One of my Junior Bible students asked me recently, "if a Christian commits suicide will they still go to heaven?" The question is worth considering for several reasons. First, it is possible for a Christian to commit just about any sin listed in the Bible. Suicide, which is murder, can certainly be committed by Christians. Second, if a Christian murders himself, how would you determine their fruit/perseverence? Third, if a Christian does this, does it prove they can or have lost their salvation?
One of the best discussions concerning this issue was dealt with on the websit Grace To You. In it, John MacArthur and associates answers this issue using two basic arguments. First, it is possible for a Christian to commit this sin. Second, it is a highly unusual occurence. See http://www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA143/can-one-who-commits-suicide-be-saved
Friday, February 22, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Turning Resolutions into Realities
Today in chapel I preached on setting goals for 2013. One of the problems with making resolutions is that they tend not to last for very long. I have tried to explain the importance of setting goals rather than resolutions and endeavored to support this with several principles and practices. Also, for further reading in the challenge of Bible reading read...
4 Principles
1. Goals are best accomplished when I see the value of something, and I choose to pursue it. Acts 20:24
2. Goals are best accomplished when I am accountable to someone. James 5
3. Goals are best accomplished when the value outweighs the difficulty. 2 Corinthians 4:17
4. Goals are best accomplished when I rely on God and not my own will power. Phil. 2:12-13 I just have to get this done. Pride can set in rather than humble submission.
5 Practices
1. Specific – The goal must be clear, not too general, and filled with purpose.
2. Measurable – How will you determine progress? How long will you endeavor to do this activity?
3. Attainable – The goal must be realistic and manageable. You may need to count the cost.
4. Relevant – It addresses real needs. It is going to assist in your primary purposes.
5. Trackable – I must set up interim goals and reevaluate often.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Degrees of judgment for the lost?
11/29/12 One student asks: When you say different people will be judged more severely in hell, what do you mean? Is hell hotter for some people?
The degrees of judgment for the lost is a difficult teaching in scripture to comprehend. Why is it difficult. One main reason seems to be at the forefront. How can hell be hotter for some, that is, is torment more severe for some than for others?
Most theologians argue for eternal conscious torment of the wicked. This means that wicked mankind that did not accept Christ will be eternally condemned in the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15). They will be conscious during this torment. Conscious simply means aware of the situation and probably the causes of the situation (Luke 16:19-31). When we speak of degrees of judgment for the wicked, those who rejected God's revelation to them will be punished according to their deeds (Matt 11:20-24; Luke 12:47-48; Rom 2:5-6; Rev 20:11-15). The idea seems to be the greater the knowledge of God's revelation the greater the judgment. One theologian says helpfully:
"To some extent, the different degrees of punishment reflect the fact that hell is God's leaving sinful man with the particular character that he fashioned for himself in this life. The misery one will experience from having to live with one's wicked self eternally will be proportionate to his degree of awareness of precisely what he was doing when he chose evil." (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1983, p. 1240)
The degrees of judgment for the lost is a difficult teaching in scripture to comprehend. Why is it difficult. One main reason seems to be at the forefront. How can hell be hotter for some, that is, is torment more severe for some than for others?
Most theologians argue for eternal conscious torment of the wicked. This means that wicked mankind that did not accept Christ will be eternally condemned in the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15). They will be conscious during this torment. Conscious simply means aware of the situation and probably the causes of the situation (Luke 16:19-31). When we speak of degrees of judgment for the wicked, those who rejected God's revelation to them will be punished according to their deeds (Matt 11:20-24; Luke 12:47-48; Rom 2:5-6; Rev 20:11-15). The idea seems to be the greater the knowledge of God's revelation the greater the judgment. One theologian says helpfully:
"To some extent, the different degrees of punishment reflect the fact that hell is God's leaving sinful man with the particular character that he fashioned for himself in this life. The misery one will experience from having to live with one's wicked self eternally will be proportionate to his degree of awareness of precisely what he was doing when he chose evil." (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1983, p. 1240)
Monday, November 19, 2012
My how things have changed!
11/19/12 A Bible students asks - Why are many things in today's world more acceptable than they were 20 years ago?
This is a very good question, but a difficult one to answer. Times have changed significantly in two decades and probably have not changed for the better. For example, things presented on TV today would not have passed as acceptable in the late 80's and early 90's. Why? Probably the best way to answer this question is to contemplate for a moment the degrading nature of sin. 2 Tim 3:13 says, "But evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." The nature of sin and thus the nature of culture is always progressively negative and sinful. Paul addresses the content of this downgrade in the same chapter vv. 1-5. TV shows that portray teenage rebellion in a positive light is contrary to Eph 6:1 "Children obey your parents..." Unfortunately, the portrayal of rebellion is fully in line with 2 Tim 3:2 which records that mankind will progress in their disobedience to parents (Rom 1:30).
It takes a person who is committed to discernment to see these types of dangers in our culture and avoid them as best as possible (Heb. 5:14).
This is a very good question, but a difficult one to answer. Times have changed significantly in two decades and probably have not changed for the better. For example, things presented on TV today would not have passed as acceptable in the late 80's and early 90's. Why? Probably the best way to answer this question is to contemplate for a moment the degrading nature of sin. 2 Tim 3:13 says, "But evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." The nature of sin and thus the nature of culture is always progressively negative and sinful. Paul addresses the content of this downgrade in the same chapter vv. 1-5. TV shows that portray teenage rebellion in a positive light is contrary to Eph 6:1 "Children obey your parents..." Unfortunately, the portrayal of rebellion is fully in line with 2 Tim 3:2 which records that mankind will progress in their disobedience to parents (Rom 1:30).
It takes a person who is committed to discernment to see these types of dangers in our culture and avoid them as best as possible (Heb. 5:14).
Thursday, November 15, 2012
11/15/12 Two questions were raised by one of my Freshmen Bible students a few weeks ago. 1) Was Nicodemus saved? 2) Can demons die?
1) According to John 3, Nicodemus the Pharisee came to speak with Christ early in Jesus' ministry. Jesus conversation centered on the idea that a person "must be born again." Later in John's gospel we see Nicodemus again at the burial of Christ. John 19:39 says, "Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloew, about a hundred pounds weight."
Upon the reality of Christ's death, Nicodemus came first "by night" or in secret, but now he came to bury Christ seemingly in the open. This is a good indication that Nicodemus was now a believer in Christ and had been "born again."
2) Demons cannot die physically according to the Bible primarily because they have no physical nature. Angels/Demons (Heb 1:14) are spirit beings that will not know decay. They will however be tormented (die) eternally in the lake of Fire which was prepared for "the devil and his angels" (Matt 25:41).
1) According to John 3, Nicodemus the Pharisee came to speak with Christ early in Jesus' ministry. Jesus conversation centered on the idea that a person "must be born again." Later in John's gospel we see Nicodemus again at the burial of Christ. John 19:39 says, "Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloew, about a hundred pounds weight."
Upon the reality of Christ's death, Nicodemus came first "by night" or in secret, but now he came to bury Christ seemingly in the open. This is a good indication that Nicodemus was now a believer in Christ and had been "born again."
2) Demons cannot die physically according to the Bible primarily because they have no physical nature. Angels/Demons (Heb 1:14) are spirit beings that will not know decay. They will however be tormented (die) eternally in the lake of Fire which was prepared for "the devil and his angels" (Matt 25:41).
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
11/14/12 Today is the beginning for a blog designed to answer Bible questions that my students raise in class and to dialogue a bit with different Bible issues that are concerning me and my students.
Found this excellent prayer list for kids. It is always a challenge to pray for our kids consistently; this is a great resource to begin a good list.
http://andynaselli.com/this-is-how-we-pray-for-our-children
Found this excellent prayer list for kids. It is always a challenge to pray for our kids consistently; this is a great resource to begin a good list.
http://andynaselli.com/this-is-how-we-pray-for-our-children
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