By the Numbers

Friday, April 20, 2012

Life's Crucial Questions

                                  Life's Crucial Questions

Look at ME! Listen to My experiences. I'm so great? If all I care about is Me and My little world, then I might be in serious trouble! Three questions capture the essence of where I'm going.
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#Questions

Is There A God?

For many persons it's purely an academic question so when they decide a yes or no answer they can return to themselves. But what if this question decides more issues of greatest import than all else and it's simply ignored? Is that wise?
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 In the world we observe many kinds of trees, plants, birds, fish, animals, creeping things. Did they create themselves? Each one is designed with a specific genetic code and is far more complex than even the most brilliant persons could ever imagine. Doesn't all this point to an intelligence and will far exceeding us?
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Humans are the most intelligent creatures we know of on the planet. For sure the elements are forms of unconscious energy that can neither know nor design anything. And, isn't it absurd to say their atoms just happen to all fall in place to produce such an enormous variety of complex creatures? Aren't partial developed organs such as wings, legs, eyes, ears, arms and partially developed systems such as digestive and reproductive useless unless complete and operative from the beginning? All these things compel me to believe nothing less than a creative God is required to explain it all. Can you agree?
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Common sense tells us something can't come from nothing as nothing means powerless nonexistence. We now know the universe had a beginning point suggesting a Beginner since nothing of itself explodes into everything. The universe is elongated or stretched out not spherical as an explosion would be. It is both expanding and losing useful energy. Unless it existed to create itself which is absurd, it is dependent upon an outside originating Source or Creator. Further, its present dependent existence requires such a Source to uphold its existence. Isn't all this obvious?
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Is There Life After Death?

A mystic's claim that life exists after death  gives me no assurance it's true. Mystics can claim frogs can turn into people or anything else if they like. Mormons claim people can become gods and have their own planet. But I must see some examples of such things to believe them true.
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The only way we can really know if life exists after death is for dead persons to come back to life. It amazes me that liberals claim persons of the Bible brought back to life were merely revived from a coma and that Jesus' death on the cross was that he merely swooned. Anybody who has ever touched dead persons know they are cold stiff corps, life has departed and body oder shortly sets in.
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Do skeptics think the trained soldier executioners guarding Jesus on the cross were uncertain of his death? They overlook the fulfillment of the prophecy that no bone of his would be broken while the guards broke the legs of the two thieves to hasten death, that Jesus promised one thief would join him in paradise, and  that one guard acknowledged Jesus was the Son of God. Furthermore, they overlook Psalm 22 and 15 New Testament messianic quotations of or allusions to it which lead some in the early church to call it "the fifth gospel." If the event occurred, it doesn't matter if it was two thousand years ago or two million. The reality and meaning of it remains forever the same that Jesus died to save us sinners bearing our sin upon the cross.
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But Jesus didn't remain a dead man upon the cross, but is a risen Lord and Savior of all who put their trust and hope in Him. Evidences of it abound for those willing to consider them. There is the empty sealed guarded tomb, the heavy bolder rolled from its entrance, the soldiers admitting Jesus was not there, the  neatly folded grave clothes, the angel announcing he is risen, a dozen appearances under all kinds of circumstances, Jesus eating and talking with astonished skeptical disciples talking about the kingdom of God, and his Ascension before five hundred eyewitnesses. All skeptic's theories honest with the evidence break down. See my other articles: Did Jesus Arise from the Tomb? Is There Life After Death?
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What does it mean for humanity? It means the most wonderful things. Unlike others imaginings, we are not soulless dirt as atheists believe, nor recycled energy as monists believe, but we alone in God's image have basis to be beings of dignity and destiny. Because Jesus lives, we know he is the God-man as he claimed so many times and ways. We know everything he taught and approved of is God's absolute truth. A rational Lord made a rational world we can understand, care for and use for our well-being. That makes literature, philosophy, and science possible. It makes ethics, justice, love, faith, hope and human well-being possible too.
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But while man is a being of dignity, it must not be overlooked that he is just as much a being of depravity--we have noble and creative potential, but also an ignoble destructive dark side to our nature. When our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God, it meant we inherited from them a sinful nature-- we naturally choose our desires and our will over our Maker's if we're not careful.
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This means we must way our attitudes and actions most carefully in light of God and His will. Every thought, word, and deed will one day come up for judgment and reward with God in the new Heaven, or for eternal separation from all we're known to be good in this life in an eternal abode of darkness, torment and despair. It's our choice--we're not robots without dignity and our loving God can't force Himself upon us. God and His Heaven cannot be corrupted as the earth.
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How Should We Then Live?

We not only have a conscience and human compassion to tell us we are to treat others as we would want them to treat us, but our God has given us His instruction book, the Bible, to inform us in specific matters. There is the Ten Commandments, The Sermon of the Mount, and many other lists of things we are and are not to do. Of course all God's instructions are based upon his holy or perfect nature which is our standard and by which we will one day be judged. To ignore all this or find excuses, or claim we're exempt as a special case is to one day face our all knowing Lord who won't except such excuses. See my article: The World's Excuses & God.
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Essentially, we must avoid human abuse and encourage others to follow God's instructions. That required that we learn and apply His word, that we meet together for worship, praise, thanksgiving, and instructions with God's people. And of course, it means we tell other's of our Lord and His saving experience. One way of sharing is to tell others of these Internet blog articles. You might be the means of them coming to the Lord and making wonderful differences both now and eternally.
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Probably, many reading this article know little or nothing, or have assurance  about the things discussed above. Let me invite you to relationship with your Maker, Savior, and Judge. He loves you and gave his human life to save you. Won't you enter a love-trust relationship with the Lord Jesus now that issues in obedience. He promised to never leave you and to give you eternal life with Him?
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"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him (John 3:36)." Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed into life. . . . the dead will hear the voice of of God; and those who hear will live (John 5:24-25). Pray, Lord I trust You now to give me eternal life and forgive all my sin.
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Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died On Calvary.
By God's Word at last my sin I learned; Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned To Calvary.
Now I've giv'n to Jesus every thing, Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sign Of Calvary.
Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan! Oh, the grace that bro't it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span At Calvary.
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Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty, At Calvary.    ---Hymn by William R. Newel.
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See comment below.
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Monday, April 9, 2012

Darwinian Atheist Challenges Bible-Thumping Christian

Darwinian Atheist Challenges Bible-Thumping Christian

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Matter Unbeliever knew science and reason proved evolution beyond all doubt to be fact. He couldn’t believe his ears when he heard his co-worker and friend, Chris Believer, claim true science points to God.
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 He invited Chris to his home to play chess and have ice cream. Matter’s real intent is to convert Chris to his enlightened belief in atheistic evolution. After all, schools, news media, Hollywood, the American Civil Liberties Union--everybody believes it.
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Ring. Ring. Matter opens the door. “Hello, Chris. Come in and sit here at the kitchen table.The chess set is already set up and I’ll get the chocolate ice cream in a little while. How have you been?”
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“Oh, good as usual I suppose. Thanks friend for inviting me to play chess with you. I like the game and I like ice cream. You can move your pawn first.”
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 “Okay. Chris, I heard you say the other day that true science points to God. Surely you don’t believe in God today with so much evidence against it, do you?”
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“Yes, Matter, I do and I don’t know any compelling evidence against my belief.”
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Just as I suspected, Matter thought. Chris is one of those dumb Bible-thumpers ignorant of the abundant evidence against God. He only believes the teachings of some funny-mentalist church and Sunday school.
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“Well Chris, scientific method of repeatable experiments is our only way of knowing anything with certainty. People never see God or anyone walking on water, raising the dead, or ascending into Heaven today; it’s unreasonable to think such occurred in the past. Natures’ laws prohibit miracles and miracles would make science impossible. But if you can show me a miracle, I’ll believe. True science has shown evolution is fact which means we don’t have to believe in God anymore.”
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“Chris, you’re an intelligent person. Can’t you see now my friend how ignorant, unreasonable and unscientific it is to believe in God today? Ha! Ha! Come of age, Chris. Don’t get hung up on that backward Sunday school church stuff.”
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“Matter, you’re trying to proselytize me with a barrage of objections thinking believers in God don’t have supporting evidence. And then you patronize me with ridicule to make me feel stupid and shut me up. Character assignation and precluding answers may be an atheist tactic, but it’s not a fair, respectful, godly treatment of a fellow human being. And while most Christians can’t answer your objections, that doesn’t mean there aren’t answers. Besides, unless challenged, Christians don't think seriously about such things. Our faith in Christ gives us the sense of love and security we didn't know existed before."
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“Matter, can scientific experiments tell us what you ate for breakfast last week? No. And they can’t tell us about history, human rights, ethics, love and all the vital things of life. Because I haven’t seen any miracles doesn’t prove they can’t happen, or didn’t happen, or that God doesn’t exist. And Bible miracles usually are grouped around special crises periods."
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“Are you serious Matter that miracles would make nature chaotic and destroy science? Nature remained unchanged except in particular cases of Jesus’ miracles. Miracles aroused people’s attention, enabling them to understand Jesus’ claims to be God as true. Even their astonishment showed they were much aware of nature's laws. If God created this material universe, He’d be the Spiritual Being controlling everything. And God’s not required to submit to repeated experiments, nor skeptic’s whims. Besides, God doesn't force anyone to believe. That's not the way love acts. People come to God only when they really want to know Him."
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“Science’s method today is closed-minded--it assumes nature’s everything. Nature’s self-sustaining, eternal, impersonal, valueless, and allows only natural causes. But good education and true science fearlessly encourages and examines alternative views. No one was present to observe when the universe came into being. Scientifically, creation is an open question. It has as much right to consideration as evolution. If it’s fantasy rather than fact, why aren’t creationist arguments refuted in science textbooks? Why don’t naturalists win in creation science debates? Remember the Nebraska man turned public opinion to evolution. That evolutionist’s proof turned out to be an extinct pig’s tooth.”
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“Ouch! Your knight captured my queen. You’re better at this than I imagined. And you stand up for your faith and give answers. I thought Christians . . . “
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“You mean Christians are ignorant, or are cowards. To be honest with you Matter, I think most are, or they just never think about it unless challenged. And like non-Christians so many other things occupy their time."
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“Well Chris, didn’t Jesus say turn the other cheek, don’t judge, and he who is without sin caste the first stone.”
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“Yes, Matter, but like the devil people can quote scripture out of context and convey a contrary meaning. Careful study of those passages shows Jesus meant don’t take revenge and escalate violence. He meant we should examine our own faults before we judge others’ faults, and show compassion since we’re all transgressors condemned by God’s law. We have to make judgments about many things every day--police, teachers, parents.”
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“That makes sense, Chris. But what has a religion more than two thousand years old to do with life today? Christianity to me seems like a lot of rules and restrictions that frustrates my desires and spoils my fun.”
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“Matter, I’m so glad you asked. It’s really unfair and not intellectual to castigate the Bible and Christianity when you don’t understand what they teach. Please let me explain.”
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“The Bible’s God is an eternal, infinite, personal, ethical Creator of the universe and of man in his likeness. God took on a human nature in Jesus Christ who experienced life as us, yet without sin or wrongdoing. He fulfilled prophecies and performed miracles to show his claims to be God were true. Then he died upon the cross to pay for our sins and rose from the dead. Five hundred people saw the resurrected Lord Jesus. Many eyewitnesses were still alive when Paul wrote the letter First Corinthians 15:1-8 only a couple of decades later—it was no myth. Jesus commissioned his disciples to tell humanity the good news of eternal life through faith in him. He then ascended into Heaven with the promise to return and set up his kingdom.”
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“So, it’s biblical Christianity alone that meets humanity’s most crucial needs. God created us in His likeness with dignity and immortality—we’re not just evolving, soulless, perishing dirt. God set ethical standards and will judge our earthly behavior—ethics, justice, love, freedom, truth and a meaningful world have their foundation and make sense in their Creator who came to us in the human form of Jesus Christ.”
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"We can be free from guilt, know peace with God and the purpose of life when we turn from our self-centered destructive ways to trust in the Lord Jesus, the Savior of sinners. No other worldview provides the basis for these most crucial issues of life."  Matter finally brought the chocolate ice cream, but lost the chess game.
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So many persons like Matter believe a lot of nonsense about science, Christianity or both. True science supports faith but here say and false notions about either can cause conflict. It's never good to belittle unbelievers as we were also at one time. We should show respect, pray, and try to lovingly lead others to God's truth (1 Peter 3:15-16). Tell them how you found love, forgiveness, peace, and joy in trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Share passages such as:  John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9; 10:9-10. Tell them about these blog articles WWW and to tell their pastor, professor, or co-workers about them.
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Friday, April 6, 2012

Is the Lord Jesus Welcome at Your University?


Is the Lord Jesus Welcome at Your University?

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The Bible says Jesus is the Lord of glory meaning he’s the way, truth, life, hope, and light of the world. But some intellectual elites claim Jesus’ teachings intolerant, absolutist, dogmatic, exclusive, authoritarian, ignorant, narrow-minded, superstitious, dangerous, and nonscientific. Why? Are these insults based upon fact, or falsehood and bias? Let’s examine some of Jesus’ teachings to see which view fits best.
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Jesus clearly believed in human creation, not evolution. Jesus said, “From the beginning of creation God made them male and female.” Mark 10:6; 13:19. And his apostle Paul quoted Genesis 2:21-25 that confirmed that Adam’s body was formed directly from the ground and then Eve was made from Adam (1 Cor. 11:8-9). No one denies genetic potential for varieties of mice, monkeys, and men. But where is any proof for molecule to man evolution? Science confirms that life only comes from life, that life forms show specified complexity, and that the thousands of transitional life forms needed to prove evolution simply don’t exist. Shouldn’t we be open-minded, unafraid, and fair with the evidence? Doesn’t good science allow alternative views and let the evidence decide, even if it points to a living Creator? After all, the Christian worldview is the basis for a rational universe created by a rational God. It’s what makes science possible? See my articles on science: Ape-man or God-man? How Scientific and Open-minded Are Darwinists?
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Jesus taught people have an eternal soul. Jesus said, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt. 16:26; Mark 8:37. Apart from Jesus Christ, our only options are soulless dirt we return to, or recycled energy that after many recycles is freed from self-existence. Most people throughout the ages believe in human life after death but the only real proof is that someone dies and that cold stiff body comes back to life and activity. Eyewitness gave their lives in testimony within three decades that Jesus arose from the dead. See my articles: Did Jesus Arise from the Tomb? Is There Life After Death? Christ's Historical Resurrection. Jesus' Resurrection Is Humanity's Only Hope! 
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Jesus claimed to be the only way to God and Heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. Of the founders of world religions, Jesus is the only person said to be without sin, who died to pay the penalty of our sin, and who arose to confirm all his teachings true. This puts Jesus above and apart from all mere human thinking and shows him to be the God-man or Lord of glory. Mere human opinions and guesses are of no value. It’s the Creator’s exclusive right to set his requirements to enter his Heaven. His criterion is perfection, no corruption (Matt. 5:48; Rev. 21:27: 22:15). No killers, rapists, human abusers are allowed in Heaven. God’s way is that we trust in his Son dying for us on the cross to cleanse us from sin. A morally perfect God must judge all evil (Matt. 5:48; John 3:36; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
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Jesus said God’s law was that one man be married to one woman for life. He answered, “He made them male and female . . . for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Matthew 19:4-5; Mark 10:5. This is no mere cultural mores since our eternal Creator knows the end from the beginning and the best for us (Isaiah 46:10). Having sex slaves, marrying many spouses, same sex relations, and easy divorce are not God’s ideal of a one-flesh relationship for life. Jesus said it’s the hardness of our hearts that we commit these sins (Matt. 19:8). What would be the outcome if everyone were gay? What is the purpose of eyes? Of ears? Of reproductive systems? We don’t need a Ph.D. to see that men and women are designed for family relationship. Doesn’t STD’s warn us of unfaithfulness? Romans 1:24-32 is clear that sexual immorality and wickedness of every kind is rebellion against God. We are without excuse, and will be judged by the moral standards of our Maker, Owner, Life-giver, and Judge. God's warnings are due to his great concern for our well-being.
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Jesus said the two greatest commandments were to love God first and our fellowman second. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind . . . You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39). Christianity, unlike some religious, doesn’t teach hate, human abuse, murder, but love, goodness, and truth. It’s based upon a perfectly moral God to whom we will one day give account of our lives. Even our conscience tells us that lies, theft, murder, and human abuse of all kinds is wrong simply because we object and call it unjust when done to us. But if we are not in God’s mental, moral, immortal image, we really are nothing and subject to be used and abused, manipulated and murdered.
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Jesus taught the Scriptures were the Word of God. Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). The Bible contains many fulfilled predictions of Messiah which Jesus alone could have fulfilled—his virgin birth, miracles, sinless life, death for sinners, and resurrection. This is God’s good news to us who are rebellious selfish beings. The Scriptures are God’s true and authoritative message to all humanity (Matt. 5:18). Moreover, God has made his will known to those willing to learn and obey it (John 7:17). No other scripture of any world religion can claim such things as demonstrated by Jesus. His words are not human opinion, but God’s authority.
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Jesus said it is imperative that we be born again. "Do not marvel that I say to you, ‘you must be born again’ (John 3:7). We are all born as physical bodily beings. But according to the Bible, we are born with a sinful rebellious nature unable to live up to God’s perfect moral laws or enter his pure uncorrupted Heaven. We are out of tune and separated from relationship with our Maker. So we must be born with new life by the Holy Spirit of God entering into us—regeneration or new life. This is imperative to be counted just before God. Then, we have forgiveness, love for God, peace with God, desire to please God, a new outlook on life--we are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17-18). Apart from this, we are useless rebels before God, desiring our own way and destined for eternal darkness, despair, tears and torments. As sinners, we must humbly trust in the Savior.
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What can we rightly conclude from all the above and the uncomplimentary remarks? Is Jesus’ teachings exclusive, absolutist, authoritarian, and narrow-minded? YES! Because Jesus was not teaching human guesses, He was God who walked among us and told us truths we couldn’t know otherwise. Was Jesus intolerant, dogmatic, ignorant, and superstitious? NO! As the all-knowing and holy God, He was intolerant of and dogmatic about falsehood, deception, and evil, but He loved people. He showed the greatest love in dying to save us unworthy sinners from a Hell of darkness and torment and to have a daily relationship of love and guidance.
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Christian faith is not the foe of true science, but its friend. Experimental science was largely brought about by theists and Christians who believed that a rational God made a rational universe and experimentation possible. Nature religions were superstitious and ignorant. Scientific theories change frequently and can oppose Scripture. Human interpretation of both science and Scripture can be faulty. It’s reasonable to believe that when all the facts are in and correctly interpreted, God’s Word and God’s world will be in harmony. It's unreasonable and unscientific to assume nothing of itself produced the universe, or that mindless elements can arrange themselves into plants, animals, and man no matter how much time. 
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Are Jesus teachings dangerous? Yes, for both Christians and Un-Christians if we want to live our lives free from God’s love, direction, and control. Christians still have the sinful nature that can show attitudes of self-righteousness, hypocrisy, arrogance, insensitivity, and an unkind rejection of others. Jesus rebuked the religious hypocrites of His day. But Jesus loved people and said Christians should too. He told us to tell them of His salvation and make disciples (Matt. 27:18-20). We actually show disobedience and unconcern to neglect telling others of the Savior of us sinners. But be warned: bad attitudes can drive persons God loves away from the Savior. And we must remember God may discipline His disobedient children even to the point of physical death (Heb. 11:6-8; 1 Cor. 11:30). Get this: history confirms Jesus is what brought the West out of barbarism.
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Un-Christians need to remember that all who go to church, carry a Bible, or talk of Jesus may not be Christians. As in other religions, there are levels of commitment, understanding, and maturity. And to believe any one religion true, means all opposed religions logically are false.
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The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). Won't you humbly say, Lord Jesus I trust you now and forever to be my Savior, Lord, and Guide? Then share these articles with others who know not the Lord or the eternal life He alone gives.
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Let me recommend some terrific books for college students and their concerned parents.
Norman L. Geisler & Frank Turek, I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist.
Dr. Rick Cornish, 5 Minute Theologian.
Kenneth Boa & Larry Moody, I’m Glad You Asked.
Paul Copan, True For You, But Not For Me.
Geoffrey Simmons, M.D., What Darwin Didn't Know
Scott M. Huse, The Collapse of Evolution.
Ed Hindson & Ergun Caner, The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics.
Coral Ridge Ministries, Ten Truths About Socialism.
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Many persons want the benefits Christianity brings. But, its fruits cut from its roots in Christ and the Bible, will disappear You can serve God by sharing these articles with others..
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