Anchor Deep: Responding to the Gay Marriage Issue
11 years ago
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
GIVEAWAY!
Bible Study Magazine and Mars Hill are giving away 20 copies of Mark Driscoll’s new book, Vintage Church. Not only that, but they are also giving away five subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine and a copy of their Bible Study Library software! Enter to win on the Bible Study Magazine Mark Driscoll page, then take a look at all the cool tools they have to take your Bible study to the next level!
Monday, February 16, 2009
And there was Light: Christianity Vs. Evolution
I am taking a break from my 7 note series on theology (the first three have been posted- 1. True Liberty: Understanding of God Leads to Holy Living, 2. I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up: Humanity’s Radical Corruption, 3. When Pigs Fly: God’s Sovereign Choice) to ask three questions. The first is, “Can Christianity coexist with evolution and them both be true?” The second question is, “Is evolution based on a firm foundation?” And finally, “Is there a logical foundation for the Christian account of creation, other than ‘blind faith?’”
I’d like to start off by answering the first question of, “Can Christianity coexist with evolution and them both be true?” The answer to this is a definite no. Christianity cannot coexist with evolution. Now by saying this, I am not saying all Christians should declare war on evolutionists. That is obscured, and furthermore the love of Christ will not be seen by unbelievers through violence. What I mean by saying Christianity cannot coexist with evolution, is that Christianity at its core is not compatible with evolution. In other words, they can’t both be true. There is a belief system that is beginning to take root in all of America, and many other parts of the world. It’s called Relativism. Relativism declares that there is no such thing as absolute truth, and that truth is pretty much whatever you want it to be. This is a faulty belief system. Let me give you an example. Can an atheist and theist both be right? Can God exist and not exist at the same time? It’s impossible, and self contradictory. Relativism would claim that Christianity is true for some, while evolution is true for others. In other words, neither one is wrong and they can both be right. However, this is impossible in the grand scheme of things. Christianity claims that God spoke all animals into existence, that He personally created man from dirt, and that from the rib of man He created woman. Evolution would claim that man evolved from a lower-stage animal, that at some point evolved from a single-cell organism. I’d like to make something clear here, before I continue on. Some evolutionists may adhere to the existence of God, and still believe in evolution. I do not think this belief system is inconsistent. You can believe in God and believe in evolution. However, while theism can be consistent with evolution, the God of Christianity can’t be. The reason I mention this is because some evolutionists may claim that we didn’t start from single-cell organisms, but that God created a being called “man” that overtime evolved into what we have today. This, however, is inconsistent with Christianity. The God of the Bible does not permit or support belief in evolution to be a part of creation.
The second question I’d like to answer is, “Is evolution based on a firm foundation?” I have a hard time believing that evolution is based on any logical scientific foundation, other than assumption and unproven theory. There are two major reasons for my unbelief, but I will talk about one. My biggest reason is the lack of transitional forms in the fossil records. To start off, let’s look at transitional forms. Transitional forms are the stages of evolution in-between the change from one species to another. For example, men evolving from apes would have specific stages of species that “link” apes to men. The problem is, these stages are missing. The earliest example of a transitional form to link apes to men is called “Lucy.” However, most scientists today acknowledge that Lucy was nothing more than a 3-foot chimpanzee. Another transitional form from ape to man is “Nebraska Man.” Scientists designed the entire skeleton of Nebraska Man with legs, arms, and facial structure; when all they had was a single tooth. This tooth was later found out to be the tooth of an extinct pig. Along with the previous two, there is also a transitional form called "Piltdown Man." Piltdown Man was constructed from a skull that was later discovered to have the jaw bone of a modern day ape. Probably the most commonly known transitional form from ape to man is "Neanderthal Man." Neanderthal Man was discovered around 50 years ago in France, but was discovered to be nothing more than the skeleton of an old man who suffered from arthritis. What’s more unconvincing about evolution is that these incomplete samples, which have formed the foundations of our science books, only have one example of each transitional form. In order for these transitional forms to have existed and been species, there would be millions of their fossils being discovered. However, there is not. Charles Darwin, whom is considered to be the father of evolution, wrote:
“Why then is not every geological formation and every strata full of such intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely-graduated organic chain; and this perhaps, is the most obvious and serious objection which can be urged against my theory."
The late Stephen J. Gould, who was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, historian of science, and professor at Harvard University, said this about transitional forms:
“The extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record persists as the trade secret of paleontology...Paleontologists have paid an exorbitant price for Darwin's argument. We fancy ourselves as the only true students of life's history, yet to preserve our favored account of evolution by natural selection we view our data as so bad that we never see the very process we profess to study.”
Other quotes consist of:
“What is missing are the many intermediate forms hypothesized by Darwin.” -Robert Carroll (Paleontologist and Professor of Zoology McGill University)
“There is no fossil of the stages through which the remarkable change from reptile to bird was achieved” -A. J. Marshall (PHD Anthropology Harvard University)
It is obvious that there is a huge flaw in evolution from the lack of transitional forms, considering that Darwin himself claimed that evolution should be discredited if millions of transitional forms were not discovered within a hundred years of him exposing his theory in 1859.
The third question I would like to answer is, “Is there a logical foundation for the Christian account of creation, other than 'blind faith?'” I believe there is, however I will not be stating a case for intelligent design in its defense. I’d rather take a different approach. My defense will come solely from the Bible, but first let me give good reason why the Bible is more than enough to be a reliable source of information. First off, archaeologically speaking there are hundreds of findings that support people, places, and events that are found in Scripture. I will list a few even though there are many for both the Old and New Testament:
- Dead Sea Scrolls (1947-56, Qumran, Israel): provided the oldest copies of the Old Testament and confirmed reliability of the transmission process.
- House of David Inscriptions (1993-94, Tel Dan, Israel): Earliest mention outside the Bible of King David, whom some scholars had held to be a fictional character.
- Cylinder of Nabonidus (1854, Ur, Iraq): Corroborates Belshazzar as last king of Babylon as recorded in Daniel 5:1-30; 7:1; 8:1
- Sargon Inscriptions (1843, Khorsabad, Iraq): Confirms the existence of Sargon, King of Assyria, Isaiah 20:1, as well as his conquering of Samaria (2 Kings 17:23-24)
- Epic of Gilgamesh (1853, Nineveh, Iraq): First extra-biblical find that appears to reference the great flood of Genesis 7-8
- Weld-Blundell Prism (1922, Babylon, Iraq): Contains a list of Sumerian Kings that ruled before and after the great flood; the kings that pre-dated the flood are attributed enormous life spans reminiscent of, though greater than, the life spans of pre-flood inhabitants of the Bible
- The Pilate Stone Inscription (1961, Caesarea, Maritima): Confirmed the existence and office of Pilate
- Sergius Paulus Inscription (1877, Paphos, Cyprus): Confirms the existence of Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus encountered by Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:7
- Pool of Siloam (2004, Jerusalem): Site of Jesus’ miracle recorded in John 9:1-11
- Skeleton of Yohanan (1968, Jerusalem): Only known remains of crucifixion victim; corroborates the Bible’s description of crucifixion
Along with that, there are over 5,000 original language manuscripts for the New Testament alone (with the biggest differences in the passing down of scripture being similar to that of the words “savior” and “saviour”). The difference in years between composition of the oldest and newest copies is at most 50 years. This is astonishing when compared to Homer’s Illiad (which has 643 original language manuscripts over a period of 500 years) and Plato’s Tetralogies (which has 49 original language manuscripts over a period of 1,300 years). There are also around 10,000 extra-biblical manuscripts supporting the people, places, and events of the New Testament. Dr. G.R. Habermas points out that within 110 years of Christ's crucifixion, approximately eighteen non-Christian sources mention more than "one hundred facts, beliefs, and teachings from the life of Christ and early Christendom. These items, I might add, mention almost every major detail of Jesus' life, including miracles, the Resurrection, and His claims to deity." Sir William Ramsey, one of the greatest archeologists to ever live, demonstrated that Luke made no mistakes in references to 32 countries, 54 cities, and 9 islands. Bible scholar and Christian apologist Norman Geisler explains how the internal evidence test reveals the Bible's amazing consistency. The Bible was written by over 40 authors, in 3 languages, on 3 continents, over a span of 1,500 years, and covers hundreds of controversial subjects. Yet, the authors all spoke with agreement; there are no contradictions. A consistency like this could only be the result of a divine intervention by God to write these books through His faithful servants. On top of all this, the fulfillment of prophecy for the Bible is unwavering. Some prophecies fulfilled by Jesus are Micah 5:2, which revealed where He would be born; Isaiah 53 detailed His suffering, work at the cross, and resurrection; Psalm 22 is striking prophecy of the crucifixion. Norman Geisler also explains Ezekiel's prediction that the city of Tyre "would be destroyed and its ruins cast into the sea (Ezekiel 26:2). This provoked scoffing because, when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Tyre, he left the ruins right where they fell--on the land. But 200 years later, Alexander the Great attacked Tyre and the inhabitants withdrew to an island just off the coast for safety. In order to reach them, Alexander threw all of the debris, stones, timbers, dust, and everything else, into the sea to build a causeway that would reach the island." If events so far in the future can be accurately predicted, certainly the events of the past have been accurately recorded. Overall, there is an extreme amount of support for the reliability and accuracy of the Bible, as well as for it’s divine inspiration.
With that in mind, I would like to simply turn to the Genesis account of creation.
Genesis 1:1-3
(1) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (2) Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (3) And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
This passage is a small sample of how creation took place. Simply put, “God created.” He literally spoke these things into existence. Scripture does not give support of the idea of Him forming this through a “big bang,” or by some other means. Genesis 2:1 says, “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.” He spoke the words, and these things came into existence. This occurred with all creation, except for with the creation of man.
Genesis 2:7
(7) the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
It seems pretty clear to me that God took special care in the creation of man specifically. In no other creature did God personally form that being and breathe His breath of life into them, but rather all other creations were spoken into existence. Again, this does not hint or leave room for evolution. You can see this more clearly in the creation of woman.
Genesis 2:21-22
(21) So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. (22) Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
This passage supports my claim of evolution not being compatible with Christianity. God created Eve from a rib of Adam, not by evolving her from a single-cell organism. Let me also note here that this does not make women inferior to men just because Eve was created from the rib of Adam. While Darwin made claims of women being less evolved than men (as well as black people being less evolved than white people), God on the other hand created both men and women equal in His image (Genesis 1:27).
My overlying point with this whole note is summed up in these three things:
1. Christianity is not compatible with evolution.
2. Evolution has very weak support, considering it is taught as fact by many professors and schools.
3. Christianity is not based on “blind faith,” but has very strong historical, logical, and accurate support for its claims.
Sir Arthur Keith, a Scottish anatomist and anthropologist who wrote the foreward to Darwin's Origin of the Species' 100th anniversary edition, said:
"Evolution is both unproved, and unprovable. We believe only because the only alternative is special creation, and that is unthinkable.”
I would hope that at the end of this note, that same statement does not apply to you. There is a Creator. He has taken initiative to create each of us with personal interest, while knowing all the days of our lives before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). From the beginning of time to present day, His plan has been to bring salvation unto mankind; that they may know the pleasures and joys of being in intimate relationship with their Creator and Savior.
I’d like to start off by answering the first question of, “Can Christianity coexist with evolution and them both be true?” The answer to this is a definite no. Christianity cannot coexist with evolution. Now by saying this, I am not saying all Christians should declare war on evolutionists. That is obscured, and furthermore the love of Christ will not be seen by unbelievers through violence. What I mean by saying Christianity cannot coexist with evolution, is that Christianity at its core is not compatible with evolution. In other words, they can’t both be true. There is a belief system that is beginning to take root in all of America, and many other parts of the world. It’s called Relativism. Relativism declares that there is no such thing as absolute truth, and that truth is pretty much whatever you want it to be. This is a faulty belief system. Let me give you an example. Can an atheist and theist both be right? Can God exist and not exist at the same time? It’s impossible, and self contradictory. Relativism would claim that Christianity is true for some, while evolution is true for others. In other words, neither one is wrong and they can both be right. However, this is impossible in the grand scheme of things. Christianity claims that God spoke all animals into existence, that He personally created man from dirt, and that from the rib of man He created woman. Evolution would claim that man evolved from a lower-stage animal, that at some point evolved from a single-cell organism. I’d like to make something clear here, before I continue on. Some evolutionists may adhere to the existence of God, and still believe in evolution. I do not think this belief system is inconsistent. You can believe in God and believe in evolution. However, while theism can be consistent with evolution, the God of Christianity can’t be. The reason I mention this is because some evolutionists may claim that we didn’t start from single-cell organisms, but that God created a being called “man” that overtime evolved into what we have today. This, however, is inconsistent with Christianity. The God of the Bible does not permit or support belief in evolution to be a part of creation.
The second question I’d like to answer is, “Is evolution based on a firm foundation?” I have a hard time believing that evolution is based on any logical scientific foundation, other than assumption and unproven theory. There are two major reasons for my unbelief, but I will talk about one. My biggest reason is the lack of transitional forms in the fossil records. To start off, let’s look at transitional forms. Transitional forms are the stages of evolution in-between the change from one species to another. For example, men evolving from apes would have specific stages of species that “link” apes to men. The problem is, these stages are missing. The earliest example of a transitional form to link apes to men is called “Lucy.” However, most scientists today acknowledge that Lucy was nothing more than a 3-foot chimpanzee. Another transitional form from ape to man is “Nebraska Man.” Scientists designed the entire skeleton of Nebraska Man with legs, arms, and facial structure; when all they had was a single tooth. This tooth was later found out to be the tooth of an extinct pig. Along with the previous two, there is also a transitional form called "Piltdown Man." Piltdown Man was constructed from a skull that was later discovered to have the jaw bone of a modern day ape. Probably the most commonly known transitional form from ape to man is "Neanderthal Man." Neanderthal Man was discovered around 50 years ago in France, but was discovered to be nothing more than the skeleton of an old man who suffered from arthritis. What’s more unconvincing about evolution is that these incomplete samples, which have formed the foundations of our science books, only have one example of each transitional form. In order for these transitional forms to have existed and been species, there would be millions of their fossils being discovered. However, there is not. Charles Darwin, whom is considered to be the father of evolution, wrote:
“Why then is not every geological formation and every strata full of such intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely-graduated organic chain; and this perhaps, is the most obvious and serious objection which can be urged against my theory."
The late Stephen J. Gould, who was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, historian of science, and professor at Harvard University, said this about transitional forms:
“The extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record persists as the trade secret of paleontology...Paleontologists have paid an exorbitant price for Darwin's argument. We fancy ourselves as the only true students of life's history, yet to preserve our favored account of evolution by natural selection we view our data as so bad that we never see the very process we profess to study.”
Other quotes consist of:
“What is missing are the many intermediate forms hypothesized by Darwin.” -Robert Carroll (Paleontologist and Professor of Zoology McGill University)
“There is no fossil of the stages through which the remarkable change from reptile to bird was achieved” -A. J. Marshall (PHD Anthropology Harvard University)
It is obvious that there is a huge flaw in evolution from the lack of transitional forms, considering that Darwin himself claimed that evolution should be discredited if millions of transitional forms were not discovered within a hundred years of him exposing his theory in 1859.
The third question I would like to answer is, “Is there a logical foundation for the Christian account of creation, other than 'blind faith?'” I believe there is, however I will not be stating a case for intelligent design in its defense. I’d rather take a different approach. My defense will come solely from the Bible, but first let me give good reason why the Bible is more than enough to be a reliable source of information. First off, archaeologically speaking there are hundreds of findings that support people, places, and events that are found in Scripture. I will list a few even though there are many for both the Old and New Testament:
- Dead Sea Scrolls (1947-56, Qumran, Israel): provided the oldest copies of the Old Testament and confirmed reliability of the transmission process.
- House of David Inscriptions (1993-94, Tel Dan, Israel): Earliest mention outside the Bible of King David, whom some scholars had held to be a fictional character.
- Cylinder of Nabonidus (1854, Ur, Iraq): Corroborates Belshazzar as last king of Babylon as recorded in Daniel 5:1-30; 7:1; 8:1
- Sargon Inscriptions (1843, Khorsabad, Iraq): Confirms the existence of Sargon, King of Assyria, Isaiah 20:1, as well as his conquering of Samaria (2 Kings 17:23-24)
- Epic of Gilgamesh (1853, Nineveh, Iraq): First extra-biblical find that appears to reference the great flood of Genesis 7-8
- Weld-Blundell Prism (1922, Babylon, Iraq): Contains a list of Sumerian Kings that ruled before and after the great flood; the kings that pre-dated the flood are attributed enormous life spans reminiscent of, though greater than, the life spans of pre-flood inhabitants of the Bible
- The Pilate Stone Inscription (1961, Caesarea, Maritima): Confirmed the existence and office of Pilate
- Sergius Paulus Inscription (1877, Paphos, Cyprus): Confirms the existence of Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus encountered by Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:7
- Pool of Siloam (2004, Jerusalem): Site of Jesus’ miracle recorded in John 9:1-11
- Skeleton of Yohanan (1968, Jerusalem): Only known remains of crucifixion victim; corroborates the Bible’s description of crucifixion
Along with that, there are over 5,000 original language manuscripts for the New Testament alone (with the biggest differences in the passing down of scripture being similar to that of the words “savior” and “saviour”). The difference in years between composition of the oldest and newest copies is at most 50 years. This is astonishing when compared to Homer’s Illiad (which has 643 original language manuscripts over a period of 500 years) and Plato’s Tetralogies (which has 49 original language manuscripts over a period of 1,300 years). There are also around 10,000 extra-biblical manuscripts supporting the people, places, and events of the New Testament. Dr. G.R. Habermas points out that within 110 years of Christ's crucifixion, approximately eighteen non-Christian sources mention more than "one hundred facts, beliefs, and teachings from the life of Christ and early Christendom. These items, I might add, mention almost every major detail of Jesus' life, including miracles, the Resurrection, and His claims to deity." Sir William Ramsey, one of the greatest archeologists to ever live, demonstrated that Luke made no mistakes in references to 32 countries, 54 cities, and 9 islands. Bible scholar and Christian apologist Norman Geisler explains how the internal evidence test reveals the Bible's amazing consistency. The Bible was written by over 40 authors, in 3 languages, on 3 continents, over a span of 1,500 years, and covers hundreds of controversial subjects. Yet, the authors all spoke with agreement; there are no contradictions. A consistency like this could only be the result of a divine intervention by God to write these books through His faithful servants. On top of all this, the fulfillment of prophecy for the Bible is unwavering. Some prophecies fulfilled by Jesus are Micah 5:2, which revealed where He would be born; Isaiah 53 detailed His suffering, work at the cross, and resurrection; Psalm 22 is striking prophecy of the crucifixion. Norman Geisler also explains Ezekiel's prediction that the city of Tyre "would be destroyed and its ruins cast into the sea (Ezekiel 26:2). This provoked scoffing because, when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Tyre, he left the ruins right where they fell--on the land. But 200 years later, Alexander the Great attacked Tyre and the inhabitants withdrew to an island just off the coast for safety. In order to reach them, Alexander threw all of the debris, stones, timbers, dust, and everything else, into the sea to build a causeway that would reach the island." If events so far in the future can be accurately predicted, certainly the events of the past have been accurately recorded. Overall, there is an extreme amount of support for the reliability and accuracy of the Bible, as well as for it’s divine inspiration.
With that in mind, I would like to simply turn to the Genesis account of creation.
Genesis 1:1-3
(1) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (2) Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (3) And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
This passage is a small sample of how creation took place. Simply put, “God created.” He literally spoke these things into existence. Scripture does not give support of the idea of Him forming this through a “big bang,” or by some other means. Genesis 2:1 says, “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.” He spoke the words, and these things came into existence. This occurred with all creation, except for with the creation of man.
Genesis 2:7
(7) the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
It seems pretty clear to me that God took special care in the creation of man specifically. In no other creature did God personally form that being and breathe His breath of life into them, but rather all other creations were spoken into existence. Again, this does not hint or leave room for evolution. You can see this more clearly in the creation of woman.
Genesis 2:21-22
(21) So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. (22) Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
This passage supports my claim of evolution not being compatible with Christianity. God created Eve from a rib of Adam, not by evolving her from a single-cell organism. Let me also note here that this does not make women inferior to men just because Eve was created from the rib of Adam. While Darwin made claims of women being less evolved than men (as well as black people being less evolved than white people), God on the other hand created both men and women equal in His image (Genesis 1:27).
My overlying point with this whole note is summed up in these three things:
1. Christianity is not compatible with evolution.
2. Evolution has very weak support, considering it is taught as fact by many professors and schools.
3. Christianity is not based on “blind faith,” but has very strong historical, logical, and accurate support for its claims.
Sir Arthur Keith, a Scottish anatomist and anthropologist who wrote the foreward to Darwin's Origin of the Species' 100th anniversary edition, said:
"Evolution is both unproved, and unprovable. We believe only because the only alternative is special creation, and that is unthinkable.”
I would hope that at the end of this note, that same statement does not apply to you. There is a Creator. He has taken initiative to create each of us with personal interest, while knowing all the days of our lives before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). From the beginning of time to present day, His plan has been to bring salvation unto mankind; that they may know the pleasures and joys of being in intimate relationship with their Creator and Savior.
When Pigs Fly: God's Sovereign Choice
What a great question that has boggled the minds of millions, I am sure. Could pigs ever fly, in and of themselves? Well, how does a bird fly? A bird flies by using strong muscles to push its wings downward, which results in air being pushed down and lift being generated. With this in mind, surely the reason pigs are unable to fly has nothing to do with the lack of strong muscles. Pigs are massive animals. They weigh anywhere from 200-240 pounds, with the heaviest pig ever weighing-in somewhere around 800 lbs. For an animal to be that big, it must also have a significant amount of muscle. Then why can’t pigs fly? What’s stopping them? Well if you haven’t noticed, pigs don’t have wings! This means that even if a pig had enough muscle to pull two tons it’s own weight, it would NEVER be able to fly due to it’s lack of wings. Here’s an even greater question. Would pigs even want to fly if they could? I am not convinced that they would. Pigs lack in sweat glands. In order to stay cool, pigs roll around and dwell in mud. They also use the mud as a sunscreen to prevent sunburn. So even if pigs could fly, I am not so sure they would because they would be worried about their own personal well-being and desire for mud.
What significance does this information about pigs have with the topic of “God’s Sovereign Choice (sovereign meaning, to have complete control)?” Well, what does “God’s Sovereign Choice” mean? The doctrine of God’s Sovereign Choice means that it is completely and solely upon God’s choice that a man comes to salvation (John 15:16). In addition, there is no standard or good work in which a man can earn salvation or find favoritism in God’s sight (Isaiah 64:6); but it is by the gracious love of God that a man comes to faith in Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). How can this be? Can’t a man choose to follow Christ upon his own ability and desires? In light of the previous note I wrote, “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up: Humanity’s Radical Corruption,” there is no possible way that a spiritually dead man could choose life. Just as pigs are completely unable to fly due to their lack of wings, men are completely unable to choose Christ due to their spiritual deadness. Even if men were able to choose Christ, I am convinced that they wouldn’t because their deepest desires include sin and hostility towards God (Romans 8:7-8). Just as pigs would be drawn towards mud rather than flight because of their desire for mud, men would be drawn towards sin rather than Christ because of the corrupt desires of their heart. Even in our greatest strengths, it is as impossible for us to choose God just as it is for pigs to take flight.
Then what hope is there? How is salvation even possible for man? God has had a plan since before the creation of the world.
Ephesians 1:3-5
(3) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (4) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (5) he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
Verse three starts off declaring that all praise belongs to God, who has given us every spiritual blessing. This shows God’s control over all spiritual blessings. Verse four then goes on to give evidence of God’s control over all spiritual blessings by declaring that God chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight (to be saved). Psalm 139:15-16 goes on even further to state, “(15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, (16) your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” This was considered a blessing that God chose those who would be saved. Verse five proclaims that IN LOVE He predestined us. The question then rises, how is it loving if we do not have a choice? The thing is, we do have a choice. What have we done with that choice? Again, with man’s choice he has chosen nothing but sin (Romans 3:9-18). It is impossible for him to choose anything other than that, due to his radical corruption. Maybe the better question is, how could God be so loving that He would choose to save any of the people who deserve His eternal punishment? However, He does choose some that they may know of His great worth.
One very big question that arises is, why would God even tell us of this predestination? 1 Peter 1:1-2 shines some light on this topic.
1 Peter 1:1-2
(1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, (2) who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
It is most likely that the scattered people, which would mean spiritual pilgrims who do not belong of this world, mentioned in this passage are under heavy persecution. This letter was written during the rule of an emperor named Nero. During the time of Nero’s rule and this letter being written, there was a fire that broke out in Rome. Immediately, in frustration and anger of their prized culture being ruined, the citizens of Rome accused Nero of the damages because of his extreme lust for building things. In response to this accusation, Nero blames the Christians. So, being that Christians were under persecution, this letter was written for the purpose of encouragement. The Christians of these different areas were longing for the home in which they belong, “New Jerusalem.” This is understood in verse 1 when he refers to them as “strangers in the world.” Peter wrote this letter, and God revealed to man His sovereign choice, for the purpose of assuring Christians of His love and His hand in their lives.
One overlying dangerous opposition that is made with the doctrine of “God’s Sovereign Choice” is that God chooses people for salvation ahead of time, knowing what they would already choose. This is known as double-handed salvation. In other words, God saves people by knowing who would first choose Him. However, this doctrine is inconsistent with the full revelation of scripture. If God is dependant on man (who is corrupt) to choose Him, that would mean that man is on an equal level with God in salvation. This makes for a very weak God, but an empowered corrupt man. More so, nobody would EVER come to salvation if it were dependant on man alone; because man is sinful at the core of who he is and unable to choose life. Can a painting say to the artist, “this is what I will be?” It’s impossible. The artist orchestrates and designs every aspect of the painting without the slightest consultation with the painting. It does not change the passion and care that the artist has for the painting; it simply means that the artist is who is in control. In His mercy and love, it is Christ who calls us unto salvation and not us who calls upon Him (John 15:16). But don’t WE actually make the choice? The answer is yes, and no. Logically, we make a choice to follow Christ. Biblically, it is actually God making that choice through us.
There must be some reason that God chose specific people, right? Romans 9:11-13 says:
(11) Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: (12) not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger." (13) Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
What this passage means is that man can do nothing to earn salvation. Even before the twins were born and could do right or wrong, God had decided who He would choose. What’s the reason behind this? It was that His “purpose in election might stand.” This means at least two things (probably a lot more, but two main ones stand out to me). God selects who He selects to prove that it is Him who has the choice, and that it is not based upon man’s merit. Secondly, He does this for His own purpose and for fulfillment of His perfect plan.
So how is this fair? How can God still hold us accountable of our sins if it is Him who chooses who to reveal Himself to?
Romans 9:14-21
(14) What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! (15) For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." (16) It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. (17) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." (18) Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. (19) One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" (20) But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " (21) Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
It is important to realize that Paul is not rebuking those who have honest questions about this difficult doctrine, but rather he is rebuking those who arrogantly excuse their own sin and unbelief. The verses that follow Romans 9:14-21 shed a little bit more light on the topic of why God allows some to perish.
Romans 9:22-23
(22) What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? (23) What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory.
Verse twenty-two is claiming that God could justly destroy sinners the first time they sin. Rather, He patiently endures their rebellion instead of giving them what every sin immediately deserves- eternal punishment. In addition, it claims that a sinners rejection of God is his own. God does not make man sinful, but He leaves them in the sin they have chosen. Verse 23 goes on to say that the purpose and existence of wrath is to show the supreme value of grace and mercy. How could we more fully know the glory of God’s grace if all people were under wrath? Wrath would not be as feared because it would be a common norm. How could we more fully understand God's grace if all people were saved? Mercy would not be as understood, because it would be a common norm. Meaning that people would not even know of wrath, so what are they saved from? In order to understand the fullness of God’s mercy, you must have wrath; and to understand the fullness of God’s wrath, you must have mercy. The combination brings an understanding of fullness to God’s glory.
So what applications does this have for our lives? First off, we must realize that salvation is completely upon God’s choice, not ours (John 15:16; Romans 9:15-16). If it were dependant upon man, no one would be saved because all man are spiritually dead in their sin (Romans 3:9-18; Colossians 2:13). God being in control of salvation should be comforting to us for a couple of reasons. First off, we cannot change a sinner’s heart; nor are we called to do so. We may preach until we no longer have a voice, and study until our capacity of understanding has withered away; but it will be God who convicts and saves the sinner (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). We are called to be faithful to the Word, and to leave the rest in God’s hand. Secondly, we should be encouraged that the God of the universe has graciously shown us His love by choosing us before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:3-5), to be vessels of His mercy (Romans 9:23). Some may question whether there is even a need to share the Gospel, since God has already chosen who will be saved. This is a very dangerous concept. There are three reasons for this. First, we do not know who God will save, so we cannot determine who is chosen and who is not. Secondly, God using believers to share the Gospel with unbelievers is the main tool in which God brings people to salvation. Thirdly, God choosing a select people does not cancel out the commandment for us to go make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). In the grand scheme of things, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
What significance does this information about pigs have with the topic of “God’s Sovereign Choice (sovereign meaning, to have complete control)?” Well, what does “God’s Sovereign Choice” mean? The doctrine of God’s Sovereign Choice means that it is completely and solely upon God’s choice that a man comes to salvation (John 15:16). In addition, there is no standard or good work in which a man can earn salvation or find favoritism in God’s sight (Isaiah 64:6); but it is by the gracious love of God that a man comes to faith in Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). How can this be? Can’t a man choose to follow Christ upon his own ability and desires? In light of the previous note I wrote, “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up: Humanity’s Radical Corruption,” there is no possible way that a spiritually dead man could choose life. Just as pigs are completely unable to fly due to their lack of wings, men are completely unable to choose Christ due to their spiritual deadness. Even if men were able to choose Christ, I am convinced that they wouldn’t because their deepest desires include sin and hostility towards God (Romans 8:7-8). Just as pigs would be drawn towards mud rather than flight because of their desire for mud, men would be drawn towards sin rather than Christ because of the corrupt desires of their heart. Even in our greatest strengths, it is as impossible for us to choose God just as it is for pigs to take flight.
Then what hope is there? How is salvation even possible for man? God has had a plan since before the creation of the world.
Ephesians 1:3-5
(3) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (4) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (5) he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
Verse three starts off declaring that all praise belongs to God, who has given us every spiritual blessing. This shows God’s control over all spiritual blessings. Verse four then goes on to give evidence of God’s control over all spiritual blessings by declaring that God chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight (to be saved). Psalm 139:15-16 goes on even further to state, “(15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, (16) your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” This was considered a blessing that God chose those who would be saved. Verse five proclaims that IN LOVE He predestined us. The question then rises, how is it loving if we do not have a choice? The thing is, we do have a choice. What have we done with that choice? Again, with man’s choice he has chosen nothing but sin (Romans 3:9-18). It is impossible for him to choose anything other than that, due to his radical corruption. Maybe the better question is, how could God be so loving that He would choose to save any of the people who deserve His eternal punishment? However, He does choose some that they may know of His great worth.
One very big question that arises is, why would God even tell us of this predestination? 1 Peter 1:1-2 shines some light on this topic.
1 Peter 1:1-2
(1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, (2) who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
It is most likely that the scattered people, which would mean spiritual pilgrims who do not belong of this world, mentioned in this passage are under heavy persecution. This letter was written during the rule of an emperor named Nero. During the time of Nero’s rule and this letter being written, there was a fire that broke out in Rome. Immediately, in frustration and anger of their prized culture being ruined, the citizens of Rome accused Nero of the damages because of his extreme lust for building things. In response to this accusation, Nero blames the Christians. So, being that Christians were under persecution, this letter was written for the purpose of encouragement. The Christians of these different areas were longing for the home in which they belong, “New Jerusalem.” This is understood in verse 1 when he refers to them as “strangers in the world.” Peter wrote this letter, and God revealed to man His sovereign choice, for the purpose of assuring Christians of His love and His hand in their lives.
One overlying dangerous opposition that is made with the doctrine of “God’s Sovereign Choice” is that God chooses people for salvation ahead of time, knowing what they would already choose. This is known as double-handed salvation. In other words, God saves people by knowing who would first choose Him. However, this doctrine is inconsistent with the full revelation of scripture. If God is dependant on man (who is corrupt) to choose Him, that would mean that man is on an equal level with God in salvation. This makes for a very weak God, but an empowered corrupt man. More so, nobody would EVER come to salvation if it were dependant on man alone; because man is sinful at the core of who he is and unable to choose life. Can a painting say to the artist, “this is what I will be?” It’s impossible. The artist orchestrates and designs every aspect of the painting without the slightest consultation with the painting. It does not change the passion and care that the artist has for the painting; it simply means that the artist is who is in control. In His mercy and love, it is Christ who calls us unto salvation and not us who calls upon Him (John 15:16). But don’t WE actually make the choice? The answer is yes, and no. Logically, we make a choice to follow Christ. Biblically, it is actually God making that choice through us.
There must be some reason that God chose specific people, right? Romans 9:11-13 says:
(11) Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: (12) not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger." (13) Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
What this passage means is that man can do nothing to earn salvation. Even before the twins were born and could do right or wrong, God had decided who He would choose. What’s the reason behind this? It was that His “purpose in election might stand.” This means at least two things (probably a lot more, but two main ones stand out to me). God selects who He selects to prove that it is Him who has the choice, and that it is not based upon man’s merit. Secondly, He does this for His own purpose and for fulfillment of His perfect plan.
So how is this fair? How can God still hold us accountable of our sins if it is Him who chooses who to reveal Himself to?
Romans 9:14-21
(14) What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! (15) For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." (16) It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. (17) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." (18) Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. (19) One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" (20) But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " (21) Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
It is important to realize that Paul is not rebuking those who have honest questions about this difficult doctrine, but rather he is rebuking those who arrogantly excuse their own sin and unbelief. The verses that follow Romans 9:14-21 shed a little bit more light on the topic of why God allows some to perish.
Romans 9:22-23
(22) What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? (23) What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory.
Verse twenty-two is claiming that God could justly destroy sinners the first time they sin. Rather, He patiently endures their rebellion instead of giving them what every sin immediately deserves- eternal punishment. In addition, it claims that a sinners rejection of God is his own. God does not make man sinful, but He leaves them in the sin they have chosen. Verse 23 goes on to say that the purpose and existence of wrath is to show the supreme value of grace and mercy. How could we more fully know the glory of God’s grace if all people were under wrath? Wrath would not be as feared because it would be a common norm. How could we more fully understand God's grace if all people were saved? Mercy would not be as understood, because it would be a common norm. Meaning that people would not even know of wrath, so what are they saved from? In order to understand the fullness of God’s mercy, you must have wrath; and to understand the fullness of God’s wrath, you must have mercy. The combination brings an understanding of fullness to God’s glory.
So what applications does this have for our lives? First off, we must realize that salvation is completely upon God’s choice, not ours (John 15:16; Romans 9:15-16). If it were dependant upon man, no one would be saved because all man are spiritually dead in their sin (Romans 3:9-18; Colossians 2:13). God being in control of salvation should be comforting to us for a couple of reasons. First off, we cannot change a sinner’s heart; nor are we called to do so. We may preach until we no longer have a voice, and study until our capacity of understanding has withered away; but it will be God who convicts and saves the sinner (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). We are called to be faithful to the Word, and to leave the rest in God’s hand. Secondly, we should be encouraged that the God of the universe has graciously shown us His love by choosing us before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:3-5), to be vessels of His mercy (Romans 9:23). Some may question whether there is even a need to share the Gospel, since God has already chosen who will be saved. This is a very dangerous concept. There are three reasons for this. First, we do not know who God will save, so we cannot determine who is chosen and who is not. Secondly, God using believers to share the Gospel with unbelievers is the main tool in which God brings people to salvation. Thirdly, God choosing a select people does not cancel out the commandment for us to go make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). In the grand scheme of things, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
I'm Fallen and I Can't Get Up: Humanity's Radical Corruption
Let’s face the facts here. We are born with a disease . This isn’t just any old normal disease. No, this disease is forming and dwelling in the center of our hearts even before we are born. The infection has already taken place, and from the moment it entered into the world all things in existence were radically altered due to it’s devastating effects. Life became shorter, the world began to literally decay, and pain and suffering became common to all. What is it? What is this disease that has plagued creation more than any cancer or fatal virus? It’s been called many things, but the best description I have found is “Humanity’s Radical Corruption.” There is something about the human nature that is at the core of it’s existence, evil and corrupt. From the moment that Adam and Eve rebelled against God (Genesis 3), a wave of erosion has swept across all of creation. The result from this catastrophe was that every child from birth would have only one passion and pleasure: Sin (Ecclesiastes 9:3). John Macarthur says it like this:
“It means children do not come into the world seeking God and righteousness. They do not even come into the world with a neutral innocence. They come into the world seeking the fulfillment of sinful and selfish desires.”
Where is this doctrine rooted Biblically, and how could anyone say something so terrible about one of the most precious and innocent gifts that is given by God?
Psalm 51:3-5
(3) For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (4) Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. (5) Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Although children are one of the greatest gifts given by God, maybe they are not as innocent as we think. I remember at the age of two when I first came into contact with Pepsi-cola. My mom had given it to me in a baby bottle and it wasn’t but a matter of minutes before I had guzzled down every last drop. The following day my mother gave my baby brother an identical baby bottle. From previous experience, I was inclined to believe that Pepsi-cola was in that bottle. Therefore, being driven by my sinful and selfish nature, I stole my brother’s baby bottle only to find that the beverage inside was baby formula and NOT Pepsi-cola. Not only did my sin surface in the act of stealing, but I also expressed a very nerve wrecking temper-tantrum after discovering that my loot did not consist of Pepsi-cola. The uniqueness of this story is that no one had taught me to be selfish, it came as natural to me as breathing and blinking.
Scripture goes on to even further say that we are spiritually dead in our sins. This is consistently seen through out scripture.
- Colossians 2:13
(13) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sin,
- Ephesians 2:1-3
(1) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, (2) in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. (3) All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
Imagery of this spiritual death is seen in Ezekiel 37:1-14. Ezekiel the prophet comes across a valley of dry bones in which the “Sovereign LORD” commands him to prophesy to the bones declaring, “'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'” (vv. 4b-6). After prophesying to the dry bones, they come to life. The Sovereign LORD then speaks to Ezekiel, “"Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.' " (vv. 11-14).
In light of these scriptures, especially Ezekiel 37:1-14 where God claims “I have done it, declares the LORD,” man is unable to save himself or choose life solely upon his own ability. A dead man cannot bring himself back to life, nor can a spiritually dead man make himself spiritually alive; for a spiritually dead man is nothing more than dry bones. Rather, it is “God who made you alive with Christ.” (Colossians 2:13).
If we are indeed sinful from the time of birth, radically corrupted in the inner-most parts of our being, and spiritually dead in our sins; does this mean we can do no good? This is a tough question to answer. The answer is actually yes, and no. In and of ourselves, we are capable to do some good but it will ultimately be a rebellion against God. Let me explain. If you are looking at it in relation to the perspective of man, yes we are able to perform acts of civil virtue. Meaning, we can do “good” things from the perspective of man. This means that a non-believer can donate to a charity, care for the sick, or feed the hungry. However, in relation to the perspective of God, man can do no good apart from Christ. In and of ourselves (meaning apart from Christ), every deed performed by man is a violation of God’s law because it was not done in submission to Him. Romans 14:23 says, "Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." In addition, even our greatest works are considered to be filthy rags before the righteousness of God (Isaiah 64:6). Therefore, man is capable of civil virtues but completely incapable of doing good in the sight of God, apart from the work of Christ.
What significance does this doctrine of Humanity’s Radical Corruption have for us? To start, we are a completely defiled and evil people. There is not an ounce of good in us apart from the saving grace of God (Romans 3:9-26). From the moment of birth, sin is just as present in our veins as blood. At the core of who we are, we love darkness (John 3:19) and are hostile toward God (Romans 8:7-8). Unless God cures a man’s blindness to sin and draws him to Christ, he will never find in his own desires to repent (turn away) from sin and devote his life to supremely valuing and following Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:3-7); for we are slaves to sin (John 8:34). For the unrepentant heart there will sadly be nothing but eternal, just, and holy punishment (Romans 2:5). Those who the Father draw unto Him, believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins will have eternal life (John 6:44, Mark 1:15, John 3:16).
“It means children do not come into the world seeking God and righteousness. They do not even come into the world with a neutral innocence. They come into the world seeking the fulfillment of sinful and selfish desires.”
Where is this doctrine rooted Biblically, and how could anyone say something so terrible about one of the most precious and innocent gifts that is given by God?
Psalm 51:3-5
(3) For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (4) Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. (5) Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Although children are one of the greatest gifts given by God, maybe they are not as innocent as we think. I remember at the age of two when I first came into contact with Pepsi-cola. My mom had given it to me in a baby bottle and it wasn’t but a matter of minutes before I had guzzled down every last drop. The following day my mother gave my baby brother an identical baby bottle. From previous experience, I was inclined to believe that Pepsi-cola was in that bottle. Therefore, being driven by my sinful and selfish nature, I stole my brother’s baby bottle only to find that the beverage inside was baby formula and NOT Pepsi-cola. Not only did my sin surface in the act of stealing, but I also expressed a very nerve wrecking temper-tantrum after discovering that my loot did not consist of Pepsi-cola. The uniqueness of this story is that no one had taught me to be selfish, it came as natural to me as breathing and blinking.
Scripture goes on to even further say that we are spiritually dead in our sins. This is consistently seen through out scripture.
- Colossians 2:13
(13) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sin,
- Ephesians 2:1-3
(1) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, (2) in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. (3) All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
Imagery of this spiritual death is seen in Ezekiel 37:1-14. Ezekiel the prophet comes across a valley of dry bones in which the “Sovereign LORD” commands him to prophesy to the bones declaring, “'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'” (vv. 4b-6). After prophesying to the dry bones, they come to life. The Sovereign LORD then speaks to Ezekiel, “"Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.' " (vv. 11-14).
In light of these scriptures, especially Ezekiel 37:1-14 where God claims “I have done it, declares the LORD,” man is unable to save himself or choose life solely upon his own ability. A dead man cannot bring himself back to life, nor can a spiritually dead man make himself spiritually alive; for a spiritually dead man is nothing more than dry bones. Rather, it is “God who made you alive with Christ.” (Colossians 2:13).
If we are indeed sinful from the time of birth, radically corrupted in the inner-most parts of our being, and spiritually dead in our sins; does this mean we can do no good? This is a tough question to answer. The answer is actually yes, and no. In and of ourselves, we are capable to do some good but it will ultimately be a rebellion against God. Let me explain. If you are looking at it in relation to the perspective of man, yes we are able to perform acts of civil virtue. Meaning, we can do “good” things from the perspective of man. This means that a non-believer can donate to a charity, care for the sick, or feed the hungry. However, in relation to the perspective of God, man can do no good apart from Christ. In and of ourselves (meaning apart from Christ), every deed performed by man is a violation of God’s law because it was not done in submission to Him. Romans 14:23 says, "Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." In addition, even our greatest works are considered to be filthy rags before the righteousness of God (Isaiah 64:6). Therefore, man is capable of civil virtues but completely incapable of doing good in the sight of God, apart from the work of Christ.
What significance does this doctrine of Humanity’s Radical Corruption have for us? To start, we are a completely defiled and evil people. There is not an ounce of good in us apart from the saving grace of God (Romans 3:9-26). From the moment of birth, sin is just as present in our veins as blood. At the core of who we are, we love darkness (John 3:19) and are hostile toward God (Romans 8:7-8). Unless God cures a man’s blindness to sin and draws him to Christ, he will never find in his own desires to repent (turn away) from sin and devote his life to supremely valuing and following Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:3-7); for we are slaves to sin (John 8:34). For the unrepentant heart there will sadly be nothing but eternal, just, and holy punishment (Romans 2:5). Those who the Father draw unto Him, believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins will have eternal life (John 6:44, Mark 1:15, John 3:16).
Orthodoxy Vs. Orthopraxy: Understanding of God Leads to Holy Living
When sitting and talking with a good friend of mine, Daniel Fuentes, the topics of orthopraxy and orthodoxy came up. The question was, which is more important? This wasn‘t a heated debate or even a very lengthy conversation (it was actually a casual conversation that came up here and there over time). However, it has been great food-for-thought for me, for a little while now. I think the answer to the question is very important. Is having a right understanding and Biblical knowledge more important (orthodoxy)? Or is having right practice and Biblical application more important (orthopraxy)? I think my trustworthy friend and I end up in the same spot. You have to have good orthodoxy to have good orthopraxy, but you can’t separate the two. They are equally important, and one is meaningless without the other.
However, Daniel is much more passionate and concerned with orthopraxy (which there is nothing wrong with that, because I know he is passionate about the Word of God and knowledge of God). Me on the other hand, I am more passionate and concerned with orthodoxy. What’s interesting about this is that Daniel came to a point in our discussion where he said something along the lines of, “I know that you have to have good orthodoxy to have good orthopraxy, but it’s hard to overlook the importance of orthopraxy.” I couldn’t agree more. It is so important that we as Christians actually be the light of the world. That the love of Christ pours out of our lives into the lives of others. That we feed, care for, and provide for the needy and poor. It is of extreme importance and urgency that we fulfill these social justices. Honestly, I am not the greatest when it comes to orthopraxy. I struggle with it, and I struggle hard. But I can be comforted in this one thing: I am seeking the grace of God to be revealed and displayed in my life.
Proverbs 4:20-23
(20) My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. (21) Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; (22) for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. (23) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Interestingly enough, this passage has been very insightful and encouraging as I pray for application of the knowledge I receive from Bible study. The last verse here seems to be stripped out of context so much, that the way I present it may be foreign to some people. In context, however, this passage is claiming that at the core of our actions and the flow of our life is the heart. The author is claiming that this is a heart issue, and that we must guard our heart from corruption and sin to find true life. This is done through retaining wisdom and seeking knowledge from God (orthodoxy).
There is very interesting insight found here in Matthew 25:31-46 on the topics of orthopraxy and orthodoxy.
(31) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. (32) All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (33) He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (34) "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. (35) For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, (36) I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' (37) "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? (38)When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? (39) When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' (40) "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (41) "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (42) For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, (43) I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' (44) "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' (45) "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' (46) "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
This passage speaks of two groups of people. On the right, there are the sheep (believers in Christ). On the left, there are the goats (unbelievers). The believers, almost as if by instinct, were quick to care and provide for those in need. At the same time, the unbelievers failed to do those things. Do you see the connection? The believers who had came to knowledge, passion, and submission to God are the ones who involuntarily had good orthopraxy. It came through orthodoxy and as a direct fruit of the faith given to them from God. Orthopraxy is the fruit and evidence of orthodoxy, or more commonly known: works are evidence of faith (that comes about through God's grace in orthodoxy).
Take notice to verse 44 where it says "They ALSO will answer, 'Lord..." I think this says something very intriguing. These unbelievers also called out to Christ as "Lord," just as the believers did. They served with their lips, but failed to do so with their actions which was evidence that the truth is not in them (lacking in orthodoxy) (1 John 1:6).
So, what am I getting at? Well, it seems very common today for people to completely throw theology aside as if it is of no importance, while focusing on social justices such as feeding the hungry and providing for the poor. By no means do I think those social justices are unimportant. But let’s face the facts here.
1) Everyone has a theology- Theology is your view and understanding of who God is. Even an atheist has a view of God, being that they believe He doesn’t exist.
2) Your theology shapes the way you live your life.
3) The world can imitate providing for the hungry and poor, but they cannot provide the greatest need of all; that being Jesus Christ. For “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Biblical sharing of Christ only comes with good orthodoxy and theology.
The fact is, theology is of extreme importance. Orthodoxy is essential to the Christian life, as is orthopraxy. Your life, as well as others, depend on them and you can’t have one without the other.
I say all this to prepare readers for my next series of notes where I will be presenting theology in the simplest form I possibly can, without compromising Biblical truth. I only ask that you prayerfully take my words into consideration. I pray that Biblical theology (understanding of God) will lead us to passionate holy living for His glory.
Romans 1:28
(28) Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
However, Daniel is much more passionate and concerned with orthopraxy (which there is nothing wrong with that, because I know he is passionate about the Word of God and knowledge of God). Me on the other hand, I am more passionate and concerned with orthodoxy. What’s interesting about this is that Daniel came to a point in our discussion where he said something along the lines of, “I know that you have to have good orthodoxy to have good orthopraxy, but it’s hard to overlook the importance of orthopraxy.” I couldn’t agree more. It is so important that we as Christians actually be the light of the world. That the love of Christ pours out of our lives into the lives of others. That we feed, care for, and provide for the needy and poor. It is of extreme importance and urgency that we fulfill these social justices. Honestly, I am not the greatest when it comes to orthopraxy. I struggle with it, and I struggle hard. But I can be comforted in this one thing: I am seeking the grace of God to be revealed and displayed in my life.
Proverbs 4:20-23
(20) My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. (21) Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; (22) for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. (23) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Interestingly enough, this passage has been very insightful and encouraging as I pray for application of the knowledge I receive from Bible study. The last verse here seems to be stripped out of context so much, that the way I present it may be foreign to some people. In context, however, this passage is claiming that at the core of our actions and the flow of our life is the heart. The author is claiming that this is a heart issue, and that we must guard our heart from corruption and sin to find true life. This is done through retaining wisdom and seeking knowledge from God (orthodoxy).
There is very interesting insight found here in Matthew 25:31-46 on the topics of orthopraxy and orthodoxy.
(31) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. (32) All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (33) He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (34) "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. (35) For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, (36) I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' (37) "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? (38)When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? (39) When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' (40) "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (41) "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (42) For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, (43) I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' (44) "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' (45) "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' (46) "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
This passage speaks of two groups of people. On the right, there are the sheep (believers in Christ). On the left, there are the goats (unbelievers). The believers, almost as if by instinct, were quick to care and provide for those in need. At the same time, the unbelievers failed to do those things. Do you see the connection? The believers who had came to knowledge, passion, and submission to God are the ones who involuntarily had good orthopraxy. It came through orthodoxy and as a direct fruit of the faith given to them from God. Orthopraxy is the fruit and evidence of orthodoxy, or more commonly known: works are evidence of faith (that comes about through God's grace in orthodoxy).
Take notice to verse 44 where it says "They ALSO will answer, 'Lord..." I think this says something very intriguing. These unbelievers also called out to Christ as "Lord," just as the believers did. They served with their lips, but failed to do so with their actions which was evidence that the truth is not in them (lacking in orthodoxy) (1 John 1:6).
So, what am I getting at? Well, it seems very common today for people to completely throw theology aside as if it is of no importance, while focusing on social justices such as feeding the hungry and providing for the poor. By no means do I think those social justices are unimportant. But let’s face the facts here.
1) Everyone has a theology- Theology is your view and understanding of who God is. Even an atheist has a view of God, being that they believe He doesn’t exist.
2) Your theology shapes the way you live your life.
3) The world can imitate providing for the hungry and poor, but they cannot provide the greatest need of all; that being Jesus Christ. For “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Biblical sharing of Christ only comes with good orthodoxy and theology.
The fact is, theology is of extreme importance. Orthodoxy is essential to the Christian life, as is orthopraxy. Your life, as well as others, depend on them and you can’t have one without the other.
I say all this to prepare readers for my next series of notes where I will be presenting theology in the simplest form I possibly can, without compromising Biblical truth. I only ask that you prayerfully take my words into consideration. I pray that Biblical theology (understanding of God) will lead us to passionate holy living for His glory.
Romans 1:28
(28) Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
Simply put, it Rapes the Mind...
Lives are being destroyed while sin is being promoted even amongst self-proclaimed Christians:
"Facts about pornography and it’s use—specifically Internet pornography use—is on the rise at a fast pace: lost jobs, failed marriages, and destroyed families are the outcome. Pastors are no less vulnerable to this addiction."
"Porn earnings are estimated at $10-12 billion in the U.S. and $56 billion worldwide.”
One self-proclaimed Christian website writes, "We challenge Christians in the adult industry (yes, they do exist – and you know who you are) to step up and truly walk their walk and live their faith by producing pornography that men and women of God can view without compromising their relationship with their Savior, or their relationship with their spouse."
“Adult Video News claims that the largest credit card company makes $35 million per month off of e-porn.”
Why these facts, and why this topic? Because people, men and women alike, are being destroyed by the tyrant of sin known as pornography. Why? Partially because there is a lot of money in it, which gives people the incentive to want to promote it. Overall, there is a thirst for the acceptance of sin. In our current culture, children are being stripped of their innocence before they are in the 5th grade. Sexuality is promoted while once precious and valued morals are being flushed down the drain. Simply put, it rapes the mind. In a survey consisting of 5,750 men and women, 78% admitted to being addicted to porn. Out of that same percentage, 72 % claimed to be religious. There is a difference between being religious and Christian, but it is hard to deny or ignore that very few things are destroying the lives of many men and women, as well as the marriages shared by those men and women, like pornography. Not limited to adults, but teenagers are being engulfed by this same corruption. My concern here is the fear some have of seeking help. The fear to seek guidance and assistance with this issue is tremendous. CHRISTIAN men and women are terrified of seeking help due to the instant judgmental mindset other Christians perceive when thinking about porn. Immediately they are looked at as being defiled and perverse in the sin that has entrapped them.
This is my case:
1. In the culture and society we live in, is it that illogical to see why people fall into lust driven porn addiction?
2. In a culture that thrives on pleasure, satisfaction, and money; is it illogical that society would desire to promote such sinful images that result in billions of dollars per year?
3. Is it illogical that a Christian could struggle with these things, yet be the victim rather than just a consumer?
Too many CHRISTIANS continue to be tormented by the enslaving sin of pornography due to friends and loved ones who are blind to the suffering that it causes. For most true Christians, struggling with pornography is not something they are passionate about; but rather they hate it and sometimes even hate themselves because of it. Yet there are thousands who share this view, and still fall into the chains it encompasses. Why? How can Christians hate this but still fall into it? Simply because of this: Porn Rapes the Mind. It isn’t something they desire as much as it is something that forcefully rips them from their innocence and purity. I beg for this reality to be seen by those who have friends and loved ones who are victims of this struggle. I beg for those who struggle to have the courage to tell a friend or loved one about their struggle, in order to seek accountability. Christ defeated sin on the cross. We are a new creation in Him. Let us be reminded of that, as we pray for the victims involved in this battle of the mind and heart.
"Facts about pornography and it’s use—specifically Internet pornography use—is on the rise at a fast pace: lost jobs, failed marriages, and destroyed families are the outcome. Pastors are no less vulnerable to this addiction."
"Porn earnings are estimated at $10-12 billion in the U.S. and $56 billion worldwide.”
One self-proclaimed Christian website writes, "We challenge Christians in the adult industry (yes, they do exist – and you know who you are) to step up and truly walk their walk and live their faith by producing pornography that men and women of God can view without compromising their relationship with their Savior, or their relationship with their spouse."
“Adult Video News claims that the largest credit card company makes $35 million per month off of e-porn.”
Why these facts, and why this topic? Because people, men and women alike, are being destroyed by the tyrant of sin known as pornography. Why? Partially because there is a lot of money in it, which gives people the incentive to want to promote it. Overall, there is a thirst for the acceptance of sin. In our current culture, children are being stripped of their innocence before they are in the 5th grade. Sexuality is promoted while once precious and valued morals are being flushed down the drain. Simply put, it rapes the mind. In a survey consisting of 5,750 men and women, 78% admitted to being addicted to porn. Out of that same percentage, 72 % claimed to be religious. There is a difference between being religious and Christian, but it is hard to deny or ignore that very few things are destroying the lives of many men and women, as well as the marriages shared by those men and women, like pornography. Not limited to adults, but teenagers are being engulfed by this same corruption. My concern here is the fear some have of seeking help. The fear to seek guidance and assistance with this issue is tremendous. CHRISTIAN men and women are terrified of seeking help due to the instant judgmental mindset other Christians perceive when thinking about porn. Immediately they are looked at as being defiled and perverse in the sin that has entrapped them.
This is my case:
1. In the culture and society we live in, is it that illogical to see why people fall into lust driven porn addiction?
2. In a culture that thrives on pleasure, satisfaction, and money; is it illogical that society would desire to promote such sinful images that result in billions of dollars per year?
3. Is it illogical that a Christian could struggle with these things, yet be the victim rather than just a consumer?
Too many CHRISTIANS continue to be tormented by the enslaving sin of pornography due to friends and loved ones who are blind to the suffering that it causes. For most true Christians, struggling with pornography is not something they are passionate about; but rather they hate it and sometimes even hate themselves because of it. Yet there are thousands who share this view, and still fall into the chains it encompasses. Why? How can Christians hate this but still fall into it? Simply because of this: Porn Rapes the Mind. It isn’t something they desire as much as it is something that forcefully rips them from their innocence and purity. I beg for this reality to be seen by those who have friends and loved ones who are victims of this struggle. I beg for those who struggle to have the courage to tell a friend or loved one about their struggle, in order to seek accountability. Christ defeated sin on the cross. We are a new creation in Him. Let us be reminded of that, as we pray for the victims involved in this battle of the mind and heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)