The Bible Line - April 5, 2016

Our first dictated question is from a caller who says that she and her husband always tithe.  He is disabled so she works.  They have had some unexpected expenses (for example, the car broke down and was very expensive to fix) so they are now wondering if they should suspend tithing or if she should get a second job until this loan is paid off.

The Georgia Legislature approved House Bill 757, the Religious Liberty Bill. which would have allowed religious and faith based organizations to refuse to rent its facilities for events it finds objectionable, such as same-sex marriages. Gov. Nathan Deal has vetoed the bill. Lay that aside, a local television station, WTOC had editorialized that the governor should veto it. A listener would like to know how Christians respectfully protest this kind of public stance by the media.

I was saved eight years ago through the radio ministry of Dr. Broggi.  Since then, I joined an Evangelical Church four years ago (after untangling from the Catholic church), hoping to find a bible teaching and believing church.  I thought I was in a faithful church, and I attended good ABF's and helped/taught children's Sunday school for the past couple of years. This year,  I'm a middle school youth group leader here, I am so disturbed by what I see...ice breaker skits and gross-out tactics and loud secular/worship music and candy and soda for a 1/2 hour, I find this undignified and demeaning, followed by a short bible scripture/principle and then we as the youth leaders are expected to break out into small groups and 'go deeper' and make relationships with these kids for the last 20 minutes. I ask around, and people just say that this is how they've been doing it for years, this is just how evangelical churches are, and that some youth pastors just happen to be more 'raw' and 'real' than others. Is this the kind of stuff you all do in your youth ministries?  Maybe I don't belong in this church, as I do not want to rock the boat or be divisive or not follow the philosophy and vision set forth at my church. I know your website says your church is non-denominational, but are you all evangelical like my church?  Or part of the EFCA?

Paul, Walterboro, SC - I have a friend who celebrates Tabernacles, observes the dietary laws, worships on Saturday, etc... They believe that they are saved by grace through faith, but believe they are honoring God and His commands by observing the Jewishness of Christianity. Are they sinning? What's your thoughts?

Brenda, Guyton, Georgia - When asked the question "did Jesus turn the water into fermented wine at the wedding feast at Cana" what would your answer be? Seems to me that those who drink alcohol use this as their "go to" reason...that not only did Jesus himself drink but he heartily approved it as an acceptable beverage for party goers. I even heard a pastor recently say it was acceptable for life groups to serve alcohol as long as there was no drunkeness.

Tempest, Bluffton, SC - Did King Solomon practice magic?