Gambling and the Bible

I have always been told that gambling is bad, that God hates gambling, and that gambling leads to poverty. I have listened to preachers (ones I highly respect) do gymnastics from behind the pulpit in an attempt to show that gambling is a sin. After all of this I remain unconvinced. I will admit that gambling can lead to poverty and that excess gambling is certainly sinful. Of course eating too much is also sin, so let's be careful where we go with the excess argument.

If I am to be honest, and I am, I must admit that I like to play a friendly game of poker from time to time. I also play fantasy football (I am not convinced that belongs under the label of gambling). As far as I can recall, that is the extent of my gambling exploits. Of course I haven't played poker in long time. So what is this post?

This is an invitation to convince me. I want to be convinced that gambling is a sin, but there are some parameters.

• If your argument references the effect of gambling too much on society I probably already agree with it. That does not make moderate gambling sinful.
• If you argument is scriptural it is more likely to be considered.
• If you argument is based on what you like or don't like I will remain unconvinced.
• Last, if your argument is a story about someone you know or simply a story you heard somewhere it will likely be disregarded.
• In the end the best arguments are Biblical and logical.

Scared to Disagree

I work at Caribou Coffee part time. For the most part I enjoy the job. I like talking to people and the coffee is pretty good too. Recently, however, I was informed that there are several people who don't like to work with me because I like to debate. I have to admit, I like to debate and have important conversations.

When I heard this I wasn't sure what to think, for most of my life I have been well liked by those I am around. Over the past several years I have become more bold in talking to people about controversial issues. I like to talk about them because there have been too many times where I have left important things unsaid. It seems like most people don't like to talk with people about things where they might disagree. Instead they would rather go through life ignorant and blissful. They have opinions simply because someone somewhere told them something was true. They arrive at these opinions and hold on to them strongly without ever questioning their validity. They don't really think about things as much as they feel about things.

So what now? This is tricky because for the most part I have a reputation based on only a few select conversations. I also have this reputation because I have allegedly said certain things that in reality I never said. Some of them were said by the person I was talking to and then attributed to me. First, I am not going to stop having these conversations, they are important ones and I would rather place questions in other peoples minds about important issues than be liked. Second, I am going to listen carefully not to their words, but to there emotions. This is going to be hard. Our world is full of thin skinned people. Unfortunately the only way our society will ever learn to have conversations about difficult issues is by having them. It's a lot like building up calluses when you are learning to play guitar.

When You Don't Know Your Lost

I like the outdoors. Last year I loaded my pack and headed into the Rocky Mountains. There is a place called lost creek that has some really cool rock formations. I thought it would be a great place to get lost from the world and perhaps focus on Christ with more intensity than normal.

Unfortunately I started later than I had planned on. As I was heading into the mountains I had to travel a few miles before I could reach the place where I was planning on camping. You need to understand that while I am not in horrible shape, I am not in good shape either. Add that to the altitude (8-10,000 feet above my home in Minnesota) and I was going to struggle with the climbing and falling. I actually had to stop walking sometimes just to take a drink. I couldn't seem to get enough oxygen. I was prepared for this with the exception of the late start. I had to push my pace more than I had planned. About half way to my camp site I believed I was heading in the wrong direction. I looked at my GPS and it appeared that I was not headed toward the way point that marked the camp site. Not convinced, I took out my map and compared the coordinates. I appeared to be on the trail, but there was no doubt that I was heading away from my water source (lost creek) and up the mountain. After a while I started to think that I was going to just find a place to set up my tent and probably become dehydrated (I had used the water that I brought with). In the end the trail took a sharp turn to the south and it lead me right to the camp site.

I wasn't lost, but thought I was. I have had the opposite happen as well. There have been times in the woods where I thought I knew exactly where I was going, but I would later find out that I was wrong. The difference between these two things is significant. In the first situation you are looking for help and making plans for the worst. When the best happens it is simply a relief. In the latter situation you are not making plans for the worst because there is no need. Then the worst happens, you simply become lost, lost, and desperately lost without even knowing it. When you realize how lost you are you panic maybe even run trying to backtrack to where you need to be.

Though these circumstances are real, they also paint a nice picture of where many people are in this world. Many people are lost and don't know it. They invoke the name of Jesus (Can you Say Michael Vick) or Allah or "God" without having any idea that they are lost. They believe they are on the right path and headed in the right direction. It's hard to save someone who doesn't believe they are in danger. I believe this is the situation most Americans are in. They think they are "saved" but in reality they are lost. When a person is lost without realizing it they simply become more lost. This creates a difficult situation for the church. How do we reach people who don't even know they are lost? I think there is a rather simple answer, but this answer means giving up a lot of the "seeker sensitive" ways of our past and putting aside much of the politically correct speech of our day. The answer? Preach the gospel always everywhere, even to people who you think already know Jesus.

Getting Pulled Over For DWI

Usually when I get pulled over it is for speeding (it doesn't happen that often, but it has happened on occasion). This time was different, I guess I was pulled over for DWI. I have to admit this was a new experience for me.

I guess at this point I should offer up some kind of explanation. I actually was pulled over for an "illegal lane change." The truth is the cops were pulling everyone they could over for the purpose of catching drunk drivers.

I was confused if I was having a road side eye test or simply being checked to see if I had been drinking. The officer (who was polite) asked where I was coming from and I was coming from a sports bar where we had our fantasy football draft. He then asked my how many alcoholic beverages I drank. This was after he noticed my bloodshot eyes. He must have thought I was the worlds biggest liar when I told him I had not had any alcohol. Either that or he didn't hear me the first three times I said I didn't have any alcohol.

Still I had to do the "touch the top of the pen" test. Apparently that is a little harder than it looks. Yes, I missed by about a quarter inch. If you think it is easy, your try it. My wife missed it by about the same amount when I did the test with her and she didn't have any lights flashing in her face.

Finally I was given a Breathalyzer test. I guess I passed or failed depending on what you mean by pass or fail.

Fortunately they weren't interested in writing tickets, they just wanted to catch people who were driving under the influence.

Where Is The Catholic Leadership????????

This is completely insane!!! A catholic Priest suggesting that Christians call God Allah is perhaps the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. What is worse is the Priest on Hannity and Colmes is actually suggesting that this guy has a point.

It has become very trendy of late to buy into universalism. Christians who demand that Jesus is the only way and that the 10 Commandments actually mean something will be persecuted. You will be seen as intolerant and mean spirited. Just remember Jesus suffered first. It is an honor to be persecuted for doing Good ( 1 Peter 3). Perhaps we should embrace labels of intolerance and mean spirited, it will give them fewer names to call us.

Is Hell Really That Bad?

Fire and brimstone, sulfur, suffering... When I was in High School I was trying to witness to this guy and convince him that hell was bad and heaven was good. Once I convinced him he was going to hell ( it took all of 10 seconds to do that) he simply looked at me and said, "At least I will be with all my friends, why would I want to go to heaven?"

I guess hell isn't that bad after all. At least it doesn't seem that bad...except for that fire and burning thing.

Hell is one of those things that people don't seem to want to talk about. It seems they would prefer to just ignore it. Really, no one has really seen hell, there isn't any video footage available, and texting a real description of it seems a little difficult as well. Maybe it is just a curse word and nothing more.

What is my point? My point is this, if hell is real, then we better start acting like it because a lot of people are on their way there. If it is not, then morality itself is unnecessary. What is the point of even worrying about what is good?

Generational Sins Are They Real? Part deux

The comments left regarding the previous post on this subject have motivated me to leave another post on the same subject. Let me be clear, it would be ridiculous to think that the actions we take in life will not impact our children, their children, and so on. Generational sin, however, is often understood as something more then simply cause and effect.

The fact that children of divorced parents are far more likely to get divorced themselves or that abused children tend to become abusers is not evidence for generational sin, at least not good evidence. This is evidence of some kind of cause and effect. That does not mean it is a spiritual cause and effect. Attitudes and actions are seen and understood by kids and when they grow up they often follow those same patterns because it is what they know.

As I stated in my first post, there are more scriptures that speak about "generational sin." because they were brought up in the comments area I want to make a couple observations. First, Leviticus 26:34-45. This passage in a broader context is about simply disobeying God and how He will respond. God as Father tells His children if they disobey they will be punished by God. In other words this is not the work of a demon or Satan. I think these verses are likely talking about a cause and effect. Starting in Verse 40 confession and repentance is seen as a way to overcome the circumstances or punishment of God. In essence it is God who changes His attitude toward Israel. God keeps His covenant. This is consistent with Exodus 20 where the way to overcome this is by loving God (see the first post). Deuteronomy 28:58ff seems to be consistent with God doing the action and punishing Israel.

Let me be clear. If there is such a thing as a generational curse or generational sin especially as it is understood by many deliverance ministries these cannot be used to support that theology. I love hearing of stories where people come to Jesus and overcome oppression or even demonic possession. This is not an argument against the viability of Satan working, but it is a challenge to how we understand these things.

I will leave the demon possession and oppression argument for another post. Before we go down that road we need to find some kind of Biblical text that supports these curses (generational curses) being the action of Satan and not that of God. Certainly demons and Satan are real and at work, that is not the point.

This theology of generational curses has caught on because it allows people to blame someone or something besides themselves. It allows the believer to blame Satan or their parents for what they are doing. It alleviates themselves, in some sense, of any kind of responsibility of past actions. Forgive me for suggesting this, but is almost like purchasing an indulgence for past sins.

Stories are great, but it is important to remember that scripture helps understand our experiences not the other way around.

Generational Sins, are they real?

Some of you have already written me off for even asking the question. I think questions are good and this one is especially good. I have been taught repeatedly that generational curses are real, but that they can be broken. I am not convinced that they are real and even if they are, I am not sure what makes us believe they can be broken. Let me explain:

Now I know some of you are already quoting certain passages in you mind (or at least portions of them) and thinking I am some kind of heretic. Before we go too far let me quote a little scripture as well. Let me start with John 9. In this story the disciples ask Jesus why a certain man was blind from birth. Was it because of his own sin? That doesn't seem possible since he was born that way. Or was it his parents sin? Jesus repudiates this. Now I will admit that Jesus did not deny the existence of such a curse, but it is clear that the disciples wanted to apply Exodus 20:5 in an inappropriate way and Jesus stopped them. There is another scripture, Ezekiel 18:1-5. It seems this passage clearly repudiates the generation sin concept.

Let's consider Exodus 20. First, I am not going to pretend I have this verse all figured out, but I think just a few observations will cast significant doubt on the theology of generational sins. The broader context is of course the 10 commandments and the laws of God. Verses 4-6 are speaking specifically about idol worship. It is appropriate for us to limit this passage to this one commandment. If it was intended to apply to all the commandments it would be found after the ten commandments or as part of some kind of summary statement. It does not appear that is the case here. There is also an emphasis on the feelings these people have toward God. either they hate God and there is a curse, or they love God and He loves them back. Either way it is God who is doing the action.

Last, what makes anyone think there is a way to nullify this "curse?" If it is God doing the "visiting" how can anyone stop Him? Why would they want to? If there was a way to overcome this generational sin wouldn't it be mentioned somewhere in scripture? It seems that if there is a way to fight this generational thing it is by simply loving God.

Perhaps we should be careful about our application of this concept! Actually we may want to abandoned the more popular application all together.

Attending a Funeral 2

Funerals are always senseless. There is no good reason to have a funeral, only unfortunate ones. Still funerals can be redemptive. In my last post I vented about the sadness that I needed to proclaim regarding the death of my friends 2 hour old son. In some ways it made me want to punch God in the face. Of course we all know how short that fight would be.

In spite of how difficult funerals are, there are some funerals that can be a celebration. Those funerals tend to be in memory of people who have followed Christ and lived a long and full life. These funerals often follow the death of a person who was not expected to live much longer. Part of what makes these funerals a celebration is the eternal position of a person who knew Christ.

There is one more thing that redeems the value of a funeral. It is a simple and obvious thing, it is the gospel!! A funeral, especially one like this, must be used as an opportunity to understand the state of man, the need for a savior, and an opportunity to follow that savior. With out sin nature funerals are not necessary, death would be a fictional idea. Without a savior eternal death is the destiny of every person. Without salvation eternal life cannot be had. Every person must be confronted with this truth. It seems to me that the senseless death of a baby who was tucked in for the first and last time at his own funeral is the perfect place for this kind of proclamation.

The gospel gives us understanding, peace in a difficult time, and eternal salvation. Any pastor who does not proclaim this truth at a funeral is not worth his salt!!

The Funeral Part 1

Funerals are a part of life, at least attending them is a part of life. Still the one I attended yesterday was particularly difficult. This funeral was for a child, a baby. This baby was born too early, he didn't have lungs that were developed enough to survive. The parents are friends of ours whom we love dearly. I respect and honor their strength.

I would not have been so strong, I would have been a wreck. My wife tells me I am a passionate person, I would never describe myself this way, but perhaps she is right. At this funeral the pastor put the normal spin on it. He said things like, "we are celebrating a homecoming for this baby" and "he (the baby) is in the arms of Jesus." We (I should say they, I couldn't muster the strength to sing) sang songs about children and how Jesus loved them or how they are such a great blessing. The normal passages about heaven and the time Jesus' spent with children were read. It was suppose to be this happy time, this celebration. I could not do it. I was not happy and could not convince myself to be happy.

Baby's are not suppose to die. Children are suppose to outlive their children. That baby may have "gone home," but he went home too soon. Why can't we just be mad at God once and a while? I am mad at God for allowing my friends to go through this. If it was my child, I would be absolutely furious. I wouldn't sing happy songs, I would probably go into a deep depression. Why does everything in Christianity have to be happy? How does an untimely death like this bring joy? This isn't a blessing, it is part of the curse!! It is the sinfulness of man and the curse that resulted from the sin of Adam and Eve that causes these kind of things. We need to take a look at how we deal with these things. Two hours, that is all the parents had, two hours...two stinkin' hours. What is so great about that? The first time the baby was ever tucked in it was at the funeral. His dad never played catch, and his mom never had the opportunity to change a dirty diaper or get up at 1:30 AM to feed him. There is nothing great or even good about this!

Matt (my friend) showed amazing strength. I would have been out of my mind. There needs to be a place for anger, for depression, for sadness, for crying, for all of this stuff. We don't have to be happy all the time!!