duty remains, for scientists as for theologians, to continue to study, indeed to collaborate and help each other: to advance our human knowledge of both science and faith, which have as a single source: God the Creator.

Does one have to go to church to be saved?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2001-12-01 14:37:00

Question: My brother says that one does not have to go to church and tithe to be saved. He says as long as you live a good life, believe in God, and treat your neighbor right, you will be okay. I say there's a lot more to it than this. Who is right?

Answer: In the gospel of St. Matthew (19:16-24) a man asked Jesus: "Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?"St. Luke (10:25-28) relates the same or a similar incident, in which "an expert in the Law of Moses asked: 'Teacher, what must I do to enter heaven?'"To the first inquiry Jesus responded: "If you want to have eternal life, you must obey the Commandments."To the second Jesus asked: "What is written in the Scriptures?" and He endorsed the reply: "The Scriptures say: 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength and mind. Then you must love your neighbor as yourself.' Jesus said: 'If you do this, you will have eternal life.'"You ask whether there are different requirements for people of different religious persuasions? The answer is no. Whoever fulfills the above requirements of Jesus will enter heaven.You mention your brother, who says: "he does not have to go to church and tithe to be saved; he says that so long as you lead a good life, believe in God, and treat your neighbor right, you will be okay." You feel there's more to it than this. Who is right?I respond: Both of you are right. But Ed is more right. Let me explain: If your brother truly is a good man, leading a good life, a man who observes ALL of God's commandments, worships God regularly, generously shares his goods, not just with family and friends, but with persons who are truly poor and needy, and who never sins or offends God in the slightest degree; then your brother is a saint and destined for heaven. But, by reason of original sin -- which is a natural inclination towards selfishness and evil -- very few persons are free from sin and selfishness. In fact, only Jesus and his mother Mary and St. John the Baptist were born completely free from sin (the natural inclination to evil). If your brother is not completely free from sin and selfishness, then he is not okay and is not headed for heaven. Indeed, he will go to hell when he dies -- unless he gets out of his self-complacency and gets busy about fulfilling all God's commandments.St. James the Apostle, who was also Jesus' cousin,writes in his epistle (2:19) "Even the devils have faith, and they shake with fear." That ought to take care of your brother's argument that his belief in God can save him. True belief in God proves itself by regular worship of God, by reverencing God's holy Name, and by contributing to worthwhile causes for the honor of God. Your brother says he believes in God. I hope he puts that belief into action; otherwise, his belief will be like that of the devils. This relates particularly to those politicians, who proclaim: "I don't let my religious faith influence my private life or my political decisions." Then, I ask, what good is such faith. Such a person's faith is dead, useless to God and to himself and to others. The devils believe, but their faith is useless (by their own choice) and they are excluded from heaven.The Church was established by Jesus for sinful human beings: to help us on our journey in this world to heaven. The Church continues to guide and help sinners. And most of the people, who sincerely relate to the Church and accept her guidance, do get to heaven. But most of those people, who ignore the Church and do not tithe, do not reach heaven. As Jesus explained in the parable about the sower of wheat and the weeds in his field: many people hear the Word of God, but it does not develop in their souls and they are unproductive in virtues and useless for God. Such persons will find themselves excluded from the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, to the brother who says he doesn't go to Church and tithe, I would say: "Good luck!" A good life consists not only in avoiding evil but also doing virtuous actions, which help merit heaven."Treating the neighbor right" means a lot more than not hurting the neighbor; it involves generosity to many people; it requires the maintenance of strict justice in all our dealings with another person; it means observing all God's commandments relating to our neighbor. I hope your brother is aware of this.If your brother truly lives a good life, practicing all the virtues, including the worship of God and giving generously to the poor and to worthy causes, and IF he never sins in the slightest degree, then he is correct and will go to heaven. But, if he is guilty of some sin, which he has forgotten and has not repaired, and he ignored the duty of going to Church and of tithing (almsgiving), then all his supposed faith and his assumed righteousness is not sufficient to get him into heaven. Heaven is God's gift and reward for those who truly believe in Him and prove it by their worthy lives.Those persons, who are indifferent and choose to not be bothered about religion in this life, simply do not fulfill the requirements for entering heaven.

Requirements to enter heaven... same for all?

By David Mann

X

Religion

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David Mann is on staff as one of the Pastors at Central Christian Church in Wichita and has served as both Pastor of Christian Education and Pastor of Communications. David has taught adult classes at Central for more than 20 years and is known for his teaching emphasis on the Character of God, The Nature of Man, and the work of Jesus on the Cross. David can be contacted by phone at (316) 688-4400, by e-mail at mannd@centralcc.org, or you can write him at: Central Christian, 2900 North Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67226.

David Mann

2001-11-01 14:12:00

Question: Since there are so many different religions and rules pertaining to them, are the requirements for getting into heaven different depending on what faith one follows?

Answer: Great question, and a logical one as well. This is a question that most thinking people ask at some time in their lives, let’s take a look at the two parts of your question starting with the possibility of having different requirements for people of different religious persuasions and then moving on to the requirements for entering Heaven.Before we begin, let’s observe that there is a popular notion making the rounds these days that truth is variable or changeable depending on your point of view. As appealing as that concept may be to some, in the final analysis this notion breaks down because it has its roots more in the political correctness movement than it does in the realm of logic. Regarding your question, I’ll start with the presupposition that there can be only one objectively true, ultimately true, truly true reality of what comes after this life.Our curiosity would love to know with certainty exactly what one, true reality will face us upon death. Some believe that after we die we just evaporate into nothingness or that we start over in a new life or that we just blend in to the cosmic consciousness but when all is said and done, something will really, truly happen to all of us after we die.People’s opinions can be variable, social moods are variable, and religious traditions can vary but if there is actually a real, objectively true place called heaven (and there is), then let’s admit that whoever created heaven must set the entrance requirements. The idea of heaven as a place where the one, true God of all creation rules over conscious inhabitants for eternity with absolute and perfect holiness, righteousness, love, justice, mercy, and grace is found only in the Bible so let’s begin by asking if the God of the Bible has anything to say about the possibility of entering His heaven via different roads or requirements, or by different methods of salvation.Here are a few verses from the Bible that shed light on our question.Isa. 45:18 For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. Isa. 45:21b And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. Isa. 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” It would seem that the God of the Bible is pretty clear about telling us that no one will enter His heaven except by His way of salvation. No other God, no other savior, no other way. This being said, let’s now look at the second part of your second question, “What are the requirements to enter Heaven?”In the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, God clearly states the entry requirements for His eternal heaven. Let’s observe what Revelation chapter 21 verse 27 has to say with regard to entering heaven.Rev. 21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. So the requirements for entry are really pretty simple. Perfection. That’s all, just being perfect, sinless, having no faults, no impurity, never having done anything wrong, never having lied (even once), never having deceived or stolen from someone, never having a lustful thought, never coveting what someone else has, never having spoken the Lord’s name in foul language, and always having kept the Sabbath as a holy day. Entering heaven is as simple as being perfect in God’s eyes.The problem is, we’re not perfect. None of us. Nada. Nobody. Not you. Not me. Unfortunately, the Bible says our record was tarnished with sin at birth and has gotten progressively worse as our lives have continued on. Just look at what God has to say about us.Rom. 3:10-12 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Isa. 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. On his own, Abraham wasn’t good enough, Moses wasn’t good enough, Isaiah wasn’t good enough, John the Baptist wasn’t good enough, Paul the Apostle wasn’t good enough. Just like us, they all needed a savior. Someone to cover their failings and somehow give them the spotless, sinless perfection that is needed to be accepted by God into his heavenly presence.Many people cling to the notion that it is something they do that will earn them a place in heaven, some work they perform will be their ticket, or that there will be a scale at the entrance to heaven and if what they think of as their good works done in this life outweigh the bad works, then God will smile and say something like “Boy oh boy, come on in, you’ve earned it!”Earning your way into heaven may seem reasonable to our human minds but God clearly says no one will enter heaven because they’ve earned it. The blot of sin on our record can never be removed by our own works. In fact, He says in the book of Isaiah that even our best efforts at being righteous are like filthy rags in His eyes. Here are a couple of other places where God communicates that our good works cannot save us:Ephesians 2:9 says salvation is “not by works, so that no one can boast.”Gal. 2:16b “because by observing the law no one will be justified.”Rom. 3:20 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law;”Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,”So if the Bible says none of us are good enough on our own to get into God’s heaven and that there’s no way we can earn our way into heaven by our good works, then we end up asking the same question that was asked by a Philippian jailer as recorded in the book of Acts: “”Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” Acts 16:30-31Jesus himself said the same thing to the crowd when they asked him “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:28-29At first, it sounds too simple. To say that we can become acceptable to God and enter heaven just by believing on Jesus to save us. It seems like we should have to earn our way, until we remember God said that’s simply not possible. If any of us is going to enter heaven, it’s got to be because God has mercy on us and grants us what He calls grace.Much of the New Testament is spent describing this wonderful concept of God’s grace, how it is received, and how it works itself out in our lives and our salvation. Here are a few verses to get you started:Eph. 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Gal. 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.Rom. 3:22-24 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Much of my adult life has been spent exploring this wonder of God’s grace, examining how His plan of salvation works, and marveling at the incredible gift He gives to all who believe on the savior He provided, Jesus the Messiah. Your question was a great one and I hope I’ve shed a some light on it but with a topic as vast as the grace of God and His salvation, even eternity in Heaven won’t be long enough to explore it fully. Let me leave you with God’s own words on your questions:John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Requirements to enter heaven... same for all?

By Father Cleary

X

Religion

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2001-11-01 14:08:00

Question: I read the recent articles in The Q & A Times on heaven and what it will be like. What are the 'requirements' to enter heaven? Are there different requirements for people of different religious persuasions?

Answer: The Apostle Paul, writing to his disciple Timothy, remarks that "Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners" (1 Tim 1:9), and "God our saviour wills everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all" (1Tim 2:4-5). "To be saved" means: to be able to go to heaven after death. Those who are not saved cannot enter heaven. After death, the non-saved go to hell. In hell there are various degrees of suffering, according to the evil in one's life, but the greatest suffering in hell is the absence of God, to be unable to enjoy the companionship of the saints, and knowing that it is one's own fault to suffer such deprivation: forever. On the other hand, those who are saved go to heaven and enjoy the companionship of God and the saints and are filled with happiness. Their happiness corresponds to the good will they demonstrated in this life, and their obedience to God's law, which is intended to guide each person safely through the present life into life everlasting with God.In addition to the various commandments given by God through Moses and other spiritual leaders, there exists the natural law, planted by God in every human soul, which usually inclines a person to do good rather then evil, and is expressed by what we call conscience. Conscience is a kind of natural knowledge regarding the morality of human acts. The word is derived from Latin conscientia, meaning: with knowledge. Every human person, who has reason, also has a conscience. If a person acts according to their conscience they will be saved. But it is possible for a person, through repeated evil acts, to stifle their conscience, and so continue their evil habits until they end in hell. There exists also the positive law of God, expressed in the Ten Commandments and in religion. Those persons, who observe these teachings, which re-enforce the natural law of conscience, will be saved. Those who choose to ignore the commandments and religion, will not be saved. God the Creator sent his Son, in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, to complete God's instructions given in the Jewish religion. Jesus founded the Church to continue his mission on earth. In this world there are also many other religions, established by individual humans who were charismatic leaders. Most of these religions teach God's truth -- more or less. Jesus established only ONE Church -- not churches!Since we have only one life, in which to gain or lose heaven, it is important that we find that Church and follow it's teachings: so that we can safely pass through this life into heaven. God is Truth, and therefore God cannot contradict himself. A particular teaching cannot be both true and false at the same time and under the same aspect. Since human reason makes mistakes and the human will is weak, it is important also that we find and follow what is true.If we do our best, acting in accord with our conscience, then God will receive us into heaven when we die. If we ignore the truth and stifle our conscience, then at death we will go to hell.As there is one God and one mediator with God, the man Christ Jesus, so there cannot be different requirements for different persons to enter heaven. Every person, who sincerely seeks to do what is good according to his/her conscience, will be saved, will go to heaven. The person, who does evil and does not repent of such evil, acting against their conscience, cannot be saved, i.e. the evil person goes to hell. In the practical order, it is much easier to be saved by living in and with the Church established by Jesus, than it is to live apart from that Church. Everyone who is saved, is saved through the Church, whether they realize it or not. The Church considers as belonging in some way to the Body of Christ: all those persons of good will, who in this life sincerely tried to be good and acted in accord with their conscience. Even if their conscience is in error about a particular matter, the sincere good person can be saved by following their conscience. It is terribly wrong for a person to ignore or stifle his/her conscience. But habitual sinners do just that; and -- unless they repent -- in the end they go to hell. And so, at the end we can expect to find in heaven many persons we didn't expect to find there, individuals who sincerely tried to direct their lives in accordance with God's purpose, as expressed in his Commandments and the teachings of religion, but primarily in the individual conscience. But we will note that some persons, whom we might have expected to be in heaven, are not there; these are the individuals who, against their conscience, violated God's Commandments and taught falsehood and practiced what is wrong to do. Likewise, those who in this life are unconcerned about God and about their neighbor, who are selfish and live for themselves alone, cannot be saved. In this connection, it is well to read Jesus' parables about the rich man and the poor man (Luke 17:19-31), and the scene of the final judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). Those two parables indicate the basic requirements to be saved.

Heaven doesn’t sound like all that much fun

By David Mann

X

Religion

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David Mann is on staff as one of the Pastors at Central Christian Church in Wichita and has served as both Pastor of Christian Education and Pastor of Communications. David has taught adult classes at Central for more than 20 years and is known for his teaching emphasis on the Character of God, The Nature of Man, and the work of Jesus on the Cross. David can be contacted by phone at (316) 688-4400, by e-mail at mannd@centralcc.org, or you can write him at: Central Christian, 2900 North Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67226.

David Mann

2001-09-01 10:45:00

Question: What exactly is heaven and what goes on there?

Answer: Thanks for your good question on heaven. Many people wonder what heaven is like and how they can be certain they’ll go there when they die. Let’s take a look at your questions one at a time and try to shine some heavenly light on them!Heaven 101 - What exactly is heaven and what goes on there?Heaven is a place the Bible talks about more than 500 times in both the Old and New Testaments. It is described as a very real place where God dwells and reigns in a holy and special way, a place where sin can never enter and a place of unimaginable beauty whose occupants include the angels of God as well as the souls of men and women purchased by God from every tribe and language and people and nation.Although other world religions put forth some idea of what happens after we die, heaven is distinctly Christian in nature and is a common theme of Jesus’ teaching and of the Bible as a whole.People conjure up all kinds of ideas about heaven and the notions of what they think heaven is like range from the bizarre to the sublime, but the fact is, heaven is not simply anything you might want it to be, instead, heaven is exactly what God has prepared it to be. With this in mind, just what does the God of the Bible say about His heaven and the activities that go on there? Let’s begin with a few general observations from the Bible about heaven.• Heaven is Beyond our Imaginations - The Bible says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9 • Though God is omnipresent (present everywhere, all the time, at the same time), He dwells in a special way in heaven. (I Kings 8:27, Matthew 6:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33)• Heaven lasts forever (Revelation 22:5)• God is Worshiped in heaven (Revelation Chapters 4 & 5)• Not everyone goes to heaven (Luke 16:19-31, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)• Heaven is a source of Hope, Joy, and Strength in this life. (Colossians 1:5, 1 Peter 1)We can also learn about Heaven from eyewitness accounts of those who have seen it. In several Old Testament and New Testament passages, we get a glimpse of what heaven is like and the response of those who have seen it is always quite similar.• Ezekiel writes that he fell face down when confronted by the glory of Heaven and describes it in Ezekiel Chapter 1.• Isaiah was sure he was a dead man and fell face down. He describes the Holiness of the God of Heaven in Isaiah chapter 6.• The apostle Paul describes it as “inexpressible,” in 2 Corinthians chapter 12.• John fell at the feet of the Lord when he was shown heaven and describes it in great detail in Revelation chapters 21 & 22. In fact, from these last two chapters of Revelation, we learn a great deal about what will be in heaven, what won’t be in heaven, and what will go on in heaven. Let’s list some of the things that won’t be in Heaven.What Will We Not Find in Heaven?• The present heavens and earth will be replaced by a new heaven and earth. (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1)• There will be no tears, no death, no mourning, no crying or pain. (Revelation 21:4)• The curse of sin is lifted and there will be no offense to the Holiness of God in Heaven. (Revelation 21:8, 21:27, Revelation 22:3 & 22:15)• There is no Temple in Heaven because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb of God are its temple. (Revelation 21:22)• There is no sun or moon in Heaven because the glory of God gives it light. There is no night in Heaven. (Revelation 21:23, 22:5)So What Will We Find in Heaven?• The Throne of God and of the Lamb will be in heaven. (Revelation 22:3)• The angels of God are in heaven. (Revelation 5:11, 21:9-12)• Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be found in heaven. (Revelation 21:27)• We’ll have new bodies in Heaven. (2 Corinthians 5)• All those who have died “in Christ” will be in Heaven. (2 Thessalonians 1:10)• There will be rewards in heaven. (Matthew 5, Revelation 22)With this brief overview of Heaven as a background, let’s address the questions you had about your friend’s comments.One of your questions seems to be how we can possibly be fulfilled or experience enjoyment in heaven if all we do is praise and honor God all the time for eternity.Living life to the glory of God in heaven does not simply mean that the redeemed stand as a group and sing hymns all day, every day for eternity. Rather, from a biblical perspective, God’s children are to be living even our present lives so as to give praise and glory to God all the time, every day, right here and now. So if we are living according to His plan while we are here on earth, the biggest change in Heaven will be that we can live life to His glory without the constant burden of sin weighing us down and holding us back. For those who dwell in heaven, it will be the living of life free from the weight of sin, free from the faults and failures of this life. Heaven will be life lived the way God created us to live originally. Learning of His infinite wisdom and knowledge, exercising all of our faculties and abilities at a level unheard of on earth. Heaven will be anything but dull. Heaven will simply free us to fully live to His glory, which was the reason we were created in the first place. If you’ve ever thought of it, God, in His infinite being, is the pinnacle, the zenith, the ultimate of any and every area of knowledge and abilities we experience here. He is the ultimate development of every discipline. He is the ultimate engineer, He is the ultimate designer, the ultimate decorator, the ultimate painter, the ultimate father, the ultimate counselor, the ultimate mathematician, the ultimate musician...the ultimate everything. Whatever in our experience that we find to be glorious on this earth will find its supreme fulfillment in heaven, in an ultimate way we cannot even imagine here. All of eternity will not exhaust the exhilaration of living life the way God designed it to be lived. Heaven boring? Hardly. Furthermore, heaven is really the “Natural Habitat” of those whom God calls His children, so when those who are of God’s household speak of heaven, we’re identifying the place where our Father is, our Savior is, and where our brothers and sisters are. In heaven, our name is written there, our eternal inheritance is there, our citizenship is there, our reward is there, and the only treasure we will have for eternity is there as well. This is why the Apostle Paul says we are strangers, we are pilgrims, and we are as aliens in this present world while we await our future home in heaven. Now while all this talk about heaven sounds great, the fact is that the ruler of Heaven has said that there is only one way to get there and that not everyone will go there. Instead, Jesus said many will spend all of eternity in a destination they never planned on nor desired. This is what the Bible names as Hell, where the blessings of God have been exchanged for His eternal punishment. We dealt with the topic of Hell in our last article and with the love of Jesus and the Grace of God in mind, I would challenge you and your husband to examine tail the claims of the Bible about both Heaven and Hell, about life and death, and about the salvation to be found in Christ alone. Just before He was crucified, Jesus was talking with his followers about heaven, that He was going there to prepare a place for them and telling them by what way they could get there. Here is what He said to them as recorded in John 14: 1-6"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”So the good news is, that the one who created heaven tells us He made a sure and certain way for us to spend forever with Him in a place of glorious beauty, inexhaustible wonder, and never ending joy. Thanks again for the great question! Let’s finish the topic with a passage that gives us the words to one of the songs we’ll sing in heaven: Revelation 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”Amen.

Heaven doesn’t sound like all that much fun

By Father Cleary

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Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com.

Father Cleary

2001-09-01 10:37:00

Question: The other day my friend and I were talking about 'Heaven' and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It's difficult for me to understand how that's all one will do… and do it forever. I have an even harder time imagining my husband enjoying it. While we both go to church regularly, it's not something he looks forward to. Is there more to Heaven than this… or will this be enough?

Answer: First, we ought to realize that God made us to "praise and honor him all day." In this life, that is what we are supposed to do. Even in the midst of our many daily activities of work, recreation, entertainment, relaxation and sleep, our whole life ought to reflect praise and glory to our Creator. You probably do this without realizing it, so I am assuming your present familiar daily routine is not boring. Why therefore would your life after death become boring because of continuing to give praise and glory to God?Heaven, by definition is "the state or place of complete fulfillment, of perfect happiness; fullness of joy; sharing the companionship of the saints and of good persons of every time and place; in familiar conversation with God and his angels." All attempts to describe Heaven, even in the Bible, fall far short of the reality. How can a person adequately describe an intense spiritual experience, or the exhilaration of complete fulfillment, perfect satisfaction, and a soul lifted-up to unimaginable delights? Both the Old Testament (the prophet Isaiah) and the New Testament (St. Paul to the Corinthians) assure us that "human eyes have not seen, nor human ears heard: what wonderful things God has prepared for those who love him." When the Book of Revelation speaks of God's saints continually singing "Alleluia" and dancing in white robes, the author is attempting to describe the indescribable. He is telling us that in Heaven there is so much joy that it might be compared to dancing at a perpetual marriage feast. That everyone there is young and beautiful, and that the beauty of heaven in every aspect far surpasses anything that can be experienced on earth. Each person will be fully satisfied, filled with love, and free from any kind of sickness or injury or hurt or disappointment or sadness. This is the reality of heaven, and it is awaiting the friends of God immediately after death.By contrast, hell is also a reality and the very opposite of heaven. Hell is a state and place of complete and total frustration. Those, who in this life have usually preferred themselves and other creatures to the Creator, will at death continue to make a bad choice, preferring themselves and creatures to the Creator. They will get what they want… themselves separated from God. They will discover too late to reverse that bad choice… how petty and ugly they are by their own choice of ignoring or disobeying God during this life. In hell there is no love, nor anything lovely. In hell everybody is hideously ugly, tormented by physical pain and a guilty conscience that allows them no peace. In hell there is neither touching nor sex, because each person is too selfish to allow another person to get near them, besides being so ugly that no one would want to come near them. In hell there is no rest nor recreation nor relaxation; only suffering of every kind. In hell there is neither encouragement nor hope. Everyone in hell realizes that they really blew the many opportunities God had given them to be happy and free from this suffering. But now it is too late. Their pain and punishment honors God's keen justice. Those in hell cannot be helped by intercession of the saints in heaven; because everybody knows it's too late for such help. The saints are neither concerned nor sad about their relatives and former friends, who ended in hell. This is because the saints are busy celebrating God's perfect justice, as well as his mercy, which saved them and brought them such great happiness.While we might object that such strict justice seems to lessen God's great mercy, we must realize that God is perfect justice and perfect mercy. He respects the free will of his creatures. He provides plenty of guides and sign posts and good teachers and good examples on earth: to draw people to freely come to Him. But if, in the end, they choose themselves and ignore God, in the judgment God respects their free decision, which drags them down to hell. God's justice would not be perfect if he were to close his eyes to malice, to connive in evil, to not punish evildoers, as he had threatened. Indeed, for God to not carry out the promised punishments would make him to be a liar. God is perfect Truth and perfect Justice! Even if both truth and justice in this world are imperfect, still they are a dim reflection of God's inner life and perfection.

Is ‘Hell’ for real?

By Pastor Pete Dominguez

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Religion

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Pete Dominguez has been preaching since November 1976. He earned a B.A. Degree in Religious Studies from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., in 1983. He has pastored five churches during this time and has spent seven years as a full-time evangelist preaching in nine states and Japan. He is currently pastor of South City Southern Baptist Church where he has been since August 1997. You may contact Pastor Dominguez by writing him at: Pastor Pete Dominguez, South City Southern Baptist Church, P.O.Box 16242, Wichita, KS 67216, or by phone at (316) 524-8886, or by e-mail at Socitybc@aol.com

Pastor Pete Dominguez

2001-07-01 15:14:00

Question: We're in our mid-50's. It seems as though when we were younger, we heard a lot about 'hell' and eternal damnation. We don't see or hear much that much anymore. Is there still such a place or have the experts decided that it is 'old hat?'

Answer: It is true that the subject of "Hell and Eternal Damnation" used to be preached on more frequently in years past. At least it was the hot topic of a lot of religious discussion. There may be several reasons as to why the subject has lost its appeal in religious pulpits: 1) A lot of pastors have bought into the political correctness movement of our day and age and choose to avoid the subject altogether; 2) Many parishioners have become politically correct themselves and put pressure on the pastors and their messages; 3) Another reason may be that some religious leaders have chosen to disregard Hell itself, as if the place no longer exists. I believe that the Bible is very clear on the subject of Hell, and I choose to believe ALL of the Bible and not just some of it. Here are some of the Bible passages regarding the subject of Hell and Eternal Damnation. 1. A place prepared for the devil and his angels - Matthew 25:41. 2. A place of everlasting punishment - Matthew 25:46. 3. A lake of fire and a devouring fire - Revelations 20:15; Isaiah 33:14. 4. It is described as a place of torment and the inhabitants do not want their loved ones to come there - Luke 16:23,28. 5. It is also described as a place of fire where the unsaved spend eternity separated from God - Revelations 19:20. In my 24 years of preaching, I have pastored five churches and been a full-time evangelist. I have preached on the subject of "Hell and Eternal Damnation" many times. I have many pastor and evangelist friends who also preach on this subject. This is what I believe the Bible teaches about eternity: 1) If a person repents of their sin and trusts in the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse them of their sin, they will be saved and have eternal life in Heaven. This is a decision based on a persons faith and the grace of God alone (Ephesians 2:8-9); 2) If a person refuses to believe in Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness, they will reject God, His Son, His messengers, His church, and spend eternity in a place prepared for the devil and his angels. This is a decision based on their own freewill. God's Word tells us that God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (I Peter 3:9).).

Is ‘Hell’ for real?

By David Mann

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Religion

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David Mann is on staff as one of the Pastors at Central Christian Church in Wichita and has served as both Pastor of Christian Education and Pastor of Communications. David has taught adult classes at Central for more than 20 years and is known for his teaching emphasis on the Character of God, The Nature of Man, and the work of Jesus on the Cross. David can be contacted by phone at (316) 688-4400, by e-mail at mannd@centralcc.org, or you can write him at: Central Christian, 2900 North Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67226.

David Mann

2001-07-01 12:31:00

Question: We’re in our mid-50s. It seems as though when we were younger, we heard a lot about "Hell and Eternal Damnation.” We don't seem to hear that much anymore. Is there still such a place or have the experts decided that it is "old hat?"

Answer: Thanks for your good question. It certainly seems that Hell doesn't get the exposure it used to get and your question is one I'm sure is shared by many readers. Let's break your question into two parts and look to the "expert" for our answer.Part One - What is this idea of Hell and Eternal Damnation and where did it come from anyway?When we trace the origin of knowledge about Hell, we find that our information comes directly from the pages of the Bible. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, Hell is described as a place of conscious, everlasting torment where mankind receives the just punishment they deserve for their sin against the laws and character of God. In fact, most of the teaching about Hell in the Bible comes straight from the mouth of Jesus. It's interesting to note that Jesus taught much more about Hell than He did about Heaven. So what exactly did Jesus say about Hell? Here are a few examples:• Jesus taught that Hell is a place to avoid at all costs ( Matthew 5:22, 29-30).• Jesus taught that Hell is a place where those who die outside of God's plan of salvation are thrown into eternal fire (Matthew 18:8-9).• Jesus taught that those who are in Hell are conscious and aware of their agony (Luke 16:20-31).• Jesus taught that the punishment of Hell is eternal, it never ends (Matthew 25:46).• Jesus taught that God Himself is the one who condemns sinful men and women to eternal punishment (Luke 12:5).• Jesus taught that the eternal fire of Hell was originally prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).Even though Jesus was very clear in His teaching on this subject, incorrect ideas about Hell still abound among those who would like to lessen the frightening implications of Hell or who would like to do away with the idea altogether, in favor of a more pleasant message. Here are some common misconceptions about Hell.Some people mistakenly believe Satan rules over Hell. They forget that Hell is a place which was originally prepared for the punishment of Satan and his fallen angels and that God sovereignly rules over Hell, just as He sovereignly rules over all of His creation (1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 103:19, Matthew 25:41). Some would like to think that if Hell exists at all, it is only a temporary punishment. This cannot be the case, however, since Jesus used exactly the same word for eternal when describing eternal life in Heaven and eternal punishment in Hell (Matthew 25:46).Some would say that because God is a God of Love, He would never condemn anyone to the eternal punishment of Hell. In saying this, many would conveniently ignore that the same God who tells us of His infinite love also tells us that Hell is a place of His infinite justice (Revelation 20:11-15).Some believe that Hell is merely the absence of God but the Bible says that in Hell, God is fully present in the pouring out of His divine wrath upon sin (Revelation 14:10-11).Some people say the idea of Hell in the Bible is really just a symbol showing God's displeasure toward our human failings. The problem with this viewpoint is that in the Bible, God uses symbols when the reality of the situation is worse than words can convey. Not a comforting thought! If all this sounds kind of scary...I think it was intended to. Part two of your question asked: ‘Why don't we hear much about Hell’, ‘If there is still a real place called Hell’, and ‘Have the 'experts' decided hell is old hat?’It is easy to understand why Hell doesn't rank high on many people's favorite topics list and why so little is said about the subject. It is certainly frightening to confront the Biblical teaching on Hell, but it would be even more frightening, and tragic, to ignore it. My hunch is that many in society and in various religious groups shy away from the whole idea, preferring to limit their focus to other, "more positive" aspects of life and living. Personally, I think most people would rather make their life decisions based on hearing the complete truth rather than a partial, 'feel-good' platitude that puffs up the self-image but leaves the soul empty.As far as what the 'experts' say about Hell and whether they have decided it is 'old hat,' it would seem that the opinions of men hold little weight contrary to the clear and unchanging teaching from the Creator and Ruler of Earth, Heaven, and Hell itself.Hell is the bad news. And good news isn't good news until you've heard the bad news.The good news is, that when Jesus taught about the very real horror of Hell, He also presented the very real alternative of Heaven. He presented Himself as the sufficient sacrifice to pay the debt for the sins of all those who would believe in Him and He promised that those who belonged to Him would spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Thanks again for the great question! Let's finish the topic with a passage that says it well: John 3:16-18, "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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.”

About the Trinity

By Pastor Dave Henion

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Religion

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Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.

Pastor Dave Henion

1969-12-31 18:00:00

Question: My questions deal with the Trinity. Jesus would say certain things that seemingly paved the way for the concept of the Trinity and the fact that Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit were equally divine and one God, but He never actually said the Trinity existed. Why not? Was anyone cognizant of the concept of the Trinity in the time of Jesus? Did the apostles believe Jesus to be a separate person from God the Father? What role did they think the Holy Spirit played?

Answer: This question I have often wondered about and one can only speculate from some of the hints found in scripture. In fact another interesting question some theologians have speculated about is when did Jesus come to understand His own identity and mission? It is true that Jesus spoke of the Trinity as He ministered on this earth when He affirmed His deity claiming, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) or in the prayer he uttered in John 17:22 “…We are one.” or the claim “…He who has seen Me has seen the Father;” (John 14:9). Jesus also made several bold claims in His using the “I Am” statements because every Jew knew what He was saying when He said “I Am,” “the source of life” when God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). In one of those “I Am” statements Jesus filled in more by claiming to pre-exist Abraham which riled them up so much that they were going to stone Him (John 8:57-58). The fact that He did not use the word “Trinity” is not so problematic because Jesus the good teacher, didn’t want to overload His disciples. They already were being challenged with enough they didn’t grasp. Think of all the times in the gospels He told them in preparation for what would happen to Him and they didn’t get it. Think of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, after the resurrection began to put it together after He appeared to them (Luke 24:13-35). His disciples struggled trying to figure out what He was talking about. (Mark 9:10) A lot of the stuff He told them they really didn’t get until after the resurrection and it began to make sense, (Luke 8:9). You can see even in the way they wrote the whole account leading up to His death, they speak as in commentary fashion explaining what they came to realize after the fact of it all taking place (John 6:71). Some, like Peter, didn’t want to accept God’s plan of salvation because they were looking at it from practical world eyes. It was as if to Peter Jesus was saying, “guys the word on the street is they’re coming to crucify me.” Peter says it’s not happening because I’ll fight for You to the end. (Mark 8:31-33) Personally I think God said and did what was needed to be understood about the “Trinity” for that generation of Christians of the church and not any more. He told them in certain ways and terms what was needed and what would be understood. It developed later on in the church, but not before they were ready. As the disciples slowly got it or the light bulb of revelation dawned upon them about His resurrection, so it would be with the “Trinity.” We see it with Peter in Acts 5 when he says Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit in verse 3 and in verse 4 lied to God. But it would be in God’s time and when they could grasp it. In fact they had a difficult time understanding the great commission that Jesus gave in Matthew 28:19-20 and the reinforcement of that in Acts 1:8, but they did not really understand and take it seriously until persecution cause the church to scatter and get with the program and start evangelizing beyond Jerusalem. The same is true of the formal doctrinal formulations of the trinity until the church began to settle and become organized about what we believed. Most of the Epistles of the New Testament were written dealing with false teaching or bad implementation of God’s truth. The doctrine of the trinity had surfaced in the NT like in Colossians, John, I John, possibly Hebrews but the real challenges came later. The Church had to take formal action when the humanity and deity of Christ were threatened which would have diminished Christ’s work on the cross. In the 2nd century Docetism began to threaten the humanity of Jesus by saying Jesus appeared to be human but could not suffer so He was taken away just before He suffered on the cross. But if that is said, then Christ could not represent and take away our sin as human beings. There were other groups like the Arians (318AD) who believed that Jesus was created and not begotten or of the same substance as God, not equal with God, which would have destroyed the truth of the gospel that God came in human flesh to die and suffer to set us free. The church in the council of Nicea in 325 gave the church a succinct statement of the Trinity with the formulation of the Nicene Creed. Isn’t it wonderful to think this loving God and sovereign teacher knows what we need to understand at the right time to enjoy Him and live for Him. Living under His gracious nurture, Pastor Dave.

About the Trinity...

By Dr Cathy Northrup

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Religion

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The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.

Dr Cathy Northrup

1969-12-31 18:00:00

Question: My questions deal with the Trinity. Jesus would say certain things that seemingly paved the way for the concept of the Trinity and the fact that Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit were equally divine and one God, but He never actually said the Trinity existed. Why not? Was anyone cognizant of the concept of the Trinity in the time of Jesus? Did the apostles believe Jesus to be a separate person from God the Father? What role did they think the Holy Spirit played?

Answer: You ask a number of questions about the Trinity, but no one can answer with certainty what people thought or knew about the Trinity during Jesus’ time. With regard to Jesus specifically, what he knew as God and what he knew as man, we cannot say. Further, the point of his revelation and ministry was not to set forth doctrine; it was to reveal to humanity who God is, and to live and teach, die on the cross for our sins, and be raised so that we might have eternal life. I can only answer your questions, then, historically and theologically. Noted Presbyterian scholar Dr. John Leith writes in his book Basic Christian Doctrine that the doctrine of the Trinity received its classic formulation in the fourth and fifth centuries. Presbyterians believe it was present from the beginning, however, as Leith puts it, “in the acts of God in creation and redemption, in the language of Christian piety, and in the liturgy of the church, especially the baptismal formula.” Leith goes on to say that the doctrine arose out of the experience of the Christian community. They asserted that their God was one God, as Deuteronomy 6:4-5 states, but they were drawn together as a community by Jesus, whom they acknowledged as their Lord and God. They also knew the power of the Holy Spirit. Out of these experiences came some sense of the Trinity, and then discussions and even arguments about it. Finally, the doctrine was developed as the “attempt to clarify the nature of God who reveals himself in Jesus Christ.” This doctrine receives its clearest formulation in the Nicene Creed, still affirmed by Presbyterians today.

About the Trinity...

By Charlie Traffas

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Religion

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Charlie Traffas has been involved in marketing, media, publishing and insurance for more than 40 years. In addition to being a fully-licensed life, health, property and casualty agent, he is also President and Owner of Chart Marketing, Inc. (CMI). CMI operates and markets several different products and services that help B2B and B2C businesses throughout the country create customers...profitably. You may contact Charlie by phone at (316) 721-9200, by e-mail at ctraffas@chartmarketing.com, or you may visit at www.chartmarketing.com.

Charlie Traffas

1969-12-31 18:00:00

Question: My questions deal with the Trinity. Jesus would say certain things that seemingly paved the way for the concept of the Trinity and the fact that Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit were equally divine and one God, but He never actually said the Trinity existed. Why not? Was anyone cognizant of the concept of the Trinity in the time of Jesus? Did the apostles believe Jesus to be a separate person from God the Father? What role did they think the Holy Spirit played?

Answer: Through the Christian centuries many volumes have been written by learned and saintly men and women in their effort to answer the questions you have asked. And yet, the Holy Trinity remains the most profound mystery of the Christian faith. It is the first and fundamental article of belief: there exists only one God, and that in this one God here are three distinct persons, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. This fact was revealed to us by the Second Person of the Trinity, who became man as Jesus Christ and who taught us this mystery. Your questions are worthy but cannot be fully explained. All we can do is attempt to explain the inexplicable, to help us understand something about the inner life of God, Who made us and to Whom we are to return at death. But, when all has been said, it remains a mystery, which we cannot understand. It requires great faith to accept what seems to be a paradox or a riddle or even a contradiction. Jews and Moslems do not believe in the Trinity. Jews assume that it is opposed to their belief in one God, while the Moslems follow their prophet Mohamet in misunderstanding the Trinity as three gods. At least, Jews and Christians and Moslems agree in the statement that THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD. But we quickly part ways in attempting to penetrate the inner life of this one God. Jesus is God’s ultimate revelation to mankind, and he taught us the fact of the Trinity without explanation. Jesus did not come into this world to explain God; he came to help us know and experience the reality of God. The Church is responsible for finding ways to help us understand this experience. The Bible doesn’t use that word “Trinity,” which was not invented until around the 4th century, although the idea of one God in Three Persons was taught by Jesus to His Apostles. Indeed, in his final words on earth, in the great commission (Matt 28:19), Jesus expresses this truth: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus spoke to his Father in prayer, and He spoke often about his Father. He also promised to send the Spirit, who is the Source of the Church’s Tradition. In his discourse after the Last Supper, Jesus said: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. When he comes, however, being the Spirit of Truth, He will guide you to all truth. . . and will announce to you the things to come. . . He will have received from me what he will announce to you.” God Himself began the process of tradition, the handing-on of revealed truth, in his relationship to Jesus: “All that the Father has belongs to me.” Thus the Apostles, who heard from Jesus these words, must have understood that Jesus and his Father and the Holy Spirit are separate persons. But during Jesus’ lifetime on earth, this concept was not precisely clear. The idea of God as One is clearly expressed in both the Old and New Testaments. But that God is One in Three Persons is not so clear in the Old Testament. The Apostles knew from Jesus about the Holy Spirit, but it remained a vague concept in their minds until Pentecost. Having received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-12), they went forth from Jerusalem to teach the whole world, and they baptized many who heard them: “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God in three distinct Persons.” They remembered Jesus’ promise and discourse in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 16:7, 13): “When I go I shall send the Paraclete to you. . . . When he comes, being the Spirit of Truth, he will guide you to all truth. . . He will announce to you the things to come. In doing this he will give glory to me, because he will have received from me what he will announce to you.” Gradually, the Church came to understand the role of the Holy Spirit as her Teacher and Infallible Guide, the Inspirer of fresh initiatives in the Church, and the Preserver of authentic Faith and Tradition. The Holy Spirit is also the Author and Inspirer of Goodness and Greatness and Beauty in human persons. Gradually the Spirit revealed himself as the Love between the Father and the Son, as well as the One who invites chosen souls to draw closer to the Father and the Son, in sharing their holiness, which is the very Life of God.

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