The Father of My Child Isn’t a Christian, Should We Still Get Married?

This is core Christianity, where answering your questions about the Christian life Monday through Friday. Your hosts are author and seminary professor Dr. Michael Horton and Pastor atrial Sanchez call right now with your question. At 1833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673 and now here's atrial Sanchez I and will another episode of corporate entity will answer your questions about the faith together with Prof. Michael Horton, I'm Pastor atrial Sanchez Mike, do you have the Bible on your phone. I do not have the Bible level my phone partly because I don't actually know how to use apps, but I do. I normally don't like reading the Bible on my phone but it's good to have just in case in the Bible app announced the most popular verse of 2019 for its users. In the most popular versus drumroll please John 316. You would think no Philippians 460 do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. We are anxious we are, as it did make sense why that would be the most popular verse for the 2090 was especially her anxious.

I guess you can tell now you need to just below more laid-back and well you know people races this year's Mike and one of these and make a lot of people anxious today is pluralism got a question about pluralism on Facebook from someone here's a question. Some people think that the greatest challenges facing the church is pluralism.

They seem to worry about America changing and moving away from being a Christian nation, should we be concerned.

Maybe it's just helpful thing to define what pluralism is Mike sure there different types religious pluralism is that there are many different religions and that usually means all religions lead to God and hence of course were not religious pluralist political pluralism is a government apology, a nation, a society made up of people who belong to different religions and the free practice of those religions is guaranteed by the state, recognizing that that freedom comes from God, not from the state.

That's our Constitution and praise the Lord that it's there. I think first of all we have to set you if you go back to the founding fathers. Some Christians, many were not you think of Thomas Jefferson, for example, he barely won the presidency because he written quite a lot. Had paper trail against Christianity.

Remember he took a scissors to the New Testament cut out every all the miracles. All references to Jesus as God.

He said he was an Aryan in another tract. He said he was an epicurean denying God's involvement in the world at all. While he and John Adams were very vocally opposed to Orthodox Christians who oppose them on that if we had a president today, much less two of them Jefferson and Adams who wrote the stuff they did about Orthodox Christianity.

I doubt that they would be elected. George Washington wasn't a regular churchgoer and at the time of the American Revolution, a much lower percentage of people even went to church than today.

It was called infidelity. Christians called infidelity. Unbelief. So it is important we look at it historically and say it's not like we at the American Revolution. Sort of like the first Christmas. It's not that you know the word became flesh. It's that we had a good Constitution developed some years later by Christians and non-Christians coming together and saying let's stop killing each other over our religious differences. Let's say the government doesn't get in the ring at all on deciding true and false religion, and so we do live in a politically pluralistic culture and thank the Lord for it for theological reasons Christians don't believe that you can coerce other people into being Christians, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 1017 faith cannot be coerce. It has to be something that we forget or legislate or legislated. It's something we we freely assent to we. We believe this right. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ will be saved. We want the freedom to be able to proclaim that gospel and the freedom of non-Christians to be able to hear it and be persuaded by it and if not persuaded by it then still wait. We want them to be free to practice whatever religion there practicing and we want to be free to try to persuade them to embrace Jesus that we just want freedom and we want the government to be out of the whole business of deciding what true and false religion are so I don't think that we should have any rosy picture of America is a Christian nation. Yes we had more of a a sort of generic Judeo-Christian ethic than we do now, but in terms of there being some golden age who are you asking are you asking the slaves, who in many cases did actually go to church if their masters let them when their masters themselves didn't. There was no golden age in this country or any other country. There wasn't a golden age in Israel.

So why would there be in a country that isn't even in covenant with God. If you're interested in thinking more about this idea. Pluralism in the United States. In particular, would an article that core Christianity.com called thriving in America's difficult religious climate we think about what I think about a little bit of religious pluralism in particular that we see and how to engage in as a church in his Christian site that might be helpful. Absolutely what we don't want to see is a secularist religion shoved down everybody's throat. I think that's the danger, on the left day. If the danger on the right is this myth of a golden age of Christian America.

The myth on the left is that neutrality political neutrality actually disguises a rabid anti-Christianity that is pursued as much as possible through the coercive arm of government.

We want the government to stay out of this whole business of deciding religious truth from error really an important topic Mike for us to consider is Christians living in the United States got a phone call he received from Shelby here lately to tell God he is not Christian tradition all in our culture now in our Shelby God bless you and your family. It sounds like you guys had quite the journey and you try to figure out what the right way to move forward is only say something sister you don't need to try to get right with God. We can't fix ourselves, we can only come to God as we are and receive his declaration of righteousness. It's called justification. Shelby justification is a defined act of God, and in it, God accepts you as right in his sight solely on the basis of what his son Jesus did for you.

God forgives all of your sins and gives you the gift of Christ's perfect righteousness. The life Jesus lived in your place either right with God or you're not in the way you know if you're right with God is how you answer this question. Am I trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of my sins and embracing him by faith or not.

If you're trusting in Jesus Shelby you are right with God, justified only talk about this relationship. I know the two of you have a child together. But the Bible makes it clear that we should not marry outside of the faith, meaning if you're trusting in Jesus but your partner wants nothing to do with Jesus, you shouldn't get married. You might be traditional, as you said, but that's not what the Scripture call doesn't say if you're Christian you can marry someone who at least shares your morals.

Note they have to share your faith faith in Jesus Christ. Upon first Corinthians 7 makes a provision for people who are already married to someone who is in a Christian is a person is willing to live with you great don't separate your already married faith in Jesus Christ is the most important thing for you and for your son is artist will be. I think saying to your partner. I can't move forward with this. There's something really important that's missing is you sounds like you already know we can't continue lease like this and nothing just abandon this guy think he should pursue his faith in Jesus, they should share Christ with him be a godly friend and influence and pray that the Lord opens his heart to the gospel wouldn't be so wonderful if maybe you pumping the brakes was a means that God used to show this man how important faith in Jesus is. So here are some suggestions for you moving forward. One answer that question for yourself am I trusting in Jesus. If you are great you right with God, justified to let your relationship with Jesus shape your relationship with this person. You guys are still together. If you're sleeping together, you need to stop the Bible calls fornication. You have a child together but you're not married three don't get married just because pray for this person to come to Christ.

Help them to see the importance of faith in Christ and Fort make sure that you are in a good church. I can't stress this one enough Shelby, you need believers who are to be encouraging you and him in this process. I hope that he goes to church with you. If you already have a church but you need to make sure you're getting a steady dose of the gospel in this season of your life in every season of your life Frank I'm being challenged by brothers and sisters.

That's right is so that my gut if you add anything out of her sister here that's great advice.

Thank you for calling. She was in a core Christianity were answering your questions about the faith is a call if you question the numbers 1-833-843-2673. That's 1833, the court or send us an email at questions@corechristianity.com with a special opportunity for you to partner with us here at the core. Mike, would you let them know about this opportunity. You think they drill you know we couldn't do this program without a group we call the inner core and first of all I want to thank the people who were listening right now who are actually members of it and I would invite the rest of you to join inner core is the group that really makes sure not only that this program keeps coming to them but to you and to people around the world were now listening.

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Just go to court, Christianity.com/inner core. You can learn more about joining their ring. Just give us a call at 833, the court has right numbers 833-843-2673 email question from Lena Jesus was baptized with the Holy Spirit prior to starting his public ministry. Why did that need to happen since he was the son of God. Already it was already fully God and fully man.

Was there another reason for this public demonstration yeah very good question. She always know when somebody studying Scripture carefully. When the ask a question like this and it's an important one, as you say, Lena. He was already fully God and fully man as fully human. He had to undergo everything that a biblical prophet, priest and king would undergo because he held all three offices and in and in verses 29 to 34 of John one, Jesus comes toward John and John says behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is even though I'm unworthy for this purpose I came baptizing with water, says John that he might be revealed to Israel, not in Matthew's version of the episode. Matthew 315 we read after John's halting it baptizing Jesus, but Jesus answered John let it be so.

Now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. And then he consented. So if we put the two gospel accounts together Lena were told that Jesus had to be baptized by John for two reasons.

One, that he might be revealed to Israel as the Messiah and to fulfill all righteousness. You know, masses of Jews were following John. Some even think he is Elijah to be baptized by Jesus is a big reveal with the masses watching what is different with him. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. So instead of being revealed Israel as just another guy coming to repent.

Like the others. He's coming as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Repentance can't save anybody think of that great line in the rock of ages, not the labor of my hands can fulfill the law's demands. Could my zeal, no respite, no. Could my tears forever flow all could never first in a tone thou must save, and thou alone, and yet even now Jesus begins to fulfill all righteousness.

He fully obeyed the law in our place even begins with repentance, not because he's a sinner who needs to turn from sin, but because only he can perform that complete turning of humanity to the father that Adam was supposed to represent for us and be for us, but more than that.

He goes to the cross to bear our sins, including our imperfect repentance as the Lamb of God, so two reasons is baptized by John to reveal him as the anointed Lamb of God for us and to fulfill all righteousness for us.

Can you think of any better news than that, really helpful.

I think clarifying as well. Mike because there are many people who when we think about baptism our minds medially go to the forgiveness of sins is so immediately the question is why did Jesus have to get baptized if he didn't have any since I really like I write out those two texts in the Gospels, probably the most important question.

Anyone can ever ask is who is Jesus and that's what we've written. Jesus is God a resource over core, Christianity.com is the four-week study designed for leaders and for students. Something can go through with a church group or a group of friends and we want to take advantage of this resource go to core Christianity.com and download the resource Jesus is God.

Let's move to our next call I my name is Nick and I'm from Colorado Springs is the book of Genesis historically true like it it it it possible for Christians to interpret Genesis I say like a myth or fable of what a faithful life devoted to God, looks like I think so much. Yes, Genesis is historically true. Jesus, who rose from the dead.

In confirmation of his claim to be God incarnate, affirms the truth of the events reported in Genesis the creation of Adam and Eve in God's image their union as husband and wife in a real historical fall with Ables the first martyr of the church slain by his brother Cain.

So we ought to have the same view of Scripture is Jesus God incarnate now is Moses intending to give us a divinely inspired scientific textbook know Moses is in a sort of inspired Nostradamus or Copernicus giving us the secret history of what happened when God created the world. He's telling this story.

Against the background of the pagan views of creation that were held in Egypt and in the tall tales told by other nations in the region so we have to remember it's given against that background, in fact, those pagan stories are really close to the worldview of our atheist and agnostic friends today where the world is just seen as a random accident or the result of a battle of forces, or gods know God says through Moses, the God of Israel is the creator of the whole cosmos. He created it good. There are no forces outside of God's control and God's good purposes.

So instead of reading Genesis 1 through three in the light of contemporary science. We need to read it in its own context. In the light of its own background and history how the original audience would've understood it. None of that, however, undermines the historical truth of what we find there the world created from nothing. By God's word, the creation of human beings, male and female as his image bear the reality of the fall into sin and the promise of redemption through the seed of the woman that the Messiah very helpful at our next question is an email from James hi Dr. Horton, what are some of your favorite books about how to read the Bible in a Christ centered way, I have some friends who are new to this way of thinking and would love to do a book study and then a Bible study to see if they can get a grasp on it. Do you have any advice while James, you bet.

First, you're definitely on the right track. If you wonder stand how all the Scriptures really are about Christ, you're way ahead of where I was when I was growing up.

It was a long time later when I saw that Daniel and Joshua pointed ultimately to Christ and only in Christ did these stories include me. So first they include Christ there about him and then because I am in Christ, they include me on the Emmaus Road after his resurrection, Jesus explained to his dejected disciples how all the Scriptures beginning with Moses and all the prophets, all the Scriptures pointed to him. Luke 24 in John five Jesus criticized the religious leaders for thinking they had life in the Scriptures themselves, and yet wouldn't come to him even though he's the main character so all the Scriptures are about Christ. It will revolutionize your reading of the Old Testament. There are lots of terrific resources for understanding how Jesus is that central character of the whole Bible. I'd recommend one written by my colleague at Westminster seminary, California Dr. Julius Kim. His book is preaching the whole counsel of God.

Design and deliver gospel centered sermons written for pastors, but it's great for all of us. Also, another book by another colleague, Dennis Johnson, walking with Jesus through his word, discovering Christ in all the Scriptures. Let's move to our next email question. This is Stacy had enough.

A person is called to be a missionary. While Stacy you you want to preach the gospel to those who haven't heard it yet. That's the simple answer anything I'd add would just be repeating that basic advice the Holy Spirit calls us to the ministry of the word inwardly by giving that passion that inward passion and then he confirms that inward calling by the outward calling of the church so talk to the pastors and elders at your church as well as friends who know you really well and ask them what they see. Do they see someone who has gifts of discernment in understanding God's word and for communicating it to others to they see that that heart for reaching those who haven't heard the gospel yet, you know, it's a great thing a girl were not lone rangers that you know I don't always get what my gifts are and it's that external confirmation from my brothers and sisters, and especially pastor and elders that I know whether I'm cold at the end of the day and at the end of the day. We know that were called to that ministry when the council of elders, lays its hands on us to ordain us to that work. Paul told young Timothy in first Timothy 414 do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy.

When the council of elders laid their hands on you.

That's the culmination of a long process of discernment and formal education, and then they lay their hands on you Paul saying to Timothy, you know, when you have those inner doubts about your calling. It gets really rough and people really criticize you. Just remember that visible moment that confirmation when the church and its visible ministry. It's council of elders laid hands on you think we have time for one more email and want to get to this one, this is Lorna from Idaho.

I continually struggle with the same sins to the point of questioning my salvation. What should I do will learn if you're even asking this question. It's evidence that you're a genuine believer in Romans seven. Even the apostle Paul tells us that although he loves the law he finds that he keeps doing what he doesn't want to do and often fails to do what he knows is right.

The key is that he loves God and he loves his law. He agrees that the law is good and right is is he's not.

I know people even very close family and friends who don't they just go on living for themselves without even asking the question that you're raising here in Psalm 51 after committing adultery and murder. David praise his famous confession, relying entirely on God's mercy and then in first John 19 were promised if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So there are people John says in that passage who don't confess their sins, either because they just don't care or because they think that they're so holy that they don't send anymore, but the genuine believer agrees with God that he or she still sins and still needs God's forgiveness. Every single day. So if tattoo you then you're a believer we know where were going, but were also not glorified yet.

The good news worn is that through faith in Christ you know that you are chosen called justified and adopted.

That can't be changed. That's who you are right now. Your sins can't change the fact that God sees you right now is righteous in Jesus Christ. But you know, like all of us. You still long to be freed not only from the guilt and tyranny of your sins, but from the presence of it in your life and in our world around us. That's what were still waiting for what all of us are waiting for Subaru the return of Christ and the resurrection. So look to Christ.

The author and finisher of your faith he'll care you even when you fall, you know, sometimes we can get so wrapped up in what we do. We can even turn faith into a work. What does it mean to look to Christ, am I really looking to Christ, we either do you don't looking to Christ is simply believing in him, trusting that he is the only one who is sufficient to satisfy God's justice and that his righteousness accredited. You allows you to appear in God's courtroom perfectly holy and justified before the God of all holiness. Thanks for listening to court Christiana to request your copy of today's special offer.

Visit us@corechristianity.com and click on offers in the menu for or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33, the court when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this podcast and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together