Is It The Real God Skeptics Deny?

                                     Is It The Real God Skeptics Deny? 

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You may know someone you think is one of the finest persons you know who says there’s no God. Or, you may work with someone who is grumpy, complaining, and just hard to get along with and find out he or she is a Christian. What one believes and how one behaves is much more of a complex issue than persons generally realize.

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Persons may claim to be, or are assumed to be something they really aren’t. Not everyone who says he or she is an atheist may know or correctly understand what the Bible actually says about God and may deny God because of misunderstandings or false teachings.

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Not all who claim, or assume, or go to a Christian church are actual Christians either. People may go to church to make friends, sing in the choir, play on the church ball team and may have little understanding about God, Christian teachings and ethics, or even care.

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In either case, many factors influence how we humans behave no matter what we believe. Our health, temptations, pressures, confusions, fears, doubts and frustrations all influence our everyday behaviors and beliefs. And, it may actually be a hurtful notion of God that atheists reject not knowing the loving God of the Bible who sent His Son to save us.

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The opposite of right is wrong. Despite our differences, all persons share a common humanity. If it’s right to treat one person with respect, then it’s right for all. Likewise, disrespect would be wrong treatment of any persons. The only exception would be punishment for criminal behaviors.

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Further, truth is what corresponds to reality, is knowable and is the same for all persons, in all places, at all times. If we say men wear pants, that statement is indeed true if men do wear pants. The opposite of true is false and we can’t even deny truth without assuming our denial is true. It’s fashionably today to claim absolute truth is narrow, bigoted or closed-minded, but that 2 + 2 = 4 is reality no matter what some people say. Are teachers, doctors, lawyers, everyone telling us a bunch of lies? We can’t talk, trust traffic signs, prices on items, or human judgments unless we assume truth is knowable, or chaos results. Normally we assume things true unless given reason to think them false.

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I agree with those atheists who affirm the value of man and human culture and who condemn lies, racism, hatred, bigotry, child abuse, rape and murder. I also agree with them that there is a problem of evil and that science and education are important. My problem with atheism is that it is a dogmatic worldview without foundation or justification.

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It actually destroys the basis for the very things atheists claim to uphold. It destroys human dignity, ethics and moral incentive making us no more than perishing soulless dirt to be manipulated by the power structure. Further, exhaustive knowledge is required to say there’s no personal ethical spiritual God such as Christians believe. Moreover, it makes no sense to hate a nonexistent God when a false notion of God may be what is hated.

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Now let’s consider the arguments against the Creator. They are largely derived from the esteemed philosophers David Hume and Immanuel Kant. The objections are in bold red print with my answers in the following paragraph.

A Finite Universe Needs Only a Finite Cause

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The law of causality states that every finite (limited) effect has a cause--something can’t come from nothing, nonexistence can’t produce existence. But limited changing things cease to exist. So an unlimited unchanging cause is required to ground the limited changing universe. The universe’s Creator must be infinite. Thus all space, time, and matter require an infinite self-existent uncaused cause. We may rightfully call that self-existent infinite cause God.

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An Imperfect Universe Suggests an Imperfect Cause

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Without a perfect standard of measurement, we couldn’t recognize imperfection. Claiming something imperfect implies we have a perfect standard. Existing imperfections don’t mean they were not originally perfect just as worn medieval art reflects their original perfection. Good beginnings can become corrupt. This is what the Bible teaches in the Fall of man that after we have a corrupt sinful nature. 

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Chance Origins Can Explain Everything

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Improbable things do happen. But before the universe existed, there was no chance anything could happen. Things don’t just pop into being from nothing. No scientist would explain the four faces of American presidents on Mt. Rushmore as chance. The complex code in the DNA cell and the fine tuned universe require an intelligent source. If chance is the source of everything, we can’t even know that our thinking is correct. The skeptic who rejects my answer still believes his objection is not due to irrational chance. Origins require an intelligent creative will to bring things into being.  

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A Finite Series of Causes Can Explain the Universe

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In abstract math, you can always add another 0 after # 1. But in the real world, finite beings cannot sustain themselves. An eternity of past moments before today is impossible which shows the universe had a beginning. Each changing thing in a series means it ceases to exist. So each changing thing must be immediate grounded in an independent or uncaused cause--namely God.

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Arguments for God Lead to Contradictions about Time, Causality, and Dependency

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Nonexistence has no power to create anything. If no matter, space or time existed before creation, then these things couldn’t have created themselves. So something outside of them and greater than them must have existed to bring them into being. Thus this dependent universe was caused by an independent uncaused power source we may rightfully call God.

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A Creator Could Cease to Exist

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Because present changing existent things can cease to exist, they need a self-existing unchanging source to uphold them. The fact that everything in the universe is limited and dependent at all times, it requires an unlimited independent self-existent cause (God). So God is always a necessary being, a Sustainer as well as a Creator who cannot cease to exist.

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 An Imperfect World Does Not Need a Perfect Cause

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Yes, in our experience, we know imperfect people produce other imperfect people and polytheists claim many gods explain this. But as mentioned above, the imperfect implies we have an idea of the perfect. A cause can be greater than its effect but cannot be less than its effect. It’s like a river that cannot rise higher than its source. There cannot be two Absolutes as only the greater is Absolute. Finite changing beings depend upon an independent self-sustaining being—an infinite God.

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Real Causes Cannot Be Inferred From Observed Effects

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Is the thing-to-me different from the thing-in-itself? If that were true, how could we even conduct science, or know our thinking is correct? Yes, we can make mistakes in everything we do, but our five senses do give us real information. Do we think it mere appearance when we step into an elevator? No, Mr. Kant appearances are the real world. So knowledge of God and miracles are possible. Critical realism is reasonable--sticks placed in water look bent and coiled robes in the dark may look like snakes but we know they aren't--they're only illusions. Our minds don’t change reality; it changes us.

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God Is Only an Illusion

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Sigmund Freud is famous for claiming God is only a childhood illusion believers never outgrew. They imagine a Cosmic Comforter, a heavenly Father to comfort and protect them. It’s true some imagine a God to suit their specifications. But some want reality and truth, not just good feelings. Certainly, the prophets and apostles who endured ridicule, persecution, torture and death can’t be said to want just good feelings. And it may be that what we really need really exists. Just as we really need water and it really exists. Wish and need are not necessarily the same things. Perhaps we need God because he created us in his image and for relationship. The true illusion might be that persons living in rebellion against God deny his existence because they fear his judgment and Hell.

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Arguments for God Are Not Persuasive

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Vested interests or other preferences can hinder believing.The arguments may not be understood. Persons may fear acceptance may bring rejection, persecution or loss. Arguments don’t automatically convert unbelievers. This doesn’t mean the arguments are wrong or faulty. Stirring sermons don’t always convert unbelievers either. A loving God doesn’t force us to believe. Freedom gives us dignity; force makes us machines. Our loving obedience honors God. Persons convinced against their will are of the same opinion still. Vested interests can cause one to reject truth even when proved.

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If God Knows Everything, Then Man Is Not Free

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Christians believe as Scripture teaches that God knows everything including the future (Isa. 46:10). Hundreds of Bible prophecies and promises couldn’t be fulfilled if he didn’t. No contradiction exists in God knowing how we will use our freedom. God may persuade men to act in certain ways but doesn’t force their actions. God is love and forced love is a contradiction. As the universe’s Creator outside of time, God sees past, present and future as one eternal now (Exodus 3:14). From an all-knowing God’s point of view everything is predestined, set, fixed, determined and what God knows can't be wrong. But from our perspective, it's free will and God takes our free choices into account.

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As I said above, one must know everything to know God doesn’t exist. Alternative explanations  don’t disprove God's existence. Many atheist and skeptics who have trusted Jesus Christ in the forgiveness of sin witness to seeing things in an entirely different light and experiencing a new love and peace they never imagined could exist. The Bible calls the person who says in his heart there is no God a fool, not due to lack of evidence, but due to wanting his own way. Objections show only our selfishness, ignorance, and arrogance. We likely don't know events in next room or around the corner, so how can we know God doesn't exist?

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Painful Experiences Can Cause Us to Deny God

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Life can be painfully difficult. Unfulfilled hopes and needs can devastate us. We can make so many mistakes. Friends we respect and love can betray us. Disasters unforeseen can bewilder and depress us. We have no control over much that we experience. Our earthly father may be nothing like the loving Heavenly Father who sent His Son to save us. Where is that good and loving God we've heard exists with outstretched arms ready to receive us and give us Heaven?

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The Bible teaches God made a good world that met all our needs but gave us the choice of obeying Him or following our own ways. Don't we all want to follow our own ways no matter about other people or the circumstances? Well, that was what went wrong with the world. We're not programmed machines and God knew what our choices would be. So Jesus was slain from the foundation of the world as part of God's plan (Ephesians 13:8).  We don't have to understand it all. But if we will trust Him, He has promised to work things out for His glory and for our good (Rom. 8:28). Now the ball is in our court.

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We can know God's forgiveness, peace, and love today in admitting our sin and trusting the Savior of us sinners as our life's Guide. Won't you pray, Lord I'm a sinner. I  right now trust Jesus dying for me on the cross bearing my sins to forgive me and make me a child of God. Lord, use me for your glory from now on as I trust You to guide me and use me to tell others. Thank you, my Lord.  U are welcome to use my articles as an Internet evangelist for the Lord. God bless U in your wonderful new life serving the King of the universe.

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Many fine books are written discussing these issues. I recommend Dr. Norman Geisler’s Systematic Theology and his Baker’s Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics.

Are World Religions Purely Human Inventions?

Thomas laughed at religious people thinking them fools. He felt superior knowing that God, angels, human souls, and life after death exist only in ignorant superstitious minds, not in the real world. Even supposing they exist in a spiritual realm; it would be beyond our physical senses not subject to scientific experimentation that is the only way to prove anything. So these ignorant religious “kooks” should make their peace with it.   

But he felt it unfair, anti-intellectual to discount religious beliefs without knowing their basis and teachings. So he set out to learn and to prove all religion wrong. He devised three criteria to test religious claims: logical consistency, objective fact and livability.

Thomas knew that in today’s multicultural world persons ridicule Christians as bias, intolerant, judgmental, uncooperative, absolutist, and other despicable labels to say any religious belief is more true or right than another—except their own. But that’s dishonest and playing intellectual let’s pretend games. Any honest inspection of world religions shows they differ in their teachings about God, man, morals, salvation, and life after death. So it’s a fact that if one religion is true, then all who oppose it must logically be false. It’s just like saying a black cat can and cannot exist at the same time and in the same way. World religions can’t all be true. Criteria exist to show which religion if any is true.

Millions in China acknowledge Confucius’s wisdom. As a government official, he taught people to treat each other with respect and that the government should rule by power of virtue and moral example. That’s seems good philosophy but Confucian religion consists in honoring ancestors and worship of numerous spirits through magical ceremonies. It’s just superstition. Shintoism of Japan is another unproved superstition being worship of nature, many gods, ancestors and obedience to the emperor. Both are merely speculative human philosophy.

Hinduism began about 3,000 years ago. It is mystical thought that says the universe is god that is a single unity, that extends itself into the multiplicity of forms, but all are illusion (maya). Like the cycles of nature things come alive, reproduce, and die repeatedly. Persons may live thousands of lives until finally absorbed into Brahma, the World Soul, or spiritual energy of the universe.

Thomas saw that Hinduism and all pantheist religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, New Age, Christian Science, and Unity are only some persons’ interpretation of nature. Far from being a single unity, they speak of a multiplicity of conflicting forms such as ignorance and enlightenment, absorption and no absorption, truth and falsehood, good and bad karma. And nobody can live as though the world is illusion—people must eat, sleep, wear clothes, avoid oncoming vehicles, pay debts, and obey laws. Such religions deny what they know through their senses and must live by, yet affirm god is merely impersonal energy.  

Thomas acknowledged that secular humanisms—Nazism, communism, socialism, fascism--too are religious. They uphold man’s supremacy as the standard to judge all else. Soulless man is the chance product of evolution’s process whose end is to return to dirt. So to improve human chances of survival it makes good sense to eliminate the weaker beings to product higher quality. The stronger always eats the weaker--nature is red in tooth and claw. Hitler—following Darwin--understood this clearly and set about to achieve the super race. Ethics, truth, quality of life, even who lives or dies is what the ruling party says. It’s scary but its human history.

Microevolution is certainly true—we know verities of dogs and trees exist. But genetic limits preclude macroevolution. No consistent path of fossil finds demonstrate one plant or animal can change into another that would be the real proof of evolution. Scientists know spontaneous generation of life doesn’t happen. Nobody was around when the universe and life came into being. No experiment can demonstrate what happened. Entropy produces chaos, not organization. And chance supposedly mindless molecules magically arranging themselves over billions of years into man—computer data show its infinity impossible. Isn’t evolutionary humanism blind faith when everything we know scientifically says otherwise?

The basis of Islam is Muhammad’s claim God’s angel spoke to him alone making him the final prophet. The Mormon, Joseph Smith Jr., later said the same thing. Who are we to believe--if either? Can’t anybody claim the same thing?

Judaism claims one almighty Creator God revealed in human history through miracles, theophanies and fulfilled prophecies. That would be visible, recognizable, factual evidence of God, not like the unseen gods living on Mount Olympus or the gods residing only in mystics’ heads. But their predicted Messiah or deliver didn’t show and the Jews scattered among the nations in unbelief. 

Christianity claims the Jew Jesus actually is the predicted Messiah who fulfilled the ancient prophecies and performed miracles proving he’s God. Whether this is true or not would seem to depend upon whether Bible history meets historical standards. But not only the Gospels and Epistles tell about Jesus,’ but many secular and often hostile writers of that time mention details of his life such as Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger, Celsus, Julian the Apostate and many others. In fact, more mention is made of Jesus than of Tiberius Caesar or Aristotle.

Archaeology has uncovered many artifacts supporting biblical statements of persons, places and events once thought fictions. When the Bible is correct in physical matters, we should consider it could be true about spiritual matters such as God, miracles, fulfilled prophecies and Jesus’ claims. Unless we have all knowledge, it’s pure prejudice to dismiss a God who can act in our world. Jesus changed world history even dating time. Millions still endure torturous deaths to vouch for his atoning death and resurrection, our only empirical proof of life after death as well as other vital issues as human dignity, freedom, ethical responsibility, ultimate purpose and Heaven.

So while non-Christian religions give us only human wisdom and speculative philosophy. Biblical Christianity alone gives us a historical factual basis for a real God who walked among us, died for us, and rose again. And he alone can offer us life eternal and forgiveness of sin. I caste my lot with Him. How about you?

A Little Girl’s Question

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A little girl named Susie asked her mother the question: “Mommy where did we come from?” Her mother replied, “Honey, we came from Adam and Eve our first parents who God created in his image.” She then asked her Daddy where we came from. He said, “Susie, many scientists say we came from monkeys?” That confused her, as opposites couldn’t be right. She told her mother what her Daddy said. Her mother replied, “Oh honey, the monkeys are just on your Daddy’s side of the family.”

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We enjoy a good laugh at such jokes but the answers are conflicting worldviews. They are opposed ways of seeing life and the world with super serious consequences for our lives. Let’s see where each view leads and then consider its basis.

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WE CAME FROM MONKEYS.

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If we came from monkeys or originally from a one celled animal that evolved into what we are today, then the truth is that we are only a higher evolved animal that perishes alone with all the others. We’re no special significance and must fight to survive in a world of prey and predators. Our only law is eat, or to be eaten and death ends all.

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Exit life after death. Exit human dignity. Exit human rights. Exit ethics, or right and wrong behavior. Exit any life purpose but survival and satisfaction in the uncertain time we have—nothing else makes practical sense. A power grab seems the intelligent step to security, satisfaction, and individual self-worth. The ends justify the means, whatever it takes, spare no mercy. Destroy anything that gets in your way. We must make use of our time and take advantage of our power. Evolutionary humanism has no basis for humane standards and values.
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WE WERE CREATED BY GOD.

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If we were created rational, moral, immortal persons in the image of an eternal infinite Creator God, a much different picture emerges. Enter immortality. Enter human dignity. Enter human rights and freedom. Enter absolute ethics. Enter human equality, justice, and love. Enter ultimate purpose in service to God and man--our every thought, word and deed counts not only now but eternally. And justice and goodness will prevail God is the all-knowing, all-powerful, all wise Lord of his creation. 
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THE BASIS FOR WE CAME FROM MONKEYS.

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We came from monkeys is the view called naturalism that has been slowly taking over our world since the Renaissance. It says there is no God, angels, divine revelations, miracles, or human souls. We are completely on our own and must save ourselves. Nature is eternal and everything, the whole show. Maybe other life supporting planets exist we can go to if this one is destroyed. The universe always existed and life came into being by chance and time and there is no meaning to life except what we can make of it. Molecules somehow arranged themselves into men and that’s just the way things are. All this is scientific fact and not religious superstition or myth.
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THE BASIS FOR WE WERE CREATED BY GOD.

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We were created in God’s image is the classic view of Judeo-Christian belief largely dominating the Western world for the last two millenniums. Though based on the Bible it is not opposed to science. In fact, modern empirical science was established by believers in God and many of them Christians—Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, Boyle, Pascal to name only a few. In truth, does any human being know enough to say no God exists who can act in our world? That requires a mind completely closed to evidence, scientific, historical, or otherwise.

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If empirical science is based upon experiment and observation, then Biblical Christianity has as much claim to belief as natural science. No one was present when the world, or life or man came into being to observe or experiment. Further, the known scientific data suggest creation rather than evolution for those open-minded enough to consider the evidence.

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A fundamental operational principle of science and rationality is that something can’t come from nothing—the universe is a finite dependent effect. That being true, the universe’s cause is an eternal, infinite, unchangeable, immaterial Creator. That being true, life came from an eternal Life Giver. That being true, the infinite and interrelated complexity of living things came from an infinitely intelligent Mind. True science doesn’t disprove these things but rather confirms them. Further, the only real evidence molecules can arrange themselves into men would be fossils showing each step in the process. But life forms (fossils) are always found complete and unchanged. And alleged missing links are acknowledged fakes and deceptions. For example, Nebraska Man changed America’s thinking from Biblical Creation to naturalistic evolution. But it was nothing more than an extinct pigs tooth. Artists drawing in science books of cave men have deceived the public for decades. Let’s get real? 

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Far more empirical or scientific is the fulfilled prophecies, miracles and claims of Jesus. Jewish prophets predicted their Messiah’s deity, miracles, virgin birth in Bethlehem, death, and resurrection. These predictions are dated centuries before Jesus was born and he’s the only one who could fulfill them. The odds against their fulfillment are astronomical. Further, Jesus performed a public miracle everywhere he went for over three years probably numbering in the hundreds—that’s empirical observation. Hostile observers sought every means to discredit him but could not. And Jesus explained his miracles as a work of God. At first Jesus’ disciples didn't believe his claims to be God with us in human form. But seeing him again as the risen Lord, they gave their life's blood in testimony. The passing of time cannot discredit real events--and the risen Lord Jesus is very real. See my article: Did  Jesus Arise from the Tomb?

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Now good science has to date events, has to observe repeated instances, and has to give the most rational explanation for the data. Given these criteria, isn’t the evidence for Jesus being God as he claimed to be immensely more probably than the few fossil fakes offered to prove evolution? Moreover, thousands of links are missing everywhere except in the naturalist’s mind. Evolution is fake, Jesus is Lord.
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Believe Jesus is the true and only way. John 14:6. Your decision is most crucial for time and eternity. Say, Lord Jesus I'm trusting You to transform me into a child of God right now and forever. I trust You as my Lord, Savior, and Guide from now on. Your will, not mind. Thank U loving, forgiving Lord  and Savior.  So be it.

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Will Good Finally Conquer Evil?

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Many persons consider this world a contest between good and evil to see which one will finally win out. Persons usually call robbery, rape, murder and war human evils and fear man will one day destroy himself. Another evil is natural calamities such as volcanoes, floods and earthquakes that kill millions of people and devastate lands. And yet another evil is that everything deteriorates called the physical law of entropy. That is metals rust, wood rots, animals and persons die.

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But we can see these as unavoidable evils. Consider bad human choices are better than no choice that would make us robots without freedom, dignity and true humanity. Calamities destroy untold lives and property, yet are earth’s necessary healing adjustments to keep its forces in balance. For example, movement of tectonic plates causes earthquakes but raise continents and mountains otherwise covered with water. Floods and volcanoes enrich lands making crops more productive. And if metals didn’t rust, wood rot, animals and people die what enormous population and problems would develop?

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I want first to briefly discuss three worldviews that are disqualified in the contest of good versus evil. Then, to show how the biblical Christian worldview alone assures us that good will finally conquer evil. Finally, to show how Jesus Christ, the incarnate God-man, has given us visible proof of conquering evil and will one day rid its presence from the earth.

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Three Disqualified Contenders.

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Pantheism. This worldview says god is universal energy that makes personality, pain, death, and evil illusion. It must deny sense knowledge to claim world illusion but pantheists wear clothes, look in the mirror, eat, feel pain, die, and avoid oncoming vehicles that prove the world’s no illusion. It claims karma (reap what you sew) and reincarnation demonstrate justice. Pantheists base these claims upon nature’s cycles and human defects that can be better explained by heredity and environment. And its justice is an impersonal principle without rational standards, knowledge and judgment. Further, pantheists (or monists) make distinctions between things and can’t explain how the world illusion began. Pantheism doesn’t qualify for ethical consideration—it’s the illusion including Hinduism and all its kindred religious and secular philosophies.

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Evolutionary humanism. This worldview is disqualified because it denies absolutes. It’s based upon the universe popping into existence by chance and evolving into what we see today. All our thinking is absurd if everything mysteriously came by accident from nothing. Evolutionary natural science knows but ignores that matter, life, personality, truth, logic, and ethics must be effects of a personal ethical cause we can rightfully call God. Things didn’t simply appear mysteriously from a void. This begun dependent universe must have an independent, infinite self-existent cause that can explain all these things. Otherwise, ethics and all else are only conflicting human guesses and preferences without the final authority of an infinite God. Limited, conflicting, human opinions are without authority and can only result in warfare. 

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Finite godism. A limited god gives us no assurance of defeating evil. Whether limited power, knowledge, or compassion, any one of these defects can mean evils or universal forces can defeat him. That makes him unworthy of our worship, devotion and service. Furthermore, a finite dependent god himself requires an infinite Creator and Sustainer who would be the real God, the standard or measure of good and which makes a finite god either human imagination or an unnecessary creation that may cease to exist.

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Only the Bible’s God Can Conquer Evil.

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The Bible’s God is the universe’s Creator, Sustainer and man’s Life-giver and Judge. Numerous Bible passages teach these things. The point here is that God’s having these powers means all evils are under His control. God does, however allow evils to test whether we will choose a love-trust relationship with Him that issues in our obedience and His glory. God created a good world mentioned seven times in the creation account (Genesis 1). And God and man were in right relationship until man chose to distrust and disobey God and corrupt the world with sin and death (Gen. 3). So, our Creator God gave us free will, but our bad choices cause evil and corruption. Yes, evils abound today, but God’s power, wisdom and goodness assure us He’ll conquer them in His time, according to His wise plan. And we are deceived and foolish to blame the evil we choose to do on God, who gave us the freedom to do them. That's accusing God without cause as we are accountable to Him for the evils.

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Evil and sin is a corruption of the good. It’s not a substance in itself, but the privation of a good substance or relationship. It’s like rust to a car, rot in a tree, moth-holes in a garment, blindness in a person. It’s the absence of something real and good that ought to be there. So man brought sin or evil into the world. Our sin destroys our relationships with others and with our Creator, Life-giver and Judge.

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Now, our rebellious, prideful, self-centered attitude is part of the evil. We humans think and act as though it’s all about us.We thing 10,000 thoughts a day but seldom give God a thought. We focus on our happiness, our success, our security, our glory. If things don’t go our way, if we don’t get the things we want, we feel it’s an evil world and God’s the cause--if He even exists. What we fail to understand is that it’s not about us--it’s all about God and His will—without our Creator and His purpose, there would be nothing. Our every breath depends upon Him. And what we think evil can actually teach us humility, faith, and human compassion. God’s plan allows for evils He can work for His glory and our good (Rom. 8:28). Our salvation is in Jesus who came to seek and save what was lost (Luck 19:10).

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Jesus Christ, the Incarnate God-man, Has Already Conquered Every Evil.

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Without all knowledge, we’ve no basis to say man’s Creator can’t take on a human nature and body. And any so-called god unwilling to walk with us, get his hands dirty with our problems, doesn’t care much about us. The Lord Jesus, the God-man, experienced our worst troubles and evils first-hand. He was tempted in all points like us, yet without sin. He shed blood, sweat and tears in our behalf—that’s love. But how did Jesus defeat every kind of evil?

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Jesus defeated the devil and his demons. Unbelief claims “evil spirit beings” either are just the principle of evil in the world or simply human imagination. But alternative explanations don’t disprove they exist and can put concepts in our minds. Today they’re called spirit guides and chandlers. Being vulnerable after fasting forty days, Satan tempted Jesus in the same ways that caused Adam’s fall: the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. But Jesus, the last Adam, defeated Satan by believing and obeying God’s Word, as we should do (Matt. 4:1-11).

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When Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee, naked, shouting, unbound violent men living among tombs, and cutting themselves with stones, fell before Jesus’ feet. These men knew things then unknown even to Jesus’ disciples—that Jesus was the Son of God with power to cast the demons into the pit of torment. But at their request, Jesus sent the demons into a herd of pigs that drowned in the Sea. Town’s people found the men calm, clothed, and in their right minds. Neither Jesus nor the demoniacs were playacting. It was visible and verbal proof that Jesus’ power defeated the devil (Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). See also Job 1:12; Rev. 20:2-3, 10).

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Jesus conquered sin. Twelve men followed Jesus for over three years and found no sin in him. Jesus’ dared to challenge his critics to find sin in him. Because they could not, they desperately plotted his death. At his trials, his only crime was admitting his deity (Matt. 26:59-66). His perfect purity shows His power ovr sin and why He alone qualifies to be the Savior of us sinners (1 Peter 3:18).

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Jesus controlled nature. What nature’s laws won’t allow and man cannot do, Jesus did showing He’s nature’s Lord. He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11), walked on the Sea (6:19), multiplied food to feed thousands (Luke 9:10-17), and ascended into Heaven (Luke 24:50-51). People talked with and observed Him in every case. There can be no mistake or trickery.

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Jesus cured diseases. He healed a man’s withered hand (Luck 6:6-10), a man born blind (John 9), a deaf mute (Mark 7:31-37), cleansed ten lepers (Luke 17:12-14), and restored Malchus cut off ear (Luke 22:51). There’s no way to explain away these miracles by hypnotism or fraud. They were immediate, spontaneous, certain cures before many eyewitnesses.

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Jesus defeated death. He raised three persons from the dead whose bodies were stiff and cold and in Lazarus’ case was already in decay. They were the widow of Nain’s son, Jairus’ daughter, and Lazarus whose body was already in decay. He predicted his death and resurrection on numerous occasions giving details of people involved and how it would take place. And many infallible proofs confirmed his resurrection. See my articles on Jesus’ resurrection.

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Jesus is coming again to claim his bride. Jesus visibly demonstrated his divine power, goodness, and love. He defeated every enemy of man. But that’s not the end. Jesus will return to claim his Bride, the Church. He will judge all those who reject him. Those who refused to submit in this life will bow before the King of kings to acknowledge He is Lord. Dear friend, I invite you to enter a love-trust relationship with Jesus that issues in obedience now and not suffer eternal loss. Then you can do great good by linking my blog to your computer and sharing these articles with others who can know the Savior and eternal life. God bless you and thanks.

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What’s Different about Christian Counseling?

God’s apostle Paul was sensitive to human need as persons should be. He said we should not just please ourselves but bear the weaknesses and carry the burdens of those who are weaker and thus fulfill the law of Christ which is love (Rom. 15:1; Gal. 5:14; 6:2). There may be as many theories and approaches to counseling as there are counselors. And even the best-trained counselors may not help counselees to improve.

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We are imperfect, limited people living in a complex, confusing world. We need an empathetic friend with a listening ear who will keep confidences, help us gain new insights, guide us to weigh alternatives and make wise decisions for our lives. We have crippling emotions, inner conflicts, self-defeating attitudes and habits, pressures and issues that try our souls. God’s intent is that Christians be available to listen, care, understand, encourage and help fellow human beings unload and overcome our burdens to find new and fulfilling direction for our lives.

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But while Christian counseling has some things in common with non-Christian counseling, there are some crucial differences. Let’s look at them.

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Different Christian Assumptions

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Human counselors bring their assumptions to the counseling process that influences our judgments and comments. For example, a secular humanist counselor believes we live in a universe indifferent to our fate. This viewpoint excludes so much that Christians believe true and necessary to human well-being—a compassionate sovereign God, prayer, the Bible, divine forgiveness, and life after death.

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While Christians can vary in theology, to be truly Christian they have definite beliefs about the attributes of God, human nature, the authority of Scripture, the reality of sin, God’s forgiveness, and hope for the future. These beliefs make a world of difference in their counseling. Consider the teaching of Hebrews 1:1-4 as an example.

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“God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person , and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

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Different Christian Goals

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Secular counselors encourage persons to change self-defeating behavior, attitudes, values and perceptions. They encourage counselees to develop social skills, express emotions, accept responsibility, solve problems and become mature productive persons.

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In addition to these goals, Christian counselors challenge counselees to confess sin and experience divine forgiveness, give their lives to Christ, model Christian biblical standards, attitudes, values, lifestyles, and share their faith with others.

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Critics, of course, will complain that’s teaching religion. But religion is unavoidably taught whether it be godly and Christian, or ungodly and anti-Christian. We can’t compartmentalize our lives and be whole persons. And unlike some others, Christians are to respect human free will and not try to force their beliefs on others. We are to be honest, respectful people helpers.

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Different Christian Methods

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All counselors seek to show help is possible, correct false beliefs, develop competence in social living, and help persons see themselves as persons of worth.

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 Unlike social humanists, Christian counselors don’t regard persons as merely perishing animals. This destroys the basis for absolute truth, a higher dignity, human rights, moral absolutes, and life after death—it provides no basis to draw an ethical stopping point. But in Christ, the revealed God-man, we can show concern and respect for persons yet disapprove of destructive behaviors such as violence, abusive language, abusing others, premarital sex, extra marital affairs, homosexuality, incest, sex with animals, and murder. And of course, prayer, Scripture reading and sharing, Bible teaching, and local church involvement are vital therapies. Sacrificial love for God and love for man is the heart of being a Christian people helper.

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Different Christian Characteristics

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Empathetic friends and pastors can handle many everyday problems. Unlike secular counselors, God gives Christians a spiritual gift such as teaching, preaching, exhortation and so on to aid them in ministry (1 Cor. 12:7). Also, Christians have the Holy Spirit with us who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8-10). But deep longstanding mental and emotional disturbances require skilled professionally trained counselors.

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Perspective counselors need to ask themselves some questions concerning those they might help. (1) Ask them what their problem is. But realize that the real problem may surface later. (2) Is this something I can handle with my knowledge and skill? Determine how serious and how long this person might need counsel. (3) Would someone else be more qualified to help? Sometimes referrals are best. (4) Devise a plan or approach to help with this particular problem.

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Christian colleges give courses and grant degrees in psychological counseling. The counselor’s personality plays a vital part of his effectiveness. Is he or she a warm, sensitive, understanding, patient, caring person willing to confront the counselee when needed? Does the counselor show qualities such as trustworthiness, emotional health, honesty and competence? Knowledge and skills are necessary to resolving serious psychological problems.

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Difference in Jesus as our Role Model

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Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God (Isa. 9:6). He used different methods in different circumstances. Sometimes he simply listened and gently asked questions and made requests as with the woman caught in the act of adultery and the woman at Jacob’s well. At other times, he boldly rebuked sins and abuses as with the Pharisee legalists who made up their own laws circumventing God’s laws being a burden on the people. He debated hostile skeptics trying to trap him with what they thought was an unanswerable question—taxes to Caesar and whose wife in the resurrection. He told stories such as the good Samaritan and prodigal son to illustrate God’s love. He accepted sinners and ate with them whom others rejected such as Zaccheus the despised tax collector. And Jesus preached sermons on ethics (Sermon on the Mount) and prophecy (Olivet Discourse) to change lives as well.

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One book I’m indebted to and highly recommend to counselors is, Christian Counseling, A Comprehensive Guide by Dr. Gary R. Collins. He explains both biblical teaching and proven counseling methods.

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Univesal Human Law

Universal Human Law

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Bobby felt pride in the elaborate sand castle he carefully constructed at one end of the playground sandbox. But when Billy’s castle at the other end of the sandbox collapsed, he came over and stomped down Bobby’s sand castle. Bobby was hurt, then angry and shouted, “You have no right to do that. You’re mean. You don’t play fair.”

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Despite the differences of culture, race, class, nationality, religion, we are all still human beings. Knowing this we should treat everyone with the same respect and concern that we would want him or her to treat us. This universal human law we sometimes call natural law because it’s normal human behavior.

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In this essay, we’ll survey misunderstandings C. S. Lewis pointed out in his famous book, Mere Christianity. We’ll examine some examples of abuse. We’ll consider why human law makes universal sense but not ultimate sense. Then we’ll reflect upon why we need a higher authority to justify absolute human law. Finally, we’ll consider the challenge to make some life changes of our own.

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First, universal human law can be misunderstood. It’s not herd instinct as desire for love or food or sex--it’s considering the good of other countries and persons as well as my own. It’s not local custom as which side of the road to drive on, but universal reform of slavery and infanticide. It’s not nature’s laws such as gravity, but human laws such as don’t murder. And it’s not my preferences or fancy, but that in the real world moral wrongs such as racism, caste system, hatred, cruelty.

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Second, let’s examine some examples of abuse. Lists may vary somewhat but general agreement exists throughout history as C. S. Lewis shows in his book The Abolition of Man. 
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Life. The first law of human survive is that life must be provided for and protected. Parents and posterity deserve our respect and care just as we cherish it shown us. Murder, rape, injury, neglect, and warfare all disregard this basic human law. Moreover, let’s not lie to ourselves, we know human life is a process that begins when sperm penetrates egg and continues until our last breath. If right to life excludes unwanted babies, it sets the precedent for denying it to defective persons, the aged, maimed, or anyone disagreeing with controlling officials. Are moderns any more moral to dice infants in the womb than were ancients to expose them to the elements and wild animals? Human law values life above things and many lives above one. When human life isn’t valued and respected no life is safe.  Can we be honest enough to admit this?

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Honesty. It’s basic to all else. We should keep promises, vows, covenants, and treaties. Trust between people is vital to good will, social relationships, trade, and avoiding wars. If circumstances change, parties should work out their differences and remain at peace. Honesty too would prohibit deception, cheating, stealing, gossip, as all are destructive to human welfare. Employers should be fair with employees and workers owe an honest day’s work. We don't have to read the Bible to know this is right? What we don't want done to us, we shouldn't do to other people.
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Gender. It’s no secret that men and women are designed for and compatible with each other in several ways. Since persons receive half of their genetic makeup from their father and half from their mother neither sex is superior to the other but designed for different roles. It’s universal shame to degrade, exploit and murder women and girls. Men are bigger, stronger, and aggressive suggesting their role is to provide and protect their family. Women are smaller, more detailed, social minded, emotional and have the babies signifying their role is nurture and homemaking. It's shameful that some religions and philosophies degrade women even to slavery.

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Marriage. One man for one woman is the natural order. The number of baby boys born generally equal baby girls. One person having multiple spouses deprives others from having a spouse and one person cannot give multiple spouses the attention they all need. It’s bound to result in jealousy and rivalry. While some Bible characters had many wives, it was not God's will and showed hardness of heart. 
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Education. This enables us to learn skills, gain employment, improve health, comfort, and have longer life. Parents and schools are duty bound not only to teach children language, history, math, science and trades but ethics and social and marital skills are even more vital. Use of substances abusive of mind and body such as alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs should be discouraged. Human laws imposed on imperfect people, however, must allow for lesser vises that most persons can avoid in maintaining social stability. We acquire knowledge through experience, experiment, jurisprudence, forensic science. Usually, we must settle for high probability. And human fallibility requires we allow criticism of our assumptions, correctness of reasoning and conclusions. Humility, sensitivity, and human compassion needs to be shown in education.  

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Homosexuality and Bestiality. These are the most unreasonable violations of nature. Design of male and female bodies clearly defines their compatibility, reproductive and family functions. Homosexuality consistently practiced would destroy the human race. No studies by homosexuals or anyone else show a homosexual gene and all such studies claiming a 10% incidence are seriously flawed. Learned feelings can be unlearned. To say I can’t help it is not good enough--thieves, rapists, murders can say the same thing. And human sex with animals is degrading and humiliating to both. Monkeys know better than to have sex with dogs or cats with turkeys. There is no real evidence we came from monkey or anything inferior to them. That's all supposition and foolishness.

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Third, we know these universal human laws make sense to have a sane, sensible, safe humanity—don’t steal, rape or murder and always be kind and respectful. Yes, we’re quick to object, uphold and defend universal law when we’re abused, but look the other way when others are or we’re not at risk. When we suppress our conscience and compassion for others like ourselves, we violate this law. But often we put desire above duty. We suppress, deny, obstruct, or excuse human violations. Prestige and power can overwhelm us as with Hitler, Mao, and countless others who have murdered millions of men, women and children who disagreed with them. Trust in our Creator, Lawgiver, Redeemer, and Judge can enable us to rise above all that.

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With passions so strong, violations unlikely discovered and punished, and we’re evolving, perishing, soulless dirt, why bother? Motivation is weak. We’re left feeling restless, empty, confused, and defeated. Human laws make earthly sense, but not ultimate sense. Why even care about this world unless an eternal world exists? Moral absolutes require a Moral Lawgiver, an infinite person who can set standards, know our thoughts and deeds, and hold us accountable.

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Fourth, can there be this higher authority? Certainly unthinking matter, unconscious force, or limited goodness cannot do this. So no local tribal god will suffice. No God allowing 51% goodness qualifies--he’s imperfect himself, untrustworthy, and cannot insure an uncorrupted world. Neither can a deist God who abandons us nor a pantheist god of unconscious energy can hold us accountable. We must admit human absolutes require an absolute Moral Lawgiver--a person we can identify with, who sets standards, cares about us, and holds us eternally accountable. Does such a God exist?

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Yes! Science assists us here. We know something can’t come from nothing. Our running down material universe is neither self-sustaining nor eternal—stars burn out, everything deteriorates, and all motion will stop. The universe is an effect dependent on an uncaused cause—an eternal, powerful, immaterial something outside time, matter, and space.
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Biologist Louis Pasteur demonstrated only life produces life. Living things have a specified complexity; a genetic blueprint mindless nature can’t produce whatever amount of time. Life is irreducibly complex--every organ and system is originally complete and functional or else breathing would be impossible, heartbeat impossible, sex impossible.
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Astronomer Hugh Ross’s book The Creator and the Cosmos lists 122 exact conditions called the anthropic principle which show earth designed for human habitation—it’s just right air, water, gravity, temperature, magnetism, speed of rotation, size and distance from the sun, moon, stars. We’re not here by evolutionary chance but by divine creation.

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Finally, we can account for all the above only by the biblical Christian faith. God created us immortal, rational, moral persons in his image, not evolving perishing soulless dirt and not recycled energy. But we have fallen into selfishness, pride, rebellion. Jesus promises us eternal life, but warns us of eternal darkness, torment and tears. Bearing our sins on the cross, he demonstrated God’s justice and love. His divine claims, fulfilled prophecies, miracles, and resurrection assure us of eternal life and that his teaching is true.
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We can be forgiven, become children of God, and the love of Christ motivate us to fight the good fight of faith. This makes sense of everything. Won’t you turn from sin to trust in the Savior of sinners for forgiveness, cleansing and eternal life? As you trust the Lord, He will be with you to guide you through life. But it's His will we must seek even when we can't understand. He's promised to be with us to the end of the age (Matthew. 28:19-20). 
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