tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084948908453092482024-03-13T13:08:01.941-04:00The Anthistemi (ἀνθίστημι)Christian apologetics, cultural commentary, and reasonPXhoplitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307428647270625663noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-83437166372410503522012-04-12T13:20:00.001-04:002012-04-12T13:20:36.517-04:00Atheist Pope RefutedExcellently presented arguments and facts against the Pope of Atheism, Richard Dawkins. I would charge all rational thinking people to closely examine these declarations against Richard Dawkins' fallacious arguments.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://doubtingdawkins.com/index.html">http://doubtingdawkins.com/index.html</a>PXhoplitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307428647270625663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-71340097017773226342012-03-20T13:17:00.001-04:002012-03-20T13:17:52.700-04:00JOHN MACARTHUR ON EXPECTING VERBAL INSULTS<a href="http://apprising.org/2012/03/19/john-macarthur-on-expecting-verbal-insults/">JOHN MACARTHUR ON EXPECTING VERBAL INSULTS</a> via <a href="http://apprising.org/" target="_blank">Apprising Ministries</a>PXhoplitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307428647270625663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-18635489355400454032012-03-14T16:01:00.001-04:002012-03-14T16:01:19.383-04:00What about all the killing in the Old Testament?An excellent refutation of a consistently used atheistic/skeptic/agnostic argument against the Old Testament judgments of God.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://streetapologetics.com/2011/08/what-about-all-the-killing-in-the-old-testament/">What about all the killing in the Old Testament?</a>PXhoplitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307428647270625663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-38669542382616283292012-03-14T12:59:00.000-04:002012-03-14T13:16:11.186-04:00Street Apologetics<a href="http://streetapologetics.com/" target="_blank">These guys</a> are spectacular. I have never seen arguments fleshed out like this, and Chad Williams is a SEAL too. That's pretty stinkin' awesome in my book. To be honest, I didn't know SEAL training transferred over into argumentation.PXhoplitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307428647270625663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-86856847081898745872012-03-14T11:25:00.001-04:002012-03-14T11:25:55.642-04:00"Anonymous" Attack on Religion<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"Greetings fellow pirates,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Let us be clear from the start: any kind of religion is a sickness to this world. A<b> sickness that creates hate and intolerance</b>, a sickness that brings people to wage war on their fellow people, a <b>sickness that has come to this world long time ago, when mankind wasn’t educated</b>, a sickness that brought false hope and suppression to those who believed and often even more terror and suppression to those who dared not to believe.<br />
<b>Religions are authoritarian hierarchies, designed to dominate your free will.</b> Religions are<b> mind control</b>.They’re power structures that aim to convince you to<b> give away your power for the benefit of those who enjoy dominating people</b>. When you subscribe to a religion, you enroll in a<b> mindless minion training program</b>. Religions don’t market themselves as such, but this is essentially how they operate. In case you ever wondered why religious teachings are invariably mysterious, confusing, and incongruent (sic)? This is no accident — it’s intentional.<br />
<b>We see religion </b>pretty much<b> the same way as we see</b> many <b>governments</b>. <b>Fear mongering and making lots of money</b>,so a <b>small group of ppl </b>(sic) <b>will become insanely rich, while the believing masses can eat dirt</b>...<br />
So people of the world, <b>don’t let religion control your life</b>. <b>Don’t fight against each other for contrary beliefs.</b>This world and our life can be a wonderful adventure, where you have the unique chance to help mankind and your fellow citizens. Where we can all work together to make this earth a better place for ourselves,our children and all those generations who will come after us. ^(;,;)^"</div>
-<a href="http://www.examiner.com/anonymous-in-national/anonymous-says-religion-sucks-hacks-defaces-christan-websites#ixzz1oGQQgZzm" target="_blank">Examiner.com</a> (emphasis added)<br />
<br />
This comment was used during an attack on three separate church websites by the cyber-terrorists "Anonymous," and I would like to address some of the issues that have been highlighted above. Furthermore, accompanying this video was Richard Dawkins "An Atheist Call to Arms" speech.<br />
<br />
1) Is it not intolerant and hateful to attack and shutdown three church websites because you disagree with their beliefs? This is certainly a contradiction in ethical principles. The propositions would go like this:<br />
a)You are a Christian Church<br />
b)Therefore, you are intolerant and hateful<br />
c)We do not believe as you do<br />
d)Therefore, we will attack you and shut down your right to free speech imposing upon your medium of said free speech, our view<br />
<br />
2)Education means that one will deny Christianity, is the assumption here, and that all Christians (I am using Christians because it was Christian websites that were attacked; once again supporting the fact that atheists tend to equate all religion immediately with Christianity) are uneducated and mistakenly hold on to these outdated and antiquated ideas via their Christian worldview. That's interesting considering the following list:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._E._Wilder-Smith" target="_blank">Dr. A.E. Wilder Smith</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lane_Craig" target="_blank">Dr. William Lane Craig</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Strobel" target="_blank">Lee Strobel</a><br />
Which list is simply the first three names that came to mind; there are many scientists, philosophers, and educated men and women who still believe in these "lesson[s] [of] Bronze Age ethics," according to the most recent militant atheist <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/13/atheist-slavery-billboard-pennsylvania-raises-tempers_n_1342268.html" target="_blank">attack</a>.<br />
<br />
3)Religions are "domination of your free will...[and] mind control;" At what point does Christianity dominate or brainwash anyone? In fact, some of the same ethics and morals that Christians are taught are the very same that secular humanists (see atheists attempting to justify morality) laud and praise. Biblical, orthodox Christianity teaches freedom (Colossians 2:16ff) and that no man can place restrictions on the Christian because of their freedom in Christ (Colossinas 2:20; 1 Corinthians 10:31).<br />
<br />
4)Making a lot of money? Have you ever met a Christian pastor that meets the Biblical requirements for what he is to teach (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy)? Pastors that are not wolves (a wolf would be the likes of Joel Osteen or Robert Schuller who do NOT preach the gospel or the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3)) do <i>not </i>make substantial amounts of money unless their congregations and ministries are enormous. Even then, the money is used for ministry and the spread of the gospel (John Piper is an excellent example; none of his books sales go to him but into <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/" target="_blank">Desiring God Ministries</a>).<br />
<br />
5)"Don't fight against each other for contrary beliefs..." Is that not what you are doing? Do Christians shut down atheist websites and post violent, militant videos promoting radical Christianity and calling for all out war against atheists?<br />
<br />
As can be seen this message is fraught with contradiction and misinformation leveled at all Christians, not to win their minds, but to continue the self-declared war against them. These attacks reflect the inherently violent nature of militant atheism that demands capitualtion or the "consequences" will be meted out. All Christians should stand united, defending the faith with gentleness and respect as 1 Peter 3:15 commands. Put your armour on, Christians, we are in a war (Ephesians 6:1ff).<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />PXhoplitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307428647270625663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-32979627040473800672012-03-13T08:38:00.004-04:002012-03-13T08:38:29.728-04:00Religious LibertyThe battle for religious liberty (i.e. Christian liberty as other religions are usually not at risk and better protected) in America is just beginning, but we can see where it is going by looking at our neighbours across the pond.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/03/13/british-women-sue-after-crucifix-necklaces-cost-them-their-jobs/">http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/03/13/british-women-sue-after-crucifix-necklaces-cost-them-their-jobs/</a></div>PXhoplitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307428647270625663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-69498007403282567182012-02-23T11:13:00.002-05:002012-02-23T11:18:43.499-05:00Moral Ambiguity<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; line-height: 200%;">This was a paper I wrote some time ago, and I thought I would post it; I apologize for the spacing.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">Recently,
an article about a very candid interview of the investor Bernard
Madoff was published by <i>New
York </i>magazine<i>.
</i>This
article was intended to give a portrait Mr. Madoff from his own
perspective after spending roughly the last two years of a 150 year
sentence in federal prison. Mr. Madoff was sentenced thus for a $65
billion Ponzi scheme that had repercussions over five continents and
affected thousands of investors (Fishman, 2011). However, according
to his own words, he feels “misunderstood,” and that he is “…a
good person,” (Ibid). On the opening page of the aforementioned
article, Mr. Fishman writes:</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> “And
so, sitting with his therapist, in prison khakis he irons himself, he
seeks assurance. ‘Everybody on the outside kept claiming I was a
sociopath,’ Madoff told her one day. ‘I asked her [the
therapist], “Am I a sociopath?”’ He waited expectantly, his
eyelids squeezing open and shut, that famous tic. ‘She said,
“You’re absolutely not a sociopath. You have morals. You have
remorse.” Madoff paused as he related this. His voice settled. He
said to me, “I am a good person.”” (Ibid)</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">These
statements by Mr. Madoff and his therapist are charged with the
slipshod, relativist morality of contemporary thought and will be the
main focus of this discourse heretofore.
</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> How
does one define goodness, morality, or ethics? These terms come with
a surfeit of philosophical and pseudo-intellectual baggage, but is
there a way of knowing, beyond a doubt what these expressions truly
mean? Contemporarily many have embraced the philosophy of moral
relativism wholesale; that is, one’s ethical system and morality is
dictated and judged by them, and is ultimately true for <i>them
</i>and
is not affected by any transcendent reality or standard because,
according to this philosophy, there is no such thing. Logic, however,
would disagree; for Plato, a master logician and philosopher, taught
that the material or human concepts which would
be called “good, right, just, et al.,” are merely imperfect
examples of a perfect exemplar who is the very source of such
qualities (Nash, 1999). To wit, one cannot conceive of something as
good without having a canon, a measure, by which to compare that
which is called “good.” For example, if I call a man “good” I
must therefore have something by which to measure that standard of
“goodness” because the definition of a “good” meal and a
“good” man are, to be sure, not one and the same. How then would
one who, by their own worldview, is the final judge upon any issue of
“goodness” define such a thing? Is one who has never seen a horse
able to define that animal? Is “horse-ness” relative to the
observer? Absolutely not, a horse is a tangible thing, an animal that
is defined by a clearly perceived reality.</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">
Furthermore, Mr. Madoff said that he was a “good man,” but Mr.
Madoff has made his assertion on biased and false information, as
will be shown below. If he is “good,” then by whose standard is
he so: the psychiatrist, the prison warden or his fellow inmates?
Clearly, none of these are the perfect canon by which Mr. Madoff can
compare himself, yet in the quote above, Mr. Madoff clearly believes
that the counterfeit absolution he received from the prison
psychiatrist based upon the grounds of his alleged “morality” and
“remorse,” makes him a “good” man. Mr. Madoff has shown some
of the qualities of contrition, but this does not make him a good
man, and the absurdity of such an assertion of “goodness”
therefore begs the question, what then is goodness and how does one
define it?
</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> As
stated above, there must be a canon of a virtue to define what that
virtue truly is and then measure a subject based upon that canon. In
nature, there is not one specific thing that can be pointed to that
perfectly embodies a virtue. There are men who do “good” (in some
sense) but all men have their faults; animals surely do not embody
any virtue for they have not the
capacity to understand or act in a moral fashion. However, there is a
way of seeing the perfect by viewing the imperfect.</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> From
time immemorial, man has known at the very core of his being that
there is something greater than himself. One need only stand upon the
majestic peaks of a mountain or view the splendor of a night sky to
know that man in all his glory is an insignificant feature in a vast,
nearly immeasurable cosmos. Therefore man has, via the institution of
religion, worshiped a transcendent being who is often modeled after
the created order that they perceive (cf. animism, the Greek and
Roman Pantheon, et al.). In Paul’s letter to the Roman church, he
clearly speaks of this very reality by stating:</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> “For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the
truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them [mankind],
because God has shown it to them. 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.” (Romans 1:18-20,
parentheses added)</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">Also:</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> “Claiming
to be wise, they [mankind] became fools and exchanged the glory of
the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and
animals and reptiles.” (Romans 1:22-23, parentheses added)</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">And
finally:</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> “The
LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there
are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all <i>turned
aside</i>;
together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not
even one. (Psalm 14:2-3; emphasis added)</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">These
verses of sacred Scripture drive right to the heart of the issue that
Mr. Madoff and a host of others patently deny and suppress; namely,
that man is by his very nature evil and corrupt and wants nothing
whatsoever to do with God or His Law. Man, rather than acknowledge
the revealed God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, would rather fashion
his own god to serve his own desires and therefore “suppresses the
truth.”
</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> Therefore,
man by his very nature is not good, and by virtue of the fact that
Mr. Madoff is indeed a man, neither is he. It is this transcendent
reality that is fundamental to any reasonable understanding of man’s
true nature. Why then does man display what would be considered good
and virtuous behavior? Because man is made in the image of God
(Genesis 1:26) and conceives of all things by that very image. All
virtues, all knowledge (Colossians 2:3) issue from the fount of
wisdom that is God Himself, and man, even in his sin and corrupt
nature, reflects the image of his Creator, albeit in a drastically
distorted manner. Therefore, the perfect Exemplar for goodness is God
Himself and man would know nothing of what goodness looked like
without God’s revelation to him. God,
then, is the perfect embodiment of Goodness (Psalm 119:68), Truth
(John 17:17, 18:37), and Love (1 John 4:7, 8). This clearly shows
that when Mr. Madoff made the statement “I am a good person,” he
immensely exaggerates, and indeed deceives, himself of his true
nature. To be “good” Mr. Madoff must know from whence true,
perfect Goodness derives, namely God, and
as is the case for most who are not delusional narcissists or
schizophrenics, few mere men would dare say that they are God.</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> Mr.
Madoff accepted the empty platitudes of a psychiatrist as
confirmation of his “goodness” but has no true understanding of
what goodness actually is. This is the essence of understanding
ethics and morality: there <i>must</i>
be a canon. If one is to derive their morality or ethical system
based upon their own perceptions, fabrications, and inconsistent
understanding then one has no valid ethical system. Just as
“horse-ness” cannot be defined without knowing what constitutes a
horse, so ethics and morality cannot be defined without knowing their
ultimate origins. This is the fundamental flaw in the modern mind
that is so apparent in Mr. Madoff’s statement about himself. Simply
having what could be perceived as an ethical system or remorse for
some perceived wrong does not, in point of fact, show that a person
understands what is required to be good because that person must
measure themselves against the perfect Good.
</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> To
conclude, when one honestly examines themselves before God and His
revealed Law, that person cannot help but to know that they are not
good, but God being rich in mercy has provided a means of
justification (i.e. being declared not guilty) by faith in the person
and work of His only Son, Jesus Christ, His shed blood on the cross
for sin, and His resurrection from the dead. This is not religion or
the fabrication of a deaf and dumb idol but recorded history of a God
who provides a means of redemption from the total inadequacies of our
“goodness,” for:</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> “And
you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, God made alive together with Him (Christ Jesus), having
forgiven us all our trespasses by </span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"> canceling
the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This
He set aside nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14;
parentheses added)</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">To
wit, one cannot construct their ethical or moral standards based on
their own perception because that perception is flawed and corrupt,
and neither for that matter can Mr. Madoff. Instead of looking for
pardon or confirmation from a prison psychiatrist or the institution
of man, Mr. Madoff and indeed all men should be looking to the Son of
God who has done all that God requires to become well and truly good
through faith in Him for the forgiveness of sins. </span>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-19844114139883376272012-02-22T10:58:00.000-05:002012-02-22T11:00:22.487-05:00Insanity and tomfoolery<a href="http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2012/02/will-dolphins-soon-have-more-rights.html#.T0UQlhZ9PqU.blogger">Will Dolphins Soon Have More Rights Than The Unborn?</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-40674435002125091552012-02-22T10:13:00.003-05:002012-02-22T10:13:56.240-05:00On IgnoranceBiblical ignorance is something of a pandemic, not only in the church, but in atheism as well. Whilst recently listening to a review of "50 Things You Didn't Know About Religion" by <a href="http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/12-02-01/" target="_blank">Skepticality</a>. A few things struck me during that interview/dialogue and then I went to this <a href="http://godisimaginary.com/index.htm" target="_blank">site</a> (<b>Disclaimer: </b>If you want to follow Alice down a contrived, fantastically warped rabbit hole go to the site; if not, stay away. Its liable to cause frustrative brain explosion (credit to <a href="http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/" target="_blank">Mr. Rosebrough</a> for the "frustrative brain explosion" remark).<br />
<br />
For now I will focus upon the interview. The first thing that is striking is that most often when someone refers to "religion" what is almost always implied is the Judeo-Christian religions. This is interesting in that, the Jewish/Christian faith has made such an impact on the world, that immediately what is discussed is the Judeo-Christian claims of God and His nature when referring to "religion;" this was so in the aforementioned interview.<br />
<br />
The next thing that came to light whilst listening to this 24+/- minute pontification on all things "relgious," mostly the Christian religion as aforementioned, is the Biblical ignorance of these "learned" skeptics. Recently, on an article's comments section, I engaged in a lengthy debate with numerous opponents. What amazed me was the fact that sites like those aforementioned, and the commenters that I engaged, either refuse to accept or patently ignore the greater context in which the texts that they cite as so abhorrent. It must be said that one need not be a Christian to apply the same rules of reason and context one uses in reading any text to the Bible.<br />
<br />
For instance, one commonly cited verse is Isaiah 13:11-16, which says:<br />
<br />
<span class="text Isa-13-11" id="en-ESV-17918" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: text-top;">11 </sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I will punish <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17918A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>the world for its evil,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-11" style="position: relative;">and the wicked for their iniquity;</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-13-11" style="position: relative;">I will <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17918B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>put an end to the pomp of the arrogant,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-11" style="position: relative;"> <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17918C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-13-12" id="en-ESV-17919" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </sup>I will make <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17919D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>people more rare than fine gold,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-12" style="position: relative;">and mankind than the <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17919E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>gold of Ophir.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-13-13" id="en-ESV-17920" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: text-top;">13 </sup>Therefore <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17920F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>I will make the heavens tremble,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-13" style="position: relative;">and the earth will be shaken out of its place,</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-13-13" style="position: relative;">at the wrath of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> of hosts</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-13" style="position: relative;">in the day of his fierce anger.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-13-14" id="en-ESV-17921" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: text-top;">14 </sup>And like a hunted gazelle,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-14" style="position: relative;">or like sheep with none to gather them,</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-13-14" style="position: relative;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17921G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup>each will turn to his own people,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-14" style="position: relative;">and each will flee to his own land.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-13-15" id="en-ESV-17922" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: text-top;">15 </sup>Whoever is found will be thrust through,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-15" style="position: relative;">and whoever is caught will fall by the sword.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-13-16" id="en-ESV-17923" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: text-top;">16 </sup><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17923H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>Their infants will be dashed in pieces</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-16" style="position: relative;">before their eyes;</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-13-16" style="position: relative;">their houses will be plundered</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-13-16" style="position: relative;">and their wives ravished.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-13-16" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-13-16" style="position: relative;">Clearly, this is a difficult text, even for a believer, for the Prophet is quoting God as saying these things. Yet, as has been mentioned before, <a href="http://theanthistemi.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-interpretation.html" target="_blank">context</a> is needed. Isaiah 13:1 says: "The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw." Thus, this prophecy is written to a specific people, at a particular time, namely that God is bringing His judgment upon the people of Babylon. Why? Because Babylon was an idolatrous, sinful nation who was being judged for said idolatry and <a href="http://theanthistemi.blogspot.com/2012/01/gospel-part-ii.html" target="_blank">sin</a>; Israel, God's chosen people and nation, were judged no less harshly for the same sins</span></span></span> (cf. Isaiah 3:1ff).<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-13-16" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
This passage is difficult in that it condemns "innocent" people, but as Scripture clearly teaches there are <i>no </i>innocent people (Romans 3:11ff). Therefore, God's condemnation comes upon them, and rightly so. How can a loving God do this? one may ask. The simple truth is that the reality of sin (see "sin" link above) is far greater than most in modernity ever care to acknowledge. It is the most abhorrent thing in God's eyes, in fact, He cannot look at it (Habbakuk 1:13). Furthermore, because of His holiness, He must punish sin. God does not leave the issue at, "Sinner, be damned, but instead He provides mercy in the <a href="http://theanthistemi.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-is-gospel.html" target="_blank">Gospel</a> of Jesus Christ whilst simultaneously punishing sin and remaining holy, just, and merciful.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ignoring the direct context and the broad context of Scripture, does not make your claim valid, and ripping verses out of context does nothing but prove your ignorance. I would hope that those who claim to have "studied" religions such as Christianity would know that essential and fundamental truth. As Christians we can only pray and hope that those looking for answers actually <i>look, </i>and don't take these untruths at face value.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-51071610111328488782012-02-01T07:16:00.002-05:002012-02-01T07:16:23.137-05:00A Little Morning HumorGrammarians unite in <a href="http://www.listsofnote.com/2012/01/fumblerules-of-grammar.html" target="_blank">laughter</a>!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-2969334153703161322012-01-31T10:51:00.004-05:002012-01-31T10:54:22.947-05:00Freedom of Religion......is a myth in our present culture; it has become freedom from Christianity, i.e. freedom from anything that offends me or doesn't affirm who I think I should be. <a href="http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/10712-court-rules-for-christian-counseling-student-in-religious-discrimination-case" target="_blank">How dare you tell me, or even imply, that I am wrong or that your views are counter-cultural?</a><br />
<br />
Thank God the court affirmed this young woman's fight against intolerance; that's right folks, it works both ways. I even hate using that word "intolerance," it feels so laden with post-modern garbage...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-24026804739277350592012-01-31T10:13:00.000-05:002012-02-22T10:53:40.980-05:00Homosexual "Christianity?"Whilst reading this <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-glee-star-acceptance-of-homosexuality-not-a-contradiction-to-faith-55310/" target="_blank">article</a>, I was intrigued by some of the statements of Ms. Chenoweth and decided to do some research into the justification of homosexuality as not being sinful. Ms. Chenoweth said:<br />
<br />
"I read my Bible and I pray and all of that--I really do." "But at the same time I don't think being gay is a sin..."<br />
<br />
To the above...covenant of works, anyone? I thought you read your Bible...<br />
<br />
And "...he [Jesus] wouldn't be going around [today] saying "You're going to hell," "You're wrong, you're wrong, you're wrong." "I think he'd be accepting and loving."<br />
<br />
These comments prompted the aforementioned research and revealed a strikingly twisted world of homosexual "Christians" and others who attempt to conform the words of sacred Scripture to their own theology. A particularly clarifying look into this type of heresy (that's right, I'm calling it what it is; false teaching is heresy) can be found <a href="http://www.thegodarticle.com/7/post/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing.html" target="_blank">here</a>. For the sake of brevity, instead of addressing each text individually I'm would like to make a few points.<br />
<br />
1. The Bible is <i>not </i>subject to <i>your </i>interpretation. For more on correct interpretation see <a href="http://theanthistemi.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-interpretation.html" target="_blank">this post.</a><br />
2. If only <i>one </i>Scripture verse, in context, forbids or demands <i>anything</i> it is binding upon the Christian conscience. For, "all Scripture is <i>God-breathed </i>(or breathed out by God, Gr. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">θεόπνευστος</span>)..."<br />
3. An understanding of <a href="http://theanthistemi.blogspot.com/2012/01/gospel-part-ii.html" target="_blank">sin</a> is imperative in understanding the true, Biblical <a href="http://theanthistemi.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-is-gospel.html" target="_blank">gospel</a> of Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
Regardless of philosophizing, reinterpretation, redefinition, or deconstruction, the Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin and is the result of the sinful and idolatrous nature of mankind in a post-Genesis 3 world (Romans 1:18ff). It is important to stop here and make something clear: Hatred in <i>any form </i>is clearly anathema to the Biblical teaching of love<i>.</i> There are those in the Church who have failed in this regard and do fail every day (mainly because we are <i>all of us sinners</i>), but loving someone does not mean that the Church or any of its members may endorse, condone, or tolerate sin. To wit, love is not letting a person fall head long off of a cliff when you have the means of calling out to them to stop them (i.e. the gospel). Ad nauseam, letting someone remain in open, unrepentant sin is not loving; it is at best complacency and at worst hatred.<br />
<br />
In closing, I return to Ms. Chenoweth's comments, and as I have already addressed sufficiently the issue of homosexuality and the teachings of Scripture, I would like to address her Christology briefly; if Jesus taught about hell <i>one time</i>, it is enough to bind the Christian conscience (see point 2 above). Therefore I will cite one of <i>many </i>texts that clearly relate Jesus' teachings on hell:<br />
<br />
"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the <i>hell of fire</i>. (Matthew 5:22, ESV, emphasis added)"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-9920987356488478862012-01-13T09:29:00.002-05:002012-01-13T09:30:48.828-05:00If you haven't seen <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY" target="_blank">this</a> yet, watch it.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-45613101127225194392012-01-12T14:44:00.002-05:002012-01-12T14:44:29.591-05:00I couldn't have said it better myself; <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/01/does-god-care-whether-tim-tebow-wins-on-saturday/251273/" target="_blank">an excellent perspective on Tim Tebow's newfound fame.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-21322701462893778582012-01-09T14:52:00.004-05:002012-01-12T14:29:47.066-05:00A very insightful video; thank you <a href="http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vitamin Z</a>...<br />
<br />
Fail at embedding this video...either way, Vitamin Z is a great blog.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-49223995911979526512012-01-04T11:09:00.004-05:002012-01-16T14:30:02.353-05:00Can A Molecule Make Us Moral?This is a question asked by Dr. Paul Zak in an oped piece for TED Talk on cnn.com <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/27/opinion/zak-moral-molecule/index.html" target="_blank">(here)</a>, and supposedly answered. Therefore, its worth the time to address Dr. Zak's argument.<br />
<br />
Dr. Zak begins by saying (article):<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">The longest debate since humans have been having debates is whether we are good or evil. It underlies the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Jesus and Judas."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">First of all, humans are basically evil, despite popular opinion, and I have already covered this issue <a href="http://theanthistemi.blogspot.com/2012/01/gospel-part-ii.html" target="_blank">here</a>, which goes into great detail about the state of humanity post fall. Suffice it to say:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good; not even one." (Romans 3:10-12, ESV)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">With the exception of Jesus (see <a href="http://theanthistemi.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-is-gospel.html" target="_blank">this</a> post for further discussion on the nature of Christ), every human that ever lived falls into the "evil" category.That being said, it is interesting that Dr. Zak uses specifically religious examples at the very outset (trying to make a point?). Next, Dr. Zak asks:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"What is our human nature? Of course, the answer is we can be both good and evil. But what determines which part of our character emerges?"</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Human nature was defined above, and as to the answer being both, that's not true. We are evil and when good is done, it is the Imago Dei, the image of God in which we were created (Genesis 1:26), shining through the filth of our wickedness. Dr. Zak here is attempting to address the Theodicy (i.e. the problem of evil), and in one fell swoop define "evil" or "good" in terms of biochemistry. One does not have to be a biochemist to see the difficulty here. For one to define "good" one must have a canon, or measure, to define that which is good. Despite the assertions of existential and relativistic philosophies so prevalent in modernity, "good" or "evil" are not defined by social norms per se. The great philosopher Plato addressed this himself <a href="http://faculty.washington.edu/smcohen/320/thforms.htm" target="_blank">here</a>, and said that to define anything as "good" we must have a perfect "Form" by which to define it (i.e. Good). Which Form, is the only good and righteous being in existence: God. Furthermore, as that God has revealed himself in His Word (cf 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1) and Law (Exodus 20), then sinful man can only define morality based upon the standard of God's Holiness which is the perfect "Form" for all moral understanding.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Next Dr. Zak says:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"We then found oxytocin was responsible for many other moral behaviors, from being generous to sacrificing to help a stranger."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">The latter part of this statement is intriguing as Dr. Zak mentions in his video presentation stress and testosterone decreased oxytocin levels, and that chemical is directly related to feelings of trustworthiness. Zak determined this by a test that he outlines in the aforementioned article and video, but there is something to address that is more pressing. Trustworthiness aside, Dr. Zak also said that a decrease in oxytocin levels (peripheral, not central; more information on oxytocin is available <a href="http://neuron4.psych.ubc.ca/~schaller/Psyc591Readings/Campbell2010.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>) leads to selfishness. Finally, Dr. Anne Campbell who wrote the article "Oxytocin and Social Behavior," stated that oxytocin release happens only after stimulus (e.g. touching, massage, prayer are all examples Dr. Zak used; Dr. Campbell also cites childbirth). Only one question then remains: What about combat and the sacrifice of one soldier to save his comrade (high stress, no stimulus) or a civilian for that matter? What about a man or woman who braves a burning building or raging river to save a stranger's life (again, reactionary and w/o stimulus)? Dr. Zak has presented the conclusion to his research as definitive proof that a chemical makes someone "moral," yet he fails in the point just presented. Morality is not chemical, it is metaphysical and relies on God for its very definition and existence. The only way one can achieve a saving "goodness" is by the covering of that person by Christ's righteous sacrifice on the cross (Colossians 2:13-15). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">One final thought, all of the responses that related in increased peripheral oxytocin in Dr. Zak's study were empathetic to another party and involved money, and the majority of research about oxytocin in the first place is related to rodents...just saying... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-91871729132107277222012-01-03T16:28:00.000-05:002012-01-03T16:28:01.808-05:00Christian Principles for Realistic Politics<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2012/01/03/christian-principles-for-realistic-politics/">Christian Principles for Realistic Politics</a><div><br /></div><div>A very insightful article by Kevin DeYoung on the nature of Christianity in politics.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-56095331513860297682012-01-03T10:50:00.003-05:002012-01-03T15:37:19.135-05:00Can a molecule make humans moral?The <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/27/opinion/zak-moral-molecule/index.html?hpt=op_bn2" target="_blank">Article (and video)</a> answering the question in the title, and the <a href="http://neuron4.psych.ubc.ca/~schaller/Psyc591Readings/Campbell2010.pdf">journal article</a> challenging the conclusions of Dr. Zak (at least in part).<br />
<br />
As a note, a lot of this was over my head but I got the gist (I think); I never claimed to be an endocrinologist. Commentary forthcoming...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-78706784494826412612012-01-02T16:58:00.002-05:002012-01-04T11:28:03.373-05:00The Gospel Part IIFor the sake of brevity one thing was not expounded on in <a href="http://theanthistemi.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-is-gospel.html" target="_blank">"What is the Gospel?"</a>. There is a key component upon which a correct understanding of the gospel stands or falls: sin. Without a correct view of sin the gospel looses its power.<br />
<br />
Sin is best described, according to the <a href="http://www.reformed.org/documents/WSC.html" target="_blank">Westminster Shorter Catechism</a>, is want of conformity unto or transgression of the Law of God. This definition is as condensed a view of sin as possible, but there is more.<br />
In the pages of Scripture sin is described as: whoredom (i.e. adultery; Hosea 1:2), an egregious affront to God's eyes (Habakkuk 1:13), treason (Ibid.), et al. Furthermore, it is said of those who have sinned that they are: of a debased mind (Romans 1:28), unrighteous, evil, covetous, malicious, slanderers, haters of God, inventors of evil, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless (Romans 1:29ff).<br />
<br />
How then can anyone have a low view of something the Bible takes so seriously? The answer to that question lies in their own sinfulness; for all have sinned (Romans 3:10ff) and no one is good and our minds are twisted and enslaved (Romans 7:19). Therefore, for the gospel of Jesus Christ to show the gravity of what occurred on Golgotha two thousand years ago, one must understand the situation that all men are in.<br />
<br />
In the Garden of Eden it was promised Adam that on the day he ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil he would surely die (Genesis 2:17), but Adam and Eve did not die that day, at least not physically but spiritually. The Apostle Paul words the human condition thus:<br />
<br />
"And you were <i>dead </i>in transgressions and sins 2 in which you once walked following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air (<i>i.e. the devil</i>), the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (<i>i.e. mankind</i>)-..." (Ephesians 2:1-2, emphasis and parentheses added)<br />
<br />
Sin is the reason that Jesus Christ died on the cross. Sin is the reason that a holy man, the only Son of God (Philippians 2:6), was falsely tried and convicted and murdered at the hands of those he had come to save (Luke 23ff). Sin is the reason that a Holy God poured out the full measure of his wrath upon His only Son to save sinners (2 Corinthians 2:16ff; Colossians 2:13). Therefore, any view that is less than that of the Bible and therefore God, robs the gospel of its power.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-23820682132744905432011-12-29T16:57:00.001-05:002011-12-30T08:04:52.995-05:00What is the Gospel?I believe that this topic calls for a format less formal than the one in which I would usually write...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was listening recently to a debate between Dr. Albert Mohler Jr. and Jim Wallis (available <a href="http://www.henrycenter.org/2011/10/24/hctu-debate-jim-wallis-and-al-mohler-on-social-justice-oct-27-7pm/" target="_blank">here</a>), and I was struck by Mr. Wallis' use of the word gospel. Many times Mr. Wallis was using it in reference to ministering to the poor and seeking "social justice." Dr. Mohler, responded masterfully, but in light of this debate and many comments that I have seen recently, I feel it necessary to clearly define, first, what the gospel is not.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The word <i>gospel</i>, means the "good news," but what is this good news? Mr. Wallis stated, that it included a "personal relationship" with Jesus. Is that the good news? The answer is emphatically, no (though there is some truth in that statement). The gospel is not about a personal spiritual journey, or finding the means to be a better person within oneself. Neither is it about how to have a better marriage or how to have an abundant life. The gospel is not about how to find your purpose or how to find favor with God. Neither is is it about a personal experience, a clever witticism, good works, or cultural relevance. Furthermore, the gospel is not about social, economic, or racial justice.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If, then, the gospel is not all these things, then what is it? The word is pregnant with meaning and one which the Apostle proclaimed a curse on himself if he did not preach it (1 Corinthians 9:16). I am a Sunday School teacher, and the gospel is something I wanted to define for my students in such a way that they could recall it in a moments notice; that is, a definition that contained the bare essence of what this word <i>gospel </i>meant. Before I elaborate on that, I will let Scripture speak:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you- unless you believed in vain. </div>
<div>
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ..." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, ESV). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That is the gospel. There is nothing to be added to it or taken from it. Paul in a few short sentences, after establishing that this is something of <i>first </i>importance, clearly and concisely states what the gospel is, and therefore what is to be the center of the Christian faith. There is nothing, more important than the gospel; for as the Apostle states, it is the essence of salvation. These few verses of Scripture are to be the center of Christian worship, preaching, and proclamation. Anyone who deviates from this is at best an unfaithful servant and at worst an instrument of the devil. Hard words, sure, but nonetheless truth. For,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
" 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 8 As we have said before, so now I say again: If <i>anyone </i>is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, <i>let him be accursed.</i>" (Galatians 1:6-8, emphasis added)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The aforementioned is why it is imperative and essential that all Christians know, taught from the pages of Scripture, what the gospel is in its essence; without flowery language, additions, or distortions. The gospel (in more specific terms) is that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man (Philippians 2:6-11). He came to earth to live the perfect life in accordance with the law (Romans 5:18ff), that He died on the cross for sin (Colossians 2:13-15), and on the third day he rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:4). The Creeds of the early church proclaim this truth in its fullness, and the Apostles of Christ have been proclaiming it since the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). </div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-31005816156579076562011-12-21T14:13:00.000-05:002011-12-21T14:13:01.924-05:00On Interpretation<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span> The word interpretation derives from the Latin root </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span>interpretari </span></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span>(naturally), meaning to decide, translate, regard, or construe. The second definition “to translate,” implies an objective meaning to the word. For instance, the translation that was just used with respect to the Latin </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span>interpretari </span></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span>is by no means subjective. That is, the meaning of the word is not subject to ones feelings or personal biases on the matter. There is, however, a sense in which this word can certainly convey subjectivity (e.g. decide and construe; see above), but even in the meaning of the word there is something that is overlooked.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span> Context is something given very little thought in modernity. That is, even the word </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span>interpretation</span></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span> itself</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span> </span></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span>must be used in context with respect to its subject. One cannot simply take the meaning of a word (or any word for that matter) and apply one meaning to all contexts. For example, when the word interpretation is used with respect to, say, the interpretation of a musical piece there is certainly subjective meaning. One artist may hear a piece in his mind much differently than another, or he may experience a certain feeling in the piece that others do not. Nevertheless, there is still a context, even for something as subjective as music. The author of that piece of music had an intent in writing the piece whether it was something as noble as love or as conceited as merely to show his musical prowess, there was a context in which the piece was written and a meaning to be conveyed. Therefore, if the musician interpreting the piece misses the context in which the composer wrote it, the musician has wandered off on a merry adventure in missing the point.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> Here then is crux of the matter: hermeneutics. This word is one that is prevalent in some theological circles but is virtually unknown to most. This word derives from the Greek </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>hermeneutikos </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">meaning to make clear. The English word </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>hermeneutics </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">is defined as a principle or method of interpretation. Contextually this word is used in theology with regards to the interpretation of the Bible, but this word, and principle for that matter, can be applied to many things. For instance, if one were in a mathematics class and said to the professor “rules for these sums are all very well, but I feel differently, and therefore I will do these problems how I think they should be done,” that person would fail without question. Indeed, in something such as mathematics, there is objective interpretation that is required of the student; otherwise the student has no understanding of the subject. Furthermore, the same truth applies to academics such as philosophy or history. One cannot read an historical narrative and inject there own meaning into it, attempting to make it relevant to themselves. No, whether or not anyone cares to admit it, interpretation is objective and is not subject to personal relevance.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> The text of sacred Scripture (i.e. the Bible) is in no way different. Yet, it has become the practice of many in evangelical American churches to ask “what does this text mean to you,” or “how do you feel about this passage?” The simple truth is this: the Bible isn't about any one person and however one may feel about a text or interpret it outside of its historical-grammatical context does not change its objective truths one wit. Therefore, the only way a person can truly interpret the text of the Bible is by using the historical-grammatical method and allowing the text and its author to speak in its historical context. One's feelings or subjective interpretation don't enter into it and do not change the objective purpose of the Scriptures. Questions when reading a text (</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>any</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> text) must be asked such as:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> Who is the author?</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> Who is the author writing to or for?</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> What was the original intent of the author?</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> What is the author trying to say?</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As can be seen there is no room here for one's interpretation, and these aforementioned are not all the criteria for properly viewing any text (the Bible first and foremost). The author must be allowed to speak and the text must be taken “at its word,” so to speak. To wit, one's theology or philosophy does not dictate Scripture, Scripture dictates one's philosophy and theology. </span></span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408494890845309248.post-18452251168900155902011-12-21T09:16:00.001-05:002011-12-29T08:41:23.056-05:00What's in a name?Against my better judgement and as a means of contemplative output, I have decided to begin this blog. The name is strange, but has great meaning...<br />
<br />
In Ephesians 6:13, the Apostle Paul commands Christians:<br />
<br />
"Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Cardo, GentiumAlt, 'Galilee Unicode Gk', 'Galatia SIL', 'Palatino Linotype', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">ἀνθίστημι), </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:13, ESV) </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The word <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"anthistemi" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 22px;">anth-is'-tay-mee</span>)</span>, is a word in Koine Greek (cf. Strong's 436) that means to take a complete stand against and to strongly resist an opponent. This brings to mind the phalanx of the Greek hoplites, standing in unison, as a unit, opposing their enemy with fierce determination and courage. Likewise are we Christians commanded in the pages of sacred Scripture to resist sin, our enemy the devil, and also to resist the world. James the Just says:</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?" (James 4:4)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This means that a Christian is to oppose what is natural to fallen man, which is sin. For,</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">"...you who were once dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world..." (Ephesians 2:1)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Therefore, The Anthistemi is intended to be an opposing stand against the "course of this world." What I intend with this blog is to oppose with sound reason and the Word of God (the Bible), the ignorance, false-teaching, and distortions that have become so prevalent in modern society. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">I do not stand alone but with every Christian dedicated to true Christian Orthodoxy and understanding the Bible. Indeed, I would not stand, though, if it were not for the Lord Jesus Christ calling me to Himself to be saved from my sin and renewing my mind (Romans 12:2). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Whether you are a Christian or not, I hope that you will take the time to consider the things written on this blog thoughtfully, carefully, and logically.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">To conclude:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in His only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty and from thence shall come to judge the quick and the dead. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0