Should christians believe in old wives’ tales and superstitions?  I was sitting outside on the front porch with friends, and a bird flew in the front door.  Everyone started saying this was a sign of bad luck or death.  What is your view?

Sincerely,
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Dear One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest,

Superstition is wrong.  Christians know that all blessings flow from God (Jas 1:17) and that if things work out for us, it is because God took care of us (Rom 8:28).  Luck has nothing to do with it.  Superstitions try and bring control in our lives by predicting the future through random events (black cat crossing your path, carrying a lucky rabbit’s foot, etc.)… but that is nonsense and ignorance.  The Bible declares that trusting in such things is foolishness and unfit for christians.  We should all do exactly what Paul said to Timothy: refuse old wives’ tales (1 Tim. 4:7).

(This question is a follow-up to “The Shape Of Pain”)

Thank you for your answer regarding the cross.  Now a follow-up question: on your last answer, you said, “When Jesus was nailed to the cross (Jhn 19:17), we have no idea exactly what shape it was…”  But someone told me something I had never thought of.  He said that if nobody knows the shape of the cross, then why do so many churches use the traditional Christian cross and crucifix with the bottom/lower leg longer?  How would you answer this?

Sincerely,
Geometry Student

Dear Geometry Student,

Many churches probably do this because of artistic license.  No two crosses used by the Roman nation were alike, and therefore, it isn’t incorrect to use any of those shapes to depict a cross.  However, it is important to know that christianity isn’t built upon statues and modern crosses on buildings (in fact, our congregation doesn’t even have crosses adorning our building)… it is built upon the Word of God (Rom 1:16-17).

Is it okay to smoke weed?  Genesis 1:12 says, “…and the earth brought forth grass and HERB, yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”  I have cancer, so it helps with the pain.

Sincerely,
Cancer Patient

Dear Cancer Patient,

Consuming marijuana for “recreational” purposes is wrong.  Yes, God created every green herb on day three (Gen 1:11-13), but He didn’t create them to be used inappropriately.  God condemns drunkenness and insobriety (Rom 13:13, 1 Cor 6:10).  If any drug, including marijuana, is used to create a state of drunkenness – then, yes, it is a sin.  If your doctor prescribes a drug for pain, as a treatment, etc. – that is a different matter.  We are very sorry to hear of your cancer, and it is appropriate to follow doctor’s orders in such matters.

God created everything in this world for our good, and He created us for good works (Eph 2:10).  Abusing the plants and herbs that God has blessed this world with harms us and is a sin.  When we don’t treat our bodies with respect, we harm ourselves as well as displeasing God (1 Cor 6:19-20).

They say that the cross is actually a pagan symbol used in pre-christian times, but I heard some people argued about this, saying that the pre-christian pagans actually used a plus-sign shaped cross rather than the T-shaped cross used in Christian churches, but I’m not sure about this.  Do you know exactly if some of the pre-christian crosses were T-shaped?

Sincerely,
Geometry Student

Dear Geometry Student,

The cross referred to in Christianity doesn’t have religious origins… it was a torture device invented by the nation of Rome.  When Rome wanted to make an example out of a criminal, they would hang them from a cross.  Those crosses differed in shape from locale to locale.  Some were T-shaped, others more of a plus sign, and others were more of what we consider to be the traditional cross shape.  When Jesus was nailed to the cross (Jhn 19:17), we have no idea exactly what shape it was… but regardless of the shape, it still had the same excruciating results (Jhn 19:30).

While on vacation, I had heard other christians say it’s okay to take the Lord’s Supper in their hotel room.  My concern is when checking out places to take vacations, shouldn’t a christian go where they know a church exists?  It seems you’re not putting God first – but your vacation.

Sincerely,
Travel Agent

Dear Travel Agent,

There are some issues that it would best not to be too dogmatic about – this is one of them.  Some brethren feel that you can take the Lord’s Supper and hold services in your hotel room on a Sunday because God says that “where two or three are gathered together, there I am” (Matt 18:20).  Others feel as you do, that all vacations should have a congregation to visit planned into the trip.  It is impossible to say that one brother is right and the other is wrong in this sort of situation.  Paul tells us that when the Scriptures leave room for personal choice, that we should allow each christian to independently decide because we all must face God independently (Rom 14:3-4).  You have a very valid point in your view of this issue and should make sure to never offend your own conscience by vacationing where there is no church (Rom 14:23), but don’t be too judgmental with those who feel differently.

Is drinking wine wrong?

Sincerely,
Just A Sip?

Dear Just A Sip,

God never specifically condemns drinking wine, but He does condemn ‘strong drink’ (Pr 20:1), drinking parties (1 Pet 4:3), and drunkenness (Rom 13:13).  Almost all alcohol that is consumed today would fall into the category of ‘strong drink’ because our alcoholic beverages are artificially fermented to increase their alcoholic content (unlike the wine of Jesus’ day – read “That’s Just Grape” for further details on the wine Jesus drank).  We would all do well to heed the words of Pr 23:31-32 and avoid alcohol as much as is possible.