April 10, 2015

From Gary... Foolishness or Faith



Who among us has not done something stupid, foolish and downright idiotic at one time or another? When the "something" involves the things of God, then the eternal consequences may very well be appalling!!! Consider:

Galatians, Chapter 3 (WEB)
1 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?  2 I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?  3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?  4 Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 5 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?  6 Even as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.”  7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham.  8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.”  9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.  10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”  11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”  12 The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.”

Christians are being increasingly being persecuted in all sorts of ways, some very obvious, such as the horrendous murders in the Middle East, but other such as increased pressure for the Word of God to be silenced here in the U.S. or the passage of laws which attempt to restrict religious freedom.  At times like these we need to hold fast to our faith and not return to our old, ineffectual concepts and practices of religion that do not their foundation in the word of God!!!  In the case above, their foolishness was temptation to return to Judaism, but it could just as well be something else- say Hedonism, Pluralism, Mysticism, Humanism or one of a thousand other things.  For that manner, anything that gets in the way of relying on Jesus as the one and only path to heaven could be applied to the underlying concept above. Do not let anything come between you and the savior!!! Do not be foolish, rely on Jesus; remember"

Matthew, Chapter 28 (WEB)
18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  19  Go,  and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. 

If you can not answer the following question with a "none", then you have a problem....

If Jesus has all authority in heaven and on Earth, how much is left for me in matters of religion???

From Gary... Bible Reading April 10




Bible Reading  

April 10

The World English Bible

Apr. 10
Numbers 11, 12
Num 11:1 The people were complaining in the ears of Yahweh. When Yahweh heard it, his anger was kindled; and Yahweh's fire burnt among them, and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
Num 11:2 The people cried to Moses; and Moses prayed to Yahweh, and the fire abated.
Num 11:3 The name of that place was called Taberah, because Yahweh's fire burnt among them.
Num 11:4 The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, "Who will give us flesh to eat?
Num 11:5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;
Num 11:6 but now we have lost our appetite. There is nothing at all except this manna to look at."
Num 11:7 The manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like the appearance of bdellium.
Num 11:8 The people went around, gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots, and made cakes of it. Its taste was like the taste of fresh oil.
Num 11:9 When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.
Num 11:10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent; and the anger of Yahweh was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased.
Num 11:11 Moses said to Yahweh, "Why have you treated with your servant so badly? Why haven't I found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?
Num 11:12 Have I conceived all this people? Have I brought them forth, that you should tell me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which you swore to their fathers?'
Num 11:13 Where could I get meat to give to all this people? For they weep to me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.'
Num 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
Num 11:15 If you treat me this way, please kill me right now, if I have found favor in your sight; and don't let me see my wretchedness."
Num 11:16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you.
Num 11:17 I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you not bear it yourself alone.
Num 11:18 Say to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and you will eat flesh; for you have wept in the ears of Yahweh, saying, "Who will give us flesh to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt." Therefore Yahweh will give you flesh, and you will eat.
Num 11:19 You will not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days,
Num 11:20 but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because that you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?" ' "
Num 11:21 Moses said, "The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and you have said, 'I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.'
Num 11:22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?"
Num 11:23 Yahweh said to Moses, "Has Yahweh's hand grown short? Now you will see whether my word will happen to you or not."
Num 11:24 Moses went out, and told the people the words of Yahweh; and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them around the Tent.
Num 11:25 Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders: and it happened that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.
Num 11:26 But two men remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp.
Num 11:27 A young man ran, and told Moses, and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!"
Num 11:28 Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, "My lord Moses, forbid them!"
Num 11:29 Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh's people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!"
Num 11:30 Moses went into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
Num 11:31 A wind from Yahweh went out and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth.
Num 11:32 The people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails. He who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them all abroad for themselves around the camp.
Num 11:33 While the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of Yahweh was kindled against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague.
Num 11:34 The name of that place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted.
Num 11:35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth; and they stayed at Hazeroth.
Num 12:1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.
Num 12:2 They said, "Has Yahweh indeed spoken only with Moses? Hasn't he spoken also with us?" And Yahweh heard it.
Num 12:3 Now the man Moses was very humble, above all the men who were on the surface of the earth.
Num 12:4 Yahweh spoke suddenly to Moses, to Aaron, and to Miriam, "You three come out to the Tent of Meeting!" The three of them came out.
Num 12:5 Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward.
Num 12:6 He said, "Hear now my words. If there is a prophet among you, I Yahweh will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream.
Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so. He is faithful in all my house.
Num 12:8 With him I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see Yahweh's form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?"
Num 12:9 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against them; and he departed.
Num 12:10 The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
Num 12:11 Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, please don't count this sin against us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned.
Num 12:12 Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother's womb."
Num 12:13 Moses cried to Yahweh, saying, "Heal her, God, I beg you!"
Num 12:14 Yahweh said to Moses, "If her father had but spit in her face, shouldn't she be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut up outside of the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again."
Num 12:15 Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn't travel until Miriam was brought in again.
Num 12:16 Afterward the people traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.


Apr. 10, 11
Luke 7

Luk 7:1 After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
Luk 7:2 A certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death.
Luk 7:3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.
Luk 7:4 When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to do this for him,
Luk 7:5 for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us."
Luk 7:6 Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.
Luk 7:7 Therefore I didn't even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.
Luk 7:8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Luk 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel."
Luk 7:10 Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.
Luk 7:11 It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him.
Luk 7:12 Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.
Luk 7:13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, "Don't cry."
Luk 7:14 He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
Luk 7:15 He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.
Luk 7:16 Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited his people!"
Luk 7:17 This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.
Luk 7:18 The disciples of John told him about all these things.
Luk 7:19 John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?"
Luk 7:20 When the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?' "
Luk 7:21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.
Luk 7:22 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
Luk 7:23 Blessed is he who is not offended by me."
Luk 7:24 When John's messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
Luk 7:25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
Luk 7:26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
Luk 7:27 This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'
Luk 7:28 "For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."
Luk 7:29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John's baptism.
Luk 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.
Luk 7:31 "To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?
Luk 7:32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, 'We piped to you, and you didn't dance. We mourned, and you didn't weep.'
Luk 7:33 For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'
Luk 7:34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
Luk 7:35 Wisdom is justified by all her children."
Luk 7:36 One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat at the table.
Luk 7:37 Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
Luk 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Luk 7:39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner."
Luk 7:40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on."
Luk 7:41 "A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
Luk 7:42 When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"
Luk 7:43 Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
Luk 7:44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
Luk 7:45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luk 7:46 You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
Luk 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
Luk 7:48 He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
Luk 7:49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
Luk 7:50 He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." 

From Mark Copeland... "THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT" The Nature Of The Church (Universal)



                        "THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT"

                  The Nature Of The Church (Universal)

INTRODUCTION

1. Understanding the nature of "The Church Jesus Built" begins with    the word church itself...
   a. From the Greek word ekklesia, it means "an assembly"
   b. Which is used most frequently in the New Testament in two 
      senses:
      1) The church universal - that company of souls redeemed 
         by the blood of Christ
      2) The church local - Christians in a geographical area that
         work and worship together as a congregation of God's people

2. Our understanding of the nature of the church can also be enhanced by...
   a. Contrasting the church universal with the church local
   b. Noting how the New Testament carefully delineates between the two

3. Failure to observe the distinction between the church universal and church local...
   a. Leaves one open to erroneous concepts of the church
   b. Leads one to present a confusing picture of the church in their
      evangelistic efforts

[In this lesson and the one to follow, I would like to notice ways in
which the church universal is different from the church local.  Let's
begin by looking at...]

I. THE CHURCH 'UNIVERSAL'

   A. COMPOSED OF ALL CHRISTIANS...
      1. This is the church to which Jesus referred in Mt 16:18
      2. It is made up of all the saved, both living and dead - cf. He 12:22-24

   B. THERE IS ONLY 'ONE' CHURCH...
      1. Remember, the universal church is called the body of Christ - Ep 1:22-23
      2. There is only one body (Ep 4:4); therefore, only one church!

   C. BEGAN ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST...
      1. In Jerusalem, following the death, resurrection and ascension
         of Christ - Ac 2:1-47
      2. As Peter later referred to this day, it was the beginning - cf. Ac 11:15

   D. ENTER ONLY BE BEING 'ADDED' BY THE LORD...
      1. One cannot join the church by their own volition
      2. Rather, they are added by the Lord Himself when saved - Ac 2:41,47

   E. THE LORD KEEPS THE BOOKS OF MEMBERSHIP...
      1. There is no agency on earth that keeps the registry of true members
      2. Enrollment is in heaven; only the Lord knows those truly His
         - He 12:23; 2Ti 2:19

   F. CONSISTS OF ALL THE SAVED...
      1. The Lord is presenting to Himself a church holy and without
         blemish - cf. Ep 5:25-27
      2. Those in the church who are sinning and refuse to repent are
         cut off, cast out, spewed out - cf. Jn 15:2,6; Ro 11:19-22;Re 3:16

   G. MUST BE IN THIS CHURCH TO BE SAVED...
      1. For the Lord is the Savior of the body (which is His church) - Ep 5:23
      2. Since the Lord adds one to His church when they are saved, one
         cannot be saved and not be in the church universal!

   H. HAS NO 'EARTHLY' ORGANIZATION...
      1. The church universal has organization - cf. Ep 2:19-22; 1 Pe 2:5
         a. What organization exists is spiritual in nature
         b. Christ is the cornerstone, together with His apostles and
            prophets as the foundation, and all Christians are 'living stones'
      2. There is no earthly headquarters for the church
         a. E.g., no telephone number to call to speak with the head of the church
         b. For He is in heaven!

   I. CANNOT BE DIVIDED...
      1. For there is no earthly organization to divide!
      2. If division appears to exist...
         a. Some unscriptural organization of churches must have been created
         b. Such an organization can have division, but the Lord's
            church universal cannot!
      3. Those who would seek to divide the church through doctrine,
         conduct, etc., are simply cut off by the Lord Himself!
      -- There is and always will be, 'one body' - Ep 4:4 (we need to
         make sure we are remaining faithful to be in it!)

   J. DEATH DOESN'T AFFECT MEMBERSHIP...
      1. The church universal is made up of the saved, both living and
         dead - He 12:22-23
      2. When one dies, they are still with Christ! - Php 1:21-23; 1 Th 5:10

CONCLUSION

1. We have seen there are at least ten things true of the church universal...
   a. Composed of all Christians         f. Consists of all the saved
   b. There is just one                  g. Must be in this to be saved
   c. Began on the Day of Pentecost      h. Has no earthly organization
   d. Enter only by being added by       i. Can't be divided
      the Lord                           j. Death doesn't affect
   e. The Lord keeps the books of           membership
      membership

2. Our next study shall examine what is true of the church local...

In light of what we have seen thus far, we do well to ask ourselves:
Have we been added by the Lord to His church universal...? - cf. Ac 2:36-41,47


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

eXTReMe Tracker 

"Under God" is Under Fire by A.P. Staff


http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=1317

"Under God" is Under Fire

by A.P. Staff

At first glance, the news seemed encouraging. According to a decision handed down by the United States Supreme Court on June 14, 2004, the phrase “under God” will continue to be included in the Pledge of Allegiance. However, this is not as encouraging as it appears. Instead of ruling on the merits of the case, eight of the nine justices (Justice Scalia recused himself from ruling) decided that the respondent did not have the proper standing to bring a case before the Supreme Court, leaving the Pledge of Allegiance open to further attacks.
The case began in 2000, when Michael A. Newdow filed a lawsuit in the Eastern California District of the Ninth Circuit against the U.S. Congress, President Bush, the State of California, the Elk Grove Unified School District, and school superintendent David W. Gordon. In his suit, Newdow, who is an atheist, claimed that requiring his daughter to recite the phrase “under God” every morning in the Pledge of Allegiance violated the clauses of the Constitution that prohibit the establishment of a national religion and the free exercise of religion (Stevens, 2004, p. 4).
The Pledge of Allegiance originated in the 1892 celebrations of Columbus Day, and read: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.” The wording was revised several times over the course of the next sixty-two years, the final change coming in 1954 when President Eisenhower approved the addition of the words “under God.” He said: “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war” (“The Story of the Pledge of Allegiance”).
The district court ruled that the Pledge was constitutional, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals eventually overturned the ruling. Following motions filed by Sandra Banning—the mother and legal custodian of Newdow’s daughter—and a custody ruling by the California Superior Court, the Court of Appeals amended its opinion. The new opinion omitted any statement on the overall constitutionality of the Pledge, but ruled that the school district’s policy—requiring teachers to lead students in reciting the Pledge every morning—did violate the Constitution. The Elk Grove School District then appealed to the Supreme Court, asking if Newdow had proper standing to bring the suit, and, if so, whether the policy of required recitation violated the Constitution (Stevens, pp. 5-7).
Writing for the court, Justice Stevens said: “Nothing that either Banning [the girl’s mother] or the School Board has done, however, impairs Newdow’s right to instruct his daughter in his religious views” (p. 13). The court ruled that Newdow could not bring the case, since he was not the legal custodian of the child, and so overturned the amended opinion of the Ninth Circuit. Thus, this ruling left undecided the merits of the Pledge’s constitutionality.
However, in a concurring opinion by Chief Justice Rehnquist: “On the merits, I conclude that the Elk Grove Unified School District (School District) policy that requires teachers to lead willing students in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, which includes the words ‘under God,’ does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment” (2004, p. 1). In another concurring opinion, Justice O’Connor wrote: “Like the Chief Justice, I believe that we must examine those questions, and, like him, I believe that petitioner school district’s policy of having its teachers lead students in voluntary recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance does not offend the Establishment Clause” (2004, p. 1). In a third concurring opinion, Justice Thomas wrote: “We granted certiorari [certiorari is a review of a decision by a lower court] in this case to decide whether the Elk Grove Unified School District’s Pledge policy violates the Constitution. The answer to that question is: ‘no’ ” (2004, p. 1).
Where does this leave the Pledge of Allegiance? As shown by the concurring opinions above, three of the eight justices who ruled in the case were prepared to decide that it is constitutional to recite the Pledge with the phrase “under God” intact. For now, the Pledge of Allegiance remains a reminder that the United States of America was founded on the belief of a Supreme Being. Whether or not that view continues, however, remains to be seen.
The application to Christians is that taking “under God” out of the Pledge of Allegiance would put the United States farther down the slippery slope as it heads toward becoming a godless, morally depraved nation. This country was founded upon the common law principles of the Old World, which were, in turn, founded upon biblical, godly morals. If we are not under God, then the sky is the limit to our degeneration.

REFERENCES

O’Connor, Justice Sandra Day (2004), Elk Grove v. Newdow, U.S. Supreme Court, [On-line], URL: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/03pdf/02-1624.pdf.
Rehnquist, Chief Justice William H. (2004), Elk Grove v. Newdow, U.S. Supreme Court, [On-line],URL: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/03pdf/02-1624.pdf.
Stevens, Justice John Paul (2004), Elk Grove v. Newdow, U.S. Supreme Court, [On-line], URL: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/03pdf/02-1624.pdf.
“The Story of the Pledge of Allegiance,” Flag Day Foundation, [On-line], URL: http://www.flagday.org/Pages/StoryofPledge.html.

"Evolution is the Scientific Consensus—So You Should Believe It!” by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.


http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=4518

"Evolution is the Scientific Consensus—So You Should Believe It!”

by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

“Everybody’s doin’ it. So, you should, too,” the little boy’s classmate says. After giving in and engaging in the inappropriate behavior and getting caught, what does the little boy’s mother say? “If everybody jumps off a cliff, are you going to jump with them?” We’ve all likely heard sound reasoning like that from an authority, and yet the truth of such logic must not have “sunk in” with many in the evolutionary community.
Recently, we received an e-mail at Apologetics Press responding to an article we posted a few weeks back titled, “Bill Nye: The (Pseudo-)Science Guy” (Miller, 2012a). The gentleman’s comments were not atypical of many of the comments we receive from the evolutionary community, but one line of reasoning, in particular, is representative of the mindset of many. Thus, we felt it was worth a formal, public response. The argument this individual based his contention on was that the scientific consensus on a subject—whatever it may be—should be ultimately accepted (i.e., considered as “gospel”), and any further scientific investigation and/or discovery should be viewed in light of the veracity of the scientific consensus on that subject. Specifically, he applied the concept to the idea that belief in Darwinian evolution is the scientific consensus today and therefore, should be accepted—not resisted, as we do at Apologetics Press. This gentleman is hardly the only one who espouses such a view. So, it is worthy of consideration to see if it holds up under scrutiny.
Perhaps the first objection one should have to such a mindset is that it falls into the category of logical fallacies known as Argumentum ad Populum—appeal to the majority (Archie, 2012). The variation of this fallacy known as “Bandwagon,” is the idea in which someone attempts to “prove a conclusion on the grounds that all or most people think or believe it is true” (Archie). In other words, just because a lot of people believe in something (like macroevolution), that does not make it true—and the number of people who believe in it should not be cited as evidence in support of the proposition. Just because bloodletting was “the most common procedure performed by surgeons for almost two thousand years,” that should not have made it an acceptable idea, though it carried the weight of consensus behind it (“Bloodletting,” 2012). Just because the consensus in medicine in the recent past, before the discovery of germs, was not to worry about cleanliness in operating rooms, that does not mean that such entrenched practices should not be questioned. Just because the consensus over millennia was that life could arise spontaneously from non-life (Balme, 1962)—a belief held even as late as 300 years ago when Francesco Redi conducted his experiments that began casting doubt on that idea—that does not mean that such a preposterous idea should have continued to exist. Just because the “consensus” in certain evolutionary circles only 100 years ago was that certain races should be considered inferior in the evolutionary chain (cf. Darwin, 1859; Stein and Miller, 2008), did that mean that everyone should have accepted the “consensus” and taken part in eliminating those deemed “weaker” or “less fit” by evolutionists?
“Majority rule” is hardly a suitable mindset for scientific investigation. Scientific breakthroughs are not made by the majority—but rather, by innovative individuals thinking outside the box, not thinking in the same way the majority thinks. In fact, the “consensus” view is often times the very viewpoint that is wrong because of the “herd mentality” humanity tends to have—the same mentality that Moses warned against in Exodus 23:2. Just because there is a consensus in this country among the rank and file Americans that evolution is false (cf. Miller, 2012b), that should not be taken as evidence for or against evolution—whether or not the population is deemed “scientific” enough in the minds of the science community’s self-promoting “credentials police.” There exists an overwhelming consensus (84%) in the world that some kind of god(s) exists (cf. “Major Religions of the World…,” 2007), and yet one can be assured that the atheistic evolutionary community would not want to appeal to the “consensus” argument in that case. Consider further: even if it is now the scientific consensus among the biology community that Darwinian evolution is true, what about before evolution had become consensus in that field? Should the “consensus rule” have been applied then, disallowing the spread of evolutionary theory? If so, then the biology community is in error for breaking their own rules and needs to go back to the old viewpoint in order to be consistent.
In truth, accepting the consensus view on a theory is a dangerous practice. Scientific theories are not “bad guys.” Theories are important in order to make scientific progress. However, a theory (like the Theory of Evolution or the Big Bang Theory), by its very definition, is not known as absolute, but rather, as a possible explanation of something. A theory tacitly acknowledges the potential that it may be incorrect and that there may be other theories that fit the facts better, that will one day be proven as legitimate. This makes accepting the consensus view on a scientific theory a dangerous practice, since the theory may be wrong. A scientific law, however, is not based on “consensus” or speculation, but on the evidence—the facts. Therefore, there should be “consensus” about the laws of nature, even if there isn’t. However, what makes them valid should not be, and is not, based on “consensus.” The goal of science should be the pursuit of truth—not consensus; truth—not what’s popular. That is what has and will lead to further scientific progress in this country and in the world.
The consensus in this country that has existed since its inception—that Creation is true and Darwinian evolution is false—has no doubt played a role in the scientific breakthroughs that individual scientists have made that have led to our nation’s success. Such breakthroughs are to be expected according to the biblical model. In this area, it is clear that following the “consensus” has been a good thing. It seems evident, based on God’s dealings with nations in the Bible, that He views the spiritual state of a nation by its consensus views on various matters, and He responds accordingly with blessings or punishments. In the past, God has showered this nation with blessings—scientifically, economically, militarily, and in many other ways—in large part due to the “consensus” of Americans that the God of the Bible is the one true God (cf. Miller, 2008). Sadly, the consensus is changing, and we should expect God’s blessings to diminish accordingly. May we encourage you always in your pursuit to boldly speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), doing your part to make the American consensus one that believes in and seeks to obey the one true God of the Universe.

REFERENCES

Archie, John (2012), “Philosophy 103: Introduction to Logic Argumentum Ad Populum,” Introduction to Logic, Lander University, http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/popular.html.
Balme, D.M. (1962), “Development of Biology in Aristotle and Theophrastus: Theory of Spontaneous Generation,” Phronesis: A Journal for Ancient Philosophy, 7[1-2]:91-104.
“Bloodletting” (2012), Science Museum Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine,http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/techniques/bloodletting.aspx.
Darwin, Charles (1859), On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (London: John Murray).
“Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents” (2007),http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html.
Miller, Dave (2008), The Silencing of God (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).
Miller, Jeff (2012a), “Bill Nye: The (Pseudo-)Science Guy,” Apologetics Press,http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=2842.
Miller, Jeff (2012b), “Literal Creationists Holding Their Ground in the Polls,” Reason & Revelation, 32[9]:94-95, September (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press),http://www.apologeticspress.org /APPubPage.aspx?pub=1&issue=1093&article=2040#.
Stein, Ben and Kevin Miller (2008), Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (Premise Media).

"Jesus Was a Vegetarian" by Kyle Butt, M.A.


"Jesus Was a Vegetarian"
by Kyle Butt, M.A.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=10&article=5095


Recently I read the statement, “Jesus was a vegetarian.” Supposedly, since Jesus did not eat meat, neither should we. There are several problems with this line of reasoning.
First, people often use the “Jesus did x, y, or z” to demand that we should do the same things. But the truth is, just because Jesus did or did not do something does not necessarily have any bearing on what we should or should not do. Jesus did many things that we are under no moral obligation to imitate. For instance, could we say, “Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem and so should you?” Or what about, “Jesus never rode in a car, and neither should we?” Would we be correct to demand, “Jesus never had electric lights, so cut off your power?” Or “Jesus never sent a text message, so stop texting?” You can quickly see the problem here. While it is the case that Jesus is the perfect example of how all humans should live, it is not the case that every aspect of His life is something that we should copy. Paul explained it well in Philippians 2:5 when he said, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Notice it is the “mind” of Christ, or His attitude, that we are to imitate. That means that while Jesus was seeking the lost He may have gone up on a mountain to preach, but we may need to use a microphone or a YouTube video. Or whereas Jesus walked from village to village, we may need to drive, fly, or ride a bus. Just because Jesus wore sandals that does not mean hiking boots are off limits for His followers.
The second reason the “Jesus was a vegetarian” statement was so strange to me is because it is patently false. He certainly was not a vegetarian. He often ate meat. In Luke 24:42-43 the text says: “So they gave Him [Jesus] a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.” The passage could not be more straightforward about Jesus consuming fish. In addition, since Jesus was  a Jew who faithfully followed the Old Law, He was commanded to eat the Passover Lamb every year. In Exodus 12:5-8, we read that all the Jews were to take a Passover lamb, kill it on the  14th day of the first month and “eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs.” In the New Testament, we see Jesus arranging this very procedure with His apostles. Luke 22:7-8 states, “Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He [Jesus] sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.’” This was just one of the many animal sacrifices that Jewish people ate on a regular basis.
Third, the New Testament makes it clear that killing and eating animals is perfectly acceptable to God. In 1 Timothy 4:1-4 the Holy Spirit foretold that some were going to depart from teaching the truth and were going to command people to “abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” Notice that in this passage, the sense in which God calls animals “good” is the fact that they are good for food. The idea that God, Jesus, or the Bible somehow morally obligate people to be vegetarians simply is incorrect.

“How Come Earth Got All the Good Stuff?” by Eric Lyons, M.Min.


http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2624

“How Come Earth Got All the Good Stuff?”

by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Stuart Clark, of New Scientist magazine, recently asked the question, “How come Earth got all the good stuff?” Of all the planets in our solar system that allegedly formed naturalistically “from the same cloud of gas and dust that surrounded the sun more than 4.5 billion years ago,” why is “Earth...so suitable for life” (Clark, 2008, 199[2675]:29)? Stuart acknowledged:
We know that its distance from the sun provides the right amount of heat and light to make the planet habitable, but that alone is not enough. Without the unique mix of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur that makes up living things, and without liquid water on the planet’s surface, life as we know it could not have evolved. Chemically speaking, Earth is simply better set up for life than its neighbours. So how come we got all the good stuff? (p. 29).
How did Earth get to be just the right distance from the Sun so that it receives “the right amount of heat and light to make the planet habitable” (emp. added)? How did Earth get such a “unique mix” of all the elements that make up living things? How did Earth “acquire its life-giving water supply?” (p. 29). Did Earth become the “just-right” planet by happenstance?
Clark said that our best hope to find clues about Earth’s origin is from meteorites, since “they formed at the same time as the planets” (p. 29). However, he admitted: “[T]here are subtle differences that are proving tough to explain. For example, the mix of oxygen isotopes in chondritic meteorites does not match those found on Earth. So far no one knows why, but since oxygen is the most abundant element in the Earth’s crust...it is a mystery that cannot be ignored” (p. 29, emp. added). Regarding Earth’s “life-giving water supply,” Clarke suggested that “[t]he most popular explanation is that the water arrived later, in the form of icy comets from the outer solar system that rained down in the period known as the ‘Late Heavy Bombardment.’ As yet, though, there is no firm evidence to confirm this as the source of Earth’s water” (p. 30).
Though atheistic scientists have attempted to answer these and similar questions for many years, still no one has a legitimate naturalistic explanation for what New Scientist calls our planet’s “biggest mysteries” (p. 28). To conclude that Earth received just the right amount of “carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulphur” by time, chance, and non-intelligence is irrational. When does time, chance, and non-intelligence ever produce such wonderful effects? To conclude that the estimated 326 million cubic miles of water on Earth (“How Much Water...?,” 2008) are the result of “icy comets from the outer solar system” raining down on Earth millions of years ago is equally absurd.
The fact is, adequate non-intelligent, random, naturalistic causes for the “just-right” Earth do not exist. The only rational explanation for the precise design of Earth, the cosmos as a whole, and life on Earth is an intelligent supernatural Creator.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork (Psalm 19:1).
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, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:20-22).
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

REFERENCES

Clark, Stuart (2008), “How Come Earth Got All the Good Stuff?,” New Scientist, 199[2675]: 29-30, September 27.
“How Much Water is on Earth?” (2008), Livescience.com, [On-line], URL:http://www.livescience.com/mysteries/070621_llm_water.html.