Chance or Creator? Part 1

Over the last one-hundred years there has been a great debate about how life came into existence. Was it by random change with variation over time through natural selection? Or was life created by a higher intelligence? This debate has touched everyone from scientist, politicians, preachers, atheists, and school teachers. Over the next several week I will be posting and discussing this great subject.

Throughout our culture there has been a great divide between those who believe in evolution and those who believe in a higher intelligence which created the world. It is impossible to ask either side to approach the debate by setting aside their worldviews completely. However, both sides have to realize that the courts, media, and congress will not settle the issue, the evidence will. There is only one correct answer. My hope is that each of us takes time to examine our worldviews and entertain that there might be a chance of it being incorrect. Thank you for your time and I look forward for the next couple of weeks! LET OUR JOURNEY BEGIN!!!!

How far are you willing to go?

Last night at church, one of our elders, Mark Hanstein gave the 90 seconds of power. It moved me and shook my inner foundation. It helped me better understand the role each and every Christian plays in the overall role of Christ's church. Here, then is the illustration Mr. Hanstein presented.

In his first inaugural address, President Ronald Reagan spoke of Martin Treptow who was killed in battle during World War I, while trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire. On his body was found a diary. On the flyleaf, under the heading, My Pledge, Treptow had written these words: "America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure,
I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle
depended on me alone."

Christians have to recognize that it is our responsibility to combat Satan at every corner, not with violent speech or anger. We cannot hate, must not be silent, and cannot compromise the truth for popularity points. Our duty is to treat the entire matter of saving the lost as if it all depended on each of us individually and as a body. So will you fight, will you work, will you sacrifice, or will you simply sit on the sidelines?

Keep The Faith

wandering alone...

A friend of mine sent me this poem during a time when I was experiencing spiritual distress. I did not know where I was headed, if I even wanted to continue ministry.

"Desert roads winding through my mind

Sitting among you, I wonder, I wander alone through canyons of whispering voices, the questions, my soul's haunting" What do they feel?"

"Is our faith real?"

Sitting in this room brings these thoughts plaguing, screaming "Why are we here?" "Where are the tears? "So long we've been shackled by shadow fears...unable to hear the great calling the Voice of waters and fire healing,revealing, consuming

Do we dare draw near? What is your pain? Expose blistering sands of weathered souls sifting through hands, now we're old. Do you believe in desert rain?"

The author would later go on to clarify that there was a lie based on perspective. The author noticed that we do not wander alone through the canyons but that God is with us every step of the way whether we realize it or not. At the time of my spiritual distress, I realized something very valuable, I was focusing too much on me. The one thing I was not focused on was my relationship with God.

In Proverbs 3:5 it says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." In times of distress or crisis, we should rely on God to guide us through the of the turbulence of life. God never promised a smooth sailing just a safe landing. He does however, provide a way out!

If we draw near to God he will draw near to us. Once we put our needs, wants and own understandings behind and lean on the cornerstone, Christ, we can breathe easier. Practicing the presents of God everyday gives us the assurance of knowing our creator is always present and with us every step in our journey known as life.

Are you wandering alone?

The Foundation of Hope

In the recent Presidential election, President Obama ran on two platforms. The first was the idea of change, that Washington was too corrupt, old school, and needed reform. Yet, the driving force behind the change was the hope of a better tomorrow. Isn't in interesting how powerful hope can be? It is intangible, it does not have eyes, ears, a mouth or nose. We cannot look hope in the eye, nor can we see it face to face. Yet somehow, someway, it penetrates our soul to the point of action. Just like any building that is constructed, car that is assembled, or company which is started, hope has a foundation. The question is, what should a Christian's hope be founded on?

There are some who build their hope on the foundation of material items. In a country that is driven by the accumulation of "stuff" it is hard to pull away from the mentality of needing the biggest, most innovative, expensive or technologically advanced items which hit stores every day. Sadly, there is an ideology which suggest whoever dies with the most toys wins. We tend to forget, whoever dies with the most toys is still dead. In Psalms 115:4-8 it says,

"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man's hands. They have mouths
but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but the cannot see; they have ears
but the cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell; they have
hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; they
cannot make a sound with their throat, those who make them will become like
them, everyone who trust in them."

When we allow materialism to become our main desire, If we place our hope in the material world, we will not be able to see God working in our lives, hear what God is speaking to us through his word, and we will be unable to walk in the way he has commanded. However, we know that placing our hope in the physical is no different than the wise man building his house on the sand because this world and all its lust are passing away (1 John 2:17). Therefore, those who build their hope on materialism strive to gain more because their souls are empty. Thus their hope has no foundation.

Secondly, there are those that build their hope on the foundation of man's wisdom. So many Christians turn to magazines, talks show, such as Oprah and Dr. Phil, or even elected officials in order to satisfy their personal or spiritual desires. In Romans 1:21-22 Paul writes,

"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks,
but they became futile in their speculation, and their foolish heart was
darkened. Professing to be wise they became fools."

Hope in the man's wisdom leads to the elimination of God and ultimate failure. Hope in men will return empty because men are fallible.

Our hope as Christians should be build on the word of God. God's word is able to equip us (2 Timothy 3:16). God's word guides us (Psalm 119:105). Our creator's word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). Our hope for everlasting life is based on the accounts God has given us through the revelation of his word. By studying these accounts and lessons our faith in God and the hope that he has promised, will be strengthened.

A Christian's hope should be built on prayer as well. In Philippians 4:6 it says, "be anxious in nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God." Prayer allows Christians to have a direct connection to God. Our hope in our faith is strengthened when our prayers are answered. Answered prayers generate motivation to keep on running the race to eternity.

Finally, a Christian's hope is build on the foundation of Jesus and his sacrifice. For he is the cornerstone of our hope and salvation(Acts 4:11-12). It is because of his sacrifice by which we are enabled to inherit salvation and escape from sin. It is only through Jesus that one can be forgiven of sins, through repentance and baptism in his name (Acts 2:38). When Jesus is apart of our lives we know that our hope is not empty but built on the strongest foundation known to man. The question still remains... What is your hope built on?

Its Predestination Kyle.....Is Predestination a sound doctrine?

In the realm of Christianity there are many who believe God hand selected those who would be saved and those who would ultimately go to hell. The followers of this belief system suggest that because mankind is in such a depraved state we cannot pick or choose for ourselves to follow and obey God, primarily because we have inherited Adam's sin from the garden of Eden. Therefore, since mankind cannot choose to follow God, God made the choice for us by selecting who would be saved and who would be go to hell before we ever committed and act of right or wrong. this doctrine is called the predestination. The premise of predestination ultimately leads to two questions that must be answered, What are the ramifications if predestination is true and does the Bible truly teach this?

The foundation of predestination was first established by John Calvin over five centuries ago, since then Calvinism has held a foothold within the denominational world of religious teaching. Predestination is the doctrine that suggests God hand picked, before our creation, who was going to be saved and who was going to go to hell. Ultimately, we do not have a choice in the matter of our own salvation because we are such a depraved being. The Logical question is, Does the Bible teach this doctrine?

One of the most used passages by those who believe in the doctrine of predestination is Ephesians 1:3-14. Most Calvinist cite Ephesians 1:4, "Just as He Chose us in Him before the foundation of the world," Apparently this passage screams predestination, however Paul effectively lists the attributes which God chose before the foundation of the world "that we would be holy and blameless before Him." Did God select us to be saved before we were born or is did God select that attributes that he desired for us to have as those who follow him? In verse five it says, "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself," Paul is not stressing that God predestined our fate, but God did predetermine that those who would be holy and choose Christ would be adopted as son.

A prime example would be prospective parents who are seeking to adopt a child. The parents predetermine what characteristics the child should have, as well the adoption agency predetermines the characteristics the parents should have. The prospective parents can talk to the adoption agency and discuss,learn and meet the criteria set out by the adoption agency. If the child is older he or she knows that good behavior is a great characteristic, the adoption agency then attempts to teach the child how to act in a proper manner. In the same way we become adopted sons and daughters of God when we meet the predetermined criteria of salvation that God has set before us, which is completely fulfilled through Jesus' teaching and sacrifice for our sins.

Another primary passage used by those who support the doctrine of predestination is Romans 29-30, which states "For those whom he Foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son," this simply means that God did know all of us before we were born, (to say otherwise would suggest that God is not God) and that he predetermined for us, pre-desired for us all to be come like his Son Jesus, holy and blameless. Do parents desire the same thing from there kids before they are brought into the world? Do parents not desire for their kids to be polite to everyone they encounter? In verse 30 it says "and these who he predestined, He called, He also justified; and these whom he Justified, he also glorified." Does God not call us through the preaching of the Gospel? Is it not the Gospel that saves people? Does faith not come from hearing the words of God?(Romans 10:17). Justification and glorification comes from God when we respond to the gospel of Christ. Moreover, If your fate and my fate has already been decided by God why should we worship? Why should we study our Bible? Why pray to God? Does this not open the door way for us to live any way we pleased based on the fact that no matter what we do our fate has already been decided? A bigger question is how do those who follow the doctrine of predestination is, how do they know if they are saved? What about their children? Theoretically, they and their children could not be saved and there is nothing which can be done to improve their spiritual state? Is that the God of the Bible? Certainly not.

It is clear that scripture does not teach predestination. In fact the Bible teaches that salvation is for everyone not those that are some specific "salvation club." God desires that ALL men be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth(1 Timothy 2:4). God desires that all men come to repentance (1 Peter 3:9). God sent his son for the entire world (John 3:16). God desires that we all repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins and that this promise is for everyone (Acts 2:38-39).

Therefore, the doctrine of predstination does not hold up under the microscope of the Bible. Which means, everyone is accountable to God for the choices and acts they committ throughout life, this includes choosing to accept Jesus as Lord or to deny him. Predestination ultimately limits the power of the Gospel to a certain group of men and women under the notion of divine pre-existing selection. The call is to all, the question is will you obey?

Is homosexuality a sin?

Since Barack Obama's election victory there have been many prominent leaders of the gay community speaking out against his selection of Rick Warren (who is the preacher of the nations biggest church, which is located in Sattleback, California) to give his invocation speech during his inauguration, which takes place on January 22. (for a prime story go to http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/17/obama.warren/index.html?iref=newssearch)

Well what does this have to do with the Christ's Church? There is a movement among those with in the body of Christ as well as denominations that are adamant that a homosexual marriage is scriptural and that there is nothing wrong with this lifestyle because "science" has proven that humans can be "born gay." This begs the question what does God's written word day about the matter and is there any outside evidence that proves humans are not born gay?


One of the primary argument made by those in the Church that support the homosexual lifestlye and marriage is the proposition that Jesus never said anything about gay marriage. However the Bible clearly depicts Jesus speaking about the institution of marriage. In Mathew 19:3 Jesus is approached by the Pharisees and they asked him"Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" Jesus responded by saying "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female...For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (Matthew 19:14-5). (If we do a little bit of Biblical digging, we find that Jesus is quoting Genesis 2:24). Jesus then said in verse six, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Clearly, Jesus had every opportunity to suggest that a homosexual marriage was approved by God. However, the only marriage that Jesus refers to as being valid in the sight of God is the one between a man in a woman by which they become "one flesh." By re-enforcing the institution of marriage as being between a man and a women, Jesus has automatically eliminated any other form of marriage that man might call "scriptural."

Secondly, the apostle Paul (who was called by Jesus, Acts 9,22) notates in his letter to the Corinthian church about those who will not inherit eternal life He writes "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God"(1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Paul specifically list acts of the heart that will lead a person to hell. We can clearly see that a homosexual lifestyle is listed with in the context of the passage.

Thirdly, Paul makes a second reference to the homosexual lifestyle in his letter to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 1:8-11, Paul expressed to Timothy the reason for the gospel by writing "But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which i have been entrusted." From Paul's letter to Timothy we can understand that it is because of these acts listed are the reason for the gospel being preached to the world, so that the sinner might be able have salvation. Clearly stated in the context of the passage homosexuality is listed as a sin.

Biblical evidence clearly shows that homosexuality is an act of sin. Therefore, if homosexuality is a sin, what then does that make a homosexual marriage? The simple answer would be unscriptural considering the only marriage Jesus mentioned as being "brought together by God" is a marriage between a man and a women. Simply put, Biblically homosexuality and homosexual marriage does not fit the bill.

There is still one question that remains? Is there scientific proof that people are born homosexual? In August 2004 Brad Harrub, who holds a PhD. in in Anatomy and Neurobiology from the University of Tennessee (www.focuspress.org/brad and David Miller who attended Southern Illinois University where he earned his PhD. in speech communication (www.apologeticspress.org/staff/dm), published their findings about homosexuality.

Dr. Harrub and Miller found that

"In the 2000 census sheds even more light on the subject. The overall
statistics from the 2000 Census Bureau revealed:
The total population of
the U.S. is 285,230,516. The total number of households in the U.S. is
106,741,426.
The total number of unmarried same-sex households is
601,209.
Thus, out of a population of 106,741,426 households, homosexuals
represent 0.42% of those households. That is less than one half of one
percent! But since most people are not mathematicians, we would like to make
this
point in a way that most individuals will be able to better comprehend.
If we were to start a new television sitcom, and wanted to accurately portray
homosexual ratios in society, we would need 199 heterosexual actors before we
finally introduced one homosexual actor" (www.apologeticspress.org/article/2553).

However one of the most cited studies used in support of homosexuality is the famous LeVay Study, which was conducted in 1991. Dr. Simon LeVay studied the brain differences between the homosexual and heterosexual male and came to the determination that brain matter in a homosexual male is the same as that same brain matter of women. (for more specific details go to www.apologeticspress.org/article/2553).

yet there are a series of problems with the study. Dr. Harrub and Miller
found that

"When looking at the methodology of the LeVay study, one of the key problems
is that the study has never been reproduced. As William Byne noted, LeVay’s
work has not been replicated, and human neuroanatomical studies of this
kind have a very poor track record for reproducibility. Indeed, procedures similar to those LeVay used to identify nuclei have previously led researchers astray (1994,27[5]:53, emp. added).Additionally, of nineteen homosexual subjects used in the study,all had died of complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS has been shown to decrease testosterone levels, so it should be expected that those who suffered from that condition would have smaller INAH.

Furthermore, in a scientific environment where controls and standards are a necessity, LeVay did not possess a complete medical history of the individuals included in his study. He therefore was forced to assume the sexual orientation of the non-AIDS victims as being heterosexual, when some may not have been. In addition, bear in mind that he had no evidence regarding the sexual orientation of the women whose brains he examined. LeVay has admitted:
It’s important to stress what I didn’t find. I did not prove that homosexuality is genetic, or find a genetic cause for being gay. I didn’t show that gay men are born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work. Nor did I locate a gay center in the brain (as quoted in Byrd, et al., 2001, emp. added).."(www.apologeticspress.org/article/2553).

These are Just a few of the finding that Dr. Harrub and Miller found throughout their study of homosexuality with the population of America. For a more information go to www. apologeticspress.org/article/2553). These finds ultimately show that Homosexuality is clearly not passed down through hereditary means. Simply put there is no Gay Gene. Even without these findings, common logic would suggest that it would be impossible for there to be "born" gay people. The reason for this is the make up of our society. From the study Dr. Harrub and Miller produce we find that %96 of the population is Heterosexual and that %4 claim to be gay. However, since homosexual couples cannot reproduce, that leave the production of the gay community to heterosexual people. So in order for there to be a gay population at all heterosexual people have to produce them? This does not make sense.

However, there is hope for those that find themselves wanting to be followers of Christ. In Acts 2:38 after receiving Peter's sermon there were those who were pierced to the heart and they wanted to know how they could be saved and Peter replied "Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sin." There is hope for those that desire to follow Christ, that by obeying the gospel and giving up the homosexual lifestyle they too may become one with Christ.

Perseverance

Perseverance

I’ve always enjoyed watching young adults join the body of Christ. Most of the time seeing young adults commit themselves to Christ brings me to tears. I often feel like a kid in a candy shop. Yet, what saddens me is when young adults fall away from the church because of hardship and tribulation. The probable cause for them leaving the faith is the inability to persevere.
Paul after giving a sermon in Lystra is stoned and thrown out of the city. Yet unafraid of the consequence Paul re-enters the city and encourages the disciples saying “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:19-22). Peter writes “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening” ( Peter 4:12). Christians should not expect the road of life to be smooth, if anything as Christians, life often become more difficult because we are called to live to a higher standard than the rest of the world. God never promised smooth sailing, but he did promise a safe landing but only if we are able to persevere. Jesus said to his apostles in Matthew 10:23 that “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” Is there ever an account of Jesus telling the apostles or disciples that life would be easy if they were to follow him? Then how can we expect something different?

As odd as it may seem perseverance helps faith. In James 1:2-3 it says “Consider it pure joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” WHAT!!! YOU MEAN THAT IT IS A GOOD THING TO GO THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES? Yes! Why? Because it is in trials that we understand that we alone cannot survive but need a greater force to lean on and that force is God. A prime example would be my experience back home on break from school this past week. I was invited to hang out with my friends from high school. We met at my buddies house and we all had the intent of sleeping at his house. Throughout the course of the night there were several cases of alcohol which were being passed around. Ultimately, I knew the dreaded question would come and sure enough my buddy came up to me and said “Hey Dean have a beer.” I rejected the offer, yet he persisted and in that moment I thought “God please get me through this.” I hung in there and resisted the temptation to become drunk, with 1 Corinthians 10:13 stuck in my mind. From that experience my ability to turn away temptation and rely on God grew. I believe this lesson can be applied during times of great distress in which if we persevere, our relationship with God will grow even more intimate.

Finally, when I think about the ability to persevere, I can only think of Jesus. Just imagine how much Jesus persevered, the betrayal by his disciple Judas in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:48), his best friend, Peter denying him three times (Luke 22:56-60), a mock trial (Mark 14:55-59) and ultimately the cross (John 19:16-19), so that we could be forgiven of our sins through his sacrifice. If Jesus did all of that for us, what should be our breaking point? Should there even be a breaking point with regard to our faith in Jesus as Lord? Let me encourage not just young adults but everyone to keep the faith and persevere.