A Heavenly Smile by Gary Rose

 

Just when I thought I had seen every sort of rainbow there is to see, well, here is a new one ( to me at least ). A rainbow in the form of a smile; wonderful. Imagine that, heaven is smiling at me. The only thing better would be to see Jesus smiling at me. Now, that would be very good news, indeed!

Speaking of Good News, I thought of Luke 3 and the message from heaven, not only to me, but to everyone.

Luke says...

Luke 2 ( World English Bible )

¹ Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.

² This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

³ All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.

⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;

⁵ to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

⁶ It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.

⁷ She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

⁹ Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

¹⁰ The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

¹¹ For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

¹² This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”

¹³ Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

In a world full of misery, death and sin, God loved us enough to send his one and only son to give us a way out. A very old message, but nonetheless a very, very wonderful one.

And think about this… the way out is still available. You know, I think God is still in heaven- SMILING!

"CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE CHURCH" ( Introduction ) by Mark Copeland

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

1. The church in the first century often experienced grave challenges...
1. Persecution - Ac 8:1-3; 9:1-2
2. False teachers - Ac 15:1-2; 2Pe 2:1-3; Re 2:14,20
3. Apostasy - Ac 20:29-31; 1Ti 4:1-3; Jude 3
2. Today we see similar challenges confronting the church...
1. False teachers leading many astray
2. Churches apostatizing, resulting in new religious organizations
3. With more than 38,000 denominations now existing!
3. In this series of lessons, I would like for us to examine challenges we face today...
1. Certainly not every challenge, for there are many
2. But a few of the more common ones faced by many churches of Christ

[But first, it might be helpful to carefully distinguish between the universal church and local church as revealed in the Bible. Let's begin with describing...]

1. THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL
1. COMPOSED OF ALL CHRISTIANS...
1. The church to which Jesus referred in Mt 16:18
2. Made up all the saved, both living and dead - cf. He 12:22-24
2. THERE IS JUST ONE...
1. The universal church is called the "body" of Christ - Ep 1:22-23
2. There is only "one body"; therefore, only one church! - Ep 4:4
3. 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
4. ENTER ONLY BY 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
5. 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 who are truly His - He 12:23; 2Ti 2:19
6. CONSISTS OF ALL THE SAVED...
1. The Lord is presenting to Himself a church holy and without blemish - cf. Ep 5:25-27
2. Individuals in the church who sin and refuse to repent are "cut off", "cast out", "spewed out" - cf. Jn 15:2,6; Ro 11:19-22; Re 3:16
7. 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!
8. HAS NO EARTHLY ORGANIZATION...
1. The church universal does have organization - cf. Ep 2:19-22; 1Pe 2:5
1. What organization exists is spiritual in nature
2. Christ is the cornerstone, together with His apostles and prophets as the foundation
3. All Christians are "living stones" built upon that foundation
2. But there is no earthly headquarters for the church
1. E.g., no telephone number to call to speak with the "head" of the church
2. For the Head and His headquarters are in heaven!
9. CANNOT BE DIVIDED...
1. For there is no earthly organization to divide!
2. If division appears to exist...
1. Some unscriptural organization of churches must have been created
2. Such organizations can have division, but not the Lord's church universal!
3. Those who would seek to divide the church through doctrine, conduct, etc., are simply cut off by the Lord Himself!
1. As seen before, individual Christians are "cut off", "cast out", "spewed out"
2. Local churches can have their "candlestick removed" - cf. Re 2:5
3. We need to make sure we are remaining faithful to be in it!
4. Thus there is and always will be, "one body"! - Ep 4:4
1. Death cannot prevail against it - Mt 16:18
2. It is a kingdom that will last forever - cf. Dan 2:44; Lk 1:32-33; Re 17:14
10. 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; 1Th 5:10
11. DOES NOT HAVE ONE OFFICIAL NAME...
1. No one exclusive name or term is used to describe the universal church
2. Various terms used include church of God, body, kingdom, etc. - 1Co 10:32; Ep 1:22-23; Col 1:13

[Such are some of the defining characteristics of the church universal. In contrast, consider...]

2. THE CHURCH LOCAL
1. COMPOSED OF CHRISTIANS IN ONE LOCATION...
1. A local church is made up of Christians in one geographical area
2. E.g., the church at Corinth, the church of the Thessalonians - 1Co 1:2; 1Th 1:1
-- In contrast, the church universal is made up of Christians everywhere!
2. THERE ARE MANY CHURCHES...
1. Paul had reference to local churches when he wrote Ro 16:16
2. And again when he wrote Ga 1:2
-- When it comes to the church universal, though, there is just one!
3. BEGINS WHEREVER PEOPLE JOIN TOGETHER...
1. As the gospel spreads and people respond to it, those in a particular area start a local church when they agree to work together as one
2. Just as the church in Antioch began later than the church in Jerusalem - Ac 11:19-26
-- Whereas the church universal began in Jerusalem on Pentecost, local churches have begun at different places and different times!
4. ENTER BY JOINING OURSELVES...
1. When one wishes to become an accepted member of the local church, they must "join themselves" to that church
2. As Paul sought to do when he came to the church in Jerusalem - Ac 9:26-28
-- Whereas one is "added" by the Lord Himself to the universal church, we can seek to "join" a local congregation (if its members are willing to accept us)
5. ENROLLED BY HUMAN JUDGMENT...
1. Whether we are accepted into a local church is a decision made by the leaders or members of that church
2. Sometimes people are rejected when they should be received - 3Jn 5-9
3. Other times they are accepted when they should be removed - 1Co 5:1-13
-- Evil men may succeed in kicking one out of a local church, but only the Lord determines who stays in the universal church!
6. CONSISTS OF BOTH SAVED AND LOST...
1. Since enrollment occurs through human judgment, fallible decisions can be made
2. A local church may therefore have some who are Christians in name only - cf. Re 3:1-4
-- Hypocrites may become members of a local church; but they don't sneak by the Lord to become members of the universal church!
7. DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO BE SAVED...
1. One can be saved, and not belong to any local church
2. Such was the case of the Eunuch immediately following his conversion, and of Paul when he was in transit between Antioch and Jerusalem - cf. Ac 8:39; 9:26
-- Of course, this should be temporary; in the universal church, it is impossible!
8. HAS EARTHLY ORGANIZATION...
1. A local church when scripturally organized will have bishops and deacons - Php 1:1
2. These bishops were also called elders and pastors, whose role was to oversee and feed the local congregation - Ac 14:23; 20:17,28
-- The only role or position ever given men over the universal church on earth was the apostles and they were not replaced when they died - e.g., James in Ac 12:2
9. CAN BE DIVIDED...
1. Local churches can easily be divided over doctrine or personalities
2. Such was the case with the church at Corinth - 1Co 1:10-13; 3:3,4
-- While we can't divide the universal church, we can be responsible for dividing local churches!
10. DEATH DOES AFFECT MEMBERSHIP...
1. When we die, our membership in a local congregation ends
2. When Stephen died, he was no longer a member of the Jerusalem church - Ac 8:1-2
-- But our membership in the church universal continues on after death!
11. MAY USE DIFFERENT SCRIPTURAL NAMES...
1. Showing relationship to God or Christ - 1Co 1:2; Ro 16:16
2. Identifying the location of the members - 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:2
-- There is no one official name, but we should use scriptural names!

CONCLUSION

1. Understanding the distinction between the church universal and local is important...
1. Failure to do so can lead to faulty thinking about the church
2. Failure to do so can make one susceptible to many challenges facing the church
2. Understanding the distinction between the church universal and local is encouraging...
1. Most challenges confronting the church today do not affect the church universal per se
2. Most challenges confronting the church today involve how local churches respond to them

The church of Christ universal is in good hands (those of Jesus Himself). Whether we remain in His church universal is greatly determined by how we face challenges that affect us as members of local churches of Christ!

The first challenge we shall examine may be the most important, for it determines how we respond to all other challenges we may confront: Authority In Religion!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

A new day is dawning! by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/MorningStar.html

A new day is dawning!

Nights can be long!

Pain or grief can cause the night to drag on and on, hour after hour. In the darkness one waits, longing for the morning light. Sunlight is important, but light from God is even more important.

The Psalmist says: “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning - Yes, more than those who watch for the morning” (Psalm 130:5, 6).

The morning star gives hope to those who long for a new day. The morning star is actually the planet Venus, the brightest celestial body in the sky, after the sun and moon. When you see the morning star, you know the night is almost over!

Jesus is our morning star!

“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). Jesus is harbinger of a new day! He gives hope for a better future.

Balaam called the promised Messiah a rising star: “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17).

Christ has come to enlighten us. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life'” (John 8:12).

God “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13).

Followers of Christ do not walk in darkness. When we follow Him by heeding the Scriptures, the morning star rises in our hearts. “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

When we see the morning star in the sky it gives us hope for a new day. But when the morning star has risen in our hearts, we always see the Morning Star!

Our hope is based on the mercy of God.

When the morning star has risen in our hearts, our hope is based on the sacrifice of Christ and the grace of God.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

When the morning star has risen in our hearts, we have good hope even in the midst of difficulties! “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:1-5).

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Jesus gives the morning star to those who persevere!

If we endure to the end, Christ will give us the morning star! “He who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations ... and I will give him the morning star” (Revelation 2:26, 28).

What have we learned?

Christ is the Morning Star who gives hope to those who long for a new day. He gives us hope for something better than the darkness of this world. If we follow Him, He rescues us from the power of darkness. When we obey the Scriptures, the morning star rises in our hearts. By the grace of God, this gives us hope of eternal live. If we endure, Christ will give us the morning star. Amen.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.

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

“Falling Away from Grace”? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

https://apologeticspress.org/falling-away-from-grace-5983/

“Falling Away from Grace”?

Dave Miller, Ph.D.

Doctrinal Matters Salvation

From Issue: R&R – August 2021

One of the doctrines of Calvinism that has created a considerable stir through the years has been the notion of the “perseverance of the saints”—commonly referred to as “the impossibility of apostasy” or “once saved, always saved.” In his epistle to the churches of the Galatian province, Paul wrote a remark that calls that doctrine into question. The King James Version reads: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Most versions have a similar reading. The NKJV and NASB also have “fallen from grace.” Quite a few translations add the word “away” in their rendering—“fallen away from grace”—including  the ASV, ESV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, CEB, CJB, ISV, MOUNCE, NET, TLV, WEB, WYC, and YLT. The word “away” may leave the impression that persons were heading toward the state of salvation but, prior to achieving that state and entering into it, they veered away from it (see Figure 1).

The Greek term translated “fallen” is from the verb pipto meaning “to fall.” In Galatians 5:4, the word has the preposition ek prefixed to it. This Greek preposition means primarily “out of.” Ekpipto, then, means literally “to fall out of.”¹ One would need to be “in” a realm or sphere in order to “fall out of” it (see Figure 2). In the case of the Galatians, they had been converted to become Christians (Acts 18:23) and were counted as being in Christ’s church (Galatians 1:2-3).

Baptist Greek grammarian A.T. Robertson explains the language: “Ye did fall out of grace,” “ye left the sphere of grace in Christ and took your stand in the sphere of law as your hope of salvation.”² Mounce adds: “to fall from, forfeit, lose.”³ Meyer noted: “Ye have forfeited the relation of being objects of divine grace.”⁴ And Eadie explains: “Christ’s method of justification is wholly of grace, and those who rely on law and merit are in opposition to grace—are fallen out of it.”⁵

These observations are buttressed by the fact that in the same verse, Paul says to the Christians: “You have become estranged from Christ.”⁶ The word means to “dissever from.”⁷ In addition to “estranged,” other translations have “severed” (ASV/ESV/RSV), “alienated” (NIV), and “cut yourselves off from Christ” (NRSV). Therefore, it is possible at one time to be within the grace of Christ and thereby saved, and then to so conduct oneself as to be severed from, to fall out of, and forfeit that grace.

Endnotes

¹  Joseph Thayer (1977 reprint), A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker), p. 198.

² A.T. Robertson (1931), Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press), 4:309, emp. added.

³ Robert Mounce (2006), Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan), p. 1137.

⁴ Heinrich Meyer (1884), Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Epistles to the Galatians (New York: Funk & Wagnalls), p. 222, italics in orig.

⁵ John Eadie (1979 reprint), A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker), 1:384.

⁶ Frederick Danker, et al. (2000), Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press), p. 526.

⁷ Wesley Perschbacher, ed. (1990), The New Analytical Greek Lexicon (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson), p. 226.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

https://thepreachersword.com/2018/03/22/dont-sweat-the-small-stuff/#more-12106

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

“Often we allow ourselves to get all worked up about things that upon closer examination aren’t really that big a deal,” wrote Dr. Richard Carlson in his classic little book entitled Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.

Carlson illustrates how we may “focus on little problems and concerns and blow them way out of proportion. A stranger, for example, might cut in front of us in traffic. Rather than let it go, and go on with our day, we convince ourselves that we are justified in our anger.”

There are so many little things that can divert our attention from the bigger, more important issues of life.

Slow service at a fast food restaurant.

Listening to criticism that is unjustified from someone who’s uninformed.

Wait in line at the grocery store.

Being stalled in traffic.

Doing most of the work without anyone helping.

What do you do about the small irritants? Complain to Jesus? I know someone who did.

Luke records an occasion where Jesus journeyed to Bethany to visit two sisters. Mary and Martha. (Lk. 10:38-42). Their brother was Lazarus, whom Jesus later raised from the dead. Apparently, Jesus had a close connection and felt a special affinity for this family.

Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and began preparations for a meal. This would have been a considerable task. Usually, Jesus traveled with some or all of the apostles. If he did on this occasion, it would have been a lot of work to prepare a meal for so many people. Remember, too, this is before the days of modern conveniences. No casseroles already prepared and in the freezer. No restaurants to deliver food. No microwave ovens.

Martha was busy. The Bible says she was “distracted with much serving.” There was a lot on her plate. Because she was doing all the work by herself.

Where was her sister, Mary?

Sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His Word.

Martha had enough. She was irritated, anxious and upset. So, she complained to Jesus.

“Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!

Think about Martha’s complaint. She has the audacity to accuse Jesus of not caring. And she tells Jesus what he ought to do–make my sister help me!

No doubt Martha was expecting Jesus to rebuke Mary and propel her into action. Ironically, Martha is the one who received a mild reproof.

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus was not only telling her not to sweat the small stuff but to refocus her priorities on something of infinitely more value.

Now before, we’re too hard on Martha. She was a good person. A hard worker. A ministry minded woman. She loved Jesus. But, she was distracted. She allowed the ‘small stuff” to aggravate her.

There are many lessons from this text. But for today don’t let yourself get overwrought with the mundane issues of life. Sure, there are bills to pay. Appointments to keep. A house to manage. A car to service. People who need our attention. Notes to be written. Events to attend. Vacations to plan for. And retirement to plan for.

Add to all of these personal responsibilities, the concern of our community, national and international problems. We worry about our safety. The economy. World peace. Who’s in the White House. And what life is going to be like for our children and grandchildren.

Whoa! Slow down. Relax. Take a deep breath. Refocus your thinking. Practice patience. Live in the moment. Accept the imperfection of others. Manage your stress. Lighten up. Mind your own business. And remember Jesus’ advice to choose the good part.

Never forget. Jesus does care.

And by choosing that which is better. It can never be taken away.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

March categorical Bible Reading

 

March categorical Bible Reading

 

This flexible reading plan allows you the choice of reading from just one category or up to eight. Currently, I am reading the categories of LAW and LITERATURE (that is, four chapters a day). Next year I will read  HISTORY AND PROPHECY. 

Please note that each category is read repetitively throughout the year. The Gospels (Matthew - John) are therefore read one chapter a day and when completed, are read again. For this year, The second reading starts on 3/31/22. 

Reaching upward by Gary Rose

Today, I just couldn’t seem to stop looking at this picture. Why? Not quite sure. Perhaps, it was the feeling of coldness it evokes, which reminded me of the cold outside ( and YES, it does get cold in Florida ), or maybe the odd manipulation that comes from applying a fish-eye lens when taking a picture. Humm, I think it is that lens effect, for it changes the normal appearance of the picture in a way that seems to convey a feeling that all the trees are reaching for the moon. In other words, the moon has become the goal of every tree. And the goal ( the moon ) seems a twisted, manipulated one; not quite worthy of all the effort to reach it.

As I think about this, I wonder… how many lives out there are twisted into a distorted way of living? People living their lives with goals that are nothing less than sand flowing through their fingers. Lives that end in disappointment and ultimate failure because they have sought the wrong things. And, what are the wrong things? The apostle John says...

1 John 2 ( World English Bible )

¹⁵ Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him.

¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.

¹⁷ The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.

John’s answer; a focus on the things of this world is wrong. You know, things like money, power, pride and the inappropriate desire for things not worth having.

In comparison to this are the things of God. When a person seeks God, even their worst efforts produce goodness. God’s ways are the ONLY right ways and are ultimately higher than the moon or any star in the known or even unknown universe.

Today, ask yourself: What are my goals in life? If you answer seeking God, then you are on the right path; if not, well, its time to use a different lens to see clearly!

"THE CASE FOR CREATION" The Philosophical Case For Creation by Mark Copeland

https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/case-for-creation/cc_02.html

"THE CASE FOR CREATION"

The Philosophical Case For Creation

INTRODUCTION

1. In our introduction to "The Case For Creation", we raised several basic questions...
1. Where did life come from? How did it all begin?
2. Is matter eternal, with life evolving through purely natural processes?
3. Is matter not eternal, with life created by a supernatural force?
2. We began by reviewing "The Biblical Case For Creation"...
1. Which states that matter is not eternal, but created by a Supreme Being
2. E.g., "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" - Gen 1:1
3. Many, of course, are not content with simply accepting the Biblical claim...
1. Wanting more reasons to believe in God and creation
2. Leading some to consider philosophical reasons for their faith

["The Philosophical Case For Creation" presents several reasons to believe in God and creation as the explanation for the origin of life. Let's briefly review five, beginning with...]

1. THE UNIVERSAL SENSE OF OUGHT
1. EXPLANATION...
1. Everywhere people have a sense of "ought", a moral code of some sort
1. That in certain circumstances, certain things should be done - cf. Ro 2:14-15
2. Even among the most remote tribes cut off from civilization
2. Even atheists and agnostics have a sense of justice
1. Who are angered when it is violated
2. As in cases of rape and murder
-- Also called the moral or anthropological argument
2. IMPLICATION...
1. This moral nature in man suggests a Moral Being as the Original Cause of life - Ps 89:14
2. If there is no God, there is no right or wrong, good or evil
3. If there is no God, no atheist can object on moral grounds to murder or rape
-- Life from random chance does not explain the universal sense of ought

[A similar reason to believe in God and creation as the origin of life is...]

2. THE UNIVERSAL RELIGIOUS INSTINCT
1. EXPLANATION...
1. "Men in all the world, and throughout all time, not only believe in deity, but also engage in acts of worship and devotion." - Ferrell Jenkins, Introduction To Christian Evidences
2. "The religious principle is extremely potent in all nations, dominating their thought and history." - ibid.
3. "Everywhere the human heart has a craving for God. There will be exceptions as individuals, but the exceptions do not invalidate the rule. The atheist is an exception in every society!" - ibid.
-- Also called the general argument
2. IMPLICATION...
1. For every deep longing of man, there is something that satisfies it (e.g., hunger-food)
2. There must be a reality (i.e., God) that complements our universal religious craving
3. Solomon writes of God placing eternity in the hearts of man - Ecc 3:11
4. Paul says a longing for God was placed in man by God Himself - Ac 17:26-27
5. Only the fool and the wicked repress their religious instincts - Ps 14:1; 10:4; Ro 1:18,28
-- Life from random chance does not explain the universal religious instinct

[Another reason to believe in God and creation as the origin of life is...]

3. THE PRESENCE OF BEAUTY AND SUBLIMITY
1. EXPLANATION...
1. This argument is based upon the presence of beauty and sublimity in the universe
2. It observes that we have both...
1. The presence of beauty in nature itself, and in art produced by man
2. The response of man to such beauty (appreciation and awe)
-- Also called the aesthetic argument
2. IMPLICATION...
1. How did this "beauty" and the "ability to appreciate" develop?
2. Was it the result of blind chance, or did it come ?
3. Or did it come from a Supreme Being, who Himself is artistic, with an appreciation for beauty? - cf. Exo 28:2; Job 40:9-10; Ps 19:1-2; 96:4-6
-- Life from random chance does not explain the presence of beauty and sublimity

[Then there are two philosophical arguments that are strongly supported by science. The first being...]

4. EVERY EFFECT MUST HAVE A CAUSE
1. EXPLANATION...
1. One form of this argument has three simple steps:
1. Whatever begins to exist must have a cause
2. The universe began to exist
3. Therefore the universe has a cause
2. This argument is known as the Kalam Cosmological Argument
1. Formulated in its present form by al-Ghazali
2. A Muslim who lived from 1058 to 1111
-- This argument is generally known as the cosmological argument
2. IMPLICATION...
1. Many scientists today believe the First Cause is the "Big Bang"
1. Because of the evidence from astronomy
2. But the Big Bang is itself an effect
3. What caused the Big Bang?
2. The Bible reveals an adequate cause: "In the beginning God..." - Gen 1:1
1. A common objection: "Who caused God?"
1. This objection fails to carefully note the first premise of the argument
2. I.e., "whatever begins to exist must have a cause"
2. By definition God is eternal
1. He is an eternal being, possessing eternal power - Ps 90:2; cf. Ro 1:20
2. He is a spiritual being - Jn 4:24
3. His omnipresence illustrates how He defies laws of nature - Jer 23:23-24
3. So the argument does not apply to Him - He is the Uncaused Cause of all things!
-- God is the ultimate First Cause (not an effect that requires a cause)

[Finally, discoveries in molecular biology and other scientific fields strongly support...]

5. THE EVIDENCE OF INTELLIGENT DESIGN
1. EXPLANATION...
1. Whatever is designed must have a Designer
1. A watch shows design, and implies a watchmaker
2. To credit such intricate and precise workmanship to blind chance is unreasonable
2. Many things in the natural world show evidence of design
1. Orderly movement of heavenly bodies, making space travel possible
2. Animal instinct, such as the migration patterns of birds, eels, and salmon
3. Biological machines in simplest of cells
3. Therefore a designer exists
-- Also called the teleological argument
2. IMPLICATION...
1. Intelligent design suggests a Being with intelligence possessing purpose
2. To credit intricate and precise design to blind chance is unreasonable
3. Contemplating on the universe and the human body rightfully produces awe, and points man to his Creator - cf. Ps 19:1-2; 139:14; Ro 1:19-20
-- Life from random chance does not explain the evident intelligent design

CONCLUSION

1. What reasons are there to believe that life originates from an Almighty Creator...?
1. The universal sense of ought
2. The universal religious instinct
3. The presence of beauty and sublimity
4. The argument from first cause
5. The evidence of intelligent design
2. These are mostly philosophical arguments...
1. Especially the first three
2. But the last two depend heavily on scientific evidence

Most people today are probably persuaded by science rather than philosophy, so in our next study we will focus more on...

"The Scientific Case For Creation"

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

"THE CASE FOR CREATION" The Scientific Case For Creation by Mark Copeland

https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/case-for-creation/cc_03.html

"THE CASE FOR CREATION"

The Scientific Case For Creation

INTRODUCTION

1. In this series, we are examining several basic questions...
1. Where did life come from? How did it all begin?
2. Is matter eternal, with life evolving through purely natural processes?
3. Is matter not eternal, with life created by a supernatural force?
2. Thus far we have considered...
1. The Biblical Case For Creation
2. The Philosophical Case For Creation
3. Now we shall consider The Scientific Case For Creation...
1. Based on the evidence of intelligent design
2. Which argues that evidence of design points to a creator

[Lee Strobel in "The Case For A Creator" offers a cumulative case for creation, beginning with...]

1. THE EVIDENCE OF COSMOLOGY
1. THE UNIVERSE HAD A BEGINNING...
1. Scientific discoveries in the past 50 years confirm the universe had a beginning
2. The universe is expanding in outward directions, suggesting one point of origin
-- Every indication is that the universe began at some point
2. HOW DID THE UNIVERSE BEGIN...?
1. Many scientists subscribe to the "Big Bang" theory
2. "Almost everyone now believes that the universe, and time itself, had a beginning at the Big Bang." - Stephen Hawkins
3. But no one has been able to explain the cause of the "Big Bang" itself
1. Some have speculated of multiple universes being formed ad infinitum
2. But there is no evidence for such multiple universes
4. Both scientist and Christian depend on faith to explain the beginning of the universe
-- God as described in the Bible is certainly a sufficient First Cause

[From the cosmos we turn our attention closer to home, where we discover...]

2. THE EVIDENCE OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
1. THE FINE-TUNING OF THE UNIVERSE...
1. More than thirty separate parameters require precise calibration to produce a life-sustaining planet - Robert Collins, physicist-philosopher
2. "If you change a little bit the laws of nature, or you change a little bit the constants of nature -- like the charge on the electron -- then the way the universe develops is so changed, it is very likely that intelligent life would not have been able to develop." - Dr. Dennis Scania, head of Cambridge University Observatories
3. "If we nudge one of these constants just a few percent in one direction, stars burn out within a million years of their formation, and there is no time for evolution. If we nudge it a few percent in the other direction, then no elements heavier than helium form. No carbon, no life. Not even any chemistry. No complexity at all." - Dr. David D. Deutsch, Institute of Mathematics, Oxford University
4. "The really amazing thing is not that life on Earth is balanced on a knife-edge, but that the entire universe is balanced on a knife-edge, and would be total chaos if any of the natural 'constants' were off even slightly. - Dr. Paul Davies, professor of theoretical physics at Adelaide University
5. This "fine-tuning" is so pronounced, many scientists have come to espouse "The Anthropic Principle," which contends that the universe was brought into existence intentionally for the sake of producing mankind
-- The possibility that life exists based on random chance alone is astronomical!
2. SUGGESTING INTELLIGENT DESIGN...
1. "The fine-tuning of the physical laws and constants of the universe and the precise configuration of its initial conditions...suggest the need for a cause that's intelligent." - Stephen C. Meyer, Science philosopher
2. "It is hard to resist the impression that the present structure of the universe, apparently so sensitive to minor alterations in numbers, has been rather carefully thought out..." - Paul Davies, physicist
3. "The seemingly miraculous concurrence of these numerical values must remain the most compelling evidence for cosmic design." - ibid.
4. "It is quite easy to understand why so many scientists have changed their minds in the past thirty years, agreeing that the universe cannot reasonably be explained as a cosmic accident." - Walter Bradley, scientist
5. "Evidence for an intelligent designer becomes more compelling the more we understand our carefully crafted habitat." - ibid.
6. "If the universe had not been made with the most exacting precision we could never have come into existence." - John A. O'Keefe, Harvard-educated astrophysicist of NASA
7. "It is my view that these circumstances indicate the universe was created for man to live in." - ibid.
-- The evidence for intelligent design in physics and astronomy is overwhelming!

[From the fine-tuning of the universe and conditions required for life on this planet, we turn our focus to smallest of cells and...]

3. THE EVIDENCE OF BIOCHEMISTRY
1. THE AMAZING MOLECULAR MACHINES...
1. Such as the simple cell
1. "Most scientists speculated that the deeper they delved into the cell, the more simplicity they would find. But the opposite happened." - Michael Behe, biochemist
2. "We have always underestimated the cell...The entire cell can be viewed as a factory that contains an elaborate network of interlocking assembly lines, each of which is composed of a set of large protein machines." - Bruce Alberts, president, National Academy of Sciences
2. Such as the bacterial flagellum
1. "A flagellum is on the order of a couple of microns. A micron is about 1/20,000 of an inch. Most of its length is the propeller. The motor itself would be maybe 1/100,000ths of an inch." - Behe, ibid.
2. "The flagellum's propeller can spin at 10,000 rpm...can stop spinning within a quarter turn and instantly start spinning the other way at 10,000 rpm." - ibid.
3. "The most efficient machine in the universe" - Howard Berg of Harvard
-- Such complexity at the molecular level cannot be explained by the theory of evolution
2. IMPLICATING INTELLIGENT DESIGN...
1. "If the creation of a simple device (like a mouse trap) requires intelligent design, then we have to ask, 'What about the finely tuned machines of the cellular world?' - Behe, ibid.
2. "If evolution can't adequately explain them, then scientists should be free to consider other alternatives." - ibid.
3. "Right now, there's only one principle that we know can come up with complex interactive systems, and that's intelligence." - ibid.
-- The evidence for intelligent design in biochemistry is mind-boggling!

[The amazing complexity of the cell is made possible because of the instructions found in its DNA, which leads us to...]

4. THE EVIDENCE OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION
1. THE COMPLEXITY OF DNA...
1. DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints or a recipe, or a code, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules - Wikipedia
2. "An organism accesses the information that it needs from DNA so it can build some of its critical components." - Meyer, ibid.
3. "DNA is like a software program, only much more complex than anything we've ever designed." - Bill Gates, Microsoft
4. "Human DNA contains more organized information than the Encyclopedia Britannica." - Georg Sim Johnson, Did Darwin Get It Right?
5. "If the full text of the encyclopedia were to arrive in computer code from outer space, most people would regard this as proof of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence." - ibid.
6. "But when seen in nature, it is explained as the workings of random forces." - ibid.
-- The sequential and logical nature of DNA makes random forces highly unlikely
2. INDICATING INTELLIGENT DESIGN...
1. "Whenever you find a sequential arrangement that's complex and corresponds to an independent pattern or functional requirement, this kind of information is always the product of intelligence." - Meyer, ibid.
2. "The origin of information in DNA - which is necessary for life to begin - is best explained by an intelligent cause rather than any of the types of naturalistic causes that scientists typically use to explain biological phenomena." - ibid.
3. "This new realm of molecular genetics is where we see the most compelling evidence of design on the earth." - Dean Kenyon, biology professor
4. "An honest man, armed with all the knowledge available to us now, could only state that in some sense, the origin of life appears at the moment to be almost a miracle, so many are the conditions which would have had to have been satisfied to get it going." - Francis Crick, Nobel Prize winner
-- The evidence of intelligent design is found in the smallest building blocks of life!

CONCLUSION

1. In this brief presentation of "The Scientific Case For Creation", we have touched on...
1. The evidence of cosmology
2. The evidence of physics and astronomy
3. The evidence of biochemistry
4. The evidence of biological information
-- All of which point toward creation by an intelligent designer
2. As our scientific knowledge increases, so does evidence for creation by an intelligent designer...
1. "Ironically, the picture of the universe bequeathed to us by the most advanced twentieth-century science is closer in spirit to the vision presented in...Genesis than anything offered by science since Copernicus." - Patrick Glynn, former atheist and author of God: The Evidence
2. "It now seems to me that the findings of more than fifty years of DNA research have provided materials for a new and enormously powerful argument to design." - Anthony Flew, philosopher and former atheist Note: Much of the material in this lesson comes from "The Case For A Creator" by Lee Strobel, which describes his own spiritual journey from atheist to believer.

Perhaps it would thus be fitting to conclude with this quotation:

"One of the most interesting things I've learned as I've gone on this journey of scientific discovery has been that you don't have to commit intellectual suicide to acknowledge the existence of an Intelligent Designer, because today science is pointing more directly toward a Creator than at any time in the history of the world." - Lee Strobel

Confirming what the Bible revealed thousands of years ago...

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.

Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge. - Psalms 19:1-2

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. - Romans 1:20

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. - Hebrews 11:3

Our next study we will consider...

"The Historical Case For Creation"

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

"THE CASE FOR CREATION" The Historical Case For Creation by Mark Copeland

 

 

https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/case-for-creation/cc_04.html

"THE CASE FOR CREATION"

The Historical Case For Creation

INTRODUCTION

1. In this series, we are have briefly considered...
1. The Biblical Case For Creation
2. The Philosophical Case For Creation
3. The Scientific Case For Creation
2. Now we shall consider The Historical Case For Creation...
1. Which examines historical evidence for the resurrection of Christ
2. Then considers the implication of the resurrection to the issue of creation

[So we begin by first considering...]

1. THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
1. THE HISTORICITY OF JESUS...
1. Only the most ignorant or prejudiced skeptic would question this fact
2. Because unbiased sources attest to the historicity of Jesus
1. Roman historians
1. Tacitus (112 A.D.) in his "Annals"
2. Pliny the Younger (112 A.D.) in his letter to the emperor Trajan
3. Seutonius (120 A.D.), a court official under Hadrian
2. Jewish sources, while denying His deity, attest to His historicity
1. Flavius Josephus (b. 37 A.D.), Jewish historian makes several references to Jesus
2. The Talmud (books of Jewish law) speak frequently of Jesus
3. Samaritan historian, Thallus (52 A.D.), tried to explain the darkness at the crucifixion
3. So overwhelming is the evidence, even atheistic historians admit Jesus lived
1. "One is obliged to say, 'Here was a man. This part of the tale could not have been invented.'" - H. G. Wells, Outline Of History
2. Will Durant spent two chapters on Jesus in his book, The Story Of Our Civilization
-- Fact #1: Jesus actually lived as a person of history
2. THE HISTORICAL RELIABILITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT...
1. Its authors claim to write as historians or as eyewitnesses to real events
1. Luke, the physician
1. His gospel (Luke) and history of the early church (Acts) compose over a third of the New Testament
2. He wrote as one describing historical events - Lk 2:1-4; Ac 1:1-3
2. John, the beloved disciple
1. His gospel (John) was written as an eyewitness account - Jn 20:30-31; 21:24-25
2. In his epistle (1st John), he claimed to be an eyewitness - 1Jn 1:1-4
3. Paul, the Jewish rabbi
1. Half of the books of the New Testament are his personal letters
2. He claimed to have been an eyewitness, along with others - 1Co 15:3-8
2. As a historical document, it's evidence is remarkable!
1. Written soon after the events it records
1. "In my opinion, every book of the New Testament was written between the forties and eighties of the First Century A.D." - Nelson Glueck, former president of the Jewish Theological Seminary in the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, and renowned Jewish archaeologist
2. "We can already say emphatically that there is no longer any solid basis for dating any book of the New Testament after 80 A.D." - W. F. Albright, Biblical archaeologist
2. Noted for historical accuracy in areas that can be tested
1. "It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference." - Glueck, ibid.
2. "Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense...in short, this author should be placed along with the greatest of historians." - Sir William Ramsay
3. Manuscript attestation for the New Testament unsurpassed
1. In the number of copies for the purpose of comparison
1. Over 4,000 Greek manuscripts, 13,000 copies of portions of the New Testament
2. Contrast that with other historical documents (Caesar's Gallic Wars, only 10 Greek manuscripts; Annals of Tacitus, 2; Livy, 20; Plato, 7; Sophocles, 100)
2. In the time between the originals and earliest copies
1. Fragments exist that are within 50-100 years; complete copies that are within 300-400 years after the originals were written
2. Compare this with manuscripts of other classical histories 1/ Histories of Thucydides - 1300 years 2/ Histories of Herodotus - 1350 years 3/ Caesar's Gallic War - 950 years 4/ Roman History of Livy - 350 years (the earliest copy is only a fragment) 5/ Histories of Tacitus - 750 years 6/ Annals of Tacitus - 950 years (there are only two manuscripts)
4. Variances between the ancient copies are minuscule
1. Only 1/2 of one percent is in question (compared to 5 percent for the Iliad)
2. Even then, it can be stated: "No fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith rests on a disputed reading...It cannot be too strongly asserted that in substance the text of the Bible is certain: especially is this the case with the New Testament." - Sir Frederick Kenyon, authority in the field of New Testament textual criticism
3. "The evidence for our New Testament writings is ever so much greater than the evidence for many writings of classical authors, the authenticity of which no one dreams of questioning. And if the New Testament were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be as beyond all doubt." - F. F. Bruce
-- Fact #2: The reliability of the New Testament as a historical document is very strong
3. THE STRENGTH OF THE APOSTLES' TESTIMONY...
1. Demonstrated by the nature of their testimony
1. Their testimony appealed to empirical evidence
1. Evidence derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
2. For forty days they were given infallible proofs - Ac 1:3
3. They ate and drank with Jesus - Ac 10:41
4. They saw, heard, and touched Him - Jn 20:24-28; 1Jn 1:1-2
2. There is no way they could have been deceived or deluded
1. If all they had were individual dreams, visions, or hallucinations...perhaps
2. But they testified that Jesus appeared to them in groups as well as to individuals
2. Demonstrated by their transformation
1. Prior to the resurrection, Jesus' disciples were afraid and without hope
1. They fled at his arrest - Mk 14:50
2. Peter cowardly denied Him three times - Mk 14:66-72
3. The women mourned His crucifixion - Lk 23:27
4. After His death, the disciples were sad - Lk 24:13-17
5. After His death, the disciples hid behind closed doors, for fear of the Jews - Jn 20:19
2. After the resurrection, they fearlessly praised God and proclaimed Jesus!
1. Praising God in the temple - Lk 24:52-53
2. Proclaiming Christ, despite persecution - Ac 5:28-32, 41-42
3. This transformation in their lives is strong evidence for the resurrection, as admitted by an Orthodox Jewish scholar:
1. "If the disciples were totally disappointed and on the verge of desperate flight because of the very real reason of the crucifixion, it took another very real reason in order to transform them from a band of disheartened and dejected Jews into the most self-confident missionary society in world history." - Pinchas Lapide, former Chairman of the Applied Linguistics Department at Israel's Bar-Iland University (TIME, May 7, 1979)
2. He concluded that a bodily resurrection could possibly have been that reason!
3. Demonstrated by their high moral standard
1. They taught others to live holy lives - 1Th 4:1-7; Ep 4:25
2. They lived their own lives in unimpeachable way - 1Th 2:3-12
3. Does this sound like people who propagate lies when they know better?
4. Demonstrated by the price they paid
1. The apostle Paul's hardship were many - 2Co 11:23-28
2. The apostles endured much suffering because of their testimony - 1Co 4:9-13
3. All but one died a martyr's death because of their testimony
4. Even Jesus' brother, James, was thrown off the temple and then clubbed to death for his testimony
5. There was no motive for them to persistently lie about Jesus' resurrection!
-- Fact #3: The testimony of the apostles is very strong
4. THE NEW TESTAMENT IS EITHER TRUE OR A CONTRIVED LIE...
1. The writers of the New Testament leave us no alternative
1. They are either eyewitnesses or false witnesses - 1Co 15:14-15
2. Events occurred as described, or they are cunningly devised fables - 2Pe 1:16-18
2. We cannot say they might have been sincerely deceived
1. Especially in reference to the resurrection of Jesus
1. They claim they ate and drank with Him afterwards - Ac 10:39-41
2. They claim they saw and touched Him - 1Jn 1:1-4
2. They leave us no room saying they were mistaken or deceived!
1. Some sympathetic skeptics have tried to offer this as an alternative
2. That perhaps in their grief and loss over the crucifixion of Jesus they hallucinated or had grief-inspired visions of Jesus
3. But hallucinations and visions are highly individualistic experiences
1. One person might see the hallucination or vision
2. But several or many people don't see the same vision at the same time!
4. The resurrection appearances of Jesus include those witnessed by many at the same time - cf. 1Co 15:4-8
-- Fact #4: The New Testament is either true or a cunningly devised fable

[With these historical facts before us, we are now ready to consider...]

2. THE IMPLICATION OF THIS EVIDENCE
1. WE ARE FORCED TO MAKE A DECISION...
1. Concerning Jesus
1. We can't deny that He lived
2. Therefore we must decide who He is
1. Is He what His followers claimed, the Son of God? - cf. Mt 16:13-17
2. Or is the New Testament's representation of Him false?
2. Concerning the evidence of the New Testament as a historical document
1. We can't deny the overwhelming evidence for the New Testament
2. Therefore we must decide concerning its historical reliability
1. Will we accept it on the same basis we accept other historical documents?
2. If so, then will we either accept it at face value, or reject it and along with all other historical documents whose evidence are much less?
3. Concerning the testimony of the apostles
1. We can't deny that they testified to the resurrection of Jesus
2. Therefore we must decide whether their testimony is reliable
1. Did they lie, or did they really see, touch, and eat with a resurrected Jesus?
2. Or were they charlatans who suffered and died, knowing it was all for a lie?
4. Concerning whether the New Testament is true
1. We cannot say that it was simply a sincere but mistaken effort to explain who Jesus was
2. Therefore we must decide whether it is true, or a carefully contrived lie!
-- We cannot avoid making a decision regarding the evidence!
2. THE IMPLICATIONS OF OUR DECISION...
1. If we decide the New Testament is a carefully contrived lie
1. We must concede that a book with the world's highest standard of morality was composed by a group of liars, frauds, and deceivers!
1. For what book contains a higher standard of love and morality?
2. E.g., Jesus' Sermon On The Mount, and Paul's Discourse On Love
2. We must concede that a book with overwhelming evidence as a historical document was carefully put together to deceive
1. Known historical names, places and events were carefully intertwined with bold-faced lies
2. Solemn affirmations concerning its truthfulness are made, intended to deceive those to whom such affirmations were made
3. Is it reasonable or logical to draw such a conclusion?
2. If we decide the testimony of the New Testament is historically true
1. Then everything that Jesus taught is true
2. Including His implicit and explicit testimony to the reality of creation!
1. He spoke of the beginning of creation - Mk 10:6
2. In which God created mankind and all things - Mk 10:6; 13:19
3. Creation may be hard to fathom, but if one rose from the dead, anything is possible!
-- The historical evidence for the resurrection also supports the case for creation!

CONCLUSION

1. Four facts contribute to faith in the resurrection of Jesus...
1. The historicity of Jesus
2. The historical reliability of the New Testament
3. The strength of the apostles' testimony
4. The New Testament is either true or a carefully contrived lie
-- In view of the first three, what reasonable conclusion can we make of the fourth?
2. With the same type of evidence used to establish any fact of history...
1. It is reasonable to believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
2. Which in turn makes it possible to believe in creation as the origin of life
3. For He who rose from the dead testified to the reality of the Creation
3. Thus we add "The Historical Case For Creation" to...
1. The Biblical Case For Creation
2. The Philosophical Case For Creation
3. The Scientific Case For Creation

Our next four lessons will address various matters related to the issue of Creation, beginning with...

"The Days Of Creation"

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022