PUBLISHER 6 AUGUST 2023 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition I’m the first to admit that I’m a little off-center. Odd to me that I’ve rarely if ever had to defend that selfadmitted point of view from anyone who may have foolishly thought otherwise by cutting me grace. I ponder, for only a brief moment, how my views stack up against conventional thoughts and find that my thoughts generally have a lot of question marks, but my spoken views tend to end with exclamation points, and why is that? I challenge conventional wisdom in search, perhaps, of a better or more complete way but often find that more incomplete with seemingly dark hallways and corridors, which can be exhausting. I have few idle thoughts if any at all; my most harmless idle thought is perhaps why is that the song title of that song? So, my curiosity demands that I ask: what are the most asked biblical questions people seek fulfillment in knowing more about? Aside from pestering people like Dr. Warren Gage, who makes my tiny brain hurt because of his incisive responses, I seek less deleterious effects and settle for a more mundane google search, landing on Got Questions Ministries. There are many important questions, but my off-center approach as you can now surmise would seek out the popular version at local bookstores of the “how-to-for-Idiots” if they have a Bible version? Hmmm…. Where was Jesus for the three days between His death and resurrection? After Jesus said, “It is finished,” on the cross, “he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30). His dead body remained on the cross until it was taken down and placed in a nearby tomb (John 19:40–42). His spirit, however, was elsewhere. Three days later, His body and spirit were reunited, and He rose from the dead (John 20). There is some speculation about where Jesus was — that is, where His spirit was — for the three days between His death and resurrection. The clearest indication we have in Scripture of where Jesus was between His death and resurrection comes in His conversation on the cross with one of the thieves crucified next to Him. The believing thief asks to be remembered when Jesus comes into His kingdom (Luke 23:42), and Jesus replies, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (verse 43). So, after His death, Jesus went to the place of blessing where God is — heaven. And that’s where the believing thief went, too. Do pets go to Heaven? The Bible does not give any explicit teaching on whether pets/animals have “souls” or whether pets/animals will be in heaven. However, we can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15, 22) have the “breath of life”; that is, both man and animals are living beings. The primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not. Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God in some ways; they are capable of spirituality; they have a mind, emotion, and will; and part of their being continues after death. If pets/animals do have a “soul” or immaterial aspect, it must therefore be of a different and lesser “quality.” This difference possibly means that pet/animal “souls” do not continue in existence after death. What does the Bible say about dinosaurs? The topic of dinosaurs in the Bible is part of a larger ongoing debate within the Christian community over the age of the earth, the proper interpretation of Genesis, and how to interpret the physical evidence we find all around us. Those who believe in an older age for the earth tend to agree that the Bible does not mention dinosaurs, because, according to the old-earth paradigm, dinosaurs died out millions of years before the first man ever walked the earth, so the men who wrote the Bible could not have seen living dinosaurs. What does the Bible say about tattoos? The New Testament does not say anything about whether or not a believer in Jesus Christ should get a tattoo. Therefore, we cannot say that getting a tattoo is a sin. Because of Scripture’s silence, getting inked falls under the category of a “gray area,” and believers should follow their convictions in the matter, respecting those who may have different convictions. Here are some general biblical principles that may apply to getting a tattoo: Children are to honor and obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1–2). For a minor to get a tattoo in violation of his or her parents’ wishes is biblically unsupportable. Tattoos born of rebellion are sinful. “Outward adornment” is not as important as the development of the “inner self” and should not be the focus of a Christian (1 Peter 3:3–4). A person who desires a tattoo to garner attention or draw admiration has a vain, sinful focus on self. God sees the heart, and our motivation for anything we do should be to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Motivations for getting a tattoo such as “to fit in,” “to stand out,” etc., fall short of the glory of God. The tattoo itself may not be a sin, but the motivation in getting it might be. Our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. The believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). How much modification of that temple is appropriate? Is there a line that should not be crossed? Is there a point at which the proliferation of tattoos on one body ceases to be art and starts becoming sinful mutilation? This should be a matter of individual reflection and honest prayer. This has been a hot summer. I hope you found a way to stay cool and stay in the word. Les South Florida Edition • Good News • August 2023 • Volume 25, Issue 5 Advertising: We reach over 110,000 readers each month. 80,000 in print and 30,000 via our online digital edition. Placing an ad in our publication is affordable and effective to help grow your business. Call us today! Distribution: Available in more than 800 locations throughout South Florida. To become a free distribution point for the newspaper, please contact Shelly. The Good News is published by Good News Media Group, LLC, Reproduction in whole or part strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Good News Media Group, LLC. PO Box 670368, Coral Springs, FL 33067 954-564-5378 • www.goodnewsfl.org Publisher: Leslie J. Feldman [email protected] Editor: Shelly Pond [email protected] Advertising & Marketing: Robert “Buddy” Helland Jr. V.P. Sr. Marketing Manager [email protected] Art Director: Milton McPherson [email protected] Associate Art Director: Joseph Sammaritano [email protected] Social Media Manager: Ariel Feldman [email protected] Editorial Assistant: Eric Solomon [email protected] Cover Photography: Justus Martin [email protected] Leslie J. Feldman PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . .8 Ice Cream and Golf - by Stephan N. Tchividjian IN THE WORD . . . . . . . .10 Franklin Graham: Standing on God’s Truth – by Franklin Graham FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . 12 Investing in Young Adults – by Kevin Enders PARENTING . . . . . . . . . .14 Seasons – by Dr. Bob Barnes & Torrey Roberts FROM THE PULPIT . . . .16 Covid and Christianity, What Happens Now? – by Mark Van Dorn HEART AND SOUL . . . .18 PBA Equips Believers to Faithfully Defend the Gospel through Apologetics – by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . .20 The Promise of a Brighter Tomorrow – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins YOU ASK WHY? . . . . . . 22 Prayer Changes Almost Everything – by Dr. Tommy Boland GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW .24 - 26 What is your favorite simple pleasure? MARRIAGE . . . . . . . . . . .28 Multiple Marriages with the Same Person – by Lisa May COVER ARTICLE . .30 – 31 Habitat for Humanity of Broward Celebrates 40 Years Providing Affordable Housing – by Shelly Pond FAITH AND VOCATION . .32 Make Time to Grieve – by Kevin Stowe INSIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 The Church in a Digital Revolution: Navigating Digital Missions – by Rob Hoskins ENCOURAGEMENT . . .36 All’s Well That Ends Well– by Omar Aleman WE GET LETTERS . . . . .38 CALENDAR . . . . . .42 – 43 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . .44 – 47 I’m the first to admit… FOR FRONT COVER CREDITS, SEE PAGE 12. CONTENTS Good News • August • Volume 25 Issue 5
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