The meaning is certainly both deaths. When Adam sinned that very day he died spiritually and was alienated from the life of God. This is why God had to make a sacrifice for him (Genesis 3:21). The Lord wanted the race to go on so on the basis of the lamb slain from before the foundation of the world, being a type of promissory note, physical death at that point was postponed. Let us never for get that “the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin." Never minimize the blood. This is the great difference be tween liberal modernistic teaching and true historic Christianity. Q. Vancouver, B.C. "In a recent question you indicated that wo men have assumed leadership roles in the church and in the home because men have failed in their responsibilities. Is this feminine leadership biblically justifiable? Should the spiritual leaders of the church allow women to fill this everexpanding leadership point?" A. Scripture plainly teaches that men are to take the responsibility for leadership, especially from the spiritual standpoint, in the local assembly. In some instances, where men have fallen down in their du ties, women have had to pick up the load. Our final authority must be the Word of God. We read, “ Let women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (I Timothy 2:11, 12). Again we find the admonition, "Let your wo men keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith
the law" (I Corinthians 14:34). The only conclusion one can possibly reach is that feminine leadership is not biblically justifiable. Rather than to see the Lord's work dis continue, however, it may in some instances, be permissible for wo men to take on certain responsi bilities. We find this situation ex isting on the mission field. We are ashamed at the lack of so many men today. This includes their re sponsibilities in the home as well as in the church. It is a tragic sit uation! Q. "Would you please explain Proverbs 29:18? It says, 'Where there is no vision, the people per ish.' This is often used as a mis sionary text. Is it applicable in this regard?" A. It certainly is eminently appli cable concerning the spiritual needs of men and women around the world. In the original the text could be read, "Where there is no revelation from God the people perish." This is the proper thrust and motivation. Q. Riverside, Calif. "Is it possible for people to become so hard hearted that there is no longer any hope for them? I'm speaking spe cifically of those described in Isaiah 6:9, 10 and Mark 4:12." A. All such passages must be con sidered in the light of that impor tant truth which is so well stated in Romans 1:21, "When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful . . . and their foolish heart was darkened." This entire section shows man's spir itual degradation and constant fall ing further below God's perfect
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