Q: Will Catholics go to heaven?

First, read this previous post on the difference between Roman Catholics and Protestant Christians.

That being said, Roman Catholics have salvation and go to heaven IF they have trusted Jesus alone for the forgiveness of their sins. If they trust in their own works and good deeds, then they are not genuinely trusting Jesus and will be separate from God. Matt Slick and his team at CARM.org have answered this question in more detail. Read it carefully HERE.

At the end of the article, this is what the author contends:

If a Roman Catholic believes in the official Roman Catholic teaching on salvation, then he is not a Christian since the official RCC position is contrary to scripture. Therefore, as a whole, Roman Catholics need to be evangelized. They need to hear the true Gospel. They need to hear that they are not made right before God by being in a church, or by being baptized, but by receiving Christ (John 1:12), believing that Jesus has risen from the dead (Rom. 10:9), and that justification is by faith (Rom. 5:1) and not by our deeds (Rom. 4:5). It is only true faith that results in true works (James 2), not the other way around. Roman Catholics, like anyone else, need to trust in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of their sins and not the Catholic sacraments, not the words of the priest, not the pope, not Mary, not the saints, not penance, not indulgences, not the rosary, etc. Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Finally, I believe that there are truly regenerate Christians in the Roman Catholic church. But, they are truly Christians in spite of official RCC theology and in spite of the ritualistic offerings of this ancient church which has had too many hands meddling in it through the centuries, gradually moving it away from orthodoxy and into apostasy. Yes apostasy. The Roman Catholic Church is no longer representing true Christianity.

Jesus alone saves. Jesus alone is Lord. Only Jesus' sacrifice can cleanse us. Only by faith are we made right before God. Justification is by faith, not by anything we do.

[Answered by Pastor HM, who has many Roman Catholic friends and family]

Q: How could the writer know a conversation between Satan and God?

In Job, there are certain parts where there is a written conversation between the Lord and Satan. For instance, Job 1:6-12:

⁶ One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. ⁷ The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

⁸ Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

⁹ "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. ¹⁰ "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. ¹¹ But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

¹² The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

How could the writer know a conversation between Satan & God?

Good question. This is an example of how much genre matters when reading Scripture. Job is a very unique book in the Old Testament b/c it has elements of history, poetry and narrative ("prose"). If you read Job carefully, you'll notice it starts and ends as a historical story, but the bulk of it is poetic dialogue. So how should we see the conversation between God and Satan? A few things here...

1. Just because poetry is used does not mean the conversation between God and Satan is fictional. Poetry often has "a historical core without historical precision" (Raymond Dillard and Tremper Longman III, Introduction to the Old Testament, 207). When something is written in poetic form, it moves the writing from a historical event to a story with UNIVERSAL application. What is the universal application of the book of Job? It tells us to turn to God in times of suffering, even if we are angry and bitter. "Only in encounter with him will the tension of suffering be resolved" (David Clines, Word Biblical Commentary, xxxix).

2. As with all Scripture, God inspired human authors to write exactly what he wanted them to write. God worked through their unique circumstances and personalities to communicate Himself to us. So the conversation between God and Satan did happen, but was recorded by a human author in poetic language. Some scholars suggest that the conversation between God and Satan is a "contrastive dialogue," written to tells us something about both parties. God is straightforward and gracious, while Satan is cunning and argumentative.

The book of Job is not easy to understand, but I encourage you to continue to wrestle with hard texts. God will speak to you often when you read, re-read, meditate and struggle with a text. Keep the questions coming. Never stop learning and growing in your faith, despite the questions you may have.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: Predestination?

"We all agree that man does have free will to choose God and follow Him. But I also think the position of Predestination is also biblical. From the verses I read God in His sovereignty has chosen those who have been saved already. Are puny minds can't understand that though until maybe we get to heaven. Can you give some insight into this? Verses to examine: John 15:16; Acts 13:48; Romans 9:15-16; Romans 9:22-24; Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 1:11; Philippians 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13."

"No one can seek you unless he has already found you." Bernard of Clairvaux

"I can only show you the door, you are the one who has to walk through it." Morpheus, The Matrix

It seems there are actually two questions here. First, there is the question whether predestination has any biblical grounding. Second, if there is biblical grounding for this position, then how does this work with our free will? Before I begin, let me just say this is a massive question that has been hotly debated for hundreds of years (!), so chances are - whatever answer I give will be inadequate and brief. But I hope to point you in the right direction.

1. The 1st question is whether a person's eternal destiny is chosen by God before their birth. In other words, does God predestine people to go to heaven? From the verses you listed, this appears to be the case. That is why there are many that argue for this position. Those who support the doctrine of predestination are called "Reformed" or "Calvinist." Calvinists argue (this is taken from carm.org):

1)Total depravity: that man is touched by sin in all parts of his being: body, soul, mind, and emotions,

2)Unconditional Election: that God’s favor to Man is completely by God’s free choice and has nothing to do with Man. It is completely undeserved by Man and is not based on anything God sees in man (Eph. 1:1-11),

3) Limited atonement: that Christ did not bear the sins of every individual who ever lived, but instead only bore the sins of those who were elected into salvation (John 10:11,15),

4) Irresistible grace: that God's call to someone for salvation cannot be resisted,

5) Perseverance of the saints: that it is not possible to lose one's salvation (John 10:27-28).

The second position stresses the freedom of the human will in salvation. This school of thought is known as "Arminianism." In contrast to Calvinism, they argue (also from carm.org):

1) God elects or reproves on the basis of foreseen faith or unbelief,

2) Christ died for all men and for every man, although only believers are saved,

3) Man is so depraved that divine grace is necessary unto faith or any good deed,

4) This grace may be resisted,

5) Whether all who are truly regenerate will certainly persevere in the faith is a point which needs further investigation.

This blog will not allow me to examine each of the verses you listed in depth, but please listen to this sermon by Calvinist Mark Driscoll (I've also embedded it below). He answers your primary questions; subsequent questions you may have and makes a case for Calvinism OVER Arminianism. The sermon notes, entitled, "Predestination: Duck, Duck, Damned?") can be found here.

2. Your 2nd question: How does free will work with predestination? As you have recognized, human beings are limited and have relatively "puny" minds, so this is mystery (Eph. 1:9). Yet I believe, from the Scriptures, it can be argued that even though God chooses (and therefore) saves us, those who are chosen have a part to play. Listen to what Theologian Donald Bloesch (in his book, Essentials of Evangelical Theology, Volume I: God, Authority and Salvation. Peabody, MA: Prince Press, 1978) says about this issue:

"To give all the glory to God in the accomplishing of our salvation is not to reduce man to nothing. Yet we must also not say that man gets some of the credit for his salvation, that man can help in the procuring of his salvation... Our position is that we must affirm both the sovereignty of grace and the responsibility of believers. The two errors to be avoided are the following: that one is saved exclusively by the work of grace upon him thereby not including or allow for personal faith and decision in the salvific process...the second error gives man a determinative role in his justification so that he virtually becomes a co-redeemer with Christ...Only the person who is transformed by divine grace can make a positive response to God's gracious invitation, but only the one who does make such a response is indeed transformed by grace."

If you're confused, don't fret. This is a doctrine that defies rational understanding. There is no easy or simple answer. All we know is that God, in his sovereign will, saves some people. God predestines some to be saved. The act of saving is absolutely God's work. Yet in order to be saved, a person must - in her free-will - repent of sin, turn to Jesus and love God throughout her life.

Hope this helps.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: Is it inevitable that unbelievers will end up in Hell?

"John 14:6 states: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Is it undebatable here that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. However, is it inevitable that unbelievers will end up in Hell? Is it illogical to believe that God gives out second chances? I understand that God is just, but God is also loving, and it is difficult to believe that He would be willing to forsake us to eternal punishment. For example, to redeem us and keep us out of Hell He sacrificed His own son. Keeping in line with both His just and loving nature. Is it illogical to believe that God has a "get out of jail" card for all of us, that even when the most adamant of unbelievers die, Jesus will have a way of redeeming them (possibly by speaking with them like the man in the Relient K song "Deathbed")? Obviously this is not an excuse to sin, but rather a spark of hope for those who don't believe."

“There are only two kinds of people – those who say ‘Thy will be done’ to God or those to whom God in the end says, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell choose it.”

C.S. Lewis

The central question here seems to be "Does God give out second chances?" Let us examine two verses in the Bible to shed some light on this issue:

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27)

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9)

From Hebrews 9:27, we learn that people are destined to die only once and to then face judgment. From 2 Peter, we learn that God is gracious, patient, loving and does everything he can to give people a chance. There is no such thing as a premature death in which a person will say, "If you just gave me more time, I would have made another decision." Dr. J. Moreland once said:

God is fair. He isn't trying to make it difficult for people. I believe it's certainly possible that those who respond to the light from nature that they hav receive will either have the message of the gospel sent to them or else it may be that God will judge them based on his knowledge of what they would have done had they had a chance to hear the gospel.

Moreland goes on to state that even if Jesus would give them a second chance while they are in hell (separation from God), they probably wouldn't want to be with God in the end, because they are so used to living without him. He says:

People who would 'choose' in a second chance would not really be choosing God, his kingdom or his ways - nor would they be suited for life in his kingdom. They'd be making a prudent 'choice' to avoid judgment only...God maintains a delicate balance between keeping his existence sufficiently evident so people will know he's there and yet hiding his presence enough so that people who want to choose to ignore him can do it.

The song you mentioned, "Deathbed," (see video below) has an interesting line near the end:

And I've given up hope on the days I have left

But I cling to the hope of my life in the next

The point here is that this man is still alive. He has the opportunity, a second chance to make the most important decision that he will ever make - even on his deathbed, he still has the chance to be saved by Jesus.

Q: Can women be pastors in the church?

"Is there any prohibition of women leading the church? It appears this may be the case, for example, Adam being created first and where Paul mentions that women should not teach or have authority over a male? Can you shed some insight on this matter? Verses to examine: 1 Tim. 2:12-13; 1 Tim 5:17 and Titus 1:5-9."

This is a very HOT and controversial subject and has raised quite the stir in much of the church. Some have argued for this position; others against it. Some have tried to seek a balance; others ignore the issue, hoping to avoid conflict at all costs.

As we believe the Bible is the final authority in matters, let's examine the verses you mentioned. As you may know, these verses are from Paul's "pastoral letters" - he wrote them to instruct the church how it should be governed and by whom.

I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve (1 Tim. 2:12-13)

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching (1 Tim. 5:17)

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:5-9)

In 1 Tim. 5:17 and Titus 1:5-9, the term "elder" is used. As you can see, the implication here is that elders (or "pastors") should be men. Titus 1:5-9 repeatedly uses the male 3rd person pronoun ("he") to describe the elder/pastor.

In 1 Tim. 2:12-13, Paul tells the church that the male elder/pastor is the only one that should (1) teach Scripture to men in the church and (2) exercise authority over men in the church. Women are prohibited from doing so. The context implies, however, that women are able to teach other women and children/youth (see Titus 2:4; 2 Tim. 1:5) and serve in other ministries (1 Cor 11:5; 1 Cor. 14:34-35). Notice v. 13, "For Adam was formed first, then Eve." Paul is telling the church that the reason why the leadership of the church falls on the shoulders of men is because God made men with a patriarchal role of leadership. In Gen. 1-2, we learn that God made the man first (which established him as the leader responsible for the rest of creation, similar to how a firstborn son was responsible for his siblings in the Old Testament) and that God made a wife as his helper.

According to these passages, the issue is not if a woman can be in ministry, but rather what ministry a woman can be in. According to these passages, women can do anything from leading a Bible study, overseeing a ministry, leading musical worship, receiving formal theological training, entering into full-time paid ministry, serving as a deacon etc. BUT in terms of the senior leadership of the church (rooted in the task of preaching and exercising authority over the church), this is a male-only office.

Now, that being said, there are others that strongly disagree with this perspective. There two other prominent views I will explore briefly. What I examined, by the way, is known as the complementarian view, which states that all ministries are open to qualified men and women with the only exception of the office of the elder/pastor.

The more liberal view is that men and women are partners together in every area of ministry, INCLUDING the office of the elder/pastor. Those who support this view will say that Paul did not select female elders/pastors b/c he was working within the confines of the culture of his day. The implication here is that if Paul were alive today, he would have chosen women elders/pastors. Another argument is that Paul (and Jesus) co-labored with women in vital ministry positions (e.g. Priscilla, Lydia, Euodia, Phoebe, etc.).

The third view is more conservative: Women are not permitted to be a deacon, elder/pastor, serve communion, lead worship, pray or even speak in a church service. Women should, instead, focus on building ministries for women and children ONLY.

Summarily, the theological debates will rage on. There will be continual disagreement on this issue. However, what we can agree upon is that this is not an issue on which our salvation depends, and therefore, there can be room for disagreement. HOWEVER, where you land on this issue of women in ministry does reflect how you view Scripture, gender, marriage and ministry. It is, therefore, an important matter in which you must take a stance.

Hope this helps.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: How should parents trust their children and children their parents?

This is a broad(er) question, but I'll try my best to offer some biblical help. In Scripture, trust is not simply an emotion. It is faith and belief in the OBJECT of trust. When you are able to trust someone, it means you believe in their character. You cannot, for example, trust a thief or a liar. But you can trust a person who has proven to be honest, fair and faithful. Trust is only as good as the one you put it in. It must be EARNED.

Of course, this applies to our relationship with God. When Isaiah says "I will trust the Lord and will not be afraid" (12:2), he means God is so utterly trustworthy that he does need to fear anything. God has Isaiah's good in mind, so whatever Isaiah goes through, he trusts in God.

This also applies to our relationship with our parents. How do you trust your parents? By believing in their character. Think of all the times in your past when your parents have come through for you. Think of all the sacrifices your parents haven made for you. When you are frustrated or angry at your parents, step back and know that your parents ultimately have your best interests in mind.

That being said, trusting a person is not easy. This includes your parents. Your parents are not perfect. They will make mistakes. They are sinners. That is why ultimately you must trust God first before trusting your parents. Know that God - unlike your earthly father - is perfect. He always has your goodness in mind. He allows things to happen to you to build you up. He will never abandon or leave you.

Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 7:9-11 (ESV):

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Part of trusting in God means trusting that he gave you...your parents! Even with all their weaknesses and bad habits, they ARE your parents, and God instructs us to honour and obey them (Deut. 5:16). And honouring and obeying your parents means to trust them - even if you do not agree with them at times.

Hope this helps. In terms parents trusting their children, I believe the same principle applies. Children must earn the trust of their parents. They must prove their character is one of honesty, faithfulness and responsibility. Parents must also trust in God, and believe that God gave them their children as a gift. Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This means fathers should not dominate or act harshly toward their children. Parents too must put trust in the children, bringing them up gently and correcting them lovingly when they are wrong. Children should have opportunities to prove themselves and to earn the trust of their parents.

[Answered by Pastor HM, who is learning to trust, but more importantly, learning to be trustworthy]

Q: Why do people hate the Jews?

"Many people make racist comments about them, and I do not think they understand why they are doing so. Why has their history been so harsh?"

There are two parts to your question. First, there is the question of racism in general. Historically, the Jews are not the only people who have experienced extreme racism. For instance, a few years ago, I was in London, England and visited an exhibit about the genocide of Nanking (or "The Rape of Nanking"). In December of 1937, hundreds of thousands of Chinese were murdered and raped over the course of six weeks by Japanese soldiers. The exhibit brought about emotions of angry, sadness and moved me to tears. Some, such as author Iris Chang, have called Nanking, "The Forgotten Holocaust" - meaning most people only know of the Jewish Holocaust, but are unaware of this one. Racism affects every ethnic group, in every generation.

Theologically, the reason why racism happens is because it is a sin. It's a form of pride, whereby you think you are better than someone else because of the colour of your skin. Like all other sins, it is an evil act that is contrary to the will of God (See Galatians 3:28, Revelation 7:9-10), who made each human being in his own image (Gen. 1:27). Thus, as Christ-followers, Christians ought to fight against racism. The church should be a living example of racial harmony, characterized by the inclusion of people from all racial backgrounds.

The second part of your question is difficult to answer because racism toward people of Jewish descent goes back many centuries. In fact, historically, Anti-Semitism (i.e. racism toward the Jews) has been known as the "longest hatred." There have been a multitude of books written about the history and impact of Anti-Semitism, so I suggest you go to your local library or visit Amazon.ca to find resources on this matter. HERE is one article that may prove useful. Part of the article reads:

Although anti-Semitism goes back to ancient history, its greatest impetus came as a result of the accusation that the Jews committed deicide, the killing of God by the crucifixion of Christ. It was vehemently asserted that the sole guilt for the death of Jesus Christ must lie with the Jews. Maintaining the guilt of the Jews, the church, primarily composed of Gentiles by this time, sought to "repay" the guilty party, a "repayment" enacted in the name of Christ and for the glory of God. But is it really true that [Jews] bear the sole guilt for the death of Jesus?

It then goes on to argue that Christians should not blame the Jews for the death of Christ:

...without removing human responsibility, it is obvious that God Himself determined that the Messiah must die. Whatever the Romans, the Gentiles, or the peoples of Israel did in the first century, they fulfilled whatever the hand and purpose of God predestined (Acts 4:28). It was divine imperative, the Messiah of Israel must die in order to become the Savior of the world. Isaiah, the prince of our Jewish prophets, predicted such a voluntary death some 700 years before the coming of Jesus the Messiah (Isa.52:13-53:12). It was the Lord who "caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him" (Isa. 53:6). It pleased the Lord "to crush Him, putting Him to grief" (Isa. 53:10). Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would go to His death willingly, "like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so he did not open His mouth" (Isa. 53:7).

[Answered by Pastor HM]