The Didache: Doctrines That Build on the Creed

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The Bible does not teach about gambling or any recreational use of money directly, even though it was a common activity, which indicates that it is not necessarily or always wrong.

However, the Bible does speak against greed (Luke 12:15, Col. 3:5, etc.), laziness (Matt. 25:26, Tit. 1:12, etc.) irresponsibility (1Tim. 5:8), and addiction (Eph. 5:18).

Should such teachings be applied to gambling somehow?
 
GWH said:
The Bible does not teach about gambling or any recreational use of money directly, even though it was a common activity, which indicates that it is not necessarily or always wrong.

However, the Bible does speak against greed (Luke 12:15, Col. 3:5, etc.), laziness (Matt. 25:26, Tit. 1:12, etc.) irresponsibility (1Tim. 5:8), and addiction (Eph. 5:18).

Should such teachings be applied to gambling somehow?
Click to expand...

I would say yes: they imply that gambling should be limited to penny-ante poker!
 
The issue of gender roles is one that needs careful consideration, because both A&E sinned together per Gen 3:6-7, there is no difference between male and female per Gal. 3:28, and believers should submit to one another or operate by consensus rather than dictatorship per Eph. 5:21 (cf. Rom. 14:9, 1Cor. 14:33, 2Cor. 13:11, 1Thes. 5:13, etc.). E was A’s partner, not his slave (per Gen. 2:22).

The biological differences between males and females logically differentiate the roles of fathers and mothers at least through the end of breast feeding children. I believe the Bible permits any roles not dictated by anatomical differences to be performed by either gender. Genesis 1:27 states that males and females are equally in God’s image, and Paul taught (in GL 3:28) that cultural, economic and sexual discrimination are wrong. Thus, men and women (as well as all ethnicities) should have equal political rights and job opportunities.

Regarding the role of women as church leaders, the biblical “one flesh” definition of marriage implies that the wife of a pastor would thus be a pastoress and the wives of deacons would be deaconesses, because it seems likely that God would want husband and wife to share the same ministry, as in the case of Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:26). Paul’s description of the husband as the “head” of his wife (1Cor. 11:3) does not negate such joint ministry when understood in the context of 1Cor. 12:12-27. Christ as the head of His body loves/serves every toe (Matt. 20:28), who has an important function enabling the body to walk.

Because both Jesus and Paul recommended celibacy for those who have the ministerial gift, presumably unmarried Christian women may also be ministers. Note that Christ’s concept of leadership is servanthood rather than dictatorial authority (Matt. 20:26, cf. 1Pet. 5:1-3). Thus, Paul’s statements about women being silent in church and not having authority over men (in 1Cor. 14:34 & 1Tim. 2:12) should be read in conjunction with his statements regarding equality and mutual submission (Gal. 3:28 & Eph. 5:21, cf. 1Pet. 3:7) so the role differences can be understood in a way that neither prohibits ministry by women nor promotes the superiority of men.

It appears that Paul did not want freedom in Christ to offend the paternal pagan culture (Tit. 2:5&8) and thereby inhibit the Gospel (1Cor. 9:12 & 19-23, 10:23-33, 11:1-16). Note his concern that church leaders have a good reputation with outsiders (1Tim. 3:7), which would also apply to regular Christians, though perhaps to a lesser extent. 1Cor. 14:34-35 indicates that there was some law or cultural mores against women speaking authoritatively, which deemed such behavior to be “disgraceful” (cf. 1Tim. 2:11-12), whereas there was no such custom during the ministry of Deborah in the OT (Judges 4:4).

What are your thoughts about the right roles for men and women per Scripture?
 
There are two passages in the NT relevant to the issue of homosexuality. In Matt. 19:4-5, Jesus cited Gen. 1:27 and 2:24 in teaching that marriage is the union of a male and female as “one flesh”, and in Rom. 1:26-27, Paul condemned homosexuality as shameful lusts, unnatural relations and indecent acts. In addition to these biblical passages, the anatomical differences between male and female bodies indicate heterosexual intercourse is the natural mode. Although the cause of gender preference remains unproved per the APA, the design of gender-specific parts implies the appropriate use of those parts as normal.

Although these passages indicate that God intends for people to be heterosexual, He allows homosexuality. The key question is whether homosexuality is always due to sinful choices. Some people advocate homosexuality as a “viable alternative lifestyle”, implying that heterosexuals ought to consider freely choosing to try it, which is wrong. Christians whose homosexual orientation seems not to be freely chosen should agree with the biblical ideal regarding sexuality, and everyone should acknowledge that homosexual “civil unions” are not biblical marriages.

Hopefully, science will find a cure if the cause of homosexuality is genetic, and therapy will help if the cause is environmental during the formative years of life. We all have our cross to bear or issues that we struggle with, because this life is not heaven yet, but God wants to comfort us as we do the reasonable best we can with what we have been given. (Consider the Parable of the Talents in Matt. 25:14-30). If the homosexual orientation is genetically and/or environmentally caused rather than freely chosen, then God knows and would not condemn or blame the individual for what was not his/her fault. All sin is volitional.

Those who are concerned with the morality of sexuality should have equally loving concern for hetero-sexual wrong-doing. (See Rom. 1:24&26-27, 1Cor. 6:9&15-18, 10:8, Gal. 5:19, Eph. 5:31, Col. 3:5, 1Thes. 4:3, Heb. 12:13, 13:4.) Just as God wants every heterosexual to have only platonic relationships until married, He must also desire every involuntary homosexual to have only platonic relationships. A couple may “fall in love” and express friendship physically, but the line between friendly touching and sexual expression should not be crossed until they are married. Biblical teachings do not prevent two men or two women loving each other and joining their lives together in civil unions or ways other than sexual. In fact, in heaven we will all be one big, happy family which does just that (Matt. 22:30). Although sexuality is a good thing when expressed appropriately, often people exaggerate its importance to the point of making it an idol to be worshipped. Sex is not synonymous with love.

Your thoughts?
 
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