with Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland and Dr. Charles L. Feinberg
Q . Phoenix, Arizona — “Would you please explain Matthew 18:22, ‘He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitful ness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.’ In the light of the omniscience of Christ was this a temporary lack of knowledge or an eternal matter?’’ A. The context is the parable of the sower as given by our Lord. The seed is always the same which is the Word. The point of the story is the manner in which it is received. The question from our listener does not seem quite clear. Christ, of course, is omniscient. Our Lord Jesus is showing that the Gospel is to be broadcast, just as He sowed it then, to all in need. We don’t ask for a soil erosion expert from the federal government to see where we should sow. The field is everywhere; it is the world. As then, so today, some receive the truth and some reject it. The results or consequences are eter nal in the decisions which are made. Q . Walla Walla, Washington — “Please explain what Christ meant when in Matthew 5 he likened us to salt, and then said that salt loses its flavor.” A. He did not say that all salt loses its savour. This is a parable which was given for the purpose of illustrating a spiritual truth. In the first place salt enriches the taste of food. So, we are to enrich our lives down here by pre- 23
senting the wonderful story of Jesus and His redeeming love. Second, salt is a preservative. We are to explain to the world how the Lord Jesus Christ preserves those who put their trust in Him, and, in His own good time, takes them to be with Him in glory. Third, salt creates thirst. We as Christians should so live that others may see us and take knowledge that we have been with Jesus. This will create a desire in them for eternal life. These are just a few of the things this parable says to us. Q . Santa Cruz, California — “Please ex plain what is meant by ‘Lent.’ ” A. This is a te rm w h ich some churches have designated as a spe cific period of self-examination, fast ing and repentance. There is no in dication that there were any such ob servances prior to the fourth century A.D. The length of time has varied all the way from a month to two months. The original purpose was for believ ers, before the Easter season, to ex amine their hearts and see if they were living in conformity to the Lord’s will. Q . Los Angeles, California — “Why isn’t baptism stressed more on the radio by Christian ministers?” A. When the means of radio is used for the Gospel, the main purpose is to reach the greatest possible number of people. If one particular mode of bap-
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