Is a abortion really a big deal? Is it just a woman's right to choose? Are we talking about a fetus that is just a mass of tissue and not really a human being? Or is abortion indeed wrong because it is the murder of an unborn baby?
A heartbeat develops by the 24th day after conception. There are brain waves as early as 45 days after conception. At 8 weeks it possesses unique finger prints. It appears to be clear that this is a baby, a real human being.
What does the Bible teach about it? Man was created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). All people have value because they were created in the image of God. God is the creator of life, all humans belong to him. The Bible teaches the sanctity of human life. All humans should be treated with respect and dignity. Life begins at conception, the unborn baby is an actual human life. The Bible clearly teaches that abortion is wrong (Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:4-5, Luke 1:44, Exodus 20:13). God's judgment comes on those who murder unborn babies (2 Kings 8:12, Amos 1:13).
The early church also opposed abortion. The early Christian document, the Didache (written around A.D. 100) condemns the murder of a child by abortion or infanticide. The early church was also known for rescuing and adopting children.
But what about the feminist argument that a woman has the right to do what she wants with her own body? First of all it is not just her own body the baby is a separate human being. And people do not have the right to do as they wish with their own body. You are not your own you belong to God.
It gets down to a question of authority. Who is the ultimate authority, God and his Word or you and your opinion? The pro choice, feminist movement is simply rebellion against God and his Word.
All people need to submit to God and his Word as the ultimate authority. God is God and you are not. We must view life as God does. The pro choice position is a position of unbelief. The Christian position on abortion is pro life.
It must be pointed out that the men involved need to be real men and take care of the children they have fathered. They should also stop fathering children outside of marriage!
What about the women who have already had an abortion? While abortion is a sin there can be forgiveness. Those who repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ will be saved from their sins. The death of Jesus on the cross paid for all of the sins of those who believe in him.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Who Was Jan Hus?
Jan Hus lived from (1372-1415). The name Jan is pronounced like Yon. He lived in Bohemia which is the modern day Czech Republic. Hus became a priest in 1401. He taught at Charles University and preached at Bethlehem Chapel. He was greatly influenced by John Wycliffe (1329-1384).
Jan Hus believed in the ultimate authority of Scripture instead of the ultimate authority of the Pope. Hus proposed translating the Bible into Czech. The Roman Catholic Church only allowed it to be translated into Latin. Hus also believed in preaching the Bible to the congregation. Hus taught that only God can forgive sins and condemned the sale of indulgences. He also preached against some of his fellow priests who were corrupt.
Standing against the corruption and erroneous teachings of the Roman Catholic Church did not make Hus popular. His challenges to the Catholic Church got him into trouble. The case against Jan Hus was sent to Rome. Hus wished to go to Rome in order to defend his views. He was never allowed to make a defense of his teachings. Hus was tried and condemned as a heretic by the Roman Catholic Church. Hus refused to recant his views. Then he was burned at the stake.
Jan Hus was a Christian martyr and hero of the faith. He was a forerunner of the Protestant Reformation. He attempted Biblical reform of the Roman Catholic Church. A century later Martin Luther would take his stand on these very same ideas. The Reformation would not be stopped by the Roman Catholic Church.
Jan Hus believed in the ultimate authority of Scripture instead of the ultimate authority of the Pope. Hus proposed translating the Bible into Czech. The Roman Catholic Church only allowed it to be translated into Latin. Hus also believed in preaching the Bible to the congregation. Hus taught that only God can forgive sins and condemned the sale of indulgences. He also preached against some of his fellow priests who were corrupt.
Standing against the corruption and erroneous teachings of the Roman Catholic Church did not make Hus popular. His challenges to the Catholic Church got him into trouble. The case against Jan Hus was sent to Rome. Hus wished to go to Rome in order to defend his views. He was never allowed to make a defense of his teachings. Hus was tried and condemned as a heretic by the Roman Catholic Church. Hus refused to recant his views. Then he was burned at the stake.
Jan Hus was a Christian martyr and hero of the faith. He was a forerunner of the Protestant Reformation. He attempted Biblical reform of the Roman Catholic Church. A century later Martin Luther would take his stand on these very same ideas. The Reformation would not be stopped by the Roman Catholic Church.
Monday, December 29, 2014
The Best New Year's Resolution Ever
The best New Year's resolution ever would be to align your thinking and life with the truth. The truth comes from God, he is the truth. God has revealed himself to us in the Bible. It is his revelation to us. Since the Bible is from God it is inerrant, infallible, and authoritative.
The Bible must be accepted as authoritative and sufficient. We must not place human reason, experience, or feelings above it. We must take the Word of God over the word of man. The scientific community, academia, and the media are also not authoritative. The Bible provides us with the only basis for meaning, purpose, and ethics. It gives us the Biblical worldview which makes sense of our world. In the Bible we find out who God is and who we are.
Christianity is the truth and all other religions and worldviews are false. Only the Christian worldview provides the truth and reality. Other worldviews and belief systems end up contradicting themselves. Unbelievers must borrow from the Christian worldview in order to live their lives. Only the Christian worldview is livable and non contradictory.
God has revealed himself as three persons of one essence. The Trinity consists of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the creator and judge. He is sovereign, holy, and majestic. God is also merciful and loving. He is transcendent as well as immanent. A sense of the holiness of God needs to be regained in our time. God is not our chummy buddy as some seem to think. He is holy and majestic deserving our utmost reverence and worship.
We must know God in order to know ourselves. Man was created by God and made in his image. But man rebelled against God, sinning against him. Humanity and the world in which we live became fallen. We and our world are no longer the way we were created to be. Because of sin death resulted, both physical and spiritual death. Because of our sin we face God's wrath and deserve to go to hell. But God loved us and sent his Son, Jesus to save his people from their sins. Jesus lived a perfect life and died on the cross to pay for the sins of all who believe in him. He was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. The resurrection proved he was God.
Finally we must understand that God is sovereign over all things. Everything that happens is under his control. Nothing just happens there is no such thing as luck. We must also realize that God is sovereign even in salvation. People must respond with repentance and faith in Christ alone for salvation. But repentance is granted by him and faith is a gift from him. Salvation is totally by God's grace, not by our works. We contribute nothing to it, salvation is totally the work of God. God takes those who are dead in their sins and makes them alive. Once they are made alive they respond in repentance and faith in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus is the only way to heaven. To God alone be the glory.
The Bible must be accepted as authoritative and sufficient. We must not place human reason, experience, or feelings above it. We must take the Word of God over the word of man. The scientific community, academia, and the media are also not authoritative. The Bible provides us with the only basis for meaning, purpose, and ethics. It gives us the Biblical worldview which makes sense of our world. In the Bible we find out who God is and who we are.
Christianity is the truth and all other religions and worldviews are false. Only the Christian worldview provides the truth and reality. Other worldviews and belief systems end up contradicting themselves. Unbelievers must borrow from the Christian worldview in order to live their lives. Only the Christian worldview is livable and non contradictory.
God has revealed himself as three persons of one essence. The Trinity consists of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the creator and judge. He is sovereign, holy, and majestic. God is also merciful and loving. He is transcendent as well as immanent. A sense of the holiness of God needs to be regained in our time. God is not our chummy buddy as some seem to think. He is holy and majestic deserving our utmost reverence and worship.
We must know God in order to know ourselves. Man was created by God and made in his image. But man rebelled against God, sinning against him. Humanity and the world in which we live became fallen. We and our world are no longer the way we were created to be. Because of sin death resulted, both physical and spiritual death. Because of our sin we face God's wrath and deserve to go to hell. But God loved us and sent his Son, Jesus to save his people from their sins. Jesus lived a perfect life and died on the cross to pay for the sins of all who believe in him. He was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. The resurrection proved he was God.
Finally we must understand that God is sovereign over all things. Everything that happens is under his control. Nothing just happens there is no such thing as luck. We must also realize that God is sovereign even in salvation. People must respond with repentance and faith in Christ alone for salvation. But repentance is granted by him and faith is a gift from him. Salvation is totally by God's grace, not by our works. We contribute nothing to it, salvation is totally the work of God. God takes those who are dead in their sins and makes them alive. Once they are made alive they respond in repentance and faith in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus is the only way to heaven. To God alone be the glory.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
The Christ Of Christmas
(Matthew 1:21) "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (ESV)
The name Jesus means the LORD saves and Christ or Messiah means anointed one. He is Immanuel which means God with us (Matthew 1:23). It is important to understand that Jesus is not celebrating another birthday. Jesus did not come into existence when he was born to the Virgin Mary. He has always existed, he is eternal (John 1:1). All three persons of the Godhead have always existed (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). In Jesus, God became man and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The focus then should be on the incarnation and not on a birthday (Philippians 2:1-11).
Christ came to save his people from their sins. We are all sinners who have broken God's law (Romans 3:10,23). Because of our sin we face the wrath of a Holy God (Ephesians 2:3). But Jesus lived a perfect life without sin providing perfect righteousness on our behalf. He died on the cross paying the penalty for the sins of his people. It was a propitiation which means he turned away the wrath of God from us and took it on himself (Romans 3:25, 1 Thessalonians 1:10). Jesus was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, and the devil (1 Corinthians 15). The resurrection proves that he is God (Romans 1:4).
God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). We must repent which means to have a change of mind and place our faith in Christ alone for salvation. Salvation is by grace and not by works, you cannot earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9). God makes those who were dead in their trespasses and sins alive (Ephesians 2:1-5). Salvation is totally the work of God. We receive the righteousness of Christ while he takes our sins on himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). We must receive Jesus as Savior and submit to him as Lord. We must believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31). Those who reject Jesus go to hell for eternity, while those who believe in him spend eternity in heaven (Matthew 25:46).
The name Jesus means the LORD saves and Christ or Messiah means anointed one. He is Immanuel which means God with us (Matthew 1:23). It is important to understand that Jesus is not celebrating another birthday. Jesus did not come into existence when he was born to the Virgin Mary. He has always existed, he is eternal (John 1:1). All three persons of the Godhead have always existed (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). In Jesus, God became man and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The focus then should be on the incarnation and not on a birthday (Philippians 2:1-11).
Christ came to save his people from their sins. We are all sinners who have broken God's law (Romans 3:10,23). Because of our sin we face the wrath of a Holy God (Ephesians 2:3). But Jesus lived a perfect life without sin providing perfect righteousness on our behalf. He died on the cross paying the penalty for the sins of his people. It was a propitiation which means he turned away the wrath of God from us and took it on himself (Romans 3:25, 1 Thessalonians 1:10). Jesus was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, and the devil (1 Corinthians 15). The resurrection proves that he is God (Romans 1:4).
God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). We must repent which means to have a change of mind and place our faith in Christ alone for salvation. Salvation is by grace and not by works, you cannot earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9). God makes those who were dead in their trespasses and sins alive (Ephesians 2:1-5). Salvation is totally the work of God. We receive the righteousness of Christ while he takes our sins on himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). We must receive Jesus as Savior and submit to him as Lord. We must believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31). Those who reject Jesus go to hell for eternity, while those who believe in him spend eternity in heaven (Matthew 25:46).
Monday, December 15, 2014
The Atheist Has A God
Doesn't atheism reject the existence of God? So how can you say atheists have a god? They have simply declared themselves to be god. The atheist rejects the God of the Bible because he wants to be a god himself.
The atheist wants to be the ultimate authority over himself. He does not want to be told what to do or how to live. But people trying to be their own god creates problems. There ends up being no ultimate authority. After all why does one person's opinion matter more than that of someone else? You end up with moral relativism, there is no ultimate right or wrong.
Atheism has no basis for truth, reality, ethics, purpose, or meaning. The atheist cannot live his life consistently according to his worldview. He must contradict himself, he has to borrow from Christianity in order to live his life.
We were created by God for God. When a person rejects the one true God he will always try to find a substitute. The atheist simply tries to substitute himself. Atheists do not hate God because he does not exist, they hate God because he does exist. They suppress the truth by unrighteousness. God's existence is obvious to all, they are without excuse. Atheists have exchanged the truth about God for a lie (See Romans 1:18-25).
All people should face the reality that the God of the Bible exists. The creation itself and the design of our world point to his existence. Biblical Christianity provides the only basis for truth, reality, ethics, purpose, and meaning.
The atheist wants to be the ultimate authority over himself. He does not want to be told what to do or how to live. But people trying to be their own god creates problems. There ends up being no ultimate authority. After all why does one person's opinion matter more than that of someone else? You end up with moral relativism, there is no ultimate right or wrong.
Atheism has no basis for truth, reality, ethics, purpose, or meaning. The atheist cannot live his life consistently according to his worldview. He must contradict himself, he has to borrow from Christianity in order to live his life.
We were created by God for God. When a person rejects the one true God he will always try to find a substitute. The atheist simply tries to substitute himself. Atheists do not hate God because he does not exist, they hate God because he does exist. They suppress the truth by unrighteousness. God's existence is obvious to all, they are without excuse. Atheists have exchanged the truth about God for a lie (See Romans 1:18-25).
All people should face the reality that the God of the Bible exists. The creation itself and the design of our world point to his existence. Biblical Christianity provides the only basis for truth, reality, ethics, purpose, and meaning.
Monday, December 8, 2014
It's A God Thing
"It's a God thing" seems to be a popular phrase today among modern Christians. It is usually said when something good or unusual happens. It is good that God is recognized by people. But does it expose a flow in our thinking? Is God also in control when something bad or ordinary happens?
Could it be "a God thing" when there is suffering or when things do not seem to work out? Modern evangelicals seem to have a flawed view of God's sovereignty. He is absolutely sovereign, he is in control of everything. God is not the author of sin or evil but he is sovereign over them. Nothing happens that is not his will. We are speaking of his sovereign will which cannot be violated. His moral will is sometimes disobeyed but he is still sovereign over all things.
There also seems to be thinking in modern evangelicalism that God is not involved if a miracle does not occur. They fail to recognize that God is involved in all things. They act as if things just happen if a miracle does not occur. God often works through ordinary means.
God is involved in and in control of all things that occur. He is sovereign, he rules and reigns. He is transcendent but it also immanent. Transcendence speaks of how he transcends us, is beyond us, is greater than us, and is apart from us. Immanence speaks of his nearness to us and his involvement in the world. In reality it is always a God thing.
(Ephesians 1:11) "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will" (ESV)
(Proverbs 16:9) "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." (ESV)
(Proverbs 16:33) "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." (ESV)
Could it be "a God thing" when there is suffering or when things do not seem to work out? Modern evangelicals seem to have a flawed view of God's sovereignty. He is absolutely sovereign, he is in control of everything. God is not the author of sin or evil but he is sovereign over them. Nothing happens that is not his will. We are speaking of his sovereign will which cannot be violated. His moral will is sometimes disobeyed but he is still sovereign over all things.
There also seems to be thinking in modern evangelicalism that God is not involved if a miracle does not occur. They fail to recognize that God is involved in all things. They act as if things just happen if a miracle does not occur. God often works through ordinary means.
God is involved in and in control of all things that occur. He is sovereign, he rules and reigns. He is transcendent but it also immanent. Transcendence speaks of how he transcends us, is beyond us, is greater than us, and is apart from us. Immanence speaks of his nearness to us and his involvement in the world. In reality it is always a God thing.
(Ephesians 1:11) "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will" (ESV)
(Proverbs 16:9) "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." (ESV)
(Proverbs 16:33) "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." (ESV)
Monday, December 1, 2014
America's Atheist Foundations
I thought America was a Christian nation. There really is no such thing as a Christian nation, although in the early days of the United States there was somewhat of a Biblical worldview. It has slowly faded and modern America is definitely not a Christian nation. So what has caused America to move away from the Biblical worldview? There have been many philosophers and thinkers who have influenced America and the West to abandon a Biblical worldview in favor of an atheistic worldview.
Karl Marx was an atheist who hated God and Christianity. He was the father of socialism and communism. Marx saw communism as a great utopia. It was his own humanist version of heaven. The Soviet Union put Marx's ideas into practice and it was hardly a utopia. Central to Marxism was the abolition of private property which is of course in contradiction to the teaching of the Bible. In socialism or communism the government becomes a god. The people are to look to it for all of their needs. Marxism presents a materialistic worldview denying the spiritual. It is all about class struggle, the oppressed and the oppressors. The modern grievance culture comes straight from Marx. Of course Marx is adored by academia, his teaching is advocated by many in the colleges and universities. The Democrat Party has been greatly influenced by the ideas of Karl Marx. Marx has had much influence in politics and economics but also in fields such as theology. Liberation theology is basically nothing more than Marxism with Christian language. One of the most well known adherents to Liberation theology may be President Barack Obama.
Next there is Charles Darwin who was an atheist who hated God and Christianity. Darwin came up with the theory of evolution, the atheistic theory of origins. It has been said that Darwin made it comfortable to be an atheist. Since the world was no longer created by God, man did not have to deal with his law and judgment. We just evolved from molecules to ape-like creatures to humans. Man was no longer created in the image of God as his special creation. Humans were no longer special or valuable, it was just the survival of the fittest. Humans just happened there was no real purpose or meaning for them. Darwinism is taught in the schools and universities as fact and no one is allowed to disagree with it.
Then there was Friedrich Nietzsche who also was an atheist who hated God and Christianity. Nietzsche was the philosopher who told us God is dead. From the teachings of Nietzsche came nihilism. Nihilism is the rejection of religion and morality as well as meaning and purpose. If you do not think nihilism has taken hold in modern America just listen to the music and watch the movies and television shows. Nietzsche knew that when the Christian theology falls the Christian morality will soon follow. This of course led to moral relativism which says there is no absolute truth.
Finally there is John Dewey who of course was an atheist who hated God and Christianity. Dewey was the father of the modern public education system. He was an advocate of socialism and pragmatism. Pragmatism is concerned with whether something seems to work, not if it is actually right or wrong. Dewey sought to rid the church and parents from the education system. He wanted the state in control of education. With the church and parents out of the way the state could teach your children the ideas of Marx, Darwin, and Nietzsche.
Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche, and Dewey all have had a major influence on America and the West. They all hated God and wanted to get rid of Christianity from society. I wonder why they hated God so much if he does not even exist. Modern America does indeed have atheistic foundations. You can see it by the way people think and live. We have rejected the God who is there and have exchanged the truth for a lie.
Karl Marx was an atheist who hated God and Christianity. He was the father of socialism and communism. Marx saw communism as a great utopia. It was his own humanist version of heaven. The Soviet Union put Marx's ideas into practice and it was hardly a utopia. Central to Marxism was the abolition of private property which is of course in contradiction to the teaching of the Bible. In socialism or communism the government becomes a god. The people are to look to it for all of their needs. Marxism presents a materialistic worldview denying the spiritual. It is all about class struggle, the oppressed and the oppressors. The modern grievance culture comes straight from Marx. Of course Marx is adored by academia, his teaching is advocated by many in the colleges and universities. The Democrat Party has been greatly influenced by the ideas of Karl Marx. Marx has had much influence in politics and economics but also in fields such as theology. Liberation theology is basically nothing more than Marxism with Christian language. One of the most well known adherents to Liberation theology may be President Barack Obama.
Next there is Charles Darwin who was an atheist who hated God and Christianity. Darwin came up with the theory of evolution, the atheistic theory of origins. It has been said that Darwin made it comfortable to be an atheist. Since the world was no longer created by God, man did not have to deal with his law and judgment. We just evolved from molecules to ape-like creatures to humans. Man was no longer created in the image of God as his special creation. Humans were no longer special or valuable, it was just the survival of the fittest. Humans just happened there was no real purpose or meaning for them. Darwinism is taught in the schools and universities as fact and no one is allowed to disagree with it.
Then there was Friedrich Nietzsche who also was an atheist who hated God and Christianity. Nietzsche was the philosopher who told us God is dead. From the teachings of Nietzsche came nihilism. Nihilism is the rejection of religion and morality as well as meaning and purpose. If you do not think nihilism has taken hold in modern America just listen to the music and watch the movies and television shows. Nietzsche knew that when the Christian theology falls the Christian morality will soon follow. This of course led to moral relativism which says there is no absolute truth.
Finally there is John Dewey who of course was an atheist who hated God and Christianity. Dewey was the father of the modern public education system. He was an advocate of socialism and pragmatism. Pragmatism is concerned with whether something seems to work, not if it is actually right or wrong. Dewey sought to rid the church and parents from the education system. He wanted the state in control of education. With the church and parents out of the way the state could teach your children the ideas of Marx, Darwin, and Nietzsche.
Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche, and Dewey all have had a major influence on America and the West. They all hated God and wanted to get rid of Christianity from society. I wonder why they hated God so much if he does not even exist. Modern America does indeed have atheistic foundations. You can see it by the way people think and live. We have rejected the God who is there and have exchanged the truth for a lie.
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