Ask the Pastor: Sacraments, Bible Language, Polygamy, Rapture, Getting Ready to Get Engaged
by the Rev. Walter Snyder
Religion Columnist

Q: I have to write on an assigned theme. Please get me started: "To what extent would
you agree with the view that John's Gospel is anti-sacramental?"

A: I would disagree---I think that it clearly displays Baptism, including that of Jesus, and
strongly encourages it in Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus (John 3). It is also most clear in showing
Christ's proclaiming to the first pastors and evangelists (his disciples) that Absolution is a central part
of pastoral practice and of the life of the Church (20:23). Granted, he doesn't mention Holy
Communion. However, John 6 points in this direction with Jesus' claim to be the Bread of Life and
the mention in verse 56 of the eating of his flesh and drinking of his blood. If we accept  authorship
of Revelation by the same John, as many of us do, he may have seen the fulfillment of the Supper in
the marriage feast of the Lamb and thus did not include it in the Gospel. I hope this gets you started.

Q: In what language was the Bible first written?

A: The individual books were not all written in the same language. Most of the Old
Testament was written in Hebrew. Some was in Aramaic, which was the common language of most
after the Babylonian Captivity and is closely related to Hebrew. The New Testament manuscripts we
have are in Greek, although some scholars suggest that Matthew and perhaps others may have
addressed Jewish audiences initially and may have written in Hebrew or Aramaic themselves.

Q: What do you feel the Bible says about polygamy?

A: God makes one woman for the first man. He says (and is quoted by Jesus and Paul) that a
man should cleave unto his "wife," not "wives" in Genesis 2, Matthew 19, and Ephesians 5.
Polygamy is often mentioned, but never is it said to be the preferred or even accepted practice

Q: What scriptures best explain the rapture of the church?

A: None of them do in the manner that "rapture" is commonly understood. That is, none say
that believers will be taken from the earth prior to the end of time, save in some miraculous event.
We might say that Enoch and Elijah experienced this type of "rapture," so also Christ at his ascension.
Paul's vision of heaven may be called a "rapture," as may John's. Christ says that his Church will
endure until the end, and that prior to the final great Tribulation, there will always be trials and
tribulations for the faithful. Some try to make 1 Thessalonians 4:15--17 testify to such an event, but
this verse speaks of the resurrection of the dead on the Last Day.

Q: Are there any resources out there for Christians who are thinking about becoming
engaged and wanting to know when the right time is?  All I can find are books on dating from a
Christian perspective and actually being engaged, but isn't there anything in between? We care
about each other too much to rush into such a big decision prematurely.

A: The best recommendation I can give for now is not a book but a person. I suggest that you
go talk to a pastor who knows how to do good premarital counseling. This is what my wife and I did
after dating for some time and before I asked her to marry me. Some pastors use various surveys that
can help you see yourselves and each other more clearly. While they all have some drawbacks, these
can help you learn about possible trouble areas that you might need to address. They can also point
out strengths on which you can build. Please note, though, that these surveys are no replacement for
talking, nor for the Christian counsel you should receive. They also cost money, but if evaluated
correctly, they can be worth the cost many times over.

I wish more people would consider taking your path and would examine the potential
marriage much earlier and in much greater depth. God bless you.

To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send
email to askthepastor@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."