- Exploring Difficult Commands -

A Letter to Dr. Laura

Introduction

by Brad Scott

In the world of science there ar still, after all this time, unanswered questions. Man is still unable to clearly understand all the properties of light, sound or energy. We are still learning more and more about something as simple as water. We have yet to fully grasp how big the universe is or where emotions come from if we are all just an accidental combination of chemical properties over long periods of time. Our highly advanced modern culture is still not able to build something similar to the most ancient pyramids, much less possess the technology to dismantle one if we were able to construct one. We are continuing to learn about the world, the real world, of the unseen. One thing science has concluded however, is that those things we do see come forth from that which we do not see. The world is still full of questions. Some ancient puzzles have been solved, but many remain. So it is with no surprise that modern man is still struggling to understand the One who put all this into place.

Those who believe that the God of creation, or at the very least an initial intelligent designer, does not exist and all matter came forth from natural causes are looking at the same evidence that creationists are looking at. They look at this world and they see wars, bloodshed, murder, child abuse, sickness, disease and hate. An atheist/evolutionist concludes that there is no God or there is no intelligent Creator because of the evidence he sees. So he concludes that all mass and matter in the universe came forth by natural processes. So why doesn't he believe that the natural processes do not exist? The conclusion that many come to is that a god does not exist, and if he does he must be a bad god.

Most of the arguments against the existence of a personal first cause are natural questions that any one would ask, and most of these question have been answered over the centuries. This is how any family operates, as a matter of fact. I learned that when I was in my early twenties. I remember growing up in my teenage years thinking that my mom and dad were not just old fashioned, but backwards, uninformed, out to get me and just down right ignorant of the world we lived in. But as I got older and smarter, to my surprise my parents got smarter and smarter. I quickly resigned myself to accepting the possibility that I did not know everything, and the old axiom was still true: "the more I know, the more I know I don't know". So, through experience I am now convinced that when someone tells me they know, I know they don't know.

When this ministry begin some 17 years ago (1993), one of the first things I set out to do was to be prepared to give an answer to every man that asks the reason for the hope that is within me. One of our first teachings dealt solely with frequently asked questions. As I look back on those series I realized that all those questions were coming from people who already acknowledged the Creator of the universe in various and sundry ways. It became obvious of late, however, that our nation is filled with people who do not feel the same way. Oh gee, Brad, you are just now figuring that out? Well, no, but having had the privilege and honor of traveling extensively in this country and the globe, doing what I do, I am now convinced that the God of this book we call the Bible is hated, detested, and despised more than ever. The questions concerning this Creator we follow have become more and more vile and vitriolic. Much of the same animosity toward certain scriptural texts formed long ago are still lying unanswered or ignored today, and the conclusion by many is that the God of the Bible is and always has been a cruel God. There is a typical example from Richard Dawkins, the author of "The God Delusion".

"The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it, a petty, unjust, unforgiving control freak; a vindictive, blood thirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully."

Well, hey, why don't you say what you really mean? This attitude has grown exponentially over my lifetime. Now, while most of us who are committed to the Author of scripture have been spending most of our time and energy on proving each other wrong, this view has now dominated the media, movies, televison, books and our higher institutions of learning. And whose fault is it? Ours. While we are busy condemning eath other's calendars, researching when a day begins, putting together our next time lines (since the last one came and went), separating over the essence of our Savior and even learning Hebrew, the adversary is running amuck seeking whom he may devour. And who is he going to devour? This next generation if we continue to leave them choking in the dust of eschatology. Are we preparing the next generation to survive a culture that is in a continual spiral of depravity and immorality? That gets up every day and shakes it's fist in the face of God? I do not know about you, but I do not care to be taken out of this world while leaving behind this disgraceful mess.

Recently I received and email from a group of friends containing a provocative letter written to Dr. Laura Schlessinger. She is a Psychologist, author and talk show host that some of you may be familiar with already. She is also Jewish and attends a Chabad-Lubavitcher congregation in the Los Angeles area. Apparently some time ago, as part of her program, someone called in concerning an issue that involved homosexuality. A portion of her response invoked Leviticus 18:22, and as an observant Jew, this practice was an abomination to the Lord. This, as you can imagine, caused an uproar with some people. She soon received and open letter, that is posted on the internet from what I understand, penned by an east coast resident. My first thought was, you are kidding me, someone from the east coast was offended at her remarks? I am shocked. The letter, while typically filled with Blblical misconceptions, is sarcastic and just plain funny. Most jokes are funny because they are based upon a truth. The truth is that most scriptural apologists respond to this kind of inquiry with theological answers. They are perplexing questions and it does appear on the surface that the God of the Old Testament is all the things Richard Dawkins said he was. This is especially true when hearing the traditional Christian responses. "Well, that was in the Old Testament." No wonder Dawkins calls YHVH a capricious God. This word means an entity that constantly changes His mind. This kind of answer does nothing to appease the wrath of those who deny a Creator. To them it is a doctrinal answer and not a scientific answer. It is this writer's opinion that this kind of response is actually a slap in the face to our Redeemer.

I want to address each one of the questions that are asked in this letter, praying that some responses will resonate with the writer of the letter and all those who think like he does, and some responses will still fall short. I have decided to post the entire letter in the introduction and then I will go back and confront each question. I believe you will find this mans style very amusing and thought provoking.

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

• When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
• I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
• I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
• Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
• I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
• A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
• Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
• Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
• I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
• My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan,
Jim

Have you picked yourself up off the floor yet? Personally, I like this kind of person. This is because I would have written something very similar for disparagement and satire are part of my nature, as well. However, I was asked to not respond in that way. So I will do my best to be as serious as I can, as I have observed that much of the time this kind of marked response to the morals of the Creator is hiding an "I want to do want I want to do" view of life. We must be patient and kind with Jim. He is still a teenager and thinks his mom and dad are ignorant followers of a "throw the blond into the volcano" god.

Shalom Alecheim! ◊