Dear Victorious,
I remember reading your blog about Christmas (and how realizing your brokenness and need of a Savior made Christmas so much bigger). So if the big point of Christmas is that we needed a Savior and got one - what would you say is the big point of Easter?
J.T. - Port St. Lucie, FL
Dear J.T.
I think the big point in Easter is that Christ's resurrection proves He's who He said He is. The fact that He rose from the dead, walked among us, and then visibly ascended into heaven eliminates any possibility that He is not the Savior. It proves He is God.
Look at it this way: We got the Savior in Christmas. We got the proof of that in Easter.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Christian Eating
Dear Victorious,
Do you think that Christians really need to eat healthy foods to be Christian? I have friends who won't drink, for example. But I see nothing wrong with a little wine with a meal, or a cold beer on a hot day. Isn't it more important that Christians live a healthy lifestyle ... but keep it in balance?
Paul S. - Shiloh, IL
Dear Paul,
Christians don't have to limit their shopping to the health food stores, if that's what you're asking. The Bible says we can eat anything. However, consider that most of the crappy food we have to eat today didn't exist in Biblical times (because it's manufactured). Christians should be living a healthy lifestyle ... but they don't do so in order to be Christian. Rather it is a result of their walk with Christ that they live healthier lives.
What we eat and how we eat is probably more an indication of the condition of our hearts than anything else. It's a reflection of how we make choices. So would Jesus eat this? Would Jesus drink this? Would He eat or drink this much of this? If we are truly making decisions with those questions in mind, we're probably okay.
Put differently, if we eat the way Jesus would eat (and have us eat), we'll avoid gluttony and drunkenness, eat everything in moderation and be treating our body as a temple (of the Holy Spirit).
Do you think that Christians really need to eat healthy foods to be Christian? I have friends who won't drink, for example. But I see nothing wrong with a little wine with a meal, or a cold beer on a hot day. Isn't it more important that Christians live a healthy lifestyle ... but keep it in balance?
Paul S. - Shiloh, IL
Dear Paul,
Christians don't have to limit their shopping to the health food stores, if that's what you're asking. The Bible says we can eat anything. However, consider that most of the crappy food we have to eat today didn't exist in Biblical times (because it's manufactured). Christians should be living a healthy lifestyle ... but they don't do so in order to be Christian. Rather it is a result of their walk with Christ that they live healthier lives.
What we eat and how we eat is probably more an indication of the condition of our hearts than anything else. It's a reflection of how we make choices. So would Jesus eat this? Would Jesus drink this? Would He eat or drink this much of this? If we are truly making decisions with those questions in mind, we're probably okay.
Put differently, if we eat the way Jesus would eat (and have us eat), we'll avoid gluttony and drunkenness, eat everything in moderation and be treating our body as a temple (of the Holy Spirit).
Monday, March 29, 2010
Forgiveness
Dear Victorious,
I know that forgiveness is a requirement for Christians. But despite my knowledge and best intentions, I find that sometimes forgiveness can be challenging for me. What is it about forgiveness that makes it so hard?
Victoria R. - Ruidoso, NM
Dear Victoria,
I suspect that there are three reasons why we find forgiveness so challenging.
1. We still hold onto hope that the past can be different.
2. We don't believe Christ is sufficient for damage we've suffered.
3. The individual is still offending us (see number two above).
It's been said that forgiveness is only possible when we give up the hope that the past can be any different. But I think that's not true. Forgiveness only comes when we decide that Christ is sufficient for the damage we've incurred. For when we come to that conclusion, we can forgive things even in the present ... and in the future. (This is how God handles forgiveness.)
I know that forgiveness is a requirement for Christians. But despite my knowledge and best intentions, I find that sometimes forgiveness can be challenging for me. What is it about forgiveness that makes it so hard?
Victoria R. - Ruidoso, NM
Dear Victoria,
I suspect that there are three reasons why we find forgiveness so challenging.
1. We still hold onto hope that the past can be different.
2. We don't believe Christ is sufficient for damage we've suffered.
3. The individual is still offending us (see number two above).
It's been said that forgiveness is only possible when we give up the hope that the past can be any different. But I think that's not true. Forgiveness only comes when we decide that Christ is sufficient for the damage we've incurred. For when we come to that conclusion, we can forgive things even in the present ... and in the future. (This is how God handles forgiveness.)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Health Care Controversy
Dear Victorious,
With all the controversy around health care legislation in the U.S., shouldn't we really just be looking to the Biblical mandate to care for the poor and sick? God told us to do this stuff. Why then is it so controversial for even the Christians? (Some of them are pretty vocal about calling Obama a socialist.)
JuJu - San Mateo, CA
Dear Juju
God was very clear in telling us that the poor and needy, the sick and oppressed are all to be cared for. But He never said the government was to do the caring. In fact, it was God's plan that the caring all be done through the church (i.e., body of believers ... God's people).
The sick, the poor, the hungry, the oppressed are to become God's people (by their own choice). Then the community of God's people is to care for them. We empower the church through our tithes and offerings, through all the blessings that God has given each of us, and the church organizes our resources and efforts to care for them.
Where has this system failed? People who consider themselves God's people are still selfish with their resources (including their time). The church has not been empowered (because we aren't obedient with our finances). People aren't loving. Not all people have voluntarily becomes God's people.
So when church and God's people fail in our God-given mission to care for the needy, government steps in. And the situation continues to deteriorate. Instead of throwing rocks at the government, more Christians might consider getting more serious about our mandate from God to care for the needy --- so the government won't have to.
With all the controversy around health care legislation in the U.S., shouldn't we really just be looking to the Biblical mandate to care for the poor and sick? God told us to do this stuff. Why then is it so controversial for even the Christians? (Some of them are pretty vocal about calling Obama a socialist.)
JuJu - San Mateo, CA
Dear Juju
God was very clear in telling us that the poor and needy, the sick and oppressed are all to be cared for. But He never said the government was to do the caring. In fact, it was God's plan that the caring all be done through the church (i.e., body of believers ... God's people).
The sick, the poor, the hungry, the oppressed are to become God's people (by their own choice). Then the community of God's people is to care for them. We empower the church through our tithes and offerings, through all the blessings that God has given each of us, and the church organizes our resources and efforts to care for them.
Where has this system failed? People who consider themselves God's people are still selfish with their resources (including their time). The church has not been empowered (because we aren't obedient with our finances). People aren't loving. Not all people have voluntarily becomes God's people.
So when church and God's people fail in our God-given mission to care for the needy, government steps in. And the situation continues to deteriorate. Instead of throwing rocks at the government, more Christians might consider getting more serious about our mandate from God to care for the needy --- so the government won't have to.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Being Blessed
Dear Victorious,
The Bible makes numerous references to being blessed. I suspect that doesn't mean what we think it means though. What do you have to say about that (being blessed)?
Eduardo - T. - Mesa, AZ
Dear Eduardo,
It sounds like God is giving you a bit of an epiphany about who He is and how life works. I had a similar one. A few years ago, God took me to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) and told me to reflect on the "blessed." Let me share with you the results of that exercise.
What does blessed mean? What does it look like to be the blessed ones? I had to confess that I thought it would mean being thin and svelte. I thought the blessed would have little, if any sin to confess. I wanted the blessed to have no issues, hurts, hang-ups or bad habits. I assumed that it was the blessed who left the pile of wheelchairs on the stage at the last Benny Hinn stadium rally.
Based on that standard then, no matter how well I lived the principles that Jesus gave me in Matthew 5, I still didn't feel blessed. Finally God had to confront me with the truth.
It turns out that to be blessed means to be consecrated, holy, sanctified. It means to be sacred and divinely or supremely favored, maybe even fortunate (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blessed).
It would seem that those in this position would have their needs met ... and more. They would be at peace, and be content. Their circumstances wouldn't overwhelm them --- or even persuade them. So you're right in that being blessed probably doesn't mean what most people think it means.
The Bible makes numerous references to being blessed. I suspect that doesn't mean what we think it means though. What do you have to say about that (being blessed)?
Eduardo - T. - Mesa, AZ
Dear Eduardo,
It sounds like God is giving you a bit of an epiphany about who He is and how life works. I had a similar one. A few years ago, God took me to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) and told me to reflect on the "blessed." Let me share with you the results of that exercise.
What does blessed mean? What does it look like to be the blessed ones? I had to confess that I thought it would mean being thin and svelte. I thought the blessed would have little, if any sin to confess. I wanted the blessed to have no issues, hurts, hang-ups or bad habits. I assumed that it was the blessed who left the pile of wheelchairs on the stage at the last Benny Hinn stadium rally.
Based on that standard then, no matter how well I lived the principles that Jesus gave me in Matthew 5, I still didn't feel blessed. Finally God had to confront me with the truth.
It turns out that to be blessed means to be consecrated, holy, sanctified. It means to be sacred and divinely or supremely favored, maybe even fortunate (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blessed).
It would seem that those in this position would have their needs met ... and more. They would be at peace, and be content. Their circumstances wouldn't overwhelm them --- or even persuade them. So you're right in that being blessed probably doesn't mean what most people think it means.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Gay Marriage
Dear Victorious,
I don't understand why the Christian churches, for the most part, oppose gay marriage. Isn't there Biblical basis for the sanctity of committed relationships like this? It seems hypocritical of Christians to behave so negatively toward those who want to pursue gay marriage.
Jerrod T. - Los Angeles, CA
Dear Jerrod,
No, I don't believe there is any Biblical basis for marriage other than between one man and one woman. Most of the opposition to homosexuality on the part of Christians is based on Old Testament Scripture (forbidding such relations). But Matthew 19:4-6 (in the New Testament) gives us God's plan for a marriage relationship. And it is a relationship between one man and one woman.
On the other hand, you're right about the fact that much of the Christian opposition is hypocritical in that it fails to love and respect those who would pursue or approve gay marriage. Somehow, many Christians miss this responsibility that we have to love and respect them, and move directly to demonizing them. When this occurs, our arguments against gay marriage are sadly rendered ineffective and irrelevant.
I don't understand why the Christian churches, for the most part, oppose gay marriage. Isn't there Biblical basis for the sanctity of committed relationships like this? It seems hypocritical of Christians to behave so negatively toward those who want to pursue gay marriage.
Jerrod T. - Los Angeles, CA
Dear Jerrod,
No, I don't believe there is any Biblical basis for marriage other than between one man and one woman. Most of the opposition to homosexuality on the part of Christians is based on Old Testament Scripture (forbidding such relations). But Matthew 19:4-6 (in the New Testament) gives us God's plan for a marriage relationship. And it is a relationship between one man and one woman.
On the other hand, you're right about the fact that much of the Christian opposition is hypocritical in that it fails to love and respect those who would pursue or approve gay marriage. Somehow, many Christians miss this responsibility that we have to love and respect them, and move directly to demonizing them. When this occurs, our arguments against gay marriage are sadly rendered ineffective and irrelevant.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Health Care
Dear Victorious,
I saw on TV yesterday that a minority of Americans approved of the Obama health care proposal before it was passed. But after it was passed, a majority of Americans approved of it. How could the American people flip-flop like this?
Nancy R. - Dallas, TX
Dear Nancy,
My guess would be that education makes a difference. Before the bill was passed, we had propaganda --- with each side trying to persuade us of their particular point of view. But now that the bill is law, we have analysis of its real impact. It seems that most Americans are looking at it and concluding that , "Gee, this doesn't seem so bad after all."
What people know and how they come to know it has significant influence on their opinions.
I saw on TV yesterday that a minority of Americans approved of the Obama health care proposal before it was passed. But after it was passed, a majority of Americans approved of it. How could the American people flip-flop like this?
Nancy R. - Dallas, TX
Dear Nancy,
My guess would be that education makes a difference. Before the bill was passed, we had propaganda --- with each side trying to persuade us of their particular point of view. But now that the bill is law, we have analysis of its real impact. It seems that most Americans are looking at it and concluding that , "Gee, this doesn't seem so bad after all."
What people know and how they come to know it has significant influence on their opinions.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Excuses
Dear Victor,
Why do people make excuses for their own bad behaviors and poor choices?
Michael E. - Sachse, TX
Dear Michael,
I suspect it is because we are embarrassed by our bad behaviors and poor choices. We know how bad and poor they are!
Seriously, just because people know right from wrong doesn't mean that knowledge controls their behaviors and choices. (The Apostle Paul wrote about this human dilemma in Romans 7.) So even the best of people are left with proverbial egg on their faces when forced to deal with the consequences of their poor choices and the indications of their bad behaviors. This is never pleasant.
For some reason, we believe the lie that excusing, blaming and justifying will make the situation look better than it really is. I think it's called denial. And it's as old as the human race. Consider that Adam and Eve both engaged in it in the Garden of Eden when God confronted them with their own bad behavior and poor choices.
Why do people make excuses for their own bad behaviors and poor choices?
Michael E. - Sachse, TX
Dear Michael,
I suspect it is because we are embarrassed by our bad behaviors and poor choices. We know how bad and poor they are!
Seriously, just because people know right from wrong doesn't mean that knowledge controls their behaviors and choices. (The Apostle Paul wrote about this human dilemma in Romans 7.) So even the best of people are left with proverbial egg on their faces when forced to deal with the consequences of their poor choices and the indications of their bad behaviors. This is never pleasant.
For some reason, we believe the lie that excusing, blaming and justifying will make the situation look better than it really is. I think it's called denial. And it's as old as the human race. Consider that Adam and Eve both engaged in it in the Garden of Eden when God confronted them with their own bad behavior and poor choices.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Friend Disappoints
Dear Victorious,
What is the proper response when a friend disappoints you? Is it okay to tell them?
Virginia T. - Chillicothe, OH
Dear Virginia,
The proper response is to forgive them for whatever is that they did or did not do that disappoints you. Beyond that, a lot would depend on the circumstances.
If, for example, there is a pattern of behavior here, then you must decide whether it is worth drawing boundaries on the relationship. If someone is repeatedly hurting you, then you may find it necessary to protect yourself. And you do that by drawing firm boundaries with that individual. This starts with speaking the truth in a loving way. "Jan, when you do that, I tend to experience pain because ... " Then tell them what boundary you need to set. "I need you to help me out here, by not doing that, or at least by not doing it in a way that affects me."
If it is an isolated incident, and not a systemic pattern of behavior, there's a greater likelihood that telling the individual they've hurt or disappointed you would be worthwhile. Would they hear you? Would you be able to speak out of love for that individual, valuing the relationship - or would you be speaking from your pain and disappointment?
There's often merit in "picking your battles." If you can forgive it and move on, that would be my first preference.
What is the proper response when a friend disappoints you? Is it okay to tell them?
Virginia T. - Chillicothe, OH
Dear Virginia,
The proper response is to forgive them for whatever is that they did or did not do that disappoints you. Beyond that, a lot would depend on the circumstances.
If, for example, there is a pattern of behavior here, then you must decide whether it is worth drawing boundaries on the relationship. If someone is repeatedly hurting you, then you may find it necessary to protect yourself. And you do that by drawing firm boundaries with that individual. This starts with speaking the truth in a loving way. "Jan, when you do that, I tend to experience pain because ... " Then tell them what boundary you need to set. "I need you to help me out here, by not doing that, or at least by not doing it in a way that affects me."
If it is an isolated incident, and not a systemic pattern of behavior, there's a greater likelihood that telling the individual they've hurt or disappointed you would be worthwhile. Would they hear you? Would you be able to speak out of love for that individual, valuing the relationship - or would you be speaking from your pain and disappointment?
There's often merit in "picking your battles." If you can forgive it and move on, that would be my first preference.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Terrorism
Dear Victorious,
What do you think the Biblical wisdom is about the threat of terrorism that the world faces today?
Nathan R. - Schaumburg, IL
Dear Nathan,
God has been clear that nations should not look to military might, international alliances or other man-made devices for our national security. The phrase, "In God we trust" must be taken to heart. We are not to put our trust anywhere else.
Quite honestly, in the face of an all-powerful God, terrorism doesn't seem so intimidating. It's only when we lose sight of that God and His power that our problems begin to look so bold.
What do you think the Biblical wisdom is about the threat of terrorism that the world faces today?
Nathan R. - Schaumburg, IL
Dear Nathan,
God has been clear that nations should not look to military might, international alliances or other man-made devices for our national security. The phrase, "In God we trust" must be taken to heart. We are not to put our trust anywhere else.
Quite honestly, in the face of an all-powerful God, terrorism doesn't seem so intimidating. It's only when we lose sight of that God and His power that our problems begin to look so bold.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Mistakes About God
Dear Victorious,
What do you think are the biggest mistakes that people make about God?
Arlen T. - Billings, MT
Dear Arlen,
I'm sure there are many. But I suspect that three are the most common and perhaps the most damaging to life itself.
1. We don't know who God really is. Much of His character and nature are misread or misunderstood.
2. We don't know how much God really loves us. It's a form and level of love that goes well beyond human comprehension.
3. We don't know how deadly sin is. God cannot tolerate sin. Somehow we think He will.
What do you think are the biggest mistakes that people make about God?
Arlen T. - Billings, MT
Dear Arlen,
I'm sure there are many. But I suspect that three are the most common and perhaps the most damaging to life itself.
1. We don't know who God really is. Much of His character and nature are misread or misunderstood.
2. We don't know how much God really loves us. It's a form and level of love that goes well beyond human comprehension.
3. We don't know how deadly sin is. God cannot tolerate sin. Somehow we think He will.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Porn Industry
Dear Victorious,
I've read that pornography is one of the fastest growing areas of the Internet --- and that Christians are probably just as involved in it as anyone. Do you think this is true? If it is, then can you explain why?
Darcy M. - Corsicana, TX
Dear Darcy,
I don't know if Christians are using as much pornography as everyone else. But I suspect it is true. My observation is that the vast majority of self-professed Christians in America don't really look or act much different than the world around them. So in terms of consumption and behavior, whatever is true of the world I would guess is true of the people calling themselves Christians. (I know, it's a cruel reality to admit. But sometimes the truth hurts!)
Why would Christians act just like everyone else? Again, I don't really know, but I would venture to guess that it's because they can. Because they don't value morality as much as they say they do. Because they think living a double life is okay. Because they don't believe the consequences of such sins are real (or at least are all that bad).
Basically it's a moral failure that allows self-professed Christ-followers to act in ways that are so contrary to the very nature of Christ Himself.
I've read that pornography is one of the fastest growing areas of the Internet --- and that Christians are probably just as involved in it as anyone. Do you think this is true? If it is, then can you explain why?
Darcy M. - Corsicana, TX
Dear Darcy,
I don't know if Christians are using as much pornography as everyone else. But I suspect it is true. My observation is that the vast majority of self-professed Christians in America don't really look or act much different than the world around them. So in terms of consumption and behavior, whatever is true of the world I would guess is true of the people calling themselves Christians. (I know, it's a cruel reality to admit. But sometimes the truth hurts!)
Why would Christians act just like everyone else? Again, I don't really know, but I would venture to guess that it's because they can. Because they don't value morality as much as they say they do. Because they think living a double life is okay. Because they don't believe the consequences of such sins are real (or at least are all that bad).
Basically it's a moral failure that allows self-professed Christ-followers to act in ways that are so contrary to the very nature of Christ Himself.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Missions Help
Dear Victorious,
What do you think of the missions efforts that American Christians are making in places like Haiti, Chile, Mexico or other places of disaster? Are they appropriate?
Norma C. - Allen, TX
Dear Norma,
I suppose loving others is always appropriate. If I get your drift, the motives may be questionable. Perhaps they are driven by guilt or some need to participate in the drama. There's really no way we could know this though.
Jesus said "If they aren't against us, then they're for us." I think this is sage wisdom for these times. I may not be sure about your motives or your effectiveness. But if you aren't oppressing or hurting people, if you're making any effort at all to help - then I think it's okay.
Perhaps the world would be better if some of our smartest minds could develop more effective ways of responding to crises. But if they don't the most caring minds will wade in and do something. And something is always better than nothing.
What do you think of the missions efforts that American Christians are making in places like Haiti, Chile, Mexico or other places of disaster? Are they appropriate?
Norma C. - Allen, TX
Dear Norma,
I suppose loving others is always appropriate. If I get your drift, the motives may be questionable. Perhaps they are driven by guilt or some need to participate in the drama. There's really no way we could know this though.
Jesus said "If they aren't against us, then they're for us." I think this is sage wisdom for these times. I may not be sure about your motives or your effectiveness. But if you aren't oppressing or hurting people, if you're making any effort at all to help - then I think it's okay.
Perhaps the world would be better if some of our smartest minds could develop more effective ways of responding to crises. But if they don't the most caring minds will wade in and do something. And something is always better than nothing.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Church Attendance
Dear Victorious,
Do you go to church every Sunday? I find church such a turn off, and believe that we can relate to God just as effectively outside of church. So why bother going?
Martin T. - San Angelo, TX
Dear Martin,
Yes, I go to church at least once a week. It's a common argument that people don't need to be in church. Many think their faith can be sustained on their own. But this misses several important points - thinking that it is about the institution of the church organization - when it is not.
God commands us to be in community with each other, worshipping in an organized way, bringing our tithes to the storehouse to empower it to care for the needy, make disciples, sharpen each other, etc. In fact, that Bible explicitly tells us not to neglect our church attendance. (Hebrews 10:25) That's pretty clear.
Not attending church means that I won't get taught or discipled ... so whatever I know or learn on my own will be the totality of my knowledge and understanding. Not attending church probably means I'm not tithing. Not attending church probably means I'm not regularly worshipping God, and may be neglecting my prayer and Bible study time as well. Not attending church pretty well ensures that I won't be ministering to anyone else. Not attending church forecloses the opportunity for others to minister to me (or even to know me).
Make no mistake, churches are flawed institutions run by broken individuals. But God tells us to invest ourselves in them anyway. We need to stop making it about ourselves and stop leaning on our own understanding, and get thyself to church. It's an obedience issue.
Do you go to church every Sunday? I find church such a turn off, and believe that we can relate to God just as effectively outside of church. So why bother going?
Martin T. - San Angelo, TX
Dear Martin,
Yes, I go to church at least once a week. It's a common argument that people don't need to be in church. Many think their faith can be sustained on their own. But this misses several important points - thinking that it is about the institution of the church organization - when it is not.
God commands us to be in community with each other, worshipping in an organized way, bringing our tithes to the storehouse to empower it to care for the needy, make disciples, sharpen each other, etc. In fact, that Bible explicitly tells us not to neglect our church attendance. (Hebrews 10:25) That's pretty clear.
Not attending church means that I won't get taught or discipled ... so whatever I know or learn on my own will be the totality of my knowledge and understanding. Not attending church probably means I'm not tithing. Not attending church probably means I'm not regularly worshipping God, and may be neglecting my prayer and Bible study time as well. Not attending church pretty well ensures that I won't be ministering to anyone else. Not attending church forecloses the opportunity for others to minister to me (or even to know me).
Make no mistake, churches are flawed institutions run by broken individuals. But God tells us to invest ourselves in them anyway. We need to stop making it about ourselves and stop leaning on our own understanding, and get thyself to church. It's an obedience issue.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Abortion
Dear Victorious,
Why is the Christian position on abortion so strongly against it? Doesn't the mother have a right to choose what to do with her own body?
Carol J. - Dallas, TX
Dear Carol,
Not if the mother is a Christ-follower. Her body belongs first to Christ and then to her husband. Moreover, if abortion could only impact one individual that might be one argument. But the thing is the fetus is a human being the moment its heart starts to beat. The Bible tells us that God "knew us" as we were formed in the mother's womb. It teaches us that God planned our life in advance and had a purpose for creating each of us. There is no room for abortion in the life of godly people. It really is that simple.
Why is the Christian position on abortion so strongly against it? Doesn't the mother have a right to choose what to do with her own body?
Carol J. - Dallas, TX
Dear Carol,
Not if the mother is a Christ-follower. Her body belongs first to Christ and then to her husband. Moreover, if abortion could only impact one individual that might be one argument. But the thing is the fetus is a human being the moment its heart starts to beat. The Bible tells us that God "knew us" as we were formed in the mother's womb. It teaches us that God planned our life in advance and had a purpose for creating each of us. There is no room for abortion in the life of godly people. It really is that simple.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Israel
Dear Victorious,
What do you think of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians? Is Israel right to behave the way it does?
Norman P. - Denver, CO
Dear Norman,
It's a big question. But in my gut I guess the answer is that I think both sides have behaved pretty badly. It's hard to keep score of the atrocities. Certainly the Palestinians have been wrong with the terrorism that they continue to unleash in the region. But at the same time, Israel seems to have an in-your-face attitude, pushing settlements into Palestinian territory.
I suspect they're both victims of failed state planning. I'm not a historian or an expert on Jewish history (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel), but here's how I understand things.
The Jews sinned against God and He punished them for it (see the Old Testament) - driving them out of their own land. Over the centuries the Jews were a scattered group - but longed to return to Israel. In the meantime, the Palestinians (people whom God had told the Jews to kill off) took over the land. In the 1940's global powers decided to "give" Israel back to the Jews. Of course, the only way that they could do that was was to take it away from the Palestinians. And the battle has been ongoing ever since.
Were the Palestinians wronged? I suspect they were. Do the Jews have an inherent, God-given right to occupy the land? I don't know. But I notice that it was God who punished them with captivity and scattering. So I suspect their rights aren't as we might like to think. Don't get me wrong, I'm sorry for the suffering the Jews have endured over the centuries. But I'm also a firm believer in the notion that two wrongs don't make a right. Similarly, dozens of wrongs don't make anything right either.
It appears to me that both sides (of the Israel conflicts) are more focused on being right than on doing right. And until that changes, I doubt there will ever be peace in Israel.
What do you think of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians? Is Israel right to behave the way it does?
Norman P. - Denver, CO
Dear Norman,
It's a big question. But in my gut I guess the answer is that I think both sides have behaved pretty badly. It's hard to keep score of the atrocities. Certainly the Palestinians have been wrong with the terrorism that they continue to unleash in the region. But at the same time, Israel seems to have an in-your-face attitude, pushing settlements into Palestinian territory.
I suspect they're both victims of failed state planning. I'm not a historian or an expert on Jewish history (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel), but here's how I understand things.
The Jews sinned against God and He punished them for it (see the Old Testament) - driving them out of their own land. Over the centuries the Jews were a scattered group - but longed to return to Israel. In the meantime, the Palestinians (people whom God had told the Jews to kill off) took over the land. In the 1940's global powers decided to "give" Israel back to the Jews. Of course, the only way that they could do that was was to take it away from the Palestinians. And the battle has been ongoing ever since.
Were the Palestinians wronged? I suspect they were. Do the Jews have an inherent, God-given right to occupy the land? I don't know. But I notice that it was God who punished them with captivity and scattering. So I suspect their rights aren't as we might like to think. Don't get me wrong, I'm sorry for the suffering the Jews have endured over the centuries. But I'm also a firm believer in the notion that two wrongs don't make a right. Similarly, dozens of wrongs don't make anything right either.
It appears to me that both sides (of the Israel conflicts) are more focused on being right than on doing right. And until that changes, I doubt there will ever be peace in Israel.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Bible Translation
Dear Victorious,
My brother-in-law is working for a non-profit that translates the Bible into other languages. Frankly, I can't imagine that this hasn't been done already. Could this really matter that much in our modern day and age?
General D. - Tucson, AZ
Dear General,
Yes, it really could. The Bible is probably the most translated book ever (as well as the best selling book of all time). And it's already in a language that most of the world can understand. Nevertheless, I've read estimates that say there are still millions of people speaking thousands of languages and dialects for which no current Bible translation exists. I don't know about you, but I'd consider that a problem.
And translating the Bible isn't really so easy. Consider that English is one of the most complex languages on earth. So translating from one language to another can be quite a serious challenge. Tenses and meanings are different. A meaning of love, for example, can exist in one language but not in another. Words may not have the same meaning all the time. (This is true even in the English language!) But let's look at another language to get a good picture of the dilemma that Bible translation presents.
English and Chinese are two completely unrelated languages. They don't share a common linguistic or cultural history. One of the differences is in the way names are given. Chinese has a relatively small set of surnames for people and no set of common given names. Given names can be chosen from the whole language, though in practice some characters are used more often than others. What this means is that there is no standard way of translating a name from English into Chinese. You can try to pick a given name that sounds like your English name, or you can pick a name with characters whose meaning you like. This is not unique, and will differ based on personal preference.
There isn't a "right" translation of an English name. Some attempts at translating then, may use Chinese characters, but it is not a Chinese name or dialogue and would not be used by a native Chinese in everyday speech. So despite being technically accurate, the translation still may not have value to the intended reader. And Chinese is just one example of such language differences.
So, to answer your question, yes, Bible translations are a big deal. And you should support your brother-in-law's commitment to this important work.
My brother-in-law is working for a non-profit that translates the Bible into other languages. Frankly, I can't imagine that this hasn't been done already. Could this really matter that much in our modern day and age?
General D. - Tucson, AZ
Dear General,
Yes, it really could. The Bible is probably the most translated book ever (as well as the best selling book of all time). And it's already in a language that most of the world can understand. Nevertheless, I've read estimates that say there are still millions of people speaking thousands of languages and dialects for which no current Bible translation exists. I don't know about you, but I'd consider that a problem.
And translating the Bible isn't really so easy. Consider that English is one of the most complex languages on earth. So translating from one language to another can be quite a serious challenge. Tenses and meanings are different. A meaning of love, for example, can exist in one language but not in another. Words may not have the same meaning all the time. (This is true even in the English language!) But let's look at another language to get a good picture of the dilemma that Bible translation presents.
English and Chinese are two completely unrelated languages. They don't share a common linguistic or cultural history. One of the differences is in the way names are given. Chinese has a relatively small set of surnames for people and no set of common given names. Given names can be chosen from the whole language, though in practice some characters are used more often than others. What this means is that there is no standard way of translating a name from English into Chinese. You can try to pick a given name that sounds like your English name, or you can pick a name with characters whose meaning you like. This is not unique, and will differ based on personal preference.
There isn't a "right" translation of an English name. Some attempts at translating then, may use Chinese characters, but it is not a Chinese name or dialogue and would not be used by a native Chinese in everyday speech. So despite being technically accurate, the translation still may not have value to the intended reader. And Chinese is just one example of such language differences.
So, to answer your question, yes, Bible translations are a big deal. And you should support your brother-in-law's commitment to this important work.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Afraid To Die
Dear Victorious,
Why are most people afraid to die? The Bible makes it pretty clear that there isn't anything to fear for believers. Still, it seems that most Christians don't want to die. Isn't that hypocrisy?
Pratan D. - Costa Mesa, CA
Dear Pratan,
I suspect that those Christians who are still afraid to die simply have some faith issues. Their faith and confidence in the promises of God may not be as strong as they'd like. I'm sure they don't want to be afraid of death. But it is quite common to fear the unknown. And while the Bible is filled with promises that assure us death is not to be feared, it is that element of the unknown that most any human being will find intimidating.
The closer one gets to Christ, the more spiritually mature one becomes, that fear of death tends to fade. Ironically, the closer one gets to death, the more likely it is that they will find peace with the notion of dying. Few people are scared on their death beds. Eventually they find a peace and assurance that helps them relax as their time approaches.
I think calling this hypocrisy is a bit harsh. Perhaps a more realistic way to view it would be as a level of maturity that hasn't yet been reached.
Why are most people afraid to die? The Bible makes it pretty clear that there isn't anything to fear for believers. Still, it seems that most Christians don't want to die. Isn't that hypocrisy?
Pratan D. - Costa Mesa, CA
Dear Pratan,
I suspect that those Christians who are still afraid to die simply have some faith issues. Their faith and confidence in the promises of God may not be as strong as they'd like. I'm sure they don't want to be afraid of death. But it is quite common to fear the unknown. And while the Bible is filled with promises that assure us death is not to be feared, it is that element of the unknown that most any human being will find intimidating.
The closer one gets to Christ, the more spiritually mature one becomes, that fear of death tends to fade. Ironically, the closer one gets to death, the more likely it is that they will find peace with the notion of dying. Few people are scared on their death beds. Eventually they find a peace and assurance that helps them relax as their time approaches.
I think calling this hypocrisy is a bit harsh. Perhaps a more realistic way to view it would be as a level of maturity that hasn't yet been reached.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wait on the Lord
Dear Victorious,
What does it mean, exactly, to wait on the Lord? It doesn't seem like we really have any choice in the matter. God will just do whatever He wants whenever He wants. And we just have to accept it. Right?
Dean K. - Smyrna, GA
Dear Dean,
Accepting it, as you say, is where the trick lies. Waiting on the Lord means that we don't try to take matters into our own hands (and out of His). It means that we trust and even have confidence that God will act and that He will do so at the right time. Moreover, our behaviors and choices will reflect that confidence.
What does it mean, exactly, to wait on the Lord? It doesn't seem like we really have any choice in the matter. God will just do whatever He wants whenever He wants. And we just have to accept it. Right?
Dean K. - Smyrna, GA
Dear Dean,
Accepting it, as you say, is where the trick lies. Waiting on the Lord means that we don't try to take matters into our own hands (and out of His). It means that we trust and even have confidence that God will act and that He will do so at the right time. Moreover, our behaviors and choices will reflect that confidence.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Personal Relationship
Dear Victorious,
We have been church going people all of our lives and always considered ourselves Christians. But my husband took a new job last year and we moved cross country. We're in a new church now and they keep talking about a "personal relationship with Jesus." To be honest, we don't get this. What is the difference and why is this so gosh darned important? I thought all you had to do was believe.
Jeanette R. - Memphis, TN
Dear Jeanette,
I suspect when most people speak of a personal relationship with Jesus, they're talking about living a life that's led by the Holy Spirit - versus spiritual life that's limited to religious ritual and tradition. You can be going to church your whole life, but frankly that doesn't make you a Christian. And if all you really had to do was believe, then the devil could get into heaven ... because even he and his demons believe in Jesus.
Consider 1 John 2:3-6. It's a very important clarification of what the Christian life is really all about. Basically it says that those who truly are His people will walk in His ways. Said differently, our obedience to God and His ways will be evident in our lives. We can't simply go to church, or simply believe that there is God - or even simply believe that Jesus was who He said He is. That belief must translate into obedience --- or God doesn't consider it belief.
Are you making a sincere and consistent effort to do what the Bible says to do in all aspects of your life? That's the surest sign of the level of your personal relationship with Jesus.
We have been church going people all of our lives and always considered ourselves Christians. But my husband took a new job last year and we moved cross country. We're in a new church now and they keep talking about a "personal relationship with Jesus." To be honest, we don't get this. What is the difference and why is this so gosh darned important? I thought all you had to do was believe.
Jeanette R. - Memphis, TN
Dear Jeanette,
I suspect when most people speak of a personal relationship with Jesus, they're talking about living a life that's led by the Holy Spirit - versus spiritual life that's limited to religious ritual and tradition. You can be going to church your whole life, but frankly that doesn't make you a Christian. And if all you really had to do was believe, then the devil could get into heaven ... because even he and his demons believe in Jesus.
Consider 1 John 2:3-6. It's a very important clarification of what the Christian life is really all about. Basically it says that those who truly are His people will walk in His ways. Said differently, our obedience to God and His ways will be evident in our lives. We can't simply go to church, or simply believe that there is God - or even simply believe that Jesus was who He said He is. That belief must translate into obedience --- or God doesn't consider it belief.
Are you making a sincere and consistent effort to do what the Bible says to do in all aspects of your life? That's the surest sign of the level of your personal relationship with Jesus.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Real Hell
Dear Victorious,
A group of my friends and I are having a debate about hell. Some believe that hell is simply the absence of God. Others think it's an actual place, like heaven, a destination where people actually go. How should we think about about hell?
Matt C. - Rockville, MD
Dear Matt,
The Bible says that hell is a real place to which the wicked and unbelieving are sent after death. (The Bible doesn't differentiate much between the wicked and the unbelieving.) Since God is infinite and eternal, the punishment for sin, must also be infinite and eternal. Hell is this infinite and eternal death which we earn with our (unforgiven) sin.
The punishment in hell is described as “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a place of “torment” and “fire” (Luke 16:23-24), “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9), a place where “the smoke of torment rises forever and ever” (Revelation 14:10-11) and a “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).
Those in hell will know that hell is real. Where this reality is may be difficult to comprehend because it exists outside of human dimensions, such as time and space. This is also where heaven is located.
Surveys and polls have for years reported that more Christians believe in heaven than in hell. I think this is because of our firm desire to believe that God is only good and loving - and our desire to deny that God could be angry or destructive.
Let's face it, the information that we have about heaven is about equal to the information we have about hell. Yet for someone reason we seem better able to grasp the concept of heaven than the concept of hell. Perhaps the better debate to have amongst your friends is to why that is. I suspect the answer to that question would be far more relevant than the precise location of either heaven or hell.
A group of my friends and I are having a debate about hell. Some believe that hell is simply the absence of God. Others think it's an actual place, like heaven, a destination where people actually go. How should we think about about hell?
Matt C. - Rockville, MD
Dear Matt,
The Bible says that hell is a real place to which the wicked and unbelieving are sent after death. (The Bible doesn't differentiate much between the wicked and the unbelieving.) Since God is infinite and eternal, the punishment for sin, must also be infinite and eternal. Hell is this infinite and eternal death which we earn with our (unforgiven) sin.
The punishment in hell is described as “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a place of “torment” and “fire” (Luke 16:23-24), “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9), a place where “the smoke of torment rises forever and ever” (Revelation 14:10-11) and a “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).
Those in hell will know that hell is real. Where this reality is may be difficult to comprehend because it exists outside of human dimensions, such as time and space. This is also where heaven is located.
Surveys and polls have for years reported that more Christians believe in heaven than in hell. I think this is because of our firm desire to believe that God is only good and loving - and our desire to deny that God could be angry or destructive.
Let's face it, the information that we have about heaven is about equal to the information we have about hell. Yet for someone reason we seem better able to grasp the concept of heaven than the concept of hell. Perhaps the better debate to have amongst your friends is to why that is. I suspect the answer to that question would be far more relevant than the precise location of either heaven or hell.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Bible Versions
Dear Victorious,
I'm shopping for a new Bible and am frankly a little overwhelmed at the number of translations that are available. Even within the translations, there are variations - such as a men's Bible, teen Bible, etc. Which translation is the best?
Marla V. - Euclid, OH
Dear Marla,
The simple answer is that the best Bible translation is the one that you'll actually read. I don't mean to be sarcastic or flippant with you, but that is the best practical criteria to use in selecting a Bible translation or version.
Of course the most important criteria is to pick a translation that is true. In other words, we want to avoid errors in context from the original transcripts that were God breathed. The differences between the various translations are a source of great conflict among some Christians. But for me, if they all same basically the same thing without losing or perverting the original intent, they're okay with me.
I like to take individual Scripture verses and compare them across multiple translations to make sure I understand what they're saying. I do that often at http://www.biblegateway.com/, which lets me put in a Scripture reference and then see it in about 20 of the most common English translations. Invariably, they all say the same thing. (Sometimes they say it word-for-word too!)
So a good way to check out a translation that you're interested in is to take some references from it and cross check them in other translations to be sure they say the same thing. A number of the most common are already approved by most theologians and acceptable in most Christian churches. My favorites include The Living Bible, The NIV, The Amplified Bible, The King James and The Message translations.
Some of the more traditional religions prefer The King James version. A few of them insist that it's the only legitimate translation we should use. I disagree with that though. I like it but find it to be a bit out-of-context with our modern use of the English language. The other translations I like are more modern and easier to read. And like I said, the one you'll actually read is the one that's best.
I'm shopping for a new Bible and am frankly a little overwhelmed at the number of translations that are available. Even within the translations, there are variations - such as a men's Bible, teen Bible, etc. Which translation is the best?
Marla V. - Euclid, OH
Dear Marla,
The simple answer is that the best Bible translation is the one that you'll actually read. I don't mean to be sarcastic or flippant with you, but that is the best practical criteria to use in selecting a Bible translation or version.
Of course the most important criteria is to pick a translation that is true. In other words, we want to avoid errors in context from the original transcripts that were God breathed. The differences between the various translations are a source of great conflict among some Christians. But for me, if they all same basically the same thing without losing or perverting the original intent, they're okay with me.
I like to take individual Scripture verses and compare them across multiple translations to make sure I understand what they're saying. I do that often at http://www.biblegateway.com/, which lets me put in a Scripture reference and then see it in about 20 of the most common English translations. Invariably, they all say the same thing. (Sometimes they say it word-for-word too!)
So a good way to check out a translation that you're interested in is to take some references from it and cross check them in other translations to be sure they say the same thing. A number of the most common are already approved by most theologians and acceptable in most Christian churches. My favorites include The Living Bible, The NIV, The Amplified Bible, The King James and The Message translations.
Some of the more traditional religions prefer The King James version. A few of them insist that it's the only legitimate translation we should use. I disagree with that though. I like it but find it to be a bit out-of-context with our modern use of the English language. The other translations I like are more modern and easier to read. And like I said, the one you'll actually read is the one that's best.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Angry God
Dear Victorious,
The Bible speaks of "the wrath of God." Do you think God is really angry? I thought He was a loving God, with tons of forgiveness and mercy. If so, how could He be so angry?
Earnest P. - Plano, TX
Dear Earnest,
None of us can really know what God's mood is. After all, the parts of God that we know are what He has chosen to reveal to us. I suspect God is considerably more complex than He has revealed to us. (His Word says we can't comprehend all of the things of God.) However, the Bible can give us some strong clues.
The Old Testament reveals a God who is both merciful and forgiving ... yet who can be angered with continued rebellion by His chosen people (that's us). I think the Old Testament is the best indication of God's nature and character. He is forgiving, merciful and slow to anger. But when He gets angry ... watch out!
The only thing standing between us and this God who cannot tolerate sin is Jesus. He atones for our sin and intervenes on our behalf with God. If not for Jesus, God might still be sending floods, locusts, armies and such to punish us (like He did in the Old Testament times).
So I suspect that God is pleased and satisfied. He put Jesus between Himself and sinful, rebellious people. Jesus wept over the broken condition of those people too. Make no mistake, God was never angry at His people. He was angry at their sin and rebellion. (Love the sinner, hate the sin.) And Jesus was broken hearted at those same behaviors.
God is forgiving and merciful. He is slow to anger. But eventually He must draw the line on sin and rebellion. It is then that people will see and experience His wrath. Those of us who make it a practice to turn from our sin and not rebel against God and His ways ... have nothing to fear. We'll not see or experience His wrath.
The Bible speaks of "the wrath of God." Do you think God is really angry? I thought He was a loving God, with tons of forgiveness and mercy. If so, how could He be so angry?
Earnest P. - Plano, TX
Dear Earnest,
None of us can really know what God's mood is. After all, the parts of God that we know are what He has chosen to reveal to us. I suspect God is considerably more complex than He has revealed to us. (His Word says we can't comprehend all of the things of God.) However, the Bible can give us some strong clues.
The Old Testament reveals a God who is both merciful and forgiving ... yet who can be angered with continued rebellion by His chosen people (that's us). I think the Old Testament is the best indication of God's nature and character. He is forgiving, merciful and slow to anger. But when He gets angry ... watch out!
The only thing standing between us and this God who cannot tolerate sin is Jesus. He atones for our sin and intervenes on our behalf with God. If not for Jesus, God might still be sending floods, locusts, armies and such to punish us (like He did in the Old Testament times).
So I suspect that God is pleased and satisfied. He put Jesus between Himself and sinful, rebellious people. Jesus wept over the broken condition of those people too. Make no mistake, God was never angry at His people. He was angry at their sin and rebellion. (Love the sinner, hate the sin.) And Jesus was broken hearted at those same behaviors.
God is forgiving and merciful. He is slow to anger. But eventually He must draw the line on sin and rebellion. It is then that people will see and experience His wrath. Those of us who make it a practice to turn from our sin and not rebel against God and His ways ... have nothing to fear. We'll not see or experience His wrath.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Masturbation
Dear Victorious,
I know you've talked before about masturbation being a selfish sin. However, I am single and don't have any plans to marry soon. I think being a virgin when I eventually do marry is important, so masturbation looks like a very plausible compromise to tide me over. After all, a man has physical needs that must be taken care of. So how about giving us single people a break on this masturbation thing?
Andrew P. - Spokane, WA
Dear Andrew,
Not on your life. Bear with me here, because I have a lot to say about this subject. The Bible says that what makes two people one is not commitment or wedding vows, but sex – even the most casual sex (1 Corinthians 6:16). So if we treat marital commitment with extreme caution, we need to be even more cautious about anything related to sex.
If, as the Bible reveals, sex somehow creates a mysterious union between two people (Ephesians 5:31-32), sex is an exceptionally powerful bonding agent – so much so that the Bible declares that no other sin damages us like sexual sin (1 Corinthians 6:18).
So if sex bonds two people, then any sexual pleasure without a marriage partner will still powerfully bond a person to something, but the bonding will be to whatever sights and thoughts are present during that time of intense pleasure.
When you are single, at such bonding moments your thoughts are on an imaginary member of the opposite sex, and you are likely to find yourself bonded to features of the opposite sex that your future spouse does not have.
For some people, the bonding created by sexual self-stimulation will be to the sight of their own body. If so, it will be this – and possibly the sight of their own gender – that will begin to dominate their passions. Not everyone will slide down this particular hole but, one way or another, the context in which a person repeatedly experiences sexual pleasure will bend his or her sexual preference.
If your thoughts during sexual pleasure are not focused on a person but on neutral things, then attraction to the opposite sex will begin to lower and you are powerfully brainwashing yourself; training your mind and bodily reactions to cheapen sex: corrupting yourself to the point where, for you, sex is a shallow, mechanical puff of pleasure, rather than the height of meaningful,
interpersonal union.
Then there are those who try to convince themselves they are being godly by masturbating while focusing on spiritual things. If Jesus walked this planet today, would you try to have sex with him?
Sexual bonding should be reserved exclusively for a husband and wife. Anything else is a perversion. Masturbating cultivates yearnings for sensations that differ from those generated by intercourse. Just how destructive to heterosexual relations this becomes will vary from person to person. Even in the mildest case, however, it would seem inevitable that masturbating when single will at least slightly detract from one’s future enjoyment of, and appreciation of, the uniqueness of heterosexual relations.
Everything God does is an expression of love and everything he gives us is to be used to express love. In fact, his gift of sex is meant to be such an expression of love and giving that it binds you to a person for life.
Love is all about relationship. And sex is so much about love and relationship that it is losing yourself in another person so that two people become one. As Jesus taught, it is the person who loses himself who finds life and the one who fails to do this, loses big time.
Masturbation shatters the divinely ordained link between sex and love. God’s intention is for sex to be lovemaking in the highest conceivable sense of the word. In tragic contrast, masturbation degrades and perverts sex by programming its victims to associate sex with self-pleasuring, with getting rather than giving, with self-centeredness rather than other-centeredness.
When it becomes a habit, masturbation can degenerate from isolated acts to an addiction that corrupts our entire mentality, so that our sex drive becomes not something that powers us to nobility and selfless giving but drives us to gorge ourselves.
In masturbation, sex – which should be the height of interpersonal intimacy – turns impersonal. Powerful feelings that should be associated with the sealing and nurturing of the deepest human relationship – a lifelong interpersonal union – become locked into a solo act. By gutting sex of genuine love and interpersonal intimacy, masturbation not only depersonalizes sex, it depersonalizes the masturbator.
People’s sexual response can easily go haywire. There are people who are more sexually aroused by the sight of shoe leather (a shoe fetish) or a computer screen (a porn addict) than by the most sensual sight of their own wife. It was no accident that their sexuality ended up so perverted. In the early stages, their sexuality could have gone in any direction but little by little it became increasingly concreted in one direction through choosing to repeatedly cultivate strong sexual feelings – often by masturbation, but any form of sexual stimulation would do – while fantasizing about objects. This is why those who suppose masturbation is safe, provided you don’t fantasize about people, are tragically mistaken. It is impossible to think of nothing, but even if that were possible, wouldn’t it be a perversion to so gut sex of love as to end up programming yourself to associate sexual feelings with “nothing”?
We have seen that sex is such a powerful part of who we are that if it is abused, it damages the abuser like no other sin (1 Corinthians 6:18). Few of us have any conception of how profoundly attitudes to sex affect our entire personality. If you ruined your eyesight, so many aspects of your life would be affected. So it is with sex. By programming one’s sexuality, masturbation dehumanizes and perverts not just sex itself but the person ensnared by it. “Deny yourself,” taught Jesus. In contrast, masturbation enslaves us to a very different mentality.
Masturbating now, to tide you over until God gives you a sexual partner, is like taking drugs to dull the pain of loneliness. When you find someone, loneliness might vanish, but the craving for drugs will remain. Even if you heroically break the habit, you will most likely for the rest of your life find yourself haunted by the occasional longing for the unique sensations the drugs produced. Of course, the more you had allowed yourself to become addicted, the more it will hound you later in life. So it is with masturbation.
Make no mistake here. Masturbation has ramifications and consequences that reach far beyond what most of us would imagine. Be no deceived, my friend. Be not deceived. I have spent a great deal of time in ministry to men who struggle with sexual addiction. I have a great deal of front-line experience witnessing the devastating effects of masturbation and other forms of ungodly sexual expression.
I know you've talked before about masturbation being a selfish sin. However, I am single and don't have any plans to marry soon. I think being a virgin when I eventually do marry is important, so masturbation looks like a very plausible compromise to tide me over. After all, a man has physical needs that must be taken care of. So how about giving us single people a break on this masturbation thing?
Andrew P. - Spokane, WA
Dear Andrew,
Not on your life. Bear with me here, because I have a lot to say about this subject. The Bible says that what makes two people one is not commitment or wedding vows, but sex – even the most casual sex (1 Corinthians 6:16). So if we treat marital commitment with extreme caution, we need to be even more cautious about anything related to sex.
If, as the Bible reveals, sex somehow creates a mysterious union between two people (Ephesians 5:31-32), sex is an exceptionally powerful bonding agent – so much so that the Bible declares that no other sin damages us like sexual sin (1 Corinthians 6:18).
So if sex bonds two people, then any sexual pleasure without a marriage partner will still powerfully bond a person to something, but the bonding will be to whatever sights and thoughts are present during that time of intense pleasure.
When you are single, at such bonding moments your thoughts are on an imaginary member of the opposite sex, and you are likely to find yourself bonded to features of the opposite sex that your future spouse does not have.
For some people, the bonding created by sexual self-stimulation will be to the sight of their own body. If so, it will be this – and possibly the sight of their own gender – that will begin to dominate their passions. Not everyone will slide down this particular hole but, one way or another, the context in which a person repeatedly experiences sexual pleasure will bend his or her sexual preference.
If your thoughts during sexual pleasure are not focused on a person but on neutral things, then attraction to the opposite sex will begin to lower and you are powerfully brainwashing yourself; training your mind and bodily reactions to cheapen sex: corrupting yourself to the point where, for you, sex is a shallow, mechanical puff of pleasure, rather than the height of meaningful,
interpersonal union.
Then there are those who try to convince themselves they are being godly by masturbating while focusing on spiritual things. If Jesus walked this planet today, would you try to have sex with him?
Sexual bonding should be reserved exclusively for a husband and wife. Anything else is a perversion. Masturbating cultivates yearnings for sensations that differ from those generated by intercourse. Just how destructive to heterosexual relations this becomes will vary from person to person. Even in the mildest case, however, it would seem inevitable that masturbating when single will at least slightly detract from one’s future enjoyment of, and appreciation of, the uniqueness of heterosexual relations.
Everything God does is an expression of love and everything he gives us is to be used to express love. In fact, his gift of sex is meant to be such an expression of love and giving that it binds you to a person for life.
Love is all about relationship. And sex is so much about love and relationship that it is losing yourself in another person so that two people become one. As Jesus taught, it is the person who loses himself who finds life and the one who fails to do this, loses big time.
Masturbation shatters the divinely ordained link between sex and love. God’s intention is for sex to be lovemaking in the highest conceivable sense of the word. In tragic contrast, masturbation degrades and perverts sex by programming its victims to associate sex with self-pleasuring, with getting rather than giving, with self-centeredness rather than other-centeredness.
When it becomes a habit, masturbation can degenerate from isolated acts to an addiction that corrupts our entire mentality, so that our sex drive becomes not something that powers us to nobility and selfless giving but drives us to gorge ourselves.
In masturbation, sex – which should be the height of interpersonal intimacy – turns impersonal. Powerful feelings that should be associated with the sealing and nurturing of the deepest human relationship – a lifelong interpersonal union – become locked into a solo act. By gutting sex of genuine love and interpersonal intimacy, masturbation not only depersonalizes sex, it depersonalizes the masturbator.
People’s sexual response can easily go haywire. There are people who are more sexually aroused by the sight of shoe leather (a shoe fetish) or a computer screen (a porn addict) than by the most sensual sight of their own wife. It was no accident that their sexuality ended up so perverted. In the early stages, their sexuality could have gone in any direction but little by little it became increasingly concreted in one direction through choosing to repeatedly cultivate strong sexual feelings – often by masturbation, but any form of sexual stimulation would do – while fantasizing about objects. This is why those who suppose masturbation is safe, provided you don’t fantasize about people, are tragically mistaken. It is impossible to think of nothing, but even if that were possible, wouldn’t it be a perversion to so gut sex of love as to end up programming yourself to associate sexual feelings with “nothing”?
We have seen that sex is such a powerful part of who we are that if it is abused, it damages the abuser like no other sin (1 Corinthians 6:18). Few of us have any conception of how profoundly attitudes to sex affect our entire personality. If you ruined your eyesight, so many aspects of your life would be affected. So it is with sex. By programming one’s sexuality, masturbation dehumanizes and perverts not just sex itself but the person ensnared by it. “Deny yourself,” taught Jesus. In contrast, masturbation enslaves us to a very different mentality.
Masturbating now, to tide you over until God gives you a sexual partner, is like taking drugs to dull the pain of loneliness. When you find someone, loneliness might vanish, but the craving for drugs will remain. Even if you heroically break the habit, you will most likely for the rest of your life find yourself haunted by the occasional longing for the unique sensations the drugs produced. Of course, the more you had allowed yourself to become addicted, the more it will hound you later in life. So it is with masturbation.
Make no mistake here. Masturbation has ramifications and consequences that reach far beyond what most of us would imagine. Be no deceived, my friend. Be not deceived. I have spent a great deal of time in ministry to men who struggle with sexual addiction. I have a great deal of front-line experience witnessing the devastating effects of masturbation and other forms of ungodly sexual expression.
Friday, March 5, 2010
New Bodies
Dear Sir,
I've always understood that when you die, you go to heaven (if you're saved, that is). But our preacher has been talking about when Christ returns and saying the dead will rise in bodily form. Given that flesh rots and some people get cremated, how is this possible?
Namit G. - Los Angeles, CA
Dear Namit,
What you're preacher is telling you is true. However you are looking at facts of our current flesh (i.e., it rots, can be cremated, etc.). When the dead in Christ arise we will all be given new bodies. There is reason to believe that those bodies will resemble the earthly bodies we have had to date. However, there are some aspects of those bodies that our current bodies don't have. For example:
1. Our new bodies will be perfect. They won't age, wear out, or be subject to disease or pain.
2. Our new bodies won't be constrained by the boundaries of time and space.
3. Our new bodies will be supernatural.
The best way to think about these new bodies that we will receive might be to look at Jesus' resurrected body. He still had the nail scars in His hand, and He could still eat food. But He also had the ability to appear and disappear at will. He moved freely between heaven and earth. He didn't get tired or fatigued in His new body.
Take notice of Jesus' resurrected body and look forward to the day when you'll have one of those for yourself!
I've always understood that when you die, you go to heaven (if you're saved, that is). But our preacher has been talking about when Christ returns and saying the dead will rise in bodily form. Given that flesh rots and some people get cremated, how is this possible?
Namit G. - Los Angeles, CA
Dear Namit,
What you're preacher is telling you is true. However you are looking at facts of our current flesh (i.e., it rots, can be cremated, etc.). When the dead in Christ arise we will all be given new bodies. There is reason to believe that those bodies will resemble the earthly bodies we have had to date. However, there are some aspects of those bodies that our current bodies don't have. For example:
1. Our new bodies will be perfect. They won't age, wear out, or be subject to disease or pain.
2. Our new bodies won't be constrained by the boundaries of time and space.
3. Our new bodies will be supernatural.
The best way to think about these new bodies that we will receive might be to look at Jesus' resurrected body. He still had the nail scars in His hand, and He could still eat food. But He also had the ability to appear and disappear at will. He moved freely between heaven and earth. He didn't get tired or fatigued in His new body.
Take notice of Jesus' resurrected body and look forward to the day when you'll have one of those for yourself!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Unemployment
Dear Victorious,
Is unemployment (insurance) Biblical? I say that having the government support you is not God's way. We're supposed to trust God to take care of us. My husband says it's bad stewardship to leave money on the table that we're entitled to. He says it is God's way of taking care of us. Please settle this argument for us.
Martha C. - Coatesville, PA
Dear Martha,
I'm not sure there's a right or wrong answer here. You see, socialism and even communism are closer to Biblical models than capitalism and democracy. Biblically speaking, everyone is supposed to be taken care of when they are in need. But they are supposed to be cared for by the churches and by neighbors and those who love them (i.e., family). When this doesn't happen, government tends to step in.
I don't think there's anything wrong with taking unemployment payments from the government if you meet the qualifications and truly need the money. On the other hand, there is also nothing wrong with letting the government keep that money if you aren't really in need.
It's this concept of entitlement that I suspect will get us into the most trouble when we're trying to line ourselves up with righteousness. That is what is not Biblical. Christ-followers know they aren't entitled to anything ... and that everything they have or get is a precious gift from God.
Is unemployment (insurance) Biblical? I say that having the government support you is not God's way. We're supposed to trust God to take care of us. My husband says it's bad stewardship to leave money on the table that we're entitled to. He says it is God's way of taking care of us. Please settle this argument for us.
Martha C. - Coatesville, PA
Dear Martha,
I'm not sure there's a right or wrong answer here. You see, socialism and even communism are closer to Biblical models than capitalism and democracy. Biblically speaking, everyone is supposed to be taken care of when they are in need. But they are supposed to be cared for by the churches and by neighbors and those who love them (i.e., family). When this doesn't happen, government tends to step in.
I don't think there's anything wrong with taking unemployment payments from the government if you meet the qualifications and truly need the money. On the other hand, there is also nothing wrong with letting the government keep that money if you aren't really in need.
It's this concept of entitlement that I suspect will get us into the most trouble when we're trying to line ourselves up with righteousness. That is what is not Biblical. Christ-followers know they aren't entitled to anything ... and that everything they have or get is a precious gift from God.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Global Warming
Dear Victor,
Do you think global warming is real? It seems that the messages are very mixed here, and I suspect we're being deceived about the truth. How could we find the truth on this subject?
Nancy V. - Plano, TX
Dear Nancy,
Like you, I'm questioning the subject. I suspect there are two things going on here. The first would be opposing viewpoints. The second would be misinformation. We have a potentially very contentious issue because it requires mankind to change its collective behavior - and threatens very dire consequences if we don't. That in itself makes it a volatile subject, ripe for controversy.
So what's the truth and how do we get to the truth? I don't think the question is whether global warming is true or not. The question is what perspective we should put it in if it is true. The question is our stewardship of earth's resources. The question is the selfish, piggish behaviors of mankind. Let's face it, belching filth into the atmosphere, dumping sewage into the oceans, lakes and rivers or burying tons and tons of toxic waste don't seem like very wise things for good stewards to be doing to their environment --- global warming or not!
We need to take a look at the history of the world. And we need to take a look at the nature and character of God. We need to consider the truth's of Scripture. Here are some things we might find if we do that:
1. Global warming has occurred in the past, over the course of millions of years. Consider, for example, that North America was once covered by glaciers. If not for global warming, we probably wouldn't be living here!
2. The conditions of earth change over time. Species of animals and plants have been disappearing for centuries. (Anyone seen a dinosaur lately?)
3. God, in His infinite wisdom, told us to be fruitful and multiply, filling the earth and taking dominion over everything on it. Why would God do this? He knew how we would behave? Do you suppose it was God's will that mankind destroy His creation? (I doubt it.)
4. The Bible tells us that the earth will be destroyed anyway. It will not endure in its present state forever. So everything that we know in this world is only here for a season (including us). It all gets renewed somewhere down the line.
You see, I think the point is that there may in fact be a phenomenon that we could call global warming. But I doubt very seriously that it means what we think it means.
Do you think global warming is real? It seems that the messages are very mixed here, and I suspect we're being deceived about the truth. How could we find the truth on this subject?
Nancy V. - Plano, TX
Dear Nancy,
Like you, I'm questioning the subject. I suspect there are two things going on here. The first would be opposing viewpoints. The second would be misinformation. We have a potentially very contentious issue because it requires mankind to change its collective behavior - and threatens very dire consequences if we don't. That in itself makes it a volatile subject, ripe for controversy.
So what's the truth and how do we get to the truth? I don't think the question is whether global warming is true or not. The question is what perspective we should put it in if it is true. The question is our stewardship of earth's resources. The question is the selfish, piggish behaviors of mankind. Let's face it, belching filth into the atmosphere, dumping sewage into the oceans, lakes and rivers or burying tons and tons of toxic waste don't seem like very wise things for good stewards to be doing to their environment --- global warming or not!
We need to take a look at the history of the world. And we need to take a look at the nature and character of God. We need to consider the truth's of Scripture. Here are some things we might find if we do that:
1. Global warming has occurred in the past, over the course of millions of years. Consider, for example, that North America was once covered by glaciers. If not for global warming, we probably wouldn't be living here!
2. The conditions of earth change over time. Species of animals and plants have been disappearing for centuries. (Anyone seen a dinosaur lately?)
3. God, in His infinite wisdom, told us to be fruitful and multiply, filling the earth and taking dominion over everything on it. Why would God do this? He knew how we would behave? Do you suppose it was God's will that mankind destroy His creation? (I doubt it.)
4. The Bible tells us that the earth will be destroyed anyway. It will not endure in its present state forever. So everything that we know in this world is only here for a season (including us). It all gets renewed somewhere down the line.
You see, I think the point is that there may in fact be a phenomenon that we could call global warming. But I doubt very seriously that it means what we think it means.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wives Submit
Dear Victorious,
I have been trying to teach my wife to submit to my authority, but she is stubborn and simply refuses. How can I make her understand that God requires this of her? Her rebellion is ruining our marriage?
Hyman G. - Johannesburg, S. Africa
Dear Hyman,
You really haven't given me enough information to answer your question. In general, the husband is called to be the head of the household. The wife is called to respect and revere him the same as she would Jesus Christ. On the flip side, however, the husband is to lead like Jesus Christ. Women who have Christ-like husbands generally describe it as being a joy to submit to his authority and leadership in their marriage.
So what is wrong is in your situation? It could be your wife's sinful rebellion. It could be your failure to lead like Jesus. It could be both. Like I said, I really don't have enough information to say. I would recommend that you and your wife both take a hard look at what the Bible prescribes for husbands and wives and marriage relationships. I would start with the 5th chapter of Ephesians.
Let us be clear here. That your wife refuses to submit to you is in part your own responsibility. Ephesians 5 basically says that it is the husband's responsibility to make his wife a better person. Put another way, God expects you to help bring out the best in your wife. The more you can focus on your own responsibility in this conflict, the more successful I suspect you will be.
I have been trying to teach my wife to submit to my authority, but she is stubborn and simply refuses. How can I make her understand that God requires this of her? Her rebellion is ruining our marriage?
Hyman G. - Johannesburg, S. Africa
Dear Hyman,
You really haven't given me enough information to answer your question. In general, the husband is called to be the head of the household. The wife is called to respect and revere him the same as she would Jesus Christ. On the flip side, however, the husband is to lead like Jesus Christ. Women who have Christ-like husbands generally describe it as being a joy to submit to his authority and leadership in their marriage.
So what is wrong is in your situation? It could be your wife's sinful rebellion. It could be your failure to lead like Jesus. It could be both. Like I said, I really don't have enough information to say. I would recommend that you and your wife both take a hard look at what the Bible prescribes for husbands and wives and marriage relationships. I would start with the 5th chapter of Ephesians.
Let us be clear here. That your wife refuses to submit to you is in part your own responsibility. Ephesians 5 basically says that it is the husband's responsibility to make his wife a better person. Put another way, God expects you to help bring out the best in your wife. The more you can focus on your own responsibility in this conflict, the more successful I suspect you will be.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Marketplace Ministry
Dear Victorious,
My husband and I have been asked to support a ministry that is focused on the marketplace. They're basically trying to take Christianity into the workplace and into businesses. Frankly, I'm skeptical. My husband seems to be sold on this, but the guy that's asking for the money is playing golf with him regularly. I don't believe the Lord is telling us to support this ministry - at least not financially. Moreover, I'm unsure about the impact of such a ministry. What do you think?
Helen R. - Sugar Land, TX
Dear Helen,
What I think is probably not as important as what the truth of the matter is. Remember you're looking for God's truth in every situation. So what is God's truth? That's the question we need to answer.
First and foremost, God wouldn't call your husband to support something without at least giving you peace with it. So the fact that you two are not on the same page is a huge red flag. This needs to be prayed over, and both of you should be at peace about it before you move forward.
Second, I believe that the concept of Christian values in business is certainly appropriate. But too many ministry endeavors to the marketplace look like fraternities. They're just clubs for people who are in business anyway and want to wave the Jesus flag. They have little, if any, kingdom impact in terms of making disciples or ministering to people in need.
If I were going to support a marketplace ministry, I am sure God would want to see specific activities that fulfill the Great Commission (i.e., love God and love others). So helping business leaders find practical ways to apply Biblical principles in their businesses or discipling the workers in the business are examples of things I'd look for ... as I prayed and asked God's guidance on the matter.
My husband and I have been asked to support a ministry that is focused on the marketplace. They're basically trying to take Christianity into the workplace and into businesses. Frankly, I'm skeptical. My husband seems to be sold on this, but the guy that's asking for the money is playing golf with him regularly. I don't believe the Lord is telling us to support this ministry - at least not financially. Moreover, I'm unsure about the impact of such a ministry. What do you think?
Helen R. - Sugar Land, TX
Dear Helen,
What I think is probably not as important as what the truth of the matter is. Remember you're looking for God's truth in every situation. So what is God's truth? That's the question we need to answer.
First and foremost, God wouldn't call your husband to support something without at least giving you peace with it. So the fact that you two are not on the same page is a huge red flag. This needs to be prayed over, and both of you should be at peace about it before you move forward.
Second, I believe that the concept of Christian values in business is certainly appropriate. But too many ministry endeavors to the marketplace look like fraternities. They're just clubs for people who are in business anyway and want to wave the Jesus flag. They have little, if any, kingdom impact in terms of making disciples or ministering to people in need.
If I were going to support a marketplace ministry, I am sure God would want to see specific activities that fulfill the Great Commission (i.e., love God and love others). So helping business leaders find practical ways to apply Biblical principles in their businesses or discipling the workers in the business are examples of things I'd look for ... as I prayed and asked God's guidance on the matter.
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