<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: Should my family change churches? We have a one-year-old daughter and the new church has a great nursery. Our thirteen-year-old son actually enjoys their Sunday school! Otherwise, the two churches are the same in doctrine, and about the same distance from our home. Are these bad reasons to switch? Should we stay where we made a prior commitment? The pastors and elders involved don't seem to have a problem with it, should we? A: Most pastors (and many laity, as well) oppose "church shopping" and "church hopping." Some people bounce from place to place, following their feelings rather than seeking a church focused on God's love in Christ. In circumstances such as yours, the exception might be in order. However, when such a dilemma presents itself, if we have been joined to a congregation and have truly committed ourselves to it, we shouldn't rule out working with them. This may accomplish a needed change, such as a nursery, handicapped access, a better Sunday school, or the like. Sometimes this means that we ourselves must be actively involved in bringing about and sustaining the change. Do you have a future in teaching Sunday school or running for congregational office? Yet none of this is an absolute rule. You must finally do what is best for the spiritual welfare of your own family. If you make a mistake, ask God to overcome it. If you think you've sinned in this regard, seek his forgiveness and have confidence that you are restored. Q: Did Jesus have brothers or sisters through Mary? Is there any historical or Biblical backing to this claim? Either way, can you speculate why this is so entrenched in Catholic doctrine? A: James is called Jesus' brother (see, for example, Galatians 1). His "mother and brothers" came to see him (Matthew 12; Mark 3; Luke 8). Yet many early extra-Biblical records claim that Mary had no other children, indeed, that she was Semper Virgo ("Always Virgin"). Often the Bible, as well as other texts, will use "brother" or "sister" for a close cousin or for a step- or half-sibling. "Father" often denotes a grandfather or more extended leap in the family tree (cf. the Jews claiming Abraham as their father). A familial title may also bespeak a spiritual relationship (such as Christians as Abrahams descendants or Jesus' speaking of his "mother and brothers and sisters"). To dogmatically insist or deny that Jesus had siblings through Mary is to go beyond Scripture. I don't have all of Rome's teachings before me. However, the claim of the Roman Catholic Church is based in part upon a high regard for the person called by the angel "blessed among women." This is certainly a Biblical teaching--one that all Christians should agree upon. The Catholic Church also gives much weight to the testimony of the early believers and upholds centuries of tradition. My main disagreement with Catholic Mariology concerns her very nature--was she immaculately conceived and free from the sins and desires of this life? I find no Biblical evidence of this. Also, some of the push for confessing her perpetual virginity comes from those who believe that marital sexual relationships are, in and of themselves, sinful. This, also, I cannot find in Scripture. Q: Is masturbation a sin? A: Since I have two who've asked, I'll reply this week. In short, the Bible does not teach specifically against it. Often it is called "onanism," after the sin of Onan, who would not fulfill his responsibility with Tamar, Judah's daughter-in-law. However, he was condemned not for masturbation but for failure to act as husband in all aspects in completing the duties of his deceased brother. Just because one feels guilty about it doesn't automatically make it wrong, since Satan would have us feel guilty about many guilt-free activities, thus burdening our consciences. Still, it often accompanies lustful desires and erotic fantasies best left alone. If this is the case, it is not the action, but the desire which accompanies it that is both sinful and hurtful to the one involved. Lust, covetousness, and adultery can be involved--although this may not be true every time. Also, masturbation may become part of a pattern of psychological and spiritual addiction. Desire for self-gratification can outweigh a relationship with the Giver of all good things. It can lead one to avoid establishing and maintaining good relationships with others of the opposite sex. In short, it may not always be wrong, but most often it probably isn't the most right. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.