Creation Proves God

   We can explore the tiny, one celled animals or investigate the huge vastness of space and see intricate, definite design - if we are willing to see it. Where we see design we know there must be a Designer! Evolution argues against a Designer. Whether it is plain evolution or theistic evolution, both argue against a Designer. They both, also, argue against the beginning chapters of Genesis.
   Genesis says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Paul Gentuso was studying the human hand as an evolutionist, but he said the more he studied (removing skin, muscles, etc.) the more he saw how wonderfully the hand worked. "The tendons of the hand are aligned in tendon sheaths, like self-lubrecating pulleys, allowing the hand to work in a tireless, noiseless fashion. It was perfectly designed to carry out all the work it was called to do.... The effect on Paul was to show him that there was a Creator who created man with definite design. Paul later became a Christian and served as a missionary in Africa. He is one of many who have studied medicine or science and were willing to see what was presented to them had to have been created by design. Even some who will not admit that there is a God have come to admit that there is what they call "intelligent design". One such scientist is Dr. Dean Kenyon, a tenured molecular biology professor at San Francisco State University. He wrote a text book based on basic evolutionary thought. He later, after much more investigation into the origin of life, wrote another textbook which shows that he..."no longer believe(s) that the arguments in "Biochemical Predestination" and in similar books by other authors add up to an adequate defense of the view that life arose spontaneously on this planet from non-living matter." His new book is titled "Of Pandas and People" and although he doesn't mention God or creation, he proposes an "intelligent design". Hopefully, one day, he will be willing to accept this "intelligent designer" as God and believe in Jesus Christ as his own Saviour.
   The more scientists study creation, they must keep changing their theories, but the Bible has stood the tests of time and, though it has been accused repeatedly of being wrong by men, it has been proven to be correct almost all of the time and the few times not proven yet, will prove the Bible true yet again. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard."(Psalms 19;1-3) Also, read Romans 1:20.
   Even the fact that the universe exists speaks of a Creator. Evolutionists feel that everything started with a "Big Bang". Where'd the bang come from? From an exploding speck of matter. Where did the speck come from? They don't know! Yet they base their entire theory on it. As mentioned, some scientists are beginning to move away from that theory to "intelligent design". One reason may be that they've heard too much convincing argument against it, which shows how wrong they've been. One argument R.C. Sproul, who lectures on apologetics, wrote. "For something to come from nothing it must, in effect, create itself. Self-creation is a logical and rational impossibility....For something to create itself, it must be before it is."!(from R.C. Sproul, "Not a Chance"(Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1994.) Can you picture in your mind anything suddenly appearing before you--out of thin air? Not from someone putting it there, but appearing on its own? Would you call it science if someone told you it happened to them?
Here's a very interesting quote from the founder and director of NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies in New York from Robert Morgan's book "Beyond Reasonable Doubt" Dr Robert Jastrow says, "For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries."
   Everything that happens in our universe happens because something caused it. So with all creation, something caused(created) it. That Something(Someone) is God.

Sincerely,
Rick

Part of the Christmas Story

   There are more than 300 prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ's birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection. Also, in I Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul tells the gospel which is "according to the Scriptures and mentions over 500 witnesses. "Peter Stoner, former chairman of the departments of mathematics and astronomy of Pasadina City College, chairman of the Science Division of Westmont College, and professor Emeritus of Science at Westmont, wrote a book called  Science Speaks in which he applied the mathematical principles of probability to various Old Testament predictions". He chose 8 of the 300+ predictions and formulated the mathematical probability of them coming true in 1 man. He and his students wanted to know what the chances were "that any one man, in accordance to predictive prophecy, would be born in Bethlehem, preceded by a forerunner, enter Jerusalem as a king riding a donkey, be betrayed by His friend for 30 pieces of silver, be placed on trial and, though innocent, make no defense for Himself, and be crucified."
   The chance of only these being fulfilled is only 1 in 10 to the 17th power. He illustrated this as one covering the state of Texas with silver dollars 2 feet deep, mark one and mix it into the others. The chance of Jesus fulfilling these 8 prophecies is equal to a blind man searching through all those silver dollars and finding that one which was marked! Remember now, there are not only 8, but 300+ prophecies fulfilled in the life of Christ. I will cover a few of the predictions as they occur in order so it's easier to look them up:
      Prophesied in:                                                                                  Fulfilled in:
  1. Psalms 2:7 - He;d be called the Son of God.                                     Matthew 3:17
  2. Psalms 16:10- He'd be resurrected.                                                  Mark 16:6,7.
  3. Psalms 22:1- He'd be forsaken by God.                                           Matthew 27:46
  4. Psalms 22:17,18- His garments would be gambled for.                     Matthew 27:35,36.
  5. Psalms 34:20- None of His bones would be broken.                        John 19:32,33,36.
  6. Psalms 41:9- He'd be betrayed by a close friend.                             Luke 22:47,48.
  7. Isaiah 7:14- He'd be born of a virgin.                                               Luke 1:26,27,30,31.
  8. Isaiah 9:7 - He'd be heir to David's throne.                                       Luke 1:32,33.
  9. Isaiah 50:6- He'd be spit upon and struck.                                       Matthew 26:67.
10. Isaiah 53:3- He'd be rejected by His own people.                            John 1:11,Luke 23:18.
11. Isaiah 53:5- He'd die for others.                                                       Romans 5:6,8.
12. Isaiah 53:7- He'd be silent when accused.                                        Mark 15:4,5.
13. Micah 5:2 - He'd be born in Bethlehem, Ephrathah.                          Luke 2:4-7.
14. Zechariah 9:9- He'd enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey.                   Mark 11:7,9,11.
15. Zechariah 11:12- He'd be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.                Matthew 26:14,15.
16. Zechariah 12:10- He'd be pierced through hands and feet.                John 20:27.
17. Zechariah 12:10- His side would be pierced.                                    John 19:34.
   Remember, while you celebrate Christmas, that Christ is no longer a baby, but a mature man. The One Who died in your and my place because we've all sinned against God. The penalty is spiritual death - separation from God. Jesus said, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" His physical death was a necessary blood sacrifice as well. This fulfilled the payment. God was satisfied and raised Him from the dead which proved His satisfaction.
   So, remember what Jesus did for you and accept His offer of eternal life by believing Jesus is Who the Bible says He is and that He died in our place on the cross. Then live as the Bible teaches and serve Christ, the Son of God. You will never regret it. But be assured, when you do live for Him, you will suffer persecution as Jesus did. Read Peter's letters.

Sincerely,
Rick

The Differing Reports

   Though Luke was very accurate, he was only one witness. Matthew, Mark, and John also wrote about the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even Paul and Peter wrote about Him. If you read each account you will notice some differences, but the general story is the same. Some would say that the differences prove that the story is made up - untrue, but if all were exactly the same one could believe the disciples got together and made up the story and agreed what each would say to make sure their stories agreed. They didn't do that, they honestly told what they saw - what impressed them while they followed Jesus. When a group of people see an auto accident, each of them will give a similar story, but with some differences, depending on where they were or where they were looking or what each one thought was important. We tend to forget what we think isn't important.

   Some question why numbers differ, but when you consider the overwhelming numbers of people who were helped by Jesus, one can certainly understand some differences being mentioned. These accounts do not contradict, but complement each other. That is, each is like a description of a car. It takes many parts to make a car, but, if people describe the car, each person will mention different aspects of the car, but it's the same car. If you took all the descriptions and put them together, you would have a better discription of the car. It is the same with the Gospels.

   Morgan in "Beyond Reasonable Doubt", states, "Diversities in the stories are not necessarily contradictions in the history. On the contrary, these minor divergencies provide powerful evidence that the accounts are true. In a court of law, when you have 2 or 3 witnesses whose stories are all presented exactly alike, you begin to suspect that they have gotten together ahead of time to rehearse their accounts. You strongly suspect collusion. But if each person tells the story from his or her own perspective, each adding different details yet not contradicting the testimony of the others, you can more easily assume you are getting a genuine story." On page 8 he quotes Morris as saying, "It is a well-known rule of evidence that the testimonies of several different witnesses, each reporting from his own particular vantage point, provide the strongest possible evidence on matters of fact when the testimonies contain superficial contradictions which resolve themselves upon close and careful examination. This is exactly the situation with the various witnesses to the resurrection."

Sincerely,
Rick

Thankfulness

   It's Thanksgiving already! People remind us to be thankful for what we have. We're told to count our blessings, such as: family, friends, things we possess, our freedom, food-we do like to eat, clothing, etc.  
   The Apostle Paul writes in II Timothy 3:1-5 that "in the last days perilous times will come" when "men will be unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good...lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" It seems like we are living in those "last days". Many are not thankful for what they have and want what others have - robbery, murders, swindelers, and such are terrorizing our society!
  But, praise God for those who give to others. They are thankful, loving, kind people. They help "make the world go 'round". They are a blessing on our society to be thankful for, but the others are a blight!
   Yet that which we should be most thankful for is what God has done for us in our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died on Calvary's cross for our sin personally and was buried and the third day arose from the dead and sits at the right hand of God to intercede for us as we believe in Jesus - that He is the Son of God Who lived a sinless life and died a sinner's death for each one of us. Then we will want to live as God instructs in the Bible.
   Thank the Lord for His eternal life and His Word. In Romans 8:28 Paul tells us that "all things work together for our good." God can take bad things that happen to us and use them to make good things happen. When Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave to go to Egypt, it was evil, but God used it to save Joseph's family during a great famine. God still uses bad happenings to accomplish good today. So be thankful for what God allows in your life and see how He can use it for good. But thank Him most of all for sending Jesus to die for us that we may believe and live for Him and enjoy eternal life in heaven with Him. May God bless you with the knowledge of Him.

Sincerely,
Rick

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

   Can anyone prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jesus arose from the dead? At first one might quickly say, "No, that's impossible!" Yet, if God had a part in it, it would be possible. Not for man, but for God. After all, He who made the world can change normal happenings and cause what we call miracles.

   If we look at the evidence given by those who lived in that day, in the light of current court evidence  and methods, we would be forced to accept the fact of the resurrection of Christ!

   Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke, has been proven repeatedly to be a top notch historian who was meticulous in his research. Also, archeology has proven him to be correct even when late historians thought him to be wrong.

   In the beginning of his Gospel he mentions his complete knowledge of his subject, and in the beginning of the book of Acts which he wrote, he again,  tells of Jesus showing Himself alive "by many infallible proofs". Read it! It's written down!

   Let's look at the evidence. 1. The tomb where Jesus was burried was empty! The women went to the tomb to anoint a dead body. When they got there the stone weighing tons was already removed from the opening, but there was no body there! They told the disciples who did not believe them. They thought it was an idle tale because they did not believe Jesus would rise again, but Peter and John ran to the tomb and saw the empty tomb! John specifically writes that "the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths(which were around His body), but folded together in a place by itself." Many feel that the linen cloths were lying as they had been wrapped around His body because of the meaning of the Greek word for "lying"- "to lie outstretched, be (appointed, laid up, made, set), lay, lie." (Strong's Concordance)

   You may say, "So what, the tomb was empty. The disciples came and took the body so they could say He arose. WAIT A MINUTE! THINK! According to Luke's narrative and in the other Gospels, the disciples were disheartened, didn't believe that He would rise from the dead. Even the women went to anoint a dead body!

   Now, also remember that Matthew 27:62-66 tells us that the Jewish leaders asked Pilate for a Roman guard to keep Jesus' disciples from taking the body of Jesus and saying He arose from the dead. The reason? "Because "that deceiver said 'After 3 days I will rise.'" Pilate granted their request. THIS IS THE GREATEST PROOF THAT JESUS REALLY AROSE FROM THE DEAD! The disciples could not have gotten to the stone, let alone carry away the body of Jesus with Roman soldiers guarding the tomb. If they failed in their job as guards, they would loose their life. That's why the chief priests gave the soldiers "a large sum of money" to say the disciples "came at night and stole Him away while we slept." The chief priests said that they would appease their superiors. So the soldiers took the money and said what they were told.(Matthew 28:11-15)

   There were many eye witnesses to the risen Christ. In I Corinthians 15:5-10 Paul lists many who saw christ alive after His resurrection. Over 500 brethren saw Him at one time. It was NOT halucinations! Paul includes himself in the list. He who fought aghainst the young church with such extreemes-to the death of those arrested-and then, suddenly, he became one of them! He tells the story in Acts 9:1-22.

Sincerely,
Rick

     

The Resurrection # 2

   Many historians have recorded the history of the ancient world, men such as Homer, Josephus, Tacitus, Xenophon, Herodotus and Thucydides. More trustworthy than all these men, according to Robert J. Morgan is Luke, the writer of the Gospel. In his book, "Beyond Reasonable Doubt", on which I am basing this study, he states, "All of them pale when compared to the historical pinpoint-accuracy of Luke."(page 6) Sir William Mitchell Ramsay, a Scottish scholar, thought that Luke made lots of mistakes in the details of his writings, the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. So he decided to go to Turkey and the Middle East to prove his thought to be correct. As he traveled where Luke had, he found out that Luke was "correct, even in minute details." Ramsay, himself was wrong! Ramsay wrote that "no period in ancient history is so assured and well attested..."as Luke's report. He wrote further that you could check out Luke's writings all you want, but his writings will be accurate to the tiny details; ie. dates, facts, etc., more than any other historian! He concluded that Luke "is not to be regarded as the author of historical romance, legend, or third or second-rate history. Rather he is the writer of an historical work of the highest order."(Quoted from "Beyond Reasonable Doubt)
   Remember that Luke wrote of the birth, life, death, AND the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! In the book of Acts he repeatedly refers to the resurrected Christ as do the Apostles he writes about. Morgan quotes Wilber Smith as saying, "Of all the writers in the New Testament, Luke was the one who knew better than any of them, from his own medical experience, that it was utterly impossible for a dead body to come to life again by its own power. He was also a man who would have no faith in such a great doctrine as the resurrection of Christ, were it based upon a hallucination, a mental excitement, or the blowing of the wind or the rattling of a window. It was the conviction of this scientist and scholar, true Grecian and true Christian, that the Lord manifested (showed) Himself to His disciples in many (infallible) proofs." To reject the resurrection of Christ, you must reject the most accurate historian of the time; one who was accurate in the most minute details!

Sincerely,
Rick

The Circle

Biblical Error is Impossible

(While I do not agree totally with the Catholic Church, I do agree that the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit.)
                                    
Here is the Vatican's position (from the Vatican website), in the words of Pope Leo XIII in 'Providentissimus Deus' (his 1893 encyclical on the Study of Holy Scripture):

"[I]t is absolutely wrong and forbidden, either to narrow inspiration to certain parts only of Holy Scripture, or to admit that the sacred writer has erred. For the system of those who, in order to rid themselves of these difficulties, do not hesitate to concede that divine inspiration regards the things of faith and morals, and nothing beyond, because (as they wrongly think) in a question of the truth or falsehood of a passage, we should consider not so much what God has said as the reason and purpose which He had in mind in saying it-this system cannot be tolerated. For all the books which the Church receives as sacred and canonical, are written wholly and entirely, with all their parts, at the dictation of the Holy Ghost; and so far is it from being possible that any error can co-exist with inspiration, that inspiration not only is essentially incompatible with error, but excludes and rejects it as absolutely and necessarily as it is impossible that God Himself, the supreme Truth, can utter that which is not true. This is the ancient and unchanging faith of the Church, solemnly defined in the Councils of Florence and of Trent, and finally confirmed and more expressly formulated by the Council of the Vatican. These are the words of the last: "The Books of the Old and New Testament, whole and entire, with all their parts, as enumerated in the decree of the same Council (Trent) and in the ancient Latin Vulgate, are to be received as sacred and canonical. And the Church holds them as sacred and canonical, not because, having been composed by human industry, they were afterwards approved by her authority; nor only because they contain revelation without error; but because, having been written under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, they have God for their author." "