I[/dropcap] continue to receive letters from readers. Here is a small collection of them commenting on my articles or videos on video games, Jesus, marriage, the prosperity gospel church, and God’s hatred for sexual immorality. I hope you enjoy them!
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Letters on Do Your Children Play Video Games?
One comment I would add to your excellent article: video games are a great opportunity to teach children discernment. When my kids weren’t allowed to play a game, as much as possible, I went back to Scripture to explain why it wasn’t acceptable. As they got into their late teens, it was their responsibility to research the games and make a case as to whether the game would be pleasing to God. I did the same thing with movies and other activities. It got them in the habit of thinking about what Jesus would think about their entertainment choices, and that’s a very good thing.
—April S, Wixom, Michigan
Comments on 10 Books Every Christian Should Read
There is somewhat of a glaring omission from Tim’s list – The Holy Bible – which I would rank as the #1 book to read first. Too few Christians have read this book from start to finish. All other books should take second place to this one. I say “somewhat of a glaring omission” because Tim does make reference to it in the following quote, “There is no book you’ll read in your life, sure the Bible of course, that will probably have a greater effect on your understanding of your own sinfulness, your understanding of God’s grace to help you overcome that sin.” Perhaps a revised list is in order?
—Paul P, Etobicoke, ON
Tim – I’d say the title “Christian book” excludes the Bible as a very different (and much better and more important) sort of book.
Letters on How To Tell if it’s a Prosperity Gospel Church
In addition to your list of prosperity gospel church indicators, we should include the reduction of sin to an outside entity that simply hinders one’s potential. Sin is not heinous because it defies a perfect and holy God and separates us from our Creator, but because it “makes our lives messy.” Sin is simply an inconvenience in our quest to obtain the “desires of the heart.” Sin is something that happened to you, or something you have done unwillingly, but it is certainly not the very fabric of your fallen being. Fallen being might even be too far; for all people are basically good, right? God becomes the magic genie through which we obtain the Earthly “desires of the heart,” as it were, and sin becomes anything that hinders our progress.
—T.J. S, Sneads Ferry, NC
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I’m so glad for this as a resource. Thanks for not shying away from clear truth and warning. If you contemplate running the same ‘template’ over other pitfalls and movements, you’ve got my vote.
—Joe S, Johannesburg, South Africa
Letters on God Hates Sexual Immorality
As Christians, we are called to love. In the context of this article, you describe these sins in hate. God doesn’t “hate” anyone. Though we can point out sins and read them from the Bible on our own, we are not called to judge. This article is shown in a very judgmental way. Only God can judge. I pray you understand my view point and that non-believers will only go further away by reading of hateful things such as this in the way you describe God’s view point, in which you have no right to try to explain. You are not God. Spread love. We’re here to save the lost, not condemn them for their actions. We’re all sinners, even you.
—Lee A, Cleveland, Ohio
Letters on Don’t Leave Jesus Out of Your Marriage
Tim, thank you for this (and many of your articles in fact) as I greatly enjoy getting your daily emails. I am struck by your most recent article as I too, having spent some years in bi-vocational pastoral ministry (I also manage an insurance agency). The idea of marriage is one that comes to mind often as I see the breakdown of the family in our culture and there seems to be little hesitation to dissolve marriages, in difficult circumstances, even in the church today. I wonder if we all truly understood the profound teaching of Paul’s marriage example, how much easier it would be for all of us who are married. To love as Christ loves should make it easy to submit. But of course, loving as Christ loves is often difficult in our sinful human condition, and submitting is something contrary to our nature and has to be a conscious choice so often. I too, each time I am brought to this passage, am reminded of my own failures as a husband (and head of a home) but am so blessed I have been given a loving (and mostly supporting/submissive) wife and kids who are patient with their father. Thanks again for the reminder and keep encouraging us daily.
—Troy H, Caribou, ME