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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
Orphans in the World
Q: I've read that there are something like 30 million orphans around the world today. Seriously, how could Christians respond to something like that? I mean, it's more than anyone could imagine. How could you build enough orphanages to house all of those kids?
A: Well, here's a little surprise for you --- orphanages are not Biblical. That's right. They're not Biblical. The Christian response is not to house the lonely orphans in institutions. Jesus said that we are to love others as we ourselves would like to be loved. As an adoptive parent myself, I firmly believe Jesus would want His followers to welcome the orphans into our homes.
So how many orphans can you take on? How many empty bedrooms are in your house? Your children are grown adults now, and you're still fit and able. So how many more kids can you parent? How many more kids will the resources that God has given you support? Christians should be the most adopting people on earth. I mean that literally.
Beyond adopting the orphans ourselves, Christians could be going into countries and empowering local families to adopt as well. There are probably enough parents in China or Russia, for example - to raise all the orphans in those countries. But they're poor and lack the resources to support larger households. Christians could empower them to adopt those orphans.
The loving environment of a family will always be the best option for an orphan child. The only question is whether we have enough Christian families that are willing to be that loving. God knew that there would be orphans, widows and the poor on this earth. And He's always had a plan for taking care of them. His plan is to use people like you and me.
A: Well, here's a little surprise for you --- orphanages are not Biblical. That's right. They're not Biblical. The Christian response is not to house the lonely orphans in institutions. Jesus said that we are to love others as we ourselves would like to be loved. As an adoptive parent myself, I firmly believe Jesus would want His followers to welcome the orphans into our homes.
So how many orphans can you take on? How many empty bedrooms are in your house? Your children are grown adults now, and you're still fit and able. So how many more kids can you parent? How many more kids will the resources that God has given you support? Christians should be the most adopting people on earth. I mean that literally.
Beyond adopting the orphans ourselves, Christians could be going into countries and empowering local families to adopt as well. There are probably enough parents in China or Russia, for example - to raise all the orphans in those countries. But they're poor and lack the resources to support larger households. Christians could empower them to adopt those orphans.
The loving environment of a family will always be the best option for an orphan child. The only question is whether we have enough Christian families that are willing to be that loving. God knew that there would be orphans, widows and the poor on this earth. And He's always had a plan for taking care of them. His plan is to use people like you and me.
Christian Funerals
Q: Is there a way that Christians should handle a funeral? I mean when dealing with the death of a loved one, shouldn't there be an approach that is uniquely Christian? I've been to some funerals lately and don't really notice any difference between the funeral of a believer and the funeral of a non-believer. Is that right? Is that how it's supposed to be?
A: The thing about funerals is that they're for the living --- and not for the dead. Whatever ceremony or observance you have it is for the benefit of those who survive. It is not for the deceased. So in that regard, I think most people defer to whatever it is that would bring comfort and solace to the surviving family and friends.
Is that right? Is that how it's supposed to be? To be honest, I'm not really sure. I suppose we could look at some Biblical principles and try to use the funeral or other observance as a "call to action," where we would exhort the surviving family and loved ones to see the eternal and heavenly perspective on what's just happened.
The saddest funerals I've ever been to have been for non-believers who'd just died. For them, there is no hope of eternal life. And everyone knows it. It is difficult to put a positive spin on such a catastrophic losses that grieves even God Himself. But it seems to me that would be a good time to point that out and call the survivors to live differently.
Whether it's the funeral of a Christian or a non-believer, I think I would strive for the most God-honoring funeral I can imagine. How can we give God the glory in this service? How can we point people to God in this funeral? What promises of God need to be focused on most at this funeral? What Biblical principles are most relevant during this time of loss? How would Jesus want the surviving family and loved ones to response to this loss? If I'm going to preach a funeral, those are some questions I'm going to want to answer.
In conclusion, I don't think it's so much a matter of whether traditional funerals are right or wrong. Rather it is a matter of whether or not there are better, more God-honoring funerals to be had.
A: The thing about funerals is that they're for the living --- and not for the dead. Whatever ceremony or observance you have it is for the benefit of those who survive. It is not for the deceased. So in that regard, I think most people defer to whatever it is that would bring comfort and solace to the surviving family and friends.
Is that right? Is that how it's supposed to be? To be honest, I'm not really sure. I suppose we could look at some Biblical principles and try to use the funeral or other observance as a "call to action," where we would exhort the surviving family and loved ones to see the eternal and heavenly perspective on what's just happened.
The saddest funerals I've ever been to have been for non-believers who'd just died. For them, there is no hope of eternal life. And everyone knows it. It is difficult to put a positive spin on such a catastrophic losses that grieves even God Himself. But it seems to me that would be a good time to point that out and call the survivors to live differently.
Whether it's the funeral of a Christian or a non-believer, I think I would strive for the most God-honoring funeral I can imagine. How can we give God the glory in this service? How can we point people to God in this funeral? What promises of God need to be focused on most at this funeral? What Biblical principles are most relevant during this time of loss? How would Jesus want the surviving family and loved ones to response to this loss? If I'm going to preach a funeral, those are some questions I'm going to want to answer.
In conclusion, I don't think it's so much a matter of whether traditional funerals are right or wrong. Rather it is a matter of whether or not there are better, more God-honoring funerals to be had.