BROMISM OR BROMINISM - SKIN ERUPTIONS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE USE OF BROMIDES
What are bromides? The dictionary gives basically 3 definitions for ’bromide’, 1) a salt consisting of two elements one of which is bromine (a dark red, fuming, toxic liquid), 2) a platitude, and 3) a boring person. As you can see any of those could be problematic for the church.

1)When Jesus said we should be the salt of the world I don’t think he was referring to this kind of salt. Salt is very important and we need it in our physical bodies as well as our spiritual bodies, but we also know that many health problems are aggravated or even caused by an excess of salt. In our spiritual lives we need to strive for the proper proportions. If we lose our flavor as Jesus said we won’t be ‘worth our salt.’ We will need to be thrown out. On the other hand, if we have too much salt; as the sons of thunder did when they wanted to call down fire from Heaven to consume those who rejected Jesus, we will do damage to the cause of Christ. Some ‘Christians’ were blunt to the point that instead of showing an individual what the scriptures said in a loving way, and allowing that individual to realize his lost state, they would tell the person something to this effect, “You are going to hell.” Not only were the words harsh, but the impression left behind was, ”You are going to hell to suffer for eternity, and I am glad of it.” Anytime we leave that kind of an impression with someone we have done more harm than good.

I often think back to the homosexual man who was killed out in Wyoming. At his funeral there were people claiming to be Christians with signs and banners proclaiming the judgement of God against homosexuals, and explaining how they would spend eternity suffering. I did not see a single one that told the people attending that funeral of God’s love and desire for all of us to come to him, or of the fact that if they will repent He will freely forgive. It is no wonder many in the sin homosexuality don’t want to become Christians and change if they think we all act like those individuals.

2) On the other hand we don’t need to be spouting meaningless or overused platitudes. If you have just experienced some tragedy in your life, even if I went through a similar tragedy, I don’t know how you feel. Telling me that all things work for good, which I already know, doesn’t help much when I am in the depths of despair. There are so many things that we say that just don’t help. Sometimes it’s best to just be there and be quiet. Job was comforted by the presence of his friends until they started talking. (Job 2:13) “So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”

3) Many in the world think that the Christian life is boring. Some of them think this way because we don’t get drunk, sleep around, do drugs, or any other of the things that sinful people seem to think is exciting. If that is the reason then let them keep thinking that way, I will take the boring path. There are some though that have gotten the impression from us that a Christian has to be miserable, or at least somber, all the time. We have given that impression at times. If we walk around looking like we were baptized in vinegar and weaned on a pickle what do we expect. It isn’t very pleasant to be around someone who never smiles or laughs, never plays a game, and never whistles or hums a tune or sings a cheery song.

There is an old story that you may have heard. Jesus was showing one of the angels around the earth. He pointed out all the places He had been when He was here; the temple, the garden, the cross, the tomb, etc. Then Jesus took the angel to an assembly of the church and explained to the angel that these were the people who had accepted his love and returned it in their obedience. Jesus told the angel how these people were on their way to Heaven and could spend an eternity there with the other angels, and with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. The angel was excited about this even though he had known it for 2000 years, and he looked at the people gathered together singing and praying and studying the Bible. After seeing the looks of boredom, solemness, sadness, and seriousness on their faces the angel turned to Jesus and asked, “Do you want me to tell them or are you going to?” Let’s be sure to live our lives in such a way that others know that we know that Christianity is a better way to live in this world and in the next.

BISEXUALISM - SEXUALLY RESPONSIVE TO BOTH SEXES
”There is no such thing as a homosexual or heterosexual person. In theory all are bi. In practice some are this, some are that, some exclusively, some part-time. The point is that were it not for the three monotheistic religions that have made a nice hell of all human relations—so that we shall love God the father all the more? -- no one would have thought to categorize anyone because of his sexual interests. ... I suggest we work together to flush Judaism, Christianity and Islam into the Mediterranean and restore the Greco-Roman world, where, believe it or not, there was no word for fag or dyke, nor was there any conception that an occasional sexual activity constituted an entire personality.”—Author Gore Vidal to London’s Gay Times, February issue. (Planet Out, email news service, 3/3/99)

I bet you didn’t know that we are all bisexual. The funny thing is neither does our creator. More and more the twisted thinking in our country tries to come up with ways to excuse sin. Mr. Vidal is probably correct in one thing, ”were it not for the three monotheistic religions (i.e. those that teach there is only one true God, even though Judaism and Islam don’t teach the whole truth about Him - jp). . . no one would have thought to categorize anyone because of his sexual interests.” How true it is that without God there is no moral standard, no reason to do one thing and not another, no right and wrong. The only problem for these individuals that want to make up their own rules is that no matter how hard they try or even succeed at getting rid of the influence of God, He will still be the one to judge us all in the last day.

I can refuse to believe in trains, or I can refuse to believe that they can hurt me, but if I remain on the train tracks I will eventually pay for that decision with my life. No one would think it hateful, intolerant, or bigotry to warn someone of this danger. How then is it that when we lovingly try to warn people about the danger to their souls, they think we hate them. Sin separates us from God and only repentance can bring us back.

(Rom 1:24-32) “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: {25} Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. {26} For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: {27} And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. {28} And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; {29} Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, {30} Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, {31} Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: {32} Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” God would never condemn someone for something they had no choice about. Notice that He did not make them this way, but He allowed them to choose this way. God doesn’t want them to go to Hell for these actions, but if they will not repent He will have no other recourse. (2 Pet 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

ADIAPHORISM - ALLOWANCE OF ANYTHING NOT SPECIFICALLY CONDEMNED IN SCRIPTURE

This is the theory that many religious groups use to explain many of the practices they have. We should always try to “speak where the Bible speaks, and are silent where the Bible is silent.” Some have taken that to mean that if the Bible does not say something is wrong by name then it is silent on that subject and we are free to do it.  That is not at all what we should mean. Let us look at a few of the things that are wrong in principle, but that are not specifically mentioned in scripture.

Recreational drug use, gambling, racism, baptizing pets, speeding (along with many other laws of man), destruction of other’s property, abortion, pornography, rape, and child abuse are all things that are never mentioned by name in the Bible.

The list could go on and on.  We must be sure that we don’t fall into the trap of believing in Adiaphorism. We must understand that God speaks on many things by stating the positive action to be taken and not mentioning all of the negative actions to be avoided. The golden rule is a perfect example of this. Jesus could have given a 500 page thesis on all of the things that we should not do to our neighbors (i.e. kick, hit, poke in the eye, pull hair, stab, shoot, choke, etc., etc.), but He instead told us how we should treat them and saved us and Himself a bunch of time and energy. His universal principle, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” even though it is stated positively is still prohibitive.  Without the fuss of mentioning every sin that would ever be invented by man toward his fellow man, he managed to condemn them all.

To see the true biblical principle at work in our daily lives, let’s imagine the last time we went to a restaurant. Whether it was fast-food or sit-down there was a menu. On that menu there may have been something like this:
SANDWICHES
All sandwiches may be topped with Pickles, Mustard, Ketchup, Onion, Lettuce, Tomato, and are served with your choice of ; Baked Potato, French Fries, Onion Rings, or Hashbrowns.

Below this would be many different sandwiches listed. If you placed your order and specified “I want the Hamburger with Lettuce and Tomato and an order of Fries.” and the waiter/waitress returned with a Cheeseburger with Lettuce, Tomato, and Pickles (which you are allergic to) and a side order of Hashbrowns, what would you think, say or do. The server had obviously not done what you asked. Now let us follow the conversation that follows.
You: This is not what I ordered.
Server: What do you mean?
You: I ordered a Hamburger, this is a Cheeseburger.
Server: Oh no, it is just a Hamburger with cheese on it. I thought I would give you a little more than you asked for.
You: I didn’t want Pickles, in fact, I am allergic to them.
Server: Well you didn’t tell me not to put any Pickles on it.
You: I also asked for Fries, not Hashbrowns.
Server: Oh really, what is the difference they are both potatoes, just fixed two different ways.
You: But what about my order?
Server: Well, you should really have been specific about it.
You: I am not going to eat this, take it back and fix it.
Server: Fine, but you will have to pay for it and what you eat.
You: I am not paying for this it is not what I ordered.
Server: That isn’t true I brought you everything you asked for and even some extra. Why are you mad? 
You: You did not bring what I asked for, you changed it. Good bye. I will go eat somewhere else.

Absurd isn’t it? However, this is exactly the conversation that the doctrine of Adiaphorism creates between people and God’s word. I know the excuse, “you didn’t say I couldn’t” never worked with my parents when they had been clear as to what I could do, and we better know it won’t work with God. Let us be sure we do what he said how he said and nothing beyond what he said.

Can you think of anything at your church that is done because God never said you couldn't? If you can consider
how displeased you would be in his place, and what wrath He will pour out on those who don't keep his
commandments.

To all of my religious friends and neighbors I pose the question above. We ask whether one thing is better than another quite often. Is one car better than another? Is one brand of cheese better than the others? Is one kind of cheese better than another? Is one restaurant better than another? Is one school better than another? Is one team better than another? We could go on and on, but let me make this observation about those things: they fall into one of two categories 1) those that are matters of taste or opinion, 2) those that are matters of fact. 

Those that are matters of opinion we accept that we will disagree about. Some people will like Colby, Mozzarella or Monterey Jack, some will like Cheddar, American or Swiss, still others prefer Bleu, Limburger or Parmesan. Some of the kinds that others like we may find disgusting, or maybe we just don’t like cheese at all. Is that the way it is with religion? Some say that it is. Many will say ‘well there are different churches because people need to find one that fits them and makes them comfortable’. Some would even go so far as to say the same thing about the different world religions. Is Hinduism better than Islam? Is Judaism better than Buddhism? Is Christianity better than Atheism? 

According to a study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life 70% of religious Americans believe that one is as good as another, and that many different religions lead to eternal life. I don’t know who these 70% are, but I know they are not really Christians even if they claim to be. One of the foundations of Christianity is faith in Jesus Christ as the only Son of God and the only Savior. Jesus himself says,   “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”(John 14:6). At another time He proclaims,   “for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). Peter also explains in Acts 4:10-12, “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. {11} This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. {12} Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

When it comes to the religions of the world there is little difference among most of them, but Christianity is better. How can I make such a judgmental statement. Notice, I did not say I like Christianity better. That is what I would say of matters of opinion as in ‘I like Cheddar better than Swiss.’ This is the way we deal with things that are subjective. However, when I say that something is better, I must have some evidence or facts that can be weighed and judged objectively. So, why do I have the audacity to say Christianity is better, not just better, but I say it is undoubtedly the best religion there is or ever has been? Because I believe the evidence demands that verdict. This short article can’t present all of the evidence available, but consider the following:

1) It is better because of the principles that it preaches. 
2) It is better because of the promises it provides. 
3) It is better because of the people it produces. 
4) It is better because of the providence of the God who protects it. 
5) It is better because of the price that was paid to begin it. 
6) It is better because of its plan to save from the penalty of sin. 
7) It is better because of the permanently empty tomb of the perfect author and perfecter of the faith. 
8) It is better because of the prophecy that promised it centuries before it came. 
Christianity is the only religion in the world that has a God who made, loves, carries, washes, feeds, cares for, protects, and sacrificed for His people. Other religions do those things for their gods.

Weigh the following and see which is better. Which one will make for a better world to live in? What would the world be like if everyone lived by the first? The second? Etc.

1) Love yourself and look out for number one.
2) Love your family and hate everyone else.
3) Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
4) Love those who share your religious belief and destroy everyone else.
5) Love even your enemies and do good to them that hate you.
Not everyone lives by any one of these, but if they did the last would obviously lead to a better world. Just remember that not all who claim Christianity live by its teachings.

One more set of principles to compare:

1) Do to others what you want done to you.
2) Don’t do anything to someone that you wouldn’t want done to you.
3) Do whatever feels good to you.
4) Do what is best for the biggest group.
5) Do what is best for the richest.

Many religions are based on the second or even the fourth and these are lauded as great principles, but when compared to the first they fall short. Imagine someone with a disease of some kind. The fourth says kill him so he won’t be a burden on the rest. The second says don’t kill him, but let nature take its course if he lives fine, if he dies fine. But Christ says what would you want if you were sick? Someone to care for you, make a medicine that would help you, love you, talk to you. 

Unfortunately, we live in a society that used to value individual human lives, but that now is more interested in the ‘greater good’ which calls for more abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, drug-controlled children, and government regulations on everything. I am reminded of Asimov’s robot stories about the three laws of robotics (Some of you are more familiar with Will Smith’s movie I Robot). The first law was that a robot could not harm a human. Sounds like a good idea, but the robots quickly found that humans harmed themselves and began to imprison them to keep them safe from everything from murders to car wrecks to high cholesterol. Christianity teaches the highest moral code in existence, but it also proclaims individual freedom and responsibility. True Christianity understands that God has given each individual the freedom to destroy his own life even though it is against God’s will, but no individual is given the freedom to harm others. We desperately need to balance freedom with responsibility and only Christianity provides for that possibility.

Christianity converts by teaching, while most other religions convert by birthright, edict, force, or threat of death. In the Old Testament God’s people wanted to be like the nations around them and that is exactly what they became. They became wicked and suffered God’s wrath and our ‘Christian’ nation wants to follow that same pattern. More than half (57%) of ‘evangelical Christians’ believe other religions are just as good as Christianity for getting someone to eternal life. So many think that tolerance is king. Those who believe that don’t have Christ as King, because He will never share the throne with the false religious founders and leaders of the world.

QITB - Questions in the Bible - is a series of articles based on questions that were actually asked in the Bible. They are on a variety of topics for that very reason, so they will be grouped in the category 'questions in the bible' on the right side.

In the gospel of John chapter 18 Jesus is on trial before Pilate. Pilate asks a question that is still being asked today, “What is truth?”. Whether Pilate was sincere in his desire to know or not does not change the fact that this is a question that we need to answer. Pilate certainly asked the right person. If anyone would know about truth it would be Jesus, the divine Son of God. It is interesting that Pilate did not wait for the answer. Jesus had just said that He came to bear witness to the truth and that anyone of the truth would listen to him. Pilate would not listen, will you?

There are literally millions of people living today who do not even believe in an absolute truth. They do not believe that some things are always wrong and other things are always right. The Bible and Jesus both make it clear that there is truth and that the truth, that is one truth not many different truths, is for everyone. Truth is mentioned over 200 times in the Bible and not one of those times does it teach that truth is subjective or that the circumstances or situation makes a difference in truth. 

We can see a difference in matters of opinion and in matters of right and wrong if we will just think about it. Without even dealing with religion we know that some things do not matter. For example: What is your favorite food?, What is your favorite color?, etc. We know that these things deal with opinion. If I think red is the most beautiful color and you think it is ugly we can agree to disagree. I don’t have to stop liking red and you don’t have to start liking it. These things are matters of opinion. On the other hand, if someone were on top of a building and about to step off, there should be no disagreement between us about what would happen if they were to step off. Everyone beyond a certain age knows that the person would fall. We understand that gravity pulls everything toward the ground even if we don’t understand how or why. This is truth (it does not matter whether you believe it or not, whether you are male or female, what religion you are, what your ethnic background is or what country you live in) it does not change and we would be wasting our time to try to argue the point.

There are these same two groups of things in religion. There are matters of opinion and matters of truth. Whether we believe the truth or not we will still be bound by it just as a person living on Earth is bound by gravity. Among many other things the Bible teaches: that there is one God and Jesus is his son, that there is a heaven for the righteous and a hell for the wicked, that Jesus built only one church; and that there is truth. If we can all agree in earthly matters like gravity, why can’t we agree in much more important spiritual matters? Those of us in the church of Christ believe it is possible. We would like for you to visit with us and study with us to see if we can “all speak the same thing” as Paul asked the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 1:10.