The Bible Line - June 30, 2015

Gregory, Durham, New Hampshire - How should Christians react to the now new law passed on same-sex marriage in all 50 states?

Jeremiah 7:30-34 verse 31 strikes me that God didn't know that humans were going to burn their children What do you think?  Was God surprised? 

Lisa , Rincon, GA - Recently in our adult Sunday school class we studied and discussed 1 Tim 3:2 and the discussion on the phrase "husband of one wife" left me feeling unsettled since the views expressed by two elders differed, as well as those shared by adults in attendance. My search for the truth begins with what God definition/requirement to be considered married to another: a physical intimate union (sadly many experience before a "legal marriage")only, a civil ceremony with intimacy, and/or a "Christian ceremony" with intimacy. Having that first defined would be helpful for me; raised as a Christian, never deeply thought about before. If God bases marriage solely on physical unity, many men would be disqualified for elder/deacon role due to their conduct as young men before they got married. If He requires both faith and dedication of marriage to Him and physical unity, like example with Adam and Eve, than could we say that any marriage that is only "civil" would not be recognized by God and therefore if resulted in "civil" divorce, would not disqualify if since years past this same man has become a Christian, has a new life and testimony, and possibly a new Christian marriage. As time goes on, it seems like Satan is doing all he can to ensure that there will not be many men left to "lead the flock" anymore. Hummmm. One (strongest leader) elder shared that he thinks that the the intent of the phrase was not necessarily literal, but that it expressed a standard of the condition of the heart to be faithful to the current wife, if married, whether former wife died or past divorce was unavoidable and that each case needed to be examined individually verses a legalistic stand of only "one wife" in all cases. I understand that perspective and want to be gracious, but it does make things complicated for the individual church body to have to "make that call" on an individual basis and then give accountability to members/others as to why one divorced man in the church is qualified and another was not. I recently listened to your archived recordings on this topic and have always thought as you teach, but now I am struggling since our class discussion, and questioning WHAT is God's definition of marriage since the beginning of time . . . and now today? It should not change; God does not change. Secondly questioning Paul's real intent of the "husband of one wife" statement as clear-cut (legalistic)or really wanting us to examine the current condition of the heart of a potential candidate for elder/deacon and the "current" reputation, discerning as the disciples had to do with Paul after his own great change--having proved himself a new man. 

James - My sister and her husband attended your church years ago. I attended a couple of times when I visited and really enjoyed your teachings.I divorced my 1st spouse after she had repeated sexual relationships with other men. I remarried a couple of years later, and my current wife has felt that our marriage is not sanctioned by God. I've tried to point her to Matthew 19:9 as the answer to her dilemma, but she says that she wants to know what the original scriptures say exactly because people mess up translations. God immediately brought you into my mind because of your teaching style and previous sermons that I have heard.

In 2 Sam. 27-36 it says "what happens to your two sons will be a sign to you.....what did Eli do wrong to cause his sons to be killed?