| Question | Answer | Publish Date |
| Why should I marry my partner? | Marriage is a living symbol of Christ's relationship with the church (Eph. 5:32) and is therefore a model of love. Marriage was created for man and woman as an exclusive relationship for the purpose of intimacy and procreation. There is a commitment to each other like no other which provides an environment of security, trust, and stability for each partner and one in which they can nurture their children. Today, society promotes casual sexual relationships - pleasure before commitment. Because sex is so powerful in emotion and bonding, God has put constraints on how it is to be used, so He specifically relegated it to the arena of exclusivity - marriage - a public union, with one person of the opposite sex, for life. Casual sexual relationships devalue the person, causes emotional trauma, and has serious effects on the personal well-being of those involved. | 2005-04-01 |
| Does the Bible allow remarriage for any reasons? | If a person is widowed then they are free to remarry. If a unbelieving partner deserts a believer then as Paul answers in 1 Corinthians 7:15 - "A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances." That is, he or she is free to remarry, but only another believer (1 Corinthians 7:39) | 2005-04-01 |
| Does the Bible allow divorce for any reasons? | The Bible emphasises heavily and repeatedly that marriage is intended to be a permanent union. God intended from the beginning for one man and one woman to live in marriage together until death separates them. This demand is summarised in Romans 7:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. The prophet Malachi tells us , "God hates divorce" (Mal. 2:16). But there are allowable circumstances. For example, Joseph was a "righteous" (even if mistaken) man when he determined to divorce Mary for her presumed adultery (Matthew 1:19). He understood rightly that adultery constituted permissible grounds for divorce. Jesus highlights this allowance in Matthew 19:1-9 where he insists that divorce and remarriage, "except for fornication," is unlawful. Sexual activity outside the marriage bond is a violation of the marriage and frees the offended party to divorce. | 2005-04-01 |
| Is it OK to remain single? | Whilst it's God's will for most people to marry, it's not his will for all to marry. But God doesn't elevate marriage over singleness or the other way round. Both states are equal before him. | 2005-04-01 |
| Does God consider it a sin if the husband/wife doesn't like sex? or doesn't want to have it with their spouse? |
See 1 Corinthians 7:2-5. It is interesting that a healthy sex life is a preventative for immorality. It is not just the wife who is commanded to give herself to her husband; the husband is likewise commanded to give himself to his wife. There is nothing spiritual about avoiding sex. (There is also nothing particularly spiritual about demanding sex either!). Paul tells us that withholding sex from your mate is sinful. Paul sets down some very stringent requirements regarding the cessation of normal sexual relations in marriage.
1. The decision to abstain from sex must be mutually reached by both the husband and the wife.
2. A cessation of normal sexual relations should only take place for matters of great urgency. E.g. Prayer and Fasting about something important.<br>
3. Normal sexual relations should be resumed quickly, so that Satan may not take advantage of their lack of self-control. We should note that sexual abstinence did not strengthen these saints in their battle with the flesh and with Satan; it weakened them, and it made them vulnerable to sin.
| 2006-07-19 |
| Does the Bible say anything on oral and anal sex? | The Bible does not prohibit anal or oral intercourse within hetrosexual marriage but there are medical considerations which need to be considered. Any sex outside of marriage is considered sinful by God. See Hebrews 13:14. | 2006-06-30 |
| Does God ever see divorce as "the way" out of the situation, does he ever allow people "Not meant to be together" to get married, only to hit bottom? If not, how can one change the decision of the spouse that wants out? | I personally think that if Christians get married then "they are meant to stay together". God intends marriage for life. Things can go wrong in a marriage and all should be done to bring reconciliation. The prophet Malachi tells us , "God hates divorce" (Mal. 2:16). But there are allowable circumstances. For example, Joseph was a "righteous" (even if mistaken) man when he determined to divorce Mary for her presumed adultery (Matthew 1:19). He understood rightly that adultery constituted permissible grounds for divorce. Jesus highlights this allowance in Matthew 19:1-9 where he insists that divorce and remarriage, "except for fornication," is unlawful. Sexual activity outside the marriage bond is a violation of the marriage and frees the offended party to divorce. <br> <br> Paul taught that if an unbelieving spouse leaves a believer, the believer is not bound to the marriage relationship, but is free to remarry. (1 Corinthians 7:15). And some people recognise such a thing as a "constructive desertion", which would be when a husband so brutalises his wife that it is impossible to live with him any longer; or when a wife has so harassed, or brutalised her husband that it becomes impossible for him to stay with her. When that happens, whether or not the person actually moves out, the situation is the equivalent of desertion, and divorce and remarriage are permissible. The spouse has to consider their safety in the relationship and show forgiveness as Christ has forgiven them. All things are possible if both husband and wife are trusting in the power of Christ. | 2006-11-05 |
| I have children that enjoy the Pokemon series, and games. Should I be worried about what people say about it being satanic, or is it just fun and games? |
A1. I have seen it briefly a few times on TV but must admit that I thought the animation and storyline were poor. See http://www.crossroad.to/text/responses/answerstopokemon.html for detailed reasons for concern. I would suggest that the Narnia Chronicles would be better book and DVD material for children with a clear Christian message.
A2.
| 2006-08-08 |