No ordinary man

After Jesus delivered his most quoted sermon (Matthew 5-7), Matthew tells us, “the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29). Some say Jesus is just a prophet, a good man, a moral teacher, but not God. Yet, if we pay close attention to his words, it is clear that he is God. The most obvious clue is his claim to forgive sins.

In Mark 2:7, the scribes and the religious teachers asked, “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis writes, “Now unless the speaker is God, this is really so preposterous as to be comic. We can all understand how a man forgives offences against himself. You tread on my toes and I forgive you, you steal my money and I forgive you. But what should we make of a man, himself unrobbed and untrodden on, who announced that he forgave you for treading on other men’s toes and stealing other men’s money? Asinine fatuity is the kindest description we should give his conduct. Yet this is what Jesus did.” No ordinary man (in his right mind) can claim to forgive all sins. No ordinary man says, “Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:23-24). No wonder the people asked, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? (John 6:42)” This is easily answered. Jesus Christ, is no ordinary man.

God is just

You have probably heard it said over and over again that, “God is love.” Whilst this is true, I think we have overemphasized this truth at the expense of another, namely, “God is just.” To quote “God is love” ad nauseam might mislead people into thinking they can transgress God’s law, never repent and everything will be alright in the end because, “God is love.” God is love, but it is equally true that God is just. We should therefore be careful not to mistake God’s love for lack of justice. If we, who are evil, exact justice, then how much more a God who is perfectly holy, good and pure?

The writer of Hebrews offers us a sobering reminder that God’s love and grace is not a license to do as we like. To those who trample God’s Son and insult the Spirit of grace, the dictum is this, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).” Does God love you? Yes. Will He nonchalantly turn a blind eye to the transgression of His law? Absolutely not. Justice will be exacted, not because He is cruel, but because He is love; and perfect love always exacts justice.

Problems with Islam

It does not matter if offense is not meant, some will probably be taken. Therefore let me get straight to the point. There are some problems I have with Islam (not Muslims) which I find very hard, if not impossible, to reconcile.

Their prophet is supposed to be the last and final prophet to the entire world. He performed no miracles because he said there was no need for it. Yet the Qur’an is believed to be a miracle by Muslims, but the Qur’an is in Arabic. So unless one knows Arabic, one cannot perceive the miracle. What is even more troubling is the fact that a large number of Muslims in the world do not even speak (or understand) Arabic, so the Qur’an in its original language is not accessible to them. Nevertheless, Muslims have traditionally objected to its translation on the grounds that it is the word of God. Islamic doctrine teaches that the Qur’an is the miracle of Muhammad and neither its composition nor its contents can be imitated. So there are millions of people who cannot perceive this miracle (because they don’t know Arabic) and the English and other translations they will tell you are not accurate. The only accurate translation is the original translation in Arabic. So if the Qur’an is the final and last revelation from God to man, and the only translation considered accurate and pure is in Arabic, pray tell; how on earth will anyone who does not speak Arabic, understand what God revealed?

They will tell you that the Bible we have is not the original Bible, it is corrupt, contains contradictions and it is not an accurate representation of Jesus Christ. They maintain that Jesus never really died on the cross and therefore the resurrection was a fabrication. But how does one know whether a thing is truthful without knowing whether or not there is a unit by which to measure it? There is no point of reference regarding the claim by Islam that the Bible is corrupt. We do not have the supposedly pure, original Bible with which we can compare our supposed corrupt version. If we are simply told that what we have is wrong based on something that is never shown to us, we have a slight problem. I will tell you what it is like. It is like saying planet X is such-and-such distance from earth, I do not know the actual distance, but just take my word for it. As a postscript I should add that they will never tell you what was changed, when or by whom.

The Qur’an was written about 6 centuries after Jesus Christ. But remember from the previous point, the original absolute was corrupted. But about 600 years later, we now have the latest and greatest revelation from God which means that B (Qur’an) succeeds A (Gospels, Scripture etc.). So B overrules A because A is corrupt. So if that is the way an absolute is overruled, what is to keep C from coming in 6 centuries from now and overruling B? This is exactly what Joseph Smith did when he founded Mormonism. The previous revelations as found in Christianity and Islam are “corrupt” and he has come out with the last and the greatest revelation and so on. If absolutes keep overruling absolutes without any point of reference and we can keep going on and on ad infinitum (or more like ad nauseam).

They can freely debunk truths we hold about our Lord but you cannot do the same with the names or truths that are precious to them. We can be told in the Qur’an that Jesus never died (which is what is said), we can be told that it is blasphemy to claim that Jesus said he was the Son of God (but that is precisely what he said). In other words, all kinds of concepts that are treasured truths (the Incarnation, the Resurrection, Jesus’ deity) can be denied by Islam. But to even suggest that some treasured Islamic truth might not be true, is “deeply offensive” to Muslims. So, A is given the right to impugn what B is saying but B is not given the privilege of scrutinizing what A is saying. How can there be any dialogue?

Israel still important to God

Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called for the complete annihilation of the nation of Israel: “Very soon, this stain of disgrace [Israel] will be purged from the center of the Islamic world.” The ruling party in the Palestinian government, Hamas (official name: the Islamic Resistance Movement), recently reiterated their position which does not recognize Israel’s right to exist. These comments are not totally shocking. Israel’s location was ruled by Muslims for centuries. They intend to regain control and see Israel’s current position in the Middle East as temporary. But despite some men’s efforts to destroy Israel, she still has a very important part to play in God’s redemptive plan and will be protected.

Salvation (of the entire world) “is of the Jews” (John 4:22), which Jesus fulfilled. In Romans 11:25, Paul writes, “that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” Gentiles refer to every non-Jewish person in the world. Once the Gentiles have “come in”, “Israel will be saved.” Regarding the task of taking the gospel to the world, Jesus made it abundantly clear to his disciples: Jews first, then the Gentiles (Acts 1:8).

The Jews who reject the gospel will be inexcusable. But the Jews’ rejection of Jesus is also part of the plan (I am puzzled at this, but not entirely surprised. It is one of the reasons I believe Christianity, it is not something man could have invented). Concerning the unbelieving Jews, Paul writes, “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy (Romans 11:11).” The salvation of the Gentiles will “provoke Israel to jealousy”. They (Jews) will want what we (Gentiles) have and so “be grafted in again (Romans 11:23).”

The perfect plan, from a perfect God. No wonder Paul wrote, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? (Romans 11:33-34)”

Thinking about a digital audio player?

I know I am. But as with anything else these days, there is so much choice. Make sure to check out Digital Audio Player Review before dishing out your cash. Of course there is the Apple ipod, you can also get custom colour iPods from Colorware.

You should also check out the Zen Vision M which has been getting rave reviews and seems to be better than the ipod. The X5 also seems to be a pretty good alternative to Apple's ubiquitous offering.

And once you have your MP3 player, make sure to fill it up with some MP3s from:

SermonAudio.com

Stand to Reason Radio

Ravi Zacharis International Ministries

you get the picture ;)

More article links

Answering Islams has a series of articles which speak to the following topical issues:

Is Islam Above Criticism?

Are Pictures of Muhammad Really Forbidden In Islam?

Islam and Human Rights

The Spirit of Islam

The Da Vinci Code resources

There are two types of people in this world. Those who have read The Da Vinci Code and those who haven't. Which category are you in?

Below are some links that "crack" Dan Brown's now infamous novel (the movie is due out later this year).

Catholic Answers Special Report: Cracking The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code: Of Magdalene, Gnostics, the Goddess and the Grail

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry: The Da Vinci Code

Article link: Needed: Mature, Moderate Muslims

Another interesting read on the now infamous cartoon controversy...

Truly wired from birth?

There is a common misconception that there is a “gay gene” and homosexuals are born (wired) that way from conception. This is utterly false. There is absolutely no scientific evidence which shows that homosexuality is genetic. Concerning genetics and behaviour research, Dr. Joel Gelernter of Yale comments, “it’s hard to come up with many findings linking specific genes to complex human behaviors that have been replicated.” “...All were announced with great fanfare; all were greeted unskeptically in the popular press; all are now in disrepute” (Science 264:1687 (1994)).”

No one is “wired that way”. Rather, research shows that homosexual behaviour is the result of a multiplicity of factors. It is interesting to note that the people who use that phrase consistently fail to cite any conclusive research to substantiate their claim. Myths abound in the area of unnatural sexual urges and relations. The National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality [http://www.narth.com/], is an excellent resource for debunking much of the popular misinformation in this area.

The war for oil theory

It was well said that the first casualty in war is the truth. The war in Iraq has resulted in a blitz from the foreign policy experts who substantiate that saying with their “war for oil” theory. A view which is also shared by the majority of Arabs. A recent public opinion survey showed that 75 percent of Arab respondents believe that the main motives of U.S. policies in the Middle East are “oil, protecting Israel, dominating the region and weakening the Muslim world”.

It was recently reported that the current cost of the war in Iraq for the Bush administration was around ½ billion USD. A figure that is likely to climb to USD$1-2 trillion according to economics professor, Joseph Stiglitz, and Harvard budget expert Linda Bilmes. So we are to believe that the Americans are spending hundreds of millions, perhaps trillions in the long run, to gain control of Iraqi oil fields which are not worth anywhere near that amount? Really now.

Depending on which study you believe, we have anywhere between 40-95 years worth of oil left. Therefore, as oil gets more scarce and expensive, alternative energy sources will become more attractive. Since 2001, the Americans have spent close to USD$10 billion on alternative energy sources. The oil age will eventually come to an end. As Sheik Yamani said, “… but not for lack of oil, just like the Stone Age came to an end, but not for lack of stone.” John Hawkins aptly sums up the oil for war theory this way, “It’s really nothing more than a bumper sticker slogan that through parrot-like repetition has managed to impress liberal partisans, people who don’t like Bush, and those who don’t really understand foreign policy.”

The word of God

Jesus predicted the resilience of God’s word when he said, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever” (Matthew 24:35). The Bible has survived amidst criticism, rationalism, and countless ridicule. Eighteenth century French philosopher Voltaire predicted the demise of the Bible in light of rationalism. Fifty years after he died, his old home in France was used as a storage and distribution center for the Geneva Bible Society.

The Bible has been “banned, burned and bludgeoned with … animosity and scorn.” But why? John Calvin answers: “Whenever people slander God’s word… they show they feel within its power, however unwillingly or reluctantly.” Modern folk have an aversion towards God’s word because, “the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword,… quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). It confronts everything that is evil within us and lays bare our soul before a mighty God. We shun it because Jesus is not politically correct enough and requires too high a standard of us to allow Him to shape modern society.

To think that philosophy or science will eventually render God’s word irrelevant is imprudent. As Isaiah put it, “The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

Christianity and pluralism

A king leads several blind men to an elephant and asks them to describe it. The resulting descriptions are conflicting, because each blind man touches a different part of the elephant. The supposed moral is this, each religion only has a portion of the total truth and if we could overlook our disagreements and exclusive claims we would realize we are all “feeling the same elephant.”

But as Lesslie Newbigin in, “The Gospel in a Pluralist Society” points out, “If the king were also blind there would be no story. The story is told by the king and it is the immensely arrogant claim of one who sees the full truth which all the world’s religions are only groping after.”

The tolerance police will no doubt sentence you to sensitivity training if you insist that “your religion” is the only right way. But as G.K. Chesterton put it: “I won’t call Christianity my religion, because I didn’t make it up. God and humanity made it, and it made me.” Christians can respect the concept of religious freedom in an increasingly pluralistic society but we cannot be indifferent to the great commission and the eternal destiny of others. Our exclusive claim is not based on our finite perspective; but on the perspective of the King of Kings who knows everything from alpha to omega. You are free to reject his claim, but please, do not be mistaken about what he claimed: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Atricle link: How to write a letter to the editor

Doug Groothuis has written 11 tips on getting your "letters to the editor published." It's a good read.

STR bog post: Criticism vs. Intimidation

There is a good entry in blogsphere from STR. The entry comments on the response of the media over the now infamous 12 cartoons. I find the whole western media response to this issue very hypocritical.

No laughing matter

Contrary to what some would have us believe, not all Muslims are “deeply offended” by the now infamous cartoons. This response was offered by Danish Muslim, Naser Khader: “The imams should stop criticizing the cartoons and instead criticize the terrorists that cut the throats of innocent hostages… But on such occasions we never hear a word from them.” Similar sentiments have been echoed in “blogsphere” by other Muslim commentators.

The most hypocritical aspect of this outrage, is the fact that an Egyptian newspaper published the same cartoons in October 2005 and not a peep was heard. The Arab European League has responded by publishing anti-Semitic and holocaust-denying cartoons on their website. And, a leading Iranian newspaper is holding a holocaust-denying cartoon competition (what’s good for the goose I suppose). After every terrorist attack, great care is taken to assure us that Islam is a religion of peace which has been “hijacked by a fringe element”. Yet, we hear nothing from peaceful Muslims condemning: the violent (sometimes deadly) cartoon protests, holocaust-denying comments and the call for Israel to be “wiped off the map” from the Iranian leader. Why the silence?

The secularization of our culture

An irate caller recently took a moderator to task for even suggesting something Christian in the public square. What nerve, how dare anyone put forward anything from the religious realm as a valid idea in the “real world.” R.C. Sproul, John Gerstner and Arthur Lindsley have accurately captured the secular attitude toward Christianity: “No martyr’s blood is shed in the secular west. So long as the church knows her place and remains quietly at peace on her modern reservation. Let the babes pray and sing and read their Bibles, continuing steadfastly in their intellectual retardation; the church’s extinction will not come by sword or pillory, but by the quiet death of irrelevance. But let the church step off the reservation, let her penetrate once more the culture of the day and the … face of secularism will change from a benign smile to a savage snarl.”

If knowledge is power then those who claim to only deal with “objective” knowledge will be able to dictate the affairs of the day and marginalize and silence groups who are judged to rely only on “blind faith and private opinion.” This will lead to an increasing secularization of society. Secular wants God out. And as G. K. Chesterton lamented, “Once people stop believing in God, the problem is not that they will believe nothing; rather, the problem is that they will believe anything.”

What is love?

Nowadays, “love” is egoistic instead of altruistic. This once noble virtue has degenerated into a “vague diffusion of kindly feeling.” We have succeeded in trivializing “a more excellent way.”

As long as we subscribe to this trivial view of love, we will never fully understand divine love as personified by Jesus Christ. Traherne in Centuries of Meditation, II, 30, wrote the following on divine love: “Love can forbear, and Love can forgive … but Love can never be reconciled to an unlovely object … He can never therefore be reconciled to your sin, because sin itself is incapable of being altered; but He may be reconciled to your person, because that may be restored.” In John 15:13 we read, “Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Yet, while we were still enemies, Christ sweat blood, then died for us. Now THAT is love.

Case of the misguided atheist

There is an interesting case in Italy being brought against a priest who is being accused of unlawfully misleading the public by presenting Jesus of Nazareth in his parish newsletter as an historical figure. The accuser, a professed atheist, argues that, “Christ never existed, but is an invention of the Church.” He is claiming that the priest has violated an article under the Italian penal code, which sanctions people who mislead others. “Abuse of popular gullibility” is the actual term used in the penal code.

It is really too late in the day to come to the public, furthermore the courts, with this nonsense. R. Scott Appleby, a professor of church history at Notre Dame writes, “there is more evidence of Jesus of Nazareth than there would be for many other historical people who actually existed. Not only did Jesus actually exist, but he actually had some kind of prominence to be mentioned in two or three chronicles.” There is also considerable extra-biblical evidence for Jesus of Nazareth from non-Christian writers. Jewish historian Flavius Josephus is considered by scholars to be the most important non-Christian source on Christ’s existence. There are also the writings of Pliny the Younger, who described a policy of executing Christians who refused to curse Christ. Tacitus, a contemporary of Pliny, also wrote of Jesus being executed under the authority of Pontius Pilate.

C.S. Lewis once commented, the man who claims not to believe anything solely on the basis of the historical evidence would have to be content to know nothing all his life. Jesus of Nazareth existed, and the historical records of friend and foe alike attest to this fact. Christ, on the road to the villages around Caesarea Philippi, posed a most relevant question to this discussion: “Who do men say that I am?” The disciples responded, but Christ was silent on the conflicting reports concerning his identity. He responded only with the more probing: “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29, emphasis mine)

The deadliest vice

“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” – Saint Augustine

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis makes the following observation concerning pride, “There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it in ourselves, the more we dislike it in others.” We tend to think that people are proud of being wealthy, smart or beautiful. But that is not true. People are proud of being wealthier, smarter and more beautiful than others. If everyone was equally wealthy, smart or beautiful, there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that makes us proud, the pleasure of being above everyone else.

The worse kind of pride though is not material, but spiritual. The devil simply delights in a proud Christian. If your religious life has you thinking (if even for a split second) that you are “good”, or worse yet, “better” than anyone else; you can be sure that you are being acted upon by the devil himself. The real test of being in the presence of God is this: you either see yourself as insignificant in comparison to His majesty, or you completely forget about yourself altogether. It should therefore come as no surprise that Scripture is replete with warnings against pride. Proverbs 16:18 tells us, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” The Lord tells us to, “learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” (Matthew 11:29) The antidote for pride, is humility. Humility does mean having a low opinion of oneself. It can simply be thought of as pride in God: But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 10:17)

Article links: Religious pluralism

In Jesus the only Saviour, Greg explains why there is no such thing as a pluralist Christian.

In Pluralism, Greg argues that: One of us must be wrong, at bare minimum. Maybe we both are. But one thing that we can never say is that we're both right.

Think on these things

“People say they love truth, but in reality they want to believe that which they love is true.” - Robert J. Ringer

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.” - G. K. Chesterton

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“If the world hates you, you should realize that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you do not belong to the world and I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)