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EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:21 PM ET #101

Why does God allow the innocent to suffer?

In answering this question, the first thing to consider is whether such a thing as "the innocent" even exists. According to the Bible, "the heart is wicked and deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9), and "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Therefore, no one is innocent in the sense of being sinless.

But God did not leave us here to suffer pointlessly. Our loving and merciful God has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish His threefold purpose. First, He uses pain and suffering to draw us to Himself to that we will cling to Him. Trials and distress are not something unusual in life; they are part of what it means to be human in a fallen world. In Christ we have an anchor that holds fast in all the storms of life, but if we never sail into those storms, how would we know that? It is in times of despair and sorrow that we reach out to Him, and, if we are His children, we always find Him there waiting to comfort and uphold us through it all. In this way, He proves His faithfulness to us and ensures that we will stay close to Him.

Second, He proves to us that our faith in real through the suffering and pain that are inevitable in this life. How we respond to suffering is determined by the genuineness of our faith. Those with faith truly from God, will not be crushed by suffering, but will come through the trial with their faith intact, having been "proven through fire" so that it "might be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7).

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:21 PM ET #102

Finally, God uses suffering to take our eyes off this world and put them on the next. The Bible continually exhorts us to not get caught up in the things of this world, but to look forward to the world to come. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36), and those who would follow Him must not see the things of this life, both good and bad, as the end of the story. Even the sufferings we endure and which seem so terrible "are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).

Could God prevent all suffering? Of course He could. But He assures us that "all things work together for good to those that love God and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). So even suffering is part of the "all things" that God is using to accomplish His good purposes. His plan is perfect, His character is flawless, and those who trust in Him will not be disappointed.

Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?

God is eternal, infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Why should human beings (who are not any of those 5 things) expect to be able to fully understand God's ways? The book of Job deals with this issue. God had allowed Satan to do everything he wanted to Job except kill him. What was Job's reaction? "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15). "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21). Job did not understand why God had allowed the things He did, but he knew God was good and therefore trusted in Him. Ultimately, that should be our reaction as well.

The biblical answer is that there are no "good" people. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that all of us are tainted by and infected with sin. Every human being on this planet deserves to be thrown into hell at this very moment. Every second we spend alive is only by the grace and mercy of God. Even the most terrible misery we could experience on this planet is merciful compared to what we deserve, eternal hell in the lake of fire.

God allows things to happen for His reasons, whether or not we understand them. Above all, however, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often things happen to us that we simply just do not understand. However, instead of doubting God's goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him.

Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:22 PM ET #103

Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?

The 73rd Psalm is the answer to the very same questions that tormented the psalmist. Finding himself in terrible distress and agony of soul he writes, "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psalm 73: 2-3).

The writer of this Psalm was a man named Asaph, a leader of one of the temple choirs. Obviously, he was not a wealthy man, but rather one who had dedicated his life to serving God. But, like us, he had experienced some difficulties and questioned the injustice of it all. He watched the evil people all around him living by their own rules, enjoying all the wealth and pleasures of the world and piling riches upon riches. He complains, "They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills) (Psalm 73: 4-5).

Asaph was looking at these people who did not have any problems. They could pay their bills. They had plenty to eat and had plenty of luxuries. But poor Asaph was stuck with directing the choir and trying to live godly. And to add insult to injury, it didn't seem to be getting him anywhere. He began to not only envy these people, but to even question God as to why He would allow such a thing to happen.

How often to we find ourselves relating to Asaph? We dedicate our lives to serving God. Then we witness the wicked, the ungodly people around us get new cars, luxurious homes, promotions, beautiful clothes, etc. The answer lies in the rest of this psalm. Asaph envied these evil people until he realized one very important thing. When he entered the sanctuary of God, he fully understood their final destiny: "When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies" (Psalm 73: 16-20). Those who have temporary riches on earth are in reality spiritual beggars because they do not have true riches - eternal life.

Asaph's thoughts then returned to his own happiness in God when he realized how much more joy, fulfillment and true spiritual prosperity he had in the Creator. We may not have everything we want here on earth, but one day we will prosper for all of eternity through Jesus Christ our Lord. We need not concern ourselves when good things seem to happen to bad people. We only need to keep our focus on our Creator and enter into His presence every day through the portal of His holy Word. There we will find truth, contentment, spiritual riches and eternal joy.

Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:22 PM ET #104

Why won't God heal amputees?

Some use this question in an attempt to "disprove" the existence of God. If God is all-powerful and if Jesus promised to do anything we ask (or so the reasoning goes), then why won't God ever heal amputees when we pray for them? Why does God heal victims of cancer and diabetes, for example, yet He never causes an amputated limb to be regenerated? The fact that an amputee stays an amputee is "proof" to some that God does not exist, that prayer is useless, that so-called healings are coincidence, and that religion is a myth.

The above argument is usually presented in a thoughtful, well-reasoned way, with a liberal sprinkling of Scripture to make it seem all the more legitimate. However, it is an argument based on a wrong view of God and a misrepresentation of Scripture. The line of reasoning employed in the "why won't God heal amputees" argument makes at least 7 false assumptions:

1) God has never healed an amputee: Who is to say that in the history of the world, God has never caused a limb to regenerate? To say, "I have no empirical evidence that limbs can regenerate; therefore, no amputee has ever been healed in the history of the world" is akin to saying "I have no empirical evidence that rabbits live in my yard; therefore, no rabbit has ever lived on this ground in the history of the world." It's a conclusion that simply cannot be drawn. Besides, we have the historical record of Jesus healing lepers, some of whom we may assume had lost digits or facial features. In each case, the lepers were restored whole (Mark 1: 40-42, Luke 17: 12-14). Also, there is the case of the man with the shriveled hand (Matthew 12: 9-13), and the restoration of Malchus's severed ear (Luke 22: 50-51), not to mention the fact that Jesus raised the dead (Matthew 11:5, John 11), which would undeniably be even more difficult than healing an amputee.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:22 PM ET #105

2) God's goodness and love require Him to heal everyone: If God's love required Him to heal every disease and infirmity, then no one would ever die - because "love" would maintain everyone in perfect health. The biblical definition of love is "a sacrificial seeking what is best for the loved one." What is best for us is not always physical wholeness.

The testimony of Joni Eareckson Tada provides a modern example of what God can do through physical tragedy. As a teenager, Joni suffered a diving accident that left her a quadriplegic. In her book, she relates how she visited faith healers many times and prayed desperately for the healing which never came. Finally, she accepted her condition as God's will, and she writes, "The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that God doesn't want everyone well. He uses our problems for His glory and our good."

3) God still performs miracles today just as He did in the past: In the thousands of years of history covered by the Bible, we find just four short periods in which miracles were widely performed (the period of the Exodus, the time of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, the ministry of Jesus, and the time of the apostles). While miracles occurred throughout the Bible, it was only during these four periods that miracles were "common."

Going back to the story of Joni Eareckson Tada, who at one time sought the help of faith healers, comments on the subject of modern-day miracles: "Man's dealing with God in our day and culture is based on His Word rather than 'signs and wonders.' His grace is sufficient, and His Word is sure.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:23 PM ET #106

4) God is bound to say "yes" to any prayer offered in faith: Jesus said, "I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14: 12-14). Some have tried to interpret this passage as a carte blanche from Jesus promising His agreement to whatever we ask. But this is misreading Jesus' intent. Notice, first, that Jesus is speaking to His apostles, and the promise is for them. After Jesus' ascension, the apostles were given power to perform miracles as they spread the gospel (Acts 5:12).

Second, Jesus twice uses the phrase, "in My name." This indicates the basis for the apostles' prayers, but it also implies that whatever they prayed for should be consonant with Jesus' will. A selfish prayer, for example, or one motivated by greed, cannot be said to be prayed in Jesus' name.

We pray in faith, but faith means we trust God. We trust Him to do what is best and to know what is best.

5) God's future healing (at the resurrection) cannot compensate for earthly suffering: Jesus said, "It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire" (Matthew 18:8). His words confirm the relative unimportance of our physical condition in this world, as compared to our eternal state. To enter life maimed (and then to be made whole) is infinitely better than to enter hell whole (to suffer for eternity).

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:23 PM ET #107

6) God's plan is subject to man's approval: One of the contention's to this argument is that God just isn't "fair" to amputees. Yet, Scripture is clear that God is perfectly just (Psalm 11:7, 2 Thessalonians 1: 5-6) and in His sovereignty answers to no one (Romans 9: 20-21). A believer has faith in God's goodness, even when circumstances make it difficult and reason seems to falter.

7) God does not exist: This is the underlying assumption on which the whole argument is based. Those who champion this argument start with the assumption that God does not exist and then proceed to buttress their idea as best they can. For them, "religion is a myth" is a foregone conclusion, presented as a logical deduction but which is, in reality, foundational to the argument.

In one sense, the question of why God doesn't heal amputees is a "gotcha" question, comparable to "Can God make a rock too big for Him to lift?" and is designed not to seek for truth but to discredit faith. In another sense, it can be a valid question with a biblical answer. That answer, in short, would be something like this: "God can heal amputees and will heal every one of them who trusts Christ as Savior. The healing will come, not as the result of our demanding for it now, but in God's own time, possibly in this life, but definitely in Heaven. Until that time, we walk by faith, trusting the God who redeems us in Christ and promises the resurrection of the body."

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:23 PM ET #108

Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?

Tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the 2008 cyclone in Myanmar, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and the 2011 earthquake/tsunami in Japan cause many people to question God's goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed "acts of God" while no "credit" is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornadoes are the result of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are a result of the earth's plate structure shifting. A tsunami is the result of an underwater earthquake.

The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely. Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, as we see in Deuteronomy 11:17 and James 5:17. Numbers 16: 30-34 shows us that God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgment against sin. Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:24 PM ET #109

In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the world we inhabit. Everything in creation is subject to "frustration" and "decay."

We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how tenuous their lives really are and how life can be taken away in an instant. What we do know is this: God is good. Many amazing miracles occurred during the course of natural disasters that prevented even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people who are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to saving faith in Christ. God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).

Some of you may still be asking the question, "Where is God now? Where is God when it hurts?"

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God is with you, beside you, above you, and inside you. God's presence and watchful care never leave you. If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, God is right in front of you, inviting you, drawing you, offering you the love, mercy, and grace that He longs to give you. Perhaps a better question than "Where is God?" is "Where are you, in relationship to God?"

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:24 PM ET #110

Where is God when it hurts?

It seems we desire to know the answer to this question most when faced with painful trials and attacks of doubt. Even Jesus, during His crucifixion, asked, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). To the onlookers at that time, as well as to those who first read the story, it seems that God did forsake Jesus, so we obviously conclude that He will forsake us as well in our darkest moments. Yet, upon continued observation of the events that unfolded after the crucifixion, the truth is revealed that nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even death (Romans 8: 37-39). After Jesus was crucified, He was glorified (1 Peter 1:21, Mark 16:6, 19, Romans 4: 24-25). From this example alone we can be assured that even when we do not feel God's presence in the midst of our pain, we can still believe His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). **I will go into more detail later into this subject, by talking about one of my favorite passages in the Bible - Isaiah 40.

Our lives are like a quilt. If you look at the backside of a quilt, all you see is a mess of knots and loose ends hanging out all over. It is very unattractive, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the work. Yet when you turn the quilt over, you see how the maker has craftily woven together each strand to form a beautiful creation, much like the life of a believer (Isaiah 64:8). Where is God when it hurts? The message to take with you in hard times is that when you cannot see His hand, trust His heart, and know for certain that He has not forsaken you. When you seem to have no strength of your own, that is when you can most fully rest in His presence and know that His strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10).

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:24 PM ET #111

"Why do Christians try to impose their values on others"

There are a variety of different scenarios and situations that this question could and have been posed, but I am specifically answering this question in regards to why I have been commenting on the subject of God, Jesus, Christianity, etc in a "gambling forum."

The oft-heard accusation is that Christians are trying to "shove their religion down our throats." In addressing this question, we must also address the implied accusation that Christians are an authoritarian group that seeks to impinge on the rights of others. Of course, there have been tyrants who were professed Christians, but true followers of Jesus Christ do not seek to infringe on anyone's basic human rights. The same God who granted volition to the believer also granted volition to the unbeliever.

God extends His general blessings to everyone (Matthew 5:45); therefore, freedom for all is a Christian value. Man is a special creation of God (Genesis 1:27); therefore, human dignity and respect for the individual are Christian values. The application of these values in Western society has benefited everyone. After all, who enjoys more freedom: the atheist in America, or the Christian in Communist China?

Some say that it is wrong to try to "legislate morality." I say that it is impossible not to. Every law "imposes" someone's moral "values" on someone else. A law that prohibits murder, for example, imposes a belief that murder is wrong and upholds the Christian tenet that human life has intrinsic worth. Doubtless, society is better off with such a law in place.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:25 PM ET #112

Almost everyone agrees that murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and greed are wrong. Most people agree that respecting one's parents is right. This sense of right and wrong, woven into the fabric of our society, reflects six of the Bible's Ten Commandments. Those who object to the "imposition" of Judeo-Christian values should perhaps work to repeal the laws against murder, perjury, and theft.

Christians don't want to impose their values, but they do recognize that, in every society, someone's values must reign supreme. The question is whose values will predominate? There is no such thing as a neutral value system. Therefore, Christians work to advance their values in the sincere belief that, in a world of competing convictions, Christian values best promote the general welfare and preserve the domestic tranquility.

Christians see the importance of having an authority higher than ourselves. Societies which attempt to produce a moral code based solely on human rationale can be manipulated by whoever has the most votes or the most weapons. Whether it's the case of a humanistic despot such as Joseph Stalin or a collective tyranny such as the French Revolution, the exclusion of Christian principles leads to less freedom, not more.

Christians don't want to impose their values, but they do want to live peaceably in whatever society they dwell (Romans 12:18, 1 Timothy 2:2). Christians are obligated to do good to all (1 Corinthians 6:10) and pray for everyone (1 Timothy 2:1). Christ taught His followers to return blessing for cursing (Matthew 5:44), a teaching which He modeled perfectly (1 Peter 2:23).

There are some who wish for a purely "secular" society where religion is relegated to its cloister and all Christian opinion is silenced. To those individuals, I offer these reminders:

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:25 PM ET #113

1) Christians in a representative democracy have as much right to be involved in the political process as anyone else. This means they may vote, rally, lobby, caucus, and hold office just like any other American - all the while promoting laws that reflect their own values. Christians do not seek to subvert the political process; they engage it, as it is the right of every American.

2) Christians in a pluralistic society have as much right to voice their opinions as anyone else. This means they may broadcast, write, speak, publish, and create art as they will - all the while voicing their own view of morality. Christians are sometimes accused of censorship, on the basis that they have criticized a certain book or have objected to their tax dollars funding anti-Christian speech, but they are not burning books. The reality is that freedom of expression is a Christian value.

3) Christians in a religiously free society have as much right to live out their beliefs as anyone else. This means they may preach and teach the gospel and live according to the Bible and their conscience. When a Christian says, "You must be born again" (John 3:7), he is not trying to impose his values; he is speaking the truth, which anyone is free to accept or reject.

There is no doubt that when Christians share the joy that comes from faith is Christ, some see that as an attempt to impose Christianity on others. But the truth is that as Christians, we know that we have the antidote for human misery in this life and an eternity in hell in the next. To not share that cure with others, as we are commanded by Christ to do (Matthew 28: 18-20), would be like knowing the cure for cancer and refusing to share it with the rest of the world. We can't force our beliefs on anyone; all we can do is offer them the cure and pray that they will accept it. If some see that effort as "imposing" our beliefs on them, that is a matter of their perception, not a reflection of reality.

"Maybe I am just nitpicky here, but my assumption would be that a book written by an omnipotent and omniscient being would have significantly fewer plot holes"

In posts #2, 5, and 7, it explains how the Bible is consistent, truthful, and accurate through manuscript evidence, archaeological and external evidence, and fulfilled prophecy as evidence. For the sake of not re-typing all of that out, feel free to go back and take a look at those posts. But I will now add more to this question, in hopes that it completely clears up this issue for you.

"Maybe I am just nitpicky here, but my assumption would be that a book written by an omnipotent and omniscient being would have significantly fewer plot holes"

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:25 PM ET #114

Does the Bible contain errors, contradictions, or discrepancies?

If we read the Bible at face value, without a preconceived bias for finding errors, we will find it to be a coherent, consistent, and relatively easy-to-understand book. Yes, there are difficult passages. Yes, there are verses that appear to contradict each other. We must remember that the Bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of around 1500 years. Each writer wrote with a different style, from a different perspective, to a different audience, for a different purpose. We should expect some minor differences. However, a difference is not a contradiction. It is only an error if there is absolutely no conceivable way the verses or passages can be reconciled. Even if an answer is not available right now, that does not mean an answer does not exist. Many of found a supposed error in the Bible in relation to history or geography only to find out that the Bible is correct once further archaeological evidence is discovered.

Admittedly, some of the things people bring up are difficult to answer. However, it is my contention that there are viable and intellectually plausible answers to every supposed Bible contradiction and error. There are books and websites available that list "all the errors in the Bible." Most people simply get their ammunition from these places; they do not find supposed errors on their own. There are also books and websites available that refute every one of these supposed errors. The saddest thing is that most people who attack the Bible are not truly interested in an answer. Many "Bible attackers" are even aware of these answers, but they continue to use the same old shallow attacks again and again.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:26 PM ET #115

Why is it important to believe in biblical inerrancy?

We live in a time that tends to shrug its shoulders when confronted with error. Instead of asking, like Pilate, "What is truth?" postmodern man says, "Nothing is truth" or perhaps "There is truth, but we cannot know it." We've grown accustomed to being lied to, and many people seem comfortable with the false notion that the Bible, too, contains errors.

The doctrine of biblical inerrancy is an extremely important one because the truth does matter. This issue reflects on the character of God and is foundational to our understanding of everything the Bible teaches. Here are some reasons why we should absolutely believe in biblical inerrancy:

1) The Bible itself claims to be perfect: "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace clay, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6). "The law of the Lord is perfect" (Psalm 19:7). "Every word of God is pure" (Proverbs 30:5). These claims of purity and perfection are absolute statements. Note that it doesn't say that God's Word is "mostly" pure or scripture is "nearly" perfect. The Bible argues for complete perfection, leaving no room for "partial perfection" theories.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:26 PM ET #116

2) The Bible stands or falls as a whole: If a major newspaper were routinely discovered to contain errors, it would be quickly discredited. It would make no difference to say, "All the errors are confined to page three." For a paper to be reliable in any of its parts, it must be factual throughout. In the same way, if the Bible is inaccurate when it speaks of geology, why should its theology be trusted? It is either a trustworthy document, or it is not.

3) The Bible is a reflection of its Author: All books are. The Bible was written by God Himself as He worked through human authors in a process called "inspiration." "All scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16). We believe that the God who created the universe is capable of writing a book. And the God who is perfect is capable of writing a perfect book. The issue is not simply "Does the Bible have a mistake?" but "Can God have a mistake?" If the Bible contains factual errors, then God is not omniscient and is capable of making errors Himself. If the Bible contains misinformation, then God is not truthful but is instead a liar. If the Bible contains contradictions, then God is the author of confusion. In other words, if biblical inerrancy is not true, then God is not God.

4) The Bible judges us, not vice versa: "For the word of God... judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Notice the relationship between "the heart" and "the Word." The Word examines; the heart is being examined. To discount parts of the Word for any reason is to reverse this process. We become the examiners, and the Word must submit to our "superior insight." Yet God says, "But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?" (Romans 9:20).

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:26 PM ET #117

5) The Bible's message must be taken as a whole: It is not a mixture of doctrine that we are free to select from. Many people like the verses that say God loves them, but they dislike the verses that say God will judge sinners. But we simply cannot pick and choose what we like about the Bible and throw the rest away. If the Bible is wrong about hell, for example, then who is to say it is right about heaven - or about anything else? If the Bible cannot get the details right about creation, then maybe the details about salvation cannot be trusted either. If the story of Jonah is a myth, then perhaps so is the story of Jesus. On the contrary, God has said what He has said, and the Bible presents us a full picture of who God is. "Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens" (Psalm 119:89).

6) The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice: If it is not reliable, then on what do we base our beliefs? Jesus asks for our trust, and that includes trust in what He says in His Word. John 6: 67-69 is a beautiful passage. Jesus had just witnessed the departure of many who had claimed to follow Him. Then He turns to the twelve apostles and asks, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" At this, Peter speaks for the rest when he says, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." May we have the same trust in the Lord and in His words of life.

None of what I presented here should be taken as a rejection of true scholarship. Biblical inerrancy does not mean that we are to stop using our minds or accept what the Bible says blindly. We are commanded to study the Word (2 Timothy 2:15), and those who search it out are commended (Acts 17:11).

The logical steps to faith in Christ start without a presumption that the Bible is the word of God. Rather, the reliability of the Bible is examined as a historical source. It testifies to a man named Jesus who claimed to be sent from God, to be God, and to speak the words of God. The internal evidence in the Bible and the external evidence are enough to make us believe that it is more credible to believe Jesus' claims about himself than to disbelieve. From Jesus, we learn about and believe in God, the validity of the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) as the Word of God and the necessity of following the teachings of his Apostles as speakers and writers of the Word of God (the New Testament).

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:27 PM ET #118

The reasoned approach to Christian faith is often calledApologetics, meaning, "to give a defense." Apologetics gives a reasoned defense of (and a compelling offense for) the Christian faith. This logic is broken down into the following series of assertions, with the evidences to their truths enumerated:

1) The Bible has been accurately preserved and transmitted since it was written.

-Over 3000 ancient copies and fragments agree on 99% of the Bible with no central doctrinal tenets threatened by the remainder.

-Rare uncertainties in the text are footnoted in most modern translations.

2) The Bible has been accurately translated.

-Modern Bibles are direct translations from the original languages by committees of scholars from many churches to remove sectarian bias.

-Multiple translations exist to cross-check and confirm the accuracy of any particular translation.

-Rare uncertainties in translation are footnoted in most modern translations.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:27 PM ET #119

3) The Bible represents an accurate historical account of people, events, and statements.

-Written by eyewitnesses or their companions who gave their lives for the facts they saw and heard.

-Written by men for whom truth was a primary virtue, something they would give their lives for.

-Correlation with externally verifiable facts demonstrate the authors' attention to accuracy and detail.

4) Jesus is the Son of God.

-His claims that there is a God and that he is the Son of God are more credible than the alternatives (i.e. that he is a liar or that he is a lunatic).

-He predicted he would rise from the dead and he did.

-He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.

-He performed unprecedented and undeniable miracles.

-His teaching was and is amazing.

-He changed the lives of people he was around.

-His teaching continues to change people's lives today like nothing else can.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:28 PM ET #120

5) The Old Testament is the Word of God.

-Jesus said it is the Word of God and that its authors spoke by the Holy Spirit.

-Jesus treated it as completely authoritative and the standard for his life and teaching.

-Jesus described his own person and mission as the fulfillment of predictions in the Old Testament.

-Jesus quoted from over half the books in the Old Testament.

-Jesus accepted the existing Old Testament canon without hesitation.

-Jesus never criticized the leaders of the person for having the wrong Bible, but for not understanding it, not practicing it, or substituting human teachings or traditions in its place.

6) The New Testament is the Word of God.

-Jesus gave authority to his Apostles and said that they would speak by the Holy Spirit with authority. Therefore, the Apostles' teaching is an authoritative guide for the church in life and doctrine.

-The New Testament writers were all Apostles or close companions of the Apostles.

-The New Testament writers wrote with authority, expecting their instructions to be obeyed, and claiming their documents and the documents of the other Apostles were Scripture (same as the Old Testament).

-The unity of the church that God commands is only possible if there is an external standard.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:29 PM ET #121

"My alltime favorite bible verse: Ezekiel 23:20: 'There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses'"

This brings up a few questions that I will answer.

Can/Should we interpret the Bible as literal?

Not only can we take the Bible literally, we must take the Bible literally. This is the only way to determine what God is really trying to communicate with us. Many today will read a verse or passage of Scripture and then give their own definitions to the words, phrases, or paragraphs, ignoring the context and author's intent. But this is not what God intended, which is why God tells us to correctly handle the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

One reason we should take the Bible literally is because the Lord Jesus Christ took the Bible literally. Whenever Jesus quoted from the Old Testament, it was always clear that He believed in its literal interpretation. As an example, when Jesus was tempted by Satan in Luke 4, He answered by quoting from the Old Testament.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:29 PM ET #122

The disciples also took the commands of Christ (which are part of the Bible) literally. In Acts 2 and following, we find that the disciples took Jesus' command literally and went throughout the known world of that time preaching the gospel of Christ and telling them to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Just as the disciples took Jesus' words literally, so must we. How else can we be sure of our salvation if we do not believe Him when He says He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), pay the penalty for our sin (Matthew 26:28), and provide eternal life (John 6:54)?

Although we take the Bible literally, there are still figures of speech within its pages. An example of a figure of speech would be that if someone said "it's raining cats and dogs outside," you would know that they did not really mean that cats and dogs were falling from the sky. They would mean that it is raining really hard. There are figures of speech in the Bible which are not to be taken literally.

Which leads me to my second question... Why is it important to study the Bible in context? What is wrong with taking verses out of context?"

Taking verses out of context leads to all kinds of error and misunderstanding. Understanding context begins with four principles: literal meaning (what it says), historical setting (the events of the story, to whom it was addressed, and how it was understood at that time), grammar (the immediate sentence and paragraph within which a word or phrase is found), and synthesis (comparing it with other parts of Scripture for a fuller meaning). Context is crucial to biblical exegesis in that it is one of the most important fundamentals. After we account for the literal, historical, and grammatical nature of a passage, we must then focus on the outline and structure of the book, then the chapter, then the paragraph. All of these things refer to "context."

Taking phrases and verses out of context always leads to misunderstanding. For instance, taking the phrase "God is love" (1 John 4: 7-16) out of its context, we might come away thinking that our God loves everything and everyone at all times with a gushing, romantic love. But in its literal and grammatical context, "love" here refers to agape love, the essence of which is sacrifice for the benefit of another, not a sentimental, romantic love. The historical context is also crucial, because John was addressing believers in the first century church and instructing them not on God's love per se, but on how to identify true believers from false professors. True love - the sacrificial, beneficial kind - is the mark of a true believer (v. 7), those who do not love do not belong to God (v. 8), God loved us before we loved Him (vv. 9-10), and all of this is why we should love one another and thereby prove that we are His (v. 11-12).

Which leads me to my second question... Why is it important to study the Bible in context? What is wrong with taking verses out of context?"

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:30 PM ET #123

Furthermore, considering the phrase "God is love" in the context of all Scripture (synthesis) will keep us from coming to the false, and all-to-common, conclusion that God is only love or that His love is greater than all of His other attributes, which is simply not the case.

The Bible is the Word of God, literally "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16), and we are commanded to read, study, and understand it through the use of good Bible study methods and always with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide us (1 Corinthians 2:14).

There are definitely some passages/verses in the Bible that, when reading on the surface, out of context, or from a non-christian point-of-view, may seem weird, funny, etc. So let's look at this verse in Ezekiel, as well as examining it from a broader perspective.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:30 PM ET #124

Author: The Prophet Ezekiel is the author of the Book. He was a contemporary of both Jeremiah and Daniel.

Date of Writing: The Book of Ezekiel was likely written between 593 and 565 B.C. during the Babylonian captivity of the person.

Purpose of Writing: Ezekiel ministered to his generation who were both exceedingly sinful and thoroughly hopeless. By means of his prophetic ministry he attempted to bring them to immediate repentance and to confidence in the distant future. He taught that: (1) God works through human messengers; (2) Even in defeat and despair God's people need to affirm God's sovereignty; (3) God's Word never fails; (4) God is present and can be worshiped anywhere; (5) People must obey God if they expect to receive blessings; and (6) God's Kingdom will come.

Brief Summary: How can you cope with a world gone astray? Ezekiel, destined to begin his life's ministry as a priest at age 30, was uprooted from his homeland and marched off to Babylon at the age of 25. For five years he languished in despair. At age 30 a majestic vision of Yahweh's glory captivated his being in Babylon. The priest/prophet discovered that God was not confined to the narrow strictures of Ezekiel's native land. Instead, He is a universal God who commands and controls persons and nations. In Babylon, God imparted to Ezekiel His Word for the people. His call experience completely transformed Ezekiel. He became avidly devoted to God's Word. He realized he had nothing personally to assist the captives in their bitter situation, but he was convinced that God's Word spoke to their condition and could give them victory in it. Ezekiel used various methods to convey God's Word to his people. He used art in drawing a depiction of Jerusalem, symbolic actions and unusual conduct to secure attention. He cut his hair and beard to demonstrate what God would do to Jerusalem and its inhabitants.

EX4life

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Posted: Oct. 22, 2011 - 5:31 PM ET #125

Ezekiel 23 is an allegory. At this time, Israel was split into two halves; Samaria in the North, which the Assyrians had wiped out over 100 years before, and Jerusalem in the South. The Lord described Samaria and Jerusalem as sisters who had learned prostitution in Egypt while they, and those attractive to them, were young. Both belonged to the Lord, and both preferred others.

Samaria (Oholah), the older sister, wanted intimacy with Assyria. When the Lord removed His protection of her in punishment, the Assyrians stripped her and killed her children as well as herself. Seeing this, the younger and more depraved sister, Jerusalem (Oholibah) saw her chance to lust after the Assyrians. But besides them, she also called the handsome Babylonians to come to her. They defiled her, and she turned away from them, looking to satify her lewdness elsewhere. But the Lord was ready to bring all the handsome young warriors of Babylon, Chaldea, Pekod, Shoa, Koa, and Assyria to Jerusalem, when "she" no longer wanted them. But now they were coming with torture and terrorism. Now the Lord Almighty was permitting them to expose Jerusalem's lewdness and promiscuity in punishment. No matter that all of these countries had already rejected the Lord Almighty for idols. Jerusalem had even begum murdering children she had from the Lord to feed her idol habit, right before entering the Lord's sanctuary. Wanting the best from both, Jerusalem defiled the Lord's sanctuary by continuing idol worship. So the actions and punishment of Jerusalem and Samaria became warnings for other cities and countries to expect punishment from the Lord for their own lewdness and idolatry.

The Lord spoke to Ezekiel in Babylonia on the exact date when Jerusalem's defeat began. The news would come days later. He described Jerusalem as a cooking pot from which the food is emptied but left on the fire to burn away impurities and deposits.

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