Biblical Dating

I just talked about Biblical dating at a Friday Bible study a few weeks ago. I thought this article will help provide more scriptural support. Here’s a description of Biblical dating and scriptural support for it. It’s written by Scott Croft in Boundless.org.

Biblical Dating by Scott Croft

OK. Let’s take care of some basic definitions. We may define biblical dating as a method of introduction and carrying out of a pre-marital relationship between a single man and a single woman:

1. That begins (maybe) with the man approaching and going through the woman’s father or family;
2. that is conducted under the authority of the woman’s father or family or church; and
3. that always has marriage (or at least a determination regarding marriage to a specific person) as its direct goal.

The Scriptural support for the idea of biblical dating is largely by example and implication. We will look at a number of passages over the course of our discussions that support various aspects of biblical dating, but for the moment, let me just give you some references to study:

• 1 Corinthians 6:9-7:19 (command to be pure, seriousness of sexual sin and instructions regarding marriage)
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (do not wrong or defraud one another in relationships — by implying a relationship or commitment by your words or conduct that does not actually exist)
• Song of Solomon 2:7 (“do not awaken love before it pleases” — i.e. before the proper time, meaning marriage)
• Proverbs 6:20-7:27 (warning to avoid sexual sin and foolish relationships)
• James 1:13-15 (temptation is to be taken very seriously)
• Romans 13:8-14 (love others, work for their soul’s good; don’t look to please self)
• Romans 14:1-15:7 (favor others, not self; value what’s good to their souls)
• 1 Timothy 5:1-2 (treat single women as sisters in Christ, with absolute purity)
• Titus 2:1-8 (young men and women should focus on self-control/godliness)
• John 14:15 (if you love Christ, you will obey His commands — read: above your own desires — and live biblically)

Scott also defines Modern Dating and writes about some problems with it. For more, read the article. Biblical Dating by Scott Croft.

Israelite Encampment in Numbers

Here is a diagram that shows the Israelite camp in the Book of Numbers. I hope it helps.

Valentine’s Day

Today’s Valentine’s Day, and our church is visiting convalescent homes and shelters today. We’re going to love the friends we meet today as Christ would have loved them. We’re sharing the gospel today, and I’m thankful that God could use our church in this way.

I read this as a part of my daily devotions this morning about the origins of Valentine’s Day. It’s sad that our culture has wrested this tradition from its origins. This is taken from “Amazing Grace:366 Hymn Stories new cover: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions” by Kenneth W. Osbeck.

I LOVE THEE

An American Folk Hymn taken from Ingall’s Christian Harmony, 1805

O love the Lord, all ye saints. (Psalm 31:23)

Blest be Thy love, dear Lord, that taught us this sweet way,

Only to love Thee for Thyself, and for that love obey.
—J. Austin

Secular songs of romantic expressions abound on this day. For the Christian, a hymn about love is also appropriate for Valentine’s Day, and no sweeter expression of one’s love for Christ can be found than these anonymous lines from an early American folk hymn.

For the early Christians, February 14 was a special day. Tradition tells us that a man by the name of Valentine was a Christian doctor who went about doing good deeds wherever he could, in imitation of his Master. Valentine became a good friend and helper to the Christians, who were being persecuted by the cruel powers of the Roman Empire. It is believed that the good doctor was eventually imprisoned because of his loyalty to his fellow “followers of the Way.” After he was beheaded on February 14, that day was observed each year in Valentine’s honor by the early Christians.
As time went on, however, Valentine and his deeds of kindness were forgotten. Because February was near the beginning of spring, with its feelings of romance, the day became a secular holiday celebrating romantic love. Tokens of love and affection were given to sweethearts and friends, starting the custom that we still practice today.
Dr. Valentine gave his life for his fellow Christians because of his deep love for Christ. [5 highlights] We too can express our love for the Savior with these simply stated yet profound words … “but how much I love Thee my actions will show.”

I love Thee, my Savior, I love Thee, my Lord; I love Thee, my Savior, I love Thee, my God: I love Thee, I love Thee, and that Thou dost know; but how much I love Thee my actions will show.

O Jesus my Savior, with Thee I am blest, my life and salvation, my joy and my rest: Thy name be my theme and Thy love be my song; Thy grace shall inspire both my heart and my tongue.

Oh who’s like my Savior? He’s heaven’s [5 highlights] bright king; He smiles and He loves me and helps me to sing: I’ll praise Him, I’ll praise Him with notes loud and clear; while rivers of pleasure my spirit shall cheer.

For Today: Deuteronomy 6:5; 30:20; Luke 10:27; 1 John 4:19

On this special day dedicated to expressions of love, we can make it truly a “holy day” with our love for Christ and by sharing His love and concern for others. Sing this musical testimony—

We can’t reset our lives

This past sunday, I said that we can’t reset our lives like we can reset our electronic devices and computers. In other words, we live with the consequences of sin. Shortly after my message, someone emailed this to me. Cute.

Thankfully, God is greater than our sins and he offers an abundant life (John 10) and a promise to complete his good work in us (Philippians 1). But still, we have a responsibility to leave our sin and so what we can to avoid the “tractor beam” that sin casts on us.

First Koinonia Bible Study for Fall 2012

We just had our first Koinonia Bible Study at UC Davis for the fall. I’m thankful for all the new students who stopped by and visited. I

Misunderstood God

I’m starting a new message series this sunday called the Misunderstood God. A lot of people think that God is absent and aloof. This sunday we’re going to address this and see that God IS with us.

Welcome Week Events at UC Davis

We have a lot of events lined up for all of the new UC Davis Students!