Fathers and husbands are required by almighty God to provide for their families. This includes not only providing food, housing, clothing, education, medical care, love, discipleship, and spiritual guidance, but also protection. Of what worth is all the other provision if one does not provide protection as well? Anyone who fails to provide for their family has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. In fact, those who refuse to protect their young are worse than an animal. What animal will not fight to protect its offspring? God has endowed His creatures with claws, talons, horns, sharp teeth, stings, venom, swift wings, and other means for fight or flight. Self-defence is built into nature.

The underlying arguments for gun control seem to be that the availability of weapons causes crime. But this has not been the Biblical position. Genesis 4 records the first murder when Cain killed Abel. God’s response was not to ban rocks, knives, clubs, or whatever murder weapon may have been used, but to banish the murderer. It is the murderer’s heart that is the problem, not the weapon used…

…for the full article, pick up a copy of the latest issue of JOY, which is now on sale nationwide in all leading supermarkets!

The controversy over whether divorce and remarriage is allowed according to the Bible revolves primarily around Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9. The phrase “except for marital unfaithfulness” is the only thing in scripture that possibly gives God’s permission for divorce and remarriage. Many interpreters understand this “exception clause” as referring to “marital unfaithfulness” during the “betrothal” period. In Jewish custom, a man and a woman were considered married even while they were still engaged or “betrothed.” According to this view, immorality during this “betrothal” period would then be the only valid reason for a divorce.

However, the Greek word translated “marital unfaithfulness” is a word that can mean any form of sexual immorality. It can mean fornication, prostitution, adultery, etc. Jesus is possibly saying that divorce is permissible if sexual immorality is committed. Sexual relations are an integral part of the marital bond: “the two will become one flesh” (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:5; Eph 5:31). Therefore, any breaking of that bond by sexual relations outside of marriage might be a permissible reason for divorce. If so, Jesus also has remarriage in mind in this passage. The phrase “and marries another” (Matt 19:9) indicates that divorce and remarriage are allowed in an instance of the exception clause, whatever it is interpreted to be. It is important to note that only the innocent party is allowed to remarry. Although not stated in the text, it would seem the allowance for remarriage after divorce is God’s mercy for the one who was sinned against, not for the one who committed the sexual immorality. There may be instances where the “guilty party” is allowed to remarry, but they are not evident in this text…

…for the full article, pick up a copy of the latest issue of JOY, which is now on sale nationwide in all leading supermarkets!

Hollywood is known for its lack of morals, its advocacy of debauchery, and its blatant disregard for our Christian faith, and all that we hold dear. Born in Camps Bay, Stelio Savante has a powerful testimony and an outright love for Jesus. He stands out amongst the thorns in a city of sin. He is a multilingual SAG Awards Nominee and American Movie Award winner with over three decades of award winning individual performances in highly acclaimed independent and international theatrically released films.

Q. How does your faith in God impact your life as an actor, husband, and father?
My walk and my relationship with Jesus Christ definitely guides and navigates all three of those (Husband, Father, Actor). I’m exceedingly flawed, which means that I don’t always make the best decisions. But I’ve become much better at it. Being a husband is much more challenging than being an actor. It takes two people who are great forgivers, as Billy Graham said. I’m blessed to have a wife who loves me and accepts me. As a father it means that I have to be the best possible steward of a relationship with the Lord and of salvation. It is a fine line to walk because you go from hero to zero very quickly and you cannot take it personally. As an actor it means that I use discernment, both with my choices and my relationships. I don’t trust as easily as I once did because people are human and they will let you down. It also means that I have great mentors in the form of pastors and prayer partners…

…for the full article, pick up a copy of the latest issue of JOY, which is now on sale nationwide in all leading supermarkets!