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EPISODE 39: Q&A

Date: 7/29/2020

Lighting Round:

Is it true that the one who rejects Christ is also bodily resurrected at the judgment; to be eternally separate from God and to suffer both physically and spiritually?

  1. Yes. Just as believers will be physical and spiritual beings in eternity, so to unbelievers will be physical and spiritual beings in their eternal judgment.

    My neighbor has been visiting Gateway and asked me if Gateway observes lent. I wasn’t sure how to respond.

    1. As a church we don’t observe Lent. Though I’m sure there are people who are part of Gateway who do. 
    2. Traditionally, more liturgical (traditional) churches observe Lent.

      How are we to be tolerant of others while being called to “call out” others?

      1. Tolerant definition: showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.
      2. James 1:19 – Be quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to get angry.
      3. Speak the truth in love.

        I’ve heard that pastor “so and so’s” church is doing _____? Why aren’t we?

        1. Focus on high profile pastors.
        2. Some are rejecting government authority.
        3. Others are closing their doors for the rest of 2020.
        4. Local churches have to make the best decision given their local church situation.

          Questions

          Any advice on how a Christian should approach political elections when you believe that none of the candidates demonstrate Christian values? Is abstaining from the process the right answer? I don’t feel like I can personally vote because that would be casting my support for someone that doesn’t uphold the same values that I do or that Christ has called us to cherish. I want to make a biblically educated decision. Do you guys have any thoughts? 

            1. As citizens of the US, you have a right to vote. You have a right to abstain.
            2. Can you vote for someone purely based on their politics and not on their religious beliefs and moral character? Yes. But often we confuse the difference. This is where evangelical Christians, in particular, have really lost their voice in our country.

            My girlfriend and I are both active followers of Christ, but we interpret God’s word in different ways when it comes to social, economic, and political issues. I center my thoughts around the heart: God’s love and support for all; my girlfriend centers her stance on scripture and her Christian household upbringing, which in some cases is more black and white. Are there certain stances that we should take as Christ followers when it comes to BLM, peaceful protesting, LBGTQ, Republicans, Democrats, vaccinations, quarantine? Where is the fine line associated with each of these? Are differing views on these alone enough to cause a separation?

              1. I think your girlfriend is headed in the right direction.
              2. “I center my thoughts around the heart: God’s love and support for all; my girlfriend centers her stance on scripture and her Christian household upbringing, which in some cases is more black and white.” 
              3. BLM – I think we’ve discussed this enough in previous episodes.
              4. LGBTQ – this is an identity issue; what is the influence of sin?; Ephesians 5 – marriage and the gospel
              5. Politics – watch the idolatry of our political parties
              6. Vaccinations / quarantine – we shouldn’t divide over these things. We all say the “gospel” is the main thing until we disagree on something other than the gospel. Interesting how that works.