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Religion

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!

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Religion

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)

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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?

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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?

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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).

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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).

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Religion

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).

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Religion

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).

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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}

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Religion

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).

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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)?

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Religion

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

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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).

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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}.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!!!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.”

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.”

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.”

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Religion

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!!!

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

X

Religion

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.

X

Religion

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.

X

Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

X

Religion

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.

X

Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

X

Religion

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.

X

Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.”

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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

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Religion

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

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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).

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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!"

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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.

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Religion

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 frie