Mr.Jim

The very first reference was in Genesis when God said man is to leave his parents and cleave to his wife. We know there were definite ceremonies as well since Jacob got married only to find Leah instead of Racheal. I think marriage can be as simple or as complicated as one wants but that for it to be a true marriage recognized in God's eyes both parties must of put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and then agree by vow to be true to each other.

Blasphemy is to speak disrespectfully of God or sacred things, it is cursing God. I have always been taught that the unpardonable sin is blasphemy against Jesus Christ. I think blasphemy can be forgiven if the heart which has done that is truely broken over it and one asks for forgiveness. The reason the unpardonable sin would make since to be blasphemy towards Jesus Christ is because He is the only way to eternal life with God the Father.

That is a great question. One that I have put many hours of thought into. In truth, if mankind had continued as one people with a common language, we would have achieved more than we have in a much quicker time frame. As you can see as we bridge the gap of language, we spring forward in leaps and bounds of knowledge and achievement. In deed, we would have travelled to the outer edge of creation, and who knows, found GOD? That is the reason HE gives us for confusing the language. Thank you everyone for your ideas...I was thinking more of actual bone stucture, facial shapes lips, eyes, noses small and large frames. Actually the idea of DNA makes sense that God put DNA for all the races into Adam and Eve with His foreknowlege...I hadn't thought about that...

I wouldn't worry much about persecution. Why? Because God has promised the grace to deal with things when we need it. Not before, but during the need. The Lord will give you strength when you need it. There's much to learn from those who are persecuted today. Learn from them now, because as you pointed out we may need those "tricks of the trade" in the near future. I'm talking about underground house churches, bible smuggling, and all the rest. One day its going to cost something tangible to be a Christ follower: in some parts of the world it can cost you your life. You know, to a certain degree I long for that day. The early church saw its greatest growth and most devoted followers during the times of intense persecution. I worry more for my children than I do for myself. Jim

This forum caught my attention because frankly I am terrified that shutting down the churches may be a very real situation in the not so distant future here in America. I have been reading the stories of the persucution going on all over the world and I realize that although I have walked with the Lord for most of my life I am not even remotely ready to survive such an ordeal. With the upcoming election and the Democrats poised to take the White House, House and Senate...it feels like seeing the handwriting on the wall for America. I am incredibly astonished to read how many people who post on these conservative christian forums would actually be going to vote for Obama.

We are working our way through Genesis at our church and I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on if God did more than just change languages at the Tower of Babel. Is it possible that overnight He changed entire physical appearences as well as cultural differences? It has never made sense to me that we all evolved due to climate etc...into such distinct groups of people.