Questions "Part IV"

 

The next question down the Atheist list will again be superficial. The question itself has no real meaning, but because he asked it, we will attempt to address it. He asked, "When is the Bible being literal?" He is implying by his question no one cannot discern between literal and symbolic language when reading the Biblical text.

I can remember reading through the entire Bible when I was 13 years old, when I finished, nor at anytime during the process did I ever stop and have to wonder was that literal or symbolic language.  I had no more difficulty discerning the intent of the sentence structure than I had when reading any other book or paper. The Bible is not written in some obscure syntax where you cannot apply normal grammatical tools and techniques to determine the meaning of the text at hand. 

Modern translations render the reading more readily comfortable to the modern eye, but it is so easy to read that even as a 13-year-old boy I had no difficulty even with the old English version. It is true after 53 years I understand the Biblical text in greater depth than I did in the beginning, and I expect to continue to grow in that understanding as I progress in my study. Though my understanding is in greater depth, it is not a different understanding than I obtained as a 13-year-old. As a young boy completing the reading of the Bible for the first time, I readily understood the message and concept of what it was about. Now after 53 years I simply understand that message and concept in greater dept.

He (the atheist) points to a number of examples to support his thesis, one being the account of Jonah being swallowed by a whale. In his commentary, he points out that some Christians take it symbolically and others literally. Thus, he rests his point and demands to know, which is it? Who can know?

But this has nothing to do with the clarity of syntax, the obvious reading of the text reveals it was intended to be taken literally. That is the way I read it as a young boy, and it is the way I read it now. The text requires a literal reading, the reason some such as Bill O'Reilly and others determine to take it symbolically is because of the miraculous content, not because it cannot be determined by the text. There is symbolic language in the Bible, but when it is used it is easy to determine from the language itself, or many times the text itself identifies the symbolism.

The next question he brings to our attention addresses a valid issue, but he miss-applies the application. He asks, "Why do God's morals keep changing?" His argument is related to the fact as secular society and cultural changes occur, the Christian moral value eventually changes with it. 

Unfortunately, he is correct in his observation, however, he miss-applies it suggesting God's standards change. The Biblical standard of Christian morality has not changed, the fact Christians no longer want to walk in them is not something new to our era. The Church throughout history has been politicized and corrupted in various degrees because men are sinful and do not love God's law. The visible church has gone through various levels of correction and corruption throughout history, but the Biblical standard never changed. 

This is the 3rd posts addressing a number of questions the atheist brings to our attention. They have all either been mis-applied or asked from a misunderstanding of Christian doctrine. There is no real substance to these or the remaining one's he brings to the table. I feel this is a sufficient response for the time, and we will move on to hopeful something of more substance value in the next post.

God bless,

David 

Questions "Part III"

Continuing our discussion concerning questions that are often posted by Atheist is one that actually deserves addressing. The atheist ask, "Why are God's miracles untestable?" Unfortunately, the question is either purposely misguided or he is ignorant of Christian doctrine.  This particular atheist promotes himself as once being a Christian minister, if that were true, he would know most Protestant denominations do not hold doctrinally to current day miracles. The Roman Catholic Church and the Pentecostal Charismatic churches are mostly responsible for this error. The idea of modern day miracles in most cases is a misunderstanding of what constitutes a miracle.

It will be helpful to consider some definitions so we understand what is being referred to. The modern Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "Miracle" mir·​a·​cle ˈmir-i-kəl
1
: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs
the healing miracles described in the Gospels
2
: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
The bridge is a miracle of engineering.
3
Christian Science : a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law

However, this does not quite grasp the Biblical definition. The 1823 Webster dictionary comes closer. 

MIR'ACLE, n. [L. miraculum, from miror, to wonder.]
1. Literally, a wonder or wonderful thing; but appropriately,

2. In theology, an event or effect contrary to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event. Miracles can be wrought only by Almighty power, as when Christ healed lepers, saying, ""I will, be thou clean,"" or calmed the tempest, ""Peace, be still."

Our problem arises when confusing our understanding of miracles with the doctrine of divine providence. Divine providence is the understanding that God governs the world sovereignly through natural every day occurrences. To ensure that His purposes are fulfilled, God governs the affairs of men and works through the natural order of things. The laws of nature are nothing more than God’s work in the universe. The laws of nature have no inherent power; rather, they are the principles that God set in place to govern how things normally work. They are only “laws” because God decreed them. 

In Mathew 6:26 we see an example of this providence.  (26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (ESV). 

The birds go out and simply do what birds do, and the natural course of their life is governed by the natural course of things, God providence. We get up and go do what we do each day, one day we decide to go to work using a different route. We later discover that by doing so, we averted being involved in a grave accident. A miracle? I would say simply God's providence using the natural course of our lives. In the scope of things, God's governance of the world through His providence is so much beyond measure, greater than a simple miracle. In my lifetime, I have been amazed and astonished at God's providence in my life, and yet I have never seen one miracle. 

During the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin spoke of this providence saying, "In this situation of this assembly, groping, as it were, in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings? 

In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor…. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? 

I have lived, sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel…and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages.I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of the city be requested to officiate in that service. - Benjamin Franklin on June 28, 1787.

It is true, we do read about miracles in the Bibles, and no doubt there have been accuracies throughout history that would constitute a miracle. However, the Biblical accounts as well as historical accounts are rare. There were only three periods during Biblical times when miracles were recorded in frequency, outside that they were very rare. The Biblical miracles recorded would have been testable and undeniable, and any true miracle today would be also. 

The atheist in his question correctly points out the misconception many people have concerning miracles, which has largely been promoted by Christian TV and is not in line with historical Christian teaching. As a result, everything that appears to be an answer to pray is considered a miracle, anything that works out in our favor is a miracle. This is the results when the true doctrine of providence is not taught or is ignored in Christian churches.

In Matthew 17 there is an interesting account recorded. 

    24, And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute?
    25, He said, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What think you, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
    26, Peter said to him, Of strangers. Jesus said to him, Then are the children free.
    27, Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go you to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money: that take, and give to them for me and you. KJV

A miracle? I wonder how many people have sense caught a fish with something in its mouth? There is no record of God miraculously creating a coin, a fish, or anything. Yet, in the natural course of things someone lost a coin in the water, a fish seeing the shining coin flickering in the water hit it like a lore. The coin being lodged in the fishes mouth and Peter later casting a hook and catching that fish. All of this being orchestrated by God's divine providence using the natural course of events. There is no testable way to verify such an event, it just happened. However, it did not happen outside God's providence, had Jesus not directed our attention to the event prior to the catching of the fish, it would have been no more of an event than what has happened numerous times since. 

For example, you wouldn't, expect to find a century old manuscript inside a cod. Yet that is exactly what happened the summer of 1626 in a local market. I doubt that many other manuscripts have made it to the press after being found in a fish, but the story must have been a tremendous boost to sales, though it did little good for the author, thought to have been John Frith, because he had been locked up in a Tower before being burned as a heretic at Smithfield in 1533. I would imagine there must have been a fierce debate about how three religious tracts ended up inside a fish and how long they had been there, but given that a teenage cod was the case in play, the manuscript couldn't have been there very long. Just one of life’s little conundrums, or God's providence? Story from the Fishing Museum.

God bless,

David

 

 

"Against the motions of Sin"

The Questions (Part II)

 

We are continuing in this post by examining some questions posed by inquisitive atheists provoked by their unbelief. One question you might hear is, “Why does God need your defense?” The short answer is, “He doesn't.” This question is either a crafty intent designed to place you on the defensive or a misunderstanding of Christian apologetics. Nowhere in scripture is the Christian instructed to defend the existence of God. On the contrary, God makes it clear He needs no defending.  

Romans 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (ESV) 

Of course, that does not mean they will not offer an excuse or demand you show them evidence, however, that is beyond your responsibility, creation itself leaves them without excuse. However, the Christian does have the responsibility to answer for his faith and defend his doctrine. 

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 

"To give an answer" (ἀπολογίαν apologian.) Anyone has a right respectfully to ask another on what grounds he regards his religion as true; for every man has a common interest in religion, and in knowing what is the truth on the subject. If any man, therefore, asks us candidly and respectfully by what reasons we have been led to embrace the gospel, and on what grounds we, regard it as true, we are under obligation to state those grounds in the best manner that we are able. We should regard it not as an impertinent intrusion into our private affairs, but as an opportunity of doing good to others, and to honor the Master whom we serve. Nay, we should hold ourselves in readiness to state the grounds of our faith and hope, whatever maybe the motive of the inquirer, and in whatever manner the request may be made. - Albert Barnes

Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

The system of religion revealed in the gospel. It is called "faith," because that is the cardinal virtue in the system, and because all depends on that. The rule here will require that we should contend in this manner for all "truth." - Albert Barnes

In one case we are explaining why we believe the Gospel and in the other we are defending what we believe about the Gospel. We should be able to do both from the scriptures. 

Another question you might hear is, "If the Bible is the ultimate moral guide, why do so many Christians disagree on what it says." These are not questions for serious inquiry, you might as well ask why people in general disagree about anything. If politics are real, why do people disagree about politics? If climate is real, why do people disagree on climate change. Some say people are the ultimate moral guide, why do so many people differ in their morality? The fact people disagree has nothing to do with Biblical truth, it has everything to do with people. The question itself misses the point completely, the Bible is not intended to be a moral guide for anybody, it is the history of man's redemption from the fall and a means to his Salvation.

Atheist will sometimes inquire, "Why is God so hard to find?" This question is particularly interesting because it comes from an atheist who professes to have onces been a minister of the Gospel. It reveals he never understood the Gospel, regardless of what he claims to have been. 

God is not hiding Himself, he has very acutely described how He has chosen to reveal himself. The atheist have their own idea's of how God should reveal himself, but God being God has the right to reveal himself in whatever manner he has chosen. The atheist perhaps can say God has not revealed himself in the manner they like, but they cannot say He has not done so. The verse in Romans we have already mentioned is just simply ignored.

Romans 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (ESV) 

John describes it this way: John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
    2, The same was in the beginning with God.
    3, All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.
    4, In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
    5, And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.
    6, There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
    7, The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.
    8, He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.
    9, There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
    10, He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.
    11, He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.
    12, But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
    13, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (ASV)

In his further pondering, the atheist suggested if God really wanted to make himself known, he would. However, the atheist ignores the fact God already has. John 1:14, And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
    15, John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me. (ASV)

What the atheist is doing is described in Paul in the book of Acts. Acts 17: 27, That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: John Gill explains: That they should seek the Lord,.... Or "God", as the Alexandrian copy and others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read; their Creator, and kind Benefactor, and who has appointed their time of life, and their habitations for them; and this should engage them to seek to know him, who has done all this for them, and to fear and serve him, and to glorify his name: 

The atheist speak of God as if he is one like unto ourselves, they want Him to show up and demonstrate himself to them. If He is real, surely He would show himself. But God is not like us, no man has ever seen God, nor ever will. Who and what He is in relation to us has been shown to us in the person of Jesus Christ. 

John 1:18 ESV
No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

1 Timothy 6:16 ESV
Who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Co. 4:4 ASV In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 

Colossians 1:15 ESV
He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Romans 1:20 ESV
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

He attributes and eternal power and divine nature is clearly seen in His creation. The atheist wants to see the unseeable, to know the unknowable, to conceive the inconceivable. So he challenges your faith in hopes to get you to do the same. But Hebrews 11:3 ESV By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. This is simply the nature of things between a believer and non-believer. Our responsibility is to articulate the Gospel and demonstrate why it is we believe and hope God will grant them repentance and faith to see the invisible

Hebrews 11: 24–27 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

 May God bless,

David

The Questions

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear. -Thomas Jefferson

Atheists are certainly bold when it comes to questions concerning the existence of God. However, their questions for the most part are not for their own satisfaction as much as to cause you to question yours. They lean upon this quote by Mr. Jefferson as support for their inquiry. However, a better understanding of the context of this quote is helpful. 

The quote is taken from a letter Mr. Jefferson wrote to his son Peter. It contained recommendations about his studies in his second year at William and Mary. The fourth section was on religion and by far the longest. Mr. Jefferson wanted his son to know what he [Peter] believed and why he believed it and be able to defend his beliefs. Questioning with boldness was a part of obtaining that objection in all the fields of study. It was not an attempt by Mr. Jefferson to turn his son away from religion, simply to come to his own conclusions.  

In the previous section preceding this quote, Jefferson stated, "He who made us would have been a pitiful bungler if He had made the rules of our moral conduct a matter of science. . . . The moral sense, or conscience, is as much a part of man, as his leg or arm." Jefferson's belief in God is unquestionable, however, he did not want his son to have that as his only basis of belief, he needed to be able to defend his belief from his own perspective. So, let's take Mr. Jefferson's advice and examine some of the questions atheists have put forth for us to consider. 

Atheists often ask, "What if you were born in a different country?" The implication is to suggest you are only a Christian because you were born in America. This question is aimed more specifically at Christianity than solely at the existence of God, but let's examine it anyway. It's like comparing apples and oranges, if I grew up with parents who owned an apple orchard I would be inclined to know a lot about apples. However, if my distant cousin grew up with parents who owned an orange grove, he would be more versed in oranges. 

The Atheist thinks this way because he sees all religions as equal, equally foolish. He does not understand the distinctions made when examining Christianity. The first thing that must be addressed is that belief in God is not a path to heaven and does not remove guilt. The atheist assumes the Bible teaches a path to God in the same way other religious writings do. Therefore, he concludes religious views are determined by outside influences that may weigh upon them. It is true what religious people believe about God is very much dependent upon the culture in which they live. The obvious answer to the question is if you were born and raised in a portion of India that was predominantly Hindu, you would likely hold religious beliefs based on Hinduism. Likewise, if you were born and raised in a predominantly Muslim country you would most likely hold religious beliefs conducive to Islam, etc. 

What the atheist suggests is also true for many of the Christian religion. They have obtained their Christian beliefs from culture in the same manner as Hindus, Muslims, etc. Therefore, if those Christians had been born in some other culture under those influences they would have a different religion and believe that religion as firmly. However, One does not become a Christian based on what culture they were born in nor are they a Christian because their parents were. There are many in churches today professing to be Christian based solely upon these influences and they are no closer to the Gospel than any other religious belief. 

 

The Gospel is not culturally bound, a Christian culture did not exist when the church was born in the Book of Acts,. There were no Christian influences in society. Their entire life experience was overcome by hearing the Gospel message. 

That message was primarily to religious people, Jewish first and later to pagans with various religious beliefs. Romans 1:16 ESV

(16)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

So their beliefs were already ingrained in them from their cultural surroundings as the Atheist suggest would be. But the Gospel message overcame all the cultural influences. The message they heard revealed first despair and then a glorious hope. For the first time they understood regardless of their religious efforts, their condition was hopeless. There was no hope of redemption at the hands of their own efforts. Their hope lay solely in the work of another. They had to put away all their religious efforts to appease God and place all hope of salvation in the work of Christ alone. 
        

This concept eludes most religious people, for all sects of religion tend toward working and being good enough in the end to be accepted by God in whatever form they imagine Him to be. The Atheist simply denies any accountability to a supreme being to find comfort in whatever he contributes to the goodness of the society in which he lives. He finds purpose in bettering his society and leaving it hopefully better than he found it. As a result, you find many morally good people who contribute greatly to our society that hold to atheism. It is the Gospel alone that breaks through all such attempts of human effort to bring clarity to the hope of salvation. 

The account of Nicodemus is very revealing when understanding the effects of the Gospel.  

John 3:1-8 ESV

(1)  Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

(2)  This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “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.”

(3)  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(4)  Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”

(5)  Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

(6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(7)  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

(8)  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus was a religious man steeped in his religion, yet was troubled by things he had heard Jesus teach. He was convinced Jesus was a prophet because of His miracles and was a man who firmly believed in God. However, his trust was in the efforts and advancements he had made in his religion as a means to be blessed by God. Jesus explained to Nicodemus he was never going to see the Kingdom of God based on his own efforts. It would come as a spiritual work by the Spirit of God, something he could not do for himself. He must be born of the Spirit, or as Paul would later put it, 1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV (22)  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. We cannot make ourselves spiritually alive, it must be a work of God. This work is accomplished not through our works but through faith alone. And lest we should think something of ourselves for having such faith, Paul tells us it is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV (8)  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9)  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

What if you were born in a country steeped in some other religion? What if you are an Atheist? What if you are a professing Christian trying your best to make it to heaven? You will continue to hold to such beliefs until you are born of the Spirit, without which you will never see the clarity of the Gospel and the work of Christ on your behalf. You will find yourselves in the position of which Jesus spoke,

Matthew 7:22-23 ESV

(22)  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

(23)  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

All their good works are but lawlessness and will be useless to them on that day. There is only one Savior offered to the world, Islam speaks of Jesus in its writings, but it does not offer him as the Savior. There are Christian sects who speak of Jesus as their savior but deny Him his divinity. They offer a Christ less than God which could never take away our sin. Some offer Christ plus some other necessary work by their own hands which again leaves them in a hopeless situation. Salvation is found in Christ alone and that by grace through faith alone. This gift is given to His people and they are made alive regardless of their country or culture, it is worked within His providence and governance of the world as He accomplishes His plans and purposes established from all eternity. 

One does not choose Christianity as one does any other religion, Christianity is being born into a spiritual state beyond your reach. A Christian is not someone who has turned over a new leaf or changed the direction of their life because of past regrets. He has supernaturally become something he was not before and will never be what he was again. 

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ESV

(17)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(18)  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

(19)  that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

The atheist argument is reasonable to the natural mind who lives solely in the natural world, but it is an ineffective argument to the mind of the Christian that has been regenerated by the Spirit of God. 

David