<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder I've probably spent more time trying to get started with this week's column than I will in completing it. That's because I wrote three and turned them in before leaving for two weeks' vacation. Now I'm back, hoping to get my fingers and my brain to work together on the keyboard. It would take too long to say much, but the short version of the story is that my "vacation" wasn't much of a vacation. I've been called to pastor a congregation in Kansas and went to visit with them. So far, I've made no decision. The trip itself was in large part for surgery for my wife. Although there were complications, she's now recovering nicely--in St. Louis (her hometown). God willing, I'll see her again by the 18th of August. Then I left her early for a funeral back here in southeast Texas. Thanks to all who have sent cards and notes to her. Q: I believe that homosexuality is sinful, but don't know how I am to treat a person who is homosexual without being "rude." For example, if a friend was lesbian and she wanted to come visit me for some time, with her girlfriend, would it be wrong to turn her away? It seems that by letting them stay I would be condoning what they are doing, but turning them away seems more non-Christian. How would I handle this situation? A: First, I'm sorry that it took so long to answer. I misplaced your question and just found it back. As to your friend, you must make the call. If I were involved--and if I invited them in--I'd make sure that they slept apart and did nothing while awake that was counter to what I believe the Bible teaches about sex. This being said, I would have the same expectations for an unmarried heterosexual couple. If family or friends truly wish to see you, they'll understand and work with you. And if you really want to see them, you may want to help with motel expenses, sacrifice your bed, or some such to make them comfortable. In making such a decision, sometimes we are forced to decide whether to be "rude" to another person or "rude" to the Bible and how we believe God speaks to us in it. Q: It appears that parts of Scripture may have been added to the original manuscripts--for example the last few verses of Mark, the end of the Lord's Prayer, and the final part of Job. Are these verses authentic? A: Some of these questions have been wrestled with for years. Early Western translations of Scripture were often from later manuscripts, into which some "errors" or "editorials" had crept. In Mark 16, several different endings are found, most of which are various combinations of verses 9-20. Mark 16:8 seems an abrupt ending, especially since the women were "afraid." However, Mark's audience probably already knew the rest of the story, and the ending is consistent with his conciseness in other parts. It may be that later authors and transcribers "filled in" from other Biblical and extrabiblical sources, to bring Mark into line with the other Gospels. Ending on a "bad" word such as "afraid" (see what I say about the Lord's Prayer) may also have contributed to an expanded ending. However, there is no final evidence that all or part of verses 9-20 were not part of the original manuscript. I haven't heard of much evidence for a later addition to Job. If any of the readers will cite sources pro and con, we can address this in a future column. Regarding the Our Father, there is very little evidence that the doxology "for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory" was part of the original in either Matthew or Luke. The sentiment is Scriptural, and sounds much like Daniel 7:14 and 1 Chronicles 29:11. Some Bible scholars think that it was added because of a general Jewish (and early Christian) dislike of ending a significant Scripture passage on a word such as "evil." We see from the Bible that this prayer is both "descriptive" and "prescriptive." In Matthew 6:9, Jesus basically says, "Pray like this." He describes a pattern for God-pleasing prayer. This prayer is given in the Sermon on the Mount, to a large, varied audience. In Luke 11, Jesus is asked by one of his disciples to teach them to pray as John did his disciples. Here, Jesus prescribes the specific words to be used. Thus, most of Christendom uses the Our Father both as a specific prayer and as a model for other prayers. Since the doxology was probably a later addition, it is neither commanded nor forbidden to include "for Thine is the kingdom" when praying this prayer. However, the Bible is elsewhere clear that it is good to praise God, which these words do very well. It also may be better to not call this the "Lord's" prayer. This is the church's prayer, given by our Savior. The best example we have of our Lord praying is in John 17, sometimes called Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer." 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.