I’m looking forward to the “Discussions” this evening at 8p central. Tonight we will have a self-proclaimed “30 Year Atheists” as one of our guest as we look at the question of divinity verses atheism. We will also spend some time early in the show addressing a serious question regarding the Bible from last week’s show. One of the key components of really making SND a great webcast is the questions that come in from our viewing audience. No question is off limits and we’ll make an attempt to address as many as we can. I’ve posted the question that we’ll be looking at below. It came from one of my newer fiends from Europe. It’s going to be a great show so be sure to grab a friend and log in at 8p central. If you have a Google + account you can also find the SND page and send in questions while the show is live. Look forward to seeing you soon.
“Hey Steve, the discussion on the divine influence was what I was waiting for in the discussion. Let me know if you have the chance to address this in your next session. I see a great variety of views on this among CHRISTIANS(!!). It ranges from the “God wrote it through the hand of the authors” to “authors wrote down their experiences with God”. Fact is that the bible as we know it today was finished much later than the text you mentioned so what you say only applies if Paul and Peter used prophetic powers or god was writing it trough them. Both would be something to believe in but not able to be approached by science or historicity. 2. Tim 3:16 could refer to the Jewish scripture but the word “breathed” still leaves room for interpretation regarding the degree of influence of men and god in writing it. So here my two cents on this: I find the “Word” (logos) in John 1 as a description of Jesus. So he is the impersonated Word of God. It is clear and undisputed (for the most part) that he claimed to be (Son of) God the Messiah who was promised in the old Jewish scriptures. He taught a revolutionary message of “forgiveness, acceptance and love” and claimed if we follow him and his guidelines that we would be gods children (incl. atonement). All the other part of the scripture need to be interpreted in relation to this message and we need to be very careful in deriving dogmas from those part. This applies to many topics as women in church, slave, homosexuals, divorce and multiple other topics.”
How would you respond to this question?
Martin, shoot Robert and me an email.
Thanks for not sayin’. It came to me! SDG 🙂
I need something powerful to help me cope with Moms life coming to the end. Any suggestions in the Word?
Thanks Steve for clearing it up! Just heard this! Fort Worth middle school forms Gay-Straight Alliance club.
So just don’t be mean ye said, right? I’m gonna go get sick…..
Good questions. There is some truth in that. Someone who says they are a Christian but blatantly ignores the scripture and blatantly engages in homosexual behavior unrepentantly is to be set apart as living a heretical lifestyle. We’re not talking about someone who drops the ball and messes up, but someone who claims to have been born again and claims to follow Christ but at the same time willfully and purposefully disobey the Bible and teachings of Christ. This is not to say that we are to be mean to them, but just calmly state the facts of the Bible. Yes, 1 Cor 5 and 6:112ff are applicable. 2 Cor. 2:5ff also speaks of restoring a brother who has repented of his/her sins.
I think a friend of mine explained it to me so that I could understand.
He told me like this. ” Homosexuals who think their believers, (I do NOT have to sit and eat with). But, homosexuals whom are NOT one with the Lord, I am to love.”
I totally cool with that. What’s your take on that explanation?
As I said before, BT sometimes makes it hard for me to try and dissect an answer.
What’s ye take? Thanks Steve.
We are indeed to love everyone. But yet the key is that authentic love speaks truth. If a person is dying of cancer, the loving thing is to tell them so that they can get the right medical attention. Jesus was all about sacrificial love. He also told people to repent and leave their lives of sin. Note Jn. 5:14, 8:11. Lk 13:3-5.
Thanks Steve. For one, 1 Cor. 5 and 6 are one with me. A pastor at the church I used to go to said “to love THEM, regardless.” It kind of creep-ed me out and I almost walked out then and there!
Martin, you are correct that we have ALL blown it and “fallen short of the Glory of God” as the Bible says. You are also correct in that the scripture is VERY clear on homosexual Activity. The text does Not pass judgment on being Tempted toward homosexual behavior or experiencing homosexual Feelings or Propensities, however, it is Very clear in calling homosexual Actions just as much of a sin against God’s holiness as adultery.
You might reference my blog post on this from Sept 25th.
I know everybody is screwed up. I’m having a hard time with churches accepting homosexuals. I just believe the word. So now they can change-up on the word? I don’t get it man, sorry… Does brain trauma I’ve had make it so?
Great show by the way.
Good questions Lonnie. Short answers for now.
-The root question there is one of assurance and the Bible does speak of that. The idea of “loosing” salvation in the Bible really refers to someone who returns to a legalistic lifestyle where they place their assurance in legalistic righteousness and keeping the OT law instead of Christ. Note Heb 6. but the Bible does teach us about assurance in Christ. We cannot sin so much that HE will turn our back on us.
-The big thing about regular Bible reading Lonnie is that it builds us in our spirit. Like physical food and physical exercise help us grow, regular and systematic Bible reading causes growth in us. The catch is a willingness and desire in our hearts to obey when God reveals things to us in the text.
Why is important to read tge bible?
Can a christian lost his salvation or he always be save? How?