Ask the Pastor: Muslim-Christian Marriage. Recognizing the Departed. Religion and Technology.
Structure for Daily Prayer.
by the Rev. Walter Snyder
Religion Columnist

Q: I am Muslim and while I don't have anything against Christians, I just wonder if a
lady in your congregation asks you about marrying a Muslim man, what would you say to her?
What is the Christian way to approach this situation? My Christian girlfriend and I are seriously
considering marriage and want to think about everything. Thank you very much. I've just
started to read your website and I think it's very cool.

A: Normally, I will counsel people to seriously consider the Christian Scriptures, especially
the Apostle Paul's cautions about Christians being "unequally yoked" with non-Christians. Even
though Christians, Jews, and Muslims are often classified together as "people of the Book" and as
monotheists, only Christianity claims that, while One, God also exists as three distinct Persons and
that one of the Persons took on human flesh and lived and died on this earth.

Because of this life and death and through his glorious resurrection from the dead, we
believe that we inherit heaven not because of our own works but through the merits of Christ as we
believe in him. Thus, committed Christians will, if married to non-Christians, be constantly concerned
about the eternal salvation of their spouses. While an earthly marriage may be blessed, even if one
partner is Christian and the other isn't, a Christian will also be looking forward to an eternal
"marriage," that of Christ with his Bride, the Christian Church. We want those with whom we live on
earth also to live forever in heaven in perfect joy and we know in our hearts that this can happen
only through faith in Jesus Christ---true God and true man---as our Savior from sin.

You'll need to talk all this through with your girlfriend and with her priest or pastor to see if
you all think that your marriage will have a chance. In my own heart, I would desire you to immerse
yourself in the Christian Scriptures and be brought to faith in Christ through the power of God the
Holy Spirit.

Q: Last week, a friend's grandmother died and, needless to say, she was very upset. She
knew her grandma was a Christian (as is my friend), but she wondered if she would be able to
recognize her grandma when they were in heaven. We tried to find the answer in the Bible, but
didn't. Could you direct us to the right place, please? 

A: I feel for your friend. All of my grandparents have now been called home, and I still
wonder myself if I will know them after the Resurrection. There is no clear word of Scripture and I
hate to set up false hope---especially since we have the true and eternal hope of life forever.

While I imagine that our focus will be less on each other and more on our God, we know
that he also created us to live in community with each other and he may continue our memories of
that community that began on earth. There is the matter that we don't know what our resurrection
bodies will be like, nor do we know what memories or associations God will allow to continue. Yet
we do know that Moses and Elijah were recognized by the three apostles on the Mount of
Transfiguration, and also God may grant us the ability to know the saints with whom we live.

Q: What are the advantages of technology of the religions of today (internet, books, and
radio) as opposed to the religions whose only use of technology is publishing (like
Lutheranism)?

A: Actually, Lutherans are doing much more with the internet that just publishing. Lutheran
radio is available through KFUO-AM in St. Louis. Such shows as "Issues, Etc." and "The Lutheran
Hour" can be heard online. There are also numerous Lutheran interactive email and web sites
(including my own, which you are now using). The home page of The Lutheran Church---Missouri
Synod and other official home pages now include some online books as well as links to the Lutheran
publishing houses, where you can order traditional books as well as the electronic versions.

I agree that there can be much of value in technology and am sure that Lutherans can and
should be doing more on the internet and through other modern forms of communication, especially
since there is such a tremendous non-Christian and "confused-Christian" presence online and in the
world of the computer literate. To meet Satan with silence is not a good option. Rather, Lutherans, as
other orthodox Christians, must become fluent in this new means of communication as we continue
to shine the light of Christ in a sin-darkened world.

Q: A lot of times my mind wanders during my morning prayer. Is there a rough outline
to follow that makes it more organized, especially when asked to give the blessing or other
public prayer?

A: As a pastor, I find that my "best" prayers are the prayers of the Church. That is, I prefer to
use those prayers already written, that are being used by others throughout Christendom. I use
various prayer books, devotionals, missals, hymnals, and the like to provide the "skeleton" of my
prayer life and to supply most of its fullness. To this, I add the special requests and needs of myself,
my family and friends, and my flock. Even in this, I often write things out ahead of time so that I
don't forget or start wandering from the central thoughts of my prayers. If I had only one or two
sources, I'd use one of the Lutheran hymnals, which include daily, weekly, and seasonal prayers in
various forms, as well as suggested Scriptures. Singing the prayers (either as chant or as hymns) is a
way to get more into (and out of) them. Finally, don't forget the true basics of Christian prayer: You
can never over use the Our Father, the Creeds, and the Psalms as the backbone of your prayer life.

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."

Copyright (c) 2000.