Jesus & His Contemporary Challenges

.

Man has been in rebellion toward God since our first parents, Adam and Eve, ate the forbidden fruit. And likely, that fruit was a fig rather than an apple since no apple is mentioned while the context says they made aprons of fig leaves to cover their shame. How easy it is for us humans to distort God’s Word and believe the devil’s lies, as did our first parents. Their disobedience didn’t make them gods but fallen self-centered human beings under God’s curse of death. Even then, a merciful and gracious God promised a future deliver from Satan, sin, death and Hell (Gen. 3:15; John 1:1-4, 10-14; 8:44; 10:10; Gal. 4:4). Are we their children any different today? 

.

Skeptics laugh at this event and call it a fairy tale but all the Bible regards it as a real historical event and bases all it teachings upon it. Indeed, the Bible makes no sense unless it’s true. God fulfilled his promise when he came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, the God-man. Jesus told many times in many ways that he was our God. He gave many proofs beyond what nature or mere man is able to accomplish. But despite visible eyewitness proof, men still refused to believe. Even his own disciples traveling with him more than three years were difficult to convince. It’s no different today.

.

In this article, I will examine some of the many adversaries to Jesus and his teachings. I’m largely indebted to the excellent book, Understanding The Times by David A. Noebel

.
Creation of Man

.

Jesus said God made us from the beginning of creation in his image male and female (Mark 10:6). Come lately atheists Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens often resort to ridicule of God and of believers calling them ignorant and dangerous. They insist that spontaneous generation and evolution explains everything. They prefer to believe something comes from nothing and mindless unconscious molecules arrange themselves into man. But they know actual science shows life comes only from life suggesting an eternal Creator. Thousands of missing links between molecule and man suggest creation of original kinds. Irreducible complex of interrelated human systems and organs suggest divine design. Despite all this contrary evidence of science and reason, and despite man is in a rational and moral category miles above the highest animal, they still insist we are only perishing animals with all the horrors that entails.     

.
The Human Soul

.

Jesus warned us to fear those who would destroy the soul in Hell (Matt. 10:28). Atheist psychologists Wundt, Watson, Skinner and followers claim we’re only atoms in motion and animals in heat seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. So there’s no soul and no Hell to shun. But they’re only claims--no scientific experiment demonstrates this. Their speculative theories self-destruct not being atoms in motion. We are aware of a consciousness, an ego apart from our physical body. The brain could be the tool through which the mind, self, or soul functions. If it is not so, then all is fixed, determined and we have no free will. Psychology books don’t discuss psychologists’ sexuality. So their unjustified theories may be attempts to relieve their own guilt of sexual immorality. Their materialist reductionist claims discourage clean moral living. 

.
Belief in God

.

Jesus claimed to be God as clearly understood by the Jews (John 10:30-33). Yet Freud, Nietzsche, Rorty, Dewey and their ilk say persons and cultures create their own God, reality and morality. I wonder if they have ever given any thought to the evidences of Jesus as the God-man, or were only motivated by prejudice and hearsay. The biblical Jesus is not easy to believe nor his teachings easy to practice—they contradict selfish sinful human nature and popular culture. And his, at first skeptical followers, would never have endured ridicule, persecution, and torturous death knowing it all a lie.

.
Love God and Man

.

Jesus said we should love God with our heart, mind soul, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). By love, Jesus meant self-giving to help others, not self-taking to gratify our desires. What a beautiful world of cooperation, peace and prosperity we would have if people practiced godly love! But socialist governments such as Russia, China, Cuba and other followers of Marx and Islamic governments following Muhammad’s Quran teachings (Sura’s 2:191; 3:85; 5:33, 51; 9:123), eliminate those who won’t submit to their rule. Dictatorial government control is their pattern, which suppresses free speech, religion and results in a blood bath for the non-submissive millions. Check it out in history.

.
God First and Government Second

.

Jesus said, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). No humanist believes anything belongs to God, as there is no God. A socialist state controls everything including your property, your rights, and your life. Christians are to honor and obey the king and rulers except when they disobey God (Ex. 1:17; Dan. 3:16-18; 6:7, 10; Acts 4:19-20; 5:28-29). Rulers are God appointed to punish evil and maintain order, not destroy their people (Rom. 13). Christians are to pray for rulers and work for good government trusting in God’s rule (Prov. 19:21 21:30).
.
Life after Death

.

Jesus tells us He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). But Dewey, Rorty, Foucault and followers inform us we’re only perishing animals and life is an accident. Why won’t they honestly admit the obvious in nature: something doesn’t come from nothing, disorder doesn’t evolve into order? Buildings, gardens, anything left alone deteriorates, which shows intelligent creation. Life is no accident and chance evolution is not science but the myth of a naturalistic philosophy. Brilliant skeptics have repeatedly tried to explain away the resurrection of Jesus and failed utterly. Honesty has compelled some of them to find eternal life in the Savior of sinners.

.
Heaven and Hell

.

Jesus promised Heaven for believers and warned unbelievers of Hell (Lk. 19:10; Jn. 3:36; 8:24; 14:6). But Freud, Marx, Russell, Nietzsche and disciples call all religion illusion, neuroses, wishful thinking, an opiate of the masses, and pie in the sky. Their negative comments don’t prove anything about life after death and may indicate their prejudice, fear of judgment, and sin guilty conscience. Moreover, it’s most foolish to ignore the abundant evidence of Jesus’ deity—it’s a self-chosen forever destiny of darkness, tears and torment.

.
Men Love Darkness Rather Than Light

.

Jesus taught that people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (Jn. 3:17-21). We know about all the lies, deceptions, abuses, injustices, murders and still say man is basically good--we want to save face. So we suppress and forget 99% of our wrongdoing and distance ourselves from a perfect holy God. Then we choose idols that don’t command and condemn us. But in rejecting the true God and truth about us, we choose Hell. That’s loving darkness to light. The biblical God lovingly warns us and pleads with us but doesn’t force us—he allows us our choice.

.
Apart from Jesus We’re without God and without Hope

.

There was no universe and an infinite eternal personal God created it. So God is the Source of matter, mind, life, man, human dignity, truth, ethics, justice, love, a meaningful world, ultimate purpose to life, and assurance of an afterlife (John 1:1-5; Heb. 1:1-3). Godless materialism denies the basis for all these things making us mere perishing animals. Monism claims one substance of energy or force and calls it god (pantheism). It too destroys the Source and basis for all the above believing we’re absorbed into the great pool of nothingness. Jesus showed himself in our space-time world, told us he was God, and demonstrated it by fulfilling ancient prophecies, by miracles, and especially by his resurrection. Jesus calls us to come to him to be saved. Our finite minds will never understand everything. But we’ve evidence enough to make a crucial and wise decision of faith. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” John 11: 25-26 It’s your choice.  

.

If you want the Savior and Lord of the universe and all He offers, Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. In humble and sincere trust, pray—

.

Lord God of the universe, I’m a sinner unworthy of your gift of eternal life. But you in love died for me to pay for my sins and took the punishment I justly deserve. You promise to save all who will acknowledge their wrongdoing and turn to you in faith. Lord, I trust you from this moment on to be my Savior and Lord throughout life and to guide me to know your will and to do it. Thank you Lord Jesus. Now teach me how to follow your ways and your Word and to tell others of Your promise of everlasting life.
..