What's your source?

It's amazing how most people come to form an opinion or belief about something.  Often, it's based upon what their parents believe(d).  Sometimes, it's based upon that of another relative or a friend, or even upon peer pressure.  But in all cases, it can be argued that most people form it based upon the opinions or beliefs of someone they look up to, respect, or simply hang out with.

When that opinion or belief is formed - or rather adopted - in this fashion, perhaps the greatest danger is doing so without questioning it, without subjecting it to scrutiny.  Only years after the fact did I realize that all those assignments I did in school and university where I had to "compare and contrast" articles and viewpoints, or to provide references to varying sources in research papers, were not meant to torture me.  They were meant to force me to consider alternate opinions, to support but also subject my theses to scrutiny.

Sadly, most people see taking the time to investigate something before accepting it as requiring too much effort.  Or perhaps they haven't been taught how to compare and contrast, or how to research alternate opinions on something.  Our educational system has certainly become worse in this regard as I compare my substitute teaching experiences with my experiences as a former student.  In any case, most people trust that others have done this for them, and that the ideas they present must therefore be valid.

So what's the source of your beliefs?  Is it the "latest and greatest" author or speaker who just appeared on the Oprah show?  Is it a book like "The God Delusion" or one like "The Case For Christ"?  Maybe it's a book that a relative, friend, or colleague just recommended.

In any case, you need to scrutinize what they're telling you instead of simply accepting it.  For example, is there any scientific, historical, and/or legal basis to what they're promoting, even from multiple perspectives?  How have people fared over a long period who've adopted these ideas and beliefs - the good and the bad stories - not just at the "good times" when they happen to write the book or make the TV appearance?  And what of the people who claim to have fared badly: what is their motive in attempting to discredit a particular person or perspective, and does their reasoning stand up to scrutiny and cross-examination?

Most people think that doing things like this is a threat to one's current set of opinions or beliefs.  However, if one is very grounded, considering alternate opinions can also be a way of solidifying those beliefs even more.

In any case, simply accepting what you're fed can be dangerous, so make the effort and the time to check things out.  Should you do the same with the Bible?  Absolutely, whether you're a believer or not!  Rather than close their minds off to the message of Christ (the Gospel), the citizens of the Greek city of Berea (or Beroea) who heard this message from the apostle Paul are commended in the book of Acts chapter 17 because

"[they] were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

As an aside, why did they search the Scriptures and not some other non-scriptural body of writings?  Isn't this being narrow-minded?  Because the things concerning Jesus were foretold in the Jewish scriptures - what we now call the Old Testament - so it was only fitting that the Bereans searched them for explanations about how this Jewish Messiah could also be the savior of non-Jews like them.

God even encourages his people in Isaiah chapter 1 to "Come, let us discuss this" or "Come now, let us reason together."  God Himself is in favor of directly being asked the tough questions!

I encourage you to do the same.  Whether you're digging through the Bible to interpret the Bible or through extra-biblical accounts to do so, don't just take the Bible on its own merit.  Find out for yourself whether it's for real through considering other sources (ones that attempt to be objective) before you assume that it isn't for real just because you're too lazy or don't care.  For that matter, you need to do this to any book or belief system that claims to have a new or different truth, whether the Koran, The Book of Mormon, or The Secret.

To not do so can cost you for an eternity.

Answers for atheists

A post that I wrote a little while back caught the attention of an atheist, and you can read the entire post and comments by clicking here.  But the main comment concerned some tough questions that have been asked in similar form by many a non-believer, which I will quote here:

If [God] is all good, why do 20,000 children die every day in this world? Surely someone all good, would not let that many children die? So he is either not all good, or he is unable to help them so he is not all powerful..

Do you believe in a devil? If so why would a god "allow" him to exist? If he does, then again he is either not all good or not all powerful and cannot stop him or stop him from existing..

See how quickly cracks appear in even your most basic belief system?

Here was my initial reaction to this comment, so bear with me: I must admit that I was a little put off at first. Was I supposed to abandon my faith simply on the basis of two issues that this person assumed I hadn't found answers to? Perhaps this person didn't really care to find answers to these questions but was simply trying to discredit believers in general and this blog in particular, upset merely by the fact that my belief system runs contrary to his/hers?

Also, as the comments progressed, I had the feeling that s/he was calling my character and level of intelligence into question solely as a result of me believing in God, as though only some half-wit would do something so audacious. You can see in subsequent comments how s/he and I attempted to iron some things out, and how in the end I realized that attempting to answer these questions isn't a bad thing.  However, doing so just wasn't the intention of this blog.  Let me explain.

I started this blog for reasons explained in the introductory post, and I hoped that people would read it so that any comments would not resort to making me feel as though I was being regarded as a second-rate human being for believing in God, for example by inferring that I am "brain washed by a cult" or that by believing in God I "may as well be believing in Santa Claus, except you are an adult". I wasn't expecting to be subjected to ad hominem attacks - to attacks on my character - and to attacks on my intelligence, but rather I had hoped to be asked to reasonably and intelligently discuss matters related to God.

But then I realized that perhaps this atheist has only ever encountered "religious" people, as s/he refers to them (perhaps not yet realizing that true Christianity is actually the anti-thesis and the greatest enemy of religion), who seem as though they are robotically brainwashed by how they act and live.  Or maybe Christians (or those who claim to be) have looked down their noses at him/her and attacked his/her character as well.  Maybe I was simply bearing the brunt of his/her discontent.

Although this person should not have assumed the same about me or done the same to me, I guess I can't blame him/her.  What I realized is that s/he's probably never become acquainted with, let alone met, someone who believes in God like me yet with the integrity, character, and intelligence that those around me know I possess.  It's easy to assume things about someone whose stuff you're only reading about online instead of getting to know them face-to-face. I'm also very well regarded by Christians and non-believers in my sphere of influence because I don't walk around with a 'holier than thou' attitude. I'm very real, and I don't walk around with my head in the clouds. In short, I'm very personable and don't speak with people as though I look like I was weaned on a pickle.

I also realized that to not answer those questions would lead this person to rightly assume that I lack integrity, character, and intelligence. Therefore, I am attempting to answer these questions for these reasons, but also since this person has never met "one single person who can logically answer those questions. Not a priest, not a born again Christian, not Mormons nor Jehovah Witnesses at the front door." However, I do not make this attempt with the illusion that an atheist will suddenly "see the light" regarding Jesus.  This person him/herself has stated that s/he is "not someone looking for God".

So why should I bother answering these questions?  Because I as a follower of Jesus need to be as open, caring, and transparent to non-believers as he was to all around him when he walked this earth. He is the example that sadly most Christians have failed to follow, and I've never wanted to be a part of that majority. If most Christians truly reflected the character of their Savior, their Messiah, then the atheist ranks on this planet would be almost non-existent because the love of God would be hugely apparent, since it is meant to be reflected through Christian believers.  Sure, this person has implied that s/he really doesn't care to know the answers, which means that perhaps instead I'll either be mocked again as I was at first (but hopefully not) or s/he'll simply try to poke more holes into my faith that s/he cannot truly understand apart from that faith.

But maybe none of this will happen; maybe I'm assuming that this person will act exactly how I did as a hater of God for the first 22 years of my life, when I responded to any spiritual inquiries with venom and hatred (and all without objectively considering their viewpoint, by the way) that few non-believers have had the guts to express with a believer face-to-face.  Anyhow, this is a chance I'm willing to take; my faith has and never will be shaken, so really I've got nothing to lose, and maybe it will actually be somewhat informative to this and other atheists/agnostics who stumble across this blog. At the very least, these are good questions that deserve attempts at answers - hey, I wondered about them as well at one time - and hopefully the responses are respectful and reasonable even if someone still disagrees with them.

So here's my approach.  In this post, I've decided I'm not going to re-invent the wheel.  These questions have been addressed somewhat directly or indirectly in this blog.  So first, do a search by blog title or keyword for the items of concern, such as "brainwashing" or "atheists" or "Satan" or "devil".

Second, search online for other sources that will answer these questions, because they've been asked and answered ad nauseum throughout the ages.  I simply feel I don't need to try to answer them myself at this point if others have done so already.

But beware: not all people who claim to represent God truly represent the God of the Bible, the one true God.  So please avoid anyone who has violated the warning of Revelation chapter 22, verses 18-19 like the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses have:  they have tweaked and even re-written the Bible to make God fit their mold, to suit their twisted agendas.  They are cults in the truest sense of the word, and therefore their answers to these questions will be misinformed and intended to mislead.  In fact, any religious movement or self-proclaimed "faith" that has rejected Jesus and therefore the Bible is also not a good source for information (ex. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.). I've never found their explanations on such issues to be reputable or even helpful because they lack a true understanding of such issues by, for example, their removal of Jesus from the equation.

Instead, start with organizations like the Christian Research Institute (the best cult-busting organization in existence!), and search for messages from the likes of Charles Stanley and Chuck Swindoll.  I'm sorry, but answers to these questions are only best addressed from a Biblical perspective (since these questions are about God and the devil), so you need to be open-minded about this no matter how uncomfortable this may be!

Now I won't leave you totally hanging.  Here are a few links to answers to the above (or similar) questions to get you started.  Where you go from here is up to you:

If [God] is all good, why do 20,000 children die every day in this world?

• Link 1, Link 2, Link 3

Do you believe in a devil? If so why would a god "allow" him to exist?

• Link 1, Link 2, Link 3

Some of these responses are written from Christians to Christians, but bear with them as you read them. Don't get upset, don't get insulted - just take them for what they are.  In some cases, some answers to the specific questions are sprinkled throughout various parts of the articles.

Third, these questions do not have cut-and-dried, simple answers.  In fact, for me these answers only came after several years of gaining a deep understanding of God through reading my Bible, listening to reputable (not just any) Bible teachers in person and on the radio (this involved me sorting the reputable from the pseudo-biblical and cultic teachings), and through asking God to reveal his truths to me.  Even if I can refer you to cut-and-dried attempts at answers, they'll probably seem non-sensical without a solid background of walking with God.

So there you go!  Now, if you're assuming that this is a cop-out on my part, I hope you will do your due diligence and first research these things more for yourself.  Then, if you really would like me to answer them from my perspective, in my own words that I believe God is revealing to me, please leave me a comment to that effect and I will create a new post.

BUT PLEASE, if your desire is not to really seek to understand God more but rather to try to mock me, my faith, or to just keep asking questions for the sake of mockery and/or to waste my time and energy, then I will no longer be answering such questions.

Again, I intended this blog to share what I believe God has laid upon my heart over the years for the benefit of believers and non-believers seeking to understand God more.  And I will return strictly to this agenda if I sense that my character is being subjected to attack or if my faith is being mocked in a disrespectful fashion.  I am asking you to hold to the same level of integrity that I have hopefully also held to, and I believe this is an absolutely fair and reasonable request.

Old vs. outdated

Some people make the assumption that the Bible is outdated simply because it's old, because the last book accepted into the canon of Scripture occurred nearly 2,000 years ago.  But when you think about it, being outdated has nothing to do with age but entirely to do with not being relevant to today.

Consider the fascination with Shakespeare in drama and English classes worldwide hundreds of years after the bard's death.  Think about how the original design of things like the light bulb and the camera are still recognizable in modern light bulbs and cameras over 100 years later.  These things might be considered as old, but their modern relevance and influence prove that they are not outdated.

If you question the relevance of the Bible in our modern world, do the following:

• Read the first ten verses of 2 Timothy chapter 3 and ask yourself if this doesn't with absolute precision describe the world of today, "the last days" that the Bible repeatedly refers to.
• Read Romans chapter 1 from verse 18 to the end of the chapter and ask yourself if the moral abyss the world currently finds itself in has ever been better explained than in this portion of Scripture.

What some people fail to realize is that although cultures, nations, technology, and trends have changed immensely since the time the Messiah walked this planet, human nature has not changed one bit.  As soon as a humanist claims that our species has "evolved" to some higher level of intelligence or sophistication, we read some news headline about a genocide or other unthinkable act of evil that sound  no different from such accounts in the Bible.

The only difference between these modern acts and those recorded in the Bible are the fact that they are being committed by people in different cultures and nations using different technology and following different trends.  Whereas in ancient times some cultures burned their babies alive in the arms of scalding hot idols, we allow girls and women in our civilized, sophisticated modern age to have their unborn child ground into bits and vacuumed from their innards using some of the most intricate surgical instruments and techniques.  Such a practice is not considered barbaric because it is so methodical and sterilized.

Apparently, the accounts (actually disproven myths) of women using coat hangers in back alleys was too inhumane and gruesome for those in the women's liberation movement of the early 1970s to stomach, but I digress.  History since that time has proven that the legalization of abortion was done to serve selfish political, financial, and scientific interests among others, but I raise this issue as an example of how the mere acceptance of this practice is one of countless proofs of how human nature - in this case lying, greed, and selfishness - have only changed in form, not in substance.

While I'm on the topic of relevance, I can't help but question that of the Theory of Evolution in our modern age.  (You can look at the keyword archive in this blog for other thoughts that God has revealed to me about this and other topics.)  Scientific understanding of the workings of the human body were elementary at best at the time of the publishing of The Origin of Species in 1859:  scientists knew what was inside the body at a non-molecular level, but little was known about how body systems and organs worked and interacted.  And nobody - including Darwin himself - had any idea of the unfathomable intricacy and sophistication of the workings of the human body that scream "Design!".  In addition, apart from the human body and that of other mammals, the literally infinite vastness of the universe was unknown and atomic structure was unheard of.

Therefore, this theory at its core is based on outdated science despite all claims to the contrary, on assumptions based upon the scientific understandings (and misunderstandings) of the time that modern science has since largely disproven.  Yet you'll rarely hear about anyone who lacks a true understanding of God, any non-Christian, questioning its relevance in this modern age.  The modern proponents of this theory, who continually churn out new sub-theories to cover up the ones that modern science continues to disprove, gain influence and keep the dead horse of evolutionary theory alive as they wax eloquent and get the Oprah seal of approval for their new book about their new theory - as she has largely replaced God and His Word as the beacon of modern moral, spiritual, and scientific wisdom in pop culture, and apparently in the evolutionist community as well.

Yet begin to seriously ask objective, frank questions about their beliefs - which are different in substance but no different in magnitude from those of Christians - and you get accused of being what they themselves are:  narrow-minded, subjective, and worst of all, "religious" (whether you actually believe in God or not).  The saddest part about the believer of evolutionary theory is that they don't realize that they are themselves disciples of a religion, that of Evolution, the new religion of this relativistic and humanistic world we now live in.

So even though some things are considered relevant in this modern age, we see now how they can be outdated.  Fortunately, anyone looking for something solid to stand on, something that won't be disproven 5, 50, 500, or even 5,000 years from now, need look no further than the Bible, the only true Scriptures and truth in existence.  The Bible is the only body of writings whose truth and claims have withstood all persecutions, all examinations, and all other tests of time.  (If you think you've found a new way to poke holes in its truth and absolute integrity and sink it once and for all, I urge you to do so, but I can guarantee that you cannot do so with an objective mind.)

If you haven't dug into the Bible because you believe that it's outdated and therefore irrelevant and a waste of time, or because you believe the hype that it's a book of fairy tales or riddled with "internal contradictions" and so forth rather than just letting it speak to you on its own merit, then you're missing out on the greatest adventure of this life and the one beyond.  But don't just take my word for it:  be objective and find out for yourself.