Wednesday, May 16, 2012
What's happened to this column?
In May 2012 I joined the team at a web site called Changing the Face of Christianity --- and resumed taking questions and comments there. However, that column was later discontinued after a series of Nigerians overwhelmed it with and endless series of questions about how to avoid being accountable for despicable things they'd done. So for now, I am not writing this column. If you'd like to stay in touch with me, I still write on my main blog, victoriousconqueror.blogspot.com.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Impact of Unforgiveness
Q: If someone has wronged you and it takes you a very long time to forgive them (like maybe several years), is there any irreperable harm done to the relationship? I mean, can't God redeem anything ... so there would always be the hope that the relationship can return to normal once the forgiveness is finally offered?
A: This sounds like a question being asked by someone with a guilty conscience! The answer is that of course God can redeem anything. However, God doesn't typically override the natural consequences of our own poor choices. Withholding forgiveness is a sin. Like other sin, it has consequences which can sometimes be quite devastating. Those consequences might be a relationship that is so injured that it cannot recover. Unless there is a deeply repentant heart (on the part of the one offering the forgiveness) I wouldn't expect God to redeem anything.
Let's say a family dispute goes on between siblings for maybe 20 years. Then the sibling withholding the forgiveness decides to call a truce and suddenly starts speaking again. Can the relationship be restored back to what it was before? I doubt it. In this example, you've got 20 years of bitterness held against someone. This injures the heart of the one to be forgiven. And it may injure that heart to the point that they no longer care about restoring the relationship. They no longer believe that they are loved.
It's been said that actions speak louder than words. This is especially true in the case of long withheld forgiveness. If you've acted in an unforgiving way for 20 years, you cannot expect a few words of reconciliation to cancel out all those actions. Nor can you blame God for the mess you created by withholding the forgiveness all those years.
A: This sounds like a question being asked by someone with a guilty conscience! The answer is that of course God can redeem anything. However, God doesn't typically override the natural consequences of our own poor choices. Withholding forgiveness is a sin. Like other sin, it has consequences which can sometimes be quite devastating. Those consequences might be a relationship that is so injured that it cannot recover. Unless there is a deeply repentant heart (on the part of the one offering the forgiveness) I wouldn't expect God to redeem anything.
Let's say a family dispute goes on between siblings for maybe 20 years. Then the sibling withholding the forgiveness decides to call a truce and suddenly starts speaking again. Can the relationship be restored back to what it was before? I doubt it. In this example, you've got 20 years of bitterness held against someone. This injures the heart of the one to be forgiven. And it may injure that heart to the point that they no longer care about restoring the relationship. They no longer believe that they are loved.
It's been said that actions speak louder than words. This is especially true in the case of long withheld forgiveness. If you've acted in an unforgiving way for 20 years, you cannot expect a few words of reconciliation to cancel out all those actions. Nor can you blame God for the mess you created by withholding the forgiveness all those years.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Godless Japanese?
Q: I heard a guy on the radio this week talking about how Japan "is a godless nation" and the latest earthquake and tsunami are punishments from God. How would you respond to someone who has such beliefs? Doesn't God love everyone?
A: Mmmm ... I'm not sure I would say that God loves everyone. God is willing to love everyone. God desires to love everyone. And I believe God is grieved that not everyone meets the criteria for His love. But the Bible does indicate that God's love is reserved for God's people ... and we each have the choice of being one of those people.
I also don't know if it's true that Japan "is a godless nation." What is true is that traditionally they have not shared the values of Christian nations. For example, in war they have been savage invaders and conquerors, inflicting horrendous atrocities on their victims. It's been only since the United States dropped atomic bombs on them that they stopped behaving so badly on the world scene. If the U.S. hadn't done that, it's likely that they would be a ruthless regime terrorizing the world today. Like I said, they have traditionally not shared the values of the western Christian people groups.
But does that mean that all Japanese people are godless? No, I don't think so. In fact, there are Christian churches in Japan. There are Christian missionaries working in Japan. Look, I don't know if God is trying to punish Japan with these calamities or not. The fact is, nobody knows such things. If I were the Japanese people though, I would be asking myself if God would have any reason to punish the entire nation.
I heard recently that less than 1% of the Japanese population is Christian - and that most Japanese don't claim any religion at all. So it is fertile ground for evangelism. As Jesus said, "the harvest is many, but the workers are few." So rather than try to decide whether or not the Japanese people might somehow deserve the calamities they're experiencing --- I believe it would be more Christlike to wade into their misery and despair and show them the love of Christ.
Knowing God's nature and character the way I do, it's entirely possible that God will use these calamities to help bring more Japanese people to Christ. We should all be at least praying for them and asking God to use this time to reveal Himself to the Japanese people. Let us all pray that God will be glorified in the end through these calamities.
A: Mmmm ... I'm not sure I would say that God loves everyone. God is willing to love everyone. God desires to love everyone. And I believe God is grieved that not everyone meets the criteria for His love. But the Bible does indicate that God's love is reserved for God's people ... and we each have the choice of being one of those people.
I also don't know if it's true that Japan "is a godless nation." What is true is that traditionally they have not shared the values of Christian nations. For example, in war they have been savage invaders and conquerors, inflicting horrendous atrocities on their victims. It's been only since the United States dropped atomic bombs on them that they stopped behaving so badly on the world scene. If the U.S. hadn't done that, it's likely that they would be a ruthless regime terrorizing the world today. Like I said, they have traditionally not shared the values of the western Christian people groups.
But does that mean that all Japanese people are godless? No, I don't think so. In fact, there are Christian churches in Japan. There are Christian missionaries working in Japan. Look, I don't know if God is trying to punish Japan with these calamities or not. The fact is, nobody knows such things. If I were the Japanese people though, I would be asking myself if God would have any reason to punish the entire nation.
I heard recently that less than 1% of the Japanese population is Christian - and that most Japanese don't claim any religion at all. So it is fertile ground for evangelism. As Jesus said, "the harvest is many, but the workers are few." So rather than try to decide whether or not the Japanese people might somehow deserve the calamities they're experiencing --- I believe it would be more Christlike to wade into their misery and despair and show them the love of Christ.
Knowing God's nature and character the way I do, it's entirely possible that God will use these calamities to help bring more Japanese people to Christ. We should all be at least praying for them and asking God to use this time to reveal Himself to the Japanese people. Let us all pray that God will be glorified in the end through these calamities.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Science & Religion
Q: My friend says that religion and science oppose each other. Is that really true?
A: I don't think so. If anything, science complements religion. The Bible leaves out the details of many things.
For example, the Bible describes the heavens as vast. But we learn through science that space is infinite. In other words, science helps us understand how vast the heavens are.
Another example might be creation. The Bible tells us that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. It goes on to tells how He created everything on earth. Science suggests how God might have done all that.
I like to think of science as God revealing a bit more of Himself, His nature and even His ways to mankind. In that way, when confronted with science, I ask yourself how it might be complementary to Scripture. You should too!
A: I don't think so. If anything, science complements religion. The Bible leaves out the details of many things.
For example, the Bible describes the heavens as vast. But we learn through science that space is infinite. In other words, science helps us understand how vast the heavens are.
Another example might be creation. The Bible tells us that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. It goes on to tells how He created everything on earth. Science suggests how God might have done all that.
I like to think of science as God revealing a bit more of Himself, His nature and even His ways to mankind. In that way, when confronted with science, I ask yourself how it might be complementary to Scripture. You should too!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Curing Gays
Q: You recently shared a link on Facebook to a news story about how Apple is embracing an iPhone application from Exodus International --- which aims to "cure homosexuals." Isn't this just hate-mongering? Aren't we supposed to love the sinner hate the sin? And does anyone really believe gays can be "cured?" I mean, if God made them that way, who are we to change them?
A: The Biblical position is that homosexual activity is a sin. And as Jesus pointed out, lust in our minds and hearts is also sin. So homosexual fantasies are sin (just as hetero-sexual fantasies outside of committed, marriage relationships are sinful). The Biblical position is also that temptation to sin can be resisted, and is to be resisted. So no, I don't think it's "hate mongering" to try and offer loving, spiritual-based assistance to people who need to resist and turn from the temptations they may have to engage in sinful behavior. Quite the contrary. If we really love the self-proclaimed gays in today's society --- then we really owe them the decency of that loving, spiritual guidance and support.
Finally, I'm not deluded by the notion that gays can be "cured." Only Christ Jesus can completely free us from the temptation to sin. He is the only cure.
A: The Biblical position is that homosexual activity is a sin. And as Jesus pointed out, lust in our minds and hearts is also sin. So homosexual fantasies are sin (just as hetero-sexual fantasies outside of committed, marriage relationships are sinful). The Biblical position is also that temptation to sin can be resisted, and is to be resisted. So no, I don't think it's "hate mongering" to try and offer loving, spiritual-based assistance to people who need to resist and turn from the temptations they may have to engage in sinful behavior. Quite the contrary. If we really love the self-proclaimed gays in today's society --- then we really owe them the decency of that loving, spiritual guidance and support.
Finally, I'm not deluded by the notion that gays can be "cured." Only Christ Jesus can completely free us from the temptation to sin. He is the only cure.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Easter
Q: Easter is coming up in a few weeks. What would be a good way to celebrate it? I'd like to teach my kids something more than the Easter Bunny, candy and new outfits. But I honestly don't know where to start.
A: You start with the resurrection. Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection ... which proved that He is who He says He is. It proved that Jesus is God. And that truth means that our sins are forgiven. We just have to confess them and turn to Him.
I think an excellent way to celebrate Easter is to focus on the meaning of the resurrection. Ask yourself what it means that your sins are forgiven. Is that a big deal to you? You might make a list of the sins you've committed so that you can see what Christ died to forgive. You could have your kids, for example, do the same thing.
Our culture, as have many other cultures in the history of the world, includes food as a main part of every celebration. So it's not entirely wrong that we have jelly beans and chocolate rabbits on Easter. It's just wrong to leave it there.
A: You start with the resurrection. Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection ... which proved that He is who He says He is. It proved that Jesus is God. And that truth means that our sins are forgiven. We just have to confess them and turn to Him.
I think an excellent way to celebrate Easter is to focus on the meaning of the resurrection. Ask yourself what it means that your sins are forgiven. Is that a big deal to you? You might make a list of the sins you've committed so that you can see what Christ died to forgive. You could have your kids, for example, do the same thing.
Our culture, as have many other cultures in the history of the world, includes food as a main part of every celebration. So it's not entirely wrong that we have jelly beans and chocolate rabbits on Easter. It's just wrong to leave it there.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Christian Technology
Q: What does the Bible have to say about modern technology? I mean are Christians supposed to embrace it or turn from it? I notice the Amish, for example, eschew most modern technologies. And I know the Mennonites do too, albeit to a lesser extent (they drive cars). Is there a Biblical basis for such decisions? Would Jesus have a cell phone or text His disciples?
A: I'm not aware of any Bible passage that would instruct or even guide Christ-followers to eschew modern technological advancements. In fact, I'm pretty sure that many of God's blessings come in the form of technological advancements. Consider, for example, advancements in medical technology. They often lead to answered prayer. Everything from home construction to transportation to education to communication and other forms of technology often pave the way for God to bless us.
On the other hand, whatever is meant for good can also be used for evil. Satan loves nothing better than to appropriate what's good for his own purposes. We've seen television be a double-edged sword, bringing us both high quality or even Biblical entertainment, education and inspiration. At the same time, it brings us crap that at a minimum undermines Christian values and at a maximum blatantly offends. The same is true for automobiles, cell phones, laptops and other modern technologies. The best example I can think of are the parents whom I see sitting in restaurants or just out in public with their children --- but who are absorbed in their texting or emails and blatantly ignore their children. The technology can get in the way of our relationships rather easily.
So would Jesus have texted His disciples? I suspect He would have. But I'm equally confident that Jesus would have turned off His Blackberry when it was time to pray, or during a meal or worship service. I don't even think He'd have left it on vibrate. Simply put, Jesus knew that technology was intended to serve mankind ... and not enslave us. And He would have been astute at realizing when that fine line was crossed. We should be that astute as well!
A: I'm not aware of any Bible passage that would instruct or even guide Christ-followers to eschew modern technological advancements. In fact, I'm pretty sure that many of God's blessings come in the form of technological advancements. Consider, for example, advancements in medical technology. They often lead to answered prayer. Everything from home construction to transportation to education to communication and other forms of technology often pave the way for God to bless us.
On the other hand, whatever is meant for good can also be used for evil. Satan loves nothing better than to appropriate what's good for his own purposes. We've seen television be a double-edged sword, bringing us both high quality or even Biblical entertainment, education and inspiration. At the same time, it brings us crap that at a minimum undermines Christian values and at a maximum blatantly offends. The same is true for automobiles, cell phones, laptops and other modern technologies. The best example I can think of are the parents whom I see sitting in restaurants or just out in public with their children --- but who are absorbed in their texting or emails and blatantly ignore their children. The technology can get in the way of our relationships rather easily.
So would Jesus have texted His disciples? I suspect He would have. But I'm equally confident that Jesus would have turned off His Blackberry when it was time to pray, or during a meal or worship service. I don't even think He'd have left it on vibrate. Simply put, Jesus knew that technology was intended to serve mankind ... and not enslave us. And He would have been astute at realizing when that fine line was crossed. We should be that astute as well!
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