Q: What are the "Letters To 7 Churches." I heard someone preaching about them on the radio the other day and was not familiar with them. The guy on the radio said they're in the Bible?
A: John, the author of the book of Revelation (the last book in the Christian Bible) included in that book letters to seven different churches that were all located in what was then known as the province of Asia. They were in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These were simply cities in that province and the letters were simply addressing the Christian church located in each city.
The significance of the letters - or perhaps their relevance in our modern day culture - is that each church displayed a certain set of behaviors. Some were godly and some were not. Each letter addressed the strength of the church to which it was written. But each letter also addressed the weakness of the church to which each particular letter was written.
If you read the letters (Revelation 2 & 3) you'll see that the nature and character of those church congregations was very common to what we might find in American churches today. So the challenge is then to look at my own church and see what it has in common with any or all of those seven (7) churches. Would Jesus have any different perspective or point to make with my church than He did with those churches? Definitely not!
The letters to those seven churches back then were meant to motivate those churches to make changes. They're there for us to read today for exactly the same reason. We should read them and be motivated to make changes!
Showing posts with label sinful ways. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sinful ways. Show all posts
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Required to Marry?
Q: My grandmother says that if you have sex with someone then you are obligated to marry them, even if they're not pregnant. Is this really Biblical? Does this mean that gays who have sex must then get married? Wouldn't that be a double standard?
A: Well, it is Biblical in the sense that it's stated in the Bible. Exodus 22:16 says that if a man sleeps with a virgin, he must then pay the customary dowry (if there is one) and accept her as his wife (i.e., marry her).
Certainly there is context around that. The violated virgin must be willing to embrace the marriage. Each party must then commit to the exclusivity of the marriage. But yes, it's in the Bible. Even if she's not pregnant.
And no, it does not mean that gays who have sex must marry. One Biblical standard always gets replaced by a higher, more specific Biblical standard. So, take the case of a man sleeping with a virgin. If that woman is of a different religion and won't share the faith of the man, there is a higher Biblical standard which says that Christians are not to marry non-Christians. So rather than marry the virgin, the man would confess, do what's honorable to support the woman and repent of his sexual sin.
In the case of homosexuals, there is higher (more direct) scripture prohibiting acts of homosexuality. So if two men sleep together they are not to marry. Rather they are to submit to this higher standard and repent of that sin. They are to commit themselves to no further homosexual endeavors for the rest of their lives.
A: Well, it is Biblical in the sense that it's stated in the Bible. Exodus 22:16 says that if a man sleeps with a virgin, he must then pay the customary dowry (if there is one) and accept her as his wife (i.e., marry her).
Certainly there is context around that. The violated virgin must be willing to embrace the marriage. Each party must then commit to the exclusivity of the marriage. But yes, it's in the Bible. Even if she's not pregnant.
And no, it does not mean that gays who have sex must marry. One Biblical standard always gets replaced by a higher, more specific Biblical standard. So, take the case of a man sleeping with a virgin. If that woman is of a different religion and won't share the faith of the man, there is a higher Biblical standard which says that Christians are not to marry non-Christians. So rather than marry the virgin, the man would confess, do what's honorable to support the woman and repent of his sexual sin.
In the case of homosexuals, there is higher (more direct) scripture prohibiting acts of homosexuality. So if two men sleep together they are not to marry. Rather they are to submit to this higher standard and repent of that sin. They are to commit themselves to no further homosexual endeavors for the rest of their lives.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
God's Mad @ Haiti?
Q: Right after the earthquake in Haiti, Pat Robertson said it was because God was mad at their sinful ways. A lot of people dismissed Robertson as being a radical. But let's face it, the suffering in Haiti continues even now. Isn't this really the evidence playing itself out? I mean isn't the continued suffering in Haiti really proving that Robertson may have been right - and that God is indeed mad at Haiti?
A: Let's remember that no one knows the Lord's ways. (Ecclesiastes 8:17) I personally am loathe to say it, but it is within the realm of what's possible that God did send the earthquake on Haiti to punish it for its sinful ways. But it is equally possible that God sent the earthquake to shake Haiti up and help it turn from those sinful ways. I'm reminded of many other natural disasters in modern times where the people pulled together and the city was better off after. Shared or common adversity has a way of creating binding unity.
Hard-lined Christians who will arrogantly state that God was mad at Haiti and sent the earthquake to punish that nation would do well to remember that this is not how God has acted in the past. Even in the notorious case of Sodom and Gomorrah, God said He would not destroy the city of Sodom if He could find just ten (10) righteous people. (Genesis 18) God was willing to show mercy on the entire city of wicked people - for the sake of a handful of righteous people.
Fast forward from Sodom to Haiti, and it isn't too hard to imagine that there are probably more than ten (10) righteous people in Haiti before the earthquake. There are probably more than ten (10) righteous people in Haiti now too.
Man cannot understand the ways of God, and we shouldn't waste our time trying. Better that we should invest our time being obedient and loving. The Bible says that we are to treat others as we would like to be treated. It is hard to imagine that Pat Robertson, when he is experiencing tragedy and heartache, would appreciate someone pointing out his sin. I'm reminded of the scenario where Job was rebuked by his friends in his hour of need. They were convinced that his suffering had to be the result of some sin on his part. They were entirely wrong too.
A: Let's remember that no one knows the Lord's ways. (Ecclesiastes 8:17) I personally am loathe to say it, but it is within the realm of what's possible that God did send the earthquake on Haiti to punish it for its sinful ways. But it is equally possible that God sent the earthquake to shake Haiti up and help it turn from those sinful ways. I'm reminded of many other natural disasters in modern times where the people pulled together and the city was better off after. Shared or common adversity has a way of creating binding unity.
Hard-lined Christians who will arrogantly state that God was mad at Haiti and sent the earthquake to punish that nation would do well to remember that this is not how God has acted in the past. Even in the notorious case of Sodom and Gomorrah, God said He would not destroy the city of Sodom if He could find just ten (10) righteous people. (Genesis 18) God was willing to show mercy on the entire city of wicked people - for the sake of a handful of righteous people.
Fast forward from Sodom to Haiti, and it isn't too hard to imagine that there are probably more than ten (10) righteous people in Haiti before the earthquake. There are probably more than ten (10) righteous people in Haiti now too.
Man cannot understand the ways of God, and we shouldn't waste our time trying. Better that we should invest our time being obedient and loving. The Bible says that we are to treat others as we would like to be treated. It is hard to imagine that Pat Robertson, when he is experiencing tragedy and heartache, would appreciate someone pointing out his sin. I'm reminded of the scenario where Job was rebuked by his friends in his hour of need. They were convinced that his suffering had to be the result of some sin on his part. They were entirely wrong too.
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