General Q & A: [1-10]
Published Emails from readers and my replies.
NOTICE: EMAILS MAY BE EXPLICIT AND/OR CONTAIN BAD LANGUAGE.
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1.
I find your webite just REPULSIVE! I don’t know where you get your information from, but GOD IS LOVE. What you have in your webite is just hate against every Christian. Being a Judeo-Christian, and lesbian, I will have to disagree with what you THINK you have learned. You need to read the bible. Once again, GOD IS LOVE!!!!!!!
–F. Baker
Response:
F. Baker,
How do you know what I think or what I have learned? Go to ‘About this site’ and click on ‘What does Victor Parma believe’.
–V. Parma
2.
Dear V. Parma,
I would like to ask a question that is not addressed on your site.
My husband is adamant about going to a church with a strict dress code. Women are forbidden to wear slacks, jeans, etc. to church. This is fine with me, except our pastor says that we can’t wear them anywhere else also, (even at home). Our pastor says that the Bible does not allow this practice, as quoted in Deut.22:5. I’m not convinced this means women can’t wear slacks even at home.
–Thank you, Martha
Response:
Dear Martha,
Read the whole verse and notice that this addresses men also.
Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth to a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so {are} abomination to the LORD thy God.
Ask your pastor why he is not wearing a skirt. Men wore skirts for thousands of years, until the tradition was altered about 600 years ago. [Many Scotts have not lost that tradition.] Pants are not just attire for men, any more than skirts are the only attire for women.
–V. Parma
3.
Dear Victor,
Is it not biblical to worship on any other day except sunday? Our pastor said that Paul attended services on sunday. He stated the verse, but I don’t remember what it was. He said that Christians should not work, shop, or buy things on sunday. We should get things (food, gas, etc.) on saturday because sunday is a day of rest. But many Christians go out to eat after church.
Is this a sin? Any comment?
–Thank you, Robert S.
Response:
Dear Robert;
The verses that you might be referring to could be:
Acts 20:7 And upon the first {day} of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them (ready to depart on the morrow) and continued his speech until midnight.
1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first {day} of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as {God} hath prospered him, that there be no collections when I come.
Note: This is upon the first of the week, not upon the first ‘day’ of the week. The word ‘day’ is an insertion by translators to justify a church doctrine of Sunday worship.
The first of the week could be a Monday or Tuesday as well. Christians working on Sunday, shopping, going out to eat, etc. is a personal decision. Shopping, etc.
Search the Scriptures for even one verse that states it is a sin to do so.
If one is Biblically dogmatic on a day of worship, it would be day seven; Saturday.
–Victor
4.
Dear Mr. Parma,
First thing I want you to know is that I’m not sending this email to argue or rebuke what you are saying, but your website is very vague on many issues. I don’t want to purchase your book right now, because I’m not sure it would be worth it if it is like your site.
Can you be more specific on your links? How can you ignore the immanent return of Jesus? Can we discuss this with more detail?
–Respectfully, Josh W.
Response:
Dear Josh,
I understand about the website being “vague”. There are two reasons for this.
One is that I did not want to re-write the book. Second; if one’s interest is in better clarification, then they can purchase the book to get a better explanation on a subject matter that is in the book.
Most people that I have talked to personally have told me that they disagree with what was written. [I appreciate their honesty when they tell me it is not what they want to believe.]
So, why should I take the time to be more specific on the website, when it does not matter to some anyway?
We can discuss your questions with more detail. [Please use my alternate email for this. The address will be sent with this response.] Please limit your email to one paragraph at a time, because I type slowly.
Thanks,
–Victor Parma
Victor,
Why do you think that Jesus is not returning (appearing) in the future? What kind of world in the future is there going to be if he doesn’t?
–Josh
Josh,
Please remember; “What I think does not matter.” We are going to let the Bible answer the questions. [What kind of world is there going to be will be self explanatory.]
Let’s make sure that we both agree exactly with what the Bible states and means concerning the word’s of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.
Do you agree 100% with this verse? Yes or no?
–Parma
Victor,
Yes I do. Do you?
–Josh
Josh,
Yes.
Matthew 5:18 for, verily I say to you, till that the heaven and the earth may pass away, one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law, till that all may come to pass.
Matthew 24:35 The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Do you 100% agree that the words that Christ ‘said’ are still the same today as when he first spoke them?
Do you 100% agree that the words of Christ ‘mean’ the same today as they did when he first spoke them?
Yes or no?
–Parma
Victor,
Yes I do, but what does this have to do with weather or not he is going to return?
–Josh
Josh,
So do I.
The following verses answer your question about his returning.
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here {is} Christ, or there; believe {it} not. :24 For false Christs will arise, and false prophets, and will show great signs and wonders; so that, if {it were} possible, they would deceive the very elect. :25 Lo, I did tell you beforehand. :26 “If therefore they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go forth, or,’ Behold, He is in the inner rooms, ‘do not believe them.
You [we] agreed 100% that Jesus Christ is the same ‘now, as then’.
You [we] agreed 100% that the words of Jesus Christ say and mean the same thing ‘today, as then’.
If one appeared on this earth [today or in the future], claiming to be the Christ, he would be a false Jesus Christ. Jesus said [about his appearing], “believe [it] not; do not go; [and again] do not believe.
–Parma
Victor,
Jesus was saying this for their time frame, not for the future. He was telling his disciples this to warn them, not to warn us.
–Josh
Josh,
Where are your Scripture verses for that?
Matthew 24:34 Verily I say to you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things shall be fulfilled.
Mark 13:30 Verily I say to you, that this generation may not pass away till all these things may come to pass;
Luke 21:32 Verily I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Note: This was their generation, not ours or one in the future.
Matthew 16:28 Verily I say to you, There are some standing here, who shall not taste death, till they shall see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Luke 9:27 But I tell you in truth, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.
Note: Some would not die till they saw Christ and the Kingdom. Where are these 2000 years old people today?
Where in the Bible does it say, or even imply that Christ’s return will be ‘far off; much later; in the far future; many generations; or years; etc.’?
The Bible refers to the second appearing as ‘soon; near; quickly; at hand; etc.
–Parma
Victor,
You’re taking verses and terms out of context to confuse the point. This generation was to be in the last days. I don’t know what Jesus you believe in, but mine is going to return in these last days, according to the Bible as a whole.
–Josh
Josh,
You agreed 100% that Jesus Christ and his words are the same ‘today, as then’.
Are your answers now shifting to meet a theological opinion?
According to the Bible, which Jesus is correct? ‘Your’ Jesus and the Biblical Jesus cannot be both right.
If your Jesus is the real Christ, then the Jesus as described in the Bible is a liar and a fraud.
Why do you think the ‘last days’ concern our period of time? If the Bible is correct, it was their ‘last days’.
Give me the Scripture verses to prove your position. It is redundant to continue this discussion without your Scriptural proof.
–Parma
Victor,
No, my answers aren’t shifting. I believe the Biblical Jesus (as you put it) is going to return soon. I still would like to be more clear about things before I bought the book. I’ll get back to you with the scripture verses for the proof of His coming. I’ll need some time to look them up.
–Josh
Josh,
You believe? Are your opinions more important than Biblical facts?
Note: The book is not a Biblical fact. The book only contains some Biblical facts that were brought out in a Bible study.
Go ahead and buy the book. If you can prove that the Scriptures in the book are in error concerning the second appearing of Jesus Christ [your proof must be by the Scriptures, not by a doctrine, belief and/or opinion], I will buy it back from you. [See: ‘Is All Prophecy Fulfilled’].
–Parma
5.
Dear V. Parma,
What you said about those that are disgusted with Christianity must have been intended for me, because I am. The hypocrisies of this religion makes me sick!!!
But you brought up some interesting things that makes me think I could be wrong about god.
Maybe he does exist after all. The more I read on this site, the less religion I see. It was a church that caused me to doubt the existence of god, because of all the hypocrites there.
I love my parents, but their christanity has put a barrier between us because they are religious hypocrites too. They say that they believe in the bible, god, and Jesus, but say and do things that are wrong and don’t live it.
So I want to ask you a few questions about you, to better understand you.
Do you go to any Church? If so, where and why? If not, why not? Is it because of the fakes, frauds, and phonies? Do you think Christians are hypocrites?
–Thanks, Marcus
Response:
Dear Marcus,
“Do you [I] go to any Church?” No.
“If not, why not?” I have not found one that teaches Biblical truths.
“Is it because of the fakes, frauds, and phonies?” No.
“Do you [I] think Christians are hypocrites?” No, but with an explanation.
The word and term ‘hypocrite’ in the Bible is not exactly the correct meaning as we are lead to believe. The ‘meaning’ of a hypocrite depends on which verse is indicated in the Bible.
Hypocrite can mean:
1. An actor playing a part.
Note: In ancient Greece, the word for hypocrite was used to describe actors. The reason for this was because they held masks to their faces, and spoke through these masks during their performances.
The word came to be used of anyone who acted or pretended to be someone he was not.
2. A declamation. This could be an announcement or statement.
3. Fraudulent. One that is deceitful; a cheat; or an impostor.
4. Pretense. One not supported by facts.
5. Pretender. Profess or lay claim to.
6. Profane. One that is not concerned about God; is irreverent; or to debase what is holy.
7. Ungodly. Impious; is sinful; deliberately wicked.
A Biblical hypocrite is someone who is ‘intentionally deceptive’.
Within Christianity, the term usually applies to those who pretend to be more righteous than they really are. Example:
One can be ‘entrapped’ in their religion that they cannot humanly live. One can be a very sincere Christian, but is hypocritical if they are self righteous, and are not honest about their human sinful nature. They sometimes even deceive themselves about how good they really are.
But, is that being a hypocrite?
Christian’s can appear to be a hypocrite by being sincere about ‘trying’ to be a good Christian, and ‘trying’ to please God, but are not deliberately trying to deceive others.
This does not make them hypocrites, but shows that they are human.
Is it possible that your parents are not hypocrites, but are just ’trying’ to do and be good?
People that try to live a Christian life style are not necessarily hypocrites, but are people that make mistakes because they are human.
Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin;
Many times a Christians “old self” appears and misses the mark [sins]. This does not make them a hypocrite. Christians cannot be ‘Christ like’, but they can try to be.
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
Note: Read previous verses to see what things Christians are to practice.
–V. Parma
6.
To: Victor Parma
From: Rev. Ike Cleats
Subject: Going to church
I noticed that you don’t attend any Church. That is, as you put it, UNBIBLICAL!
How can you believe in God and Jesus Christ and not attend a church that is at least in your location?
How can a Christian be a Christian, apart from a church? (I’m not talking about Christians that have no choice; in the hospital, or living in an area where there isn’t a church.) It’s possible to be a Christian and not go to Church, but it’s not normal for a Christian to do so.
The New Testament, all the way through assumes that every Christian attends a local assembly.
There are no examples of Christians in the Bible who don’t attend a local church. The idea of anyone that is saved, and being a Christian outside the Church is foreign to the New Testament.
Wherever Christians were, within location of each other in the New Testament, they met.
Acts 20:7 “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them.” Christians from everywhere (in their localities) gathered themselves together regularly every week.
The church must be assembled together to carry out many of its purposes.
Read 1st Corinthians chapter 12 and pay special attention to vs. 7. It’s clear that God has given spiritual gifts to every Christian. And verse 7 states distinctly that these gifts are not a ministry to you; they are gifts to minister to others IN THE CHURCH, and should be used for the common good!
So why not express your beliefs in a local Church?
Sincerely,
Rev. Ike
Response:
To: Rev. Ike,
“How can you [I] believe in God and Jesus Christ and not attend a church that is at least in your [my] location?”
1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, :4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, :5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
Note: I have never attended a Christian church that does not teach and preach theology, and preaches the doctrines of Christ. [See: ‘About This Site’ # 9.]
“How can a Christian be a Christian, apart from a church?”
By being a follower of Christ, and not a follower of a religion. [See: ‘About This Site’# 5.]
“The New Testament, all the way through assumes that every Christian attends a local assembly.”
Assuming is something you believe without proof. Assuming is not a fact.
“Christians from everywhere (in their localities) gathered themselves together regularly every week.”
How did they assemble themselves together?
Acts 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he performed.
Acts 15:25 It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul:
Philippians 2:2 Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, of one accord, of one mind.
Note: The people were assembled with one accord and one mind. This is not one accord and mind of theology. [See: ‘About This Site’ # 7 and 8.]
“So why not express your beliefs in a local Church?”
1. My beliefs are irrelevant. [See: ‘About This Site’ # 11.]
2. You must not have read enough of this site to understand why that would be next to impossible to do anyway.
–Victor Parma
7.
Dear V. Parma;
NAS Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
It is n’t humanly possible to love our enemies. Loving our enemies would have made Christianity extinct hundreds of years ago. Loving our enemies would have prevented the United States from becoming a nation. If this nation was really based upon Christianity, (as some dumb asses think) then how long could it had lasted by following this teaching?
Loving our enemies would have destroyed the United States a long time ago. (Communism, Pearl harbor, Korea, Vietnam, etc.) It’s not possible to be a Christian and love your enemies unless Jesus meant this in a different way. What did Jesus mean when he said that we are to love our enemies? Can you answer this without any of the stupid bull shit I always get from other websites?
Harry B.
Response:
Dear Harry,
I’ll try.
Jesus was a descendent of Israel.
[See: Luke Chap. 3].
Jesus was sent only to Israel.
Matthew 15:24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Note: Jesus was addressing these ‘lost sheep’ [house of Israel] in Mt. 5:44.
How was a fellow Israelite described?
Leviticus 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, so thou shalt not bear sin on his account.
Who is thy neighbor?
Leviticus 19:18 And thy hand shall not avenge thee; and thou shalt not be angry with the children of thy people; and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; I am the Lord.
Note: The children of thy people were Israelites. Thy neighbor [brother] is a countryman; from a tribe of Israel. [See: God’s Chosen People].
To whom was the command given?
2 John 1:5 and now I beseech thee, Kyria, not as writing to thee a new command, but which we had from the beginning, that we may love one another,
Note: It was Israel that had this command from the beginning.
Were the enemies that Jesus was referring to, some of their own brethren?
John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
Note: The brethren are not just those that believe the same as another. Many Christians regard other believers as ‘brethren’, because they believe (or think they believe) the same religious doctrines and teachings. That is not obedience in the truth.
Who could be regarded as enemies at present?
Many families will tell you their worst enemy is a family member(s).
Some of our worst enemies in this nation are fellow Americans.
Some of the worst enemies of Christians are other Christians. [See: Cults].
Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
Note: Christians cannot love their enemies without practicing the second half of the verse.
–V. Parma
8.
Dear Mr. Parma,
We see that you have a long list of doctrines that you say are false, but you don’t have a list of what doctrines we should believe. Care to list some?
–John & Nancy R.
Response:
Dear John and Nancy,
For sound doctrine.
Titus 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
A good doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:6 If thou shalt put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou wilt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and of good doctrine, to which thou hast attained.
The doctrine of Christ.
2 John 1:9 Whoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
The doctrine of God.
Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
The doctrine of the Lord.
Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
The apostles’ doctrine.
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Note: Do a Bible study on what the apostles’ doctrine was.
–Victor Parma
9.
Dear Victor,
You are undoubtebly wrong about who is a brother and who is a neighbor.
A neighbor is anyone that you come in contact with. A brother or sister in Christ is anyone that is a Christian. Haven’t you ever read the stoty about the good Samaritan? You should read this story so you can understand what is being portrayed to everyone. Jesus’ message wasn’t just for one group of people but for everyone.
The good Samaritan wasn’t an Israelite but was still a neighbor. What he did made him a brother to the injured man. Our Church believes that a neighbor is one that aids those that are in need. We have a special
Samaritan fund for this ministry.
In Jesus,
–Kat J.
Response:
Dear Kat,
“A neighbor is anyone that you come in contact with.”
This is an opinion. [Where are your Scripture verses stating or implying this?]
“A brother or sister in Christ is anyone that is a Christian.”
Are you sure? Read Matt. 18:15-17. The ‘brother’ in these verses was not a Christian. This ‘church’ (assembly) was not a Christian assembly.
“Haven’t you ever read the stoty about the good Samaritan?”
Yes.
“Jesus’ message wasn’t just for one group of people but for everyone.”
Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans;:6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 15:24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Note: The lawyer that Jesus was addressing followed the Law. The Law was only given to Israel. Therefore, the message (parable) was not to everyone.
“The good Samaritan wasn’t an Israelite but was still a neighbor.”
Luke 10:36 ‘Who, then, of these three, seemeth to thee to have become neighbour of him who fell among the robbers?’
Note: Jesus did not say that the Samaritan was a neighbor, but ‘become neighbor’ of him.
“What he did made him a brother to the injured man.”
That is an opinion. [Where are the Scripture verses to prove that he was a brother?]
Note: And even if he was, it does not mean that Israelites were no longer to be considered brothers.
“Our Church believes that a neighbor is one that aids those that are in need.”
If anyone does not qualify, and receive aid for any reason, are you still a neighbor to them? You stated “A neighbor is anyone that you come in contact with.”
“We have a special Samaritan fund for this ministry.”
How does your church Biblically determine who is, or is not approved to obtain from this fund; or is this Samaritan fund ministry an ‘open door’ to anyone?
Are there any ‘requirements’ to receive benefits from this fund? i.e. Must be a Christian; one has to share your brand of Christian faith.
–Victor
10.
Dear Victor,My question is about the age of the earth.
Science says it is millions or billions of years old. Religion says it’s
not. I was reading a tract from Chick Publications, and they have a valid
point against the science theory. Science says that oil was millions of
years in the making. But the tract said that oil was produced out of
garbage in a laboritory, so science is probably wrong on the age of oil.
Very good point, don’t you think?
–Chris
Response:
Dear Chris,
The tract from Chick Publications is correct about oil being made in the laboratory, but is deceptive in their religious objective. The oil that was made in the laboratory was synthetic [man made]. This is not the same as ‘crude’ found in the earth. Therefore, a good point is not valid or was made.
I don’t know if science is right or not on the age of oil.
–Victor Parma
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