How do you make sense of the death and destruction we saw on Wednesday, April 27, 2011? As is my custom, I was reading Scripture and commentaries in a serial fashion, just as they were given by God’s Holy Spirit (the Scriptures, that is), on that day. Having previously read through Job, I am currently reading Dr. Henry Morris’s great commentary on that book. On April 27, this is what I was reading:
From Dr. Henry Morris – “Then the blow fell. In just one day, Job had all his wealth destroyed, all his servants slain, and his ten children killed in a sudden tornado. Job received the tragic news from different sources within a few minutes of each other (Job 1:13 – 19). . . Not all such phenomena are directly caused by Satan. The natural processes of the world entail occasional storms and holy angels and God himself can control any of the processes that the fallen angels can. We see here, however, that on some occasions these phenomena can have a Satanic cause, if God allows. The same applies to our own reasoning and decision-making processes, so we need to consider all these possibilities prayerfully when difficult circumstances arise in our own lives.” – The Remarkable Record of Job, pp. 59, 60
Right now we don’t know why, but we do know that God is in control, and He does care. That is the message we need to give people, not some “God loves you” sentimentality. Sentiment doesn’t save and it doesn’t do anything practical. So, as we continue to minister by giving money, blood, water, food, or whatever, let’s be prepared to answer questions in an honest, Scriptural fashion, telling people Who God is, who we are, and what Jesus did.
I remain yours, in the Name of Jesus,
Mr. Phil
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Marriage Is Honorable
From Days of Praise, August 21, 2010
Marriage Is Honorable
by Henry Morris, Ph.D. | Aug. 21, 2010
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)
Ever since the divine union of Adam and Eve, the institution of marriage has been between a man and woman. However, the "bed" has often been defiled, with all kinds of sexual perversions. Homosexual behavior is often mentioned in the Bible, and always explicitly condemned, even being called an "abomination" by the Lord (Leviticus 18:22). Adultery, fornication, prostitution, incest, bestiality, and all forms of sexual practice outside of heterosexual marriage relations are also condemned. Indeed, "God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions" (Ecclesiastes 7:29).
Yes, but times have changed, we are told. The so-called "gay" lifestyle is now a normal option, they say, and even "same-sex" marriages are acceptable. Premarital sex, as well as adultery, are very common today, all over the world, often even impacting Christian homes and churches. Indeed, the world has changed!
But God has not changed, and His commandments and purposes have not changed. "For I am the LORD, I change not" (Malachi 3:6), He says. In the last book of the Bible, the glorified Christ said that "the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).
The Greek word for "whoremongers," incidentally, includes anyone who practices or promotes illicit sex of any kind and the Bible says that "whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." However, God will forgive and purge away any of these sins when they are repudiated and Christ is accepted as Savior. HMM
Marriage Is Honorable
by Henry Morris, Ph.D. | Aug. 21, 2010
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)
Ever since the divine union of Adam and Eve, the institution of marriage has been between a man and woman. However, the "bed" has often been defiled, with all kinds of sexual perversions. Homosexual behavior is often mentioned in the Bible, and always explicitly condemned, even being called an "abomination" by the Lord (Leviticus 18:22). Adultery, fornication, prostitution, incest, bestiality, and all forms of sexual practice outside of heterosexual marriage relations are also condemned. Indeed, "God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions" (Ecclesiastes 7:29).
Yes, but times have changed, we are told. The so-called "gay" lifestyle is now a normal option, they say, and even "same-sex" marriages are acceptable. Premarital sex, as well as adultery, are very common today, all over the world, often even impacting Christian homes and churches. Indeed, the world has changed!
But God has not changed, and His commandments and purposes have not changed. "For I am the LORD, I change not" (Malachi 3:6), He says. In the last book of the Bible, the glorified Christ said that "the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).
The Greek word for "whoremongers," incidentally, includes anyone who practices or promotes illicit sex of any kind and the Bible says that "whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." However, God will forgive and purge away any of these sins when they are repudiated and Christ is accepted as Savior. HMM
Thursday, August 5, 2010
On Human Marriage
Marriage can only exist between a man and a woman. We know this because God made the woman from the man and brought her to him so that they could become one flesh (Genesis 2:18 – 25). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, confirmed this when He said, speaking of marriage, that in the beginning God made them male and female (Mark 10:2 – 9). Since both God the Father and God the Son have already ruled on this, no earthly judge or panel of judges can change it. Nor is it open to “majority rule.”
Because the primary purpose of marriage is procreation (Genesis 1:28), logic dictates that marriage can exist between a man and a woman only. It is impossible for two individuals of the same sex to produce a child. This is against nature (Romans 1:26 – 32).
Some may argue that marriage should exist between a man and a woman because of “societal norms” or “traditional family values.” These are false reasons because they change. However, God’s standard never changes.
Any judge or panel of judges who arrogantly attempt to overrule the Lord God concerning marriage should be impeached. God has the final word on human marriage.
I remain yours in the Name above every Name, Jesus Christ,
"Mr. Phil"
Because the primary purpose of marriage is procreation (Genesis 1:28), logic dictates that marriage can exist between a man and a woman only. It is impossible for two individuals of the same sex to produce a child. This is against nature (Romans 1:26 – 32).
Some may argue that marriage should exist between a man and a woman because of “societal norms” or “traditional family values.” These are false reasons because they change. However, God’s standard never changes.
Any judge or panel of judges who arrogantly attempt to overrule the Lord God concerning marriage should be impeached. God has the final word on human marriage.
I remain yours in the Name above every Name, Jesus Christ,
"Mr. Phil"
Saturday, July 24, 2010
What’s Wrong With America?
Our “christian” culture is the way it is because our “christian” families and churches are the way they are.
The Problem
Rather than quote a long string of statistics, we can firmly state that we just somehow KNOW that things are broken. Peruse these articles for various viewpoints regarding the decline of our culture:
http://www.christianinformation.org/article.asp?artID=88
http://allanturner.com/article14.html
http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2005/02/whats_wrong_wit.html
http://www.christianpost.com/blogs/christianity/2009/05/something-is-wrong-with-the-church-04/index.html
The Solution
Discussion of the solution to the problem assumes that those who profess to be followers of Christ are being true to their profession. “9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9, 10) One who is not a true follower of Christ is said to be “dead in trespasses and sin.” A dead person cannot influence family, church, or culture.
Very simply, we must begin operating with a renewed mind. “ . . . be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
The Christ we claim to follow tells us we are to be the salt and light in the culture. “13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13 – 16)
Thankfully, we still have many pastors / teachers who are willing to run counter to the culture and encourage Christian families to build stronger churches and positively influence the culture. See the following resources for a small sample:
http://www.redbankbaptist.org/resources.html
http://shop.churchandfamilyreformation.org/What-He-Must-Be-If-He-Wants-to-Marry-My-Daughter-BKWHMBVB.htm
Conclusion
Our “christian” culture is the way it is because our “christian” families and churches are the way they are. What will you do to create positive change?
I remain yours in the name of Jesus Christ, the Name above every name.
“Mr. Phil”
The Problem
Rather than quote a long string of statistics, we can firmly state that we just somehow KNOW that things are broken. Peruse these articles for various viewpoints regarding the decline of our culture:
http://www.christianinformation.org/article.asp?artID=88
http://allanturner.com/article14.html
http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2005/02/whats_wrong_wit.html
http://www.christianpost.com/blogs/christianity/2009/05/something-is-wrong-with-the-church-04/index.html
The Solution
Discussion of the solution to the problem assumes that those who profess to be followers of Christ are being true to their profession. “9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9, 10) One who is not a true follower of Christ is said to be “dead in trespasses and sin.” A dead person cannot influence family, church, or culture.
Very simply, we must begin operating with a renewed mind. “ . . . be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
The Christ we claim to follow tells us we are to be the salt and light in the culture. “13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13 – 16)
Thankfully, we still have many pastors / teachers who are willing to run counter to the culture and encourage Christian families to build stronger churches and positively influence the culture. See the following resources for a small sample:
http://www.redbankbaptist.org/resources.html
http://shop.churchandfamilyreformation.org/What-He-Must-Be-If-He-Wants-to-Marry-My-Daughter-BKWHMBVB.htm
Conclusion
Our “christian” culture is the way it is because our “christian” families and churches are the way they are. What will you do to create positive change?
I remain yours in the name of Jesus Christ, the Name above every name.
“Mr. Phil”
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Hell Invading Helena?
You decide:
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=37368
http://www.helena.k12.mt.us/images/documents/curriculum/HealthCurriculum/K12FinalHealth.pdf (See Page 45 ff)
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/09/montana-school-proposes-controversial-sex-education-program/
Good reasons to home school!
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=37368
http://www.helena.k12.mt.us/images/documents/curriculum/HealthCurriculum/K12FinalHealth.pdf (See Page 45 ff)
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/09/montana-school-proposes-controversial-sex-education-program/
Good reasons to home school!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Every Believer a Witness (1)
My life before I met Jesus:
I was born in Winchester, VA, the youngest of four siblings. My sister and two brothers are still living there in my hometown.
I was very sad when my parents divorced when I was ten years old. School was a great way for me to lose myself in academics. I also remember watching the Washington Senators on TV with my mother. I learned to play a clarinet in school.
My mother sent me to Sunday School, but I stopped going when I turned ten. My life as a teenager was wrapped up in school. I especially enjoyed amateur radio in those years. I thought I had everything going my way until I went off to college.
After high school graduation, I went off to state university, but that did not last long. Although I had been brought up in a non-religious home, I had received moral teaching. My morals and state university did not mix. So, I went off to a Christian university.
Next installment: How I came to accept Jesus into my life
I was born in Winchester, VA, the youngest of four siblings. My sister and two brothers are still living there in my hometown.
I was very sad when my parents divorced when I was ten years old. School was a great way for me to lose myself in academics. I also remember watching the Washington Senators on TV with my mother. I learned to play a clarinet in school.
My mother sent me to Sunday School, but I stopped going when I turned ten. My life as a teenager was wrapped up in school. I especially enjoyed amateur radio in those years. I thought I had everything going my way until I went off to college.
After high school graduation, I went off to state university, but that did not last long. Although I had been brought up in a non-religious home, I had received moral teaching. My morals and state university did not mix. So, I went off to a Christian university.
Next installment: How I came to accept Jesus into my life
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Stop Sign, Part 8
The Stop Sign, Part 8
The warm reception by his parents gave young Jimmy Wilson a sense of doing the right thing, and knowing that he was now on the right road, not only to heaven but also to a life of goodness. Little did he realize that he would eventually leave that road.
The departure came gradually. It was hard, he thought, to put a finger on the precise moment when things began to change but it seemed that there were subtle things in the air when he began high school. It was there, he recalled, that teachers were not so kind to the words of the bible. They began casting some doubts on it. At first, he thought, this was a horrible thing but he discovered that in order to get a good grade in the class, he would have to accept what the teachers were saying. Initially this was a problem but eventually it became easier to see that what they were saying was “more scientific” and must be right…and the bible, somehow, incorrect…maybe even downright wrong.
In high school he began to hear more and more about evolution, especially in biology(i) but also in other science classes; even in things dealing with politics and economics. It seemed that wherever he turned, someone or some book was talking about evolution. Seeing it mentioned in so many ways, Jimmy Wilson had to assume it was true. And increasingly he set aside his determination to hear and read what God had to say about things. “Those things in the bible are only myths,” he kept hearing from teachers, people he was expected to honor. Besides, could they be wrong, he thought.
When he started college and was working his way through the years of undergraduate and graduate studies he became committed to the evolutionary perspective, setting aside all he had ever thought to be true of God. He stopped attending church by this time, though he knew that he shouldn’t have. About the only time he returned to church was the day he married Sally Witherspoon, a beautiful gal from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was a music major at the time and later gave private voice lessons in their home, all of that followed the addition of three children to their home: two boys and a girl. After graduation, with a Ph.D. in biology, Wilson secured the job he has been holding for nearly 30 years, a job he was about to leave.
It was much the order of the day for him to teach evolution as he had been taught. Of late, however, the task had not been so easy. Several years earlier he had come to read some books that cast serious doubts on the idea of evolution. Maybe the first was Michael Denton’s book: Evolution-A Theory in Crisis. Other books followed this and lectures, all of which cast dark shadows on the things he thought were true. He came to realize that the orientation of amino acids didn’t make sense in a world unless they were created. He came to see that there was no way the complexity he observed in living organisms could have occurred through chance. He understood that the design he saw in nature was not an “apparent” design but was real design, requiring a designer. Increasingly he felt tension in what he was hearing and reading and what he was telling his students. But he had tried to ignore this tension, arguing that it wouldn’t be long and he would be outside the campus, no longer having to worry about what he taught or what he said. If he could only hang on, he thought, just a little longer until retirement, then he would be able to shed the cloak of evolution which had so much been a part of his life but which he now knew to be wrong and unscientific.
It is hard, he thought, to admit he was wrong….but Sally knew something was awry.
“What’s the problem, Jim? She would ask this over supper. She had a way of knowing these things but he seldom had the courage to admit the real problem. “I’m alright,” he said…”Maybe a little tired.”
Dan Schobert, W9MFG@charter.net
"(i)..you could say that I lost the last remnants of my faith in God during biology class in high school when I first was taught that evolution explained the origin and development of life. The implications were clear. Charles Darwin's theory eliminated the need for a supernatural creator...."
So says Lee Strobel in his 2000 (Zondervan) book, The Case for Faith which I had the occasion to read this week, on audio tape. Strobel's work follows closely on the heels of his earlier piece, The Case for Christ. Strobel, a former atheist and award winning legal editor at the Chicago Tribune, used the approach of a journalist by raising important questions, in this particular case about faith and going to several experts in the field for reasonable answers. On the question of faith and science, he spoke with Walter Bradley. Though I believe Bradley might be classified as an Old Earth Creationist, he did point out the vast data which points, on the basis of the information, to an initial source of intelligence.
Perhaps more than anything, this work of Strobel builds the case for understanding and accepting the Word of God as being true. This book is easy to read and a handy tool to give unbelieving friends.
(Footnote added in May 2004): Strobel has now added another book to this discussion. The Case for a Creator, from Zondervan became available in 2004 and, like the earlier works, presents information which places into question much of what has so often presented as evidence for evolution.
The warm reception by his parents gave young Jimmy Wilson a sense of doing the right thing, and knowing that he was now on the right road, not only to heaven but also to a life of goodness. Little did he realize that he would eventually leave that road.
The departure came gradually. It was hard, he thought, to put a finger on the precise moment when things began to change but it seemed that there were subtle things in the air when he began high school. It was there, he recalled, that teachers were not so kind to the words of the bible. They began casting some doubts on it. At first, he thought, this was a horrible thing but he discovered that in order to get a good grade in the class, he would have to accept what the teachers were saying. Initially this was a problem but eventually it became easier to see that what they were saying was “more scientific” and must be right…and the bible, somehow, incorrect…maybe even downright wrong.
In high school he began to hear more and more about evolution, especially in biology(i) but also in other science classes; even in things dealing with politics and economics. It seemed that wherever he turned, someone or some book was talking about evolution. Seeing it mentioned in so many ways, Jimmy Wilson had to assume it was true. And increasingly he set aside his determination to hear and read what God had to say about things. “Those things in the bible are only myths,” he kept hearing from teachers, people he was expected to honor. Besides, could they be wrong, he thought.
When he started college and was working his way through the years of undergraduate and graduate studies he became committed to the evolutionary perspective, setting aside all he had ever thought to be true of God. He stopped attending church by this time, though he knew that he shouldn’t have. About the only time he returned to church was the day he married Sally Witherspoon, a beautiful gal from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was a music major at the time and later gave private voice lessons in their home, all of that followed the addition of three children to their home: two boys and a girl. After graduation, with a Ph.D. in biology, Wilson secured the job he has been holding for nearly 30 years, a job he was about to leave.
It was much the order of the day for him to teach evolution as he had been taught. Of late, however, the task had not been so easy. Several years earlier he had come to read some books that cast serious doubts on the idea of evolution. Maybe the first was Michael Denton’s book: Evolution-A Theory in Crisis. Other books followed this and lectures, all of which cast dark shadows on the things he thought were true. He came to realize that the orientation of amino acids didn’t make sense in a world unless they were created. He came to see that there was no way the complexity he observed in living organisms could have occurred through chance. He understood that the design he saw in nature was not an “apparent” design but was real design, requiring a designer. Increasingly he felt tension in what he was hearing and reading and what he was telling his students. But he had tried to ignore this tension, arguing that it wouldn’t be long and he would be outside the campus, no longer having to worry about what he taught or what he said. If he could only hang on, he thought, just a little longer until retirement, then he would be able to shed the cloak of evolution which had so much been a part of his life but which he now knew to be wrong and unscientific.
It is hard, he thought, to admit he was wrong….but Sally knew something was awry.
“What’s the problem, Jim? She would ask this over supper. She had a way of knowing these things but he seldom had the courage to admit the real problem. “I’m alright,” he said…”Maybe a little tired.”
Dan Schobert, W9MFG@charter.net
"(i)..you could say that I lost the last remnants of my faith in God during biology class in high school when I first was taught that evolution explained the origin and development of life. The implications were clear. Charles Darwin's theory eliminated the need for a supernatural creator...."
So says Lee Strobel in his 2000 (Zondervan) book, The Case for Faith which I had the occasion to read this week, on audio tape. Strobel's work follows closely on the heels of his earlier piece, The Case for Christ. Strobel, a former atheist and award winning legal editor at the Chicago Tribune, used the approach of a journalist by raising important questions, in this particular case about faith and going to several experts in the field for reasonable answers. On the question of faith and science, he spoke with Walter Bradley. Though I believe Bradley might be classified as an Old Earth Creationist, he did point out the vast data which points, on the basis of the information, to an initial source of intelligence.
Perhaps more than anything, this work of Strobel builds the case for understanding and accepting the Word of God as being true. This book is easy to read and a handy tool to give unbelieving friends.
(Footnote added in May 2004): Strobel has now added another book to this discussion. The Case for a Creator, from Zondervan became available in 2004 and, like the earlier works, presents information which places into question much of what has so often presented as evidence for evolution.
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