GLP Practical Theology Flashcards
1) What are the biblical grounds for divorce and remarriage?
The biblical grounds for divorce are abandonment and sexual immorality (Matt 19, 1 Cor. 7).
2) Can a man who was divorced before he came to faith in Christ serve as an elder or deacon?
Yes. If the man came to faith in Christ and he is truly repentant of his sin, he should no longer be identified by it. He is truly a new creation in Christ. The new has come and the old has gone (2 Cor. 5). Paul who was a murderer before he came to faith in Christ did serve as the apostle to the Gentiles.
3) A couple who is living together contacts you and asks if they can use your church for their upcoming wedding. They also ask you to perform the ceremony. Would you grant their request? Why or why not?
Since marriage is not a sacrament of the church and it is a God’s design for all, I would grant their request based on the following conditions:
1) The couple is not unequally yoked (2 Cor. 6).
2) The marriage is between a man and a woman (Matt. 19).
3) The couple agrees using the marriage vow from the BOC.
4) A family joins your church and gets involved. The husband is gifted and shows promise to be a leader. After a period of time it becomes known that the man is involved with the Masonic Lodge. Should he be allowed to teach an adult class? Should he be allowed to serve as elder or deacon if nominated? Why or why not?
He would not be allowed to serve as an elder or deacon. He also would not be allowed to teach an adult class. This man will be required to subscribe the Westminster Standards, which would not allow the teachings of freemasonry.
5) A young woman who grew up in your church moved away to attend college. She drifted away from the church though her name remains on the church rolls. Through a turn of events she became pregnant out of wedlock but has now married the child’s father who is not a believer. They have moved back to town to be close to family but are afraid to attend church for fear of what people will say. You learn that the child is born. What should you do?
I would like to meet with the woman and to find out whether she is at in her faith. I would like to know whether she is repentant of her sin of being unequally yoked with an unbeliever (2 Cor. 6, 1 Kg. 11) and committing sexual immorality (1 Cor. 5). Since Scripture is clear how we should not associate with anyone who claims to be a believer and yet is sexual immoral. If she would not repent of her past sins, she is not welcomed to attend the church. And a church discipline process will begin with more parties involved in this confrontation (Matt. 18).
6) A young person from your church went to college and got very involved in a para-church ministry. You learn that this ministry holds views that are not consistent with the Westminster Confession of Faith and is somewhat hostile to reformed theology. This young person wants to join this organization as a full-time worker. How would you counsel this person?
Those who aspire to be full-time worker desire a good thing. I would sit down with this person to find out why he wants to be a full-time worker. I would want this young person to know the qualifications for elders and deacons (1 Tim 3, Titus 1, 1 Pet. 5).
I would like this person to know this person’s ecclesiology since this young person was very involved with the para-church.
Lastly, I would like also to know whether this person is teachable and is willing be under the overseers and have confidence in them (Heb. 13). I would want to see this person get plugged in the local church context before we have any further discussion.
7) The same person in question #6 has actually joined this para-church ministry and they are in the middle of raising support. His family is well-connected in your church. Is it okay for this person to approach the church missions committee for support? Is it okay for them to speak to individuals about their support needs? Why or why not?
I would discourage this person from approaching individuals about their support needs. Parachurch often functions as a church despite the name being para-church. I do not want to encourage nor propagate this wrong view of local church.
However, it is okay for this person to approach the church missions committee for support. It would be up to the church mission committee to decide and make further recommendations on this person.
