Archaeological and historical research strongly support the claims of Christianity over and against all other religions and worldviews (Islam, Hinduism, Atheism, Secularism, Naturalism, etc.). Therefore, if Jesus was bodily resurrected from the dead, there are a couple things to consider:
1) In John 14.15, Jesus said "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
2) In Matthew 7.21, Jesus said "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (This is one of Jesus' scarier statements.)
From this, we can now logically deduce the following: "You will only enter heaven if you love Jesus." Here is how we arrive at that:
a) Jesus was resurrected from the dead, thus proving that we have to pay attention to everything He said.
b) If you love Jesus you will obey His commands. (John 14.15)
c) Obeying Jesus’ commandments and doing the Father’s will are the same thing, so Jesus is God. (John 14.15, Mt.7.21)
d) So from this we deduce, "You will only enter heaven if you love and obey Jesus."
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Here I go again...
* America’s “Christian” founding was schizophrenic at best.
* All 12 of the 13 Colonies required Trinitarian test-oaths to hold public office, Rhode Island was the exception. 1642, the inception of Rhode Island’s Desist (non-Trinitarian) government was the beginning of the end ! (the RI colonial charter was granted by the Crown in 1644.)
* The Declaration of Independence contained mention of some generic “God” (not the Trinity), and the Constitution mentions God nowhere (!). This is the first time in Western history that a founding document didn’t mention God. The Founding Fathers were mostly Deists, some were Trinitarians. So America started on a very poorly laid foundation on top of which we have tried our best to lay Trinitarian bricks and mortar.
* The crux of everything is that the foundation was laid poorly due to the Church’s utter failure in disciplining (i.e., excommunicating) Deists like Jefferson and Washington, just like the Church has utterly failed in disciplining men like Ronald Reagan (who never attended the Sabbath Service while in office), Bill Clinton, Pelosi, The Kennedy’s, Biden, Kerry, and Obama.
* The building is now toppling and we are are entering a Socialist / Statist era in America that will make European-style Socialism look like completely neophyte. Only a thoroughly Trinitarian populace and government make for a sustainable nation, all other heathen populaces and govt’s will eventually become Socialist, Statist, and tyrannical.
* Even on the slim chance that McCain wins, God is now teaching us the lesson that the Republican / “Conservative” power-politics experiment has failed, the Kingdom arises from the Church and the home and flows into the government, the Kingdom does now come from top-down power politics, Democrat or Republican.
* So get ready boysies and girlsies, its going to be bad times ahead, but take heart, the Lord has ordained all of it and He is working out His purposes.
* All 12 of the 13 Colonies required Trinitarian test-oaths to hold public office, Rhode Island was the exception. 1642, the inception of Rhode Island’s Desist (non-Trinitarian) government was the beginning of the end ! (the RI colonial charter was granted by the Crown in 1644.)
* The Declaration of Independence contained mention of some generic “God” (not the Trinity), and the Constitution mentions God nowhere (!). This is the first time in Western history that a founding document didn’t mention God. The Founding Fathers were mostly Deists, some were Trinitarians. So America started on a very poorly laid foundation on top of which we have tried our best to lay Trinitarian bricks and mortar.
* The crux of everything is that the foundation was laid poorly due to the Church’s utter failure in disciplining (i.e., excommunicating) Deists like Jefferson and Washington, just like the Church has utterly failed in disciplining men like Ronald Reagan (who never attended the Sabbath Service while in office), Bill Clinton, Pelosi, The Kennedy’s, Biden, Kerry, and Obama.
* The building is now toppling and we are are entering a Socialist / Statist era in America that will make European-style Socialism look like completely neophyte. Only a thoroughly Trinitarian populace and government make for a sustainable nation, all other heathen populaces and govt’s will eventually become Socialist, Statist, and tyrannical.
* Even on the slim chance that McCain wins, God is now teaching us the lesson that the Republican / “Conservative” power-politics experiment has failed, the Kingdom arises from the Church and the home and flows into the government, the Kingdom does now come from top-down power politics, Democrat or Republican.
* So get ready boysies and girlsies, its going to be bad times ahead, but take heart, the Lord has ordained all of it and He is working out His purposes.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
11-point Calvinism v.3 and Key to the Universe
This would be TULIPPPPPBP, okay not all P's at the end but almost.
1) Total Depravity
2) Unconditional Election
3) Limited Atonement
4) Irresistable Grace
5) Perseverance of the Saints
6) Paedobaptism and paedocommunion (almost certainly presupposes a high-church Covenant Renewal Service)
7) Pronomianism (as opposed to antinomianism) and Theonomy
8) Presuppositionalism
9) Partial Preterism and postmillenialism
10) Biblical Theology
11) Piety / devotion
Speaking of half-baked ideas, here’s one for you. Being the pattern-seeking creatures that we are, the St.Malachy’s and Art Bell's and Hadel's of the world are always looking for patterns to kind of tell us what’s going on. So here’s a pattern I just came up with, kind of an Indiana Jones key to the universe-type thing, so here goes:
1) Worldview, images the Father, the Creator of the world: This is partial-preterist postmillenialism, there are plenty of good books out there on this subject
2) Worship, images the Son: Focuses on the the warfare that occurs during Lords’ Supper, the best book on this right now is “The Lord's Service: The Grace of Covenant Renewal Worship” by Jeff Meyers
3) Walk, images the Holy Spirit: This is devotion / piety / godliness, Gen.5.24: "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." The best book Ive seen on this is The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges, which Im currently reading.
10-point calvinism
10-point calvinist
10 point calvinism
10 point calvinist
1) Total Depravity
2) Unconditional Election
3) Limited Atonement
4) Irresistable Grace
5) Perseverance of the Saints
6) Paedobaptism and paedocommunion (almost certainly presupposes a high-church Covenant Renewal Service)
7) Pronomianism (as opposed to antinomianism) and Theonomy
8) Presuppositionalism
9) Partial Preterism and postmillenialism
10) Biblical Theology
11) Piety / devotion
Speaking of half-baked ideas, here’s one for you. Being the pattern-seeking creatures that we are, the St.Malachy’s and Art Bell's and Hadel's of the world are always looking for patterns to kind of tell us what’s going on. So here’s a pattern I just came up with, kind of an Indiana Jones key to the universe-type thing, so here goes:
1) Worldview, images the Father, the Creator of the world: This is partial-preterist postmillenialism, there are plenty of good books out there on this subject
2) Worship, images the Son: Focuses on the the warfare that occurs during Lords’ Supper, the best book on this right now is “The Lord's Service: The Grace of Covenant Renewal Worship” by Jeff Meyers
3) Walk, images the Holy Spirit: This is devotion / piety / godliness, Gen.5.24: "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." The best book Ive seen on this is The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges, which Im currently reading.
10-point calvinism
10-point calvinist
10 point calvinism
10 point calvinist
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Divine Sovereignty verses
I wanted to take a step back and attempt to explain the Church’s historic / traditional position on some of the elements of the the basis for our faith, so I’ve put together a list of verses on divine sovereignty, preordination, predestination, and the radical depravity of man.
I ask that you not skim over these quickly, but rather try to find a quiet moment and read each one of them and meditate on the glory, majesty, and mystery of God in Christ. I say mystery because our finite human minds cannot fully comprehend ourselves (our inability, sin, etc.) let alone how God’s rules the universe: Is.55.8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” After the Resurrection we will see all this more clearly, but for the time being we must place our whole trust His Word and not doubt it, 1 Cor.13.12b: “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” I can attest that the teachings below from God’s Word have altered my understanding of reality and changed the course of my life in a very very powerful way.
I have categorized these verses and put them in order, hope you find this helpful.
Man’s radical depravity and inability to choose God
Gen.6.5: The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen.8.21: And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
Num.15.37-39: The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. 39And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.
Job.15.14-16: 14 What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous? Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight; how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!
Ps.14.1-3: The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. 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 turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
Ps.51.5: Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Is.53.6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Jer.10.14: Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them.
Jer.13.23: Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.
Jer.17.9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Mt.7.11: If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Jn.2.24: But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
Jn.15.5: I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Rom.1.18-28: 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, 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. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their
thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
Rom.3.9-18: What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Rom.7.18-20: For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Rom.8.7: For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Rom.9.10-24: And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call—she was told,"The older will serve the younger." As it is written,"Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses,"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh,"For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
Eph.2.8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 Cor.2.14: The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor.12.3: Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.
2 Cor.3.5: Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God
2 Cor.4.3: And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
2 Tim.3.8: Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
Tit.3.4-5: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit
God chooses us
Gen.18.19: “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."
Ex.33.19: And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
Ps.65.4: Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
Jn.3.27: John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
Jn.6.37-39: All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
Jn.6.44: No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Jn.6.64-65: “But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."
Jn.10.25-28: Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Jn.15.16: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Acts.13.17: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
1 Thes.1.4-5: For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
2 Thes.2.13: But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
God controls all reality
Ps.33.13-15: The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
Ps.139.5-6: You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
RSB commentary: v.5--The Lord sets his limits around the Psalmists actions. "lay Your hand" means to guide him in life.
Ps.140.8: Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot or they will be exalted! Selah'' It is God Who grants or denies the desires of the wicked.
Prv.16.9: The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Is.45.7: I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am YHWH, who does all these things.
Amos.3.6: Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless YHWH has done it?
Mt.10.29-31: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Jn.1.12-13: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Acts.16.14: One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
Heb.1.3: He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
God’s preordination and predestination
Job.14.5: 5Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass
Ps.139.16: Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.
Acts.4.27-28: for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
Acts.13.48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts.17.26: And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place
Rom.8.28-30: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Eph.1.3-12: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
1 Pet.2.8-9: and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Jud.1.4: For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Gen.6.5
Gen.8.21
Gen.18.19
Ex.33.19
Num.15.37-39
Job.14.5
Job.15.14-16
Ps.14.1-3
Ps.33.13-15
Ps.51.5
Ps.65.4
Ps.139.5-6
Ps.139.16
Ps.140.8
Prv.16.9
Is.45.7
Is.53.6
Is.55.8-9
Amos.3.6
Jer.10.14
Jer.13.23
Jer.17.9
Mt.7.11
Mt.10.29-31
Jn.1.12-13
Jn.2.24
Jn.3.27
Jn.6.37-39
Jn.6.44
Jn.6.64-65
Jn.10.25-28
Jn.15.5
Jn.15.16
Acts.4.27-28
Acts.13.17
Acts.13.48
Acts.16.14
Acts.17.26
Rom.1.18-28
Rom.3.9-18
Rom.7.18-20
Rom.8.7
Rom.8.28-30
Rom.9.10-24
1 Cor.2.14
1 Cor.12.3
2 Cor.3.5
2 Cor.4.3
Eph.1.3-12
Eph.2.8-9
1 Thes.1.4-5
2 Thes.2.13
2 Tim.3.8
Tit.3.4-5
Heb.1.3
1 Pet.2.8-9
Jud.1.4
I ask that you not skim over these quickly, but rather try to find a quiet moment and read each one of them and meditate on the glory, majesty, and mystery of God in Christ. I say mystery because our finite human minds cannot fully comprehend ourselves (our inability, sin, etc.) let alone how God’s rules the universe: Is.55.8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” After the Resurrection we will see all this more clearly, but for the time being we must place our whole trust His Word and not doubt it, 1 Cor.13.12b: “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” I can attest that the teachings below from God’s Word have altered my understanding of reality and changed the course of my life in a very very powerful way.
I have categorized these verses and put them in order, hope you find this helpful.
Man’s radical depravity and inability to choose God
Gen.6.5: The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen.8.21: And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
Num.15.37-39: The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. 39And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.
Job.15.14-16: 14 What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous? Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight; how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!
Ps.14.1-3: The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. 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 turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
Ps.51.5: Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Is.53.6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Jer.10.14: Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them.
Jer.13.23: Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.
Jer.17.9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Mt.7.11: If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Jn.2.24: But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
Jn.15.5: I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Rom.1.18-28: 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, 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. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their
thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
Rom.3.9-18: What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Rom.7.18-20: For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Rom.8.7: For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Rom.9.10-24: And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call—she was told,"The older will serve the younger." As it is written,"Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses,"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh,"For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
Eph.2.8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 Cor.2.14: The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor.12.3: Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.
2 Cor.3.5: Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God
2 Cor.4.3: And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
2 Tim.3.8: Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
Tit.3.4-5: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit
God chooses us
Gen.18.19: “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."
Ex.33.19: And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
Ps.65.4: Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
Jn.3.27: John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
Jn.6.37-39: All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
Jn.6.44: No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Jn.6.64-65: “But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."
Jn.10.25-28: Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Jn.15.16: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Acts.13.17: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
1 Thes.1.4-5: For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
2 Thes.2.13: But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
God controls all reality
Ps.33.13-15: The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
Ps.139.5-6: You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
RSB commentary: v.5--The Lord sets his limits around the Psalmists actions. "lay Your hand" means to guide him in life.
Ps.140.8: Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot or they will be exalted! Selah'' It is God Who grants or denies the desires of the wicked.
Prv.16.9: The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Is.45.7: I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am YHWH, who does all these things.
Amos.3.6: Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless YHWH has done it?
Mt.10.29-31: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Jn.1.12-13: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Acts.16.14: One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
Heb.1.3: He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
God’s preordination and predestination
Job.14.5: 5Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass
Ps.139.16: Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.
Acts.4.27-28: for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
Acts.13.48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts.17.26: And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place
Rom.8.28-30: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Eph.1.3-12: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
1 Pet.2.8-9: and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Jud.1.4: For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Gen.6.5
Gen.8.21
Gen.18.19
Ex.33.19
Num.15.37-39
Job.14.5
Job.15.14-16
Ps.14.1-3
Ps.33.13-15
Ps.51.5
Ps.65.4
Ps.139.5-6
Ps.139.16
Ps.140.8
Prv.16.9
Is.45.7
Is.53.6
Is.55.8-9
Amos.3.6
Jer.10.14
Jer.13.23
Jer.17.9
Mt.7.11
Mt.10.29-31
Jn.1.12-13
Jn.2.24
Jn.3.27
Jn.6.37-39
Jn.6.44
Jn.6.64-65
Jn.10.25-28
Jn.15.5
Jn.15.16
Acts.4.27-28
Acts.13.17
Acts.13.48
Acts.16.14
Acts.17.26
Rom.1.18-28
Rom.3.9-18
Rom.7.18-20
Rom.8.7
Rom.8.28-30
Rom.9.10-24
1 Cor.2.14
1 Cor.12.3
2 Cor.3.5
2 Cor.4.3
Eph.1.3-12
Eph.2.8-9
1 Thes.1.4-5
2 Thes.2.13
2 Tim.3.8
Tit.3.4-5
Heb.1.3
1 Pet.2.8-9
Jud.1.4
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Uncle Spanky's SpankBox :: homemade floating waterproof boombox
This is a water-resistant homemade floating boombox, and it rocks. Loudly. (I say water-resistant because you can hose it down and it will be fine, but it will not take complete immersion.) Other than that, it would take a tsunami to upend this thing while its floating..
Live pictures and video from the float trip this weekend will be up next week, so here is a rough schematic for now.
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I hope to be posting instructions here soon, its pretty intuitive to make but there is a little bit of tech involved that is crucial to know.
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floating waterproof water-resistant water cooler boom box boombox home made homemade
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A Presuppositional Apologetic :: The blind faith of Atheism / Naturalism
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1 Pet.3.15: "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect"
Argument by Truth, Part 1) Begin by aksing the Atheist/Naturalist where the Universe came from. You will be backing him into a corner with facts and logic, but it is crucial to understand here at the onset that what you consider "factual" and "logical" will not necessarily be considered so by someone coming from a different philosophy / worldview / set of assumptions / presuppostitions. In other words, "facts" will always be consciously or unconsciously filtered through a worldview before they are even analyzed. So, the overall task here with Presuppositional Apologetics is to expose unargued philosophical bias and then systematically dismantle those biases.
Anyway, I digressed there but what you are wanting to do at this stage is to get the Atheist/Naturalist to the point where he has to reveal his belief in transdimensional alien overlords creating the Big Bang singularity (Xenu, perhaps?, then where did he come from?), or the fact that "real science simply isn't obligated to discuss the origin of the Big Bang singularity because it occurred outside of our current time-space continuum before scientific measurement was possible, therefore anything that attempts to do so (that is, religion) by definition simply isn't science." (By the way, this lame attempt at redefinition of terms has a couple of problems: 1) Naturalism is a religious philosophy, so this statement is self-refuting, 2) It's a total copout, what kind of science is it that refuses to answer the most ultimate question of all?) Analyze the Atheists statements and point out the inherent inconsistencies and contradictions in his facts and logic. Here are a few key ones:
a) Scientific procedure assumes that the natural world operates in a uniform fashion, therefore, our observational knowledge of past cases provides a basis for predicting what will happen in the future. But, if there is no God, then the Universe operates strictly by chance; you can not reconcile the view that nature is ultimately random with the fact that nature is so uniform. Basically, you are knee-capping your opponent from the getgo by pointing out the complete contradiction between the findings of scientific inquiry and his Atheism/Naturalism, although he will likely have something to get around it.
b) Related to point 'a' directly above, the fact that the Atheist is even sitting there arguing with you presupposes an orderly created Universe. The alternative is pure chaos and unintelligibility. Explain to the atheist that he is therefore actually using Theistic philosophical presuppositions in order to try to disprove Theism. This is exactly the same thing as a little girl trying to slap her father in the face but being unable to do so unless the father lets her climb up and sit in his lap to reach his face.
c) You can also use any number of argument types here, a popular one is reductio ad absurdum, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_absurdum , this is where you show the absurd ultimate result of Atheism, a good example is the Atheist Communist regimes that don't work and eventually fall apart. The point here is that the logical methods of Atheism ultimately lead to nothing but incoherence and internal contradiction. If followed to their ulimate conclusion they lead to unintelligibility which leads to the destruction of all the foundations of knowledge.
You guys will go back and forth with this facts and logic portion of this debate for awhile and eventually the Atheist may even admit that science and logic don't support Atheism, so he will then likely appeal to the moral issues he has with God. "How can a loving God allow the suffering of innocent children," etc. Address those objections with facts and logic with another round of Argument by Truth just as you did as above with your arguments from science. After that has all played out you will move to the next phase of the debate.
Argument by Truth, Part 2) If the Atheist remains unconvinced, explain to him that the reason he doesn't acknowledge God isn't due to lack of evidence or due to a deficiency in Theistic logic, but rather simply because he doesn't want to subscribe to any authority other than his own personal independent opinion. "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."--Invictus. (For example, I've encountered Atheists that are so concerned with sexual freedom that the concern prevents them from subscribing to a traditional religion that would interfere with their sexual morays. This is a major factor in the Secular Progressive movement occurring right now in the West.) By contrast, for the Christian the ultimate authority is not individual autonomous independence. Rather, their ultimate authority is the Bible (Protestant), or Bible + OralTradition + Magisterium (Catholic). So anyway, at this point you point out that the Atheists beliefs are solely founded upon his commitment to independence alone -- he wants to be his own god. (If you like, you can explain to him that this commitment to independence is part of the sin of Adam in the Garden, where he thought he could be a god and thereby tried to blur the Creator / creation distinction by disobeying God at the Tree. You may or may not actually say this in your argument, but this blurring/confusing of the Creator / creation distinction is the root and foundation of Presuppositional Apologetics.)
End of Argument by Truth, continue on to Argument by Folly
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Argument by Folly, Part 1) The next step is to show the Atheist that his commitment to independence cannot be justified philosophically / technically. It can't be justified for the simple fact that he is not a deity. Let me explain: the Atheist will try to justify his independence and Atheism one of two ways:
a) If he attempts to justify his independence by his "absolute certainty" that there is no God, show him that, philosophically and technically speaking, he has not and cannot verify his absolute certainty because he has not been to every corner of this Universe(s) to verify that there is no God. He cannot do this sort of research because he does not possess the necessary deific powers that such a task would require. (Just a note of irony here that in trying to discount the existence of a deity he has to take up the mantle of omniscience via absolute certainty, which is a characteristic of deity.)
b) If he attempts to justify his independence by "agnosticism / uncertainty" regarding existence of God, point out to him that He is not a god and therefore is not omniscient and therefore cannot know enough to be sure about his uncertainty. ('b' here is just another form of 'a' above.)
This is an unsolvable dilemma for the Atheist. Whether he wears the mask of "absolute certainty" or the mask of "Agnosticism / total uncertainty," in both cases he is always caught in the unsolvable dilemma of having to be absolutely certain and totally uncertain at the same time. That is, if he claims to have "absolute certainty," he can do so only by ignoring his total uncertainty (that he cannot scientifically verify all things everywhere because he is only a finite creature and not a god. Absolute certainty for the unbeliver is impossible because he has rejected the only true source of knowledge (Christianity) and is left with only finite speculation.) If at this point he starts claiming that "probable knowledge" is sufficient, it must be pointed out that "probable knowledge" is not sufficient for this debate as we are dealing with ultimacies and not mere probabilities. If on the flip side he says that he is certain that he must be uncertain (Agnostic), then he has just generated an oxymoron that refutes itself.
Argument by Folly, Part 2) The conclusion of the debate occurs when you reveal that for $50,000 the Atheist can meet Xenu where we have him held captive in the mountains of Nevada. Kidding. No, it occurs when we contrast the choice of the limited unbelieving individual with the omniscient choice of a loving God found in the doctrines of Predestination and Election held by Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin. In short, Christians don’t individualistically chose any philosophy, rather, the "philosophy" (God) literally chooses them. Explain to the unbeliever that Christianity is the only reasonable and sustainable philosophy that exists, and it is the source of all culture, government, economics, etc. All other philosophies may flower for a time but they all eventually crumble under their own internal inconsistencies and contradictions.
End of argument
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Postscript notes:
1) You will notice here that I've made a jump from general Thesim to Christianity. If you have gotten an Atheist to come over into Theism, the next step is to start over again at the top with historical proofs and logic, but this time around you will be comparing the consistency and sustainability of different Theistic worldviews. For example Christianity versus Hinduism or Islam., etc. That being said, a fantastic article on the Kalam Cosmological argument for general Theism is William Lane Craig's article @ http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth11.html , I plan to incorporate that here more when I get a chance.
2) The use of Presuppositional Apologetics will open you up to the criticism of "begging the question," a term used to describe a certain type of logical fallacy. In other words, to beg the question is to begin with the assumption you are attempting to prove, it's also call circular reasoning. All religious beliefs (including Naturalism) appeal ultimately to circular logic in a large sense; its when circular logic is used in a smaller circle that its illegitimate.
For more info on Presuppositional Apologetics, every Christian should read these couple books:
http://www.amazon.com/Every-Thought-Captive-Defense-Christian/dp/0875523528/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214282465&sr=8-1 , by Richard Pratt
http://www.amazon.com/Always-Ready-Directions-Defending-Faith/dp/0915815281/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214282496&sr=1-1 , by Greg Bahnsen
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1 Pet.3.15: "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect"
Argument by Truth, Part 1) Begin by aksing the Atheist/Naturalist where the Universe came from. You will be backing him into a corner with facts and logic, but it is crucial to understand here at the onset that what you consider "factual" and "logical" will not necessarily be considered so by someone coming from a different philosophy / worldview / set of assumptions / presuppostitions. In other words, "facts" will always be consciously or unconsciously filtered through a worldview before they are even analyzed. So, the overall task here with Presuppositional Apologetics is to expose unargued philosophical bias and then systematically dismantle those biases.
Anyway, I digressed there but what you are wanting to do at this stage is to get the Atheist/Naturalist to the point where he has to reveal his belief in transdimensional alien overlords creating the Big Bang singularity (Xenu, perhaps?, then where did he come from?), or the fact that "real science simply isn't obligated to discuss the origin of the Big Bang singularity because it occurred outside of our current time-space continuum before scientific measurement was possible, therefore anything that attempts to do so (that is, religion) by definition simply isn't science." (By the way, this lame attempt at redefinition of terms has a couple of problems: 1) Naturalism is a religious philosophy, so this statement is self-refuting, 2) It's a total copout, what kind of science is it that refuses to answer the most ultimate question of all?) Analyze the Atheists statements and point out the inherent inconsistencies and contradictions in his facts and logic. Here are a few key ones:
a) Scientific procedure assumes that the natural world operates in a uniform fashion, therefore, our observational knowledge of past cases provides a basis for predicting what will happen in the future. But, if there is no God, then the Universe operates strictly by chance; you can not reconcile the view that nature is ultimately random with the fact that nature is so uniform. Basically, you are knee-capping your opponent from the getgo by pointing out the complete contradiction between the findings of scientific inquiry and his Atheism/Naturalism, although he will likely have something to get around it.
b) Related to point 'a' directly above, the fact that the Atheist is even sitting there arguing with you presupposes an orderly created Universe. The alternative is pure chaos and unintelligibility. Explain to the atheist that he is therefore actually using Theistic philosophical presuppositions in order to try to disprove Theism. This is exactly the same thing as a little girl trying to slap her father in the face but being unable to do so unless the father lets her climb up and sit in his lap to reach his face.
c) You can also use any number of argument types here, a popular one is reductio ad absurdum, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_absurdum , this is where you show the absurd ultimate result of Atheism, a good example is the Atheist Communist regimes that don't work and eventually fall apart. The point here is that the logical methods of Atheism ultimately lead to nothing but incoherence and internal contradiction. If followed to their ulimate conclusion they lead to unintelligibility which leads to the destruction of all the foundations of knowledge.
You guys will go back and forth with this facts and logic portion of this debate for awhile and eventually the Atheist may even admit that science and logic don't support Atheism, so he will then likely appeal to the moral issues he has with God. "How can a loving God allow the suffering of innocent children," etc. Address those objections with facts and logic with another round of Argument by Truth just as you did as above with your arguments from science. After that has all played out you will move to the next phase of the debate.
Argument by Truth, Part 2) If the Atheist remains unconvinced, explain to him that the reason he doesn't acknowledge God isn't due to lack of evidence or due to a deficiency in Theistic logic, but rather simply because he doesn't want to subscribe to any authority other than his own personal independent opinion. "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."--Invictus. (For example, I've encountered Atheists that are so concerned with sexual freedom that the concern prevents them from subscribing to a traditional religion that would interfere with their sexual morays. This is a major factor in the Secular Progressive movement occurring right now in the West.) By contrast, for the Christian the ultimate authority is not individual autonomous independence. Rather, their ultimate authority is the Bible (Protestant), or Bible + OralTradition + Magisterium (Catholic). So anyway, at this point you point out that the Atheists beliefs are solely founded upon his commitment to independence alone -- he wants to be his own god. (If you like, you can explain to him that this commitment to independence is part of the sin of Adam in the Garden, where he thought he could be a god and thereby tried to blur the Creator / creation distinction by disobeying God at the Tree. You may or may not actually say this in your argument, but this blurring/confusing of the Creator / creation distinction is the root and foundation of Presuppositional Apologetics.)
End of Argument by Truth, continue on to Argument by Folly
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Argument by Folly, Part 1) The next step is to show the Atheist that his commitment to independence cannot be justified philosophically / technically. It can't be justified for the simple fact that he is not a deity. Let me explain: the Atheist will try to justify his independence and Atheism one of two ways:
a) If he attempts to justify his independence by his "absolute certainty" that there is no God, show him that, philosophically and technically speaking, he has not and cannot verify his absolute certainty because he has not been to every corner of this Universe(s) to verify that there is no God. He cannot do this sort of research because he does not possess the necessary deific powers that such a task would require. (Just a note of irony here that in trying to discount the existence of a deity he has to take up the mantle of omniscience via absolute certainty, which is a characteristic of deity.)
b) If he attempts to justify his independence by "agnosticism / uncertainty" regarding existence of God, point out to him that He is not a god and therefore is not omniscient and therefore cannot know enough to be sure about his uncertainty. ('b' here is just another form of 'a' above.)
This is an unsolvable dilemma for the Atheist. Whether he wears the mask of "absolute certainty" or the mask of "Agnosticism / total uncertainty," in both cases he is always caught in the unsolvable dilemma of having to be absolutely certain and totally uncertain at the same time. That is, if he claims to have "absolute certainty," he can do so only by ignoring his total uncertainty (that he cannot scientifically verify all things everywhere because he is only a finite creature and not a god. Absolute certainty for the unbeliver is impossible because he has rejected the only true source of knowledge (Christianity) and is left with only finite speculation.) If at this point he starts claiming that "probable knowledge" is sufficient, it must be pointed out that "probable knowledge" is not sufficient for this debate as we are dealing with ultimacies and not mere probabilities. If on the flip side he says that he is certain that he must be uncertain (Agnostic), then he has just generated an oxymoron that refutes itself.
Argument by Folly, Part 2) The conclusion of the debate occurs when you reveal that for $50,000 the Atheist can meet Xenu where we have him held captive in the mountains of Nevada. Kidding. No, it occurs when we contrast the choice of the limited unbelieving individual with the omniscient choice of a loving God found in the doctrines of Predestination and Election held by Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin. In short, Christians don’t individualistically chose any philosophy, rather, the "philosophy" (God) literally chooses them. Explain to the unbeliever that Christianity is the only reasonable and sustainable philosophy that exists, and it is the source of all culture, government, economics, etc. All other philosophies may flower for a time but they all eventually crumble under their own internal inconsistencies and contradictions.
End of argument
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Postscript notes:
1) You will notice here that I've made a jump from general Thesim to Christianity. If you have gotten an Atheist to come over into Theism, the next step is to start over again at the top with historical proofs and logic, but this time around you will be comparing the consistency and sustainability of different Theistic worldviews. For example Christianity versus Hinduism or Islam., etc. That being said, a fantastic article on the Kalam Cosmological argument for general Theism is William Lane Craig's article @ http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth11.html , I plan to incorporate that here more when I get a chance.
2) The use of Presuppositional Apologetics will open you up to the criticism of "begging the question," a term used to describe a certain type of logical fallacy. In other words, to beg the question is to begin with the assumption you are attempting to prove, it's also call circular reasoning. All religious beliefs (including Naturalism) appeal ultimately to circular logic in a large sense; its when circular logic is used in a smaller circle that its illegitimate.
For more info on Presuppositional Apologetics, every Christian should read these couple books:
http://www.amazon.com/Every-Thought-Captive-Defense-Christian/dp/0875523528/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214282465&sr=8-1 , by Richard Pratt
http://www.amazon.com/Always-Ready-Directions-Defending-Faith/dp/0915815281/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214282496&sr=1-1 , by Greg Bahnsen
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Thursday, June 19, 2008
sleep
The sleep method I mentioned is part of the most ancient meditation technique known to man, today we call it Centering Prayer; that technique in-turn will eventually lead us into another mental state called Contemplative Prayer, which is a mystical union of sorts with God. This meditation techniqe is extremely simple and centers on trust / rest in Christ alone (that is, the Trinity) as God and Ruler of the Universe.
In the Bible, sleep is a metaphor for our final death and resurrection. (http://www.ourlifeinchrist.com/Program%20Notes/saints3_020605.htm , this is obvious, when sleeping our bodies lie motionless in the dark, and in the morning with the light we rise again renewed and refreshed.) So, we are to understand sleep as a form of preparation for the death that we will all one day experience. So when you are getting ready to fall asleep here is what you should do:
* Begin by focusing on your breathing, in and out, in and out. This will put more oxygen in your blood and will relax you
* Clear all thoughts from your mind and let go of everything in your life, all your worries, hopes, expectations, guilt, everything. Know that God loves you, just as a tender father loves his young child, and that He has forgiven you for all your sins.
* Let your body and mind actually rest on or in Christ, Who is your life, your King, and your Saviour.
* Let all your muscles relax, you will feel like you are sinking down into your mattress and into the floor.
* You will have a long and a short phrase. For example, my phrase is “Lord Jesus Christ, I rest in You.” You don’t want the phrase to be any more than 10 syllables, and the shorter the better. My short phrase is simply “rest.” The phrase and word are actually *linked to* deep trust/rest in Christ. You silently repeat the phrase in order to maintain your relaxation and trust/rest in Christ. What that means is, whenever your mind wanders (and it will), you simply remember to breathe, and relax your body, and go back to your phrase or word in order help you to continue resting in Christ.
* This is an extremely peaceful time that you will begin to look forward to every night, and before you know it you will be falling asleep every night in like 10 minutes. Of course, if you have something serious going in your life, it may take a bit longer, but even so, this meditation is the most helpful thing you can do for sleep.
Before you begin the sleep meditation excercise, it may be helpful for you to pray a sleep-prayer. There are many ancient prayers for sleep, see http://www.pomog.org/index.html?http://www.pomog.org/evening.shtml for some examples. Here is one example:
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to reach this hour, forgive the sins I have committed this day in deed, word, and thought; and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul of all impurity of flesh and spirit, and grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace; that, rising from my lowly bed, I may please Thy most holy name all the days of my life, and thwart the enemies, fleshly and bodiless, that war against me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain thoughts and evil desires which defile me. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In the Bible, sleep is a metaphor for our final death and resurrection. (http://www.ourlifeinchrist.com/Program%20Notes/saints3_020605.htm , this is obvious, when sleeping our bodies lie motionless in the dark, and in the morning with the light we rise again renewed and refreshed.) So, we are to understand sleep as a form of preparation for the death that we will all one day experience. So when you are getting ready to fall asleep here is what you should do:
* Begin by focusing on your breathing, in and out, in and out. This will put more oxygen in your blood and will relax you
* Clear all thoughts from your mind and let go of everything in your life, all your worries, hopes, expectations, guilt, everything. Know that God loves you, just as a tender father loves his young child, and that He has forgiven you for all your sins.
* Let your body and mind actually rest on or in Christ, Who is your life, your King, and your Saviour.
* Let all your muscles relax, you will feel like you are sinking down into your mattress and into the floor.
* You will have a long and a short phrase. For example, my phrase is “Lord Jesus Christ, I rest in You.” You don’t want the phrase to be any more than 10 syllables, and the shorter the better. My short phrase is simply “rest.” The phrase and word are actually *linked to* deep trust/rest in Christ. You silently repeat the phrase in order to maintain your relaxation and trust/rest in Christ. What that means is, whenever your mind wanders (and it will), you simply remember to breathe, and relax your body, and go back to your phrase or word in order help you to continue resting in Christ.
* This is an extremely peaceful time that you will begin to look forward to every night, and before you know it you will be falling asleep every night in like 10 minutes. Of course, if you have something serious going in your life, it may take a bit longer, but even so, this meditation is the most helpful thing you can do for sleep.
Before you begin the sleep meditation excercise, it may be helpful for you to pray a sleep-prayer. There are many ancient prayers for sleep, see http://www.pomog.org/index.html?http://www.pomog.org/evening.shtml for some examples. Here is one example:
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to reach this hour, forgive the sins I have committed this day in deed, word, and thought; and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul of all impurity of flesh and spirit, and grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace; that, rising from my lowly bed, I may please Thy most holy name all the days of my life, and thwart the enemies, fleshly and bodiless, that war against me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain thoughts and evil desires which defile me. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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