Is “Whiteness” a Sin to Repent Of?

What is whiteness and is it is sin.

We need to repent of that is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez.

This is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

Our phone lines are open and you can call us right now with your question. At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. I can also post a question on one of our social media accounts. In fact, you can watch us right now live on YouTube and messages that way you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com. Today we received this voicemail from one of our listers named Lisa. I am a healthcare worker in New Jersey and the hospital Thursday is requiring all employees that the COBIT vaccine and I do have to learn that I have not just about hell of it all.

So you know where where fetal tissue come to play with the beginning of time with research for vaccine. I have had acting as my kids been vaccinated, but now question whether or not doing God's eyes like a thank you so much for cutting my call.

Thank you so much. Yes, thank you for that question. Lisa and boy billboard really getting into some some deep stuff is broadcast.

Lisa, you know, one thing I want to say you will first is just thank you for your service to the community, especially in in such a difficult time as this and how you know the last 18 months of been. I can imagine that it's been a really rough season for you and so thank you for the service you provide for the work that you do. I pray that the Lord continues to keep you to keep you healthy.

Now really I just want to hone in on on what you said there at the end of your question were were you asking. I wanted I want to make sure that I'm doing what's right in God's eyes, and I don't know that this is an issue of right and wrong in the sense of you know, obeying God's law, we can put it that way. This is a matter of personal conscience, personal liberty, II do not believe that the you know if somebody gets the vaccine that they're sending in any way that their displeasing God know you need to use wisdom you need to use you the best of of you know what the science is saying and make a decision make an informed decision, but I wouldn't think of this and in terms of, you know that Mike and if I get it be disobeying God. If I if I get the vaccine. That's the snow is. It really is a matter of of personal liberty.

Also, you know remind you that the apostle Paul says that whatever is not from faith is sin. And so you know, part of our conscience is playing us. If we can't do something with a clear conscience, then we probably shouldn't do it, but that's why it's so important to be informed and to understand all the ins and outs of of the vaccine and make a decision with that knowledge. And so again appreciate the work that you're doing and I may the Lord bless you, thank you Lisa for your call and for being a regular listener to core Christianity would love to hear from you today. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life or COBIT or anything else. We are are open to that. Here's the phone number is 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 so give us a call right now our phone lines will be open for the next 20 minutes or so. Here's a voicemail received from one of our listeners named Ed in Winchester, Virginia. I've been hearing a lot of church leaders encouraging people to repent whiteness and want to know is there anything in the Bible supports this.

My understanding is that all people regardless of their race are equally sinful and worthy of God's judgment.

So what is a Christian supposed to make of this idea and how are we supposed to respond when somebody says that there is the sin of whiteness. Appreciate any input you give me thanks hey Ed, thank you for listening to the broadcast and for asking that question. A very controversial subject topic and and one I think that right now in the church is leading to a lot of division and some of them.

People have really strong opinions about this now let me just say with regard to to you so you know your understanding is that we've all been a regardless of our ethnicity are under God's condemnation because we failed to obey him and and that's true. This is something that the apostle Paul makes very clear, especially in the opening chapters of the book of Romans. He says in Romans chapter 2 verse 11 for God shows no partiality for all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law and his point there is to it.

To demonstrate that both Jews and Gentiles, that is, non-Jewish people, all of us are justly condemned all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We desperately need the redemption that God gives to us in his son Jesus Christ and we we have to be very careful. You know that we don't we don't define what sin is what we gotta let God's word define what sin is and a very simple definition of sin that I think is helpful is sin is any want of conformity to or transgression of God's law. That is, it's when we fail to meet the positive requirements of the law, the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves is not just being neutral. It's it's loving as God calls us to love and it's also when we when we just flat out break or transgress the law of God that that's what sin is and is not minnow up to me as a as a pastor or anybody else to to redefine sin or to invent new census of the real question is what is somebody mean when they say whiteness if they're talking but you need to repent of your skin color that kind of thing, repent of, you know that well well that's no mean again that that's not a very helpful way of articulating this and it can further confuse people about what sin is what sin is and what sin isn't this.

Sometimes I think you know the the language that we use is you have to be very careful with how we talk and how it is that people perceive us and I think that out with a statement like that. A lot of people here that they just think Williard you're telling me I have to repent. If you know the color of my skin and that's just absurd that that's something that an individual can do or needs to do because that's not sin, but we also have to recognize that there can be ideologies and and commitments that people have even groups have discerned things that can and should be repented of and then this is where the discussion gets a lot more complex, but I think Jesse is an extreme example, you think of like Nazi Germany for to give a whole group, and a certain ideology, a way of thinking that I think most of us would be very comfortable saying that needs to be repent everything of slavery in in our own country for a period of time in the Jim Crow laws and those kinds of thinking of that. That's where I think we have to also be willing to take a step back and so are there ideologies are the things that ways of thinking that that people can have that we can have that help to oppress others or that don't love my neighbor as I'm called to love my neighbor and those are think certainly that that can and should be repented of and so complex issue and it really I think maybe requires more time than than what I'm able to give it here, but that's just a very brief summary and I appreciate your question and that your your wrestling through this so may the Lord bless you. Thanks for that. A girl you're listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and we have an awesome new Bible study.

We want to offer you today that something will help you understand the core tenants of the Christian faith that now just talking to a dear sister earlier today about you know how important it is to grasp those core tenets bill that the fundamental doctrines that I think many Christians in the church today have simply overlooked doctrines like the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

We serve assume these doctrines, the doctrine of the Trinity. The doctrine of the incarnation that one of the problems with assuming all of these great doctrines is that we think we know them when in reality we haven't spent the time we need to spend in understanding them and and and really getting to know them and so that's why we created this resource core Christianity 101. It's a Bible study that can be yours for a donation of any amount and we also have it available in bulk quantities and so please get hold of this resource discredits a 10 week Bible study and it could be used in your small group in your church. You can use it individually or with your family. Just go to core Christianity.com/studies to find that's core Christianity.com/studies and look for core Christianity 101. You can also call us for that resource or any one of our resources at 833-843-2673 that numbers 833 the core go to Beth in St. Louis, Missouri Beth, what's your question for pastor atrial hi Beth yeah Beth, thank you Frank for that question. My, my view is that this too is an issue of personal choice or liberty in the Bible has Scripture has a high view of the body. We don't think that God just came that Jesus just came to save our spirits. He actually came so that the whole creation might be redeemed if you will, God himself assumes humanity so that we might have the hope of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come in. So the Bible does have a high view of the body. But II don't think that the Bible speaks to you know whether or not it's it's right or wrong or you noted to be cremated or do you have to be buried under the ground that kind of thing is just this is a matter of personal liberty that the key question for believers is not how is it that you are buried. It's who did you trust in who are you trusting in now the hope that we have of eternal life isn't ours because of the manner of our burial. It's ours because of what Jesus Christ is done for us when he came he lived. He died and he rose again from the dead, and so I think that that this is a this is a personal decision. If if it's something that you feel like I just couldn't do it because I feel like it would be disrespecting the body that I would say don't do it but if it's something where you feel like I don't see anything wrong with it in and it might be more financially prudent thing to do will then I think that it's it's totally permissible again that the key question is we gotta focus on is do we trust in Jesus Christ. We know him by faith and and because were united to him by faith, we have the hope of the resurrection of the dead weather were buried or cremated. Thank you for your question. This is core Christianity. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life, pick up your phone right now will be taking calls for another 10 minutes or so at this number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Gabriel in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Gabriel what your question for pastor atrial caller on after so many years of being a religion, what, why, why are the Weiler continued to be so many books written about it. It seems that maybe it's a little confusing Christianity of the topic because so many different views of an ability. Today I realized you studies that you books that are that are released and sold them everything but it just seems that it's confusing and I don't understand why there why it's not simplified that you and I really appreciate your your question, give me. I'm glad you're here given us a call get to have another first time caller why are there so many books written about Christianity. Well, one thing I'll say is a guess it depends on what kind of book it is that were talking about. Yeah there are in all sorts of books arguing for one thing or another thing that you also just the reality that there are new questions that are being asked in in every generation and so I think it's helpful for new things to be written in response to those questions that people have them even just thinking about today's broadcasting we have people calling in today asking about things like that the coveted 19 vaccine will these are questions of people and asking hundred years ago 200 years ago 500 years ago and so were thinking about how to apply God's word and the faith to the issues of today and I think that's one of the reasons why you have more things being written and the other thing is just a lot of good practical stuff out there for us to meditate on and and think about what I would say you know for someone who's interested in in learning more about the Christian faith. I would say go straight to the source.

Go straight to the Bible and one thing I I will say garrulous is the Scriptures we do believe that there is a simplicity to the Scripture, so that as you're reading the Gospels, the message of Jesus and the message of salvation is clear enough even for a child to understand that by the grace of the Holy Spirit, God brings people along in in a deeper knowledge of who he is.

That doesn't mean that that other books are bad, but those books on God's word, and so I think what we need to do what Christians need to do.

Actually, first and foremost is focus on reading and studying the Scriptures. I love the words of Jesus at the end of Matthew chapter 11 where he says I thank you father, Lord of heaven and earth that you have hidden these things he's referring to his teachings that the gospel hidden these things from the wise and the prudent and is referring to the religious leaders. The people at all the books, if you will all the parchments if hidden these things from the wise and the prudent and you've revealed them to the babes to the little children so Gabriel, if you're if you're confused, everything a man like I'd like to learn more about Christianity, which seems like there's hundreds of thousands of books and I know where to start.

I would say start with the Bible itself open up the gospel of John and read and read with an open heart, praying that God would would bless you and and give you understanding and recognize that there are other really good books out there too, but I would say focus on the Scriptures and then maybe as as you study the Scriptures and you begin to have more questions if there is another book out there that can help you. That can be a resource for digging into the historical background are some of those of the things then then use it as is necessary and as it as it aids you, but that that there's my question for you, but let me just ask you Gabriel.

Are you a guy goes to church pretty frequently. Are you just interested in learning more about Christianity. I don't I don't go to church very often. Okay will amen limit let me to sing encourage you to to consider that you know like it if if all the other books are kind of overwhelming. I understand that open up the Bible open up the New Testament. The gospel of John and and begin reading it and and pray that God would bless you, would help you to understand, and I think you'll be surprised by by the book the blessing and the benefit that is. We also have a book called core Christianity that seeks to explain some of the basics of the Christian faith.

It's really good sort of entry-level material and so and that's why you know going back to your your initial question. That's why that's why more books are being written, just wanting to to serve people and help people wherever they are in their in their faith journey.

If you will to come to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what he's done for you. God bless and Gabriel hang on the line.

Would love to send you a copy of the book core Christianity for free because there we believe it really help you as you explore more about the Christian faith. This is core Christianity with pastor atrial.

Sanchez, one of the ways you can ask questions is to email us here is our email address its questions at core, Christianity.com. We received this email from Sarah she says is it true Jesus gave up his omniscience. When he came in the flesh. If he did, why doesn't that take away from his being fully God will also fully man.

Could he still be fully God if he didn't have all of God's attributes. Also, someone believes Jesus did give up his deity for the time is that a heresy that keeps them from truly being saved.

I will be very quick with this one. Yes, that is a heresy.

So Jesus is the eternal son of God, the eternal word of the father, the divine person he doesn't cease being God, you know, in the incarnation, he doesn't lay aside his divinity.

Either this is a misunderstanding of something that Paul says in the book of Philippians chapter 2 where it talks about how Jesus the word emptied himself, but then then Paul describes it in what way does nothing but he emptied himself of his divinity. He emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant by assuming humanity and so in Jesus is coming to earth. You know it's as if he failed his glory in human flesh if if you will, but he didn't set aside his divinity. He is the eternal son of God, and he became what he was not without ever ceasing to be what he was, is, as many of the church father said it's a great mystery but but we have to affirm and confess that Jesus was and is and always will be the eternal son of God, equal with the father in power and glory worthy of our worship. Thanks for your question, I met another question that our book core Christianity dives into so we really encourage you if you've never purchased that book or receiver. For most you can find it on our website. Core, Christianity.com again it's a core Christianity 11 and would love to have you learn more about that.

Let's go to Jack Kell in Overland Park, Kansas. Check out what your question for pastor atrial, good afternoon. First, thank you for being there because this is the many things that we learn we need to in chapter 7 of Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 715, it says the Lord will keep you free from every disease will not impact on you horrible do you horrible diseases you knew in Egypt but he will click them on all who hate you. The chapter and my Bible, the heading in chapter 7 is striving out the nation.

My question is also about Comed I read this in my core says I don't need to get the vaccine that I am kept in these promises because I am in the nation that is God the father the son and the Holy Spirit night and wondering as I apply for jobs right how this can apply when they go off and say have you been vaccinated jackal thank you so much for your question. I let me just say it's so important for us as we read the Scriptures to understand their contacts and I love that you're reading Deuteronomy 7 here and say okay how does this apply to me because the reality is is is all of Scripture is in one sense or another applicable to us. Paul says this to the Corinthians, and of the things were written in in past times are written for our instruction as well. But we have to be careful with the way in which we apply it in here. You have this calling on the people of God on the people of Israel as there is there be no following the Lord is there coming into the land to be obedient on the basis of the covenant that God was going to make with them. Verse 12 because you listen to these rules and keep them and do them, the Lord your God will keep you with the covenant and steadfast love that he swore to your fathers. He will love you and bless you and multiply you. And of course this covenant is going to be expressed later on in other places it back in Exodus chapter 20, and then earlier here in the book of Deuteronomy as well. In Deuteronomy chapter 5 and in and with the old covenant, the Mosaic covenant particular, you did have these promises of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, and that was something that the people of God. At that time could take to the bank now what we are not living under the Mosaic covenant.

You and I are living under the time of the new covenant. The author, the Hebrews talks about this in Hebrews chapter 8 is a will look at these Old Testament old covenant promises and say okay I am I'm I'm claiming that one for myself. No, not in the same way that the people of God did there at that time, the reality is sister, even God's children.

Even the faithful suffer all sorts of different things, sickness, disease, persecution, famine, sword, nakedness, the possible mentions those things in the book of Romans chapter 8, and yet through all of those things he says were more than conquerors through him who loved us and so II would not apply.

Deuteronomy 715 to yourself as a Wilhite. That means I don't have to worry about, you know, getting the cove at 90 God would never let that happen to me I'm I'm one of his children. I know some real faithful brothers and sisters in Christ to have gotten sick and so again I think we need to exercise wisdom here and and think about how it is that were applying the promises of God. The good news is being under the new covenant is way better than being under the old covenant and the new covenant.

Here's what you have the promise of the forgiveness of all of your sins that God accepts you into his family not on the basis of anything that you do, but solely on the basis of the work of Jesus Christ for you. Jesus is the mediator of that new covenant and you are one of his children, you have you have that hope that great promise, and that's a shuttle helped lay hold of Jekyll. Thanks so much for your call. This is core Christianity with pastor atrial Sanchez. Here's an email question we received from William he says can Christians leave salvation by themselves when discussing John 1028 29 with my Seventh-day Adventist church friend. He said that a Christian may lose their salvation. If they voluntarily leave God's hand.

Can you point me to some scriptures on this issue. While I mean I think 1 Good Pl. to go is the gospel of John. Throughout the gospel of John. John chapter 6, for example, you were Jesus promises not to lose any of his sheep, even there in John chapter 10 where he says no one can can take you out of the father's hand. And I know some people say, well, no one can take you out of the father's hand. But if you want to you can just walk on out but but you know it. If we are in Christ before united to him before born of the spirit. Christ is the one who keeps us and I don't think that we wander out of his hand permanently and so no I don't think that we can walk away in that sense from salvation. Thanks for listen Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers in the menu or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us.

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