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Contact :Ven. Bodhicitta
Telephone:(03) 9794 0759
The Centre
The Centre was recently formed to promote meditation and the teachings of Buddha. We liaise
with worldwide Buddhist societies and Interfaith Religious Organisations to promote tolerance to all
schools of Buddhist thought as well as to other religious faiths.
The Centre fosters inter-religious harmony, mutual understanding and maintains an environment of
respect and peace.
This society is led by Ven. Bodhicitta, a Sri Lankan born Buddhist nun. Our society is in its infancy and
the services we provide are free for the general public regardless of their origin, race or religion. This society
is managed by the generosity of people who value our service.
Aims and Objectives
1. To foster the teachings and the practice of the Buddha Dhamma, and the practice of meditation with
an emphasis on the good life and the mindful life.
2. To disseminate through our religious and educational programmes the basic values of tolerance
and interconnectedness in reaching out to other schools of Buddhism and other religious, ethnic and
cultural groups.
3. To develop concrete projects that would enhance the health and psychological well-being of our
community. As in the world in which we live, ‘stress’ continues to exact a toll on everyday life, we are
increasingly turning to ancient meditative methods.
These techniques of mindfulness practice need to be integrated in to any counselling programme.
4. To focus attention on the role of families in helping to build up a youth culture and develop a ‘youth
forum’ for a dialogue with young people.
5. To encourage members and their friends to engage in social and charity projects to assist those in need in
the community.
Services
The services provided by our centre include:
- Providing regular classes for teaching the Dhamma and meditation practice.
- Established library and reading services for members and their families.
- Developing a program for young people modelled on the “The schooling for the Good Heart” in the USA.
- This program would have a specific focus on the education of the emotions through mindfulness
- practice.
- Organising regular talks and seminars on ‘counselling education’.
- Establishing links with worldwide Buddhist societies
Fulfilled Prophecy concerning Jesus
ReplyDeleteThough there are other religions that have prophecies in them, none are 100% accurate as is the Bible; and none of them point to someone like Jesus who made incredible claims and performed incredible deeds. The Old Testament was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Yet, the Old Testament prophesied many things about Jesus. This is undoubtedly evidence of divine influence upon the Bible.
Please consider some of the many prophecies of Jesus in the following chart.
Prophecy Old Testament Prophecy New Testament Fulfillment
Born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14
Matt. 1:18, 25
Born at Bethlehem Micah 5:2
Matt. 2:1
He would be preceded by a Messenger Isaiah 40:3
Matt. 3:1-2
Rejected by His own people Isaiah 53:3
John 7:5; 7:48
Betrayed by a close friend Isaiah 41:9
John 13:26-30
His side pierced Zech. 12:10
John 19:34
Crucifixion Psalm 22:1
Psalm 22:11-18
Luke 23:33;
John 19:23-24
Resurrection of Christ Psalm 16:10
Acts 13:34-37
Fulfillment of prophecy can have different explanations. Some state that the NT was written and altered to make it look like Jesus fulfilled OT prophecy (but there is no evidence of that). Others state that the prophecies are so vague that they don't count (but many of the prophecies are not vague at all). Of course, it is possible that God inspired the writers and Jesus, who is God in flesh, fulfilled these prophecies as a further demonstration of the validity of Christianity.
The Claims and Deeds of Christ
ReplyDeleteChristianity claims to be authored by God. Of course, merely making such a claim does not make it true. Anyone can make claims; but, backing up those claims is entirely different. Jesus used the Divine Name for Himself (John 8:58)--the same Divine Name used by God when Moses asked God what His name was in (Exodus 3:14). Jesus said that He could do whatever He saw God the Father do (John 5:19), and He claimed to be one with the God the Father (John 10:30; 10:38). Likewise, the disciples also called Him God (John 1:1, 14; John 10:27; Col. 2:9). By default, if Jesus is God in flesh, then whatever He said and did would be true. Since Jesus said that He alone was the way, the truth, and the life and that no one can find God without Him (John 14:6), His words become incredibly important.
Again, making a claim is one thing. Backing it up is another. Did Jesus also back up His fantastic words with miraculous deeds? Yes, He did.
• Jesus changed water into wine (John 2:6-10).
• Jesus cast out demons (Matt. 8:28-32; 15:22-28).
• Jesus healed lepers (Matt. 8:3; Luke 17:14).
• Jesus healed diseases (Matt. 4:23, 24; Luke 6:17-19)
• Jesus healed the paralytic (Mark 2:3-12).
• Jesus raised the dead (Matt. 9:25; John 11:43-44).
• Jesus restored sight to the blind (Matt. 9:27-30; John 9:1-7).
• Jesus restored cured deafness (Mark 7:32-35).
• Jesus fed the multitude (Matt. 14:15-21; Matt. 15:32-38).
• Jesus walked on water (Matt. 14:25-27).
• Jesus calmed a storm with a command (Matt. 8:22-27; Mark 4:39).
• Jesus rose from the dead (Luke 24:39; John 20:27).
• Jesus appeared to disciples after resurrection (John 20:19).
The eyewitnesses recorded the miracles of Jesus, and the gospels have been reliably transmitted to us. Therefore, we can believe what Jesus said about Himself for two reasons: One, because what He said and did agrees with the Old Testament; and two, because Jesus performed many convincing miracles in front of people who testified and wrote about what they saw Him do.
ReplyDeleteChrist's resurrection
Within Christianity, the resurrection is vitally important. Without the resurrection our faith is useless (1 Cor. 15:14). It was Jesus' resurrection that changed the lives of the disciples. After Jesus was crucified, the disciples ran and hid. But when they saw the risen Lord, they knew that all that Jesus had said and done proved that He was indeed God in flesh, the Savior.
No other religious leader has died in full view of trained executioners, had a guarded tomb, and then risen three days later to appear to many many people. This resurrection is proof of who Jesus is and that He did accomplish what He set out to do: provide the only means of redemption for mankind.
Buddha did not rise from the dead. Muhammad did not rise from the dead. Confucius did not rise from the dead. Krishna did not rise from the dead, etc. Only Jesus has physically risen from the dead, walked on water, claimed to be God, and raised others from the dead. He has conquered death. Why trust anyone else? Why trust anyone who can be held by physical death when we have a Messiah who is greater than death itself?
Conclusion
Why should anyone trust in Christianity over Islam, Buddhism, Mormonism, or anything else? It is because there are absolute truths--because only in Christianity is there accurate fulfilled prophecies of a coming Messiah. Only in Christianity do we have the extremely accurate transmission of the eyewitness' documents (gospels), so we can trust what was originally written. Only in Christianity do we have the person of Christ who claimed to be God, performed many miracles to prove His claim of divinity, who died and rose from the dead, and who said that He alone was the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). All this adds to the legitimacy and credibility of Christianity above all other religions--all based on the person of Jesus. If follows that if it is all true about what Jesus said and did, then all other religions are false because Jesus said that He alone was the way, the truth, and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). It could not be that Jesus is the only way and truth and other religions also be the truth.
Either Jesus is true and all other religions are false, or other religions are true and Jesus is false. There are no other options. I choose to follow the risen Lord Jesus.
STATISTICAL PROPHECY PROOF OF JESUS COMPARED TO OTHERS
ReplyDeleteMany specific prophecies about Jesus have been reviewed. We know that the Old Testament manuscripts were made before the time of Jesus. Likewise the New Testament manuscripts, widely circulated during the time of Jesus, provide evidence that the fulfillment of prophecies was accurate.
So the essential question is, what does this mean? Are the prophecies statistically reliable enough to draw conclusions about Jesus and his claims? To answer these questions, let’s start with an estimate of only 30 of the prophecies about Jesus.
Messianic Prophecy A “Guesstimate” of Odds
1. Shem an ancestor (Genesis 9-10) 1/3
2. Abraham an ancestor (Genesis 22:18) 1/1000
3. Isaac an ancestor (Genesis 26:4) 1/10,000
4. Jacob an ancestor (Genesis 28:14) 1/100,000
5. Judah an ancestor (Genesis 49:10) 1/1,000,000
6. Jesse an ancestor (Isaiah 11:1-5) 1/10,000,000
7. King David an ancestor (2 Samuel 7:11-16) 1/100,000,000
8. Bethlehem Ephrathah as birthplace (Micah 5:2) 1/100,000
9. Star connected with birth (Numbers 24:17) 1/100,000
10. Called “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14) 1/100,000
11. Calming the sea (Psalm 107:29) 1/10,000,000
12. “Special” miracles (Isaiah 35:4-6) 1/100,000,000
13. Names given (Isaiah 9:6) 1/10,000
14. Use of parable (Psalm 78:2) 1/10
15. Ultimate king over all (Isaiah 45:23; Psalm 22) 1/10
16. Sin offering and Passover Lamb (Isaiah 53) 1/100
17. Will die with “wicked men” (Isaiah 53:3-9) 1/10
18. Will be buried with a rich man (Isaiah 53:3-9) 1/10
19. Timing of entry into Jerusalem (Daniel 9:20-27) 1/10,000,000
20. Entering Jerusalem as a king on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) 1/100
21. Betrayed by a friend for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12-13) 1/1000
22. Rejection by Israel; will say nothing at his trial (Isaiah 8:10; 53) 1/10,000
23. Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22) 1/10,000
24. Identifying the place of crucifixion (Genesis 22) 1/1,000,000
25. Will thirst while being put to death (Psalm 69:20-22) 1/10
26. No bones broken (Psalm 22) 1/10
27. Identification of words at the beginning and end of
execution (Psalm 22) 1/1000
28. Lots cast for clothing (Psalm 22) 1/1000
29. Will be given gall and wine (Psalm 69:20-22) 1/10
30. Will be “pierced” (Isaiah 3:5; Zechariah 12:10) 1/100
The cumulative probability of all these prophecies randomly coming true in one person would be 1 chance in 10110. This would be like winning about 16 lotteries in a row. Even if a skeptic were to substantially reduce some of the above estimates, the result would still be deemed impossible. For example, let’s very conservatively assume the above estimates are off by a factor of a trillion trillion! This would still result in the “impossible odds” of all prophecies coming true in one man, Jesus, of one chance in 1086 ! How remote are these odds? They would still be like taking all of the matter in the entire universe (that is, one billion
billion stars and solar systems) and breaking it all down into subatomic particles, and randomly selecting
one marked electron! Truly the prophecies made about Jesus in the Old Testament alone verify his divinity
because they verify the Bible’s claims about him, and his claims about himself.
Prophecies Made by Jesus Himself
ReplyDeleteOld Testament prophecies provide powerful evidence about Jesus. However, there is also evidence that Jesus himself is a divine prophet. Although he prophesied many things, by far the most significant were his multiple prophecies that he would be betrayed, crucified, and on the third rise from the dead:
Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them,
“we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and
the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the
gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”
(Matthew 20:17-19).
Jesus prophesied his death and resurrection numerous times, in all four Gospels:
• Matthew 12:40;16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; 26:61; 27:40; 27:63
• Mark 8:31; 9:30-32; 10:32-34; 14:58; 14:58; 15:29-30
• Luke 9:21-22,44-45; 18:31-34
• John 2:13-22; 3:14-16; 12:32-34
If there was ever an unusual and amazing prophecy, it would be one with the specific details of the prophesier’s death, and far more, that he would rise from the dead in three day! Out of all kinds of prophecy, this one is phenomenal and would be beyond any odds imaginable!
So central was this prophecy to Jesus’ life that he stated it many times; it was recorded in the Gospel accounts in 18 places! It is a prediction that only an all-knowing God could make and fulfill.
In addition to this, Jesus also prophesied specifically about other things as well:
• One of his disciples would betray him (Matthew 26:21; Mark 14:17-21; Luke 22:21-22)
• His disciples would desert him (Matthew 26:30-31; Mark 14:26-27).
• Peter would disown him three times (Matthew 26:33-34; Mark 14:29-30; Luke 22:31-34).
• He would meet the disciples in Galilee after he had risen (Mark 14:28).
Other People Believed That Jesus Was God
An obvious question is, with all the prophetic evidence, did the Jews of the day, who certainly would be aware of the prophecies in the Tanakh, think that Jesus was God? In fact, the Jews in Jerusalem were very rapidly accepting reported that the number who immediately believed in the resurrection (presumably the eyewitnesses) was at least 120 (Acts 1:15) before the Feast of Pentecost, which was 50 days after the resurrection. (It could have been more since this verse refers only to believers present at that setting.) When Peter spoke on the Day of Pentecost, immediately 3000 men were added to the group of believers (Acts 2:41). Why was Peter’s message so compelling? Because it was based on the prophecies the Jews knew and the events they had witnessed or had heard about. The Bible further reports that the number increased daily (2:47).
One of the most striking indications of the early belief that Jesus was God in the Gospel of John. John himself was an eyewitness to all the events of Jesus’ life, and his account was both written and circulated during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with
God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has
been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness,
but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. [This is speaking of John the Bap-
ReplyDeletetist.] He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might
believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that
gives light to every man was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and through the world was made through him, the world did not recognize
him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received
him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born
not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the
One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-14).
John’s words clearly show that he believed that Jesus was God. And others who were close to him also believed that he was God.
• Peter worshiped him (Luke 5:8). A Jew would worship no one other than God.
• Likewise, Thomas worshiped him (John 20:28).
• Peter, James and John witnessed and reported the “transfiguration” (Matthew 17), a visible demonstration that Jesus Possessed the same glory as God the Father.
• Elizabeth, Jesus’ relative, believed that he was God (Luke 1:41-55).
• Simeon, a devout Jewish prophet, believed that Jesus was God (Luke 2:25-35).
• Anna, a prophetess, believed he was God (Luke 2:36-38).
• Even Jesus’ half brothers James and Jude eventually believed that Jesus was God (see the books of James and Jude).
• A Roman centurion and others who were at the crucifixion believed Jesus to be God:
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth
shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people
who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrec-
tion they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and
all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
(Matthew 27:51-54).
The high priest and others at Jesus’ trial believed that Jesus was claiming to be God incarnate:
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God. Tell us if you are
the Christ, the Son of God.”
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son
of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then
the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more
witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy” (Matthew 26:63-65).
Not only did the high priest officially declare that Jesus had blasphemed, but his tearing of clothes was a
sign of mourning and revulsion over blasphemy.
Other Holy Books Fail the Prophecy Test
Given that prophecy is a true test of something from God it is not surprising that very few holy books attempt any prophecy. After all, since only God can prophesy, and we would expect that most supposed
“holy books” are not really from God, it would be difficult to concoct testable prophecy that would be
verifiable (like the Bible).
Considering other well-known religions, we find the following:
Eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucius, Shinto). These religions are essentially “mystical,
ReplyDeletephilosophical” religions and therefore tend not to use or depend on prophecy.
Islam (and the Qur’an). Although Islam is history-based and agrees with many of the same historical figures mentioned in the Bible (Abraham, Ishmael, Jesus, Mary, and so on), it cannot prove its inspiration from God using prophecy. The Qur’an was written based on dictation by Muhammad (570-632 A.D.).
Sura 9:14; Sura 28:85; Sura 48:16-21,27,28; Sura 54:44-48; and Sura 56:1-56 all deal with end time prophecy that was excluded). Sura 5:70; 15:9; 41:42; and 15:96 are not prophecies, but generalities and warnings. Sura 24:55 is a promise of blessing of land and wealth to believers is Islam. However it does not specify what land, as in the case of Israel. Sura 54:44-48 prophesies military action against enemies of the religion, but this doesn’t say much, as it is what people tend to do anyway. And Sura 110:1-2 promises help from Allah (Islam’s God) in time of war. Again, this isn’t specific, for instance, a claim to victory in a specific battle or war.
Sura 30:2-4 is the only potential historical prophecy, although it has problems. It essentially says that, “The Roman Empire has been defeated in a land close by; but they, (even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious with a few years. With Allah is the Decision, in the past and in the Future: on that Day shall the Believers rejoice.” In history, the Persians were victorious over the Eastern Roman Empire in A.D. 615,
and then the Romans returned to defeat the Persians 13 years later in 628. According to Muhammad, “a few” years in this prophecy was meant to mean 3 to 9 years, with 13 falling outside of this range. Even so,
the prophecy would not be particularly surprising since there was an ongoing war in this region, and it was
not uncommon for territory to be recaptured.
Mormons (the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants). The Book of Mormon was actually written in the early 1800s, supposedly translated from golden plates written before the time of Jesus (unfortunately,
these valuable plates have never been available for verification). Even so, giving the plates the benefit of
the doubt, the Book of Mormon contains two prophecies about Jesus, both of which are false:
And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she
being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the
power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yes even the Son of God (Alma 7:10, Book of
Mormon).
Of course Jesus was born in Bethlehem, not Jerusalem. Some may claim that Bethlehem is a suburb of
Jerusalem; however, when transportation was by foot, a town an hour and a half away would not be considered a suburb. Even the Book Mormon indicates it is a separate city (1 Nephi 1:4). Here’s
another example:
But behold, thus saith the Lord God: “When the day cometh that they (the Jews) shall believe
in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be restored in
the flesh, upon the earth unto the lands of their inheritance” (2 Nephi 10:7, Book of Mormon).
Of course the Jews did return to the land in 1948 despite not yet “believing” in Jesus.
The Mormon book of Doctrine and Covenants contains several prophetic errors (with none right, in fact)
regarding a Temple that was to be built in western Missouri within a generation of Joseph Smith’s prediction in the early 1800s: 1) A temple was to be built at a consecrated site in Jackson County, Missouri (“Zion”), within a generation of 1832 (Doctrines and Covenants 84:5,31). 2) The city (“Zion”) was
“never to be moved” out of that place (98:19; 101:17-21). Over 150 years have passed with no temple built there.
ReplyDeleteThe Jehovah’s Witnesses (The Watchtower, Studies in Scripture). This non-Christian group has repeatedly failed in attempts to prophesy the end of time.
• (2:101) – 1914 to be the year of the “battle” of the great day of God Almighty (Revelation 16:14)
• (1914 edition) – “end of the world” date changed to 1915
• (7:62) – date changed to 1918
• (7:542) – date changed to 1920
• (Miscellaneous other publications) – date of the end of the world repeatedly changed to 1925, 1942,
1975, 1980…
With continuing research, one would find that there is no religion, person, or holy book that contains prophecy of any substance whatsoever, and certainly nothing close to the prophecy in the Bible. This would lead one to carefully heed the words of the Bible as truth.
FASCINATING FACTS CONCERNING THE BIBLE
ReplyDeleteWilliam Albright (1891 – 1971). Once a director of the School of Oriental Research at Johns Hopkins University, William Albright wrote more than 800 books and articles, mostly on the validity of biblical manuscripts. He is best known for his work in confirming the authenticity of the Old Testament, and especially the authentication of the Dead Sea scrolls.
Albright also researched and confirmed the dating of the writings of the New Testament. His conclusion was that there was “no longer any solid basis for dating any book of the New Testament after about A.D. 80.” Early in his professional life, Albright had some doubts about the validity of biblical claims about Jesus. These, however, were answered conclusively in favor of the authenticity of the Bible as he conducted his research.
Sir William Ramsay (1852-1916). Sir William Ramsay was, arguably the greatest archaeologist of his day. He had rejected much of the written New Testament account and was determined to prove it false based on other writings of the day that contradicted the Bible. Ramsay believed that the books of Luke and Acts were actually written in about A.D. 150 and therefore did not bear the authenticity that first-century document would. His archaeological journeys took him to 32 countries, 44 cities, and 9 islands. Throughout some 15 years of intensive study, he concluded that “Luke is a historian of the first rank, this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians.”
What Critics Thought
• There was no Roman census (as indicated in Luke 2:1).
What Ramsay Discovered: There was a Roman census every 14 years, beginning with Emperor Augustus.
• Quirinius was not governor of Syria at the time of Jesus’ birth (as indicated in Luke 2:2).
What Ramsay Discovered: Quirinius was governor of Syria in about 7 B.C.
• People did not have to return to their ancestral home (as indicated in Luke 2:3).
ReplyDeleteWhat Ramsay Discovered: People did have to return to their home city, verified by an ancient Egyptian papyrus giving directions for conducting a census.
• The existence of the treasurer of the city of Corinth, Erastus (Romans 16:23), was incorrect.
What Ramsay Discovered: A city pavement in Corinth bearing the inscription “Erastus, curator of public buildings, laid this pavement at his own expense.”
• Luke’s reference to Gallio as proconsul of Achaia was wrong (Acts 18:12).
What Ramsay Discovered: The Delphi inscription that reads, “As Lucius Junius Gallio, my friend and proconsul of Achaia.”
Time and time again Ramsay’s search to find evidence that Luke’s writing was in error turned up evidence that it was, in fact, accurate. As a result, Sir William Ramsay eventually converted to Christianity proclaimed Luke as “one of the greatest historians” of all time.
Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853) Greenleaf, (former Atheist), one of the principle founders of the Harvard Law School, and a world-renowned expert on evidence, originally set out to disprove the biblical testimony concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was certain that a careful examination of the internal witness of the Gospels would dispel all the myths at the heart of Christianity. But this legal scholar came to the conclusion that the witnesses were reliable, and that the resurrection did in fact happen. Being a man of conviction and reason, and in accordance with his conclusions, Greenleaf converted from Agnosticism to Christianity.
Ralph Muncaster, (former atheist) in his book: Examine the Evidence, presents extensive evidence to validate the truth-claims of Christianity. He provides compelling arguments from science, biblical prophecy, history, and archaeology. This former skeptic points out that of all religions and philosophies on earth, only one, Christianity is verifiable and testable.
ReplyDelete1,456 hours of Sunday school and church turned Ralph Muncaster into a hard-core atheist. Then he was challenged to honestly investigate the Bible and the facts of modern science. He was stunned. Fact after fact, from biology, history, archaeology, physics, lined up with the Bible’s account!
The Bible Itself Argues Against the Possibility of Its Corruption
The charge that the Bible has been corrupted, contradicts what the Bible itself teaches. After all, in Isaiah 40:8 we read, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands for ever.” In the New Testament Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
The Almighty God who had the power and sovereign control to inspire the Scriptures in the first place is surely going to continue to exercise His power and sovereign control in the preservation of Scripture.
WHY INVESTIGATE EASTER?
ReplyDeleteWhat if there is a God?
What if there is a divine plan for mankind?
What if a person’s soul or spirit exists for eternity?
What if there is a heaven and hell?
What if the biblical ultimatum of heaven and hell is true?
What if committing to Jesus is the only answer for heaven?
If these things are true, then understanding and accepting God’s plan is the single most important thing to discover in life. More important than the next vacation. More important than the next golf game. Even more important than the next paycheck. And our choice regarding that plan will affect us forever. It’s a choice that can bring real joy here on earth. A choice that can mean “no more pain and no more tears” forever or a choice that will lead to eternal horror.
Would God expect us to accept His plan on faith? Yes and no, because history can never be “proven.” Instead, evidence is the only basis for verifying historical fact. Does evidence exist for Easter resurrection? Absolutely. There is far more evidence for the resurrection than for any other single event in the history of the world.
Often people don’t embrace a relationship with God because they fail to investigate and understand their beliefs. Some people are taught wrong beliefs from birth, which they never objectively challenge. Some people are misled by individuals who cleverly tamper with facts and tell people what they want to hear. And some people just don’t care. Yet abundant evidence exists for the first Easter and the tremendous message it brings to mankind. Hence, we might reject God out of apathy … or out of pride … or for many other reasons. But we have no basis to reject God for lack of evidence if we take time to seek it. As the Bible says “Men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
Did Jesus Exist?
Virtually all major religions, even those opposing Him, acknowledge the existence of Jesus. For hundreds of years, Jesus’ existence was a widely accepted as Abraham Lincoln’s existence is today. Only in relatively recent history have some people challenged it. Possibly in a few thousand years, Mr. Lincoln’s existence may be challenged as well.
Christian Historical Records
The magnitude of the Christian record stands far above any record of anyone who has ever lived upon this planet. Existing early manuscripts exceed 24,000. The earliest were written within 25 years of His death. No work of antiquity approaches the Bible’s documentary credibility, including all works we accept as historical fact. Some examples are:
Early Event Until First
Major Existing Manuscripts Records Existing Manuscript
Julius Caesar – Gallic Wars 10 1000 years
Pliny the Younger – History 7 750 years
Thucydides – History 8 1300 years
Herodotus – History 8 1300 years
Homer – Iliad 643 500 years
The New Testament 24,000+ 25 years
The vastness of the number of accounts of the resurrection is particularly extraordinary considering that:
ReplyDelete1. Jesus was not in a position of public importance. He was not a king, not a religious leader, nor a general. Relative to Rome, Jesus came from a small, distant town and was a lowly carpenter with a scant three-year ministry. Rome hardly knew of Him until testimony of eyewitnesses later threatened political/religious stability.
2. The records survived the most intensive eradication effort of all time. Rapidly growing in number,
Christian witnesses were killed, written records were burned, and anyone professing belief in Christianity was executed. In A.D. 303 an edict was issued to destroy all of the world’s Bibles. People found with Bibles were killed.
3. There was no printing press, and the world population was low. The number of surviving early
Manuscripts is absolutely staggering considering they were all hand copied by a far smaller pop-
ulation base. Only 138 million people existed at the time, the no automatic duplication methods for he printed word. What motivated such extensive work?
Was the incredible quantity and survival of the Christian record a miracle, or just senseless expansion of a myth? Why haven’t other religions with more prominent leaders, with lifelong ministries, and with less persecution produced similar evidence? Something major happened.
Manuscript Documentation
The position of Jewish scribe was one of the most demanding and esteemed jobs in biblical times. After
training for years, scribes were allowed to practice the profession only after age 30. Often referred to as doctors of the Law, they joined the priests in the teaching of the Law.
Scripture Copy Rules
Recording of Holy Scripture was a serious responsibility. So important was exact reproduction that Old Testament scribes were forced to adhere to demanding rules anytime a manuscript was copied:
1. Scrolls – special paper, ink, and surface preparation required.
2. Tight specifications – specified column number, 37 letters per column.
3. Master used – no duplicates of duplicates.
4. Each letter visually confirmed – no writing of phrases.
5. Distance between letters checked with thread.
6. Alphabet – each letter counted and compared to original.
7. Letters per page counted and compared to master.
8. Middle letter of scroll verified to be the same as the master.
9. One mistake – scroll was destroyed (i.e., master scrolls)
Proof of Authenticity
Not surprisingly, critics of the Bible, especially those knowledgeable of the prophecy miracles, suggest that the Bible was changed, altered, and somehow mishandled. Commonly, people claim the Bible was in the control of the Roman Catholic Church, which supposedly had “opportunity and motive” to change Scripture to meet its purpose. Such critics miss some key facts. There are two indisputable sets of records that mankind has in its possession today that were not historically controlled by the Christian church and verify the authenticity of the message contained in the words of the Bible we read today:
The Septuagint
Almost 300 years before Christ, the world was becoming so accustomed to Greek that the language of Hebrew was becoming “lost.” It was deemed more important to translate the Bible into a common language than to try to teach everyone Hebrew. A group of 70 elite scholars was assembled to translate the Scriptures into Greek. The result was a document called the Septuagint (meaning “seventy”), compiled around 250 B.C. (Several copies were made by the techniques of the scribes above.) Today, we still have copies of the early translations. The Septuagint message is consistent with the Bible.
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Any doubt regarding the accurate transmission of manuscripts was erased in 1947 with the discovery of hundreds of scrolls buried in caves for nearly 2000 years. Many were written before 100 B.C. Comparison of biblical books with recent Jewish copies shows virtual no change in words or even letters.
Non-Christian Evidence
ReplyDeleteVery few written works of anything in history exist from the period of A.D. 30 to 60. All works from A.D. 50-60 are said to fit in bookends only a foot apart. Nero’s killing of Christians in A.D. 64 led to non-Christian writing about Jesus.
Thallus (circa A.D. 52) – Historical work referenced by Julius Africanus. Explains the darkness at the time of Christ’s death as a solar eclipse. While an eclipse did not occur in that period (pointed out by Julius Africanus), reference to Jesus’ death was stated as a matter of fact.
Josephus (circa A.D. 64-93) – This Jewish historian referenced Jesus, His miracles, His crucifixion, and His disciples. Also referenced are James, “brother of Jesus who was called the Christ,” and John the Baptist.
Cornelius Tacitus (A.D. 64-116) – Writing to dispel rumors that Nero caused the great fire of Rome in A.D. 64, he refers to Christians as the followers of “Christus.” Who “had undergone the death penalty in the reign of Tiberius, by sentence of the procurator Pontius Pilatus.” The resurrection was called “the pernicious superstition.”
Pliny the Younger (circa A.D. 112) – As governor of Bithynia (Asia Minor), he requested guidance from Rome regarding the proper test to give Christians before executing them. (If they renounced the faith, cursed Jesus, and worshiped the statue of Emperor Trajan, they were set free.)
Phlegon (circa A.D. 140) – Referenced by Julius Africanus and Origen – referred to “eclipse,” earthquake, and Jesus’ prophecies.
Did the Resurrection Occur?
The crucifixion of Jesus was especially well documented and accepted as fact. The crucial question then becomes, Did Jesus rise from the dead, proving His claim to be God incarnate? Or did something else happen with His body? Or was He never dead at all?
A key to this issue is the extreme local importance placed on handling this execution. Jesus’ powerful, insightful speaking and many miracles had let the populace to request that He become king. This began to threaten the local political stability of the Romans and the religious power of the Jewish leaders whom Jesus openly criticized. Both the absolute death of Jesus and the protection against a hoax were critical, since Jesus had claimed He would overcome death. Furthermore, He had already raised other people from the dead. As a result, all precautions were taken to secure His corpse (Matthew 27:62-66).
The Bible implies the cause of Jesus’ death was cardiac arrest, indicated by blood and water from a spear thrust (medical experts confirm this). To secure the body, a Roman guard was placed outside the tomb. Such a guard would have consisted of 16 soldiers, with a disciplined rotation for sleeping at night (every four hours, four would switch). The guards all faced the rigid Roman penalty of crucifixion if they slept outside of the assigned shift or deserted their post. The idea that all guards were asleep, considering the death penalty, is especially unreasonable. To further ensure safekeeping, a two-ton stone [McDowell, Josh and Wilson, Bill. A Ready Defense. San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1990] was rolled in front of the tomb with Pontius Pilate’s seal on it. Breaking the seal without the official Roman guard’s approval meant crucifixion upside down. The central issue, unexplainable by Jewish leaders, especially in light of the many precautions, is…
What happened to Jesus’ corpse if He did not rise from the dead as indicated in the Gospel accounts?
ReplyDeleteThe official explanation is that the disciples stole the body while the guards were asleep (with the priests protecting the guards from the governor). This story was necessary only because no one could produce a dead body of Jesus, which would have stopped the resurrection story forever. Is a theft of Jesus’ body even remotely possible given that:
1. All 16 guards would have had to risk the penalty of crucifixion by sleeping while on duty of deserting. Surely at least one guard would be awake.
2. The disciples were in a state of shock, fear, and disarray, having seen their Master crucified. Is it reasonable to think they quickly created a brilliant plan and flawlessly executed it on the Sabbath day of rest?
3. What possible motive could the disciples have? If Jesus was not the Son of God as He claimed, stealing the body would create a lie with no apparent benefit, and death for no purpose for the disciples.
Analysis of Other Explanations
Was Jesus really dead? Crucifixion was more routine and was a longer, more visibly excruciating death than the electric chair is today. Is it likely that such professional executioners would not know death? The final spear thrust to the heart area was to ensure death. For such a political threat, they would be certain. If Jesus was not dead, what are the chances that a barely living person could move a two-ton rock from the inside of a tomb and escape a full Roman Guard unnoticed?
Was the body stolen at night? Recognizing that no flashlights nor infrared sensors were available then, is it likely that a band of scared disciples carrying torches could bypass a full Roman guard, move a two-ton rock, and not be noticed? Furthermore, the Sabbath greatly limited movement. And again, for what motive?
Eyewitnesses to the Truth Died to Tell the Story
Martyrdom for a belief is not unique. But what kind of person would die for a known lie? Someone insane? Would all the disciples face hardship and death for a known lie? The disciples were with Jesus constantly for three years. They would certainly know the truth of the resurrection. Lying would serve no purpose since Jesus’ ministry would then be moot. Yet historical records and reports about the disciples indicated they all died cruel deaths for their beliefs (except John). James was stoned, Peter was crucified upside down, Paul was beheaded, Thaddaeus was killed with arrows, Matthew and James (Zebedee) faced sword deaths, and other believers were crucified.
Archaeological Evidence
ReplyDeleteArchaeologists have discovered substantial support about many
details of Jesus’ life. Some examples include:
Indirect Resurrection Evidence
Evidence that the people in Jesus’ time believed in the resurrection is found on caskets of bones (ossuaries) discovered in a sealed tomb outside Jerusalem in 1945. Coins minted in about A.D. 50 were found inside the caskets, dating the burial within about 20 years of Jesus’ crucifixion. Markings are clearly legible, including several statements reflecting knowledge of Jesus’ ability to overcome death. Example of writings (in Greek) of hope for deceased loved ones include: “Jesus, Help” and “Jesus, Let Him Arise.” The caskets also contain several crosses, clearly marked in charcoal. This is powerful evidence that early Christians believed in Jesus’ ability to triumph over death. It also ties the idea of victory over death to the cross.
Jesus’ Burial Shroud?
A burial shroud (Shroud of Turin) is believed by many people to be the actual burial shroud of Jesus (Matthew 27:59; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53). Items supporting its authenticity are:
1. Test that confirm fiber type and small particles of limestone dust unique to the region.
2. Confirmation of blood, in wounds precisely as indicated in the accounts of Jesus’ unique execution.
3. Confirmation of a crucifixion as likely cause of the type of image created…matching a deceased body.
4. Coins on eyes dated about the time of Jesus’ crucifixion.
The Prophecies – Statistical “Proof”
Although history can never be “proven,” enormous statistical probability is often viewed as proof by scientists and mathematicians. From a statistical viewpoint, God’s involvement in the life of Jesus is “certain.”
As indicated earlier, the prophecies contained in the Old Testament were written long before Jesus. The Dead Sea Scrolls provided irrefutable evidence that these prophecies were not tampered with over the centuries. Of the 469 prophecies contained in the Old Testament that would have been fulfilled, 467 have been verified (we have no record of fulfillment of two). Perhaps the most fascinating prophecies are those about Jesus.
Who Jesus’ Ancestors in Prophecy:
David 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Jeremiah 23:5
Jesse Isaiah 11
Judah Isaiah 11
Jacob Genesis 35:10-12; Numbers 24:17
Isaac Genesis 17:16; 21:12
Abraham Genesis 12:3; 22:18
Shem Genesis 9:26,27; 10
What
Virgin Birth Isaiah 7:14
Birth of eternal Savior Isaiah 9:6,7
Savior to Jews and Gentiles Isaiah 49:6
Miracle worker Isaiah 29:18; 35:5,6
Rejection by Jews Isaiah 53:1-3, Psalm 118:22 Matthew 21:42-46
When
Prophecy of the Date of Palm Sunday Daniel 9:20-27 – Although complex until understood,
This prophecy made about 535 B.C. predicted Jesus’ final
entry into Jerusalem to the day.
Daniel’s “Seventy Sevens”
ReplyDelete 69 periods of 7 (years) will pass from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of the “Anointed One” (Messiah, in Hebrew). This dates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
After that time the Anointed One will be cut off (Hebrew: yikaret, meaning a sudden, violent end – crucifixion).
And after that time the city and the temple will be destroyed.
Prophecy: Daniel, a Hebrew, received the prophetic revelation in 535 B.C. Using the Hebrew definition of a year (360 days) we find:
69 times 7 years = 173,880 days
The decree to rebuild Jerusalem was given to Artaxerxes on March 14, 445 B.C. (first day of Nisan that year – Nehemiah 2:1-6).
Using the actual 365-day calendar, along with adjustments for leap years and the final scientific adjustment (leap year is dropped every 128 years), we find this number of days brings us precisely to:
April 6, A.D. 32
History: Jesus’ ministry began in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1), whose reign began in A.D. 14. A chronological analysis of Jesus’ ministry shows three years leading up to the final week, in A.D. 32.
The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, confirms the Sunday before Passover that year to be …
April 6, A.D. 32
Other prophecy elements were fulfilled as well:
Jesus was crucified three and a half days later.
The Romans destroyed the city and temple in A.D. 70.
Precise City of Jesus’ Birth The Bible (Micah 5:2) specified that Jesus would be born
Bethlehem, in Ephrathah.
Other Prophecies
King on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
Suffering, rejected (Isaiah 53:1-3)
Crucified, pierced (Psalm 22:16)
Cast lots for clothing (Psalm 22:18)
No bones broken (Psalm 22:17)
Given gall and wine (Psalm 69:20-22)
Pierced with a spear (Zechariah 12:10)
Posterity to serve Him (Psalm 22:30)
Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12)
Amazing Prophecy
Statistics experts estimate the probability of all these prophecies coming true in any one man is about one
Chance in 1099 , less than the odds of correctly selecting one electron out of all the matter in the universe, or essentially zero without divine intervention.
Jesus’ Own Prophecies
ReplyDeleteThe many prophecies made by Jesus Himself are important because:
1. Perfect accuracy verifies the prophecy was “from God” (Deuteronomy 18:19-22).
2. Since He claimed to be the Messiah and the Son of God, it verifies the claims of Jesus Christ.
Prophecy from Jesus includes several immediately verified by people around Him [e.g., Jesus told a
Centurion his servant would be healed, Matthew 8:5-13]. Other prophecies refer to judgment, to heaven, or the end of the world. Jesus told His disciples that His precise prophecy of His death and resurrection was so that when it happened, they would believe He was the Messiah (John 13:19). The Jews realized that only God knows the future.
The Resurrection Prophecies of Jesus
1. That He would be betrayed (Matthew 26:21; Mark 14:17-21; Luke 22:21,22)
2. Who would betray Him
3. When He would be betrayed
4. That His disciples would desert Him
5. That Peter would disown Him three times (Matthew 26:33,34; Mark 14:29,30; Luke 22:31-34)
6. That He would be crucified (John 3:14-16; 12:32-34)
7. That He would die and then be resurrected:
First prediction (Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:21-27)
Second prediction (Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34)
Third prediction (Matthew 26:2-5; Mark 14:1-9)
8. That on the third day He would rise from the dead
9. That He would return from death to meet the disciples in Galilee (Matthew 26:32)
Was the Resurrection Physical?
Some people (and even organizations) have tried to minimize or even disclaim Christ’s physical resurrection. Why? Perhaps because it undermines Jesus’ claims to deity. A prophet had to be 100 percent accurate to be a prophet of God, and clearly Jesus indicated that He would rise again physically from the dead (John 2:19-22). Or perhaps people want to diminish the role and power of Jesus. The facts clearly state that the resurrection was both real and physical.
The resurrection was a highly significant event to Jews in the area. The Sadducees and Pharisees debated fiercely over the concept of resurrection long before Jesus. After the first Easter, people argued over it, people imprisoned others for it, people even died for it. In the days immediately following the Resurrection there was no doubt that many people believed that Jesus appeared again in a physical form.
The accounts recorded in the New Testament stood the test of eyewitness examination. They could have easily been challenged by contemporaries. In the earliest days, there is no record of anyone claiming Jesus was an apparition (ghost) or a mass hallucination or any other sort of “mere spirit being.” For the resurrection to have any meaningful significance, it had to be a resurrection of the body, as Christ Himself indicated. Several references support this.
Eating, Drinking, Touching
ReplyDeleteCan a spirit eat? Drink? Touch? There is no historical evidence of any spirit-form taking on human functions unless it became human first (e.g., angels becoming human). Jesus, on the other hand, specifically made a point of verifying His physical existence by eating and drinking after the resurrection (Luke 24:37-43).
Can a spirit or hallucination be touched or felt? Thomas, the most doubting of the disciples, certainly believed that touching was a primary criterion for “proof.” Jesus specifically appeared to Thomas (and the others), challenging him to see the nail prints in His hands and touch His side (John 20:25-28).
How Can We Ensure the Right Relationship to Go to Heaven?
When Jesus said not all who use His name will enter heaven (Matthew 7:21-23), He was referring to people who think using Christ’s name along with rituals and rules is the key to heaven. A relationship with God is not based on rituals or rules. It’s based on grace, forgiveness, and the right relationship.
How to Have a Personal Relationship with God
1. Believe that God exists and that He came to earth in the human form of Jesus Christ (John 3:16;
Romans 10:9).
2. Accepts God’s free forgiveness of sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ephesians
2:8-10; 1:7,8).
3. Switch to God’s plan for life (1 Peter 1:21-23; Ephesians 2:1-5).
4. Express desire for Christ to be Director of your life (Matthew 7:21-27; 1 John 4:15).
Then What?
People who sincerely take the preceding steps automatically become members of God’s family of believers. A new world of freedom and strength is then available through prayer and obedience to God’s will. New believers also can build their relationship with God by taking the following steps:
Find a Bible-based church that you like, and attend regularly.
Try to set aside some time each day to pray and read the Bible.
Locate other Christians to spend time with on a regular basis.
Science and the Bible: Cosmos and Creator
ReplyDeleteBy Mark Eastman, M.D.
(Former Atheist)
They have been called the two greatest questions that face mankind: Does God exist, and if He does, what is His nature? Since the time of the ancient Greek philosophers, the answer to these questions have been sought by examining the nature of the universe and its life forms.
The Cosmos
When Albert Einstein published the first of his relativity theories in 1905, he shocked the physics community with a staggering new view of space, time, matter and energy. Though he did not know it at the time, his theories provide dramatic insights into the attributes of the Creator of the cosmos.
Among other things, what Einstein’s theories revealed was that the flow of time and the structure of space were relative to the velocity, mass and acceleration of the observers. That is, their observed values were not fixed: they were relative.
For thousands of years, scientists and philosophers believed that time was nothing more than an abstract notion, conceived in the minds of men, and used to describe the change seen in the physical world. Time, it was believed, was not a thing, it was a mental contrivance. Einstein showed that this was wrong. Time, Einstein showed, was “plastic.” That is, it is a physical property of the universe, and that the observed rate that time flows depends on the physical conditions present at the measuring device.
Several years after Einstein’s theories were published, astronomer Willem de Sitter found a mathematical error in Einstein’s equations. When corrected, he found a startling mathematical prediction buried within his equations: The universe was finite! Space-time, matter, and energy had a beginning.
In his book, It’s About Time, popular author and physicist Paul Davies remarks on this incredible discovery.
Modern scientific cosmology in the most ambitious enterprise of all to
emerge from Einstein’s work. When scientists began to explore the
implications of Einstein’s time for the universe as a whole, they made
one of the most important discoveries in the history of human thought:
that time, and hence all physical reality, must have had a definite origin
in the past. If time is flexible and mutable, as Einstein demonstrated, then
tt is possible for time to come into existence, and also to pass away again;
there can be a beginning and an end of time. (Paul Davies, It’s About Time,
Touchstone Books/Simon and Schuster, 1995, pg. 17.)
The Skeptic
ReplyDeleteI recently had an opportunity to speak on the origin of life at a major public university in Southern California. In attendance were a number of professors who are self-described agnostics. During the question period, one of the professors admitted that the evidence is compelling that the universe was indeed finite. He said that while he could not believe in God (because he couldn’t see Him, or study Him scientifically) he said he did believe that someday scientists would discover a law that would explain the origin and order of the universe and its life forms.
After pointing out that he had just expressed faith, the belief in things unseen, but hoped for, I asked him if he believed that the laws of physics, which work in our space-time domain, also had a beginning. He was forced to concede that they did because they would have no place to act before the space-time domain existed.
The final blow came when I asked him if he then believed that some “law” of physics could explain the origin of the laws of physics! He saw the point: The laws of physics cannot be the cause of the laws of physics! The cause of the universe and its laws must be independent of the space-time domain, exactly as the Bible claimed 3,500 years earlier!
Apostle Paul’s statement regarding the attributes of God being discerned by an examination of the nature of the universe is quite staggering, considering the state of scientific knowledge in the first century A.D. At that time it was commonly believed that the universe was eternal. In the face of that commonly held bias, the Bible clearly taught that the universe was finite, and the Creator is independent of time and space, exactly as 20th century cosmology suggests.
In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth… Genesis 1:1
…God, (v.9) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace
which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
2 Timothy 1:8-9
…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before
time began. Titus 1:2
The finiteness of space-time not only points to a Creator who is independent of the cosmos, but it also gives us insight into the minimum resume of such a Being.
The Uncaused Cause
ReplyDeleteIn my discussion with the agnostic professors, I asked them to give me the caveat, for the sake of my next argument, that God did indeed exist. They agreed. I then asked them what would be the minimum “resume” of such a Being. Remarkably, they were quite insightful in their deductions. They quickly recognized that such a Being would not only have to be independent of space-time, but must also be incredibly powerful, incredibly intelligent and able to act unencumbered, simultaneously inside and outside the time domain. Remarkably, without recognizing it, they had described the resume of the Creator as revealed in the Biblical text!
Among other things, the law of cause and effect asserts that a cause is always greater than its effect. Applied to the cosmos it means that the Creator must be more powerful than all the energy stored in all the stars in all the galaxies in the entire universe. Physicists believe that there are at least 1080 particles in the universe. Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc2 indicates that the energy stored in the mass of the universe is equal to the mass times the speed of light squared! From this perspective, the Creator must be an all-powerful, omnipotent Being. This very attribute is credited to God throughout the Bible’s text.
Ah Lord GOD! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy
great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for
thee. Jeremiah 32:17
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard
for me? Jeremiah 32:27
In my discussion with the professors even they admitted that all the chemists, molecular biologists and physicists in the world combined have been unable to create a DNA molecule from raw elements: hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, etc. Moreover, molecular biologists admit that living cells are metabolic machines which are vastly more complicated than any machine made by mankind. They agreed in principle that the nature of these cellular “machines” would require a Being possessing unfathomable intelligence. Such a Being would be, from our limited perspective, an all-knowing, omniscient Creator. Throughout the Bible’s text God is described in such terms. For example, in Jeremiah 1:5, God’s omniscience is illustrated in his foreknowledge of the prophet even before he was born:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I
sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5
The infinite knowledge of God is proclaimed in 1 John 3:20 and in Psalm 147:5:
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows
all things 1 John 3:20
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; his understanding is infinite.
Psalm 147:5
Finally, if our space-time domain is the direct creation of God, then once he created the cosmos, in order to organize and uphold the galaxies, solar systems and its life forms, the Creator must be able to act simultaneously, inside and outside the space time domain. This attribute we call omnipresence. This too is an attribute that is ascribed to God throughout the Bible’s text.
Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD,”And not a God afar off? Can
anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the
LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23-24
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in
the midst of them. Matthew 18:20
Positive Defense of the Christian Perspective
ReplyDeleteThe Trustworthiness of the New Testament
1 The New Testament has better manuscript evidence than any other ancient book.
a. There are over 5,000 New Testament manuscripts and portions of manuscripts. By comparison, the majority of classical works have less than 20 manuscripts.
b. The dates of the New Testament manuscripts are close to the original writings. One Gospel fragment (Ryland’s) dates about 25 years after the Gospel of John and most of the New Testament (Chester Beatty and Bodmer Papyri) from 50-150 years after the originals. Most classical works date from 700 – 1400 years after the originals.
c. None of the canonical New Testament is lost or missing. By comparison, 107 of Livy’s 142 books of history have been lost and about one half of Tacitus’ 30 books of Annals and Histories is missing.
2. Good arguments can be given that each of the Gospels was either written by an eyewitness, or significantly influenced by firsthand testimony, as recognized by many contemporary scholars.
3. Even without proving eyewitness authorship, the Gospels measure up well by normal historical standards used in ancient historiography.
4. The Gospel are trustworthy sources, as explained by A.M. Hunter
a. These Christian authors, like their Jewish counterparts, were careful to preserve traditional material.
b. The Gospels are close to eyewitness sources.
c. The Gospel authors were honest reporters.
d. The picture of Jesus presented in the four Gospels is virtually the same (see Archibald M. Hunter, Bible and Gospel, pp. 32-37).
5. The Gospels and Acts exhibit a specific interest in reporting historical facts, not mythology. This is especially the case when the life of Jesus is reported.
6. Contemporary historians frequently opposed the application of radical criticism to New Testament studies. According to A.N. Sherwin-White and Michael Grant, such attacks fail at a number of crucial points (see A.N. Sherman-White, Roman Society, pp. 186-193; Grant, Jesus: An Historian Review, pp. 179-184, 199-201).
a. Numerous ancient works exhibit intentions and methodologies similar to that of the New Testament authors, and yet these ancient works are well accredited as historical works.
b. There are no ancient writings in the category that radical critics place the Gospels.
c. New Testament books such as Acts have been largely confirmed by external test of historicity.
7. The Gospel and Acts were recognized as inspired books almost immediately after being written (see J.B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers).
ReplyDeletea. 1 Timothy 5:18 quotes Luke 10:7 and refers to it as “Scripture.”
b. Clement of Rome (about AD 95) speaks of the “Gospel” and quotes portions found in all three synoptic Gospels, referring to them as the words of Jesus (Corinthians 13,46).
c. Ignatius (Smyrnaeans 3) and Polycarp (Philippians 2, 7), both writing about AD 115, refer to verses in the synoptic Gospels as the words of Christ.
8. Paul’s epistles were also recognized as inspired Scripture almost immediately after being written.
a. 2 Peter 3:15-16 calls Paul’s epistles “Scripture.”
b. Clement of Roman (Corinthians 47), Ignatius (Ephesians 10; to Polycarp 5), and Polycarp (Philippians 1,3-4, 6) all refer to Paul’s writings as inspired.
B. The Historicity of Jesus
1. The trustworthy Gospels (A above) exhibit much interest in the historical Jesus and give accurate accounts of his life, death, and resurrection.
2. Numerous pre- and extra biblical sources record much ancient testimony concerning Jesus within 125 years after his death.
a. Early Christian creeds that pre-date the New Testament, as well as the historical facts that virtually all critical scholars admit, provide an extremely strong case for the death and resurrection of Jesus.
b. Archaeology contributes a few finds that illuminate and provide background for Jesus’ career, such as the crucifixion victims investigated by archaeologist Vasilius Tzaferis, “Jewish Tombs At and Near Giv’at ha- Mivtar,” Israel Exploration Journal 20 (1970), pp. 38-59.
Also the Shroud of Turin (Historically proclaimed to be the actual burial garment of Jesus). See Ian Wilson, The Shroud of Turin (New York: Doubleday, 1978, also see John Heller, Report on the Shroud of Turin (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1983), especially chapters 12-14.
d. Secular historians (e.g. Cornelius Tacitus, Gaius Suetonius Tranquillas), government officials (e.g. Piny the Younger, Emperor Trajan), religious works (e.g. The Talmud, Toledoth Jesu, and other sources report many details about Jesus from non-Christian viewpoints.
e. Ancient Christian sources preserve a number of historical statements about Jesus (e.g. Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Justin Martyr).
4. To reject Jesus’ miracles a priori is to ignore correct inductive procedure where all the facts are investigated before a decision is made.
5. To reject Jesus’ doctrinal teachings a priori as valid for today is to pick and choose portions of the Gospels. Further, If Jesus was raised from the dead, there is, at a minimum, some implied significance for Jesus’ teachings, as well.
6. Without a significant historical basis in the life of Jesus, Christianity would have had no impetus for its origins.
ReplyDelete7. Jesus died on the cross, as indicated by several facts.
a. The nature of crucifixion, including the discovery of Yohanan’s skeleton, reveals both the nature and assurance of death by this method.
b. The explanation of Jesus’ heart wound indicates that it would have killed him even if he had been alive.
c. The death of Jesus is the most recorded event in ancient, non-Christian history.
d. The trustworthy Gospels give accurate accounts of Jesus’ death.
8. After his death, Jesus was raised bodily and appeared to his followers.
a. Naturalistic hypothesis that have sought to explain in normal terms the supernatural element of Jesus’ resurrection have failed to do so, chiefly because they are refuted by the known historical data. Several other reasons also indicate this failure.
b. There are numerous positive evidences for the resurrection that indicate that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many of those who followed him.
c. A case for the resurrection can be built by using only those minimal facts that are clearly established by the historical method. On a smaller scale, these facts can refute the alternative hypotheses and provide the best evidences for the resurrection.
d. The Shroud of Turin may supply some additional scientific evidence of Jesus’ resurrection.
9. Jesus’ message was not changed by Paul or by other followers.
a. In both the synoptics, as well as in John, Jesus claimed to be deity. Often this was done by his words, such as his claims to be Son of God and Son of Man (c.f. Mark 2:10-11; 10:45; 13:32; 14:36). At other times he showed his deity by his actions, such as forgiven sin, fulfilling Old Testament messianic prophecy and by claiming authority much greater than that of the Jewish leaders (see Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 5;20-48; cf. Isaiah 9:6-7).
b. Numerous pre-Pauline creeds such as Philippians 2:6-11, Romans 1:3-4, 1 Corinthians 11:23, and many from the book of Acts designate Jesus by the loftiest titles, thereby indicating the early teaching of his deity. These show further that this doctrine definitely did not originate with Paul.
c. Neither Jesus nor Paul taught that Christianity was a new religion. Both held that Christianity was a fulfillment of Judaism (see Matt. 5:18; Luke 16:16-17; Romans 10:4:9-11; Colossians 2:16-17).
d. Jesus’ central teaching of the Kingdom of God and its entrance requirements of faith in his person and teachings in found in all four Gospels (c.f. Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 18:3-6; Luke 18:28-30; John 1:10-13) and in Paul’s epistles (c.f. Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
f. Paul was known as the apostle to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15;16; 22:21; Romans 11:13-14). Not only did Jesus command his disciples to take the gospel to the Gentiles (see Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:47; John 10:16; Acts 1:8), but this was actually a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, not a new doctrine (see Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 19:18-25 for two examples).
g. Since Jesus literally rose from the dead, any verification of the truthfulness of his teachings would even extend to Paul’s message and writings, since they are in agreement with the Gospels at these points.
ReplyDelete10. Jesus was not an international traveler during his “silent years” or after his death.
a. There is no viable historical evidence for such international ventures.
b. The swoon theory fails and is rejected by critical scholars.
c. These endeavors almost always involved a long trail of illogic and incredibly mysterious connections.
C. Miracle-claims
1. Although many would place miracle-claims completely in the realm of faith, such is to ignore their possibly objective theistic and historical nature.
a. If it is taught that miraculous events have occurred in history, as in the case with New Testament miracle-claims, then at least the objective, historical side of such a claim can be investigated. In other words, if it actually happened, at least the portion of the event that touched the space-time world can potentially be examined.
b. In the New Testament, the resurrection of Jesus is not only the central tenet Christianity, but it is asserted that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then faith in actually in vain (1 Corinthians 15:1-20). Paul even supports his point that Jesus was raised by citing eyewitnesses, historical testimony to this fact (vv. 5-8). Under these circumstances, one could hardly claim that objective, factual interests in the resurrection are foreign to the New Testament.
c. This objection also commits errors that are associated with the “leap of faith.” If carried to its logical conclusion, it provides no objective basis for faith, including any reasons why faith should be exercised at all. As such, it is difficult to distinguish between belief and credulity.
2. Alternative theories that have been proposed to account for Jesus’ resurrection on naturalistic grounds have failed to account for the known historical facts.
3. There are many strong historical reasons to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead.
a. The disciples’ experiences
b. The transformation of the disciples into bold witnesses
c. The empty tomb
d. The resurrection of Jesus was the very center of the apostolic message.
e. The Jewish leaders could not disprove their message.
f. The very existence and growth of the church.
g. In this resurrected physical body Jesus appeared to more than five hundred of his disciples on twelve different occasions over a forty-day period and conversed with them (see Luke 24:13-49, 1 Corinthians 15:5-7, Acts 1:4-8, Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:24-31).
This was the greatest of all miracles since the creation itself, and could have been accomplished only if Jesus indeed is God, as He had claimed to be.
D. Predictive Prophecies
ReplyDeleteConsider the following predictions made centuries in advanced that Jesus would be:
1. born of a woman (Genesis 3:15; cf. Galatians 4:4);
2. born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; cf. Matthew 1:21);
3. “cut off” (die) 483 years after the declaration to reconstruct the city of Jerusalem in 444 B.C. (Daniel 9:24);
4. of the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3 and 22:18; cf. Mathew 1:1);
5. of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10, cf. Luke 3:23);
6. of the house of David (2 Samuel 7:12; cf. Matthew 1:1);
7. born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; cf. Matthew 2:1);
8. anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; cf. Mattthew 3:16-17);
9. that Jesus would performed miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6; cf. Matthew 9:35);
10. would cleanse the temple (Malachi 3:1; cf. Matthew 21:12);
11. would be rejected by Jews (Psalms 118:22; cf. 1 Peter 2:7);
12. die a humiliating death (Psalms 22; cf. Matthew 9:35);
13. that he would rise from the dead (Psalm 2:7 and 16:10; cf. Acts 2:31)
14. ascended into heaven (Psalm 68:8; cf. Acts 1:9);
15. and sit at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1; cf. Hebrew 1:3).
It is important to understand that these prophecies were written hundreds of years before Christ was born. No one could have been reading the trends of the times or just making intelligent guesses, like the “prophecies” we see in the checkout line at the supermarket.
22 Important Questions for the Buddhistic Worldview
ReplyDeletecoldcasechristianity.com/2014/22-important-questions-for-the-buddhistic-worldview/
Philosophical Questions
Let’s begin with some questions springing from basic philosophical concerns:
1. If Buddhists themselves cannot agree on which scriptural writings or traditions for practice are actually true statements from Buddha, how can Buddhism as a system claim any truth?
Even within Buddhism, there are contradictory claims related to the validity of a variety of late appearing religious texts, all of which claim to accurately represent the words of Buddha. None of these texts stands unchallenged as having come from the time in which Buddha lived. Many have very questionable origins. How are we to know which are authoritative? Many scholars believe it is impossible to say with confidence, “This is what Gautama Buddha said.” How can anyone make a claim for the truth without first establishing the foundation for Buddhistic truth?
2. If life is just suffering, as Buddhism claims, why is it some of us don’t see it this way? Why do some of us see life as wonderful rather than filled with suffering?
Buddha’s observations about the world seem to come from his direct experience; the entire religious system is built on the notion life is filled with suffering with no positive value on the individual. But what if the individual doesn’t see the world in this way? What if the individual, even though he or she experiences hardship, understands the value of this experience and does not see it as suffering?
3. If our present suffering is the result of bad karma from a prior life, what is the real present remedy for suffering in this life?
Can all suffering be alleviated in this life through our efforts with the Eight Fold Path? Why engage in any effort related to the Eight Fold Path, if the only true benefits are to be realized in the next life?
4. Who is the Karma Judge?
If, as Buddhism teaches, there is no personal God interacting with His creation, who determines whether or not a person has done something to merit either “good” or “bad” Karma? If this decision is made at the end of one’s life, who is actually making the decision? How can an impersonal force “decide” anything? Who is the final judge of Karma, and mustn’t this judge by necessity be a personal being (capable of making a decision)?
5. If achieving “nirvana” means that we will be liberated from the illusion of consciousness, how then will we know (be conscious of) our achieving this “nirvana”? How can we be “conscious” of this, if “consciousness” will no longer exist?
Our existence outside the material, physical world, presumes a conscious existence in which we can “realize” or enlightened condition. How can we be conscious of this if consciousness will no longer exist?
6. If there is no transcendent “self” or “soul”, how do we transcend this life in order for reincarnation to be possible?
ReplyDeleteIf reincarnation is true, it makes sense something of our true identity would move from one life to the next. What is this “something” if not a soul? Who (or what) moves on from this life to the next?
7. What real evidence do we have that reincarnation is true?
Why is there not consistent evidence for the notion of reincarnation? On what evidence is this idea based, aside from the writings of Buddha? While we have good philosophical reasons to believe in the existence of the soul, what philosophical reasoning brings us to the conclusion that reincarnation is true?
8. If all of us are re-incarnations of prior human beings, how do we account for the growing population? Where do “new” humans come from?
Reincarnation implies all of us were here before, in a prior life. But if humans can only be reincarnated from prior humans, how is it the global population is growing? If humans can be reincarnated from other animals, does this mean the total animal population on earth has always been constant?
9. If “buddhas” and “boddisatvas” exist to help others in achieving “nirvana” what is the true value of “self-effort”?
If, as a Buddhist, I rely on the help of a “buddha” or “boddisatva” how can my assisted work be accredited to me as Karma (or even as true obedience to the Eight Fold Path)? Doesn’t assistance negate the self-effort required to establish Karma in the first place?
10. If “buddha-hood” is actually achievable in this life, how are we to know we are talking to a true “buddha” or “boddisatva”?
If there are those in our midst who have actually achieved this level of enlightenment, how are we to identify them? Why should we trust their own proclamations of “buddha-hood”? How will we recognize them or even distinguish them from non-Buddhist people who display all the attributes consistent with “buddha-hood”?
11. If a person’s present suffering is the result of bad karma from a prior life, why should we try to do anything to change their present condition? Aren’t they simply getting what they deserve?
Why help those who are simply paying the price for an evil prior life? Passivity and apathy seem to be a common problem within Buddhism, largely in response to a concept known as “samsara”. Take a look at this article from an online Burmese magazine:
“This passivity is largely due to the promotion of samsara. Taken from the Pali word sam (succession) sara (going, wandering), it refers to the cycle of human existence, or the cycle of life and death. Samsara poses that people are mere guests in this life, and life is just a transit point. Samsara is the flux of mind and body, of mental and physical phenomena. Humans are travelers in the realm of samsara, where nothing holds permanent. Moments of sadness and misfortune, as well as glory and happiness, are accepted as part of the natural ups and downs of life. Burma’s political and religious elite has affirmed samsara as the only indisputable Buddhist doctrine, and the public has meekly signed on. Because so many Burmese Buddhists tend to see themselves against the backdrop of samsara, it has wide reach over existing social structures, even though Burma is not religiously homogenous. Every experience, even a bad one, is seen as part of life and the impermanent nature of the world. Rather than being angered or aggrieved by unfortunate experiences, Burmese Buddhism preaches that it is best to let them go.”(by Min Zin, Engaging Buddhism for Social Change, March, 2003 Irrawaddy.org)
ReplyDelete12. If our present existence is the result of something we could not control (from a prior life), what hope can we have related to our present situation in this life?
How do we hold on to hope for this life if our situation was predetermined for us and our present behaviors have more impact on the next life than on the present one? Doesn’t this view of our present life lead to an inevitable hopelessness? As it turns out, heavily Buddhist countries like Japan, Korea, and Sri Lanka have some of the highest suicide rates (from young to old). The top twenty most suicidal countries are almost all countries with strong Buddhist or Communist (atheist) histories.
Biblical Issues
Now let’s examine some questions related to topics directly addressed in the Bible. Buddhism makes a number of claims about the way in which the world operates. Let’s compare these ideas directly to the claims of Christianity:
1. You don’t believe in the existence of a personal God. As a Christian I do believe that God exists, and I believe Him to be a personal creator:
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Romans 1:19-20
because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Psalm 14:1
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God”
2. You don’t seem to have an answer for the origin of the universe or for us as human beings. As a Christian, I believe the universe (and all of us) were created by God and that we are therefore real:
Acts 17:24-31
The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
Isaiah 45:18
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), “I am the LORD, and there is none else.”
3. You seem to deny the reality of our material existence and you also deny the existence of the soul and spirit. As a Christian, I believe humans are real in body, soul and spirit:
Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Zechariah 12:1
The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him
ReplyDelete4. You seem to devalue our present life as fleeting and illusionary. As a Christian, I believe this physical life may be temporary, but it is valuable and worth living:
Isaiah 40:6
A voice says, “Call out.” Then he answered, “What shall I call out?” All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
Isaiah 40:21
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
1 Peter 1:22-2:3
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For,
“ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER”
And this is the word which was preached to you.
5. You believe the goal of good living is all about the personal reward of enlightenment. As a Christian, I believe the goal of good living is to honor God and demonstrate His worth so others would desire to know Him:
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
…just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Colossians 1:9-10
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God
6. You believe suffering is the result of desire (and attachment) and may even be the result of “bad Karma”. As a Christian, I believe suffering is the result of sin, our intentional rebellion against God. I believe sin is not an abstract notion or a relative concept. It is clearly defined:
2 Chronicles 6:36
“When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to a land far off or near
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned
Psalm 51:3
ReplyDeleteFor I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
John 8:34
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death
Isaiah 3:11
Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, For what he deserves will be done to him.
Proverbs 21:4
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
7. You believe suffering is something we should want to eliminate. As a Christian, I also want to eliminate sin, but I also see the positive value in suffering; it can teach, it can discipline, it can provide a contrast to joy. As a Christian, I know we can even find joy in the midst of suffering:
Romans 5:3
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance
James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Hebrews 12:11
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Psalm 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.
2 Corinthians 8:2
that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
1 Peter 4:13
but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
1 Thessalonians 3:7-9
for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account
8. You believe we cease to exist after death. As a Christian, I believe we do not cease to exist after our physical death, but will instead live on to be judged for our actions:
ReplyDeleteRevelation 20:12-13
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.
John 5:28-29
“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
Hebrews 9:27
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment
9. You believe humans can achieve perfection and reach “nirvana”. As a Christian, I believe we can never achieve perfection in this life, freedom from suffering, or any permanent more noble existence by self-effort:
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Romans 3:10-12
as it is written,
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”
Galatians 2:16
nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit
10. You believe we can escape the suffering of this world and the limits of our material existence by observing and practicing a set of practices. As a Christian, I know tat the way of “escape” is only through faith in Jesus Christ as we are spiritually reborn with God’s life through the Holy Spirit:
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Ephesians 2:1-9
ReplyDeleteAnd you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Philippians 3:9
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith
2 Peter 1:2-4
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
So, Could This Be True?
Every worldview has to be both internally and externally consistent. The challenge for Buddhism is to account for a system of judgment and reward (Karma) without a personal judge who has the ability to decide whether an individual has achieved something noble or committed something despicable. The very judge required by a Karma system is, in fact, lacking from Buddhism altogether. In addition, there are many open philosophical questions related to the first question of all worldviews (“How did we get here?”), and the system seems to lead (in many formations) to a sense of despair and hopelessness. In addition to philosophical difficulties, Christians must recognize that Buddhism is incompatible with the Christian worldview (for all the reasons we’ve already discussed). As our culture embraces pluralism and tries to find similarities between every view of the world, we must be clear about the concepts and claims defining us and ask the tough questions differentiating Christianity from Buddhism.
J. Warner Wallace is a Cold-Case Detective, a Christian Case Maker, and the author of Cold-Case Christianity
What makes you think Christianity is the only way to God?
ReplyDeleteThe truth of Christianity rests completely in the person of Jesus. The Gospels are the written accounts by eyewitnesses of Jesus' life and deeds. Jesus said that He alone was the way to the Father (John 14:6) and that He alone revealed the Father (Matt. 11:27, Luke 10:22). Jesus claimed to be God (John 8:58, Exodus 3:14), who forgave sins (Mark 2:5, Luke 5:20, 7:48) and who rose from the dead (Luke 24:24-29, John 2:19-21). Jesus said that He was the only way. Jesus is unique. He was either telling the truth, He was crazy, or He was a liar. But since everyone agrees that Jesus was a good man, how then could He be both good and crazy or good and a liar? He had to be telling the truth in order to be good. He is the only way.
Furthermore, Christianity is not just a religion. It is a relationship with God. It is trusting in Jesus and what He did on the cross (1 Cor. 15:1-4) and not on what you can do for yourself (Eph. 2:8-9). It is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and dependence upon the One who died and rose from the dead (John 2:19-21).
Buddha didn't rise from the dead nor did Confucius or Zoroaster. Muhammad didn't fulfill detailed prophecy or rise from the dead either, and though there is far less reliable information written, people believe in them.
The Scripture is right when it says in 1 Peter 2:7-8, "This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, 'The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,' and, 'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense'; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed."
It is Jesus to whom we look for the validity of Christianity. If Jesus is false, then Christianity is false. If Jesus is who He claimed to be, then Christianity is the only correct religion.
The Mathematical Odds of Jesus Fulfilling Prophecy
"The following probabilities are taken from Peter Stoner1 to show that coincidence is ruled out by the science of probability. Stoner says that by using the modern science of probability in reference to eight prophecies, ‘we find that the chance that any man might have lived down to the present time and fulfilled all eight prophecies is 1 in 10 exp 17." That would be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. In order to help us comprehend this staggering probability, Stoner illustrates it by supposing that "we take 10 exp 17 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas (268,820 square miles) [(696,241 km (square)] . They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man."
Stoner considers 48 prophecies and says, "we find the chance that any one man fulfilled all 48 prophecies to be 1 in 10 exp 157 or 1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,
000,000,000,000,000,000,000." 2
The estimated number of electrons in the universe is around 10 exp 17. It should be quite evident that Jesus did not fulfill the prophecies by accident. He was who He said He was: the only way (John 14:6).
• 1.Science Speaks, Moody Press, 1963.
• 2.McDowell, Josh, Evidence that Demands a Verdict.
SCIENTIFIC FACTS & FOREKNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE
ReplyDeleteScience means knowledge, and true science always agrees with the observable evidence. Scientific research continues to unfold the wonders and mysteries of our universe. Interestingly, there is one book that has anticipated many of these scientific facts. That book is the Bible.
The following are several scientific facts found in the Scriptures. Many of these facts were penned centuries before they were discovered. Scientific foreknowledge found only in the Bible offers one more piece of the collective proof that the Bible is truly the inspired Word of the Creator.
1. The earth free-floats in space (Job 26:7), affected only by gravity. While other sources declared the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true: “He hangs the earth on nothing.”
2. Creation is made of particles, indiscernible to our eyes (Hebrews 11:3). Not until 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.
3. Oceans contain springs (Job 38:16). The ocean is very deep, almost all the ocean floor is in total darkness and the pressure there is enormous. It would been impossible for Job to have explored the “springs of the sea.” Until recently, it was thought that the oceans were fed only by rivers and rain. Yet in the 1970’s, with the help of deep diving research submarines that were constructed to withstand 6,000 pounds-per-square-inch pressure, oceanographers discovered springs on the ocean floors!
4. Joy and gladness understood (Acts 14:17). Evolution cannot explain emotions. Matter and energy do not feel. Scripture explains that God places gladness in our hearts (Psalm 4:7), and ultimate joy is found in our Creator’s presence, “in Your presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).
5. The bible states that God created life according to kinds (Genesis 1:24). The fact that God distinguishes kinds, agrees with what scientists observe, namely that there are horizontal genetic boundaries beyond which life cannot vary. Life produces after its own kind. Dogs produce dogs, cats produce cats, roses produce roses. Never have we witnessed one kind changing into another kind as evolution supposes. There are truly natural limits biological change.
6. Chicken or egg dilemma solved (Genesis 1:20-22). Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This question has plagued philosophers for centuries. The Bible states that God created birds with the ability to reproduce after their kind. Therefore the chicken was created first with the ability to make eggs! Yet, evolution has no solution for this dilemma.
7. Which came first, proteins or DNA (Revelation 4:11)? For evolutionists, the chicken or egg dilemma goes even deeper. Chicken consist of proteins. The code for each protein is contained in the DNA/RNA system. However, proteins are required in order to manufacture DNA. So which came first: proteins or DNA? The ONLY explanation is that they were created together.
ReplyDelete8. The First Law of Thermodynamics established (Genesis 2:1-2). The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis.
9. The first three verses of Genesis accurately express all known aspects of the creation (Genesis 1:1-3). Science expresses the universe in terms of time, space, matter and energy. In Genesis chapter one we read: “In the beginning (time) God created the heavens (space) and the earth (matter)…Then God said, Let there be light (energy).” No other creation account agrees with the observable evidence.
10. The universe had a beginning (Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 1:10-12). Starting with the studies of Albert Einstein in the early 1900s and continuing today, science has confirmed the biblical view that the universe had a beginning. When the Bible was written most people believed the universe was eternal. Science has proven them wrong, but the Bible correct.
11. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Enthropy) explained (Psalm 102:25-26). This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, constantly becoming less and less orderly. Enthropy (disorder) entered when mankind rebelled against God, resulting in the curse (Genesis 3:17). Historically, most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is “grow old like a garment” (Hebrews 1:11). Evolution directly contradicts this law.
12. Rejecting the Creator results in moral depravity (Romans 1:20-32). The Bible warns that when mankind rejects the overwhelming evidence for a Creator, lawlessness will result. Since the theory of evolution has swept the globe, abortion, pornography, genocide, etc., have all risen sharply.
13. The fact that God once flooded the earth (the Noahic Flood) would be denied (2 Peter 3:5-6). There is a mass of fossil evidence to prove this fact, yet it is flatly ignored by most of the scientific world because it was God’s judgment on man’s wickedness.
14. Vast fossil deposits anticipated (Genesis 7). When plants and animals die they decompose rapidly. Yet billions of life forms around the globe have been preserved as fossils. Geologist now know that fossils only form if there is rapid deposition of life buried away from scavengers and bacteria. This agrees exactly with what the Bible says occurred during the global Flood.
15. The earth was designed for biological life (Isaiah 45:18). Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn’t exist. This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited.
ReplyDelete16. Our ancestors were not primitive (Genesis 4:20-22; Job 8:8-10; 12:12). Archeologists have discovered that our ancestors mined, had metallurgical factories, created air-conditioned buildings, designed musical instruments, studied the stars, and much more. This evidence directly contradicts the theory of evolution, but agrees completely with God’s Word.
17. The order of creation agrees with science (Genesis 1). Plants require sunlight, water, and minerals in order to survive. In the first chapter of Genesis we read that God created light first (v.3), then water (v.6), then soil (v.9), and then He created life (v.11).
18. Strong and weak nuclear force explained (Colossians 1:17) Physicists do not understand what binds the atom’s nucleus together. Yet, the Bible states that “all things consist”, or are held together by the Creator, Jesus Christ
19. Atomic fission anticipated (2 Peter 3:10-12). Scripture states that “the elements will melt with fervent heat” when the earth and the heavens are “dissolved” by fire. Today we understand that if the elements of the atom are loosed, there would be an enormous release of heat and energy (radiation).
20. Animal instincts understood (Job 39; Proverbs 30:24-28). A newly hatched spider weaves an intricate web without being taught. A recently emerged butterfly somehow knows to navigate a 2,500 mile migration route without a guide. God explains that He has endowed each creature with specific knowledge. Scripture, not evolution, explains animal instincts.
21. Pseudo-science anticipated (1 Timothy 6:20). The theory of evolution contradicts the observable evidence. The Bible warned us in advance that there would be those who would profess: “profane and idle babblings, and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (science).” True science agrees with the Creator’s Word.
22. Science confirms the Bible (Colossians 2:3). These insights place the Bible far above every man-made theory and all other so called inspired books. In contrast, the Koran states that the sun sets in a muddy pond (Surah 18:86). The Hadith contains many myths. The Book of Mormon declares that Native Americans descended from Jews, which has been disproven by DNA research. The Eastern writings also contradict true science.
23. Love explained (Matthew 22:37-40; 1 John 4:7-12). Evolution cannot explain love. Yet, God’s word reveals that the very purpose of our existence is to know and love God and our fellow man. God is love, and we were created in His image to reflect His love.
The cause of suffering revealed (Genesis 3; Isaiah 24:5-6). The earth is subject to misery, which appears at odds with our wonderfully designed universe. However, the Bible, not evolution, explains the origin of suffering. When mankind rebelled against God, the curse resulted, introducing affliction, pain and death into the world.
ReplyDeleteDeath explained (Romans 6:23). All eventually die. The Bible alone explains why we die, “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). Sin is transgression of God’s Law. To see if you will die, please review God’s Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). Have you ever lied? (White lies an fibs count). Ever stolen? (Cheating on a test or taxes is stealing). Jesus said that “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28). Have you ever looked with lust? Then you’re an adulterer at heart. Have you ever hated someone or called someone a fool? If so, the Bible says you are guilty of murder (Matthew 5:21-2; 1 John 3:15). Have you ever used your Creator’s name (Lord, God, Jesus, or Christ) in vain? This is called blasphemy, and God hates it. If you have broken these commandments at any time, then by your own admission, you are a blasphemer, a murderer, an adulterer, a thief, and a liar at heart. And we have only looked at five of the Ten Commandments. This is why we die.
Justice understood (Acts 17:30). Our God-given conscience reveals that all sin will be judged. Down deep we know that He who created the eyes sees every secret sin (Romans 2:16). He who formed our mind remembers our past offense as if it just occurred. God has declared that the penalty for sin is death. Physical death comes first, then second death, which is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). God cannot lie. Every sin will be judged. His justice demands it. But God is also rich in mercy to all who call upon His name. He has made a way for justice to be served and mercy to be shown.
Eternal life revealed (John 3:16). Scientists reach in vain for the cure for aging and death. Yet, the good news is that God, who is the source of all life, has made a way to freely forgive us so that we may live forever with Him in heaven. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners. Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God desires a loving, eternal relationship with each person, free from sin, fear, and pain. Therefore, He sent His Son to die as our substitute on the cross. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus never sinned, therefore He alone qualified to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross. He died in our place. He then rose from the grave defeating death. All who turn from their sins and trust Him will be saved. To repent and place your trust in Jesus Christ, make Psalm 51 your prayer. Then read your Bible daily, obeying what you read. God will never let you down.
The solution to suffering (Revelation 21). Neither evolution nor religion offers a solution to suffering. But God offers heaven as a gift to all who trust in His Son. In heaven. “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
The Bible offers the only remedy for sin, suffering, and death. God’s Word presents the only perfect, sinless Savior, one who died for our sins and rose from the dead. Jesus is the Creator (John 1: Colossians 1). He said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). And He promises His followers: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:28). Your eternal destiny will be determined by your choice. There is only one provision for sin. Jesus died in your place. Only faith in Christ’s finished work will you be saved. This is God’s free gift offered to all.
ReplyDeletePlease do not let pride, religion, opinions, or love for sin separate you from God. No sin is worth an eternity in hell. Please heed Jesus’ words, “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). If you do, you will live in heaven with our awesome Creator forever!
Evidence from Scripture
ReplyDeleteAuthentic Text
Many powerful men over the centuries have tried to discredit or destroy the Bible. All have failed. There is more evidence for the authenticity and accuracy of the Scriptures than for any other ancient book. No one who has studied these issues doubts the genuineness of the Bible. Many, however, reject its message.
The Manuscripts
There is more evidence for the Bible’s authenticity than for any literature of antiquity. Textual analysis begins with historical investigation, beginning with the latest documents and working backward. As evidence develops, the data is evaluated against other sources. The record is then checked for consistency of information, and the claims are analyzed as if it were a legal case, looking for credible testimony with cross-examination. There is an enormous amount of evidence for authenticity of the biblical manuscripts.
The New Testament was written in first century A.D. There are some 20,000 manuscripts in existence. The earliest textual evidence we have was copied 100 years after the original. In contrast:
• Caesar’s Gallic Wars was written in the first century B.C. There are only 10 manuscripts in existence. The earliest textual evidence we have was copied 1,000 years after the original.
• Aristotle’s Poetics was written in the fourth century B.C. There are only 5 manuscripts in existence. The earliest textual evidence we have was copied 1,400 years after the original.
There are many more writings of the Church Fathers quoting sections of Scripture; we could reconstruct the entire New Testament from their writings alone. There were millions of man-hours spent in cross-checking the manuscripts. There remains only 1 percent of all New Testament words about which questions still exist; no questionable passage contradicts any Bible teaching.
The Old Testament has been more accurately transmitted to us than any other ancient writing of comparable age. The textual evidence is greater for both the Old and New Testaments than any other historically reliable ancient document. The ancient scribes were very meticulous. There were only 1,200 variant readings in A.D. 500.
The Masorites produced an official text in A.D. 500. There are other versions that confirm the accuracy of the Masoritic Text.
ReplyDelete• Samaritan Pentateuch: 400 B.C.
• Septuagint Greek: 280 B.C.
• Dead Sea Scrolls: 0 A.D.
• Latin Vulgate: 400 A.D.
The quotations from pre-Christian writing confirm the text. The New Testament accepts the Old Testament as authentic, confirming the traditional authors, quoting from at least 320 different passages, and confirming the supernatural events cited in the Old Testament.
The Message
There are over 3,000 different religions in the world, all of which claim to teach the way to eternal happiness. It has often been said that each of them provides a different path to the same end, and that men are free to choose the path that best suits their own disposition and culture. The Word of God is insistent that this is not so!
The Bible insists that the God of the Bible is the only true God (Isaiah 44:6; 45:5-6) and that Jesus Christ is the only way to God (John 14:6). All other religions, while stressing their “paths,” would allow for some other contingency.
The Bible insists that it is the only true revelation, that its words are not to be changed (Proverbs 30:5-6;Revelation 22:18-19), and that its words are the basis of all judgment (John 12:47-50).
The Bible has a unique account of origins (Genesis 1-11). All others are either evolutionary or pantheistic, with eternity of matter as the “beginning.” The biblical account of origins is unique in both quality and quantity of information.
The Bible has a unique historical basis. Other religions are based on the subjective teachings of their founders. Biblical teachings are based on objective and demonstrable facts: creation, the fall, the flood, the life and work of redemption of Christ.
The Bible teaches a unique plan of redemption. It reveals a unique Savior.
• He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25).
• He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:14-16).
• He taught as no other man taught (John 7:46; Matthew 7:28-29).
• He died a unique, volitional death (John 10:17-18; Luke 23:46).
• He had unique victory over death (Acts 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
The Bible demands a unique salvation.
ReplyDelete• Perfect holiness is required (Romans 3:10-18, 23; 6:23).
• Substitutionary atonement is the only means of reconciliation (Hebrews 10:4-14; Romans 3:24-26).
• Grace is the only measurement (Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 11:5-6).
Other religions require some form of works or participation.
Accurate Data
The Bible is unique among all books. Not only is it different in its form, structure, and history, but it takes the position of supernatural superiority to all other communication. It insists on total accuracy for its content and absolute obedience to its commands. No other book is so demanding.
Historical Accuracy
The Bible has proven to be more historically and archaeologically accurate than any other ancient book. It has been subjected to the minutest scientific textual analysis possible to humanity and has been proven to be authentic in every way.
Genesis Is Historically True
The most controversial book of the Bible is Genesis, especially the first eleven chapters. Those chapters speak of the creation of the universe, the fall of man into sin, the world-wide flood of Noah, and the language-altering event at Babel. There is much evidence that these events are historically accurate.
Biblical Data Is Historically Testable
Historical evidence routinely includes ancient literature, business records, and government documents, analyzed in conjunction with linguistics, geography, and archaeological analysis of physical objects (pottery, coins, remains of buildings, etc.), using forensic science techniques.
After many millions of man-hours of research and evidence analysis, archaeology has repeatedly confirmed the reliability of the Bible. The Bible has been proven geographically and re-proven historically accurate, in the most exacting detail, by external evidences.
Scientific Accuracy
ReplyDeleteMany would suggest that the Bible is an antiquated religious book, filled with scientific fallacies and mistakes. Others believe that the Bible is a book of true religion, but dealing solely with spiritual subjects, with any matters of science and history to be interpreted spiritually or allegorically.
Either the Bible is wholly reliable on every subject with which it deals, or it is not the Word of God.
Although the Bible is obviously not a science textbook (otherwise it would be continuously out of date), the Bible does contain all the basic principles upon which true science is built. The Bible abounds with references to nature and natural processes, and thus frequently touches on the various sciences. For instance, there are many passages that deal with principles of hydrology, geology, astronomy, meteorology, biology, physics, cosmology, and the grand principles of the space-mass/energy-time continuum.
Again, if the God revealed in the Bible truly exists, then everything that He reveals would of necessity be true.
One often hears of mistakes or errors in the Bible. Seldom, when confronted, is there an example provided. When such “errors” are cited, they fall into three kinds of alleged mistakes: 1) mathematical rounding, 2) relative motion, or 3) miracles. Obviously, mathematical rounding is both scientific and in constant use today, as is the use of relative motion for all sorts of navigation and distance calculations. To deny the miraculous is to assume that one is omniscient.
Just as the Bible has become a source book for history and archaeology, so it is also a source book for the foundational principles of science. Those who ignore the information of Scripture will be “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).
Reliable Eyewitnesses
The Bible, like many books, was written by eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2; 2 Peter 2:16) to the events and circumstances that they recorded. That they were trustworthy witnesses is only to be expected, since God inspired them to co-author their respective portions of the Bible. But some ask: how can we know if the Bible’s human co-authors were really reliable eyewitnesses?
The following eyewitness traits are the ones emphasized in common law, in law school, and in the Rules of Evidence.
A reliable witness will evidence honesty by his/her sincerity of speech, and be clearly motivated by a drive to speak the truth. The quality of a witness’s observations can be observed by accurate memory, evidenced often by access to accurate records. The competency of his/her communication will be demonstrated by an ability to recall and describe observations, with accurate information and relevant details. Testimonial consistency is also a key factor in reliability.
Though each witness will provide idiosyncratic differences (due to different perspectives and interests), all Scripture has perfect evidentiary consistency. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Moses, Daniel, Jude, and all of the other Bible’s co-authors qualify as impeccably reliable eyewitnesses. Many of the Bible’s writers suffered cruel treatment, even death, for their stand on their witness. To the obvious credibility of their writings is added the unshakeable belief that their testimony was so true that it was worth suffering and dying for.
EVIDENCE FOR GOD
ReplyDeleteLecture notes by CHARLIE H. CAMPBELL
Director of The Always Be Ready Apologetics Ministry
THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE
The Bible is a book unlike any other book. It is a compilation of 66 different books written by more than 40 different authors, over a period of 1,500 years, on three different continents, in three different languages.
Over and over the authors of the Bible claim to be recording events and writing words inspired by God Himself (2 Timothy 3:16). And of course, the Bible reveals to us very plainly…
• God exists
• What He is like
• And what His will is for our lives
SKEPTIC: “Charlie, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the Bible is true.”
You're right. But don't misunderstand me. I'm not asking you to believe the Bible "because it says so." I want you to believe the Bible because of the wealth of good evidence that has demonstrated the Bible is historically reliable and divinely inspired. I'm talking about:
• Its hundreds of fulfilled prophecies
• The Bible's amazing internal harmony
• The Bible's incredible scientific accuracy and foresight
• Thousands of archaeological discoveries
• Numerous details in the Bible that have been corroborated by extrabiblical historical sources
• And so on
Another reason you can be confident God exists is…
5. CHRIST
Many who doubt the existence of God have reassured themselves with the thought, “If God wanted us to believe in Him, He would appear to us.” Well, we have to be careful when we talk about wanting God to appear to us. If He were to do that in all His glory, while we were in our sinful fallen condition, the Bible says we would not live through the experience (Exodus 33:20, 1 Timothy 6:15-16, John 1:18) . But what if God was to veil His glory and appear to mankind in the form of a man, someone mankind could really relate with? What kind of a man would God be?
Someone wisely pointed out that, “We would expect Him to be sinless; we would expect him to be holy; we would expect His words to be the greatest words ever spoken; we would expect Him to exert a profound power over human personality; we would expect Him to perform supernatural doings; and we would expect Him to manifest the love of God.” [John MacArthur summarizing a teaching by Bernard Ramm.]
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Has anyone ever come on the world’s scene, who claimed to be God and who met all of those criteria? Ahh, of all the human beings who have ever lived, Jesus Christ alone met these criteria. When someone says, “If God wanted us to believe in Him, He would appear to us,” I like to tell them that is what God has already done.
The Bible tells us that Jesus was God in human flesh (Isaiah 9:6, Colossians 2:9, John 20:28) and Jesus Himself made that clear in verses like John 5:18 and John 8:58.
And Jesus didn’t just claim to be God. Anybody can do that. So Jesus proved that He was God by doing things that only God can do:
• He opened the eyes of the blind
• He healed the lame
• He raised the dead
• He walked on water
• He lived a sinless life
• He rose from the grave three days after He was put to death
• And forty days later, He ascended visibly into Heaven
These are just a few of the miracles the disciples recorded for us in the New Testament that help substantiate Jesus’ claims to deity.
SKEPTIC: “Hold on here a second Charlie!
That doesn’t mean that what the disciples said about Him was actually true. Maybe they were making up the whole story about His resurrection!”
Well, I’m not sure what their motivation would have been for doing that. Liars lie to get out of trouble or gain some type of advantage or benefit. But what the early Christians said about Jesus, didn’t get them out of trouble or result in any kind of benefit. The things they said and wrote about Jesus got them in trouble. What they received was rejection, persecution, torture, and martyrdom. Hardly a list of perks! That, to me, is compelling evidence these men were telling the truth about Jesus.
So, we've considered five lines of evidence for the existence of God...
1. The Cosmos
2. The Conditions for Life
3. The Complexity of Life
4. The Canon of Scripture
5. The Christ
Friends, this evidence from cosmology, biology, philosophy, history, and the Bible is a reminder that there is a God! If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you haven’t followed after cleverly devised tales. Your faith isn’t grounded in wishful thinking. Your faith is grounded in the truth. There is good evidence that the God of the Bible is actually there.
ReplyDeleteWhat good news this is!
You are not part of some gigantic cosmic accident! You are not just some conglomeration of cells walking around without meaning on a random planet in a purposeless universe. You’re not the result of millions of years of evolution. No. You are one of God’s creations. He formed you in your mother’s womb. The Bible says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and that God has a purpose for your existence. Do you know that? God loves you! And He desires to have a close, intimate, personal relationship with each one of you.
Do you have that kind of a relationship with God? You can.
Two thousand years ago Jesus (God in the flesh) died on that cruel wooden Roman cross to take the punishment for your sins so that you could be forgiven, saved from eternity in Hell, and come to experience the greatest relationship you’ll ever know:
Knowing God personally, not only in this life
but throughout eternity.
Jesus rose from the grave on the third day and today He is offering mankind the "free gift" (Romans 6:23) of salvation and everlasting life for those who will turn from their sins and place their faith in Him.
I exhort you friend to do that if you never have. A day of judgment is coming. You can stand before God still in your sins or forgiven. Standing before God still in your sins will result in condemnation and eternity in Hell. Being forgiven will result in everlasting life in paradise. The choice is yours. The ball is in your court. God made the first move. Now it's your turn. Place your faith in Jesus, and receive Him as your personal Lord and Savior!
Your Best Defense Against False Teaching
ReplyDeleteBy Pastor Greg Laurie
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! —James 2:19
If we were to interview Satan (and we would never want to do that), we might be surprised at how orthodox he is. For example, if we were to ask him, "Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God?" I think he would say, "Yes, I hate every word of it. But I know it is the Word of God."
If we were to ask, "Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" again, I think he would say yes. When Jesus encountered two demon-possessed men, the demons cried out, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?" (Matthew 8:29, emphasis added). They knew Jesus was the Son of God.
James wrote, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!" (James 2:19).
I think the Devil reads the Bible, but he reads it to misquote it. In the same way, false teachers memorize their little group of Bible verses to prove their false doctrine. And if we don't know the context of those verses and what the Bible teaches, we can be pulled into their false teachings.
The Bible tells us that in the last days, false teachers will draw people after themselves who have an itch for novelty. They will tell people what they want to hear.
For those of us who are called to preach, the way to counteract that is to "preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2).
If you don't know the Bible well, you can be misled. But if you're conversant with the teaching of the Bible, when something false comes along, you'll know the difference between what is true and what isn't.
Don't Be Fooled – Pastor Greg Laurie
ReplyDeleteYou are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
—Galatians 1:7
We can be so dazzled by the supernatural. If someone does a miracle, the assumption is they must be from God. But are they? Should we believe anyone who can do a miracle?
Satan has his counterfeit Christians. He probably operates by the old adage that says, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” He loves to counterfeit the genuine. Whatever you have in the Christian life, you will have a devilish counterfeit somewhere else in this world.
There are people who will lie and say that something is a miracle when it really is not a miracle at all. Then there are miracles that can be done by the hand of the devil. The Bible warns us about lying signs and wonders that will be brought about by the Antichrist and the false prophet who will work in connection with him in the last days. So we don’t want to believe someone just because they supposedly have a “miracle” ministry.
In addition to counterfeit miracles, there are counterfeit believers and a counterfeit gospel. The apostle Paul wrote, “I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not” (2 Corinthians 11:26). And writing to the believers in Galatia he said, “I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ” (Galatians 1:6–7).
How do you know if someone is from God? Listen to what they are saying. And if what they are saying does not correlate to what is taught in the Bible, don’t listen to them.
Sin Does Exist
ReplyDeleteIf we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9 RSV)
It is necessary that we note first the difference between the words, sin and sins. In Verse 8 it is in the singular number, "If we say we have no sin," in Verse 9 it is plural, "If we confess our sins." Now this marks a very important distinction, the distinction between the root which is sin, singular, and the fruit, which are sins, plural. Sin is that fallen twist in man which makes him want to play God on every occasion. We know how this is: We want the world to revolve around us, always to be the center of things. That self-centeredness is sin. It goes by other names as well -- pride, selfishness, or independence. That is the root, the twist in human nature which makes us commit sins.
Sins, therefore, are those specific forms which this inward bent makes us take from time to time. They can cover a wide range of experience. There are many kinds of sins, but all from one root, sin. This is now what Apostle John is zeroing in on. He says if we say we have no sin, that is, no capacity to commit sins, if we deny the very possibility of sins, then we deceive ourselves. Obviously, this is a worse case than the previous one. In the first instance, you remember, Apostle John says, "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth" (1 John 1:6 RSV), i.e., we are trying to deceive others and to some degree we often succeed. But if we say we have no ability to sin at all, we are only deceiving ourselves. Others are quite aware that we are lying to and deceiving ourselves. They are not fooled, it is we who are. That is always pathetic. The man who ignores the light deceives others, but seldom himself. He knows that he is not living as he ought, he knows he is ignoring light. But this one deceives himself. He actually believes that he can no longer sin, that there is no longer any possibility of evil in him.
You say, does this really happen? Are there people so deluded that they have come to the place where they really think they cannot sin? Unfortunately, we must say "Yes," it often happens in our day, and for several reasons. But whenever it happens, the one who makes this claim loses immediately that glorious "fellowship" which makes Christianity so vital and unforgettable. He loses his power, his influence, his vitality, and his effectiveness as a Christian. His life becomes lusterless, orthodox, dull, and deadening. Now how does this happen? There are primarily three ways in which this occurs:
ReplyDeleteFirst, a Christian can become the victim of one of the cults which teach along this line. There are cults which deny the reality of sin, who say that sin is but "an error of mortal mind." Sin, they say, has no real existence, it is a mere figment of the imagination, and all that is necessary to deal with sin is to correct your thinking. You will recognize that this teaching is widespread. It is represented by groups such as Christian Science, the Unity School of Christianity, and Religious Science. Also, it is widespread in non-Christian religions such as Theosophy, Hinduism, and Buddhism. They teach this concept that sin does not really exist, it is merely in the mind. Truth exists, and good exists, but sin does not have objective reality.
Unfortunately there are many who are really Christians who have fallen into this trap and believe that sin merely calls for an adjustment in their thinking. But John says if you believe that, the truth is not in you, there is no light in you, for light is truth and truth is light. The truth as it is revealed in Jesus says quite differently. According to the word of the Lord, both directly from his own lips and through the apostles that followed, the truth is that sin is a very objective reality. It does exist, it is always a present possibility. It finds its final expression in the great hosts of satanically-controlled beings who are at work in the world, as we have seen in previous series, influencing and controlling the thinking of men. Sin is personified in the person of the adversary, the devil, but it exists as a very powerful and persuasive factor in life. To treat it as though it is not there is but to practice self-deception and to become the victim of the saddest of delusions.
Sin does exist. There is nothing more pathetic than the person who denies the reality of sin.
Acts 20:28 – Purchased by God’s Blood
ReplyDeleteKeep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
In the incarnation Jesus was both fully God and fully man. As God, He had all the attributes of deity. As a man, He had all the attributes of humanity. Though Christ ad two natures: one human and one divine, He was always one person. In the incarnation, the person of Christ is the partaker of the attributes of both natures so that whatever may be affirmed of either nature, human or divine, may be affirmed by one person.
In His human nature, Christ knew hunger (Luke 4:2), weariness (John 4:6), and the need for sleep (Luke 8:23). In His divine nature, Christ was omniscient (John 2:24), omnipresent (John 1:48), and omnipotent (John 11). And all of these, the attributes of both His human nature and His divine nature, were experienced by the one person of Christ.
Though Christ is omniscient, part of His “self-emptying” in the incarnation (Philippians 2:5-11) involved His voluntary choosing not to use some of His divine attributes on some occasions, so that He could properly fulfill His mediatorial mission as assigned by the Father. Mark 13:32 is an example of this.
It is significant to note that both human and divine characteristics and deeds may be attributed to Christ’s person under any of His names, whether they be divine or human titles. Indeed, regardless of the designation Scripture employs, the person of the Son, and not one of His natures, is always the subject of the statement. Theolologian Robert Gromacki explains:
It is proper to say that Jesus was the Redeemer even though no human could
save another. It is also correct to state that the Son of God thirsted although
God doesn’t have to drink to sustain Himself. Human attributes were ascribed
to Him under a divine title: Emmanuel, the Son of God, was born (Matt. 1:23,
Luke 1:35) and the Lord of glory was crucified (1 Cor. 2:8). On the opposite side,
divine attributes were ascribed to Him under a human title: the Son of man
ascended to heaven where He was before (John 6:62) and the slain Lamb was
worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing
(Revelation 5:12).
God as God does not bleed. He had no blood in His divine nature to shed. However, Christ in the in the incarnation is the God-man. It is from the vantage point of His manhood that Christ could shed His blood. Yet, as noted above, human attributes can be ascribed to Christ under a divine title. This is the case in Acts 20:28. We find a referenced to God, who purchased the church “with His own blood.” Christ is referred to with a divine name (“God”), but the action ascribed to Him is rooted in His humanity (He shed His “blood”). Clearly, then the thought of Acts 20:28 is that it was at the cost of the life of the incarnate Second Person of the Godhead that the elect people of God were redeemed. Christ the God-man shed His blood.
Question:
ReplyDeleteSince Christ is both fully God and fully man and since both human and divine characteristics and deeds may be attributed to Christ’s person under any of His names (whether they be divine or human titles) can you see how Christ as God can be said to shed His blood to purchase the church?
Titus 2:13 – Our Great God and Savior
looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ
A study of the Old Testament indicates that is only God who saves. In Isaiah 43:11, God asserts: “I, even I, and the Lord [Yahweh], and apart from me there is no savior”. This is an extremely important verse, for it indicates that 1) a claim to be Savior is, in itself, a claim to deity; and 2) there is only one Savior, God. Since the New Testament clearly refers to Jesus Christ as the Savior, the only conclusion that makes sense is that Christ is indeed God. Shortly after His birth, an angel appeared to a group of
Nearby shepherds and said, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). John’s Gospel records the conclusion reached by the Samaritans: Jesus “really is the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
Reputable top Greek scholars: Bruce Metzger, H.E. Dana, Julius Mantey (and many others) positively affirms that Titus 2:13 asserts that Jesus is the great God and Savior. [H.E. Dana and Julius R. Mantey, A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament (New York: Macmillan and Co., 1957). P. 147]
Questions:
If only God can save, and if there is no other Savior that God (Isaiah 43:11), then doesn’t this mean that New Testament references to Jesus as Savior point to His deity?
If not, then how do you reconcile Jesus’ role as Savior with Isaiah 43:11?
If only one person is in view in Titus 2:13, then what does this tell you about Jesus’ true identity?
Isaiah 9:6 – Jesus a “Mighty God’?
For to us a child is born,
To us a son is given,
And the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Note that God the Father is also called “Mighty God” in Isaiah 10:21, and the fact Jesus too is called “Mighty God” points to His equality with God the Father. The phrase “Mighty God” is translated from the Hebrew word Elohim. Elohim is a very common name for God in the Old Testament; it is used about 2,570 times. It literally means “strong one,” and its plural ending (im in Hebrew) indicates fullness of power. Elohim is portrayed in the Old Testament as the powerful and sovereign Governor of the universe, ruling over the affairs of humankind. As related to God’s sovereignty, the word Elohim is used to described Him as the “God of all the earth” (Isaiah 54:5), the “God of all flesh” (Jeremiah 32:27), the “God of heaven” (Nehemiah 2:4), and the “God of gods and Lord of lords” (Deuteronomy 10:17).
ReplyDeleteIn Isaiah 40:3, Jesus is called both Yahweh (Jehovah) and Elohim in the same verse: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord [Yahweh]; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God [Elohim]. This verse was written in reference to the future ministry of Jesus Christ (see John 1:23), and represents one of the strongest affirmations of Christ’s deity in the Old Testament. Also, in referring to “our God” (as opposed to “their” God [of the New Testament] Isaiah was affirming that Jesus Christ was the God of both the Old and New Testaments.
John 4:23 – Worship the Father Only?
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
The fact is, Christ was worshiped as God many times according to the Gospel accounts, and He always accepted such worship as appropriate. Jesus accepted worship from Thomas (John 20:28). All the angels are told to worship Jesus (Hebrews 1:6). The wise men worshiped Jesus (Matthew 2:11); a leper worshiped Him (Matthew 8:2); and the disciples worshiped Him (Matthew 28:17).
Note that the same Greek word (proskuneo) for worship is used for both the Father and Jesus Christ.
In the Book of Revelation, God the Father and Jesus Christ are clearly seen as receiving the same worship. We see in Revelation 4:10, where the Father is worshiped, and Revelation 5:11-14, where we see all of heaven worshiping the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
Question:
What can we conclude about Jesus’ true identity when we read in the Book of Revelation that He receives the same worship that is given to the Father?
Jesus Truly did die on the Cross
ReplyDeleteThere are numerous predictions in the Old Testament that Jesus would die (Isaiah 53:5-10; Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10. There are many predictions in the Bible that Jesus would be resurrected (see Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 26:19, John 2:19; Matthew 12:40), but one cannot be resurrected unless one has first died.
Jesus often spoke of the fact that He was going to die for the sins of humankind (John 2:19-21; Matthew 12:40; Mark 8:31).
Jesus’ own mother and His beloved disciple John were eyewitnesses of His crucifixion (John 19:25-27).
Jesus was beaten beyond recognition by Roman guards, given a crown of thorns, and then crucified. Huge spikes were driven through His wrists and feet, resulting in heavy blood loss. He was stabbed in the side with a spear; from the spear would came “blood and water” (John 19:34). The accumulation of such wounds yields 100 percent nonsurvival. Medical authorities who have examined the circumstances and nature of Christ’s death have concluded that He actually died on the cross. (Refer to article in the Journal of the American Medical Society March 21, 1986).
At the last moment of life, Jesus gave up His spirit to the Father (Luke 23:46-49). Pilate checked to make sure Jesus was dead (Mark 15:44-45)
Ancient non-Christian historians recorded Christ’s death as a fact. This includes such notables as the Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus and the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. And early Christian writers like Polycarp affirmed Christ’s death.
Bible is clear that God the Father Himself allowed Jesus to die on the cross for the salvation of humankind (Romans 8:3-4; 1 Peter 1:18-20). It is also clear that God often allows His servants (whether prophets, apostles, or His own Son) to suffer. There is no incompatibility between God’s sovereignty and His allowance of certain events that, from our limited perspective, seem unfair or bad.
Why did Jesus die on the cross?
ReplyDelete“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”
(Matthew 20:28).
“There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
“He had died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first convenant” (Hebrews 9:15).
“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people” (Hebrews 9:28).
You know, you can go and plug in to every kind of religious system that's running around the world and they might give you sympathy and they might give you understanding, but they'll never give you resurrection. They'll never take you through the grave and out the other side. They'll never give you eternal life in heaven because they don't have the power...that resides alone in Jesus Christ.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and exchange takes place. We give him our sins, and he forgives us and makes us right with God (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). There is nothing we can do to earn this. Only through Christ can we be made right in God’s eyes. What an incredible bargain this is for us! But sadly, many still choose to pass up this gift to continue “enjoying” their sin.
Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ (no one else) (Romans 1:16,17) That's why the most wretched individual or the most gross life can come to Jesus Christ, put his faith in Jesus Christ, spend forever in eternity whereas the most philanthropic charitable person in the world who turned their back on Jesus Christ will spend forever in hell.
If you were to die right now, do you think you would enter into Heaven? Would you like to have the absolute assurance that you will be welcome there? If so then:
• Admit that you are a sinner
• Acknowledge Jesus Christ as the only one who could die for you sins.
• Pray: “I’m a sinner, forgive me of my sins Lord.”
• Repent (turn away from sin and turn toward God) and be converted.
• Open your heart right now and receive Jesus into your life.
SCHWARZENEGGER AND GOD
ReplyDeleteby Pastor Greg Laurie
Arnold Schwarzenegger says he is angry at death.
In an interview last year he said, “Your whole life you work, you try to improve yourself, save money, invest wisely, and then all of a sudden – poof. It’s over.”
I have some news for Arnold Schwarzenegger: Death makes God angry, too.
Someone might be thinking, Why didn’t God do something about it? He did. He sent his son to die on the cross. And when Christ died on the cross and rose again, he defeated death.
I know that people still die, of course. My mother is in heaven. My father who adopted me is in heaven. My son is in heaven. I have had to face death head-on, so I’m not approaching this subject from an ivory tower of theory. Rather, I’m giving a dispatch from the valley of the shadow of death.
I know what it is like to feel that pain. I also know what it is like to know the hope that Christ can bring, because I know death is not the end. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25 NKJV).
Life goes by so fast. I remember when I was a kid, I would look at older people and think, “Where do these people come from?” Then one day I looked in the mirror and realized that I was one of those older people.
My generation, the generation that launched the youth culture, has turned from sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll to nip, tuck and Botox. We have gone from acid rock to acid reflux. The reality is that life will come to an end. We can’t live forever in these bodies of ours.
The good news is the soul lives on. There is an afterlife. We make such a big deal about this life, but we don’t talk enough about the afterlife. This life on earth, the Bible says, “is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:14 NLT). But the afterlife goes on and on.
ReplyDeleteWe need to think very seriously about this, because once we die and enter the afterlife, we can’t change our destination. You can decide right now where you will spend eternity. But once you die, there are no more chances.
The Bible says, “Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NLT). We want to be thinking now about where we will spend eternity. We have only two options: heaven or hell – paradise or outer darkness … bliss or misery. Each of us has a choice.
The last thing God wants is to send any person uniquely created in his image to the place called hell. Jesus died on the cross for us so we could be forgiven and not end up there. Hell wasn’t made for people. According to Jesus, hell was created for the devil and his angels.
But if someone is bound and determined to reject the offer of forgiveness from Jesus Christ and ends up in hell one day, it really will be his or her own fault. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “I willingly believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful, rebels to the end; that the doors of hell are locked on the inside.”
We can have the hope of going to heaven one day. That is where the death and resurrection of Christ comes in.
John’s gospel gives us an inviting scene of a breakfast cooked by Jesus, the risen, living Savior. His hands had been pierced for the disciples, yet he took the time to make them a delicious meal. He had risen again in a physical body. He wasn’t a ghost. He wasn’t a phantom. He wasn’t a spirit. He was standing before them alive again.
Just for a moment, go back in your imagination to the first century. Here was Jesus with his great ministry, the people were singing his praises, and things were building to a crescendo. Jesus was headed to the cross. He talked about it all the time. He told his disciples that he would be betrayed, whipped and crucified, that he would rise from the dead three days later. But somehow they missed the memo on that. They were expecting him to establish his kingdom on earth right then and there.
ReplyDeleteBut according to God’s plan, Jesus was betrayed. He was beaten. He was crucified. He was laid in a tomb. And just as he predicted, he rose again from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus changes everything.
Because of the resurrection of Jesus, one day we will receive new bodies. And those bodies will no longer age or get sick or break down. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we will have resurrected relationships. One day we will be reunited with our loved ones who have died in faith. We will be reunited with loved ones who have gone on before us.
By the way, these are promises for Christians only. If you are not a Christian, then the only promise you have is that of a certain judgment. The Bible says, “He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31 NKJV). Because Jesus died and rose again, there will be a final judgment.
Good works don’t get you to heaven, however. Even if they did, there is no way, even on your best day, that you would have enough good works to earn the approval of God. The good news is there is nothing we can to do that is bad enough to keep us out of heaven. But the bad news is there nothing we can do that is good enough to get us into heaven.
This is where Jesus comes in. This is why we need Jesus – because we are not good enough. We need help. Jesus, who was God in human form, satisfied the righteous demands of the heavenly Father, whom we have all offended through our sin.
ReplyDeleteWhen Jesus died on the cross, he took hold of a holy God with one hand, and with the other hand, he took hold of sinful humanity. He died there in our place. That is why Jesus Christ – and Jesus Christ alone – is our only way to heaven. God has dropped one lifeline from heaven, and it is Christ himself.
God doesn’t grade on the curve; he grades on the cross. Heaven isn’t for good people; heaven is for forgiven people.
If you were to die right now, do you think you would enter into Heaven? Would you like to have the absolute assurance that you will be welcome there? If so then, pray this simple prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I know I cannot earn my way into Heaven. I thank you for sacrificing your life so that my sins could be forgiven. I know the only way anyone can receive forgiveness is through you, and so I come to you now and ask you to come into my life, forgive me of my sins, cleanse me, heal me, and be my personal savior so I may have eternal life through you. I pray in your name Jesus. Amen.
As a continuation of your faith in Christ, you should start studying the Bible daily in order to gain a closer relationship with God, also find a local church to attend that teaches directly from the Bible so you will have someone to answer any questions you may still have. Welcome to the family of God!
If you want to learn more about receiving Jesus Christ into your life, please visit this important message:
http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/
The Atomic Glue
ReplyDeleteApostle Paul goes on to describe the work of Jesus.
"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."
(Colossians 1:16)
Apostle Paul is proclaiming here when he says that Jesus is the "creator of all things...things were made by him." Now, as this verse goes on to say, that includes more than merely the material universe around us: more than stars, galaxies, superstars, planets, and solar systems, or even trees, grass, mountains and seas. It includes the earth, Paul says, but also heaven. Both the visible and the invisible. It would also include all forces. Electricity was invented by Jesus (not as a man, but as the Eternal Son) before the creation of the world. It would include radiation, magnetism, and the peculiar and mysterious dance of electrons from one level of energy to another within the atom that makes light. All this was the design of the Eternal Son.
But not only forces, but concepts and attitudes as well: grace, mercy, truth, love, and life itself. Jesus is the originator of all life. And, as Paul specifies here, a whole pantheon of invisible beings (and their visible counterparts in earthly government): "thrones and rulers and powers and authorities"---all were created by him. The Colossian heresy here becomes visible in our modern experience as well. The Colossians began to believe, because of the Greek teachers among them, that the universe consisted of a "hierarchy of angels." One must begin down at the bottom, with raunchy, unpleasant angels, and work one's way up through the whole hierarchy to the good angels and, finally, to God. From that idea has come the eastern concept of reincarnation for that too was part of the Colossian heresy.
We find a counterpart today, not only in the theory of reincarnation, but also in horoscopes and astrology---the idea of stars influencing and governing our lives. The claim that Transcendental Meditation is the means of getting in touch with invisible beings is another example. We are told that there are Astral Teachers and Divine Masters who appear from time to time to impart degrees of knowledge to the human race. Gradually, we are told, this is to result, after centuries and centuries of progress, in our being lost in the Divine presence. All this is nothing new. It is very old, but it is also new, appearing again and again in history. This is what the apostle labors to correct. He is telling the Colossians, "Jesus is above all angels. You are freed from bondage to these lesser beings when you see the true authority and power of your risen Lord."
ReplyDeleteJesus controls space and history:
"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17)
"He is before all things," means he is outside his own creation; he was there first.
When Paul uses the phrase, "all things by him hold together," he is speaking of our Lord's power to sustain and to prevent breakdown. The scientists who work on the great linear accelerator (a relatively small instrument) at Stanford University, trying to smash the atom apart, know that it takes incredible power.
A Stanford University Professor said: "The power to operate this instrument, is equivalent to all the electricity it takes to run the city of San Francisco."
Something holds the atom together with enormous, incredible power. That power, according to the Word of God (both here in Colossians and in the letter to the Hebrews is vested in Jesus. He has the authority to rule as Sovereign. He has the power to sustain, because he is the Eternal Son.
If you have a magnet in your right hand a magnet in your left hand, and you push the positive ends towards each other, they push away. Opposite charges attract; like charges repel. But here’s a great mystery: in the nucleus of the atom, protons are packed together which are all positive-charged particles.
ReplyDeleteWhat keeps these positive-charged protons from repelling like the magnets? What holds them together? Science doesn’t know. You can study quantum physics and learn lots of hypotheses and theories, yet to this day, it’s a mystery to scientists, but not to Christians, for Scriptures tells us the real answers. It is Jesus Christ who holds all things together. And the day is coming when, suddenly, He will let go…
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in
which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and
the elements shall melt with intense heat, the earth and its
works will be burned up.” (II Peter 3:10)
This was written before man knew anything about nuclear physics or about an atomic reaction could actually melt the basic building blocks of matter itself. God was prophesying how the world would end.
But now we know if the “atomic glue” which holds the atom together were to suddenly disappear, everything would dissolve in zillion degree “intense heat” accompanied by a “great noise” so powerful and quick it wouldn’t even be heard.
The most astonishing phenomenon today is to see men who work with this physical universe, who intimately observe the beauty, order, and power inherent in the natural world as well as in the world of humanity, yet who fail to see the Power behind it all; the ordered Intelligence that possesses and originates all these things. It is difficult to understand a man like Carl Sagan can work in the field of astronomy, knowing of the great secrets that are now coming to light in the universe, and yet go on breathing air which God has supplied, eating the food with which God has stocked this earth, and relying moment by moment on a heartbeat whose continuation rests in the will of Someone other than himself, yet can busy himself telling us that only man matters!
Made Alive with Christ
ReplyDeleteBut God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus... (Ephesians 2:4-6)
The Apostle Paul wrote about our old sinful nature (Ephesians 2:1-3). Here Paul emphasizes that we do not need to live any longer under sin’s power. The penalty of sin and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross.
Through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, or not guilty, before God (Romans 3:21, 22). God does not take us out of the world or make us robots, we still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we became Christians, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ (see also Galatians 2:20).
Because of Christ’s resurrection, we know that our body will also be raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:2-23) and that we have been given the power to live as Christians now (Ephesians 1:19). These ideas are combined in Paul’s image of sitting with Christ in “the heavenly realms”. Our eternal life with Christ is certain because we are united in his powerful victory.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God -- not because of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9)
When someone gives you a gift, do you say, “That’s very nice, now, how much do I owe you?” No, the appropriate response to a gift is “Thank you.” Yet how often Christians, even after they have been given the gift of salvation, feel obligated to try to work their way to God. Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy.
ReplyDeleteWe become Christians through God’s unmerited favor, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church (Ephesians 4:12)
Dear friend in the Dharma, As requested by a forest monk name as Venerable Suman Jyoti Thero, I am reaching out to you with folded hands for a generous appeal for DONATION for construction of Aryagiri Vipassana Meditation Center.
ReplyDeleteIt is said that only in selfless giving, and by being generous, that we are able to free our minds. The subject of this letter presents just such an opportunity and it is for the most worthy of causes-to support a place of worship and cultivation of mind, at Aryagiri Hill situated near Indo-Bangladesh Border in southern Mizoram, India.
In so doing through your generous support make manifest the words of the most basic Buddhist prayer, to support the teachings of the Vipassana Meditation, the remembrance of the Buddha, and the followers of the Buddha.
Establishment and construction of a Vipassana Retreat Meditation Center at this remote areas will serve the diverse spiritual needs of all Micro minority chakma Buddhists and non-Buddhists with warmth and spiritual openness. It will also serve as a center to teach and practice the techniques of meditation for the purpose of spiritual development.
The first phase for construction of Buddha shrine hall and two rooms for the monks have been completed with the generous donations made by various donor's from different countries.
The second phase will have to be built for the meditation hall and it's the second floor of the vihara.
So, Please help Bhante to raise funds to build a Vipassana Retreat Meditation Center at Aryagiri Hill. I am really compelled to reaching out to you on behalf of Ven. Suman Jyoti Thera in this meritorious deed, to raise funds required to contribution the main building for the Vipassana center.
Bhante live alone in the hill surrounded by deep jungle in search of the ultimate truth.
The contribution will help and in its entirety go towards a new Vipassana Retreat Meditation Center.
By making a donation to your ability, you are indeed lending a hand to continue this precious effort to spread the lucid word of the Lord Gauthama Buddha.
So please help Venerable Sumanjyoti Bhante with your donations to build the Vipassana Meditation Center at Aryagiri Hill.
Let us share the wonderful and rare gift of Dhamma, learn it, understand it, and live
accordingly.
The plan estimate for construction of second floor of the Ariyagiri Vipassana Meditation Center can be sent if required.
All the pious Dharma friends are requested to ask for the bank details to send your donation towards building the Vipassana Retreat Center of Bhante Suman Jyoti of Ariyagiri Hill near Bangladesh Border.
May you all have the blessing by the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
With Metta,
Sudip Chakma
Primary School Teacher,
Fundraiser of The Ultimate Truth Preaching Mission (A registered Buddhist Organization based in Mizoram, India)
Website: tutpm.in
&
Volunteer of Aryagiri Vipassana Foundation.
Lunglei District, Mizoram, India.
Email: sudip.utpm77@gmail.com
WhatsApp 91+9612602899
Donation can be sent to the following methods:-
Our PayPal link--
https://paypal.me/sudip77?locale.x=en_GB
Our Bank Transfer method-
Account Name: Sudip Chakma
A/c No: 1463104000036962
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Phone: 9612602899
Buddha Dharma Sangha🙏
Christ’s two natures
ReplyDeleteJesus Christ played a role in the creation since the New Testament says that God made the world through (Greek: dia) Christ. The Greek word dia is used several times of Christ’s role as Creator of the universe (John 1:3; 1 Corinthians. 8:6; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2), the New Testament also states that the world came into being through (dia) God (Romans 11:36), specifically through (dia) the Father (Hebrews 2:10). The Greek word dia cannot be taken to indicate a secondary, lessor role.
Though the New Testament teaches that the world was created “through” Christ, it also teaches that the world was created “through” the Father. Hence, Christ did not act as a junior partner in the creation of the universe.
It is important to note that the scriptural teaching that only God is the Creator. God says in Isaiah 44:24: “I, the Lord [Yahweh], am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone”.
The fact that Christ Himself is the Creator of “all things” (John 1:3) proves that Christ is God Almighty, just as the Father is.
In Hebrews 2:9, Christ Jesus in His incarnation had two attributes: human attributes, and Divine attributes. The apostle Paul made this clear when he affirmed that in the incarnation Christ was “taking the very nature of a servant,” “being made in human likeness,” and “being found in appearance as a man” (Philippians 2:7,8)
The incarnation of Jesus Christ involved not the subtraction of deity but the addition of humanity. So, in order to dwell among human beings, Christ made Himself nothing in the sense that He veiled His preincarnate glory, He submitted to a voluntary nonuse (without surrendering) of some of His divine attributes, and He condescended Himself by taking on a human nature. All this adds great significance to Hebrews 2:9 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Clearly, this verse was cited from the vantage point of the incarnation.
One of the most complex aspects of the relationship between Christ’s two natures is that, while the attributes of one nature are never attributed to the other, the attributes of both natures are properly attributed to His one person. Thus Christ at the same moment in time had what seem to be contradictory qualities.
Christ’s two natures
ReplyDeleteJesus Christ played a role in the creation since the New Testament says that God made the world through (Greek: dia) Christ. The Greek word dia is used several times of Christ’s role as Creator of the universe (John 1:3; 1 Corinthians. 8:6; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2), the New Testament also states that the world came into being through (dia) God (Romans 11:36), specifically through (dia) the Father (Hebrews 2:10). The Greek word dia cannot be taken to indicate a secondary, lessor role.
Though the New Testament teaches that the world was created “through” Christ, it also teaches that the world was created “through” the Father. Hence, Christ did not act as a junior partner in the creation of the universe.
It is important to note that the scriptural teaching that only God is the Creator. God says in Isaiah 44:24: “I, the Lord [Yahweh], am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone”.
The fact that Christ Himself is the Creator of “all things” (John 1:3) proves that Christ is God Almighty, just as the Father is.
In Hebrews 2:9, Christ Jesus in His incarnation had two attributes: human attributes, and Divine attributes. The apostle Paul made this clear when he affirmed that in the incarnation Christ was “taking the very nature of a servant,” “being made in human likeness,” and “being found in appearance as a man” (Philippians 2:7,8)
The incarnation of Jesus Christ involved not the subtraction of deity but the addition of humanity. So, in order to dwell among human beings, Christ made Himself nothing in the sense that He veiled His preincarnate glory, He submitted to a voluntary nonuse (without surrendering) of some of His divine attributes, and He condescended Himself by taking on a human nature. All this adds great significance to Hebrews 2:9 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Clearly, this verse was cited from the vantage point of the incarnation.
One of the most complex aspects of the relationship between Christ’s two natures is that, while the attributes of one nature are never attributed to the other, the attributes of both natures are properly attributed to His one person. Thus Christ at the same moment in time had what seem to be contradictory qualities.
He was finite and yet infinite, weak and yet omnipotent, increasing in knowledge and yet omniscient, limited to being in one place at one time and yet omnipresent. In the incarnation, the person of Christ is the partaker of the attributes of both natures, so that whatever may be affirmed of either nature, human or divine, may be affirmed of the one person.
ReplyDeleteThough Christ sometimes operated in the sphere of His humanity and in other cases in the sphere of His deity, in all cases what He did and what He was could be attributed to His one person. Even though Christ in His human nature knew hunger (Luke 4:2), weariness (John 4:6), and the need for sleep (Luke 8:23), in His divine nature He was also omniscient (John 2:24), omnipresent (John 1:48), and omnipotent (John 11). All of that was experienced by the one person of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel accounts clearly show that at different times, Christ operated under the major influence of one or the other of His two natures. Indeed, He operated in the human sphere to the extent that it was necessary for Him to accomplish His earthly purpose as determined in the eternal plan of salvation. At the same time, He operated in the divine sphere to the extent that it was possible in the period of His humiliation (Philippians 2:6-9).
Here is the key point: Both of Christ’s natures come into play in many events recorded in the Gospels. For example, Christ’s initial approach to the fig tree to pick and eat a fig to relieve His hunger reflected the natural ignorance of the human mind (Matthew 21:19a). (That is, in His humanity He did not know from a distance that there was no fruit on that tree.) But then He immediately revealed His divine omnipotence by causing the tree to wither (verse 19b).
On another occasion, Jesus in His divine omniscience knew that His friend Lazarus had died, so He set off for Bethany (John 11:11). When Jesus arrived, He asked (in his humanness, without exercising omniscience) where Lazarus had be laid (verse 34). Robert Reymond notes that “as a God-man, [Jesus] is simultaneously omniscient as God (in company with the other persons of the Godhead) and ignorant of some things as man (in company with the other persons of the human race).” (Reymond, Jesus, Divine Messiah: The New Testament Witness, p. 80).
All that helps to give a proper understanding of Jesus’ comment in Mark 13:32: “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone”. In this passage, Jesus was speaking from the vantage point of His humanity. Thus, as a human being Jesus was not omniscient but was limited in understanding just as all human beings are. If Jesus had been speaking from the perspective of His divinity. He wouldn’t have said the same thing.
Bible scholar Thomas Schultz has provided an excellent summary of the massive evidence for Christ’s omniscience:
ReplyDeleteFirst, He knows the inward thoughts and memories of man, an ability
peculiar to God (1 Kings 8:39); Jeremiah 17:9-16). He saw the evil in
the hearts of the scribes (Matthew 9:4); He knew beforehand those who
would reject Him (John 10:64) and those who would follow Him (John 10:14).
Second, Christ has a knowledge of other facts beyond the possible
comprehension of any man. He knew just where the fish were in the water
(Luke 5:4,6; John 21:6-11), and He knew just which fish contained the coin
(Matthew 17:27). He knew future events (John 11:11; 18:4).
Third, He possessed an inner knowledge of the Godhead showing the closest
possible communion with God as well as perfect knowledge. He knows the
Father as the Father knows Him (Matthew 11:27; John 7:29; 8:55).
The fourth and consummating teaching of Scripture along this line is that
Christ knows all things (John 16:30; 21:17), and that in Him are hidden all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). [Quoted in
McDowell and Larson, Jesus: A Biblical Defense of His Deity (San Bernardino,
CA: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1975), p. 54.]
Questions:
• Can anyone do the things Christ did in these verses without having the attribute of omniscience?
• Can anyone other than God have the attributes of omniscience?
• Since Christ in the incarnations had both a human nature and a divine nature, and since Christ in His divine nature exercised His omniscience on numerous occasions in the Gospels, can you see how Jesus was speaking from His human nature when He said He didn’t know the day of the hour?
Fraudulent Faith
ReplyDeleteNow the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. (1 Timothy 4:1 RSV)
As we draw near to the end, before the return of the Lord, there may come an increasing departure from the faith, but I do not think this passage is talking about any one great departure. In fact, other Scriptures suggest that the departure from the faith will occur at the time of the appearance of the man whom Paul, in Second Thessalonians, calls "the man of sin" (2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV), the so-called "antichrist" (1 John 2:18), who will lead this great departure from the faith.
This verse in First Timothy, however, is more properly understood when it is translated, "in succeeding seasons there will be many departing from the faith" -- i.e., this is something that is going to go on, the apostle is suggesting, throughout the whole course of Christian history, in succeeding seasons of time. Just as there are several seasons in a calendar year, so in the calendar of history God has seasons for human events -- seasons of war, seasons of peace, seasons of unrest in society, when everything seems to be torn apart (we are going through such a season now); seasons of discovery, when the human mind breaks through into new vistas of truth, geographical discoveries, scientific discoveries; seasons of retrenchment, when everything seems to quiet down; and, as the apostle clearly says here, "seasons of deceit," when error breaks forth afresh; like a fountain, it seems to gush out a whole new spectrum of untruth. I have lived long enough to have seen several such seasons.
These seasons of deceit were predicted by the Holy Spirit, we do not know how. Perhaps Paul learned this in some of those direct visions and visits from Jesus himself. Perhaps it came through the prophetic ministry of some of the New Testament prophets. At any rate, the Spirit had precisely stated that there would be succeeding seasons of deceit.
In the last part of the 19th century, there was a pronounced season of deceit, when new cults that have occupied the scene ever since emerged here in America. Mormonism was born then; Jehovah's Witnesses came into being during that latter part of the 19th century; Christian Science emerged. All of these claimed to be Christian, yet they distorted biblical Christianity. That period in the 19th century was followed by a period of quiet, when no new cults emerged. Error was being taught but no new organizations were formed.
ReplyDeleteSuddenly, in the mid-60's, it all broke loose again. A torrent of error began to flood our churches and the media. The Moonies came into existence under the Korean leader, Sun Myung Moon; the Hare Krishna, those young people in saffron robes with shaved heads, started appearing in airports, passing out literature and pinning flowers to lapels; Scientology, with its strange and cruel doctrines, was born; Transcendental Meditation came into popularity then.
Here the apostle is explaining that strange phenomenon to us. He says these things will occur in successive seasons of time. During those times, Paul says, many will depart from the truth, depart from the faith as it is presented in the apostolic Scriptures.
These groups make their appeal in various ways: some appeal to the emotions, some to the intellect, some to the will, to the pride of mankind. But they all have one common characteristic. This characteristic is indicated in this passage by the way the apostle moves from the central truth of Christianity, "the mystery of wholeness" (the person of our Lord and his work) expressed in Chapter 3, Verse 16, to the sharp and stark contrast of this "departure from the faith." Thus Paul seems strongly to suggest that the central focus of all error is to present a different Jesus; that is the key mark of deceit.
If you want to know whether a group you are listening to, or are in touch with, is preaching and teaching true Christianity, ask yourself: "What do they say about Jesus? Who is he? Is he God appearing as man? Did he come in the flesh? Is he the Savior who has in himself accomplished all that God requires for the redemption of humanity?" Ask yourself, "What part does the blood of Jesus play in this teaching? What is said about his Person?"
The central deviation of all religious error is a negative testimony to the centrality of Christ in the universe. Even the unseen forces of life know that Jesus is central. Jesus is truly Lord, so the thrust of error is to attack him.
ReplyDeleteThis is why in a university like Stanford it is possible to teach Buddhism, or some other teaching, and find it widely approved and supported by the faculty and the administration. Someone told me this morning that he took a course at Stanford University on Druids and Druidism and the religion of King Arthur. It became evident through the course that the teacher believed these things and was actively propagating a belief in Druidism -- and nobody objected. But when Jesus, when true Christianity, is presented, there immediately is sharp and subtle opposition against it. This is what the apostle Paul is pointing out.
Paul reveals the ultimate origin of these cults as coming from "deceitful spirits."
Was Jesus just a myth?
ReplyDeleteby Matt Slick
Was Jesus simply a mythical figure, a fabrication by religious zealots who wanted a symbol to rally behind for whatever reason they needed at the time? Or, was Jesus an actual person who lived in Israel 2,000 years ago? Most often, those who deny Jesus as a historic figure denounce the New Testament writings, particularly the Gospels, as fabrications or highly embellished stories passed down through the years. They must do this. Otherwise, they would have to acknowledge that Jesus lived.
In reality, a person must ignore a great deal of evidence establishing the historic accuracy of the Gospels. In other words, the Bible alone is sufficient evidence that Jesus lived whether or not the critics want to admit it. But making this claim doesn't establish it as fact. So, let's look at reasons why Jesus is not a mythical creation but an actual man who lived in Israel.
The Gospels as history--date of authorship
According to the Christian church, the four Gospels were written by the apostles and/or those under the direction of the apostles of Jesus. That means that they were written under direction of eyewitnesses of the actual events. Also, none of the Gospels mention the destruction of the Jewish temple in A.D. 70. This is significant because Jesus had prophesied concerning the temple when He said, "As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down," (Luke 21:6, see also Matt. 24:1, Mark 13:1). If the gospels had been written after that date and if they were fabrications, then surely they would have contained the account of the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple which are known historical facts. Yet, Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain no such information. Luke was written before Acts (Acts 1:1). The Book of Acts, a history of the Christian church, doesn't mention the fall of Jerusalem either, nor does it record the deaths of Paul, James, and Peter, which all happened in the early 60's. This means that Acts was written at least by A.D. 62 and Luke was written before that. Therefore, the time between the events and the writings is around 30 years. This further means that the eyewitnesses were around who could have corrected any statements written in the Gospels. Yet, we have absolutely no corrective or contradictory writings from that time--from anyone--denying the accounts of the Gospels.
Therefore, we can conclude that the Gospels were written well before the close of the first century.
The Gospels as history--historical content
ReplyDeleteThe Gospels do not have the sense of myth. If anything, they are written as eyewitness' accounts. Consider the first four verses of the Gospel of Luke which clearly states that it is a researched document.
Luke 1:1-4, "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught."
This is not how myths are made. This is how you uncover evidence and record it. Luke examined the witnesses, interviewed them, and checked out the facts. In Luke 2:1-2, we have historically verifiable information: "Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria." Also, see Luke 3:1-2, "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness." We clearly see numerous historical statements that have been verified through archaeology. This is precise record keeping, not extravagant additions. In fact, "Sir William Ramsey has shown that in making reference to 32 countries, 54 cities, and 9 islands he made no mistakes!"1 Sir William Ramsey (1851-1939) was a classical scholar and archaeologist. He taught at Oxford England, Aberdeen. He authored several scholarly books dealing with archaeology and had a major influence upon it as a science.
Nevertheless, there are many verifiable things found in the Gospel accounts.
1. Herod, king of Judea, (Matt. 14:1, Luke 1:5).
2. Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother Philip, (Matt. 14:3).
3. Pool of Bethesda, (John 5:1-3).
4. Pool of Siloam, (John 9:7).
5. etc.
6. There are many many more citations verified by archaeology that demonstrate the accuracy of the Gospels. When they mention events dealing with rulers, places, events like a census, who was governor, etc., they are all accurate historically.
The Gospels as history--accuracy of transmission
ReplyDeleteA very important issue is whether or not the Gospels have been accurately transmitted from the original writings down to the copies that we have today. Yes, they have been accurately transmitted to us. The truth is that the New Testament documents are 99.5% textually pure. This means that only 1/2 of 1% of all the documents (of all the copies in existence) has any question about the text. If this is compared to any other ancient writing, the New Testament comes out way ahead. See Manuscript evidence for superior New Testament reliability for more information on this.
Nevertheless, the accuracy is really even greater than 99.5%. The reason is that many of the copies that have spelling errors, minor word omissions and additions, etc., are copied and those copies contain those various minor errors. So, for example, if one manuscript has "Jesus Christ" and it is copied only as "Jesus," then the following manuscripts will contain only the word, "Jesus," where other manuscripts might contain "Jesus Christ." All that is needed is to compare the copies, see which of them is the oldest, which fits into the lineage of copies that is correct, or has an error, etc., and the mistake is usually very easily cleared up by comparing copies. Therefore, we can know what the original said in almost every case.
Also, if 10 copies contain the same copying error, then the total number of copies with error increases. But in reality by tracing the text back through parent manuscripts that are uncovered to archeology, we can uncover manuscripts that shed light on which rendering is correct.
Following is a partial chart detailing various copies of various ancient writings. It should be obvious that the New Testament documents are extremely well preserved. Therefore, if the New Testament cannot be considered reliable, then neither can any of the other writings listed below.
Author Date
Written Earliest Copy Approximate Time Span between original & copy Number of Copies Accuracy of Copies
Plato 427-347 B.C. A.D.900 1,200 yrs 7 ----
Caesar 100-44 B.C. A.D. 900 1,000 10 ----
Aristotle 384-322 B.C. A.D. 1100 1,400 49 ----
Homer 900 B.C. 400 B.C. 500 yrs 643 95%
New
Testament 1st Cent. A.D. A.D. (50-100) approx.
c. 130 A.D. less than 100 years 5,600
(in Greek) 99.5%
Miscellaneous Information
ReplyDeleteNoted Oxford expert on literature and myths, C. S. Lewis, said, "I have been reading poems, romances, vision-literature, legends, myths all my life. I know what they are like. I know that not one of them is like this [the Gospels]."2 Regarding the gospel of Mark. "A date before a.d. 50 leaves no time for mythological embellishment of the records. They would have to be accepted as historical."3
"New Testament books appeared within the lifetime of eyewitnesses and contemporaries. Luke was written by about 60, only twenty-seven years after Jesus’ death, before Acts in 60–62 (see Hemer, all). First Corinthians was written by 55–56, only twenty-two or twenty-three years after Jesus’ death (cf. 1 Cor. 15:6-8). Even radical New Testament scholar John A. T. Robinson dates basic Gospel records between 40 and 60 . . . . there is no time or way for a legend to develop while the eyewitnesses were still alive to refute the story."4
Conclusion
There is no reason to doubt the reality of Jesus as a historic figure. The Gospel accounts are four different accounts from four different people. They were penned by either eyewitnesses or under the direction of the eyewitnesses. These same Gospels were distributed throughout the region very quickly, and we have no account anywhere on any of the contemporaries attempting to refute any of the facts written in them, including those accounts dealing with the miracles of Jesus.
In order for Jesus to be a myth, it would have to be shown that the Gospel accounts were highly embellished and inaccurately copied and transmitted. But, considering that there are other, non- biblical accounts mentioning Jesus, it would be very difficult for anyone to demonstrate that He never lived.
• 1. Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas A. Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992, p. 384.
• 2. Lewis, C.S., Christian Reflections, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1967, 154–55, as cited in Norman L. Geisler and Abdul Saleeb, Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross, 2nd ed., Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2002, p. 244.
• 3. Geisler, Norman L., Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999, p. 188.
• 4. Geisler, p. 518.
About The Author
Matt Slick is the President and Founder of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry.
Website: https://carm.org/evidence-and-answers
GOSPEL MESSAGE (Part I)
ReplyDeleteWe do not become Christians by following some manual, religious ceremony or using some technique. Our conversion is a result of God’s implanting His Spirit in our heart, giving us new power to live for him. The Holy Spirit gives new life to all who believes and accepts Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
”But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
The Holy Spirit is given now, immediately when anyone believes in Jesus. There is no sign, no feeling, no emotional indication of it. It occurs, as Jesus said it would, when any believe on him. It is the means by which the risen life of Jesus becomes available to us, continuously and constantly. All that he is made available through all that I am.
It is a glorious kind of power. It does not need any props, does not require outside help, and does not borrow anything from the world. It does not even need a cup of coffee to get started in the morning! And it works best in a cemetery. It operates most visibly where everything is dull and lifeless, and nothing is happening. Anyone who is operating on resurrection power can come in and change the whole scene.
Resurrection power changes lives from within and not from without. It does not start on the outside, with the environment, or the circumstances, or the external situation; it starts within, and works out, to change the environment ultimately. And it does not separate or divide; it harmonizes, it heals, it draws together and breaks down "middle walls of partition" (Ephesians 2:14 KJV) that have been standing sometimes for centuries. It batters them down and brings people together, in harmony. It is a totally different kind of power. That is what you receive when you receive the Holy Spirit.
All of us have messed up our lives in one way or another; we have destroyed the wholeness already. But the glory of the good news is that in coming to Jesus, through his work on the cross on our behalf and his raising again from the dead, he can actually give us a new start. All the past is wiped out and forgiven. We are restored.
Some of you may have been going to church for years. You have been hearing the gospel but you have never opened your hearts to God. But that is the final, necessary step. Ultimately, the will must be moved. Jesus said in Revelation, "Behold I stand at the door (the door of the heart) and knock. If anyone hears my voice (feels desire), and will open the door (invite him to come in), I will come into him and live with him and he with me," Revelation 3:20). That is what happened in Thessalonica.
That is "the work of faith." Until you have actually received Christ, you have not exercised faith. You can believe the story to be true, but until it moves you to receive the Lord you have not exercised faith.
All Have Sinned – Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
The Wages of Sin is Death – Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”
God Loves You – Romans 5:8
“God demonstrated His live toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Confession and Salvation – Romans 10:9
“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
Thus the religion of the world, with its emphasis upon the external, is ignored by God. Man fulfills his proper function only by receiving what God has done in Christ, without any need for observances or candles or form or ceremony, but by a quiet act of faith. That is the simplicity of belief in Jesus Christ. It is so uncomplicated, so simple, so available to all.
If you want to receive Christ into your life, visit this important message:
http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/
Created to Know Him
ReplyDeleteLet us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all.
— Ecclesiastes 12:13
If you are seeking fulfillment, purpose, or meaning from this world and from human accomplishments, I have some bad news: you will never find it. There is nothing in the world that will fill the deepest void in your life—not the ultimate car, not the greatest job, not the most beautiful girl or the most handsome guy, not the greatest education, not winning it all on American Idol. There is nothing that can even come close.
King Solomon, one of the wealthiest men who ever lived, had everything he wanted. Yet he went on a binge, trying to satisfy his appetites with the wrong things. He went after passion. He went after possessions. He went after things of beauty and buildings and land. He drank, and he partied. After all of that, here was his conclusion: "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 2:11, NLT).
Have you ever been ravenously hungry and tried to satisfy your appetite with snacking? It just doesn't work. You want a real meal. In the same way, we were created with a God-shaped hole in our lives. We have been created to love God, to know God, and to bear fruit. Everything else is secondary.
Think about it: everything else in life, every other responsibility, no matter how significant, must be ordered behind the central purpose of your existence on earth—knowing, loving, and serving your Creator. Yes, God cares about your career, your marriage, your family, and your ministry. But knowing Him, prioritizing Him, is number one. And when you do, the Bible says you never will be a loser for it.
Jesus said it like this: "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:32-33, NLT).
The Power of Christ's Words
ReplyDeleteChrist' passionate love for the world is evident in His statements from the Cross:
Statement One
"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
Do you realize that you are in need of the Father's forgiveness?
Statement Two
"Today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
Have you realized and confessed Jesus as your personal Savior?
Statement Three
"Woman, behold your son." John 19:26
Jesus is concerned for us and provides for all of us.
Statement Four
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46
Jesus was forsaken so we don't have to be.
Statement Five
"I thirst!" John 19:28
This personal statement reminds us that Jesus is not only God, but He also was man. Jesus identifies with our needs.
Statement Six
"It is finished!" John 19:30
Jesus paid for our sins, and sin's control over our lives is broken!
Statement Seven
"Into Your hands I commit My spirit." Luke 23:46
You can entrust your life into God's hands.
If you are reading this today and you've never committed your life to Jesus Christ, would you and confess Him as Your Savior and Lord? If so, visit this important message, that will affect your eternal destiny:
http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/
Why we should believe the Bible
ReplyDeleteWe should believe the Bible because of the wealth of good evidence that has demonstrated the Bible is historically reliable and divinely inspired. It speaks about:
• Its hundreds of fulfilled prophecies
• The Bible's amazing internal harmony
• The Bible's incredible scientific accuracy and foresight
• Thousands of archaeological discoveries
• Numerous details in the Bible that have been corroborated by extrabiblical historical sources
• And so on
THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE
For the Bible to be regarded as the inspired word of God, it must be scientifically accurate…since God would certainly know the facts about his creation. A word of caution, however, as we seek to evaluate the claim of scientific accuracy. Over time, science has often discovered new facts that confirmed a revised understanding of the truth, previously unknown. These discoveries have always been consistent with the Bible, however, at times a careful consideration of the words and (importantly) the context of the words must be made.
The account of creation (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1900s). The account of creation as given in the Bible (Genesis 1) is accurate according to the steps understood by science. Written down originally by Moses, they were not fully recognized by science until the 1900s, using modern astronomy, physics, chemistry, paleontology, and geology.
Time, space and matter had a beginning (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1916). The Bible’s first words are “in the beginning.” And elsewhere, including the New Testament, there are references to the beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2; 1 Corinthians 2:7). In 1915, Albert Einstein’s equations of general relativity proposed a beginning of time, matter and space. Later these equations were confirmed by repeated experiments.
The first law of thermodynamics (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1842). The law of conservation of energy indicates that matter and energy can neither be created nor destroyed (just converted). There are many biblical references to God’s completion (that is, there was no more creation), going as far back as Genesis (2:2-3), and also in several other books (Psalm 148:6; Isaiah 40:26; 2 Peter 3:3-7; Hebrews 4:3-4,10). Joule and Mayer both independently discovered this in the same year (1842), what is now known as the first law of thermodynamics.
The second law of thermodynamics (the Bible: 1000 B.C.; Science: 1850). Commonly known as entropy, this law states that all things progress from a state of order to a state of disorder (within a closed system) without a purposeful input of energy. Common illustrations: things decay, springs unwind, stars burn out, heat dissipates, and materials become mixed over time. There are many references to the principle of entropy in the Bible, for example,
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like garment (Psalm 102:25-26).
Other similar references include Isaiah 51:6; Matthew 24:35; Romans 8:20-22; 1 John 2:17; and Hebrews 12:27. In 1850, Clausius discovered this second law of thermodynamics.
Circumcision on the eighth day (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1947). No one really knows for sure why God specifically chose circumcision as the sign of his covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:11). Though it seems like an odd practice, research has indicated that it does have medical value. A study in the mid-1900s showed that Jewish women had a lower rate of cervical cancer. The smegma bacillus has been shown to be a major cause of cervical cancer. It can be easily carried in the foreskin of uncircumcised males and transferred to females through a abrasions of the cervix (as those occurring in childbirth).
Interestingly, God specified that newborns be circumcised on the eighth day after childbirth (Genesis 17:12). Research shows that infants are particularly susceptible to hemorrhaging from the second day after birth to the fifth. A small cut can be deadly. Vitamin K, necessary for the production of prothrombin (the body’s blood-clotting substance) is not present sufficiently until days five through seven. It skyrockets to 110 percent of normal on day eight, and then levels off. The Bible specifies the best possible day.
Sterilization (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1800s). It is easy to take our understanding of germs and disease for granted. However, germs and sterilization were not understood until the time of Joseph Lister (1865), near the end of the Civil War. The Bible required sterilization for many things: infectious disease (Leviticus 13), childbirth (chapter 12), bodily discharges (chapter 15), and handling of the dead (Numbers 19).
Interesting to note that many of the world’s greatest scientists have been Christians working from within a Christian worldview, including men such as Nicolaus Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, and Sir Isaac Newton. These brilliant men found to be true what many others discovered: The Bible is a book that can be trusted.
Archaeological Evidence
ReplyDeleteArchaeologists have discovered substantial support about many
details of Jesus’ life. Some examples include:
Indirect Resurrection Evidence
Evidence that the people in Jesus’ time believed in the resurrection is found on caskets of bones (ossuaries) discovered in a sealed tomb outside Jerusalem in 1945. Coins minted in about A.D. 50 were found inside the caskets, dating the burial within about 20 years of Jesus’ crucifixion. Markings are clearly legible, including several statements reflecting knowledge of Jesus’ ability to overcome death. Example of writings (in Greek) of hope for deceased loved ones include: “Jesus, Help” and “Jesus, Let Him Arise.” The caskets also contain several crosses, clearly marked in charcoal. This is powerful evidence that early Christians believed in Jesus’ ability to triumph over death. It also ties the idea of victory over death to the cross.
Sir William Ramsay (1852-1916). Sir William Ramsay was, arguably the greatest archaeologist of his day. His archaeological journeys took him to 32 countries, 44 cities, and 9 islands. Throughout some 15 years of intensive study, he concluded that “Luke is a historian of the first rank, this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians.”
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Any doubt regarding the accurate transmission of manuscripts was erased in 1947
with the discovery of hundreds of scrolls buried in caves for nearly 2000 years.
Many were written before 100 B.C. Comparison of biblical books with recent
Jewish copies shows virtual no change in words or even letters.
The Trustworthiness of the New Testament
The New Testament has better manuscript evidence than any other ancient book.
There are over 5,000 New Testament manuscripts and portions of manuscripts. By comparison, the majority of classical works have less than 20 manuscripts.
The dates of the New Testament manuscripts are close to the original writings. One Gospel fragment (Ryland’s) dates about 25 years after the Gospel of John and most of the New Testament (Chester Beatty and Bodmer Papyri) from 50-150 years after the originals. Most classical works date from 700 – 1400 years after the originals.
None of the canonical New Testament is lost or missing. By comparison, 107 of Livy’s 142 books of history have been lost and about one half of Tacitus’ 30 books of Annals and Histories is missing.
2. Good arguments can be given that each of the Gospels was either written by an eyewitness, or significantly influenced by firsthand testimony, as recognized by many contemporary scholars.
3. Even without proving eyewitness authorship, the Gospels measure up well by normal historical standards used in ancient historiography.
4. The Gospel are trustworthy sources, as explained by A.M. Hunter
ReplyDeletea. These Christian authors, like their Jewish counterparts, were careful to preserve traditional material.
b. The Gospels are close to eyewitness sources.
c. The Gospel authors were honest reporters.
d. The picture of Jesus presented in the four Gospels is virtually the same (see Archibald M. Hunter, Bible and Gospel, pp. 32-37).
5. The Gospels and Acts exhibit a specific interest in reporting historical facts, not mythology. This is especially the case when the life of Jesus is reported.
6. Contemporary historians frequently opposed the application of radical criticism to New Testament studies. According to A.N. Sherwin-White and Michael Grant, such attacks fail at a number of crucial points (see A.N. Sherman-White, Roman Society, pp. 186-193; Grant, Jesus: An Historian Review, pp. 179-184, 199-201).
a. Numerous ancient works exhibit intentions and methodologies similar to that of the New Testament authors, and yet these ancient works are well accredited as historical works.
b. There are no ancient writings in the category that radical critics place the Gospels.
c. New Testament books such as Acts have been largely confirmed by external test of historicity.
7. The Gospel and Acts were recognized as inspired books almost immediately after being written (see J.B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers).
a. 1 Timothy 5:18 quotes Luke 10:7 and refers to it as “Scripture.”
b. Clement of Rome (about AD 95) speaks of the “Gospel” and quotes portions found in all three synoptic Gospels, referring to them as the words of Jesus (Corinthians 13,46).
c. Ignatius (Smyrnaeans 3) and Polycarp (Philippians 2, 7), both writing about AD 115, refer to verses in the synoptic Gospels as the words of Christ.
8. Paul’s epistles were also recognized as inspired Scripture almost immediately after being written.
a. 2 Peter 3:15-16 calls Paul’s epistles “Scripture.”
b. Clement of Roman (Corinthians 47), Ignatius (Ephesians 10; to Polycarp 5), and Polycarp (Philippians 1,3-4, 6) all refer to Paul’s writings as inspired.
Ralph Muncaster, (former atheist) in his book: Examine the Evidence, presents extensive evidence to validate the truth-claims of Christianity. He provides compelling arguments from science, biblical prophecy, history, and archaeology. This former skeptic points out that of all religions and philosophies on earth, only one, Christianity is verifiable and testable. He was challenged to honestly investigate the Bible and the facts of modern science. He was stunned. Fact after fact, from biology, history, archaeology, physics, lined up with the Bible’s account!
Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853) Greenleaf, (former Atheist), one of the principle founders of the Harvard Law School, and a world-renowned expert on evidence, originally set out to disprove the biblical testimony concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was certain that a careful examination of the internal witness of the Gospels would dispel all the myths at the heart of Christianity. But this legal scholar came to the conclusion that the witnesses were reliable, and that the resurrection did in fact happen. Being a man of conviction and reason, and in accordance with his conclusions, Greenleaf converted from Agnosticism to Christianity.
ReplyDeleteManuscript Documentation
The position of Jewish scribe was one of the most demanding and esteemed jobs in biblical times. After training for years, scribes were allowed to practice the profession only after age 30. Often referred to as doctors of the Law, they joined the priests in the teaching of the Law.
Scripture Copy Rules
Recording of Holy Scripture was a serious responsibility. So important was exact reproduction that Old Testament scribes were forced to adhere to demanding rules anytime a manuscript was copied:
1. Scrolls – special paper, ink, and surface preparation required.
2. Tight specifications – specified column number, 37 letters per column.
3. Master used – no duplicates of duplicates.
4. Each letter visually confirmed – no writing of phrases.
5. Distance between letters checked with thread.
6. Alphabet – each letter counted and compared to original.
7. Letters per page counted and compared to master.
8. Middle letter of scroll verified to be the same as the master.
9. One mistake – scroll was destroyed (i.e., master scrolls)
Consider the following facts about the Bible:
First, the Bible is not just one single book. This is a more common misconception than many people realize, especially with people who do not come from a Judeo-Christian background. Rather than being a single book, the Bible is actually a collection of 66 books, which is called the canon of scriptures. These 66 books contain a variety of genres: history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, letters, and apocalyptic just to name a few.
Second, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors. These authors came from a variety of backgrounds: shepherds, fishermen, doctors, kings, prophets, and others. And most of these authors never knew one another personally.
Third, these 66 books were written over a period of 1500 years. Yet again, this is another reminder that many of these authors never knew or collaborated with one another in writing these books.
ReplyDeleteFourth, the 66 books of the Bible were written in 3 different languages. In the Bible we have books that were written in the ancient languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic; a reflection of the historical and cultural circumstances in which each of these books were written.
And finally, these 66 books were written on 3 different continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe . Once again, this is a testament to the varied historical and cultural circumstances of God's people.
Think about the above realities: 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents. What's more, this collection of books shares a common storyline - the creation, fall, and redemption of God's people; a common theme - God's universal love for all of humanity; and a common message - salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and
commit to following God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. In addition to sharing these commonalities, these 66 books contain no historical errors or contradictions. God's word truly is an amazing collection of writings!
The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, bears the mark of Divine inspiration.
The Bible Itself Argues Against the Possibility of Its Corruption
The charge that the Bible has been corrupted, contradicts what the Bible itself teaches. After all, in Isaiah 40:8 we read, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands for ever.” In the New Testament Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”
(Matthew 24:35).
The Almighty God who had the power and sovereign control to inspire the Scriptures in the first place is surely going to continue to exercise His power and sovereign control in the preservation of Scripture.
INCARNATION
ReplyDeleteBefore there was a world, before stars and planets, there was Jesus. Coequal, coeternal, and coexistent with the Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus was with God—and He was God. John 1:1–2 tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." That beginning goes back before creation. In John 1:14 tells us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” When the Word became flesh, he dwelt in the womb of Mary and was born as Jesus. Jesus is the incarnation of God, the term "incarnation" means "to become flesh." Jesus is God in flesh. Col. 2:9 says, "for in him dwells all the fullness of deity in bodily form."
Another term for the incarnation of God in reference to Jesus is the hypostatic union. The term "incarnation" does not appear in the New Testament, but the concept is definitely taught: John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 John 4:2; John 20:28; Heb. 1:8.
Few more points about John 1:1. First, the words “in the beginning” in John 1:1 are translated from the Greek words en arche. It is highly significant that these are the very words that begin the Book of Genesis in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, which predates the time of Christ). The obvious conclusion we must draw is that John’s “beginning” is identical to the Genesis “beginning.”
The phrase “in the beginning” has specific reference to the beginning of time when the universe was created. When the time-space universe came into being, Christ the divine Word was already existing. It is important to grasp this, because John tells us that “in the beginning [when time began] was the Word”. The verb “was” in this verse is an imperfect tense in the Greek text, indicating continued existence.
Dr. Julius R. Mantey (World’s top 50 Greek Scholar) stated that ninety-nine percent of the scholars of the world who know Greek and who helped translate the Bible are in disagreement with those who believed that Jesus is not God in John 1:1.
People who are looking for the truth ought to know what the majority of the scholars really believe. They should not allow themselves to be misled by false teachings.
“The Word became human” - John 1:14
ReplyDeleteAnd the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
- John 1:14
“The Word became human.” By doing so, Christ became (1) the perfect teacher, in Jesus’ life we see how God thinks and therefore how we should think (Philippians 2:5-11); (2) the perfect example, as a model of what we are to become, he shows us how to live and gives us the power to live that way (1 Peter 2:21); (3) the perfect sacrifice, Jesus came as a sacrifice for all sins and his death satisfied God’s requirements for the removal of sin (Colossians 1:15-23).
“The only Son of the Father” means Jesus is God’s only and unique Son. The emphasis is on unique. Jesus is one of a kind and enjoys a relationship with God. He is unlike all believers, who are called “children of God.”
When Jesus was born, God became a man. He was not part man and part God; he was completely human and completely divine (Colossians 2:9). Before Christ came, people could know God partially. After Christ came, people could know God fully because he became visible and tangible in Christ. Christ is the perfect expression of God in human form. The two most common errors people make about Jesus are to minimize his humanity or to minimize his divinity. Jesus is both God and man.
In human history that actually takes place: God becomes man; God becomes flesh, in an amazing blending together of these two concepts.
The book of John confirms that Jesus existed in a glorified state before becoming flesh. Therefore, the Bible claims that Jesus existed in the "form of God" (i.e., a Spirit), but took on the form of a human male in order to come to earth and commune with His people so that we might have a visible demonstration of what God is like.
In his letters, John the Apostle says that fact is so fundamental to our faith that a denial of it constitutes an anti-Christian heresy: "If any man deny that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, that is the spirit of anti-Christ," (1 John 4:3). That truth is so central to our faith that if you want to test any other religion or cult, ask yourself, "What do they teach about Jesus? Was he God made flesh, or not?" That is the test of heresy. The glory that John saw in Jesus was shining out into the darkness of the world of the eternal glory of the Word of God.
Former New Age Astrologer Finds New Purpose, Warns Against the Occult
ReplyDeleteAs Halloween approaches and the public’s attention turns toward the world of the paranormal and “spirits,” one SES (Southern Evangelical Seminary) graduate (class of 2011), a former astrologer, uses what she learned at SES to help Christians defend against New Age beliefs and to educate those flirting with the paranormal.
"I had no interest in being a Christian at all, and no one witnessed to me," Marcia said, thinking back a few decades to the height of her spiritual quest.
Marcia studied Eastern religion in college where she began researching the life of Gandhi. Hinduism intrigued her, and with no firm faith foundation—her dad was agnostic, her mother a nominal Christian—she found herself wanting to practice something. She was also developing an interest in the paranormal.
After college, Marcia got involved in a couple of Buddhist groups that taught her meditation, marking her entrance into the New Age. It wasn't long before she enrolled in classes on psychic development and astrology.
"Those courses really pulled me into it, big time," she said.
Marcia became a certified astrologer and served as president of the Metropolitan Atlanta Astrological Society. Marcia would collect birth data and plug it into a chart calculating the position of the sun, moon and planets relative to a person's birth place and time. Marcia then interpreted the chart, advising the client on job goals, relationship issues, strengths and past influences.
After a while, Marcia started feeling compelled to go to church again, but ignored it—for months.
"I wanted to get rid of it," she said, and even wondered if the feeling had to do with unfinished business from a past life. Eventually, she visited a church, but with plans to leave early. When the service began, everyone stood as a boy carried a cross down the aisle.
"As he passed me, I felt this love falling down on me," Marcia said. "It was like there was a personal God who was telling me He loved me."
ReplyDeleteMoved to tears, she stayed through the whole service, then went back the next Sunday, and the next. She joined a Sunday school class, but didn't see any conflict with retaining her Buddhist beliefs. Just a few weeks after stepping foot in church, "I started getting this impression that God did not like astrology." A few weeks after that, Marcia felt God was telling her to give it up. But two more events reinforced her discomfort.
Marcia visited her chiropractor, who was into witchcraft. As Marcia lay on the table, the woman said she was starting a coven and wanted Marcia to be the astrologer. Marcia suddenly felt a weight on her and graciously declined.
Shortly after, at an Astrological Society open house, Marsha was lecturing on zodiac signs. "While I was talking, I felt this very strong urge to say, 'We shouldn't be here.' ... I had to stifle it."
Finally, the night before Thanksgiving, Marcia told her rector what was happening. He took out a Bible and shared God's warnings against practicing divination. But without astrology, Marcia thought, "What was my life about?"
Marcia started reading the Bible every night, beginning in Matthew 1. "As I read, I started sensing that there was something very pure about the words." By Dec. 21, she was in Matthew 8, reading how Jesus calmed the storm. "Where is your faith?" Jesus asks the disciples.
The story grabbed her. "God just opened my eyes. I suddenly realized who Jesus was. ... I had to have Him as a Savior." She asked Him to be part of her life right then, and "as soon as I did that, I knew I was a different person." Marcia remembers telling a co-worker about it and found out later that he and his young adult group at church had been praying for her for a year.
When she heard there was a seminary that focused on answering objections like those she encountered in the New Age and in the occult, she enrolled.
"My ministry is mainly how do you respond to the New Age?" That's what drew her to SES—its emphasis on how to defend biblical Christianity.
ReplyDeleteFrom the very first course, she began using what she was learning at SES as she talked to Christians curious about New Age ideas or to people who were already enmeshed in it. She's able to share why those ideas don't align with the Bible.
“With so many people mixing religions and leaving the church, you're bound to come across someone who's not a Christian, and you need to be ready,” Marcia said. She recalls reading the paper on the subway once when a woman nearby asked to borrow the horoscope section. Marcia took the opportunity to tell her why it wasn't a good idea to read them, and then shared the Gospel with her.
"The fact that it doesn't appear to be evil is the very danger of it," she said.
"The evil of the occult shouldn't be sensationalized, but not underplayed or dismissed either," she said. In the Bible, talk of the occult is linked to worship of false gods. "God has very strong words on it; therefore, it's not something to play around with (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Galatians 5:20)."
“What about Halloween?” is a question she is often asked. She tells people that Halloween tends to “glorify darkness” and to nurture fascination with evil. She also points out, however, that “Christians should follow their consciences.”
Note:
Southern Evangelical Seminary ranked the Best General Apologetics Graduate Program by TheBestSchools.org, since 1992 Southern Evangelical Seminary has provided a synthesis of sound philosophy, classical apologetics, and a cohesive theology based on the inerrant Word of God in order to equip Christians to persuasively share their faith in a secular world.
Pastor Ray Stedman: Who is Jesus? (Part II)
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4 RSV)
Any scientist who studies in the natural realm is always astonished when he comes to see the complexity of life, the marvelous symmetry of things, what lies behind all visible matter, the molecules, the atom, the make-up of a flower or of a star. The obvious order, design and symmetry of everything is astonishing; it is amazing.
We have all wondered at what we have seen through some of the discoveries of science. All of that was in the thought of God, but it never would have been expressed until the Son said it; he spoke and these things came into being. So this amazing Man, Jesus of Nazareth, in the mystery of his being, was not only a human being here on earth with us, John says, but was the One who spoke the universe into existence at the beginning. He understands it; he knows how it functions; he is able to direct it, guard it and guide it. He spoke it into being.
Furthermore, John says, Jesus sustains it: "Without him was not anything made that was made." He is essential to it; he is what keeps it going and holds it in existence. I have always been fascinated by the great linear accelerator that runs out into the mountains back of Stanford University. You cross over it almost without thinking when you drive up Highway 280 to San Francisco. This linear accelerator is a great atom-smasher, which takes energy that is developed at the beginning of that great tunnel and increases its speed constantly until it approaches the speed of light so that the energy particles smash into a target of an atom at the end. Why does it take so much power to break loose what is in an atom so that scientists might investigate the electrons, the protons and other particles that make up that atom? Why does it take so much power to break it apart? Science has long asked that question, but has failed to come up with an answer to it. There is a force that they cannot describe or understand that holds all things together.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians what that force is: "He [Jesus] holds all things together," (Colossians 1:17 RSV). Hebrews says, "He [Jesus] is upholding the universe by the word of his power," (Hebrews 1:3). That is why we cannot forget Jesus: we are held together here this morning by his word and his power. That is why we do not fall apart and blast into smithereens. Something holds us together, and that is from him.
ReplyDeleteThe third thing John says is that Jesus is the originator of two tremendously essential things that we need: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." The contribution that Jesus makes to us is our very life.
What is life? Everybody senses the difference between life and death. A scientist can analyze what elements make up a living substance, but when he puts it all together it does not have life. The elements are there, the chemistry is there, but something is missing. It will not grow; it will not develop; it is not alive. What is life? No one knows. Again, life is one of the great mysteries. But what the Word declares to us and what all science is busy trying to demonstrate is that God is alone the source of life; Jesus is life! Plants have life; he gave it to them. Animals have a higher form of life; he gave it to them. Men have still a higher form of life, and he is the source of it. Thus we cannot escape him, we cannot forget him. Jesus stands at the beginning and the end of every human life. Ultimately our life goes back to him when it ceases down here.
More than that, when life is given there comes with it light. Light here is a symbol of knowledge, of understanding, of truth. You and I can go to school and learn because we have human life, but Jesus speaks of an eternal life, a higher level, supernatural life, life that does not die. John declares in his letter, "He that has the Son has that kind of life, and he that does not have the Son does not have that kind of life," (1 John 5:12). So eternal life comes only from Christ. When you have life from him you have the possibility of light as well. That is why there is no possibility of understanding the world and the universe in which we live without eternal life from the Son of God.
Everywhere in Scripture we are invited to pursue knowledge and discover what is around us in all the exciting mysteries God has hidden in life. We can pursue science, medicine, art, literature and politics, and all that is right. But there is something more. If that is all we have, life at that level is narrow, crabbed and limited, and we can never understand what is really happening. It is only as we come to the level of divine light, understanding as it is in the Scriptures, coming from the lips of Jesus, that we begin to put all the pieces together. Only then can we see who we are, why we are here, and get the answers to all the puzzles and conundrums of life.
So when John introduces his gospel he wants us to understand this: that the One he is going to talk about, this amazing man from Nazareth, is God himself somehow become a Man. He is the Creator become part of his creation, the Originator of life and of wisdom who somehow limited himself to learning as a little child, growing and partaking with us in the search for truth, and, at last, manifesting the fullness of it in his resurrected power. This is the One who is at the center of our faith. That is why we cannot forget Jesus. Every human being sooner or later must deal with Jesus of Nazareth. He is the ultimate crisis in every human life.
Deceptive Philosophies
ReplyDelete"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
First, according to Apostle Paul, these empty, deceptive philosophies "depend on human tradition." They arise out of the thinking of men, find a foothold in society, and then are passed along from generation to generation so as to appear popular and widely supported. Hardly anyone dares question them because everybody believes them.
Second problem with false doctrine, is, in Paul's words, "not according to Christ." Evil teaching always focuses on demoting Jesus, refusing to recognize the full revelation of his Being as it is set out in the Scriptures. Every cult attacks the Person or the work of Jesus---or both. They claim that he was nothing but a very good man, a model man, perhaps, although he lacked the insights into life and reality that are ours through modern knowledge. Thus, they put him down and demote him. Or, going to the opposite extreme, they regard Jesus as a supernatural being, one among several Divine Masters who come periodically into human affairs to teach us wonderful truths that we would never know otherwise, and which, if followed, will release within us great divine powers. (This is the teaching of the New Age movement that we are being exposed to today.) But these cults never view Jesus as God himself, willing to die in our place.
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have this fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10)
Everywhere in Scripture you will find this approach: We are to be "...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." We must focus again upon who he is, then the mind and heart are both protected against the assault of an evil teaching. Here the apostle reminds the Colossians that they already have everything they need if they have Jesus. They have God for "in Christ dwells all the fullness of Deity in bodily form." All of God is present when Jesus is there. This does not mean that Jesus is both the Father and the Son.
Scripture never teaches that. But "the fullness of God," the whole Godhead, comes into your life when you receive Jesus. What more do you need? That is Paul's question. What more can these false teachers add to that? What new experience, what other additional divine person can you receive than what you have already received when you have Jesus? It may be that we need to discover more of what it means to have Christ in our heart; that is a lifelong process. We shall always be growing in appreciation of what it means to have him, but the point is (and it is a very important one): you do not need anything more than you already have. You merely need to understand more of what you have received.
ReplyDeleteSome cults teach that Jesus has mere divine qualities in Colossians 2:9, Rather, it is saying that the absolute “fullness of Deity” dwells in Christ in bodily form. Scholars are unanimous on this point. For example:
New Testament scholar Joseph B. Lightfoot says the phrase “fullness of deity” means “the totality of divine powers and attributes.” [J.B. Lightfoot, St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979), p. 181.]
Greek scholar J.H. Thayer says the Greek word in Colossians 2:9 refers to “deity, that is, the state of being God, Godhead.” [J.H. Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1963), p. 288.]
Greek scholar Richard C. Trench says that “St. Paul is declaring that in the Son there dwells all the fullness of absolute Godhead….He was, and is, absolute and perfect God.” [R.C. Trench; cited in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992), p. 1401.]
Greek scholar John A. Bengel states that the Greek word refers “not merely [to] the Divine attributes, but [to] the Divine nature itself.” [John A. Bengel; New Testament Word Studies, Vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1978), p. 460.]
Bible scholar H.C.G. Moule states that the Greek word “is as strong as possible; Deity, not only Divinity.” [H.C.G. Moule, Studies in Colossians & Philemon (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1977), p. 102.]
Theologian Robert Reymond says the Greek word refers to “the being of the very essence of deity.” [Robert Reymond, Jesus, Divine Messiah; The New Testament Witness (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1990), p. 250.]
In keeping with all this, Theologian Benjamin B. Warfield concludes that “the very deity of God, that which makes God God, in all its completeness, has its permanent home in our Lord, and that in a ‘bodily fashion,’ that is, it is in Him clothed with a body.” [Benjamin B. Warfield, The Person and Work of Christ (Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 1950), p. 46.]
What the Bible says about Jesus
ReplyDeleteRevelation 1:7-8 says: Jesus is the Almighty
Genesis 17:1 says: The Almighty is God
John 18:51 says: Jesus is the I Am
Exodus 3:14 says: The I Am is God
John 8:24 says: Jesus is I Am He
Isaiah 43:10 says: I Am He is God
Hebrews 1:6 says: Angels worship Jesus
Psalm 148:2 says: Angels worship God
Acts 4:12 says: Jesus is the One Savior
Isaiah 45:21 says: The One Savior is God
Luke 1:68 says: Jesus is the One Redeemer
Isaiah 41:14 says: The One Redeemer is God
Philippians 2:10 says: Every knee must bow to Jesus
Isaiah 45:23 says: Every knee must bow to God
Did you know that there are about 3,856 verses directly or indirectly concerned with prophecy in Scripture, about one verse in six tells of future events? God’s challenge to the world is “Prove Me now, I am the Lord … I will speak, and the word that I speak shall come to pass.” (See Jeremiah 28:9; Ezekiel 12:25) Buddhists, Confucianists, and Muslims have their own sacred writings, but in them the element of prophecy is obviously absent.
In the brief life of Jesus alone we see over 300 fulfilled prophecies! Only Jesus as an all-knowing God could make and fulfill.
Here are few other biblical passages proving that Jesus is God:
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 44:6
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of
host: “I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God.’”
Isaiah 43:10
“You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have
chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall be after ME.”
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the
Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 21:6
“And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
Beginning and the End.’”
1 John 5:20
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an
understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is
true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
1 Timothy 3:16
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached
among he Gentiles, believed on in the world,
received up in glory.”
Titus 2:13
“...looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ…”
John 8:58
Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was,
I AM.’”
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall
conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
(Immanuel translated: “God among us.”)
Philippians 2:10-11
“…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and
of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(There will come a day that all angels, all prophets, all religious leaders, including Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad bowing down to Jesus)
ReplyDeleteWe also find in Scripture that Jesus is described as:
OMINIPRESENT Matt. 28:20
OMNISCIENT John 2:24
OMNIPOTENT Heb.1:3
CREATOR John 1:1-3
ETERNAL Micah 5:2, Heb 1:8
GOD Heb. 1:8; Titus 2:13; John 1:1; John 20:28
Conclusion: We clearly see that Jesus Christ claims to be God in human flesh and clearly identified as God. He is to be prayed to, worshiped to, and possess the many attributes of God.
Can you see now, that Jesus is God?
STATEMENT OF FAITH
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS OUR ULTIMATE AUTHORITY?
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the ultimate revelation of God to mankind. In it, God reveals the objective truth about who he is, who mankind is, his purposes and desires for the world and how human beings are able to know him in a personal relationship.
WHO IS GOD?
God is an objective person who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is perfect in every way and is especially characterized by his holiness, his righteousness and his love. He has eternally existed, and reveals himself to mankind in three distinct personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three manifestations are co-equal expressions of one God.
WHAT IS A HUMAN BEING?
Human individuals are beings who have been created in the image of God for the very purpose of living in relationship with him. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, we are tarnished by our human nature which is disobedient toward God. This sinful nature generates sinful acts and the end result is separation from God.
HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE SALVATION?
Salvation is the process that God has provided for mankind to end the separation that exists because of the sin problem. This separation is a spiritual problem which exists as an objective reality in this life and continues on throughout eternity if it is not remedied before physical death. God provided for this process through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. To receive this salvation, an individual must personally acknowledge his or her responsibility for the sin problem, decide to turn from that disobedience, ask God’s forgiveness and offer his or her life to him based on the work of Christ on the cross. God honors a person’s sincere repentance and request by adopting the individual into his family to live for eternity in his presence.
Is There a God?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.everystudent.com/features/isthere.html
Does God exist? Here are six straightforward reasons to believe that God is really there.
By Marilyn Adamson
Just once wouldn't you love for someone to simply show you the evidence for God's existence? No arm-twisting. No statements of, "You just have to believe." Well, here is an attempt to candidly offer some of the reasons which suggest that God exists.
But first consider this. When it comes to the possibility of God's existence, the Bible says that there are people who have seen sufficient evidence, but they have suppressed the truth about God.1 On the other hand, for those who want to know God if he is there, he says, "You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you."2 Before you look at the facts surrounding his existence, ask yourself, If God does exist, would I want to know him? Here then, are some reasons to consider...
1. The complexity of our planet points to a deliberate Designer who not only created our universe, but sustains it today.
Many examples showing God's design could be given, possibly with no end. But here are a few:
The Earth...its size is perfect. The Earth's size and corresponding gravity holds a thin layer of mostly nitrogen and oxygen gases, only extending about 50 miles above the Earth's surface. If Earth were smaller, an atmosphere would be impossible, like the planet Mercury. If Earth were larger, its atmosphere would contain free hydrogen, like Jupiter.3 Earth is the only known planet equipped with an atmosphere of the right mixture of gases to sustain plant, animal and human life.
The Earth is located the right distance from the sun. Consider the temperature swings we encounter, roughly -30 degrees to +120 degrees. If the Earth were any further away from the sun, we would all freeze. Any closer and we would burn up. Even a fractional variance in the Earth's position to the sun would make life on Earth impossible. The Earth remains this perfect distance from the sun while it rotates around the sun at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph. It is also rotating on its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly warmed and cooled every day.
And our moon is the perfect size and distance from the Earth for its gravitational pull. The moon creates important ocean tides and movement so ocean waters do not stagnate, and yet our massive oceans are restrained from spilling over across the continents.4
Water...colorless, odorless and without taste, and yet no living thing can survive without it. Plants, animals and human beings consist mostly of water (about two-thirds of the human body is water). You'll see why the characteristics of water are uniquely suited to life:
It has a wide margin between its boiling point and freezing point. Water allows us to live in an environment of fluctuating temperature changes, while keeping our bodies a steady 98.6 degrees.
Water is a universal solvent. This property of water means that various chemicals, minerals and nutrients can be carried throughout our bodies and into the smallest blood vessels.5
Water is also chemically neutral. Without affecting the makeup of the substances it carries, water enables food, medicines and minerals to be absorbed and used by the body.
Water has a unique surface tension. Water in plants can therefore flow upward against gravity, bringing life-giving water and nutrients to the top of even the tallest trees.
Water freezes from the top down and floats, so fish can live in the winter.
ReplyDeleteNinety-seven percent of the Earth's water is in the oceans. But on our Earth, there is a system designed which removes salt from the water and then distributes that water throughout the globe. Evaporation takes the ocean waters, leaving the salt, and forms clouds which are easily moved by the wind to disperse water over the land, for vegetation, animals and people. It is a system of purification and supply that sustains life on this planet, a system of recycled and reused water.6
The human brain...simultaneously processes an amazing amount of information. Your brain takes in all the colors and objects you see, the temperature around you, the pressure of your feet against the floor, the sounds around you, the dryness of your mouth, even the texture of your keyboard. Your brain holds and processes all your emotions, thoughts and memories. At the same time your brain keeps track of the ongoing functions of your body like your breathing pattern, eyelid movement, hunger and movement of the muscles in your hands.
The human brain processes more than a million messages a second.7 Your brain weighs the importance of all this data, filtering out the relatively unimportant. This screening function is what allows you to focus and operate effectively in your world. The brain functions differently than other organs. There is an intelligence to it, the ability to reason, to produce feelings, to dream and plan, to take action, and relate to other people.
The eye...can distinguish among seven million colors. It has automatic focusing and handles an astounding 1.5 million messages -- simultaneously.8 Evolution focuses on mutations and changes from and within existing organisms. Yet evolution alone does not fully explain the initial source of the eye or the brain -- the start of living organisms from nonliving matter.
2. The universe had a start - what caused it?
Scientists are convinced that our universe began with one enormous explosion of energy and light, which we now call the Big Bang. This was the singular start to everything that exists: the beginning of the universe, the start of space, and even the initial start of time itself.
Astrophysicist Robert Jastrow, a self-described agnostic, stated, "The seed of everything that has happened in the Universe was planted in that first instant; every star, every planet and every living creature in the Universe came into being as a result of events that were set in motion in the moment of the cosmic explosion...The Universe flashed into being, and we cannot find out what caused that to happen."9
ReplyDeleteSteven Weinberg, a Nobel laureate in Physics, said at the moment of this explosion, "the universe was about a hundred thousands million degrees Centigrade...and the universe was filled with light."10
The universe has not always existed. It had a start...what caused that? Scientists have no explanation for the sudden explosion of light and matter.
3. The universe operates by uniform laws of nature. Why does it?
Much of life may seem uncertain, but look at what we can count on day after day: gravity remains consistent, a hot cup of coffee left on a counter will get cold, the earth rotates in the same 24 hours, and the speed of light doesn't change -- on earth or in galaxies far from us.
How is it that we can identify laws of nature that never change? Why is the universe so orderly, so reliable?
"The greatest scientists have been struck by how strange this is. There is no logical necessity for a universe that obeys rules, let alone one that abides by the rules of mathematics. This astonishment springs from the recognition that the universe doesn't have to behave this way. It is easy to imagine a universe in which conditions change unpredictably from instant to instant, or even a universe in which things pop in and out of existence."11
Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize winner for quantum electrodynamics, said, "Why nature is mathematical is a mystery...The fact that there are rules at all is a kind of miracle."12
4. The DNA code informs, programs a cell's behavior.
All instruction, all teaching, all training comes with intent. Someone who writes an instruction manual does so with purpose. Did you know that in every cell of our bodies there exists a very detailed instruction code, much like a miniature computer program? As you may know, a computer program is made up of ones and zeros, like this: 110010101011000. The way they are arranged tells the computer program what to do. The DNA code in each of our cells is very similar. It's made up of four chemicals that scientists abbreviate as A, T, G, and C. These are arranged in the human cell like this: CGTGTGACTCGCTCCTGAT and so on. There are three billion of these letters in every human cell!!
Well, just like you can program your phone to beep for specific reasons, DNA instructs the cell. DNA is a three-billion-lettered program telling the cell to act in a certain way. It is a full instruction manual.13
ReplyDeleteWhy is this so amazing? One has to ask....how did this information program wind up in each human cell? These are not just chemicals. These are chemicals that instruct, that code in a very detailed way exactly how the person's body should develop.
Natural, biological causes are completely lacking as an explanation when programmed information is involved. You cannot find instruction, precise information like this, without someone intentionally constructing it.
5. We know God exists because he pursues us. He is constantly initiating and seeking for us to come to him.
I was an atheist at one time. And like many atheists, the issue of people believing in God bothered me greatly. What is it about atheists that we would spend so much time, attention, and energy refuting something that we don't believe even exists?! What causes us to do that? When I was an atheist, I attributed my intentions as caring for those poor, delusional people...to help them realize their hope was completely ill-founded. To be honest, I also had another motive. As I challenged those who believed in God, I was deeply curious to see if they could convince me otherwise. Part of my quest was to become free from the question of God. If I could conclusively prove to believers that they were wrong, then the issue is off the table, and I would be free to go about my life.
I didn't realize that the reason the topic of God weighed so heavily on my mind, was because God was pressing the issue. I have come to find out that God wants to be known. He created us with the intention that we would know him. He has surrounded us with evidence of himself and he keeps the question of his existence squarely before us. It was as if I couldn't escape thinking about the possibility of God. In fact, the day I chose to acknowledge God's existence, my prayer began with, "Ok, you win..." It might be that the underlying reason atheists are bothered by people believing in God is because God is actively pursuing them.
I am not the only one who has experienced this. Malcolm Muggeridge, socialist and philosophical author, wrote, "I had a notion that somehow, besides questing, I was being pursued." C.S. Lewis said he remembered, "...night after night, feeling whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all of England."
ReplyDeleteLewis went on to write a book titled, "Surprised by Joy" as a result of knowing God. I too had no expectations other than rightfully admitting God's existence. Yet over the following several months, I became amazed by his love for me.
6. Unlike any other revelation of God, Jesus Christ is the clearest, most specific picture of God revealing himself to us.
Why Jesus? Look throughout the major world religions and you'll find that Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and Moses all identified themselves as teachers or prophets. None of them ever claimed to be equal to God. Surprisingly, Jesus did. That is what sets Jesus apart from all the others. He said God exists and you're looking at him. Though he talked about his Father in heaven, it was not from the position of separation, but of very close union, unique to all humankind. Jesus said that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father, anyone who believed in him, believed in the Father.
He said, "I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."14 He claimed attributes belonging only to God: to be able to forgive people of their sin, free them from habits of sin, give people a more abundant life and give them eternal life in heaven. Unlike other teachers who focused people on their words, Jesus pointed people to himself. He did not say, "follow my words and you will find truth." He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me."15
What proof did Jesus give for claiming to be divine? He did what people can't do. Jesus performed miracles. He healed people...blind, crippled, deaf, even raised a couple of people from the dead. He had power over objects...created food out of thin air, enough to feed crowds of several thousand people. He performed miracles over nature...walked on top of a lake, commanding a raging storm to stop for some friends. People everywhere followed Jesus, because he constantly met their needs, doing the miraculous. He said if you do not want to believe what I'm telling you, you should at least believe in me based on the miracles you're seeing.16
God views your relationship with him as permanent. Referring to all those who believe in him, Jesus Christ said of us, "I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand."20
ReplyDeleteLooking at all these facts, one can conclude that a loving God does exist and can be known in an intimate, personal way.
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Footnotes: (1) Romans 1:19-21 (2) Jeremiah 29:13-14 (3) R.E.D. Clark, Creation (London: Tyndale Press, 1946), p. 20 (4) The Wonders of God's Creation, Moody Institute of Science (Chicago, IL) (5) Ibid. (6) Ibid. (7) Ibid. (8) Hugh Davson, Physiology of the Eye, 5th ed (New York: McGraw Hill, 1991) (9) Robert Jastrow; "Message from Professor Robert Jastrow"; LeaderU.com; 2002. (10) Steven Weinberg; The First Three Minutes: A Modern View of the Origin of the Universe; (Basic Books,1988); p 5. (11) Dinesh D'Souza, What's So Great about Christianity; (Regnery Publishing, Inc, 2007, chapter 11). (12) Richard Feynman, The Meaning of It All: Thoughts of a Citizen-Scientist (New York: BasicBooks, 1998), 43. (13) Francis S. Collins, director of the Human Genome Project, and author of The Language of God, (Free Press, New York, NY), 2006 (14) John 8:12 (15) John 14:6 (16) John 14:11 (17) Jeremiah 31:3 (18) John 3:16 (19) Revelation 3:20 (20) John 10:27-29
Twenty Reasons Christians
ReplyDeleteBelieve Jesus is God
by CHARLIE H. CAMPBELL
Director of The Always Be Ready Apologetics Ministry
Author of Scrolls and Stones: Compelling Evidence
the Bible Can Be Trusted
The Bible, which we believe is trustworthy for a wealth of reasons, teaches that there is one God who eternally exists in three coequal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It teaches that Jesus (God the Son) came to the Earth 2,000 years ago to pay the penalty for mankind’s sin. Many religious cults deny this, they teach that Jesus was, and is, merely a man, an angel, or one of many gods they say exist. Below are twenty reasons, taken right from Scripture, as to why Christians believe Jesus is Almighty God.
1. The Apostle Thomas called Jesus "God."
John 20:27-29: Then He [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
2. The Apostle Peter called Jesus "God."
2 Peter 1:1: “Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ”
3. The Apostle Paul called Jesus "God."
Titus 2:12b-14: “...we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
4. The Apostle John called Jesus "God."
John 1:1-3, 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” See verse 14 for confirmation that this reference to the "Word" is a reference to Jesus.
5. God the Father called Jesus "God."
Hebrews 1:8: “But to the Son He [God the Father] says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.’”
6. Isaiah the Prophet said the Messiah would be God.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 9:6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
God the Father, in the Old Testament, is also called “Mighty God” in Isaiah 10:21, the same title that can be ascribed to the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
7. The Jews who crucified Jesus understood Him to be saying that He was equal with God.
John 5:18: “Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”
John 10:33: “The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
8. Jesus called Himself “I AM”, the Old Testament name for God (Exodus 3:14).
John 8:58-59: “Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”
9. Jesus calls Himself “the Alpha and Omega,” the title of Almighty God.
Revelation 22:12-13: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Revelation 1:8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
10. Like God (Gen. 1:1), Jesus created.
Colossians 1:16-17: “For by Him [See context. This is speaking of Jesus] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”
John 1:3: “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
Yet God says in Isaiah 44:24, “I am the LORD, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself”
11. Like God, Jesus forgives sin.
ReplyDeleteMark 2:5-7, 10-11: “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” “...But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”--He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go your way to your house.”
12. Like God, Jesus gives eternal life.
John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
13. Like God, Jesus received, receives, and will receive worship.
Matthew 14:32-33: “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (also see Matthew 28:9, 17, John 9:37-38)
Revelation 5:13: “And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Hebrews 1:6: “But when He again brings the firstborn [JESUS] into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
Jesus never rebuked any of His followers for worshiping Him and yet worship of anything or anyone other than God is absolutely forbidden in the Bible . . .
Luke 4:8: “And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
14. Jesus said that only God was good; and Jesus was good.
Mark 10:17-18: “And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and began asking Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.”
John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
Jesus was as good as they come. He was “sinless,” “holy,” “righteous,” “innocent,” “undefiled,” and “separate from sinners.” (Hebrews 7:26) That’s pretty good!
15. Like God, Jesus can be present in more than one place at the same time.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (See also Matthew 28:20)
16. One of Jesus’ titles is “God with us.”
Matthew 1:23: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
17. Jesus’ blood is called God’s blood.
Acts 20:28: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
18. Jesus has the same nature as God.
Hebrews 1:3a: “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.”
19. Jesus spoke as God.
Jesus did not speak as one of God’s prophets: “thus says the Lord,” but as God: “I say to you.”
Matthew 5:27-29: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
Matthew 7:28-29: “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
20. Like God (Psalm 136:3), Jesus is called the "Lord of Lords and King of kings."
Revelation 17:14: “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (See also 1 Timothy 6:15).
It is clear from these passages and dozens of others that Jesus was and is God almighty. Don't let a Religious Cult or any other person lead you astray. Be a noble minded Berean (Acts 17:11) and search the Scriptures to see for yourself that this is indeed the case.
ABOUT CHARLIE H. CAMPBELL
ReplyDeleteCharlie Campbell is the Director of the Always Be Ready Apologetics Ministry and a popular guest speaker at churches and conferences. He is the author of numerous articles, books, and DVDs, including:
• Scrolls & Stones: Compelling Evidence the Bible Can Be Trusted
• Evidence for the Existence of God
• One Minute Answers to Skeptics
• Archaeological Evidence for the Bible
• The End Times: Ten Upcoming Events in Bible Prophecy
• The Case for the Resurrection
• Teaching and Preaching God's Word
His DVDs and books have been endorsed by Norman Geisler, Charles Colson, Chuck Smith, Ed Hindson, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Jeremy Camp, and many others.
Email: info@AlwaysBeReady.com for further details.
Fifth, the nature of the crucifixion assures death. Jesus was on the cross from 9 o’clock in the morning until just before sunset. He bled from wounded hands and feet plus from the thorns that pierced His head. There would be a tremendous loss of blood from doing this for more than six hours. Plus, crucifixion demands that one constantly pull himself up in order to breathe, thus sending excruciating pain from the nails. Doing this all day would kill nearly anyone even if they were previously in good health.
ReplyDeleteSixth, the piercing of Jesus’ side with the spear, from which came “blood and water (John 19:34), is proof that He had physically died before the piercing. When this has happened, it is medical proof that the person has already died (see point eleven below).
When the soldier pierced the side of Jesus his blood, which had already separated into the plasma and the hemoglobin, came pouring out together. That only happens when the circulation has stopped and death has occurred.
Seventh, Jesus said He was in the act of dying on the cross when He declared “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit” (Luke 23:46). And “having said this, He breathed His last” (v.46).
John renders this, “He gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). His death cry was heard by those who stood by (vv. 47-49).
Eighth, the Roman soldiers, accustomed to crucifixion and death, pronounced Jesus dead. Although it was a common practice to break the legs of the victim to speed death (so that the person can no longer lift himself and breathe), they did not even break Jesus’ legs (John 19:33).
Ninth, Pilate double-checked to make sure Jesus was dead before he gave the corpse to Joseph to be buried. “Summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. And when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph” (Mark 15:44-45).
Tenth, Jesus was wrapped in about 75 pounds of cloth and spices and placed in a sealed tomb for three days (John 19:39-40; Matthew 27:60). If He were not dead by then, which He clearly was, He would have died from lack of food, water, and medical treatment.
ReplyDeleteEleventh, medical authorities who have examined the circumstances and nature of Christ’s death have concluded that He actually died on the cross. An article in the Journal of the American Medical Society (March 21, 1986) concluded:
Clearly, the weight of historical and medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead before the wound to his side was inflicted and supports the traditional view that the spear, thrust between his right rib, probably perforated not only the right lung but also the pericardium and heart and thereby ensured his death. Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern knowledge (p. 1463).
WHY DID JESUS DIE?
ReplyDeleteThis question is of vital importance because your eternal destiny depends upon your answer to it. Do you know why Jesus died? If not, I believe God has sent me across your path to tell you.
SIN BRINGS DEATH
In God’s Word, the Bible, we learn that death came into the world because of sin. “Wherefore … by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). You and I die because we are sinners; we have forfeited our right to live on the earth. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
JESUS DIED FOR US
Did Jesus die because He had sinned? No. Listen to the inspired Word: “In Him is no sin” (1 John 3:5); “Who did no sin” (1 Peter 2:22); “Who knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, death had no claim upon Him. But, blessed be His Name, He “gave Himself for our sins” (Galatians 1:4). It was love to you and me that caused the Lord Jesus Christ to come down from heaven and die on Calvary’s cross. It was love to us that held Him on that shameful cross until He had finished the work of atonement to the glory of God.
A holy, righteous, just God cannot let sin go unpunished. On the cross the Lord Jesus bore God’s judgment against sin in our stead, as our substitute; and now God is offering not only forgiveness, but also justification to the repentant sinner who believes in Jesus. He is “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). God showed His approval of that mighty work by raising the Lord Jesus from among the dead and seating Him at His own right hand in heaven (Mark 16:19).
JESUS IS THE WAY
ReplyDeleteThere is no other way a sinner can be saved but through the atoning death of the Lord Jesus, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Why did Jesus die? Have you ever realized that it was your sins that caused Him to die upon the cross, or ever felt you need of Him as your personal Savior? As you read this little message, He looks down from heaven upon you, and He reads the thoughts and intents of your heart. He knows your attitude toward your sins, as well as your attitude toward the One who wants to be your Savior.
TURN TO HIM TODAY
ReplyDeleteGod knows all about you. I urge you not to lay aside this message until you have settled this great question and have received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Once you see the seriousness of your sinful condition before God, you will never get rest of conscience and heart until you have trusted the Savior of sinners. He “made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20). We are “reconciled to God by the death his Son” (Romans 5:10).
If you do not trust Him now as your Savior, you will meet Him in eternity as your Judge. For God “hath appointed a day, in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man who He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in the He hath raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
Won’t you flee to Him now for refuge while it is the day of salvation? “We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
If you have questions or want to talk to someone about what it means to follow Jesus Christ, visit: SeekLife.net
Biblical God Is Transcendent and Immanent & The Trinity
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning and from and from ancient times things that are not yet done. Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’”
Deut. 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!”
Mark 12:29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
The Biblical Teaching: That there is only one true God is the consistent testimony of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. That truth is like a thread that runs through every page of the Bible. Though there are several possible translations of Deut. 6:4, it is best rendered from the Hebrew text in this way: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” Using God’s names, we could translate this verse, “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our Elohim, Yahweh alone.” This affirmation of faith was known as the Shema among the ancient Jews.
In a culture saturated with false gods and idols, the Shema would have been particularly meaningful for Israelites. The Jews made a habit of reciting this affirmation twice a day, one in the morning and again in the evening. The importance of the Shema is reflected in the Hebrew practice of requiring children to memorize it at a very early age.
God Himself positively affirmed through Isaiah the prophet, “I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). God later declared, {I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like me” (46:9). God often demonstrated that He alone is God by foretelling the future, something that false gods could never do (46:5-7).
Now, while it is true that Yahweh (the Lord) is our Elohim (God), the key identification we must now make is this: Who is Yahweh? Is it the Father alone, as some religious organizations assume, or is Jesus also Yahweh? Indeed, is the triune God Yahweh?
ReplyDeleteScripture does not come right out and say, “The Father is Yahweh.” But we know the Father is Yahweh because He is called “God” and the “only true God” in Scripture (John 6:27; 17:3). By the same virtue, however, Jesus must also be recognized as Yahweh: He is called “God” (John 1:1), “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6; cf. 10:21), “our great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13), and “Lord” (Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 2:11).
Clearly, then, Jesus is Yahweh just as the Father is Yahweh. The Holy Spirit, as well, must be recognized as Yahweh in view of His deity (see Acts 5; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 2:22). In light of these facts, we must conclude that in no way does Deut. 6:4 argue against the doctrine of the Trinity. Trinitarians gladly affirm that the verse proves there is one and only one God. And that does not contradict the idea that there are three persons within the one Godhead, a truth that is clearly revealed in other passages, such as Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14.
It is interesting to observe that the early Christians, who had a solidly Jewish background, did not hesitate to refer to Jesus as “Lord” and “God,” despite their unbending monotheism (Romans 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 1 Peter 2:3; 3:15). Indeed, despite their commitment to the Shema in Deut. 6:4, they had no scruple about applying to Jesus many Old Testament texts that were originally written in reference to Yahweh, For example:
∙ In Revelation 1:7 Jesus is seen to be the pierced Yahweh who is described in Zechariah 12:10.
∙ The reference to Yahweh and Elohim in Isaiah 40:3 is seen to be fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ in Mark 1:2-4.
∙ Calling upon Yahweh in Joel 2:32 is seen as identical and parallel to calling upon Jesus in Romans 10:13.
∙ The glory of Yahweh in Isaiah 6:1-5 is said to be the glory of Jesus in John 12:41.
∙ Yahweh’s voice “like the roar of rushing waters” (Ezekiel 43:2) is identical to Jesus’ voice “like the sound of rushing waters” (Revelation 1:15).
ReplyDelete∙ The description of Yahweh as an everlasting light in Isaiah 60:19,20 is seen identical to this statement about Jesus as an everlasting light in Revelation 21:23.
Questions:
∙ How do you explain that the early Jewish Christians, who were clearly committed to the Shema in Deut. 6:4, had no scruple about applying to Jesus many Old Testament texts that were originally written in reference to Yahweh?
∙ How do you explain that the early Jewish Christians called Jesus “Lord” and “God” in the same sense that Jehovah is called “Lord” and “God”?
Evidence for Three Persons Who Are Called God
Though Scripture is clear that there is only one God, in the unfolding of God’s revelation to humankind it also becomes clear that there are three distinct persons who are called God. Each of these three persons is called God in Scripture. Peter refers to the saints “who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Peter 1:2). The Father said of Jesus, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever” (Hebrews 1:8). In Acts 5:3-4, we were told that lying to the Holy Spirit is equivalent to lying to God.
Besides being recognized as “God,” the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are, on different occasions, seen to possess the attributes of deity: For example:
∙ All three persons possess the attribute of omnipresence (that is, all three are everywhere present): the Father (Matthew 19:26), the Son (Matthew 28:18-20), and the Holy Spirit (Psalm 139:7).
∙ All three have the attribute of omniscience (all knowingness): the Father (Romans 11:33), the Son (Matthew 9:4), and the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10).
ReplyDelete∙ All three have the attribute of omnipotence (all three are all powerful): the Father (1 Peter 1:5), the Son (Matthew 28:18), and the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:19).
∙ Holiness is ascribed to each of the three persons: the Father (Revelation 15:4), the Son (Acts 3:14), and the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-14).
∙ Eternalness is ascribed to each of the three persons: the Father (Psalm 90:2). The Son (Micah 5:2), John 1:2; Revelation 1:8, 17), and the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:14).
In addition to having the attributes of deity, each of the three persons were involved in doing the works of deity. For example, all three were involved in the creation of the world: the Father (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 102:25), the Son (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2), and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30).
The Biblical God Is Transcendent and Immanent
The God of the Bible is portrayed as both transcendent and immanent, high above His creation, but at the same time intimately involved among His creatures.
A plethora of verses in both the Old and New Testaments speak of God’s transcendence. For example, in 1 Kings 8:27 Solomon says, “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have Built!” In Psalm 113:5-6 the question is asked, “Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?”
Likewise, many verses in Scripture speak of God’s immanence. In Exodus 29:45-46 God states, “I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them.” In Deuteronomy 4:7 the question is asked, “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?”
Some verses in the Bible teach both God’s transcendence and His immanence. For example, Deuteronomy 4:39 says, “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” Isaiah 57:15 affirms, “This is what the high and lofty One says, he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” In Jeremiah 23:23-24 we read, “’Am I only God nearby,’ declares the Lord, ‘and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the Lord.”
ReplyDeleteClearly, God is above and beyond the creation yet simultaneously active in the midst of the Creation.
Theophany
Theophany: is a manifestation of God in the Bible that is tangible to the human senses. In its most restrictive sense, it is a visible appearance of God in the Old Testament period, often, but not always, in human form.
We think of Jesus as primarily in the New Testament, but the fact is that Jesus, being a part of the Godhead, being eternal, has always existed. Thus, we find Christ in the Old Testament as well, making appearances in different places.
God Can Appear in Different Forms:
In Exodus 3:2
We see that the LORD appeared to Moses in a flame of fire from the midst of a burning bush.
In Exodus 14:19
God went before the camp of Israel,
moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud.
In Genesis 3:8-24
ReplyDeleteWe find that the LORD walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden after they have sinned.
In Genesis 18:1–2
The LORD appeared to Abraham before the destruction of Sodom by the terebinth trees of Mamre.
Angels can appear in human form:
Genesis 18:1-19; Joshua 5:13-14; Mark 16:5; Exodus 16:35
But Jesus, as God, had a body
It is true that Jesus, who is God the Son, came to earth in a human body. However, the Bible makes it clear that Jesus took on the form of a human, but did not exist as such from eternity:
...Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
The book of John confirms that Jesus existed in a glorified state before becoming flesh. Therefore, the Bible claims that Jesus existed in the "form of God" (i.e., a Spirit), but took on the form of a human male in order to come to earth and commune with His people so that we might have a visible demonstration of what God is like.
Science tells us that the universe originally existed as nine tightly curled dimensions of space (see The Extradimensional Nature of God). The implications for the nature of God are obvious. God, who created the universe, must exist in at least one extra dimension above that of the universe in order to have created it. A three dimensional being cannot create a nine dimensional universe and have any ability to control it. This means that God must consist of at least 10 dimensions,
Such verses make it clear that human reasoning has limitations. Finite minds cannot possibly understand all there is to know about an infinite being.
ReplyDelete• Did you know that discoveries in particle physics require that God exists in more than 10-Dimensions of space and time? (Yet we can experience and visualize only three)
• Do you realize that the Bible clearly indicates that God is simultaneously singular and plural? (This is definitely possible in extra dimensions of space and time)
God has the power to do anything He wants, you see nothing is impossible for God!
Jesus Displayed Divine Love
Some Muslims who have converted to Christ say that one thing that proved to them that Christ was God was the divine love He showed to others (Luke 23:34). Da’ud Rahbar, a Muslim who converted to Christianity, wrote:
When I read the New Testament and discovered how
Jesus loved and forgave His killers from the cross, I could
not fail to recognize that the love He had for men is the
only kind of love worthy of the Eternal God….If the
innocent Jesus, who forgave and loved His crucifiers from
the cross, was not the Creator-God Himself, then the
Creator-God is proven to be inferior to Jesus. And this
cannot be. The Creator-God and Jesus are one and the
same being. May all men know that truly divine love.
[Quoted in Donald S. Tingle, Islam & Christianity (Downers
Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985), pp. 20-21.]
Questions:
Have you considered the wonderful love of Jesus?
Have you considered the possibility that if the innocent Jesus, who forgave and loved His crucifiers from the cross, was not the Creator-God Himself, then the Creator-God is proven to be inferior to Jesus?
So today, open your hearts to Jesus, and receive Him as your personal Lord and Savior, ask Him to forgive all of your sins, and acknowledge Him as God in human flesh! And you will have eternal life with him forever in heaven!
ReplyDeleteIf you are reading this today and you've never committed your life to Jesus Christ, would you confess Him as Your Savior and Lord? If so, visit this important message, that will affect your eternal destiny:
www.harvest.org/knowgod/