In Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary, there is no meaning of the word culture as it can be used at times today. The 1828 meaning basically defines it as any labor for improvement or growth. When did this word change its meaning? The reason I was thinking about this is because some people who call themselves Christian refer to the Bible's "culture" at the time. Someone has told me that in the culture at the time of the Bible women couldn't be a pastor. I have heard others refer to a "Southern" culture or a "Northern" culture. In these times when diversity and tolerance is stressed in and outside of the "church", this word is used (or misused) frequently. Another phrase used is "culturally relevant". It may be culturally relevant at one time but not another. Of course it is comforting to know that the Bible transcends all so-called "cultures"!
My first question concerns the epistles of Timothy and Titus. Why is it that these are called, pastoral epistles? Seeing that the only church authority and responsibility that Paul discusses are the eldership positions of the Bishop and Deacon. Paul never writes or speaks using the word pastor. So I have never been able to find a link between the eldership roles and that of pastor.
Who has control over monies coming into the church?
Where in all of the scripture is there expressly described the scenario of Lucifer deceiving other of God's heavenly host and causing them to rebel along with him against God ? I know Jesus said He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I know in Genesis 6 that there were angels who left heaven because they fell in lust with women of earth. Scripture expressly writes of Lucifer and the secret desire of his perverted heart and mind to take Gods' place. And I know that Jude writes of angels not keeping what he calls, " their first estate ". But is there some set of scriptures which actually provide an express narrative of Lucifer deceiving and causing other angels to rebel against God?
Please help me out here. We are studying the qualifications for a Pastor. If he is divorced can he still be ordained? Does it matter who is at fault? What about the passage in 1Corinthians 7 "not bound". Someone in our church is divorced and wants to become a pastor, it is causing a lot of strife in church and families.
