April 4, 2017

Gravitational Waves Detected: What It Means to Us by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=474

Gravitational Waves Detected: What It Means to Us

by	Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

On February 11, 2016, physicists were excited to announce that the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory directly detected, for the first time, gravitational waves from the cosmos. What is the significance of this discovery to creationists?
Though many of the predictions of Einstein’s general theory of relativity have been verified repeatedly over the years, making it one of the most evidence-supported theories in science, his prediction of the existence of gravitational waves was not observed for decades. According to the theory, the occurrence of certain cosmological events (e.g., “spiraling neutron stars”¹) should result in “ripples in the fabric of space and time”—gravitational waves.² Sure enough, what is thought by many to have been the collision of two black holes 1.3 billion light years away from us, “sent a shudder through the Universe” that reached Earth five months ago.³ This discovery is a great victory for science and cosmology, but what does it mean to the alleged Big Bang and the Creation model?
Essentially nothing. Some of those who have contacted us concerning the new discovery were under the impression that it overturned the verdict last year that Big Bang gravitational waves were not discovered, as had been supposed.⁴ Recall that Big Bang inflation (i.e., the violent, rapid expansion of the Universe immediately after the supposed Big Bang) was proposed by evolutionary cosmologists to try to fix the Horizon and Flatness problems in the cosmos, which effectively falsified the Big Bang. If Big Bang inflation was true, however, gravitational waves from the inflation event should have accompanied it, but no evidence for those waves has ever surfaced. In 2014 the claim was made that Big Bang gravitational waves were discovered,⁵ but within months, the claim was invalidated.⁶ The waves recently discovered are not said to be Big Bang gravitational waves as those from 2014 were, but rather, what we might call Black Hole Collision gravitational waves—waves from an event that is thought to have transpired, not 13.8 billion years ago at the alleged Big Bang, but rather, 12.5 billion years later. In other words, gravitational waves can come from various phenomena beyond merely a “Big Bang,” as the current discovery attests. [NOTE: We do not subscibe to the Big Bang Theory or the idea that the Universe is billions of years old. Neither are reconcilable with Scripture or science. We are just responding to the idea that the discovery of gravitational waves helps prove the Big Bang.]
While the discovery might help cosmologists more easily detect gravitational waves from the cosmos in the future, the discovery does nothing to help “Big Bangers” validate their theory. The Big Bang still stands under the dark shroud of blind faith—evidence-less conjecture. In the words of Paul Steinhardt, theoretical physicist and professor at Princeton, “the inflationary paradigm is so flexible that it is immune to experimental and observational tests…. [T]he paradigm of inflation is unfalsifiable…. [I]t is clear that the inflationary paradigm is fundamentally untestable, and hence scientifically meaningless.”⁷

Endnotes

Suggested Resource

¹ Gibney, Elizabeth (2016), “What To Look Out For in 2016,” Nature, 529[7584]:14.

² Cho, Adrian (2016), “Gravitational Waves, Einstein’s Ripples in Spacetime, Spotted for First Time,” Science On-line, February 11, http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/02/gravitational-waves-einstein-s-ripples-spacetime-spotted-first-time.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Miller, Jeff (2015), “Big Bang Inflation Officially Bites the Dust,” Apologetics Press, https://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=5164&topic=336.

⁵ Miller, Jeff (2014), “Was the Big Bang Just Proven by Astronomers?” Reason & Revelation, 34[6]:81-83, June, http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=4817.

⁶ Miller, 2015.

⁷Steinhardt, Paul (2014), “Big Bang Blunder Bursts the Multiverse Bubble,” Nature, 510[7503]:9, June 5.

If He Were a Prophet... by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=10&article=2170

If He Were a Prophet...

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

The gospel accounts paint a picture of the character of Jesus unrivaled by any other personality in human history. On one memorable occasion, Jesus was invited to eat with a Pharisee named Simon (Luke 7:36-50). During his stay, a woman who was known in the area for her sinful lifestyle approached Jesus. She proceeded to wash His feet with her tears, dry them with her hair, and anoint Jesus with fragrant oil.
Simon, seeing the sinful woman’s behavior, said to himself, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39). Notice two important aspects of Simon’s response. First, he spoke to himself. There is no indication that his thoughts were verbalized or in any way audible to those around him. Second, the criterion he set to determine whether Christ was a prophet was knowledge of the woman’s sinful lifestyle.
Jesus’ response to Simon proved that He was far more than a prophet. He answered the Pharisee by explaining that those who have sinned much and been forgiven of their sins will love God more than those who feel they have few sins to forgive. Jesus then forgave the woman’s sins. His response exhibited a knowledge, not only of the spiritual condition of the woman, but also of Simon’s inner conversation with himself. Not only did Jesus know the woman was a sinner, but He knew the conversation Simon had with himself about Jesus’ reaction to the woman. What did Jesus’ reaction prove? It should have proved to Simon that Jesus was far more than a prophet. When Jesus forgave the woman’s sins, He proved that He was God in the flesh.
The modern application of this story is profound. Jesus has exhibited far more evidence validating His deity than any reasonable person could demand. His life was prophesied in minute detail hundreds of years before He was born, He accomplished miracles that supported the prophesies, He foretold His own death and resurrection, He showed Himself alive to many witnesses after His resurrection, and ascended to Heaven in the sight of many witnesses as the culmination of His earthly ministry. The honest, reasonable response to Jesus’ personality and power is perfectly summarized in Nathanael’s reaction to Jesus’ miraculous knowledge. After Jesus explained to Nathanael that He had miraculously seen Nathanael under the fig tree, Nathanael exclaimed: “Rabbi, You are the Son of God” (John 1:49)!

Jesus Said: "Do Not Believe Me" by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=4214

Jesus Said: "Do Not Believe Me"

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

Most within Christendom see Jesus as One Who expects people to accept Him “by faith.” What they mean by “faith” is that people ought to accept Jesus as the Son of God without any proof, evidence, or rational justification—simply because He claimed to be divine. Most, in fact, see faith and proof as opposites. They think one must have faith in those areas where proof is unavailable. To them, “faith” is blindly accepting what you cannot prove, and deciding to believe what you cannot know.
Tragically, this widespread malady has fomented unbelief, skepticism, and atheism. After all, God created the human mind “in His image” (Genesis 1:26). Hence, the human mind was designed to function rationally. When humans conduct themselves illogically, they are going against their natural inclination. In the face of such irrationality, the atheist rightly dismisses “Christianity” as a false system of thinking. Ironically, the atheist is equally irrational in his blind commitment to atheism and evolution—both of which contradict the evidence. [see www.apologeticspress.org]
True, undenominational, New Testament Christianity, on the other hand, is the one and only consistent, rational perspective. According to the New Testament, God never expects nor requires anyone to accept His Word without adequate proof. God empowered His spokesmen on Earth to verify their verbal pronouncements by performing accompanying supernatural acts (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3-4). The book of John spotlights this feature repeatedly. When Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, approached Jesus one night, he stated: “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:2, emp. added). Nicodemus was a rational man! He saw evidence that pointed to the obvious conclusion that Jesus was of divine origin, and was honest enough to admit it.
Responding to critical Jews, Jesus defended His divine identity by directing their attention to the works (i.e., “supernatural actions”) He performed: “[T]he very works that I do bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me” (John 5:36). He made the same point to His apostles on another occasion:

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves (John 14:10-11, emp. added).

Later, Jesus noted that when people refused to believe in Him as the Son of God, they were without excuse, since the evidence of His divine identity had been amply demonstrated: “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father” (John 15:24, emp. added). So their lack of faith could not be attributed to their inability to know the truth regarding the person of Jesus (cf. John 8:32).
If it is the case that God does not expect a person to believe in Him unless adequate evidence has been made available to warrant that conclusion, then we ought to expect to see Jesus urging people not to believe Him unless He provided proof for His claims. Do we find Jesus doing so while He was on Earth? Absolutely! This fact is particularly evident in Jesus’ response to the tirade launched against Him by hard-hearted Jews who refused to face the reality of His divinity. He reiterated: “The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me” (John 10:25). His subsequent explicit declaration of His deity incited angry preparations to stone Him. He boldly challenged them: “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him” (John 10:37-38, emp. added).
Since Jesus came to the planet to urge people to render obedient submission to Him (John 3:16; 8:24), it is difficult to envision Him telling people not to believe Him. But that is precisely what He did! He has provided the world with adequate evidence for people to distinguish truth from falsehood. We can know that God exists, that Jesus is His Son, and that the Bible is the Word of God. If the evidence did not exist to prove these matters, God would not expect anyone to believe; nor would He condemn anyone for failing to believe—since He is fair and just (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11; Peter 3:9). But the evidence does exist! We can know! All accountable human beings are under obligation to investigate and find the truth (John 8:32; 6:45; 7:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). All who desire to know the truth can find it (Matthew 5:6; 7:7-8). All who fail to do so are “without excuse” (Romans 1:20)!

The Fool by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=930

The Fool

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

Perhaps many Americans are unaware of the extent to which atheism and agnosticism have blanketed the country. Virtually every department in our state universities has been infiltrated by godless, humanistic presuppositions. Study and research are conducted from an evolutionary, relativistic framework that either jettisons the notion of God altogether, or dilutes it sufficiently to effectively nullify the biblical representation of deity. The psalmist anticipated all such behavior centuries ago when he wrote: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’ ” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1).
Because of their inability to discern spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14), the Soviet cosmonauts looked out of their spacecraft in the 1960s and, in ridicule, asked, “Where is God?,” echoing again the words of the psalmist: “Why should the nations say, ‘Where now is their God?’ But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:2-3). Pride is a deadly pitfall that blinds one to the truth: “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God’ ” (Psalm 10:4).
But the Universe “declares” the plain work of the Creator (Psalm 19:1). Would we not consider a person a “fool” were he to pick up a watch and proclaim, “There is no watchmaker”? Though he had never empirically encountered the creator and designer of the watch, the mere existence of the watch proves the existence of a watchmaker. It takes very little investigation to see that a watch is a crude, simplistic instrument compared to the glorious, complex chronometers of the Universe. Those who see “the things that are made” and deny the very One Who made it all are “without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
Recognition of the existence of the Creator should lead a person to pursue His will. One may express verbal belief in the existence of God while being a practical atheist. Such a person professes, “There is no God” by his or her actions. By failing to be devoted to God, even while considering oneself to be a Christian, he or she is denying the Lord (1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16). One can deny His great act of love, mercy, and grace (Titus 2:11-12; Hebrews 2:3). One can forget and ignore the great dissolution to come (2 Peter 3:10-12).
Who desires to be a fool? Who really wants to live a foolish existence? The wise, insightful, noble person is the one who examines the evidence and draws the warranted conclusion (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). Only a fool would affirm: “There is no God.”

The Prophecy of Cyrus by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=823

The Prophecy of Cyrus

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Imagine taking a trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and visiting the State House where the Constitutional Convention took place in 1787. During the tour, your guide points to a document dating back to just this side of the convention—about the year 1820. The piece of parchment tells of a man named George W. Bush from Austin, Texas, who would be President of the United States within the next 200 years. But how could someone know that a man named George W. Bush would be born in the United States? And how could someone know more than a century before Mr. Bush was born that he would be President of the United States? Furthermore, how could someone in 1820 know that a man from Texas (named George W. Bush) would be President of the United States when Texas wasn’t even part of the Union yet? Such a prophecy truly would be amazing, yet obviously no such prediction was ever made. In fact, despite all of the publicity that “psychic hotlines” recieve, only God can foretell the future.
One of the reasons we can know the Bible is from God is that it contains hundreds of prophecies about individuals, lands, and nations similar to the example above. One such prophecy was about a man named Cyrus and two nations: Babylon and the Medo-Persian Empire. Isaiah vividly described how God would destroy the powerful kingdom of Babylon, “the glory of kingdoms” (13:19). Writing as if it had already occurred (commonly known as the “prophetic perfect,” frequently employed in the Old Testament to stress the absolute certainty of fulfillment, i.e. Isaiah 53), Isaiah declared Babylon would fall (21:9). He then prophesied that Babylon would fall to the Medes and Persians (Isa.13; 21:1-10). Later, he proclaimed that the “golden city” (Babylon) would be conquered by a man named Cyrus (44:28; 45:1-7). This is a remarkable prophecy, especially since Cyrus was not born until almost 150 years after Isaiah penned these words.
Not only did Isaiah predict that Cyrus would overthrow Babylon, but he also wrote that Cyrus, serving as Jehovah’s “anointed” and “shepherd,” would release the Jews from captivity and assist them in their return to Jerusalem for the purpose of rebuilding the temple. All of this was written almost 200 years before Cyrus conquered Babylon (539 B.C.). Amazing!
In case you are wondering about the factuality of this story, secular history verifies that all of these events came true. There really was a man named Cyrus who ruled the Medo-Persian Empire. He did conquer Babylon. And just as Isaiah prophesied, he assisted the Jews in their return to Jerusalem and in the rebuilding of the temple.
Truly, “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Muhammad or Jesus? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=8&article=5135

Muhammad or Jesus?

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

Muhammad: “Those who say: Allah hath chosen a son…speak nothing but a lie” (Surah 18:4-5).
Jesus (through John): “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?... Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either” (1 John 2:22-23).

*********************

Muhammad: “Allah hath not chosen any son, nor is there any God along with Him” (Surah 23:91).
God: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5).

*********************

Muhammad: “[T]he Christians call Christ the Son of God.... Allah’s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!” (Surah 9:30).
Jesus: “[H]e who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). “Jesus…said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God?’ He answered and said, ‘Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you’” (John 9:35-37).

*********************

Muhammad: “They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain, but Allah took him up unto Himself” (Surah 4:157-158).
Jesus: “‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ This He said, signifying by what death He would die” (John 12:32-33).

*******************

Muhammad: “[S]ay not ‘Three’—Cease! (it is) better for you!—Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that he should have a son” (Surah 4:171-172).

Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

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Muhammad: “They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary…. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden Paradise. His abode is the Fire” (Surah 5:72-74).
Jesus: “[I]f you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

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Muhammad: Polygamous, having multiple wives, as many as 12 at a time.
Jesus: Remained single, devoting Himself to His divine mission.

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The Jesus of the Quran: A mere human prophet, finite in his attributes, like sinful man, flawed.
The Jesus of the Bible: Perfect, infinite in all of His attributes, unlike sinful man.

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Islam is focused on Muhammad, who was merely a man.
Christianity is focused on Jesus, Who was God in the flesh.

*********************

OBSERVE:
According to Islam and the Quran—
If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you will be lost eternally in hell.
According to Christianity and the Bible—
If you do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you will be lost eternally in hell.

Jesus said: “Unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

NOTE: The above verses from the Quran were taken from two celebrated Muslim translations:
Ali, Abdullah Yusuf (1934), The Qur’an (Elmhurst, NY: Tahrike Tarsile Quran), ninth edition.
Pickthall, Mohammed M. (1930), The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (New York: Mentor).

"THE BOOK OF ACTS" The Persecution Begins (4:1-31) by Mark Copeland

"THE BOOK OF ACTS"

The Persecution Begins (4:1-31)

INTRODUCTION

1. Following Peter's healing of the lame man, and his second gospel sermon...
a. Religious leaders in Jerusalem became greatly disturbed - Ac 4:1-2
b. While many people believed, with believers numbering 5000 - Ac 4:4

2. This conflicting reaction led to the persecution of the church in Jerusalem...
a. What was the nature of this persecution?
b. What lessons might we learn from it?

[The fourth chapter in Acts will answer such questions. So let's begin by reviewing...]

I. THE ARREST OF PETER AND JOHN

A. BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL...
1 Peter and John taken into custody - Ac 4:1-4
a. By the priests, captain of the temple, and the Sadducees
b. Who were upset by their preaching in Jesus the resurrection from the dead - cf. Ac 23:8
c. Kept overnight until the next day
d. The number of those who believed came to be about five thousand
2. Their appearance before the Council (Sanhedrin) - Ac 4:5-7
a. Before the rulers, elders and scribes
b. Before Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and
Alexander, along with other family members of the high priest
c. Peter and John challenged to explain by what power or name they have acted
3. Peter's response as led be the Spirit - Ac 4:8-12
a. Were they being judged for doing a good deed to a helpless man in making him well?
b. It was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth he was made whole
1) Whom they crucified - cf. Ac 2:23,36; 3:14-15
2) Whom God raised from the dead - cf. Ac 2:24,34; 3:15
3) The stone rejected by the builders, now the chief cornerstone - cf. Ps 118:22
c. There is salvation in no other name under heaven - cf. Mt 1:21; Jn 14:6

B. THREATENED NOT TO TEACH...
1. The council's reaction - Ac 4:13-18
a. What the council saw
1) The boldness of Peter and John - contra Jn 20:19
a) Perceived as uneducated and untrained men
b) Realized as having been with Jesus
2) The man who had been healed
a) Standing with Peter and John - cf. Ac 3:11
b) Against whose healing nothing could be said
b. What the council reasoned
1) A notable has occurred, evident to all, none could deny
2) To prevent further spread, to threaten the apostles
c. What the council did
1) Commanded Peter and John
2) Not to speak at all or teaching in the name of Jesus
2. Peter and John's reply - Ac 4:19-20
a. Shall they listen to the council or to God? - cf. Ac 5:29
b. They cannot but speak what they have seen and heard - cf. Ac 1:8; 2:32; 3:15
3. Peter and John released - Ac 4:21-22
a. Upon further threatening, but finding no way of punishing them
b. Because of the people, who glorified God for what had been done - cf. Ac 3:9-10
c. For the man who was healed was over forty years old (lame from birth) - cf. Ac 3:2

[Thus the persecution against the Jerusalem church begins with threats
(Ac 4:18,21) How did they respond? What can we learn from their
response? As we continue, we read of...]

II. THE PRAYER FOR BOLDNESS

A. PETER AND JOHN RETURN...
1. To their brethren - Ac 4:23
2. To report all that had been said to them - cf. Ac 4:18

B. THEIR PRAYER...
1. Addressed to the Lord God, Creator of all things - Ac 4:24-28
a. Who prophesied by the mouth of His servant David - cf. Ps 2:1
b. Of the nations' rage and plotting against His Christ - cf. Ps 2:2-3
c. As fulfilled by Herod and Pilate, by Gentiles and Israel
d. Who did according to His predetermined purpose - cf. Ps 2:4-6; Ac 2:22
2. Asking for all boldness in the face of such threats - Ac 4:29-30
a. That His servants may speak His word
b. That His hand might stretch out
1) To heal, to do signs and wonders - cf. Ac 4:33; 5:12,15-16
2) Through the name of His holy Servant Jesus - cf. Ac 3:16; 4:10

C. THE ANSWER...
1. The place in which they were assembled was shaken - Ac 4:31; cf. Ac 2:2
2. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit - cf. Ac 2:4
3. They spoke the word of God with boldness - cf. Ac 4:29

CONCLUSION

1. The persecution against the church began with threats...
a. Warned not to speak nor teach in the name of Jesus - Ac 4:18
b. Which Peter and John were determined not to heed - Ac 4:19-20

2. The response to this persecution was two-fold...
a. Fellowship with one another - Ac 4:23,32; cf. Ac 12:5,12
b. Prayer through which they received boldness - Ac 4:29,31; cf. Ep 6:18-20

Should we experience persecution, may we likewise respond with
fellowship, prayer, and boldness...!

"THE BOOK OF ACTS" Communal Christianity (4:32-37) by Mark Copeland

"THE BOOK OF ACTS"

Communal Christianity (4:32-37)

INTRODUCTION

1. The first church in the local sense was the church at Jerusalem...
a. Noted for its dedication to apostolic doctrine and brotherly love - cf. Ac 2:42-47
b. Which continued to exist as described by Luke in our text - cf. Ac 4:32-37

2. The example of the Jerusalem church has often led some to ask...
a. Did the church practice communism as we know it today?
b. Is having "all things in common" to be the norm for all churches?

[In an effort to answer such questions, let's begin by reviewing what is revealed about...]

I. COMMUNAL CHRISTIANITY IN JERUSALEM

A. THEY HAD ALL THINGS IN COMMON...
1. Mentioned twice by Luke - Ac 2:44; 4:32
2. Involving the selling of possessions, goods, homes, lands - Ac 2:45; 4:34
3. Dividing the proceeds among all, as any had need - Ac 2:45;4:34-35

B. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES, GOOD AND BAD...
1. Joses (Barnabas) - Ac 4:36-37
a. Sold a piece of land
b. Brought the proceeds to the apostles
2. Ananias and Sapphira - Ac 5:1-4
a. Sold a possession
b. Kept back part of the proceeds, lied about it
3. Needy widows - Ac 6:1
a. Recipients of a daily distribution
b. But Hellenist widows were being neglected

[Without question the early church in Jerusalem practiced what could be
called a form of "communal" Christianity. But was it communism? Is it
to be the norm for churches today? Consider some...]

II. OBSERVATIONS ABOUT COMMUNAL CHRISTIANITY

A. IT WAS NOT COMMUNISM...
1. Communism: advocacy of a classless society in which private
ownership has been abolished and the means of production and
subsistence belong to the community
2. Communism requires that people of a society sell their
property and give the proceeds to the community (or state)
3. In the Jerusalem church the selling and giving was done freely, not out of compulsion
4. As was giving by Gentile churches later on - cf. 2Co 8:12; 9:7

B. IT WAS NOT THE NORM FOR ALL...
1. Ananias and Sapphira did not have to sell their possession,
nor did they have give the full amount; their sin was lying
about the actual amount - cf. Ac 5:1-4,7-8
2. Some in Jerusalem kept their homes; e.g., Mary - Ac 12:12
3. Christians elsewhere had their homes
a. Aquila and Priscilla, in Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome - Ac 18:1-3; 1Co 16:19; Ro 16:3-5
b. Nymphas, near Colosse - Col 4:15
c. Philemon, near Colosse, with a guest room - Phm 1:2,22
4. Rich Christians were commanded to do good, be rich in good
works, ready to give, willing to share, but it had to be of
their own free will - 1Ti 6:17-19

CONCLUSION

1. The example of the church in Jerusalem is an inspiration to all...
a. Of brotherly love
b. Of free-will giving

2. It may have occurred due to unique circumstances...
a. Many new converts had been visiting from other nations on Pentecost - Ac 2:1-11
b. Staying after conversion to learn more, their resources would soon be exhausted
c. Those who lived in Jerusalem were willing to sell possessions to help them

3. But the "communal Christianity" practiced there should not be viewed as...
a. Communism or the approval of it
b. Required (the norm) for all churches

Rather, "communal Christianity" as practiced in Jerusalem can be
considered a viable option, should the need for benevolence arise, and
where it can be practiced without any sort of compulsion...

Five Lies Of The 20th Century By Dennis Gulledge

http://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/1999/nov/page14.shtml

Five Lies Of The 20th Century

By Dennis Gulledge

We are now watching the 20th century come to a close. As we approach this landmark it is proper that we assess the strength of our nation and world. We are all products of the world we live in, at least to some extent. As Christians we have to guard against acceptance of the ways of this world (Romans 12:1-2). This is especially true with regard to the ideas that shape a nation. Every age has its lies and infamous liars. Satan is the father of lies in every age (John 8:44). We have to be careful that we do not believe his lies. It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who said, “Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle, which fits them all.”
The last ten decades have produced subtle changes in the bedrock of American culture. These changes have not all been good. In our government, courts, media, schools and homes, dangerous lies have been planted that have proved ruinous to our country. Unless these lies are recognized and uprooted, our society will continue its moral decline. Let us observe five lies of the 20th century.*

Freedom Of Religion Means Freedom From Religion

The establishment clause of the First Amendment to our Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” It means that the federal government shall not establish any particular faith as the nation’s official religion. But, it has been interpreted by the humanists of the American Civil Liberties Union as a restriction on religion period, or a strict separation of church and state. In 1947 the U.S. Supreme Court declared, “The wall of separation between church and state must be kept high and impregnable” (Everson v. Board of Education). In later years came the Supreme Court rulings that we knew must follow in the wake of such a philosophy: no prayer in public schools (Engle v. Vitale, 1962); no Bible reading in public schools (Abington v. Schempp, 1963); and religious speech among students was pronounced unconstitutional (Stein v. Oshinsky, 1965).
Alexis de Tocqueville said, “America is great because America is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” America can be called good only insofar as she respects God’s will for humanity. David said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” (Psalms 33:12). Solomon added, “Righteousness exalteh a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Again, David wrote, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalms 11:3).

The Traditional Family Is Irrelevant

At the end of the 20th century the traditional family has suffered many battle scars. Today the average marriage lasts for only seven years and nearly half of those dissolve within the first three years. According to some, America ranks highest among nations in the word in divorces granted. We are told that it matters not whether mom or somebody else nurtures the children. We are also told that dad is not even needed at home. We are left asking, “Whatever happened to mom, dad and the kids?” In 1885 the U.S. Supreme Court defined the family “. . . as consisting in and springing from the union for life of one man and one woman in the holy estate of matrimony . . .” (Murphy v. Ramsey). Such is, and always has been, consistent with God’s ideal for the family. God approves of the institution of marriage (Hebrews 13:4). God approves of the husband and wife team [provided it is a scriptural union] (Matthew 19:1-9). God approves of children that may bless that union (Titus 2:4-5). Some sociologists are saying, more and more, that two parent homes are important in the development of children. Imagine that!

Evolution Is A Fact Of Science

Somewhere along the way, evolution went from being a theory to a so-called fact of science. For one hundred and fifty years, evolution has been in the limelight. In 1959 Julian Huxley said, “The first point to make about Darwin’s theory is that it is no longer a theory, but a fact.” Why do people believe this lie of science? First, it may be because they have been taught it since the first grade. Second, pride may enter into the picture. We are told that evolution is unquestioned by “thinking” people. Third, some simply reject God and discount the idea of creation (Romans 1:28).
Both evolution and creation require faith. No one has ever observed either evolution or creation taking place. Many, however, who believe in creation do so because the evidence points to a Creator. When you hear a song you know that it had a composer. When you read a book you know that it had a writer. When you view a house you know that it had a builder. The Bible says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalms 19:1). “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4).

The Sexual Revolution Has Set Us Free

In 1970 our government entered the sex education business, and since then, has put billions of tax dollars into promoting “safe sex” in public schools. Here are some of the myths widely propagated by the “safe sex” advocates: First, “Young people are going to be sexually active anyway, so we might as well teach them to be responsible.” Second, “Sex education in our schools is value neutral.” Third, “Abstinence is not realistic.” What are some of the fruits of this lie? First, the aborting of America. Destroy the egg of a bald eagle (or any other endangered species) and the government will fine you thousands of dollars. Destroy an unborn child and the government will foot the bill. Second, “alternative lifestyles” are gaining acceptance. Homosexuality is “out” and proud and in your face!
What does the Bible say? God made male and female, therefore, homosexuality is against nature (Matthew 19:4; Romans 1:26-27). God blessed the marriage relationship, not cohabitation (Genesis 2:18; Matthew 19:5-6). God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). All life is precious (Genesis 1:26-27). We are free to live within the bounds that God has set for the family. Other courses God will judge (Hebrews 13:4).

Entertainment Is Harmless

Entertainment is that which is interesting, diverting and amusing. Much of what is called entertainment these days delves into the forbidden realms of a contempt for God and all things sacred (Exodus 20:7), a saturation of sensuality and a predisposition for violence. It all sounds somewhat like the situation in Genesis 6:5-6 when God was grieved with the moral depravity of the early races of man. The lies of the entertainment industry run like this: First, “The First Amendment guarantees our right to produce any kind of material we want to.” Second, “We don’t create culture, we merely reflect it.” Third, “Violence in entertainment doesn’t affect anybody. It’s only a movie.” The truth is that what we see and hear does affect us in ways both good and bad. The Bible says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23); “For as he thinketh in his heart so is he . . .” (Proverbs 23:7); “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19).
We live in a world of lies and the 20th century has seen some notable ones. Lyndon B. Johnson said, “Men cannot live with a lie and not be stained by it.” How much have we been stained by the lies of the 20th century? Only the truth of God’s Word can repair the damage done by Satan’s lies and wash the stains away (John 8:32).
*Many of the thoughts expressed in this article are taken from the book, Five Lies of the Century (Tyndale House Publishers, 1995), by David T. Moore. I have borrowed his main points, with the exception of the first one. Mr. Moore gives an excellent and thorough analysis of the thoughts covered in this article.

ABUSE Donald R. Fox

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ABUSE

Donald R. Fox

I would like to address briefly the great problem of physical, mental abuse and domestic violence. There has always been such negative and brutal behavior. It constantly bothers me when I hear the excuse, “If you come from a background of domestic violence, growing up with this abuse, the cycle continues.” To a degree, that may be true. I reject the premise that abuse must be carried on from our upbringing. It is better if young children learn to reject and abhor this violence on a common sense basis. Don’t youthful folks see kinder and gentler civilized behaviors via a personal contact with neighbors, other family members and friends? Can they observe social and loving gestures? And don’t these civil devoted acts from those around the youth teach, “This is right?”

I will acknowledge, that if one is growing up in a godless and uncivilized environment that is empty of Christian values, chances are they will be violent in order to survive. Example: How can a man mistreat a weaker woman? However, in the Muslim world, a woman can be stoned to death at the whim of men. And this is acceptable in such a society because a godless law authorized this violence.

It would seem to me, that we all have the power to reject or accept negative and violent behaviorism. I maintain that we are not born sinful creatures. Unfortunately, one can learn and practice immoral behaviors.

ALL RATIONAL PEOPLE MUST MAKE CHOICES IN THIS LIFE: Do we want to be nasty or good? Do we want to be loving and charitable? Do we want to help weaker folks or stump them? Do we want to serve the true God or serve Satan? Will we accept the Word of God, the Bible, as the truthful standard or will we do my own thing?

BY OUR OWN GOD-GIVEN VOLITION, TO TURN AWAY FROM SIN IS NEEDED: “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) (KJV) “Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive, Because he considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 18:27-28)(KJV)

THE CHRISTIAN HOME: A SOLUTION TO ABUSE

“A home that is worthy of children should be a place where affections and all family interests are centered. It should be the haven of domestic life, and a sanctuary of mutual ties in the bond of fellowship and love. It should be the training school for children loved by their parents, who teach and train them in the true meaningfulness of life, in honor of God, and respect for humanity. There is hardly any age the child cannot be trained. Even an infant accepts a degree of training very soon. Training children involves grave responsibilities for the home –responsibilities for life and destiny. One of the fundamental principles of communism is to indoctrinate the children as early in life as possible. How much more important it is to teach and train them in ways of righteousness and godliness!” (Reference: page 47, Broken Homes and Handicapped Children, by V. E. Howard)

WHOM WILL WE SERVE?

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) (KJV)