- How are we both saved by grace, and awaiting judgment?
- Does Dispensationalism have a place for study and application here in 2020?
- Will the Church be going through the tribulation?
- Should Christians practice yoga?
You asked, Dr. E answered!
If you have a biblical or theological question, call us at 615-281-9694 and leave Dr. E a voicemail. He’ll answer your question on an upcoming episode!
Questions & Answers:
1. 1:26
How do Ephesians 2:8-9 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 go together? This states that our works will be revealed when we stand before the judgment seat – specifically what we have done in the body whether good or evil. Are we to “receive what is due”? That’s a daunting thought.As believers, if our sins are as far as the east is from the west, is it only our good works that will be revealed at the judgment seat? How can the peace of God guard our hearts and minds in Christ when we know that the judgment seat is coming and still live in the Romans 7 tension of knowing what we ought to do but being unable to do so?
Add Ephesians 2:10. We appropriate salvation by grace through faith, so there’s an important connection: we don’t work to obtain salvation. We’re God’s workmanship, created for good works, which were prepared for us before we were ever called to salvation.
“We can’t work our way to God, God worked His way to us.”
Once we come to Christ, our lives should be a thank you back to God for what He’s done – Larry Moyer
The judgment seat of Christ is not about salvation.
Also referenced: 1 Corinthians 3:13
2. 20:05:
I’ve been studying the different dispensations for a while and seem to get caught up in Ephesians 1:10 where the KJV renders the word “dispensation” but in the NASB it’s “administration.” what is the correct rendering in this word and does dispensationalism have a place for study and application here in 2020?
Any form of theology – covenant, reformed, dispensational – is a presupposition of the way we look at the Bible. Even within covenant and reformed theology there are very different takes on things.
I want the Bible to render the organization of my theology.
Referenced: Romans 9:10-11, Deuteronomy 30, bible.org
3. 29:47
Will the church be going through the tribulation?
The Doctrine of the Tribulation raises some difficult questions:
Why would God take His church through a tribulation?
Referenced: https://bible.org/seriespage/6-will-church-go-through-tribulation John 14, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
4. 37:40
Should Christians practice yoga? Yoga’s origin in pagan hinduism, yet many Christians practice it everyday. Is yoga a form of pagan worship that should be avoided, or is it personal preference? Is this comparable to Daniel’s refusal to be defiled when he avoided the king’s meat, is it ‘legalism’ to denounce yoga? Many churches offers yoga within their walls and this continues to grow. Are we headed down a dangerous path?
It is certainly tied to paganism. Karate is bound in eastern mysticism. Yoga is bound in all kinds of wonky stuff and even some of the poses involved give homage to hindu gods. There’s quite a lineup of Christian leaders who are completely against it.
That said, if you’re a believer in Christ and are practicing yoga as a form of fitness and stretching, balance, managing stress, and you aren’t into hinduism or buddhism, you’re probably on a safe yoga mat. You have liberty in Christ. We don’t use that liberty as a license to sin, but we use discernment to make choices with freedom.
Regarding meat sacrificed to idols, Paul says essentially: if that bothers your conscience, don’t eat it. If it doesn’t bother you, there is freedom in Christ, eat it.
A good rule: if your conscience bothers you about a thing you’re doing, just stop. You don’t have to analyze why or go around policing others, just stop doing the thing that caused you pause.
If it’s immorality or outright sin, of course we want to call our friends to repentance. But when we get into the weeds about yoga, where does it stop? Physical therapy? Accupuncture?
A strong Christian has liberty and freedom to make wise choices.
Referenced: https://albertmohler.com/2010/09/20/the-subtle-body-should-christians-practice-yoga/
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Have a Biblical or theological question? Ask Dr. E! Call us at 615-281-9694 and leave a voicemail with your question. Michael will answer it on an upcoming Ask Dr. E episode!