The difference that makes a difference by Gary Rose

I seem to remember that brother Ed Healy posted the picture of a cat on Facebook this week. I liked it so much that I shared it and to my surprise, quite a few people "liked" it as well. This "puddy cat" with tiger markings made me think of a tiger so much that I downloaded this picture of a real tiger as well.

If you compare them, I think you will be able to see the differences. 

Humm, what about those who claim to be followers of Jesus???

And the Scripture says...

Matthew, Chapter 7 (WEB)

 ²¹  Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  ²²  Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’   ²³  Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ (emp. added GDR)

  ²⁴  “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.  ²⁵  The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.   ²⁶  Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.   ²⁷ The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

 AND

Matthew, Chapter 17 (WEB)

 ¹ After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.  ² He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.  ³ Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. 

  ⁴ Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 

  ⁵ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” (emp. added, GDR)

The point here is this: true followers differ from "look-a-likes" in that they really listen and actually do what Jesus wants them to do. And ultimately, it will be the difference between being with Jesus or not!

Question for the day: Into which category do I fall???

Bible Reading October 5 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading  October 5 (WEB)

Oct. 5

Psalms 135-137

Psa 135:1 Praise Yah! Praise the name of Yahweh! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh,

Psa 135:2 you who stand in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of our God's house.

Psa 135:3 Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.

Psa 135:4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel for his own possession.

Psa 135:5 For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all gods.

Psa 135:6 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;

Psa 135:7 who causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; who makes lightnings with the rain; who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries;

Psa 135:8 Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal;

Psa 135:9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants;

Psa 135:10 who struck many nations, and killed mighty kings,

Psa 135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan,

Psa 135:12 and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.

Psa 135:13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations.

Psa 135:14 For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants.

Psa 135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Psa 135:16 They have mouths, but they can't speak. They have eyes, but they can't see.

Psa 135:17 They have ears, but they can't hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Psa 135:18 Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.

Psa 135:19 House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh!

Psa 135:20 House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh!

Psa 135:21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, Who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Yah!

Psa 136:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 136:2 Give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:4 To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:5 To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:6 To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:7 To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:8 The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:10 To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:11 And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:13 To him who divided the Red Sea apart; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:14 And made Israel to pass through its midst; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:16 To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:17 To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:18 And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:20 Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:21 And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:22 Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:24 And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:25 Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 136:26 Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Psa 137:2 On the willows in its midst, we hung up our harps.

Psa 137:3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

Psa 137:4 How can we sing Yahweh's song in a foreign land?

Psa 137:5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.

Psa 137:6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you; if I don't prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Psa 137:7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, "Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!"

Psa 137:8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us.

Psa 137:9 Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

 

Oct. 5

Galatians 2

Gal 2:1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.

Gal 2:2 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

Gal 2:3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

Gal 2:4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;

Gal 2:5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.

Gal 2:6 But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn't show partiality to man)--they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,

Gal 2:7 but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision

Gal 2:8 (for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles);

Gal 2:9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

Gal 2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor--which very thing I was also zealous to do.

Gal 2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.

Gal 2:12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Gal 2:13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?

Gal 2:15 "We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners,

Gal 2:16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.

Gal 2:17 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!

Gal 2:18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.

Gal 2:19 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

Gal 2:21 I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"

Beware of dogs ... and people! from Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/056-beware.html
Beware of dogs ... and people!

This mosaic is in the Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy.

They say that barking dogs never bite. This is true. They always stop barking before they bite!

The dog that bit me, did not bark. When I was twelve, I was distributing advertising for my father’s TV repair business. An elderly dog silently walked up behind me and left a clear set of teeth marks in my leg. He obviously had an intense dislike of advertising distributors!

Roman villas in Paul’s day often had a floor mosaic in the entrance showing a dog on a chain, sometimes with the words, “CAVE CANEM” (Beware of the dog)!

It is wise to beware of dogs, but when Paul tells us, “Beware of dogs” in Philippians 3:2, he is referring to dogs of the human variety. Jesus tells us, “Beware of people” (Matthew 10:17).

“Beware of” means to be on guard against, to be cautious about, to be alert to potential danger from, to be ready to avoid danger from.

People are dangerous!
Humans are the most dangerous creatures on earth. What other form of life has destroyed cities with atomic bombs, and maintains huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons?

The most powerful hydrogen bomb ever detonated (by the Soviet Union on Severny Island above the Arctic Circle on October 30, 1961) had 1400 times the power of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs combined, and ten times the power of all other explosives used in World War II. This picture was taken at a distance of 160 km. The atmospheric shock wave broke windows in northern Norway and Finland, a thousand kilometers away.

In 1985 there were 68,000 active nuclear weapons. In the meantime this has been reduced to about 20,000 that are active or could easily be reactivated. Some of this reduction comes from treaties, but most of it results from decommissioning outmoded, obsolete weapons. Although there are fewer bombs, their destructive capability has been increased.

This is not something that mankind may be proud of. Consider the resources this gobbles up, when much of the world lacks food.


Yet, spiritual dangers are even greater.

A volcanic eruption in 79 AD buried Pompeii, Italy under five meters of ash, killing 15,000 people. Excavations have unearthed several “Beware of the dog” mosaics. Someone should have warned: “Beware of the volcano!” There are greater dangers than dogs.

Although the danger of nuclear destruction threatens us like a smoking Mount Vesuvius, we live in a world that is even more dangerous spiritually. God warns us about spiritual dangers that threaten our souls. Satan has laid spiritual landmines along both sides of the narrow way that leads to life.

We must beware of falling away because of sin. We must beware of false teachers, of religious leaders who exalt themselves, and of persecutors.


Beware of falling away because of sin.

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12, 13).

The deceitfulness of sin is our greatest spiritual danger. We must beware of anything that tempts us to sin and leads us away from God.

Sin is glorified in the media, on the Internet, on television, on the radio, in magazines.

At school, young people are taught how to be immoral, and are fooled into thinking that immorality has no negative consequences.

The fashion world emphasizes sensuality. Social pressure encourage us to be “like everyone else.”

We must beware of these corruptive influences.

We must exhort one another not to depart from the living God through sin.

Referring to people who twist the Scriptures “to their own destruction,” Peter gives a similar warning: “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17, 18).

These verses refute the false doctrine of “Once saved, always saved”!

We must beware lest we “fall from our own steadfastness”; we must beware lest we “depart from the living God”!

To avoid falling away through the deceitfulness of sin, we must beware of anyone who tries to lead us into sin.

This includes being alert to dangers from false teachers, religious leaders who exalt themselves, and persecutors.


Beware of persecutors.

Jesus warned His followers: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues” (Matthew 10:16, 17).

How do Christians react to persecution? Jesus said: “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another” (Matthew 10:23). “Do not fear them” (Matthew 10:26). “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).

Paul warned Timothy: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words” (2 Timothy 4:14, 15).

Paul was thankful that God had protected him: “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:17, 18).

We must beware of persecutors. Yet, we need not be afraid. An eternal home with God is waiting, whatever happens to us.


Beware of religious leaders who exalt themselves.

Jesus warned, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers” (Mark 12:38-40).

Pretentious religious leaders glorify themselves, not God. We must beware of them.


Beware of false teachers.

We must beware of those who introduce teachings and practices that are contrary to sound doctrine, that deviate from the original teaching of Christ and His apostles: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1).

Jesus warns about their deceptive appearance and tells us how to identify them: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15, 16).

Jesus warned His followers against two prevalent errors: “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6). The disciples did not know what He meant by leaven until He clarified it. “Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:12).

The Pharisees and Sadducees were the two major denominations among the Jews at the time of Christ. They both taught false doctrine.

The Sadducees rejected most of the Old Testament outright, recognizing only the five books of Moses. They did not believe in a resurrection, in angels, or in spirits (Acts 23:8). They were liberalistic in their interpretation and application of Scripture.

The Pharisees were “the strictest sect” of the Jews (Acts 26:5), but their piety was superficial. Jesus told them, “You pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23); “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition” (Mark 7:9). They were also “lovers of money” (Luke 16:14).

Thus, we are duly warned to beware of these doctrinal errors, which are still prevalent today: a liberalistic interpretation and application of Scripture, and a superficial piety that exalts human doctrine above the word of God.

Jesus refers to these errors as leaven because they spread easily.


Beware of those who base doctrine on the Old Covenant.

In the early church certain false teachers tried to impose requirements of the Old Covenant, such as circumcision and Sabbath-keeping, on Christians (Colossians 2:11-17). Paul warns against them in the harshest of terms, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:2, 3).


Beware of those who base doctrine on philosophy and human traditions.

Paul warns: “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8, 9).

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).

Referring to John’s baptism, Jesus asked the Jewish leaders, “Was it from heaven or from men?” (Mark 11:30). We ought to ask this question about all religious principles, doctrines and practices: Is it from heaven or from men? Everything that is not from God must be rejected.

Beware!
During a recent walk I saw on a gate: “Beware! Poisonous frogs!” Although I doubt that poisonous frogs were lurking behind that gate, they really do exist! Touch the moisture on the back of a Yellow Golden Poison Dart Frog and put your finger in your mouth, and almost instantly you die. As the name indicates, their poison was used on arrows. They are among the most poisonous creatures on earth.

It is certainly wise to be wary of poisonous frogs, vicious dogs, and a nuclear holocaust. But even more we must beware of spiritual dangers.

“Take heed to yourselves” (Luke 17:3). “Take heed what you hear” (Mark 4:24). “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4). “Take heed , watch and pray” (Mark 13:33).

God warns us to beware of falling away through the deceitfulness of sin, to beware of persecutors, to beware of money-loving religious leaders who exalt themselves, to beware of false teachers who interpret the Scriptures liberalistically, to beware of false teachers who follow their own rigid regulations rather than the Scriptures, to beware of false teachers who base doctrine on the Old Covenant, on philosophy or on human traditions.

Peter’s warning in 1 Peter 5:8, 9 is applicable: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith.” Amen.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Seeing God “Face to Face” by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/AllegedDiscrepancies.aspx?article=2682&b=John

Seeing God “Face to Face”

by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

In the Kyle Butt/Dan Barker debate, Dan Barker alleged that He “knows” the God of the Bible cannot exist because “there are mutually incompatible properties/characteristics of the God that’s in this book [the Bible—EL] that rule out the possibility of His existence” (2009). One of the supposed contradictions that Barker mentioned was that God claims invisibility, yet has been seen. (His assertion is found 10 minutes and 55 seconds into his first speech.) Since biblical passages such as Exodus 33:20-23, John 1:18, and 1 John 4:12 teach that God cannot be seen, while other scriptures indicate that man has seen God and spoken to him “face to face” (Exodus 33:11; Genesis 32:30), allegedly “the God of the Bible does not exist.”
Although in modern times words are regularly used in many different senses (e.g., hot and cold, good and bad), Barker, like so many Bible critics, has dismissed the possibility that the terms in the aforementioned passages were used in different senses. Throughout Scripture, however, words are often used in various ways. In James 2:5, the term “poor” refers to material wealth, whereas the term “rich” has to do with a person’s spiritual well-being. In Philippians 3:12,15, Paul used the term “perfect” (NASB) in different senses. Although Paul had attained spiritual maturity (“perfection”) in Christ (vs. 15), he had not yet attained the perfect “final thing, the victor’s prize of the heavenly calling in Christ Jesus” (Schippers, 1971, 2:62; cf. Philippians 3:9-11). Similarly, in one sense man has seen God, but in another sense he has not.
Consider the first chapter of John where we learn that in the beginning Jesus was with God and “was God” (1:1; cf. 14,17). Though John wrote that Jesus “became flesh and dwelt among us” (1:14), he indicated only four sentences later that “no one has seen God at any time” (1:18; 1 John 4:12). Was Jesus God? Yes. Did man see Jesus? Yes. So in what sense has man not seen God? No human has ever seen Jesus in His true image (i.e., as a spirit Being—John 4:24—in all of His fullness, glory, and splendor). When God, the Word, appeared on Earth 2,000 years ago, He came in a veiled form. In his letter to the church at Philippi, the apostle Paul mentioned that Christ—Who had existed in heaven “in the form of God”—“made Himself of no reputation,” and took on the “likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). Mankind saw an embodiment of deity as Jesus dwelt on Earth in the form of a man. Men saw “the Word” that “became flesh.” Likewise, when Jacob “struggled with God” (Genesis 32:28), He saw only a form of God, not the spiritual, invisible, omnipresent God Who fills heaven and Earth (Jeremiah 23:23-24).
But what about those statements which indicate that man saw or spoke to God “face to face”? Jacob said, “I have seen God face to face” (Genesis 32:30). Gideon proclaimed: “I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face” (Judges 6:22). Exodus 33:11 affirms that “the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” First, although these men witnessed great and awesome things, they still only saw manifestations of God and a part of His glory (cf. Exodus 33:18-23). Second, the words “face” and “face to face” are used in different senses in Scripture. Though Exodus 33:11 reveals that God spoke to Moses “face to face,” only nine verses later God told Moses, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live” (33:20). Are we to believe (as Barker and other critics assert) that the author of Exodus was so misguided that he wrote contradictory statements within only nine verses of each other? Certainly not! What then does the Bible mean when it says that God “knew” (Deuteronomy 34:10) or “spoke to Moses face to face” (Exodus 33:11)? The answer is found in Numbers 12. Aaron and Miriam had spoken against Moses and arrogantly asked: “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” (Numbers 12:2). God then appeared to Aaron and Miriam, saying: “If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the Lord” (Numbers 12:6-8, emp. added). Notice the contrast: God spoke to the prophets of Israel through visions and dreams, but to Moses He spoke, “not in dark sayings,” but “plainly.” In other words, God, Who never showed His face to Moses (Exodus 33:20), nevertheless allowed Moses to see “some unmistakable evidence of His glorious presence” (Jamieson, 1997), and spoke to him “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (33:11), i.e., He spoke to Moses plainly, directly, etc.
The Bible does not reveal “mutually incompatible characteristics of God” as Barker has alleged. His assertions in no way prove that the God of the Bible does not exist or that the Bible is unreliable. In truth, Barker’s comments merely reveal that he is a dishonest interpreter of Scripture. If Barker can work “side by side” with a colleague without literally working inches from him (Barker, 2008, p. 335), or if he can see “eye to eye” with a fellow atheist without ever literally looking into the atheist’s eyes, then Barker can understand that God could speak “face to face” with Moses without literally revealing to him His full, glorious “face.”

REFERENCES

Barker, Dan (2008), godless (Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press).
Butt, Kyle and Dan Barker (2009), Does the God of the Bible Exist? (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).
Jamieson, Robert, et al. (1997), Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Bible Commentary (Electronic Database: Biblesoft).
Schippers, R. (1971), “Telos,” The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, ed. Colin Brown (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).

Ben Carson and Islam by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=5231

Ben Carson and Islam

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

"Ben Carson at CPAC 2015" by Gage Skidmore. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons-Wikimedia 2015

One of the current presidential candidates, Ben Carson, was recently asked whether he believes Islam is consistent with the U.S. Constitution: “No, I do not. I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation” (Sanders, 2015). As one would expect in the current PC climate of the nation, considerable negative reactions were generated. It seems surreal that so many Americans could be so adamantly ignorant of both history and the teachings of the Quran as they naively defend, support, and even encourage the spread of Islam in America via the construction of mosques and introducing public school students to its tenets.
Yet, the Quran is forthright and unmistakable in its declarations concerning the violent nature of Islam as well as the inferior status of women—two things the left absolutely detest. The reader is urged to secure a reputable English translation of the Quran, and read the verses identified in the following articles on the A.P. Web site:

“Does ISIS Represent True Islam? http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=8&article=5116&topic=47
“Violence and the Quran” http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=8&article=1491&topic=47
“Husband and Wife in the Quran” http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=8&article=4993&topic=47
“Polygamy and the Quran” http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=8&article=4029&topic=47

What’s more, the Founders of the United States of America were very plain about their recognition of the threat that Islam poses to freedom and the principles on which they established the Republic. Please read the following historical documentation:

“Islam and Early America” http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=1485&topic=33
“Were the Founding Fathers ‘Tolerant’ of Islam? [Part I]” http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=4622&topic=33
“Were the Founding Fathers ‘Tolerant’ of Islam? [Part II]” http://apologeticspress.org/apPubPage.aspx?pub=1&issue=1117&article=2138
“Islamophobia”? http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=5142&topic=44
“Founding Father Elias Boudinot on Islam” http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=4586&topic=44
“John Quincy Adams on Islam” http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=1142&topic=44
“The Treaty of Tripoli and America’s Founders” http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=4520&topic=44
“What Good Things Can You Say About Islam?” http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=5143&topic=44

REFERENCES

Sanders, Sam (2015), “Ben Carson Wouldn’t Vote For A Muslim President; He’s Not Alone,” NPR, September 21, http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/09/21/442308328/republican-rhetoric-highlights-americas-negative-relationship-with-muslims.

Affecting the Next Generation Science Standards for the Lord (Update) by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=1689

Affecting the Next Generation Science Standards for the Lord (Update)

by	Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

Are you frustrated with where science has gone in the last few decades in its promotion of naturalism—evolution and the Big Bang Theory? Are you tired of standing on the side-line as the evolution machine steamrolls over the minds of millions of kids, destroying their faith in God? Do you want to take a stand and do something about it? It so happens that right now—at this very moment—you can take a few minutes that could have a lasting impact in this debate. You could effect a change, and if not, you can atleast make a public statement and be counted among those who tried to make a difference. You can play a significant role in shaping the science curriculum that will be taught throughout the majority of these United States for the next several years.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is currently developing the science standard for some 26 states. Now is the time to take action and speak out against the indoctrination of young minds with the bad science of evolutionary theory. If the science standards pass as they are written now, Darwinian evolution will be a required topic in your child’s science education, if you live in one of the states that adopts this standard. The NGSS is currently accepting input from the public over the next few days (until January 29, 2013) on the second draft of their proposed science standards in the form of a survey on their Web site (www.nextgenscience.org). We strongly recommend that you take five minutes and speak out for God and the biblical view of origins. Now may be the only time for many years (or ever) to let your voice be heard in a direct, effective way on this matter.
The Villa Rica church of Christ in Georgia is taking a lead in this effort, and has developed a Web site to help you in this process. If you need help getting straight to the critical issues in the science standard, click here (http://www.unity-in-christ.org/Articles/christians4science_is_an_apologe.html). At the top of that Web page are two red rectangular links that will be helpful to you in sifting through the information on the NGSS Web site.
Please let your voice be heard. There is absolutely no doubt that the promulgation of evolutionary theory in America’s school system is one of the most effective ways that Satan has “taken advantage of us” (2 Corinthians 2:11) over the last 50 years, turning Americans and the world away from the God of the Bible. But we are not “ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Remember the famous words of exhortation credited to Edmund Burke, a British statesman from the 1700s: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Take up the sword of truth, and fight with us.

The Benevolent, "Leavening" Influence of Christianity by Wayne Jackson, M.A.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=10&article=248

The Benevolent, "Leavening" Influence of Christianity

by	Wayne Jackson, M.A.

In one of his delightfully instructive parables, Jesus set forth the following concept regarding his approaching reign:

The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33).

It is agreed among Bible expositors that the “leaven” of this parable signifies the pervasive and benevolent influence of the kingdom of Christ, as this leaven would make its presence felt from the first century onward. In his classic work on the parables, Trench noted that Christianity, “[w]orking from the centre to the circumference, by degrees...made itself felt, till at length the whole Roman world was, more or less, leavened by it” (1877, p. 121). In his important treatise on the parables, Taylor affirmed that the leaven represents “the good, wholesome, aggressive influence which Christ introduced into the world when he came to earth, and lived and died, and rose again, as the Savior of sinners” (1928, p. 60).
There is, perhaps, no more graphic portrait of the vileness of the Mediterranean world than that which is painted by Paul in the opening chapter of his epistle to the Romans. It is dismal indeed. William Barclay observed:

When we read Romans 1:26-32 it might seem that this passage is the work of some almost hysterical moralist who was exaggerating the contemporary situation and painting it in colours of rhetorical hyperbole. It describes a situation of degeneracy of morals almost without parallel in human history. But there is nothing that Paul said that the Greek and Roman writers of the age did not themselves say (1957, p. 23).

The Scottish scholar then proceeded to document his depiction with ample citations from ancient historians who commented upon this period of depraved history. It was into this hostile environment that the religion of Jesus was inaugurated, gradually but surely changing—much for the better—the moral climate of that world. If one is inclined to think that this appraisal is biased, perhaps we may appeal to the testimony of a writer who never could be accused of entertaining sympathy for Christianity.
Bertrand Russell (1872-1970), an agnostic, has been characterized as the most influential philosopher of the twentieth century. In 1950, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. He was a militant opponent of the religion of Jesus Christ, even producing a popular essay titled, “Why I am not a Christian.” I mention this to argue that whatever testimony we elicit from him certainly will not arise from a heart that is disposed toward the Teacher from Nazareth. Be that as it may, Russell, oddly enough, became an unwitting witness to the truth of the “leavening” activity of the Christian system in the Roman world.
First, the philosopher commented concerning the barbarous practice of infanticide (i.e., the destruction of newborn infants)—a practice so common in the Roman world.

Infanticide, which might seem contrary to human nature, was almost universal before the rise of Christianity, and is recommended by Plato to prevent over-population (1950, p. 92; emp. added).

Second, Russell gave a nodding tribute to the influence of Christianity relative to the status of women in the Roman world.

In antiquity, when male supremacy was unquestioned and Christian ethics were still unknown, women were harmless but rather silly, and a man who took them seriously was somewhat despised (p. 101; emp. added).

Third, there is this comment regarding Christian benevolence in general.

Christianity, as soon as it conquered the state, put an end to gladiatorial shows, not because they were cruel, but because they were idolatrous. The result, however, was to diminish the widespread education in cruelty by which the populace of Roman towns were degraded. Christianity also did much to soften the lot of slaves. It established charity on a large scale, and inaugurated hospitals (p. 137; emp. added).

Our world may be thankful indeed for the lingering influence of Jesus’ life and teaching upon this Earth.

REFERENCES

Barclay, William (1957), The Letter to the Romans (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster).
Russell, Bertrand (1950), Unpopular Essays (New York: Simon & Schuster).
Taylor, William (1928), The Parables of Our Savior (New York: Doubleday).
Trench, R.C. (1877), Notes on the Parables (London: Macmillan).

Christ at the Door of Your Heart? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1184

Christ at the Door of Your Heart?

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

One of the most familiar expressions uttered within Christendom is: “Christ stands at the door of your heart.” Many have been the preachers who have urged their hearers to “invite Jesus into their hearts” in order to be forgiven of sin and made a Christian. Someone said if you repeat a statement enough times, people will come to accept it on the basis of sheer repetition and familiarity. The admonition that “Christ stands at the door of your heart” has been repeated so frequently that, for many, to question it is unthinkable. One would think that since this approach to salvation is so widespread, and the expression is so predominant, that surely the statement can be found in Scripture—even if only in so many words. How disturbing to realize that the statement is not found in Scripture and that the Bible simply does not teach this doctrine!
The phraseology is reminiscent of Revelation 3:20—the passage usually quoted to support the idea of Christ standing at the door of one’s heart. But observe the context. Revelation chapters two and three consist of seven specific mini-letters directed to the seven churches of Christ in Asia Minor near the end of the first century. At the outset, one must recognize that Revelation 3:20 is addressed to Christians—not non-Christians on the verge of conversion.
Second, the verse is found among Christ’s remarks to the church in Laodicea. Jesus made clear that the church had moved into an unfaithful condition. They were lost. They were unacceptable to God since they were “lukewarm” (3:16). They had become unsaved since their spiritual condition was “wretched and miserable and poor” (3:17). Thus, in a very real sense, Jesus had abandoned them by removing His presence from their midst. Now He was on the outside looking in. He still wanted to be among them, but the decision was up to them. They had to recognize His absence, hear Him knocking for admission, and open the door—all of which is figurative language to say that they must repent (3:19). They would have to return to the obedient lifestyle so essential to receiving God’s favor (John 14:21,23).
This means that Revelation 3:20 in no way supports the idea that non-Christians merely have to “open the door of their heart” and “invite Jesus in” with the assurance that the moment they mentally/verbally do so, Jesus will come into their heart and they will be simultaneously saved from all past sin and counted as Christians! The context of Revelation 3:20 shows that Jesus was seeking readmission into an apostate church.
“But doesn’t the Bible teach that Christ does come into a person’s heart?” Yes. But not the way the religious world suggests. Ephesians 3:17 states that Christ dwells in the heart through faith. Faith can be acquired only by hearing biblical truth (Romans 10:17). When that biblical truth is obeyed, the individual is “saved by faith” (Hebrews 5:9; James 2:22; 1 Peter 1:22; et al.). So Christ enters our lives when we “draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience [i.e., when we repent of our sins] and our bodies washed with pure water [i.e., when we are baptized in water]” (Hebrews 10:22). Here is the New Testament (i.e., non-denominational) way to accept Christ.