Category Archives: Atheism

August 26, 2012 · 16:32

Is Jesus Who the Bible Says He Is?

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins … And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Suppose someone suggests to you, in a conversation:

1. How do I know for sure that Jesus is Who the Bible says He is?  After all, most of what we know about the historical Jesus is what is written in the Bible about Him.

2.  Is there any kind of proof that I am obligated to recognize about Jesus, other than the Bible itself?  (In other words, is the Bible the only ‘witness’ that Jesus is Who the Christians claim He is?)

3. How do I know that the Bible itself is really true, i.e., that it is both authentic (as opposed to corrupted by many errors that occurred as part of the handwritten copying process) and accurate (as opposed to infected by mistaken impressions or memories or unreliable hearsay by those authors who composed it years after the events), as a record of Who Jesus is/was?”

How would you reply?

To address the first question, our very calendar is a testimony to the historicity of Jesus.  Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian of the first century, documented the historicity of Jesus.  Aside from this, the fact that Christianity exists at all testifies to the fact that Jesus was a historical figure.  No one doubts the historicity of Buddha, Confucius, Mohamed, Plato, Socrates or Aristotle yet there is less documentation for these men than there is for Jesus and no one questions their historicity.  The fact that the Christian church spread across the globe in spite of severe persecution for the name of Jesus gives testimony to the authenticity of Jesus.  Furthermore, there are few, if any in modern scholarship, that question the historical Jesus.

Secondly, there is proof that one is obligated to recognize about Jesus outside the Bible itself.  The empty tomb is proof.  All other leaders of religious movements have died and have been buried and people can visit their graves, but Jesus’ tomb is empty.  I have been told that there are at least seven possible sites around Jerusalem where Jesus may have been buried, but they all have one thing in common – they are all empty.  Jesus rose from the dead just as He said He would, and the empty tomb is proof that He did.  This fact could have been easily debunked early on.  All it would have taken was for the religious leaders of that time to drag Jesus’ body out of the tomb and parade it around for all to see; but they could not because the tomb was empty.  Skeptics have gone to great lengths to attempt to prove His resurrection as a hoax, but they are the ones that have come away looking foolish.  Just recently an ossuary was supposedly discovered in Jerusalem that was supposed to have contained the bones of Jesus.  Inscribed on the ossuary in Hebrew script were the words “Jesus Bar Joseph” – Jesus son of Joseph.  The ossuary was quickly exposed as a forgery making the claimants look foolish indeed.  The proof for Jesus is His empty tomb.

Finally, we can know that the Bible is true by the truth it reveals in matters of history and science.  Although the Bible is not intended to be a textbook on history or science, it is nonetheless historically and scientifically accurate.  For years, archaeologists have used the Bible to locate ancient sites mentioned in its text.  Ancient civilizations mentioned in the Bible, like the Hittites, thought at one time not to have ever existed have been discovered just as the Bible says.  Historical figures, like Belshazzar mentioned in Daniel 5, were once touted as biblical fallacies until recent archaeological discoveries, like the Nabonidus Cylinder, were found with those names inscribed on them. Likewise, science has been unable to refute the Bible on scientific grounds.  The Bible proclaimed that the earth was a sphere before anyone had circumnavigated the globe or witnesses an “earthrise” from the surface of the moon. (Isaiah 40:22).  The Bible claimed that the earth was “hung on nothing” before man ever escaped the bounds of the atmosphere and navigated the emptiness of space (Job 26:7).  The Bible said that there were “paths in the seas” long before the ocean currents were ever mapped (Psalm 8:8).

More incredible than the Bible’s historical and scientific accuracy, is the accuracy of its prophecies.  The Bible contains numerous prophecies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Old Testament times.  Some of these include God’s promise to Abraham to make of him many nations  (Genesis 17:4-5); the children of Israel would be slaves for 400 years (Genesis 15:13); much later they would be carried away captive to Babylon (Jeremiah 13:19) for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12).  Arguably, these could be taken as fabrications after the fact – they are not—but even more impressive are the prophecies concerning Jesus.

There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus.  Many of these prophecies deal with His first coming, and the remaining deal with His second coming.  The Bible says that Jesus would be born of a woman (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14); He would be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 18:18; 22:18), Isaac (Genesis 26:4) and Jacob (Genesis 28:14); He would be of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:8-10); He would be a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 2); He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); He would be brought out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1); minute details of His crucifixion were predicted long before crucifixion was known (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53); His resurrection (Psalm 16:10), and many others.  It has been estimated that the probability of one man fulfilling only 8 of the prophecies ascribed to Jesus would be 1 in 1017 (1 followed by 17 zeros), and yet, Jesus fulfilled all of the prophecies concerning His first coming.

There is left the question regarding the integrity of the transmission of the biblical texts.  The Dead Sea Scrolls have removed any doubt about the integrity of the Old Testament.  As for the New Testament, we have over 5000 manuscripts (whole and in fragments), some dating as early as the beginning of the second century.  These manuscripts have been examined and found to be consistent with our current Bible.  In the few instances where variances do occur, they are usually minor and never have there been any variances found that raise a question of doctrine.  Aside from that, there are many extra-biblical writings that quote directly from the New Testament so that if all copies of the New Testament were lost, most of it could be reconstructed from these alone.  There is nothing in existence today of ancient writings that is so well documented and so well preserved as the text of the Bible.  The Bible is trustworthy, and what it says about Jesus is true; the question is whether you are willing to trust what it says and submit to the Lord it proclaims.

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July 29, 2012 · 17:16

Making God Laugh

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  (Psalm 2:1)

The Bibles tells us “that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4).  These “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13) while “Professing themselves to be wise, they [have become] fools” (Romans 1:22).

As the return of Christ approaches, we see the fulfillment of this prophesy all around us.  Hostility toward “God’s Anointed” and those who follow Him is rapidly increasing.  The word translated “heathen” here is the Hebrew word gowyim meaning non-Jewish nations or people.  It could also be translated “gentiles” referring to those who are not the people of God.  From a New Testament perspective, these would be any who are not Christians, and therefore not a part of God’s family.  These are they that “rage,” that is, they assemble as a tumultuous mob “against the LORD, and his anointed” [His Messiah; His Christ] (v. 2).

They “imagine a vain thing” (v. 1), that is, they imagine something that will never happen.  They rebel against God and say, “Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us” (v. 3).  Their end has been predetermined:  “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Ar-ma-ged’-don” (Revelation 16:16) “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image.  These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him [Christ] that sat upon the horse” (Revelation 19:20-21).

Although God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), man’s obstinate and overt rebellion against His Anointed would be almost comical, if it were not so sad.  “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” (Romans 9:20).  The question is ludicrous!  “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” (v. 4).

As the day of His return approaches we see more and more blatant attacks on Christians and Christianity by our government and by the liberal media.  These attacks will only grow worse as a lost populace lashes out against God and His people.  Little do they know that God just laughs at their insolence, but “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (v. 12).

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July 25, 2012 · 10:27

Why is There Evil?

July 20, 2012, the senseless shooting occurred in the Century 16 Movie Theaters at the Aurora Town Center.

God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

 In the early hours of Friday morning, July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado, a lone assailant opened fire on unsuspecting movie goers whose only fault, if you want to call it that, was the desire to watch the very first viewing of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises.  After the mayhem subsided and the smoke cleared, 70 people were shot and 12 killed according to the Denver Post.  What started out for many as a night out of fun and entertainment ended in tragedy and sorrow.

Almost immediately, the news commentators and pundits filled the airwaves with their speculations as to the motives of the shooter.  Even before the arrest of the alleged shooter, James Holmes, a PhD candidate in the University of Colorado’s neuroscience program, the talking heads started prognosticating about whether the insanity plea would be used in Holmes’ defense.

Naturally, the social media was all abuzz with the events of day.  Many heartfelt sentiments were offered as were prayers for all those who were hurting.  But as always seems to be the case in times of tragedy, someone will always raise the question, “Where was God in all of this?” One Facebook ™ post mocked the futility of praying to a god that allows evil to happen at all or that is impotent to prevent evil.  “How can a loving god allow such horrific evil to happen?” he ranted.  To sit in judgment of God qualifies the arrogant purveyor of such vitriol as a “fool” as defined in Psalm 53:1.

But even when one claims a belief in God, tragedies like this have a way of shaking one’s foundations.  Where is God in all of this?  Why does He not intervene to prevent or stop these horrors?  God has promised not to leave us or forsake us (1 Kings 8:58; Hebrews 13:5).  We are also taught “that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28).

The simple answer is that evil exists in the world because of the fall of man back in Genesis 3.  “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).  So great was the offense that even creation was effected: “For the earnest expectation of the [creation] waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.   For the [creation] was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the [creation] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:19-22).  That explains why there is evil in the world, but that is about as much comfort as understanding the geodynamics of plate tectonics when you’re right in the middle of an earthquake.

The atheist foolishly dismisses God as impotent to stop or prevent evil.  If that were true, the atheist would be correct.  A god (lowercase is on purpose) that claims to be omnipotent yet is powerless to stop evil is no god at all.  But the Bible is full of examples of God intervening to stop evil.  Take for example, the mark that He placed on Cain to protect him from being murdered (Genesis 4:15).  Other examples are the Ark of Noah (Genesis 6), the plagues against Egypt to set Israel free from bondage, saving Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3) or saving Daniel from the lions in the lions’ den (Daniel 6).  There are many, many others, but perhaps the greatest evil that was turned to good was the death of Christ on the cross and the victory over death through His resurrection – the greatest example of God intervening to vanquish evil.  Beyond that, there is also the testimony of real Christians that are witnesses to God’s intervening to save them from harm in one way or another.

“Yes” one might say, “but evil persists.”  Yes it does, but perhaps that is God’s greatest act of mercy.  “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  However, people do not go out of their way to seek God.  “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Romans 3:10-11).  And when things are going well, the likelihood that they will seek God exponentially diminishes.  God uses evil to draw people to him.  Not all will respond as in the sad case of the atheist, but many will.  In tragic times, when people have no answers, they cry out to God, and He responds.  Christians respond by lifting up the hurting in prayer and by ministering to physical and emotional needs.  Either way, people, both unbelievers and Christians, are drawn to God.

There will be an ultimate end to evil, but until then, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers [trials]; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh [endurance]” (James 1:2-3).  One day (and it’s closer today than ever) Christ, the Prince of Peace, will return and reclaim this broken and fallen world for Himself, and evil will no more find a place in this world.  Until then we endure the trials and minister to those that are hurting and hopefully win some to Christ.

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June 24, 2012 · 17:58

Known of God

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee … (Jeremiah 1:5)

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. (Psalm 139:1)

Psalm 139 is a beautiful theological treatise on the attributes of God.  The first six verses expressing His omniscience begin with an emphatic declaration: “thou hast searched me, and known me” (v. 1).  This truth statement emphasizes the intimacy with which God is acquainted with us, even in the minutest details of our being.  The same intimacy applies to our every act, our “downsitting” and our “uprising” (v. 2), and furthermore, He knows the motives behind our actions before the thought even crosses our mind: “thou understandeth my thought afar off” (v. 2) “and art acquainted with all my ways” (v. 3).  Not only is God aware of our present, but He is equally knowledgeable of our past and of our future: “Thou hast beset me behind and before and laid thine hand upon me” (v. 5).

God is ever present with us. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit or wither shall I flee from thy presence?” (v. 7).  There is nowhere we can go to escape God’s presence – nowhere in the vastness of heaven (space) nor in the abode of the dead (Sheol) (v. 8).  There is no darkness deep enough to hide us from His presence (v. 11-12).

God’s omnipotence, His unlimited power, is demonstrated in His creation, especially in the creation of the human body.  “I am fearfully [awesomely] and wonderfully [lit. uniquely] made” (v. 14).  The human body is composed of over 30 trillion (30,000,000,000,000) cells, each of which is a marvel of design and complexity.  What is more amazing is the fact that evolutionists examine a single human cell and attribute it to time and chance.  It is no wonder that God’s Word proclaims: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

These days the word “awesome” is used to describe anything from a really juicy hamburger to a thrilling ride on the Texas Giant rollercoaster.  What a sorry devaluation of the word!  “Awesome” can truly only be said of God.  If we would but take the time to wonder at the awesomeness of God, surely we would not have the words that God gave to David in this Psalm.  Surely, we would be left speechless – without words.  Surely, the revelation should move us from the realization that we are intimately known to the desire to be better known and to be re-formed more into His image. Surely, we should fall on our faces before Him and plead, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (vv. 23-24).  What else would there be for us to do!

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June 10, 2012 · 20:50

What Is Man?

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What is man, that thou art mindful of him?  (Psalm 8:4)

Whether voiced or not, this question dominates the culture not only of our nation, but of the world in general.  What is man?  The humanist would say that we are no more than highly evolved apes.  The pantheist regards man as a parasite that sucks the life out of nature and therefore must be eliminated or constrained for the good of the planet.

But in God’s eyes, man is His most precious creation.  “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27).  Such high regard did God have for mankind that He gave them stewardship responsibility over all of his creation (Genesis 1:28).  Human life is of such value that God demands capital punishment for any man or any animal that takes the life of a man (Genesis 9:5-6).  God ultimately demonstrated His value of human life when He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).  “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold … But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

As we contemplate the awesomeness of the Creator and His love, care, and concern for “the work of [His] fingers” (v. 3), is it any wonder that David marveled in amazement: “What is man that thou art mindful of him?”  The Hebrew word translated “mindful” is zakar, which means “to mark” and by implication it indicates that God remembers us, “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

In comparison to the vastness of God’s creation, man is but a speck, and yet “the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30).  “What is man that thou art mindful of him?”  The thought should drive us to our knees!

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