Comments for The Black and White Forum

Comment on What Is The Biblical Meaning Of Speaking In Tongues? by Kathryn

Kathryn — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:38:41 +0000

In 1 Cor. 14, Paul also distinguishes between “tongue” (singular) and “tongues” (plural). “Tongue” is a reference to gibberish, since non-language is a singular entity and cannot be further broken down into categories. “Tongues,” plural, is the gift of speaking in ACTUAL LANGUAGES in order to communicate the Gospel, as seen in Acts 2. Notice that Paul says in v 4, “The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself” (a tongue = non-language gibberish)…meaning that those who speak in ecstatic utterances draw attention to themselves, not Jesus, since no one can understand what they’re saying. Tongues was given as a gift of relevancy, and gibberish can’t be relevant to anyone!

As a side note, tongues are also not necessary–or even proper–for communicating with God. Many times 1 Cor 14:2 is misunderstood: “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God…” However, this doesn’t indicate that we SHOULD speak in “a tongue” (again, singular = non-language) to God; it simply explains that, if we’re babbling in gibberish, God is the ONLY one who could possibly understand us because He is all-knowing! Nowhere in the Bible are men instructed to speak to God in “a tongue” or a private prayer language. In fact, when Jesus cried out to His father on the cross–certainly the most intimate time He would ever pray–He spoke in His native language. God wants to hear the cries of our hearts in our own languages, not in random utterances.

Comment on Is Birth Control Biblical? by Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:26:07 +0000

Honestly, isnt “birth control” really just for our “peace of mind” when you think about it? How many people have been conceived while their parents were using birth control? TONS And how many people who were trying to get pregnant, couldnt? TONS

Really, we dont “control” anything – especially not life and death…. just saying.

Rachel vs Leah:
Genesis 29 – “When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.”

Hannah:
1 Sam 1:5 – “the LORD had closed her womb”
1 Sam 1:19-20 – “and the LORD remembered her. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

Comment on Is Birth Control Biblical? by Maria

Maria — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:21:09 +0000

My thoughts go to Tamar’s 2nd husband, Onan.

Genesis 38:9
But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother.

And didn’t God kill him on the spot? That uncompleted sex act is a form of birth control….Just a thought.

Comment on Grounds For Divorce In Abusive Marriage? by Maria

Maria — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:56:50 +0000

Wow – very well written – and that is a tough topic. I’m going to pray for the dear woman who had the courage to write in the Q. Lord – protect your daughter and her children. Cover her and make her invisible to her dangerous husband. May caring Christians provide shelter and wise counsel. May the children be free from the burden of hatred and resentment toward their father. And may this dad and husband be redeemed and healed by your unfathomable and undeserved grace.

Comment on If Some Go To Hell, Why Create Humans At All? by Graham

Graham — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:42:01 +0000

@Leia – Part of the problem is that we can never truly understand the mind of God. We know that he is clear in the bible that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (repents and believes in Jesus) will be saved from Hell and our deserved punishment. So part of it is up to us to choose God.

But you’re also right in that God is completely sovereign and in control of everything. It is a mystery to me, but the POINT is that we are sinful people. God is perfect and loving. And he would NOT be loving if he just LET us all off the hook. That would mean no justice. Just as if in America we let rapists and pedophiles go free and clear with no punishment for what they do did. I doubt we would call that loving for a judge to “turn the other way”.

Comment on If Some Go To Hell, Why Create Humans At All? by Leia Peison

Leia Peison — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:14:45 +0000

this didnt answer anything. the fact of the matter is that it is ultimately in GOD’s plan that some people end up in hell. he didnt have to create anything. he is complete in and of himself. yet for some reason he did and as a result some people are going to be in unspeakable agony for all eternity. this is what is troubling.

Comment on Does Baptism Save Us? by Ace

Ace — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:35:33 +0000

Another example is the interaction between Paul, Silas, and the jailer, where Paul states: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” The man’s repentance and belief lead him to immediately participate in baptism, not vice versa.

Comment on Does Baptism Save Us? by Kathryn

Kathryn — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:17:55 +0000

Consider, too, the criminal hanging on the cross with Jesus (Luke 23:40-43). While on the cross, he professes that Jesus is perfect, that He is God, and he asks for Jesus’ forgiveness and remembrance. This man certainly had no time to be baptized, and yet Jesus assures Him of salvation: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (v. 43). It was the man’s faith, not baptism or other work, that granted him salvation…just in the nick of time.

Comment on Is There Really Only One True Religion? by Kathryn

Kathryn — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:59:12 +0000

Important question and good response. I would also add, along with your answer, that Christianity (and Jesus, more specifically) is the only faith that claims to have OVERCOME the problems of this world. Every other faith–from Buddhism to New Age to Wicca to Islam to whatever–provides solutions for DEALING with problems, but no assurance of conquering them. We mainly see this through works-based systems which give us a list of rules, expectations, duties or rituals in hopes of becoming a “good” or “good enough” person to achieve some kind of desirable life or afterlife. However, these action-based prescriptions do not assure that we will actually BECOME “good” or “good enough”; they leave the follower wandering in a sea of doubt, constantly concerned about his “karma” or where he stands on the cosmic scale of good. Christianity creates no such doubt. Jesus came, lived a perfect life, died to pay the price for our sin, and ROSE AGAIN TO CONQUER IT. Jesus didn’t just “deal with” problems; He DEFEATED them!!! “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. We have certainty of His victory, and we can have certainty of our futures when we accept Him and His victory.

God offers us a coherent, logical, and triumphant method to salvation through the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is controversial, but not inconsistent; He’s mysterious, but not unreachable. Jesus Christ makes so much sense that we cannot overlook His claims, and yet He is so far above our comprehension that we can be assured He is God!

Comment on Is There Really Only One True Religion? by admin

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:15:39 +0000

Edit has been made in the post.