S1: Tragic plane crashes, devastating fires, disastrous hurricanes. Where in the
S1: world is God in all this? Stay with me and
S1: we'll talk about that in just a moment. Hello, friends.
S1: Welcome to Open Line with me. Michael Wright. This is
S1: Moody Radio's Bible study across America. My name is Michael Wright.
S1: I'm the academic dean and professor of Jewish studies and
S1: Bible at Moody Bible Institute. And I am so grateful
S1: that you're joining me around the radio kitchen table. And
S1: we're talking about your questions about the Bible, God, and
S1: the spiritual life. Well, if you have a question and
S1: you'd like to call the phone number here is (877) 548-3675.
S1: Once again 5483675. Tricia McMillan is our producer. Omar Mendoza
S1: is our tech guy. To hear is here as well. Uh.
S1: Anyone else? Am I missing anyone? Uh, glad for everyone
S1: here that's helping out. And, uh, time to get yourself
S1: a cup of coffee. Uh, and, uh, we're going to
S1: study the scriptures together. The phone number again. (877) 548-3675. Let's
S1: talk about all these disasters. Virtually, virtually all of us
S1: have been watching TV news reports about the tragic airline
S1: disaster at Reagan National Airport. It was so heartbreaking. We
S1: all wish we could somehow reach out to comfort all
S1: those who grieve lost loved ones. And while many are
S1: asking how in the world did this happen? Others are wondering,
S1: how could God let this happen? So how do we
S1: respond to this question? If God is good? Why are
S1: there terrible disasters like plane crashes, devastating fires, as we've
S1: seen in Southern California, or destructive hurricanes like a few
S1: months ago in North Carolina? Why are there earthquakes, tornadoes,
S1: floods that kill innumerable people and destroy communities? Simply put,
S1: there is no no simple. There is no complete or
S1: satisfactory answer completely for these questions. But I do think
S1: that there are some biblical concepts that will help us.
S1: And so I'd like to offer six quick biblical ideas
S1: that we can remember when disaster strikes. First, it's an
S1: absolute truth that God is sovereign in all these matters.
S1: No disasters. Surprise! God. He wasn't shocked by any other event.
S1: Evil or bad or good. Doesn't matter. He's never been
S1: shocked by any event that we've experienced. God says in
S1: Isaiah 45 seven, I form light and create darkness. I
S1: make success and I create disaster. I, the Lord, do
S1: all these things. Just as God is the sovereign creator,
S1: so he is sovereign even over earthly disasters. Second, our
S1: problem is that we don't know his purposes. It's a
S1: terrible mistake to assert that God's purposes are even knowable.
S1: That's why God declared through Isaiah, for my thoughts are
S1: not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways, declares
S1: the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
S1: so are my ways higher than your ways, and my
S1: thoughts higher than your thoughts. That's Isaiah 55, eight and nine.
S1: We can't explain God's intentions, nor should we ever try.
S1: We just know God is there and God is good. Third,
S1: we need to remember that tragic events are not necessarily
S1: related to the specific behavior of nations or individuals. Evil
S1: things happen because we live in an evil and fallen world.
S1: People get terminal diseases. Planes crash. Tidal waves overwhelm communities.
S1: Paul wrote in Romans 822, we know that the whole
S1: creation has been groaning, as in the pains of childbirth,
S1: right up to the present time. For the Lord Jesus
S1: taught that disasters, whether natural or man made, are a
S1: reminder of God's mercy. In Luke 13 one through nine,
S1: responding to the question of why God allowed different kinds
S1: of evil, Jesus said that bad things happen to some
S1: people not because they are more evil than others. Rather,
S1: according to the Lord Jesus. If God were to act
S1: based on all on our behavior, all our behavior, disaster
S1: and devastation would be the norm, not the exception. We
S1: all sin. And if God responded on based on what
S1: we all deserve, we'd all be devastated. That's what Jeremiah
S1: meant when he wrote, because of the Lord's great love
S1: we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Lamentations 322.
S1: It's only God's loving mercy that prevents him from destroying
S1: all of us instantly. Fifth. God uses suffering to remind
S1: us to turn to him when we see disasters strike others.
S1: Jesus said that this was a reminder for all of
S1: us to turn to God before we perished as well.
S1: That's found in Luke 13 three through five. That's the
S1: very reason the psalmist wrote, I turned to the Lord
S1: in my distress, and he answers me. Psalm 120, verse one. C.S.
S1: Lewis wrote, God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks
S1: to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.
S1: It's his megaphone to rouse a deaf world. God uses
S1: our pain and our sorrow to get our attention and
S1: remind us to turn to him for comfort. Sixth, God
S1: uses tragic events to remind us that we're not home yet.
S1: It's so easy to get overly comfortable here on earth
S1: never to want to leave. As if this was the
S1: best God has for us. But there is an eternity
S1: of suffering on this. Suffering on this earth reminds us
S1: that God intends a far better home for us in
S1: the future. These present sufferings are not worth comparing with
S1: all the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans
S1: 818 says, disasters remind us not to allow ourselves to
S1: become overly comfortable or satisfied with this world, but to
S1: remember that we're citizens of a far better future world
S1: where every tear will be wiped away and all pain
S1: and sorrow will be removed. One last thought. Dorothy Sayers
S1: said that when it comes to the problem of evil,
S1: this must be said. God took his own medicine in
S1: the Messiah, Jesus. God entered this world as a fully
S1: human person and not only suffered with us, but he
S1: suffered for us. That through his death and his resurrection,
S1: we can have life forever. If you'd like to read that. Um,
S1: when tragedy strikes. That's at my website. On my blog.
S1: When tragedy strikes at michael-ray. Org or it's linked at
S1: our Facebook page on Open Line. So if you'd like
S1: to read that, go over it a little bit more slowly.
S1: It's available to you right there. I think we're, uh,
S1: you know what I, I want to mention our current resource. Resource.
S1: Remember the old days when we took trips and would
S1: plot our way with a Rand McNally road atlas? I
S1: think when we read the Bible, it would help to
S1: have a road map. Also, even when reading the New Testament,
S1: we can get lost. And that's why our current resource
S1: is survey of the New Testament by Paul Benware. This
S1: complete guide takes us on a journey from Matthew to Revelation.
S1: It it gives us a road map for God's Word.
S1: You'll discover how each book connects to tell one great
S1: story of God's redemptive plan. And if you're a regular
S1: listener and maybe have never even given a gift to
S1: Open Line before, you won't want to miss out on
S1: this excellent resource. We want to send it to you
S1: and everyone that gives a gift of any size to
S1: just whoever gives a gift. We want to give it
S1: to you. And, uh, and then we'll, uh, be sure
S1: to to send you a copy of Ben Ware's survey
S1: of the New Testament. How do you get it? Uh,
S1: you just call (888) 644-7122 or go to open line radio.org.
S1: And when you give a gift, we want to say thanks.
S1: And we'll send you a copy of Ben Ware's survey
S1: of the New Testament. I'm not seeing any callers up there.
S1: I'm pretty sure that there Are a Naja. Welcome to
S1: open line of Naja. How can I help you?
S2: Uh, thank you for taking my call. Um, I've always
S2: wondered this, and, um, I'm wondering what you think of
S2: the concept of pre-existence. Of souls. Um, when we read
S2: the book of Jeremiah, chapter one, verse five, the prophet says,
S2: before I was even born, you knew me intimately. Um,
S2: and so that to me entails that, you know, we
S2: probably existed even before we were born. So what are
S2: your thoughts on this? Do you believe that, um, we
S2: were with God even before we were born? Or do
S2: you believe that, um, you know, our souls, you know,
S2: emerge when we are physically born? Um, and I ask
S2: this because there are so many people now. I mean,
S2: if you look online, Um, there's a concept called pre-birth memories.
S2: There are a lot of people that I know, and
S2: some are Christians who say that they remember, um, instances
S2: of even before they were born. They have memories of
S2: times before they were born. So, um, what are your
S2: thoughts on that?
S1: Well, I don't think Jeremiah one five is is actually
S1: talking about being in existence before conception. It says, I
S1: chose you before I formed you in the womb. So
S1: that's that God chose him, not that he existed, but
S1: God made the choice because God knows he's omniscient. He
S1: knew exactly who would be formed in the womb. I
S1: set you apart before you were born. That could have
S1: been very well, not just in election, but also in
S1: the womb. Uh, saying that God knew someone. I mean,
S1: that's foreknowledge, uh, God knows and determines what will happen
S1: before it ever happens. So saying that God, I mean,
S1: that's mentioned in Ephesians one, that we were foreknown by God. Uh,
S1: and so to say that Elijah was foreknown doesn't indicate
S1: pre-existence of his soul. That's, that's just reading way too
S1: much into it and too little into God's nature, which
S1: is omniscient. And so even before we exist, he knows us. Uh,
S1: and so that's all I think that is saying. As
S1: for people who think that they remember things, they're usually
S1: talking about remembering not what existed before, uh, they were conceived,
S1: but rather they they claim to have memory of what
S1: was going on in the womb. Uh, I don't think
S1: that that's really possible, but that's what people people are
S1: very creative. and they think that they remember those things.
S1: That's all I think it is. And I'm sorry to
S1: disappoint you, but I don't I don't see anything in
S1: Scripture that would indicate pre-existence of souls before being born. Now, frankly, uh,
S1: you know, origin, I believe the church father believed in it.
S1: There are people who have believed in it. I just
S1: don't see anything in the Bible that's, uh. That actually
S1: indicates that. So. But anyway, thanks. Thanks for your call
S1: on Nadia. And, uh, we're going to take a break here, and.
S1: Are we not in the window here? Yeah, we're going
S1: to take a break. That's it. I'm looking at, uh,
S1: looking at my friends here and wondering what in the
S1: world is going on. We're going to take a break.
S1: We're going to come right back. And, uh, when we
S1: come back, uh, we'll take more of your questions. The
S1: number 83675. Stay with us. This is open Line with
S1: Michael Radonich. Welcome back to Open Line. So glad you're
S1: with us today. My name is Michael Wright and I'm
S1: grateful for every listener. Really glad that you're here with us.
S1: If you'd like to call with a question, the number
S1: is (877) 548-3675. We're talking about your questions about the Bible,
S1: God and the spiritual life. And Paul in Schaumburg listening
S1: on Wmbi. Schaumburg, Illinois has a question. Welcome to Open Line. Paul.
S1: How can I help you?
S3: Yes. I have a question about our book of Haggai,
S3: chapter two 1 to 10. God spoke. And then I
S3: just want to know if it has been ever been
S3: fulfilled and if it is when and how. That'd be great.
S3: Thank you.
S1: Well, the issue that comes out is I will shake
S1: the nation so that the treasures of all the nations
S1: will come. Some people say, or the desire of the
S1: nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory.
S1: Verse seven. Uh, that's the question that people really struggle
S1: with in the King James Version. It says the desire
S1: of nations will come to this House. Uh, my version here, the,
S1: the Holman CSB that I've been reading that says the,
S1: the treasures of all the nations. And there's a lot of, uh,
S1: discussion about this verse, just to be, uh, honest and
S1: forthright about it. There's a lot of people who think, uh,
S1: that it does not refer that it's referring to the
S1: messianic kingdom, and that when the Messianic kingdom arrives, the
S1: thousand year reign of Jesus, then the treasures of all
S1: the nations will come to the temple that will be
S1: built in the Millennial Kingdom, which will be the throne
S1: room of the Messiah. So that's what some people think.
S1: I actually believe that this refers to the desire of
S1: the nations who will come, and that's referring to the Messiah,
S1: and that he will come. And at that time God
S1: will fill this house with glory. I think it's referring
S1: to the coming of the Messiah. Now, I don't really
S1: think it's talking about the first coming of the Messiah.
S1: When he came, when the Second Temple was built. Although
S1: we got a little foretaste of that when the Lord
S1: Jesus went and worshiped in the Second Temple, Herod's temple.
S1: The glory or the desire of the nations came. But
S1: this is talking about the messianic Kingdom. The final glory
S1: of this house will be greater than the first, and
S1: it will be greatest, because the Messiah will be reigning
S1: from there. So we got a little image, a little picture,
S1: a little pattern of the future. But it will be
S1: fulfilled when the desire of the nations, the Messiah, Jesus,
S1: enters into that millennial temple. Okay, Paul.
S3: All right. Well, thank you so much.
S1: Yeah. Hey, Paul, let me ask you something. Uh, did
S1: you look that up in the Moody Bible Commentary?
S3: Um, no, it was something that, uh, was, um, you know, uh, the. So, um,
S3: so I was wondering what, uh, had Lord had in
S3: mind for me. So I was just, uh, whistling and,
S3: you know, trying to do what he. Yeah.
S1: Do you have a moody Bible commentary in which you
S1: could have looked it up?
S3: Um, no. No, I do not.
S1: Okay, you hang on, Paul, because I think you'd really
S1: benefit from a moody Bible commentary. And we're going to
S1: send you one. So.
S3: Oh, I appreciate I really appreciate it. Thank you so much.
S1: Yeah, I especially like. The book of Haggai, because that
S1: was one of the commentaries that, that I didn't. Edit
S1: just I actually wrote it. So and I really, really wow. Yeah,
S1: I love I love the. Book of Haggai. I love
S1: to preach on the book of Haggai. I loved writing
S1: that commentary. And so we'll send you not just Haggai.
S1: We'll send you the whole moody Bible commentary. It was
S1: written by the faculty of Moody Bible Institute. It's a
S1: really it's a commentary you can trust. And if you're
S1: listening and you think, man, I need a one volume. Commentary.
S1: The best place to go to get one would be
S1: to go to to Moody Publishers. Dot com. Or you
S1: could possibly go to any online bookseller, and I'm sure
S1: you'll be able to find a copy of it right there.
S1: The Moody Bible Commentary. It's it's a really uh, or
S1: you can go to your local Christian bookstore, if that will.
S1: If they carry it, I'm sure they do. And that
S1: would be a big help. You know, I was in
S1: a major bookstore at Christmas time, a secular bookstore. And
S1: it had this was kind of fun. It had, uh,
S1: they had a bookshelf with the employees favorite books. And, uh,
S1: the Moody Bible commentary was there for, as one of
S1: the employees favorite books. I was so happy when I
S1: saw that. And then I saw the employee. She used
S1: to be in a Sunday school class I taught, and
S1: so now I knew why it was there. So that
S1: was kind of fun. But anyway, we'll send you one. Paul. Okay. Uh,
S1: you hang on.
S4: Thank you so much. And we'll.
S1: Sure, we'll get your address and we'll send you one.
S1: Thanks for listening, Paul, and thanks for your question. Uh,
S1: we're going to talk to Jeff in Florida, listening on Wmhb.
S1: Welcome to Open Line. Jeff, how can I help you today?
S5: Yes. Uh, Psalms 102 18 to 22. It just looks
S5: like it's like a prophecy of the people of that.
S5: In the Old Testament time period, it was like a
S5: to me. I just want to know, is this what
S5: it is? It's like a foretelling of salvation to of course,
S5: I know Christ had to complete the salvation back in
S5: the Old Testament, but it just looks like it's declaring
S5: that from 18 to 22, uh, it's, you know, and
S5: I just want to ask that question because it looks
S5: like it to me. It speaks that.
S4: It says it says.
S1: This will be written for a later generation, and a
S1: newly created people will praise the Lord. He looked down
S1: from his holy heights. The Lord gazed out from heaven
S1: to hear a prisoners groaning, to set free those condemned
S1: so they might declare the name of Yahweh in Zion,
S1: and his praise in Jerusalem. When peoples and kingdoms are
S1: assembled to serve the Lord. I think this is just
S1: saying that there, uh, that the Lord will reach people
S1: in the future. This will be written for a later generation.
S1: It's not just now. It's talking about the future. So
S1: in that sense, it's prophetic and that people in the kingdom,
S1: when peoples and kingdoms are assembled to serve the Lord,
S1: they will also declare the name of Yahweh in Zion. Zion.
S1: It's it's basically saying from now and forever. That's that's
S1: what it's saying.
S4: Okay.
S5: Amen. All right. That's what it was just such a
S5: joy because I was I saw this thing where David
S5: was said he was he was distraught and he said,
S5: I go down. Please talk to me, because I'm just
S5: going to feel like I'm going to go down in
S5: the pit. And I then I just researched it through
S5: YouVersion and I ended up here. So it was awesome.
S5: It was just awesome. And I have two commentaries. I
S5: should have looked at it.
S4: Oh, good.
S1: Always a good.
S4: Idea.
S1: That's great. Thanks for your call. I really appreciate it.
S1: We're going to talk to Luneta in Cleveland, Ohio, listening
S1: on Wtxf. Welcome to Open Line. How can I help you? Lunetta?
S6: Yes. I just want to make sure that I'm correct,
S6: because I am telling people that, um, we're paying, you know,
S6: everyone is praying for peace in the Middle East and
S6: all over America, but can we actually have peace without
S6: having the Prince of Peace without being born again? And
S6: if so, where is the Scripture found? Because I want
S6: to make sure that I'm accurate.
S1: Uh, well, I think the idea that God can grant peace,
S1: I don't know, it sounds to me like you're confusing, uh,
S1: national peace with personal peace. Uh, you know, in terms
S1: of personal peace, obviously it's possible for someone to someone
S1: to have peace. But for the most part, the idea
S1: of personal peace starts with peace with God.
S6: Okay.
S1: And, uh, and when you, when you think of it that, uh,
S1: we're at enmity with God when we don't know him, and, uh,
S1: but God creates peace with him. And as a result,
S1: we can have peace in our own lives and peace
S1: with each other. I was thinking about, first of all, uh,
S1: peace with others. Uh, in Ephesians two, uh, it talks
S1: about that there was enmity between Jew and Gentile and
S1: that God created peace first, not just by by kind
S1: of bringing them together, but by bringing those who were
S1: far from him and those who were nearer, but still
S1: not with him, and reconciling them to the Lord through
S1: the Lord Jesus death and Than resurrection. And through that he.
S1: This is Ephesians two about, uh, about verse 14 through 16. Uh,
S1: and he he brings peace. And as a result, uh,
S1: he reconciles people because they have been first reconciled to God,
S1: that he reconciles us to each other because we can
S1: be reconciled to God. And that's where it starts. And
S1: then also in Ephesians, in Philippians chapter four, where it
S1: talks about the God of peace guiding us and the
S1: peace of God that surpasses all understanding, controlling us. Uh,
S1: that we can have that. Why? Because we know him
S1: and we're praying and we're walking with him. And then
S1: the God of peace gives us the peace that passes understanding.
S1: So I think that, uh, now, I'm not saying it's
S1: not possible that God could give peace to someone or
S1: bring peace nationally. I mean, I mean, there have been
S1: wars that have ended and that have led to a peace. Uh,
S1: but that doesn't necessarily mean that people have personal peace
S1: or peace with God. They've not been reconciled to God
S1: until they come to know the Lord Jesus, that we
S1: all you know, we're all at enmity with him. We're
S1: far from each other. Uh, because we're far from God.
S1: And as a result, what the Bible says is that
S1: the Lord Jesus came and he was the great peacemaker. Uh,
S1: in fact, in Ephesians two it says he is our peace.
S1: He personifies peace. And so because we can have peace
S1: with God through him, then we can have peace with
S1: each other. And if anyone's listening and you think, man,
S1: my life is is struggling and I, I really, really
S1: need peace from God and I don't know the Lord Jesus.
S1: This is where to start to put your trust in him,
S1: that he died for us and us and rose again.
S1: Believe that our sins will be forgiven. We'll have peace
S1: with God. And and that is what we need, so
S1: that it can lead to personal peace and reconciliation with others.
S1: So anyway, thanks for the great reminder, I appreciate it.
S1: We're going to come back with the mailbag in just
S1: a moment. Tricia McMillan is going to bring it in,
S1: and we'll talk about the questions you've sent in. Again,
S1: this is open line with Michael. Stay with us. More
S1: questions coming up straight ahead. Welcome back to Open Line.
S1: I'm so glad to be with you this Saturday morning
S1: talking about your questions about the Bible, God and the
S1: spiritual life. And, uh, we are going to be, uh,
S1: answering the questions you've sent in because it's time for
S1: the Febc mailbag. We're grateful that Far Eastern Broadcasting Company
S1: partners with Open Line to bring you the weekly Febc mailbag.
S1: Febc is a terrific organization. They bring the good news
S1: to people via media through personal engagement. Check out the
S1: Febc podcasts podcast. It's called Until All I've Heard. You
S1: find it by going to febc.org. And joining me right
S1: now is Tricia McMillan. Hey, Trish. Hello. Now, uh, you know,
S1: I was just talking with William Washington. He's our big
S1: kitchen table partner. Promoter William Washington is the VP of
S1: student life.
S7: Yes, at Moody Bible Institute. Yes, yes. Friend of the program?
S1: Yeah, he's he's probably listening right now, but, uh, I
S1: was I was laughing with him because, uh, he and
S1: I are called partners in crime at Moody, which I
S1: always think is funny even though we're not really doing
S1: anything criminal. It's just that we we do things. I
S1: work with the faculty and oversee the the educational part
S1: of the undergraduate school, whereas he's working with the the
S1: student life area. And we try and complement each other
S1: rather than conflict with each other. And we are generally
S1: on the same page. And I think that shows how
S1: important partnership is. And he was and he said, we
S1: were talking. He said, you ought to talk about that
S1: and then tell people how important their partnership is to
S1: become a kitchen table partner. And I said, okay, that's
S1: what I'll do. So, you know, being a kitchen table
S1: partner really does mean a lot to us. And we
S1: it puts us all on the same page. We're so
S1: grateful for everyone that has already decided. We've got over
S1: 800 kitchen table partners. That is just amazing. And William
S1: told me, you know, we need 1000. So he's been
S1: saying that for a number of years now. So but anyway.
S1: But we're grateful for every single person who has decided
S1: to become a kitchen table partner because we work together
S1: as partners. And what you're doing is making it possible
S1: for us to be on the air. And so if
S1: you'd like to consider becoming a kitchen table partner, what
S1: we do is we send you a Bible study moment,
S1: a pre-recorded audio Bible study, just for a few minutes
S1: every other week so that you can that's sort of
S1: like a special benefit for those of you who are
S1: kitchen table partners. Any other benefits? Tricia?
S7: Um, there is also, if you give it the $30
S7: a month level as an auto gift, which is like
S7: where it just is an automatic deduction. Um, then you
S7: get 50% off of all Moody Publishers catalog. So that
S7: includes the Moody Bible Commentary. It includes Bibles. It includes
S7: Bible studies, a lot of the resources that we talk
S7: about on the air, but also a lot of the
S7: other books, nonfiction and fiction and all of it.
S1: Everything in the catalog. Yeah. It's great. So I'm kind
S1: of trying to think of some other possibilities of what
S1: we can do for our kitchen table partners. We'll be
S1: talking about that in upcoming weeks. But for now, if
S1: you'd like to become a kitchen table partner, we'd really
S1: appreciate it. All you have to do is call (800) 864-4712
S1: two or go to open Line radio.org. And we really
S1: appreciate it. Well Trish do you have a lot of
S1: questions for me.
S7: I do but we're going to start I had several
S7: come in from out of the Paul's letters to the Corinthians.
S7: And so I'm kind of lumping them together even though
S7: topically they might not be the same. They're all from
S7: the letter, those two letters, the.
S1: Corinthian letters.
S7: From the Corinthians.
S1: I read them once, I think I can do it.
S7: The Corinthians. Okay.
S1: I read it once.
S7: Good. So our first question is from Robert in Massachusetts,
S7: who listens online to Spotify where you can find our podcasts. Um,
S7: thank you for a great program. In first Corinthians five nine,
S7: Paul mentions a letter that he wrote to the church
S7: in Corinth, which seems to make First Corinthians a response
S7: to questions that the Corinthians had sent in response to
S7: Paul's first letter. So the verse says, I wrote you
S7: in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.
S7: So clearly he has written them something else. Um, but
S7: they seem to be lost. Are there any known copies
S7: or fragments of other churches responses to Paul's letters, or
S7: these other letters that Paul's written?
S1: Yeah. The fact that he wrote another letter is also evident,
S1: I think, in verse 11, because he says, but now
S1: I am writing. Meaning I wrote before, but now I'm writing.
S1: So this is a different letter. He it is, uh,
S1: it it's possible, I think, that Paul did write other
S1: letters to the Corinthians. It's possible that's what he's talking about. Uh,
S1: it could be that he's referring to what he was
S1: talking about in the first eight verses, when he says,
S1: I wrote to you in a letter before, but I
S1: think he's actually talking about another letter that he wrote
S1: something else. And there's no we have no, uh, we
S1: have no copies of it. Okay. We have no fragments
S1: of it. Uh, we, uh, we've got no evidence, uh,
S1: that that anyone has it. And if we found it tomorrow,
S1: it wouldn't be part of the Bible.
S7: Okay. Even though Paul wrote it, it is not being
S7: written by Paul. That makes it part of the Bible.
S1: Exactly. Uh, a lot of people think that one of
S1: the tests of canonicity about what made it into the
S1: canon is Apostolicity. They called it, you know, did an
S1: apostle write it? Uh, I think that many things the
S1: apostles wrote did make it into the scriptures, but not
S1: everything they wrote. You know, Paul would go down to
S1: the agora, the the ancient market, and he would have
S1: his little he'd have a little papyrus with his notes
S1: on what he was buying, a shopping list, a shopping list,
S1: dozen eggs, whatever it is that he was picking up there. Uh,
S1: maybe a new quill for his letter writing. Uh, I
S1: don't know what he would buy, but if we found
S1: that shopping list, that wouldn't go in the Bible. Uh,
S1: what it was is the books that were deemed inspired
S1: were immediately received by the people of God and placed
S1: in the canon and recognized as inspiration. The test of
S1: of candidate for Canon City was inspiration. Is this an
S1: inspired book? And so he wrote another letter. It was
S1: not deemed inspired. So it was not kept or it
S1: wasn't preserved. It wasn't put into the canon. Now there
S1: are other books that were preserved, but they were not
S1: put in the canon, and that was because they were
S1: not characterized as, uh, biblical. They're not inspiration, they're not Bible, uh,
S1: they're not inspired. And so, uh, it's just one of those,
S1: you know, things that we're looking at. The test was
S1: did the church immediately receive it as the word of God?
S1: And when they did, it was placed into the canon.
S7: Okay. Thank you. So our next move moving down to
S7: first Corinthians seven. Mhm. Dan in Illinois says I'm married
S7: to an unbeliever and we have a baby boy. Please
S7: pray for my wife. My question is about first Corinthians
S7: 714 which says, for the unbelieving husband is set apart
S7: for God by the wife. And the unbelieving wife is
S7: set apart for God by the husband. Otherwise your children
S7: would be corrupt, but now they are set apart for God.
S7: I know that my wife isn't automatically forgiven and redeemed
S7: because I am a believer, but what does it mean
S7: when Paul says that that unbelieving spouse is set apart,
S7: or made holy or sanctified through the believing spouse?
S1: Well. I remember way back when I was a moody
S1: student at the turn of the century. It seemed like no,
S1: before that, the previous century.
S7: Right.
S1: When Lincoln was president or Roosevelt or someone. But no,
S1: I was, uh, there was someone who was justifying dating
S1: someone that wasn't a believer and marrying them because they
S1: were going to they were going to get that person
S1: saved without them actually believing. The Bible is really clear.
S1: We are only saved by grace through faith in Jesus,
S1: that we have to believe that Jesus died for us
S1: and rose again. We have to have conscious faith of
S1: our own. We can't be saved because of siblings or
S1: parents or spouses. And so what does it mean? I
S1: think it puts them in a position where they are
S1: more likely to be saved, which is what Paul's point is.
S1: He's saying if you have an unbelieving spouse, don't abandon
S1: the marriage. Stay with them as long as they're willing
S1: to stay with you, because you'll be able to influence them,
S1: and you can have a positive effect, and that your
S1: children you can influence. And as a result of that,
S1: you will you will have a sanctifying effect on your family,
S1: because it's more likely that the unbelieving person will come
S1: to believe through your ministry in life. And that's what
S1: I think that's talking about.
S7: Okay. So similar to the children that they're now, they're
S7: seeing what that looks like in the home. So they
S7: will have that, that additional input. Um, spiritually. Yeah. Okay.
S7: That's it. All right. Let me try one more. Yeah. Okay.
S7: Deborah in Illinois listens to WNBA second Corinthians five nine
S7: and ten talks about the judgment seat of Christ. It says, therefore,
S7: whether we are at home or away, we make it
S7: our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must
S7: all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each
S7: may be repaid for what he has done in the body,
S7: whether good or worthless. So Deborah wants to know, what
S7: is this account that we're giving? Will all of my words, thoughts,
S7: behaviors be replayed there as I stand before him? Do
S7: we know what that will look like?
S1: You know, I don't have any details on on how
S1: much you know. Will a transcript of our life be
S1: played for us? A video of our lives? I don't
S1: think so. But, you know, that's what some people think.
S1: I think that it really when you look at first
S1: Corinthians three, it talks about how we're building on the
S1: work of that God began. And some people build with wood,
S1: hay and straw. And it has to do with their
S1: their service for the Lord. And then other people build
S1: with gold and silver and precious gems, and that the
S1: work will be tested by fire. And even if the.
S1: It's all wood, hay and straw, if it's completely burned up,
S1: the person himself will still be saved.
S7: Uh, yes. Um, okay. Um, I think we're having some
S7: technical difficulties with Michael. Um, we're having some technical difficulties
S7: with Michael's, uh, microphone. And so, um, we will come back.
S7: We're going to take a break right now. We'll come back,
S7: get that resolved, and, um, get the rest of this
S7: answer about the wood, hay and straw right after this break.
S7: You're listening to Open Line with Doctor Michael Redlich. I'm
S7: Trish McMillan, the producer of the program. This has been
S7: our mailbag program, our mailbag segment. We'll be back with
S7: your calls after this break. This is Moody Radio.
S1: Welcome back to Open Line. Uh, a little glitch there
S1: at the end of the last segment. My my microphone
S1: kind of turned off, but, uh, just to remind you
S1: that someone asked, what will we be judged at? At
S1: the at the Bema Seat. And, uh, we were I
S1: was saying that we'll be judged by our works for
S1: the Lord based on First Corinthians three. Either they'll be
S1: like wood, hay and straw and be burned up, or
S1: some of it would be gold, silver, precious gems. And
S1: remain and will receive a reward for that. But even
S1: if we don't have anything that remains, the Bible says
S1: if we know the Lord. And everything is wood, hay
S1: and straw, we will still be saved yet so as
S1: through fire. But the goal would be obviously, I would
S1: love to hear the Lord. This is going to be
S1: the best reward, not the not the anything in terms of, uh,
S1: you know, great rewards. I want to hear well done,
S1: faithful servant, good and faithful servant. That's the best reward
S1: I could ever receive. Maybe that's my love language. I
S1: don't know, Trish might tell me if I knew better. Uh,
S1: words of affirmation. Right. So. So. Well, uh, before we
S1: go back to the phones, I want to tell you
S1: about the Chosen People ministries. Free gift. Since Hamas began
S1: this war with Israel, seeing Israel has pretty much shut down.
S1: I don't know if you've realized that, but if you'd
S1: like to see Israel and you haven't been able to go.
S1: Chosen People Ministries, one of our ministry partners, is offering
S1: Israel the land and the people. It's a coffee table
S1: book with some of the best photos of Israel anywhere.
S1: Not only does it show the beauty and the history
S1: and the culture and the variety of the land, from
S1: Mount Hermon with its snow top in the north to
S1: the fortress of Masada in the south, you can see
S1: ancient Jerusalem versus modern Tel Aviv. It's got so much. And, uh,
S1: it's also has prayer prompts for those who care about
S1: being watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem. To pray for Israel,
S1: to get your free copy of Israel, the land and
S1: the people. Just go to Open Lines website. That's Open
S1: Line radio.org, our website. Scroll down until you see the
S1: link that says A free gift from Chosen People Ministries.
S1: Click on that and then you'll be taken to a
S1: page where you can sign up for your own copy
S1: of Israel, The land and the people. And, uh, we're
S1: going to talk to David in Montana, listening on Moody
S1: Radio Northwest. Welcome to Open Line, David. How can I
S1: help you?
S8: Well, my wife and I work with Awana at our church,
S8: and some of the kids asked me a question about
S8: their pets going to heaven. And I told them that
S8: I didn't believe that pets could go to heaven as
S8: we do, because John 14 six says, the only way
S8: to get to heaven through personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
S8: And I believe that people are made in a different
S8: way than animals because we're made in the image of God,
S8: and God gave us dominion over animals. So there are
S8: different hierarchy in God's plan. So I don't know, Dave.
S1: David, why are you asking me?
S8: The reason being is because you have a lot more knowledge,
S8: and I want to want to make sure I didn't
S8: miss anything when I was talking to the children. And
S8: it's good to interface with other believers because we can
S8: come up with with. Okay, David.
S1: Uh, I think that you're, in my opinion, uh, I
S1: think God made man, humanity, man and woman in his image.
S1: And part of the aspect of, uh, being made in
S1: the image of God is being able to engage with
S1: God to have a relationship with God. Uh, but there
S1: are verses that talk about, uh, the new creation and
S1: that there's going to be animals, which is really what
S1: heaven is, the new heavens and the new earth, and, uh,
S1: for our eternity, our eternal state. And there's going to
S1: be animals present at that time. Uh, so I'm not sure.
S1: Maybe there'll be animals that are from then and not
S1: resurrected animals, I don't know. Uh, I'm. I'm inclined to
S1: agree with you, but I never tell that to kids.
S1: I just say we'll see when we get there. Uh,
S1: because there's, you know, I'm not absolutely certain. And, uh,
S1: I quote Don Cole, who used to host this program.
S1: Pastor Cole used to say, when you get to heaven,
S1: give a whistle. Who knows if Rover will come running? Uh,
S1: we'll just see. Okay. And that's probably how I would
S1: answer a kid in Awana.
S8: So I appreciate your wisdom. And that is exactly what
S8: needs to be done, is.
S9: We'll see. Okay, great.
S1: Okay. Thanks for your call, David. Appreciate it. Uh, we're
S1: going to talk to Bruce in Florida. Welcome to Open Line, Bruce. Uh,
S1: listening on RMB. How can I help you today?
S10: Hi, Michael. I'm a fellow Jewish believer.
S5: And.
S10: I've listened. I've listened to your.
S1: Can you turn off your radio?
S10: Um, yes. One thing.
S9: I keep, I keep.
S1: Hearing myself.
S9: Myself.
S10: Can you hear me now? Better.
S9: Yes.
S10: Okay. I'm a fellow Jewish believer. In fact, I've heard
S10: your testimony, and we're of similar age and backgrounds.
S9: Mhm. And, uh. Well, good.
S10: I was, I was calling because, uh, I had a
S10: question about Matthew 22, the parable of the wedding feast.
S10: What is your, uh, interpretation of who the person without
S10: clothes is in verses 11 to 13.
S1: When the king came in to view the guests, he
S1: saw a man there who said to him, who is
S1: not dressed for a wedding. So he said to him, friend,
S1: how did you get in here without wedding clothes? The
S1: man was speechless, and the king told the attendants, tie
S1: him up hand and foot and throw him into the
S1: outer darkness. It seems to me that even though the
S1: invitation went out for everyone to come, uh, he chose
S1: his own way rather than the appropriate wedding clothing. And, uh,
S1: that that the King would provide. And it seems to
S1: me that what this is talking about is people who
S1: are invited into the kingdom but want to have their
S1: own righteousness rather than the imputed righteousness that our King offers,
S1: the righteousness that he offers us by faith in him.
S1: And and I think that's what it's talking about. It's
S1: talking about the person who says, oh, I'm invited, but
S1: I'm going to I have to earn my way. I
S1: have to make my own way. I've got to earn
S1: my way into the family of God. Uh, because God
S1: invited me. But I still have to be good enough. No,
S1: we have to be faithful enough. We have to trust
S1: in Jesus. That's what it's talking about. That would be
S1: the appropriate wedding clothes. Does that make sense to you, Bruce?
S10: Yes. I always thought it was interesting the way Jesus
S10: throws that into the middle of that parable.
S1: Yep, I agree. Well, thanks for your call. And thanks
S1: for listening, everyone. That's the first hour. Keep listening. There's
S1: the second hour of Open Line on most of these stations.
S1: If your station doesn't carry Open Line second hour, you
S1: can always listen on the Moody Radio app or the
S1: podcast or online during the break. Check out our web page.
S1: Open Line radio.org has all sorts of links to things
S1: you're looking for, including a link to my personal page
S1: where you can see about some of the things that
S1: I'm planning for the next year. Our Bible study across
S1: America will continue in the second hour, so stay with us.
S1: Open line with Doctor Michael Melnick is a production of
S1: Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute. We'll be
S1: right back. So stay right there.