Wife Swap

[Brother Bob]

I saw the episode you are talking about. I thought it was a good illustration of some of the problems with both extremes of Christianity. On one hand, you had a very conservative family who felt that the only point of existence for women is to make their husbands' food and proudly proclaimed that they "brainwash" their children, and on the other hand, you have parents that seemed to encourage their daughters to get into inappropriate relationships, and were reluctant to say that if they "made a mistake" before marriage that it would be sin.

This was one of their funniest episodes. My favorite part was where they debated the meaning of doulos (or at least debated how to pronounce it). I was also a little shocked when the one dad told the swapped wife that he was proud about how he had been brainwashing his children since birth. He totally came off like a cult leader. And then the next day the wife brought it up to his kids what he said, and you could see it shook their faith a little, and then he went into that lame explanation about how he just meant "brain-washed" as in "washed in the blood of Jesus". That's not what he meant. As parents we need to teach our kids how to think critically and guide them into truth so that they can internalize it on their own-not brainwash them.

Don't be quick to judge the show, especially if you haven't seen it and are just going by the name. I haven't seen every show, but I've never seen any inappropriate behavior, and almost every show they bring people that are from two different extreme backgrounds into each others' lives, and they almost always leave bringing some kind of balance. For some examples, families that keep their homes extremely dirty are shown how to keep things a little tidier; families that run household chores like a prison camp are shown that maybe they don't really have to dust every unseen inch of the house every day for hours; families where the parents are very distant from the children are shown the value of spending time with and nurturing their kids.

I still say it is a mockery of serving God and is a downfall to the church, they are serving. For fifteen minutes of fame, they will expose their church to ridicule. That is not what serving God is.

BBob,

 

[Brother Shane]

I haven't watched it in a long time but I was invited to be on it by one of the producers and there is NO WAY that they could ever pay me enough to bring in what would absolutely be a satanic person into my home. Why would I place someone in my home to be an authority who does not have Christ as her Lord and Savior? They will match you up with polar opposites to you so the crunchy, Birkie wearing hippie mama will be paired up with a city princess. The Bible believing wife will swap with a wiccan. The majorly athletic mom will be paired with the lazy fat woman who eats bon-bons all day. Why would I entertain someone with complete opposite values and beliefs from me? And in the 2nd week their in your home, you must follow THEIR rules! No way no how. It's a sick show and one I will not watch again.

Great post, Ann.

 

[Brother Shane]

readmore,

Going by your philosophy, if someone wants me to listen to a new song called "Wild Friday Night," I better do it because I shouldn't draw my conclusion by it's name? You do it YOUR way, I'll do it GOD'S way, 'k?


I Thessalonians 5:22 - "Abstain from all appearance of evil."

 

[lbaker]

Might be a good opportunity to really show folks how Jesus works in our lives, day-to-day and not just on Sundays. To convert the lions sometimes you have to go into their den.

 

[Brother Shane]

Scripture, please sir? We are to go out into the world, but never did it say to be part of the world!

 

[lbaker]

Scripture, please sir? We are to go out into the world, but never did it say to be part of the world!

From 1st Peter 2:

12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

 

[Brother Shane]

That does not say to live like them, in fact, it says to be different, that they may see your good works! NO WHERE does that scripture give you the right-a-way to participate in the pagans activities, or in other words, to fit this scenario, give a Christian the OK to be part of such an unGodly show. Living a good life among the pagans is simply showing them how they should act, not to be a part of them. That is how we witness -- when we live among the world! How can a Christian abstain from the appearance on evil while participating on a show called "Wife Swap?"

 

[donnA]

From 1st Peter 2:

12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

It says live among them, not live like them. And on this show for the first week the wife is required, she signed a legal form, to live by the families rules. meaning if they bow down daily to some false idol, burn incense to it, and pray to it, then she is required, has already agreed to do it also. They only match up families who are total opposites of each other, meaning they may match a christian family with a muslim family.

 

[Joe]

2 Cor 6:14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness


2 Cor: 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We are to witness to them, but not be "among" them. I don't think this is limited to physically, but includes mentally as well. Viewing these reality tv shows could qualify us as being mentally among them also, imho.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

That does not say to live like them, in fact, it says to be different, that they may see your good works! NO WHERE does that scripture give you the right-a-way to participate in the pagans activities, or in other words, to fit this scenario, give a Christian the OK to be part of such an unGodly show. Living a good life among the pagans is simply showing them how they should act, not to be a part of them. That is how we witness -- when we live among the world! How can a Christian abstain from the appearance on evil while participating on a show called "Wife Swap?"

Amen, Brother Shane!

 

[Ed Edwards]

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (HCSB):

Stay away from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV1769 with Strong's #):

1Th 5:22 Abstain567 from575 all3956
appearance1491 of evil.4190

G1491
εἶδος
eidos
i'-dos
From G1492; a view, that is, form (literally or figuratively): - appearance, fashion, shape, sight.


note, not "looks like"

The TNIV ties the 'evil' (bad) to the prophecy
in 5:20 (so that 5:21 & 5:22 contrast with each other):

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 (TNIV = Today's New International Version):
Do not treat prophecies with contempt
but test them all; hold on to what is good,
reject whatever is harmful.

Unfortunately, many have misunderstood 1 Thessalonians 5:22 assuming that in 1611 or 1769 or whenever, 'appearance' means what it does not -- It doesn't. Neither does the Greek being translated there asshown in the meaning above of εἶδος

 

[Sopranette]

I've never watched it. But 50 thou??? In two weeks? That's tempting.

love,

Sopranette

 

[annsni]

:laugh:

Now that is the funniest thing I heard all day.

I agree. My kids would watch ABC Family while I was on the computer. They're 16 and 18 and I had to tell them "no more". They were speaking of teens and sex, drugs, drinking, etc. All in positive lights. Not so "family" in my opinion.

 

[superwoman8977]

Man hearing these replies makes me think how boring your lives must be if youre sitting up there on your pedestal looking down at the world or for that matter walking around with your noses in the air thinking you are better than anyone else. I cant live like that. I have friends who follow Christ and dont and I still love them I dont treat them any differently. I still hang out with my friends in fact I just went out with my co-workers (who are of all different faiths and beliefs) for lunch. I love the Lord but do I sit there all day saying okay God you say this so I cant do this ..nope because as I learned when I had my cancer, you only go around once, live each day to the fullest. I dont live in a bubble where I just associate with Christians. If I did that I wouldnt get to spread my cheery self around to everyone...lol....God has a reason for bringing me through stage 4 cancer and now divorce and everything else I have been through and I cannot wait till the day when he shows me that purpose. The family from Wednesday night went to the extreme in following the bible I mean the more I watched of it the more I was like this dad is cult-like. I would never tell my teenage daughters that they couldnt go out and meet guys and everything, what does he think, Mr. Right (which we know there is no such thing as..lol) is going to be dropped from the sky? Give me a break, you have to date to find Mr. Right, find out what you want in life, find out his likes and dislikes, etc. You cannot just expect him to appears somewhere. I see myself more like the other family but not all the way to that extreme either. Yes I work outside the home and will continue to work outside the home no matter what but I push activities with my kids. My boys are in 4-H, youth group, swimming, basketball, and baseball. Kids who are idle cause problems so I dont let my kids be idle for very long and yes I am proof that you can balance home and career I have been doing it for 10 years. Christ tells us that we are to love others as we love ourselves well sitting there judging and bashing others doesnt sound like love to me. We cannot sit there 24/7 with our bible open praying and studying and if you do then well thats good for you but I cannot. There is a whole world just waiting to be explored. There is a whole world just waiting for someone to get down to their level and explain to them and not shove it in their face that Christ loves them. I find this show Wife swap very interesting as I get to get a glimpse into other lifestyles in the US. Some have been creepy but not everyone is the 2 car 2 kid, house with white picket fence family. Not all of us are the Cleavers there are alot of us who are the Conners. I think this show does a great job of portraying that. I love how when the new mom comes in that she gets to enforce her rules and sometimes her rules change the family for the better.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Man hearing these replies makes me think how boring your lives must be if youre sitting up there on your pedestal looking down at the world or for that matter walking around with your noses in the air thinking you are better than anyone else. I cant live like that. I have friends who follow Christ and dont and I still love them I dont treat them any differently. I still hang out with my friends in fact I just went out with my co-workers (who are of all different faiths and beliefs) for lunch. I love the Lord but do I sit there all day saying okay God you say this so I cant do this ..nope because as I learned when I had my cancer, you only go around once, live each day to the fullest. I dont live in a bubble where I just associate with Christians. If I did that I wouldnt get to spread my cheery self around to everyone...lol....God has a reason for bringing me through stage 4 cancer and now divorce and everything else I have been through and I cannot wait till the day when he shows me that purpose. The family from Wednesday night went to the extreme in following the bible I mean the more I watched of it the more I was like this dad is cult-like. I would never tell my teenage daughters that they couldnt go out and meet guys and everything, what does he think, Mr. Right (which we know there is no such thing as..lol) is going to be dropped from the sky? Give me a break, you have to date to find Mr. Right, find out what you want in life, find out his likes and dislikes, etc. You cannot just expect him to appears somewhere. I see myself more like the other family but not all the way to that extreme either. Yes I work outside the home and will continue to work outside the home no matter what but I push activities with my kids. My boys are in 4-H, youth group, swimming, basketball, and baseball. Kids who are idle cause problems so I dont let my kids be idle for very long and yes I am proof that you can balance home and career I have been doing it for 10 years. Christ tells us that we are to love others as we love ourselves well sitting there judging and bashing others doesnt sound like love to me. We cannot sit there 24/7 with our bible open praying and studying and if you do then well thats good for you but I cannot. There is a whole world just waiting to be explored. There is a whole world just waiting for someone to get down to their level and explain to them and not shove it in their face that Christ loves them. I find this show Wife swap very interesting as I get to get a glimpse into other lifestyles in the US. Some have been creepy but not everyone is the 2 car 2 kid, house with white picket fence family. Not all of us are the Cleavers there are alot of us who are the Conners. I think this show does a great job of portraying that. I love how when the new mom comes in that she gets to enforce her rules and sometimes her rules change the family for the better.

It's not about us thinking we are better than anyone, sw. It is about obeying God's Holy Word. What a concept, huh?

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

One who is a Child of God will want to obey God.

 

[Brother Shane]

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (HCSB):

Stay away from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV1769 with Strong's #):

1Th 5:22 Abstain567 from575 all3956
appearance1491 of evil.4190

G1491
εἶδος
eidos
i'-dos
From G1492; a view, that is, form (literally or figuratively): - appearance, fashion, shape, sight.


note, not "looks like"

The TNIV ties the 'evil' (bad) to the prophecy
in 5:20 (so that 5:21 & 5:22 contrast with each other):

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 (TNIV = Today's New International Version):
Do not treat prophecies with contempt
but test them all; hold on to what is good,
reject whatever is harmful.

Unfortunately, many have misunderstood 1 Thessalonians 5:22 assuming that in 1611 or 1769 or whenever, 'appearance' means what it does not -- It doesn't. Neither does the Greek being translated there asshown in the meaning above of εἶδος

Just exactly what are you trying to say, sir? Surely not that I used this scripture out of its context?!

 

[annsni]

From 1st Peter 2:

12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Living among the pagans -we all do that. However, is there Scripture to support bringing them into our home and running our home? Teaching our children THEIR values? Living by THEIR rules?

2 John 1:10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Living among the pagans -we all do that. However, is there Scripture to support bringing them into our home and running our home? Teaching our children THEIR values? Living by THEIR rules?

2 John 1:10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Great verse to show we are not to have anything to do with such trashy shows as 'Wife Swap".

 

[annsni]

Man hearing these replies makes me think how boring your lives must be if youre sitting up there on your pedestal looking down at the world or for that matter walking around with your noses in the air thinking you are better than anyone else. I cant live like that. I have friends who follow Christ and dont and I still love them I dont treat them any differently. I still hang out with my friends in fact I just went out with my co-workers (who are of all different faiths and beliefs) for lunch. I love the Lord but do I sit there all day saying okay God you say this so I cant do this ..nope because as I learned when I had my cancer, you only go around once, live each day to the fullest. I dont live in a bubble where I just associate with Christians. If I did that I wouldnt get to spread my cheery self around to everyone...lol....God has a reason for bringing me through stage 4 cancer and now divorce and everything else I have been through and I cannot wait till the day when he shows me that purpose. The family from Wednesday night went to the extreme in following the bible I mean the more I watched of it the more I was like this dad is cult-like. I would never tell my teenage daughters that they couldnt go out and meet guys and everything, what does he think, Mr. Right (which we know there is no such thing as..lol) is going to be dropped from the sky? Give me a break, you have to date to find Mr. Right, find out what you want in life, find out his likes and dislikes, etc. You cannot just expect him to appears somewhere. I see myself more like the other family but not all the way to that extreme either. Yes I work outside the home and will continue to work outside the home no matter what but I push activities with my kids. My boys are in 4-H, youth group, swimming, basketball, and baseball. Kids who are idle cause problems so I dont let my kids be idle for very long and yes I am proof that you can balance home and career I have been doing it for 10 years. Christ tells us that we are to love others as we love ourselves well sitting there judging and bashing others doesnt sound like love to me. We cannot sit there 24/7 with our bible open praying and studying and if you do then well thats good for you but I cannot. There is a whole world just waiting to be explored. There is a whole world just waiting for someone to get down to their level and explain to them and not shove it in their face that Christ loves them. I find this show Wife swap very interesting as I get to get a glimpse into other lifestyles in the US. Some have been creepy but not everyone is the 2 car 2 kid, house with white picket fence family. Not all of us are the Cleavers there are alot of us who are the Conners. I think this show does a great job of portraying that. I love how when the new mom comes in that she gets to enforce her rules and sometimes her rules change the family for the better.

Proverbs 13:20.

Can you show me where Christ tells us to invite the unGodly into our home to run it? There's a huge difference between being friendly with someone and even going out to eat with them and adopting their values and beliefs.

None of us are being "holier than thou" - that is just said when someone who doesn't believe in Godly standards encounters someone who does. Just because you're tolerant and embrace everyone doesn't mean that it's the way God wants us to be. Yes, we are to minister to the world - we are to be a light in the world. We are not, however, to adopt their beliefs or to allow their influence in our home - as is what happens on Wife Swap.

2 Corinthians 6:14 says "Or what fellowship has light with darkness?"

Fellowship is a much deeper relationship than just even friendship. Fellowship connotates sharing, IMO. Sharing values and beliefs. Sharing your heart. Darkness has nothing to do with us and to embrace it and allow it into our home, we are allowing the enemy into the fortress and protection of our homes. Sorry - not what God calls us to do nor should we.

 

[donnA]

sw, you may not wish to live a godly life, but some of us do.