http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1517&cuQA_qaID=1 Read and ask questions that have Bible-based answers from WELS pastors. WELS en-us Red Anvil, L.L.C. (http://www.redanvil.net) http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=54&cuItem_itemID=10887 I have to agree with my Catholic Friend on question http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?process&procID=1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=44&cuItem_itemID=10858. I am Mormon and we are not saying that the works is what saves us. We agree, as you do, that we are saved through faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What we are saying is you can't have faith without the works. You must follow his examples and teachings. I want to know where you get the idea that we feel we are saved through w... Wed, 28 Dec 2005 11:27:16 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=70&cuItem_itemID=10903 I recently joined a WELS church, having been raised ELCA. I've noticed that the rose in our emblem has two layers of petals, but ELCA's rose (and I believe LCMS's) has one layer. Is there a specific reason for the difference or is it artistic interpretation? Thanks. Wed, 28 Dec 2005 11:23:43 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=378&cuItem_itemID=10827 My parents are in their late 70's, and although they are both mentally stable, they have many health problems. My dad has been in a nursing home for almost two year and has adjusted well to this situation; however my mom has not. She dwells on how things use to be; listening to sad music and constantly thinking about the past, which makes her miserable. I understand how difficult it is for her to make this adjustment after 60 years of married life but since she cannot care for him herself a... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 12:08:46 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=41&cuItem_itemID=10894 I'm currently attending a Bible study at a local WELS church and have questions about Bibles. I have been using a New King James Version Reference Bible from Nelson. I just received a gift of a NIV Study Bible from Zondervan. Some research on my own, via internet, has brought up some concerns of if the NIV Bible is a correct translation of the orginial text. Zondervan was specifically mentioned in different places. The pastor leading our Bible study recommended the NIV but mentioned tha... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 10:01:51 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=72&cuItem_itemID=10884 This question once came up at one of our Bible studies on Genesis. Is it safe to assume that if man had not fallen into sin, and subsequently not earned the punishment of death, and continued to follow Gods original command to be fruitful and multiply, that our planet would be able to support all this life, without being overpopulated? This question is somewhat rhetorical in that I know and believe our heavenly Father did not create us with the idea that we would one day sin, and disrupt t... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:55:14 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=40&cuItem_itemID=10880 Exodus 31:16 states: "Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever." Since the Bible says the Sabbath regulation is a covenant forever, how do we know it's okay to disregard it? Also, if an Israelite family were believers in Christ, how do they know they can now disregard the Sabbath law, because it's a covenant FOREVER? Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:49:06 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=30&cuItem_itemID=10865 I would like to comment on your statement of distaste that women read the Scriptures at church. I am an LCMS member and love to read God's word. I believe Paul said that women should not have authority over men. Since when is reading the scriptures that? Are women not allowed to read the scriptures either in private or public? Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:46:55 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=30&cuItem_itemID=10864 My sister is a Methodist and claims that women can do just as good a job as men on the pulpit and her religion allows this as many do, such as the Roman Catholic religion. I understand by my understanding of the Bible, guided by the Holy Spirit and in prayer, and being an educated member of WELS that it quite clearly states in many places in the Bible the role of men and women in all aspects of life here on earth. How can I explain to her how to interpret the Bible passages properly when sh... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:37:59 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=14&cuItem_itemID=10857 I've npticed lately that you cite CTCR statements by LCMS when giving answers at the WELS Q&A site. Is LCMS theology that orthodox in your opinion, or does WELS pick and choose what they agree with? Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:29:23 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=72&cuItem_itemID=10856 I am reading the book "Evolution is not Scientific: 32 Reasons Why by Albert Sippert. I'm only 60+ pages in but several issues have been discussed that I'm not sure of their validity. Please comment and provide the WELS stance on the following issues: 1. P.61, in referring to Genesis 1:31, Sippert states that "The mere fact that everything was 'very good' indicates that mankind could freely roam all over this earth without any major obstacles such as mountains and deserts. All land could... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:26:11 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=63&cuItem_itemID=10842 My father is LCMS, my sister is ELCA, and my wife and her family are Roman Catholic. How can I expain to them that I cannot pray with them? Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:21:43 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=40&cuItem_itemID=10836 I hope you might be able to shed some light on an apparent inconsistency in my Bible translation (NIV). Exodus 22:10-12 states: 10 "If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to his neighbor for safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking, 11 the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the LORD that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person's property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is req... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:16:21 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=33&cuItem_itemID=10784 I have been divorced a couple of years and have taken some time to heal and focus on Christ. This will not change, but I do not want to make the same mistakes and choices that I have made in the past. I feel I am ready to begin dating, but the men that I have met so far feel that sex is a part of dating, and Our Lord is something that they take lightly. My whole life revolves around serving the Lord and my Church. I know there must be single WELS men out their that share my passion. ... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:12:29 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=28&cuItem_itemID=10758 Why is pornography wrong? Could you site some scriptural passages relevant to the issue of pornography and why God (and consequently Christians) seek to condemn this act? Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:08:20 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=31&cuItem_itemID=10765 My husband and I recently purchased a new home that was a step up from our old home. I guess it could be considered "upper middle class living". We have been blessed with a good job and gifted money from our parents that has led us to live a nice life and to be able to afford this home. We are grateful. However, I can't help but feel guilty that we live in such a nice home and have so much while others struggle. Why us? Why are we so blessed? I feel like we are "able to have our cake an... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:05:05 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=70&cuItem_itemID=10718 What direction does the church take, if any, on a member having a child months ago with his girlfriend out of wedlock? They attend church regularly. Not married and not engaged and participate in all church functions. Would our pastor approach them to discuss the scenario with them? I recently discussed being married and having children with my nephew. He went through the congregation and asked "Are they married? Are they married?" When he got to that couple, I answered yes not wanting ... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:58:24 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=33&cuItem_itemID=10671 I met this man two years ago, and we had an instant connection. We dated for a little while and situations in our lives made us drift apart. We continued to talk, and about a year later we had a misunderstanding that led to hard feelings and ultimately breaking up. After things ended with us he almost immediately (three weeks later) starting dating another girl (He claims he did not meet her until after we broke up, which I believe). However, I have continued to love him. Recently we have s... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 07:03:41 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=33&cuItem_itemID=10667 We have been dating for about 1 1/2 years and things have been going well. however, we are both competitive people and sometimes that trickles into our relationship. I want to love like Christ, but sometimes I think that I am being taken advantage of. She says that she feels guilty because she doesn't return the way that I love sometimes. I guess the problem is that we treat it like a competition when I just want to love her like Christ regardless of the return. Our relationship is very... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 06:55:50 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=320&cuItem_itemID=10882 My wife of 11 years recently filed for legal separation in our state of Arizona. She has just changed her position to dissolution of marriage. We have two children in WELS schools. She is a graduate of Arizona Lutheran Academy. We are active church participants. This scenario occured from an argument on November 1st, 2005. I write this December 20th, 2005. We have NONE of the scriptural reasons for divorce. I have sought urgent help from our pastors, and I am getting little response. Wh... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 06:39:03 CDT http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=29&cuItem_itemID=10859 I have a question and I am not sure how to proceed. I have two neighbors next door who are lesbians with two children. Okay, we have a child coming on the way and the child will be around three months less then age of the neighbors' children. The neighbors are not crazy or in your face people. They even had their children baptized. It is hard to think of them as lesbians. They are friends with a lot of people in the neighborhood. They are also very nice and today they gave some i... Tue, 27 Dec 2005 06:37:06 CDT