Do You Think Christians Should Drink Alcoholic Beverages?

Is this a set up? (LOL)

First, let me say right up front, not that it really matters, I don't drink alcoholic beverages.  However, I'm not ready to play "Holy Spirit" with anyone.  I can tell you, too, that we have people in our churches who drink wine, beer and I'm sure other alcoholic drinks.  And guess what?  I'm leaving them in God's hands!  It's my job to love people; it's the Holy Spirit's job to clean us up!  One acid test, however, is that if we as believers have to "hide" anything we're doing, it's probably not pleasing to the Lord.  Food for thought!

Let me be honest.  I can't drink alcohol, not because I'm a pastor, but because the Holy Spirit convicts me otherwise.  I definitely feel that if I drank alcoholic beverages, I might cause a weak believer or even a "pre-Christian" to stumble.  I never want to hurt my credibility and testimony.  Having said this, let me take you to several often-quoted Scriptures, and then I'll make further comments.

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).

"He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine" (John 4:46).

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 4:18).

"No longer drink water exclusively, but us a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments" (1 Timothy 5:23).

"An overseer must...not (be) addicted to wine..." (1 Timothy 3:2-3).

Please note the following principles I gather from these (and other) Scriptures:

1. Drunkenness is absolutely forbidden by the Scriptures.
2. Jewish culture did not view wine like we do in our American culture.  Wine in the Bible was definitely a fermented beverage.  Too many verses, both in the Old and New Testaments affirm this fact.

A discussion about wine drinking cannot be separated from cultural norms.  The use of wine in Bible days was usually centered on festivities like weddings or used for medicinal purposes.  In my opinion, the question of American believers drinking alcoholic beverages must include a discussion of OUR culture.  Believers who use the argument that wine in Bible times was not fermented, need only look at key passages which refer to drunkenness.  I don't think you can build an anti-drinking argument on that basis alone.  

I look to another principle that I feel speaks more pointedly than even fermented vs. non-fermented arguments.  It is the principle Paul expounds in 1 Corinthians 8:9 and 12.  "But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak...and so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ."

You see, you may be able to drink and alcoholic beverage and not feel convicted, but if another believer (or unbeliever) sees you and it causes that person to stumble, then you probably need to leave it alone.  Your liberty may cause someone to lose faith, and you never want that to happen, do you?  I know for sure that if I drank in public (which I don't) and someone who knew me saw me guzzling a beer or whatever, I'm one-hundred-percent sure I would cause an offense or perhaps (worst case scenario) even cause someone to lose out with the Lord.  Like anything else, the drink itself is not the REAL issue; it's how the action negatively affects other people.

In our culture, drinking may be viewed by unbelievers as alright; however, in my experience, when unbelievers see Christians partaking of alcohol, it usually causes them to call into question the believer's walk with Christ.  If you were to travel in Europe and eat with believers, I promise you they would serve you wine with at least the evening meal.  In those cultures wine is treated like drinking water!  Drinking then would not be an issue to anyone!

The REAL issue is not, "Should I drink or not drink?"  The REAL issue is, "Is what I'm doing--whether it's drinking or whatever--going to cause anyone to question the validity of the gospel?"  You must answer that question for yourself!

If a Couple is Planning to Marry, What's Wrong With Them Living Together?

"Pastor Roger, if a couple is planning to marry, what's wrong with them living together?  After all, a marriage license is just a piece of paper."

Frankly, this question stems from the fact that America, historically and culturally, has strayed from biblical absolutes.  What does it say to us that even unbelieving couples used to refer to this practice as "shacking up?"  I've been waiting for this question!  First, Christians do not align with cultural norms, but with the Word of God.  The Bible is our authoritative rule for living and conduct.  Let me come at this question from several angles.

1. Marriage is a covenant relationship between two people and God.  You're right, a piece of paper may seal the deal legally, but there's a much deeper principle at work here.  God places much importance on marriage vows.  He is a covenant God and married couples are required to live in covenant.  A covenant, by definition, is an unbreakable agreement between two people.  When couples choose to live together outside of God's covenant plan, what they're saying is "that if things don't work out, we can go our separate ways."  God's original plan was one man for one woman for life.  This is non-negotiable.  That's why it's so important that we marry the right person.
2. The Bible forbids fornication.  What is fornication?  Couples fornicate when they engage in sexual activity before they marry.  I've actually heard couples say, "We're not sleeping together."  Time out!  I was born at night, but not last night!  You cannot convince me that two sexually healthy, hormonally-driven people in love (or lust) are not going to engage in sexual activity, if given the opportunity.  I don't care how spiritual a couple is, they will eventually succumb to their sexual desires.  Get real!  Our fleshly appetites are fierce contenders.  Who are we kidding?  When couples have no accountability or are left alone without fear of interruptions, one or the other (probably both) is going to explore "south of the neckline."  Many promising couples have lost their virtue and testimony in the heat of passion.  God's plan is abstinence until marriage.  Of course, there's forgiveness for failure in this area, but it's better if couples not put themselves in the place to fornicate.  Frankly, perpetual fornicating is listed in the "not-inheriting-the-kingdom" list in 1 Corinthians 6:9.
3. Christians are not to be conformed by this world's standards (Romans 12:1-2).  Promiscuity is rampant in our society.  God still places a high premium on sexual purity.  When I was a teenager, my goal was to remain a virgin until my wedding night.  I formed this strong conviction before I started dating.  First, I did not date anyone I would not want to marry; and second, I did not forfeit my virtue at the expense of a young lady's reputation and trust; and third, I wanted my future wife to trust me after we married.  The enemy often downloads distrust and jealously in the lives of married couples who engage in sexual intercourse before they marry.  Jealousy and distrust are harsh taskmasters!
4. Couples need to understand the reality and power of "soul ties."  There are good and evil soul ties.  By definition, a soul tie is an attachment--physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually with another person.  Affairs usually begin with unhealthy emotional and mental soul ties, which then lead to physical involvement.  Sexual intercourse is much more than two bodies coming together.  It is body, soul and spirit coming together.  Sex outside the marriage covenant invites disaster every time.  The world encourages and applauds multiple sex partners, but God knew that true, healthy marriage relationships flourish only in monogamy.  Couples who live together before their vows are sealed in heaven and before men open themselves up to unhealthy soul ties--especially those who break up.  Sexual intercourse, of course, consummates marriage, and marriages are not apt to survive that have to "live down" countless ungodly soul ties.
5. The Bible says to avoid the very appearance of evil.  Christians march to the beat of a different drummer.  We are the ecclesia, the "called out ones," who have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light.  We live above the pull of sin, the flesh and the devil.  Our morals, values and conduct run opposite to what the world models.  We are a peculiar people, called to walk worthy.  Couples who live together outside the bond of marriage render null and void their Christian testimony.  We are to keep our "vessels unto honor."  It's not about a piece of paper; it's about a holy God Who calls us to a life of holiness.  We must avoid fornication and guard our testimony at all costs.  Believers in Christ are called to live exemplary lives, so as not to frustrate the grace of God.

If you happen to be living with your intended marriage partner at this time, let me encourage you to "move up your wedding date."  God's heart for you is that you walk in obedience to His revealed will and experience His blessings.

My Best Friend Who Really Loved the Lord Just Died From Cancer...

Here's the question that I received:

Pastor Roger, my best friend who really loved the Lord just died from cancer.  She was only 39 years old.  I thought we were promised at least 70 years on earth.  Can you explain this?

I'm so sorry you lost your best friend.  May the Lord give you continued strength and comfort.

To be totally honest with you, I'm not sure the Lord gave us an iron-clad promise of 70 years to live.  I've heard this taught over the years, but it never rang true in my spirit.  Let's go to Psalm 90:10, for I think this is probably  the text from which many draw this conclusion.  "As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years."

Now, let's zoom in on the word CONTAIN.  A look at ancient Hebrew thinking might give us still deeper insight.  Warren Wiersbe reminds us that the Hebrew word for "contain" offers this more exact meaning: "The days of our lives begin with conception and conclude somewhere between birth and 70 years of age, unless due to reasons of strength the Lord adds extra years."

Psalm 90:10 must be rendered according to the original intentions of the author.  A more precise meaning of this verse reminds us that people usually live and die somewhere between birth and the age of seventy.  Wiersbe explains, "A large container may hold one cup or one gallon, but either way it contains the liquid.  Life is a 'container' that holds any number of minutes, days or years."  In this respect, Psalm 90;10 is not a proof text or a guarantee for 70 years of life on earth.

The preacher tells us in Ecclesiastes 8:8 that "No man has authority...over the day of death..."  The Scriptures also remind us that God decides the times of our birth and death.

I do believe that many people "die before their time."  Poor temple (body) management can shorten lives.  Doctors tell us that many deaths are attributed to poor eating habits.  Sinful lifestyles that involve the use of tobacco, alcohol, promiscuity and drugs many times shorten lives.  Ecclesiastes 7:17 touches upon this fact:  "Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool.  Why should you die before your time?"  Also, car accidents and other kinds of accidents take lives.

The prophet Isaiah strongly implies that God calls some people home in order to protect them from future devastation.  I personally believe God takes some people to heaven "when He has them."  By this I mean that some people, for whatever reason, cannot stay true to God, so God calls them unto Himself when they are still in grace.  This can be debated, I suppose, but I've seen this scenario play out more than once in my ministry.  At any rate, Isaiah writes, "The righteous man perishes, and no man takes it to heart; and devout men are taken away (die), while no one understands.  For the righteous man is taken away from evil, he enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walked in his upright way" (Isaiah 57:1-2).

The Apostle James lends this insight:  "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.  You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (4:14).  Rather than telling people they are guaranteed at least 70 years, I think we need to remind them that each new day is a gift from God and that we have no iron-clad guarantees for tomorrow.  This is not fatalistic; it's the truth!  I've stood at the caskets of stillborns, crib death babies, small children, teenagers and 96-year-old women.  "It is appointed unto man once to die..." (Hebrews 9:27).

Yes, many do live beyond 70 years, and that's wonderful.  Some refer to this as "living on borrowed time."  In my mind, however, whether we live 20 years or 90 years, life is a gift from God.  That's why we need to live every day as if it might be our last.  Hug up to the Cross every day, so that when the summons comes, you find yourself ushered into Jesus' presence.  What a day that will be!

Why Would a Loving God Send People to Hell?

I had no idea this weekly column would elicit such diverse and excellent questions!  The very idea of a literal place called hell has always puzzled people, but the Bible makes it clear that hell is a real place.  However, let me entertain your question from an accurate and biblically supported point of view.  First, God never intended for people to go to hell.  Hell was created for the devil and the fallen angels.  And like I've stated in a former column, it is not God's will that any perish.  Why will people end up in hell?  Simply put, hell will be occupied by people who totally resisted the Holy Spirit and rejected Jesus Christ.

Perhaps we need to clear up any misinformation about hell to fully understand its reason for being.  To do this I'm going to introduce five words or phrases found in the Bible that many either misunderstand or use interchangeably, but not without problems!  These words or phrases include: Hades, Sheol, Hell, Gehenna, and the Lake of Fire.  Any discussion on hell needs to define these words.  Let's begin.

Hell--A term which designates the place of future punishment for the wicked.  Many times this word is used as a synonym for other closely related terms in the Scriptures, but we must be careful to specify.

Sheol--This is primarily understood in light of Old Testament teachings.  It is translated 31 times as the "grave," and three times as "pit."  The general idea encompasses a "holding place of the dead."  This does not refer to the grave as we think of graves, but rather as a place for those who departed from this life.  Sheol is used as a departing or holding place for both the righteous and the wicked (Psalm 16:10; 30:3; Isaiah 38:10; and Numbers 16:33; Job 24:19; Psalm 9:17) After Jesus' death on the Cross and His subsequent resurrection, Sheol no longer existed.  After the Cross, the wicked dead went to Hades and the righteous dead went to heaven.

Hades--It is rendered hell and refers to the underworld, or region of the wicked departed between death and the Great White Throne Judgment, which is discussed in Revelation 20:11-14.  It is definitely described as a place of torment.  Do you remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16:19-31?  Verse 23 employs the term hades, which is also translated hell.  This passage describes hades or hell as a place of torment.  An aforementioned term used in this passage is "Abraham's bosom," which is where the beggar went when he died.  This term is defined as a "place of bliss."  This term comes from Jewish thought of that day.

Hades then, is the New Testament counterpart of the Old Testament word Sheol.  Both were intermediary places.  Hades is the place to where Christ descended sometime between the crucifixion and His resurrection.  After the Cross, the righteous dead went immediately into the presence of the Lord in heaven.  "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).  Now the wicked dead go directly to Hell upon their deaths.  This is so heart breaking and unpleasant to think about!  It should make us go tell everyone about the saving grace of Jesus Christ!

Gehenna--We gather our teaching on the fires of hell from this important term.  Gehenna, or the Valley of Hinnom, was a place where the rites of the pagan god Molech were celebrated.  It was converted by King Josiah into a place of abomination where dead bodies were thrown and burned (2 Kings 23:13,14).  This valley served as a symbol, and the name was appropriated to designate the abode of lost spirits.  The word occurs 12 times in the New Testament, and in every case it is properly translated "eternal hell."

Lake of Fire--This term is found in Revelation 20:14-15.  "Then death and Hell were thrown into the lade of fire.  The lake of fire is the second death.  If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."  Verse 10 tells us the devil, the beast and the false prophet were previously thrown into the lake of fire.  To date, the Lake of Fire is unoccupied.

Any discussion on hell is incomplete unless we mention other biblical phrases that describe and coincide with this place of torment: "unquenchable fire," the "blackness of darkness," "furnace of fire," "torment in fire and brimstone," the "smoke of their torment," "where the worm dies not," etc.  There is no doubt that the Scriptures require us to believe in a properly so-called place of punishment.  Biblical accuracy calls for these terms and phrases to be interpreted literally, not as mere imagery or symbolism.  We must be true to the biblical texts!

Obviously, I've given you a very general and perhaps over-simplified view of hell's reality; however, always remember, our loving God made a way through His Son Jesus Christ so we do not have to go to hell.  He has made a way of escape.  Surely God's heart must break when people the crowing glory of His creation, choose to reject Jesus Christ.  We, not God, seal our own fate when it comes to our eternal destination.  Why not stop this very moment if you're saved and give God praise for your salvation?  If you're not saved, why not stop where you are and confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.  "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Romans 10:9,10).

Jesus came to give you heaven, not hell.

Is it Right for Christians to Listen to Country Music?

This blog has certainly forced me "out in the open!"  Keep those questions coming! Send them to me by Facebook private message, or to my email address: loomisrl@windstream.net.

I grew up listening to country music.  Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Connie Smith, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Charlie Pride, Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash, and many other country artists shaped my boyhood.  As a matter of fact, my dad and his three brothers formed a country band and we cousins were often found sitting against the walls at Jewel's Dance Hall in Austinburg, Ohio on the weekends.  Believe me, the country music of the 1960's is not the same as the country music of today, and I'll stop there!

Should Christians listen to country music?  Should they listen to jazz? The blues?  Mozart? rock and roll?  I heard jazz-blues artists Louis Armstrong's infamous song the other day, "What a Wonderful World."  His mellow, scratchy voice intrigued me.  The lyrics were warm and "clean."  I enjoyed it!  Later I heard Tom Jones sing, "The Green, Green Grass of Home."  I literally cried as memories of my dad and uncles singing that song came crashing into my mind.

Let me put it this way:  Don't be looking for a sermon from me on the evils of country music anytime soon.  I think we many times major in the minors!  Like you, I am indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  He leads and guides us into all truth.  He's the One Who gives us marching orders.  I personally enjoy many music genres.  Some of the love songs of the late 50's and 60's were simple and innocent.  You just can't beat Bobby Vinton's "Roses are Red," or "Blue Velvet."  I don't always listen to gospel music.  In my opinion, some of today's  gospel music sounds like it was birthed at the Hard Rock Cafe, or at an acid rock concert!  Once in a while I turn on the "oldies."  I personally don't care for a lot of contemporary country music, but I can become sentimental (even fight back tears) listening to Loretta Lynn sing, "Coal Miner's Daughter."

What's the bottom line?  Stay in the Word, and listen to the dictates of your heart.  If the Holy Spirit convicts you of listening to something, then DON'T LISTEN!  Really, I think some of us need to lighten up.  It goes without saying that some music, regardless of the genre, is inappropriate for believers to embrace.  The lyrics are either sexually suggestive or down right filthy.  Those types of songs are "no-brainers."

There are on/off buttons on TV's, radios, CD's and Ipods for a reason!  Use them righteously.  TV remotes allow us to choose clean viewing options; although admittedly our options are becoming fewer and fewer!

Should you listen to country music? Ask the Boss! (and I'm not talking about Bruce Springsteen here.)  The indwelling Spirit will tell you when to "switch channels or stations!"  Truthfully, I think we many times complicate the non-essential matters.  Admittedly, I mostly listen to gospel, but occasionally I enjoy some blues--jazz, easy listening, golden oldies, and classical country.  But I turn it off or switch channels when Conway Twitty starts singing, "Tight Fittin' Jeans."

Gifted artists from all genres and walks of life have celebrated their talents through good clean songs down through the years.  We all have our personal preferences.  The Holy Spirit inside you will tell you when it's time to turn the dial!  In the meantime, I still laugh when I hear Ray Stevens sing about the "Mississippi Squirrel."  

In conclusion let me say, the closer we get to the Lord, the more sensitive we'll become to these types of issues, and the "whether or nots" will become easier to discern.

Perhaps you have a question that you'd like for me to address? Send it to me by facebook or email it to: loomisrl@windstream.net.

How Does Someone Blaspheme the Holy Spirit?

In my experience, a lot of believers totally misunderstand what blaspheming the Holy Spirit really means, and unfortunately, they erroneously try to tell others what they think the Bible teaches on the subject.  Like anything else, we want to embrace the truth!  So, here we go!

Once a man was overheard saying, "This Holy Spirit stuff (he was specifically speaking about tongues in the corporate worship services) is a bunch of nonsense."  Did he blaspheme the Holy Spirit?  Probably not, but I'm sure he grieved the Holy Spirit.  That man needed an encounter with the Holy Spirit!  Some years ago I sat in a Sunday School class where the teacher told us that speaking in tongues was of the devil.  Was he blaspheming?  It was probably not his intention to blaspheme.  He only taught what his denomination believed, and perhaps God will not hold this to his charge.  I'm not the judge!

I often remind believers that they may or may not agree with certain teachings about the Holy Spirit, and they may not feel comfortable in churches that we identify as "Spirit-filled," but they should be careful about what they say.  I tell them, "Never attack another Christ-honoring church, just because they don't believe certain doctrinal truths you they might hold dear."

So, what constitutes blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?  Let's allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves.  Jesus warned the religious leaders of His day in Matthew 12:31-32: "Wherefore, I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men.  And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

I'm not going to attempt to wax theologically eloquent on this point.  Allow me to simplify it for you.  Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is rejecting the Holy Spirit's convicting power.  Because a person can be saved only by the Holy Spirit drawing him, to refuse to repent or to acknowledge one's sin is to refuse God's forgiveness.  In short, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is rejecting Jesus Christ!

Sometimes believers worry that they have accidentally committed this unforgivable sin. But only those who have turned their backs on God and rejected all faith have any need to worry.  Anyone who continually rejects the prompting of the Holy Spirit removes himself from the only source that can lead him to repentance and restoration to God.

If you're afraid you have blasphemed the Holy Spirit, you're probably on good ground.  Had you truly rejected Him, you would not care.  Your conscience would be seared!

Jesus makes an interesting statement, "...neither in this world, neither in the world to come" (v. 32).  To what is He referring?  Those who blaspheme the Spirit can't be saved in this life, and as a result will suffer eternal separation from God because of their choice.  In the final analysis, who goes to hell?  Anyone who rejects Jesus Christ!

Some have wrongly taught that using God's Name in vain or using God and Jesus as cuss words constitutes blasphemy   Of course, such talk is dreadful to hear, but Jesus makes it clear that blasphemy relates only to the Spirit's work.  I hate it when people use God's Name or Jesus' precious Name as curse words.  They curse the only One Who can save them!  But the Scriptures make it clear that the Spirit draws--He convicts of sin--Jesus forgives and then presents us to the Father because of His shed blood!

Why not welcome the Spirit's work in your life today?  The Holy Spirit is so wonderful.  He always glorifies Jesus Christ.  And He wants to draw you to the Master today.  If you're already saved, ask the Holy Spirit to touch you more deeply.  He desires greater intimacy with you!

Kathryn Kuhlman was a nationally-acclaimed healing evangelist, who taught me as a young believer to respect the Holy Spirit.  She never wanted to do or allow anything in her services that grieved Him.  While her mannerisms may have been somewhat peculiar, I loved to listen to her, for she loved and honored the Holy Spirit.  And God showed up in her meetings!

Let's bid Him welcome today and always!

Perhaps you have a question that you'd like for me to address? Send it to me by facebook or email it to: loomisrl@windstream.net.

So Who Did Adam and Eve's Kids Marry?

I received this question:

Leviticus 18:9 says, "You shall not have intercourse with or uncover the nakedness of your sister..."  With this being the case, how did Adam and Eve's children propagate the race without having intercourse with their siblings?"

Good question and one that deserves an answer!  Please keep in mind, however, the Scriptures do not directly address a lot of issues in terms of "chapter and verse."  We have to pull from many sources to answer some questions; and some inquiries, to be totally honest, will not be answered on this side of eternity!

Here goes!  Some have tried to "excuse" God by teaching that He probably created other human beings right after He created Adam and Eve.  We read in 1 Corinthians 15:45 that Adam was "the first man."  God did not start by making a whole group of people--men and women.  Defenders of the gospel must believe that all human beings are descendants of one man and one woman (Adam and Eve), as only those people who are descendants of Adam and Eve can be saved.  Romans 5:12 tells us that "even through one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed on all men inasmuch as all sinned."

The Bible makes it clear that only the descendants of Adam can be saved.  Romans 5 teaches that we sin because Adam sinned.  Since Adam was the head of the human race when he "fell," we who were in the loins of Adam "fell" also.  If God created other human beings in addition to Adam and Eve, then the gospel message is rendered false.  So please don't buy into this convenient, less substantiated argument.

Let's face it.  If we work totally from Scripture, without attaching our personal prejudices or other extra-biblical ideas, then we have to accept the fact that back at the very beginning, where there was only one generation, brothers would have had to marry sisters or there would be no more generations!  The Bible does not tell us how many children were born to Adam and Eve.  However, considering their long lifespans (Adam lived 930 years), it seems reasonable that there were many.  Famed Jewish historian Josephus wrote that "The number of Adam's children, as says the old tradition, was 33 sons and 23 daughters."

Remember, too, that sibling ages could be separated by hundreds of years!  To fully understand this concept, we have to quit thinking like traditional "Ozzie and Harriett" Americans.  We are not told when Cain married or any of the details of other marriages and children, but we can say with some degree of certainty that some brothers had to marry their sisters at the beginning of human history.  News flash   I realize I'm challenging religious mindsets; however, God continued to do "strange things" throughout redemptive history.  Do the names Hosea (prophet) and Gomer (prostitute) ring a bell?

Most people immediately reject the conclusion that Adam and Eve's sons and daughters married each other by appealing to the verse you quoted in Leviticus 18.  Some say you cannot marry your relation.  But if this first generation of humankind did not marry their relations, they could not marry a human!  Understand something.  The law forbidding marriage between close relatives was not given until the time of Moses.  Remember that Abraham married his half-sister (Genesis 20:12).  God blessed this union to produce the Hebrew people through Isaac and Jacob.  It was not until some 400 years later that God gave Moses laws that forbade such marriages.

Today, brothers and sisters are not permitted by law to marry because their children have a reasonably high risk of being deformed.  Besides, that would be gross anyway!  Just as the human lifespan shortened as sin continued to ravage mankind, so the human gene pool surely degenerated.  Adam and Eve possessed no genetic mistakes.  They were created physically perfect.  Everything God made was "very good" (Genesis 1:31).  Their genes were perfect--no mistakes.  But when sin entered ht world, God's perfect creation began to generationally degenerate.  Cain was in the first generation of children ever born.  He, as well as his brothers and sisters, would have received virtually no imperfect genes from Adam and Eve, so their offspring would have been genetically sound.  Sadly, sin began to work its destructive force against the beauty of God's creation, and by the time of Moses, degenerative mistakes would have built up in the human race to such an extent that it became necessary for God to forbid brother-sister marriages.  Also, there were plenty of people on the earth by then, and there would have been no reason for close relations to marry.

I believe this argument is plausible.  Regardless, the Bible is still God's Word and God's ways are perfect.  I still say we underestimate the toll that sin has taken on humankind and this planet.  This venue does not allow me to go into more detail, but I'm thankful for the information provided by www.bibleexplorer.com.  I drew heavily from their research.  If your curiosity has peaked, log on to that site and type in "Where did Cain get his wife?" Questions like yours make me appreciate the integrity of the Scriptures even more!

Perhaps you have a question that you'd like for me to address? Send it to me by facebook or email it to: loomisrl@windstream.net.