<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter P. Snyder Q: I am familiar with the Bible and its teachings; is there a way you can sum up for me in detail God's changing role throughout the Bible? A: God's "role" in the Bible doesn't really change. He remains the Almighty Creator. He is always Judge and Deliverer. Some try to find evidence of him acting differently in different historical "dispensations" throughout human history, but to do so is to ignore what he says about himself: "I do not change." God has always hated sin. God has had from all eternity his plan of salvation. What "changes" is that God did not reveal his entire plan at once, nor did he implement all of it visibly in human history at the same time. From Genesis 3 onward, the promise of a Savior was there. Yet it took thousands of years for the Word to become flesh. In all of humankind's interaction with God, we see that what truly differs from event to event and from age to age is what is revealed and how we react to that revelation. Q: How have other religions (Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, etc.) affected the United States and our faith? A: Of these you mention, Jews have been here the longest. In the early colonial days, they were not welcome in most areas. Those who'd come here for religious "freedom" wanted freedom for themselves, not for others. However, starting in Rhode Island, tolerance increased. In fact, for much of United States history, many parts of this nation were more understanding toward Jews than they were toward Roman Catholics and some Protestants. It wasn't just a religion issue, but also immigration, jobs, perceived loyalty to the U.S. versus loyalty to the Pope, and more. However, your question gets to a deeper level: Has Christianity in the United States been "tainted" by the other so-called "World Religions"? To this, I would have to say yes. Tolerance and protection of religious minorities have often shifted to a cafeteria-style American religion where each belief system is seen as valid and people are considered consumers who pick and choose what they want from each. Thus the exclusivity of the Christian message, summed up in Jesus' words, "No one comes to the Father but by Me," is replaced with a folk-theology of many paths toward the same heavenly goal. I think that this has also made "church shopping" within the borders of Christendom also easier for many. The scandal of the cross (see especially 1 Corinthians chapter one) is replaced by the "scandal" of religious discrimination. More and more pastors and churches appear to be fearful of confronting sin as the absolute barrier to God that Scripture declares it to be. They might offend someone who believes differently---even if the Bible says that the different belief is an invitation to hell. Q: How old was Jesus when he performed his first miracle---turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana? A: The Bible is not specific, but using the background historical record of who was in office at different times leads most scholars to assume an age of between 30 and 35 years. Most I've read would say sometime in the middle of these ages. This is in line with the age of religious maturity among many of the Jews. Among them, no one would be accepted as a rabbi before his thirtieth year. Also in parts of Judaism, certain Scriptures were not supposed to be read by anyone younger, because of their contents. These were sometimes referred to as books that required the washing of hands. Their contents might lead one otherwise to ritual uncleanness. Most people might assume that the Song of Songs was one of these; many are surprised to find that Ezekiel is also one of the proscribed books for younger Jewish readers. This is for several reasons, including both God's Glory abruptly withdrawing from his holy city, Jerusalem, and specific action prophecies commanded by the Lord for Ezekiel which were counter to Levitical law. 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) 1999 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.