By the Numbers

Showing posts with label Crucial Discussions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crucial Discussions. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Is Bible Morality Really Moral?

                                                Is Bible Morality Really Moral?
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Let me be honest! Some events of the Bible make God appear unloving, unreasonable, cruel, even heartless.  But, do we understand their cultural historical context? Could we be unfairly imposing our ideals upon an ancient people? Let me first mention some Bible teachings to help us understand events from their biblical perspective. Then I will discuss some individual cases.
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Could there be some essential Bible teachings we're never considered?
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The Bible teaches God is the almighty standard.  God created the heavens and the earth and said everything He made was very good (Gen. 1:1, 31). Creation confers God authority to manage His property His way for His purposes. The Bible God is infinite and perfect in knowledge, wisdom, power, and love. This shows God alone is the absolute standard of truth and goodness (Gen. 1:1, Col. 1:16-17). Our opinions by comparison are limited, selfish, often mistaken, conflicting, and can be destructive (Col. 2:2-3, 8-9). But God's thoughts and ways are above ours; He knows the end from the beginning, so He is always right (Isaiah 46:9-10; 55:7-9). Further, the God who gives life, has the prerogative to take it according to His will and wisdom we may not understand.
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The Bible teaches God's good world is cursed and corrupted by our bad choices. God created us directly in His mental, moral, immortal image so we could fellowship with him and enjoy life together (Gen. 2:7; Matt. 19:4; Ephesians 4:24; James 3:9). Men and women are made in God's image bestowing on both the same dignity and respect (Gen. 2:27; Col. 3:10-11). That God made us for fellowship is shown by His visit, walk, and talk with our first parents (Gen. 3:8). But our first parents choose self over God in eating forbidden fruit that brought a cursed world of death, destruction, and separation from an ethically perfect God (Gen. 3, Rom. 8:20-22).
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The Bible teaches God made us for a love trust relationship with Him, but its our choice. God made us with free will to accept or reject Him and His way. Love cannot be forced which would destroy our freedom and dignity. God, however, preserves our freedom and dignity even to be wicked. Yes, we are influenced by our heredity, environment, God, and the devil, yet we still decide our own actions. And, we are always being tested whether we will choose our own way in our thoughts, desires, imaginings, words, and actions, or obey God instead.
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Now let's look at a few individual cases that might somehow seem unethical.

What about all the unfairness and miseries of life? We can't blame God for the bad world we humans make. We may have a hard life. People won't treat us right. We're denied opportunities. So we can hate life, people, ourselves, and blame God for it all. But God didn't do it, we do.  Our pity and hate doesn't make things better, only makes us bitter.  God promises that when we trust Him that in His time and way He will work things out for our good, and that our present sufferings are nothing to compare with the glory with Him in eternity (Romans 8:18, 28). 
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What about our suffering for the sin of our first parents? We inherit characteristics from our parents and sin somehow corrupted human nature. Their partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was all humanity's choice of a world that is both good and evil motivated by the devil and his demons. A sovereign God knew and allowed it because only then will His true people one day realize there's no other way we can fully know and appreciate the forgiveness, love, mercy, grace, patience, and wisdom of God's glory. When we see Jesus our redeemer, we'll know and understand (1 Cor. 13:12).
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What about God hardening our heart and blinding our minds? Yes, the Bible does speak of God hardening hearts and blinding minds. This refers to the experiences of life God brings upon us to test our obedience. Our inner attitude decides how we will act. In good experiences we may thank, praise and worship God, or feel things being alright we don't need God or fear judgment. In bad times we may think that's God's judgment and repent, or harden our hearts and rebel all the more. In Bible times when God sent prophets and performed miracles people could respond either way depending on whether they wanted self  glory, or God's glory (Isa. 6:9-10; Acts 28:26-27). The sun that melts the wax hardens the clay.
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What about an eternal tormenting Hell? Countries and peoples everywhere put incorrigible persons who want to hurt and destroy away to themselves as punishment. God, being perfect and Heaven being His perfect home, cannot allow evil of any kind to corrupt Heaven ( 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Rev. 21:27). Love is justice in a societal context. God seeks our attention is various ways--intelligent design in nature, our conscience, learn from mistakes, His messengers, and His Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11). Jesus in love gave His life to pay for our sins and we will one day stand before Him to receive reward for service or punishment for rejection. Now is the day of salvation and before the all-knowing God, we have no excuse. For our sins, we all need redemption. Persons in the Old Testament looked forward to the redeemer's coming (Gen. 3:15; Heb. 11),  we after Christ look back to His cross (John 1:1-2, 14; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 1:1-3).
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Perhaps my friend, you have never quite understood Bible teaching and had a hard life without hope. There is hope, but it's found only in the sinless Son of God who died to pay for our sins. We can be forgiven and free of condemnation in trusting commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Savior of individuals and nations who willingly trust in Him. We can have treasures in Heaven for our earthly service, or torments away alone from everything beautiful and good in life. It's Your choice. I pray U choose Jesus and tell others about Him sharing these articles.
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See other articles below & on the right side.
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Friday, February 21, 2014

Truth, God, and Life After Death

                      Truth, God, and Life After Death
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Some persons scream their faith is the only true religion about God and life after death. But equally sincere persons claim world religions are simply different ways to God or the Ultimate. Then, others dogmatically claim there's no God nor life after death. Who is right? Maybe some pointed questions will help us decide.
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1. Can the many conflicting religions all be right? For example, the wise politician, Confucius, gave us some ethical concepts he believed would make a better world. The atheist, Buddha, said to deny desire and follow his eightfold path would solve our problem of pain. Zoroaster believed in both a good God and a bad God and to follow the good one would make a better world. Hindus believe we need to know God is the spirit of the universe that takes many forms and many lives. Muslims claim Allah's angel spoke the Qur'an to Muhammad and everyone must believe it to go to heaven. Christians believe in one God as a Trinity and Jesus alone is the Savior. 
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Now in the interest of truth, there's no way opposite truth claims--no God, one God, two Gods, the universe is god--can all be right. We must base our beliefs on some kind of objective visible evidence. Otherwise they are just limited human guesses, mere claims without factual basis.  
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2. Can our sincerity be enough to set things right with God and give us assurance of Heaven. Maybe there are many ways to God and Heaven. Persons seem narrow minded, prejudiced, disrespectful, and condemning who say their religion is the only way. God may be known by different names. All religions teach the Golden Rule. If God is love and forgiveness, then surely He cares and accepts us imperfect people everywhere. It doesn't seem fair that God would make Himself known to just one group.
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The sincerity view seems so reasonable. But it has serious limitations that may be fatal to ignore. If sincerity is all that is needed, then it doesn't matter whether we believe in God or not, or whether we  save life or destroy it. Jesus said love your enemies; Muhammad said kill the unbelieving infidel. Cannibals say eat your enemies. All may be sincere believing they are right. Again, objective factual evidence is needed for honest thinking people to believe. If and when it's given, all the sincere arguments above are shown to be human guesses, and fall to the ground as null and void.
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3. What if there really is NO God? Then doesn't each person have to make up his or her mind what seems right for them? That being so, and all of us being imperfect and self-centered, we naturally choose what we want despite our fellow human beings. The evolutionist is right that things are always evolving and chance, so there is no absolute truth or morality. It's whoever can get the biggest stick or power to impose his way on the rest of us. And since we are all only animals that return to dirt, all that ultimately matters is what we can get for ourselves. Why be overly concerned about the other animals? A conscience and rules of morality can change with our situation--it's after all a world of temporary survival of the fittest, a world without ultimate purpose that ends in darkness and death.
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4. But what if there really is a God? Hasn't science given us good reasons to believe in a Creator of matter, life, mind? We now know the universe is running down, cooling off, there is no eternal regression of time, our dependent universe can cease to exist, so the material universe had a beginning. Its Creator (sustaining cause), then must be eternal, immaterial, unchangeable, all powerful and personal. As eternal, He is unchangeable as what changes goes out of existence. As immaterial,  He would be everywhere upholding everything but be unseen. He must be all powerful and personal as an infinite mind and will is necessary to create things of such variety and complexity  purposely working together--mindless energy simply can't accomplish that. We are more than star dust. Now here is an amazing fact: an eternal, powerful, spiritual, personal cause of the universe is what the Bible calls God as we intuitively know as a Higher Power (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 3:14; Rom. 1:18-20; Col. 1:16-17).
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Hence, things impossible for us would never be a problem for the Almighty, the universe's  Lord, Owner, Lawgiver, Life-giver, and Authority. But the crucial questions are: Does this God act upon our world in ways we can know Him?  We should be honest, objective, and open to that possibility? Wouldn't we have to know everything to deny it? I can't tell you what's going on even in the next room.
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5.  What kind of evidence is required to know God? We know the world operates with a system of natural laws of cause and effect. But when we know a Creator and Sustainer exists, then He would be in control of everything--He could direct His laws anytime anywhere to suit His purposes. So if someone could walk on water, multiply food, heal obvious diseases immediately, even raise a cold still smelly corpse, and all the while claims He is God come to us with a human nature in the form of a man, that should get our attention. That should give us good reason to believe He is what he claims to be--God.
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Further, if He shows He can read minds of persons He just met that too is good reason. Then, if He can dare hostile critics to find anything morally wrong with His life and they cannot, that too is good reason. Again, what if He can predict detailed future events impossible to explain away as coincidence or contrivance such as the circumstances of His betrayal, rejection, death, and resurrection three days later? And two hundred or more predictions about Israel's Messiah made centuries before Jesus, He alone can be said to fulfill. These include Bethlehem His birthplace, virgin birth, miracles, death for our sins, resurrection, and ascension. There is nothing in world religions even remotely like all this. 
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All that is what is meant by visible, objective evidence for faith, and not just a claim some impossible thing happened somewhere because some honored person said so. Knowing nature's laws both hostile critics, and Jesus' disciples with him more than three years, were astonished and forced to admit he did such things. And after 500 saw him resurrected, they were willing to be condemned, tortured, and murdered because they could not deny him as Lord and Savior of us sinners. See Acts 1:3; 2:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:3-8.
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 6. But you still have questions! We don't have to know everything about history to know some things, and even secular and hostile critics will admit miraculous things are said of Jesus and that He is said to be God. Like everyone else, Christians aren't perfect, but that won't excuse anyone at the judgment. Our moral sense, purpose in nature, Bible history, and God's Spirit, all tell us there is a God, and we may find Him if we are willing to go His way. When God has given evidence honest thinking persons can know, and the majority of persons choose to disagree, a truly loving God can't force them to love and obey Him. Nobody has all the answers, but Jesus being our Savior is the crucial solution to our rebellious sin problem. When we put thieves, rapists, murders in jail to protect human society, we can have no objection when God allows them their way to Hell to protect His perfect Heaven. Let's not deny what evidence says is true!
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Now this hour can be your decision for eternity with God, or the other uncomfortable place. Jesus forgives and cleanses us of all our sin, and credits us with His perfect purity making us fit for His Heaven. Won't U say, Lord, I trust You now and forever to be with me to live a life that honors You until I go to be with You in Heaven. Thank You Lord and use me as Your faithful and fruitful servant. I love You Lord.
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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Predestination, Election, & Free Will

                         Predestination, Election, & Free Will
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Does God predestine everything so that we are no more than robots? Do we make free decisions so that we rightfully deserve the consequences? Is God somehow unfair with the non-elect? Can we reconcile these concepts, or are they a hopeless contradiction? What does the Bible teach and can we believe it?
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Does God Predestine Everything So That We Are No  More Than Robots?
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God in infinite wisdom and power chose the best plan to create and continue the universe. Existing before creation outside time, God can act anywhere anytime within it to accomplish His will. As Primary Cause God knows the exact spot, direction, and speed of everything--it all depends upon His sustaining power and will.  So, "in Him we live, and move, and have our being" (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:17;  Acts 17:28). So God enables His natural laws and His creatures  to work precisely as He designed them to do. If it were not so, anything could happen without rime or reason, the world would be utter chaos and irrational confusion. 
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Further, the Bible mentions  terms that mean God knows things are certain to happen before they occur.  These words are: predestination (Rom. 8:29-30; Ephesians. 1:5, 11), foreordaination (Acts 4:28; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Pet. 1:20; Jude 4) foreknowledge (Acts 2:23; Rom. 11:2) and calling (1 Cor. 1:9; 7:17, 24; 15:9). These are plain undeniable Bible teachings.
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 God, as Alpha and Omega and the eternal I Am, knows past, present, and future all at once with no surprises. And what He knows will happen, will happen, or He couldn't know it. "I am God and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning" (Isa. 46:10). "Known to God from eternity are all His works" (Acts 15:18). So the all-knowing timeless God took within His plan before creation human decisions, sin, Satan, unbelief, suffering, prayer, salvation, Heaven and Hell.  It's proven by numerous details of fulfilled prophecies concerning individuals, nations, and the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:4). God's knowing everything in advance means that they will occur, and that from His perspective everything is in fact fixed or predestinated. But what does it mean from man's limited perspective within time?
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Do We Make Free Decisions So That We Rightfully Deserve The Consequences?
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Yes, the infinite God acts to uphold everything and has ultimate control,  but He allows finite persons control in a secondary sense. God created man in His mental, moral, immortal image (Gen. 1:26).  This means man unlike other creatures and nature is a thinking willing moral person made for relationship with His Creator. Like God, man's mind and will transcend the natural order of the world. People are more than mindless stones or instinctive animals--mind transcends matter, thought controls things. We can understand causes, consequences, and make contrary choices as needed. We see a cloud darkening overhead, the wind stirring things up on the ground, and know if we don't seek shelter we will soon get wet. Unlike the most intelligent animal, we create art, science, literature, philosophy, law, prayer, and worship of God.. While heredity and environment influence us, our decisions are our own. We have a degree of unforced libertarian freedom.
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Throughout the Bible, God's  every command, warning, invitation, and judgment  imply our freedom to obey. Likewise, every human rejection, excuse, and neglect suggest we are   responsible to obey. No, we are not programmed robots--being in God's image we  can make free choices  knowing they  have consequences and we bear responsibility. Conditions and persons do influence us, yet our choices are neither uncaused, nor caused by another--we decide as free moral agents otherwise praise and blame make no sense. There's no eternal regress of causes as God gives us freedom being in His image.
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The Bible teaches that we are free moral agents in many texts. The best known is John 3:16, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Consider the whosoever texts--John 3:18; 6:37; Rev. 22:17. The believe on Jesus texts--John 6:69; 8:24; 9:36, 38; 10:25; Acts 16:31.  Free agency is shown in other texts--Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; 2 Sam. 24:12. We have texts showing people freely reject God--Jer. 7:23-26; Matt. 23:37; John 6:46; 7:30; 2 Peter 3:5). "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, as your fathers" (Acts 7:51).  All these plain texts are difficult to deny and show that with man it's free will and responsibility.
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Is God Somehow Unfair With The Non-elect?
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We can quickly dismiss that God is the Author of sin. For God created a good world  and tempts no one to sin (Gen. 1:31; Jam. 1:13-14).  Lucifer in prideful disobedience to God brought sin into the universe and our first parents Adam and Eve listened to him in disobedience to God and brought it into our world. Sin separates us from a holy or morally perfect God. We are born with a sinful nature and commit sins, thus needing a Savior to cleanse us, make us acceptable to God, and fit for Heaven (Ps.51:5; Isa. 59:2). As sinners, we all deserve death and Hell, but for God's grace (Rom. 6:23). Besides, God knows things we don't and can't know. God doesn't have to save any of us.
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The Bible does teach God chooses some persons to be saved which means others are not chosen. We read in Ephesians 1:4-5, "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will."  Election is mentioned also in Deut. 7:6; Isaiah 45:4; John 6:44: Acts 13:48; 1 Thessalonians. 1:4.
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Persons have serious problems with election that we must address. Don't our differences mean election is somewhat unavoidable?  Christians are given different spiritual gifts. The body of Christ has differing members--the hand, foot, eye? We're not all the same in ability, opportunity, mindset--wouldn't it be a dull world if we were? There are even different degrees of reward in Heaven and punishments in Hell. Aren't these things a kind of divine election?
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Several things need mention here. It's not God's will that anyone perish but God knew that in creating a moral world that allowed free choice some would reject Him and righteousness (2 Peter 3:9). He knew this would not be the best world, but the best way to the best world--Heaven. That would assure our dignity and give Him the greatest glory. We could not otherwise know of His forgiveness, grace, justice, mercy, and our utter need of Him. And unrepentant rebels must have their own kind of place--darkness, evil.

God gives abundant testimony of Himself and the relationship He desires with us. Design in creation speaks of a great Designer (Rom. 1:20). Human conscience speaks of a Moral Lawgiver and makes no sense with an all-knowing Judge (Rom. 2:14-15). God has acted throughout history in supernatural ways and through His messengers the prophets, apostles and witnesses. God's Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). The Bible says we are without excuse suppressing the truth and loving sin rather than righteousness (John. 3:19-21; 7:17; Rom. 1:18-20). God may even speak to us in dreams and visions (Gen. 20:7; 41:1-7; Numbers 12:6; Matt.27:19). God promises throughout Scripture that those who fervently seek the Lord will find Him (Deut. 429; Isa. 55:6; Jer. 29:11; Matt. 7:7-8; Heb. 11:6). We have examples of some who did--Wise Men, Matt. 2:1-12; Nicodemus, John 3; Ethiopian, Acts 8:26-39; Cornelius, Acts 10.
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Some person object to election. They say election makes evangelism unnecessary. If the chosen will be saved anyway, why bother to tell people of the Savior.  Answer. We don't know who the chosen are. People are saved through our sharing the gospel. Not to tell others of the Savior is disobedience to God. It's loss of spiritual and eternal rewards. Election is unfair to those not chosen.  But some persons hate a holy God, right living, and love their sin. Answer. We mentioned above that God promised all who seek Him will find Him. Even with repeated opportunities they prefer their sin and despise right living.  God can't force persons to love Him. Election would encourage moral laxity. Why struggle to be good if you're going to Heaven anyway? Answer. It results in loss of joy and peace in the Lord. Brings condemnation, guilt, and shame.  Bad influence for Christ. God disciplines sons even to physical death. Again, a loss of Heaven's rewards. Election seems arbitrary or without good reason. Our knowledge is but a dot in the universe of knowledge. Answer. It's a decision based upon our all-knowing, wise, good, just, and loving Creator.
Can We Reconcile Predestination With Free Will, Or Are They A Hopeless Contradiction?
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Scripture teaches that in God's timeless plan He alone saves by grace through faith. It seems God initiates it by convicting, drawing and enabling persons to be saved (John 1:12-13; 6:44; 16:8-11; Acts 13:48; 16:14). But, we do the coming, believing, and receiving salvation as God's gift (John 5:24; 6:29, 37; Acts 16:31; Rom. 6:23; Ephesian.2:8-9).  For a truly loving God can't force love on the unwilling--it's a contradiction. But an all-knowing God knows who will come to love Him in their own time--it's predestined! God upholds human existence, humans decide their fate.
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I don't have all the answers. But I pray God will use U and I as His ambassadors to tell the world of our Savior, Lord, and Guide. I pray we will see many persons living a Godly life and in Heaven that He has used us to go tell the gospel. Lord enable us to be Your true obedient followers as fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). God bless U.
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See my articles below and in categories to the right, or point to tags.
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Friday, September 6, 2013

God Works Things Together for Good!

                       God Works Things Together for Good!
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#God's-Ways    #Anthropic-Principle  #Theodicy
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Romans 8:28 says, "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (New Living Translation). But many persons including true Christian believers are quick to ask: What about Hitler types? What about natural disasters? Why does God allow such evils to exist? Why doesn't the Almighty Creator destroy them? What about those who love God? Let's consider these questions one at a time.
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What About Hitler Types?
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Yes, history is full of dictators who want to conquer the world  and impose their thinking and way of life on others. Consider Genghis  Khan, Caesar, Muhammad, Hitler, others, and the final one will be Antichrist (Rev. 13). They don't care how many persons are killed or properties destroyed. Such tyrants have even tried to destroy Israel, God's chosen people. You ask how can a good God allow that? God  promised the nation Israel would be blessed and prosper in every way, if Israel obeyed his commands, but would be cursed if it did not (Deuteronomy 27-28).  It's not hard to imagine that applies to all the nations but in God's timing. 
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Those curses included many things nations are increasingly guilty of today such as idolatry, sexual deviation with the same sex or even animals, theft, deception, murder. Not all persons within a nation may be guilty, but when they may do nothing to avert those who do practice such things they must be punished along with the others. Only our Creator God can know what is best for us and can serve as our standard of what is true and right and good. His laws are not given to hurt us or spoil our fun, but to insure our health and happiness. So we must trust and obey the commands and promises of His Word. Even national leaders and citizens without the  Bible have a conscience to know right from wrong and would be quick to object if the evil things they do were done to them. Dictators who want to dominate the world, deceive, destroy, and murder--they are of the devil.
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It's said we think 10,000 or more thoughts a day. Respectfully, may I ask what your thoughts are? Are they: Thank you Lord for my many benefits. Guide me to know and do your will. Forgive my sin and restore my fellowship with You. I love You  Lord. I want to tell others of your love and goodness. Having no such thoughts, we might be tempted to want power and conquest? Aren't we arrogant to think we know better than the very Creator, Sustainer, and Judge of all men? And are we certain there's no consequences and no Hell? What would Heaven become if all the evil God rejecting people went there? It's simply impossible because Heaven with God is pure truth, goodness, and love.  In loving evil, people choose Hell.
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What About Natural Disasters?
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Natural disasters may destroy thousands of lives and cause millions of dollars in loss of properties. The news so often tells us of hurricanes, floods, forest fires, mudslides, volcanoes, earthquakes occurring in places throughout the world. Quite true, but it's not mentioned and only recently understood that much of this is really necessary and beneficial. The earth is covered with more than two thirds water and in places miles deep. These disasters are often the result of tectonic plates that move and push up the lands and mountains preventing earth being completely covered or eroded. And these things must occur to keep the world in balance, even above water and livable.
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Knowing such disasters occur, aren't we foolish to take unnecessary chances like building houses on live volcanoes, in dry river beds, beside slopping mountains, near an earthquake fault. God doesn't stop His natural laws or perform a miracle every time we do something foolish. Moreover, it's wise to take out insurance and check out conditions and plan to avoid dangerous conditions. Rather than blame God, live a bitter rebellious life, we do well to admit our mistakes and learn from them.
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The anthropic principle points in multiple ways that our planet is designed for the coming of man. Our sun is the right size, the right place in the galaxy, and is the right distance from the earth to insure life.  If earth's revolution around the sun,  or its rotation on its axis were slower  or faster we would either burn or freeze. If our atmosphere were different we couldn't breath and we would have no fires or too many. Without the pressures in the earth we wouldn't have coal, oil, gas, and metals such as copper, gold, silver, iron that we need to make things. All the different kinds of animals, plants, fish and birds show specified complexity impossible to attribute to mere accident and time.
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 Nature has no mind or will, and all living things show design pointing to a great and good designer God who made them for us. This is cause to rejoice, be thankful, and trust in a living and good Almighty Creator who knows and cares about us.
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Why Does God Allow Such Evils to Exist If He Could Immediately Destroy Them?
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God would not immediately eliminate evil as we're all sinners to varying degrees. But He can and will defeat it gradually being most kind, understanding, and patient with us. God gives us abundant opportunities to see His goodness, see our sin, and turn to Him for forgiveness and a love-trust relationship that issues in obedience and hope.
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 He could have created us as programmed robots but gave us the dignity of free will and opportunity for loving trusting relationship with Him forever. In infinite knowledge and wisdom, He knew before creation that we would sin (Isa. 46:10; Ephesians 1:4, 11).  And He knew the very best way to overcome sin was not to destroy the sinner, but defeat the sin. This God did in sending His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Messiah, the God-man. 
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This isn't the best world, but it's the best way to the best world--Heaven. It's our choice whether we want God and abundant life with Him, or have our own way with the resulting consequence--the lonely dark dispare of eternal Hell (John 3:36). Fulfillment with a loving God (John 3:16), or frustration and futility with His Enemy (John 8:44)--it's each person's choice.
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What About Those Who Love God?
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Yes, we are perplexed and sinful, and only when we trust God, can we see His promises come to pass. Ancient Job lost his wealth, family, health, and couldn't understand why. He knew nothing of Satan's plot to prove Job only served God for His benefits. But Job still trusted God, grew in faith, and finally was restored in God's grace. It was no accident slave baby Moses became a prince of Egypt, and being a murderer was banished to the wilderness forty years.  That's what prepared him to fulfill God's purpose in leading Israel through the wilderness to the promised land.  
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Joseph's dreams offended his brothers who sold him into slavery, and a wicked woman had him imprisoned. But Joseph trusted the Lord and remained true until his dreams became realities as God overruled man's evils to enable now governor Joseph to save many from famine. God's name is never mentioned in the Book of Esther. But His unseen hand is very much at work in Esther's becoming queen, in a sleepless King Ahasuerus hearing his chronicles read, in Haman's plot to hang Mordecai and eliminate the Jews being foiled,  and in Haman being hung on the gallows he made for Mordecai. Saul, the great persecutor of Christians, became Paul, the great preacher of Christ who said, "for me to live is Christ, to die is gain." That can be true in the life of every faithful obedient believer. Trust God's way and timing for it to come true in your life.
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Can we apply some important lessons from all this to our lives? These incidents don't read like fiction, but human faults and facts. They're not made up stories, but real God ordained events. God's unseen hand works things together for good for those who love Him, who are called for His purpose. But we must show faith, obedience and patience in God's timing and God's way--changes take time. We will be tested and not live perfect lives. But in the end we are proved right, wicked unbelief wrong. Justice will be achieved, if not now, later. We wrongly blame God, live bitter, rebellious lives for the problems we humans largely make ourselves.
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God knows best and works things together in His time and His way and we are wise to trust in the promises in His Word. Of course, it starts with a commitment to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior paying the penalty for our sins on the cross. If you haven't done this, won't you trust him now and follow Jesus all your life for His glory and your good? He knows U, yet loves U as no other can. Trust and obey, there's no other way.
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Link on to other terrific articles mentioned to the right side or below. God bless.
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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Christ's Historical Resurrection.

                         Christ's Historical Resurrection

If Jesus never arose from the dead, biblical Christianity is a myth, a deception, a lie! Then, there's no reason to believe Jesus incarnate is our God and Savior. No reason to believe the New Testament. No objective or empirical reason to believe life exists after death. No objective reason to believe in heaven, hell, or judgment. No reason to believe in any absolute wrong or sin--only conflicting human opinions leading to chaos and tyranny. And we humans have no great value, dignity or purpose. Whoever gets or whatever has the greater power can eliminate us. These are serious issues we need to fully understand in our own minds and hearts. Consider the following.
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Can Honest Thinking Persons Believe Jesus Is Our Risen Lord? The resurrection is among the best historically documented events. Philosopher Bertrand Russell doubted Jesus' existence which only showed his anti-Christian prejudice. Consider these important  facts upon which both believing and unbelieving historians agree.
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1. Both historians agree that people of Jerusalem knew Jesus' burial cite and could have prevented Christianity simply by producing Jesus' dead body. For good or ill, all Jerusalem at Passover was alerted as to who Jesus was claimed to be. The superscription above his cross in three languages read: This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. The  Jewish authorities protested to Governor Pilate to no avail. Pilate even allowed Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, disciple of Jesus, and member of the ruling Jewish council (Sanhedrin) to bury Jesus nearby in his own new tomb. Joseph was no disciples invention. Mention of his name and tomb site was well known. Hostile persons would quickly discredit such a claim if false.
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Further, both Jewish and Roman authorities testify that the tomb was found empty on the third day after Jesus' crucifixion (Matt. 28:11-14). The chief priests invented the story that Jesus' disciples at night stole his body while the soldiers slept and bribed them to tell the Roman authorities. This lie shows  both that the tomb was empty and that Jesus' disciples could freely preach his resurrection throughout Jerusalem and on throughout the world. All the hostile authorities had to do to prevent Christian beginnings was produce Jesus' body, but they could not. Their deafening silence against  Jesus' resurrection and his being Israel's Messiah, God's Son, and our Savior is really strange--that is unless it's true!
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2. Both agree that the transformed lives of Jesus' disciples requires explanation. The disciples fled during Jesus' trial, cringed in fear and despair in the upper room. But three days after his crucifixion these cringing cowards became courageous preachers. Why? They knew this message could bring them suffering, persecution, even tortures death. Ten of the remaining apostles were killed and John was exiled and persecuted until his death. Would they have undergone all that for what they knew was a lie? Then a risen Jesus is the most reasonable explanation possible. And since millions more have given their lives for the Jesus they love, say truly loves them, and assures them of eternal life.
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3. Both agree there was a massive transformation of Jews becoming Christians. Jews of Jesus' day were strict monotheists. They knew their history and warnings from Moses and the prophets that when they forsook their God things didn't go well for them (Deut. 28). They were God's uniquely chosen people with the one true religion. They alone were given God's covenants, laws, temple, and sacrificial system--it was all taught them from childhood and was not likely given up easily. But suddenly and freely, thousands of priests and people abandoned basic tenets and practices of their faith. They began worshipping on the first day of the week, the day Jesus is said to have been raised from the dead. They abandoned temple sacrifices believing Jesus was the real sacrificial Lamb without blemish to take away their sins forever. They no longer felt obligated to fulfill the law being declared just and forgiven by faith in Christ.  What other possible explanation can explain this but the risen Christ as their promised Messiah and Lord?
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4. Both agree that the church from its beginning preached the resurrected Christ.  On the Day of Pentecost just fifty days after Passover, the church was born of the Holy Spirit. Peter addressed the men of Israel with these words: "Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know--Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have by wicked hands, have crucified, and put to death whom God raised up" (Acts 2:22-23). Peter further mentions that King David predicted Christ's resurrection (verses 31-32; Ps. 16:10). At the conclusion of Peter's sermon three thousand souls were saved and the church began and continued in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, and prayer. But there are many other predictions of Jesus' resurrection we need to notice.
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Old Testament predictions of Israel's Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus. Isaiah 53,  written 700 B.C.,  predicted Messiah would be innocent, rejected, silent before accusers, beat with strips, tried, imprisoned, die with sinners, for sinners, to justify many, and be buried with the rich.  Such things can't speak of Israel but of Israel's Messiah, and can only apply to the historical Jesus.
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Jesus progressively predicted his own death and resurrection. He said, destroy this temple and he will raise it up (John. 2:18-22). He will be in the earth as Jonah was in belly of the fish three days (Matt. 12:38-40). He will voluntary lay his life down and take it up again (John 10:18). He will be betrayed, killed, and raised from the dead (Matt. 17:22-23). The chief priest, scribes, Gentiles will scourge and crucify him, but he will be raised third day (Matt. 20:18-19). Jesus would be a  liar and false prophet if things didn't happen exactly as he predicted.
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Jesus fulfilled the Psalms predictions of Messiah. Jesus told disciples on road to Emmaus that the Scriptures spoke of him (Luke 24:44-49).   Messiah will be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9). Forsaken by God (22:1).  Hands and feet pierced (22:16). Soldiers will gamble for his clothes (22:18). No bones broken (34:20). Given vinegar and gall (69:21). Betrayer replaced (109:8).  Be resurrected (16:10). Ascend to heaven (68:18). These details were written centuries before Jesus. There is no such predictions like this in other religions. Chances of these predictions of Messiah being fulfilled by accident  are simply impossible. They plainly show Jesus alone is Israel's Messiah. And when Jesus returns Israel will accept him (Romans 11:25-27).
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Recent Theories to Refute Jesus' Resurrection. Former theories are shown ridiculous by both believers and skeptics. Let me mention some of the theories attempting to explain away Jesus' resurrection--swoon theory, wrong tomb theory, somebody stole the body theory, hallucination theory, apostles fraud theory, telegram from heaven theory. These theories have been shown impossible by Christians, honest atheists, and skeptics who in examining the evidence became Christians. They are attempts of desperation. Now let me briefly discuss some recent ones equally absurd.
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Recent theories are shown equally absurd. John Dominic Crossan eaten by dogs theory. Jesus' body was thrown into a shallow grave and later dug up and eaten by wild dogs. There's nothing to support this  but his bias against Christianity and his wild imagination. He is a member of the Jesus Seminar, a group of atheists and skeptical professors who meet to decide how much of the Bible they can believe. They are out of the mainstream of Bible scholarship, but write books and quote each other as experts who they claim prove Christian faith false.
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Muhammad mentions a substitution theory (Sura 4:157).  Historians  don't believe the angel Gabriel revealed this to Muhammad. Only Muslims do who are taught it from childhood and aren't allowed to think or read otherwise. It is that Jesus, the son of Mary and Apostle of God, never died on the cross as someone was crucified in Jesus' place. Some say perhaps Judas or Simon of Cyrene. Then Allah took Jesus to heaven. This theory is not really new but newly considered since Islam is again seeking to force other nations to submit to its religion, government and law.
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The facts are that Jesus' mother, Apostle John, and others who knew him well saw him die on the cross. The Jewish and Roman authorizes made certain it was Jesus who died and was buried in Joseph's tomb. Three days later Jesus appeared to his disciples for forty days under all kinds of circumstances eating with them and talking of the kingdom of God (Acts 1:1-3). And five hundred persons later saw Jesus alive (1 Cor. 15). See also articles: Jesus' Resurrection Is Humanity's Only Hope!; Is There Life After Death?; Did Jesus Arise from the Tomb?
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As mentioned in the introduction, there can hardly be any more serious issues facing humanity. So much of human well-being depends upon Jesus dying for our sins on the cross and arising from the dead. Not only is there excellent evidence for it but it is the very basis of human dignity, value, morality, rationality, life now and promise of Heaven later. No other world view can compare with the risen Lord Jesus Christ who promises life eternal. Won't you say, Lord, I trust you this minute to forgive my sin, come into my life as my Savior, Lord, and Guide to live according to your will from now to eternity. Praise God!! Thank You, my Lord.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Is Christian Faith A Lie, Or Reasonable?

                        Is Christian Faith A Lie, Or Reasonable?
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Despite our human differences, genetic science now confirms that we descended from one original pair that lived in the same area. The Bible gives us their names as Adam (from the red earth) and Eve (mother or life giver). This establishes that all their descendants share the same dignity, same rights, and are entitled to the same respectful concern and treatment as human beings.  If it's inherently right for one person, then it's right for all persons. Ridicule and disrespect shows bad manners, a hateful spirit, and suggests the agitator has no evidence against his opponent's position.  
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Doesn't our common humanity show we all have the same right to think,  ask questions, and evaluate whether what's told us is true or false? How else can we ever learn and grow?  Now the opposite of true is false. So any statement that corresponds to the real world is true-- any that contradicts it is false. Some claim we can't know absolute truth, then expect you to accept their claim as true. Don't we all make mistakes, have misunderstandings, forget things, be misinformed, be illogical, and be told deliberate lies? If we never question a person's claims or ask for evidence to show them true, we surely will be taken advantage of  and  be deceived many times, perhaps in  serious matters of life and death.  
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We love and respect our parents and teachers who taught us their religion in utter sincerity believing it true. But there are hundreds of conflicting religions all claiming to be true. If we've never examined it with honest questions or asked for reasons to confirm it as true, how can we be sure it is? Did we just happened to live in the right place, have the right teachers, and get the right religion? If our faith is true or of God,  shouldn't we be able to answer persons questions and give honest reasons to show our beliefs can stand testing?
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As we all have the same right, I'm exercising my human right to express my faith, give evidence in its support, and challenge other belief's that seem to me false and detrimental. I'm a Bible believing Christian and believe no other world religion can stand testing as can Christian faith. See my other articles for fuller discussion of these issues. But let me now give answers to possible misunderstandings made about biblical Christian faith. And thank you for your honest consideration.
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Christian Faith Is Unscientific. The first great scientists and inventors were theists and/or Christians who believed a loving God gave the world to explore and utilize for human good. Just a few on the long list are: Joseph Lister, Louis Pasteur, Isaac Newton (even wrote Bible commentaries), Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, George Mendel, Lord Kelvin. And many today are working in fields of science. Textbooks fail to tell us their Christian background and beliefs. They leave the wrong impression that scientists must be atheists.
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The Christian faith is that a rational God created a rational world that can be understood and utilized  that made experimental science possible. Greek philosophy didn't encourage experimentation.. Superstitious religions thought nature to sacred to tamper with or the gods might punish them. The biblical God is what enables us to make sense of things and call all space and time a universe.
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Christians Can't Prove God. If you mean God must submit to repeatable, measurable, controlled, observable experiments, you're right. God is not likely to pose for our cameras and interviews, nor to be seen with a telescope or be put under a microscope. Christians believe God is Spirit and present everywhere. And, as Lord, we must come to Him on his terms. The Almighty is perfect in every way and He requires we come humbly confessing our wrongs and trusting Him for salvation. Atheists and skeptics who demand proof by experimental observation are simply arrogant and foolish.  Other sciences such as  archaeology, geology, sociology can't experiment and observe either.
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 Different methods are necessary in other fields of knowledge such as history and law.  Atheists would have to have all knowledge to deny God, but don't know what's happening in the next building or around the corner. Based upon creation, conscience, and Christ, fair minded objective seekers of God have found such arguments reasonable once they were willing to submit to the Lord on his terms.
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Belief in God Evolved from Belief in Spirits (animism) to gods (polytheism) to one God (monotheism). This is what some evolutionists have claimed. But extensive research has shown that even the most primitive peoples believing in spirits in plants and animals, still know of the one high God but feel alienated from Him. God's apostle Paul wrote they are without excuse since they do not like to retain God in their knowledge and turn to a debased mind to follow corrupt things (Romans 1).
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Evolutionists Claim Science Is Fact, But Religion Is Faith. Again, if fact means experimental observation, evolution is faith as well. Nobody was present to observe when the universe began or that nothing of itself can explode into everything. No one observed gases condense into planets. No one has observed life evolve from the ground. Nobody has observed one kind of animal change into another--only that there are varieties of the same kind of animals--horses, monkeys and men. Moreover, all the once touted missing links are now admitted to be either monkeys, fakes, or real men.  Such evolutionary claims are simply faith, and the claim that future research will prove evolution is again faith.
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 I believe Biblical Christian faith rests on much better more reasonable grounds. When we refuse to allow God into our thinking, we are forced to fill in the gaps with speculative evolution.  Moreover, we destroy the basis for human dignity, absolute truth, ethics, and experimental science. What a tragic loss evolution's legacy gives the world.
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Christian Beliefs Are Contradictory or Wrong. Persons saying  Christianity is nonsense, not factual, contradictory, or wrong usually deny the Trinity, or Christ as the God-man, or some moral issue they disagree with. But have they honestly tried to see things the way Christians see them? See my articles, The Great Mysteries of The Christian Faith; Faith, Reason, & Revelation; The Professor's Surprise about Miracles; Doubts Can Have Good Honest Answers #1, #2.
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We Have A Later Additional Revelation.  Several Bible passages warn us of  additional revelations that supersede God's authoritative Word. Jude instructs us "to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints . . . ungodly men who turn the grace of God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 3-4). Apostle John says, "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is the Antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also" (1 John. 2:22-23). He again warns, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John. 4:1).
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In strong words, Paul warns us, "If we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). "Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:19). Apostle Peter said, "Christ also suffered  once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). God's final Word is that only the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus can save us sinners from Hell.  What world religion can compare with that? NONE! NO, NOT ONE!
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Since Christ's apostles, many false prophets have come with their additional revelations claiming they supersede, annul, or abrogate crucial Bible teachings. Usually these include denying the Trinity, Jesus as God's Son in the flesh and only way to salvation, salvation by grace, heaven and hell, setting dates for Christ's return. These false teachers condemn unknowing innocent persons to sinful living and hell. Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15).
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So I feel it imperative to mention some more aggressive ones, and/or their leaders and dates of beginning. Islam; Muhammad (AD 622); Jehovah's Witnesses (1879); Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Jr. (1830); Unification Church, Sun Myung Moon, (1954), Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy (1875); Hare Krishna, (1965 based on Hinduism of 16 cent.), Thanscendental Meditation (Hinduism 1917); Baha'i World Faith, (1844). These are only a few of hundreds if not thousands of deceivers claiming to have a revelation of ultimate truth who want to imprison us in their false philosophy.
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Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6. "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John. 8:12). No one but Jesus ever claimed to be God, died for sinners, arose again,  and offers all who believe eternal life (John. 10:28-33).
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Won't you say, Lord, I trust You this moment as my Lord and Savior to live for You forever? Now share this with family and friends. Get with other believers. Tell them about these articles and to tell others. God bless your conviction and your courage.
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How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can  He say than to you He hath said, To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I will not desert to the foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake! Amen.
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Friday, November 23, 2012

They have come for you, Claiming America for Islam

"They have come for you, Claiming America for Islam. But Jesus our Lord has come for them .... in Love!"

#Islam

Muslim Population to Double in U.S. 

by 2030, Report Projects
Read more here

It's the day when thousands of Muslims bowed to the east , toward Mecca, on the Washington Mall. There, they publicly laid claim to the U.S. as theirs. Muslim clerics openly preached that the only thing in the way was the U.S. government, represented by the captial building.

They didn't know that Jesus had already laid claim for them and given His life to purchase for them eternal life.

posted for: christforallpeoples.org

 ISLAM'S BASIS. Muhammad claimed an angel revealed the Qur'an to him making him Allah's final authoritative prophet (c.570-632). It seems anyone could claim the same thing as the Mormon Joseph Smith Jr. did centuries later (1805-1844). Muslims hope to go to heaven if they can do more good deeds than evil deeds and Muhammad is their example of virtue.
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CHRISTIAN BASIS. Biblical history was accurately transmitted centuries before Muhammad by prophets and apostles often martyred in evidence of its truth. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and demonstrated it by fulfilling hundreds of detailed Messianic prophecies and by performing hundreds of visible public miracles astonishing disciples and hostile critics. We sinners are assured of heaven by trusting in Jesus who in love and to satisfy divine justice, died to pay for our sins and arose again.
For more see my article: What Did Muhammad Say About Jesus? 

Friday, September 7, 2012

Do Chrfistians Have the Right to Proclaim Their Faith?


                      
             Do Christians Have the Right to Proclaim Their Faith?
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Persons today say these things are true. A loving God would never send anybody to hell. There is no absolute truth. It's my right to believe and do as I please. Restrictions should not be placed on the way people enjoy sex. Muslim men defending their faith killing Jews and Christians are more likely to go to paradise and have many virgins. And they can use their own women and childen as human shields in warfare. Christianity is a dangerous violent religion. We should be tolerant of other people's beliefs. Jesus was only a wise man like Confucius. Nothing can evolve into everything. If others can say what they believe, don't Christians have the same human right to speak their beliefs? Indeed, unless we have open discussion of our beliefs we can't be sure we know the truth.
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If Christians hearing such Biblically destructive views remain silent about their Christian beliefs, how long do you think they will have any Christian beliefs? If non-Christians have a right to their beliefs, shouldn't Christians have that same right? After all, if one human has rights, then all would as well. We're told to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
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Now Christian beliefs cannot be demonstrated in a deductive mathematical way nor in a scientific experiment. In other words, Christianity can't be proved in the same way as 2 + 2 = 4 or that two parts of hydrogen mixed with one part oxygen will give you water every time--it requires faith. But non-Christian beliefs require faith as well. Any system of belief requires honest open consideration of the evidence offered in its behalf. Christians believe they can show objective logical factual evidence in its behalf whereas non-Christian belief systems, or worldviews cannot. I can only briefly mention reasons in this article. See my other articles for greater discussion and evidence. 

                             Consider these Teachings of Christian Faith.

1. God caused the universe. It is illogical for the universe to cause itself. What doesn't exist can't explode into everything. So this dependent material universe is the effect of an eternal, self-existent, unchangeable, powerful, Spiritual Mind and Will or what we know as person. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1.
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2. God is a Spirit Being. Since we now know the material universe had a beginning, its cause must be an immaterial or Spirit Being as Biblical Christians believe. Thus we can't expect experimental science to find God by mixing chemicals, or by observing Him through a microscope, telescope or other instruments.  This doesn't mean God doesn't exist, it means God may be known by other means. Honest seekers of truth won't deny this, and it is in our best interest to give God honest open inquiry. God's promise: "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13. See also Matthew 7:7-8 and Hebrews 11:6.
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3. God is beyond our full comprehension. How many elements exist, how they work together, and a million other things are yet mysteries in this utterly complex universe. Certainly the Creator who sustains  them is greater yet, and would be way beyond our mind's comprehension. To sustain all creation, God would have to be everywhere, know everything and have all power. So we cannot prescribe in advance what God cannot be or do which may include surprises. For example, Christians believe God has make Himself known as One God in three persons namely Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that this is taught throughout the Bible, i.e. Isaiah 63:7-10; Matthew 28:19. Further, that God has taken on a human body and nature and walked among us both telling us who He is and demonstrating His deity (John 1:1-3, 14). "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isiah 55:9. Jesus said, "I and My Father are One" John 10:30-33.
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4. God is the Author of absolute truth and righteousness. We can say this as God is the universe's Creator, Controller, and Owner. God's absolute morally perfect nature and will is the deciding factor of everything. If the universe always existed and was eternally in flux, we could not say this. Truth and righteousness would then be relative as many atheists claim. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25. "Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments" Rev. 16:7.
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5. Human conscience and compassion point to God. Conscience makes no sense unless there is a personal ethical God who knows everything about us and will one day require we give account of our lives. We can deny our conscience or try to explain it away or overlook it when we see wrongs done to others. But let someone treat us unjustly and we're quick to protest. It's not what we say but how we act that confirms our conscience. Yet our conscience can be seared as with a hot iron becoming inoperative (1 Timothy 4:2). All the useless wars, killings and using people for human shields prove this. "The Gentiles . . . show the work of  the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, . . . in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus according to my (Paul's) gospel." Romans 2:15-16.
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6. The all knowing holy God will one day judge our every thought, word and deed. Saying there's no judgment and no hell or that God is evil to forbid certain acts we may find pleasurable amounts to a claim of having all knowledge. Isn't it a bit silly to think anyone can have more knowledge than the One who designed the universe and our bodies and minds to work in a certain way? Separating love from justice leads to the destruction of both. Without a righteous God and judgment, morality has no meaning, anything is permitted (Proverbs 14:12; Psalm 14:1). "I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God . . . and the dead were judged according to their works. Revelation 20:12.
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7. It's God's prerogative to say who goes to His heaven and why. No doubt you've heard the claim there are many ways to heaven or all persons go to heaven eventually. Now I ask how does one know that? Some religions believe neither in a personal God nor in heaven. Could this claim be based upon ignorance of world religions and false assumptions of an imperfect tolerant God and of goodness in man? Like a virus even one sin allowed into heaven would infect the whole. "There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:27.
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8. God entered world history as Jesus Christ. Philosophers such as Bertrand Russell can deny it but only show their prejudice. Besides the Bible secular writers furnish enough facts to outline many of the events in Jesus' life. More is known about Jesus than about undoubted persons such as Plato or Tiberius Caesar. The impact of Christ set the dates for the Western World. Further, it's simply impossible to extract the supernatural claims and elements in Jesus' life without rendering their historical content nonsense. Many eyewitnesses heard Jesus' claims to be God that were confirmed by His fulfilling ancient prophecies and performing multiple miracles. And many died in testimony that Jesus is in fact the God-man from heaven and the Savior of all who trust in Him (John 1:1-3, 14: 14:6). "The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven." 1 Cor. 15:47.
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9. God's entrance requirement to heaven is faith in Jesus alone. Turning from sin that God hates to trust His Son who paid for our sin on the cross is God's way. Good deeds, being a good person, being sorry for sin doesn't make us perfect or holy before God nor fit for a perfect heaven. We can do good deeds with selfish motives, still have a rebellious heart, still not know or understand God's laws. We can't undo our bad deeds. And if we could get to heaven doing good deeds, Jesus never would have to be crucified. God's only way is Jesus. "A man is not justified by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ" (Gal. 2:16). "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
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10. Mindless molecules can't arrange themselves into men. No matter how much time takes place, stuff never produces order. Gardens uncared for become useless weeds. Life doesn't pop into being from non-life. Further, genetic limits won't allow life forms to become different forms.  If it were so we would see it happening today everywhere. If it happened in the past we would see it in countless  fossils in the geological record. Fact is that life forms appear and disappear in the geological column no different. The universe is running down, not building up. An impossible gap exists between man and the other animals (1 Cor. 15:38-39).  Can't we give all these facts open unbiased consideration? "God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." Genesis 1:26
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11. The Creator of man's mind and body surely can communicate with him.  Deconstruction, reconstruction, or claiming the plain obvious meaning of a text means what you want it to mean is neither scholarship nor honesty. C.S. Lewis, who has studied and written myths and fables throughout his literary career, says his critics misunderstand his stories. Biblical events and miracles are written as sober history accepted as true by later biblical writers and by Jesus. Those who claim subjective interpretation expect us to accept it of other writers but to take them literally. "God spoke all these words, saying: I am the Lord your God, who brought you  out of the land of Egypt" Ex. 20:1-2. Jesus said, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Luke 16:31.
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12.  The Bible is God's final revelation. God gave us his Word to guide his people. He has confirmed it by multiple fulfilled prophecies and miracles. His true prophets and apostles endorsed one another. So all centuries later self-claimed prophets that contradict, alter, or abrogate God's previous message are false prophets and deceivers. They claim their teacher has additional revelation that supersedes the Bible. They often deceive using Christian terms with their own meanings. They deny the Trinity, Christ's deity, atonement, hell and set dates for Christ's return.
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13. The Bible says Christians are to defend their faith. Jude exhorts us to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Several passages speak of this--Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3; Phil. 1:7, 17; 2 Tim. 4:16. We're to be committed unto the Lord "and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." 1 Peter 3:15-16.   
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14. Defending Christian faith brings tremendous benefits. We're to glorify God in all we do and defending the faith does that big time (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17). Giving objective logical factual evidence strengthens the faith of believers (Acts 1:3). Second century apologists corrected  pagan charges of atheism, incest and cannibalism as Christians were thought to eat the body of Christ. Misunderstandings of persons both within the church and without need correction.
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Christians who never try to win others to Christ and live in an unchallenged environment may not see the need for apologetics. But their children attending secular schools likely will turn from the faith if not given good answers to the challenges they encounter.Winning persons to Christ is difficult when Christians can't give an intelligent response to someone's honest questions. Jesus is our mentor in defending Scripture (Luke 24:46-47).  Peter said,"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matt. 16:16.
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15. Fulfilled prophecy is one unanswerable evidence. We can make bets on who will win the ball game, but its uncertain. The Bible tells of future events short range so those living at the time can know it's of God as 20 signs given Saul that he would be anointed king (1 Sam. 10). It also tells of future events to occur centuries later so people living then can know they are of God such as Messiah's virgin birth, place of birth, sinlessness, death for sinners, and resurrection. Fulfilled prophecy doesn't exist in non-biblical religions. These events showed Jesus is Israel's Messiah and they can't be explained away. The great Jewish Messianic scholar, Dr. Alfred Edersheim, in his book, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah lists in his appendix 456 O.T. passages ancient Jewish writers applied to their coming Messiah. "Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27.
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16. Miracles are a sure defense in their biblical context of prophetic credentials and claims. Jesus claimed to be  the bread of life when he fed the 5,000, to be the resurrection and life when He raised Lazarus, to be from heaven and He ascended into heaven before many witnesses. The claim Jesus walked on water would destroy science is nonsense. To call events natural doesn't discredit miracles--in fact it's necessary to recognize an exceptional event as a miracle. Nature's laws are subject to nature's Lord and there can be no law God can't use miracles any time it suits His purposes. Witnesses of Christ's miracles were always astonished which shows they were well aware of nature's laws. Skeptics must disprove God to disprove miracles. Jesus said, "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:29).  Jesus is the God-man sent from heaven (Jn. 3:13, 6:33).
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17. Jesus' sinlessness is unique. He was virgin born and overshadowed by the Holy Spirit to prevent corrupting his human nature (Matt. 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-37). Like us, he was tempted at all points only He never sinned. He explained sin clearly as moral impurity of heart--evil thoughts, thefts, false witness, blasphemies, adulteries, deceit, murder (Matt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21). Twelve disciples who observed him more than three years said he committed no sin. This can't be said of any other esteemed person--not Buddha, Confucius, Zoroaster, Moses, Muhammad. Jesus dared to challenge his hostile critics to convict him of sin and they could not (John 8:46). This evidence has a momentous explanation: "He (God the Father) made Him who knew no sin (Jesus Messiah) to be (counted or imputed) sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21.
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18. Jesus died to pay for our sins. It's all about God's grace and glory and nothing we can do or goodness we don't have (Eph. 2:8-9). God alone decides how He will save sinners and if there were any other way than Jesus paying the penalty for us, he would never have had to be crucified. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:18.
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19. Jesus arose again to make us acceptable to God and fit for heaven. Apart from the resurrection humanity would be without God and without hope. Jesus' resurrection assures us that there is life after death, that we human beings have dignity, that how we believe and behave counts as we will give account of our lives to God, and that  the world is rational and achieving God's purposes. We have the choice of life with our loving God or without Him in eternal darkness, tears, and torments. Skeptics through the centuries have desperately tried to disprove the resurrection but don't even come close. "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57.
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20. Christian faith can't be explained away as delusions of the mind. Can God put thoughts in our minds? I don't see any way to show it impossible. Bible says both God and the devil can (Matt. 16:16-17; Acts 5:5). We dare not follow these Satanic delusions: Nietzsche said belief in God is dead and Christianity makes us weaklings. Darwin implied God is unnecessary and we are perishing animals. Marx's theory of economic equality makes us slaves in poverty under government oppression. Freud claimed faith in God a delusion of fatherly comfort.  Jesus promised the devil and death would not prevale against His Church  (Matt. 16:18; Heb. 2:14). I've read the back of the book that says the former things will pass away and God will make a new heaven and a new earth and live with his people in righteousness forever (Revelation 21). Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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All the evidence in the world cannot convince someone against their will. Evidences are tools to open our mind but only God can save us. Pray that God's Spirit will convict our sinful world and the Father will draw people to the point of trusting Christ (John 6:44; 16:8-11).  We can have a head knowledge but apart from God's gracious invitation reject Christ altogether (1 Cor. 2:14; John 1:12-13). May you be faithful and fruitful to declair and defend the Christian biblical faith boldly and lovingly and to confirm it in consistent godly living. Amen. God bless.
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Please feel free to link my blog to yours so that others you introduce to it may be won to Christ, or be strengethend in Christian faith and understanding. This is the most crucial thing we can do for others and to make a better world. Again, God bless you in your work of faith and labor of love ministry. By telling our friends and circles over the internet we reach people in countries all over the world with the message of life, hope, and love that only salvation in Christ can give.
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See comment and articles below & on right side. God bless.

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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