I just returned from an extraordinary weekend where men from many Christian traditions gathered together to experience the Agape love of God and the fellowship of Christian community in a deeper way than they have ever experienced it before. Several of the amazing things that happened this weekend were many miraculous answers of prayers as we prayed for healing for members of the team and the pilgrims on their walk to Emmaus. We experienced a three hour repentance and renewal service where men openly laid down their baggage and all the sin that had been hiding in long dusty closets. I saw groups of men not only become friends but became so close that they could tell their new friends anything! I witnessed first hand the incredible transformation of these men by the powerful grace and love of God.
During the answer the questions of these men, the question of where did Cain's wife come from? The minister who had the question actually did not know what to say and I tried to answer the question as well but way too sporadically and quickly. What I learned from this was when it comes to answering questions with many leaders from different Christian communities, the two reminders we should remember are (1) We all believe we are brothers and sisters in Christ and respect one another even though we are in different theological traditions; and (2) We can show that same respect even though people may understand hard and difficult scriptures differently than the one you currently hold on to.
We are all on a faith journey and what we believe today may change or be challenged later by our maturing beliefs in following Christ. The truth is this the question about Cain's wife like many questions, however you answer the question, the scriptures are silent and do not give an explicit answer. Our answers at best are provisional and simply are filling in the gaps. Our answers certainly do not posses biblical authority or demand all other Christians have to believe the same as we do.
Decolores!
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