I know in Leviticus it talks about sexual relations; having read this, I'm wondering about lesbian relations and why God didn’t mention this.  Or did I miss something?

Sincerely,
Confused

Dear Confused,

Lev 18:22 and Lev 20:13 both talk about homosexual relations and state that they are forbidden.  In both cases, it talks about men not lying with men, but the implication is that the same would be wrong with women lying with women.  But, if there is any doubt how God feels about the issue, Rom 1:26-27 makes it clear that homosexual relations are wrong for both genders because both are mentioned.

Is gambling wrong?  If so, is it only wrong when money is the prize?  What about seemingly innocuous things like raffles and cake-walks?

Sincerely,
High Roller

Dear High Roller,

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

1. 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).
2. 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).
3. 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).
4. 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).
5. 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, cake-walks, 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.

How many languages does one find in the New Testament that were used regularly in Jerusalem in the days of Jesus earthly ministry?  What languages were they?

Sincerely,
Multi-Lingual

Dear Multi-Lingual,

The Bible was written in three different languages, but many, many more existed throughout the Roman Empire during the time of Christ.  The Old Testament is written in Hebrew, and the New Testament is written in Greek with small portions written in Aramaic.  The common language of the Roman Empire was Greek.  Greek was the language used in the marketplaces and during all transactions among people of different cultures.

There were, however, many other languages that were used by people of different races and cultures.  The book of Acts gives us a taste of the diversity of languages used by people in Jerusalem.  Acts 2:5-11 mentions a multitude of languages used throughout the Roman Empire.  There were realistically hundreds of different dialects during Jesus’ day, yet they were all able to communicate using common Greek.

I may be given an opportunity to be on the reality show ‘The Bachelor’.  Would this be bad?  Also, when you are dating, what point should the line be drawn at for intimacy?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Moment Of Fame

Dear Moment Of Fame,

The line should be drawn significantly before one begins cavorting semi-nude in a pool with a harem of women.  We admit that we have never seen the television show ‘The Bachelor’, but the commercials alone are enough to paint a pretty appalling picture.  Women are degraded and dress immodestly (1 Tim 2:9), love is replaced with lust (Rom 6:12), and men give a horrible example of what being a worthwhile mate should be (Eph 5:25, 1 Tim 5:2).

Christians are supposed to live godly and holy lives, leaving the intimacy of the sexual realm to marriage (1 Thess 4:3-5).  Reality television shows with this type of content shouldn’t even be watched by Christians.  We live in a world that panders to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16).  Christians are to seek God with self-control (2 Pet 1:6).  The marriage bed is to be held in honor (Heb 13:4).  Shows like this neither teach self-control or hold marriage in a place of honor.  Yes, it would be bad for you to participate in ‘The Bachelor’.

Does God put circumstances in front of us to teach us lessons (be they good or bad)?  I am beginning to believe He does out of love.

Sincerely,
Life Lessons

Dear Life Lessons,

Yes, God does discipline us through circumstances in our lives, and He does do it out of love.  Heb 12:6 says that if God loves you, He will discipline you as His child.  Heb 12:9 compares God to an earthly parent that chastens his children, so they will grow and learn.  God, as our heavenly Father, does the same.  All discipline brings pain, but that sorrow eventually leads to growth and maturity (Heb 12:11).  God disciplines us out of love and with the specific goal of leading us to maturity and heaven (Heb 12:10).