So, why do bad things happen to good people? What if I told you they don't? In reality there are no righteous people (Romans 3:10). All have sinned (Romans 3:23) and rebelled against God. We tend to view ourselves as good, deserving God's favor and blessing. We actually deserve God's judgment and we deserve to go to hell. In reality people do not deserve anything good. We should ask why good things happen to bad people. It is only because of God's grace that much good takes place in our world. Bad things happen to sinful people, that includes all of us. We have no claim on God, we deserve nothing good from him.
But what about evil? It actually exists inside of us all. We do not like to admit this, we would rather think of it as something outside of ourselves.
Originally the world was created good but man chose to sin against God. As a result humanity and the world became fallen and under the sin curse.
But where does evil come from? There is the existence of the devil and demons (this is not popular to say in the western world). The devil is called the evil one. The devil and demons are actually fallen angels. The devil tempts people to do evil but forces no one to do evil. The devil is not equal with God though, God is sovereign over all things. As Martin Luther said, "he's God's devil".
We are still left with the question of why evil exists in the first place? We know that God is not the author of evil and sin. Humans are not able to fully understand the things of God. Finite humans can't fully grasp the infinite God. The best explanation for the existence of evil is that in some way it glorifies God. It magnifies his justice and goodness. The ultimate purpose of all things is to bring glory to God.
Evil has been taken care of by Christ and his work on the cross. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay for the sins of his people, and was raised from the dead (proof that he is God). He was victorious over death, sin, and evil. All who repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ will be saved from their sins. Jesus will eliminate evil from the world. The devil and all who followed him (that includes all who rejected Christ) will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20). There will be a new heaven and new earth where everything will be perfect. There will be no evil or bad things happening there. This is where all believers in Christ will spend eternity.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
The Evangelicals
The modern evangelical movement began after World War II in the 1940's and 1950's. It was started as a corrective and reform of Fundamentalism. Key figures of the movement included Billy Graham (evangelist), Carl Henry (theologian), and Francis Schaeffer (apologist). Evangelicalism sought to hold to orthodox doctrine while engaging the culture. The evangelicals sought to be evangelists to the culture. The goal was to be in the world but not of the world.
Evangelicals believed that the Biblical worldview had the ultimate answers to life and the world. The movement sought to be intellectually robust while retaining devotion with the heart. Originally evangelicalism was strong on it's doctrine and held steadfast to the inerrancy of Scripture.
But eventually evangelicalism began to drift away from it's foundations as some in the movement tried to compromise with the secular culture. Some began to doubt the inerrancy of the Bible as well as it's sufficiency. Evangelicalism began to move away from it's roots in the Protestant Reformation.
In the 1980's evangelicalism began to be seen as a political movement. Some leaders of the movement seemed to think that all that was needed was to get the right people in political office. The problems in reality were much deeper. The problems were really moral and spiritual not so much political.
Also in the 1980's and 1990's the seeker sensitive movement began. This movement downplayed doctrine. It focused more on marketing than theology. It was worried more about offending people than about offending God. Also in the 1990's the emergent church began to arise. It seemed to think that we should become postmodernists in order to reach postmodernists. Postmodernism is the dominant belief system of our modern culture. The postmodernists reject absolute truth claims and are characterized by uncertainty. The emergent church began to doubt the inerrancy of Scripture, the existence of hell, that Jesus is the only way to heaven, and the sovereignty of God.
Unfortunately evangelicalism has become much like the secular culture. Some have even said that it has managed to be of the world but not in the world. Many modern evangelical churches are not all that serious about things. And not surprisingly the world does not take the evangelical church all that seriously. It has been said that evangelicalism is a mile wide and an inch deep. This assessment is somewhat true because evangelicals have often forgotten the mind and only focused on the heart. Some view Christianity as life and not doctrine, but this was the slogan of the old theological liberals.
The modern evangelical movement is in disarray. Much of the movement really is not all that Biblical any more. Unfortunately the evangelicalism of Graham, Henry, and Schaeffer no longer exists. While the Fundamentalists withdrew from the world, the evangelicals became like the world. We must hope and pray for a return to Biblical Christianity.
Evangelicals believed that the Biblical worldview had the ultimate answers to life and the world. The movement sought to be intellectually robust while retaining devotion with the heart. Originally evangelicalism was strong on it's doctrine and held steadfast to the inerrancy of Scripture.
But eventually evangelicalism began to drift away from it's foundations as some in the movement tried to compromise with the secular culture. Some began to doubt the inerrancy of the Bible as well as it's sufficiency. Evangelicalism began to move away from it's roots in the Protestant Reformation.
In the 1980's evangelicalism began to be seen as a political movement. Some leaders of the movement seemed to think that all that was needed was to get the right people in political office. The problems in reality were much deeper. The problems were really moral and spiritual not so much political.
Also in the 1980's and 1990's the seeker sensitive movement began. This movement downplayed doctrine. It focused more on marketing than theology. It was worried more about offending people than about offending God. Also in the 1990's the emergent church began to arise. It seemed to think that we should become postmodernists in order to reach postmodernists. Postmodernism is the dominant belief system of our modern culture. The postmodernists reject absolute truth claims and are characterized by uncertainty. The emergent church began to doubt the inerrancy of Scripture, the existence of hell, that Jesus is the only way to heaven, and the sovereignty of God.
Unfortunately evangelicalism has become much like the secular culture. Some have even said that it has managed to be of the world but not in the world. Many modern evangelical churches are not all that serious about things. And not surprisingly the world does not take the evangelical church all that seriously. It has been said that evangelicalism is a mile wide and an inch deep. This assessment is somewhat true because evangelicals have often forgotten the mind and only focused on the heart. Some view Christianity as life and not doctrine, but this was the slogan of the old theological liberals.
The modern evangelical movement is in disarray. Much of the movement really is not all that Biblical any more. Unfortunately the evangelicalism of Graham, Henry, and Schaeffer no longer exists. While the Fundamentalists withdrew from the world, the evangelicals became like the world. We must hope and pray for a return to Biblical Christianity.
Monday, May 20, 2013
The Fundamentalists
The Fundamentalist movement began in the early 1900's as a reaction against modernism or liberalism. The name came from a group of booklets called The Fundamentals. The Fundamentalists set out to defend historic Christian doctrines that were under attack by the liberals. Belief in the supernatural was no longer considered viable by the liberals.
Among the doctrines defended by the Fundamentalists were the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the second coming of Christ, and the inerrancy of Scripture.
In it's early days Fundamentalism was a good movement. J. Gresham Machen was a notable figure in the movement although he never called himself a Fundamentalist. Machen was a New Testament scholar who wrote the excellent book "Christianity and Liberalism". Unfortunately Machen was forced out of Princeton Seminary and his own denomination because he stood strong for Biblical Christianity.
The Fundamentalist movement began to decline especially after the Scopes trial in 1925. The trial was an embarrassment for the Fundamentalists. Clarence Darrow argued the case for teaching evolution while William Jennings Bryan made the case for creationism. Bryan was not the best person to represent the Fundamentalists side. Darrow was able to win the public relations aspect of the trial even though the actual case was won by Bryan.
Fundamentalism became characterized by being anti-intellectual, separatist, legalistic, and having little social concern. They tried not to be of the world but also withdrew from the world. They would not be involved in politics for example. In some cases the proclamation of truth was not joined with love. At times the Fundamentalists did not come across that well to people, seeming to lack grace.
The movement is characterized by dispensationalism (the belief in a pre tribulation rapture), acceptance of the King James Version of the Bible only, and Arminian theology (as opposed to Calvinist theology). Often the focus of the movement has been morality instead of theology. Morality must be based on theology because when the Christian theology falls the Christian morality will soon follow. The movement has also been characterized by emotionalism, lacking robust intellectual thought.
Fundamentalism started out as a fine movement that was in line with historic, Biblical Christianity. But it eventually declined and drifted away from it at least somewhat.
Among the doctrines defended by the Fundamentalists were the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the second coming of Christ, and the inerrancy of Scripture.
In it's early days Fundamentalism was a good movement. J. Gresham Machen was a notable figure in the movement although he never called himself a Fundamentalist. Machen was a New Testament scholar who wrote the excellent book "Christianity and Liberalism". Unfortunately Machen was forced out of Princeton Seminary and his own denomination because he stood strong for Biblical Christianity.
The Fundamentalist movement began to decline especially after the Scopes trial in 1925. The trial was an embarrassment for the Fundamentalists. Clarence Darrow argued the case for teaching evolution while William Jennings Bryan made the case for creationism. Bryan was not the best person to represent the Fundamentalists side. Darrow was able to win the public relations aspect of the trial even though the actual case was won by Bryan.
Fundamentalism became characterized by being anti-intellectual, separatist, legalistic, and having little social concern. They tried not to be of the world but also withdrew from the world. They would not be involved in politics for example. In some cases the proclamation of truth was not joined with love. At times the Fundamentalists did not come across that well to people, seeming to lack grace.
The movement is characterized by dispensationalism (the belief in a pre tribulation rapture), acceptance of the King James Version of the Bible only, and Arminian theology (as opposed to Calvinist theology). Often the focus of the movement has been morality instead of theology. Morality must be based on theology because when the Christian theology falls the Christian morality will soon follow. The movement has also been characterized by emotionalism, lacking robust intellectual thought.
Fundamentalism started out as a fine movement that was in line with historic, Biblical Christianity. But it eventually declined and drifted away from it at least somewhat.
Monday, May 13, 2013
The Inerrancy Of Scripture
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (ESV)
(2 Peter 1:20-21) "knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (ESV)
In our current age authority is rejected. If there is no ultimate authority then there is no right and wrong and no meaning or purpose for life. But in reality God is the ultimate authority. His rejection is the problem of our time.
God is the infinite, personal Creator.
He is a personal God and personally communicates with humans. He has revealed himself to us in the Bible, it is breathed out by God. God is perfect and does not make errors, therefore Scripture is inerrant.
The Bible is inerrant in all areas including history and science. There is also much archaeological evidence that supports the accuracy of the Bible. Jesus himself said that Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35). Some try to say that only parts of the Bible are true, but this position makes no sense. You would have God making errors or mixing truth with errors. It would be entirely untrustworthy if this were the case. Those who do this are trying to reconcile the Bible with the secular philosophy of the age in order to be accepted. The majority position of church history is that the Bible is without error and authoritative.
The Bible is the actual words of God and not just his thoughts. It is also clear and can be understood by people. When it is said to be inerrant it is meant that it is without error in the original autographs. Therefore an accurate, literal translation is needed. The method used by God in writing the Scripture was not mechanical dictation. But the writers of the Biblical books were led by the Holy Spirit. The writers maintained their own personalities and styles while writing the words breathed out by God.
The Holy Spirit inspires, illuminates, and correctly interprets the Scripture. The Holy Spirit enables us to see that the Bible is the very Word of God. Rejection of Scripture is the rejection of truth and reality. The rejection of God and his Word is the problem of modern humanity. The Bible is the authoritative, inerrant Word of God.
(2 Peter 1:20-21) "knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (ESV)
In our current age authority is rejected. If there is no ultimate authority then there is no right and wrong and no meaning or purpose for life. But in reality God is the ultimate authority. His rejection is the problem of our time.
God is the infinite, personal Creator.
He is a personal God and personally communicates with humans. He has revealed himself to us in the Bible, it is breathed out by God. God is perfect and does not make errors, therefore Scripture is inerrant.
The Bible is inerrant in all areas including history and science. There is also much archaeological evidence that supports the accuracy of the Bible. Jesus himself said that Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35). Some try to say that only parts of the Bible are true, but this position makes no sense. You would have God making errors or mixing truth with errors. It would be entirely untrustworthy if this were the case. Those who do this are trying to reconcile the Bible with the secular philosophy of the age in order to be accepted. The majority position of church history is that the Bible is without error and authoritative.
The Bible is the actual words of God and not just his thoughts. It is also clear and can be understood by people. When it is said to be inerrant it is meant that it is without error in the original autographs. Therefore an accurate, literal translation is needed. The method used by God in writing the Scripture was not mechanical dictation. But the writers of the Biblical books were led by the Holy Spirit. The writers maintained their own personalities and styles while writing the words breathed out by God.
The Holy Spirit inspires, illuminates, and correctly interprets the Scripture. The Holy Spirit enables us to see that the Bible is the very Word of God. Rejection of Scripture is the rejection of truth and reality. The rejection of God and his Word is the problem of modern humanity. The Bible is the authoritative, inerrant Word of God.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Out Of The Closet, Out Of Our Minds
Recently NBA player Jason Collins has revealed that he is a homosexual. The news media, sports media, and political leaders (including President Obama) have gone crazy in their praise and support of Collins and his homosexuality. NBA commissioner, David Stern and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell have been in a competition to see who can praise the practice of homosexuality more.
Collins has also claimed to be a Christian while practicing homosexuality. NBA analyst, Chris Broussard actually spoke the truth on the politically correct ESPN. He called homosexuality a sin and said that one could not be a Christian and a homosexual. This was amazing because at ESPN you must tow the politically correct liberal line.
A person cannot be homosexual and a Christian. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) says that those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God, they will go to hell. This does not just apply to homosexuals but to all unrepentant sinners. In the passage Paul writes to the Corinthian church saying such were some of you, not still are some of you. All true Christians have repented of their sins.
Homosexuality is clearly wrong: it is one of the reasons Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed(Gen. 19, Jude v.7), an abomination to God (Lev. 18:22), unrighteous and contrary to nature (Romans 1:18-32), violates God's law and is contrary to sound doctrine (1 Tim. 1:8-11). Sex was created to take place between a man and woman who are married (Gen. 2:24).
Living in homosexuality is nothing more than rebellion against God. Those who practice and approve of such things are deceived. Some have proclaimed living proudly as a homosexual great freedom. But whoever practices sin is a slave to sin (John 8:34). Whoever is set free by Jesus is free indeed (John 8:36).
Collins has also claimed to be a Christian while practicing homosexuality. NBA analyst, Chris Broussard actually spoke the truth on the politically correct ESPN. He called homosexuality a sin and said that one could not be a Christian and a homosexual. This was amazing because at ESPN you must tow the politically correct liberal line.
A person cannot be homosexual and a Christian. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) says that those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God, they will go to hell. This does not just apply to homosexuals but to all unrepentant sinners. In the passage Paul writes to the Corinthian church saying such were some of you, not still are some of you. All true Christians have repented of their sins.
Homosexuality is clearly wrong: it is one of the reasons Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed(Gen. 19, Jude v.7), an abomination to God (Lev. 18:22), unrighteous and contrary to nature (Romans 1:18-32), violates God's law and is contrary to sound doctrine (1 Tim. 1:8-11). Sex was created to take place between a man and woman who are married (Gen. 2:24).
Living in homosexuality is nothing more than rebellion against God. Those who practice and approve of such things are deceived. Some have proclaimed living proudly as a homosexual great freedom. But whoever practices sin is a slave to sin (John 8:34). Whoever is set free by Jesus is free indeed (John 8:36).
Monday, April 29, 2013
Have You Heard The Word Is Jesus?
(John 1:1-3) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." (ESV)
In this passage Jesus is shown to be eternal, preexistent, and God. The Trinity is also alluded to in this verse. It shows that Jesus is God, but distinct from the Father. We can also see that their is a relationship between the members of the Trinity. The Word expresses communication and revelation from God. God speaks things into being and they are (see Genesis 1). We also see that God relates personally to his people.
Creation is by the Father through the Son. We see that all things were created except for God. We also find that creation itself is not eternal, only God is eternal.
John also may allude to the concept of the word in Greek philosophy as an impersonal principle guiding the universe. He shows Jesus to be far superior and the true Word that guides and sustains the universe. It is also interesting to note that the Jehovah's Witnesses mistranslate this passage in their New World Translation. They translate it as "was a god", instead of "and the Word was God. False religions always get Jesus wrong. He is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31).
(John 1:14) "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (ESV)
Jesus is the fullest revelation of God to us. This verse speaks of the Incarnation, God becoming man. Jesus was fully God and fully man. Only Son is a better translation than the King James Version's only begotten Son. Jesus was not created or born, he is eternal and he is the unique only Son of God. Grace speaks of God's unmerited favor towards us. Jesus gives us the truth and is himself the truth. Jesus came to save his people from their sins.
(John 3:36) "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (ESV)
In this passage Jesus is shown to be eternal, preexistent, and God. The Trinity is also alluded to in this verse. It shows that Jesus is God, but distinct from the Father. We can also see that their is a relationship between the members of the Trinity. The Word expresses communication and revelation from God. God speaks things into being and they are (see Genesis 1). We also see that God relates personally to his people.
Creation is by the Father through the Son. We see that all things were created except for God. We also find that creation itself is not eternal, only God is eternal.
John also may allude to the concept of the word in Greek philosophy as an impersonal principle guiding the universe. He shows Jesus to be far superior and the true Word that guides and sustains the universe. It is also interesting to note that the Jehovah's Witnesses mistranslate this passage in their New World Translation. They translate it as "was a god", instead of "and the Word was God. False religions always get Jesus wrong. He is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31).
(John 1:14) "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (ESV)
Jesus is the fullest revelation of God to us. This verse speaks of the Incarnation, God becoming man. Jesus was fully God and fully man. Only Son is a better translation than the King James Version's only begotten Son. Jesus was not created or born, he is eternal and he is the unique only Son of God. Grace speaks of God's unmerited favor towards us. Jesus gives us the truth and is himself the truth. Jesus came to save his people from their sins.
(John 3:36) "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (ESV)
Monday, April 22, 2013
A Look At Limited Government
We must reject big government because of the sinfulness of humanity. Politicians or any people can't be trusted with too much power. We need to have limited government, so what does it look like?
Government should be as localized as possible. It should be concentrated more at the state and local level, closer to the people. The federal government should defend the country, maintain order, provide justice, and restrain evil. There should be punishment for evildoers and freedom for those not doing evil. There needs to be limits on the power of government, separation of powers, and a system of checks and balances.
People often mistakenly think that if there is a problem in society then the government must take care of it. But there are many things government cannot do because it was not meant to do those things. It is helpful for people to distinguish between government and society. Many things should be handled by society but not the government. Things such as helping the poor and needy can best be handled by churches, charities, and other private organizations. Government should not be involved in welfare, health care, and retirement programs. Government schools are also a problem because they tend to give in to the temptation to indoctrinate children with ideas it favors.
We need what has been called ordered liberty. We need to have the smallest government possible. Freedom needs to be maximized but a certain level of government is still required. Freedom requires virtue from the people, because vice destroys freedom. People cannot be allowed to harm other people or society. There should be equality before the law for all people. But we should not try to guarantee equal results for people.
With freedom people can use their God given gifts and abilities. People and society can prosper and flourish. Religion also can flourish when it is free from government interference and control.
I believe that for ordered liberty to succeed as our governing philosophy we need to have a Biblical foundation. Without the proper foundation government will not be limited and people will not be free.
Government should be as localized as possible. It should be concentrated more at the state and local level, closer to the people. The federal government should defend the country, maintain order, provide justice, and restrain evil. There should be punishment for evildoers and freedom for those not doing evil. There needs to be limits on the power of government, separation of powers, and a system of checks and balances.
People often mistakenly think that if there is a problem in society then the government must take care of it. But there are many things government cannot do because it was not meant to do those things. It is helpful for people to distinguish between government and society. Many things should be handled by society but not the government. Things such as helping the poor and needy can best be handled by churches, charities, and other private organizations. Government should not be involved in welfare, health care, and retirement programs. Government schools are also a problem because they tend to give in to the temptation to indoctrinate children with ideas it favors.
We need what has been called ordered liberty. We need to have the smallest government possible. Freedom needs to be maximized but a certain level of government is still required. Freedom requires virtue from the people, because vice destroys freedom. People cannot be allowed to harm other people or society. There should be equality before the law for all people. But we should not try to guarantee equal results for people.
With freedom people can use their God given gifts and abilities. People and society can prosper and flourish. Religion also can flourish when it is free from government interference and control.
I believe that for ordered liberty to succeed as our governing philosophy we need to have a Biblical foundation. Without the proper foundation government will not be limited and people will not be free.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)