sanctuarycg

A very hard question...

A very tough question was put to me last week re: torture and civilian casualties. My response is here.

ASK ANTHING response...

Last Sunday night we did an ASK ANYTHING night where the congregation could ask anything they wanted of some of the pastoral staff (and Nancy Muyskens a Christian counselor). Of course we had more questions...

Q and A

I posted some Q and A from last weekend's topic on the Sanctuary Faithbuilders Q and A page.

Spiritual Warfare Q and A

I have received a lot of questions about spiritual warfare recently. I found this great Q and A session with Pastors Greg Boyd and Paul Eddy of Woodland Hills Church. They took questions from their congregation and answered them over a few services. Boyd has spent a good deal of his academic writing on the topic of evil and the warfare worldview of the Bible.

Amillennialism Q and A

We finished our 3-week discussion on The Story of the End--3 views on Jesus' Return last night. All three talks are available for download and podcasting. I tipped my hand and noted I ascribe to what is called Amilllennialism, the oldest and most traditional view of the millennium. A definition of the major views on the millennium and Jesus' return can be found here.

We had many questions last night. Most of them revolved around 2 major areas:

1. The Rapture.
2. The relationship between Jesus' victory, Satan's defeat, and the present battle between good and evil in the world.

Because there were so many questions regarding topic 2, I will address the issue this Sunday night in a talk called Weakness to Victory--Living as if Jesus is King.

Because there were so many questions regarding the Rapture, I have listed links for and against this theology below.

Pre-Millennialism Q and A

We had a fascinating time exploring the Pre-millennial view of Jesus' return Sunday night. We had many questions. Below are I've created some review and my attempts at answers for some of the Q and A and some links.

The Story of the End Q and A, pt. 1

Sunday night in my message THE STORY OF THE END, pt. 1, we looked at what is called Post-Millennialism.

Divorce Q and A

We had some great questions re: divorce a couple Sundays ago. Forgive me for not getting to them sooner. I would especially appreciate any insight from those of you whose parents or marriagess have gone through divorce. And, again, please note I reserve the right to be wrong about that which follows.

Question: Say two people are married, but not under God, and they get divorced. If they get remarried in a Christian ceremony, is that committing adultery? (Since they were first non-Christians when they got married.)

Answer: It sounds from the way this question is worded that it involves only one couple. If that is the case, no, that is not committing adultery. Now, let's say two non-Christians get married and then divorced. Then, let's say, the woman from the first marriage becomes a Christian and marries another Christian man. I would say this is not committing adultery according to Jesus' counsel in Matthew 19: 9, "And I tell you this, a man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery--unless his wife has been unfaithful."  I say this because when we become Christians, we begin a new life "in Christ," recognizing that our old life outside Christ was not life led by the Spirit of God. I also believe the above  because of the implications of Paul's counsel in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16.

Question: How  should a couple engaged to be married behave physically and in private with affection towards each other?

Answer: Hebrews 13:4 says, "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." That said, there are all kinds of lines different Christians draw as to what is appropriate before marriage in terms of affection. My counsel: keep your clothes on, watch the hands and kiss as if Jesus was sitting next to you. Seriously, you're engaged! You will both be happy you honored the "marriage bed" by having an intimate relationship that honors Jesus.

Question: How do we know that the person we are dating is the right one? I don't want to make a mistake!

Answer: There is nothing in the Bible that says God has chosen "the right one" for every person. There is no passage that says there is only one Mister or Mrs. Right for anyone. The scriptures are clear we should not marry someone who is not a Christian. So, that narrows the playing-field a bit. It's also helpful to remember that romantic feelings do not a marriage make. Healthy marriages are built by couples who choose to love each other even when they can't stand each other. Maybe the following questions would help:

• Would you be willing to hold the bucket while this person pukes from the stomach flu for a week?
• Will you still make love to this person when all their hair has fallen out and she is 50 pounds heavier?
• Are you willing to never even mention the D word (divorce) as you enter into this relationship?
• Are you willing to make your relationship with this person the most important relationship you have with another human?
• Are you willing to forgive this person on a daily basis for the rest of your life?
• Would you give your life for this person?

I'm sure some of you can add others. Bottom line: marriage is the hardest thing a person ever tries (until you have kids), but it is also the most rewarding. Like I've said before, God is brilliant. He created a relationship that will only succeed when both people try to become like Jesus.

Q and A with Rabbi Ed

I sent Rabbi Ed some of your questions...

Dear Brad,

 

Here are some quick answers to your questions.

 

1. There are over 600 laws/commands a Torah observant Jew has to follow. Which laws do you follow?

There are 613 commandments. Some of them are no longer applicable since there is no functioning Temple or Priesthood. Some of them were in regards to women. some of them are not applicable since we do not practice stoning for adultery or adolescent rebellion. By G-d's grace and with His help, I endeavor to keep the 10 commandments, as well as the commandments concerning diet and wearing fringes. Y'shua (Jesus) made it clear in the New Covenant that if we love G-d with all our heart and strength and loved our neighbor as ourself, we would fulfill the spirit and purpose of the Torah & the Prophets.

 

2. Do you keep kosher?

I keep what I call Biblical Kosher. Avoiding pork and shellfish which are considered unclean foods. I do not judge those who do not eat this way. I am not more holy because of my diet. This is just what G-d asked me to do, so I do it. 

 

3. Why don't non-Messianic Jews still make sacrifices to atone for their sins?

After the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD the Pharasaic Rabbinic authorities determined that G-d never wanted the sacrifices anyway, but really desire our broken and contrite hearts demonstrated by our Mitzvot (good deeds by fulfilling commandments) of Torah study, Prayer & Charity. Today, the majority of Jewish people believe that animal sacrifices are no longer necessary.

 

4. What does Paul mean in Romans 11:26 when he says all of Israel will be saved?

In Zechariah 12:10, 13:1 & 14:3-9 it speaks of a time when the Messiah will return to Jerusalem and reveal Himself to His people. I believe that all Israelites who are alive to behold that awesome revelation will be saved.

 

Hope this is helpful. Shalom, Rabbi Ed

NO SANCTUARY SUNDAY NIGHT (and some Q and A)

Reminder: There will be no Sanctuary Sunday night. We will join the rest of the CrossRoads Church family for a rollicking great Easter celebration in the Park High School gymnasium at 9:00 and 11:00 AM.

And now for some Q and A from last Sunday night...

Question: Is a good deed done in the name of God worth more than one that is not?

Answer: Hmmm...well, first of all we can say from a biblical perspective that there is no such thing as "good" outside of God. James 1.17 says, "Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." Yet, when an unbelieving world sees an act of goodness done in the name of God, we can be better assured the focus is surely where it belongs.

Question: How do I tell someone about a heavenly Father who loves them when their earthly father abused them?

Answer: Someone came up to me afterward and gave me a great answer for this. He pointed to John 14.9 "Jesus answered: 'Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"  I would point someone struggling with this issue to a study of Jesus to give them a vision for their heavenly Father.

Question: What are Seventh Day Adventists? Do they believe the same things we believe?

Answer: I am going to confess some ignorance here. I found many different opinions online. This site is was created by ex-Adventists seeking to clarify where the Adventists go awry. If anyone else has more experience with this movement, please pipe in.

Question: Was Barry [the friend I mentioned who went off the deep end after his parent's divorce] a Christian when his parents got a divorce? If so, how come his faith could not withstand this tragedy?

Answer: I don't and didn't know the state of Barry's heart when he was a teen. He certainly had heard the Gospel many times. Yet, when the two most important Christians in your life, your parents, fail you it is certain to rattle a young person's faith. While I am pretty positive Barry is not part of a church today, that does not mean  he is not a child of God. Perhaps he is like the Prodigal Son. Maybe he is off in a "far off" country. If that is true, he is still his Father's son. However, he is not receiving the "abundant life" that comes from a close relationship with his Father. I would argue God is not done with any of us yet, and I pray Barry comes home someday. I should probably give him a call, eh?