Introduction to Permanence View of Marriage

Every evangelical Christian would agree with the statement that marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Yet some evangelicals would add that there are “exceptions” that can release an individual from this lifelong covenant. Anything ranging from abandonment, neglect, unmet expectations, abuse, and adultery are used for “exceptions” to end the marriage covenant.

Others would hold to a view of “permanence” which states that the marriage covenant that a believer makes is permanent and there are no exceptions that allow for a break of the covenant.  I personally believe this is the biblical view and best exemplifies the mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 5:32). I am going to attempt to write on how I have come to this conclusion in my study of Scriptures. This will be a series of several blogs as it is important to look at the whole counsel of God. Without understanding the purpose of marriage, one will have difficulty understanding the permanence of marriage.

So please join with me as I endeavor to take a journey through the Scriptures over the next several weeks. I ask that you keep an open mind and feel free to add your comments.

Has God Abandoned the Hood?

I have spent my entire life living in two inner city neighborhoods of Chicago (Humboldt Park and West Garfield Park). It is easy to believe that God has abandoned these two communities due to the poverty, crime, lack of education, absence of fathers and hopelessness.

While many would want to avoid these two communities, I have come to understand God’s sovereignty in determining the boundaries of my dwelling place. God has invited me to be His presence for those seeking Him. God has invited me into His mission for those feeling their way towards Him.

“And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:26-28)

Has God abandoned the hood? Of course not! Have Christians abandoned the hood? Sadly, in many ways we have. We have abandoned God’s mission for our momentary well being. We have focused on our desires before other people’s needs. We do not realize that our well being is tied up in the well being of those around us. We do not realize that we actually find life through death to our individualism.

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you…and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

Following are 5 simple ways that you can seek the welfare of your community (whether it’s an inner city neighborhood or not). This is not an exhaustive list, but my prayer would be that it sparks believers to understand God’s purpose for us in the exact places that He has sovereignly placed us.

After reading the 5 steps, feel free to give additional ideas that you may have. Let’s grow together as urban missionaries!

Step 1: Pray daily for your community
Take ten minutes each day to pray for the families on your block. As you see your neighbors, be purposeful in asking for prayer requests and then follow up with them on those requests.

Step 2: Spend time in your community
In today’s day and age when we jump in our car to go from here to there, this will take some intentionality. But let yourself be seen. Be friendly. As opportunities arise, get to know people. Walk your community, play basketball at the local park, shop at the local stores, eat at the local restaurants, volunteer at a community center or nursing home, worship at a local church.

Step 3: Asset map your community
Map out the resources available in your community and city. These resources might include job training programs, GED programs, sports leagues, after school programs, day camps, tutoring programs, and church service times. Include as much info as possible (Contact name & number, cost, address, etc). Print these lists out and distribute them to people in your community.

Step 4: Beautify your community
Pick up trash. Help your neighbors plant grass on their lawns. Begin a community garden that the block can own and enjoy together. Recruit skilled labor to do a service day in your community.

Step 5: Open your home to your community
Invite people over for dinner. Host a game night. Lead Bible Studies. If you have an extra room, invite someone in need to live with you.

The Presidential Election and Abortion

For the Christian, abortion must be a leading topic that is addressed in the presidential discussion.  No matter which candidate one votes for, I am convinced that all Christians are concerned about the sanctity of life. As a result of our passion for life, it is easy to dig our heels in the ground politically and come out fighting on this topic, never considering the legitimate questions raised by the opposing viewpoint. So let’s begin with the questions.

The primary question the Christian Republican asks regarding abortion is, “How can we vote for someone who has no regard for human life? And would allow a mother to kill her baby?”

The primary question the Christian Democrat asks regarding abortion is, “How can we vote for someone who has no regard for human life? And limits life to simply birth with no concern for the quality of life after?”

Both are legitimate questions. From conception to death, life must be fought for. But the numbers are staggering. About 1.2 million abortions are performed each year in America. Thus, in a four year term of one US President, 4.8 million lives are taken before they even have a chance to fight for a quality life. This is larger than the population of Los Angeles (3.8 million), Chicago (2.8 million), Houston (2.1 million), or Atlanta (430,000).

Abortions are by far and large targeting the urban population, with most abortion centers (Planned Parenthood) in poor communities. Minority women constitute only about 13% of the female population (age 15-44) in the United States, but they underwent approximately 36% of the abortions (www.BlackGenocide.org). Has anyone ever asked the question, “Why?” At worst, there is a national eugenics movement following in the footsteps of Margaret Sanger. At best, there is the consensus that a child born to a poor family has less value than a child born to a rich family. That somehow the value of life is equal to the access of what wealth provides.

Have we forgotten that our Savior was conceived to a single, poor mother who was an outcast in her family and community? Can you imagine the shame this pregnancy brought on her? Can you imagine how difficult this pregnancy made her life? She would have been the perfect case for why women should have “choice”. Why bring this burden upon themselves and a forthcoming child? Yet, God brings promise in the midst of poverty. He brings salvation in the midst of shame. With God, the value of life is never found in a socio- economic bracket.

The argument has been made that the US President doesn’t determine whether abortions are legal or illegal. It is a US Supreme Court decision. True, abortion has been legal since 1973, while both Republicans & Democrats have served as presidents. Yet, the President elects Supreme Court judges, who decide on the legality of abortion. With the balance barely tipped on this issue, one judge can make a difference of 1.2 million lives annually.

In addition, does the fact that the President can/ or can’t determine the legality of abortion in America really make a difference? If 1.2 million handicapped people were murdered this year because they were a burden to society, would it affect our vote? What if they were 1.2 million Christians? Or 1.2 million African Americans? Or 1.2 million school aged children? Would we vote for a President that didn’t think the lives of a certain population were important? Is it simply because we don’t get to see, touch and hold a baby in the womb that we don’t deem her as an important life?

Should we be concerned with the poverty and cruelty a child could potentially be born into? My answer is a resounding yes! I will address the issues of poverty in a later blog post. But should we make the determination that the value of a life is somehow less because of the environment she would be born in? My answer is a resounding no!

The Great Christian Divide

You would be hard pressed to find anything more divisive in the work place, extended family gatherings and the American Church than the presidential election. Most Americans have strong emotional ties one way or the other. Some opinions have been formed over study, some through tradition, most probably a mix of both study and tradition. Either way, it saddens me when Christians, who are united in Christ, allow themselves to be divided over a political party. I could hear the Apostle Paul, “For it has been reported to me that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. Each one of you says, ‘I follow the party of the donkey,’ or ‘I follow the party of the elephant.’ Is Christ divided? Was Obama crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Romney?” (1 Corinthians 1:11-13)

We live with a freedom to vote that most people throughout history have never experienced. This is a grace we have been given. Let’s make our best determination and take advantage of the vote we have been given, but a believer should never put their hope in any king above the King of Kings. 

When Israel called out for a king to rule them, God warned them of the dangers that would come as a result. “In that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” (1 Kings 8:18) Human presidents and kings will always fail us. They are not perfect and actually should point us, in their imperfection, to the only One who will never fail us- Christ Jesus!

What I will endeavor to do in following blog posts is to share my thoughts on this upcoming presidential election. I do not claim to know every political talking point, or even to know perfectly how to manage my own household. Yet, these are thoughts I have chewed on for several years. I am friends with both Democrats and Republicans. I have close relatives that are both Democrats and Republicans. I minister the Gospel in partnership with both Democrats and Republicans. I see flaws in both parties (and their alternatives). Elections to me have always been settled with choosing the best of fallen options and resting in a God that controls the hearts of kings and presidents.

Know at the end of the day that God raises up leaders for His purposes, not always for your plans. Moses probably would not have voted for Pharaoh if he had the opportunity. Yet, he never disrespected him. Jesus probably would not have voted for Herod, yet He submitted to Him. 

With that being said, I will write a series of blogs on various topics that I have wrestled with regarding this election. This is meant to spark a healthy discussion amongst the Church of the Living God. If you can’t refrain from healthy dialogue, I ask that you refrain from making any posts on this blog. I definitely intend on writing posts on abortion, the poor and the role of the government. What other topics should I address?

Known Stories: Brian Dye

Above is a 3 minute video put together by Youth Specialties a few years ago. I believe it captures my life and passions well.