The Angry Atheist dropped by to ask my thoughts about other religions. Although, my reply is posted below in the comments, I thought that these thoughts were worthy of an original post. Thanks to the Angry Atheist for motivating me to post on this subject.
I arrived from Church not too long ago. This morning I heard a great message entitled Our King is Here. That was the follow up to last week's message, Our King is Coming, and the message which concludes next week entitled,Our King is Coming Again.
I am not smart enough to offer you an apologetic that addresses Zeus, Thor, Allah, Buddha, the Flying Spaghetti Monster ("FSM"), etc. I can point you to Norman Geisler's "When Skeptics Ask," or I can point you to Josh McDowell's, "Evidence that Demands a Verdict," or I can point you to a number of Lee Strobel or C.S. Lewis books.
Do not get me wrong. I think apologetics are useful. By the fact that I rattled off those books, shows that I've spent time investigating the subject. Still, I am sure that other Christians, have addressed the subject matter with you. I do not think I can feed you any information that you haven't heard before.
What I can tell you is that Jesus is real. There is ample history indicating that He is real. It is only within the last half century that anyone would deny that He ever existed.
With respect to other religions, I would point you to the Tower of Babel, which is in Genesis chapter 11 a few chapters following the story of the flood. I am just a simple attorney in Valrico, Florida. But, it is my humble opinion, the Tower of Babel is the source of all man made religion. Zeus, Thor, Buddha, Allah, FSM and every other religion on this planet involves "what can I do for god." The person hopes that his good deeds outweigh his bad deeds, then he should be good to go.
God's way is different. God says no matter what we do, we are not good enough. We are too prideful and it is hard for you and I to admit that we are wrong. (I also think that many self-righteous Christians suffer from the same problem).
It is when we recognize that we are not good enough, that God comes to us and says I will provide a way out, if you will receive me. John 1:12 says to those who received him (Jesus) to those who believed in his name, he gives the right to become children of God.
In the book of Acts (chapters 3 and 4), you have the story of how God, through Peter and John, healed a man who had been crippled for life. The religious people (perhaps no different than intelligent religious people of today) of that day were furious. They tried to shut up Peter and John. Peter's reply was "there is no other name (Jesus) under heaven given to man, by which we must be saved." (See Acts 4:8-12).
Religious and secular people like to keep Jesus in the manger, where he can't harm anyone. Jesus is so much bigger than that. Where we can't do enough good deeds to save ourselves, Jesus did, by laying his life down for you and me.
With all that you know about Jesus, the relevant question is what will you do about him? I take you back to the Million Dollar Bill, which you confessed to have reading. I also encourage you to go back to the Gospel of John. Don't simply read it. Study it. After studying John, my question is what will you do about Jesus Christ?
My prayer is that you would repent and put your trust in him. Many Christmas blessings to you.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Tiger's Confession
Every one heard what has been going on with Tiger Woods. So you have a celebrity, a wife with a golf club, a damaged Cadillac Escalade, and out at 2:25 a.m. Nothing good can come from that combination. Against, that background you start getting a lot of speculation, rumors, and gossip. This is followed by three different statements from Tiger Woods. In his last statement, he finally confesses his indiscretions:
I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect.
I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.
Throughout this whole thing, Tiger continuously asked the press and the public to respect his right to privacy. On that point, Tiger is partially right. He should be entitled to his right to privacy. Still, when he is who he is and given the public’s obsession with their celebrities, especially when they are caught in a scandal, the chances of him getting the privacy that he desires are slim to none.
So, what is next for Tiger Woods? Going back to his statement, I am not so sure if he was truly repentant or whether this is an instance in which he got caught. Before his confession, he talked about malicious rumors. I think Tiger can learn a lesson from King David. Many are as familiar with David’s “transgressions” as Tiger’s. Sometime after his open confession, David wrote Psalm 51. While the entire Psalm is worth reading, key lessons are highlighted in the following verses:
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
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.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,and sinners will turn back to you.
Yes Tiger, you have truly let your family down. For about 13 years, you have been on top of the world. Now, you have fallen hard. Still, there is redemption. Study David’s prayer in Psalm 51. They say it is impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, but with God all things are possible. Tiger, repent and put your trust in the Savior today.
(See also "Cornered Tiger" by Ray Comfort)
I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect.
I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.
Throughout this whole thing, Tiger continuously asked the press and the public to respect his right to privacy. On that point, Tiger is partially right. He should be entitled to his right to privacy. Still, when he is who he is and given the public’s obsession with their celebrities, especially when they are caught in a scandal, the chances of him getting the privacy that he desires are slim to none.
So, what is next for Tiger Woods? Going back to his statement, I am not so sure if he was truly repentant or whether this is an instance in which he got caught. Before his confession, he talked about malicious rumors. I think Tiger can learn a lesson from King David. Many are as familiar with David’s “transgressions” as Tiger’s. Sometime after his open confession, David wrote Psalm 51. While the entire Psalm is worth reading, key lessons are highlighted in the following verses:
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
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.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,and sinners will turn back to you.
Yes Tiger, you have truly let your family down. For about 13 years, you have been on top of the world. Now, you have fallen hard. Still, there is redemption. Study David’s prayer in Psalm 51. They say it is impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, but with God all things are possible. Tiger, repent and put your trust in the Savior today.
(See also "Cornered Tiger" by Ray Comfort)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Why Do the Heathen Rage?
The psalmist wrote:
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed saying, let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. Ps. 2:1-2.
This is truly prophetic. For the last two months evolutionists have worked themselves into a rage because Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron will release a special edition of Darwin's Origin of Species that has a 50 page introduction challenging evolution. The plan is to go to the campuses of a number of universities and distribute copies of this special edition for free.
This plan has evolutionists in an uproar. On Facebook there is a group entitled "Kirk Cameron has gone too far! But we can stop him." They have called Ray and Kirk liars and thieves and many other not so nice names. (See e.g., Kirk Cameron Lies, Perverts the Origin of Species). There are some groups who are planning on staging counter protests at many campuses. If you read some of the reports, it sounds as if they are accusing Ray and Kirk of blasphemy. Yet they say their belief system is not a religion . . . hmmmmm.
Below is a news release of the mobilization efforts of a group of evolutionists. The news release is kind of tame, when compared to the postings that you will find throughout the internet. Oh, why do the heathen rage? And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness, they may speak thy word. Acts 4:29.
Release: Atheist Youth Movement Leads Charge Against Anti-Darwin Book Project
November 10, 2009
For Release: IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT
Contact: August Brunsman – (614) 441-9588 – august@secularstudents.org
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Secular Student Alliance is mobilizing student groups to counter the Living Waters Ministry program to distribute an edition of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species containing a special introduction misrepresenting the book’s claims. The SSA national leadership is encouraging its campus affiliates to schedule protests, host speakers, write letters to the editor, show films, and distribute the original version of Darwin’s 150-year old masterpiece.
“We’re asking students to respond proactively. We believe the best way to respond to misinformation is with a positive, educational campaign,” says August Brunsman, executive director for the Secular Student Alliance.
Living Waters Ministry, an evangelical ministry group headed by Ray Comfort and actor Kirk Cameron, calls the project The Origin into Schools Project. It plans to print an edition of Origin of Species with a 50-page introduction that attempts to cast doubt on the theory of evolution and connect Charles Darwin to Adolf Hitler. Over 100,000 copies are set to be distributed to over 100 college campus across the country and in Canada.
Students are aware that the distributors have the first amendment right to pass out their anti-evolution literature, but are being encouraged by the Secular Student Alliance to use their own rights to respond with a friendly, science-based message.
The Secular Student Alliance at Yale University, for example, has plans to set up a table promoting “alternative theories on sexual education,” appropriately named Students for Stork Acknowledgment.
“People engaged in such lunatic endeavors are legitimized by opponents who attempt to take them seriously. My organization intends no such legitimization,” stated Michael Wright, president of SSA at Yale, adding that past attempts at rational debate with creationists have failed, “but where reason fails, satire triumphs.”
The Secular Student Alliance is assisting campus groups by providing resources from national groups like The Center for Inquiry, National Center for Science Education, the Brights, and the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science in order to combat misinformation on campus. Secular Student Alliance has also partnered with the creators of Flock of Dodos, the 2006 documentary highlighting the debate over evolution, granting the rights to students who wish to show the film on campus.
Nov. 24 marks the 150th anniversary of the original Origin of Species, and books and protests are set to hit campuses around that time. Students can find ways to get involved at www.secularstudents.org/origininschools.
The Secular Student Alliance is an educational nonprofit whose mission is to organize, unite, educate and serve students and student communities that promote the ideals of scientific rationality, secularism, democracy, and human-based ethics. Learn more at http://www.secularstudents.org.
Edit: Found a site today (Nov. 16, 2009) entitled "Don't Diss Darwin." Source: National Center for Science Education.
Another blog of interest from the "Friendly Atheist."
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed saying, let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. Ps. 2:1-2.
This is truly prophetic. For the last two months evolutionists have worked themselves into a rage because Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron will release a special edition of Darwin's Origin of Species that has a 50 page introduction challenging evolution. The plan is to go to the campuses of a number of universities and distribute copies of this special edition for free.
This plan has evolutionists in an uproar. On Facebook there is a group entitled "Kirk Cameron has gone too far! But we can stop him." They have called Ray and Kirk liars and thieves and many other not so nice names. (See e.g., Kirk Cameron Lies, Perverts the Origin of Species). There are some groups who are planning on staging counter protests at many campuses. If you read some of the reports, it sounds as if they are accusing Ray and Kirk of blasphemy. Yet they say their belief system is not a religion . . . hmmmmm.
Below is a news release of the mobilization efforts of a group of evolutionists. The news release is kind of tame, when compared to the postings that you will find throughout the internet. Oh, why do the heathen rage? And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness, they may speak thy word. Acts 4:29.
Release: Atheist Youth Movement Leads Charge Against Anti-Darwin Book Project
November 10, 2009
For Release: IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT
Contact: August Brunsman – (614) 441-9588 – august@secularstudents.org
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Secular Student Alliance is mobilizing student groups to counter the Living Waters Ministry program to distribute an edition of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species containing a special introduction misrepresenting the book’s claims. The SSA national leadership is encouraging its campus affiliates to schedule protests, host speakers, write letters to the editor, show films, and distribute the original version of Darwin’s 150-year old masterpiece.
“We’re asking students to respond proactively. We believe the best way to respond to misinformation is with a positive, educational campaign,” says August Brunsman, executive director for the Secular Student Alliance.
Living Waters Ministry, an evangelical ministry group headed by Ray Comfort and actor Kirk Cameron, calls the project The Origin into Schools Project. It plans to print an edition of Origin of Species with a 50-page introduction that attempts to cast doubt on the theory of evolution and connect Charles Darwin to Adolf Hitler. Over 100,000 copies are set to be distributed to over 100 college campus across the country and in Canada.
Students are aware that the distributors have the first amendment right to pass out their anti-evolution literature, but are being encouraged by the Secular Student Alliance to use their own rights to respond with a friendly, science-based message.
The Secular Student Alliance at Yale University, for example, has plans to set up a table promoting “alternative theories on sexual education,” appropriately named Students for Stork Acknowledgment.
“People engaged in such lunatic endeavors are legitimized by opponents who attempt to take them seriously. My organization intends no such legitimization,” stated Michael Wright, president of SSA at Yale, adding that past attempts at rational debate with creationists have failed, “but where reason fails, satire triumphs.”
The Secular Student Alliance is assisting campus groups by providing resources from national groups like The Center for Inquiry, National Center for Science Education, the Brights, and the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science in order to combat misinformation on campus. Secular Student Alliance has also partnered with the creators of Flock of Dodos, the 2006 documentary highlighting the debate over evolution, granting the rights to students who wish to show the film on campus.
Nov. 24 marks the 150th anniversary of the original Origin of Species, and books and protests are set to hit campuses around that time. Students can find ways to get involved at www.secularstudents.org/origininschools.
The Secular Student Alliance is an educational nonprofit whose mission is to organize, unite, educate and serve students and student communities that promote the ideals of scientific rationality, secularism, democracy, and human-based ethics. Learn more at http://www.secularstudents.org.
Edit: Found a site today (Nov. 16, 2009) entitled "Don't Diss Darwin." Source: National Center for Science Education.
Another blog of interest from the "Friendly Atheist."
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Million Dollar Question for those who say "No God"
On Tuesday, the hottest topic on Twitter was "No God." This started when Reverend Run fomerly of the Rap Group Run DMC, posted the phrase "Know God, Know Peace . . . No God, No Peace." It did not take long for the atheists to take over and start posting their opinions on no God. In response, I am providing the following message from Living Waters and Way of the Master. This appears on their popular Million Dollar Bill.
The million dollar question: Will you go to Heaven? Here's a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God's name in vain? Jesus said,"Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you looked with lust?
Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things God sees you as a lying, thieving,blasphemous, adulterer at heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty you will end up in Hell.
That's not God's will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself -"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then He rose from the dead and defeated death.
Please, repent (turn from sin) today and trust in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it.
Pray something like this: "Dear God, today I turn away from all of my sins (name them). This day I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. He is the only way for me to be saved. He is 'The way, the truth, and the life.'" Pleaseforgive me, change my heart, and grant me Your gift of everlasting life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
The million dollar question: Will you go to Heaven? Here's a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God's name in vain? Jesus said,"Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you looked with lust?
Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things God sees you as a lying, thieving,blasphemous, adulterer at heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty you will end up in Hell.
That's not God's will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself -"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then He rose from the dead and defeated death.
Please, repent (turn from sin) today and trust in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it.
Pray something like this: "Dear God, today I turn away from all of my sins (name them). This day I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. He is the only way for me to be saved. He is 'The way, the truth, and the life.'" Pleaseforgive me, change my heart, and grant me Your gift of everlasting life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
Friday, October 16, 2009
Attacking a Gator
Recently, Tim Tebow has been under attack. This is not coming from Nole fan (like myself), or Bulldog fan (like my former roommate and good friend TJ), or Vol fan. Rather, he is being attacked by a group of sports writers who are opposed to him using the football field to speak openly about his faith.
At first glance, I would be inclined to take apart the arguments of the secular sports writers, showing them where they are wrong. After further thought, I welcome their arguments. This debate has created an easy bridge to engage nonbelievers in serious discussions about their faith. Isn't it beautiful to see the secular press has unwittingly opened the door to further evangelism?
For an excellent discussion regarding the criticism of Tim Tebow see Albert Mohler's article "Time to Separate Church and Sports? A New Agenda Takes Shape."
Also, check out the New York Times article entitled "Questioning Sports Evangelism."
At first glance, I would be inclined to take apart the arguments of the secular sports writers, showing them where they are wrong. After further thought, I welcome their arguments. This debate has created an easy bridge to engage nonbelievers in serious discussions about their faith. Isn't it beautiful to see the secular press has unwittingly opened the door to further evangelism?
For an excellent discussion regarding the criticism of Tim Tebow see Albert Mohler's article "Time to Separate Church and Sports? A New Agenda Takes Shape."
Also, check out the New York Times article entitled "Questioning Sports Evangelism."
Monday, September 14, 2009
Two Attorneys with Ray Comfort
You have to love the way two attorneys responded to Ray Comfort.
Ray: Have you ever told a lie?
Atty: Yes.
Ray: What does that make you?
Atty: A person who told a lie.
See the rest here.
Ray: Have you ever told a lie?
Atty: Yes.
Ray: What does that make you?
Atty: A person who told a lie.
See the rest here.
Monday, August 24, 2009
This Scares Me . .
“This scares me” were the words of a terrified 15-year old girl on Saturday morning, when she realized that she may have to face God on Judgment Day.
On Saturday, August 22, 2009, our church was doing a water giveaway at the parking lot of a local WalMart. Two teenage girls passed by and rejected offers of bottles of water and flyers to our church.
I decided not to give up and asked the girls if they would be interested in receiving a Million Dollar Bill. They accepted the offer and I pointed to the Million Dollar Question at the back of the bill, “Will you go to Heaven?” The first girl said she hoped so. The second girl laughed. I asked why you laughed at your friend. She said I barely go to church. I encouraged them to look at the good person test as they walked away. I overheard the second girl tell the first, no one is perfect. It seemed the second girl was ready to dismiss the message without giving it much thought.
About 5 minutes later, the girls are coming down the parking lot (going in the wrong direction) in a truck. The first girl was sitting in the passenger seat and holding the Million Dollar Bill, she said “This scares me.”
With the girls’ truck pointing in the wrong direction, I told them not to go anywhere. I ran to my car, grabbed a Gospel of John and told the girl that she needs to read this book. I explained that there are 21 chapters and she can read a chapter a day. Meanwhile, one of the ladies from our church spoke to her friend. I told her, that at 15, I was just like her. Disobeyed my parents, etc. etc. After a brief conversation, the girls left.
Woulda coulda shoulda. Looking back, I know I could have done a better job of presenting the Gospel after the girl said “This scares me.” At that point, I could have said, what about the message scares you. Then I could have said, do you know what God did so that you don’t have to go to Hell. And before the girls drove off, I could have encouraged her to repent and put her trust in Christ. Although I missed it, I still believe that she got the message. Notwithstanding my shortcomings, this story shows that the Million Dollar Bill is a very effective witnessing tool.
On Saturday, August 22, 2009, our church was doing a water giveaway at the parking lot of a local WalMart. Two teenage girls passed by and rejected offers of bottles of water and flyers to our church.
I decided not to give up and asked the girls if they would be interested in receiving a Million Dollar Bill. They accepted the offer and I pointed to the Million Dollar Question at the back of the bill, “Will you go to Heaven?” The first girl said she hoped so. The second girl laughed. I asked why you laughed at your friend. She said I barely go to church. I encouraged them to look at the good person test as they walked away. I overheard the second girl tell the first, no one is perfect. It seemed the second girl was ready to dismiss the message without giving it much thought.
About 5 minutes later, the girls are coming down the parking lot (going in the wrong direction) in a truck. The first girl was sitting in the passenger seat and holding the Million Dollar Bill, she said “This scares me.”
With the girls’ truck pointing in the wrong direction, I told them not to go anywhere. I ran to my car, grabbed a Gospel of John and told the girl that she needs to read this book. I explained that there are 21 chapters and she can read a chapter a day. Meanwhile, one of the ladies from our church spoke to her friend. I told her, that at 15, I was just like her. Disobeyed my parents, etc. etc. After a brief conversation, the girls left.
Woulda coulda shoulda. Looking back, I know I could have done a better job of presenting the Gospel after the girl said “This scares me.” At that point, I could have said, what about the message scares you. Then I could have said, do you know what God did so that you don’t have to go to Hell. And before the girls drove off, I could have encouraged her to repent and put her trust in Christ. Although I missed it, I still believe that she got the message. Notwithstanding my shortcomings, this story shows that the Million Dollar Bill is a very effective witnessing tool.
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