Talk Wisdom: 08/01/2006

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Why Christians Are Called To Bless Israel and the Jews

In the comment section of my former blogpost called And The Criticism Goes On...And On... which was a discussion about the documentary Darwin's Deadly Legacy, one commenter named Boo said the following:

Because, as everyone knows, Jewish survival depends on fundamentalist Christians slandering Darwin. If Darwin is not slandered, the Jews shall surely perish from this earth. Someone's being a lapdog alright, but I don't think it's the ADL.

and this:

Lapin's comments only make sense if he sees fundamentalist Christians as "the priceless vase of Jewish survival." One might concede that he doesn't recognize Coral Ridge Ministries' false witness as slander, but that only means he didn't bother to educate himself, but just let himself be trotted out as The Jewish Token. And that is quite lapdoggish.

These comments show a complete misunderstanding of God's Word regarding the special part that the Jews are involved in Biblical history and the proper relationship that should exist between born-again believers in Jesus Christ, our call to support Israel's survival, and the special blessings that are given by God upon the Gentiles towards those who bless Israel and the Jewish people.

In chapter 16 of John Hagee's book Jerusalem Countdown, there is an excellent summary that points out the fact that God blesses gentiles who bless Israel.

Hagee starts out with some history and writes:

The inability of the Jewish people to recognize Jesus as Messiah benefitted the Gentiles by bringing them the opportunity of salvation.

Rom 11:11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

Rom 11:12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

The salvation of the Gentiles was intended by God to "provoke the Jews to jealousy," exciting them to seek and claim a share in the blessings of the new covenant.

In Luke chapter 7, a centurion's servant was healed by Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth, who, being an observant Jew, would not enter the house of a Gentile. The Roman centurion asked the Jewish elders what he could do to get Jesus of Nazareth to enter his house and pray for his sick servant. The elders went to Jesus and pled with Him earnestly, saying that the Roman centurion deserved to be helped. (See Luke 7:1-10.) Why did he deserve to be helped?

The elders said to Jesus, "For he [the centurion] loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue" (v. 5).

The point is this: a practical act of kindness on the part of a Gentile provoked Jesus to enter the centurion's house to heal his sick servant, fulfilling Jesus' covenant with Abraham: "I will bless those that bless you..."

The tragedy of history has been that for two thousand years, recognized Christianity has not provoked Jews to jealousy by their kindness but has produced a harvest of hatred that caused the Jewish people to recoil in fear from those who waged war beneath the cross.

When the Roman Catholic Crusaders entered the city of Jerusalem in 1099, they trapped more than nine hundred Jewish women and children in their synagogue and burned them alive while they sang "Christ We Adore Thee." This kind of "Christianity" is no different from a member of the Taliban who straps himself with a bomb and murders Jews who refuse to believe in Islam.

In the twentieth century, six million Jews were systematically slaughtered by Adolf Hitler. Hitler and his Nazi monsters were never even slightly scolded by the pope, let alone excommunicated from the church for their crimes against humanity.

It's time for Christianity to reach out to our Jewish brothers and sisters, demonstrating the unconditional love of God, which is what Saint Paul commended in Romans 15:27:

It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. (NKJV)

What riches came to the Gentiles because the Jewish people stumbled over the stumbling stone, which was Jesus of Nazareth?

Riches for the Gentile Believer

* As Gentiles, we recieve the unsearchable riches of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

* We receive the riches of the blessings of Abraham, which know no measure and have no limit.

* We receive the riches of repentance through which each of us becomes a child of God.

* We receive the riches of His love, joy, and eternal peace in the Holy Spirit.

* We receive the riches of salvation by grace through faith.

* We receive the riches of adoption and the riches of being heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

Now. Contrast these "riches" which were brought to the Gentiles because of the Jewish people "stumbling over the stone," which was Jesus Christ, with the "human tradition and waged war" that the Catholic Church happened to use as an excuse to hate the Jews (and thus), misuse the Christian religion in attempting to convert the Jews! They didn't listen to the Scriptures, and thus took matters into their own (unfortunately, bloody!) hands!

God has an eternal purpose in the Jewish people stumbling over the identity of Jesus Christ. Christians who know the Word of God know and recognize this! How do we know? The Bible reveals it!

Hagee continues:

Life From The Dead

For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? - Romans 11:15

Saint Paul is making a prediction that in Israel's future there will be a national spiritual resurrection that will be so dramatic it will be like someone coming back to life from the dead. How could such a thing happen? Remember, my friends, "With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). How and when God will cause a spiritual resurrection to come to Israel is known only to God.

In Ezekiel 37, Ezekiel describes that very thing when God showed him the nation of Israel as a valley full of very dry bones. The bones were "very dry," meaning they had been dead a long time. Israel as a nation was dead for almost two thousand years. God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the dead bones. Ezekiel instantly obeyed the voice of the Lord, for obedience is better than sacrifice.

The valley of dry bones began to come together miraculously as Ezekiel spoke. Then came the sinews, the flesh, and skin, and those bones stood up an exceedingly great army. There is no doubt this is national Israel, for the the scripture reads:

Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel - Ezekiel 37:11

Israel is reborn and thrives today as a mighty democratic nation. We are now awaiting the Jewish people's spiritual resurrection. Ezekiel describes it as follows:

Eze 37:23b... so shall they [Israel]be my people, and I will be their God.

Eze 37:24 ¶ And David my servant [shall be] king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

Eze 37:25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, [even] they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David [shall be] their prince for ever.

Eze 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

Eze 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Eze 37:28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Count on it! God's love for Israel and the Jewish people is boundless for the patriarch's sake. This spiritual awakening, which is very clearly predicted by Ezekiel, is now beginning and will soon explode into a global reality. It is God's time to pour out the spirit of grace upon the house of Israel and the Jewish people.

I wish I had time to include the sections in the book that discuss The Jewish Root Is Holy (Romans 11:16) and The Wild Olive Tree (Romans 11:17-24) But you can look up these verses for yourself.

Hagee offers a review of the spiritual anatomy of this olive tree:

First, its roots are the patriarchs Abrahan, Isaac, and Jacob. The branches that have been broken off are generations of unbelieving Jews, and the branches that have been "grafted in" are the believing Gentiles. Please remember that there are Jewish branches that are still attached to the olive tree (e.g. like Rabbi Daniel Lapin).

Theologians debate that wild olive branches (Gentiles) cannot be grafted into a natural olive tree. While this is true as a fact of nature in horticultural science, Paul clearly states in verse 24 that the wild olive branch being grafted in is "contrary to nature." This means the grafting in of the Gentiles is a supernatural act from the hand of God.

It's interesting to me that during a segment on Larry King Live, Larry was asked by Billy Graham that if Jesus Christ returned today and Larry had the chance to ask him one question, what would he ask? Larry said something similar to this, "I would ask him if this was his first or second visit to the earth." I thought that was a fascinating answer to that question; especially coming from a Jewish person! I must confess, I don't know how religious King is, but he has stated that one of his favorite guests has been when Billy Graham has sat in the guest chair! I'm sure that if Larry felt threatened in any way, including any "fear of conversion," he wouldn't have invited Rev. Graham back so often!

There is a huge trust developing between Christians and Jews. I think that the Jewish people are gradually realizing that the support of evangelical Christians is not so much for the purpose of attempting to convert them, but for the purpose of obeying God's Word regarding their nation and people. The misunderstandings (and, unfortunately, horrors) of the past have, for the most part, dissipated, and more trust and bonding has been the result.

I'm skipping over a lot, but I hope you will get the idea of what I am trying to show through these verses.

Hagee writes:

In Romans 11:30-31, Paul is referring to the salvation of the Jewish people at some point in the future.

Paul makes it clear in Romans 11:25 that Israel's blindness to the identity of Messiah will end when "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." The fullness of the Gentiles will endure until Christ returns to earth. Then Paul plants the blockbuster verse of all the Book of Romans: "All Israel will be saved" (v. 26)

Notice the progression in Romans 11:

Pattern Of The Future For The Jews

* The possibility that the Jewish people could be grafted in at some point in the future: "God is able to graft them in again" (v. 23)

* The probability that the Jewish people will come to redemption in the future: "How much more will these, who are natural branches [the Jewish people], be grafted into their own olive tree?" (v. 24).

* The absolute fact that, at a time in the future, redemption will come to all righteous Jews: "And so all Israel will be saved" (v. 26).

Isn't this fascinating!? But there is so much more to share!

Next time, I will share the mystery of Israel's future and the seven mysteries of God. A mystery in Scripture concerning a future event can be known only through divine revelation. These seven mysteries recorded in Scripture are explained, and they should be known by the body of Christ. Yet they are strangely ignored by the vast majority of Christians.

I will end with a personal story. Isn't it true that there are some events in one's life that can easily and clearly be recalled while others just fade away and a friend or relative has to remind you when, where and how it happened?

This may seem trivial to readers here, but it made a profound impact on me. When I was a teenager (yeah...back in the caveman days heh heh! ;-) ), I can recall being invited by a girl friend to another high school's dance. I met a really handsome Jewish boy there and he offered to walk me home! He was really cute (must have had the "good looks genes" from Joseph of Biblical fame!), friendly and very likable. As we walked home, we got to know each other a bit. When he found out that I was Catholic, his entire demeanor changed. It was like a Romeo and Juliet moment...our families would never allow us to date! I didn't know why, but when I walked in the door and told my mom about this Jewish boy, it was like I commited a type of sacrilege or something! Her attitude changed from a happy one that I had such a good time to an angry one that I would do such a thing! I was only "guilty" of just talking and walking home with him! I didn't understand why at the time, but my studies in the Bible (and in history) have shown me why both of our parents would not allow us to date.

It was sad. I never saw him again. We talked on the phone a few times but then one day he got caught by his mom and that was the end of it.

That relationship just wasn't meant to be, but it stirred my curiosity to examine Roman Catholicism, as well as other religions (in later years).

But it was studying the Bible that changed my life completely because that is where I met my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I continue to learn about Him every day and the more I learn, the more grateful and humble I am for the forgiveness, grace and mercy bestowed upon me through Him!

Until next time...

Christine

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Outright, Blatant Assault on Religious Freedom

Remember the old line used by thieves, "It's your money or your life?" Well. Now, in California, ALL schools (including private, Christian, and religious schools!!) must follow a new adage that basically states:

"If you want your child to get state money for his/her schooling, you must completely ignore and leave your heartfelt Biblical beliefs behind and you must condone/accept/embrace/celebrate homosexuality at your school or NO STATE MONEY FOR YOU!"

Remember Seinfeld's "soup nazi?" If Jerry said something wrong at the counter the soup nazi guy would yell, "No soup for you!" That was funny! But this new bill signing by RINO Arnold here in California is poised to have devastating consequences for traditional, Biblical worldview Christians and their families.

We, unfortunately, have been attacked by The Homosexual Agenda Legislative Nazis in Sacramento! And I'm NOT KIDDING about calling them that! For it is exactly what they are! Arnold too! What a turncoat...

Homeschooling the children and grandchildren...here we come!!

My friend Dani....you were correct all along!!

Christine

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006

LAW OF THE LAND
Gov. Arnold tosses school moral codes
Bill forces condoning of homosexuality, critics say 'the gates of hell are prevailing'

Excerpts from Gov. Arnold tosses school moral codes.:

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has tossed out all sexual moral conduct codes at colleges, private and Christian schools, daycare centers and other facilities throughout his state, if the institutions have any students who get state assistance.

The governor yesterday signed a bill that would require all businesses and groups receiving state funding -- even if it's a state grant for a student -- to condone homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality.

There is no exception for faith-based organizations or business owners with sincerely held religious convictions, critics note.

Isn't this a blatant violation of religious freedom of association? I would think that an immediate and stronge challenge to this terrible example of so-called, "tolerance," under the guise of fighting "hate and discrimination" for the sake of "safe schools" will be forthcoming by the Alliance Defense Fund.

"The gates of hell are prevailing against the church," Randy Thomasson, president of the Campaign for Children and Families, told WorldNetDaily. "It's because Christian colleges and churches have ignored the political process for so long. Now the political process, absent religious values, is coming back to assault the church."

"This isn't even a veiled attempt at subtly advancing the radical homosexual agenda," said Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute. "SB1441 is an outright, blatant assault on religious freedom in California."

This bill is an outright, offensive attempt to silence any and all religious disagreements with the loony leftists promotion of homosexuality as "normal," "natural," "healthy." Now, it is not only something that must be tolerated (already got that ad nauseum in schools!!!), but something that cannot be dissented against or else that child will lose his/her government financial assistance and aid! Why? Just because he/she does not accept what the loony legislators and arrogant Arnold think should pass as a "non-discrimination issue." It's nothing more than what David Kupelian told us in the first chapter of The Marketing of Evil book!

"Equating sexual preference with the immutable characteristics of age, national origin or race will result in other variable behaviors being added to the list of invariable classes rightfully protected," she said.

Constitutional assurances of freedom of assembly and freedom of speech both are destroyed by the action, CRI said. And Thomasson believes it is "setting up a tremendous church-state conflict in the courts."

It is so obvious that the 6 or so homosexual legislators in Sacramento would rather push their own personal agenda than represent the majority of Californians (63% !!) who voted against "gay" marriage and, if given the opportunity, would most certainly oppose such a bill if they had their chance to vote against it!!

Why do you think that they didn't put this on the ballot??

Because most Californians would vote against it!! So they do an end-run within the legislature with their personal biases trumping what Californians really would want when it comes to the education of their children and grandchildren. With a radical leftist democratic majority in both the state house and senate, these terrible bills fly through without one thought for the people who are against them!

Randy Thomasson tells it like it is:

"Arnold Schwarzenegger has two faces," said Thomasson. "He speaks at churches and says he believes in religious freedom and family values, yet he's stabbing pro-family Californians in the back."

"This bill is yet another attempt to prevent citizens with moral and religious principles from expressing their beliefs and educating their children according to those beliefs," said England. "On behalf of California families, private schools and other private organizations, I express our outrage at this attack on our freedom."

"Today's disastrous action by Schwarzenegger means Christian and other faith-based colleges in California will be forced to promote transsexuality, bisexuality, and homosexuality if they accept students with Cal Grants," concluded Thomasson's organization.

He said the governor "has trampled religious freedom to satisfy hyperactive sexual activists."

"He's not the lesser of two evils, he's doing evil," Thomasson said.

And, you might ask, where is the evidence that thousands opposed the signing of this bill?

CCF earlier had publicized the situation, and generated thousands of telephone calls, e-mails and faxes opposing the plan.

That's where!

But do you think that the legislators even cared about those who were against this bill; a bill that belonged in the trash can rather than on Arnold desk? Oh no...of course not! They are the little Hitlers that want to dictate to parents what their children are taught; and if they don't walk lock-step with the homosexual agenda crud, then their children won't get any state money!

Isn't this a not-so-subtle case of bribery?

Isn't this like a communist style, socialist-agenda-wielded-sword being waved at and against people of faith who don't want their homosexual behavior licentiousness shoved down our throats??

Where are our constitutional rights of dissent against such manipulation of school children through the Kirk and Madsen playbook of forced "desensitization," "jamming," and "conversion?"

It gets worse, though, my friends, for it will lead to:

But it was supported by Democrats in the state legislature and specifically requires "any program or activity that receives any financial assistance from the state" to support the alternative sexual lifestyle choices.

CCF said the change also will affect any program or activity at the local level that gets any state funding from programs including Medi-Cal, State Disability Insurance, CalWORKS, food stamps, Unemployment Insurance, Workers' Compensation, child support services, veterans services, home loan assistance programs and others.

We've got to fight against this, and the other indoctrination bills still sitting on RINO Arnold's desk:

And as bad as the single bill is, the CCF said, several other "sexual indoctrination bills" are heading to the governor. One would prohibit textbooks or school-sponsored activities from "reflecting adversely" on a certain list of sexual choices.

Another would allow the California superintendent of public instruction to arbitrarily withhold state funds from any district that does not adequately promote the State Department of Education's "model policy" promoting transsexuality, bisexuality or homosexuality in its school policies.

Still another would spend state money promoting transsexual, bisexual and homosexual lifestyles.

As WND reported, James Dobson, president of the action affiliate of Focus on the Family ministries, earlier broadcast an urgent call to the millions of radio program listeners to contact Schwarzenegger about the homosexual promotions.

Mona Passignano, the state issues analyst for Focus, told WND the combination of bills would reinforce homosexuality and a limited number of other sexual choices but also prevent people from reflecting on their religious beliefs that may address those choices.

"You cannot preach the Gospel. If you want to preach about Romans 1, you can't. Someone could say, 'That makes me feel bad,'" she said. "You cannot preach what the Bible says.

"If you're a Christian, it's got to be alarming. If you are not a Christian, it's got to be alarming," she said. "Because what comes next?

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Where Life Makes Up Its Mind

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

That is a great verse to consider when faced with current cultural issues these days. I have found that "guarding my heart," in particular, as well as guarding the hearts of our children, in general, can be considered as bias, intolerance, discriminatory, bigoted, holier-than-thou etc. from people who do not agree with the Biblical worldview. I have seen this on other blogs, as well. No matter what the topic, if a person doesn't totally embrace another person's _______ and ungodly lifestyle (fill in the blank!), then the moral relativists of this world will hate you.

Hollywood is like that. Immorality generally reigns like a crowning achievement in that crowd. It's an attitude of anything goes; except for anything (or anyone) that reveals conservative views and/or Christian truth. Then, the person who holds us views is often subjected to being an object of ridicule. This was quite evident from the "jokes" leveled at certain people during the Emmy awards broadcast.

In addition, it seems that actors/actresses who get caught during a DUI who happen to not be Christians (like Nick Nolte) are not nearly as persecuted for their actions as, say, someone like Mel Gibson who is a Christian. That whole incident concerning Mel was just an opportunity for those who hate him (and were obviously resentful and jealous of the success of his film The Passion of the Christ) to get back at him. Despite the fact that he apologized for his drunken rant against Jews, the criticism goes on through the likes of Rob Reiner; who obviously thinks of himself as a "better person" than Mel. Yeah...a guy who used to play the role of a character named "meathead" (sorry, had to throw that in there)! Instead of showing empathy for, forgiveness and concern for a fellow actor in the industry who had fallen back into a former alcohol addiction, debasement and ridicule ruled the day (and weeks afterwards, too). Why did they focus on his "fall from grace" in his unfortunate verbal rant rather than express empathy towards him because he succombed to a former addiction that he had been battling for several years of his life?

I'm not trying to give Mel an automatic pass here. What he said was wrong and terribly offensive to Jewish people. I'm not attempting to push that aside. However, sometimes we don't know the root causes and kinds of "demons" that people have battled against in their lives. We know that Mel's father was an anti-Semite. Growing up with his father's ranting probably infected Mel's mind to some extent. But when Mel came to his senses, again, he stated that such an attitude towards the Jewish people is against his Christian faith. But when he apologized (several times in fact) it appeared to never be enough for his detractors. We must ask why.

I seems to me that people had more sympathy and empathy towards that woman who drowned her three kids in a bathtub! A much more serious type of crime. Why is this so? Why is sympathy and empathy given to one person and not the other?

I didn't mean to get too far off topic. But I think that the following post, Where Life Makes Up Its Mind could offer us some insight and possible answers to these questions.

In Ray Pritchard's book called The ABC's of Wisdom, he presents short daily devotionals that are meant to help build character through the writings of Solomon. The following one deals with guarding the heart.

The term "heart" in the Bible generally refers to the innermost part of life. It is the decision-making center, the source of motives, the seat of the passions, and the center of the conscience. It is truly the place "where life makes up its mind."

Proverbs has a great deal to say about the heart. It is the source of wisdom (2:10) and understanding (8:5, KJV), the origin of both deceit (6:14) and joy (15:30). The heart may backslide (14:14, KJV) or trust in God (3:5). It may be cheerful (15:13), prideful (16:5), bitter (14:10), haughty (18:12), or prudent (18:15, KJV). The heart may lust after an adulterous woman (6:25), rage against the Lord (19:3), and eventually be hardened against God altogether (28:14). The Lord tests the heart (17:3) because He knows what is in it (24:12), which is why the heart must be guarded all the time (4:23).

Jesus almost certainly had this verse in mind when He spoke to the Pharisees in Matthew 12:34b: "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." This verse cuts both ways. Whatever is on the inside will eventually come out - whether good or bad (v. 35). If a person's heart is dirty, he cannot produce purity in his life. Likewise, if the heart is stayed on the Lord, it will be seen on the outside eventually. The King James Version of Proverbs 23:7 reads, "As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he."

* If you think angry thoughts, angry words are sure to follow.

* If you fill your mind with sexual fantasies, your body will find a way to fulfill those desires.

* If you dwell on your problems, they will soon overwhelm you.

* If you feel like a victim, soon you will become one.

* If you give way to worry, don't be surprised when you get ulcers.

* If you focus on how others misunderstand you, you will soon become angry and bitter.

What goes in must come out. Sooner or later your thought translate into reality. You're not what you think you are, but what you think, you are.

The flip side is true.

* If you focus on the truth, you will speak the truth.

* If you look on noble things, nobility will mark your life.

* If you seek out lovely things, your life will be lovely to others.

* If you dwell on the right, the wrong will seem less attractive to you.

* If you look for virtue, you will find it.

* If you search for higher things, you will elevate your own life.

Recently a friend sent me this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer. It seems a fitting way to apply the words of Proverbs 4:23.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your Holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Humanity Misunderstands God, Creation

I'm currently reading a great book written by Cornelius G. Hunter, author of Darwin's God. I like this one so much that I am motivated to buy and read Darwin's God too.

Darwin's Proof: The Triumph of Religion over Science is an astonishing perceptive analysis of the Darwinian controversy. In the first few chapters, Hunter covers many of the controversies surrounding Darwinism. Chapters like Darwin's Deceptive Idea, Swallowing a Camel (part 1 & 2), and Straining at the Gnat (part 1 & 2) cover the fundamental arguments against Darwinism, as well as the fact that the traditional evidences for evolution are not very convincing.

Chapter 6, called Blind Guides covers the philosophical argument against evolution.

Chapter 7, called Another Gospel discusses the theological argument against evolution.

But it was chapter 9, What Has Been Made, that caught my undivided attention and is the chapter that I want to summarize and post today. I found it quite fascinating...startling, in fact. I found it to be information that put a lot of the pieces together for me about why much of humanity misunderstands God.

Hunter shares how the mockers and the skeptics at the cross of Jesus were a fulfillment of prophecy. Most Bible scholars and students would probably recognize this. But Hunter also reveals that such skepticism and mocking of the Christian faith (evidence of which we have seen numerous times here at this blog), could also be attributed to man's misunderstanding of creation.

One of the things that evolution believers often mock about the concept of creation is the personal, biased opinion called the "paradigm of perfection.'

Been there! Have heard that! Numerous times, in fact.

But Hunter has an absolutely brilliant answer for such mockers! However, in order to reveal it, I believe it might be necessary to start back at the beginning of the chapter. Then, Hunter's answer will make more sense and will be clearly revealed after we go step by step through what he has written.

Christine

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I will begin by paraphrasing so that this post doesn't get too long.

Hunter shares that during the day of Jesus' crucifixion, many of the people mocked and insulted the dying Savior. They desired to see him "come down from the cross, if you [he] are [is] the Son of God." They jeered at him because of Jesus' previous claim to have the power and ability to "destroy this temple and build it in three days." Obviously, they didn't understand Jesus' statement was referring to his own body. They yelled at him to "save yourself!" They shouted, "Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him." (see Matthew 27:35-42).

In a previous post at my message board, I discussed that when humanity is faced with the realization of its separation from God through our sinful condition, it comes down to a battle between grace and pride. Accepting the mercy, grace, forgiveness and salvation of Christ requires recognition of our sin, confession of sin and repentance for sin. Pride of sin and self can block one's ability to humble oneself at the foot of the cross of Christ.

In that previous post I stated, "When we try to rationalize away any sin or ask for dignified recognition of "pride of self" in this life, it is like we are saying, "If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us."

This is similar to what Hunter hints at in this chapter. The chapter demonstrates the recognition of the fact that many will choose not believe because their expectations of what God should be, Who He should be, and what He should do for us, as people (who are supposed to be made) "in His image and likeness" do not match up with what we might want our own version of a "god" to be like; including our expectations of His creation and plan of salvation for us.

In reference to the skeptics and mockers at the crucifixion of Christ, Hunter writes:

They were witnessing the most profound event in history, yet they expected something more. They so misunderstood God and his plan that the suffering Messiah made no sense to them. Why would a king so empty himself? If Jesus were the Son of God, they thought, he should have made a display of it then and there. Then they would believe.

Those witnesses had very particular expectations of God. The true spiritual meaning of Jesus' suffering and death was lost on them. They had witnessed so many of his miracles, and in three days he would rise from the dead, but they still would not believe.

Jesus had even told them a revealing parable of a beggar named Lazarus and a rich man to illustrate their situation. After the two men died, angels carried Lazarus to Abraham's side, and the rich man suffered in hell. The rich man called to Abraham and asked him to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers so they would not also be put in that place of torment. Abraham replied that his brothers have Moses and the Prophets, let them listen to them. "No, father Abraham," the rich man cried, "but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent." "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets," Abraham replied, "they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."

Jesus had performed an abundance of miracles. he had even brought dead people back to life. But none of this would sway the skeptics. Even when he rose from the grave they would not believe. The crucifixion was for them a justification for their rejection of Jesus. If he was the Christ, then why not display his powers at that moment?

What an incredible example of humanity misunderstanding God. But it is just an example; all humanity has made the same mistake in generation after generation. We are in no position to judge those witnesses of the crucifixion when we are just as guilty.

Humanity Misunderstands God

What lesson can we learn from this? What mistakes do we make in our generation when it comes to understanding God and his plan? Those skeptics witnessing the crucifixion may have been thinking of biblical prophecies foretelling God coming with power. They probably expected a conquering king rather than a suffering servant. But the Scriptures are full of prophecies that tell of the Messiah taking on our sins and bearing the punishment that we are due.

Centuries before, the prophet Isaiah had explained how the Messiah would come. He would be "despised and rejected by men." He would take up our infirmities and carry our sorrows, and yet we would consider him stricken by God. Isaiah could not have been more blunt:

Isa 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isa 53:7 ¶ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Those skeptical witnesses of the crucifixion were probably not thinking of thses verses. and they were probably not thinking of a psalm of David that foretold the very events surrounding them. Written a thousand years earlier, centuries before crucifixion was used as a means of execution, David's illustration of the scene is graphic, complete with the mockers and skeptics:

Psa 22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying],

Psa 22:8 He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Psa 22:9 But thou [art] he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope [when I was] upon my mother's breasts.

Psa 22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother's belly.

Psa 22:11 Be not far from me; for trouble [is] near; for [there is] none to help.

Psa 22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round.

Psa 22:13 They gaped upon me [with] their mouths, [as] a ravening and a roaring lion.

Psa 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

Psa 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Psa 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me.

Psa 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

The mockers and skeptics were a fulfillment of prophecy. had they loved God's word more than their own opinions, then perhaps they would have understood the real meaning of the crucifixion. Perhaps they would have stood in wonder and awe rather than in contempt.

Therefore, a lesson we can learn is to be good students of God's Word. The apostle Paul wrote that "all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." We need to humble ourselves to God's Word, testing all things, even our own intuition, against it.

The Paradigm of Perfection

But like those skeptics at the crucifixion, modern thinkers have also imposed their own ideas about how God would work. When it comes to the study of origins, there has been a strong tendency to view God as the perfect craftsman. After all, the book of Genesis tells us that God created the world and that it was "very good." And David wrote that the "heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

But the story is more complicated than this. Creation may be "very good," but Paul tells of how it was subjected to frustration. That it is in bondage to decay and is groaning as in the pains of childbirth. And God tells Job of how the donkey does not hear the shoults of the driver and of how the ostrich treats her young harshly for he did not endow her with wisdom.

The Scriptures plainly tell us not to expect a perfect world. God has not made the world to be always optimal in a material sense, and the fall of humanity brought about its own destructive forces. Nonetheless, optimality is just what many believers expect from God's creation.

Hunter goes on to describe what great thinkers (e.g. philosopher, mathematician and logician Gottfried Leibniz; and Thomas Malthus) thought about the good-to-evil ratio etc. There were natural theologians before Darwin's time who described the world and everything in it as perfectly designed and arranged to work as a perfect machine. As Paley put it, God "wills and wishes the happiness of his creatures." Paley extolled creation as a perfect machine, for it was "a happy world after all. The air, the earth, the water, teem with delighted existence.

Hunter writes:

Darwin inverted Paley's bright optimism, but not his assumptions about God:

"We behold the face of nature bright with gladness, we often see super-abundance of food; we do not see or we forget that the birds which are idly singing round us mostly live on insects or seeds, and are thus constantly destroying life; or we forget how largely these songsters, or their eggs, or their nestlings, are destroyed by birds and beasts of prey; we do not always bear in mind, that, though food may be now superabundant, it is not so at all seasons of each recurring year." (source: Anthony D. Baker, "Theology and the Crisis in Darwinism," Modern Theology 18, no. 2 (2002): 192)

Darwin's point of course, was not that Paley's view was nonscriptural, but rather that God's creative acts ought to be reconsidered. Darwin proposed a mechanistic creative process, not a different view of God. And with the acceptance of Darwinism, this view of God has been, in turn, all the more accepted. Evolutionists, as we saw in chapter 6, have continued to rely on this nonscriptural view of God to justify their theory.

So when evolutionist Ken Miller asks if God would "really want to take credit for the mosquito," he is echoing a long-standing tradition, not some biblical truth. The idea that God would create only a perfect or optimal world, in a material sense, has been a dominant paradigm among naturalists and philosophers for centuries.

We might call this the paradigm of perfection. From Kepler and Leibniz to Paley and Darwin, the assumption that creation is an end unto itself and a thing that God would certainly strive to make perfect if it were possible, has driven our thinking in the historical sciences.

But this perspective has failed us. It has no basis in Scripture and has led to absurdity. We need to reconsider this view and consider replacing it with a historic doctrine that theologians have known about all along - the doctrine of general revelation.

General Revelation

The universe may have many purposes, but the church has always taught that, as God's creation, it complements God's Word. The Scriptures are called special revelation, and the world is called general revelation. As the apostle Paul wrote:

Rom 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Rom 1:19
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

Rom 1:20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

Paul explains that creation itself makes plain what may be known about God. And certainly throughout the Bible we find analogies in creation for spiritual truths. We are told that the blessed man is like a tree planted by streams of water, but the wicked are like chaff that blows away in the wind (see Psalms 1). God's incredible providence is displayed by the beauty and intricacy of the lilies (see Matthew 6:28), and the kingdom of heaven is like a little bit of yeast that works through a large amount of dough (see Matthew 13:33). But false teachers are like a brood of vipers (see Matthew 23:33), and the fool who comes back to them is like a dog that returns to its vomit (see Proverbs 26:11).

Did God have to search for these analogies? Was it serendipity that creation just happened to be full of analogies to spiritual truths that are given in the Scriptures? Or did God create the world to contain signs of his truth?

[Note: Please see a former post entitled The Trinity All Around You for another astounding example of the world serving to communicate some of God's revelation. ]
The eighteenth-century theologian Henry Drummond held the view that natural laws are analogous with spiritual laws. We can learn something about the spiritual world from the natural world. Before him, Johann Goethe claimed that transitory things are but parables. These are different ways of reflecting on the doctrine of general revelation. Nature has, as Herman Bavinck put it, "lain in the thought of God before it came into being."

Creation, at least in part, contains revelation for us to consider. In other words, Scripture tells us not only that God created the world, but that the world serves to communicate some of his revelation. Perhaps the caterpillar, imprisoned in its cocoon and then emerging as a butterfly is symbolic of the crucified and then resurrected Christ.

If creation serves as part of God's revelation, then why should we think it must be designed to be perfect or optimal in a material sense? Paley's premise that God "wills and wishes for our happiness" seems at odds with Scripture, which tells us to consider it "pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).

We should view creation's purpose as communicating truths and contributing to our salvation, not as gratification of our senses. Instead of considering the paradigm of perfection, we should consider the paradigm of revelation. Of course other factors have influenced creation. We are told that creation has been subjected to futility and that the fall altered creation for the worse. Yes, the heavens declare the glory of God, but we should also expect to see creation in decay (Romans 8:21).

We should expect to find God's revelation in nature, not in material perfection. I am amazed, however, how often I see people adhering to the paradigm of perfection. If God made the world, shouldn't we expect it to be perfect? Like those skeptics at the crucifixion, we so easily hold opinions about God without carefully investigating his Word.

The paradigm of perfection is more a human tradition than a biblical concept. It has led to a great many unfulfilled expectations about creation. Consider again the pentadactyl pattern, which is considered evidence for evolution because it is said to reveal imperfect design. Darwin argued that the same pattern should not show up where the need is different. Surely the tasks of grasping, digging, paddling, and flying should call for different designs. Darwin doubted that all this was the product of God's design.

But why should we see this as a sign that these species were not created by God? Could not God's consistent use of this pattern be a sign that they were created by the same hand? After all, if the designs were all different and somehow optimized for their respective appications, then evolutionists would point to that as evidence of natural selection, just as they do with the other amazing designs in biology. If God created the species, they could argue, wouldn't we see some pattern? Instead, all we see is adaptation. Why wouldn't God leave some sign that they were created, instead of making the speicies appear to have evolved by natural processes?

Indeed, there are multitudes of incredible designs in nature, perfectly fitted to the need. Consider Anableps anableps, a fish that swims with eyes half in and half out of the water. As with bifocal lense, its eyes are divided into two parts, giving it the remarkable abiltiy to look simultaneously above and below the water line. Or again, there is the ancient trilobite. It had eyes that were perhaps the most complex of all. One expert called them "an all-time feat of function optimization."

There certainly is an abundance of perfections to be found in nature that reveal the glory of God. Literally volumes upon volumes could be written on biology's designs that can be said to be optimal or perfect. Whey then are repeated designs, such as the pentadactyl pattern, such strong evidence for evolution? Is the vast abundance of perfections and contrivances insufficient to believe that God made the species? Do we need yet one more proof?

At the crucifixion they called for yet one more proof. Jesus was to save himself. Then, they declared, they would believe. But as Jesus had pointed out in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, this was not true. There already was an abundance of reasons to believe. One more miracle would change nothing. Three days later Jesus would prove it.

[Source: Darwin's Proof - The Triump of Religion over Science by Cornelius G. Hunter; Brazos Press, 2003 pp. 109-115.]

Coming soon: Report and analysis of Darwin's Deadly Legacy broadcast.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

And the Criticism Goes On...And On...

With all the hyper-ventilating going on in the liberal, Darwinianiac religionists circles, evolutionists are gonna end up bursting their blood vessels! So is, apparently, Abe Foxman of ADL.

Which brings to mind a pertinent question. When is Abe going to realize that born-again, Bible believing Christians are on the side of Israel and not against the Jewish people like some people from history??

Sheesh!!

If Hitler used Darwinism (and history shows this to be a fact!) as an excuse (and the bolded parts of the article below clearly demonstrates that he was a Darwinist!!) to slaughter Jews during the Holocaust, why is Abe Foxman of the ADL ridiculing D. James Kennedy for citing historical truth about that fact??

Foxman's statement (below) is ludicrous!

He's attacking the wrong side in this culture war!!

Good grief...

Ah!! This explains it:

Foxman: ""It must be remembered that D. James Kennedy is a leader among the distinct group of 'Christian Supremacists' who seek to 'reclaim America for Christ' and turn the U.S. into a Christian nation guided by their strange notions of biblical law," he said."

Strange notions of biblical law? Like those in the Jewish Torah??

Yikes...it's a sad day...truly a sad day when a Jewish defamation organization appears to be more threatened by Christian belief (which was derived from Jewish beliefs and gives rise to freedom of religion...including the Jewish faith!) than they are by REAL anti-semites like Radical Islam0-Facists who want to convert the world to Islam and kill any and all infidels who refuse conversion; and also have their own loathsome, specially-charged-hatred for Jews and Zionism!!!

Wow!! Is the ADL in bed with the ACLU OR WHAT??

Guess so...

Ugh!!!

Perhaps that is a topic for another day...

Christine

*******

Wednesday, August 23, 2006
EVOLUTION WATCH

ADL joins in criticism of evolution expose

Coral Ridge defends Darwin-Hitler show as review of history

Posted: August 23, 20061:00 a.m. Eastern

A yet-to-be broadcast television special created by Coral Ridge Ministries has been targeted for criticism by the Anti-Defamation League.

Just one day after bloggers took their shots at "Darwin's Deadly Legacy", which features more than a dozen experts in various fields talking about the connections between Darwin's theories, eugenics, Hitler and abortion, ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman issued a statement.
"This is an outrageous and shoddy attempt by D. James Kennedy to trivialize the horrors of the Holocaust. Hitler did not need Darwin to devise his heinous plan to exterminate the Jewish people. Trivializing the Holocaust comes from either ignorance at best or, at worst, a mendacious attempt to score political points in the culture war on the backs of six million Jewish victims and others who died at the hands of the Nazis."

Kennedy, an author and Christian broadcaster, had just announced the inquiry into Darwin’s "chilling" social impact, a production set to air nationwide on Aug. 26-27 on "The Coral Ridge Hour."

Then the comments started appearing on the Pharyngula website, among others, offering stinging criticism of those on the show.

One of those targeted was Human Genome Project Director Francis Collins, whose book, "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief," was published only a few months ago.

"I have no idea what role Collins is going to play in this dishonest piece of trash, but I hope he is properly ashamed of being associated with it," one critic said. "Unfortunately, we're going to have to watch it to find out."

Collins explained that he had been interviewed by Coral Ridge about his book, and the taping was inserted into the program without his advance knowledge.
Then came Foxman's criticism.

"It must be remembered that D. James Kennedy is a leader among the distinct group of 'Christian Supremacists' who seek to 'reclaim America for Christ' and turn the U.S. into a Christian nation guided by their strange notions of biblical law," he said.

Coral Ridge responded with a call for "more history and less hysteria."

"When ADL National Director Abe Foxman, who has not viewed our television program, calls it 'twisted' and asserts that 'Hitler did not need Darwin to devise his heinous plan to exterminate the Jewish people,' he ignores the historical fact that Adolf Hitler was an evolutionist," the ministry group said.

"Among German historians, there's really not much debate about whether or not Hitler was a social Darwinist," said historian Richard Weikart, author of "From Darwin to Hitler" and a guest on the television special.

"The German Fuhrer, as I have consistently maintained, is an evolutionist. He has consciously sought to make the practice of Germany conform to the theory of evolution," said British evolutionist Sir Arthur Keith in the 1940s.

Even Niles Eldredge, curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, said there's a link.

"Social Darwinism," he wrote, "has given us the eugenics movement and some of its darker outgrowths, such as the genocidal practices of the Nazis in World War II – where eugenics was invoked as a scientific rationale to go along with whatever other 'reasons' Hitler and his fellow Nazis had for the Holocaust."

"We have had nearly 150 years of the theory of Darwinian evolution. And what has it brought us – whether Darwin intended it or not? Millions of deaths, the destruction of those deemed 'inferior,' the devaluing of human life, and increasing hopelessness,' said Kennedy.

The documentary was done to "show why evolution is a bad idea that should be discarded into the dustbin of history," according to Wikipedia.

WorldNetDaily columnist Ann Coulter also was a target for the critics who have yet to see the program.

She has, the critic contended, "no knowledge of science or history," and others on the program are nothing but "creationists."

Producer Jerry Newcomb said the show is about the social effects of Darwinism, and the bloodshed that can be attributed to those beliefs. He said before Darwin, the basic concept was that man was made in the image of God, and was therefore valuable. But Darwin changed all that.

Coulter, who also wrote the bestselling "Godless: The Church of Liberalism," said Hitler simply was taking Darwinism from the theoretical to the practical.

"He thought the Aryans were the fittest and he was just hurrying natural selection along," she said.

Coral Ridge Ministries said it also has published a companion book to the television special, called "Evolution’s Fatal Fruit: How Darwin’s Tree of Life Brought Death to Millions."

This is a WorldNetDaily printer-friendly version of the article which follows. To view this item online, visit http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51643

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Incapacitated Because of Sin

God's R&R

And [Jonah] said, "I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice."Jonah 2:2

Monday, August 21, 2006

Faithful to God, Science

Found this article link called Faithful to God, Science through SmartChristian.com.

I particularly liked the following excerpts:

He urges his fellow scientists to give up the arrogant assumption that the only questions worth asking are those science can answer. He entreats his fellow believers to recognize it's not blasphemous to learn about the world.

One day last summer, in the basement office of his suburban home here, Collins dictated this manifesto into a tape recorder: "Science is not threatened by God; it is enhanced. God is most certainly not threatened by science; He made it all possible." It became the central thesis of his book — with this addendum: "Abandon the battlements."

This plea for a truce encourages some veterans of the culture wars.

Polls routinely show that about half of all Americans believe God created man, fully formed, within the last 10,000 years, as the Bible recounts. The vast majority of scientists find that ludicrous, but their account of man evolving from primordial muck does not resonate broadly, especially with Christians who believe in a personal God, deeply concerned about each human life.

"I had a great concern that this would be portrayed as though we were taking away room for spirituality, making us out to be nothing more than a mechanical instruction book — robots, machines, victims of our DNA," Collins said.

Invited to the White House to announce the triumph, Collins tried to signal that those concerned with the soul and the spirit should not take the new science as a threat. "It is humbling for me, and awe-inspiring," he said, standing at Clinton's side, "to realize that we have caught the first glimpse of our own instruction book, previously known only to God."

I do feel, however, that this idea is questionable:

Collins, some hope, might bridge this gap by reassuring Christians that they can buy evolution without selling out their faith.

I agree with this:

Some Christians accuse Collins of denying the foundation of faith when he calls the Biblical creation account an allegory.

"Not accepting the history in Genesis undermines the entire gospel," said Ken Ham, president of a ministry called Answers in Genesis, which promotes creationism. "The Bible says from dust we come and to dust we return. We don't return to an ape-man when we die."

In my conversations with Darwinists, I have found this to be true also:

From the other camp, some scientists ridicule Collins' effort to find a place for God in the scientific framework.

"I could just as well say that there are 70 pink elephants revolving around the Earth," said Herbert A. Hauptman, a Nobel laureate in chemistry. Science and faith "are simply incompatible," he added. "There's no getting around it."

It appears (to me, at least) that the "two camps" will always be like boxers in a ring, going back into their own corners...

The last few paragraphs were very telling; especially the Collin's last sentence:

Outsiders sometimes ask, with alarm, whether this knowledge will allow scientists to "play God" — to manipulate and enhance man's genetic code in ways nature never intended. Collins urges public debate to set boundaries, or as he puts it: "How far down the line do we go [before] we start to affect what it means to be human?"

But he never feels as though he's on the verge of usurping God with his discoveries in the lab. The more he learns, the more he's humbled.

As he explores each intricate rung of DNA, Collins said, "it's like I'm glimpsing a little of God's mind."

*******

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

In chapter four of D. James Kennedy's book, "Why I Believe,", Dr. Kennedy shares why he believes in Creation.

While doing an internet search, I ran across a Darwinist's refutation of several things that Kennedy stated in this chapter. What was disturbing to me, though, was the fact that the Darwinist left out six, very important paragraphs from the chapter and also claimed that Kennedy "started the chapter" with this statement:

"It means that we live in a time when there are only two religions competing for the minds, hearts, and loyalties of Western man. The future of this world will be determined, humanly speaking, by Western man. One of those religions is Christianity; the other religion is evolution."

That is blatant intellectual dishonesty! Seems typical, though, since we now know the truth of the "Icons of Evolution" that had been (and some still are!) passed off as "fact."

The following is the part that the Darwinist left out. After reading it, I'm sure you will recognize why he didn't want to "refute" that particular portion.

Examining creation will bring us closer to the Creator. That is what the earliest founders of science believed, or as the founder of astronomy put it, we would be merely thinking God's thoughts after Him.

But something happened on the way to the twentieth century. In the middle of the nineteenth century when modern science began to develop, the entire scientific enterprise was hijacked.

I am referring to Darwin's theory of evolution. Canada's leading scientist, who was chosen to write the Introduction to the centennial edition of The Origin of the Species, said that the greatest evil Darwin has brought upon the world is to somehow divide science from God and, in fact, set the two at each other's throats.

The theory of evolution has had enormous and devastating impact upon the modern world in which we live. Michael Denton, author of a fascinating book titled Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, wrote:

The voyage on The Beagle [Darwin's ship on which he set sail from England in 1831] was a journey of awesome significance. Its object was to survey Patagonia; its result was to shake the foundations of western thought. The Origin of the Species [which followed] has been referred to as "one of the most important books ever written" [it is because it seeks to shake the foundation of the most important book ever written]. As far as Christianity was concerned, the advent of the theory of evolution and the elimination of traditional teleological thinking was catastrophic.

Teleological thinking is the thinking you and I engage in every day. To think teleologically is to believe life has purpose and an end. The evolutionist believes nothing has purpose or an end. Consequently, life has no significance or meaning or importance. The whole scientific enterprise, however, has been hijacked into a naturalistic or materialistic view of the world. Naturalism believes that there is nothing in the universe but nature, nothing supernatural; materialism believes that there is nothing in the world but matter.

What does that mean?

*******

You can read the rest at Alex Matulich's "refutation" site. But wait! Can we be sure that he has honestly quoted Dr. Kennedy?

Oops! Found another convenient part of Kennedy's quote missing from Matulich's post!

Matulich wrote:

"K> They would get up and walk out, and rightly so. But that is the way men accept evolution."

But I have Dr. Kennedy's book and this is the entire quote:

"They would get up and walk out, and rightly so. But that is the way men accept evolution-by blind faith!"

Hmmm....and Matulich accuses Kennedy of misquoting? You know what they say about people in glass houses?? Look in the mirror Matulich!!

It would be quite a project to counter-refute Matulich's drivel. But it might be fun to count the misquotes that he's guilty of. Any volunteers out there? ;-)

Lastly, I want to post a link to Joe Carter's 10 Ways Darwinists Help Intelligent Design: Addendum -- PZ Myers Proves My Point over at the Evangelical Outpost. [Click on link and scroll down to it.]

Lots of comments too!

Happy reading!

Hat tip: Evangelical Outpost

SmartChristian

Saturday, August 19, 2006

God Never Contradicts What's in His Word.

I missed last week's message at The Rock church. It is a very good message that can help us in our Christian walk. The part that really spoke to me most was the fact that God will never contradict what He has said in His Word.

That one fact is where absolute truth vs. "man's idea of what is truth" can be compared, measured and decided upon. In my conversations with other Christian believers (namely, those who often disagree with Bible based, born again Christians and are mostly of the liberal-left ideology), I have found that this is often the stumbling block that sits before them. Many choose to ignore, twist, change, or disagree with portions of Scripture that interfere with what THEY want (or, want to believe) Scripture is saying. The trouble is, they often end up contradicting what God has already said on the issue(s).

We could all heed Pastor Miles admonition:

"If, at any time, anything you feel God is calling you to do does not agree with His word, STOP and reevaluate what you are sensing in your Spirit. God will never contradict what He has said in His Word."

Here's a summary of the message:

Road Trip - Part 3, I Got Shotgun

Miles McPherson - August 13, 2006

Remember when you used to go out, with your friends? The first one to call "shotgun!" got to sit in the front seat as a passenger.

In our relationship with God, He wants to be the driver, but has given us the great opportunity to ride "shotgun" with him. He won't force us to ride alongside Him. But, if we choose to drive our own lives, He will not be in the car with us.

How do we ensure that we are letting God drive, while we ride "shotgun" in our lives?

1. SECURE God's guiding presence

In the Old Testament, God used the Tabernacle to show how following Him was the way to move through life. When the New Testament came, Jesus took over where the Tabernacle left off. The Tabernacle was made of wood and gold and couldn't affect change from the inside of a person; Jesus - through the power of the Holy Spirit - now leads from inside of our hearts.

The Tabernacle required sacrifice of bulls, rams, goats, and even doves. Jesus now asks for simple obedience. Obedience opens the way for securing God's guiding presence.

It is through obedience that we show God that we are serious about letting Him take over our lives and drive. Obedience is our way of saying, "I'm riding shotgun."

2. SUBMIT to God's unexpected but perfect travel schedule

Even when we are living in obedience, things never go like we plan or hope. There are changes, setbacks, problems and just plain LIFE! But, God, who is eternal and who knows the future as well as the past, knows where we are headed and how best to help us through the changes. He has a map and will lead us.

Knowing all of this doesn't help unless we are submitted to where God is taking us. Many Christians are living their lives out of duty. They go to church and do all the "churchy" things because they are supposed to. But, submission is not slavery, it is a willful bending of our will to what God is doing in our lives.
God will always take care of you in the best way possible. Remember, He is never late and never early; God is always on time.

3. FOLLOW God's directions, not yours

After we have submitted ourselves to God, we then have to actually DO what He is showing/telling us to do.

Following God is hard because
1) He's invisible and we can't use our eyes to see where He is heading (or use any of our other senses, for that matter) and
2) God isn't taking you where you want to go; He is taking you where He wants you to go.

Remember, God already knows what's coming up and He has a purpose He wants to fulfill in you. In order to do that, you've got to take every step He places in your path - one step at a time.

Following God is not easy. But, it gets easier with each step.

4. Use God's WORD to confirm God's direction

God will never contradict what He has said in His Word.

At this point, many people will say, "How can anyone follow an invisible God who's taking me where He wants me to go, in His timing, His way?"

That's where God's Word comes into play. Remember, you've already got the Holy Spirit inside of you (if you've accepted Jesus' invitation to become a member of His family). You will be nudged by the Holy Spirit as to who, what, when, where, why and how. But, you're not taking stabs in the dark. God's word will agree with what He is telling you to do.

If, at any time, anything you feel God is calling you to do does not agree with His word, STOP and reevaluate what you are sensing in your Spirit. God will never contradict what He has said in His Word.

Sound crazy? Well, God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. But, if we align ourselves by
1) Securing His guiding presence,
2) Submitting to His unexpected but perfect travel schedule,
3) Following His direction and not our own and
4) Using His Word to confirm His direction, we will be safely inside God's will and plan for our lives.

And that is the best way to travel anywhere in life.

"Okay God, I'll ride shotgun!"

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The Obsession of Radical Islam

This morning, I saw a gripping interview between an MSNBC News reporter and Nonie Darwish, an Arab Muslim woman who appeared as herself in a documentary film called Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West.

Apparently, the film was released in 2005, but I had not heard about it until today. From what Nonie shared with the reporter, it is a must see film to be better informed about what we are facing in our battle with Islamo-facist Terrorism.

I went to the above site this morning, and read the four film reviews there. I was surprised that there were only four comments on the film! Are many people not aware that this movie is out there? Here is the first review:

Critically important and terrifying, 1 August 2006

Author: Cronenfly from Los Angeles

Obsession is a chilling call to action for everyone who cares about the survival of western democratic principles. We are very near the brink of an all-out world war for the soul of civilization and many of us are too distracted, cowardly or p.c. to see it. Don't trust anyone who says this film isn't true or tries to downplay its vitality.

This is one of the most persuasive documentaries I've ever seen. It's perfectly paced, rigorously backs up its claims and is breathlessly dramatic.

We know what Islamo-fascists want because they keep telling us, but we fail to hear: death to Israel, death to America, and worldwide Islam. Islamic violence and atrocities are very well documented -- we have cameras all over the world, and still we fail to see. Well this film will open your eyes.

Things are going to get much, much worse between Islam and the west, and very soon. This film is a commanding testament to that fact. See it. Make everyone you know see it.

Isn't it true that history has shown that most of our battles with the "isms" such as Communism and Nazism had taken 30 to 50 years ( or more) to eradicate?

The Arab Muslim/Jewish Israeli battle has been going on for hundreds of years! Now, it has come to several lands in the West. It can no longer be ignored by the West!! Appeasement, negotiating, U.N. resolutions do not work against radical Islamo-facist terrorists!!

How long do you think that Israel's ceasefire with Hezbollah will last? How many days has it been already? I just heard that Israel was forced to attack Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. What makes us think that Hezbollah won't retaliate? Then it will go back and forth from there. The U.N. cease-fire is already old, useless news! Israel should have been left alone to complete their fight to irradicate Hezbollah from the Lebanon border!

Who are we going to rely on to complete Hezbollah irradication?

French troops?

Take a look at this post at Roscoe Daley's blog. Scroll down to the "google" search results for "French military "victories!"

The suicide bombing and crashing planes into buildings techniques of Islamo-fascist terrorists eerily reminds us of the Kamikaze units of World War II.

According to Wikipedia:

The first kamikaze unit
Commander Asaiki Tamai asked a group of 23 talented student pilots, whom he had personally trained, to volunteer for the special attack force. All of the pilots raised both of their hands, thereby volunteering to join the operation. Later, Tamai asked Lieutenant Yukio Seki to command the special attack force. Seki is said to have closed his eyes, lowered his head and thought for ten seconds, before asking Tamai: "please let me do that." Seki thereby became the 24th kamikaze pilot to be chosen.

"Transcend life and death. When you eliminate all thoughts about life and death, you will be able to totally disregard your earthly life. This will also enable you to concentrate your attention on eradicating the enemy with unwavering determination, meanwhile reinforcing your excellence in flight skills."

- A paragraph from the Kamikaze pilot's manual, located in their cockpits.

[bold-mine]

During Nonie's TV interview, she stated that what is being taught to Muslim children and young adults in the Madrassahs of Islam are "values" of hate, destruction, and death to the "infidels" of the West.

We might think that they are brainwashed. I think it's even scarier and more radical than that. They are being brain-eviled! There minds have been hijacked and trained into believing that what they desire (kill the infidels) is a "value" held in high regard by their god, "Allah."

Who is it in the Bible who is named as coming to "kill," "steal," and "destroy?"

Next comment:

More people need to see this, 14 August 2006

Author: saigodaisuki from United States

Following an astoundingly liberal college education, I traveled halfway around the world for a job and spent the next 5+ years getting caught up on the real world. Along the way, I learned a foreign language, let go of a little cynicism, and also realized that liberals don't know everything. The attacks on September 11th, followed by attacks on Bali, Madrid, and London, really brought that home to me. I found this film after doing a lot of independent research on my own, and wish it had been available earlier. Radical Islam and the ideology that goes with it is a frightening thing, no longer isolated to one country, one region, or one group of people- and that is clearly shown in this movie. It is thorough, interesting, and informative. I highly recommend this film to anyone curious about world politics, religion, or a subject often labeled too risqué for discussion in the mainstream media.

Wow! Doesn't this statement speak volumes about the Liberals in Congress in the Democratic party as well as the Cindy Sheehans, George Soros, Howard Deans of our country?

"Following an astoundingly liberal college education, I traveled halfway around the world for a job and spent the next 5+ years getting caught up on the real world."

One has to wonder if those with the mindset of Sheehan, Soros, Dean and other Bush-haters will ever wake up and get caught up on the real world!!??

Next comment:

Excellent: Stresses the crucial moment we are in!, 14 August 2006

Author: off2hell from Israel

You must understand. Iran, together with the funding of many Arab Muslim countries, is responsible for most of the terror actions against the west in it's war and struggle to Islamize the world (by putting fear and ignorance into the brain of thinking Humans all over the world). Right now, for all as we know, they haven't acquired yet nuclear weapons, like North Korea. If they won't be stopped, it will be used, first to put fear and pressure upon who they perceive as their enemies, and since they only really care about the "next world", they won't be afraid to use their nuclear weapons, unlike the Russians and the Chinese.

There's much more I can say but there's a word limit, and the issues are a little more complex to fit into one sentence the way ignorant people like it, so do yourself a favor and go read some honest decent history books, and try to really understand in what world you are living in (and in what kind of world do you want to live!). And do that quickly, before the elections, so you won't make a fatal mistake! P.S Ain't that funny, the Muslims complaining all the time that the west wants to take over their world, that America is an imperialistic power and they don't like empires but it's OK for them to be an empire and conquer the world because they are committed to that by Allah and the Islam. What can they do? A god tells them to conquer the world, spread the Islam, they have no choice…

Thursday, August 17, 2006

The Ramsey Case

It appears that the killer of Jon Benet Ramsey has been found. The news reports claim that he had confessed to "accidentally" killing the girl. Is that going to give him positive points in the eyes of the jury?

The suspect is a "school teacher" who raped a 6 year old girl!! That's awful enough!! Since she was old enough to talk, he would have been identified by her. What makes us think he's telling the truth about "accidentally" killing her? If his DNA matches the DNA found in the little girl's underwear, then we will have positive proof that this man is guilty of the crime.

Speculation abounds, however. One report that I heard is that he is guilty of another crime in Thailand and just confessed to the Ramsey case so he could get 3 decent square meals a day in a U.S. prison. I know. Quite a speculation.

Is it premature to release the parents from the "umbrella of suspicion" in the girl's death? They have been victims of the public's (especially the media's!) speculation of guilt that has been hanging over them for 10 years.

I'm sure that they went through absolute hell on earth because of it.

I can't blame Mr. Ramsey for not wanting to appear before the cameras of the media again after the despicable treatment he and his wife received from them over the last 10 years.

One has to wonder if all that psychological damage didn't hasten the death of Patsy Ramsey as she suffered from ovarian cancer.

God rest her soul.

I also wonder if Mr. Ramsey will ever get any apologies from the media giants. Don't hold your breath...

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Update 9:15 a.m. : News conference going on now on Fox News Channel.

9:34 a.m. : Suspect fascinated by her death.

Links to additional articles.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

New Blog!

I have started a new blog called The Way of God in Truth. I have been thinking about including an additional blog along with Talkwisdom for quite some time. It is my hope that it will serve to be more of a "Bible study discovery" type blog that will combine the usual conversational structure of Talkwisdom, with the added feature of inductive Bible study.

My first post over there is on Matthew 22. I love this portion of Scripture! It reveals how those who would question Jesus for the specific purpose of attempting to "trip up" our Master, Jesus Christ, ended up speechless after hearing His question!

There are days, weeks and even months of study in this chapter! And that is what I would like to do. Take a verse or two at a time and expound upon the words of Jesus.

Comments and questions are most welcome. Application to current day circumstances, problems, situations etc. are also welcome. This blog will be a "growing one" and new posts will most likely add to our knowledge of Biblical truth that can be gleaned from Scripture.

Check it out today!

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Everybody's Got To Love Somebody*

I always enjoy reading Greg Laurie's articles over at World Net Daily. In today's article, everybody's got to love somebody, Greg points out how much can be learned from that little word "I."

He states:

Note the wording that the Lord uses here: "I AM the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." It is amazing how much can be revealed by a simple little word such as "I." This little pronoun, only one letter long, conveys a profound and fundamental truth about who God is.

When God says, "I am the Lord," He is refuting all other belief systems, including pantheism, polytheism, deism and New Age thinking. As James Kennedy points out in his book on this topic, "Why the Ten Commandments Matter":

Pantheism teaches that all is God. The universe is God. Everything is God. But when God said, "I AM" (Exodus 3:14), He revealed that He is a Person. He was in essence saying, "I feel, I act." God is not, as pantheism teaches, an impersonal cosmic force. No, the Lord says, "I and I Alone am God, there is no other!"

Polytheism teaches that there are many gods. Hinduism is a polytheistic belief system. But God didn't say, "WE are the Lord, your Gods." No, He said, "I AM the Lord, your God." "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

Deism proposes that God created the world, "wound it up like a clock," and then went off and forgot all about it. A deist would say that God is "on vacation" and has no interest in the affairs of men. But when God "brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage," He expressed His desire for a personal relationship with them as a God who sees, hears and cares. And the God who led, protected and blessed His people still wants to do that for us today.

New Age thinking says the answer is inside of you. YOU are God! But New Age thought is nothing but the old lie of the devil. Remember, he said to Eve, "YOU shall be as gods." (Genesis 3:5) But the God of the Bible alone is the Creator. He and He alone saves. This means that He is in charge of your life, not you. "You are not your own, you have been bought with a price" – but New Age thinking denies this and claims WE can do whatever we please, with whomever WE want, and whenever WE want. In short, New Age thinking gives us an excuse to live any way we want, without answering to God in our lives.
In short, when God said I AM the LORD your God, He revealed Himself as a distinct, unique and personal being who intimately cares for His people. This is the God "who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." He doesn't start His Top Ten list by threatening them or scaring them, but rather by reminding them of what kind of God He was: A loving, caring God who delivered them from misery!

You might respond, "Well, that's great for them. But I wasn't a slave in Egypt!" True, but you were a slave to sin on your way to hell. But God loved you so much He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross in your place. If we really appreciate what He has done, if we know anything of His all-encompassing forgiveness, it should be our privilege and pleasure to seek to live a life that is pleasing to Him, not because we have to but because we want to! "We love Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

He next points out that everyone has someone as "a god," some kind of an "idol" that they love.

An idol is anything or anyone that takes the place of God in our lives. And know this: Everybody has a God. Even atheists have a god. It is not the true God, but a god nonetheless that they worship and serve. Everybody's got to love somebody – whether it be the true God or themselves. Everybody makes something of ultimate concern in their hearts.

The real question, then, is "Who or what is your ultimate concern? What gets you excited? What gets you out of bed in the morning? What do you think about most of the day? What do you dream about? Plan for? Hope for? In short, what are you really passionate about? Now, that is your God.

Back to that question, "Is it an alarm or a calling that gets you out of bed in the morning?" Many of you reading these words might say, "The LORD is God!" And maybe He is. But then again, maybe He isn't. God is not just merely whom we name, but whom we serve. What is the focus of your life? What occupies your attention and affection? What directs your interest and concern? Is it your career? Your family? Time for yourself? Your answer will reveal to yourself who is your God!

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*It's kinda funny...when I was typing the title, at first, I accidentally typed:

"Everybody's God To Love Somebody!"