Jehovah’s Witnesses – “The Working Religion”

Posted on November 1, 2011 by cchrisholland

Scenario: You’re busy cleaning out the garage on a Saturday morning and notice two well-dressed people going door-to-door on your street. Your neighbor seems interested and takes their material. Later, the neighbor asks your thoughts on their publication called “The Watchtower”. What do you say?

 Most of us have had contact with Jehovah’s Witnesses at least once. Years ago, I worked with several and they were good friends. So what do they teach, and what motivates them to give up time going door-to-door? Let’s take a look…  

I. The History

  • The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society was founded around 1872 by Charles T. Russell. Russell had been a follower of the Adventist movement, but left to form a new group called the International Bible Students Associations. They were first referred to as “Russellites”. In 1931, the name was changed to the WBTS under Russell’s successor “Judge” Joseph Franklin Rutherford.
  • Historically, the focus has always been on the world’s end, and the establishment of Jehovah’s kingdom on Earth. Setting dates for the end has even been part of the belief over the years, with the last one being 1975.

II. The Structure

  • They are headquartered in Brooklyn, NY under the direction of the “Governing Body”.
  • The meeting place is called the “Kingdom Hall” due to the belief that the Church Age is already over.
  • The primary method for making new converts is door-to-door visitation with materials and invites to Bible studies.

III. The Text

  • Charles Russell’s writings, such as a seven volume series called Studies in the Scriptures and published sermons laid the doctrinal foundation.
  • Their own proprietary Bible translation called the New World Translation (NWT) is used by Witnesses for study and proselytizing. Key passages are slightly altered to reflect WBTS doctrine.
  • Publications such as The Watchtower, Awake and others are used for Sunday sermons, and giving away to potential converts.

IV. The Beliefs

  • They believe in Jehovah (God the Father), but deny the deity of Christ.
  • Jesus is believed to be created by God first. His name was “Michael the Archangel” before the time on Earth.
  • The hope is to be of the truest 144,000 Witnesses, therefore being part of the “Anointed Class” ruling with Christ.
  • The other Witnesses not part of the 144,000 hope to be part of the future Earthly Kingdom.
  • Non-believers will simply cease to exist after death (Annihilation).
  • There is no belief in eternal punishment such as Hell.
  • The era of human political structures are said to be past, so loyalty to a flag, pledge, military service, and participating in voting are forbidden.
  • To avoid misplaced recognition and worship, holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations are completely avoided.
  • Witnessing and attendance (Sunday meetings and Bible Studies) are required components of being a part of WBTS.

V. The Response

Witnesses are usually nice, polite folks, but are trained to maintain strict discipline in conversation about spiritual matters. Specifically, the use of publications and certain scripture passages (NWT translation) is primary, but here are 5 key areas of response: 

  • The Trinity – Although the word “Trinity” is not specifically used in scripture it is described throughout the Bible. Matthew 28:19 clearly references each Person of the Trinity. I Peter 1:2 and John 15:26 illustrate separate roles.
  • Jesus – Colossians 2:9 says that Jesus embodied the very fullness of God. He wasn’t a product of God’s work, but is God Himself in the flesh. Jesus on several occasions taught that He is God, John 8:58 and 10:30 are examples.
  • Good Works – The Witnesses teach right works to be the key to eternal destination, but the scripture teaches different. Paul said in Ephesians 2:8-9 we’re saved by God’s grace, not works. All through the book of Romans, the Bible teaches we can never earn salvation. We have all fell far short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23). We need a savior, not better habits. Romans 10:9 states that if we confess Jesus with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead we WILL be saved.
  • Hell – Matthew 25 and Luke 16 both teach of a literal Hell. Revelation 20 says those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be cast into theLake ofFire.
  • 144, 000 – the description in Revelation chapter 7 of 144,000 people saved in the end is very specific. It speaks of Jewish people who embrace Christ during the Great Tribulation, not Gentiles living now. The tribes of origin are even listed.

VI. Conclusion

Even though there are points of response and doctrinal flaws to discuss, Christ’s love in us should rule the day. As a Christian, there is nothing more powerful than sharing what God has done and continues to do in your personal life. Our story of God’s grace and forgiveness is exactly what those around us need to hear. NEVER underestimate the simple sharing of what Christ means to you!

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith” – Lesson 11

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are Mormons Christians?

Posted on October 25, 2011 by cchrisholland

When having a spiritual conversation with a Mormon, the definition of Christianity can become a divisive point. So, what exactly are their beliefs? Let’s look at the history and major doctrines of their system to see how it lines up with scripture.

 I. The History

  • Church – The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church) was founded in 1830 by founder Joseph Smith in Fayette,New York.
  • Visits – Smith claimed to have been visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ. He said during the visit that Jesus told him all churches were corrupt, and had been since the death of the original Apostles. Smith also claimed later that an angel named Moroni visited him, and revealed the location of special gold plates.
  • Marriage – In 1843 Smith said he had received a revelation sanctioning plural marriage (polygamy), but later it was officially banned by the LDS in 1890. The leader Wilford Woodruff claimed to receive a revelation ending the practice.
  • Location – Pressured to leave several areas, Smith settled in Commerce,Illinois. After a critical article toward Smith, a newspaper was destroyed and Smith was arrested. While in jail, he and several other leaders were murdered by a mob.
  • Leadership – Most Mormons decided to follow Brigham Young (one of Smith’s twelve apostles). He led them on a long difficult pilgrimage to Utah (Salt Lake City).

II. The Writings

  • Book of Mormon – Joseph Smith wrote the entire book of Mormon, and published it in 1830. He said he had translated the golden plates into a book, and that the angel Moroni had already carried the plates back to heaven.
  • Others – Doctrines & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price were also written by Smith. Some of thePearl book he claimed to have translated from an ancient Egyptian document he’d purchased from a traveling show.

 III. The Beliefs

The doctrines of the LDS church may surprise you if you’ve not read about them. At the same time, it’s important to know that these points are not clearly specified by a team at your doorstep. The goal of this post is to familiarize and display how terms may sound the same, but mean something different. For example:

  • God – God the “Heavenly Father” is married to “Heavenly Mother” and had millions of “spirit children” in a preexistent time. The origin of “Heavenly Father” is best described in a famous Mormon quote, “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” Basically the teaching is that God was once human, but achieved “godhood” through a process of eternal progression.
  • Jesus – Their teaching is that Jesus was one of two sons who wanted to redeem the world. The other son was Lucifer. Jesus was chosen and Lucifer was rejected. He rebelled, became Satan, and took 1/3 of the spirit children with him (becoming demons). The other 2/3 came to earth as babies.
  • Salvation – The core belief is called the “Law of Eternal Progression” and is what they refer to as the “Restored Gospel”. The term “Gospel” is the whole idea of progression, not the good news of Jesus dying on our behalf.
  • Lifestyle – Mormons are known for their moral lifestyle. There are certain things a Mormon in “good standing” will be participating in, such as good conduct, regular church involvement, up-to-date on their tithe (full 10%). Also, being a Mormon means you’re part of “eternal marriage”, where you and your spouse hope to someday get your own cosmic domain to populate.
  • Eternity – The idea for eternity is also one of progression. It starts at death with faithful Mormons going to paradise, and all others going to “spirit prison”. However, in the afterlife all people eventually make their way to paradise, through various methods. Here’s how it all shakes out:
  • Telestial Kingdom – For sinners, criminals, and others
  • Terrestrial Kingdom – Non-LDS practicing religious people
  • Celestial Kingdom – Obedient and worthy Mormons, eventually achieving “godhood”

IV. Response

Basically the pivot point of the whole conversation is hinged on the person, and nature of Jesus. The Bible is clear concerning Him. He came as Savior, because we could not, and cannot save ourselves. As much as we would like to, we can’t even live up to the 10 Commandments, much less a broader set of rules. Think about these basics truths of scripture, compared to our list above:

  • God is Trinity – Genesis 1 and John 1 we see each of the three persons distinctly
  • God is Spirit – not bodily, having children – John 4:24
  • God has no beginning – He is “everlasting to everlasting” – Psalm 90:2
  • Jesus was not created – He was always with God – John 1
  • We cannot earn salvation – Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9

In Galations 1:6-10 Paul warns the readers of those that would preach a “different gospel”, and not to follow anyone teaching something different. Also too, the Revelation given to John ends with a strong warning to those who would add to or take away from the truth of God’s Word. The subtitle of the Book of Mormon is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ”, which I think is self explanatory.

Conclusion – It’s true that Mormons have a strong moral code, and use the term “gospel”, however it’s an inferior “gospel”. The true Gospel of Jesus Christ is grace, mercy, and faith, not something earned by works – Ephesians 2:8-9. It’s a far Superior Gospel to any other imitator, and available to anyone who chooses to place their faith in Him. I pray that everyone who reads this post has already, or will consider doing so today.

Series: Consider This…

Lesson: 10

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Islam: What’s it all about?

Posted on October 19, 2011 by cchrisholland

Scenario: While talking to your co-worker, the subject of Christmas comes up. Since he’s a Muslim, you ask him his thoughts concerning it. He says he believes Jesus was a great prophet. How do you answer?

Obviously, there are lots of news stories concerning Islam, but what about when it gets personal? How can I express my Christian views with a Muslim, without becoming enemies? Well, there are a few points to consider.

First, as a side note, there are people with multiple letters after their names who’ve written more extensively, and with more authority on the subject than this post. Three of them are Ergun Caner, Emir Caner, and Sam Soloman. There is also a website with many articles if you’re interested at:

http://www.answering-islam.org/

With all of that being said, I hope this brief overview will be a help.

I. Fast Facts

  • The founder of Islam was Muhammad, and was born in the city of Meccain in 570 AD.
  • He claimed to be the “final prophet” of Allah (Arabic for God) in a line of prophets stretching back to Adam including major Old Testament figures like Abraham, Moses, and even Jesus of Nazareth.
  • The term Islam means “submission” or “surrender”.
  • A Muslim is a follower of Islam.
  • Three largest sects: Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi.
  • The two main components of the belief system are the Qur’an (their holy book) and Sunnah (Muhammad’s example)

II. Worldview

This quote from Sam Soloman in Ravi Zacharias’ book Beyond Opinion (p.62) sums up the Muslim worldview:

“Islam cannot be defined as a religion in the Western sense of the word; neither can it be termed as a faith. Muslim scholars state that Islam is an all-encompassing system-a sociopolitical, socioreligious system, as well as socioeconomic, socioeducational, legislative, judiciary, and military system governing every aspect of the lives of its adherents, their relationships among themselves, and with those who are non-Muslims.”

As you can see, it’s a view that includes all aspects of life. As Westerners, we tend to think of life in compartments, including our faith, but not so with Muslims. For them, “life stuff” happens inside the box of Islam, as opposed to us where we tend to think that “Christian stuff” happens inside of life-big difference. Perhaps here is a great place for us to ponder the question, “Does my life reflect Christ in every dimension or just some parts?”  

Disclaimer: It’s important to mention here that I list the important doctrines for the purpose of understanding the big picture. Each individual Muslim’s commitment and understanding varies, just like Christians, so avoid a blanket application to every person. Approach each conversation independently.

III. Important Doctrines

  • Abrogation – This doctrine teaches that Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Allah, through the angel Gabriel. When a “revelation” conflicted with earlier “revelations”, it superseded the previous. This creates difficulty because the earlier ones were not stricken, and are scattered throughout the Qur’an. For example, early revelations mentions Christians & Jews as friends, but later they’re categorized strongly as enemies.
  • Takkiya – This doctrine teaches that it’s OK for a Muslim to lie to or deceive others if the purpose is furthering the cause of Islam. This technique is used effectively in the public arena, such as debates and political discussions. It can be displayed in word and deed.
  • Biblical Corruption – This doctrine teaches that Christians and Jews tampered with the scriptures to edit out various prophesies of Muhammad’s coming, and the proper narrative of Ishmael as the rightful heir to Abraham.
  • Living Obedience – This doctrine teaches that a Muslim is obligated to observe various lifestyle duties. These include ritual prayer, fasting, almsgiving, dress codes, and much, much more.
  • Fitrah– In this doctrine, Muslim scholars reference Sura 30:30 (Qur’an) to say that all mankind is created Muslim, including Old Testament prophets, and Jesus. Since it’s believed that no one is exempt, Sam Soloman explains the rationale as “one’s parents, community, environment, or other influences make one a non-Muslim. As such, people who are of another faith –such as Christian, Jew, pagan, or other belief system- are in a state of rebellion against Allah. That is why when a non-Muslim converts to Islam, the term reversion is applied instead of conversion because they are “reverting” back to their birth status as Muslims.” (p.67)

IV. The Response

As you can see (even with very brief bullet points) a person who follows Islam views the world with a mindset framed by their religion. On first glance, it may seem unlikely that a Muslim would be interested in the Gospel, but the truth is that many are coming to faith in Jesus every day. Here are some points to remember if you should have the chance to discuss spiritual matters with a Muslim:

  • Prayer – First, it is of the utmost importance to remember; it’s the Lord through the person of the Holy Spirit who draws people to Himself (John 6:41-44). In that passage, people thought Jesus was “just Joseph’s son”. In the same way, Muslims think of Him as “just a prophet”. Pray for hearts to be tendered toward the true message of Christ.
  • Relationships – Titus 2:6-8 tells us to live a life that leaves no room for people to accuse us of being hypocrites. Living what we preach helps us earn the right to speak.
  • Respect – As a general rule, it’s a good policy to describe and reinforce the positive aspects of Christianity, as opposed to tearing down Islam.
  • Common Ground – Since there is a mutual regard for Old Testament figures and teachings, consider starting with the 10 Commandments. Since the 10 commandments are not possible for us to keep perfectly, we need help…a Savior (James 2:10 & Gal. 3:24).
  • Jesus – Love & grace are the keys. These two ideas are totally foreign in Muslim teaching, such as God loving us, dying for us, and desiring to have a personal relationship with us (Eph. 2:8-9). In Islam, the view of God is impersonal and authoritative, not personal and covenant-making as we know Him.

V. Conclusion

If you have a friend or co-worker that’s Muslim, pray for an opportunity to start a conversation. You may feel unprepared, but remember Who it is that does the spiritual work. Our job is to share. You may be the only true Christian your friend ever meets. Tell of His mercy and grace in your life, and how that same wonderful love is available to them too.

By the way, if you want to listen to an audio interview of Sam Soloman, follow this link:

http://europenews.dk/en/node/5449

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson 9: Islam: What’s it all about?

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Co-habitation & Marriage Math

Posted on October 13, 2011 by cchrisholland

Jim Daly & Esther Fleece of “Focus on the Family” recently posted 2 great pieces regarding couples living together before marriage. Both articles can be found at http://ht.ly/6WnOe  

Because I often come in contact with this subject, I have two quick thoughts:

  • God’s Marriage Math – According to Jesus in Matthew 19:5, God’s mathematical equation for marriage is 1+1=1. In His words, “the two shall become one flesh”. Yes it violates the rules of math, but since God designed it, He can define it. As humans we attempt to redefine it, such as co-habitation. The problem with co-habitation is the “co” part. It looks like this, 1+1=2. That works in math class, but not in God’s design for a life long relationship. Each person is still their own, just trying to live like one. With it, issues abound, and there is no core “oneness” to come back to.
  • True Love – In my experience, when people “move in together”, usually one person in the relationship is more motivated to do so than the other. Ask yourself this “Is it driven by selflessness, or selfishness?” The Bible describes the nature of true love as “selfless”. It’s true whether you’re looking at the life of Christ, or the numerous references in Paul’s letters such as I Corinthians chapter 13 & Ephesians 5:25. Authentic genuine love has the best interest of the other person in mind…always.

 Obviously, there are many who disregard what the Bible says, but for those interested, the Bible speaks clearly and God’s way is the best way!

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus Among Bumper Stickers

Posted on October 10, 2011 by cchrisholland

Scenario: In a conversation with your neighbor, you notice a new bumper sticker on their car. It spells C-O-E-X-I-S-T using different religious symbols, including a cross. You ask, ‘What does that sticker mean?” They answer, “It means everyone can get along if we eliminate criticism of each other’s beliefs. Our church gave them out.” How would you respond?

Additionally, a young man interviewed at a recent political protest said Jesus’ mission was social justice. Oh really? Was Jesus on a mission of activism, or was His message unique? Let’s consider…

I. Jesus as Historical – Is there evidence for Christ other than the Bible? Yes, as a matter of fact there are many historical sources referencing Him.

  • Roman Sources-Tacitus (Roman Historian), Suetonius (Secretary to Emperor Hadrian), Pliny the Younger (Roman Administrator), Emperor Trajan, and Emperor Hadrian all mention Christ directly and/or His followers.
  • Jewish Sources-Talmudic writings describe Jesus of Nazareth’s ministry and how it led to execution. Historian Flavius Josephus’ specifically mentions Jesus.
  • With Jesus of Nazareth being a proven historical person, and many eyewitness accounts of His claims (including the four Biblical Gospels) we’re faced with the classic C.S. Lewis question, “Was He a liar, a lunatic, or Lord?” Obviously, someone can choose to believe he was a liar or lunatic, but what if He REALLY is Lord? I believe He is, and the Bible has some very BOLD words connected to Him. For example:

II. Jesus as Divine – Was He really God?

  • The Bible clearly declares in John 1:1-5 that Jesus was part of the Godhead (Trinity) before creation, active in creation, and here in the flesh ministering.
  • Jesus claimed he was Messiah (John 4:26, 5:39), claimed He was God (John 10:30, 14:9), and even went so far as to use the personal Holy Name “I AM” God revealed to Moses in John 8:58.
  • He made very bold statements and always spoke from a position of authority. He wasn’t passive, compromising, or distracted by inferior causes. Even in death, He had the power to lay down His life when He chose to (John 10:17-18).

III. Jesus as Human – Was He really Human?

  • The Bible describes Jesus being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born after a natural 9 month time period, and in a natural way. He even had to grow up (Luke 2:52), along with siblings.
  • Physically – He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, etc.
  • Emotionally – He experienced sorrow, anxiety, separation, anger, etc.
  • Death – His actual death was confirmed by a spear in the heart (John 19:34)
  • Resurrection – Back to life with a literal body (Luke 24:42-43)
  • Witnesses – His body was seen by many first hand witnesses (I Corinthians 15:3-7)

IV. Jesus as Savior

  • Redemption – John the Baptizer describes Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29-34). In that statement the Old Testament promises of a deliverer culminate, and Jesus begins His ministry.
  • Exclusive – In John 14:6 Jesus says He is the ONLY way to God. His statement is clear, concise, and without room for interpretation gymnastics. Based on Jesus’ own words, there are no other options for salvation outside of faith in Him.
  • Grace – Forgiveness of sin and freedom are available through Jesus (Romans 8:1-2)
  • Reigning – Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us that He is sitting beside the Father now reigning as King.
  • Advocate – Jesus is our go-between with the Father, and we can turn to Him in our time of need (I John 2:1-3)
  • Returning – Revelation 19:11-16 describes a returning King taking care of business. The name He wears is KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. With “fierceness and wrath, He will strike the nations” and all will know He is God.

V. Conclusion –  Jesus as a great teacher going about doing good deeds is acceptable in most circles , but He’s more…much more. He is Savior, and the Bible says without Him we are lost, without hope, and destined for a place called Hell.

Jesus as the only way to heaven may be offensive to some, but it’s true nonetheless and the only message we have. Tolerance and peaceful coexistence are noble, but only Jesus can change a life. He knows our struggles, and can relate to what we’re going through. I hope you know Him in a real way today. If not, acknowledge Him in prayer, confess Him as Lord, ask Him to take charge of your life, and He will change your heart forever!

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson 8: Jesus among Bumper Stickers

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Egg Rolls & Enlightenment

Posted on October 3, 2011 by cchrisholland

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson 7: “Egg Rolls & Enlightenment”

Scenario: During dinner at a Chinese restaurant your child asks, “What does the gold fat statue near the door mean?” How do you answer?

Most of us have visited a Chinese restaurant, and chances are a statue of the Buddha, more specifically Maitreya (Chinese image of a prophetic Buddha) greeted you at the door. So what does it all mean? Is it just a decoration, or does it represent more than great fried rice? As in the previous lesson, let’s consider the overall themes, and look at opportunities for discussion.

 I. The Framework

The Origin – Around 540 B.C. in the Lumbini area ofIndia (present dayNepal) a prince named Siddhartha Gautama observed the suffering of people and began his spiritual quest, lasting 6 years or so. After receiving “enlightenment”, he developed an explanation/solution for suffering and began delivering philosophical discourses.

His teaching moved away from the pantheism/polytheism of his Hindu upbringing to a non-deity path, focused on self-perfection. He became known as “The Buddha” or literally “The Enlightened One”. Even though there are many sects, with varying depictions of the Buddha, wisdom and self-realization are common components of the teaching.

The Tenets – Although Buddhism shares some common tenets with Hinduism (Reincarnation, Karma, Nirvana, and Meditation) it’s different in key areas. Buddhism is more creedal. The core teaching is the Four Noble Truths, and is more atheistic in nature.

The Four Noble Truths –

  1. Life is suffering (Dukkha) – (to be comprehended)
  2. Suffering (Dukkha) is caused by cravings – (to be abandoned)
  3. Suffering (Dukkha) is stopped by ending cravings – (to be realized)
  4. The way to end suffering (Dukkha) is the Noble Eightfold Path – (to be developed):
    • Right View (the world as it really is)
    • Right Resolve (unselfishness and compassion)
    • Right Speech (refraining from harmful speech)
    • Right Action (no violence, theft etc.)
    • Right Livelihood (earning a proper living)
    • Right Effort (preventing evil)
    • Right Mindfulness (total attentiveness – body & mind)
    • Right Concentration (training the mind in meditation)

 II. The Conversation

 When considering these tenets in light of scripture, there are two approaches:

 A. Starting Points – Where do we see positive elements to build a conversational bridge on?

  • Recognition of the reality of suffering – Life contains suffering, but suffering’s origin is the key. The Bible tells us in Genesis 1&2 that God made everything good. There was peace and direct fellowship with God. When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God’s instructions, the result was death, separation, and a curse on the earth. As a direct result of Adam’s sin, suffering is part of an ongoing cycle of pain. We are all subject to difficulty, either as a result of sinful choices (ours/others), or the collateral damage from living in a world ravaged by darkness. The good news is Jesus overcame sin and death (John 16:33) and offers us eternal hope when we place our trust in Him as savior (Romans 10:9-13).
  • Recognition of cravings as a problem – Often I’m reminded of Romans 7:13-25 where Paul describes the daily battle of his flesh versus God. By nature, we are inclined to pursue our own thoughts and interests. Not only do we fail to live up to the 10 Commandments, but we fail to even live up to our own consciences (Romans 1). God’s call to repentance is the only way to permanently deal with our penchant for self-gratification. His Holy Spirit delivers me from sin and death, setting me free from bondage! (Romans 8:1-7)
  • Recognition of a disciplined life as desirable – Discipline is a good thing. An army, sports team, or organization struggles without it. The pursuit of discipline is commendable, and the Bible speaks of Christians living a quiet disciplined life (I Thess. 4:9-12). The question is how? According to Romans 12 & 13, a person transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit is to live a type of life that positively influences everyone around (family, friends, government officials, poor, etc.).

 B. Breaking Points – Where do we see flawed premises that break down under scrutiny?

  • Life is suffering – Based on observation of our natural world, the premise that life is just variations of suffering is not true. God has blessed us in many ways regardless of our acknowledgement of Him. For example, there is the joy of a newborn baby, a sunset, laughter, and the warmth of love. These things point to a Creator who shows His love, even in the midst of a world full of strife.
  • Abandonment of craving – As much as we would love to self-eliminate our problems, superficial improvement is the best we can hope for. Romans 3:23 says we have all fallen short of God’s glory, meaning we fail to measure up to the only standard that matters…God’s standard of perfection. Inside, there is a tenacious selfishness wanting its way, and according to Galatians 2:20 the only way to win is by putting “self” to death. I must abandon my own way, identify with His death, and experience the Son of God alive in me through faith. That’s not just a better path, but redemption, freedom, and victory!   

 In Conclusion – Our capacity for discipline can accomplish tremendous things, even amazing things…but not perfection. No person can leave this world without some measure of imperfection – that’s why we need a Savior. Hebrews 9:27 states we’ll all face judgment after death, and His perfection is my only hope. Faith in Christ is not a way among many, but the only way (John 14:6). If you’ve experienced God’s grace, your story may just be the hope someone needs today…share it!

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Karma, Yoga, and Cosmic “Do-Overs”

Posted on September 27, 2011 by cchrisholland

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson 6: Karma, Yoga & Cosmic “Do-overs”

 Scenario: After a meeting at work, you’re having coffee with a co-worker and they say, “I’m doing the yoga class HR mentioned, and it really helps me focus.” Looking to you, they ask, “What are your thoughts on it?” How do you answer?

 Before we jump into a quick answer, let’s pause and look at the broad themes of the belief system called Hinduism (origin of yoga). First, let’s develop a picture of the tenets framing their worldview, and then we can ponder opportunities for conversation. There are many, many sects and variations within the Hindu community, but for this post we’ll stay within the boundaries of the more common major beliefs.

 I. The Framework

  •  The Term Hindu – An ancient Sanskrit word, historically referencing the Indus river basin. It is mainly practiced in India, and surrounding areas.
  • The Beliefs – According to L.T. Jeyachandran (an authority on Hinduism), it’s best described as the confluence of two seperate (and sometimes conflicting) streams of thought – Polytheism (many gods, numbering in the millions) and Pantheism (all or everything is god). 
  • The Worldview – Dharma is the Hindu word that describes a way of life, mindset, or philosophy as opposed to a creed or doctrine. Their holy writings are an “open canon” (as opposed to our closed canon of a 66 book Bible). For example, a modern scholarly writing could be canonized, and recognized as credible. This “open” approach creates a complex and personally diverse belief system that avoids absolutes.
  • The Process – The goal of “Self-Realization” is a key component in Hinduism. The two main methods for facilitating that pursuit are Yoga (Sanskrit word meaning “union”) and Transcendental Meditation (TM). It’s important to know that the seeker is attempting to clear away the illusions clouding the realization of the connection (or union) that already exists with Brahman (their name for Ultimate Reality that’s impersonal and unknowable), not to achieve union. This is why there is a focus on mental clearing and emptying.
  • The Results – Reincarnation (the cosmic “do-over”) is taught as the on-going, continual process of returning to life after one’s death at a higher or lower level each time based on deeds in the present life. For example, a bad person comes back as a dog, and a good person comes back as a prince. This is orchestrated by Karma (the cosmic “traffic cop”) directing people to their destinations.
  • The Goal – Ultimately a Hindu hopes to achieve Nirvana (the final stop, not the rock band) in which ultimate realization is found. The idea is once a person has accomplished enough good by overcoming the difficulties of life, then they’re simply reabsorbed back into Brahman like a cup of water poured into a river.

 II. The Conversation

When having a conversation with a Hindu, or someone interested in themes of their belief system, we need to stop and ask, “What are the core longings of their heart?” In other words, what are they hoping to find as result of such pursuits? Consider these 4 possibilities… 

A. Seeking Fulfillment – it’s easy to see the pursuit of “something bigger” in following this path of teaching. In Acts 17 Paul notices extensive pagan idols around him in Athens. When challenged by the philosophers of the day, he observed their religious passion and gave them truth within the framework they understood. For example in verse 23 he begins by referencing their altar “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD”. Using that as a springboard, he preached how they could actually know Him, and continued explaining by quoting their own poets (v.28). The Bible says in verse 34 that some believed, and followed Christ.

Hindus want to know the “Ultimate Reality”, and the Bible teaches God is by nature relational. His triune nature describes Father, Son, and Holy Spirit relating to each other in perfect fellowship. Adam was not only created, but invited into that fellowship. Colossians 1:19 tells us all of the fullness of God dwells in Jesus, and He is the one that reconciles us to God. By Christ’s sacrifice, we are invited into fellowship with Almighty God, not as an alternate or additional path, but the only path (John 14:6).

B. Seeking Purpose – We are made by God. Psalm 139:13-18 tells the beautiful story of how God intimately makes us. Knowing Him through Christ gives us incredible purpose. For the Christian, good works aren’t something driven by ulterior motives for a better next life, but a foundation for a now life of thankfulness. A life filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:20).

C. Sense of Inner Peace – As Paul says in Ephesians 2:14, Jesus is our Peace. Yoga & Transcendental Meditation both focus on emptying or clearing the mind. Maybe a person would think, “Hey, what’s wrong with that?” Well, for the Christian the Bible teaches a different idea of meditation. Philippians 4:8 instructs us to meditate with a focus on something, not emptying. We are to place our attention on the truth of scripture, and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). The Holy Spirit will always lead us back to the person of Christ and His teachings.

D. Seeking A Good Ending – The hope of a cosmic “do-over” may relieve some concerns temporarily, but we’re all ultimately appointed to die AND face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The problem is that the standard for judgment isn’t me versus another person, but me versus the perfect standard of God, and I cannot measure up (Romans 3:23). Paul explains in Romans chapter 1 how we can’t even live up to our own consciences, much less perfect God.

In conclusion, our only true hope is in Christ. To find real purpose, a sense of inner peace, and a good ending, I must rely on something more certain than cosmic guesswork. The Bible tells the story of God’s love for us and sending Jesus to make a way to know Him. “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” (Ephesians 2:8). What an incredible find for those seeking to know the truth!

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dads with “Impact”!

Posted on September 15, 2011 by cchrisholland

Football commentators have a new catchphrase, “Impact Player” – game changers that show up in most plays. Of course, it’s routine to have an occasional standout player, but those having significant impact game-after-game are less common. Because I’d been invited to speak to a group of dads, I wondered what an “Impact Dad” may look like. What are some qualities of a father making key plays “game-after-game”? Here’s what I found…

First, an Impact Dad is:

I. Powerful – I Cor. 1:4-9

Ever feel inadequate? I’ll admit it, I do. There are days when I wonder if I’m really up to the job of being the spiritual leader in our family. That’s when a reminder of I Corinthians chapter 1 helps.

Paul says we’re “enriched (lavishly blessed) in everything by Him in all speech and knowledge”. And he goes on to say in verse 7 that we come short in NO gift. It’s not a limited gifting from God, but a lavish, no-holding-back kind of gifting. As a follower of Christ, it’s His faithfulness (v.9) that compels me, and His equipping that qualifies me to “suit-up”. If I’m obedient to His voice, then I’m gonna make some plays.

Second, an Impact Dad is:

II. Practical – James 1:21-25

In college, I remember some professors teaching subjects they had no practical experience in. For example, teaching management, but never having managed a staff, or business without ever owning one. By contrast, I also knew some who were practitioners. They could say, “I’ve done this and…” or “I’ve tried this and…” – BIG difference!

How about you? Are you trying to pass on spiritual truth from someone else…maybe a pastor or teacher…or are you passing along experience? James chapter 1 tells us to be doers, not hearers only. Choose to walk in His grace. We can’t expect our family to follow us if we’re spiritual wimps and frozen in fear. Get in the Word, and get out there. You’re equipped. Make the effort to learn how incredible that is!

Third, an Impact Dad is:

III. Present – II Cor. 2:12-17

One of my favorite passages of scripture is Paul comparing us to “Roman Triumph”. You may ask, “What’s Roman Triumph?” It was a special reception honoring generals coming back from foreign battle with specific accomplishments. He must have captured new territory (expanding the empire), and inflicted at least 5,000 casualties. A large parade wound through Rome ending up at the Coliseum. The General & his Officers were up front, and captured enemy would walk behind with Roman priests mixed in. The priests carried burning incense, which filled the route with aromas of Roman victory. The smell of incense gave two very different reminders. To the citizens, it was the glory of Rome…to the captives, death waiting in the Circus Maximus.

Dads that are “present-and-accounted-for” make a significant impact on their families. In his powerful word picture, Paul calls us the fragrance of Christ. We are to live with the presence of Christ in and all around us. When I’m with my family, I need to be physically, mentally, and emotionally there. Distractions are everywhere, but my presence can be the reminder of security in Christ. Are you an Impact Dad? You can be. Romans 8:37 says we are “more than conquerors through Christ” and with Him in us, ultimate victory isn’t just possible…it’s absolutely guaranteed!

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Horoscopes, Curiosity, and Faith

Posted on September 12, 2011 by cchrisholland

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson #5: Horoscopes, Curiosity, and Faith

Scenario: You’re at lunch with a friend. As you’re both checking phones for email, you’re friend says, “Hey, looks like a good day for me according to my horoscope.” Then based on your facial response adds, “It’s just for fun, no harm in being curious, right?” How do you respond?

Since the 1960s, horoscopes and other related things have increasingly become part of our pop culture. Most of you reading this know your zodiac sign, not because you follow astrological charts, but because it’s so prevalent. So what’s the deal? Is it harmless fun for the curious, or something we need to be careful about? I think the best way to answer is looking at three questions:

A. What’s Astrology’s Origin?

  1. The early origins of embracing the stars as influencers, trace back to the Chaldeans as recorded in Daniel. In Chapter 1 we see the story of four Hebrews-Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (the latter three more commonly known by their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego). They were serving in the court of Nebuchadnezzar, along with “professional” astrologers, and magicians. What purpose did the court astrologers serve? Basically, they advised and counseled the king, guided by interpretation of the stars.
  2. Modern astrology, however, has shifted more to helping people find a “path” as opposed to outright answers and fortune telling. With the influence of people like theosophist Alice Bailey (1880-1949) and psychotherapist Carl Jung (1875-1961) astrology is part of a broader worldview involving psychology, eastern religious practices, and New Age ideas.

B. What does the Bible say?

  1. The Stars – 5 ways they reflect God’s incredible power
  • They were created as signs for navigation, seasons, days, and years – Genesis 1:14
  • They declare God’s glory as a revelation of Him – Psalm 19:1
  • They are a testament to God’s supremacy – Job 9:9
  • They remind us of God delivering on His promise to Abraham – Genesis 15:5
  • He used a star to direct wise men to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the King’s arrival – Matt. 2
  1. Forbidden in scripture – The Bible consistently condemns seeking to divine guidance from the stars (divination) and any kind of worship of the heavens – Lev. 19:26, Deut. 4:19 & 18:10-14, and I Sam. 15:23.
  2. Proved Unreliable – The court Astrologers could not measure up to God’s servants in any of the examples in Daniel, 1:20, 4:7, and 5:7-8.
  3. Divination will suffer God’s judgment as in Isaiah 47:13.

So how do we approach a conversation with someone involved with these things? I’ve found the best method is asking them questions, listening to their answers, and making comments anchored in scripture. For example:

C. The 2 Big Questions

  1. Who do you think is in charge? In Romans chapter 1, Paul talks about how the natural world gives evidence of God’s creative power, and the fact that He is charge. If that’s true (and it is) then mankind has a responsibility to honor Him as supreme, and listen to what He says through his Word.
  2. What are you seeking? What are you hoping to find in reading a horoscope or other predictive writing? The Bible says followers of Christ have a guide, the Holy Spirit – John 16:13-14. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will guide us “into all truth”, and in a way that brings Him glory. He will never guide us in contradiction of His Word.

Conclusion: Is astrology compatible with Christianity, I say no. People are searching for answers and we have the revelation of Almighty God in His written Word. How comforting to know that He guides us in a personal way through a relationship with Him. Once we’ve entered into that relationship through Jesus, we don’t need flawed substitutes. We have the Creator of the universe to place our hope and faith in. Be confident in that reality and go forward in His grace. Now that’s something solid you can depend on!

For more info on this topic, check out this link:

http://www.gotquestions.org/astrology-Bible.html

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Hey, what’s that babbling I hear?”

Posted on September 5, 2011 by cchrisholland

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson #4: Hey, what’s that babbling I hear?

Scenario: You’re at a birthday party. The kids are busy playing and a conversation starts with other parents about the news of the day. As a couple of global issues are mentioned (environment, terrorism) someone says, “If the leaders would just sit down and talk, we could solve these problems.” How do you respond?

 With that in mind, let’s look at the first recorded “challenge” to mankind after the flood. Genesis 11:1-9 records that everyone had the same speech and they decided to build a city on the plains of Shinar (Babylon). According to verse 4, they were concerned with a specific threat; being scattered abroad over the face of the earth. Why? Well, we could speculate, but the scripture of course is our best source for answers.

I. The Command

In Genesis 9:1 God had given a directive to fill the earth. He even placed a “fear and dread” on the animal life ahead of the peoples’ migration (v.2).

With the long life spans of Noah and his sons, there would’ve been “firsthand” knowledge of God’s judgment as they went forth. For example:  

  1. The need for repopulation was a direct result of earlier generations’ rebelliousness toward God.
  2. God fulfilled his covenant to save Noah, his family, and the land animals.
  3. God is worthy of worship, praise, and service as modeled by Noah.

 II. Their Rebellion

The people rejected God’s command and chose a different path. Their idea was a “public works project” to build a city with a tower reaching the heavens. Why? Well the Bible tells us in verse 4 they wanted to “make a name for themselves”. Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong with building a city and a tower, but their motive was the issue.

 It would be a monument to them-as a people. The construction of something so large…generations would know they had taken charge of their destiny and defined their own reality. Oops, that’s starting to sound familiar…even contemporary.

 III. A Modern Tower

Currently there are several “towers” under construction in the public discourse, but I’ll focus on one-humanism. Whether the name has “secular” in front, another label, or no label, modern humanists sound cutting edge, but have roots reaching back to ancient times. As a matter of fact, you can hear the echoes of the serpent in Genesis 3:5 “you will be like God” and 11:4 “make a name for ourselves” in their teachings and goals. 

With the Enlightenment and Greek philosophy as a resource, Roy Wood Sellars wrote the first Humanist Manifesto in 1933. It stated core beliefs through 15 affirmations. Some of the points; the universe is “self-exiting and not created”, a “continuous process” is man’s origin (evolution), “old attitudes of prayer and worship” are to be replaced with a “heightened sense of personal life”, a “cooperative effort to promote social well-being” should be established, and a “socialized and cooperative economic order” needs to replace the inadequate “profit motivated society” (capitalism).

Consider how they’ve shown up in various institutions over the last 80 years, like the education field, political/legal forums, Media circles, and Social organizations. It’s not a conspiracy so-to-speak, but something larger, deeper, and fundamentally rebellious…it’s the “call of the tower”. For a quick overview of Secular Humanism click this link: 

http://www.gotquestions.org/secular-humanism.html 

So, how do we respond in conversations that are framed with beliefs such as “tolerance is supreme”, “profit is evil”, “conviction is narrow-minded”, and “man is progressing”? Well, first we should learn from God’s response. 

IV. God’s Response

  1. He accomplished His purpose in spite of their disobedience. By changing their language, He “scattered them over the face of the earth” Genesis 11:8-9.
  2. A permanent reminder was left from Babel that’s still with us today. The languages of the world are a testimony of God’s seriousness about his commands. 

Based on that, we see Proverbs 19:21 in action. It says, “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel-that will stand.” Our job is not to deconstruct every opposing view, but articulate the truth of scripture. A lesson from the story is that man’s attempts to control destiny is futile at best and fatally foolish at worst. 

We need a savior. That’s the reality, and Jesus is the only worthy of the job. When in history has mankind ever permanently fixed any global problem? The answer is…never. Of course we should be engaged in taking action against the problems of our day, but remember the overarching reality of the Bible. 

In the Bible, Babylon is a symbol of the world system, and thankfully we’re not citizens, but sojourners. As a “guest” in a foreign city, there will be times when it sounds like everyone is “babbling” because…well…they are. In those moments, I encourage you to think about “home” where Jesus reigns, and ask Him, through the Holy Spirit to lead. A word of truth spoken in love can translate directly into someone’s heart, and you may just speak the language they’re waiting for.

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Flood-Literal or Legend?

Posted on August 29, 2011 by cchrisholland

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson #3: The Flood – Literal or Legend?

Scenario: You’re in a conversation with someone about the Bible, and you begin to talk specifics. The person says, “Well, I choose a more open-minded approach than most Christians. A lot of Bible stories weren’t really literal, like a big flood and animals in a boat…that’s a bit of a stretch.” How do you respond?

 The flood described in Genesis is by far the most sweeping physical event in history. Many of our natural resources and scenery can be directly traced to this event. It is a very important part of the Biblical narrative, and worthy of study. For our purpose in this lesson, I want to consider two questions.

Question #1 – Was it a literal global flood?  

  1. Genesis chapters 6-9 describe the event with specific details, such as boat specifications, dates, timeframe, water height, limiting of animal categories to “kinds”, occupants of the boat, food provisions, Noah’s age, sources of the water, and the after effects.
  2. If the flood was literal, then we should expect to find evidence on the earth’s surface, and beneath. Observation reveals a geological record pointing to a rapidly developed, catastrophic event, not long slow deposits over “millions of years”. For example:
  • The Fountains of the Great Deep – In Genesis 7:11 God broke up (those words literally mean “ripped apart”) the fountains of the great deep. This sudden global release of subterranean water would have come with incredible heat and pressure. This alone would deliver massive cataclysmic destruction at the points of origin, on the earth’s surface, and final ground elevations. This is exactly what we see with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Ring of Fire, mountain ranges from surface compression, and faults from plate subduction. Here are some links with details:

 http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/catastrophic-plate-tectonics

 http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/tools/flood-waters.asp

http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/PartII.html

  •  When the water began receding in Genesis chapter 8, it revealed the devastation of the flood. Today we see an abundance of formations that can only be described by an event like the flood. For example, fossils of sea creatures high above sea level, rapid burial of plant and animal life, rapidly deposited layers of sediment, the Grand Canyon, and much more. Here are some links with details:

 http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n4/geologic-evidences-part-one

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/wog/grand-canyon

http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/GrandCanyon.html

 Question #2 – What difference does the Flood story make now? 

  1. God is gracious. Gen. 6:8 says, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Noah’s deliverance was based on God showing Him “unmerited favor” along with his family. Incidentally, we’re here now because of it.
  2. God honored His covenants (with Noah, saving him and his family-Gen. 6:18) & (with Himself, to never flood the earth again-Gen. 8:21-22). God always keeps his promises…to the letter.
  3. Worship is important. Noah’s first recorded act after leaving the ark was to build an altar and worship (Gen. 8:20). Based on how Noah is first mentioned, I think he worshipped regularly.
  4. Noah’s faith is a key part of the story, not just ancillary. (He acted on faith, and fear of the Lord-Hebrews 11:7). Building the ark took a long time, and considering the conditions of the culture, he no doubt heard a lot of naysayer comments.
  5. Rebellion against God is our ongoing core problem (Gen. 6:5 & 8:21). The story starts and ends with God commenting on the condition of our hearts. We cannot change ourselves, only He can do that.
  6. God’s Word is not just “kind of true” or “mostly true”, but is specifically true in every way.
  7. Sin brings God’s wrath, and the flood is referenced in the New Testament as an example (Luke 17:26-30 & II Peter 3:1-13).
  8. Christ suffered the penalty of God’s wrath for us. His redemptive work on the cross provides a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him (Rom.5:1-2, 5:8, 6:23, 8:1).

 The story of Noah and the Flood is often in children’s lessons, but rare in adult studies. The scoffers are busy spreading their message, and I encourage you to take a little time to familiarize yourself with the facts. I’ve included several websites on the Links page. With anecdotal evidence all around, we have a great opportunity to show the overarching theme of the gospel by a fascinating picture of God’s provision. What a story…what a truth!

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

6-Day Creation – Fact or Fable?

Posted on August 14, 2011 by cchrisholland

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson #2: 6-Day Creation – Fact or Fable?

Scenario: You’re in a waiting room. A conversation is prompted by the TV news story playing of a school district resisting inclusion of “Intelligent Design” in textbooks. Someone says, “I can’t believe people still want to put that stuff in school, it’s so unscientific.” How do you respond?

Genesis 1:1, John 1:3, Col.1:16, and Ex. 20:11 all clearly state that God created the earth. We’ll skip past the “Intelligent Design” phrase and cut strait-to-the-chase by asking “Does science confirm or contradict the Bible’s story of creation by God in six days?” Let’s break it down into three parts:

Part 1 – Science vs. The Bible

In 1896 Cornell University President Andrew Dickson White published a book titled A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom. 1 The book launched the idea that science and Christianity were mutually exclusive. However, after years of permeating higher education, this myth is being dismantled by citing the facts, such as:

  • Prominent scientist of history perfected their methods based on the belief that God created “with order”. Men like Galileo, Pascal, Newton, and Pasteur believed His work could be studied, observed, and understood. Consider this quote from Johannes Kepler in his book Astronomia Nova De Motibus, “The chief aim of all investigations of the external world should be to discover the rational order which has been imposed on it by God, and which he reveals to us in the language of mathematics.”
  • Galileo’s mistreatment by the Roman Catholic Church during the inquisition has been used as evidence of conflict between science and Christianity. However, Galileo’s work actually affirms his commitment to scripture instead of church leaders. His study of the earth in orbit revealed God’s design of the solar system, and its magnificence. We should not fear the facts…they’re on our side!
  • A 1996 university survey revealed that 40 percent of scientist believe, not simply in God, but in a personal God who answers prayer. 2
  • It’s been said that science doesn’t support a global flood as described in the Bible. However, there is overwhelming evidence of such an occurrence, and many formations can ONLY be explained by the flood in Genesis (We’ll address that in detail during lesson 3).

  Part 2 – Young Earth vs. Old Earth

When the Darwinian Theory gained popularity in the late 19th century, theologians were caught off guard. The “evidence” of an extremely old earth caused many to formulate new doctrines in attempts to reconcile Genesis with contemporary ideas. Unfortunately, even renowned scholars of that day reinterpreted scripture to reflect these views. There are 3 major alternatives (compromises, in my opinion) that came out of that era:     

Theistic Evolution – the belief that God created the basic parts and let natural selection take over, therefore guiding the evolutionary process.

  1. This contradicts the very core of evolutionary teaching that no single source is behind the process, thus “Theistic Evolution” is an oxymoron.
  2.  The Bible teaches that death specifically came to earth through Adam’s sin (Rom. 5:12, I Cor. 15:21). The idea of millions of years of natural selection before Adam doesn’t fit with scripture. 3

The Gap Theory – the belief that there is a long gap of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 allowing the “millions of years”. This idea comes specifically from Thomas Chalmers of the 19th century, and was popularized by the notes in C.I. Scofield’s study Bible. 3

While it’s an intriguing idea, it doesn’t fit the context of the Hebrew. The official Hebrew Bible (our OT) The TANAKH, interprets Gen. 1:1 this way, “When God began to create heaven and earth.” As you can see, it is declarative and simply sets up verse 2 with no pause. It doesn’t describe two separate events.

The Day/Age Theory – the belief that the 6 days in Genesis 1 & 2 represent ages of time, not literal days. The idea is that for some reason, creation was a long drawn out event over millions of years, and God simply stepped in on occasion and moved it to the next age.

  1. The Hebrew word for “day” in the Creation story is “yom”. It is consistently used in scripture to mean a literal day, and the specific mention of “morning” and “evening” leaves no room for an alternative.
  2. The creation order is also problematic for this view. On the 3rd day, God created vegetation (grass, herbs, trees, etc.). The sun doesn’t appear until day 4. If day 3 was an era of time, how could vegetation survive with no sun?

In additional to these reasons, experiments measuring things like element depletion, continental erosion, lunar dust, and many more show the earth to be young, not millions of years old. 4

Part 3 – Evolution – the general belief that man has a common evolutionary ancestry with apes, and other animals

The difference between Macroevolution and Microevolution is a key component when discussing the overall theory.

  1. Macroevolution is defined as: The appearance of new traits that the ancestral population neither had nor possessed the genetic information that is required to produce them. 3 (a fish becoming a bird) This part of the theory is directly opposed to the biblical record. There is no evidence for it, and has never been observed.
  2. Microevolution is defined as: The changes in the percentages of a population that have a particular trait, which is basically adaptation. 3  This idea is clearly true, and observable. A bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, or high/weight of a group of people changing makes sense. There is room for variations in dog breeding, but it doesn’t turn a dog into a cat.
  3. The Fossil Record – Much has been made over the years of so called transitional humans. The iconic images of Lucy, Neanderthal, and others, when put to the test reveal ape skeletons, disfigured humans, or even blatant fraud.

Also too, with the modern volume of cutting into the earth, there should be massive amounts of transitional fossils, but that isn’t the case. The ones that have been found, point to the Biblical record (when properly age tested, more details in lesson 3). Additionally, there are major flaws in The Big Bang Theory, and the DNA comparisons between humans and chimps.

Conclusion: The evidence for God creating in a literal 6 day time period is vast, but we must remember Hebrews 11:6 “without faith it is impossible to please Him”. Faith is where it starts, and our words should be tempered with love. Scientific facts are our friends, but the Creator Himself should be our focus.       

There is a list of books and links for your personal study on the links page:

https://cchrisholland.com/links/

Notes:

1. Who Made God? -Ravi Zacharias & Norman Geisler (p. 49)

2. Beyond Opinion – Ravi Zacharias (p.109)

3. The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics – Ed Hinson & Ergun Caner

4. In the Beginning – Walt Brown

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

In the Beginning…is God Real?

Posted on August 8, 2011 by cchrisholland

Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson #1: In the Beginning…is God Real?

Scenario: You’re at a family gathering, having a conversation with a grown niece’s boyfriend. The discussion turns to spiritual things, and when the subject of God comes up, he says, “I don’t believe the Bible’s version of God, and how things started.” How do you respond?

Of course, a good way to start is asking questions of the person, but we need to have done the same to ourselves first. For example, ask yourself these questions concerning belief of the way things started:

What do I believe?

Why do I believe it?

How can I explain it?

Naturally, the Bible is our source for truth, and doctrine, but what if the person isn’t receptive to scripture quotes? What do I say when someone simply shuts down concerning the Bible, and great verses like Gen. 1:1 & John 1:1? Do I just dismiss them? Absolutely not…regroup and start over. Consider this…

In addition to the sacred truth of the scriptures, there are 5 major arguments for God’s existence. Here are 3 of them.

 #1 The Teleological Argument: This is based on the observation that nature has such a refined level of design, sequencing, and beauty, that chance could not possibly be the author of such incredible things.

  1. Long before we had technology to see the expanse of space, David said, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1)
  2. God said to Job that creation takes on form like “clay under a seal”. The earth is literally like a mark left from the signet ring of the maker (Job 38:14).
  3. William Paley in his book, Natural Theology tells the story of a man noticing two items in a field, a rock and a watch. The rock brought no special interest, just a naturally occurring thing, but the watch was different. It had obvious marks of a craftsman who shaped the metal pieces, polished the class bezel, and wound the spring. We can point to this magnificent creation as evidence of God, as opposed to random chance.

 #2 The Moral Argument: This is based on the universal recognition of right & wrong in the world.

  1. Even when there is no concept of Judeo-Christian teaching, there are behavior codes. Even in remote places, rules are in against such things as murder & theft, why? It’s because a “conscience” is hardwired into people from being created in God’s image. What makes right “right”, and wrong “wrong”? Who defined that originally? God did.
  2. Paul used the Moral Argument in two separate passages of scripture, Rom. 1:18-21 and Acts 17:22-29. He successfully shows how nature points to God’s creative role, and man’s rebellion.

#3 The Experience Argument: This is based on your personal testimony. 

  1. Description – I can describe my Dad because I know him. I can tell of his personality, preferences, and other details, because of a relationship with him. It’s the same with describing God. There are characteristics of Him beyond my ability to communicate, but that shouldn’t stop me from talking about what I know is true.
  2. Observation – In science, part of an experiment is the observation. Our life is “observable” and we should be mindful of what onlookers are observing. Over time, if our life proves consistent, then our credibility compels people to ask “How?” and “Why?”

 Conclusion: The evidence for God is overwhelming. Just like Paul in Acts 17, we hear opinions of all kinds. Mankind has many beliefs contradicting scripture, but at the core, they’re feeble attempts to approach God on human terms. Jesus said in John 14:6 that He is the only way to God, and faith in Him is the only true source of life.

There is a list of books and links for your personal study on the links page:

https://cchrisholland.com/links/

Posted in Apologetics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Radically Forward…

Posted on August 1, 2011 by cchrisholland

After two trips through Radical by David Platt, the question lingered in my mind, “Now what?” While leading two different groups through the small group study, there were MANY conversations. Opinions are abundant, but the only place I could find clarity was the scripture.

Since Dr. Platt’s writing pointed back to Jesus’ words, I specifically looked to the Gospels. Honestly, after dealing with the substance of the book, I needed a lifeline, and here it is. Maybe you need to pack it in your spiritual daypack too.

Reality #1: Embracing Radical brings fear.

Take comfort in this though, the Disciples were afraid too. John 20:19 tells us they were locked up, hidden, and didn’t know what to do next. Many times I feel the same way, but His voice speaks, “Peace be with you”, just like in verse 19.

Reality #2: It’s God’s plan.

In Luke’s account of this scene (Luke 24), Jesus says everything had to happen just as they did, in order to fulfill prophecy (verse 44). It was true then…and still true today. God is working His plan, not mine. I need to relax in the fact the He’s in charge.

Reality #3: Only Jesus can help us see the plan.

“And He opened up their understanding to comprehend the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45 Amazingly, I often forget the simple truth that I need Jesus to help me “see it”.

Reality #4: It’s in His power not mine.

In verse 49 of Luke 24, Jesus instructed them to wait to be “endued with power from on high” and the world was changed forever because they did! His presence and power makes ALL the difference.

Going forward in a “radical” way can be daunting, but very compelling. The great news is Jesus promised to be with us, all the way to the very end!

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Burgers & Community

Posted on July 29, 2011 by cchrisholland

An old pharmacy “luncheonette” was my stop the other day driving back from a conference. It’s off the beaten path in Clayton, and beyond notice of tourist just two blocks over. While I was there, I watched, and listened. Memories flooded my mind from growing up near there. “Community” was happening right in front of me, and it was refreshing.

 Imagine the scene…servers greeting folks by name, terms like “Dear” and “Hun” used often, and a GREAT burger! It wasn’t a strategy; just their normal life. It’s who they are, and had the tourist known, they would have flooded in there. With the conference theme “Building Great Groups for Great Growth” fresh on my mind, I couldn’t help but notice the parallels.

 We were challenged to seek authentic community, and reach people. It sounds like elusive secrets, but it’s really not complicated. The formula is already available in scripture. Jesus modeled it perfectly, and charges us to do the same. Notice the common themes from the speakers:

 Alan Taylor, Minister of Education,First Baptist Church,Woodstock, GA drew attention to this:

 “…Jesus went about teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing…” Matt. 4:23 – The strategy Jesus used throughout was:

  • Reaching People
  • Teaching People
  • Ministering to People

 Bill Donahue of  The LeaderSync Group showed  Jesus leading groups into spiritual community by:

  • Creating Moments (washing the disciples feet – John 13)
  • Seizing Moments (turning Peter’s comments into a lesson – John 13:38)
  • Marking Moments (Instituting the Lord’s Supper – Matt. 26)

Dennis Pethers of Viz-A-Viz Ministries, Essex, UK shared about reaching people far from God, like those in England. He taught that Jesus was “among them & available”, based on John 14:1-26 where Jesus spoke and listened.

 At the end of the day I came back with a fresh vigor to look at our Lord’s example, and it sounds familiar. Recently, the little orange book, Radical by David Platt has convicted me lately to do the same. He points me back to scripture for the definition of my mission. That’s tough because my flesh resists, but I can’t argue with it. Authentic Christian Community involves looking to the one who designed it, Christ.   

What about the diner?  Well, I drove back down to the main drag, and saw the tourists…lots of them in “chain” restaurants. They were completely unaware they missed out on a GREAT burger served up with, “There you go Hun.” I suspect if someone had informed them afterwards, they would be very disappointed. So as we build authentic community, we need to make the effort to reach the “tourists”, so they too can experience Christ’s wonderful riches…and that sounds like Kingdom work to me.

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sand or Stone?

Posted on July 21, 2011 by cchrisholland

Green Energy, Tolerance, Social Justice, etc…sound familiar? They’re the noble causes capturing the imagination of a generation. The overtones are everywhere. As believers, what should our response be?

Well, pondering that, I recalled something from our beach trip. The kids were playing, and writing their names in the sand. Since they were at the water’s edge, the waves would come and wash the letters away. Quickly they would write again…same results. In so many ways, as a culture, that’s our plan.

Amazingly, the “Summer of Love” propelled millions to change the world, but our planet still needs “rescued”. Massive numbers of that generation poured into law school, education, politics, and various social endeavors, but yet here we are. The waves of time are washing away the names and the sand castles, but we’re not the first.

The ancients tried it too. Remember the Tower on the plains of Shinar(Gen. 11:1-9), and the quest to “make a name for themselves”. God confused their language, and now we call it Babel. It’s right there in scripture to behold, but I often speed by it as a “children’s story”, missing the powerful teaching. Truth is, we’re all inclined to work hard at making a name for ourselves, while ignoring obedience to God.

So what should we say about:

  • Social Justice? Mankind is born broken, and any attempt to address those ills apart from scripture is futile. The redemptive power of the Holy Spirit is the only remedy for broken lives, and hopelessness.
  • Environmental Issues? Stewardship-this is God’s creation. He’s charged us to manage it, but we’ve done a poor job. The planet doesn’t need saving, but the Creator deserves acknowledgement and worship. The truth of Genesis trumps any socialistic strategy for utopia.
  • Peace? There are no political solutions to the root causes of conflict, only postponement. The superlative message concerning peace, is personal peace through Christ.
  • Political Solutions? Make your voice heard, vote according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, but trust no one to be the savior…we already have one.

I’m less inclined than ever to believe our leaders will make the right decisions. That thought can be depressing if I let it, but I’m choosing to stand on the Rock. His words are true, and His promises are unwavering. Sand is great for a beach, but poor for a foundation…ask the foolish man in Matt. 7:27.

Posted in Apologetics, Christian Life | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Life Paraphrased…

Posted on July 17, 2011 by cchrisholland

Recently, I overheard my son reading a children’s book to himself. He knew all the characters in the story, and hit the major points correctly, but the details were off…way off. Since his reading ability is still limited, he basically uses the pictures and makes it up as he goes. He strongly narrates the good parts, while changing others to match his imagination. Sometimes he even skips whole pages altogether.

Listening to his “artistic license” I wondered, “Do I do that with the Bible?” Do I really live according to the scripture as written, or am I content with a “paraphrased version” of the Christian life? Am I an authentic disciple, or do I attempt to customize the Lord’s commands, and make it up as I go?

It’s true, there are passages of scripture I don’t understand, and hard truths I struggle with, but we’re called to follow. My prayer is to be a disciple, even when I would rather change the story, or skip pages. The good news is, Jesus promised to be with us (reading over our shoulder so to speak) and I’m so glad He is!

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Symptom Relief

Posted on July 13, 2011 by cchrisholland

“I just want to feel better…” seems like our modern approach to spiritual matters, as well as physical. Consider our “symptom relief” strategy to the common cold. Since we don’t have a cure, we struggle through with pain relief, decongestants, etc. while waiting for our immune system to do its work. If we’re not careful, we apply the same protocol to issues facing us as believers.

In personal/relationship “colds”, God’s word is the main ingredient for building a strong immune system. Many books offer temporary relief, but soon wear off, allowing the “symptoms” to return. Only God’s truth can bring spiritual health. His word is not only comforting, but also challenging. He calls us to repentance, righteousness, service, and spiritual fruit. In the process, our inner being is strengthened, equipped & aligned with His purpose. Looking for answers in His Word may not be the cultural choice, but it’s the right choice…and you may even “feel better…”

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , | Leave a comment