Wednesday, July 31, 2013

RUDIMENTS OF HUMANISM


RUDIMENTS OF HUMANISM
Wednesday, July 31, 2013

  In response to questions I’m re-airing the below information provided by friend Jim Tuesday, March 09, 2010.  EBB4

EdI thought that you might find this interesting ... by way of the Gospel Tract Society, Inc.

       Also, here are the Web references for both Manifesto 1 and 2           Jim Sporney (MD) ><>

             Human Manifesto 1: http://www.jjnet.com/archives/documents/humanist.htm

             Human Manifesto 2: http://www.americanhumanist.org/about/manifesto2.html
 

Colossians 2: 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments [fundamentals] of the world, and not after Christ.

                Romans 1: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
 

  Humanism is spreading today like an infectious disease, invading every area of America. It has rooted itself into our educational system and is attacking our nation's most precious resource .. our children.

  The concepts of secular humanism are subtly dulling our national consciousness and are seen in radical feminism, the homosexual rights movement and the clamor for the individual right to abortion and suicide, the total exclusion of the right to prayer in public life and public schools.

  Many intellectuals in some of our most prestigious institutions champion it's philosophy. Humanism has infiltrated our national news media and is assaulting our homes and families.  Even in our religious ranks, some pastors denounce it's concepts from the pulpit, while others embrace it.

  Humanism contradicts and undermines our most sacred Christian beliefs. It is a well planned false "religion" which denies the very existence of God. It's roots may be traced back as far as the middle ages.

   The following humanistic beliefs are taken from the "Humanist Manifesto 1", written in 1933 by a group of 34 humanist liberals, and "Humanist Manifesto 2", written in 1973. These two published papers clearly define and set forth the basic concepts of humanism.

 

What do humanists believe about creation?

"Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created."  Manifesto 1

 

How do humanists account for creation and man?

"Humanism believes that man is part of nature and that he emerged as the result of a continuous process." Manifesto 1. "Humanism asserts that the nature of the universe depicted by modern science makes unacceptable any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values ... Religion must formulate it's hopes and plans in the light of the scientific spirit and method." Manifesto 1

 

What does humanism say about Christianity?

"We believe that traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions that place revelation, God, ritual, or greed above human needs and experience do a disservice to the human species... We find insufficient evidence of a supernatural; it is either meaningless or irrelevant to the question of the survival and fulfillment of the human.. While there is so much that we do not know, humans are responsible for what we are and what we become. No deity will save us; we must save ourselves." Manifesto 2.

"Promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful... There is no credible evidence that life survives after death of the body. We continue to exist in our progeny and the way that our lives have influenced others in our culture." Manifesto 2.

 

Where do humans look for their moral values?

"We affirm that moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational, needing no theological or ideological sanction... We strive for the good life, here and now." Manifesto 2

 

What does the humanist consider to be "the good life"?

"In the area of sexuality, we believe that the intolerant attitudes often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual contact. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized... the many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered 'evil.'" Manifesto 2

 

What other individual rights does humanism support that contradict Christianity?

"...It also includes a recognition of an individual's right to die with dignity, euthanasia, and the right to suicide."

Manifesto 2

 

To what does humanism give it's first allegiance?

 "At the present juncture of history, commitment to all mankind is the highest commitment to which we are capable; it transcends the narrow allegiances of church, state, party, class, or race in moving toward a wider vision of human potentiality..."  Manifesto 2

 

  Humanism has become the enemy's stronghold. The Bible teaches that we are to FIGHT the enemy; to CAPTURE his strongholds; to OCCUPY his strongholds.  Because humanism has entrenched it's concepts in so many areas of our lives, we must fight on all fronts. The most strategic area of humanistic influence is in our education system. It is the front line - the bottom line.

  HUMANISM is spreading like a cancer across our nation. It is ruining our most precious resource, our children. Public schools are turning out millions who can't read or figure above elementary school level. Armed forces had to change instruction manuals so a sixth grade child could understand them. Most high school graduates can't hold well paying jobs. Well, if they don't teach what we always expected them to, what DO they teach? Children are made very much aware that modern education concepts permit the pupil to feel that there are no rules, no right or wrong about anything. The individual makes his own rules. No old fashion restraints. Just do what comes naturally.  (Gospel Tract Society Inc.)

 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

UNACCEPTABLE TRUTH


UNACCEPTABLE TRUTH
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
 
Matthew [CEV] 7:13-14 [Jesus said] Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. 14 But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it.

Humanist John Dewey (1859-1952), American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform, especially in historical changes to public schools, was co-author and signer of the Humanist Manifesto 1 (1933). He declared, "There is no God and there is no soul. Hence, there are no needs for the props of traditional religion. With dogma and creed excluded, then immutable truth is also dead and buried. There is no room for fixed, natural law or moral absolutes."

  There are those that have and do now say there is no such thing as absolute truth. Some saying "No one knows what the absolute truth is." as a statement of absolute truth.

  Confused yet?

  Are there truths that people believe but reject? There are. Considering truths about relationships, finance, health, habit, it is done all the time. We know this as we all have observed and personally have done so; this in itself a truth we too often reject.

  Is it possible for individuals to reject the truth about Jesus? Yes, in large numbers; doing so in unbelief with their many arguments against His being. (Mt.7:13-14; Jn.14:6)

  Is it possible for individuals to believe what is recorded in Scripture (2Tim.3:16) and reject the Truth?
Indeed it is.

  Truth is not always rejected because of unbelief.

  Consider Isaiah 14:12-15 and James 2:17-20. “How you [Lucifer] have fallen from heaven, you morning star, son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the ground, you conqueror of nations! You thought, "I'll go up to heaven and set up my throne above God's stars. I'll sit on the mountain far away in the north where the gods assemble. I'll go above the top of the clouds. I'll be like the Most High." But you've been brought down to Sheol, to the deepest part of the pit.” . . . “… faith by itself is dead if it doesn't cause you to do any good things. Another person might say, "You have faith, but I do good things." Show me your faith apart from the good things you do. I will show you my faith by the good things I do. You believe that there is one God. That's fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear. You fool! Do you have to be shown that faith which does nothing is useless?”

  Indeed there were and are those that now do not deny the truth so far as belief, but decide that the truth does not suit them, choosing not to trust and rely on God, opting to attempt life as king rather than bow before the King. They do so not as a matter of unbelief of fact, but as a matter of love. (Jn.3:19-20) EBB4
 
PS: There is Humanist Manifesto I, II, and III, and other documents of such ilk. “The central theme of all three manifestos is the elaboration of a philosophy and value system which does not necessarily include belief in any personal deity or "higher power", although the three differ considerably in their tone, form, and ambition. Each has been signed at its launch by various prominent members of academia and others who are in general agreement with its principles.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanist_manifesto

 

Monday, July 29, 2013

DAY OF WORSHIP?


SABBATH – DAY OF WORSHIP?
Monday, July 29, 2013
 
Chaplain Tom Beatty put together an excellent handout summary on the question.  EBB4

WHAT IS THE SABBATH DAY?

  Seems like a simple enough question.

  Why so much controversy?

  From Exodus, chapter 20 (the 10 Commandments), we read: 8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath
to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

  The Sabbath is the seventh day. The Lord made the Sabbath day “holy.” (To be “holy” literally means to be “set aside.”) [Dr. Mundel taught that actively it means “Joyfully doing the will of God.” EBB4] God set aside the seventh day as a day of rest. He set the example by resting on the seventh day after six days of creating.

  Controversy has come as some Christian groups take the view that the Sabbath is to be the day of worship, the day on which Christians should attend church and worship services. These groups also teach the Sabbath is to be a day of rest, but they emphasize it’s the “day of worship.” However, there’s no command in the Bible anywhere that commands the Sabbath be the day of worship.

  As seen in the 10 Commandments, God tells His people to not work on the Sabbath. (See also Exodus 16:23-29; 31:14-16; 35:2-3; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Jeremiah 17:21-27.) In contrast, nowhere in the Old Testament is one day set aside for worship. Sacrifices were made every day at the tabernacle, later at the temple. “Worship” was to be continual.

  The idea that the Sabbath was ordained by God as the day of worship is just not taught in the Bible.

Now, people in the Bible did get together for worship on the Sabbath, but I suspect it was because there was no work being done on that day. In fact, Sabbath travel restrictions would have made mandatory Sabbath worship nearly impossible. (Ex.16:29)

  In the New Testament we read of Jews meeting in the synagogues on the Sabbath (Mark 6:2; Luke 4:31; Luke13:10-16; Acts 13:14,27,42-44; 15:21; 17:2; 18:4), and when the Christians went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, it appears it was for purposes of evangelism, not worship. It was not

ever commanded to set aside a particular day for worship.

  Some Christians are described as meeting and/or studying together every day. (Acts 2:46, 17:11)

Other Christians are described as meeting on the first day of the week. (Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2)

  Over the centuries since Jesus Christ rose from the grave, Christians have traditionally met together for worship on the first day of the week – in celebration of Christ’s resurrection - which is accepted as occurring on a the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). However, even this is not commanded, Christians are given the freedom to celebrate “special days,” or to consider

every day as “special.” (See Romans 14:4-6 and Colossians 2:16.)

  So, Sunday is not commanded to be the day of worship either. Neither Saturday nor Sunday is the “official” church day. It’s God’s desire is that we worship and serve Him EVERYDAY. [Rom.12:1-3]

  Perhaps the best commentary on how to handle this “controversy” is from the Apostle Paul in Romans, chapter 14: 1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

SABBATH DAY


SABBATH DAY
Sunday, July 28, 2013
 
  Having completed verse by verse thru Genesis, our adult Sunday School class is now working thru Exodus. We are presently studying the 10 Commandments. Last Sunday quite a discussion ensued on the Sabbath commandment.
  As happens some weeks, study and discussion doesn’t end at 10:45am on Sunday mornings. Fellow student Bob Readhimer sent the following out to us on Monday.
  Read on . . . and please do join in the discussion.  EBB4

Reference: John MacArthur study Bible foot note:
Each seventh day belonged to the Lord and would not be a work day, but a day set apart (holy) for rest. The term "Sabbath" is derived from "to cease from work" Significantly, the command for the Sabbath is not repeated in the NT, whereas the other 9 commandments are. In fact Col 2: 16-17 nullified it. It belongs to Israel under the Mosaic economy, the Sabbath could not apply to the believer of the church age, for they are living in a new economy.

Colossians 2: 16-17 (Foot note) Sabbath The weekly celebration of the seventh day, which pictured God's rest from creation. The NT clearly teaches that Christians are not required to keep it.

Acts 20: 7 first day of the week  (Foot note)  Scripture does not require Christians to observe the Saturday Sabbath. the Sabbath was the sign of the Mosaic Covenant with Israel.
 
Reference: J. Vernon McGee (Thru the Bible )

Exodus 31: 12- 13 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, You must observe my Sabbath. This will be a sign between me and you for generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.  

(Foot Note) The Sabbath day was given to man right after creation, and it was observed universally.  When we come to the Mosaic system, we find that God made it one of the Ten Commandments for the children of Israel.  At this time God makes it quite clear that the Sabbath is only for the children of Israel.  The Sabbath was given specifically to Israel.  I do not believe it was ever given to the church.  When someone asks me, "When was the Sabbath day changed?" I always reply that is never was changed.  It was done away with, as far as the church is concerned.  We are not under the Sabbath day which is Saturday.  We do not observe Saturday--Jesus was dead that day and we are not serving a dead Christ.  On the first day of the week Jesus Christ rose from the dead.  The church from the very beginning met on the first day of the week.  That is when the church was born; the day of Pentecost was on the day after the Sabbath.  The Sabbath was first given to the entire human race but man turned away from God, and God gave the Sabbath exclusively to Israel.

 

Friday, July 26, 2013

MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN (Evidence of person)


 

 

The Marks of a Christian
By J.C. Ryle

INTRODUCTION

  What does the Bible say about being “born again?” The Bible is absolutely clear in its declaration that the “new birth” is not a mere outward altering of life. It is not a human accomplishment. Jesus says that to be a part of God’s kingdom, we must be born “of the Spirit” (John 3:5). The new birth is a “renewing which comes by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). The new birth is a tremendous spiritual change wrought in the human heart by the Holy Spirit. It cannot be observed with the human eye. We can only see its results.

  The new birth is a mystery no one can clearly explain; at the same time it is a reality that no one can explain away! The new birth is something that no one can hide, however. Evidences of the inner change will be seen in many ways. But there are many who desire to understand the marks by which a person may know whether he is born again—whether his heart has been changed by the Holy Spirit.

  Now these marks are laid down plainly for us in Scripture. God has not left us in ignorance of this point. He foresaw how some would torture themselves with doubts and questions, and would never believe it was well with their souls. He foresaw how others would take it for granted they were regenerate. He has therefore mercifully provided us with a test and gauge of our spiritual condition in the first Epistle of John. There He has explained what the regenerate man is, and what the regenerate man does—his ways, his habits, his manner of life, his faith, his experience.

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN?

  This is one of the most important questions in religion. Jesus Christ says, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”—John 3:3. Are you born again? It is not enough to reply, “I belong to the church; and I suppose I am.” Thousands of nominal Christians have none of the marks and signs of being born again which the Scripture has given us. Would you like to know the marks and signs of being born again? Give me your attention, and I will show them to you out of the first epistle of John.

1. A CHRISTIAN DOES NOT LOVE SIN

First of all, John says, “Whoever has been born of God does not  sin;” and again, “Whoever is born of God does not sin.”—I John 3:9; 5:18.

  A man born again, or regenerate, does not commit sin as a habit. He no longer sins with his heart and will and whole inclination, as an unregenerate man does. There was probably a time when he did not think whether his actions were sinful or not, and never felt grieved after doing evil. There was no quarrel between him and sin; they were friends. Now he hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, counts it his greatest plague, groans under the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be delivered from it altogether. In one word, sin no longer pleases him, nor is even a matter of indifference; it has become the abominable thing which he hates. He cannot prevent its dwelling within him. If he said he had no sin, there would be no truth in him (I John 1:8). But he can say that he cordially abhors it, and the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts arising within him, and short-comings, omissions, and defects appearing, both in his words and actions. He knew, as James says, that “We all stumble in many things” (James 3:2). But he can say truly, and as in the sight of God, that those things are a daily grief and sorrow to him, and that his whole nature does not consent unto them.

I place this mark before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

2. A CHRISTIAN BELIEVES IN CHRIST AS HIS ONLY SAVIOR

Secondly, John says, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God”—I John 5:1.

  A man born again, or regenerate, then, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour by whom his soul can be pardoned; that He is the divine person appointed by God the Father for this very purpose, and that beside Him there is no Saviour at all. In himself he sees nothing but unworthiness, but in Christ he sees ground for the fullest confidence, and trusting in Him he believes that his sins are all forgiven. He believes that for the sake of Christ’s finished work and death upon the cross, he is reckoned righteous in God’s sight, and may look forward to death and judgment without alarm. He may have his fears and doubts. He may sometimes tell you he feels as if he had no faith at all. But ask him whether he will rest his hopes of eternal life on his own goodness, his own amendments, his prayers, his minister, or his church, and see what he will reply. Ask him whether he will give up Christ, and place his confidence in any other way of religion. Depend upon it, he would say that though he does feel weak and bad, he would not give up Christ for all the world. Depend upon it, he would say he found preciousness in Christ, a suitableness to his own soul in Christ, that he found nowhere else, and that he must cling to him.

I place this mark before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

3. A CHRISTIAN PRACTICES GOD’S COMMANDMENTS

Thirdly, John says, “Every one who practices righteousness is born of Him”—I John 2:29.

  The man born again, or regenerate, then is, a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God’s will, to do the things that please God, to avoid the things that God hates. His aim and desire is to love God with heart and soul and mind and strength, and to love his neighbor as himself. His wish is to be continually looking to Christ as his example as well as his Saviour, and to show himself Christ’s friend by doing whatsoever Christ commands. No doubt he is not perfect. None will tell you that sooner than himself. He groans under the burden of indwelling corruption cleaving to him. He finds an evil principle within him constantly warring against grace, and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence. In spite of all shortcomings, the average bent and bias of his way is holy—his doings are holy, his tastes holy, and his habits holy. In spite of all this swerving and turning aside, like a ship beating up against a contrary wind, the general course of his life is in one direction—toward God and for God. And though he may sometimes fall so low that he questions whether he is a Christian at all, he will generally be able to say with old John Newton, “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be in another world, but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.”

I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

4. A CHRISTIAN HAS A SPECIAL LOVE FOR OTHER BELIEVERS

Fourthly, John says, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren”—I John 3:14.

  A man born again, or regenerate, then, has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who are of one mind with himself. Like his Lord and Saviour, he loves the worst of sinners, and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company. He is never so happy as when he is among the saints and the excellent of the earth. Others may value learning, or cleverness, or agreeableness, or riches or rank, in the society they choose. The regenerate man values Grace. Those who have most Grace, and are most like Christ, are those he most loves. He feels that they are members of the same family with himself. He feels that they are his fellow-soldiers, warring against the same enemy. He feels that they are his fellow-travelers, journeying along the same road. He understands them, and they understand him. He and they may be very different in many ways—in rank, in station, in wealth. What matter? They are Jesus Christ’s people. They are his Father’s sons and daughters. Then he cannot help loving them.

I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

5. A CHRISTIAN DOES NOT LOVE THE WORLD

Fifthly, John says, “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world”—I John 5:4.

  A man born again, or regenerate, does not make the world’s opinion his rule of right and wrong. He does not mind going against the stream of the world’s way, notions and customs. “What will man say?” is no longer a turning-point with him. He overcomes the love of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which most around him call happiness. He cannot enjoy their enjoyments; they weary him. They appear to him vain, unprofitable, and unworthy of an immortal being. He overcomes the fear of the world. He is content to do many things which all around him think unnecessary, to say the least. They blame him; it does not move him. They ridicule him; he does not give way. He loves the praise of God more than the praise of men. He fears offending Him more than giving offense to man. He has counted the cost. It is a small thing with him whether he is blamed or praised. He is no longer the servant of fashion and custom. To please the world is quite a secondary consideration with him. His first aim is to please God.

I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

6. A CHRISTIAN IS GROWING IN CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

Sixthly, John says, “He who has been born of God keeps himself”—I John 5:18.

  A man born again, or regenerate, is very careful of his own soul. He endeavors not only to keep clear of sin, but also to keep clear of everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He feels that evil communications corrupt the heart, and that evil is far more catching than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the employment of his time: his chief desire about it is to spend it profitably. He is careful about the friendships he forms: it is not enough for him that people are kind and amiable and good-natured; all this is very well, but will they do good to his soul? He is careful over his own daily habits and behavior; he tries to recollect that his own heart is deceitful, the world full of wickedness, and the devil always laboring to do him harm; and, therefore, he would be always on his guard. He desires to live like a solider in an enemy’s country, to wear his armor continually, and to be prepared for temptation. He finds by experience that his soul is ever among enemies, and he studies to be a watchful, humble, and prayerful man.

I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

CONCLUSION

  Such are the six great marks of being born again. Let every one who has gone so far with me, read them over with attention, and lay them to heart.

  I know there is a vast difference in the depth and distinctness of these marks in different people. In some they are faint, dim, feeble, and hardly to be discerned. In others they are bold, sharp, clear, plain, and unmistakable, so that any one may read them. Some of these marks are more visible in some, and others are more visible in others. It seldom happens that all are equally manifest in one and the same soul. All this I am quite ready to allow.

  But still after every allowance, here we find boldly painted six marks of being born of God. Here is an inspired Apostle writing one of the last general epistles to the Church of Christ, telling us that a man born of God, Does not commit sin, Believes that Jesus is the Christ, Does righteousness, Loves the brethren, Overcomes the world, and Keeps himself. I ask the reader to observe all this.

  Now what shall we say to these things? What they can say who hold that regeneration is only an admission to outward church privileges, I am sure I do not know. For myself I say boldly, I can only come to one conclusion. That conclusion is, that only those persons are born again who have these six marks about them; and that all men and women who have not these marks, are not born again. And I firmly believe that this is the conclusion to which the Apostle wished us to come.

 
Reader, have you these marks? Are you born again?

 
Dr. John C. Ryle (1816-1900) was an influential writer and preacher in England. He was the author of such books as Practical Religion and Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. Dr. Ryle’s chief desire in all his writing was to “exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and to make Him beautiful and glorious in the eyes of men, and to promote the increase of repentance, faith, and holiness upon the earth.”


“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”—Titus 3:5-6

Thursday, July 25, 2013

CHRISTIAN NATION?


Question: "Is the United States a Christian nation?"

Answer:
It may seem intuitive, at first, to attempt to answer this question by focusing on government. But the best way to determine whether or not the United States is a Christian nation is to compare the philosophy of its people to the Word of God.
  The Declaration of Independence states that every person has these God-given, inalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This philosophy is what we could call the “American Worldview,” and it drives everything about the nation— from its economic and foreign policy to the private lives of its people. This is the atmosphere in which most of us have grown up. But can this American Worldview be called a Christian Worldview? Can we really call the United States a Christian nation?

Life
First, what does “life” mean to a Christian? Most Americans would say we have a right to be alive, just by virtue of having been born. Most Americans would say we have the right to do with our lives as we choose, because our lives belong to us. Christianity agrees that we have the “right to life” and recognizes that life comes from the Creator, just as the Declaration says. However, the Christian (biblical) view is that the right to live does not exist by virtue of being born, but by virtue of being created first in the mind of God (Jeremiah 1:5). Acts 17:25 says that God “gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” The Bible is saying here that the life of man is sustained by God, and as such, it belongs to Him. But Americans generally believe that we are free to do with our lives just as we please because we believe our lives belong, primarily, to us. For a Christian, God’s law is the absolute truth, and the final authority. It tells the Christian “Thou shalt not murder” and “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” But the United States shows, both by the lives of her citizens and the laws passed in her courts that she does not recognize the authority of God, nor respect His laws.

Liberty
What does “liberty” mean to a Christian? Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and the freedom to bear arms are some of the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights. All of these freedoms are good things valued greatly by Americans. Today, however, our nation has, for the most part, rejected the Bible as the standard of right and wrong. So, now liberty has an additional meaning to our citizens: it means that we are ultimately free to do whatever we want. It means that we control our own destiny—or that we should—and that nobody can tell another person what is right or what he should value. This mindset has had disastrous results. In America now, everything is subjective. In the face of the monstrous tragedy of abortion, Americans echo the words of Pontius Pilate: “What is Truth?” Our personal choice has become the only thing we truly value. We are tolerant above all, but only because to put down another person’s freedom is to endanger our own liberty. Practically speaking, since such a wide variety of religions are now represented among our citizens, how can we say “America is a Christian nation” without obliterating the Christian faith? A Christian individual will not kill or hurt someone of another religion who refuses to convert. However, the Bible is clear: we are not to tell people that all roads lead to heaven. There is one Way, and His name is Jesus Christ. The Bible informs Christians that freedom and liberty are good and right. But, it also gives us the context of that freedom: we have freedom as Christ’s followers, because we trust in His righteousness, instead of our own. We were slaves to this world, and to sin. Now we are slaves to Christ – and that is a Christian’s definition of freedom. That doesn’t sound much like the definition of Liberty that is held by the government or the citizens of America.

The Pursuit of Happiness
Now, the Pursuit of Happiness: what is it, to a Christian? In the Bible, happiness is an emotion that is welcomed, but not to be sought after. We seek God, and joy is a result of closeness to Him. But joy is different from happiness. Joy is a spiritual contentment and pleasure that comes from the Holy Spirit. A person must be in fellowship with the Spirit to experience joy, and it transcends circumstance. The apostle Paul said that he had “learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11), and Paul’s circumstances were hardly the sort to produce happiness: beatings, stoning, shipwreck, hunger, thirst and danger. But his joy and peace were from God, not from his circumstances. In contrast, Americans tend to believe we are to pursue, at all cost, happiness in our lives here in this world. Pursue happiness, the American is told, at the cost of all else. If it makes you happy to leave your wife and children, do it. If it makes you happy to devote your life to stardom at the expense of friends and family members, you should follow your dream. If you are a man but you think being a woman will make you happy, have a sex change. Play video games 10 hours a day? Drink yourself to death? Get married to your dog? Sure, if it makes you happy! Perhaps when the Constitution was framed, the Judeo-Christian ethic of “love thy neighbor” was understood as a foundational principle upon which to base our right to pursue happiness. But it has changed over the years to mean a right to pursue individual pleasure, no matter how strange the means, without being judged by your fellow man and without regard to how that pursuit affects the other person’s rights or freedoms, or affects the fabric of society itself.
  But consider Mark 8:36: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” For the Christian, this thought is central: nothing is gained from pursuing comfort and happiness here on earth. Nothing is really gained, for a Christian, by “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Christian person pursues other things: “Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19). “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Christians are concerned with the spiritual – because they belong to another country; they are citizens of a spiritual country, the Kingdom of Heaven.

So, is the United States a Christian nation? No. Not in its philosophy, or in what it loves, or in what it does. Despite its Judeo-Christian roots and heritage, and the beliefs of some of its founders, the United States today is a nation that follows other gods, and lives a lifestyle that is not compatible with Christianity.


© Copyright 2002-2013 Got Questions Ministries.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

JEFFERSONIAN CHRISTIANITY


JEFFERSONIAN CHRISTIANITY
Wednesday, July 24, 2013

  Thomas Jefferson was one of our most influential founders of the USA. Some tout him as a Christian, whereas he was a confirmed deist and naturalist with strong view of the “Christian system”.

  Deism is essentially the view that God exists, but that He is not directly involved in the world. Deism pictures God as the great “clockmaker” who created the clock, wound it up, and let it go. A deist believes that God exists and created the world, but does not interfere with His creation. Deists deny the Trinity, the inspiration of the Bible, the deity of Christ, miracles, and any supernatural act of redemption or salvation. Deism pictures God as ambivalent, uncaring, and uninvolved. Thomas Jefferson was a famous deist, referring often in his writings to “Providence.”  http://www.gotquestions.org/deism.html  

  In his later years, using cutthroat razor and paste, he selectively cobbled together from the 4 gospels what is referred to and still published for sale today as the Jefferson Bible. Interestingly, past and present elected officials, including congressmen, senators, and presidents, a number of them openly professing Christianity, chose to swear oath of office with hand upon old Jeff’s book.

  As a practicing deist and naturalist Jefferson carefully included moral teachings of Jesus but excluded mention of miracles, at times slicing accounts in portions including Jesus wise words but excluding contextual miraculous event.

  There are numerous professing Christians since and currently that are of Jeffersonian stripe; selectively deciding when Lord Jesus Christ speaks truth and when He does not. I hear them and read their words:      

  “There is no virtual eternal hell. Life here is hell.”  (Mt.5:29-30; 10:28; 11:23; 16:18; 23:15, 33; Mk.9:43-48; Lk.10:15; 12:5; 16:23)

  “Demons don’t exist. They are figment of imagination, the explanation of mental health problems.” (Lk.4:33; 8:31)

  “Jesus is just one way to get to heaven. There are other ways.” (Jn.11:25; 14:6)

  “God is God whatever He is called, Allah, whatever.” (Deut.4:35; 6:4; Jn.1:18; 20:28; Eph.4:6; 1Tim.2:5; Jam.2:9)

  Jefferson, in a letter to John Adams dated October 13, 1813, wrote “In extracting the pure principles which he [Jesus] taught, we should have to strip off the artificial vestments in which they have been muffled by priests, who have travestied them into various forms, as instruments of riches and power to themselves. We must dismiss the Platonists and Plotinists, the Stagyrites and Gamalielites, the Eclectics, the Gnostics and Scholastics, their essences and emanations, their logos and demiurges, aeons and daemons, male and female, with a long train of … or, shall I say at once, of nonsense. We must reduce our volume to the simple evangelists, select, even from them, the very words only of Jesus, paring off the amphibologisms into which they have been led, by forgetting often, or not understanding, what had fallen from him, by giving their own misconceptions as his dicta, and expressing unintelligibly for others what they had not understood themselves. There will be found remaining the most sublime and benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man. I have performed this operation for my own use, by cutting verse by verse out of the printed book, and arranging the matter which is evidently his, and which is as easily distinguishable as diamonds in a dunghill. The result is an octavo of forty-six pages, of pure and unsophisticated doctrines.”  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Bible  

  I leave you this morning with other than Jeffersonian naturalist deistic belief: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (KJV Isa.40:8) Here I stand.  EBB4

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT


FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Tuesday, July 23, 2013

            1Thessalonians [GW] 5:16-22 … Don't put out the Spirit's fire. Don't despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil. [Also note examples of in Revelation 2:29 thru 3:1-22, a passage beginning and ending with “Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."]

James [GW] 1:22-25 Do what God's word says. Don't merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. 23 If someone listens to God's word but doesn't do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 However, the person who continues to study God's perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don't merely listen and forget; they actually do what God's teachings say.
 

  The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather we are to reprove them. (Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 5:9-11. I encourage you to read all in context.)

  That which is not according to God’s Word is not good but is contrary to all goodness.

  Not living in provision that God has revealed to us in Holy Scripture suppresses the fruit of His Comforter, brings loneliness with its companion fear.

  Without the Word-centered devotional life of reading, study, prayerful thought time, and seeking application in all facets of life, with implementation of His love regardless of our feelings, is to dwell apart from our John 1:12 kinfolk. Devoid of holy exercise (1Tim.4:7-9) we will not, nor will others by extension, enjoy familial fruit of the Spirit. (1Cor.7:14; Heb.4:12)

  Let us not hinder the Spirit of God is by seeking fulfillment in joining associations, societies, guilds, fraternities, clans, tribes, ethnic group, teams, troupes, troop, faction, gangs, support groups, corporations, charitable organizations, ministries, religions, churches, marriage, having children . . .  in the hope to fill a basic need to belong; all of which can never fully sate our hunger to actually belong for there is only one family that can do so.

  “I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me” is an absolute purchase specification for believers. (Rom.5:8-11) Fruitful familial fellowship is not so, for it depends on devotion in manner; instance and event. Let us beware looking to God for heaven but to the world for fraternity; for in doing so we compromise our John 1:12 childhood.

  Join, yes, but as service extension of our identity in God’s family, “[Living] decent lives among unbelievers. Then, although they ridicule you as if you were doing wrong while they are watching you do good things, they will praise God on the day he comes to help you.” (GW 1Pet.2:12)  EBB4

Monday, July 22, 2013

TWO OPTIONS?

TWO OPTIONS?
Monday, July 22, 2013

John [MKJV] 3:3,16-18 Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  . . . For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
 
  There are not two options so far as choose heaven or choose hell. Some may consider this an inconsequential theological point but I believe it is something that is very important for both the lost and saved to understand.

  To have two choices would be to be in the arrangement of having two elective positions before us.

  This is not how it is.

  To reject the only option God offers leaves one in the position of “condemned already” and upon death transiting to eternal separation from God.

  God spells it out plainly in His Word that every man is in the dreadful place of “condemned already” with before him the single option of repositioning through trusting Jesus Christ and gaining deliverance status; with His Holy Spirit within for remainder of time here and upon physical demise eternal presence with God.  EBB4

Sunday, July 21, 2013

DECIDING THE ANSWER


DECIDING THE ANSWER
Sunday, July 21, 2013
 
2Timothy [MKJV] 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
 
Decisions are made according to information or emotion . . . or emotionally in spite of information . . . or by information regardless of current emotion.
 
  Is my statement above of sound mind?

  Is it summation evidenced in the Word of God?

EBB4

Friday, July 19, 2013

PEELING


PEELING
Friday, July 19, 2013

“I absolutely refuse to believe in a deity that allows war, disease, and crime!”

”Beginning with Adam and Eve God allowed man free will. Beginning with their sorry decision mankind commonly decides against living as God outlines in His Word to us, the book we call the Bible.”

“Bible, smible! Or since it was written by a bunch of Jewish sheepherders, maybe I should say ‘smeeble’?”

“Do you know of the 10 Commandments in the Bible?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, of course I do, who doesn’t?!!”

“Is your lifestyle like that . . . always truthful . . . never coveting or taking someone else’s property . . . or maybe another man’s wife?”

“No, I don’t live like that every minute. Everybody violates some of the Bible commandments. It’s impossible to keep them all all of the time!”

“Do you think God should step in every single time you do something wrong?”

“Are you kidding . . . that would be ridiculous!!”

“Have you ever read James chapter 3?”

EBB4

Thursday, July 18, 2013

A STUDY IN GRACE


A STUDY IN GRACE
Thursday, July 18, 2013

               And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein, These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, … (KJV Neh.7)
                "God opposes arrogant people, but he is kind to humble people." So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters. Be miserable, mourn, and cry. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into gloom. Humble yourselves in the Lord's presence. Then he will give you a high position. Brothers and sisters, stop slandering each other. Those who slander and judge other believers slander and judge God's teachings. If you judge God's teachings, you are no longer following them. Instead, you are judging them. There is only one teacher and judge. He is able to save or destroy you. So who are you to judge your neighbor? Pay attention to this! You're saying, "Today or tomorrow we will go into some city, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money." You don't know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. Instead, you should say, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans." However, you brag because you're arrogant. All such bragging is evil. Whoever knows what is right but doesn't do it is sinning. (GW Jam.4)

  Though I don’t get to spend much time on it and primarily rely on family for their records, research, photos and stories, I enjoy genealogy and find it seriously worthwhile.

  I do however look at our family tree mindful of God’s warning to never take pride in birth or blood! (Jn.8:31-34; 1Tim.1:4; Tit.3:9)Unless the family characteristic of tenacity would be twisted to MAJORDOMO MEISM, thankfully thus far I’ve not grafted into branch narrative or twig tale to the fruition of or in support of personal puffery.  

  Other than being fun, relaxing, and making for happy cousin communication . . .  how is genealogy seriously worthwhile for me?

  From childhood on I’ve always been interested in history because of the way it provokes thoughtfulness.

  Genealogy makes large history intimately personal. There is vast difference between distant reading of the horrific number of deaths and injuries in coal mining and discovering my great-uncle Thorton James Crowe on June 21, 1913 left Isabella a widow when he was crushed to death in Ocean Mine #1, Consolidated Mines, Allegany, Maryland.

  Genealogy humbles me.

  Genealogy brings grace to my thoughts and writing as does another interest, gardening . . . both never letting me forget the fragility of life.  EBB4

 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

GRACE


GRACE
Wednesday, July 17, 2013

 “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”    Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5
We can be humble and be given grace, OR we can practice pride and set ourselves up against God!
Personally, I need all the help I can get.  I don’t need opposition - especially from God!


PRIDE looks down on others.
   HUMILITY considers others better than self.
PRIDE is independent and self-sufficient.
   HUMILITY knows dependence upon God & recognizes the need for others.
PRIDE wants control, to do it "my way."
   HUMILITY surrenders control, trusts God.
PRIDE has to prove “I’m right.”
   HUMILITY knows “I’m wrong sometimes.”
PRIDE claims rights.
   HUMILITY yields rights.
PRIDE has a demanding spirit.
   HUMILITY has a giving spirit.
PRIDE is only interested in promoting self.
   HUMILITY desires to promote others.
PRIDE is impressed with how much I know.
   HUMILITY recognizes how much I need to learn.
PRIDE is defensive when criticized.
   HUMILITY receives criticism politely.
PRIDE is quick to blame others.
   HUMILITY accepts personal responsibility.
PRIDE is concerned with being respected.
   HUMILITY is concerned with being real.
PRIDE is concerned and controlled with what others think.
   HUMILITY knows that the only thing that matters is what God thinks.
PRIDE works hard to maintain an image.
   HUMILITY wants to reflect God’s image.
PRIDE confesses sin in generalities.
   HUMILITY deals in specifics.
PRIDE is concerned with the consequences.
   HUMILITY is grieved over the causes of sin.
PRIDE regrets that their sin was found out.
   HUMILITY repents and forsakes their sin.
PRIDE waits for others to ask for forgiveness.
   HUMILITY takes the initiative in reconciliation.
PRIDE compares self to others, feels deserving.
   HUMILITY sees the need for God’s mercy and grace.

One last thing: In order to receive grace, BE A GIVER OF GRACE.
Lighten up on everyone else!  Chaplain Tom Beatty (IL) January 30, 2010


 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

NUMBER 6


NUMBER 6
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
 
In God’s record:
Genesis 4:8; The first murder.
Judges 9:54; The first assisted suicide.
1Samuel 31:4; The first self-inflicted suicide.
Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5; The ten words.
 
USA 2010 statistics:
5.3 reported murders per 100,000.
12.4 reported suicides per 100,000. (I believe this number much higher as suicide is not always credited as cause of death. There are those among us that know so personally.)
The Centers for Disease Control published that more Americans die by suicide now, actually exceeding death by vehicular collision.

  The 6th of the 10 Commandments says “Thou shalt not kill”, right?
  Not so any more than the Old Testament was written in English saying “the 10 commandments”, the Hebrew being “the ten words”. Not knowing this is not a major problem. Not understanding what the  Hebrew word for “kill” in the 6th means has and continues to make for unnecessary confusion; Misbelief muddle resulting from group and individual lack of Acts 17:10-11Berean 2Timothy 2:15-16 diligence in study.
  The Hebrew word is râtsach; raw-tsakh’ . . . We are not to murder! Studying further in Scripture we learn murder means the destruction of the innocent.     
  Hmmm … considering yesterday’s thoughts, does this relate in any way to “dominion”?   
EBB4

Monday, July 15, 2013

DOMINION


DOMINION
Monday, July 15, 2013
 
   Don’t have a clue as to why, but awoke with word “dominion” on my mind. After a few minutes trying to figure out why, I decided to e-Sword it, finding 62 times in 55 KJV verses beginning early on with “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. . . . And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen.1:26, 28) and ending with “… Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Rev.1:5-6)

  Reading all 55 I find:

·          stewardship over creation our privilege and responsibility

·          in free will granted by God

·          subjugation of individual by another and/or God

·          referring to kingdoms

·          subjugation of one nation or culture over another/others

·          its connection to fear of leaders/others

·         good, bad, selfish, compassionate exercise thereof

·         insightful summary recorded in Job 38

·         that we’re not to let sin have power over us

·         Jesus speaking the word one time during His earth walk

·         there is only one true enduring dominion

·         death having no dominion over Jesus or His followers

·         God holding but not in every instance exercising His dominion over all

  The exercise refreshed dormant knowledge, brought new knowledge, and stirred numerous further thoughts. However, considering past experience I suspect the crux of the waking word is preparation for future application as some challenging occasion(s) arises.  EBB4

PS. If you’d like copy of the 55 “dominion” verses in KJV, MKJV, or other Bible text in my software, just ask.