AboutMartin W. Eldred Expertise I have been a Lutheran Christian for 47 years and a Lutheran pastor for almost 19. I can answer most general questions about Luther, Lutheran History, Lutheran Theology, and a Lutheran approach to Biblical Interpretation. I am ELCA, for those who know what that means, and I tend to be moderate theologically. I hope that I can converse with those that are either more conservative or liberal than I, and especially with those who are really just seeking.
Experience Pastors are "generalists" and generally have a working knowledge on many subjects. We are also used to working with a variety of answers from a variety of people. I teach a great deal, especially in the area ofthe New Testament. I particulalry enjoy the Pauline literature.
Organizations I have been a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, an international gathering of biblical scholars and teachers, since the late 1980s.
Publications I have written a few book reviews for the journal, "Lutheran Quarterly."
Education/Credentials I have a B.A. from Pacific Lutheran University in Religion (Biblical Studies)and a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary.
Question 1. Resurrected people on earth will marry and having sex? Resurrected husband and wife will be reunited?
2. Unmarried resurrected persons will marry and having sex on paradise?
3. Remarried woman will be reunited with her first husband or last husband on resurrection?
4. Unmarried Widow will be reunited with her husband?
5. If a believer finished the bible study, immediately they baptize? or after they involved in ministry approximately 2 years?
Answer Samuel:
Thank you for your question. I think I can give an answer to the first three of your questions by pointing you to Matthew 22:23-33 where Jesus was asked similar questions. His answer, to me, seems definitive: "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven."
It seems clear that our earthly concepts of marriage and sexual relationships will no longer be an important part of the resurrection. If we also take Paul's description of the resurrection body as being very different from our earthly body, (I Corinthians 15), we can assume that our transformation will be so complete that these very important physical needs (marriage, sex, and relationships in general) will be also transformed in such a way that it may be be hard for us to fathom here on earth. I assume that our resurrection bodies and our resurrection identities will simply not have the need for that same type of relationships as we do now. All these will be replaced with something far more perfect. We will know and be known in a perfect way (I Corinthians 13:12) and will not need to rely on our physical, human relationships, which are but a foreshadowing of the more perfect that it to come.
As for your fourth question, for an adult conversion I would promote baptism as soon as someone comes to faith. If they believe and confess Jesus as Lord, then why not bring them into the community of faith? That is how I would proceed. Further "testing" seems to me to border on "works righteousness" instead of completely relying on God's grace in Jesus Christ. None of us are worthy on our own, we all need Jesus' acceptance through his grace.
