Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Faith and Life Conditions

 

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection.

…Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 

People listening to Jesus were confused by his saying, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Their response was “Then who can be saved?” In Jewish tradition prosperity was a blessing from God. From ancient times people associated blessings with godliness, and suffering with sin. After sitting silent for seven days, Job’s friend addressed his condition, “Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?” Moses spoke to the people of Israe saying that they would prosper if they kept the commandments of God. Mount Gerizim represented the blessings for obedience and Mount Ebal the curses for disobedience.

The passage from Hebrews appears anomalous to Israel’s beliefs on blessings and curses. The Psalmist said those who follow the law of the Lord “are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” And,The face of the Lord is against evildoers to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.” Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal were in essence “the carrot and the stick.” Positive and negative responses to how people conducted themselves. These were not absolute laws as can be seen from numerous examples in scripture.

Jeremiah asked God “why does the way of the guilty prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?” The Psalmist adds “I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked; all in vain I have kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, and am punished every morning.” Habakkuk complained to God, “Why do you look with favor on those who deal treacherously? Why are you silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?” 

God’s does not limit his love to those who serve him; “he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” God’s love extends to all people. The apostle John wrote saying “God is love.” James in the opening passage of his letter said, “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” He also wrote that God doesn’t tempt anyone, and, “every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above.” The greatest gift from God was his Son. Through the suffering of Jesus believers are ensured of an eternal home.

Where does suffering come from? Not from God! The situation for early Christians was different than requirements today, but the principles given by Peter are sound. “Cast all your anxiety on God, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” 

The Devil is responsible for suffering, pain and death, he is the enemy of every believer and will do whatever he can to destroy faith in God. Humans are not able to defeat Satan, that battle was won by Jesus. Our security is in God. Satan is in the world today just as he was in the Garden of Eden as an option necessary for our free of will.

God is our hope and strength:

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.  

Paul speaking for those who suffered persecution, wrote:

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

To the Ephesians Paul wrote:

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

Luke recorded a conversation of Jesus in which he asked and answered a question, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” In John’s gospel speaking to his disciples Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” At a later date while discussing his leaving Jesus told the disciples that they would be scattered leaving him alone. He consoled the disciples saying, “Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” 

Love, peace, hope, and joy, are words used frequently in the late scriptures. Another significant word is gospel, meaning good news. These are all positive words which foster confidence and assurance. These are spiritual qualities based on faith. Loving your dog is not the love of God. Peace in the world is not peace of mind. Hoping for a warm summer day is not the hope of heaven. Faith is Abraham when he was called, went out, not knowing where he was going. Not knowing where he was going does not mean there was no destination, or that Abraham was aimlessly wandering about. Abraham was told to leave his land and go to the land that God would show him. Faith focuses on the destination not on the journey.

 

 

 

Thursday, February 27, 2025

15 Questions

 

15 Thought-Provoking Questions Atheists Often Wish Christians Would Answer, Story by Joy Fadogba

 

1.       Why does an all-loving God allow suffering and evil in the world?

2.       Why did God have to sacrifice Jesus instead of just forgiving humanity directly?

3.       How can you believe in miracles when science explains how the world works?

4.       Doesn’t evolution disprove creationism and the Bible’s origin story?

5.       Why are there so many contradictions and immoralities in the Bible?

6.       How can you take the Bible literally when it’s been translated so many times?

7.       How can you believe in something with no scientific evidence?

8.       Why are there so many religions that contradict each other?

9.       Christians committed atrocities like the Crusades – how is that moral?

10.   Why would a loving God send people to hell forever?

11.   If God is all-knowing, how can we have free will?

12.   Why did Jesus have to be crucified in such a cruel way?

13.   Why are many intelligent people turning away from religion?

14.   How can you pick and choose what parts of the Bible to follow literally?

15.  How can God be Just, Merciful AND a Jealous God who demands worship?

Five of the “thought – provoking questions” affirm the existence of God. “Why does … God?” “Why did God…?” “Why would a loving God…?” “If God…?” “How can God…?” Why are Atheists concerned with the God they do not believe exists?

 

1           God created humans giving them the freedom of choice, he placed them in a paradise surrounded by abundance. God planted only one tree that bore the fruit Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat. There is no record of any other restriction placed on Adam and Eve; that one rule supported their free will. There was no suffering, sorrow, pain, or death in paradise. The garden contained a variety of fruit trees, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands? how many we do not know, but we do know that there was only one tree bearing the forbidden fruit. The odds favoured Adam and Eve’s success having everything they needed. However, Adam and Eve exercised their choice and ate the forbidden fruit. They were banished from paradise; suffering, pain, and death became their new reality. God is not to blame for suffering, it resulted from the exercise of human choice. God does not kill babies; he did not create disease; he did not plan for people to get old; the curse of mortality with all its constituents came by human choice.

2         At the time God cursed the earth and banished Adam and Eve from paradise, he made a promise to Eve that one of her descendants would be victorious over Satan. The apostle Paul wrote, “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” The reason Jesus had to die to forgive sin is given by the author of Hebrews, “…it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” The scripture says, “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” As to why sacrifice was required, I do not know more than what is revealed in scripture, I do know that human ways are not God’s ways. God is holy, and humans are not. The prophet who questioned God after listening to his response declared “the Lord is in His holy temple let all the earth be silent before him.”

3         Science does not explain everything. Science cannot explain how ancient megaliths were constructed, nor can they accurately determine the extent of space. Recent discoveries are challenging older theories of evolution. Sometimes a miracle is the timing of a natural event. For any theory to be true it must satisfy all standards of scientific proof: Empirical Evidence, Reproducibility, Peer Review, Statistical Significance, Falsifiability, and Transparency and Documentation. The theory of evolution fails in more than one of these standards.

4        Doesn’t evolution disprove creationism…” Evolution is not a proven theory; it is at best a hypothesis. Evolution is based on faith not fact. There is no proof supporting evolution as there is no proof of the existence of God; both are faith-based theories. Evolutionist believe the world came into being suddenly from an explosion of “existing” gases. Or something else happened to start the slow process of change from a microscopic organism into the perfectly designed human being. Evolution requires that design developed out of chaos. The process of evolution:

Ø  Prebiotic Chemistry: The process starts with the formation of simple molecules, potentially in early Earth’s primordial soup, which produced more complex molecules, including amino acids, nucleotides, and lipids?

Ø  Abiogenesis: The emergence of life from non-life, where simple molecules transitioned into self-replicating structures, likely in…?

Ø  Prokaryotes: The earliest forms of life, consisting of single-celled organisms without a nucleus. These could have been simple bacteria or archaea…?

Ø  Cell Division: Reproduction through binary fission or budding in prokaryotes allowed genetic variation through mutations…?

Ø  Endosymbiotic Theory: Eukaryotic cells (with nuclei) arose from a symbiotic relationship between different prokaryotic organisms…?

Ø  Multicellularity: The emergence of multicellular organisms from colonies of single cells…

Ø  Cambrian Explosion (~541 million years ago): A period of rapid diversification of animal life, with the appearance of most major animal phyla…?

Ø  Development of Body Symmetry: Early animals displayed radial symmetry (like jellyfish) or bilateral symmetry (like worms, which became dominant in the evolution of complex animals)?

Ø  Hard Parts: The evolution of hard body parts like exoskeletons (e.g., in arthropods) and shells (e.g., in mollusks) provided new ways to survive and adapt to environments?

Ø  Vertebrates and Invertebrates: The split between vertebrates and invertebrates…?

Ø  Natural Selection: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment…?

Ø  Genetic Drift: The random fluctuation of allele frequencies…?

Ø  Mutation: The occurrence of random genetic changes in DNA…?

This is quite a list and there is still much more; I do not see any logical continuity in the process, I do see there is an enormous amount of speculation and chance in each of the steps. I recognize that the level of faith required to accept so many conundrums is much greater than mine; I believe in God. A question for Atheists – why do people believe in evolution when the abundant evidence of design demolishes the unreliable chance process it relies on?

5        “…many contradictions and immoralities in the Bible.” There are no contradictions in the Bible even though it is a library of sixty-six different books written by different people at separate times through fourteen centuries. As for immorality, why wouldn’t it be in the Bible as in any other record of human history? The failures of God’s people were not hidden, the sinful behaviour of those he chose to lead Israel were exposed and denounced. The scriptures are not novels they are factual accounts and accurate descriptions of people who lived in ancient times. If you want fiction and embellishment look at the scriptures of Islam. Compare biblical religious practices and teaching to the teachings and practices of other religions. Go to India and see the plethora of idols and creatures worshipped by Hindus.

6        Not all translations of scripture should be trusted. The Catholic scriptures include books that the protestant Bible does not. The New World Bible was translated by the Watch Tower organization and is biased. Religious preference has influenced translations. Interpretation of scripture must follow the laws of hermeneutics (1) understanding the historical and cultural context, (2) understanding the literary context, (3) making observations, and (4) drawing application. The scriptures are a record of God’s relationship and dealing with people. The scriptures are the account of God’s plan, process, and fulfilment for reconciling people to himself.

7         How can you believe in something with no scientific evidence? There is far more evidence for a creator than haphazard evolution. In studying the pyramids of Egypt scholars can follow the stars and determine the constellations which coincide with the positioning of the pyramids; that is not a mistake. I suspect that H2O has always been water, and other elements have been what they are. God “did not leave Himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons” – that is design. The scriptures are not scientific documents and yet revealed scientific information hundreds or thousands of years before people knew what they were reading, “He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth.” “…what is seen was made from things that are not visible.” Faith and true science are not in conflict. Faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This definition applies to both believing in God as well as the theory of evolution.  

8        “Why are there so many religions?” I expect because there are so many people. People cannot agree on what the scriptures say, or which scriptures apply to religious practices. The fault is not with scripture or with God, it is the result of human proclivity. People see what they believe or want to see. The smorgasbord of “Christian” religions is antithetical to the teaching of Jesus. Jesus did not speak of an institutionalized religion; he spoke to people about their personal attitudes and behavours. The multitude of denominations reflects humanity’s vanity. The word of God has been highjacked and distorted. God said if you believe in Jesus, you have eternal life; that has nothing to do with belonging to a religion or going to Church. Churches spawn Churches, God gives believers life.

9        Christians committed atrocities like the Crusades…”  Yes, they did and still do. That is what happened  when institutional Christianity became politicized. There was and is no justification for such activities in the teaching of Jesus. He taught a vastly unique way of life, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” People are imperfect, they do stupid and horrible things to each other. How is that moral? – it’s not! Atheists, pagans, Moslems, and Christians all commit atrocities; it’s definitely not only Christians who do horrible things. Unlike those who do not believe, Christians trust in the grace of God for forgiveness, and receive it. The Christian hope is not based good behaviour or merit of any sort, it through faith in Jesus the Son of God. It would be great if Christians and Atheists alike were to live in peace with all people. How did morality and love evolve through survival of the fittest?

10    Why would a loving God send people to hell forever?” God does not send people to hell; he provided an escape from hell through the death of his son. He warns people that hell is a place where people who do not believe in Jesus choose to be. People in hell will be there by their own choice. God loved the world so much he sent his son to die on a pagan cross. The sacrifice of Jesus reconciles believers to God. People who reject God and refuse his urging to come to him through Jesus are putting themselves in jeopardy. Atheists choose to deny God and thus determine their own destiny; God does not force anyone to do anything. Humans are free agents, time to stop blaming others for your own choices. The apostle Paul wrote: “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternity in God’s love is the best option; the choice is ours.  

11    If God is all-knowing, how can we have free will?” What does God’s knowledge have to do with human free will? God knew that Adam and Eve would exercise their free will and eat the forbidden fruit. He did not force them to eat it. He provided an over abundance of delightful fruit to the one forbidden fruit, but he would not force his will on Adam and Eve. Humans are different from animals which have inherent programing, we can choose our behaviours. What God knows does not affect human free will. We can exercise our free will by choosing to believe in Jesus which secures us a place in God’s family. The question is odd; Atheists do not believe in God, so why are you worried about what he knows? I believe in God and believe he is eternal; he created all things; I have a home with him in eternity.

12    “Why did Jesus have to be crucified in such a cruel way?” The scripture specified that Jesus came to earth at the right time. The end times of Israel and the first covenant which was during the period of Roman rule. Crucifixion was the Roman method of execution of criminals and any who challenged Roman authority. The Jewish scriptures say, “anyone hung on a tree is under God's curse.” Paul quoted that phrase when writing “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'” The reason why Jesus died was to save people from sin. King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream revealed that the of God would be established in the time of the Roman Empire, the Romans used crucifixion as a death penalty and deterrent.

13    Why are many intelligent people turning away from religion? I do not know that intelligence is causing people to turn away from religion unless it is Hinduism or Islam. Jesus prayed, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” Jesus knew that self-important, intellectual, and rich people would not accept him as Messiah. Common people accepted him as a prophet, as one who spoke with authority, and one who did the work of God. I assume Atheists mean people are turning away from Christian Churches. It has nothing to do with intelligence but thousands of believers have left institutional Churches, some to associate with small groups, others have no religious affiliations, yet the majority of them retain their faith in God. Christians have become disillusioned with institutional Christianity, seeking a more personal relationship with God. Churches which focus on spiritual growth and encouragement are doing well.

14    How can you pick and choose what parts of the Bible to follow literally?” People do not get to “pick and choose” what parts of scripture they accept. The context determines which parts are literal and which parts are symbolic or allegorical. The protestant Bible is a compilation of sixty-six books, all of which are important providing examples and principals to live by, they reveal God’s interaction with people. The scriptures reveal God’s plan of redemption and his desire that all people come to him. The Bible is not a textbook for Church activity. It is not a catalogue of rules. It is the history of God’s relationship with humanity. We need to treat the scriptures as letters written to someone else. We can learn from them, but the laws are not for us.

15     “How can God be Just, Merciful AND a Jealous God who demands worship?” The prophets describe Israel's unfaithfulness and idolatry as spiritual adultery. God's jealousy underscores his righteousness and the consequences of breaking his covenant. God eagerly wanted to restore his relationship with Israel despite their unfaithfulness. Consider God’s words in Hosea:

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.” 

Yes, God said, “I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath.” God disciplined Israel as a father would his child. His jealousy and discipline demonstrated his love for Israel. The scripture records that God is not pleased when the wicked die, but rather that they change their ways and live. In his letter James wrote, “God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us.” Atheist, Agnostic, or believer, God wants all to be in his family. The question implies the attributes of God are contradictory; in the context of God’s relationship with those he created they exhibit his love and desire for them to avoid disaster and share in his glory. For those who have a problem with God’s behaviour Paul has this advice: “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?”  

 


 

 


Monday, February 24, 2025

The importance of the return of Jesus

 

Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Heb 9:28 

The author of Hebrews in the opening remarks of his letter stated, “in these last days” God spoke through his son. The letter elevates Jesus the Messiah, showing how Christ is above angels, above Moses, and above the high priest. It speaks of the new covenant, a superior sacrifice, and Jesus’ second coming. It argues that the Law written on stone is inferior to the law of God written on each heart. The author also writes about the faith of the ancients, noting that without faith it impossible to please God. He points out that forgiveness of sin is in the new covenant and admonishes believers to “hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.” And saying, “consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The phrase “the Day approaching” refers to the belief of Jesus’ followers that they were living in the end times, as foretold by Jesus and the prophets. The climax of the Hebrew letter vividly describes the fear experienced when God communicated from the mountain where the law was given. The assembled children of Israel were confronted by blazing fire, darkness, gloom and whirlwind, along with the deafening blast of a trumpet and sound of words, “so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, 'I tremble with fear.'” In contrast, the letter then turns to a different scene: “You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant…” These remarks were addressed to people of the last days who believed that Jesus would return in their lifetime. Jesus had warned these believers that when they saw the Roman army approaching, they should leave Jerusalem and flee.

Jesus’ teachings on the destruction of Jerusalem aligns with the genre of Jewish apocalyptic writing. The events of the day are closely related to “the day of the Lord,” a time when God would execute judgment and deliver his people. Joel specifically prophesied that Day, “I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” When answering questions about the destruction of the temple and his coming Jesus said, “be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” Jesus’ return coincided with or followed closely after the destruction of the temple. The New Testament period was transitional, described as “the last days,” and “the end of the age;” beginning with John the Baptist and concluding with the destruction of the temple. Jesus assured his audience that some among them would not die until they saw the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. The disciples rightly coupled the destruction of the temple and the coming of Jesus with the end of the age. The destruction of the temple and Jerusalem signified the end of all elements of God’s relationship with Israel. The kingdom of God replaced the kingdom of Israel, and God’s people were now citizens of heaven rather than earthly Israel. The law written on human hearts superseded the law written on stone. Jesus, the King reigns over this heavenly kingdom. Under the new covenant, believers are the temple of God, in whom his Spirit resides. Animal sacrifices ceased with the destruction of the temple. The apostle John wrote that the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The law of Moses, which required strict obedience covered every aspect of life in Israel, was replaced by the new covenant’s requirement to love God and love one’s neighbour.

John documented the vision of coming events which Jesus revealed would take place soon. He sent his account to the seven assemblies that were in Asia, from the eternal God and Jesus Christ: “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him…”

To the assembly in Ephesus: “I am coming to you…”

To the assembly in Smyrna: “I am coming to you quickly…”

To the assembly in Pergamum: “I am coming to you quickly…”

To the assembly in Thyatira: “hold fast to what you have until I come…”

To the assembly in Sardis: “you will not know at what hour I will come to you.”

To the assembly in Philadelphia: “I am coming quickly...”

To the assembly in Laodicea: “I am standing at the door.”

John informed believers that the “great day of wrath” had arrived. He described his vision of the holy city, new Jerusalem, descending from heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. He urged them to heed Jesus’ warning, “I am coming quickly; my reward is with me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” John’s letter was intended to be read and understood by those anticipating Jesus’ return. It was designed to assure Christians of victory in Jesus, to encourage faithfulness, and to help them realize that their struggles were part of a much greater conflict. The letter is written in Jewish apocalyptic style prominent in the first century CE, and features imagery of beasts, heavenly visions, and the ultimate clash between good and evil – familiar themes to those acquainted with Jewish eschatology. Apocalyptic writing contained the expectation of a messianic figure who would usher in an era of peace and divine justice. The figures of the Lamb who was slain and the rider on the white horse, draws on these Jewish messianic hopes. The vision of the New Jerusalem, a city where God dwells, also echoes the prophetic visions of the restoration of Israel in scripture. The revelation of Jesus focuses on the triumph of faith. It portrays the ascendance of the new covenant.

There is no doubt that Jesus returned within the timeframe he provided to his listeners, assuring them that some would still be alive when he came. There are no details about the precise moment or specifics of what people witnessed upon his return. To my knowledge, no empirical evidence confirms his return, but that is not surprising given that our entire relationship with God is founded on faith. The gospel writers, as well as Paul and Peter firmly believed in Jesus’ imminent return. The author of Hebrews also asserted that Jesus would come a second time. The prevalent belief that Jesus’ return is a future event stems from the same skepticism that prevented first-century religious leaders from accepting Jesus as the Messiah – they didn’t believe him and he wasn’t what they expected. “If,” as some suggest, Jesus did not return as he said he would, then God’s kingdom is not on earth. “If” Jesus didn’t come, his statements concerning his return were false. People who heard him speak believed what he said. The apostles referred to his coming and secular history suggests his followers expected his imminent return. “If” the statement of Jesus was false, why should we trust anything he said? Selectively believing Jesus’ statements does not rise to the standard of saving faith; “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The Christian life is walking by faith not by sight. As God’s messenger, Jesus did not lie or tell half-truths, nor was he duplicitous. Jesus stated “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”

In a blatant disregard of cultural norms of his time, Jesus engaged in conversation with a Samaritan woman. This act was objectionable, as it defied the prevailing Jewish customs of avoiding interaction with Samaritans. Answering her question regarding recognized places of worship, Jesus said, the time is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the father, also, the hour is present, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The kingdom and new covenant came into full force following the end of the age, marked by the destruction of the temple and city of Jerusalem. Although Jewish Christians belonged to the kingdom, they stayed tied to the first covenant and the Law of Moses. Jesus affirmed that he did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. He said that not the smallest letter or stroke would be erased from the law, until all had was fulfilled. Gentiles, as citizens of the kingdom were not subject to the law. They were instead to avoid practices abhorrent to Jews and God.

At Mount Sinai God told Jacob’s descendants that if they obeyed his voice and covenant they would be his kingdom of priests and his holy nation. They were to obey the Law, which acted as a chain of obedience linking the people of Israel to God. The problem with law was that breaking even a single commandment meant breaking their connection with God. As James wrote, “whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” To address sin temporarily, God accepted sacrifices to maintain a relationship with His people. These personal sacrifices rolled sins forward until the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, which removed sin completely. The judgment spoken of in the gospels and apostolic writings refers to the judgment of Israel. Jesus told his disciples that they would sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Believers do not face judgment. Judgment and grace are irreconcilable. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Furthermore, “…by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” The parable of the father’s persistent love for his wayward son illustrates God’s abundant love for people. Titus wrote, “having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” The Moffat translation interprets citizenship as “We are a colony of heaven.” The word colony recognizes that believers are citizens of heaven, on earth.

It is understandable that people at the time of Jesus were confused about his identity. The religious leaders were antagonistic to Jesus and objected to his teaching. His disciples abandoned him when he surrendered to those sent to arrest him. The disciples of Jesus were bewildered and frustrated until they witnessed his resurrection. Jesus appeared to the disciples before his ascension into heaven. Religious leaders rejected Jesus, they didn’t, wouldn’t, or couldn’t, believe him. On one occasion the Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus, asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He rebuked them, saying that while they knew how to interpret the appearance of the sky, they couldn’t discern the signs of the time. They distorted scripture, made their own rules, and were an evil and adulterous generation. Jesus said, just as Jonah was a sign to Ninevah, the Son of Man was a sign to that generation. The Jewish elite demanded a sign to prove Jesus was the Messiah, are we any better than that generation when we manipulate scripture to have it support our beliefs or refuse to believe what Jesus said? The sign given them or anyone else is his resurrection. Paul wrote that Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom whereas he preached Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness. To believers Jesus is the power and wisdom of God.

The path to salvation is simple, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” The relationship with God in the new covenant is based on faith. Paul wrote “Just as Abraham 'believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness', so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham,” and “if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.” God credited righteousness to Abraham because he believed. Paul stated that he didn’t want “righteousness of my own derived from law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.” He reprimanded those who reverted to the rituals of law to justify themselves through compliance, arguing that no one is justified by law, but that justification comes through faith. We would do well to consider the faithful people mentioned in the letter to the Hebrews, their faith was exemplary, it was not about religiosity but about living in a relationship with God. It was not institutional or ritualistic; it was personal.

Luke’s second letter to Theophilus began where his first concluded – with the ascension of Jesus. When Jesus gathered the disciples together, they asked him, “is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” To which Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by his own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” After saying this, Jesus ascended into heaven. As the group gazed into the sky two men clothed in white stood beside them and asked, “why do you stand looking into the sky? The two men then stated that, “Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched him go into heaven.”

The prophecy of Joel that God would pour out his Spirit on mankind was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. Some time after Pentecost, Peter accompanied by John entered the temple complex, Peter healed a lame man,  who then followed them, walking, leaping, and praising God. A crowd quickly gathered amazed that the man had been healed. Peter addressed the onlookers; He assuring them that it was not by their own power the man was healed, but through Jesus. Peter declared that in their ignorance, they killed the Prince of Life; asserting, “the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” Peter continued, “repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus, who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets … You are the descendants of the prophets and of the covenant that God gave to your ancestors, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” Peter stated that all the prophets from Samuel and those after him who had prophesied predicted these days. He told those listening that they were the recipients of what God had promised.

The final event in the transformation from temporal Israel to spiritual Israel was the return of Jesus circa 70 CE .  The Law of Moses, the first covenant, human kings and leaders, and a temple built of stone, were superseded by the New Jerusalem, the new covenant, the everlasting throne of Jesus, and the temple of the human heart. Jesus established his everlasting kingdom on earth, fulfilling God’s promise of the renewal and restoration of Israel.

 

The same issues plaguing the Jewish religion in the time of Jesus are prevalent in churches today. Jesus rebuked those leaders saying:

Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.” You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition. 

At that time leaders were more political than pious, more devious than devout, and more greedy than godly. Following the seventy years of captivity the leadership of Israel moved from a monarchy to a pseudo theocracy giving rise to the rise of the Sanhedrin and institutional law. The synagogue thought to have it roots in the captivity, over time became an institution serving the spiritual and physical needs of Jewish people. By the time Jesus came to earth rabbinical teaching had significantly influenced Jewish religious thought. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious group during the lifetime of Jesus. They surfaced during the Hasmonean period, and emphasized strict adherence to the Torah, but also accepted the oral traditions and interpretations of the Torah. Their attitudes and rules conflicted with Jesus’ teaching.

In its beginning and for at least ten years the body of believers consisted only of Jews and Gentile converts to Judaism. The conversion of Cornelius and those with him opened the door of God’s grace to all Gentiles. The Law of Moses governed Jewish believers while a letter from the Jerusalem assembly forbidding idolatrous practices governed Gentile believers.

The letters written to Christian communities addressed issues specific to their time, culture and parochial customs. Rules and rituals given to believers in that time were specific to the period. The message of Jesus however, is not confined by boundaries or time limits. To Peter’s suggestion of venerating Moses and Elijah, God spoke saying, “This is my son – listen to him.” The author of Hebrews started his letter; long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various way through prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us by his son. The teaching of Jesus is timeless, it is personal; we learn from his words and from his life. Jesus did not promote any form of ritualistic or institutional religion. Believers must emulate Jesus’ attitudes, behaviours, and follow his teachings. Jesus is the standard, the Hebrew letter tells us to focus on Jesus.

The synagogue was not Israel nor is the church the kingdom of God. No religious institution represents God or his kingdom. As God’s children, we have a personal relationship with God. Christianity is not a religion, it is a way of life. There is only one Saviour – the Lord Jesus. People do not access God through church, they access God through Jesus. Talking to his disciples Jesus said, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven.” There is no order to form groups to do what Jesus said individuals should do. There is nothing preventing an egalitarian group gathering for fellowship to encourage and support each other.

Jesus demonstrated by his life and through his teaching how we must influence others. We would also do well to listen to James’ definition of religion, “…care for orphans and widows in their distress, and keep oneself unstained by the world.” Not church attendance, not rituals, or doctrines, have any part in salvation. Salvation can’t be earned; the prophet Micah understood that adherence to the Law’s rituals and regulations was not what God desired:

With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Until the death of Jesus all the world was under law; for Israel it was the Law of Moses, and for Gentiles it was the law of their conscience. With the destruction of the temple and return of Jesus the Law of Moses stopped, the first covenant was completely removed, and the God’s kingdom was fully established on earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, February 13, 2025

 

15 Thought-Provoking Questions Atheists Often Wish Christians Would Answer, Story by Joy Fadogba

 1.       Why does an all-loving God allow suffering and evil in the world?

2.       Why did God have to sacrifice Jesus instead of just forgiving humanity directly?

3.       How can you believe in miracles when science explains how the world works?

4.       Doesn’t evolution disprove creationism and the Bible’s origin story?

5.       Why are there so many contradictions and immoralities in the Bible?

6.       How can you take the Bible literally when it’s been translated so many times?

7.       How can you believe in something with no scientific evidence?

8.       Why are there so many religions that contradict each other?

9.       Christians committed atrocities like the Crusades – how is that moral?

10.   Why would a loving God send people to hell forever?

11.   If God is all-knowing, how can we have free will?

12.   Why did Jesus have to be crucified in such a cruel way?

13.   Why are many intelligent people turning away from religion?

14.   How can you pick and choose what parts of the Bible to follow literally?

15.   How can God be Just, Merciful AND a Jealous God who demands worship?

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1.       God created humans giving them the freedom of choice, he placed them in a paradise surrounded by abundance. God planted one tree that bore the fruit forbidden to Adam and Eve to eat. There is no record of any other restriction placed on Adam and Eve; that one rule established their free will and freedom of choice. There was no suffering, sorrow, pain, or death in paradise. The garden contained a variety of fruit trees, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands? how many we do not know, but we do know that there was only one tree bearing the forbidden fruit. The odds favoured Adam and Eve’s success having everything they needed. However, Adam and Eve exercised their choice and ate the forbidden fruit. Banished from paradise; suffering, pain, and death became their new reality. God is not to blame for suffering it resulted from the exercise of human choice. God does not kill babies; he did not create disease; he did not plan for people to get old; the curse of mortality with all its constituents came by human choice.

2.       When God cursed the earth and banished Adam and Eve from paradise, he made a promise to Eve that one of her descendants would be victorious over Satan. The apostle Paul wrote, “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” The reason Jesus had to die to forgive sin is given by the author of Hebrews, “…it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” The scripture says, “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

3.       Science does not explain everything. Science cannot explain how ancient megaliths were constructed, nor can they accurately determine the extent of space. Recent discoveries are challenging older theories. Sometimes a miracle is the timing of a natural event. For a theory to be true it must satisfy all standards of scientific proof: Empirical Evidence, Reproducibility, Peer Review, Statistical Significance, Falsifiability, and Transparency and Documentation.

4.       Doesn’t evolution disprove creationism…” Evolution is not a proven theory. The hypothesis of evolution is based on faith not fact. There is no proof supporting evolution nor is there proof of the existence of God; both are faith-based theories. Evolutionist believe the world came into being suddenly from an explosion of “existing” gases. Or something happened in the all-ready existing universe to start the ponderously slow process of change from a microscopic organism into the perfectly designed human being. Evolution requires order and design to developed out of chaos. A recent scientific news article postulates that Adam and Eve were real and all humans come from the same ancestry. Evolution fails to satisfy the components of scientific proof, especially reproducibility, and falsifiability.

5.       “…many contradictions and immoralities in the Bible.” There are no contradictions in the Bible even though it is a library of sixty-six different books written by different people at separate times through fourteen centuries. As for immorality, why wouldn’t it be in the Bible as in any other record of human history? The failures of God’s people were not hidden, the sinful behaviour of those he chose to lead Israel were exposed and denounced. The scriptures are not novels they are factual accounts and accurate descriptions of people who lived in ancient times. If you want fiction and embellishment look at the scriptures of Islam. Compare biblical religious practices and teaching to the teachings and practices of other religions. Go to India and see the plethora of idols and creatures worshipped by Hindus.

6.       Not all translations of scripture should be trusted. The Catholic scriptures include books that the protestant Bible does not. The New World Bible was translated by the Watch Tower organization. Religious bias has influenced translations. Interpretation of scripture must follow the laws of hermeneutics (1) understanding the historical and cultural context, (2) understanding the literary context, (3) making observations, and (4) drawing application. The scriptures are a record of God’s relationship and dealing with people. The scriptures are the account of God’s plan, process, and fulfilment for reconciling people to himself.

7.       The scriptures are not scientific documents but revealed scientific information hundreds or thousands of years before people knew what they were reading, “He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth.” “…what is seen was made from things that are not visible.” Faith and science are not in conflict. Faith is not knowledge based, “…faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This definition applies to believing in Jesus and God as well as believing the theory of evolution.  

8.       “Why are there so many religions?” I expect because there are so many people. People cannot agree on what the scriptures say, or which scriptures apply to current day religious practices. The fault is not with scripture or with God, it has everything to do with human attitudes. People tend to see what they already believe. Our minds interpret what we see or read by information already stored in our mind. We can counteract that process by “being open minded” however that is not easy. The smorgasbord of “Christian” religions is antithetical to the teaching of Jesus. Jesus never taught an institutionalized religion; he spoke to people about their attitudes and behavours. Belonging to a particular religion is different from being in the family of God. If you believe in Jesus God said you have eternal life, that has nothing to do with belonging to a religion or going to Church.

9.       Christians committed atrocities like the Crusades…”  Yes, they did and still do. That is what happens when institutional Christianity becomes politicized. There is no justification for such activities in the teaching of Jesus; he taught a vastly different practice, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”

10.   Why would a loving God send people to hell forever?” God does not send people to hell; he provides a way for people to avoid hell and live with him in eternity. He warns people that hell is the place where people who do not believe in Jesus will be. People in hell are there by their own choice. God loved the world so much he sent his son to die on a pagan cross. The sacrifice of Jesus reconciles believers to God. People who reject God and to refuse his urging to come to him through Jesus are putting themselves in jeopardy. People choose their destiny. The apostle Paul wrote: “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternity in God’s love is the best option, the choice is ours.  

11.   If God is all-knowing, how can we have free will?” What does God’s knowledge have to do with human free will? God knew that Adam and Eve would exercise their free will and eat the forbidden fruit. He did not force them to eat it. He provided an over abundance of delightful fruit to the one forbidden fruit, but he would not force his will on Adam and Eve. Humans are different from animals which have inherent programing, we can choose our behaviours. What God knows does not affect human free will. We need to exercise our free will by choosing to believe in Jesus which secures us a place in God’s family.

12.   “Why did Jesus have to be crucified in such a cruel way?” The scripture specified that Jesus came to earth at the completion of and right time. The end time of Israel and the first covenant which was during the period of Roman rule. Crucifixion was the Roman method of execution of criminals and any who challenged Roman authority. The Jewish scriptures say, “anyone hung on a tree is under God's curse.” Paul quoted that phrase when writing “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'”

13.   I do not know that intelligence is a factor causing people to turn away from religion. If it is Hinduism or Islam intelligent people should be leaving religion. Jesus prayed, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” Jesus knew that self-important, intellectual, and rich people would not accept him as Messiah. Common people accepted him as a prophet, as one who spoke with authority, and one who did the work of God. If Atheists mean people are turning away from the Christian Church, they are correct. Thousands of believers have left the institutional Church, some to associate with small groups, others have no religious affiliations, yet most retain their faith.

14.   How can you pick and choose what parts of the Bible to follow literally?” People do not get to “pick and choose” what parts of scripture they accept. The context determines which parts are literal and which parts are symbolic or allegorical. The protestant Bible is a compilation of sixty-six books, all of which are important providing examples and principals to live by, they reveal God’s interaction with people. The scriptures reveal God’s plan of redemption and his desire that all people come to him. The Bible is not a textbook for Church or religious activity. It is not an instructional catalogue. It is primarily a history of God’s relationship with humanity.

15.   “How can God be Just, Merciful AND a Jealous God who demands worship?” The prophets describe Israel's unfaithfulness and idolatry as spiritual adultery. God's jealousy underscores his righteousness and the consequences of breaking his covenant. God eagerly wanted to restore his relationship with Israel despite their unfaithfulness. Consider God’s words in Hosea:

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.” 

Yes, God said, “I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath.” God disciplined Israel as a father would his child. His jealousy and discipline demonstrated his love for Israel. The scripture records that God is not pleased when the wicked die, but rather that they change their ways and live. In his letter James wrote, “God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us.” Atheist, Agnostic, or believer, God wants all to be in his family. The question implies the attributes of God are contradictory; in the context of God’s relationship with those he created they exhibit his love and desire for them to avoid disaster and share in his glory.

 

Faith and Life Conditions

  Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.  Abel, ...