by Barry Newton

Perhaps you will remember several years ago a lot of talk about "junk DNA." At that time it was common to hear that a large part of human DNA was simply worthless genetic material which had been accumulated over a long evolutionary process.

When scientists first analyzed DNA, they discovered it was composed of both protein coding sequences (genes) and non-protein coding sequences (introns). The long non-protein coding information sequences called introns exist both between genes and within genes.

As far as scientists knew, only the genes were of any value. Since genes make up about only 2% of our DNA, what this meant for human DNA was that 98% of our DNA was considered to be junk.

Because introns did not produce proteins, they "'were immediately assumed to be evolutionary junk.' That assumption was too hasty. 'Increasingly we are realizing that there is a large collection of "genes" that are clearly functional even though they do not code any protein' but produce only RNA."/1

In the words of an article in November's issue of Scientific American, "'What was damned as junk because it was not understood may, in fact, turn out to be the very basis of human complexity.' ... there is good reason to suspect that is true."/2 The article also admits, "The failure to recognize the importance of introns 'may well go down as one of the biggest mistakes in the history of molecular biology.'"/3

Why have scientists overlooked the non-protein coding information sequences? "For decades, pseudogenes have been written off as molecular fossils, the remains of genes that were broken by mutation and abandoned by evolution."/4 The article goes on to point out that in mice one of these pseudogenes "controls the expression of the 'real' gene ... even though the two lie on different chromosomes. There is nothing pseudo about that."/5

For those of us who know that life is the creative handiwork of God, this recent discovery is not surprising. It is exactly what we would expect to be true.

1/W. Wayt Gibbs, "The Unseen Genome," Scientific American (November 2003): 49. 2/Ibid. p. 53. 3/Ibid. p. 50 4/Ibid. p. 50 5/Ibid. p.50

by Barry Newton

A fairly common question asked by those first encountering our worship services is: Why do you sing without instruments? Perhaps a more interesting question would be, why did early Christians insist on going against the prevailing pagan culture and Jewish temple worship to deliberately exclude instruments? Scripture seems to provide a rather straightforward answer.

Both Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19 reveal that while our worship should contain an instructive and encouraging aspect toward one another, our worship is supposed to be directed "unto the Lord." We are worshipping God, not ourselves. Accordingly, God has the right to tell us what He wants. We must never lose sight of the fact that the fruit of our lips is one of the sacrifices God has requested from us. Hebrews 13:15 Our Creator and Savior has the right to describe the sacrifice He wants from us. The only descriptions or teachings we have in scripture for Christian worship involves a cappella worship.

Someone might ask, "but if what drives how we worship is determined by God's requests, has not God through the Old Testament already shown that He wanted instrumental music as a means to praise Him?" Psalms 150:3-5; 98:5-6

It is true that David's use of instruments in worshipping the LORD was commanded by God (2 Chronicles 29:25) and God did give regulations for instruments (Psalms 81:2-5). These verses also indicate that the use of instruments was not merely an aid for worshipping, but were used to worship God!

Nevertheless, Israelite worship is not our guide for worshipping God today. Why? Because that former mode of worship which included external regulations was to be in effect until the time of the new order! Hebrews 9:1,10 The incense, the physical layout of the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant and yes, the use of instruments are characteristic of the external directions under the Law. The Law with its regulations for worship were only a shadow of the reality which was coming. Hebrews 10:1

In contrast to a set of regulations dictating the type of incense which had to be offered, instructions about where to sacrifice, and the instruments which should be played, the new order of worship is characterized by being in spirit. John 4:20-24; Deuteronomy 12:13-15 The stone altar with its sacrifices has been replaced by Christ's sacrifice, God's people are now His temple and the instruments making music to praise God have become the instrument of our hearts. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16

Without even weighing in on what God has done in the past when His people deviated from offering the worship He commanded, my question is simply this: "why would anyone want to take a step backwards to a worship built upon external things?" The old has passed, we have the new order! Let's worship God in spirit and in truth!

by Barry Newton

I do not remember exactly how long ago it was that for the first time I just sat and shuddered at the implications of verses like Zephaniah 1:5 and 1 Kings 11:4. "... those who bow down and swear to the LORD and yet swear by Molech." "... when Solomon became old, his wives turned away his heart to follow other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God."

As the implications cascaded through my mind, my naiveté was shattered. Previously I had assumed there were only two possibilities. Either a person worshiped God or idols. But here was a disturbing third possibility. An Israelite could attempt to worship idols alongside of God. And if this was possible for them, could not a Christian sing praises to the Lord while also engaging in idolatry? And if so, what might this look like in an American context?

The Many Faces of Idolatry

For the most part, Americans are not confronted with the carved stone and wooden variety of idolatry which plagued ancient Israel. Yet the underlying dynamics of secular idolatry is identical to that age-old scourge. In the ancient Near East, people were tempted to serve various gods because they believed those gods could provide for them. In America, people can be tempted to serve many different vehicles (wealth, social contacts, work, power, possessions, knowledge. etc.) because they believe these paths will protect and provide for them.

In a secular context, gods do not take the form of wood and stone; instead the type of pernicious adoration which might try to sneak under our radar will probably be more in line with Paul's warning in Colossians 3:5 and Ephesians 5:5. Greed amounts to idolatry. And there are many forms of greed (Luke 12:15). All forms of greed constitute serving something other than God because of what it is believed to provide.

Baal is the Hebrew word for master. Whether someone's master is a power represented by a stone image or a secular recipe for success, both sets of beliefs lead to serving one's baal in place of the Creator.

Monotheistic & Polytheistic Christians?

Biblical monotheism involves the worldview that the Lord is our ultimate Source for everything we need. Polytheism either cuts up the pie allowing many ultimate sources or it at least involves the practice of hedging one's bets. A polytheistic worldview can always make room for one more god to ensure my well-being.

If a Christian were polytheistic, what might this look like? Perhaps on Sunday he or she would gather with the saints to serve God. The motive to worship might be to praise God for salvation or it might be to ensure salvation. Then from Monday through Friday, life would serve those forces which provide for prosperity and well-being. Because God is not really believed to be the Provider, he or she would perhaps live under the weight and worry of being responsible for where the buck stops. When financial blessings flow, they might be viewed as "all mine" since he or she was responsible for them. Except for perhaps a token contribution on Sunday, resources might be used with a self-centered mentality.

The monotheistic Christian as described in Scripture also worships on Sunday and goes to work, but it is an entirely different week. God is praised for providing salvation and one's resources. Since God enables the means to make wealth, the fruits of one's labor are viewed as God's blessings. Ideally, the work itself would be done to serve the Lord and not just for a human boss. The goal is more than just making money; it also involves representing God and His ways in the workplace. When financial resources flow, this is understood as God's gracious outpouring. God's generosity is used both for sustenance as well as to generously honor the Giver and further the Supplier's purposes in this world.

Zephaniah 1:5 says, "... those who bow down and swear to the LORD and yet swear by Molech." Is it not naive to think that just because people worship on Sunday, this guarantees they are not also idolaters? Considering how the threat of idolatry was a continual problem throughout Israel's history, would it not be naive to think this greatest of dragons has simply vanished?

Gaining a firm understanding of this danger, the necessity to believe and adopt a biblical monotheistic worldview should be clear. Recognizing our Creator for who He truly is, instead of living under the virtually impotent and boxed-in variety of a god, empowers all of the difference.

by Barry Newton

You would expect to see those who wear white coats and a stethoscope in a hospital. You would expect to see those donning yellow hard hats to be driving heavy equipment or working at a construction site. Bright and smart polo shirts along with cleated shoes are typical fare at a tee or on a fairway.

So where would you expect to see Jesus? Would you expect to find Jesus leaning against a wall outside of a convenience store chatting with gang members? Would Jesus dare be caught talking with someone who had a really bad reputation? The Gospels provide an answer.

On one occasion some Pharisees were shocked to see Jesus engaged in the fellowship of sharing a meal with sinners. To their offended sensibilities of where He should be, Jesus responded, “The healthy do not need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 Jesus is the Great Physician who has come to heal lives. It was only appropriate that He would be accessible to those whose lives need healing. As He announced on another similar occasion, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Where does Jesus want to be? Contrary to perhaps both the stereotypes of some sinners and saints, Jesus wants to be with those whose lives have been ruined by sin. He is the Great Physician. That is where He is needed. While the thrust of His message revolves around Him healing our greatest affliction by releasing us from guilt, we must also not overlook:

• To the ostracized and lonely, He can provide the promise of always being there, (Matt. 28:20)

• To those burdened and tired, He promises rest (Matt. 11:28)

• To those trapped in a dysfunctional family or without family, He extends the invitation to be part of God’s family, (Matt. 12:50)

• To all of us, He offers the path toward healthy relationships with God, others and self.

Where does Jesus want to be? Where people need help. Where do you suppose He wants His disciples to be?

by Barry Newton

How should a Christian wife respond to an abusive husband? Does “turning the other cheek” mean that a disciple should quietly accept abusive situations? For those who seek to do God's will, questions like these deserve a reliable compass from scripture.

The Right Starting Point - God’s Compass

As with other questions about living, the greatest and second greatest commandments chart a reliable path to God’s answer. Regardless of the situation, the most important directive for any human being is to love God which includes obeying how God wants us to treat others. The second most important obligation for God’s people is they should love others in the same way they love themselves. Matthew 22:37-38

Love - Understanding Where the Needle Points

The New Testament’s exhortation to love our spouses, neighbors, ourselves and even our enemies entails actively seeking someone’s well-being. While it will not always be easy to seek someone's well-being, the decision to act with such a love can even operate in the most hostile of environments where other forms of love, such as friendship or passion, will have evaporated.

The Two Basic Responses - True North or Something Else

A victim of abuse has two choices: either respond with love or with something that is not love. An unloving response can lead in many different directions.

One response common to humanity is to seek revenge. The bitter resolve, whether yelled or quietly sworn, "I'll get you back for this" is never an option for those seeking to do God’s will. Dishing out personal retribution violates obeying how God wants us to respond to others since God declared, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” Romans 12:19 Similarly, Jesus banished any form of personal retaliation when he taught to “turn the other cheek.” Matthew 5:39.

Turning the other cheek obviously rules out revenge. But is this also an insistence that we passively accept all of the abuse others might enjoy dishing out? No. In response to the principle of seeking just retribution (Matthew 5:38), Jesus’ teaching replaced enforcing one's own justice and revenge with a loving response. To respond with love eliminates striking back. As Jesus demonstrated through several examples, a loving response does something good for the perpetrator! Matthew 5:39-42 The principle of love involves “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21, 17

Jesus did not teach passivity toward evil. Being passive is incompatible with the goal of love since there is a final day of judgment coming. In view of God's judgment upon all evil, to passively accept abuse fails to seek an abuser’s well-being.

Putting Love Into Practice - Knowing How To Walk North

In some situations, knowing how to love in an effective manner requires wisdom. Paul prayed that the love of the Philippians would be guided by knowledge and depth of insight. Philippians 1:9

What tools might God use in a victim’s hands to seek the well-being of an abuser? Will the abusive individual be open to spiritual counseling? Will acts of kindness be understood as showing a better way or will they mistakenly be interpreted in a manner to reinforce sinful behavior? Will the person fail to be transformed short of physical separation or civil action? Knowing how to help an abusive person can be challenging. What is clear is that God's people are to love even their enemies and love is not passive.