Category Archives: Apologetics

January 7, 2024 · 10:00

How Are Humans Affecting Climate?

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:21-22)

It should not be a shock to anyone that a cabal of super-rich elites seeks to dominate the world by imposing ridiculous and drastic measures to reduce the human population and establish themselves as the dominating class of a utopian world. In an article published on the AMAC ™ website, Ben Shapiro says, “They appoint themselves the representatives of global interests — without elections, without accountability — and then create mechanisms of national and international order to control citizens over whom they claim to preside.”[1]

One of the sharpest arrows in their quiver claims that humans cause climate change. (Several years ago it was “global cooling,” but then the planet started warming. Then the danger came from “global warming,” but the planet started to cool again. In order to maintain a heightened level of panic over the demise of the planet, they changed the verbiage to “climate change.” That covers all variants, and they are all bad.)

Of course, anyone who pays attention knows that the earth’s temperatures fluctuate periodically. It’s called “weather,” and humans have nothing to do with it. Sadly, though, far too many, self-focused people ignorantly accept what the elitists say because it is backed by “science.” If “science” says so, it must be true. There is no need to think about it any further; let’s go have some fun!

However, is it really true that science confirms that humans cause climate change? Actually, more scientists reject the notion that “climate change” (in the scary sense) exists at all, much less that humans are the cause than those scientists (who are bought and paid for by the elites) that champion the idea.

In September 2019, 500 scientists signed a letter to the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, stating that there is no climate emergency. In the letter, they offered at least seven points challenging the notion. “(1) Natural as well as anthropogenic factors cause warming. (2) Warming is far slower than predicted. (3) Climate policy relies on inadequate models. (4) CO2 is not a pollutant. It is a plant food that is essential to all life on Earth. Photosynthesis is a blessing. More CO2 is beneficial for nature, greening the Earth: additional CO2 in the air has promoted growth in global plant biomass. It is also good for agriculture, increasing the yields of crops worldwide. (5) Global warming has not increased natural disasters. (6) Climate policy must respect scientific and economic realities. (7) There is no climate emergency. Therefore, there is no cause for panic.”[2] Have you heard about any of this in the media (which is bought and paid for by the elites)?

Of course, this does not deter the elitists. Their minds are made up; there is no need to confuse them with facts. They are charging full-steam-ahead with their mission to panic the peons into submission with their message of certain doom if we do not stop breathing and expelling our noxious gasses into the atmosphere. In order to help things along, we need to stop driving gasoline-powered cars and start driving electric cars. There is no need for concern that the power to charge those electric vehicles comes from power plants using fossil fuels. We also need to stop eating beef because cows pollute the air with their methane exhaust.  Ireland is acting proactively to do its part in combatting the climate emergency by killing off its cattle.[3] The elites would also have us live in “15-minute cities” where all of our needs can be met within 15 minutes of our homes. We would not be allowed to leave our area except for once a year and only if our “social credit scores,” imposed on us by the elites, allow it; and it would be closely monitored. China already does that to its subjects, and the globalists think it is the model for all of the world. In the words of Klaus Schwab, “You will own nothing and be happy.”

What is all this really about? Well, without getting too deep into the weeds, it is about power and it is about the destruction of humanity. It finds its roots in Genesis 3 when Satan caused Adam and Eve to sin. It happened again when the “sons of God” procreated with the “daughters of men” and spoiled the human race (except for Noah and his family).[4] Satan hates humans because they are created in the image of God and to them has God given dominion over the earth.[5] However, that dominion was temporarily lost, and it is now waiting for Jesus to return to reclaim it.[6] In the meantime, Satan wants to do all he can to leave Jesus with nothing left to reclaim. It will not work, but that does not stop him.

The globalist elites likewise, acting under Satan’s direction whether they know it or not, want to rid the world of “useless eaters” and bring the population down to a respectable 500-million (last I heard). “Climate change” is their weapon of choice. They believe they can accomplish their goal because they do not know God nor do they believe in Him. The “sheeple” who fall for their propaganda do so because they do not believe in God either.

Anyone who believes in God and in God’s Word does not live in fear that the planet will get too hot or too cold due to human agency. God made an unconditional promise after the Flood saying that He would not destroy the earth because of man.

And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: (Genesis 9:8-12, emphasis mine)

The “token” of the covenant – God’s unconditional promise – was the rainbow that He set in the clouds as a reminder to us of His unconditional promise. That “token” has been perverted by Satan as he attempts to pervert everything that God has made. However, that changes nothing. God again restated His promise:

And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. (Genesis 9:15-17, emphasis mine)

The Flood God sent upon the earth was truly a climate catastrophe. There was nothing like it before and there has not been anything like it since. These elites who “profess themselves to be wise have become fools.”[7] The psalmist says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good” (Psalm 14:1, emphasis mine). If they believed in God, whether they knew Him personally or not, they would understand that the climate is under God’s control and there is nothing man can do to alter it. God promised, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). Global warming, global cooling, it’s called weather, and it is under God’s control.

So, don’t listen to the climate alarmists. They are fools. Trust God and His Word.

Notes:

[1]  https://amac.us/newsline/society/the-elitists-who-want-to-rule-the-world/

[2]  https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/there-is-no-climate-emergency-say-500-experts-in-letter-to-the-united-nations/

[3]  https://humanevents.com/2023/06/03/ireland-moves-to-slaughter-200000-cows-over-climate-concerns

[4]  Genesis 6

[5]  Genesis 1:26-28

[6]  Revelation 5:6-8

[7]  Romans 1:22

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December 31, 2023 · 10:00

Come 2024!

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)

The last chapter in the Book of Revelation was my final reading for the year. There, the verse above jumped out at me. The verse is an invitation to those who are “outside” of the body of Christ to come and “take of the water of life freely.” Notice who issues the invitation: “the Spirit and the Bride.” We understand that “the Spirit” is the Holy Spirit. The “Bride” is the Church of Christ (not the denomination by that name) – the body of believers who have been saved by grace through faith.

Although we find this verse in the middle of a passage that describes the New Jerusalem (i.e., Heaven), which is yet future, the invitation is current. The fact that the invitation comes from both the Spirit and the Bride informs us that the invitation issues primarily from the Church. In writing to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul says, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). “Ye” in the King James English is a plural, second person pronoun, so he is addressing the whole body of the church saying that they are the “temple of God” in which the Holy Spirit dwells. So, as we read our starting verse, we can see that the invitation to come is from the Holy Spirit through the Church which is currently on Earth (but I pray not much longer).

The year (2024) that lies ahead does not promise improvement over the last. Indeed, since the year 2020 (and even long before that) things in the world continue to degenerate. The Middle East is on fire. The war in Ukraine continues with no end in sight. China will take Taiwan and the United States is too weak to do anything about it. Kim Jong Un is like a kid with a fist full of bottle rockets happily shooting them off daring anybody to stop him. Muslims are rioting and creating havoc in Europe, the United States, and other places around the world. The global decay of moral fiber infects every area of society and has even infiltrated the church. And there is no promise of improvement for 2024.

All of that seems rather gloomy and pessimistic, but I say, “Come 2024!” The darker the world becomes, the brighter will be the light of His appearing. Now, more than ever is the time for the church to shine her light. To His Bride, Jesus says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16). Jesus is coming for His Bride very soon; but while we are still here, our light must shine brighter than ever. “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’ And I say, “Come 2024!”

Reader, the verse offers an invitation to come drink of the “water of life.” Are you thirsty for the only thing that can quench the thirst of your soul? Come to Jesus. If you want to know how to do that, please read my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

Happy New Year!

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December 17, 2023 · 10:00

The Mystery of the Gospel

… that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:19)

The Gospel is a mystery. The Gospel (Greek: euaggelion) means “good tidings” or “good news.” The angel brought the euaggelion to the shepherds who watched their flocks by night.[1] It was the euaggelion that the Savior was born in Bethlehem. But what did this euaggelion mean? When the angels departed, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see the euaggelion for themselves. Once they had seen the baby, they spread the news to all who would hear. “And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (Luke 2:18, emphasis mine). It was a mystery!

At Christmastime, we sing the mournful carol, “Oh Come, Oh Come Emanuel.” The lyrics describe a deep yearning for the advent of Messiah. “Oh come, oh come Emanuel, and rescue captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.” However, Israel was not expecting the Son of God to appear. That was the mystery.

Indeed, the prophets foretold of the coming Messiah. When the magi later came searching for “he that is born King of the Jews,”[2] the religious leaders, who knew the Scriptures, directed them to Bethlehem. They quoted the Prophet Micah: “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel” (Matthew 2:6, emphasis mine). However, they omitted the last phrase of Micah’s prophecy: “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:9). That last part was a mystery to them. How could an earthly ruler/king exist “from of old, from everlasting”? That would mean this king existed from eternity past. That could only mean this coming king would be God. To them, that was impossible. It was a mystery.

Four hundred years prior, the last prophet spoke of the coming Messiah. “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness” (Malachi 3:3). This certainly speaks of authority, but the general tone of the prophecy expressed God’s displeasure with His people obscuring any hint of the Messiah’s divinity. After that, God stopped talking for four hundred years. A lot can be forgotten in four hundred years or blurred beyond recognition.

Previous prophets had spoken of a coming king who would sit on David’s throne. A favorite Christmas passage from Isaiah says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7, emphasis mine). While Isaiah clearly stated that His name would be “The mighty God” and “The everlasting Father,” the promise of His reign on David’s throne overshadowed (in their minds) the fact of His divinity. Since the fifth century before Christ, Israel had been ruled by outside forces; first Babylon, then Persia, then Greece, and now the Romans. The Jews wanted a king to make them a superpower. God coming to reign on earth in human flesh was unthinkable. It was a mystery!

Other prophecies held an even more unimaginable mystery – Messiah would suffer and die. Psalm 22 describes His crucifixion when such execution methods did not exist. Isaiah 53 also details the suffering of Messiah. The prophet Daniel precisely foretold the number of years when Messiah would be “cut off.”[3] The Messiah that was to be king and rule the world would have to die. That makes no sense! It was a mystery!

Even today, the idea that the Almighty, Creator God took on human flesh, in a virgin’s womb, was born by natural means in the lowliest of estates, grew up among “his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3). He was nailed to a cross for our sins and rose on the third day so “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). That is the mystery of the Gospel.

All religions of the world, including many so-called “Christian” religions, demand some kind of sacrifice from their adherents. The adherents of these false religions must do something to appease their gods in order to gain entry into eternal life. It is no wonder then that the idea that all one needs to do is believe in Jesus and trust in the sufficiency of His sacrifice for our sins. It’s too easy. It’s a mystery! Paul describes how Jesus left His first estate as God, and took on human flesh for the purpose of making Himself the perfect sacrifice for our sins.[4] Our God performed the work of salvation for us so that all we need to do is believe. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, emphasis mine). It is a mystery! “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). That is the mystery of the Gospel.

As we ponder the mystery of the Gospel, especially during this Christmas season, the thought of God coming to us in the form of a helpless baby should captivate us in awestruck wonder. How could such a thing be! The only thing that remains is praise and thanksgiving for the incalculable gift that He offers. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Reader, if you have not accepted God’s free gift of salvation, there is nothing you have to do but believe. Please read my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

Notes:

[1]  Luke 2:8-18

[2]  Matthew 2:1-12

[3]  Daniel 9:25-26

[4]  Philippians 2:5-11

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December 3, 2023 · 10:00

Chose or Chosen?

For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)

I have found some Christian brothers that have strong Calvinist leanings. I accept most of the five points of Calvinism to some degree – Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints (T.U.L.I.P.) – but I cannot fully embrace U, L, and I. I completely agree with T and P – the Total Depravity of man, and the Perseverance of the Saints, i.e., “once saved, always saved.”

As already noted, the points that give me the most grief are U and L. Unconditional Election says that God predetermined from the beginning of time who would be saved and who would be damned for eternity. The argument is that God is sovereign, and He can do exactly as He pleases (no argument there). A favorite verse used to make this point is Romans 9:15 “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Here Paul referred to the time when Moses wanted to “see” God’s glory and God responded, “And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy” (Exodus 33:19, emphasis mine). Clearly, God was not speaking in soteriological terms. Indeed, neither was Paul in making the reference to Moses. When taken in context, Paul was referring to God’s sovereignty in determining the course of salvation in general, not in particular.

Limited Atonement builds on Unconditional Election. Limited Atonement says that Jesus died only for those who were unconditionally elected for salvation. That eliminates all the “whosoever” verses beginning with John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (emphasis mine). Since the Bible is always true and does not contradict itself in any way, this verse alone should serve to debunk Limited Atonement.

To a limited degree, I also disagree with Irresistible Grace. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the individual’s heart of sin (John 16:8) and convinces him of his need for the Savior. The “call” is ubiquitous (Romans 1:20), however, it is felt more strongly in some than it is in others. Thus, it can indeed be resisted, and more resist the call than respond to it (Matthew 7:13-14).

The Bible speaks to both man’s autonomy in choosing and God’s work of “election.” I maintain that the answer is “Somewhere in the Middle,” and neither side of the argument can hold his view dogmatically.

Recently the debate came up again in my church. I made my case and the other side made their case and neither side convinced the other, which is usually the case. However, the fact that this debate keeps raising its ugly head, I determined to “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). I looked in the New Testament for all the verses I could find related to salvation for the individual. I divided my findings into three categories: (1) Choice/Free Will, (2) Predestination/Election, and (3) verses that can apply to both sides. Here is what I found: for Category 1, there were 77 verses; for Category 2, there were 15 verses. Of those, 7, when read in context, suggest that the “predestination” is of “purpose” not of salvation; for Category 3 there were 17. Rather than argue one side or the other, I think it best to allow the Bible to speak for itself, and the reader can decide for himself.

Verses for Category 1: Matthew 7:13-14, 24; 10:32-33; 11:28-30; 12:31-32, 50; 16:24-26; 18:3-4, 14; Mark 3:28-29, 35; 8:34-38; 9:37; 10:15; 16:16; Luke 6:47; 7:23; 9:23-25, 48; 12:8-10; 13:3, 5, 23-24; 17:33; 18:17; John 1:12-13; 3:3, 15-18, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:28-29, 35, 40, 45, 47, 51; 10:9-10; 11:25-26; 14:6; 20:29; Acts 2:21, 38; 10:43; Romans 1:16; 3:28; 4:5; 5:6, 12; 10:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:3-4; 2:16; 3:6-7, 11, 22, 24-27; Ephesians 1:7; 2:4-9; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:14; 2:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2:3-4; 4:10; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Hebrews 3:7-8, 15; 7:25; 9:28; 11:6; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2; 5:1, 10-12; Revelation 22:14.

Verses for Category 2: Luke 10:22; John 6:37, 44, 65; 17:24; Romans 8:33;* Ephesians 1:5, 11; 2:10;* Colossians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10;* Titus 1:1;* 1 Peter 1:2;* 2 John 1:1, 13. The passages marked with an asterisk (*) speak of predestination, but when examined closely, the predestination is a “Predestination of Purpose” not predestination for salvation. In other words, it is the predetermined plan God has for those who are “justified” having placed their faith in the atoning work of Christ on the cross. As I read these passages my conclusion is that those who are “elect” are “elected” by virtue of their faith in Christ for salvation and their “predestination” is to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Verses for Category 3: Matthew 9:13; 10:39; 20:28; 22:14; Luke 5:32; John 7:38-39; 10:27-29; 14:23; Acts 4:12; 15:11; Romans 6:23; 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 4:3; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 4:9-10. These verses can apply equally to either Category 1 or 2.

As we enter this Advent Season, we remember that God took on human flesh and entered time and space by way of a virgin’s womb to live and walk among His creation (John 1:1-3, 14). “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11-12). He took the penalty of our sins upon Himself and shed His own blood on the cross to pay our sin debt. He was buried in a borrowed tomb and rose again on the third day, conquering death and the grave on our behalf to win our salvation. He did that for “whosoever” will accept His free, “grace” gift of salvation by faith in His finished work. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Whosoever” accepts His offer by “believing in Him” is “elected” for “everlasting life.” This is the whole message of Christmas.

Reader, have you accepted Jesus’ free gift of salvation? If not, or if you are unsure, please read my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

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November 26, 2023 · 10:00

Shepherd of Shepherds

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8)

One of the best arguments against the birth of Christ having taken place in late December is this fact recorded by Luke in his Gospel. There were shepherds out in the fields watching over their flocks. By late December, there is not sufficient grazing to sustain large flocks of sheep. Jerusalem is near the same latitude as Dallas, Texas where I used to live, and by the middle to the end of November, there is not much left on which cattle can graze. So, they need to be fed on hay or “cake” until the next spring. So, it seems very unlikely that shepherds would be out in the fields tending to sheep in the wintertime.

The shepherds around Bethlehem generally kept the sheep and goats that were used for sacrifice in the Temple in nearby Jerusalem. Some have suggested that Jesus’ birth was around late September which coincides with the Jewish Fall Feasts: Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoths). These feasts required all Jewish men to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. The fact that this requirement happened to coincide with the decree from Caesar Augustus for the census (Luke 2:1) may explain why “there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7) for the expectant couple. In fact, His birth may have occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles making John’s statement that “the Word was made flesh, and [tabernacled] among us” (John 1:14) even more significant. Interestingly, if one counts back nine months from the end of September, one arrives at a date sometime in late December. It could be that rather than celebrating Christ’s birth on December 25, we are actually celebrating His conception!

Regardless, it was to these simple shepherds that this paramount announcement was delivered. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). To these shepherds who were known for feeding and protecting their flocks; who sought out the lost sheep, and rescued those that were attacked. It seems appropriate that to these the news of the arrival of the “Shepherd of Israel” should be first delivered. He who would later say, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11) had come. So without hesitation, they said, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us” (Luke 2:15). They came “with haste” Luke tells us, “and found Mary, and Joseph, and the [Lamb of God] lying in a manger” (Luke 2:16). The name given the babe was Jesus, “for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This little Lamb of God, who was to be the Shepherd of shepherds, had finally come to them. He did not come to a palace but to a dirty, smelly stable. He was not announced to the kings of the world, but to those of the lowest social status – to shepherds.

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