Recently the pastor’s wife asked me to call her ‘pastor’, too.  She said it shows respect to her because she was also called.  Should you call the pastor's wife ‘pastor’ because she told you, or should it be because GOD puts it in your heart?

Sincerely,
Name Tag

Dear Name Tag,

Regardless of how anyone (including the pastor’s wife) feels, she should never be called ‘pastor’.  Pastors, also known as ‘elders’ and ‘overseers’, are always men.  1 Tim 3:1-7 and Tit 1:5-9 outline the requirements for becoming a pastor.  One of those requirements is that he be a husband of one wife (Tit 1:6, 1 Tim 3:2).  That would naturally exclude all women from ever being pastors.

Considering that the verses we’ve just highlighted are exceptionally easy to find and very clearly outline the rules for leadership, we here at AYP would like you to consider the real possibility that your current congregation doesn’t pay attention to the Scriptures.  God clearly condemns those who replace the Bible with the traditions of men (Col 2:8).  We recommend that you read “Finding The Church” and “Preacher Interrogation” to help you as you take a serious look at the faithfulness of your current church.  After talking to the pastor’s wife and asking her about those verses, we would love to hear back from you to know what she said.

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

I am curious to know your thoughts on what the Bible shows us to be the best nutritional choices for our bodies.  I know that our family feels better when including fish, almonds, dates, etc., for a healthy diet, but I was wondering if you had any resources you would recommend (i.e. diets that more closely match those during the life of Christ) and if any hints are given within the Bible that would show the benefits of this?  We are surrounded by so many chemically-altered foods which can cause depression, fatigue, not to mention diseases.  It's hard to let our light shine if we feel like wilted sunflower plants.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Organic Origins

Dear Organic Origins,

God has given mankind dominion over the earth (Gen 1:26-28).  That gives humans the freedom to alter and adapt our food supplies and crops however we see fit.  Whether or not genetically altered foods are healthy is an issue for science and not the Bible.

God says very little about the health of the human body.  Paul says that exercise is useful, but only minimally so in comparison to spiritual matters (1 Tim 4:8).  God also says that all food is clean and should be accepted with thanksgiving (Mk 7:19, 1 Tim 4:3-4).

In regard to food, the only thing that God clearly condemns is gluttony.  Gluttony brings poverty (Pr 23:21).  God says to “put a knife to your throat” if you are given to gluttony (Pr 23:2), which is another way of saying be careful about not letting food control you.  The only clear Biblical command on the subject of eating is “moderation”.

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

Why do Baptists believe in eternal security and the Methodist don’t?

Sincerely,
Pondering The Protestants

Dear Pondering The Protestants,

The idea of ‘eternal security’ is a doctrine accepted by many of today’s Protestant churches.  Eternal security is the teaching that once you are saved, you can never be lost.  It is based off of the teachings of John Calvin (read “Calvin And Sobs” for a more in-depth look at the doctrine of Calvinism).  Methodists don’t subscribe to that teaching, but the Baptists do.  Although, neither the Baptists nor the Methodists are God’s church, in this case, the Methodists are right.

God very clearly teaches that someone can lose their salvation.  Heb. 3:12 tells us to be watchfull, or we will fall away from the living God.  Heb 6:4-6 talks about those who crucify Christ again.  Even after someone has been enlightened and tasted the blessings of salvation, they can fall away.  You have the freedom to choose or reject God (Mk 7:9).  1^st Corinthians chapter five is an entire chapter dedicated to someone who had turned his back on God and had once again immersed himself in a life of sin.  Even the apostle Paul said that he himself had to live faithfully or face rejection (1 Cor 9:26-27).  We will only be eternally secure when we get to heaven; until then, continue to fight the good fight.  Live so that on your deathbed, you can say what Paul did – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:7-8)