A church pastor who supports Sarah Palin was recently talking to his congregation about her and all the talk surrounding her 17 year old pregnant and unmarried daughter. As it was related to me by a friend who was present, the pastor interpreted this single verse in 1 Corinthians, by saying that getting married after sex before marriage would 'undo' the sin of fornication. They have not sinned.
In other words, 'I can readily have sex with the person I plan to marry, as long as I 'plan to.'
In other words, 'I can readily have sex with the person I plan to marry, as long as I 'plan to.'
Would a stronger case be made to support this sin among engaged couples? Probably.
This is frightening to me, especially since the verse was clearly isolated from its context, and further more, even on its own, would never mean anything that is so clearly an affront to the ways and whole rest of the word of God. I mean, if sin could be engaged in and then 'undone', what did Jesus suffer and die for? This false teaching/misinterpretation is to me, just at the same level of blasphemy that caused Paul to be inspired to write:
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (Heb 10:29)
The context of this passage in the letter to the Hebrews makes it even more frightening:
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(All emphasis mine)
I am alarmed at such a clear deviation from truth and how easily it could slip by unnoticed.
How many persons with blind loyalty or confidence in this man, or who don't search the word of God for themselves, or who are not in growing close relationship with God on a one-to-one basis, would believe this damnable lie, sin because of it, and teach others to do the same? I am particularly concerned about newer and weaker believers.
This is frightening to me, especially since the verse was clearly isolated from its context, and further more, even on its own, would never mean anything that is so clearly an affront to the ways and whole rest of the word of God. I mean, if sin could be engaged in and then 'undone', what did Jesus suffer and die for? This false teaching/misinterpretation is to me, just at the same level of blasphemy that caused Paul to be inspired to write:
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (Heb 10:29)
The context of this passage in the letter to the Hebrews makes it even more frightening:
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(All emphasis mine)
I am alarmed at such a clear deviation from truth and how easily it could slip by unnoticed.
How many persons with blind loyalty or confidence in this man, or who don't search the word of God for themselves, or who are not in growing close relationship with God on a one-to-one basis, would believe this damnable lie, sin because of it, and teach others to do the same? I am particularly concerned about newer and weaker believers.
[By the way: My views have nothing to do with Sarah Palin herself and this is not a politically inspired post. Even a christian parent cannot make their children do what they've been taught to be right in God's eyes. Even a new or weak christian might make the same wrong choice - if it was indeed a one-time incident and not a habitual activity in their relationship that produced evident consequences. I don't even know if her daughter is truly sold out to Jesus. If she isn't personally a follower of Christ, she cannot be expected to live the spotless life that is required of a believer with a changed heart. So this issue, pretty much fits right in with what seems to be the lifestyle of 'average' American family, que yo sepa.]
Hi Thankyou for coming by my blog this morning I bookmarked your blog and will read it later it looks very interesting and look forward to communicating with you often.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you think:)
ReplyDeletehi, thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteand thank you for reading, i am really concerned about the church and how susceptible many seem to be to deception :( i am becoming more and more passionate about the truth that protects us!