If it is a sin to do things to harm your body such as smoking cigarettes, is it a sin to eat food that has absolutely no nutritional value such as fried foods or junk food since that can lead to all kinds of problems?

Sincerely,
Food Pyramid

Dear Food Pyramid,

The Bible never specifically addresses what types of food are or are not okay… there is a reason for this.  It would be inappropriate to go around labeling one type of food as ‘sinful’ and another type of food as ‘righteous’.  The issue isn’t what foods you eat at any particular meal – but how we treat our bodies as a whole.  God teaches the principle that your body is fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14) and that life is a gift from God (Gen 2:7, Job 33:4).  No one meal or food is a “make or break” choice… it is our general attitude that God cares about.  Avoid overindulgence (Pr 25:27) and laziness (Pr 19:24).  Show self-control in all things (1 Cor 9:25).  Gluttony is always wrong (Pr 23:20-21).  We would never be dogmatic about any particular food item; the Scriptures condemn junk lifestyles, not junk food.

As a Christian, if someone thinks I have done them wrong, and they tell me I own them an apology, and I tell them I have nothing to be sorry for – at first, I thought I had done wrong, but others said I didn't do wrong; this person refuses to put it in the past and let it go without an apology.  I am a young Christian and now feel I did nothing wrong, and I refuse to apologize.  Am I wrong in doing this?

Sincerely,
Where’s The Wrong?

Dear Where’s The Wrong,

With all do respect, your refusal to offer any type of apology is probably showing your youth.  Paul tells us to “as much as it depends on us” seek peace (Rom 12:18).  Jesus says that we should turn the other cheek and go the extra mile (Matt 5:39-41).  Whether you actually did something wrong is irrelevant; you can still apologize for having hurt the person’s feelings.  Being the bigger person isn’t easy, but it is part of the lifestyle Christ has called us to.  Jesus tells us to love even our enemies (Lk 6:35).  Who knows… maybe your kindness and olive branch of peace will soften the heart of the other person (Rom 12:20).

Why did God create the universe?

Sincerely,
Big Picture

Dear Big Picture,

God created the universe for His enjoyment and His glory (Col 1:16-17).  God makes it clear that before He made even one molecule of the universe, He planned to offer salvation to mankind (Eph 1:4).  His plan was that all mankind would be offered the opportunity to spend eternity with Him through Jesus Christ (Eph 1:5).  God created the earth, so we might live on it, choose Him, and spend eternity as His children.

I would like Bible reading about if gambling is a sin and where to find it in the Bible.

Sincerely,
On A Roll

Dear On A Roll,

The Bible never specifically mentions gambling as a sin, but gambling is wrong for several major reasons.

Gambling focuses around money and greed.  God warns us clearly about being fixated with money (1 Tim 6:10, Heb 13:5).  God wants us to be satisfied with our income (Eccl 5:10).

Gambling is used as a means to gain money without working for it.  God finds pleasure in people working for their money (2 Thess 3:10-12,Pr 10:4).

Gambling wastes money because, ultimately, the house does always win.  God expects us to be good stewards (1 Cor 4:2) and save for the future (Pr 6:6-8).

Gambling and the places where gambling occurs are often associated with other sinful things.  There is a reason Las Vegas is called “Sin City”.  That industry is not one that a Christian should be supporting (2 Cor 6:16-17).

Gambling is addictive.  We can only have one master (Lk 16:13).

All of these things deal with what is normally thought of as gambling.  Things like school raffles, cakewalks, penny-ante card games among friends, etc. fall into a grayer area.  So whenever considering these activities, use wisdom in comparing them to the concepts listed above.

The Bible says in the New Testament that a deacon or pastor should be the husband of one wife.  I attend a Baptist church that does not allow a man to be a deacon or pastor unless he has only been married once in his lifetime.  I do not disagree with this and I believe this to be true, but my question is if the pastor or a deacon in my church has had sexual relationships prior to meeting and marrying their first and only wife, would this not disqualify them from their office of pastor or deacon?

Sincerely,
Double-Checking

Dear Double-Checking,

The qualifications you are referring to occur in 1 Tim 3:2, 1 Tim 3:12, and Tit 1:6.  The term ‘husband of one wife’ literally means ‘a one woman man’ in the original Greek.  In order to be a deacon or a pastor, a man must have shown himself to be dedicated to one woman and committed to monogamy.  Previous relationships before marriage would not necessarily disqualify a man from serving, but all those details must be considered before appointing a man to the position of deacon or elder.  The question is simply, “Is this man a dedicated one-woman man?”  Answer that question, and you will know whether he is qualified.