You often hear people in the media and elsewhere talk about "Science vs. Religion" or "Evolution vs. Creation" or some other variation, often in big and bold headlines. The implication is that there is a conflict, and not only that, you have to choose sides. So, they say if you're a Christian, you have to ignore scientific facts, and that if you're an Evolutionist, you have to be an atheist.
This is simply NOT TRUE! There are NO conflicts!
On the one hand, one can be an evolutionist and still be a Christian. Why couldn't God have used evolution as part of His creative process? He's God, and there are no limits to His power and authority, so there was nothing to prevent him from using evolution. I personally think there are certain scientific problems with the theory of "accidental evolution," but when you allow God in the picture, He could have handled these problems, if there are any.
On the other hand, one can be a Christian and not be an evolutionist. Evolution is only a THEORY, and there is no way to prove it - the introductions of the various plant and animal species are in the past and we cannot go back and see what actually happened. Not only that, there is a good deal of evidence and sound reasoning behind the theory AND there is also a good deal of evidence and sound reasoning against the theory. While they might be in the minority, there are some well-educated scientists who do not believe in the theory of evolution and have valid reasons for it.
Recently, I talked to a well-known Christian evolutionist. He seemed convinced, and was very firm about it, that man descended from primates (other than Homo sapiens). If one wants to believe that and can fit it in with their concept of Christianity, that's their choice. But, there's nothing that says you must believe that. For one thing, you've heard of the "missing link." The reason this phrase is in the popular conversation is that there is an actual missing link, in other words, there is a huge jump between all of the other known species and Homo sapiens, for example, in the ability to communicate verbally. Not only that, why could God have not used evolution to create all of the animals other than Homo sapiens (including the human-like creatures we have evidence for) and yet the Adam and Eve story still be literal? There is simply nothing in science that says that the Adam and Eve story cannot be a historic fact. God is all powerful, so if he wanted to create a man from dust, he could have done so.
Don't let anyone tell you that if you believe the Adam and Eve story that you're going against science, it's just not true. And, on the other hand, don't let anyone tell you that if you are convinced of evolution, that you can't be a Christian.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Cynical Christians?
Is it OK for a Christian to be cynical?
Is it OK for a Christian to be unhappy?
In general, people weren't too happy in the Bible. For example, it says "Jesus wept," not "Jesus laughed"! In Isaiah 53:3, it says Jesus "was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering." In Ecclesiastes 1:18, we read "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief." In II Corinthians chapter 11, Paul says, "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked." We live in a battleground between good and evil, and it's not a pretty sight. God never promised heaven on earth - he promised heaven in heaven!
So, not only do I think it's OK to be cynical toward the world, I think it's a very reasonable position for a Christian. We should not be cynical toward God - He's the only one we can count on, and He will come through perfectly for us every time. We can be sure that He will never hurt or disappoint us.
But, concerning the temporary, fallen world, I've observed the following:
1. The good guys don't always win.
2. Sometimes you're going to be treated unfairly without reason.
3. People are poor judges of character.
4. Sometimes even the "good" people will be fooled by the "bad" people and believe they are on the "good" side.
5. "Nobody's gonna give you the benefit of the doubt." -Rockstar Robert Palmer
6. People are going to be suspicious of your motives.
7. People won't remember your strong track record when it comes to trusting your judgment.
8. Nothing is going to go as well, or be as fun or exciting as you think it's going to be.
9. Material goods will always disappoint you.
10. "The poor you will always have with you." -Jesus
You might say, "That's really depressing." And it is, but remember, we live in a fallen world, this is not heaven, and God never promised it was. In a way, this knowledge is liberating, because it frees you from worldly pursuits and disappointments. Putting God first and only, and thinking first and only of Him in every endeavor, and making it your goal to please Him and not the world, is the only path to true peace and happiness, and will diminish the pains of this world.
Is it OK for a Christian to be unhappy?
In general, people weren't too happy in the Bible. For example, it says "Jesus wept," not "Jesus laughed"! In Isaiah 53:3, it says Jesus "was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering." In Ecclesiastes 1:18, we read "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief." In II Corinthians chapter 11, Paul says, "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked." We live in a battleground between good and evil, and it's not a pretty sight. God never promised heaven on earth - he promised heaven in heaven!
So, not only do I think it's OK to be cynical toward the world, I think it's a very reasonable position for a Christian. We should not be cynical toward God - He's the only one we can count on, and He will come through perfectly for us every time. We can be sure that He will never hurt or disappoint us.
But, concerning the temporary, fallen world, I've observed the following:
1. The good guys don't always win.
2. Sometimes you're going to be treated unfairly without reason.
3. People are poor judges of character.
4. Sometimes even the "good" people will be fooled by the "bad" people and believe they are on the "good" side.
5. "Nobody's gonna give you the benefit of the doubt." -Rockstar Robert Palmer
6. People are going to be suspicious of your motives.
7. People won't remember your strong track record when it comes to trusting your judgment.
8. Nothing is going to go as well, or be as fun or exciting as you think it's going to be.
9. Material goods will always disappoint you.
10. "The poor you will always have with you." -Jesus
You might say, "That's really depressing." And it is, but remember, we live in a fallen world, this is not heaven, and God never promised it was. In a way, this knowledge is liberating, because it frees you from worldly pursuits and disappointments. Putting God first and only, and thinking first and only of Him in every endeavor, and making it your goal to please Him and not the world, is the only path to true peace and happiness, and will diminish the pains of this world.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Tolerance vs. Righteousness
There has been a controversy recently at the Christian university at which I teach. One of our coaches was suddenly removed from her position. A rumor got started (I don't know whether it is true or false) that she was removed because she is a homosexual. She and the university have both said that they had reached a mutual agreement for her removal. She has not officially said it had anything to do with her homosexuality, although in my opinion she has implied it. The university president made an official statement that homosexuality is not used in university personnel decisions.
As the rumor circulated on campus and also in the local media (it also got some attention in the national media) that she was removed because of her homosexuality, there was a great outcry from some of the university financial supporters, a large number of students, and some of the faculty. These people believe that at a Christian university, the ideals of love, forgiveness and tolerance should be applied and therefore we should be accepting and she should not be removed from her position because of her choice of life partner.
This, of course, got me to pondering. What is right? Should a Christian university allow homosexual faculty? (Incidentally, our university has no requirements on our students relating to sexual orientation, gender, race, nationality, or even religion.)
The first thing I always consider: What does the Bible say?
"Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done." -Romans 1:24-28
"Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable." -Leviticus 18:22
So, it is pretty clear that the Biblical writers considered homosexuality wrong.
But, are those statements commands from God which he intends for us to follow today? That's not an easy question to answer, and would take a lot longer than a single blog post to address. A quick statement of my own view is that if we only believe part of the Bible and not all of it, then we're really making up our own religion, and there is, of course, no reason to believe that a made-up religion has any truth or validity. The Bible is the only source we have for determining God's will.
So, at least my viewpoint is that since the Bible says homosexuality is wrong, then God does not want us to practice it in the 21st century. I don't mean to speak for God - rather, I'm stating what I believe God wants us to do based on the available evidence. I can't say for certain what God wants - only God can do that.
It then follows that at a Christian university, in which faculty members are to provide Christian examples to the students, the faculty members should not be practicing homosexuals. Note that I said practicing, because I think someone who has homosexual urges and doesn't follow them is not sinning.
But, what about love, forgiveness and tolerance? They are important, VERY important! But, we have to be careful to follow the teachings of God and not the teachings of man. God has warned us of this many times:
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight." -1 Corinthians 3:19
"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing." -1 Timothy 6:3
"Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires." - 2 Peter 3:3
"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." -Jude 17-19
"For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." -2 Peter 2:18-19
"The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.' " -Isaiah 29:13-14
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." -Matthew 7:15
Issues relating to homosexuality are coming often to the forefront in our society, and each of us needs to ponder these issues with prayer, humility and study.
As the rumor circulated on campus and also in the local media (it also got some attention in the national media) that she was removed because of her homosexuality, there was a great outcry from some of the university financial supporters, a large number of students, and some of the faculty. These people believe that at a Christian university, the ideals of love, forgiveness and tolerance should be applied and therefore we should be accepting and she should not be removed from her position because of her choice of life partner.
This, of course, got me to pondering. What is right? Should a Christian university allow homosexual faculty? (Incidentally, our university has no requirements on our students relating to sexual orientation, gender, race, nationality, or even religion.)
The first thing I always consider: What does the Bible say?
"Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done." -Romans 1:24-28
"Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable." -Leviticus 18:22
So, it is pretty clear that the Biblical writers considered homosexuality wrong.
But, are those statements commands from God which he intends for us to follow today? That's not an easy question to answer, and would take a lot longer than a single blog post to address. A quick statement of my own view is that if we only believe part of the Bible and not all of it, then we're really making up our own religion, and there is, of course, no reason to believe that a made-up religion has any truth or validity. The Bible is the only source we have for determining God's will.
So, at least my viewpoint is that since the Bible says homosexuality is wrong, then God does not want us to practice it in the 21st century. I don't mean to speak for God - rather, I'm stating what I believe God wants us to do based on the available evidence. I can't say for certain what God wants - only God can do that.
It then follows that at a Christian university, in which faculty members are to provide Christian examples to the students, the faculty members should not be practicing homosexuals. Note that I said practicing, because I think someone who has homosexual urges and doesn't follow them is not sinning.
But, what about love, forgiveness and tolerance? They are important, VERY important! But, we have to be careful to follow the teachings of God and not the teachings of man. God has warned us of this many times:
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight." -1 Corinthians 3:19
"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing." -1 Timothy 6:3
"Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires." - 2 Peter 3:3
"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." -Jude 17-19
"For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." -2 Peter 2:18-19
"The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.' " -Isaiah 29:13-14
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." -Matthew 7:15
Issues relating to homosexuality are coming often to the forefront in our society, and each of us needs to ponder these issues with prayer, humility and study.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
How to Be Happy!
We all seem to have a natural tendency to try to grab what is most pleasing to ourselves. How can I get more money? How can I get more stuff? How can I get nicer stuff? How can I get a nicer house? How can I get a better car? How can I be better looking? How can I live longer? How can I get more friends? How can I get cooler friends? How can I find something fun to do? How can I get to go on the vacation I want? How can I get a better job? I'm sure you can find some personal favorites to add here.
But, doing these things is the surest way to make yourself unhappy. If you take the attitude in the previous paragraph, you'll never be satisfied. You'll always want more, and you'll feel depressed, frustrated and mistreated that you can't get it.
It's really ironic. The quickest way to get unhappy is to try to find things/ways to make yourself happy.
There's only one path to happiness and contentment: Surrender your will to God! Think outwardly, not inwardly. How can I please God? How can I do what God wants me to do? How can I have the faith God wants me to have? How can I love and serve others? What is God's will for my life? How can I make prayer a bigger part of my life? How can I contribute to my church? How can I spend more time with the Bible?
Living your life for God frees yourself from the frustrating and pointless task of chasing the world's pursuits.
"Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' " -John 8:31-33
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:11-13
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want...But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." -Galatians 5:16-17, 22-24
Hand your life completely and fully over to the Good Lord Almighty, and you'll be setting your foot on the path to contentment!
But, doing these things is the surest way to make yourself unhappy. If you take the attitude in the previous paragraph, you'll never be satisfied. You'll always want more, and you'll feel depressed, frustrated and mistreated that you can't get it.
It's really ironic. The quickest way to get unhappy is to try to find things/ways to make yourself happy.
There's only one path to happiness and contentment: Surrender your will to God! Think outwardly, not inwardly. How can I please God? How can I do what God wants me to do? How can I have the faith God wants me to have? How can I love and serve others? What is God's will for my life? How can I make prayer a bigger part of my life? How can I contribute to my church? How can I spend more time with the Bible?
Living your life for God frees yourself from the frustrating and pointless task of chasing the world's pursuits.
"Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' " -John 8:31-33
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:11-13
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want...But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." -Galatians 5:16-17, 22-24
Hand your life completely and fully over to the Good Lord Almighty, and you'll be setting your foot on the path to contentment!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Television
I'd like to add yet another voice to those who say that television shows are becoming more and more immoral over the last __ years. (Fill in the blank as you see fit: 5, 10, 20, 40 years.)
The show "Two and a Half Men" makes constant sexual references including nitty-gritty details. "Big Bang Theory" is mostly about the pursuit and capture of casual sex. "Friends" doesn't have quite as much casual sex, but it has a good bit, and the characters routinely lie and mislead each other. Through some inexplicable quirk, I was watching "That 70's Show" with my mother-in-law recently. (I still can't remember how that happened...) Up to then I had not realized how bad this show was. And, don't even get me started on "Family Guy," which makes the shows above look like choir practice.
Now, don't jump to conclusions about me. I'm not a fundamentalist, hang 'em high, Pat Robertson-hugging conservative. I'm not a prude. But, these types of shows, and similar cultural influences, gradually and almost unnoticeably eat away at the fabric of society.
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." -I Timothy 4:1-2
"For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you." -I Peter 4:3-4
"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." -Romans 1:28-32
I remember a sermon in which the preacher said that our consciences are like an alarm. The first time we commit a certain sin, the alarm goes off loudly. The next time, it goes off, but a little less loudly. If we continue the sin, eventually the alarm will no longer go off. At that point, we begin believing the sin is no longer wrong, but acceptable. And in time, some people go on to believe that it is not only acceptable, but favorable, and they must enlighten others to do the same.
I really do believe that these cultural influences are gradually pulling our nation down. And they are especially deceptive, because most of these shows are funny and "cute." Might these influences be the reason for the behavior of people like Lindsey Lohan, who went from being a talented, beautiful, young actress and singer to a disaster? I don't think there's much doubt.
I'm a strong enough believer in free speech that such shows have the right to be on air, as long as the censors don't stop them. But, we Christians should not support and approve them by watching.
The show "Two and a Half Men" makes constant sexual references including nitty-gritty details. "Big Bang Theory" is mostly about the pursuit and capture of casual sex. "Friends" doesn't have quite as much casual sex, but it has a good bit, and the characters routinely lie and mislead each other. Through some inexplicable quirk, I was watching "That 70's Show" with my mother-in-law recently. (I still can't remember how that happened...) Up to then I had not realized how bad this show was. And, don't even get me started on "Family Guy," which makes the shows above look like choir practice.
Now, don't jump to conclusions about me. I'm not a fundamentalist, hang 'em high, Pat Robertson-hugging conservative. I'm not a prude. But, these types of shows, and similar cultural influences, gradually and almost unnoticeably eat away at the fabric of society.
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." -I Timothy 4:1-2
"For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you." -I Peter 4:3-4
"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." -Romans 1:28-32
I remember a sermon in which the preacher said that our consciences are like an alarm. The first time we commit a certain sin, the alarm goes off loudly. The next time, it goes off, but a little less loudly. If we continue the sin, eventually the alarm will no longer go off. At that point, we begin believing the sin is no longer wrong, but acceptable. And in time, some people go on to believe that it is not only acceptable, but favorable, and they must enlighten others to do the same.
I really do believe that these cultural influences are gradually pulling our nation down. And they are especially deceptive, because most of these shows are funny and "cute." Might these influences be the reason for the behavior of people like Lindsey Lohan, who went from being a talented, beautiful, young actress and singer to a disaster? I don't think there's much doubt.
I'm a strong enough believer in free speech that such shows have the right to be on air, as long as the censors don't stop them. But, we Christians should not support and approve them by watching.
Friday, May 21, 2010
True Christianity?
There is a trend among Christians that I have been noticing in recent years that I think is harmful. I've been seeing it even more lately, and I've even been observing it at the Christian university at which I teach.
The trend is to deny the central importance of Jesus. A lot of it tends to emphasize some very important things, such as love, tolerance and service to our fellow humans. You hear Christians quoting Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist sources to make their religious points. They say things like there are many paths to God and each one must find his or her own way. They talk about the brotherhood of man.
But, this is missing the whole point of Christianity. The basis of Christianity is that humankind chose sin over God, thus separating ourselves from the fellowship of God. No matter how hard we try, we cannot earn our way back. We had to have someone stronger and better than us to pay the price, namely Jesus. And, if we accept this free gift, we are back in fellowship with God - God has wiped the slate clean.
Of course, love, tolerance, service to our fellow humans, compassion and forgiveness are very important, and Christians should do those things in response to the free gift of salvation and in devotion, love and obedience to God.
But, Jesus is pretty clear:
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " -John 14:6
and
"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." -John 3:18
Paul wrote:
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" -Galatians 1:6-8
Another passage:
"The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.' " -Acts 16:29-31
As Christians, we should not be afraid to assert and defend the truth of Christianity!
The trend is to deny the central importance of Jesus. A lot of it tends to emphasize some very important things, such as love, tolerance and service to our fellow humans. You hear Christians quoting Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist sources to make their religious points. They say things like there are many paths to God and each one must find his or her own way. They talk about the brotherhood of man.
But, this is missing the whole point of Christianity. The basis of Christianity is that humankind chose sin over God, thus separating ourselves from the fellowship of God. No matter how hard we try, we cannot earn our way back. We had to have someone stronger and better than us to pay the price, namely Jesus. And, if we accept this free gift, we are back in fellowship with God - God has wiped the slate clean.
Of course, love, tolerance, service to our fellow humans, compassion and forgiveness are very important, and Christians should do those things in response to the free gift of salvation and in devotion, love and obedience to God.
But, Jesus is pretty clear:
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " -John 14:6
and
"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." -John 3:18
Paul wrote:
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" -Galatians 1:6-8
Another passage:
"The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.' " -Acts 16:29-31
As Christians, we should not be afraid to assert and defend the truth of Christianity!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Easter!
Christmas is a big time of celebration for Christians. And why not? The gift of Jesus is the greatest gift humankind has ever received.
But, I always thought Easter was somewhat overlooked. Of course, it does get some attention. The church service on Easter is usually well-attended and bigger than usual, and we all love the festivity of the Easter egg hunts and Easter baskets. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are getting more attention these days from more Christians and Christian denominations.
Easter should be a really big deal. This is when we celebrate The Event, The Big Event, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the Bible says:
"If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." -I Corinthians 15:13-14
But, Jesus was raised from the dead - it's a real, historical fact which has been documented carefully in the Bible and witnessed by many people. Jesus has reconciled God and humankind, despite humankind's choice of sin and rejection of God.
" 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -I Corinthians 15:55-57
Jesus has paid the price, and became the first to be raised from the dead. And so we will be raised from the dead also, to join God and the other believers in eternal happiness in Heaven.
Easter is a really big deal!
But, I always thought Easter was somewhat overlooked. Of course, it does get some attention. The church service on Easter is usually well-attended and bigger than usual, and we all love the festivity of the Easter egg hunts and Easter baskets. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are getting more attention these days from more Christians and Christian denominations.
Easter should be a really big deal. This is when we celebrate The Event, The Big Event, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the Bible says:
"If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." -I Corinthians 15:13-14
But, Jesus was raised from the dead - it's a real, historical fact which has been documented carefully in the Bible and witnessed by many people. Jesus has reconciled God and humankind, despite humankind's choice of sin and rejection of God.
" 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -I Corinthians 15:55-57
Jesus has paid the price, and became the first to be raised from the dead. And so we will be raised from the dead also, to join God and the other believers in eternal happiness in Heaven.
Easter is a really big deal!
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