Biblical Creation and Evangelism

Just over 500 years ago, distressed monk Martin Luther used the social media of his day. He posted ninety-five theses on the Wittenberg church door. There were errors in Catholic teachings and practices, and he wanted them addressed. So began the Protestant Reformation. Many groups that say they are Christian claim to hold the Bible in high regard, but they often find ways around believing what is plainly taught. Things are added to Scripture (Prov. 30:5-6), omitted, ignored, remixed, other books given a superior position — plus folks claiming it does not mean what it says. Luther nailing 95 theses , Ferdinand Pauwels, 1872, modified with FotoSketcher One of the main points of the Reformation was a return to biblical truth. Sola Scriptura : Scripture alone. None of this supplemental stuff or people presuming to tell God what he said and meant. Note that Luther posted his issues on the door. There are several doors in the Bible regarding salvation. One is the door of Noah's Ark. Ano...

People have ideas about what Heaven is like, but much of those are from media mythologies. People have wings, walking on clouds, have halos...storytelling. Religious figures in classical art were depicted with halos, so that may be a source for the myth. Reality is far different and more awesome. It has been almost two years since my wife died, and I will meet her in Heaven along with others I knew who have gone before in a grand reunion. Indeed, when it is time for me to go, I picture her and Jesus coming for me. Heaven clip art, Free Christian Images I'll allow that many ideas that people have about Heaven are speculative and non-biblical, Christians included. We learn some things from Scripture about it and about the departed, but there can be a mix (some of my ideas would be rejected by theologians). I have been told to talk to my wife because she is watching over me. I tell them that she's got Heaven stuff to do. When I wake up in the morning, I ask God to tell Charlene th...

The world has many kingdoms, so to speak, and their ownership is a complicated issue. Romans 13:1 tells us that rulers have been appointed by God for his purposes. He is in control, yet God does not have ownership of all governments. Those belong to Satan. One of many reasons that an honest reading of Genesis is important is the concept of federal headship . That term is not in the Bible, but the concept is there. Satan is the god of this world because when Adam betrayed God by sinning, ownership transferred to him. Hand holding world, Pixabay / geralt (Gerd Altmann) During the temptations of Jesus, Satan essentially waved a ring full of keys at Jesus, saying that he had the rights to them. Not every bit of real estate on Earth belongs to him, though. Christians who "walk the walk" and not justs "talk the talk" have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus and are adopted as children of God (Galatians 4:3-7). We are under his authority but also in a spiritual warfare (E...

There are professing Christians who have not given much thought to what they believe, especially regarding the first eleven chapters of Genesis. Unfortunately, they are often carried along by the currents of liberal theology or disinterested clergy — even in churches that are conservative in other ways. People may have opinions that Adam and Eve were mythological or they were part of an incidental Bible story. God does not care about opinions. He has given us his Word, and we need to get an understanding of the foundations of our theology. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden ,  Johann Wenzel Peter There was a pastor who responded to my inquiry about creation by saying that he never really thought about it. Then he added, "The Framework Hypothesis , I suppose." He is teaching doctrine to people, but didn't dig enough into Genesis, which is foundational to all major Christian beliefs . His teachings are incomplete in many ways. This pastor will have some explaining to do (Ja...

Although most professing Christians claim to believe the Bible, they obviously do not read it. Many are deceived by cults and scoffers. These Christians may think the Genesis Flood is a myth taken from other Eastern cultures. Why? Because smart people said so. The appeal to authority is often fallacious (as seen above). It is legitimate to ask Christians what they do with the fact that the Flood is mentioned in other parts of the Old Testament. These references indicate judgment, as the Flood was a judgment. Then doubters also need to deal with the New Testament. Ocean waves, RGBStock / rkirbycom If they doubt the authority of the Old Testament, how about the fact that Jesus, Peter, Paul, and others referred to it? Not as an allegory, but as literal history. The Flood was a judgment, but also used as a reminder of the coming Judgment — there is no way it could have been a local event. Denying the Genesis Flood also denies history and also the authority of Scripture, and these peopl...

There is enough Scripture twisting already, but some owlhoots want more so they can further their agendas. The Trinity (God in three persons, but is still one being) is denied by several, even professing Christians. Some deny that Jesus is God and make him a created being instead — Jehovah's Witnesses teach that today . One with an interesting name is the  Pneumatomachian heresy , asserting that the Holy Spirit is not God. (The JWs believe that he is God's active force.) A newer corruption of the Bible tries to make the Holy Spirit female. White dove (not saying, "Ooh baby ooh"), Pexels / mali maeder Pay attention when reading the Bible, especially the New Testament. It is obvious from the text that the Holy Spirit, just like the Father and Son, is described as masculine. There are times when the way to resolve a conflict is by using the original languages. In this case, certain words and their genders are misapplied. Feminazis and others are thwarted with deeper in...

In this age of gender-inclusive Bible translations that take male words and add female ("sons" becomes "sons and daughters"), this political correctness is absurd. Some translations that do this are not necessarily mistranslating if it can be justified by the original text. It is unnecessary. I reckon that for centuries, people used the word men  to include women without having to be explicit. Mayhaps the political correctness and "inclusivity" in translations can cause confusion. To question if women are also made in God's image can be easily answered. The Creation of Eve (circa 1520), Florentine school One way to understand is to read the Bible. Context is paramount, and many times it is clear that words like man  clearly mean people , which last I knew included women. When something is written to or about males only, the text is clear. (On a contemporary side note, girls have objected to being addressed with the word guys , "We're not guys...

by Cowboy Bob Sorensen  While scanning posts by Why?Outreach on Fascistbook, I saw a post about the New Age in the church . A few years ago, New Age materials were very popular. There were seminars, celebrities who channeled spirits, UFOs, astrology, and other things. Meditation was a big deal. Some of the excitement seems to have faded lately and things have been rebranded. There are people who will say, "I am not religious, just spiritual." Well, they are  religious about this "new" pagan and Eastern religious stuff, but they reject the God of the Bible. New Age meditation, Pixabay / Okan Caliskan (Activedia) Although practitioners may not use or ever know the term New Age, its aspects remain. If they are not attempting to communicate with their "higher self" or other spirits, they may be trying to attain "Christ consciousness." This last one may be appealing because it has a name that seems compatible with Christianity. However, like with so ...

People adore celebrities, often accepting their opinions and pronouncements on various topics without question. Christians have their celebrities as well. Many are current stars in the music industry, others are known for their lectures, debates, and occasionally for sermons. It is indeed unfortunate that we admire people for wit and charm but may not check what they say with the Bible. Some have said things that are not only wrong, but harmful. These need to be identified and (if possible) shown their errors. This applies to Drs. John Lennox and Jack Collins. Mountains, Pexels / Sergio Zhukov John Lennox is primarily a mathematician who uses philosophy and mixes in some theology. He easily dismantles atheism. Unfortunately, he accepts something that atheists rely on: deep time. Lennox not only accepts it, but encourages Christians to reject what the Bible clearly indicates about the young earth. He also believes in a local Flood. Jack Collins is not so much a celebrity as someone with...

Many times, people need to saddle up and ride to the top of the hill and get the big picture. That is figurative of course. The point is that it is good to mentally get to a better vantage point and not just focus on the immediate details. Decades ago, evangelism was a relatively frequent occurrence, and even unbelievers often had a modicum of respect for the Bible and clergy. In later years, Western society has become secularized; many in the public have contempt for God and also for Christians — especially biblical creationists. Jesus teaching, from Free Christian Illustrations Today, society is infected with evolutionism, which is important to atheistic secularism. Telling someone that he is a sinner and in need of repentance can be confusing. Getting the view from the hill of the big picture includes Genesis. Sin made its first appearance there with Adam and Eve. Also, God is the Creator and he makes the rules — we did not create ourselves, nor did "Mother Nature." Jesus ...