Christian Challenge International

"Ask the Pastor"

We frequently receive questions in email from people about doctrine, practice, etc. From time to time we will post the questions and the answers here on the web page. If you'd like to submit a question, simply email our pastor at Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org or use the form below.

Question & Response:

Date sent: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 10:40:43 -0500

> Hi Bro: (Martin)

> Regarding God as Significant Other, one sees people referring to
> their spouse or to their fiancee or to their boyfriend/girlfriend
> as "their significant other," and I wanted to do a take-off
> message on that with the thought of, "why not let God be your
> significant other in 2000?" So I was inquiring if there are
> religious articles, any literature, any books out there on the
> subject of 'God as Significant Other.'

> I was thinking of the first commandment, ie, 'no other gods before
> me,' and of the Matthew passages, eg, 10: 37-39, anyone who loves
> father, mother, bro, sis more than me is not worthy of Jesus,
> etc. Thanks for any help you can give!

Hi Bill,

Thanks for writing. You have touched on an important issue.

I'm not aware of any literature on 'God as Significant Other.' If I come up with something I'll let you know.

You did hit a nail on the head. Idolatry can take on the form of 'spousal worship.' It is very often found in boyfriend and girlfriend relationships. If our whole world gets wrapped up in one person, this person has become a 'god' of sorts in our life. (Not speaking
of God-given marital love.)

The ancient Greeks treated 'falling in love' as a sickness, or even as demonic in origin. The reason is that 'falling in love' caused the person to lose all emotional and mental stability. It so consumed the person that even the 'gods' had to take a back seat.

It isn't much different today. This issue of 'falling in love' is being projected in our society. This is probably why the divorce rate is so extreme in our country, and yet we are the number one nation in church and synagogue attendance. Biblical love is far removed from our westernized concept of love.

This is a good place to touch on the power of music. Most folk don't realize the inherent danger of worldly music. Satan uses music to capture hearts and minds. (The word 'deception' means to steal the heart.) What better way to steal a person's heart than
through love songs that 'idolize' another person. An example is the song which says, "You are my reason for living. You are my everything."

When Paul instructed us to flee from idolatry, the context was in temptations of the world. (1Co10:7-14) The apostle John completes his 1st John epistle in saying, "We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." His final
statement is, "Little children, guard yourselves from idols."

Hope I was able to help a little. Let me know how the message goes.

Brother Buddy,

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(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

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What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

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Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

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Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
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PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2005 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (ex: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2005 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (ex: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2005 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (ex: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2005 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (ex: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2003 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (ex: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

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Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2003 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (ex: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2003 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (e.g.: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2003 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (e.g.: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2003 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300

What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (e.g.: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!

Copyright � 1999-2003 Christian Challenge International. All rights reserved.
Christian Challenge International
300 Pearce Road
Pineville, LA 71360
318-640-4300