We're warned in 2 Corinthians 11:3,4 that it is possible to be led astray after another Jesus, other than the one Paul preached...
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted - you may well put up with it! 2 Corinthians 11:3,4
And another Jesus, and another gospel, other than the one Paul preached are dangerous to tolerate - in Galatians 1:6-8 we read:
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:6-8
Those are strong words, which means we must be very careful what kind of doctrines (teachings) about Christ we will embrace or reject. The question remains "Who do you say that I am?" - those were the very words of our Lord to the disciples, and that will one day make all the difference to you and me, when we stand before God. It is interesting also, to note that there is only ONE view of Christ that is biblical, as the very God become man to redeem us. This God who is love, did the very greatest act of love, which is to give your very life for your friends. All deviant views of Christ reject this. The cults who reject the deity of Christ are standing in the same corner as the muslims, the atheists, and all other world religions. Christianity alone is marked by it's clinging to orthodoxy on this very important point.
Fortunately truth is not determined by numbers or popularity! Truth will stand regardless of the onslaught against it. Truth was put to death over 2000 years ago, and three days later, Truth rose up, alive, breathing and powerful.
Some other thoughts:
never EVER in all scripture is it allowed to pray THROUGH someone or something to God... Also no prayer is ever DIRECTED TO someone besides God Almighty.
No angel received prayer, no human prophet or king... they didn't even receive it and let it pass through them to God. This is a heathen practice.
At the end of Acts 7, Stephen, when being stoned and facing death, full of the power of the Holy Spirit, prayed saying "Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit". He was not praying through, but to Jesus... but even if you want to believe he was praying through Jesus, this wouldn't be permitted unless Jesus is God.
never EVER in all scripture is it allowed that a person has the power to forgive sins. Even the priests of Israel did not forgive sins, but relayed the message of forgiveness after the legitimate sacrifice was made according to God's instructions.
This is why the Pharisee's were so enraged when Jesus forgave the sins of the man lowered to Him through the roof... and so, to prove the authority He claimed, He ordered the cripple to stand up and take his bed and walk!
never EVER in all scripture do prophets, judges or kings, or even angels, messengers from heaven, speak and declare the things of God, accept in the name of God and by God's authority.
Yet Jesus, when declaring things relating to God often said "I say to you", instead of "God says thus".
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
"Did Jesus actually ever exist?"
Some conversations I have had recently have gone on the topic of Jesus' actual existence. There seems to be a popular challenge going around these days to question everything we know, and even assume that which we know is myth or incorrect. Just under two years ago, I'd done some research which I added to a thoughtleader.co.za post, where the author had himself asked the very same question.
I replied with this response (edited), which I feel specifically is a strong argument. The reason I think this is that often the people asking the question of Jesus' existence logically don't hold a high view of scripture and it's accuracy. The accuracy of scripture is a whole other discussion, and could in itself be seen as a distraction from the main point, so I decided to reply from the perspective of extra-biblical accounts of the true historical Jesus. Here are some references and thoughts on that:
- Extra-biblical accounts of Jesus and Christians
There is more extra-biblical evidence of the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, than there is of Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great. This has been disputed and challenged, and so I reply with this:
Let’s start recently and move backwards. We have the Protestant Christians today, starting with Luther about 400 years back. So Christianity is definitely as old as that. We have the Roman Catholic Christians. We know that in the 9th Century AD there was a division between the Eastern (or Greek Orthodox) church and Western (or Roman) church. Hence we know it dates back to at least then. We also know that in the 4th Century AD, Christianity had become so powerful that it had pretty much taken possession of the Roman Empire, the mightiest power of the world at that time.
Going earlier, we have Eusebius in 315 AD who wrote a large volume, giving the history of Christ and his church. We also have the testimony of about a hundred Christian authors, dating to the first 3 Centuries.
Let’s set that aside, because if Jesus is in fact a myth made up by dubious early Christians (paranoid anyone?) - we’d need to focus on non-Christian accounts.
Here are 11 of the most noted authors and historians of antiquity, reaching from the middle of the fourth century back to the very days of Christ himself.
Julian (361 A.D.) Julian was a Roman emperor who saw fit to try very hard to put down Christianity. He wrote a book against Christianity, in which he acknowledged that there were multitudes of Christians in Greece and Italy in the days of the apostles, and that many of them were men of high character, such as Cornelius and Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus. [Lardner’s Works, vol viii. pp.394-411]
Porphyry (270 A.D.) This learned writer acknowledges that Christians were very numerous in the Roman Empire. He admits that miracles were wrought by the apostles (which he ascribed to a magic art). He endeavours to expose them to reproach as the cause of the calamities that befell the Roman Empire. [Horne’s Introduction, vol 1 p. 209]
Galen (220 A.D.) Acknowledges the virtuous principles of the Christians. [Lardner’s Works, vol. viii pp. 90, 91]
Marcus Antoninus (161 A.D.) mentions Christians as furnishing examples of an obstinate contempt of death [Id. vol vii. p 398]
Epictetus (109 A.D.) Mentions the fortitude and constancy of the Christians under persecution. He calls them Galileans.
Lucian (176 A.D.) in his numerous writings bears testimony to the leading facts and principles of Christianity. He says that Christ was crucified in Israel and was worshiped by the Christians. He mentions their contempt for this world, and how they courageously suffered for their religion. He mentions that they were noted for their honesty and integrity, that they were well known in the world, and that they were numerous in Pontus and Paphlagonia and adjoining countries. He ridicules many of their practices and doctrines.
Pliny the Younger (107 A.D.) wrote a detailed letter regarding Christians and seeking advice regarding carrying out his instructions to punish Christians.
Suetonius (65 A.D.) The first general persecution of the Christians was in 65 A.D. under Nero, the tyrant under whom Paul was martyred. This Roman historian said “The Christians likewise were severely punished, - a sort of people addicted to a new and mischievous superstition.”
Tacitus (65 A.D.) was a contemporary with the apostles, one of the most noted secular historians of the Roman world. Mentions Christ, and that he was put to death in the reign of Tiberius, as a criminal under the procurator, Pontius Pilate. He mentions Christianity as a pestilent superstition that broke out afresh and spread not only all over Judea, but Rome also. He continues by putting down the accounts of the persecution of the Christians.
Josephus was a Jewish priest who lived in the very days of the apostles, and in the land of Judea, in his History of the Jews, after referring to their sedition against Pontuis Pilate, bears testimony to Jesus Christ :
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he performed many wonderful works. He was a teacher of such men as received the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him many of the Jews and also many of the gentiles. This was the Christ.”
He continues with how Pilate condemned him to the cross, how he appeared to his followers alive again and how they were known as Christians.
Pontius Pilate - the very man by whose authority Christ was crucified has left on record a careful account of that event. The Romans were very careful to make a record of all important events occurring within the empire. This record is preserved in their “Acts of the Senate”. This document was referred to by early Christians in disputes with gentiles, and it was referenced in some of their writings. They would not have done this if this document was not in existence.
Jews - Of all nations, the Jews are the very ones who ought to know best whether there ever was such a man as Jesus Christ, and whether he was put to death in Judea as the new testament affirms. Jesus was a Jew, he lived among the Jews, all his apostles were Jews. It was among the Jews entirely that Christianity was first founded. Now if all this was false, and Christ had never lived, what would the testimony of the Jews be on the life of Christ and his ministry? Could they be persuaded that all these things happened right among their people yet without their knowledge? No. The whole nation would rise up and declare that no such person as Jesus Christ ever lived or died among them. This would settle the point. But now if you were to ask a Jew if he believes that a man such as Jesus of Nazareth, a Jew, lived in Judea 2000 years ago, and that he was put to death on a cross. Every Jew would say “Yes, we have no doubt of that, though we do not believe he was the true Messiah”
To quote Josh McDowell, “the evidence is conclusive. Jesus really lived among us and accomplished powerful works that even hostile, non-Christian sources do not fail to confirm. The skeptics about Jesus’ historicity are simply wrong.”
*main source: New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell;
I replied with this response (edited), which I feel specifically is a strong argument. The reason I think this is that often the people asking the question of Jesus' existence logically don't hold a high view of scripture and it's accuracy. The accuracy of scripture is a whole other discussion, and could in itself be seen as a distraction from the main point, so I decided to reply from the perspective of extra-biblical accounts of the true historical Jesus. Here are some references and thoughts on that:
- Extra-biblical accounts of Jesus and Christians
There is more extra-biblical evidence of the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, than there is of Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great. This has been disputed and challenged, and so I reply with this:
Let’s start recently and move backwards. We have the Protestant Christians today, starting with Luther about 400 years back. So Christianity is definitely as old as that. We have the Roman Catholic Christians. We know that in the 9th Century AD there was a division between the Eastern (or Greek Orthodox) church and Western (or Roman) church. Hence we know it dates back to at least then. We also know that in the 4th Century AD, Christianity had become so powerful that it had pretty much taken possession of the Roman Empire, the mightiest power of the world at that time.
Going earlier, we have Eusebius in 315 AD who wrote a large volume, giving the history of Christ and his church. We also have the testimony of about a hundred Christian authors, dating to the first 3 Centuries.
Let’s set that aside, because if Jesus is in fact a myth made up by dubious early Christians (paranoid anyone?) - we’d need to focus on non-Christian accounts.
Here are 11 of the most noted authors and historians of antiquity, reaching from the middle of the fourth century back to the very days of Christ himself.
Julian (361 A.D.) Julian was a Roman emperor who saw fit to try very hard to put down Christianity. He wrote a book against Christianity, in which he acknowledged that there were multitudes of Christians in Greece and Italy in the days of the apostles, and that many of them were men of high character, such as Cornelius and Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus. [Lardner’s Works, vol viii. pp.394-411]
Porphyry (270 A.D.) This learned writer acknowledges that Christians were very numerous in the Roman Empire. He admits that miracles were wrought by the apostles (which he ascribed to a magic art). He endeavours to expose them to reproach as the cause of the calamities that befell the Roman Empire. [Horne’s Introduction, vol 1 p. 209]
Galen (220 A.D.) Acknowledges the virtuous principles of the Christians. [Lardner’s Works, vol. viii pp. 90, 91]
Marcus Antoninus (161 A.D.) mentions Christians as furnishing examples of an obstinate contempt of death [Id. vol vii. p 398]
Epictetus (109 A.D.) Mentions the fortitude and constancy of the Christians under persecution. He calls them Galileans.
Lucian (176 A.D.) in his numerous writings bears testimony to the leading facts and principles of Christianity. He says that Christ was crucified in Israel and was worshiped by the Christians. He mentions their contempt for this world, and how they courageously suffered for their religion. He mentions that they were noted for their honesty and integrity, that they were well known in the world, and that they were numerous in Pontus and Paphlagonia and adjoining countries. He ridicules many of their practices and doctrines.
Pliny the Younger (107 A.D.) wrote a detailed letter regarding Christians and seeking advice regarding carrying out his instructions to punish Christians.
Suetonius (65 A.D.) The first general persecution of the Christians was in 65 A.D. under Nero, the tyrant under whom Paul was martyred. This Roman historian said “The Christians likewise were severely punished, - a sort of people addicted to a new and mischievous superstition.”
Tacitus (65 A.D.) was a contemporary with the apostles, one of the most noted secular historians of the Roman world. Mentions Christ, and that he was put to death in the reign of Tiberius, as a criminal under the procurator, Pontius Pilate. He mentions Christianity as a pestilent superstition that broke out afresh and spread not only all over Judea, but Rome also. He continues by putting down the accounts of the persecution of the Christians.
Josephus was a Jewish priest who lived in the very days of the apostles, and in the land of Judea, in his History of the Jews, after referring to their sedition against Pontuis Pilate, bears testimony to Jesus Christ :
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he performed many wonderful works. He was a teacher of such men as received the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him many of the Jews and also many of the gentiles. This was the Christ.”
He continues with how Pilate condemned him to the cross, how he appeared to his followers alive again and how they were known as Christians.
Pontius Pilate - the very man by whose authority Christ was crucified has left on record a careful account of that event. The Romans were very careful to make a record of all important events occurring within the empire. This record is preserved in their “Acts of the Senate”. This document was referred to by early Christians in disputes with gentiles, and it was referenced in some of their writings. They would not have done this if this document was not in existence.
Jews - Of all nations, the Jews are the very ones who ought to know best whether there ever was such a man as Jesus Christ, and whether he was put to death in Judea as the new testament affirms. Jesus was a Jew, he lived among the Jews, all his apostles were Jews. It was among the Jews entirely that Christianity was first founded. Now if all this was false, and Christ had never lived, what would the testimony of the Jews be on the life of Christ and his ministry? Could they be persuaded that all these things happened right among their people yet without their knowledge? No. The whole nation would rise up and declare that no such person as Jesus Christ ever lived or died among them. This would settle the point. But now if you were to ask a Jew if he believes that a man such as Jesus of Nazareth, a Jew, lived in Judea 2000 years ago, and that he was put to death on a cross. Every Jew would say “Yes, we have no doubt of that, though we do not believe he was the true Messiah”
To quote Josh McDowell, “the evidence is conclusive. Jesus really lived among us and accomplished powerful works that even hostile, non-Christian sources do not fail to confirm. The skeptics about Jesus’ historicity are simply wrong.”
*main source: New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell;
Monday, 30 March 2009
soul fire...
Busy reading Leonard Ravenhill (Why Revival Tarries), and every page is arrayed with ideas and points that are fiery and inspiring. Here are some of them:
Someone now warns us lest we become so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly use. Brother, this generation of believers is not, by and large, suffering from such a complex. The brutal, soul-shaking truth is that we are so earthly minded we are of no heavenly use.
He who fears God fears no man. He who kneels before God will stand in any situation.
Holiness teaching contradicted by unholy living is the bane of this hour.
God does not want partnership with us, but ownership of us.
We try to help God out of difficulties. Remember how Abraham tried to do this, and to this day the earth is cursed with his folly because of Ishmael. On the other hand, Elijah made it as difficult as he could for the Lord. He wanted fire, but he soaked the sacrifice with water! God loves such holy boldness in our prayers. "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession" (Psalm 2:8)
Oh! my ministering brethren! Much of our praying is but giving God advice! Our praying is discoloured with ambition, either for ourselves or for our denomination. Perish the thought! Our goal must be God alone. It is His honour that is sullied, His blessed Son who is ignored, His laws broken, His name profaned, His Book forgotten, His house made a circus of social efforts.
I know my late Pastor, Ross, used to read and quote Ravenhill a lot, and reading this book, which he incidentally gave me, brings back fond memories, and stirs my soul for hunger for a heavenly fire to purify my wicked heart.
Have a great Monday...
Someone now warns us lest we become so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly use. Brother, this generation of believers is not, by and large, suffering from such a complex. The brutal, soul-shaking truth is that we are so earthly minded we are of no heavenly use.
He who fears God fears no man. He who kneels before God will stand in any situation.
Holiness teaching contradicted by unholy living is the bane of this hour.
God does not want partnership with us, but ownership of us.
We try to help God out of difficulties. Remember how Abraham tried to do this, and to this day the earth is cursed with his folly because of Ishmael. On the other hand, Elijah made it as difficult as he could for the Lord. He wanted fire, but he soaked the sacrifice with water! God loves such holy boldness in our prayers. "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession" (Psalm 2:8)
Oh! my ministering brethren! Much of our praying is but giving God advice! Our praying is discoloured with ambition, either for ourselves or for our denomination. Perish the thought! Our goal must be God alone. It is His honour that is sullied, His blessed Son who is ignored, His laws broken, His name profaned, His Book forgotten, His house made a circus of social efforts.
I know my late Pastor, Ross, used to read and quote Ravenhill a lot, and reading this book, which he incidentally gave me, brings back fond memories, and stirs my soul for hunger for a heavenly fire to purify my wicked heart.
Have a great Monday...
Sunday, 07 September 2008
and after a long pause...
I've just read the most incredible quote, and I quote it from a book that I'm wolfing down. I actually think I'll finish this book (i love reading but seldom commit to completing a work).
Anyway, the quote:
"Religion, opium for the people! To those suffering pain, humiliation, illness, and serfdom, it promised a reward in afterlife. And now we are witnessing a transformation. A true opium of the people is a belief in nothingness after death, the huge solace of thinking that for our betrayals, greed, cowardice, murders we are not going to be judged. The Marxist creed has now been inverted. The true opium of modernity is the belief that there is no God, so that humans are free to do precisely as they please."
Czeslaw Milosz, winner of Nobel Prize in Literature, from an essay called "The Discreet Charm of Nihilism.
And the book I'm reading: Beyond Opinion, by Ravi Zacharias. Get it.. get it?
It addresses many of the challenges I've recently faced in my conversations with post modernists, atheists and my own thoughts on existentialism.
Anyway, the quote:
"Religion, opium for the people! To those suffering pain, humiliation, illness, and serfdom, it promised a reward in afterlife. And now we are witnessing a transformation. A true opium of the people is a belief in nothingness after death, the huge solace of thinking that for our betrayals, greed, cowardice, murders we are not going to be judged. The Marxist creed has now been inverted. The true opium of modernity is the belief that there is no God, so that humans are free to do precisely as they please."
Czeslaw Milosz, winner of Nobel Prize in Literature, from an essay called "The Discreet Charm of Nihilism.
And the book I'm reading: Beyond Opinion, by Ravi Zacharias. Get it.. get it?
It addresses many of the challenges I've recently faced in my conversations with post modernists, atheists and my own thoughts on existentialism.
Friday, 08 February 2008
persecution, suffering and prayer
In recent months, I decided to take use of Google's offer to mail you news updates based on keywords you provide. I chose Symfony (the web based PHP framework which I use), Israel (I don't have a TV and want to keep up to date with the going's on there) and Christians. I've noticed that many of the Christians headlines don't make it to the mainstream google news site. I've also noticed, that much of the news is about persecution cases around the world. This is happening today, and many people are just not aware.
A while back I added a persecution.org widget to this blog on the left hand column, showing highlights from a Christian based advocacy group. Take a look from time to time at those links. That being said I move on to the reason for this post:
I recently got a book called "The Persecuted Church Prayer Devotional" - Which is an overview of some of the most hostile countries to find yourself in, if you are a Christian, or involved in Christian ministry in any form. The back of the book states a little known fact: More Christians were martyred in the twentieth century than all the previous centuries combined, and this onslaught has continued unabated into the new century. I agree with the conclusion of the write up, which says that it is our duty to be knowledgeable and to take action on behalf of those who are persecuted. Also that one of the most essential actions we can take is to stand in the gap by being on our knees in prayer.
I happen to know both that modern persecution is very real, knowing someone who travels to Sudan now and then to assist with ministry there. Also I know some people in the East who go to places like Tibet and China. It is interesting that many people that I speak to do not know things that are not well represented in modern media.
In the next few weeks I want to take a look at the top ten ranked countries, for violations against Christians and the kind of violations that occur. My aim is twofold: to create awareness, and hopefully by so doing, to create a desire for intense prayer, regarding what is going on there. The book contains many more than ten countries, detailing these violations in an easily accessible format - well worth looking into. The first country we will look at, is ranked tenth in it's intensity of persecution against Christians. It is Afghanistan.
Before I start with that (in my next post) - look at the samples I got from today's Google news alert via email on the word Christians:
The cross they bear - Persecution going on in parts of India by the hand of Hindu extremists.
China's crackdown on Christians worsens - 2007 proves to be a tougher year for Christian leaders and people in house churches.
Pakistani Christians released by abductors - Five Christians had been abducted my militants on the suspicion of selling liquor.
Note: after a period of time, these links may no longer work.
A while back I added a persecution.org widget to this blog on the left hand column, showing highlights from a Christian based advocacy group. Take a look from time to time at those links. That being said I move on to the reason for this post:
I recently got a book called "The Persecuted Church Prayer Devotional" - Which is an overview of some of the most hostile countries to find yourself in, if you are a Christian, or involved in Christian ministry in any form. The back of the book states a little known fact: More Christians were martyred in the twentieth century than all the previous centuries combined, and this onslaught has continued unabated into the new century. I agree with the conclusion of the write up, which says that it is our duty to be knowledgeable and to take action on behalf of those who are persecuted. Also that one of the most essential actions we can take is to stand in the gap by being on our knees in prayer.
I happen to know both that modern persecution is very real, knowing someone who travels to Sudan now and then to assist with ministry there. Also I know some people in the East who go to places like Tibet and China. It is interesting that many people that I speak to do not know things that are not well represented in modern media.
In the next few weeks I want to take a look at the top ten ranked countries, for violations against Christians and the kind of violations that occur. My aim is twofold: to create awareness, and hopefully by so doing, to create a desire for intense prayer, regarding what is going on there. The book contains many more than ten countries, detailing these violations in an easily accessible format - well worth looking into. The first country we will look at, is ranked tenth in it's intensity of persecution against Christians. It is Afghanistan.
Before I start with that (in my next post) - look at the samples I got from today's Google news alert via email on the word Christians:
The cross they bear - Persecution going on in parts of India by the hand of Hindu extremists.
China's crackdown on Christians worsens - 2007 proves to be a tougher year for Christian leaders and people in house churches.
Pakistani Christians released by abductors - Five Christians had been abducted my militants on the suspicion of selling liquor.
Note: after a period of time, these links may no longer work.
Sunday, 04 November 2007
some thoughts on science in the Bible
The thought was raised from an infidel friend that if the bible is in fact of divine origin, it should have some proof testifying to this fact.
The example he gave was the book containing the number PI to the 100th decimal or something about nuclear fission that we only know about now. Now, there is no PI to the hundredth or Nuclear Fission appendices in the bible. He has actually raised a very good point. It would be a strong argument for the Divine involvement in the scriptures if anything known (discovered) only recently was embedded in scriptures written thousands of years ago.
One must remember not to let today's general knowledge dim this gem. To put it in perspective, if only man-made - one would expect the scriptures to only contain commonly held views at the time of them being written. And so anything true and verifiable that goes against the common wisdom of the day, should stand out glaringly, which it does.
OK, so let's see some substance. One great place to start is in the book of Job. According to Henrietta Mears, Job is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, books in the bible. What a great place to start. Also, much of Job has God boldly declaring Himself and questioning Job's knowledge in contrast to God's wisdom.
Job 26:7 mentions that earth free-floats in space. "He stretches out the north over the void, and hangs the earth upon nothing". Common wisdom of the day said that the earth sat on a large animal.
Here are some other references that you might find interesting. Bear in mind, the bible is not a science text book, but when it touches on topics of science, one would expect it to be accurate if indeed it is true. This is what we find:
Bible: Light moves (Job 38: 19,20)
Wisdom then: Light was fixed
Science now: Light moves
Bible: Air has weight (Job 28:25)
Wisdom then: Air was weightless
Science now: Air has weight
Bible: Each star is different (1 Cor 15:41)
Wisdom then: Stars were the same
Science now: Each star is different
Bible: The earth is a sphere (Isaiah 40:22)
Wisdom then: The earth was flat
Science now: The earth is a sphere
This one is pretty impressive --
Bible: The ocean has springs (Job 38:16)
Wisdom then: Ocean only fed by rivers and rain
Science now: The ocean has springs. The ocean is very deep, with almost all the ocean floor being in total darkness with enormous pressure. It would have been impossible for Job (or anyone in the time of Job) to explore the springs in the sea. In the 1970's, with the help of deep diving research submarines that were constructed to withstand 6000 pounds-per-square-inch pressure, oceanographers discovered springs on the ocean floors.
Some more amazing facts:
The bible describes the Hydrological cycle (Ecclesiastes 1:7; Jeremiah 10:13; Amos 9:6). Four thousand years ago the Bible declared that God "draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man" (Job 36:27-28). The ancients observed mighty rivers flowing into the ocean, but they could not conceive why the sea level never rose. Though they observed rainfall, they had only quaint theories as to its origin. Meteorologists now understand that the hydrological cycle consists of evaporation, atmospheric transportation, distillation and precipitation.
The universe is expanding (Job 9:8; Isaiah 42:5; Jeremiah 51:15; Zechariah 12:1). Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed that the universe was static. Other believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that the distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionised the field of astronomy. Einstein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding!
Check out many more items here: http://www.eternal-productions.org/101science.html
The example he gave was the book containing the number PI to the 100th decimal or something about nuclear fission that we only know about now. Now, there is no PI to the hundredth or Nuclear Fission appendices in the bible. He has actually raised a very good point. It would be a strong argument for the Divine involvement in the scriptures if anything known (discovered) only recently was embedded in scriptures written thousands of years ago.
One must remember not to let today's general knowledge dim this gem. To put it in perspective, if only man-made - one would expect the scriptures to only contain commonly held views at the time of them being written. And so anything true and verifiable that goes against the common wisdom of the day, should stand out glaringly, which it does.
OK, so let's see some substance. One great place to start is in the book of Job. According to Henrietta Mears, Job is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, books in the bible. What a great place to start. Also, much of Job has God boldly declaring Himself and questioning Job's knowledge in contrast to God's wisdom.
Job 26:7 mentions that earth free-floats in space. "He stretches out the north over the void, and hangs the earth upon nothing". Common wisdom of the day said that the earth sat on a large animal.
Here are some other references that you might find interesting. Bear in mind, the bible is not a science text book, but when it touches on topics of science, one would expect it to be accurate if indeed it is true. This is what we find:
Bible: Light moves (Job 38: 19,20)
Wisdom then: Light was fixed
Science now: Light moves
Bible: Air has weight (Job 28:25)
Wisdom then: Air was weightless
Science now: Air has weight
Bible: Each star is different (1 Cor 15:41)
Wisdom then: Stars were the same
Science now: Each star is different
Bible: The earth is a sphere (Isaiah 40:22)
Wisdom then: The earth was flat
Science now: The earth is a sphere
This one is pretty impressive --
Bible: The ocean has springs (Job 38:16)
Wisdom then: Ocean only fed by rivers and rain
Science now: The ocean has springs. The ocean is very deep, with almost all the ocean floor being in total darkness with enormous pressure. It would have been impossible for Job (or anyone in the time of Job) to explore the springs in the sea. In the 1970's, with the help of deep diving research submarines that were constructed to withstand 6000 pounds-per-square-inch pressure, oceanographers discovered springs on the ocean floors.
Some more amazing facts:
The bible describes the Hydrological cycle (Ecclesiastes 1:7; Jeremiah 10:13; Amos 9:6). Four thousand years ago the Bible declared that God "draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man" (Job 36:27-28). The ancients observed mighty rivers flowing into the ocean, but they could not conceive why the sea level never rose. Though they observed rainfall, they had only quaint theories as to its origin. Meteorologists now understand that the hydrological cycle consists of evaporation, atmospheric transportation, distillation and precipitation.
The universe is expanding (Job 9:8; Isaiah 42:5; Jeremiah 51:15; Zechariah 12:1). Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed that the universe was static. Other believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that the distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionised the field of astronomy. Einstein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding!
Check out many more items here: http://www.eternal-productions.org/101science.html
Tuesday, 09 October 2007
desmond tutu lashes out
Desmond Tutu has made some surprising statements recently in an address in Cape Town. I say surprising not because they are words that you don't hear often, I say this because they betray his so-called calling as a man who represented the church, who was a bishop even. It gets ugly when (supposed) ministers seek political esteem.
What he said can be seen here: Heaven's not for Christians only.
Let's look at some of his statements quickly:
I agree that God is not a Christian, a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God, and God the Father.
Besides, in my opinion - It is a stronger argument to say that Nietzsche and evolutionism influenced Hitler more than Christianity.
To sum up, I think D.T. has used some popular pithy sayings to gain acceptance from his audience. I don't think he's looked into the topic, and it's clear he no longer stands on orthodox Christian teachings. In fact, he seems to have turned about-face, attacking the church with his views which lean towards universalism.
I'll end with a quote from G.K. Chesterton (from Orthodoxy):
Thoroughly worldly people never understand even the world; they rely altogether on a few cynical maxims which are not true.
What he said can be seen here: Heaven's not for Christians only.
Let's look at some of his statements quickly:
- Most of us think God is a Christian, but if you think that God is going to tell the Dalai Lama 'you're a good person, but sorry you're not a Christian' then (I say) rubbish.
I agree that God is not a Christian, a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God, and God the Father.
- "We've conveniently forgotten that Christians burnt witches at the stake. It wasn't pagans responsible for the Nazi genocide - it was Christians," Tutu said.
Besides, in my opinion - It is a stronger argument to say that Nietzsche and evolutionism influenced Hitler more than Christianity.
- He said it had also been claimed that apartheid was supported by the scriptures and the symbol of the Ku Klux Klan was a cross.
To sum up, I think D.T. has used some popular pithy sayings to gain acceptance from his audience. I don't think he's looked into the topic, and it's clear he no longer stands on orthodox Christian teachings. In fact, he seems to have turned about-face, attacking the church with his views which lean towards universalism.
I'll end with a quote from G.K. Chesterton (from Orthodoxy):
Thoroughly worldly people never understand even the world; they rely altogether on a few cynical maxims which are not true.
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