Should Christians Avoid Fantasy Like The Witcher & Harry Potter?

Should Christians avoid fantasy books like Lord of the rings and Harry Potter is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity why 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 court, that's 1-833-843-2673 also post a question on whatever social media sites you can actually watch a drill live in the studio right now on our YouTube channel and you can message us through YouTube as well and you can always email us a question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Scott calling in from 40 Texas got what your question for atrial start off by saying thank you for everything that you do build a girl you have been a massive inspiration to me and my family. Thank you for all the great work we all do. Thanks man appreciate that what your question my question pertains to UFOs and UFO sightings.

I just feel like recently, there's been a lot of news random news clips from media posts with white airline pilots rent them or not we have a little bit better technology they'll send them photos of what appears to be UFOs and my question is does the Bible mention anything about extraterrestrial beings or be UFOs and part two of the question is if there were hypothetically contact made with other lifeforms would that pose any sort of threat to the Christian faith. I seen some of these same news stories out there and it does seem like especially in recent days, there have been more and more of these and there are some people who will go to various passages in the Bible to look. I think that this is referring to a UFO life. I've seen the people point to the wheels in the book of Ezekiel, for example, is in maybe what Ezekiel saw. There was UFO something that God was showing him. I think that's not the best interpretation. I don't think that the Bible that you have this kind of thing in Scripture specifically.

Typically, what I fall back on is what what Scripture does say clearly. And it's this. Everything that exists in the universe was created by the God of the Bible effect. John in the Gospel of John very beginning. He says in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God all things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made emphatic. Everything was made through Jesus and apart from Jesus. There isn't one thing in existence that exists today so anything that's out there. Everything was created by the God of the Bible I think I think that's key. The other thing that we know is that there is a whole unseen world, or realm, if you will. We think of the angelic hosts. We know that God created the heavens and the earth and and wrapped up there in the heavens are the heavenly beings, and so absence of people suggest maybe this is a spiritual phenomenon. You know what we do, we just we just don't know. I think it's is not really helpful to speculate, to quickly fall back on. We know that God made all things and we know that there is this unseen world out there.

This unseen realm, the angelic hosts.

Could it be that there something spiritual taking place in the again we we don't know we want to be confident in what God has clearly revealed in his word and I don't think anything that we discover is going to contradict what God has revealed in his word, and so I would say rather than getting worked up about know the side of the it's it's fair to think about these things and and don't listen to these previous articles and is this sort of interesting, but ultimately resting in what God has revealed in in his word and is not a thing that we have we have anything to worry about as far as that's concerned. And, and beyond that, I don't think the Scripture speaks very clearly to extraterrestrial beings, alien aliens out there and so appreciate your question and also your encouragement Scott and you have a blessed Christmas for you and your family. Things are: I Scott, thanks so much for being a regular core Christianity, listing realtor appreciated. Will this is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez and every day. On this program we receive calls from people who are wrestling front with very tough questions. In fact, some people call up concern that they maybe have done something that is caused them to to lose their salvation in here at the core.

Our mission is to help answer those tough questions, but you know we can't do it without your support. We are so grateful for the support that that you've given us already and we really through your prayers. Above all else you want to see people's hearts opened to the truth of God's word to the gospel and so please pray for us.

I am pray for all those who listen to this broadcast here at core Christianity would help you grow in your faith and that's one of the reasons why we have this this excellent resource. It's a Bible study through the book of Philippians, one of my favorite books in the New Testament to help you grow in your understanding the crucified also answer some of the questions that we get frequently here on this broadcast.

As we come to the end of the year, would you consider giving a gift to this ministry for for the advancement of the gospel and in in response, we want to send you this copy of our Philippians Bible study euros for a donation of of $20 or more.

But really, we would love to partner with you and encourage you in your walk with the Lord. So get a hold of this resource. We really do want to send this off to you and a freak with your gift of $20 or more which will help support this ministry in the coming year will send you this so brand-new Philippians Bible study to pick up a copy just had over the core, Christianity.com/new study that's core Christianity.com/new study, we do receive voicemails here at core Christianity.

In fact, if you call us outside of the time the program errors will listen to your voicemail and hopefully use it on the air. Here's one that came in from a listener named Shelby what were you sure about you all things and all magic mystical being, knowing I'll write you and all reading and watching the movie is and show a thank you for that question sister very practical question shall be in. I think one thing I want to seize the citizen. There's an assertive one-size-fits-all answer to this, we really have to be discerning as Christians and think about how the things that we read or watch on TV affect us how they impact us and certainly media and in the things we read can have a significant influence on us for better or for worse. And so you have to use discernment. I think that there are some fantasy books that are there great that are really encouraging that Nino can bring out good things virtuous things and I think there are other things that you might read or watch that actually don't edify at all that would would be detrimental, spiritually speaking, a couple of passages of Scripture to consider. One. Paul's exhortation or encouragement in Philippians chapter 4 verse eight finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. They focus on on on these things.

Paul says be encouraged by these things. Meditate upon these things and another expectation that he gives in and in another book and in the book of Ephesians in Ephesians chapter 5. I am particular in verses eight and following. Listen to what the apostle Paul said to the church at Ephesus.

He said, for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord walk as children of light for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord, take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them for it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret that this is one of the convicting expectation but really helpful reminder. Oftentimes, I think with media with the things we watch, we can celebrate the very things that grieve God's heart, if you will the sins that did people commit that lead them apart from lead them away from the grace of God away from the law of God.

I think that too often you the very things that you know we find celebrated in broader culture and in media and even the things that people reside, it would have to be really careful here to ask ourselves the question okay. How is this affecting me. Whatever it is that I'm reading. Am I able to read with a clear conscience or to watch it with a clear conscience to honor the Lord to continue to quote a walk in the lightest.

As Paul says there in Ephesians chapter 5 versus something that strung me away from God in Christ in my convicted by this evening. This is where you have to be discerning and where you have to be prayerful and I would just encourage you to take those two passages of Scripture in Philippians 4 Ephesians 5 into account as you consider Nino for yourself. This is what I'm looking at her, or reading a helping me to honor the Lord or is it making more difficult Lesson great counsel here and I was thinking about. So my friends at Focus on the Family who look at media, and they often talk about the fact that it's garbage in garbage out.

Whatever will putting into our mind is going to affect us in some way shape or form. Even though we may deny it. In reality, it does have an impact estimate absolutely, and I mean I think it under a number of studies that are demonstrating that that's also the case with social media right, and especially the case with social medias were sort of scrolling through all of these images and and and and whatnot that it really can have a negative effect on a special run on younger generations teenagers you think, who are spending a lot of time on social media so we have to be wise and discerning and careful listening to core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez and if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life doctrine, theology, or how your Christian walk in intersects with today's culture. Would love to hear from you. Our phone lines will be open for the next 15 minutes or so, here's the number to call its 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 the core.

If you want to spell it out.

Let's go to Rachel calling in from Arkansas to Rachel what your question for Israel hello hello I was wondering about.

I was little about the Bible that tells about the 40 day that Christ on earth. After he arose from the grave and was Revelation written by Elinor so with the second part of your question was Revelation written while Jesus is still in her that II don't think so was written after Christ already ascended into heaven and then with regard to this description to talk about his time on earth.

To me there's there's not a ton of detail you do have what we find in first Corinthians chapter 15 beginning in verse three were Paul said I delivered to you as a first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the 12.

Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles and last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me pulses so he he is on earth after his resurrection, for a period of time and he's appearing to a number of people but the 500 people know pulses there and in first Corinthians chapter 15 and ended the interesting thing. There's these are some of those people are still around and go talk to them. If you get these right to the Corinthians in go go have a conversation with these people who saw him who were eyewitnesses of his resurrection and then with regard to that period of time being 40 days.

Rachel will be read in acts chapter 1 verse two says, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

And so what he's doing is he's instructing them further related to God's kingdom and and then he ascended into heaven after that that period of time and that's we read about in the beginning of acts in the beginning of the acts and X chapter 1 and so there's your answer.

Acts chapter 1, verse 340 days. Douglas Ertl thanks so much for your call. Thanks for digging into God's word. We always appreciate when our listeners are tackling difficult questions or try to explore the Scriptures closely. So thank you for doing that. This is core Christianity and if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. We would love to hear from you know, one of the ways you can do that is leave us a voicemail and we received this voicemail from Marilyn so I heard one person say that when you work in Hebrew. Actually, the same terminology seemed like it was a single mom and a child like it was a person who is like and end and it wasn't like to get from work.

It looks like one word and explain it like a window with orphan because the Last part died in time wonder why they always explain in as an orphan and window when from what I have heard it kind of like an abandoned child with an abandoned mom spell can you explain a little bit more. Thank you. I think so.

Throughout the Old Testament you have this continual column is a part of God's law to care for the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the alien, really those who are in vulnerable situations. Those were prone to be taken advantage of those who don't have any power oftentimes it's those very people that are there mistreated in society because they don't have anyone to care for them, to advocate for them and so associate that time, you know, the, the, the widow, the orphan, the sojourner, those people were especially vulnerable in and God said they remember that one time you to my people were vulnerable you were strangers in the land of Egypt, and I was there with you. For you, delivering you and that's how you should be caring for those who are in need. Exodus chapter 22 beginning in verse 21 says you shall not run the sojourner or oppress him for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt, you shall not mistreat any widow, or fatherless child that could be very easily as a single mother you know someone who is been abandoned by her husband, whose husband died and so she's alone with her child in in in one sense thing of the child being orphan considered an orphan.

So so that that fits it doesn't have to be. That doesn't necessarily mean that every time you see this is referring to a single mother, but it very well could be because there's another instance of someone who's in a vulnerable situation. I know that I mean I was raised by a single mother and so and so God's people are called to care for and protect and guard those who are in vulnerable situations was really interesting and there've been a number of people who noted this is in the ancient world and often times it was these very people the week vulnerable who were considered cursed by the court." God's they were in positions of power. They were in positions of authority you were blessed by God. If you were in that kind of position if you had power in if you weren't what that must mean that the gods don't like you very much well in in Scripture God excess return that upside down, he says, look, I am the defender of widows and orphans. On the one who cares for them. I'm the one who's there for them. I am there advocate. Think of what the psalmist said, and this is actually so so beautiful. Psalm chapter 68 begin in verse four it says sing to God, sing praises to his name, lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts's name is the Lord exult before him.

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God is at home. You know who he is.

He's the father of the fatherless, and he is the protector of widows and so I think we learn from the law of God and from God himself.

As he reveals himself to us is that God cares for the vulnerable and God calls us to care for them as well for single mothers for the orphans.

In fact, this is what James says write me that it's one thing to talk about religion.

It's another thing to have that religion that Scripture talks about James chapter 1 in verse 27 we read religion that is pure and undefiled before God the father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world looks like, to love our neighbors to to care for those who are in vulnerable situations and why does God bring this up so often the Scriptures in the Old Testament and in the New Testament will get it's because in society it's it's those very people who are in the most danger of being taken advantage of. They don't have anyone to stand up for them to protect them. And God says I stand up for them.

I protect them and met my people ought to as well. And so to the minutes with the with the Scripture teaches and pray that that you're encouraged around this time of the year. May the Lord be with you and bless you and thank you for that question in on thing and that's a great call for the men in the church, especially the older married guys who made maybe could take some of these kids that you will be single mom's children under their wing and really act as mentors, especially to the boys that don't have a father figure in their life, and avoid interest in other so many guys who maybe have the disposable time in coming, especially retired guys that could be a surrogate grandparent to to some of these these boys and girls in the single-parent homes have been bill if you if you say that I hope that there's someone listening right now who you know feels a sense of conviction about that. Like a boy. There are people in in my church who maybe need a little extra care and love and and maybe individuals also who don't have that father figure in and bled left the help out and encourage your families in need a reminisces that one of the beautiful things about the church you know the you know healthy churches.

I think operate like families were caring for one another. You certainly see this and in the book of acts of that when there are needs and and there are significant needs in society and the church today week we come together to meet those needs and to encourage one another in the body of Christ, and so so important. We need the family of God in and it's one of the things you see throughout the Scriptures.

I meant this score Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez just reminders we come up to the end of the year. If you're considering making a year-end gift to a charity or ministry. We would ask you to prayerfully consider core Christianity.

If you believe in what we do. If you find this program helpful and in fact this week. If you make a gift of $20 or more would love to send you a copy of our brand-new Bible study on Philippians to learn more about that. Just go to core Christianity.com/new study, we do receive emails here and here's one from Bob. He says when reading the Old Testament.

How can you tell which parts are descriptive and which parts are prescriptive are really important question with regard Bible interpretation often times get this question with her part of the book of acts in a social you see so many things happening in the New Testament church in the book of acts. How do we know whether those things are supposed to be happening today in the church. In other there prescriptive for the way in which the church is supposed look today and how to help that we know what was just a description of what was happening then, but isn't necessarily can happen today, and of which were not bound to that, exactly, and so I think the question fits. Also, in looking at the Old Testament. It's important that we understand where we are in redemptive history feeding the Old Testament covenants that God established with his people to Abraham it covenant, the Mosaic covenant.

It's very clear that did the Mosaic covenant. For example, was was prescriptive for the people of God during the period of time you think of all the laws. The civil laws that the related Israel is a political body. The ceremonial laws that related to their worship under the Mosaic covenant with the temple in the tabernacle and the sacrifices and so on and so forth.

Will those things are prescriptive for us anymore today because they been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. So that's one of the ways that we know.

Okay that's not when it went supposed to do animal sacrifices anymore. Why will because the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ takes away the sin of the world once and for all has appeared, and so those things are prescriptive. For a time, but now we we just treat them as descriptions that we can learn from that. We can glean from and help to illuminate the person and work of Christ for us. They think also so many of the redemptive events that took place in the Old Testament about the Exodus. For example, the parting of the Red Sea you think about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, so on and so forth. The different judgments that God brought those were specific events in redemptive history that were descriptive is not does not like God is telling us they in your life you need to have a you know, the ability to split the waters, that kind of a thing that they're written for our example and that's precisely what the apostle Paul said in first Corinthians chapter 10 verse one. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food and all drink the same spiritual drink, for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them in the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them, God was not pleased.

For they were overthrown in the wilderness. Then Paul adds this now these things took place as examples for us we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were as it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. In other words, look, just because they know these events took place in and they're not necessarily prescriptive for us. Were not were not reliving them. If you will.

Their descriptions of what God was doing in redemptive history. That doesn't mean that they don't relate to us in some way pulses are written for our example so that we might receive instruction from them so that we might be guided in our own lives to live lives of devotion to the Lord lives of purity lives of faithfulness to him and so we have to we have to determine where are we in redemptive history and were under the new covenant case of what laws apply to us as this is the law of Christ. It's it's the law of God, which ultimately Jesus fulfilled for us, so that in him we might grow in grace and knowledge and and follow him. And so appreciate your question and may the Lord bless you and bless thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers in the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us.

Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together