Q: Why do church leaders only answer the easier questions, and skip more troublesome ones that might make them uncomfortable or anger them?
A: I’m not sure if this is a general question or one specific to this blog. Here, we have answered questions regarding creation, God’s existence, the Bible, homosexuality, abortion, suffering and suicide. I can tell you these are not easy topics to address; so if there is a particular question or topic you feel we are sidestepping, could you let us know through comment here? Thanks.
A: I’m not sure if this is a general question or one specific to this blog. Here, we have answered questions regarding creation, God’s existence, the Bible, homosexuality, abortion, suffering and suicide. I can tell you these are not easy topics to address; so if there is a particular question or topic you feel we are sidestepping, could you let us know through comment here? Thanks.
2 comments:
Didn't post this question, but have one for you anyway. You mention in your response to the suicide question that some believe sin has to be confessed to be forgiven? I can't imagine that all Christians die with unconfessed sin? How about going to bed angry and dying in your sleep? How about thoughts of envy before walking in front of a bus? etc....
Where is the biblical support for this idea of unconfessed sin...
First, let me note that I don't agree with Thomas Aquinas on this point (I think I made that clear based on my saying that Suicide is not necessarily a ticket to hell). Many people who were accepting in the fourth century wouldn't get baptized until their deathbed because they thought if you committed a sin after baptism, you were condemned to hell.
There are many things the Bible urges us to do or not do once we accept Christ. To follow the direction given is always good for us - but when we turn it into a must for salvation, we steal the power of Christ's death and resurrection. We say (though perhaps inadvertantly) that salvation requires Christ's death and resurrection, our willful acceptance of it, plus our ability to do certain religious requirements. When this happens we have gone too far, in my opinion. Confession is important, it is spiritually healthy, but confession, before we die, of every sin act we ever commit is not required in order to receive God's grace.
A general confession on the front end of receiving Christ is necessary - we admit that we are sinners far from God in need of grace. As the Holy Spirit brings individual sins to our minds, we confess them before the Lord and repent - have a change of mind and direction. Confession brings power over sin.
Directly to your question, Aquinas got the idea (I think) from 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." However, this passage is found in the midst of John's concern that we not fool ourselves and say we have no sin, not in a directive of how we secure eternal life.
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