QUESTION 

1. I believe in ancestors but I do not praise them, does that make me less of a Christian? 

Answer

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1. I believe in ancestors but I do not praise them, does that make me less of a Christian?

Ancestor worship is prayers or offerings to the spirits of dead relatives. It existed among the ancient Creeks and the ancient Europeans; it also plays a major role in traditional African religions. Ancestor worship is based on the belief that the spirits of the dead continue to dwell in the natural world and have power to influence the fortune and fate of the living.

Deceased ancestors are integral to the traditional African social structure. In a culture where tribe, clan and family are of utmost importance, ancestors are the most respected members of the family. To be cut off from relationship with one’s ancestors is to cease to be a whole person. Moreover the ancestors sanction society’s customs, norms and ethics. Without them, Africans are left without moral guidelines or motivation, and society is powerless to enforce ethics.

As Christians we need to be very careful not to neglect our culture or heritage. Today one talk about “Inculturation of the Gospel” which means we oppose the “Westernizing of the gospel” we want to “Christianize” people and we don’t want to “Westernize” people. As African people it is good to have the respect for all elderly people, and all people in general. But the final answer is: As Christians we do not believe that the dead have power to bless or harm, and one suggests that it is incorrect for Christians to pray to ancestors. The scripture is very clear that we have one mediator between God and humanity and that is Jesus Christ.

2. I am still trying to discover and accept who I am, part of me thinks I’/m homosexual, does God hate me for that? What are your personal beliefs about homosexuality?

The broad definition of homosexuality is to speak in terms of “same sex” attraction as opposed to “opposite-sex attraction”. Therefore, males sexually attracted to each other are generally referred to as “gays” or homosexuals, whereas women homosexuals are generally referred to as lesbians. Scripture in Genesis 1:27 is clear and states: “that God created male and female and God bless them and said be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it ”.

There are basically two views of Christianity on Homosexuals: a) the rejecting-punitive stance rejects homosexual behavior and orientation as incompatible with Christianity and, is hostile towards people who are homosexual. Not only is homosexuality rejected but homosexuals are despised and rejected. This approach has led to homosexuals being verbally and physical assaulted. A good Christian approach on this view should be: much harm is inflicted when society rejects homosexual persons and, (especially if they are Christians) when the church rejects them as though they are worse sinners than anybody else. b) The rejecting-compassionate view is the view that rejects the lifestyle, but homosexuals who refuse to engage in homosexual behavior are accepted. My view is that homosexual genital acts between members of the same sex are not in accord with intentions of God in producing men and women. God made them physiologically for each other. Therefore, to engage in genital sex between members of the same sex is contrary to the intention of God and thus to the will of God. As persons repent and believe, they become members of Christ’s body. The church is not a citadel of the morally perfect; it is a hospital for sinners. It is the fellowship where contrite, needy people rest their hope for salvation on Christ and his righteousness. Here in community they seek and receive forgiveness and new life. The church must become the nurturing community so that all whose lives come short of the glory of God are converted, re-orientated, and built up into Christian community

3. As a young individual I sometimes partake in alcohol during times of fun with friends.       

Christian fun can be lived out without the partaking of alcohol. Corinthians 3:16 states “that we are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in us. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are”. Proverbs 20: 1 states that, “wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise”. Allen Morris who is in our church has lost eight (8) friends in one accident because of fun with alcohol; secondly his mother has been terribly abuse by his father because of alcohol. Alcohol has broken up marriages, destroyed families, caused many road accidents etc just because of fun.

 QUESTION