Psalm 23:1 (A Bible Translation Comparison)

 (ESV)"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." 

(LSB)"Yahweh is my shepherd, I shall not want." 

(NIV)"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing." 

(CSB)"The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need." 

The ESV and the LSB are more literal translations.  The ESV maintains the traditional translation of Psalm 23:1.  The LSB maintains the traditional wording except that it translates the Hebrew YHWH (the tetragrammaton) as Yahweh instead of LORD.  The NIV and the CSB are less literal translations that move away from the traditional rendering of this verse.  

(ESV) English Standard Version

(LSB) Legacy Standard Bible

(NIV) New International Version

(CSB) Christian Standard Bible

A Christian View Of Death

 With the recent death of my mother I have thought a lot about death recently.  The prevailing secularism of our society tells us death is normal and natural.  Some believe this world is all there is, while others hold to some vague notion of heaven.  For the right answers we turn to the ultimate authority, God and his Word.  

Death is not normal or natural as the secularists teach us.  Man was not created to die, death was not part of God's good creation (Genesis 1-2).  Death came into the world because of the sin of man (Romans 5:12, Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 3).  Death is an intrusion into God's good creation and an enemy to be defeated.  

How did Jesus view death?  At the death of his friend Lazarus we read that, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35).  We also read that Christ was, "deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled" (John 11:33).  From this passage we see that Jesus mourned the death of his friend and that he was even angry at the evil of death.  Jesus is God and he was without sin so these reactions to death are correct.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:26).  Christ through his life, death, and resurrection has defeated death, sin, and the devil.  

(1 Corinthians 54b-57)"Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (ESV) 

At death the soul of the true Christian goes to heaven and then at the last day the believer receives a resurrection body that will be united to his soul (1 Corinthians 35-49).  Christians will be in heaven where there will be no more pain, suffering, sin, or death (Revelation 21:1-4).  Unbelievers will go to hell and face the wrath of God for eternity (Matthew 25:41, Revelation 14:9-11).     

Martin Luther On The Bible

 Martin Luther (1483-1546) led the Protestant Reformation and was one of the most significant figures in history.  So, what were his views on the Bible?  

Luther referred to Scripture as "God's Book or Word" and said "we attribute to the Holy Spirit all of Holy Scripture." Speaking on Biblical authority he stated, "In all articles, the foundation of our faith must be God's Word alone, and without God's Word there can be no article of faith."  

Martin Luther believed the Bible "never erred" and "it cannot err."  He said, "You must follow straight after Scripture, accept it and not even speak one syllable against it, because it is God's mouth."  Luther also stated, "The Bible is alive, it speaks to me.  It has feet, it runs after me.  It has hands, it lays hold of me."  

Contending with the Roman Catholic Church Luther said, "A simple laymen armed with Scripture is to be believed above a pope or a council without it."  He also said, "My dear pope, you must not lord it over Scripture, nor must I or anybody else, according to our own ideas.  The devil takes that attitude!  We should rather allow Scripture to rule and master us, and we ourselves should not be the masters, according to our own mad heads, setting ourselves above Scripture."  

We close with Luther's famous statement, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscious is captive to the Word of God.  I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.  God help me.  Amen." 

What Are The Marks Of A True Church?

 The Reformers generally recognized the following things as the marks of a true church.  

-The preaching of the Word of God

-The administration of baptism

-The administration of the Lord's Supper

-The exercise of church discipline

Understanding Transgender Terminology

 Here are some terms and basic definitions related to transgenderism that one might encounter from the LGBTQ movement.  

Transgender - a biological male who identifies as a female or a biological female who identifies as a male.

Gender - a social construct, a person may identify differently than his or her biological sex.  

Nonbinary - rejects male and female only sex distinctions.  

Gender Fluidity - a person's gender may change over time.  

Assigned At Birth - biological sex is just assumed, a person may change and identify as the opposite sex.  

Cisgender - someone who continues to identify with his or her sex that was assigned at birth.  

(Genesis 1:27)"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (ESV)

Matthew 12:30 (Short Commentary)

 (Matthew 12:30)"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (ESV) 

There is no neutral ground, there is no middle ground.  You are either with Jesus or you are against him. 

Liberals vs Conservative Christians On Ezekiel, Sodom, And Homosexuality

Theological liberals have accused conservative Christians of misinterpreting Genesis 19:1-28 when they say God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of homosexuality.  The liberals use Ezekiel 16:49-50 to make their case.  

(Ezekiel 16:49-50)"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.  They were haughty and did an abomination before me.  So I removed them, when I saw it." (ESV) 

The theological liberals assert that this passage shows the sins of Sodom were pride, greed, and not caring for those in need, not homosexuality.  But notice toward the end of the passage the word abomination.  Where have we seen the word abomination before?  

(Leviticus 18:22)"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination." (ESV) 

(Leviticus 20:13)"If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them." (ESV) 

So we see the same word, abomination, is used in the Ezekiel passage and in the verses from Leviticus referring to homosexuality.  When it says in Ezekiel 16:49-50 "did an abomination before me" it is referring back to Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13.  While Sodom had other sins like greed, pride, and not caring for the needy, homosexuality was a major sin that showed how far down the road of depravity the people of Sodom had gone.  God destroyed them because of it.  

(Jude 1:7)"just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire." (ESV) 

Five Books On The End Times View Known as Amillennialism

Amillennialism is the traditional, Reformed Protestant view of eschatology (last things) and the Book of Revelation.  Here are some good books on the subject.  

The Five Points Of Amillennialism-Jeffrey Johnson

A Case For Amillennialism-Kim Riddlebarger

The End Times Made Simple-Samuel Waldron

The Bible And The Future-Anthony Hoekema

More Than Conquerors-William Hendriksen 

Abortion And The Autonomous Self

Since the overturning of Roe vs Wade, the pro abortion movement has been irate and enraged.  There has been constant talk about the loss of rights and the autonomous self has been on full display.  

The autonomous self basically means self law. The person recognizes no authority higher than the self.  The person is rejecting the authority of God and is trying to be his or her own god.  

We see this in the pro abortion movement.  We constantly hear the argument, that no one can tell me what to do with my own body.  This assertion rejects any authority above the self.  When this argument is made, God is being rejected and the woman is trying to be her own god.  Of course it is not just her own body but also the body of the unborn baby.  

We also hear a lot of talk about abortion rights, reproductive rights, and the right to choose.  The abortion advocates might want to stop and ask where rights come from in the first place.  The concept of rights presupposes truth and justice.  The concepts of truth and justice presuppose the Biblical God.  

God does not give people the right to an abortion.  Scripture plainly teaches that abortion is murder (See Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:41-44).  Abortion takes the life of an innocent unborn baby.  The notion of the autonomous self and abortion rights rests on the foundation of unbelief.  

(Romans 1:21)"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (ESV)  

The Bible And Pride Month: Part 2 (New Testament)

 Our culture is celebrating June as Pride Month.  Homosexuality and transgenderism are being promoted as normal and wonderful.  But the Bible alone is the ultimate authority because it is the Word of God.  So we turn to God and his Word for the right perspective.  In part 2 we will look at the New Testament.  

(Matthew 19:4-5)"He answered, Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?" (ESV) 

(Romans 1:26-27)"For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions.  For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error." (ESV) 

(1 Corinthians 6:9-10)"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (ESV) 

(1 Timothy 1:8-10)"Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine," (ESV) 

(Jude 1:7)"Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire." (ESV) 

Homosexuality and transgenderism are sinful lifestyles that violate God's creative design.  Pride Month encourages people to celebrate rebellion against God.  The people living these lifestyles and the people who applaud them, need to repent of their sin and trust Christ alone for salvation. 

The Bible And Pride Month: Part 1 (Old Testament)

Our society has proclaimed June to be Pride Month.  We are suppose to celebrate and applaud homosexuality and transgenderism.  But the ultimate authority is God, so we turn to God and his Word for truth and reality.  In Part 1 we will look at the Old Testament.  

(Genesis 1:27)"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (ESV) 

(Genesis 2:24)"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (ESV)

(Genesis 19:1-29) In this passage God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great wickedness.  Here the sin of homosexuality shows how far down the path of depravity and wickedness the people had gone.  This is where the term sodomy came from.  

(Leviticus 18:22)"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination." (ESV) 

(Leviticus 20:13)"If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them." (ESV) 

(Deuteronomy 22:5)"A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God." (ESV)

(Judges 19:22-30) This passage is similar to the Genesis 19:1-29 account of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Here the nation of Israel had descended far down the path of wickedness and depravity, illustrated by the sin of homosexuality.  They had become just like Sodom and Gomorrah.   

Homosexuality and transgenderism are sinful lifestyles that are an abomination to God.  They should not be celebrated and applauded.  

ESV vs NIV (Proverbs 16:9)

 (Proverbs 16:9)"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."  (ESV) 

(Proverbs 16:9)"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."  (NIV) 

The ESV gives a more literal and traditional rendering.  It maintains the words "man" and "his".  On the other hand the NIV gives a gender neutral translation of this verse.  The word "man" is replaced with "humans" and the word "his" is replaced with "their".  The NIV even changes it from singular to plural just to avoid the masculine references. 

Overturn Roe vs Wade?

 Pro abortion forces have been outraged by a leak from the Supreme Court suggesting that Roe vs Wade might possibly be overturned.  If it was overturned then the issue would go back to the states, where it belongs.  Roe vs Wade was a terrible constitutional decision because the U.S. Constitution does not even mention abortion.  

The abortion debate is often framed with faulty reasoning.  We are told that men have no right to tell women what they can do with their own bodies.  Yet Roe vs Wade was decided by Supreme Court justices who were all men.  Based on this reasoning the pro abortion camp would have to favor overturning Roe vs Wade because it was decided by men.  

Some from the state of New York have proclaimed it as a safe place for women seeking an abortion.  Of course if you are an unborn child New York will not be a safe place for you.  Often one side in the debate is portrayed as being in favor of abortion rights or reproductive rights.  Therefore the other side is portrayed as being against someone else's rights instead of being opposed to abortion because it is murder.  We are also told that a woman has the right to control her own body.  But in reality we are actually being told that a woman has the right to take the life of her unborn baby.  

All human beings are created in the image of God including unborn babies.  Abortion is the murder of an unborn baby created in the image of God.  Those who favor abortion are suppressing the truth and rebelling against God.  Abortion is not a right, it is a sin.  

(Exodus 20:13)"You shall not murder." (ESV) 

See also- Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:39-45. 

The Importance Of The Resurrection Of Christ

The resurrection of Christ is of the utmost importance because if Christ was not raised from the dead then there is no Christianity (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).  Anyone who denies the bodily resurrection of Jesus is not a Christian.  

The Resurrection Proves                        -Christianity is true (1 Corinthians 15:1-28)  -Christ's sacrifice for the sins of his people was accepted by God the Father. (1 Corinthians 15:17, Romans 4:25).                     -Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 1:4).         -Assures believers of their own future resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).         -Through the resurrection believers have newness of life (Romans 6:4).                  -Jesus was victorious over sin, death, and the devil (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).

The resurrection of Christ was an actual historical event that was witnessed by over 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:5-11).  We should believe that the resurrection actually happened because God has revealed it to us in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:1-11).  The Bible is totally reliable because it is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16).   

(Romans 10:9)"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  (ESV)

Luther And Calvin On The Genesis Creation Account

 Martin Luther (1483-1546) and John Calvin (1509-1564) were the two most prominent leaders of the Protestant Reformation.  We will take a brief look at their views on creation.  

Martin Luther believed the world was created about 6,000 years ago by God out of nothing.  He rejected the idea that the world was eternal.  He also rejected allegorical interpretation, holding to a literal interpretation of the Genesis creation account.  Luther said, "We assert that Moses spoke in the literal sense, not allegorically of figuratively-i.e., that the world, with all its creatures, was created within six days, as the words read." 

John Calvin also believed the world was created by God out of nothing.  He said, "Let this, then be maintained in the first place, that the world is not eternal but was created by God."  Calvin also held to a young earth saying, "Little more than five thousand years have passed since the creation of the universe."  Calvin believed the world was created in six literal days based on the numbering of the days.  

So Martin Luther and John Calvin both held to the traditional view of the church on the Genesis creation account.  This view is known as young earth creationism. 

Can God Create A Stone That Is Too Heavy For Him To Lift?

Skeptics sometimes pose this question to Christians in order to try to disprove the existence of God who is omnipotent (all powerful).  If the Christian answers no then the skeptic says there is something God cannot do. If the Christian answers yes then the skeptic  also says there is something God cannot do.  

First of all this question does not take into account God as a whole.  It tries to isolate one characteristic of God from all his other characteristics.  God is omnipotent but he is also good, righteous, just, holy, and immutable (does not change).  God can do anything he desires to do.  He does not desire to violate his own character.   

Of course this question also violates logic and reason.  Logic and reason come from the mind of God.  God does not contradict his own self.  God cannot cease to be God.  The skeptic's question is basically saying that if God cannot cease to be God, then it proves that he does not exist.  Of course this is just nonsense and absurdity.  And this is what the skeptic is left with when he rejects the Christian God.  

Psalm 14:1 And Unbelievers

(Psalm 14:1)"The fool says in his heart, There is no God.  They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good."  (ESV) 

The term fool in this verse denotes moral foolishness, not a lack of intellectual ability.  The unbeliever says in his heart that God does not exist or that God exists but he is not relevant.  He believes he will not be held accountable by God or face his judgment.  From this kind of thinking flows corruption, abominable deeds, and not doing good.  

The unbeliever is suppressing the truth about God.  He is worshiping the creature rather than the creator.  He is pretending to be his own god.  The unbeliever tries to operate independently of God and his Word.  He seeks to be a law unto himself.  This is sometimes referred to as the autonomous self.  

When the unbeliever rejects God and his Word as the foundation of his thought and his life he becomes corrupt, foolish, and absurd.  Claiming to be wise he has become a fool.  The unbeliever needs to turn from his foolishness and sinfulness and turn to Christ in whom are true wisdom and knowledge.   

Transgender Kids And Sports

A controversial issue in our modern society is whether someone born as a male who has "transitioned" to being a female can play sports on a girl's team.  The fact that we have such a controversy shows just how foolish our society has become.  We have confused kids being led astray by adults who have no clue.  

What we have seen in our modern culture is a shift from a Christian worldview to a secularist worldview.  Of course secularism is rooted in unbelief.  At the root of the transgender debate is the question of authority.  Is your gender determined by you or by God?  Do you recognize God as God or do you try to be your own god?  

We do not know who we are because we do not know who God is.  God is the ultimate authority, not us.  God is the Creator, we are the creatures.  If you were born as a male, you are a male.  If you were born as a female, you are a female.  You are who God created you to be.  Unbelief always end up in absurdity such as the idea of transgenderism.  It is simply rebellion against God.  

(Genesis 1:27)"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."  (ESV)  

70 Or 75? (Genesis 46:27 & Acts 7:14)

So how many people went down to Egypt with Jacob?  Genesis 46:27 has the number at 70 while Acts 7:14 has the number at 75.  

In Acts 14:7 Stephen is making his speech before the council and he lists the number of people as 75.  Stephen is actually quoting from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible) which has the number as 75 in Genesis 46:27.  On the other hand the Masoretic text (Hebrew text) has the number as 70 in Genesis 46:27.  

A possible explanation for the two different numbers is that the Septuagint includes five additional descendants of Joseph who were born in Egypt.  The five additional people would be two sons of Manasseh, two sons of Ephraim, and a grandson of Ephraim.  

Another possible explanation for the different numbers is that 75 people went down to Egypt but five died before they met with Joseph.  The difference in the numbers would be between those who left for Egypt and those who made it to meet with Joseph.