The craftiness of the Mormon church (Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; LDS) to cover up, conceal, or not be forthright, concerning their true doctrine and history has caused many people to fall into their picture perfect surface of the church. What members, or prospective members, of the Mormon church are not told is the countless discrepancies which have occurred over the years in their doctrine. Further, they are kept from the truth concerning their true history. No one likes to recall the tragedies, and cruelties, of a history lived in secret and in lies. But, we cannot ignore the past. Here, it has to be explored so the truth of this false religion can be exposed. The Book of Mormon, which is supposed to be the foundation of the Mormon doctrine, has been brushed aside by the many President's of the church. Instead, Mormon's are being taught from the Doctrines and Covenants, and from their own writings submitted by church leadership. Very little, if anything at all, is used from the Bible. In 1 Nephi (Book of Mormon), there is this exaggerated story of a tribe of people called the Lamenites, led by Lehi, who travel somehow to the North American continent. This indigenous people are supposed to be the first Native Americans according to Mormon church doctrine. The Lamenites are supposedly direct descendants of Jewish and Hebrew ancestry, yet scholars and experts all verify that the Native American people descend from an Asiatic, or Central American background, not Jewish or Hebrew. In a story aired by PBS yesterday called "We Shall Remain", PBS documented the lives of Native Americans and their history. One of the programs was about the Ute Indians. What I found interesting was a part of the documentary where Mormon settlers were talked about. These settlers were not a welcome visitor, but were greatly disliked by the Ute Indians. This dislike was brought on not because of their beliefs, or religion, but because of their treatment of the Ute Indians. An elder of the Ute Indians described the Mormon settlers, led by Brigham Young, as coming into their land and taking the land from the Ute Indians. They were no respecter of the inhabitants. The Mormons hunted the game, stripped bare the land, leaving the Ute's with nothing. Sometime after the settlement of the Mormon's, there was a war between the Ute's and the Mormons. This was called the battle of Walker - Blackhawk. Now, if the Mormon doctrine had identified this indigenous people as the Lamenites from their scriptures, and were key to the truth of their doctrine, why the mistreatment of a sacred people prophesied about in the Book of Mormon. Because it's not true, that's why. When Mormon doctrine is changed based on who the church president is, there has to be some question as to the validity of the claims made by the church. In 1979, the Smithsonian Institute issued a statement concerning the Book of Mormon and found no archaeological evidence to verify the church history. In fact, the Institute compared the Bible against the Book of Mormon and found the Bible to be an accurate record of history as it is known. But, no such accuracy accompanies the Book of Mormon.
It saddens my heart to see people being led astray by false teachers and false religions. To see their strong convictions for something that will not lead them to Christ, or to eternal salvation. May God open their eyes to the truth the enemy has so successfully blinded them from, and May the Holy Spirit be their revealer of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Mormonism: The Truth Behind The Religion
MORMONISM
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE LATTER DAY SAINTS (LDS)
> Founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830
> Smith claims to have been visited by God, Jesus, and Moses while praying in the wilderness about what church to join. Smith claims God told him not to join any of the churches; that they were all an abomination.
> Smith's necromantic contacts (contact with the dead) were probably the result of use of magic rituals to involve the spirit world. The specific nature of the encounters frequently fit the pattern for magical occult contacts.
* THE BOOK OF MORMON: DIVINE REVELATION?
> Mormon leaders stress divine authority. Many theologians and scholars over the years have shown the falsity of the claim.
> Psychic method of writing - church claims Smith translated the "gold plates" by the power of God using divine implements called the Urim and Thummim. The Book of Mormon was actually produced through psychic methods and has nothing to do with ancient history. Historical documents prove Smith was only engaging in his usual practice of crystal gazing. Three well known witnesses of the Mormon faith make this clear.
> Smith copied material from the King James Bible to use in the Book of Mormon. It is also discovered that Smith's use of outside resources available to him at that time did not stop at just the King James Bible. It was thought that he also used "The Wonders of Nature and Providence Displayed (Albany, NY 1825); The Wayne Sentinel; The Aprocypha; Smith's father's dream; The Westminster Confession and Catechism.
> Alexander Campbell, founder of the Disciples for Christ, wrote, "this prophet Smith, through his stone spectacles, wrote on the plate of Nephi, in his Book of Mormon, every error and almost every truth discussed in New York for the last ten years". Concluding that Smith's translations were not of ancient America, but of the current era masked behind a false ancient America.
> Not one shred of evidence has been found, or exists as of today, to substantiate the archeological history of the Book of Mormon.
> Both the National Geographic Society and the Bureau of American Ethnology, of the Smithsonian Institute, have issued official statements denying Mormon claims to their history as found in the Book of Mormon.
> Lack of ancient manuscripts. There is no preserved evidence to support their Book of Mormon claims of ancient America.
> Mormon teachings are not principally derived from the Book of Mormon, but from the Doctrine & Covenants. The Book of Mormon is primarily a dead book and has little bearing upon current doctrine used.
> The D&C emphazises the Book of Mormon contains basic, or fundamental, Mormon teachings. A conflict in their doctrine.
> According to the D&C, the Book of Mormon must contain at the very least most of the central doctrines of the Mormon faith. But, it contains few major teachings. Such as:
1. Polytheism
2. God as the product of eternal progression
3. Eternal marriage
4. Polygamy
5. Human deification
6. Tri-theism: Trinity as three seperate Gods.
7. Baptism for the dead
8. Maintaining geneological records
9. Universalism
10. God has a physical body and once was a man
11. God organized, not created, the world.
12. Mother gods (heavenly mothers)
13. Temple marriage requirement for exhaltation
14. Concept of eternal intelligence
15. Three degrees of heavenly glory
*Celestial - Highest level of glory where you become god and rule over your own earth.
*Terrestial - Second level where you get to live an eternal life in heaven.
*Telestial - Lowest level where eternity is spent on a "paradise earth" (similar to Jehovah's Witnesses).
16. Salvation after death in the spirit world (where Baptism for the dead comes in)
17. Melchizedek(elders) and Aaronic Priesthood (Aaronic Priesthood being the lesser)
18. Stake President and First Presidency
> Mormon's claim they have present day prophets chosen by God to receive revelation relevant to the LDS church and its members.
> Mormon's repeatedly claim that their scriptures are not contradictory. But because Mormon theology is replete with contradictions, the church has had to go back and cover up embarrassing mistakes made in church doctrine on several occassions.
THEOLOGY
*Many Gods or One?
>Mormonism is polytheistic, or more than one God. Christianity is monotheistic, one God.
> Technically, Mormon theology is "henotheistic", a form of polytheism that stresses worship of a central deity. In Mormonism, the central deity is Elohim, whom Mormons call "God the Father". But, henotheism also accepts other deities which Mormons would consider Jesus, Holy Ghost, and endless other gods who were once men who have evolved into godhood.
> Polytheism encompasses two aspects:
1. There is a predominant "local" polytheism for earth. Earth has three distinct gods who "rule it". Ties to Mormon concept that the biblical Trinity is tri-theistic, or three seperate Gods, not monotheistic or triune (One God as three persons - God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit).
2. Mormon polytheism moves beyond earth. If there are an infinite number of earths, each with its own god or gods, then there are an infinite number of gods (henotheism).
> Bible clearly rejects polytheism (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5, 21). From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible teaches monotheism.
Isaiah 45:5 (NIV) 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God........
*A Tri-theistic Trinity
> The Mormon church claims to believe in the Trinity, but not a monotheistic Trinity. Theirs is a tri-theistic Trinity. There lies the contradiction between what they say, and what their church doctrine teaches.
*The Gods are Evolving
> Momonism teaches that God was not always God, but was once a man who evolved into a god. They believe there are endless numbers of "God" (Polytheism; Henotheism).
> Mormons believe that one attains godhood through the good works they preformed when they were finite. Their godhood is earned, and is not free.
> Mormons do not believe in the God of Christianity, even though they call themselves Christians and Saints (Malachi 3:6; James 1:7; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 90:2).
> The Mormon god is utlimately a finite one since he was once a man. A result of their evolution process.
*Jesus Christ
> Mormons do not acknowledge the true Jesus Christ as Lord.
> Mormons deny Jesus Christ's unique deity.
1. Mormons believe Jesus was a created being just as they are.
2. Mormons believe Jesus was the first of billions of spirit children created through by the male earth god and his celestial wife through sexual intercourse.
3. Mormons believe that the male earth god had sexual intercourse with Mary to produce Jesus on earth.
> To Mormons, Jesus is a common God.
1. Jesus is of minor importance in the larger Mormon cosmology.
2. Believe Jesus is just the "greater" of all the spirit children produced.
3. Believe that since there are an infinite number of earths, other gods have existed for eons before Jesus.
4. Mormons believe Christ is their "senior" only by achievement and positioin, not by nature and essence.
5. Mormons believe every person on earth has the same essence as Jesus.
6. Mormons believe all persons are incarnate spirit beings. Therefore, Christ's incarnation is not unique to them either.
7. Mormons believe that Christ is not unique as creator. Mormonism teaches that Adam, Joseph Smith, Jr., and others helped Him create the world. They believe Christ was aided by spirit children.
*Jesus and Satan as brothers
> Mormon theology teaches Jesus is the spirit brother of Satan.
> Mormons believe that Satan and all demons are spirit brothers to everyone on earth.
*Mormons deny virgin birth
> Mormons believe that God (Adam) had sex with Mary.
> Mormons deny that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost doe not have a physical body.
> Mormonism teaches God has a body of flesh and bone. He was capable of having sexual intercourse with Mary.
> Mormons reject Matthew 1:18 and Luke 1:35.
Matthew 1:18 (NIV) The Birth of Jesus Christ 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:35 (NIV) 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
*Christ was not eternally sinless
> Momonism teaches that Christ was only sinless while on earth, not for all eternity past.
> Mormons believe Jesus had to undertake schooling and progression in the spirit world to attain salvation.
> Mormons believe Jesus had to be tested with good and evil, initially at least, falling into evil like every other spirit son.
> Mormons beleive it is only by direct experience of evil that people learn to choose good. They think of Jesus as a person who had to learn good from evil.
> The Momons student manual, Doctrines of the Gospel, teaches that Christ nor Lucifer could of themselves save anyone.
> The Mormon God is "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 1:4) who has little to do with the true Christian faith.
*Salvation
> Mormonism teaches there is no salvation outside of the Mormon church.
> The Biblical Christian view is that salvation is by God's free gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
> Mormons believe in Doctrine & Covenants that salvation is by works, by personal merit, and by ones works of righteousness.
> Mormonism teaches that personal salvation is never a free gift secured by grace through faith alone as the Bible teaches.
> According to Mormon doctrine, salvation is earned and secured through zealous good works, and impeccable law keeping.
> Mormons believe they will become gods, or attain godhood, through this process.
> "Grace" incorporates works:
1. Mormons believe that "salvation by grace" is merely referring to being resurrected.
2. Mormons believe that their residency in eternity is determined by one's good works.
3. Grace itself is a "work" and is secured from God based on individual merits (You earn God's grace).
> "Justification" incorporates works:
1. Biblically, justification is an act of God that declares a sinner righteous entirely apart from works and predicated only upon faith in the atoning death of Christ for our sins.
2. Mormon theology teaches justification is bound with conditions of personal merit and righteousness.
> "New Birth" incorporates works:
1. The Book of Mormon teaches that in order to be "born again", a person must fulfill a number of prerequisites, such as, being blameless before God, and having an absence of pride and envy.
2. Mormons believe new birth is a spiritual process secured by good works. It is not a one time event secured by faith in Christ.
3. Biblically, being born again happens in an instant; it is not a process (John 5:24; 6:47; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3,23).
> "Gift" incorporates works:
1. Redefined by Mormon theology as something earned, not something free.
> "Repentance" incorporates works:
1. In Mormonism, repentance means nothing less than a strict obedience to the law, rather than the biblical meaning of one's turning away from sins.
2. Mormons believe if you are failing in any area of church activity, you are not fully repentant, and not forgiven by God.
> "Sanctification" incorporates works:
1. Biblically, we are (past tense) set apart at the moment of having faith in Christ.
2. Biblically, we are (present tense) progressively being sanctified as we grow in the grace, knowledge and obedience of our Lord.
3. Biblically, we are (future tense) fully sanctified and fully set apart to God for his purpose when we become glorified and sinless at the moment of our going to be with Him.
4. Biblically, the past tense phase and the future tense phase are by God's grace.
5. Mormonism makes everything about sanctification a matter of works.
*Biblical Salvation -
John 5:24; 6:29, 47; Acts 10:43; Romans 3:28; 4:6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:21; Titus 3:5
*The Atonement
> Mormons do not believe in the biblical atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
> Mormons believe that forgiveness of sins is not immediately received upon true faith and repentance.
> True forgiveness for them is lengthy; a probationary period.
> Mormonism teaches that the atonement merely provides a way to earn salvation through personal merits.
> Mormon theology denies that Christ's death paid the full penalty for our sins, resulting in complete forgiveness at the moment of faith (1 Corinthians 15:3; Colossians 2:13; Hebrews 9:12).
SCRIPTURE RESPONSES
No other God's Atonement
Isaiah 43:10 Ephesians 2
Isaiah 44:8
Eternal Life False Prophets
John 3:36 Deuteronomy 13
Luke 20:35 Matthew 24:11, 24
Failed Prophecies False Teachers
Deuteronomy 18 Galatians 1:8-9
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE LATTER DAY SAINTS (LDS)
> Founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830
> Smith claims to have been visited by God, Jesus, and Moses while praying in the wilderness about what church to join. Smith claims God told him not to join any of the churches; that they were all an abomination.
> Smith's necromantic contacts (contact with the dead) were probably the result of use of magic rituals to involve the spirit world. The specific nature of the encounters frequently fit the pattern for magical occult contacts.
* THE BOOK OF MORMON: DIVINE REVELATION?
> Mormon leaders stress divine authority. Many theologians and scholars over the years have shown the falsity of the claim.
> Psychic method of writing - church claims Smith translated the "gold plates" by the power of God using divine implements called the Urim and Thummim. The Book of Mormon was actually produced through psychic methods and has nothing to do with ancient history. Historical documents prove Smith was only engaging in his usual practice of crystal gazing. Three well known witnesses of the Mormon faith make this clear.
> Smith copied material from the King James Bible to use in the Book of Mormon. It is also discovered that Smith's use of outside resources available to him at that time did not stop at just the King James Bible. It was thought that he also used "The Wonders of Nature and Providence Displayed (Albany, NY 1825); The Wayne Sentinel; The Aprocypha; Smith's father's dream; The Westminster Confession and Catechism.
> Alexander Campbell, founder of the Disciples for Christ, wrote, "this prophet Smith, through his stone spectacles, wrote on the plate of Nephi, in his Book of Mormon, every error and almost every truth discussed in New York for the last ten years". Concluding that Smith's translations were not of ancient America, but of the current era masked behind a false ancient America.
> Not one shred of evidence has been found, or exists as of today, to substantiate the archeological history of the Book of Mormon.
> Both the National Geographic Society and the Bureau of American Ethnology, of the Smithsonian Institute, have issued official statements denying Mormon claims to their history as found in the Book of Mormon.
> Lack of ancient manuscripts. There is no preserved evidence to support their Book of Mormon claims of ancient America.
> Mormon teachings are not principally derived from the Book of Mormon, but from the Doctrine & Covenants. The Book of Mormon is primarily a dead book and has little bearing upon current doctrine used.
> The D&C emphazises the Book of Mormon contains basic, or fundamental, Mormon teachings. A conflict in their doctrine.
> According to the D&C, the Book of Mormon must contain at the very least most of the central doctrines of the Mormon faith. But, it contains few major teachings. Such as:
1. Polytheism
2. God as the product of eternal progression
3. Eternal marriage
4. Polygamy
5. Human deification
6. Tri-theism: Trinity as three seperate Gods.
7. Baptism for the dead
8. Maintaining geneological records
9. Universalism
10. God has a physical body and once was a man
11. God organized, not created, the world.
12. Mother gods (heavenly mothers)
13. Temple marriage requirement for exhaltation
14. Concept of eternal intelligence
15. Three degrees of heavenly glory
*Celestial - Highest level of glory where you become god and rule over your own earth.
*Terrestial - Second level where you get to live an eternal life in heaven.
*Telestial - Lowest level where eternity is spent on a "paradise earth" (similar to Jehovah's Witnesses).
16. Salvation after death in the spirit world (where Baptism for the dead comes in)
17. Melchizedek(elders) and Aaronic Priesthood (Aaronic Priesthood being the lesser)
18. Stake President and First Presidency
> Mormon's claim they have present day prophets chosen by God to receive revelation relevant to the LDS church and its members.
> Mormon's repeatedly claim that their scriptures are not contradictory. But because Mormon theology is replete with contradictions, the church has had to go back and cover up embarrassing mistakes made in church doctrine on several occassions.
THEOLOGY
*Many Gods or One?
>Mormonism is polytheistic, or more than one God. Christianity is monotheistic, one God.
> Technically, Mormon theology is "henotheistic", a form of polytheism that stresses worship of a central deity. In Mormonism, the central deity is Elohim, whom Mormons call "God the Father". But, henotheism also accepts other deities which Mormons would consider Jesus, Holy Ghost, and endless other gods who were once men who have evolved into godhood.
> Polytheism encompasses two aspects:
1. There is a predominant "local" polytheism for earth. Earth has three distinct gods who "rule it". Ties to Mormon concept that the biblical Trinity is tri-theistic, or three seperate Gods, not monotheistic or triune (One God as three persons - God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit).
2. Mormon polytheism moves beyond earth. If there are an infinite number of earths, each with its own god or gods, then there are an infinite number of gods (henotheism).
> Bible clearly rejects polytheism (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5, 21). From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible teaches monotheism.
Isaiah 45:5 (NIV) 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God........
*A Tri-theistic Trinity
> The Mormon church claims to believe in the Trinity, but not a monotheistic Trinity. Theirs is a tri-theistic Trinity. There lies the contradiction between what they say, and what their church doctrine teaches.
*The Gods are Evolving
> Momonism teaches that God was not always God, but was once a man who evolved into a god. They believe there are endless numbers of "God" (Polytheism; Henotheism).
> Mormons believe that one attains godhood through the good works they preformed when they were finite. Their godhood is earned, and is not free.
> Mormons do not believe in the God of Christianity, even though they call themselves Christians and Saints (Malachi 3:6; James 1:7; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 90:2).
> The Mormon god is utlimately a finite one since he was once a man. A result of their evolution process.
*Jesus Christ
> Mormons do not acknowledge the true Jesus Christ as Lord.
> Mormons deny Jesus Christ's unique deity.
1. Mormons believe Jesus was a created being just as they are.
2. Mormons believe Jesus was the first of billions of spirit children created through by the male earth god and his celestial wife through sexual intercourse.
3. Mormons believe that the male earth god had sexual intercourse with Mary to produce Jesus on earth.
> To Mormons, Jesus is a common God.
1. Jesus is of minor importance in the larger Mormon cosmology.
2. Believe Jesus is just the "greater" of all the spirit children produced.
3. Believe that since there are an infinite number of earths, other gods have existed for eons before Jesus.
4. Mormons believe Christ is their "senior" only by achievement and positioin, not by nature and essence.
5. Mormons believe every person on earth has the same essence as Jesus.
6. Mormons believe all persons are incarnate spirit beings. Therefore, Christ's incarnation is not unique to them either.
7. Mormons believe that Christ is not unique as creator. Mormonism teaches that Adam, Joseph Smith, Jr., and others helped Him create the world. They believe Christ was aided by spirit children.
*Jesus and Satan as brothers
> Mormon theology teaches Jesus is the spirit brother of Satan.
> Mormons believe that Satan and all demons are spirit brothers to everyone on earth.
*Mormons deny virgin birth
> Mormons believe that God (Adam) had sex with Mary.
> Mormons deny that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost doe not have a physical body.
> Mormonism teaches God has a body of flesh and bone. He was capable of having sexual intercourse with Mary.
> Mormons reject Matthew 1:18 and Luke 1:35.
Matthew 1:18 (NIV) The Birth of Jesus Christ 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:35 (NIV) 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
*Christ was not eternally sinless
> Momonism teaches that Christ was only sinless while on earth, not for all eternity past.
> Mormons believe Jesus had to undertake schooling and progression in the spirit world to attain salvation.
> Mormons believe Jesus had to be tested with good and evil, initially at least, falling into evil like every other spirit son.
> Mormons beleive it is only by direct experience of evil that people learn to choose good. They think of Jesus as a person who had to learn good from evil.
> The Momons student manual, Doctrines of the Gospel, teaches that Christ nor Lucifer could of themselves save anyone.
> The Mormon God is "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 1:4) who has little to do with the true Christian faith.
*Salvation
> Mormonism teaches there is no salvation outside of the Mormon church.
> The Biblical Christian view is that salvation is by God's free gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
> Mormons believe in Doctrine & Covenants that salvation is by works, by personal merit, and by ones works of righteousness.
> Mormonism teaches that personal salvation is never a free gift secured by grace through faith alone as the Bible teaches.
> According to Mormon doctrine, salvation is earned and secured through zealous good works, and impeccable law keeping.
> Mormons believe they will become gods, or attain godhood, through this process.
> "Grace" incorporates works:
1. Mormons believe that "salvation by grace" is merely referring to being resurrected.
2. Mormons believe that their residency in eternity is determined by one's good works.
3. Grace itself is a "work" and is secured from God based on individual merits (You earn God's grace).
> "Justification" incorporates works:
1. Biblically, justification is an act of God that declares a sinner righteous entirely apart from works and predicated only upon faith in the atoning death of Christ for our sins.
2. Mormon theology teaches justification is bound with conditions of personal merit and righteousness.
> "New Birth" incorporates works:
1. The Book of Mormon teaches that in order to be "born again", a person must fulfill a number of prerequisites, such as, being blameless before God, and having an absence of pride and envy.
2. Mormons believe new birth is a spiritual process secured by good works. It is not a one time event secured by faith in Christ.
3. Biblically, being born again happens in an instant; it is not a process (John 5:24; 6:47; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3,23).
> "Gift" incorporates works:
1. Redefined by Mormon theology as something earned, not something free.
> "Repentance" incorporates works:
1. In Mormonism, repentance means nothing less than a strict obedience to the law, rather than the biblical meaning of one's turning away from sins.
2. Mormons believe if you are failing in any area of church activity, you are not fully repentant, and not forgiven by God.
> "Sanctification" incorporates works:
1. Biblically, we are (past tense) set apart at the moment of having faith in Christ.
2. Biblically, we are (present tense) progressively being sanctified as we grow in the grace, knowledge and obedience of our Lord.
3. Biblically, we are (future tense) fully sanctified and fully set apart to God for his purpose when we become glorified and sinless at the moment of our going to be with Him.
4. Biblically, the past tense phase and the future tense phase are by God's grace.
5. Mormonism makes everything about sanctification a matter of works.
*Biblical Salvation -
John 5:24; 6:29, 47; Acts 10:43; Romans 3:28; 4:6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:21; Titus 3:5
*The Atonement
> Mormons do not believe in the biblical atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
> Mormons believe that forgiveness of sins is not immediately received upon true faith and repentance.
> True forgiveness for them is lengthy; a probationary period.
> Mormonism teaches that the atonement merely provides a way to earn salvation through personal merits.
> Mormon theology denies that Christ's death paid the full penalty for our sins, resulting in complete forgiveness at the moment of faith (1 Corinthians 15:3; Colossians 2:13; Hebrews 9:12).
SCRIPTURE RESPONSES
No other God's Atonement
Isaiah 43:10 Ephesians 2
Isaiah 44:8
Eternal Life False Prophets
John 3:36 Deuteronomy 13
Luke 20:35 Matthew 24:11, 24
Failed Prophecies False Teachers
Deuteronomy 18 Galatians 1:8-9
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Spiritual Warfare 101
SPIRITUAL WARFARE 101
From the book by Chip Ingram
Ephesian 6:10-12
(10)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11)Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (12)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The General Command - (10)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
> People often have two responses when they find themselves in the midst of spiritual warfare: Fight or Flight.
*Flight: Because they don't feel up to the task.
*Fight: Because they feel strong enough to handle it.
*Answer to both extremes: be strong in the strenght of God's might.
> This general command to be strong in God's power applies to every believer at all times. This is not optional for a Christian.
*You cannot dismiss yourself from the battle.
*Greek word for power is dynamite. This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and now dwells in us.
The Specific Command - (11)Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
> The second command tells us how to fulfill the first one. Put on the full armor of God.
*Putting on the armor for the purpose of standing firm - holding our ground.
> We don't have time to consider carefully whether we want to be in this war; we are in it whether we acknowledge it or not.
*An action we take for ourselves - there's nothing passive about it.
How does that sit with you? Knowing that you are in the midst of a war that you cannot see, and that you do not have a choice about being involved?
What do you think would happen if you choose to sit out? We relinquish the benefit of our position in Christ as we are bombarded by schemes designed to destroy us and render us ineffective in the kingdom pursuits.
The Reason for the Commands - (12)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
> This list of spiritual powers has connotations of hierarchy and organization.
> Even though the Bible doesn't tell us how these vast structures function, it does acknowledge the existence of these evil adversaries doing battle in the heavenly realm.
*Very clear this is where our fight is.
FIVE BASIC TRUTHS ABOUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE
1. THERE IS AN INVISIBLE WORLD.
> Both Old Testament and New Testament refer to the invisible world.
*Old Testament -
2 Kings 6:15-19 - Elisha surrounded by a hostile army, tells his servant that invisible hosts are protecting them
Daniel 10 - An angel reveals to Daniel the battle he has been waging.
*New Testament -
Ephesians 6:12 - One of many references by Paul to a conflict that is not of the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - The weapons we use are not of the flesh, the battle we fight is not of the flesh
> Prime-time television has portrayed the underworld, or dark side, since the early sixties. Although these shows are based on fantasy, but the reality from which these fantasies arise is rock-solid, biblical truth.
What do you notice about dark movies and T.V. today verses those of generations past?
> Evil entities exist and interact with human history. The Bible answers this topic emphatically with a "Yes".
Do you believe the Bible to be God's infalable Word? The absolute truth? If you answered yes, then you have to believe in the spiritual world of angels and demons. If we deny the reality of Satan, demons, and angels, we are casting judgement on the Holy Spirit's revelation to us.
> More scriptural references:
1 John 5:19 - "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one"
Revelation - Received by John concerning the end-times is filled with cosmic conflict with references to the dragon and evil spirits.
Luke - Recorded numerous encounters with their opposition and the words coming out of their mouths were pointed and precise:
*Satan and demons are behind unbelief, deception, fear, false religions, and persecution.
Jesus - The Son of God himself had personal interaction with Satan and demons, and he refered to their work frequently.
Is the invisible world still to hard to swallow?
> Examples of things throughout time that were once unseen and not believable:
*Bacteria, Viruses, Electricity, Natural Gas, Carbon Monoxide, Wind, Sound Waves, Atoms
> The truth is that there is an invisible world that is just as real as the visible world.
2. WE ARE INVOLVED IN AN INVISIBLE WAR.
> It is real, serious, ultimate in its consequences.
*We are soldiers in the battle that matters most.
When was the last time you honestly considered that some struggle or relational conflict was rooted in satanic opposition?
> The souls of every man, woman, and child on the face of this earth are at stake. The enemy seeks to blind us all from the truth (2 COR 4:4), and to ruin our lives. That's what spiritual warfare is all about.
What is your reaction to people who periodically attribute their problems to demonic activity?
3. OUR FOE IS FORMIDABLE.
> The goal of Satan is to destroy God's people and discredit the cause of Christ.
*1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
> The lion is a powerful image. Lions prowl around for on reason: they are looking for something easy to kill.
> Not only does he try to devour us on the front end, but he comes from the side and behind to smother is in guilt and condemnation.
> Christians who take Satan lightly are ignoring biblical instructions.
> We ourselves are not more formidable than Satan. But, God is. We are to understand the capabilities of this angelic being and to depend on God's strenght for victory.
IS SATAN FOR REAL?
*He's there in the beginning (Genesis 3:1) tempting Eve.
*He's there in the middle (1 Chronicles 21:1) inciting David to take a faithless census.
*He's there in the end (Revelation 12:9) hurled from heaven along with his fellow rebels to the earth.
*Jesus refered to Satan 25 times.
*Jesus personally encountered him in Matthew 4:1-11
*Western culture envisions him as a cartoon character, a mascot, or just a metaphor for evil.
WHO IS SATAN?
*Job 1:6 and Colossians 1:16 says he's a created spirit.
*Matthew 25:41 and Revelation 12:7 refer to him and his minions as angels.
*Ezekial 28:14 refers to Satan as a Cherub angel. The highest class of angelic beings. Ezekial 28 says Satan was the highest of them all.
What comes to mind when you think of Cherub Angels? Greeting card angels; Cupid; Wall paintings of cute child like angels. Satan. Not so cute anymore, are they?
*The greatest created being.
WHERE DID SATAN COME FROM?
*He was created perfect (Ezekial 28:12-13 as Lucifer)
*He had a heavenly estate (Jude 6)
*He was the guardian of God's glory (Ezekial 28:14)
*Ezekial portrays him as having more power than anyone in the universe except for God.
*He was more beautiful than anything or anyone but God.
*His rebellion against God was because of pride (Isaiah 14:31; 1 Timothy 3:6)
*He is a powerful angel who committed treason against his Creator and convinced a third of the angels to rebel with him.
*He is a created being and has limitations.
4. WE MUST RESPECT OUR FOE BUT NOT FEAR HIM.
> Essential in helping us prepare for the battlefield.
> We give him too much credit - or give God too little credit - if we fear him.
> We are to respect him and not underestimate him.
> We need to be aware of the enemies strategies (2 COR 2:11).
SATAN'S NAMES REVEAL HIS TACTICS:
*Satan - means "adversary" (Job 1:6-7; 1 Thess. 2:18). He opposes God's agenda and works against God.
*Devil - means "slanderer" (1 Peter 5:8). One of his schemes will be to say false things about people; false witnesses; Gossip.
*Lucifer - means "son of the morning" or "shining one" (Isaiah 14:12). He will appear beautiful and winsome. He will appear attractive to seduce you.
*Beelzebub - means "lord of the flies" (Matt. 12:24) Jews understood it as the "god of filth", which is an apt description of Satan.
*Belial - was the name of a false god (2 Cor. 6:15). Anything Satan can do to divert worship from God to himself.
*The Evil One - In greek is the word for absolute corruption (1 John 5:19). There's evil in the world, and it comes from a wicked influence.
*The tempter - has twisted and distorted all good things from above. He will exploit our perfectly good desires (1 Thess. 3:5).
* The prince of this world - master of false systems (John 12:31). Materialism.
*The accuser of the brethren - will condemn you. He points out your sins and reminds you of those God has forgiven. Guilt. (Rev. 12:10)
> Other names in the Bible:
*The serpent - Genesis 3
*The dragon - Revelation 12
*Angel of light - 2 Corinthians 11:14
*Father of lies - John 8:44
SATAN ATTACKS GOD'S PROGRAM, THE CHURCH
> He is the master counterfeiter. He crafts attractive alternatives to the gospel and the church.
> New Testament spells out some of these attacks for us:
*Colossians 2:8 - takes people captive through false philosophies.
*1 Corinthians 10:20 - the mastermind behind false religions.
*2 Corinthians 11:14-15 - inspires many people within his domain to pose as ministers. They will lead people astray as they mix with true servants of God.
*1 John 2:18 - the source of false doctrine through the teachings of many antichrists.
*Matthew 13:24-30 - he makes counterfeit disciples and scatters them among the real ones.
*2 Thesselonians 2:7-12 - False morals are attributed to the work of the deceiver.
*According to the Bible - all falsehood, miguided worldviews, conterfeit religions and philosophies, and all teachers of any belief other than faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ are influenced by the father of lies.
SATAN ATTACKS GOD'S PEOPLE
> Here is a list of attacks:
*2 Cor. 4:4 - he prevents people from coming to faith in Christ by deception; he blinds their minds.
*Heb. 2:14 - he weilds the power of death.
*Rev. 2:10 - he persecutes believers.
*1 Thess. 2:18 - he hinders, or even prevents, or service to God.
*2 Cor. 2:10-11 - he alienates people and provokes schisms.
*Gen 3:1-5 - he plants doubts in our minds.
*1 Tim. 4:1 - he shapes cults and sects.
> One of the biggest lies we fall for today is rampant even in our churches. He has convinced us that life is a playground, that our primary goal is to be happy, and that God is the cosmic vending machine that can make it happen.
*Christian culture bought into the assumption that God's primary purpose for us is to have fun and be personally fulfilled.
*There's some truth to it. God does offer us fulfillment. But it's a by-product of our relationship with God, not number one goal (Matt. 6:3).
*We are never told in scripture to make happiness the object of our pursuit, that's idolatry.
> Here's another one of Satan's deceptions:
*We believe that if we read our Bibles, pray a lot, go to church faithfully, live reasonably moral lives, and serve wherever we can, God will respond with prosperity, peace, and lots of nice times.
> Here's the truth that God tells us:
*Life isn't turning out to be a playground for one very good reason: it was never a playground to begin with. This fallen world is a batlleground, not a playground.
How many of us are in the battle right now? How many of you are beginning to believe you are a warrior?
SATAN'S POWER IS LIMITED.
> Satan is a created being. He is not God's counterpart.
> Scripture is very clear that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and infinite. Satan is none of these.
> Satan's capabilities are not limitless. There are things he cannot do and places he cannot go.
> Satan can be resisted by the Christian who relies on God (James 4:7 - Submit to God and resist the devil).
> The enemy cannot remain where God exercises his power, and God exercises his power in us as we follow him.
> God places limitations on Satan (Job 1:12).
> Satan cannot do to us what God does not allow him to do.
5. WE DO NOT FIGHT FOR VICTORY, WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY.
> The ultimate victory has already been won for us by Jesus.
*That means when we fight, we're not trying to win. We're enforcing the victory that Jesus has already secured. In his power, we are invincible.
> Whenever you feel defeated, discouraged and anything but invincible, rehearse these promises often:
*1 John 4:4
*1 John 5:4-5
*Revelation 12:11
*James 4:7
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
1. Satan is a defeated foe. (John 12:31)
2. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. (Col. 2:15)
3. We are victors in Christ. ( 1 Cor. 15:55-57)
4. We have the power and resources to resist Satan and demonic attacks. (1 John 4:4)
5. We must learn how to put on the full armor of God to experience in daily living the victory we already possess. (Eph 6:13-16)
From the book by Chip Ingram
Ephesian 6:10-12
(10)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11)Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (12)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The General Command - (10)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
> People often have two responses when they find themselves in the midst of spiritual warfare: Fight or Flight.
*Flight: Because they don't feel up to the task.
*Fight: Because they feel strong enough to handle it.
*Answer to both extremes: be strong in the strenght of God's might.
> This general command to be strong in God's power applies to every believer at all times. This is not optional for a Christian.
*You cannot dismiss yourself from the battle.
*Greek word for power is dynamite. This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and now dwells in us.
The Specific Command - (11)Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
> The second command tells us how to fulfill the first one. Put on the full armor of God.
*Putting on the armor for the purpose of standing firm - holding our ground.
> We don't have time to consider carefully whether we want to be in this war; we are in it whether we acknowledge it or not.
*An action we take for ourselves - there's nothing passive about it.
How does that sit with you? Knowing that you are in the midst of a war that you cannot see, and that you do not have a choice about being involved?
What do you think would happen if you choose to sit out? We relinquish the benefit of our position in Christ as we are bombarded by schemes designed to destroy us and render us ineffective in the kingdom pursuits.
The Reason for the Commands - (12)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
> This list of spiritual powers has connotations of hierarchy and organization.
> Even though the Bible doesn't tell us how these vast structures function, it does acknowledge the existence of these evil adversaries doing battle in the heavenly realm.
*Very clear this is where our fight is.
FIVE BASIC TRUTHS ABOUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE
1. THERE IS AN INVISIBLE WORLD.
> Both Old Testament and New Testament refer to the invisible world.
*Old Testament -
2 Kings 6:15-19 - Elisha surrounded by a hostile army, tells his servant that invisible hosts are protecting them
Daniel 10 - An angel reveals to Daniel the battle he has been waging.
*New Testament -
Ephesians 6:12 - One of many references by Paul to a conflict that is not of the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - The weapons we use are not of the flesh, the battle we fight is not of the flesh
> Prime-time television has portrayed the underworld, or dark side, since the early sixties. Although these shows are based on fantasy, but the reality from which these fantasies arise is rock-solid, biblical truth.
What do you notice about dark movies and T.V. today verses those of generations past?
> Evil entities exist and interact with human history. The Bible answers this topic emphatically with a "Yes".
Do you believe the Bible to be God's infalable Word? The absolute truth? If you answered yes, then you have to believe in the spiritual world of angels and demons. If we deny the reality of Satan, demons, and angels, we are casting judgement on the Holy Spirit's revelation to us.
> More scriptural references:
1 John 5:19 - "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one"
Revelation - Received by John concerning the end-times is filled with cosmic conflict with references to the dragon and evil spirits.
Luke - Recorded numerous encounters with their opposition and the words coming out of their mouths were pointed and precise:
*Satan and demons are behind unbelief, deception, fear, false religions, and persecution.
Jesus - The Son of God himself had personal interaction with Satan and demons, and he refered to their work frequently.
Is the invisible world still to hard to swallow?
> Examples of things throughout time that were once unseen and not believable:
*Bacteria, Viruses, Electricity, Natural Gas, Carbon Monoxide, Wind, Sound Waves, Atoms
> The truth is that there is an invisible world that is just as real as the visible world.
2. WE ARE INVOLVED IN AN INVISIBLE WAR.
> It is real, serious, ultimate in its consequences.
*We are soldiers in the battle that matters most.
When was the last time you honestly considered that some struggle or relational conflict was rooted in satanic opposition?
> The souls of every man, woman, and child on the face of this earth are at stake. The enemy seeks to blind us all from the truth (2 COR 4:4), and to ruin our lives. That's what spiritual warfare is all about.
What is your reaction to people who periodically attribute their problems to demonic activity?
3. OUR FOE IS FORMIDABLE.
> The goal of Satan is to destroy God's people and discredit the cause of Christ.
*1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
> The lion is a powerful image. Lions prowl around for on reason: they are looking for something easy to kill.
> Not only does he try to devour us on the front end, but he comes from the side and behind to smother is in guilt and condemnation.
> Christians who take Satan lightly are ignoring biblical instructions.
> We ourselves are not more formidable than Satan. But, God is. We are to understand the capabilities of this angelic being and to depend on God's strenght for victory.
IS SATAN FOR REAL?
*He's there in the beginning (Genesis 3:1) tempting Eve.
*He's there in the middle (1 Chronicles 21:1) inciting David to take a faithless census.
*He's there in the end (Revelation 12:9) hurled from heaven along with his fellow rebels to the earth.
*Jesus refered to Satan 25 times.
*Jesus personally encountered him in Matthew 4:1-11
*Western culture envisions him as a cartoon character, a mascot, or just a metaphor for evil.
WHO IS SATAN?
*Job 1:6 and Colossians 1:16 says he's a created spirit.
*Matthew 25:41 and Revelation 12:7 refer to him and his minions as angels.
*Ezekial 28:14 refers to Satan as a Cherub angel. The highest class of angelic beings. Ezekial 28 says Satan was the highest of them all.
What comes to mind when you think of Cherub Angels? Greeting card angels; Cupid; Wall paintings of cute child like angels. Satan. Not so cute anymore, are they?
*The greatest created being.
WHERE DID SATAN COME FROM?
*He was created perfect (Ezekial 28:12-13 as Lucifer)
*He had a heavenly estate (Jude 6)
*He was the guardian of God's glory (Ezekial 28:14)
*Ezekial portrays him as having more power than anyone in the universe except for God.
*He was more beautiful than anything or anyone but God.
*His rebellion against God was because of pride (Isaiah 14:31; 1 Timothy 3:6)
*He is a powerful angel who committed treason against his Creator and convinced a third of the angels to rebel with him.
*He is a created being and has limitations.
4. WE MUST RESPECT OUR FOE BUT NOT FEAR HIM.
> Essential in helping us prepare for the battlefield.
> We give him too much credit - or give God too little credit - if we fear him.
> We are to respect him and not underestimate him.
> We need to be aware of the enemies strategies (2 COR 2:11).
SATAN'S NAMES REVEAL HIS TACTICS:
*Satan - means "adversary" (Job 1:6-7; 1 Thess. 2:18). He opposes God's agenda and works against God.
*Devil - means "slanderer" (1 Peter 5:8). One of his schemes will be to say false things about people; false witnesses; Gossip.
*Lucifer - means "son of the morning" or "shining one" (Isaiah 14:12). He will appear beautiful and winsome. He will appear attractive to seduce you.
*Beelzebub - means "lord of the flies" (Matt. 12:24) Jews understood it as the "god of filth", which is an apt description of Satan.
*Belial - was the name of a false god (2 Cor. 6:15). Anything Satan can do to divert worship from God to himself.
*The Evil One - In greek is the word for absolute corruption (1 John 5:19). There's evil in the world, and it comes from a wicked influence.
*The tempter - has twisted and distorted all good things from above. He will exploit our perfectly good desires (1 Thess. 3:5).
* The prince of this world - master of false systems (John 12:31). Materialism.
*The accuser of the brethren - will condemn you. He points out your sins and reminds you of those God has forgiven. Guilt. (Rev. 12:10)
> Other names in the Bible:
*The serpent - Genesis 3
*The dragon - Revelation 12
*Angel of light - 2 Corinthians 11:14
*Father of lies - John 8:44
SATAN ATTACKS GOD'S PROGRAM, THE CHURCH
> He is the master counterfeiter. He crafts attractive alternatives to the gospel and the church.
> New Testament spells out some of these attacks for us:
*Colossians 2:8 - takes people captive through false philosophies.
*1 Corinthians 10:20 - the mastermind behind false religions.
*2 Corinthians 11:14-15 - inspires many people within his domain to pose as ministers. They will lead people astray as they mix with true servants of God.
*1 John 2:18 - the source of false doctrine through the teachings of many antichrists.
*Matthew 13:24-30 - he makes counterfeit disciples and scatters them among the real ones.
*2 Thesselonians 2:7-12 - False morals are attributed to the work of the deceiver.
*According to the Bible - all falsehood, miguided worldviews, conterfeit religions and philosophies, and all teachers of any belief other than faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ are influenced by the father of lies.
SATAN ATTACKS GOD'S PEOPLE
> Here is a list of attacks:
*2 Cor. 4:4 - he prevents people from coming to faith in Christ by deception; he blinds their minds.
*Heb. 2:14 - he weilds the power of death.
*Rev. 2:10 - he persecutes believers.
*1 Thess. 2:18 - he hinders, or even prevents, or service to God.
*2 Cor. 2:10-11 - he alienates people and provokes schisms.
*Gen 3:1-5 - he plants doubts in our minds.
*1 Tim. 4:1 - he shapes cults and sects.
> One of the biggest lies we fall for today is rampant even in our churches. He has convinced us that life is a playground, that our primary goal is to be happy, and that God is the cosmic vending machine that can make it happen.
*Christian culture bought into the assumption that God's primary purpose for us is to have fun and be personally fulfilled.
*There's some truth to it. God does offer us fulfillment. But it's a by-product of our relationship with God, not number one goal (Matt. 6:3).
*We are never told in scripture to make happiness the object of our pursuit, that's idolatry.
> Here's another one of Satan's deceptions:
*We believe that if we read our Bibles, pray a lot, go to church faithfully, live reasonably moral lives, and serve wherever we can, God will respond with prosperity, peace, and lots of nice times.
> Here's the truth that God tells us:
*Life isn't turning out to be a playground for one very good reason: it was never a playground to begin with. This fallen world is a batlleground, not a playground.
How many of us are in the battle right now? How many of you are beginning to believe you are a warrior?
SATAN'S POWER IS LIMITED.
> Satan is a created being. He is not God's counterpart.
> Scripture is very clear that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and infinite. Satan is none of these.
> Satan's capabilities are not limitless. There are things he cannot do and places he cannot go.
> Satan can be resisted by the Christian who relies on God (James 4:7 - Submit to God and resist the devil).
> The enemy cannot remain where God exercises his power, and God exercises his power in us as we follow him.
> God places limitations on Satan (Job 1:12).
> Satan cannot do to us what God does not allow him to do.
5. WE DO NOT FIGHT FOR VICTORY, WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY.
> The ultimate victory has already been won for us by Jesus.
*That means when we fight, we're not trying to win. We're enforcing the victory that Jesus has already secured. In his power, we are invincible.
> Whenever you feel defeated, discouraged and anything but invincible, rehearse these promises often:
*1 John 4:4
*1 John 5:4-5
*Revelation 12:11
*James 4:7
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
1. Satan is a defeated foe. (John 12:31)
2. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. (Col. 2:15)
3. We are victors in Christ. ( 1 Cor. 15:55-57)
4. We have the power and resources to resist Satan and demonic attacks. (1 John 4:4)
5. We must learn how to put on the full armor of God to experience in daily living the victory we already possess. (Eph 6:13-16)
The mind of Christ
THE MIND OF CHRIST
Name of Christ: The Bread of Life (John 6:35)
We are going to explore how to develop a mind like that of Christ. How to think like he did, and using those thoughts, putting them into motion in our own lives. We are called to have the mind of Christ. Not just a good mind, a sharp mind, or the most intelligent mind, but the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
And be not conformed ... - The word rendered "conformed" properly means to put on the form, fashion, or appearance of another. It may refer to anything pertaining to the habit, manner, dress, style of living, etc., of others.
Of this world - The word used here properly denotes an age, or generation of people. It may denote a particular generation, or it may be applied to the race. It is sometimes used in each of these senses. Thus, here it may mean that Christians should not conform to the maxims, habits, feelings, etc., of a wicked, luxurious, and idolatrous age, but should be conformed solely to the precepts and laws of the gospel; or the same principle may be extended to every age, and the direction may be, that Christians should not conform to the prevailing habits, style, and manners of the world, the people who know not God. They are to be governed by the laws of the Bible; to fashion their lives after the example of Christ; and to form themselves by principles different from those which prevail in the world. In the application of this rule there is much difficulty. Many may think that they are not conformed to the world, while they can easily perceive that their neighbor is. They indulge in many things which others may think to be conformity to the world, and are opposed to many things which others think innocent. The design of this passage is doubtless to produce a spirit that should not find pleasure in the pomp and vanity of the World; and which will regard all vain amusements and gaieties with disgust, and lead the mind to find pleasure in better things.
Be ye transformed - The word from which the expression here is derived means "form, habit" morphē. The direction is, "put on another form, change the form of the world for that of Christianity." This word would properly refer to the external appearance, but the expression which the apostle immediately uses, "renewing of the mind,." The meaning is, do not cherish a spirit. devoted to the world, following its vain fashions and pleasures, but cultivate a spirit attached to God, and his kingdom and cause.
By the renewing - By the making new; the changing into new views and feelings. The Christian is often represented as a new creature.
Your mind - The word translated "mind" properly denotes intellect, as distinguished from the will and affections. But here it seems to be used as applicable to the whole spirit as distinguished from the body, including the understanding, will, and affections. As if he had said, Let not this change appertain to the body only, but to the soul. Let it not be a mere external conformity, but let it have its seat in the spirit. All external changes, if the mind was not changed, would be useless, or would be hypocrisy. Christianity seeks to reign in the soul; and having its seat there, the external conduct and habits will be regulated accordingly.
> Six times the New Testament describes or implies what the Christian's mind is to be like:
1. ALIVE - ROMANS 8:6
2. SINGLE-MINDED - 2 COR 11:3
3. LOWLY - PHIL 2:3
4. PURE - TITUS 1:15
5. RESPONSIVE - LUKE 24:45
6. PEACUFUL - ROMANS 8:6
ALIVE
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
For to be carnally minded - Margin, "The minding of the flesh." The sense is, that to follow the inclinations of the flesh, or the corrupt propensities of our nature, leads us to condemnation and death. The expression is one of great energy, and shows that it not only leads to death, or leads to misery, but that it is death itself; there is woe and condemnation in the very act and purpose of being supremely devoted to the corrupt passions, Its only tendency is condemnation and despair.
But to be spiritually minded - Margin, "The minding of the Spirit." That is, making it the object of the mind, the end and aim of the actions, to cultivate the graces of the Spirit, and to submit to his influence. To be spiritually minded is to seek those feelings and views which the Holy Spirit produces, and to follow his leadings.
Is life - This is opposed to death in Rom_8:5. It tends to life, and is in fact real life. For to possess and cultivate the graces of the spirit, to be led where he would guide us, is the design of our existence, and is the only path of happiness.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him.
Hath everlasting life - Has or is in possession of that which is a recovery from spiritual death, and which will result in eternal life in heaven. The
Christian here has a foretaste of the world of glory, and enjoys the same kind of felicity, though not the same degree, that he will there.
> Jesus went further than saying we live. He wants us to be alive. Jesus says in John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Our choices reflect and
demonstrate whether we have life or death. When you set your mind on the Spirit, you experience life. The mind that is alive chooses the spiritual in
preference to the fleshly.
SINGLE-MINDED
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
As the serpent beguiled Eve - The word "serpent" here refers doubtless to Satan, who was the agent by whom Eve was beguiled. Satan adapts his temptations to the character and circumstances of the tempted. He varies them from age to age, and applies them in such a way as best to secure his object. Hence, all should be on their guard. No one knows the mode in which he will approach him, but all may know that he will approach them in some way.
Through his subtilty - By his craft, art, wiles. The word implies that shrewdness, cunning, craft was employed. A tempter always employs cunning and art to accomplish his object.
So your minds should be corrupted - So your thoughts should be perverted. So your hearts should be alienated. The mind is corrupted when the affections are alienated from the proper object, and when the soul is filled with unholy plans, and purposes, and desires.
From the simplicity that is in Christ -
(1) From simple and single-hearted devotedness to him - from pure and unmixed attachment to him. The fear was that their affections would be fixed on other objects, and that the singleness and unity of their devotedness to him would be destroyed.
> The mind of Christ is single-minded in devotion to Christ.
> There is a Spiritual problem: Concentration is difficult because we are being bombarded by so many distractions. We think about a hundred different things in a day.
> *My thoughts: We are not able to control our minds. Our minds wander thinking about things that have little value to our lives. Because we are so distracted, God gives us a way to bring our focus back into perspective. He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. We are think as He did. Have the mind He had. Have a one track mind devoted to things of Christ. We could not handle, nor are we responsible enough, to control our own minds. That's why God seeks for us give Him control over our lives. This includes our minds and thoughts. God giving us ultimate control over our minds would be like puting an ant behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler, fully loaded, traveling at 100 mph. It's not possible.
> Single-mindedness is the discipline of attention. The single-minded Christian pays attention to Christ, His commands, His Person, and His ways.
LOWLY
Philipians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.
Let nothing be done through strife - With a spirit of contention. This command forbids us to do anything, or attempt anything as the mere result of strife. What we do is to be by principle, and with a desire to maintain the truth, and to glorify God. And yet how often is this rule violated! How often do Christian denominations attempt to outstrip each other, and to see which shall be the greatest!
Or vain glory - The word used here - κενοδοξία kenodoxia occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, though the adjective - kenodoxos - It means properly empty pride, or glory, and is descriptive of vain and hollow parade and show. Suidas renders it, "any vain opinion about oneself" -
But in lowliness of mind - Modesty, or humility. It here means humility, and it stands opposed to that pride or self-valuation which would lead us to strive for the ascendancy, or which acts from a wish for flattery, or praise. The best and the only true correction of these faults is humility.
Let each esteem other better than themselves - Compare 1Pe_5:5. This is one of the effects produced by true humility, and it naturally exists in every truly modest mind. We are sensible of our own defects, but we have not the same clear view of the defects of others. We see our own hearts; we are conscious of the great corruption there; we have painful evidence of the impurity of the motives which often actuate us - of the evil thoughts and corrupt desires in our own souls; but we have not the same view of the errors, defects, and follies of others. We can see only their outward conduct; but, in our own case, we can look within.
> The mind is to be lowly. One cannot be humble unless he is lowly. The opposite of lowliness is haughtiness, pride, or arrogance. We learn to submit to one another through the body of Christ by lowliness. The lowly Christian has the security of understanding his position under the greatness of God.
PURE
Name of Christ: Image of the invisible God (Colosians 1:15)
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Unto the pure all things are pure - The principle of the declaration is, that a pure mind - a truly pious mind - will not regard the distinctions of food and drink; of festivals, rites, ceremonies, and days, as necessary to be observed in order to promote its purity. The conscience is not to be burdened and enslaved by these things, but is to be controlled only by the moral laws which God has ordained.
But even their mind and conscience is defiled - It is not a mere external defilement - a thing which they so much dread - but a much worse kind of pollution, that which extends to the soul and the conscience.
> Purity is depicted as the natural state of the Christian. Impurity is reached by corruption of the mind and conscience.
? Why is it difficult to maintain a natural spiritual state? Constant assault of information on our senses. Tempters have opportunities to take us into realms of thought never known before. T.V., RADIO, INTERNET, MOVIES, MAGAZINES. Lets look at what these devices bring into our lives:
LUST, JEALOUSY, ENVY, GREED, ANXIETY/WORRY.
> To overcome the temptations of impurity, you must want to be pure. You have to have a passion, a desire to be sincere in purity, and God will provide you with a way to escape.
Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes - That is, I will propose no wicked thing to be done; I will have no such object in view; I will employ no one to do that which is wrong.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
But God is faithful - This was the only source of security; and this was enough. If they looked only to themselves, they would fall. If they depended on the faithfulness of God, they would be secure. The sense is, not that God would keep them without any effort of their own; not that he would secure them if they plunged into temptation; but that if they used the proper means, if they resisted temptation, and sought his aid, and depended on his promises, then he would be faithful.
But will with the temptation ... - He will, at the same time that He allows the trial or temptation to befall us, make a way of deliverance; He will save us from being entirely overcome by it.
? What is the safest way to maintain purity in the face of temptation? Knowing you have God's strenght already before the temptation, and seeking to be pure in mind according to the mind of Christ.
RESPONSIVENESS
Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Opened he their understanding - Enabled them fully to comprehend the meaning of the prophecies which foretold his death and resurrection.
Hence, we may learn:
1. That "facts," or the farther disclosure of truth, will yet remove the "mysteries" that we now see in religion.
2. That our prejudices and our preconceived opinions are one cause of our seeing so many mysteries in the Bible. If a man is willing to take the plain declarations of the Bible, he will commonly be little perplexed with mysteries.
3. That God only can open the mind so as fully to comprehend the Scriptures. He only can overcome our prejudices, open our hearts, and dispose us to receive the ingrafted word with meekness, and with the simplicity of a child. See Act_16:14; Jam_1:21; Mar_10:15.
4. The design of God’s opening the understanding is that we may be acquainted with the Scriptures. It is not that we may be made wise above what is written, but that we may submit ourselves wholly to the Word of God.
> Christ saw in His disciples their willingness to want to learn from Him. Their minds were open to Christ, yet they were single-minded.
> Here is the opposite of responsiveness:
2Co 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
2Co 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
2Co 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
But their minds were blinded - The word used here (πωρόω pōroō) means rather to harden; to make hard like stone; and then to make dull or stupid.
Which vail is done away in Christ - In the manifestation, or appearance of Jesus the Messiah, the veil is removed.
> To be unresponsive to God is to be spiritually dull-witted. We must not be responsive to anything and everything. Only to God. Spending time with God in prayer, and in His Word, will help cultivate the kind of responsiveness God desires from each of us.
? What are two disciplines that can indicate a responsive mind? Spending time in God's Word; Prayer.
PEACEFUL
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Peace - But to be spiritually minded, phronēma tou pneumatos - a spiritual savour (the wisdom that is from above, a principle of grace) is life and peace; it is the felicity and happiness of the soul. The life of the soul consists in its union with spiritual things by the mind. A sanctified soul is a living soul, and that life is peace; it is a very comfortable life. All the paths of spiritual wisdom are paths of peace. It is life and peace in the other world, as well as in this. Spiritual-mindedness is eternal life and peace begun, and an assuring earnest of the perfection of it.
> Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Peace - As the result of reconciliation with God;
> It is God's work that is providing peace. Jesus had peace. He promised rest to the weary and burdened (Matt 11:28).
* 3 things to do in developing the mind of Christ:
1. Set your mind - be Alive, Single-minded, Lowly, Pure, Responsive, and Peaceful.
2. Renew your mind - Rid yourself of those things of the world. Get rid of those things that pollute your mind.
3. Gird up your mind - Pray without ceasing; Be in God's Word constantly.
Name of Christ: The Bread of Life (John 6:35)
We are going to explore how to develop a mind like that of Christ. How to think like he did, and using those thoughts, putting them into motion in our own lives. We are called to have the mind of Christ. Not just a good mind, a sharp mind, or the most intelligent mind, but the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
And be not conformed ... - The word rendered "conformed" properly means to put on the form, fashion, or appearance of another. It may refer to anything pertaining to the habit, manner, dress, style of living, etc., of others.
Of this world - The word used here properly denotes an age, or generation of people. It may denote a particular generation, or it may be applied to the race. It is sometimes used in each of these senses. Thus, here it may mean that Christians should not conform to the maxims, habits, feelings, etc., of a wicked, luxurious, and idolatrous age, but should be conformed solely to the precepts and laws of the gospel; or the same principle may be extended to every age, and the direction may be, that Christians should not conform to the prevailing habits, style, and manners of the world, the people who know not God. They are to be governed by the laws of the Bible; to fashion their lives after the example of Christ; and to form themselves by principles different from those which prevail in the world. In the application of this rule there is much difficulty. Many may think that they are not conformed to the world, while they can easily perceive that their neighbor is. They indulge in many things which others may think to be conformity to the world, and are opposed to many things which others think innocent. The design of this passage is doubtless to produce a spirit that should not find pleasure in the pomp and vanity of the World; and which will regard all vain amusements and gaieties with disgust, and lead the mind to find pleasure in better things.
Be ye transformed - The word from which the expression here is derived means "form, habit" morphē. The direction is, "put on another form, change the form of the world for that of Christianity." This word would properly refer to the external appearance, but the expression which the apostle immediately uses, "renewing of the mind,." The meaning is, do not cherish a spirit. devoted to the world, following its vain fashions and pleasures, but cultivate a spirit attached to God, and his kingdom and cause.
By the renewing - By the making new; the changing into new views and feelings. The Christian is often represented as a new creature.
Your mind - The word translated "mind" properly denotes intellect, as distinguished from the will and affections. But here it seems to be used as applicable to the whole spirit as distinguished from the body, including the understanding, will, and affections. As if he had said, Let not this change appertain to the body only, but to the soul. Let it not be a mere external conformity, but let it have its seat in the spirit. All external changes, if the mind was not changed, would be useless, or would be hypocrisy. Christianity seeks to reign in the soul; and having its seat there, the external conduct and habits will be regulated accordingly.
> Six times the New Testament describes or implies what the Christian's mind is to be like:
1. ALIVE - ROMANS 8:6
2. SINGLE-MINDED - 2 COR 11:3
3. LOWLY - PHIL 2:3
4. PURE - TITUS 1:15
5. RESPONSIVE - LUKE 24:45
6. PEACUFUL - ROMANS 8:6
ALIVE
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
For to be carnally minded - Margin, "The minding of the flesh." The sense is, that to follow the inclinations of the flesh, or the corrupt propensities of our nature, leads us to condemnation and death. The expression is one of great energy, and shows that it not only leads to death, or leads to misery, but that it is death itself; there is woe and condemnation in the very act and purpose of being supremely devoted to the corrupt passions, Its only tendency is condemnation and despair.
But to be spiritually minded - Margin, "The minding of the Spirit." That is, making it the object of the mind, the end and aim of the actions, to cultivate the graces of the Spirit, and to submit to his influence. To be spiritually minded is to seek those feelings and views which the Holy Spirit produces, and to follow his leadings.
Is life - This is opposed to death in Rom_8:5. It tends to life, and is in fact real life. For to possess and cultivate the graces of the spirit, to be led where he would guide us, is the design of our existence, and is the only path of happiness.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him.
Hath everlasting life - Has or is in possession of that which is a recovery from spiritual death, and which will result in eternal life in heaven. The
Christian here has a foretaste of the world of glory, and enjoys the same kind of felicity, though not the same degree, that he will there.
> Jesus went further than saying we live. He wants us to be alive. Jesus says in John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Our choices reflect and
demonstrate whether we have life or death. When you set your mind on the Spirit, you experience life. The mind that is alive chooses the spiritual in
preference to the fleshly.
SINGLE-MINDED
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
As the serpent beguiled Eve - The word "serpent" here refers doubtless to Satan, who was the agent by whom Eve was beguiled. Satan adapts his temptations to the character and circumstances of the tempted. He varies them from age to age, and applies them in such a way as best to secure his object. Hence, all should be on their guard. No one knows the mode in which he will approach him, but all may know that he will approach them in some way.
Through his subtilty - By his craft, art, wiles. The word implies that shrewdness, cunning, craft was employed. A tempter always employs cunning and art to accomplish his object.
So your minds should be corrupted - So your thoughts should be perverted. So your hearts should be alienated. The mind is corrupted when the affections are alienated from the proper object, and when the soul is filled with unholy plans, and purposes, and desires.
From the simplicity that is in Christ -
(1) From simple and single-hearted devotedness to him - from pure and unmixed attachment to him. The fear was that their affections would be fixed on other objects, and that the singleness and unity of their devotedness to him would be destroyed.
> The mind of Christ is single-minded in devotion to Christ.
> There is a Spiritual problem: Concentration is difficult because we are being bombarded by so many distractions. We think about a hundred different things in a day.
> *My thoughts: We are not able to control our minds. Our minds wander thinking about things that have little value to our lives. Because we are so distracted, God gives us a way to bring our focus back into perspective. He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. We are think as He did. Have the mind He had. Have a one track mind devoted to things of Christ. We could not handle, nor are we responsible enough, to control our own minds. That's why God seeks for us give Him control over our lives. This includes our minds and thoughts. God giving us ultimate control over our minds would be like puting an ant behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler, fully loaded, traveling at 100 mph. It's not possible.
> Single-mindedness is the discipline of attention. The single-minded Christian pays attention to Christ, His commands, His Person, and His ways.
LOWLY
Philipians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.
Let nothing be done through strife - With a spirit of contention. This command forbids us to do anything, or attempt anything as the mere result of strife. What we do is to be by principle, and with a desire to maintain the truth, and to glorify God. And yet how often is this rule violated! How often do Christian denominations attempt to outstrip each other, and to see which shall be the greatest!
Or vain glory - The word used here - κενοδοξία kenodoxia occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, though the adjective - kenodoxos - It means properly empty pride, or glory, and is descriptive of vain and hollow parade and show. Suidas renders it, "any vain opinion about oneself" -
But in lowliness of mind - Modesty, or humility. It here means humility, and it stands opposed to that pride or self-valuation which would lead us to strive for the ascendancy, or which acts from a wish for flattery, or praise. The best and the only true correction of these faults is humility.
Let each esteem other better than themselves - Compare 1Pe_5:5. This is one of the effects produced by true humility, and it naturally exists in every truly modest mind. We are sensible of our own defects, but we have not the same clear view of the defects of others. We see our own hearts; we are conscious of the great corruption there; we have painful evidence of the impurity of the motives which often actuate us - of the evil thoughts and corrupt desires in our own souls; but we have not the same view of the errors, defects, and follies of others. We can see only their outward conduct; but, in our own case, we can look within.
> The mind is to be lowly. One cannot be humble unless he is lowly. The opposite of lowliness is haughtiness, pride, or arrogance. We learn to submit to one another through the body of Christ by lowliness. The lowly Christian has the security of understanding his position under the greatness of God.
PURE
Name of Christ: Image of the invisible God (Colosians 1:15)
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Unto the pure all things are pure - The principle of the declaration is, that a pure mind - a truly pious mind - will not regard the distinctions of food and drink; of festivals, rites, ceremonies, and days, as necessary to be observed in order to promote its purity. The conscience is not to be burdened and enslaved by these things, but is to be controlled only by the moral laws which God has ordained.
But even their mind and conscience is defiled - It is not a mere external defilement - a thing which they so much dread - but a much worse kind of pollution, that which extends to the soul and the conscience.
> Purity is depicted as the natural state of the Christian. Impurity is reached by corruption of the mind and conscience.
? Why is it difficult to maintain a natural spiritual state? Constant assault of information on our senses. Tempters have opportunities to take us into realms of thought never known before. T.V., RADIO, INTERNET, MOVIES, MAGAZINES. Lets look at what these devices bring into our lives:
LUST, JEALOUSY, ENVY, GREED, ANXIETY/WORRY.
> To overcome the temptations of impurity, you must want to be pure. You have to have a passion, a desire to be sincere in purity, and God will provide you with a way to escape.
Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes - That is, I will propose no wicked thing to be done; I will have no such object in view; I will employ no one to do that which is wrong.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
But God is faithful - This was the only source of security; and this was enough. If they looked only to themselves, they would fall. If they depended on the faithfulness of God, they would be secure. The sense is, not that God would keep them without any effort of their own; not that he would secure them if they plunged into temptation; but that if they used the proper means, if they resisted temptation, and sought his aid, and depended on his promises, then he would be faithful.
But will with the temptation ... - He will, at the same time that He allows the trial or temptation to befall us, make a way of deliverance; He will save us from being entirely overcome by it.
? What is the safest way to maintain purity in the face of temptation? Knowing you have God's strenght already before the temptation, and seeking to be pure in mind according to the mind of Christ.
RESPONSIVENESS
Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Opened he their understanding - Enabled them fully to comprehend the meaning of the prophecies which foretold his death and resurrection.
Hence, we may learn:
1. That "facts," or the farther disclosure of truth, will yet remove the "mysteries" that we now see in religion.
2. That our prejudices and our preconceived opinions are one cause of our seeing so many mysteries in the Bible. If a man is willing to take the plain declarations of the Bible, he will commonly be little perplexed with mysteries.
3. That God only can open the mind so as fully to comprehend the Scriptures. He only can overcome our prejudices, open our hearts, and dispose us to receive the ingrafted word with meekness, and with the simplicity of a child. See Act_16:14; Jam_1:21; Mar_10:15.
4. The design of God’s opening the understanding is that we may be acquainted with the Scriptures. It is not that we may be made wise above what is written, but that we may submit ourselves wholly to the Word of God.
> Christ saw in His disciples their willingness to want to learn from Him. Their minds were open to Christ, yet they were single-minded.
> Here is the opposite of responsiveness:
2Co 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
2Co 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
2Co 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
But their minds were blinded - The word used here (πωρόω pōroō) means rather to harden; to make hard like stone; and then to make dull or stupid.
Which vail is done away in Christ - In the manifestation, or appearance of Jesus the Messiah, the veil is removed.
> To be unresponsive to God is to be spiritually dull-witted. We must not be responsive to anything and everything. Only to God. Spending time with God in prayer, and in His Word, will help cultivate the kind of responsiveness God desires from each of us.
? What are two disciplines that can indicate a responsive mind? Spending time in God's Word; Prayer.
PEACEFUL
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Peace - But to be spiritually minded, phronēma tou pneumatos - a spiritual savour (the wisdom that is from above, a principle of grace) is life and peace; it is the felicity and happiness of the soul. The life of the soul consists in its union with spiritual things by the mind. A sanctified soul is a living soul, and that life is peace; it is a very comfortable life. All the paths of spiritual wisdom are paths of peace. It is life and peace in the other world, as well as in this. Spiritual-mindedness is eternal life and peace begun, and an assuring earnest of the perfection of it.
> Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Peace - As the result of reconciliation with God;
> It is God's work that is providing peace. Jesus had peace. He promised rest to the weary and burdened (Matt 11:28).
* 3 things to do in developing the mind of Christ:
1. Set your mind - be Alive, Single-minded, Lowly, Pure, Responsive, and Peaceful.
2. Renew your mind - Rid yourself of those things of the world. Get rid of those things that pollute your mind.
3. Gird up your mind - Pray without ceasing; Be in God's Word constantly.
An introduction to the world we think we know
CREATION - SCIENCE - EVOLUTION
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD WE THINK WE KNOW
GENESIS 1:1-51 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. There's no mystery as to what God is doing, or who he is. He is the Creator; and, unlike all the other mysteries he holds secret, this is not one of them. > Day 1: God creates both heaven and the earth, and light.* Heaven is created: Although there is no real human knowledge as to the creation of Heaven, we know it exists because God describes it in the Bible. In the beginning, before the creation of any of the visible world and of man, God created Heaven, that is, the spiritual, invisible world of the angels, out of nothing. Angels are bodiless and immortal spirits, gifted with a mind, will and strength. God created an innumerable multitude of them. They differ among themselves according to degrees of perfection and types of service and are divided into a number of orders. The highest of these are called the seraphim, cherubim, and archangels.*Just how big is the Earth? The total circumference of the Earth is approximately 25,000 miles in diameter. More than six times the size of the moon (which is about 4,000 miles in diameter). From space, the astronauts call it the Blue Planet.*What would happen if the Earth lost its tilt? One answer is this: We must be assume that this change in the earth's orbital axis is a thought experiment. The earth can be thought of as a gigantic gyroscope, spinning at over 1000 miles per hour at its equator. If its axis were to be suddenly shifted from its normal inclination, inertial forces produced in such a change would literally tear the earth apart. Another answer is this: The tilt of the earth's spin axis is the reason for the seasons. If there were no tilt to the earth's axis, the sun would rise and set at the same time every day, and the weather would never change. It would be "spring-like" year-round.*What is light? Light consists of weightless particles (that contain no mass) traveling at about 186,000 miles or 300,000 kilometers per second. These particles of light are called photons. But light also exhibits the characteristics of a wave. Light is a wave, just like sound is a wave. But unlike sound waves, light is a transverse wave (like a water wave). Imagine a long rope tied to the side of a wall and a girl shaking rhythmically one end of the rope up and down. Each up and down shake of the rope is a cycle and the number of cycles per second is the wave’s frequency. If you observe the rope from the side, you will see a wave pattern of alternating crests and troughs. The distance from one crest to another is the wavelength. When the girl shakes the ropes more rapidly, the frequency will naturally increase, but the wavelength will shorten. Light acts in many ways similarly to the shaking rope. It also has a frequency and a wavelength. As thefrequency increases, the wavelength decreases and as the frequency decreases, the wavelength increases. The frequency of light determines its color. Blue light has a higher frequency and a shorter wavelength than red light. Our eyes are sensitive to only a small part of the spectrum of frequencies. There is ultra-violet and infra-red light just beyond our eyes’ range, radio waves with much lower frequencies than light, and gamma rays with much higher frequencies. Sunlight contains many different colors which can be separated through a prism or a rainbow into different colors. But where does light come from? No matter what the source, light is generally produced via the same mechanism: electrons changing their orbits around nuclei. Light is just energy and thus light can be given off in this process. This process, by the way, is called radiation. It's not the same thing as the stuff that will kill you, but it's similar. The Sun is the largest lightsource in our galaxy.GENESIS 1:6-86 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. > Day 2: God creates the sky.*What is the sky? The sky is often defined as the place a person sees when he or she looks up from the earth. Although almost everyone has seen it, the sky is hard to define precisely. The concept of the sky, as it is applied here on Earth, can be generalized to mean the hemisphere above the horizon, or above the visible surface of the planet and objects attached to it. It can be seen when one looks upward from the surface of a planet. (No one is really sure how describe what the sky is).*Why is the sky blue? The atmosphere around the Earth is largely made up of two colorless gases: oxygen and nitrogen. Red and blue light reacts very different from each other to oxygen. Because the wavelength of blue light is roughly the size of an atom of oxygen, blue light interacts with the oxygen and is scattered by it, while red light, with its longer wavelength, goes right pass the oxygen atoms. If the Earth had no atmosphere, the sun’s light would travel directly from the Sun in a straight line towards our eyes and we would see the Sun as a very bright star in sea of blackness. But because the Sun’s blue light is scattered by the oxygen in the atmosphere, blue light from the Sun enters our eyes from all sorts of different angles and we see the entire sky as blue. The atmosphere scatters violet light even more effectively, but our eyes are more sensitive to blue. Wherever we look towards the sky, some light is bouncing off an oxygen atom andentering our eyes, making the sky appear to be blue. GENESIS 1:9- 139 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.> Day 3: God creates land and the sea; He also creates vegetation, plants, trees, and fruit from the trees.*How much dry land is on Earth? Land only takes up 30 percent of Earth. This is very little land. The highest point on land is Mount Everest and the lowest is the Dead Sea. The land around the middle latitudes usually have hot summers and cold winters. The percentages of earth's land surface can be divided into different types: 20% covered by snow land, 20% mountains, 20% dry land, 30% good land that can be farmed, 10% land doesn't have topsoil.*How much of Earth is ocean? The earth is mostly blue because its large surface area of oceans. The surface area of the bodies takes up 70 percent of earth's total surface area. The ocean contains 328,000,000 cubic miles of salt water. *Why is there more water than land on Earth? Because all life depends on water. Without water, nothing would survive. God would have created the earth with more land if life depended on it more than water.*How many species of plants and trees are on Earth? There is no such answer. One guess was there was about 2 million different classified plants and animals on earth. This answer was not 100% accurate.GENESIS 1:14-1914 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.> Day 4: God creates the sun, moon, and stars.* How big and hot is the sun? The Sun is 810,000 miles in diameter. That is 32 times the size of Earth. It is the largest member of our planetary system. It is the only star in our system large enough to undergo nuclear fusion. It is able to produce so much energy it shines. The sun at its core is 15 million degrees celcius, or 27 million degrees farenheit. The sun is 380, followed by 24 zeros, watts. That is brighter than all the light bulbs on earth. It is the center of our solar system. Again, the Sun is the largest source of light in our galaxy.* The Moon: The Moon is the only natural satellite of Earth. It is the second brightest object in the sky after the Sun. Due to its size and composition, the Moon is sometimes classified as a terrestrial "planet" along with Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The Moon is volcanic in origin.* How many stars are in our galaxy? The exact number of stars in our Milky Way Galaxy is virtually impossable to determine, but best estimates put the number at over 100 billion stars. The reason its so hard to determine the number of stars is three fold. First the galaxy is so large we can't really use measurements in miles or kilometers, we use instead light years. The distance light travels in one year is one light year. The Milky Way is about 80,000 light years across.GENESIS 1:20-2320 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.> Day 5: God creates living creatures in the waters and birds.* How many living creatures in the waters? There are almost 28,000 known extant species of fish, of which almost 27,000 are bony fish, with the remainder being about 970 sharks, rays, and chimeras and about 108 hagfishes and lampreys. Modern marine mammals include the order Cetacea (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), the order Sirenia (dugongs and manatees), and members of the order Carnivora (the polar bear and otters), and the pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). There are 19 + sub-species of marine mammals in our oceans.* How many species of birds? There are over 10,000 species of birds in the world. About 925 have been seen in the U.S. and Canada. About 1,000 have been seen in Europe. By far the largest concentration of bird species are found in South America. Over 3,200 species have been seen there. In Colombia, Bolivia and Peru the species count for each country tops 1,700. Here are some very general figures for the species count for each continent: 3,200 South America; 2,900 Asia; 2,300 Africa; 2,000 North America (from Panama north + Caribbean); 1,700 Australia + surrounding islands; 1,000 Europe; 65 Antarctica.GENESIS 1:24-3124 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said,"I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.> Day 6: God creates livestock, wild animals, and man.To many animal species to define. We will get into the make-up of man in the series.THE BIG BANG THEORYThe Big Bang Theory is the dominant scientific theory about the origin of the universe. According to the big bang, the universe was created sometime between 10 billion and 20 billion years ago from a cosmic explosion that hurled matter and in all directions. In 1927, the Belgian priest Georges Lemaître was the first to propose that the universe began with the explosion of a primeval atom. His proposal came after observing the red shift in distant nebulas by astronomers to a model of the universe based on relativity. Years later, Edwin Hubble found experimental evidence to help justify Lemaître's theory. He found that distant galaxies in every direction are going away from us with speeds proportional to their distance. The big bang was initially suggested because it explains why distant galaxies are traveling away from us at great speeds. The theory also predicts the existence of cosmic background radiation (the glow left over from the explosion itself). The Big Bang Theory received its strongest confirmation when this radiation was discovered in 1964 by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson, who later won the Nobel Prize for this discovery. Although the Big Bang Theory is widely accepted, it probably will never be proved; consequentially, leaving a number of tough, unanswered questions. CARBON DATINGCarbon dating is a dating technique predicated upon three things: 1. The rate at which the unstable radioactive C-14 isotope decays into the stable non-radioactive N-14 isotope, 2. The ratio of C-12 to C-14 found in a given specimen, 3. And the ratio C-12 to C-14 found in the atmosphere at the time of the specimen's death. It takes about 5,730 years for half of a sample of radiocarbon to decay back into nitrogen. It takes another 5,730 for half of the remainder to decay, and then another 5,730 for half of what's left then to decay and so on. The period of time that it takes for half of a sample to decay is called a "half-life." YOUNG (NEW) EARTH CREATIONIST vs. OLD EARTH CREATIONISTYoung Earth creationism is a religious doctrine that teaches that the Earth and life on Earth were created by a direct action of God relatively recently (about 6,000 years ago). It is held by those Christians who believe that the Hebrew text of Genesis can only mean a literal account of Earth's creation in six 24-hour days, that evidence for a strict interpretation of scripture as historical fact is present in the world today, and that scientific evidence supporting Darwinian evolution, geological uniformitarianism - or any other theory at odds with a literal interpretation of the Genesis creation account - is either flawed or misinterpreted. Young Earth creationists believe that the Earth is "young", on the order of 6,000 to 10,000 years old,[15] rather than the age of 4.5 billion years estimated by modern geology using scientific methods including radiometric dating. YECs believe that life was created by God 'each after their kind' in the universe'sfirst six normal-length (24-hour) days. Additionally, they believe that the biblical account of Noah's flood is historically true, maintaining that there was a worldwide flood (circa 2349 BC) that destroyed all terrestrial life except that which was saved on Noah's Ark.Old Earth creationism is a variant of the creationist view of the origin of the universe and life on Earth. As a theory of origins it is typically more compatible with mainstream scientific thought on the issues of geology, cosmology and the age of the Earth, in comparison to Young Earth creationism. However, it still generally takes the accounts of creation in Genesis more literally than theistic evolution (or evolutionary creationism). Old Earth creationism is in fact an umbrella term for a number of perspectives, including Gap creationism and Progressive creationism. MACRO-EVOLUTION/MICRO-EVOLUTIONIn evolutionary biology today, macroevolution is used to refer to any evolutionary change at or above the level of species. It means at least the splitting of a species into two (speciation, or cladogenesis, from the Greek meaning "the origin of a branch") or the change of a species over time into another (anagenetic speciation, not nowadays generally accepted.Microevolution refers to any evolutionary change below the level of species, and refers to changes in the frequency within a population or a species of its alleles (alternative genes) and their effects on the form, or phenotype, of organisms that make up that population or species. It can also apply to changes within species that are not genetic.Another way to state the difference is that macroevolution is between-species evolution and microevolution is within-species evolution.INTELLIGENT DESIGNCould life evolve randomly from inorganic matter? Not according to mathematicians. In the last 30 years a number of prominent scientists have attempted to calculate the odds that a free-living, single-celled organism, such as a bacterium, might result by the chance combining of pre-existent building blocks. Harold Morowitz calculated the odds as one chance in 10100,000,000,000. Sir Fred Hoyle calculated the odds of only the proteins of an amoebae arising by chance as one chance in 1040,000. ...the odds calculated by Morowitz and Hoyle are staggering. The odds led Fred Hoyle to state that the probability of spontaneous generation 'is about the same as the probability that a tornado sweeping through a junk yard could assemble a Boeing 747 from the contents therein.' Mathematicians tell us that any event with an improbability greater than one chance in 1050 is in the realm of metaphysics -- i.e. a miracle.Harold Marowitz, an atheist physicist, created mathematical models by imagining broths of living bacteria that were superheated until all the complex chemicals were broken down into basic building blocks. After cooling the mixtures, Marowitz used physics calculations to conclude that the odds of a single bacterium reassembling by chance is one in 10100,000,000,000. 2 Wow! How can I grasp such a large statistic? Well, it's more likely that I would win the state lottery every week for a million years by purchasing just one ticket each week. In response to the probabilities calculated by Marowitz, Robert Shapiro, author of Origins - A Skeptic's Guide to the Creation of Life on Earth, wrote: The improbability involved in generating even one bacterium is so large that it reduces all considerations of time and space to nothingness. Given such odds, the time until the black holes evaporate and the space to the ends of the universe would make no difference at all. If we were to wait, we would truly be waiting for a miracle. Sir Fred Hoyle compared the probability of life arising by chance to lining up 1050 (ten with fifty zeros after it) blind people, giving each one a scrambled Rubik's Cube, and finding that they all solve the cube at the same moment. I. L. Cohen is a mathematician, researcher and author -- a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and officer of the Archaeological Institute of America. In his book, Darwin was Wrong -- A Study in Probabilities, Cohen writes: In a certain sense, the debate transcends the confrontation between evolutionists and creationists. We now have a debate within the scientific community itself; it is a confrontation between scientific objectivity and ingrained prejudice - between logic and emotion - between fact and fiction. 1 ...In the final analysis, objective scientific logic has to prevail -- no matter what the final result is - no matter how many time-honored idols have to be discarded in the process. 2 ...after all, it is not the duty of science to defend the theory of evolution, and stick by it to the bitter end -- no matter what illogical and unsupported conclusions it offers... if in the process of impartial scientific logic, they find that creation by outside superintelligence is the solution to our quandary, then let's cut the umbilical cord that tied us down to Darwin for such a long time. It is choking us and holding us back. 3 …every single concept advanced by the theory of evolution (and amended thereafter) is imaginary and it is not supported by the scientifically established facts of microbiology, fossils, and mathematical probability concepts. Darwin was wrong. 4 ...The theory of evolution may be the worst mistake made in science. How can nothing explode? Where did all that matter and energy come from? What caused its release? How did this explosion of everything (from nothing) order itself? How can simplicity become complexity? Where did the chemical elements come from? Where did the mathematical laws and physical properties come from? How do we explain the design, complexity and fine-tuning inherent in spiral galaxies, solar systems, and stars? How did life come from a rock? How did a bird come from a lizard? Why don't we see birds come from lizards today? Why are there no transitional fossils in our museums today? Why have we never observed beneficial mutations? Where did the information code in DNA come from? Where did the language convention that interprets DNA come from? How can we explain the random development of the human eye, reproductive system, digestive tract, brain, heart and lungs? What about the subconscious mind? What about love, morality, ethics, and emotions? Can these things really evolve gradually and randomly over time? Don't be fooled into thinking that scientists know everything, and can explain everything. In fact, the more they dig, the harder it is becoming for the scientist to explain their discoveries in any other category but divine. They are starting to lean toward a creator, a law giver, an intelligent designer. Sounds a lot like God, doesn't it?MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Richard A. Swenson, M.D.From the back cover Is God just watching from a distance? Or is He intimately involved in every detal of His creation--including your life?The Psalmist exclaimed, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Psa 19:1). Dr. Richard Swenson asserts that, in fact, all of nature reveals a God who constantly nurtures and sustains His creation--including our own bodies--in ways that we can scarcely comprehend.Drawing on his background in medicine and the natural sciences, Dr. Swenson examines the wonders of creation and explains how they reveal a majestic God whose mastery of detail is evident everywhere, from the breathtaking complexity of living cells to the awesome grandeur of the cosmos. He shows us a God whose genius, power, sophistication, and artistry shout from every element of our universe. With evidence from both science and Scripture, Swenson helps us see ourselves as God sees us--treasured creations with whom He desires initmate relationship.Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Human Body and BiologyChapter 2: Our Body in ParticlesChapter 3: The Heart, Blood, and LungsChapter 4: The SensesChapter 5: The Brain and Nervous SystemChapter 6: The Cell, Genes, and DNAChapter 7: The Skin, Stomach, Skeleton, and SpermChapter 8: The UniverseChapter 9: Physics and ChemistryChapter 10: MathematicsChapter 11: Astronomy and CosmologyChapter 12: Time, Space, and LightChapter 13: The KingdomChapter 14: Seeing Through a Glass DarklyChapter 15: God's Power in ScripturesChapter 16: I Will Build My KingdomWhere do you stand on all these subjects? I stand on God's side. Whether the earth was formed by God billions of years ago, or just 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, really makes no difference to me. It doesn't change that God created all things. Whether it happened in six 24 hour days, or six 1000 hour days, it doesn't change that God is the creator. I believe people are so hung up on detailed specifics that have nothing to do with having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Here's what the Bible says about creation:Mark 10:6 "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.John 17:24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.Psalm 8:6-8 (6) You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: (7) all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, (8) the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.Isaiah 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."Psalm 148:4-5 (4) Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. (5) Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.Jeremiah 27:5 With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.Colossians 1:15 (The Supremacy of Christ) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.Hebrews 4:4 And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work."Revelation 21:1-8The New Jerusalem (1)Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. (2)I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (3)And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (4)He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (5)He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (6)He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. (7)He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (8)But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD WE THINK WE KNOW
GENESIS 1:1-51 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. There's no mystery as to what God is doing, or who he is. He is the Creator; and, unlike all the other mysteries he holds secret, this is not one of them. > Day 1: God creates both heaven and the earth, and light.* Heaven is created: Although there is no real human knowledge as to the creation of Heaven, we know it exists because God describes it in the Bible. In the beginning, before the creation of any of the visible world and of man, God created Heaven, that is, the spiritual, invisible world of the angels, out of nothing. Angels are bodiless and immortal spirits, gifted with a mind, will and strength. God created an innumerable multitude of them. They differ among themselves according to degrees of perfection and types of service and are divided into a number of orders. The highest of these are called the seraphim, cherubim, and archangels.*Just how big is the Earth? The total circumference of the Earth is approximately 25,000 miles in diameter. More than six times the size of the moon (which is about 4,000 miles in diameter). From space, the astronauts call it the Blue Planet.*What would happen if the Earth lost its tilt? One answer is this: We must be assume that this change in the earth's orbital axis is a thought experiment. The earth can be thought of as a gigantic gyroscope, spinning at over 1000 miles per hour at its equator. If its axis were to be suddenly shifted from its normal inclination, inertial forces produced in such a change would literally tear the earth apart. Another answer is this: The tilt of the earth's spin axis is the reason for the seasons. If there were no tilt to the earth's axis, the sun would rise and set at the same time every day, and the weather would never change. It would be "spring-like" year-round.*What is light? Light consists of weightless particles (that contain no mass) traveling at about 186,000 miles or 300,000 kilometers per second. These particles of light are called photons. But light also exhibits the characteristics of a wave. Light is a wave, just like sound is a wave. But unlike sound waves, light is a transverse wave (like a water wave). Imagine a long rope tied to the side of a wall and a girl shaking rhythmically one end of the rope up and down. Each up and down shake of the rope is a cycle and the number of cycles per second is the wave’s frequency. If you observe the rope from the side, you will see a wave pattern of alternating crests and troughs. The distance from one crest to another is the wavelength. When the girl shakes the ropes more rapidly, the frequency will naturally increase, but the wavelength will shorten. Light acts in many ways similarly to the shaking rope. It also has a frequency and a wavelength. As thefrequency increases, the wavelength decreases and as the frequency decreases, the wavelength increases. The frequency of light determines its color. Blue light has a higher frequency and a shorter wavelength than red light. Our eyes are sensitive to only a small part of the spectrum of frequencies. There is ultra-violet and infra-red light just beyond our eyes’ range, radio waves with much lower frequencies than light, and gamma rays with much higher frequencies. Sunlight contains many different colors which can be separated through a prism or a rainbow into different colors. But where does light come from? No matter what the source, light is generally produced via the same mechanism: electrons changing their orbits around nuclei. Light is just energy and thus light can be given off in this process. This process, by the way, is called radiation. It's not the same thing as the stuff that will kill you, but it's similar. The Sun is the largest lightsource in our galaxy.GENESIS 1:6-86 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. > Day 2: God creates the sky.*What is the sky? The sky is often defined as the place a person sees when he or she looks up from the earth. Although almost everyone has seen it, the sky is hard to define precisely. The concept of the sky, as it is applied here on Earth, can be generalized to mean the hemisphere above the horizon, or above the visible surface of the planet and objects attached to it. It can be seen when one looks upward from the surface of a planet. (No one is really sure how describe what the sky is).*Why is the sky blue? The atmosphere around the Earth is largely made up of two colorless gases: oxygen and nitrogen. Red and blue light reacts very different from each other to oxygen. Because the wavelength of blue light is roughly the size of an atom of oxygen, blue light interacts with the oxygen and is scattered by it, while red light, with its longer wavelength, goes right pass the oxygen atoms. If the Earth had no atmosphere, the sun’s light would travel directly from the Sun in a straight line towards our eyes and we would see the Sun as a very bright star in sea of blackness. But because the Sun’s blue light is scattered by the oxygen in the atmosphere, blue light from the Sun enters our eyes from all sorts of different angles and we see the entire sky as blue. The atmosphere scatters violet light even more effectively, but our eyes are more sensitive to blue. Wherever we look towards the sky, some light is bouncing off an oxygen atom andentering our eyes, making the sky appear to be blue. GENESIS 1:9- 139 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.> Day 3: God creates land and the sea; He also creates vegetation, plants, trees, and fruit from the trees.*How much dry land is on Earth? Land only takes up 30 percent of Earth. This is very little land. The highest point on land is Mount Everest and the lowest is the Dead Sea. The land around the middle latitudes usually have hot summers and cold winters. The percentages of earth's land surface can be divided into different types: 20% covered by snow land, 20% mountains, 20% dry land, 30% good land that can be farmed, 10% land doesn't have topsoil.*How much of Earth is ocean? The earth is mostly blue because its large surface area of oceans. The surface area of the bodies takes up 70 percent of earth's total surface area. The ocean contains 328,000,000 cubic miles of salt water. *Why is there more water than land on Earth? Because all life depends on water. Without water, nothing would survive. God would have created the earth with more land if life depended on it more than water.*How many species of plants and trees are on Earth? There is no such answer. One guess was there was about 2 million different classified plants and animals on earth. This answer was not 100% accurate.GENESIS 1:14-1914 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.> Day 4: God creates the sun, moon, and stars.* How big and hot is the sun? The Sun is 810,000 miles in diameter. That is 32 times the size of Earth. It is the largest member of our planetary system. It is the only star in our system large enough to undergo nuclear fusion. It is able to produce so much energy it shines. The sun at its core is 15 million degrees celcius, or 27 million degrees farenheit. The sun is 380, followed by 24 zeros, watts. That is brighter than all the light bulbs on earth. It is the center of our solar system. Again, the Sun is the largest source of light in our galaxy.* The Moon: The Moon is the only natural satellite of Earth. It is the second brightest object in the sky after the Sun. Due to its size and composition, the Moon is sometimes classified as a terrestrial "planet" along with Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The Moon is volcanic in origin.* How many stars are in our galaxy? The exact number of stars in our Milky Way Galaxy is virtually impossable to determine, but best estimates put the number at over 100 billion stars. The reason its so hard to determine the number of stars is three fold. First the galaxy is so large we can't really use measurements in miles or kilometers, we use instead light years. The distance light travels in one year is one light year. The Milky Way is about 80,000 light years across.GENESIS 1:20-2320 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.> Day 5: God creates living creatures in the waters and birds.* How many living creatures in the waters? There are almost 28,000 known extant species of fish, of which almost 27,000 are bony fish, with the remainder being about 970 sharks, rays, and chimeras and about 108 hagfishes and lampreys. Modern marine mammals include the order Cetacea (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), the order Sirenia (dugongs and manatees), and members of the order Carnivora (the polar bear and otters), and the pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). There are 19 + sub-species of marine mammals in our oceans.* How many species of birds? There are over 10,000 species of birds in the world. About 925 have been seen in the U.S. and Canada. About 1,000 have been seen in Europe. By far the largest concentration of bird species are found in South America. Over 3,200 species have been seen there. In Colombia, Bolivia and Peru the species count for each country tops 1,700. Here are some very general figures for the species count for each continent: 3,200 South America; 2,900 Asia; 2,300 Africa; 2,000 North America (from Panama north + Caribbean); 1,700 Australia + surrounding islands; 1,000 Europe; 65 Antarctica.GENESIS 1:24-3124 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said,"I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.> Day 6: God creates livestock, wild animals, and man.To many animal species to define. We will get into the make-up of man in the series.THE BIG BANG THEORYThe Big Bang Theory is the dominant scientific theory about the origin of the universe. According to the big bang, the universe was created sometime between 10 billion and 20 billion years ago from a cosmic explosion that hurled matter and in all directions. In 1927, the Belgian priest Georges Lemaître was the first to propose that the universe began with the explosion of a primeval atom. His proposal came after observing the red shift in distant nebulas by astronomers to a model of the universe based on relativity. Years later, Edwin Hubble found experimental evidence to help justify Lemaître's theory. He found that distant galaxies in every direction are going away from us with speeds proportional to their distance. The big bang was initially suggested because it explains why distant galaxies are traveling away from us at great speeds. The theory also predicts the existence of cosmic background radiation (the glow left over from the explosion itself). The Big Bang Theory received its strongest confirmation when this radiation was discovered in 1964 by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson, who later won the Nobel Prize for this discovery. Although the Big Bang Theory is widely accepted, it probably will never be proved; consequentially, leaving a number of tough, unanswered questions. CARBON DATINGCarbon dating is a dating technique predicated upon three things: 1. The rate at which the unstable radioactive C-14 isotope decays into the stable non-radioactive N-14 isotope, 2. The ratio of C-12 to C-14 found in a given specimen, 3. And the ratio C-12 to C-14 found in the atmosphere at the time of the specimen's death. It takes about 5,730 years for half of a sample of radiocarbon to decay back into nitrogen. It takes another 5,730 for half of the remainder to decay, and then another 5,730 for half of what's left then to decay and so on. The period of time that it takes for half of a sample to decay is called a "half-life." YOUNG (NEW) EARTH CREATIONIST vs. OLD EARTH CREATIONISTYoung Earth creationism is a religious doctrine that teaches that the Earth and life on Earth were created by a direct action of God relatively recently (about 6,000 years ago). It is held by those Christians who believe that the Hebrew text of Genesis can only mean a literal account of Earth's creation in six 24-hour days, that evidence for a strict interpretation of scripture as historical fact is present in the world today, and that scientific evidence supporting Darwinian evolution, geological uniformitarianism - or any other theory at odds with a literal interpretation of the Genesis creation account - is either flawed or misinterpreted. Young Earth creationists believe that the Earth is "young", on the order of 6,000 to 10,000 years old,[15] rather than the age of 4.5 billion years estimated by modern geology using scientific methods including radiometric dating. YECs believe that life was created by God 'each after their kind' in the universe'sfirst six normal-length (24-hour) days. Additionally, they believe that the biblical account of Noah's flood is historically true, maintaining that there was a worldwide flood (circa 2349 BC) that destroyed all terrestrial life except that which was saved on Noah's Ark.Old Earth creationism is a variant of the creationist view of the origin of the universe and life on Earth. As a theory of origins it is typically more compatible with mainstream scientific thought on the issues of geology, cosmology and the age of the Earth, in comparison to Young Earth creationism. However, it still generally takes the accounts of creation in Genesis more literally than theistic evolution (or evolutionary creationism). Old Earth creationism is in fact an umbrella term for a number of perspectives, including Gap creationism and Progressive creationism. MACRO-EVOLUTION/MICRO-EVOLUTIONIn evolutionary biology today, macroevolution is used to refer to any evolutionary change at or above the level of species. It means at least the splitting of a species into two (speciation, or cladogenesis, from the Greek meaning "the origin of a branch") or the change of a species over time into another (anagenetic speciation, not nowadays generally accepted.Microevolution refers to any evolutionary change below the level of species, and refers to changes in the frequency within a population or a species of its alleles (alternative genes) and their effects on the form, or phenotype, of organisms that make up that population or species. It can also apply to changes within species that are not genetic.Another way to state the difference is that macroevolution is between-species evolution and microevolution is within-species evolution.INTELLIGENT DESIGNCould life evolve randomly from inorganic matter? Not according to mathematicians. In the last 30 years a number of prominent scientists have attempted to calculate the odds that a free-living, single-celled organism, such as a bacterium, might result by the chance combining of pre-existent building blocks. Harold Morowitz calculated the odds as one chance in 10100,000,000,000. Sir Fred Hoyle calculated the odds of only the proteins of an amoebae arising by chance as one chance in 1040,000. ...the odds calculated by Morowitz and Hoyle are staggering. The odds led Fred Hoyle to state that the probability of spontaneous generation 'is about the same as the probability that a tornado sweeping through a junk yard could assemble a Boeing 747 from the contents therein.' Mathematicians tell us that any event with an improbability greater than one chance in 1050 is in the realm of metaphysics -- i.e. a miracle.Harold Marowitz, an atheist physicist, created mathematical models by imagining broths of living bacteria that were superheated until all the complex chemicals were broken down into basic building blocks. After cooling the mixtures, Marowitz used physics calculations to conclude that the odds of a single bacterium reassembling by chance is one in 10100,000,000,000. 2 Wow! How can I grasp such a large statistic? Well, it's more likely that I would win the state lottery every week for a million years by purchasing just one ticket each week. In response to the probabilities calculated by Marowitz, Robert Shapiro, author of Origins - A Skeptic's Guide to the Creation of Life on Earth, wrote: The improbability involved in generating even one bacterium is so large that it reduces all considerations of time and space to nothingness. Given such odds, the time until the black holes evaporate and the space to the ends of the universe would make no difference at all. If we were to wait, we would truly be waiting for a miracle. Sir Fred Hoyle compared the probability of life arising by chance to lining up 1050 (ten with fifty zeros after it) blind people, giving each one a scrambled Rubik's Cube, and finding that they all solve the cube at the same moment. I. L. Cohen is a mathematician, researcher and author -- a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and officer of the Archaeological Institute of America. In his book, Darwin was Wrong -- A Study in Probabilities, Cohen writes: In a certain sense, the debate transcends the confrontation between evolutionists and creationists. We now have a debate within the scientific community itself; it is a confrontation between scientific objectivity and ingrained prejudice - between logic and emotion - between fact and fiction. 1 ...In the final analysis, objective scientific logic has to prevail -- no matter what the final result is - no matter how many time-honored idols have to be discarded in the process. 2 ...after all, it is not the duty of science to defend the theory of evolution, and stick by it to the bitter end -- no matter what illogical and unsupported conclusions it offers... if in the process of impartial scientific logic, they find that creation by outside superintelligence is the solution to our quandary, then let's cut the umbilical cord that tied us down to Darwin for such a long time. It is choking us and holding us back. 3 …every single concept advanced by the theory of evolution (and amended thereafter) is imaginary and it is not supported by the scientifically established facts of microbiology, fossils, and mathematical probability concepts. Darwin was wrong. 4 ...The theory of evolution may be the worst mistake made in science. How can nothing explode? Where did all that matter and energy come from? What caused its release? How did this explosion of everything (from nothing) order itself? How can simplicity become complexity? Where did the chemical elements come from? Where did the mathematical laws and physical properties come from? How do we explain the design, complexity and fine-tuning inherent in spiral galaxies, solar systems, and stars? How did life come from a rock? How did a bird come from a lizard? Why don't we see birds come from lizards today? Why are there no transitional fossils in our museums today? Why have we never observed beneficial mutations? Where did the information code in DNA come from? Where did the language convention that interprets DNA come from? How can we explain the random development of the human eye, reproductive system, digestive tract, brain, heart and lungs? What about the subconscious mind? What about love, morality, ethics, and emotions? Can these things really evolve gradually and randomly over time? Don't be fooled into thinking that scientists know everything, and can explain everything. In fact, the more they dig, the harder it is becoming for the scientist to explain their discoveries in any other category but divine. They are starting to lean toward a creator, a law giver, an intelligent designer. Sounds a lot like God, doesn't it?MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Richard A. Swenson, M.D.From the back cover Is God just watching from a distance? Or is He intimately involved in every detal of His creation--including your life?The Psalmist exclaimed, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Psa 19:1). Dr. Richard Swenson asserts that, in fact, all of nature reveals a God who constantly nurtures and sustains His creation--including our own bodies--in ways that we can scarcely comprehend.Drawing on his background in medicine and the natural sciences, Dr. Swenson examines the wonders of creation and explains how they reveal a majestic God whose mastery of detail is evident everywhere, from the breathtaking complexity of living cells to the awesome grandeur of the cosmos. He shows us a God whose genius, power, sophistication, and artistry shout from every element of our universe. With evidence from both science and Scripture, Swenson helps us see ourselves as God sees us--treasured creations with whom He desires initmate relationship.Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Human Body and BiologyChapter 2: Our Body in ParticlesChapter 3: The Heart, Blood, and LungsChapter 4: The SensesChapter 5: The Brain and Nervous SystemChapter 6: The Cell, Genes, and DNAChapter 7: The Skin, Stomach, Skeleton, and SpermChapter 8: The UniverseChapter 9: Physics and ChemistryChapter 10: MathematicsChapter 11: Astronomy and CosmologyChapter 12: Time, Space, and LightChapter 13: The KingdomChapter 14: Seeing Through a Glass DarklyChapter 15: God's Power in ScripturesChapter 16: I Will Build My KingdomWhere do you stand on all these subjects? I stand on God's side. Whether the earth was formed by God billions of years ago, or just 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, really makes no difference to me. It doesn't change that God created all things. Whether it happened in six 24 hour days, or six 1000 hour days, it doesn't change that God is the creator. I believe people are so hung up on detailed specifics that have nothing to do with having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Here's what the Bible says about creation:Mark 10:6 "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.John 17:24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.Psalm 8:6-8 (6) You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: (7) all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, (8) the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.Isaiah 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."Psalm 148:4-5 (4) Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. (5) Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.Jeremiah 27:5 With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.Colossians 1:15 (The Supremacy of Christ) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.Hebrews 4:4 And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work."Revelation 21:1-8The New Jerusalem (1)Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. (2)I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (3)And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (4)He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (5)He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (6)He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. (7)He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (8)But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
Right-wing or Left-wing? Which side are you on?
It used be that people could take a stand for something, or against something, and that's all it was, taking a stand. People holding to their convictions, whether Christian or not, and voicing their opinions. Extremists' were those who opposed the government; went against the laws of the land, and held themselves up on compounds ready to do battle against law enforcement. Do the Branch Davidian's ring a bell? Now, all you have to do is oppose an issue that somehow has made its way from Roe vs. Wade, to the Department of Homeland Security. How is it that a person who is a respecter of life, who calls themselves pro-life, become a right wing extremist. Where are the left wing extremists? Is there such a group? Conservative viewpoints are being slammed against the wall. I'm wondering how there can be a law in a country that can convict a person who murders a pregnant woman of double homicide (the death of the woman and the death of the unborn child), but allow for a medical procedure that terminates the life of an unborn child. Why is an unborn child given certain alienable rights as a human being when it comes to murder, but those same rights do not apply when it comes to abortion? Is it coincidence that the majority of pro-lifer's happen to be faith based people? Christian, Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, etc. So, does that mean the Pope is a right wing extremist? Or, how about the Archbishop of St. Louis who refused to give Senator Daley communion because he is pro-choice? Our country seems to be getting way off base here. No doubt in my opinion that Planned Parenthood has something to do with this. The ACLU is probably a player in this, also. Our convictions as Christians circumvent the decrees of our government. We are told in the Bible to obey the law of the land. But, the Bible also teaches us that God is the creator of all life, and that He created man in his image and breathed life into him. God set man apart from the animals. God spoke all of creation into existence, except man. God gave man the breath of life. We are special because of this. We are special because God chose to send his Son, Jesus Christ, to be born as a man, and to endure an earthly life. Jesus left his throne in heaven to be among us. Since we are that special to God, how can anyone, including the government, expect us to turn our backs on the sanctity of life? It's not an extreme view to love life. It's a natural view. If your curious about this subject, or have questions about the governments involvement with this, go to www.beheardproject.com. You'll find some answers there. God bless you all.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tolerance
It amazes me that the homosexual community preach, and demand, tolerance to their views and lifestyle. Yet, not much tolerance is afforded to those who oppose their views, and lifestyle. For example, I just got done reading an article on Foxnews.com about the controversy over the comments made by Miss California during the Miss USA pageant. Miss California, Carrie Pajean, was asked her thoughts on gay marriage. Miss Pajean, as a Christian, stated her opinion that she was against gay marriage, and stuck to her convictions and beliefs. Why the lack of tolerance toward Miss Pajean by two of the pageant judges over her answer? I'll tell you why, because they lack the tolerance for an objective viewpoint. Would it have been better if she had pleaded the 5th?
As Christians, we are taught to love all people. But, this doesn't mean we have to condone that which is Biblically wrong. What is wrong here, is that one of the judges, Moekler, was supposed to be a very close friend of Pajean. Yet, Moekler has no tolerance for Pajean's opinion. I'm wondering if the Miss USA runner-up was a Budhist, or Muslim, if the "No Tolerance" policy held here would still apply. It seems that when one is identified, or identifies themselves, as Christian, tolerance of their lifestyle and views gets thrown away. But as Christians, we tolerate, even love our neighbor, despite their lifestyle or views. Is it our goal to introduce everyone we meet to Jesus? Absolutely. Christians (if they are Bible believers and follow the Word of God in context) believe that the homosexual lifestyle is in direct contradiction with the Word of God. Yet, we would openly accept anyone who wants to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. With acceptance comes change. Christ died for everyone. Even those who are living in a state of seperation from God.
Tolerance. It seems to be a onesided word these days. Today, our nation is dealing with a lot of controversy. Yet, the homosexual agenda stampedes forward with no tolerance for the opposition. For the homosexual community I'll end with this, you may win a battle here and there, but the war has already been won. If you want to know true freedom, turn to Jesus and ask him to show you what it is. John 8:32 says, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free." In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me."
As Christians, we are taught to love all people. But, this doesn't mean we have to condone that which is Biblically wrong. What is wrong here, is that one of the judges, Moekler, was supposed to be a very close friend of Pajean. Yet, Moekler has no tolerance for Pajean's opinion. I'm wondering if the Miss USA runner-up was a Budhist, or Muslim, if the "No Tolerance" policy held here would still apply. It seems that when one is identified, or identifies themselves, as Christian, tolerance of their lifestyle and views gets thrown away. But as Christians, we tolerate, even love our neighbor, despite their lifestyle or views. Is it our goal to introduce everyone we meet to Jesus? Absolutely. Christians (if they are Bible believers and follow the Word of God in context) believe that the homosexual lifestyle is in direct contradiction with the Word of God. Yet, we would openly accept anyone who wants to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. With acceptance comes change. Christ died for everyone. Even those who are living in a state of seperation from God.
Tolerance. It seems to be a onesided word these days. Today, our nation is dealing with a lot of controversy. Yet, the homosexual agenda stampedes forward with no tolerance for the opposition. For the homosexual community I'll end with this, you may win a battle here and there, but the war has already been won. If you want to know true freedom, turn to Jesus and ask him to show you what it is. John 8:32 says, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free." In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me."
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