Dear Victorious,
Do you think Nancy Pelosi is a godly woman? Does her leadership in Washington help or hurt our country?
James B. - Mamaroneck, NY
Dear James,
No. And no. I think she is full of herself and dangerous as a political leader. Unfortunately, I'm in the dubious position (as are you) of having to submit to her authority.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Qualified Answers
Dear Victorious,
You seem to be pretty sure of yourself. What credentials do you have that qualify you to answer questions? Why should we listen to your answers?
David F. - Richardson, TX
Dear David,
If I seem sure of myself, it is only because I answer the questions prayerfully. In other words, I don't believe the answers are mine. They come through prayer and study of God's Word.
In terms of credentials, I am without. I have degrees in Biblical studies and Christian Counseling. But I acquired those through on-line coursework. So I'm not really trained and certainly wouldn't use those as evidence of my qualification for anything.
Finally, you shouldn't listen to my answers unless you think they have value.
You seem to be pretty sure of yourself. What credentials do you have that qualify you to answer questions? Why should we listen to your answers?
David F. - Richardson, TX
Dear David,
If I seem sure of myself, it is only because I answer the questions prayerfully. In other words, I don't believe the answers are mine. They come through prayer and study of God's Word.
In terms of credentials, I am without. I have degrees in Biblical studies and Christian Counseling. But I acquired those through on-line coursework. So I'm not really trained and certainly wouldn't use those as evidence of my qualification for anything.
Finally, you shouldn't listen to my answers unless you think they have value.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Why Prayer
Dear Victorious,
Why should I keep praying for someone --- when I've prayed and prayed and God has not answered the prayer?
Marcella T. - St. Paul, MN
Dear Marcella,
Colossians 4:2 tells us, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Our persistence in prayer is an expression of our faith that God answers our prayers. Faith cannot die if the answers come slowly ... or if they're not the answers we want. (Otherwise it wouldn't be faith!)
You say that God has not answered the prayer. There is much we could say about such a conclusion. There is an eternal truth at work here. It is that God answers prayer. Without exception. So if you think He has not, then you are mistaken. Perhaps God answered the prayer and you've missed His answer. Perhaps you've been praying for the wrong thing. Perhaps God answered the prayer and you don't like His answer. Or perhaps God has not answered the prayer yet.
Why should I keep praying for someone --- when I've prayed and prayed and God has not answered the prayer?
Marcella T. - St. Paul, MN
Dear Marcella,
Colossians 4:2 tells us, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Our persistence in prayer is an expression of our faith that God answers our prayers. Faith cannot die if the answers come slowly ... or if they're not the answers we want. (Otherwise it wouldn't be faith!)
You say that God has not answered the prayer. There is much we could say about such a conclusion. There is an eternal truth at work here. It is that God answers prayer. Without exception. So if you think He has not, then you are mistaken. Perhaps God answered the prayer and you've missed His answer. Perhaps you've been praying for the wrong thing. Perhaps God answered the prayer and you don't like His answer. Or perhaps God has not answered the prayer yet.
Monday, January 25, 2010
True Christian
Dear Victorious,
What are the hallmarks of an effective Christian? We see so much written these days about hypocrites and all; but there's little to tell us what a true Christian really looks like.
Samantha R. - Flagstaff, AZ
Dear Samantha,
I think there is an easy answer that most of us would immediately think of. It would be someone who "walks the talk." I read somewhere recently where that comparison was drawn between someone who says Jesus versus someone who does Jesus.
The New Testament book of James gives us some pretty solid clarification on the issue. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 also gives us some more specific criteria. A true Christ-follower, who is submitted and surrendered to Christ, will exhibit:
1. Work produced by faith.
2. Labor produced by love.
3. Endurance inspired by hope.
Additionally, I believe a true Christ-follower will:
A. Turn towards God and the righteous things in life (from sin).
B. Serve God (instead of self).
C. Wait for the Son (expect God to deliver on His promises).
Now here's the problem ... the hallmarks of a true Christian are easily obscured by the infallible nature of the human that the true Christian inhabits. In other words, those virtues I just mentioned above? They'll co-exist with the sinful nature as it gradually dies out over the lifetime of that individual.
So the hallmarks of a true Christian are emerging in that person. They may not yet look like solid evidence.
What are the hallmarks of an effective Christian? We see so much written these days about hypocrites and all; but there's little to tell us what a true Christian really looks like.
Samantha R. - Flagstaff, AZ
Dear Samantha,
I think there is an easy answer that most of us would immediately think of. It would be someone who "walks the talk." I read somewhere recently where that comparison was drawn between someone who says Jesus versus someone who does Jesus.
The New Testament book of James gives us some pretty solid clarification on the issue. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 also gives us some more specific criteria. A true Christ-follower, who is submitted and surrendered to Christ, will exhibit:
1. Work produced by faith.
2. Labor produced by love.
3. Endurance inspired by hope.
Additionally, I believe a true Christ-follower will:
A. Turn towards God and the righteous things in life (from sin).
B. Serve God (instead of self).
C. Wait for the Son (expect God to deliver on His promises).
Now here's the problem ... the hallmarks of a true Christian are easily obscured by the infallible nature of the human that the true Christian inhabits. In other words, those virtues I just mentioned above? They'll co-exist with the sinful nature as it gradually dies out over the lifetime of that individual.
So the hallmarks of a true Christian are emerging in that person. They may not yet look like solid evidence.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
God's U.S.
Dear Victorious,
Do you think the United States is God's chosen nation? Are we the Israelites of the New Testament? What else could explain the success of our nation heretofore?
Missy S. - El Paso, TX
Dear Missy,
There's nothing Biblical to suggest that the U.S.A. could be God's chosen or favored nation, in the tradition of Israel. Certainly God must be given credit for our successes. The Bible says that apart from the Father we can do nothing (individually or collectively). But frankly, I would leave it there. The success of the U.S. continues to look less and less stunning as time goes on. Perhaps the greater question is to what (or whom) we will attribute our failures.
Do you think the United States is God's chosen nation? Are we the Israelites of the New Testament? What else could explain the success of our nation heretofore?
Missy S. - El Paso, TX
Dear Missy,
There's nothing Biblical to suggest that the U.S.A. could be God's chosen or favored nation, in the tradition of Israel. Certainly God must be given credit for our successes. The Bible says that apart from the Father we can do nothing (individually or collectively). But frankly, I would leave it there. The success of the U.S. continues to look less and less stunning as time goes on. Perhaps the greater question is to what (or whom) we will attribute our failures.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Cultural Differences
Dear Victorious,
Our church bills itself as one that is "culturally relevant." The preacher talks often about how we need to consider the culture around us and engineer our ministries and programming "for the culture." Somehow this seems wrong to me. Doesn't giving culture differences so much attention create a risk of watering down the gospel truth?
Norman P. - Lakeland, FL
Dear Norman,
Yes, it does. Christians are called to stand against their culture. We are not to blend into our culture. Of course you preach in a language that the people can understand. But you have to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you even as you try and translate into another language. There is great danger in trying to accommodate cultural differences. Cultures can be wrong. Traditions can be wrong. And God's truth needs to prevail in the face of those wrongs.
Our church bills itself as one that is "culturally relevant." The preacher talks often about how we need to consider the culture around us and engineer our ministries and programming "for the culture." Somehow this seems wrong to me. Doesn't giving culture differences so much attention create a risk of watering down the gospel truth?
Norman P. - Lakeland, FL
Dear Norman,
Yes, it does. Christians are called to stand against their culture. We are not to blend into our culture. Of course you preach in a language that the people can understand. But you have to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you even as you try and translate into another language. There is great danger in trying to accommodate cultural differences. Cultures can be wrong. Traditions can be wrong. And God's truth needs to prevail in the face of those wrongs.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Celebrity Charity
Dear Victorious,
It seems to be a trend these days to have celebrities endorse charities, speak on their behalf or even start charities of their own. What do you make of this? Are "celebrity charities" more effective? How should Christians regard them?
Lee F. - Argyle, TX
Dear Lee,
I don't know if "celebrity charities" are more effective than any others. I suppose the definition of effectiveness might be relevant. All things considered, it appears that society does regard celebrity endorsements for charities worthwhile in at least on aspect --- fund raising. I've read in The Chronicle of Philanthropy (http://www.philanthropy.com/) that non-profits are better able to compete for charity dollars when they have celebrities endorsing them, speaking for them, etc. Of course the charities that are started by and/or named after the celebrities have that advantage as well.
If we look at the Clinton Foundation or the Lance Armstrong Foundation, they seem to be magnets for money. In fact, non-profit observers might say that charities like this seem to succeed at whatever they try to do. But I suppose the power is really in the infatuation that our culture has with celebrities. We somehow think that they are better people (than we are). And we seek to be affiliated with better people.
Few people donate money based on the effectiveness of the charity. Rather they donate money based on the cause(s) that the charity supposedly addresses and/or the brand of that specific charity. The president of the Red Cross, for example, spoke recently of how strong the "Red Cross brand" is in modern culture. So we're really giving to a perceived need or to a perceived addressing of that need. Neither needs to be verifiable in order for most people to give.
Are charities with celebrity affiliations more effective? I doubt it. Christians need to remember that the money in our possession belongs to God. We don't have any right to spend any of it without His express permission. So if we feel we should be giving money to a charity, that desire should be expressed in prayer first. God must direct our charity dollars as much as He does any of our other spending. And I'm pretty sure that God won't be influenced by celebrities. (Neither should we!)
It seems to be a trend these days to have celebrities endorse charities, speak on their behalf or even start charities of their own. What do you make of this? Are "celebrity charities" more effective? How should Christians regard them?
Lee F. - Argyle, TX
Dear Lee,
I don't know if "celebrity charities" are more effective than any others. I suppose the definition of effectiveness might be relevant. All things considered, it appears that society does regard celebrity endorsements for charities worthwhile in at least on aspect --- fund raising. I've read in The Chronicle of Philanthropy (http://www.philanthropy.com/) that non-profits are better able to compete for charity dollars when they have celebrities endorsing them, speaking for them, etc. Of course the charities that are started by and/or named after the celebrities have that advantage as well.
If we look at the Clinton Foundation or the Lance Armstrong Foundation, they seem to be magnets for money. In fact, non-profit observers might say that charities like this seem to succeed at whatever they try to do. But I suppose the power is really in the infatuation that our culture has with celebrities. We somehow think that they are better people (than we are). And we seek to be affiliated with better people.
Few people donate money based on the effectiveness of the charity. Rather they donate money based on the cause(s) that the charity supposedly addresses and/or the brand of that specific charity. The president of the Red Cross, for example, spoke recently of how strong the "Red Cross brand" is in modern culture. So we're really giving to a perceived need or to a perceived addressing of that need. Neither needs to be verifiable in order for most people to give.
Are charities with celebrity affiliations more effective? I doubt it. Christians need to remember that the money in our possession belongs to God. We don't have any right to spend any of it without His express permission. So if we feel we should be giving money to a charity, that desire should be expressed in prayer first. God must direct our charity dollars as much as He does any of our other spending. And I'm pretty sure that God won't be influenced by celebrities. (Neither should we!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
