Why did people confess their sins to a priest in the Old Testament?  Isn't the Old Testament a foreshadowing of the New Testament?  If we are meant to confess our sins directly to God, why does James say to confess to one another?  And why does Jesus give the authority to forgive and retain sins to His apostles (John 20:23) if christians were meant to go directly to God?

Sincerely,
No Middle Men

Dear No Middle Men,

In the Old Testament, priests offered sacrifices for the people’s sins, but the people didn’t necessarily confess those sins to the priest – they just brought the animal to the priests to be sacrificed (Heb 10:11).  The Old Testament priest functioned as a mediator between man and God.  You are right that the Old Testament is a shadow of the New Testament in Christ.  In the New Testament, Jesus is our high priest and mediator (Heb 8:1-3, 1 Tim 2:5).  We are able to confess our sins and have peace with God through Christ (Rom 5:1) because Jesus became our sacrifice (Heb 10:11-12).

Now, let’s address the issue of confessing our sins to one another.  Jas 5:15-16 talks about christians confessing their sins to one another, so we can pray for each other.  James isn’t saying that humans have the right to forgive sins; in the context, he is discussing the value of leaning on each other and seeking help when we struggle with sin.

Lastly, let’s deal with Jhn 20:23.  Jhn 20:23 does say that the apostles could forgive or retain people’s sins… but you have to read the verse above it, too!  Jhn 20:22 points out that the apostles were being divinely directed by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus told them that they were doing God’s work and were being led by God’s Spirit.  The apostles were unable to do anything by their own power, but when the Holy Spirit guided them, they could tell people things directly from the mouth of God (2 Pet 1:21).

Why are innocent victims allowed to be violated in this world?  Are they sacrificial lambs or what?  I see no purpose in, for example, young children being allowed to be violated.

Sincerely,
Disgusted

Dear Disgusted,

All suffering is caused by mankind and sin.  When God made the world, He made it to be good - it was sin that destroyed that perfect vision.  All wickedness and evil brings pain to God and grieves Him and He will only endure it for so long.  In Noah's day, God saw all the violence that was in the world and it made Him deeply sad (Gen 6:5-6).  God gives mankind the freedom to make our own choices, but that doesn't mean it doesn't pain Him to see the evil upon this earth.  God tells us that the only reason He endures it is because He is longsuffering and desiring to give as many people as possible the chance to repent and turn to Him (2 Pet 3:9).  It is a dark and ugly world, and God's love is the shining light in that darkness (Jhn 3:19).  All the blameless and forgiven will be comforted in His arms in heaven (Rev 21:3-4).

I don't want to sound blasphemous, but if God is a just god, why would people that haven't had a chance to be baptized or haven’t had a chance to hear the Word of God be condemned to hell?  I’m not talking about ignorant people; I’m talking about people in third-world countries who the missionaries don’t get to that just grew up in a different culture.  I refuse to believe that if those people are good people, they would be sent to hell.

Sincerely,
It Isn’t Fair

Dear It Isn’t Fair,

We would caution you about saying you “refuse to believe” something before studying the Bible’s teachings on the topic.  One of the main reasons that people are lost is because they are unwilling to accept the Bible’s teachings over their own preconceived notions.  With that in mind, let’s look at a few teachings on this topic.

1. Just because someone is ignorant, doesn’t mean they aren’t at fault.  God tells us that anyone who seeks the truth will find it (Matt 7:7-8).  The Bible is the most widely available book on the planet – just because someone hasn’t read it, doesn’t mean they didn’t have opportunity.
2. People go to hell because of their sins (Rom 6:23), not because of Jesus.  Jesus’ death on the cross is a cure for mankind’s self-inflicted spiritual death sentence.  It is the same as a disease outbreak – the disease kills people, not the lack of a cure.  If Jesus had never come, and none of us had ever heard of Jesus, we would all have been lost.
3. God tells us that everyone has been given enough information to seek Him.  Rom 1:20 says that the very beauty of the created universe speaks of God’s existence and leaves mankind without excuse.  God has provided an “all call” message anyone can hear through the wonder of His creation.
4. God doesn’t desire anyone to perish (2 Pet. 3:9).  God won’t make any mistakes on the Day of Judgment, and no one will accidentally end up in heaven or hell.  He is compassionate, loving, and ready to show mercy (Ps. 86:5).  If we someone goes to hell, it is because the most faithful and loving Being in existence believed that is where they should be.

God is the final judge.  We will all face Him when we die (Heb 9:27).  The best thing we can do is make sure we are prepared for that day.

Is using deadly force ever justifiable in defense of self or family?  If there were ever a situation where there was complete societal breakdown (no government or police), food and water became scarce, and armed looters and gangs searching for food became a real threat to your family, would you be morally responsible to defend your family by any means necessary?  Would God expect you to turn the other cheek or fight for survival?

Sincerely,
Getting Prepared

Dear Getting Prepared,

When the Bible commands us to not kill, the word used for ‘kill’ is the word that we would use for ‘murder.  Some of the most faithful men in the Bible were soldiers and had to kill people in the defense of their country.  David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14), and yet David killed many people as a soldier.  Jesus marveled at the faith of a centurion soldier (Matt 8:8-10).  The first Gentile convert was Cornelius, a well-known Roman soldier (Acts 10:22).  When a group of soldiers asked John the Baptist what they needed to do to live a faithful life, he told them to be honest and faithful… but he never told them to stop serving in the military (Lk 3:14).  These are all examples of the difference between murder and self-defense (or war-time killing).

In the Old Testament, God made specific rules that allowed an individual to kill if they were defending their home or family (Ex 22:2).  In Lk 22:35-39, Jesus tells His disciples that persecution will begin after He leaves and that they ought to “buy a sword” – this is certainly an endorsement of self-defense.  All of these point to the fact that God distinguishes between defensive force and vigilante murder.

Why do Americans go outside the United States on mission trips when I feel it is needed more in the United States?

Sincerely,
Worker At Home

Dear Worker At Home,

There is a need for the gospel in every corner of the globe.  Jesus told His disciples to spread the news from every housetop and in every street (Matt 10:27).  God doesn’t desire that any should perish (2 Pet 3:9).  We couldn’t agree more that the gospel needs to be preached in the United States, but the United States doesn’t need the saving Word of Jesus any more than other nations.  It isn’t a matter of exclusively preaching in America or exclusively preaching outside of America… both are necessary.  Jesus' Word is intended to turn the whole world upside down (Acts 17:6).