What Does the Bible Say About Eating Disorders?

Does the Bible say anything about eating disorders is one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673, as always, you can post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts. You can watch us right now on YouTube and send us a message. That way, and course you can email us at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Charles who is calling in from Kansas.

Charles what your question for Pastor Israel.

All we appreciate that. My question is regarding the relationship between duty, you will leave I will really don't think about religions, but I think the very important you know when you're involved in a relationship all going to marry somebody who had some defenses that I'm talking with bushes all like Seventh-day Adventist and I am so I'm going to be doing church a pentacle stall like him but did not function. So my question how can you help me navigate these questioning just relationship between okay yeah Charles a really good question imagining the beer I met the following up from call yesterday about should Protestants marry Catholics.

Is that okay and and so you know there there are a lot of other options to out there right you meet your year saying that you're part of the Nazarene church or Pentecostal, Nazarene church in this person you're talking to is in a Seventh-day Adventist church. I know that even within those particular traditions. There's a spectrum of belief that not all Seventh-day Adventists are on the same page about everything in their in their theology is probably the same in Nazarene church is a lot of times you have these these movements are these denominations that are created and they have a really well defined set a set of beliefs. What characterizes them and that begins to change over time and so it's hard to know what I would say look. The main thing is this what we oftentimes talk about here at core Christianity is what it one of the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Those those truths that we can't do without other summarized in places like the apostles Creed in the Nicene Creed were getting at. Who is God and what is he done for us.

God, the holy Trinity and how we accomplished redemption for us in his son Jesus, and we get to be dado part of the church that was birthed through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, the focus I think has to be on those questions, and in your relationship do we do we share a common bond. There in terms of like mindedness related to the gospel and who God is. The other stuff is is you know what I think there's there's wisdom here and obviously I think with the person that you're going to end up with a pursue. I think you want to be like-minded as much as is possible theologically because if you intend to start a family and to worship together you want to be able to do so with with a clear conscience and with joy and to encourage one another and there are significant theological differences even between traditions like the charismatic sort of Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene church with a Seventh-day Adventist church.

I know that there was, not sure if they still are there some Seventh-day Adventist view worshiping on Sunday, as the mark of the beast that's a pretty significant thing that it doesn't seem to me like if somebody held that view, that they would be okay with marrying someone who were being with someone who thought worshiping outside it was totally okay, like I do and and frankly encouraged also by the New Testament.

The early church was focused on a handful of things and this is what our churches today should be focused on acts chapter 2 beginning in verse 42 they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers. The breaking of the bread, there is probably a reference to the the ordinance or the sacrament that Jesus left his church holy communion.

This is what what the church ought to focus on sound doctrine, the teaching of the apostles fellowship with the body of Christ. Those ordinances that Jesus gave to us that is worshiping God as is were called to in his word in a way that's honoring to him pleasing to him with reverence and awe as Hebrews chapter 12 says praying I mean this this is what what needs to be the focus in and so I think we should be in churches that are committed to that committed to the word of God and that fix our eyes on Jesus and his gospel and that I couldn't worship somewhere where that wasn't happening. I don't know what it's like and in your particular church or in the church that your your friend or your partner is a part of. But that has to be TMI hearing the law of God faithfully preached in my hearing the gospel preached. Am I being reminded of what God has done for me and called to live in in line with that reality with my new identity. And so I would say you know maybe it's it's an opportunity Charles for you as you have more conversations with this with this woman to really dig into what it is that your particular churches believe that the history behind them. I have some differences with it over the Nazarene church and and also certain that the Seventh-day Adventist church a lot of times of the people are brought up in these traditions and they never really take the time to sit down and examine on the basis of Scripture.

What the another particular church tradition believes and I think that's a good thing for all of us to do and so maybe that's that's something that you and your friend can do is is begin to sit down and have that discussion and dig into the word of God, and I think if you do that. Hopefully what you can do is is find some commonality and and maybe that means you guys find a different place to worship together where you feel like you can encourage one another in and continue to be encouraged by the church so I thank you for giving us a call and may the Lord bless you as you as you press into his word. Thanks much Charles for being a listener of core Christianity by the way, we can now send Charles a copy of our book core Christianity by Dr. Michael Horton will help them understand some of the real core tenants that we made was just talking about that are really the nonnegotiable's of the Christian faith. By the way, if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life.

We would love to hear from you. Here's the phone number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. Our phone lines will be open for the next 15 to 20 minutes or so. So give us a call right now. Here's a voicemail we received from one of our listeners named Maddie. I have a question about Colossians chapter 2 verse 15 it says that he disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to shame by triumphing over them in him and I was wondering who are these rulers and authorities think you yeah that that's in the New Testament in the New Testament symptoms… Referring to the angelic hosts. In particular, you know those those ones that were against God and his rule so the demons 11 parallel passage that you can kinda look at with this. This similar language is used is in the book of Ephesians in Ephesians chapter 6, Paul begins in verse 10 finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might.

But on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. And in verse 12, here's your answer. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places and soap mute really something I think important for all of us to be reminded of were in this spiritual war there. There's no such thing as you sort of cruising through her coasting through the Christian life.

This is a battle Paul says, and so we have to take up the armor of God. Now the good news is, in this battle that were in Christ is already gained the victory. Colossians 215 he disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him on the cross, Jesus conquered the evil one.

Through his death and resurrection. So we have and ought to have a great confidence when we think about the Christian life. In this battle that were in because Jesus is with us and as John says he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world and so there's the answer to your question, I would say look at Ephesians 6, beginning in verse 10. What follows and appreciate your call. This is core Christianity let's go to Mike calling in from Kansas City, Missouri Mike what your question for pastor. Israel calling him a born-again Christian I is my Savior and the Bible and believe your Bible and label it but I'm a lifelong Event, life, and you know I'll always ever been told his Eucharist is the truly true presence of Jesus, and body blood. Jesus my Protestant friends do not believe that they know they hold reverence for the holy Communion, but explained to me the differences I'm I'm just trying to deal with this and ask questions while my friends probably never even asked these questions, but I want to know I want to know other people say hey Mike, thank you so much for your question though there are differences in and and I think that's the sad reality in the wood that we all sort of agreed and and were on the same page on these kinds of things in a special were talking about the Lord's supper at this ordinance that Jesus gave to the church's sacrament this great mystery that Jesus gave to the church through which we have communion with him, and which is also a sign of the unity we have as a church is a symbol of the oneness of the church if you will.

One body that was broken one body of Christ and yet it's all done this very issue. This very topic that there has been so much division in the history of the church. Even up until the time of the Reformation and there was more splintering.

After that, and you know among Protestants, what you will find is there. There is a diversity of opinion. There are some evangelicals who just say well it's just, you know, purely a memorial that is you know it's this symbolic ritual that we go through and every time we take communion were trying our best to remember what Jesus Christ did for us and the fact that he died for our sins. And in that sense it's it's special and we make it special by our remembering and then of course there are other traditions like it says like the one that you're part of Mike teach that the, the, the signs of bread and wine, do the words of institution are transformed into the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ.

They said something a little bit earlier you said you know you've always been taught that in communion it's it's the true presence of Christ.

That is with us. Let me just say I agree with that II do think that we have communion with the real and true body and blood of Jesus that there's something unique about the Lord's supper. It's more than just a sort of bear Memorial a time for me to remember what Jesus has done for me.

Frankly, we can do that anytime of the day we ought to do that at all times of the day remembering what Christ has done for us reminding ourselves of the truth of the gospel, but the Lord's supper is more than that, I think in and historically Christians of always believe that we have a special communion with Christ himself in this meal. The question is how do we experience or receive the body of blood. The body and blood of Jesus in the Lord's supper and that's where it you know that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that what happens to this transformation of the elements of bread and wine. That's not my my position. My position is that through these signs that God is given to us the signs and seals of of bread and wine by faith we have somehow mysteriously by the power of the Holy Spirit communion with Jesus himself and again had the other day we we just want to make sure that were relying on Scripture for whatever it is that we believe, but the apostle Paul seems to say very clearly in first Corinthians chapter 10 that there is this special participation communion that we have with the body, blood in Jesus in this meal was and what he said the cup of blessing that we bless is it not a participation in the blood of Christ, the bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ that word participation is the Greek word coined any there's a special fellowship we have with the body and blood of Jesus through the signs of bread and wine. Not much on my position that that the bread and the wine are transformed into something new. Rather, by faith, we, the worshipers are transformed through these through these gifts that God gives to us and this is why the Lord's supper so important fact something that we have to take very seriously. As we approached the table of the Lord Paul says in the very next chapter of first Corinthians 1st Corinthians chapter 11 verse 27 whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord now.

Again, there would've pulsing subwoofers were eating bread and wine. That's what it is not changed into something else and yet it's it's it's so tied to the reality that it signifies that that the heat wrongfully is to be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself then and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup for anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself and so there's this call here as we approach the Lord's table to come with humility to come with faith to come in repentance. Now, of course, that doesn't mean that you know we have to have had lived the perfect week that we could forget to take communion there even periods Mike and in the history of the church where people you know the lady didn't even want to go to the table, they would. They they just wouldn't go to communion because they felt like they were so unworthy and there was even a period in church history, work, church leader said look yet to come. At least once a year because nobody was coming to the table because there was the sort of somber sense that surrounded a feeling of like I'm I'm just so unworthy and that's not what this is. It's a gift it's it's a gift. It's the gift of the kingdom. It's the gift of salvation. It's the gift of the body and blood of Jesus Christ for broken sinners for people who desperately need to be nourished by the life of Jesus Christ and that a wonderful thing that that's what's put before us every time we take communion as a church and so that's that's my view. There's so much more than that can be said and I appreciate the fact that we refer to these things. Sometimes a sacraments is the Latin word arena from the from the Greek word for it for mystery must studio on and that's really what what these things are.

This is these mysteries to which the spirit of God is powerfully at work in our midst and the promises of God are communicated to us through these tangible physical signs of things like bread and wine or water in baptism and so appreciate your your question Mike and and you listening to the program. May the Lord bless you great explanation of that the complicated issue in real. Thanks so much appreciate that you're listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez summertime is here. Kids are out of school and if you're a parent or a grandparent. We want to tell you about a wonderful book that will answer some of the difficult questions that your kids or grandkids may have about the Christian faith. Yes, proceed this summer where we really try to focus on families, it's so important that we as families are growing together in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is not just that the job of the church to teach our children and our grandchildren about the things of the Lord about the faith about even how to defend their faith. We all play a very important role in on the lives of our children in their resources that will help us with that and that's what this book is it's how do we know that Christianity is really true. It's written by Chris Moore few great resource for you a written for ages nine through 13. I say you have kids that age or grandkids around that age get a hold of this resource. How do we know Christianity is really true. No one is parents of teenagers.

I can say that's a real critical time in a child's life to help them really solidify their faith before they go into high school, so there really prepared when they get covered with questions as our kids often do so again that the book is called how do we know Christianity is really true. Would love to give that to you for donation of any amount just go to core Christianity.com/offers that's core Christianity.com/offers. You can also call us for that, or any one of our resources at 833-843-2673 that numbers 833. The core let's go to an email we received from one of our listeners named Kirsten she says hi.

I've been struggling with anorexia for three years and I was wondering if the Bible ever speaks about eating disorders.

Additionally, what is a biblical response or course of action for me to take in order to combat them. But say a prayer right now for Kiersten.

Father, we lift a sister up to you. We ask for your grace to be poured out in her life and not just for her liberal those who listen right now who are battling with with some eating disorder would you cause a light of your love the light of your countenance to shine upon them. Would you work in them by the power of your Holy Spirit to bring healing and restoration, and good relationships with food and with with those things that you give to us Lord for nourishment for our benefit and for your glory. And so, would you be with our our sister. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.

The Bible does talk about the sort of disordered relationships to food you think of gluttony. For example of that would be one kind of eating disorder in a binge eating is among the various kinds of eating disorders or others.

Obviously, there's no binging and purging their starving yourself there and then just different ways in which we can have these disordered relationships with with food and even with our own bodies and recently over core, Christianity.com we we put an article out there it's called understanding the motives of an eating disorder, written by David and Krista Dunham. I want to just that when it is plugged that really quickly, because I thought it was a really well done article helpful information that she just recently wrote a book on this called to get a table for two biblical counsel for eating disorders. Let me just say that one of the things that I appreciated about their approach in particular as they talk about the sort of relationship between suffering and sin.

Sometimes these kinds of disorders can be brought about by some kind of trauma in an individual's life and maybe this this sense of like I have to be in control now and and an intense desire to be in control of what a way that manifests itself can be often times in in how we eat and RR's eating habits and it can be a very unhealthy thing in the way in which we respond to traumatic events in our lives. We can even respond in ways that are sinful and so that they talk about you know having this misunderstanding of ourselves.

A lack of trust in God over of session with being in control and having control those kinds of things and then also need a just the mercy of God for people who struggle with with this and the fact that there is hope. And so I think it wine we can say look at as as human beings were both sinners and were also sufferers we suffering in ways that oftentimes can and do lead to more sin. And so we have to navigate you know all of these things. I think sometimes sister you, not just looking to the Scriptures you know and and say okay where is it that I need to repent maybe about my own view of myself about the way in which I'm using food in a way that's unhealthy and not pleasing to God, but are there other things, sort of in my history that that might have contributed to this and that's where missing a good counselor or therapist can also help but but the Bible is very clear about the fact that there are disordered relationships that we can have, to food that need to be, you know, contrast, and there's forgiveness for people who struggle with these things in a week. We take these things to the Lord and we rest in the promise that he gives us that if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And then we use the, the, the means that God is put around us, friends, family, the local church for accountability and then even other resources that are out there right will yes definitely. I'm so glad you talked about the fact that sometimes we can be sinned against. And that can affect us and then lead to things like temptation or some of the problems were talking about and I would I would encourage her. Kirsten to. As you said maybe do some little bit of examination look back at her past.

Look back at her relationship with her parents and maybe some of the things that might have contributed to this eating disorder in the cut so critical in finding a good Christian counselors. The first step so thanks for that Israel.

This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's go to Tim in Nashville, Tennessee Tim, what's your question for a drill and I can hear Tim quote 04 flight was notably now all used, little old and not a lot. Still, no will. Yes you that had no hey Tim, well look there.

There are a couple of ways of looking at this in the first thing I would say is when the Bible describes the new creation to us is this wonderful site by I-9. I think with living in this world and the struggles that we experience the struggles with our own sin. The struggles of broken relationships, there is a longing that each and every one of us should have for heaven for the new creation the whole creation groans.

Paul says in the book of Romans chapter 8 for the revealing of the sons of God. And so it's not a sin to have that longing to have that groaning affect the apostle Paul himself when he was writing the Philippians about his life and his ministry in his services as an in Philippians chapter 1 verse 23 I desire to be with Christ to depart and be with Christ. I know that's far better but to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this. I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith brother got has a purpose for you a plan for you and I will I would say continue to pursue him for what that plan is for your life because that's exactly what Paul says look it's great to be with Christ. But I know that God has a purpose for me here, for those who need me and and with that brother.

I would just say you look at those text of Scripture that focus on Christ and the hope of heaven and rest in him.

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