Gays Preaching:

Aug. 2003 I have a problem with this one. I have attended many churches in my life, and haven't dealt with this one yet. What scriptures could gays or congregations seeking a new pastor, use to justify hiring or wanting to become a minister? How would gay ministers get around not preaching about the sins of homosexual activity? Thanks Mel Dear Mel; Thanks for viewing my website. I'm afraid I can't help you much with your question, because I don't understand it myself. The Bible is very clear on this issue and there doesn't seem to be any justification for homosexual activity, much less homosexual clergy. (see the page What Does the Bible Say About...Homosexuals ). I have heard all sorts of justification for the homosexual lifestyle, and if you read through some of my "Comments" pages, you will get an idea what people are saying about it. (there are links at the bottom of this page to all the Comments pages). Below is a quick list of some of the things I've heard from those that support the homosexual lifestyle: They are born that way, they can't help it The Bible is outdated, it's OK to be homosexual today Christians should change with the times It's no different than any other sin Homosexual's are very nice, loving people If two people love each other, what could be wrong about that? I haven't heard many people try to use the Bible to defend that lifestyle. So, I can't really tell you what verses they would use. But it would have to be a very shallow defense. One thing I've noticed is that once a church or denomination starts to round off the corners of lesser issues, it's not very long until the big issues (such as this one), no longer seem black and white. When I heard the news about the gay bishop, the first thing that popped into my mind was the following verse: 2 Tim 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Pets in Heaven:

Aug 2003 My dog died and I'm devistated. Does the bible indicate anywhere that I'll see him again in heaven? Thank you I'm sorry to hear about your dog. I understand how painful that is (I've lost dogs also). I can't think of one single verse in the Bible that would answer your question "yes or no." However, I did read a very good book on the subject, titled "the Resurrection." There is a whole chapter on the topic "Are there pets in heaven?" I think you would gain great comfort if you read it. I highly recommend this book. Resurrection The Capstone In The Arch Of Christianity

Law:

Aug 2003 What did God have to say about taking your brother to the Unjust Law? Where can I locate this in the scriptures? Thank you, Donna Donna; Thanks for viewing my web site. I think the verse you are looking for is: 1 Cor 6:1-6 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. I hope this answers your question.

Un-named Women:

Aug 2003 Greetings, I am doing some research on events in the Bible where women are an important figure but, where they are not named. Do you have any direction on a website?Any help will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks and God Bless, Carol Carol; Thanks for viewing my website, and I apologize it has taken some time to respond. I wanted to spend some time on your question. Below is a list of some of the "Un-named Women Events" that I found. This is just a brief list, I'm sure there are more that I've missed. I hope this helps you some. Gen 4:16 Cain's wife; This woman is talked about as much as any un-named woman in the Bible. I have heard this question a zillion times, "where did Cain get his wife?" The answer is very simple. In Gen 5:4 we are told that Adam and Eve had many sons and daughters. Cain's wife was among the daughters of Adam and Eve. When Cain was banished to the land of Nod, he took his wife with him, once they were in the land of Nod, they had children. Gen 6 Noah's wife; Now here is a woman that I think deserves to be named in the Bible. Can you imagine one day, your husband come up to you and tells you "we are going to build a huge boat...." Gen 19:26 Lot's wife; turned to a pillar of salt Gen 19:34-37 Lot's two daughters; These women were important because they got their father drunk and had sex with him. The children that resulted from this act were the forefathers of the Moabites and the Ammonites. Both of these groups of people were enemies of the Israelites for generations. Gen 39 Potiphar's wife; she attempted to seduce Joseph. When he refused her, she accused him of rape. This set into motion a change of events that resulted in Joseph going to prison and later coming to the Pharaoh's attention. You can read the rest of the story in Genesis. Exo 2 Moses' mother, and Pharaoh's sister; These women are important because they both were instrumental in saving Moses' life as a baby. Jud 14 & 15 Samson's wife from Timnath; because of this woman's treachery, many men were slain by Samson. Jud 19 - 20 The Levite's concubine; A Levite and his concubine were traveling and stopped in the city of Gibeah (of the tribe of Benjamin). The men of the city desired to take the Levite and have sex with him, instead the owner of the house where they stayed, sent out the concubine who they raped and killed. There is much more to the story if you care to read it. The results were war between the Israelites and the tribe of Benjamin, which resulted in the death of thousands of men. 1 Sam 28:7 The witch of Endor; This was the woman that King Saul consulted which resulted in his death. (1 Chr 10:13). 1 Kgs 17:8 The widow of Zarephath; this lady hid Elijah from King Ahab. Elijah raised her son from death. Mat 15:22, Mark 7:24 The Greek woman pleas with Jesus to heal her daughter Mat 1:26, Mark 1:31, Luke 4:38 Peter's mother-in-law is healed Mat 9:20, Mark 5:25, Luke 8:43 Woman with the issue of blood Luke 13:11 Woman with spirit of infirmity healed Luke 24:10 Un-named women who went to the empty tomb Mat 26:71 Woman who recognizes Peter as a follower of Jesus Mat 27:19 Pilot's wife; She warns Pilot not to become involved in the death of Jesus.

Women Ministers:

Aug 2003 I saw your webpage on women ministers and I was glad to see that I am not alone in my feelings, but I have a slight problem, I have a huge struggle with this. I believe it (The Bible) fully but I don't know what I should do about going to churches that have female ministers or allow females to lead parts of services or worship. I don't know anyone around here that feels my way about this and im sure because you only quoted The Bible directly that you will be able to give me an honest answer about what one who feels that way does about going to churches that do not practice such things... thanks for your time Daniel Daniel; Thank you for taking the time to email me. To answer your question: "what I should do about going to churches that have female ministers?" I would simply say that I just wouldn't be a member of a church that allowed women ministers. I know this is not a very "politically correct" answer to your question, but that is just the way I feel. I would only attend a church that takes the Bible as the inspired Word of God. If they compromise or hedge on this issue, I would have to wonder what else they are willing to compromise on. What I've noticed is that once a denomination or an individual church begins to depart from scripture, there is a tendency to go in a downward direction. Perhaps the best thing you could do is look for a church that stills stands on the Bible.

Center of the Bible:

July 2003 Hi, I read you article about the center of the Bible. It is interesting but unfortunately wrong as Psalm 117 is actually the middle chapter of the Bible. Working out the central message of the Bible should not need clever maths, but reading the Bible and seeing what it says as a whole - not just individual verses. Best wishes Ben Ben; Thanks for viewing my web site and taking the time to write. I posted the article about the center of the Bible because I thought it was cute and interesting. But, I'll have to admit, I didn't take the time to check to see if it was accurate. I've removed it, and some evening when I'm not real busy, I'll sit down and count all the chapters and find out for myself which one is the center. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Have a great day!

Divorce:

July 2003 The situation is that my husband left me seven years ago to marry a friend of mine.....he wants an annullemnt in the catholic church so he can marry her....I won the first time but he refiled it and now he is stating he really did not mean it when we got married...we were married in a formal marriage in a church...were married 24 years....he has now states he truely did not mean it the day we married...I am going to fight it to the pope as I do believe that the bible is clear about what god states abuot marriage....any help would certianly help...I am so torn up about this...thank you so much we have two sons and three grandson and a baby on the way.... thanks brenda Dear Brenda; I'm very sorry to hear about your breakup. Unfortunately, I'm at a loss as to how I can be of help to you. You are right that God is clear in his Word about how he feels about divorce, but, when someone is determined to leave, the best thing you can do about it is be in constant prayer that the Lord would work in your husband's life and change his heart. It sounds as though your husband is not leading a Christian life, and may in fact not be a true believer in Christ (even though he may attend church regularly). If that is the case, you might want to consider the following verses: 1 Cor 7:12-15 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. No matter what you decide to do, I will pray for you and your husband that you will be reconciled.