S1: Hello, friends. Welcome to Open Line. I am so glad
S1: to be with you today. My name is Michael Wright.
S1: It's the second hour of Open Line. This is Moody
S1: Radio's Bible study across America. We're talking about your questions
S1: about the Bible, God and the spiritual life. My name,
S1: as I said, is Michael Wright. And I'm the academic
S1: dean and professor of Jewish studies and Bible at Moody
S1: Bible Institute. We're sitting around the radio kitchen table talking
S1: about your questions, so why not give me a call?
S1: The phone number is (877) 548-3675. That's (877) 548-3675. And you can
S1: always put a question in the mailbag so that it
S1: can show up a little bit later. If you can't
S1: call just go to our website online radio.com Org and
S1: click on the link that says Ask Michael a question.
S1: I hope you have your Bibles open, and I hope
S1: you have a second cup of coffee, because we're getting
S1: ready right now to talk about the scriptures. Now, before
S1: we talk about the scriptures, I do want to talk
S1: about something that I think is is crucial to know about.
S1: And that is that so many times people want to
S1: know where we got the Bible from. How did how
S1: did it go from divine inspiration to the original autographs
S1: to copyists, to the transmission from author, from copyists to
S1: copyists to translators to modern translations that we have? Uh,
S1: how did we get this Bible? Well, if that's something
S1: you've wondered about, that's what our current resource answers. It's
S1: a book called The Story of the Bible. It was
S1: written by Doctor Carl Laney, who is a professor for many,
S1: many years at Western Baptist Seminary, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary
S1: out in Portland. And it's a it's a terrific, terrific book.
S1: It's called The Story of the Bible. And in it,
S1: Doctor Laney reveals how God worked through inspiration, uh, through, uh,
S1: all the way through scribes, through the human authors, through scribes,
S1: through translators to give us his written word. And I
S1: know that this book will give you greater confidence in
S1: God's Word, help you really understand how we got the Bible.
S1: And I think that's a great thing for us all
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S1: can just call (888) 644-7122. Either go to open line radio.
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S1: of the Bible when you give your gift. We're going
S1: to talk to Renee in Freeport, Illinois, listening on. Welcome
S1: to Open Line, Renee. How can I help you today?
S2: Hi. Good morning, and I appreciate you taking my call.
S2: I'm going to make this very quick. Um, I'm doing
S2: a study on Joseph, who I adore. Um, based on Joseph's,
S2: on his family values and what God commanded. Why was it?
S2: Why was he allowed to take a foreign wife?
S1: Uh, he took an Egyptian wife, right?
S2: Correct.
S1: Yeah.
S2: The pharaoh's daughter. Correct?
S1: Yeah. I don't know if it was Pharaoh's daughter. I
S1: know it was an Egyptian wife. Um, Uh.
S2: Yeah.
S1: Uh, I'm trying to asnot. I think her name was.
S1: Wasn't that her name? Uh, but, uh, the I think
S1: that that it's it's one thing that obviously the Israelites
S1: living in the land of Israel, when they entered the land,
S1: they weren't supposed to marry Canaanites. Um, they there was
S1: a distinction made between those who were of the the
S1: people that knew the God of Israel and the pagans
S1: around them, and they weren't supposed to marry those pagans. Uh,
S1: it fits with what we see in the New Testament,
S1: where it says that a believer should really marry a
S1: believing wife or a believing husband, a believing spouse. Uh,
S1: I think that those are general, generally good rules to follow. Uh,
S1: that those all go together. Uh, it says, uh, just
S1: so you know, so I can. Clarify. In first Corinthians
S1: nine five it says, don't we have the right to
S1: be accompanied by a sister? As a wife is literally
S1: what it says a sister in the Lord as a wife.
S1: It doesn't mean he's marrying his sister, but we have
S1: a right to marry a sister in the Lord, is
S1: what Paul says. Um, and so I think that's a
S1: great verse to remember, um, that, uh, that that the
S1: Bible does indeed talk about us marrying believers. Uh, you know,
S1: some people, uh, use the verse about not being unequally yoked,
S1: but I don't think that's really talking about marriage. But
S1: in first Corinthians 739, it says, uh, a wife is
S1: bound as long as her husband is living. But if
S1: her husband dies, she is free to be married to
S1: anyone she wants. Only in the Lord. Any believer is
S1: what that means. So? I'm not disputing that. But I
S1: do think that where Joseph was a he couldn't leave
S1: and go back to the land of Israel. He was
S1: there as the prime minister of Egypt. It was during
S1: a that was not something that he was going to
S1: do is go back to the land. He had to
S1: he was kind of expected to marry. And so he married. Now,
S1: I don't know if his wife became a believer in
S1: the God of Israel through Joseph, but I think that's
S1: that's why he took an Egyptian wife. In my opinion,
S1: it was one of those unusual circumstances that he was facing. Okay.
S2: Right. I get it. Okay. Well. Thank you. I appreciate
S2: your time this morning.
S1: Yeah. You know, I think sometimes we become. We have
S1: to be really careful about this. Uh, good principle there
S1: to to marry a believer. Clearly.
S2: Um, absolutely.
S1: Uh, something that we should follow. But you just never know. There.
S1: There may be exigent circumstances that might cause an occasional change,
S1: like what Joseph did. You know, I, I, uh, my
S1: mom married someone that didn't know the Lord after she
S1: knew the Lord. It was right after the Holocaust. Um, and, uh,
S1: my parents were coming up on, uh, this is kind
S1: of a big deal for me. It's 80 years in.
S1: May will be the day of the anniversary of their
S1: liberation from concentration camp. May 8th, 1945. So May 8th,
S1: 2025 will be 80 years from their day of liberation
S1: from slavery. And, uh, that's pretty pretty meaningful to me.
S1: But here's the thing that I think is interesting is
S1: my dad married after the war. His wife died in childbirth, and, uh,
S1: he had a premature infant, my brother in a hospital,
S1: and he didn't know what he was going to do.
S1: And he saw my mom, uh, who was a nurse
S1: in that hospital. And this is in 1947. And he said,
S1: I need someone to care for this baby. And he
S1: did sort of an arranged marriage, sort of like in
S1: Fiddler on the roof, because he needed someone to care
S1: for that baby. And my mom, though she would only
S1: want to marry a fellow believer, she felt such compassion
S1: for that baby and felt a need to care for
S1: that baby. And also the heartbreak of my dad. After
S1: losing his wife and children in the Holocaust and then
S1: losing his his wife after the Holocaust, that in light
S1: of that circumstance, my mom chose to marry someone that
S1: didn't know the Lord. And and I think exigent circumstances, uh,
S1: you know, explains that. So that's that's and, you know,
S1: I often think about it. What if my mom had said, no,
S1: I'm not going to marry someone who doesn't know the Lord.
S1: I wouldn't be here. So true. So I don't know,
S1: I what am I going to say? That's, uh. That's.
S1: It was a tough, tough situation. So anyway. But thanks.
S2: Absolutely. Yeah. If I, if I could just make a
S2: real quick comment, I just want you to know that, um,
S2: I wear the Star of David along with my cross
S2: around my neck constantly, and I am in full support
S2: and pray for Israel all the time.
S1: Oh, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. Hey,
S1: you know, I'm so glad you mentioned that. I went
S1: to see a movie yesterday and I want to warn
S1: people there's some vulgar words used because it's about protesters, uh,
S1: and anti-Semitic, uh, events in America mainly. And the name
S1: of the movie is called October 8th. Uh, October 8th.
S1: And it's, uh, some are calling it October hate. Uh,
S1: and it's about antisemitism that has arisen in America. The
S1: first seven minutes or so are about the October 7th
S1: attack by Hamas. But October 8th Is about really the
S1: main part of the the movie is about the eruption
S1: of anti-Semitism across America, particularly on our college campuses. After
S1: the attack. And it is, I have to say, the
S1: the good news is that it's so well done. It's
S1: not enjoyable, but it's so well done, I think. I
S1: wish everyone could see it. The bad news is I
S1: went to a theater to see it with two friends
S1: of mine, and we were the only three people in
S1: the theater. No one is seeing it. And it it
S1: just breaks my heart because I think it's so important
S1: to see. So, uh, that that's that's crucial. And I
S1: appreciate your, your love and support. And thanks for this
S1: really interesting and good question. Uh, we're we're going to
S1: take a break here. Thanks for calling, Renee. When we
S1: come back, we're going to take more of your questions. Uh,
S1: you can call 275483675. And when we come back, we'll
S1: be taking your questions about the Bible, God and the
S1: spiritual life. This is open line with Michael. Stay with us.
S1: We're going to have more questions straight ahead. Welcome back
S1: to Open Line. So glad to be with you this
S1: Saturday morning. My name is Michael Ryder and we are
S1: talking about the scriptures together. Uh, I, I did want
S1: to mention that, uh, I'm glad to be here with
S1: Tricia and with Omar and Lisa and Titus answering the phones.
S1: One of the things I've noticed is that people who
S1: write or listen to Open Line will often mention how
S1: much they appreciate the team, and I do too. I
S1: know I couldn't pull this off without this team. Uh,
S1: I'm so grateful for all of them. I appreciate everyone
S1: that listens. You're part of the team too. And especially
S1: I want to say how much I appreciate our kitchen
S1: table partners. Uh, thanks for being part of the team. Uh,
S1: we're we're hoping, uh, we have over 800 right now.
S1: We'd love to see a thousand. Wouldn't that be something? Uh,
S1: at least that's what my friend William Washington, the dean
S1: of students here at Moody Bible Institute, Dean of student life.
S1: He's always saying, when are you going to have 1000?
S1: He's like, blaming me. But I am so grateful that
S1: I was shocked that there there'd be just a few,
S1: let alone 800. I'm really grateful, but we really would
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S1: All you have to do is go to our website
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S1: I just want you to know we really, really do
S1: appreciate it. And we're going to talk to Bruce in Woodstock, Illinois,
S1: listening on Wmbi. Welcome to Open Line, Bruce. How can
S1: I help you?
S3: Hi, Doctor Randall. Yeah. My question is related to your
S3: first caller on the 9:00 show. Um, since I believe
S3: that the a human baby is born with a brain
S3: that is like a blank slate, and he goes through
S3: life collecting, you know, knowledge, but not necessarily wisdom. My
S3: question is, when did Jesus receive God's wisdom and truth?
S3: Maybe when he was fasting out in the desert 40
S3: days or.
S1: Oh, I think he was a little bit older than.
S1: I think he must have had God's wisdom much earlier,
S1: because it says that when he was 12 years old
S1: and he went to the temple, they were amazed at
S1: his wisdom. Right? So.
S3: Right.
S1: Uh, so, uh, what what I would say is I
S1: can't give you a precise age or date, but this
S1: is what I do know. Uh, in the third servant song,
S1: Isaiah has four servant songs. Four songs about the servant
S1: of the Lord, four poems or songs, and they're called
S1: the Servant Songs. And the third one, these are messianic
S1: passages in the Hebrew Bible that point forward to the Messiah.
S1: And the second and third of the servant songs are
S1: written in the first person, uh, as like an autobiographical statement.
S1: It's poetically the servant speaks and he says, uh, the
S1: Lord God has given me the tongue. Of one who
S1: is instructed to know how to sustain the weary with
S1: a word. Obviously, he's been taught in wisdom. How? It
S1: says he awakens me each morning. He awakens my ear
S1: to listen like those being instructed. And so it seems
S1: to me that from the earliest age, when there was
S1: some cognizance cognition on the part of of Jesus born
S1: to Joseph, to born to Mary, and adopted by Joseph,
S1: that this one as a child would be awakened by
S1: his true father, and instructed in wisdom and identity and
S1: who he really was. Uh, and so by the time
S1: he was 12, he was able to or the Jewish
S1: leaders in the temple with his great wisdom. Okay, that's
S1: what I think.
S3: Okay, so you're saying he had, like, a spiritual mental
S3: attitude at an early age, and then he was he
S3: awakened every morning to new information coming from God.
S1: I wouldn't say it is some sort of spiritual attitude.
S1: I was just saying that God woke him every morning
S1: and instructed him. God the father. Okay, thanks for your call.
S1: Really appreciate it. Uh, we're going to talk with Tim
S1: in Joliet, Illinois, listening on Wmbi. Welcome to Open Line, Tim.
S1: How can I help you?
S4: Uh. Yes, sir. Thank you for taking my call. Uh,
S4: I got a question about my son. Uh, my son
S4: was raised in church his whole life. Uh, I was
S4: there when he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. But
S4: now he wants to live a homosexual life. And my
S4: question is, can a person who is saved live that
S4: type of life and still go to heaven?
S1: Well, I think it's a person. Definitely a person who
S1: is a believer could have temptations in that area. Uh,
S1: there's no. And not just temptations, but failures. Sins in
S1: that area. There's there's no doubt in my mind that
S1: that's possible. Um, and, uh. The, the one thing I
S1: would say is if he has made a firm decision
S1: to say I am going to live this life. Uh,
S1: I don't know what his destiny is, but I would
S1: say that, generally speaking, uh, what the Bible says is
S1: those who have made that firm decision to live that
S1: life really don't know the Lord.
S4: Uh, right.
S1: Uh, but but, uh, I in first Corinthians chapter six,
S1: it says, and such were some of you. And so, uh, yes,
S1: it's certainly to come out of that and become a believer. Uh, I,
S1: you know, I really want to be sensitive about this
S1: because I don't know a person's destiny. But I do
S1: know what the Bible teaches about this, and, uh, it's
S1: it's not a black and white issue. I mean, obviously,
S1: people have sins. They have areas, heterosexuals have areas of
S1: sexual temptation and sexual sin. And that doesn't mean they
S1: can't be saved. But, uh, if if a person just
S1: flagrantly says, I'm not going to obey what the Bible
S1: says about this, uh, then I about heterosexuals and I
S1: would wonder if they really know the Lord. Uh, but I,
S1: I want to give you some time to think and
S1: pray for your son. Don't cut off your son.
S5: No, no.
S1: But, uh, you know, Chris Ewen, uh, his, uh, story
S1: about how his mom prayed him into the kingdom. Uh,
S1: I don't know. Have you read anything by Chris Ewen?
S4: No, sir.
S1: Okay. And he's got a book called Holy Sexuality, which
S1: he goes over. Uh, he's got two books. One is
S1: his faith story, which I. I can't remember the title,
S1: but Trish is going to find it for us in
S1: a second. Uh, and, uh, and then there's the book
S1: that he wrote called Holy Sexuality. It's Chris, Doctor Christopher Ewen.
S1: He was a student at Moody, later became a professor
S1: at Moody taught adjunct here. Uh, he it's a remarkable book.
S1: Both of those books are just terrific. Uh, also, you
S1: can go to the Moody YouTube channel, the Moody Bible
S1: Institute YouTube channel, and you'll see that last year, uh,
S1: Chris Ewen spoke at Founders Week and did a marvelous job.
S1: And those, uh, recordings are there. And I would watch those. Uh,
S1: his his story as well as his teaching workshop. Uh,
S1: it's called out of a far country. Uh, Tricia tells me, uh,
S1: out of a far country. Uh, I, I care so
S1: deeply for people who have temptations and same sex attraction. Uh,
S1: I don't want to write them off. I think that, uh,
S1: God can really, uh, bring them to a place of holiness. Um, and, uh,
S1: so don't write your son off. Um, okay. I know
S1: it breaks your heart.
S4: As a matter of fact, he still goes to church
S4: with us.
S1: Okay. Uh, and, you know, uh, sometimes I think people
S1: just may have to choose holiness over, uh, carrying out
S1: their desires. And that's, uh. I'm not asking anyone to
S1: change their desires, but to live in a holy life.
S1: To put. Because God's really most concerned about our holiness.
S1: He's not concerned about our sexuality as much. Uh, he
S1: wants us to be obedient.
S5: And so let me ask you this real quick.
S4: Because when I they pray, I pray that his walk
S4: with Jesus Christ would be real and would be right.
S4: What else? What? And I've been praying for years about this.
S5: Mhm.
S4: And I was just kind of wondering if maybe, if
S4: I'm praying the wrong prayer or should I.
S1: No. You keep praying for him. Pray for him to
S1: come to a conviction about being obedient to the Lord
S1: in this area and, uh, and to live a life
S1: of holiness. That's what I would pray for.
S4: Alrighty. Thank you very much.
S1: Okay. Thanks, Tim, for your call, I appreciate it. Uh,
S1: I'm going to let's let's talk with Anthony in Wheaton
S1: listening on WNBA. Welcome to Open Line, Anthony. How can
S1: I help you?
S6: Yes. I have this question, um, about, um, covering the
S6: head while you're praying. And it comes from first Corinthians
S6: 11 four where Paul spoke about, uh, not covering your head, uh,
S6: as a man who would then dishonor his head. But
S6: then we have in Exodus 29 six, we see a
S6: report on the high priest and his dress, and his
S6: head is covered with a turban. Um, in in our day, um,
S6: we see a lot of messianic believers coming to Christ. Um,
S6: some of whom are praying with their heads covered and
S6: so on. So I'm not really clear on this. I'd
S6: love to have some clarity on it.
S5: Well.
S1: I would, I actually think is referring to there is
S1: a sense of shame before God. Uh, that a man would, uh,
S1: not just cover his head with a, like, a miter,
S1: like the high priest would have worn a crown or, uh,
S1: or a turban kind of thing. Might. Or I guess
S1: it would be the best description. It's not talking about, uh,
S1: a kippah or a some an American people call him
S1: a yarmulke. Uh, that Jewish people wear. It's talking about
S1: taking a prayer shawl or something to that effect, and
S1: covering one's head up completely, covering the face and using
S1: that kind of head cover out of shame before God.
S1: But if we know the Lord, what we can do
S1: is we can take that head covering off and stand
S1: before God through Jesus. And we don't need to do that.
S1: But it's not talking about, uh, just a plain kippah or, uh,
S1: or even a miter. It's not talking about that.
S6: Very good.
S5: Thank you. Yeah. Appreciate that.
S1: Yeah. Thanks for your call. Appreciate it. Uh, we're going
S1: to talk to Dan in Scottsdale, Arizona, listening online. So
S1: glad you're doing that. Anyone can get the Moody Radio
S1: app and listen online or on their computer. Uh, hey, Dan,
S1: how can I help you?
S7: Yes, I am calling about, um, uh, when Israel is, like,
S7: going to war.
S1: What do you mean? Biblical Israel? Current modern day Israel.
S1: What are you talking about?
S7: Neither. Or are they supposed to, uh, get together and
S7: pray about it before they go to war? Or, um,
S7: just go to war?
S5: Well.
S1: Obviously in in the Bible, uh, they had a prophet
S1: to tell them to go to war or not to
S1: go to war. Uh, like, uh, in judges, uh, when
S1: the prophetess Deborah basically sets up the attack, tells uh
S1: uh uh uh. Barak to go to war. Uh, and
S1: he says, Deborah, come with me. But she's a prophetess.
S1: She's given him the word. Uh, it's a different circumstance today,
S1: like when Israel just went to war with Hamas. Uh,
S1: it was based. It's biblical, but it wasn't a direct command.
S1: In Romans 13 four it says a government has been
S1: given the power of the sword, the authority of the sword, uh,
S1: to punish the wicked and and, uh, to protect the innocent.
S1: And when a nation is attacked like Israel was, uh,
S1: they have a an obligation to go to war in
S1: that circumstance is what Ephesians, Ecclesiastes chapter three says. There's
S1: a season for war, a time for war, and a
S1: time for peace. And so I don't think that they
S1: I'm sure there are people who prayed, but, uh, I
S1: don't know if that answers your question. I hope it does.
S1: But there was an obligation to go to war immediately,
S1: not necessarily just something that they were going to wait
S1: for a prophet to tell them to do so.
S7: Okay. Well, thank you for that.
S1: Yeah. I that's it's not very different than the United
S1: States going to war after Pearl Harbor. So that's.
S7: Right.
S1: Same same kind of situation. So anyway, thank. Thanks for
S1: your call, Dan. Appreciate it. Uh mailbags. Coming up in
S1: just a moment. The Febc mailbag with Tricia McMillan. She's
S1: going to be here. We're going to take the questions
S1: that you've sent in by going to NPR.org and clicking
S1: on Ask Michael a question. We're going to be right back.
S1: So stay with us. Welcome back to Open Line. It's
S1: time for the Febc mailbag. Uh, so glad, uh, that
S1: Tricia McMillan is dragging that bag in for us so
S1: that we can, uh, answer the questions you've mailed in.
S1: The best way to mail a question in is to
S1: go to Openline radio.org and click on the link that
S1: says Ask Michael a question. We're so grateful that Febc
S1: Far Eastern Broadcasting Company partners with us to bring you
S1: the mailbag. It's a wonderful ministry that brings the gospel
S1: through media and through personal contact all around the globe.
S1: If you'd like to know more about this ministry, they
S1: have a great podcast called Until All Have Heard. And
S1: you can get it by going to npr.org and clicking
S1: on the link there about the podcast until all I've heard.
S1: And it's this great podcast with Ed Cannon and Wayne Shepherd. Well. Hey, Tricia. Hello. Hey.
S1: So I don't want to take up a whole lot
S1: of time, but I do want to remind people that
S1: we've got the called conference coming up. You said to
S1: me last hour that your sister went in the past. Yes.
S8: And she's really enjoyed it and has benefited from it.
S1: It's a conference for women. I know you're going to
S1: like it. Pam McRae leads it, I just think that
S1: if I were a woman, it's not something I'd want
S1: to miss. You can watch it online, or you can
S1: be here present at Tory Gray Auditorium, which is a
S1: I think it's always more fun to be present with
S1: all those women, uh, singing together. Worshiping together. Check out
S1: Moody conferences. Right?
S8: Yes.
S1: Yeah. That's it. Okay. And there's a link on our, uh.
S8: There's not yet. I'm having website issues.
S1: Okay. But.
S8: Okay. I will get a link up there soon. It
S8: is April 12th. April, you do have a little bit
S8: of time? Yeah. That you can look into it. And again,
S8: if you're a women in ministry of any kind, you know,
S8: in the home, in your church, uh, children's ministry, um,
S8: women's ministry, you lead a Bible study. Any of those
S8: ways that you're serving? Um, I think you would be encouraged.
S8: And it kind of helps revive your spirit a little
S8: bit when you get to worship with other women.
S1: Yeah, I.
S8: Think it's learn and get that good Bible teaching. Yep.
S1: Well, you've put together this mailbag and, uh, there's there's
S1: some good questions here. What have we got today?
S8: Okay. Bonnie wrote us from Ohio. Listens to Wtxf. She
S8: wants to know what the Bible says about taking legal
S8: action in her particular situation. It was something with a
S8: doctor and medical professionals, uh, during a surgery. She was
S8: always taught that God's people are not supposed to take
S8: legal action. So how does that fall into these types
S8: of situations?
S1: It all depends on whether or not the physician was a, uh,
S1: a believer in Jesus or not. If he's a believer,
S1: the Bible doesn't say that we can't get, um, how
S1: do I put it? Proper restitution or resolution on conflicting matters.
S1: But what it says in the book of First Corinthians
S1: is that we're not supposed to What we. What we
S1: need to do is take it to the church, let
S1: the church resolve those disputes rather than us to take
S1: it to the courts. So here's what it says in
S1: first Corinthians six. If any of you has a legal
S1: dispute against another, do you dare to go to court
S1: before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Don't you
S1: know that the saints will judge the world? If the
S1: world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge
S1: the smallest cases? Don't you know that we will judge angels,
S1: not to mention ordinary matters? So you have cases pertaining
S1: to this life. Do you select those who have no
S1: standing in the church to judge? I say this to
S1: your shame. Can it be there is no one wise
S1: person among you who is able to arbitrate between his
S1: brothers and said believer goes to court against believer, and
S1: that before unbelievers. And so the issue there is taking
S1: a believer to court and trying to get it resolved
S1: in the courts. I have a firm conviction that there,
S1: and that's why there's Christian mediation and arbitration groups. One
S1: of the things that I've I've signed a bunch of
S1: writing contracts, and I've always tried to insist that, you know,
S1: in writing contracts, publisher contracts, it'll say something like these.
S1: Any disputes will be resolved by the the state courts. Okay.
S1: And and I always when I'm writing for a Christian publisher,
S1: I always write I change it to will be resolved
S1: through Christian arbitration where believers can judge what's right or
S1: wrong and people will agree to that. And so I
S1: think it's really important that, uh, that if there's a
S1: if you have a grievance with a fellow believer, don't
S1: take it to the courts, but take it to Christian
S1: arbitration or the local church, or there's any number of
S1: ways you can do that. The and it actually goes
S1: on to say you should rather be wronged. Uh, if
S1: you have legal disputes against one another, why not rather
S1: put up with injustice? Do not. Why not rather be cheated?
S1: In other words, if you can't get the the fellow
S1: believer to to go to arbitration with you, with Christian arbitration,
S1: be better to be cheated. That said, uh, this is
S1: not a wholesale prohibition against lawsuits. If you're if you
S1: have a conflict like this, a malpractice suit against a
S1: physician and the physicians, the physician is not a believer,
S1: then there's no limitation there. It is permissible.
S8: Okay.
S1: Okay.
S8: All right. And that was first Corinthians six. Okay. All right.
S8: Thank you for that question, Bonnie. I hope that helps. Uh,
S8: next question is from Mike Wright. That was the one
S8: that we talked about. Okay. Yeah. What is your opinion
S8: of infant baptism as a parallel to circumcision?
S1: Hmm. Well, the basis of people seeing infant baptism as
S1: a Christian replacement for circumcision is from the book of Colossians,
S1: chapter two, I believe. Uh, see if I can find
S1: the exact verse. Yeah, here it is. Uh, it says
S1: in Colossians two verse 11, you were also circumcised in
S1: him without with a circumcision not done with hands by
S1: putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Messiah. Okay.
S1: So it's there. What it's talking about is spiritual circumcision. Uh,
S1: The New Covenant is sometimes like that. Circumcision of the heart.
S1: The Book of Jeremiah talks about how Israel, when they
S1: come to know the Lord, they won't just be circumcised
S1: in the flesh, they would be circumcised in the heart.
S1: And then it says, having been buried with him in baptism,
S1: you were also raised with him through faith in the
S1: working of God, who raised you from the dead. And
S1: so what they say is, see, look, he's talking about
S1: circumcision here. And and then he talks about baptism in
S1: verse 12. And so obviously baptism replaces circumcision. I don't
S1: think that what this verse is saying. I don't think
S1: it's saying that at all. What I think it's saying
S1: is that we have a circumcised heart through the New covenant.
S1: And when we put on the New Covenant, uh, what
S1: do we do is we express that through baptism. And
S1: so circumcision of the heart happens when we believe. And
S1: then baptism follows that up as the expression of that
S1: new circumcised heart. It doesn't mean that babies should be baptized.
S1: It's not talking about infant baptism here. It's what it's
S1: talking about is circumcision of the heart becoming a genuine believer.
S1: What do you do then? You, you you're baptized. That's
S1: what you do to to express it. Okay, so it's
S1: talking about adult baptism there. It's not really dealing with
S1: physical circumcision okay. Yeah.
S8: Okay. That's helpful to know. Yeah. I have another question. Um,
S8: which I wrote down somewhere else. Hold on. Just.
S9: Okay. Oh, wait wait wait.
S8: Do you.
S9: Have.
S8: It on the screen there?
S9: Yeah.
S1: Uh, she is a follow up on the question about
S1: Daniel's 70 weeks.
S8: Yes. Yeah. Why? Um. Why is it that they say
S8: weeks instead of years?
S1: Yeah.
S8: Like why?
S1: Because.
S8: Well. Well, even she said it kind of discourages her
S8: from reading the Bible, because why can't it just be plain?
S1: Like, why can't, why can't it just be plain? Yeah.
S8: Why can't it be straightforward? Like why, why talk in
S8: kind of these. Yeah. Hidden meanings.
S1: Yeah. I think, um, I think there's something to that,
S1: but I'll tell you why. Okay. Yes. Um, first of all, uh,
S1: there was a translation. Uh, I don't know if they
S1: kept it, but the original NIV, which used to say
S1: 70 sevens have been set apart for your people. Not weeks.
S1: It doesn't use the word week. It uses the word sevens. Okay. Uh,
S1: that's much closer to what the Hebrew actually says. Okay.
S1: It could be translated 70 peptides. Okay. What's a heptad?
S8: It means seven.
S1: Yeah, it's a seven. It's like if I said 70 dozens,
S1: that would be 70 twelves. Right, right, right. If I
S1: sent you to the store and said, pick me up
S1: a dozen when you go to the grocery store.
S8: I'll get you 12.
S1: Of what?
S8: Of whatever. Whatever you need.
S1: Whatever. Well, no. Whatever we were talking about.
S8: Right. You need a dozen eggs. I'll just get one. Yeah. Not. Not.
S1: Yeah, we were talking about eggs. Oh, I don't have
S1: any eggs. Can you pick up a dozen? Right. You'd
S1: know the context.
S8: Right?
S1: Exactly.
S8: Okay.
S1: Uh, well, the same thing in Daniel nine. It says
S1: 77 have been decreed for your people. And the whole
S1: context tells us that it's referring to years. Uh, the
S1: reason is Daniel is praying. He says, wow, the 70
S1: year captivity is over. Why did Israel go into captivity
S1: for 70 years? Because 70 times seven years, they missed
S1: the sabbatical year. Remember that?
S8: Yes. They were supposed to take a year off.
S1: From the for the rest of the land. And they
S1: didn't do it 70 times, so 70 times seven years.
S1: And then now they're in captivity for 70 years. Daniel
S1: nine opens, this is the 70 years are up. And
S1: the angel comes and says, I'm not going to talk
S1: to you about the 70 years. I'm not going to
S1: talk to you about the 70 times seven of the past.
S1: I want to talk to you about 70 times seven
S1: years in the future. And so the context argues for it.
S1: And then, uh, in Daniel chapter ten, this is something
S1: that a lot of people miss because of English translation.
S1: It says in verse two, in those days I, Daniel,
S1: was mourning for three full weeks is what my version says.
S1: It's the very next paragraph after the Daniel nine passage,
S1: about 70 weeks of years. Right? Okay. And it says,
S1: but in Hebrew it doesn't say what I just read.
S1: In Hebrew it says I was fasting for for three
S1: weeks of days. And why does he say of days?
S1: Because he's contrasting it with the previous one, which was
S1: weeks of years because he couldn't possibly fast for three
S1: weeks of years. So he wants us not to be confused.
S8: Don't. Don't think I fasted for 21 years. Yeah. Okay.
S1: That's it. So I understand what she's saying. I think
S1: that if I were translating the Bible, I would say, uh, 77,
S1: not 70 weeks, because it's just too confusing. Yeah. And
S1: that's what one version I know does. All right. Anyway,
S1: I hope that helps. We're going to come back with
S1: more of your questions in just a moment. That was
S1: Tricia McMillan. I'm Michael Melnick. This is open line. Stay
S1: with us. Welcome back to Open Line. I'm Michael Wright.
S1: So glad to be with you today. I do want
S1: to mention a couple of things one, Chosen People Ministries
S1: has a free gift, uh, for you. Uh, many people
S1: wonder if Jewish people still need to hear the good
S1: news of Jesus the Messiah. And so they have published
S1: a book by Doctor Al Mohler who's the president of
S1: of Southern Baptist Seminary. And he says, yes, Jewish people
S1: need to hear the gospel. Absolutely. And he's written this
S1: book called To the Jew First in the 21st century.
S1: In it, Doctor Mohler maintains that bringing the gospel to
S1: Jewish people demonstrates our faithfulness to the truth. And for
S1: your free copy, just go to openline radio.org. Scroll down.
S1: Click on the link that says A Free gift from
S1: Chosen People Ministries, and you'll receive your copy of To
S1: the Jew first in the 21st century. And while you're
S1: there at Openline radio.org, you can click on the link
S1: to my personal website. Uh, it says go to Michael's
S1: website and you click on that. And that can take
S1: you to a page where you can see about an
S1: upcoming cruise that I'm doing in the Caribbean next December.
S1: I think it would be a great, fun time studying
S1: the word together in the warm weather, not in the
S1: cold weather on the beautiful islands. Will be studying in
S1: the morning and the evening. The book of Daniel will
S1: including the Daniel's 70 weeks study, the whole book of Daniel,
S1: how to hold our stand fast in our faith in
S1: all despite all the pressures around us. That's what we'll
S1: be studying on that trip. I hope you'll check it out.
S1: Just go to my personal website. And, uh, we're going
S1: to talk to Chris right now in Florida listening on.
S1: So welcome to Open Line. Chris. How can I help
S1: you today?
S10: Hey, I heard a question earlier that you answered a
S10: bit about predestination and election, but I was curious how
S10: you reconcile the idea of Scripture talking about eternity being
S10: written on the heart of every man, and predestination and election.
S1: I'm not exactly sure. How do you think they contradict
S1: each other?
S10: No, I don't think they contradict each other. I think
S10: that if every person I see walking around has eternity
S10: written on their heart, what about those that are not predetermined,
S10: that still have that eternity written on their heart? Because
S10: eternity is only? Well, I guess there's an eternity with
S10: the Lord and without the Lord. But I don't ever
S10: think of eternity being without the Lord. I only think
S10: of it being with the Lord.
S1: Well, I think when when the Bible says that we
S1: have eternity in our hearts, I think that, uh, we
S1: all have a sense that we are not the creator,
S1: but the creation. And we grow. Some people grow out
S1: of that and lose it, but it begins as soon
S1: as we have a sense of who of of self,
S1: a sense of being. We understand that we are the creation. Uh,
S1: we look around the world, we we wonder, where did
S1: this all come from? Uh, there must be a creator.
S1: I think that's all a reflection of eternity in our hearts.
S1: But that doesn't mean everyone hangs on to that. Only
S1: people who respond to that and seek him, then they
S1: find him. And you say, well, that has to do
S1: with election. You know, I don't ever try to resolve
S1: election versus human responsibility. The Bible teaches those two concepts
S1: right next to each other. I believe in election. Uh,
S1: I believe that God also has what I call efficacious grace,
S1: where he draws a person to believe it, says it in, uh,
S1: acts 16, that God opened Lydia's heart to believe. Um, uh,
S1: I think that's what God does with us. But turning
S1: our hearts is that sense that we are the creation
S1: and that there is a creator. I think everyone has
S1: that to start with. Some people seek based on that.
S1: Other people don't. Okay.
S10: Got you. And that certainly makes kind of clears up
S10: the idea because in my mind, that idea of eternity
S10: is like it's sitting there, dormant in everybody, waiting for
S10: us to become a believer. Oh, but these ones didn't.
S10: And I and I think the way that I was
S10: viewing it was a little different than the way that
S10: your explanation just went.
S1: Yeah. That's what and that's why people don't. There are
S1: some people who just don't want, uh, to be believers
S1: and they, they don't pursue that. So and they kind
S1: of squelch, squelch the eternity in their heart is what
S1: they do. So anyway, thanks for your call. Appreciate it.
S1: We're going to we're going to talk to Sylvester in Tampa,
S1: Florida listening on. Ken, welcome to Open Line. Sylvester. How
S1: can I help you today?
S11: Hi. I just had a quick question. Um, I wanted
S11: to know what would be your response to the idea
S11: that Jesus, just because Jesus, when he was he didn't
S11: write a book or have any writings or didn't had
S11: any writings that ended up in the Bible. Uh, so
S11: it devalues what the New Testament Statement of what? The
S11: whole writers of the Bible. Um.
S1: Well, I would say if, uh, if we understand what
S1: the Bible says about inspiration, then Jesus wrote all of it. Yeah.
S1: Because the Holy Spirit superintended human authors. Um, uh, to, uh,
S1: to write the scriptures. But, you know, the the Son
S1: of God or the God the Son was involved in
S1: that process, as was God the Father.
S5: Uh, yes.
S1: Uh, it's sort of like the whole creation. You know that, uh, God,
S1: the father was the architect. Uh, God, the son was
S1: the builder. Uh, and then the Holy Spirit was the
S1: hammer in the hands of the builder, so to speak.
S1: And so, uh, I would say who? The triune God.
S1: They were all involved. The three persons of the Godhead
S1: were all involved in creation. Same thing with the scriptures.
S1: And that's why in Philippians three, uh, the, uh, the, the,
S1: the apostle Paul writes that the word of God, not
S1: the word of God, the word of Christ, the word
S1: of Messiah, should dwell in you richly. And he's talking
S1: there about the whole Word of God. And what he
S1: is saying is all the word of God is the
S1: Word of Jesus, because he is, uh, the divine Son
S1: of God, who has, uh, who is behind the authoritative, inspired,
S1: God breathed word of God. So that's who wrote it.
S1: Jesus wrote it. That's what I would say. Does that help?
S5: Perfect.
S11: Yes, it sure have.
S5: Thank you. Okay. All right.
S1: Good bye. Well, I'm so glad. I'm so grateful for
S1: that call. All your calls, everyone who wrote or called.
S1: Thanks so much for making Open Line possible. I appreciate
S1: you all so much. And I want to say, especially
S1: thanks to our Open Line team. Uh, I love these people. Uh,
S1: Tricia McMillan, Omar Titus. Lisa, thanks for all you do
S1: to get this program on the air. It's more than
S1: I can even express my gratitude. Remember, keep in touch
S1: with us during the week by going to our web
S1: page Openline radio.org. It's got all the links you're looking for.
S1: I know you'll find what you're looking for right there.
S1: Keep reading the Bible and we'll talk about it next
S1: week in a very special program. Open line with Doctor
S1: Michael Melnick is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry
S1: of Moody Bible Institute. See you next week.