Homosexuality, Bi-Sexuality, Trans-Gender Vs. The Bible, Christianity

~Brandon James Scott Scholl

This is going to be quite a touchy subject because homosexuality, bi-sexuality, and trans-gender are becoming more and more abundant in today's society. One of the places in particular that now scares me is within areas of the Christian church or other religious organizations that once claimed to be against such things. So, let's look at it.

Homosexuality, also known as Sodomy in the Bible (Genesis 19), is being attracted to or being sexual with a member of the same gender. Now, Bi-Sexuality is along the same lines. However, a Bi-Sexual is attracted to both their gender as well as the opposite gender. Basically, a Homosexual as well.

So, let's see what the Bible says about it.

"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."

~Leviticus 18:22 NASB

"Or do you now know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be decieved; neither fornicators, nor idolitars, nor adulterers, nor effeminates, nor homosexuals."

~ 1 Corinthians 6:9 NASB

So, both the Old Testament and the New Testament explain that it's not only an abomination, but also keeps you from inheriting the Kingdom of God. In fact, Leviticus 20:13 says that if someone is caught in homosexuality, they were to be punished by death.

This same basic thought goes for Bi-Sexuals as well. They may be attracted to the opposite gender, but claiming to be Bi-Sexual also means that you're attracted to the same gender. To put it basic, that's homosexuality as well.

Now, what about Trans-Genders? Is it wrong to have your gender changed? Maybe you believe that you were even born in the wrong body. So, the real question you have to ask then is whether or not God makes mistakes. The only way you were born in the wrong body is simply by God screwing up creating you. Let's see if that works or not.

"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned."

~Romans 5:12

Now, I only posted one scripture here because I believe that Trans-Gender people fall under the same category as Homosexuals. See, when Sin came into the world through Adam, it cut us off. Being confused about whether or not we're the correct gender is the equivalent of slapping God in the face. Like a mug telling the potter that they screwed them up and don't know what they're doing.

Another thing to consider is that when people generally change their gender, they believe it's okay to take on that role. Men who believe they're supposed to be woman will wear wigs, makeup, and clothing to look female. I believe that's called Cross-Dressing last time I checked.

"A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man up on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God."

Deuteronomy 22:5 NASB

The problem we run into now is that culture and society has bombarded and attacked the Christian community simply because we want to hold onto what we believe in. So, we're retaliated on. The truly sad part of all that is when the Christian churches and groups decide to conform to the view that Homosexuality, Bi-Sexuality, and Trans-gender is okay.

BUT, are we supposed to persecute them? Are we supposed to be evil or mean to them? Absolutely not. We're supposed to love them and witness to them regardless. But, we shouldn't agree with them or tell them it's okay that they are the way they are. Real love is firm as well as comforting.

Bottom line, it's wrong and unbiblical, but we should still love them like Christ loves them, firmly and passionately. This isn't just simply MY view and opinion, but the Bible's view.

Do we have Free Will?

~Brandon James Scott Scholl

So, I've thought over this idea time and time again. Do humans have free will?

Now, I'm not going to right out say yes and no. Mainly because if I do, then people are going to go nuts OR they'll even perhaps stop doing things like witnessing and such as the Great Commission commands us.

Now, before I get into my explanation, let's look at some scripture real quick.

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

~Joshua 24:15 NASB

"Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Acts 2:38 NASB

Now, let's break it down for a second.

The first scripture even specifically says "choose for yourselves today whom you will serve." So, we have the ability to decide our salvation, right? The second verse, as with many other verses, say that if we just simply repent, then we'll be saved. So, if we do XYZ, then ABC will happen. We have the ability to choose then, right?

Now, let's look at two scriptures from the other side of the fence.

"Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love."

~Ephesians 1:4 NASB

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified."

~Ephesians 8:29-31 NASB

So, the first scripture is saying that before the Earth was created, God had chosen the ones that would be seen as perfect. The second explains that those He chose were justified, sanctified, and so on.

So, we've got two sides. One says that we are the ones who claim we make our own decisions also including our salvation. The other claims that we don't have a choice and God is the one who decides who will follow Him and who will turn away from Him.

Now, here's the way I see it. The Bible can't contradict itself. So, one of these sides must explain both of them.

First, if we're the ones that repent and choose to become saved, then why did Christ die on the cross? He was the one that unlocked the ability for us to be saved because Christ was the atoning work. If we didn't need to have something to cover our sins, then Christ was an action that was unnecessary.

Secondly, we can't see past every decision we make. We don't know if tomorrow we'll get in our cars and we'll have a serious accident, save someone's life, or nothing happen at all. From our perspective, we have the ability to choose whatever we want. We may have an idea of the long term either by having goals for ourselves or other various reasons, but that doesn't mean we're mindless robots.

One last thing I wanted to point out. The defense I've heard from everything being predestined is "We'd be mindless robots because we wouldn't have the ability to choose to love God. So, we wouldn't really love him in the first place." My response is simple. When I met my girlfriend, Heather, she already had strong feelings for me. When I told her I loved her for the first time, she knew I was serious about it and honest. However, I also do things and get things for her as another way to express how much I love her. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Through my actions, words, and lifestyle, I show her how much I love her and she falls in love with me more and more. So, am I "making" her love me? Yes. Does that make her a mindless robot with no choice? Nope.

What do you think?

The Pope Vs. Matthew 16:18

~Brandon James Scott Scholl

Matthew 16:18 is one of the most highly debated scriptures about Roman Catholicism. I’ve heard people time and time again claim that it’s the scripture that proves that all popes are successors of the apostle Peter. However, I’ve done my own research and study and I believe I understand it.

First, let’s look at a few scriptures before verse 18 and then the one after it.

“13(Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."17And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." ~Matthew 16:13-19 NASB

Okay, now let’s see if we can break this down a little bit.

So, Jesus is talking to the disciples and asking them questions about who people think the Messiah is. All of them explained that people thought all sorts of different people were the Messiah. Then, Christ asked them who they thought it was and Simon Peter explained that He was the Christ. At which point He explained that it wasn’t man that showed Peter this truth, but it was God.

That gives us enough context to now dive into a bit of controversy.

One of the biggest things, as I mentioned before, is the Catholic church believing that this scripture says that Christ’s church will be built upon Peter. This, to them, means that the church will be built upon the leader of all the believers and they believe that to be the pope. However, that’s not what is supported as we dig deeper into this scripture.

Now, some people would start getting upset about now because of how I differentiated “petra” and “Petros”. However, here’s an interesting fact, the same rock that Christ says He’ll build His church on is mentioned the exact same Greek word “Petra” in a few other scriptures that might help you understand what rock He was exactly referring to.

”The Rock! (Petra) His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.” ~Deuteronomy 32:4 NASB


”Do not tremble and do not be afraid;
Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it?
And you are My witnesses
Is there any God besides Me,
Or is there any other Rock? (Petra)
I know of none.” ~Isaiah 44:8 NASB

There are other scriptures that are the same way. 2 Samuel 22:2-3, Psalms 18:31, Romans 9:33. When Rock is mentioned in all of these scriptures, it’s referring to God. Meaning that God is the foundation of what Jesus’ church is built on.

Now, let’s debunk a quick little response from the Catholic Church. Numerous websites that I looked over and the different things that I read from other Catholics explain that the Gospels were actually written in Aramaic originally. They claim that in the Aramaic it can be proven that Peter was meant to be the first pope and start that line. However, to this day, there was never a copy of the Gospels recovered in Aramaic. The farthest back it’s been found is Greek.

Bottom line, the scripture doesn’t support the Catholic church having a pope or using them as a leader of the church that makes decisions. The Catholic church hasn’t used proper exegesis on this section to understand what it says. So, they aren’t listening to what God is telling them to do within their church, they’re listening to a man. When that’s the setup, it’s not Christian or anything like it. And, if my memory serves me right about the Ten Commandments, we aren’t to have idols or anything else before God. If the Catholic church is using the pope as the lead, I believe that would be someone replacing God.

The Christian life & Who's in Charge?

~Brandon James Scott Scholl.

"I didn't say it was going to be easy, I said it was going to be worth it."

That's a quote from a picture that hung in my dad's office with Jesus on it. Of course Jesus never said it but I used to sit and just stare at it and wonder what that meant. At the time I was about 7 and had no idea what it was even referring to. Now, however, I completely understand what it means.

" And you will be hated by all men because of my name: but he who is strong to the end will have salvation."
~Matthew 10:22 BBE

That scripture could not be any truer. When you follow Christ through your calling, life certainly isn't going to be easy. The enemy does whatever he can to destroy us and there are many times that we do get beat down. Yet, thank God for His grace.

For myself, I'm currently going through a rather painful but humbling experience. Since June of 2009 I've had severe muscle spasms and pain in my lower back. After numerous tests I was diagnosed with a bi-lateral broad-based disk bulge between L5-S1 (lower back) that December. After a little while, the pain was manageable and I walked with a cane because of the nerves affecting my left leg. I was prescribed a strong dose of Norco to deal with the pain if necessary. Ever since, my pain is usually a 7 out of 10. This has affected my education, my job, and all other areas of my life.

Earlier this year, I was hit in the lower back and ever since, I have been using a cane again and the Norco is a nightly thing. I went back to my neurosurgeon recently and had an MRI done. The results were that I not only inherited her quite high opiate tolerance, but I also back degeneration for the rest of my life.

A surgery was scheduled for November 15 and I was preparing to handle four months of recover with two months of physical therapy. Earlier this week, however, I received a letter from my insurance saying that my surgery was denied because it was seen as "medically unnecessary".

As of right now we are appealing their decision and resubmitting everything. When I first got that letter and read it, my family was asleep and it was three in the morning. After reading it, the first thing I did was walk around the house and grasp what it meant. More pain, more problems, and the one thing that is the most important through all of this, more time and focus on God.

This morning in church my pastor talked about how sometimes the only way God can get our attention and we run to Him is by simply putting us through trials.

" For the Lord sends punishment on his loved ones; everyone whom he takes as his son has experience of his rod.
It is for your training that you undergo these things; God is acting to you as a father does to his sons; for what son does not have punishment from his father?"
Hebrews 12:6-7 BBE

How else do we learn things except to go through the hard stuff? On the Sunday following September 11, there were hoards of people that went to church because of how devastating the attacks on the World Trade Centers were. Yet, now we want to take God out of EVERYTHING.

When parents have a child hanging in between life and death, you can bet they’re praying. Something big happens in our lives and that’s when we want to think religiously.

God is in control of everything. He’s the one that created everything. The reason why we go through things isn’t simply just because the enemy is always attacking us and we’re having to defend ourselves or ask God for His help. If you look at the story of Job, it wasn’t that the enemy was attacking him because he was doing something he was supposed to, it was because God allowed the enemy to do it. Through the trials and attacks that Job went through, he realized things as well.

What we have to remember is that things aren’t going to be easy when we’re Christians. Life is going to be tough and it’s going to be quite bumpy. Whether it’s problems with friends and family or your surgery was denied by your insurance, God is on the throne and in charge. When you are saved, you don’t get a life that’s going to be simple or become easier just, you get a big bullseye on your back. But even though it’s there, nothing’s going after it unless God allows it. He never gives us more than we can handle, even if the circumstances or events seem otherwise.

Knowing Your Bible and Using It.

~Brandon James Scott Scholl

There's something that I've thought of repeatedly over the last several months and it's been itching at me. For a long time I've had people about my age explain to me that religion or having a world view isn't important right now. What's also rather disturbing to me is that even teens who claim to be Christian say the same thing. I'm not saying all of them but it's becoming more and more frequent. Another worry of mine are the ones who think it is in fact important to have a Christian world view but when you ask them about it, they only mention things you'd learn in Sunday school. There isn't any meat in what they say or how they explain it.

There are several scriptures that address this issue. The first one that comes to mind is 1 Peter 3:15. This scripture is one that ALL Christians should be aware of, regardless of age.

"15 But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
~1 Peter 3:15 NASB

Whether you're talking to a friend, co-worker, or even some random Mormon missionary in your neighborhood knocking on your door, you should be able to adequately explain and defend your views to these people.

Now, that's just with ALL Christians in general. I want to focus more on the teens. In Titus, there's a scripture that explains how young people should react and live with being a Christian in a questioning world of today.

"6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;
7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us."
~Titus 2:6-8 NASB


Basically, to sum it up, if you claim to be a Christian, you better know your Christian doctrine. This is something that you may not normally hear in a youth group or church today. You may here something mentioned here or there but things have been watered down so much when fed to the younger generations that there is no push or encouragement to learn Christian doctrine.

The standards and lifestyle of Christian teens has been allowed to slack so much, that they biblically can't even consider themselves or call themselves Christians. If a Christian is to give a defense, how are they supposed to do that when they know nothing?

However, I can't say this as a general statement. Back in June of this year I went to Manti, Utah to witness to the Mormons at the Mormon Pageant that they hold there every year. While I was there having discussions with Mormons, I noticed a large group of teens. I'm not talking ages of 18 or 19, more like 15-17. Not only were these teenagers aggressive about getting in there and telling the truth, they were well armed. They had Books of Mormon along with Doctrines & Covenants totally highlighted and marked for any topic brought up. I was really impressed with how well these teens did too. That was a great example of how we should be. We don't have to go out and street witness to Mormons but we should at least know basic Bible.

Now, I'll be specific with this. I'm not saying it's the pastor's fault necessarily, I'm not saying it's the church's fault necessarily either. Both should be attempting to teach their teens this information some way. However, what it ultimately comes down to is the parents.

The Bible says that parents are supposed to raise up godly children. That only works if you teach your children what the Bible says. Sending them somewhere else isn't always going to cut it. There isn't really an excuse you could come up with either. Even if you wanted to say you didn't know much about that stuff, it's a good time for you to start. If you're a Christian parent you should know or be learning basic Christian beliefs.

Just something to consider and think about.

Welcome

~Brandon James Scott Scholl

Okay, so this is a page for a blog I've been writing since November of 2009. In the earliest posts there are things that are completely random and such. That is the reason why this blog is called "Confessions of a Scattered Mind". This blog is meant to challenge you, equip you, and make you think as a Christian and stretch what you think and believe in. Feel free to comment and email us with any questions at scattered.mind@hotmail.com that you would be interested to have answered. Thanks for taking the time to look at the blog articles and enjoy.

Limited Atonement

~Brandon James Scott Scholl

Okay, for those of you who don’t know what Limited Atonement is, let me break it down and explain it to you real quick before we jump into this.

Limited Atonement is one of the 5 points of a theological system that was created by John Calvin in the 1500s. Limited Atonement is the belief that the sins that were atoned for on the cross were the ones of the elect or chosen. Now, if you’re reading this and you’re either fidgeting in your seat or don’t agree, read what I have to say and perhaps even do your own research before making a decision.

Now, if Christ was able to choose His elect but still die for EVERY last human being that had, is, and will ever live, what would be the point of sin? If Christ did in fact die for EVERY single sin ever done by a human being, shouldn’t we all be going to heaven then? That would mean that every man was just given a free ticket to heaven. That kind of thinking would automatically void the bible ever mentioning to follow the commandments or something because we can do whatever we want simply based on we’re covered.

Now, there are several scriptures that use the word “All” that is referring to a multitude of people. However, it doesn’t mean that every individual on the earth is included in this all. However, based on what’s been said in here, let’s look to see if the way we think the word “All” is used, can work.

“And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” ~Mark 13:13. Now, how would this scripture work and how would there be people who were saved if we will be hated by all? What’s been said in Mark 13:13 and the explanation of “all” don’t work together.

“Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” ~Acts 17:25 Now, this scripture does use the word “All” in reference to every human being.

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” ~Romans 5:12. This explains that “all Men” will die. That doesn’t mesh with scripture either because Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) and Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24) both never died.

Now, because the use of the word all doesn’t mesh with this definition, we have to use a different style of exegesis.

Now, the word “All” can mean many instead of every single individual on the planet. I can have a group of people at my house and say that all went to pizza hut. By that very statement, that doesn’t mean that every person on the earth went to pizza hut. Instead, we see by the context that I’m saying that many people, from the human race, went to pizza hut. More specifically, people that were with me at the time. So, in the context of scriptures that say the word “All” in relation to saved and such, it’s referring to the elect, which is a point of Calvinism.

When God says that He sent His only begotten Son to pay for our sins and then later in the bible He explains that there is an elect or chosen group of individuals for salvation, He means it. If we believe the bible is contradicting itself, we need to check our exegesis of the scripture that seems to contradict. “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” ~Isaiah 55:11. That scripture is God talking about His word. If He says that He sent Christ to pay for sins and be the atonement and then later says that it was only for his chosen elect that He predestined, then that’s what He means.

Another thing to look at is John 3:16. It’s a very well known scripture but verses 17-18 are interesting. See, God sent His only son but it also says that if you don’t believe, you’re going to perish. Now, how would that be possible if everyone’s sins are simply already paid for in the first place? There would simply be no reason to believe in God or that Christ died for your sins because even though it’s a sin to not believe in Him, we’re still covered so it’s still that free ticket to heaven based on saying that it was for every single human being.

I also want to point out when/if 2 Peter 3:9 is brought up. God would love for every single man to repent and follow Him. However, that’s not how it works. He also knows that if He just simply snapped His fingers and made every single person believe, He wouldn’t be showing His full nature. God is not only merciful and loving but He is also condemning and just. How would it that someone who is just simply gives everyone a free way out of eternal damnation? The best way to show His complete character and nature is to be impartial and send/condemn people to Hell.