What does the Bible say about the things we can't talk about?
25-Aug-09
In today’s society, there seem to be a lot of things that “you’re not supposed to talk about” due to political correctness, fear of discrimination or, heaven forbid, “offending” someone. This is unfortunate, since the Bible clarifies the truth about all things. Therefore, we should not shy away from fitting & edifying discussion of any of it’s topics. In fact, the Holy Scriptures have a way of disarming any falsehoods we launch against each other. Not to mention, God’s perfect holiness has a way of leveling the playing field so to speak.
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! – Jas 2.12-13
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! – Jas 2.12-13
Race
The Bible does not make a racial distinction between people in the sense it is used today. This seems to be a human invention. Ezra 9.2 (NIV) is the only place that translates a Hebrew word to English as “race”, but that same Hebrew word is elsewhere translated as “family line” which also fits the context of the Ezra verse. In fact, the idea of races is a product of humanistic philosophy. The teachings of evolution & Charles Darwin’s book, On the Origin of Species: The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, seemed to have given people license to actualize their prejudice. However, the Bible exclusively teaches that God created 1 human couple from which all people have descended. This couple had immense genetic information that allowed the diversity of all the traits we see today. All people were created in God’s likeness with personality, emotion, intelligence & the ability to relate to God & one another.
Supporting Scripture: Gen 1.27, Acts 17.26-27, 30, Jn 3.16
Related Link: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/are-there-different-races
Supporting Scripture: Gen 1.27, Acts 17.26-27, 30, Jn 3.16
Related Link: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/are-there-different-races
Gender
When culture blurs the lines between the sexes, the Word of God declares certain differences between men & women. Some folks even attempt to change their sex, but their DNA is permanently etched with either XX or XY (respective female & male chromosomes) as God’s blueprint for them. God created each gender individually, specifically & intentionally. There are inherently sacred roles for each, both inside & outside of marriage (not everyone is supposed to marry – 1 Cor 7.8-9). The weightiest yet most rewarding roles have to be that of a husband & father for the man, & a wife & mother for the woman. There are also gender-specific mentoring roles.
Supporting Scripture: Gen 1.27, 2.22-25, Pr 1.7-10, 2.1-8, 3.1-3, 4.1-9, 31.10-31, Mal 2.15, Mt 19.4-16, Eph 5.22-23, 6.4, Tit 2.3-5, 6-8
Related Link: http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.3204393/k.9459/Family_Issues.htm
Supporting Scripture: Gen 1.27, 2.22-25, Pr 1.7-10, 2.1-8, 3.1-3, 4.1-9, 31.10-31, Mal 2.15, Mt 19.4-16, Eph 5.22-23, 6.4, Tit 2.3-5, 6-8
Related Link: http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.3204393/k.9459/Family_Issues.htm
Politics - click here (This turned into a whole series) |
Age
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. - Pr 16.31
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. - 1 Tim 5.1-2
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. - Ti 2.2-8
Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. - Isa 46.4
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. - 1 Tim 5.1-2
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. - Ti 2.2-8
Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. - Isa 46.4
Disabled
[Jesus] said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers[b] or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” - Luke 14.12-14
And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar... So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. - 2 Sam 9.3-5, 11-13
And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar... So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. - 2 Sam 9.3-5, 11-13
Coming later... Religion, Class, etc.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. – Gal 3.28-29