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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Complexity Of The Cell - Simple? Yeah right...

I'm always amazed to still hear people say the words "Simple Cell" or "Simple Organism"  These were the words used in Darwin's day around 150 years ago.  If you are conversing with anyone and they begin to say something like this, stop them dead in their tracks and let them know just how complex, intricate and complicated the cell really is...

This is the product of my intelligent Heavenly Father not natural selection with random "chance" mutations over millions of years.  I can't wait for the day the Lord returns, then evolution will truly be the greatest hoax (or lie) that ever was told.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Could Evolution Do This?


Swiftlets are small birds that live in southwestern Asia and Australia.
They make their nests far back in dark caves. These birds have
small eyes and the caves are pitch black. With fast wings, such as swallows
have, the swiftlet flies at high speed into its cave. Rapidly it flies
directly to one tiny nest among hundreds. As soon as the bird enters the
cave, it begins making a series of high-pitched clicks. The little bird
has the ability to vary the frequency of the sounds and, as it approaches
the wall, it increases the number of clicks per second until they are
emitted at about 20 per second. The time required for the clicks to
bounce off the wall and return reveals the distance to the wall. Scientists
have tried to figure out why the clicks vary in frequency as the bird
gets closer to the wall. They eventually discovered that the tiny bird—
with a brain an eighth as large as your little finger—does this in order
to hear the return echo! The problem is that the click must be so short
and so exactly spaced apart, that its echo is heard by the ear of the
bird—before the next click is made. Otherwise the next click will drown
the sound of the returning echo. By the way, how did the swiftlet identify
its own nest by those clicks? There are hundreds of nests in the
cave. Scientists try to solve such problems, but they are unable to do
so. Somehow, evolutionary theory does not seem to be of any help.


- The Evolution Cruncher

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Science And The Bible - Compatible or Not?

I used this informatin in a rebuttal to "highdesert" an ardent evolutionist who follows the blog.  I thought it would be extremely useful for anyone out there struggling with the notion that science and the bible just don't mix.  


Nothing could be further from the truth as will be revealed on the day Jesus Returns (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Regarding your statement, I think you will find that true Science of which God is the author, can best be viewed in light of scripture. It was scripture that provoked Godly men, effecting early modern science to be thrusted into fruition. Scientist today are merely working and building off of a foundation and backbone that was set by mostly Christian men who followed the bible. For a list of some of these men; 

http://www.adherents.com/people/100_scientists.html
 



Science And The Bible


The Bible is not a science book, yet it is scientifically accurate. We are not aware of any scientific evidence that contradicts the Bible. We have listed statements on this page that are consistent with known scientific facts. Many of them were listed in the Bible hundreds or even thousands of years before being recorded elsewhere. Many concepts and notes on this page are adapted from ideas and statements that appear in The DEFENDER’S Study Bible.[1]

Paleontology Statements Consistent With Paleontology

Astronomy Statements Consistent With Astronomy

  • The Bible frequently refers to the great number of stars in the heavens. Here are two examples.

      Genesis 22:17
      Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

      Jeremiah 33:22
      “As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me.”

    Even today, scientists admit that they do not know how many stars there are. Only about 3,000 can be seen with the naked eye. We have seenestimates of 1021 stars—which is a lot of stars.[2] (The number of grains of sand on the earth’s seashores is estimated to be 1025. As scientists discover more stars, wouldn’t it be interesting to discover that these two numbers match?)

  • The Bible also says that each star is unique.

      1 Corinthians 15:41
      There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

    All stars look alike to the naked eye.* Even when seen through a telescope, they seem to be just points of light. However, analysis of their light spectra reveals that each is unique and different from all others.[1] (*Note: We understand that people can perceive some slight difference in color and apparent brightness when looking at stars with the naked eye, but we would not expect a person living in the first century A.D. to claim they differ from one another.)

  • The Bible describes the precision of movement in the universe.

      Jeremiah 31:35,36
      Thus says the LORD,
      Who gives the sun for a light by day,
      The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night,
      Who disturbs the sea,
      And its waves roar
      (The LORD of hosts is His name):
      “If those ordinances depart
      From before Me, says the LORD,
      Then the seed of Israel shall also cease
      From being a nation before Me forever.”

  • The Bible describes the suspension of the Earth in space.

      Job 26:7
      He stretches out the north over empty space;
      He hangs the earth on nothing.

Meteorology Statements Consistent With Meteorology

  • The Bible describes the circulation of the atmosphere.

      Ecclesiastes 1:6
      The wind goes toward the south,
      And turns around to the north;
      The wind whirls about continually,
      And comes again on its circuit.

  • The Bible includes some principles of fluid dynamics.

      Job 28:25
      To establish a weight for the wind,
      And apportion the waters by measure.

    The fact that air has weight was proven scientifically only about 300 years ago. The relative weights of air and water are needed for the efficient functioning of the world’s hydrologic cycle, which in turn sustains life on the earth.[1] (If you are a physics enthusiast, please ignore our omission of the terms mass, gravity, and density from this comment.)

Biology Statements Consistent With Biology

  • The book of Leviticus (written prior to 1400 BC) describes the value of blood.

      Leviticus 17:11
      ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

    The blood carries water and nourishment to every cell, maintains the body’s temperature, and removes the waste material of the body’s cells. The blood also carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. In 1616, William Harvey discovered that blood circulation is the key factor in physical life—confirming what the Bible revealed 3,000 years earlier.[1]

  • The Bible describes biogenesis (the development of living organisms from other living organisms) and the stability of each kind of living organism.

      Genesis 1:11,12
      Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, andthe fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb thatyields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

      Genesis 1:21
      So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

      Genesis 1:25
      And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

    The phrase “according to its kind” occurs repeatedly, stressing the reproductive integrity of each kind of animal and plant. Today we know this occurs because all of these reproductive systems are programmed by their genetic codes.[1]

  • The Bible describes the chemical nature of flesh.

      Genesis 2:7
      And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

      Genesis 3:19
      In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
      Till you return to the ground,
      For out of it you were taken;
      For dust you are,
      And to dust you shall return.

  • It is a proven fact that a person’s mental and spiritual health is strongly correlated with physical health.[1] The Bible revealed this to us with these statements (and others) written by King Solomon about 950 BC.

      Proverbs 12:4
      An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
      But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

      Proverbs 14:30
      A sound heart is life to the body,
      But envy is rottenness to the bones.

      Proverbs 15:30
      The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
      And a good report makes the bones healthy.

      Proverbs 16:24
      Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
      Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

      Proverbs 17:22
      A merry heart does good, like medicine,
      But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Anthropology Statements Consistent With Anthropology

  • We have cave paintings and other evidence that people inhabited caves. The Bible also describes cave men.

      Job 30:5,6
      They were driven out from among men,
      They shouted at them as at a thief.
      They had to live in the clefts of the valleys,
      In caves of the earth and the rocks.

    Note that these were not ape-men, but descendants of those who scattered from Babel. They were driven from the community by those tribes who competed successfully for the more desirable regions of the earth. Then for some reason they deteriorated mentally, physically, and spiritually.[1] (Go into a bad part of your town and you will see this concept in action today.)

Hydrology Statements Consistent With Hydrology

  • The bible includes reasonably complete descriptions of the hydrologic cycle.[3]

      Psalm 135:7
      He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
      He makes lightning for the rain;
      He brings the wind out of His treasuries.

      Jeremiah 10:13
      When He utters His voice,
      There is a multitude of waters in the heavens:
      “And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth.
      He makes lightning for the rain,
      He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”

    In these verses you can see several phases of the hydrologic cycle—the worldwide processes of evaporation, translation aloft by atmospheric circulation, condensation with electrical discharges, and precipitation.[1]

      Job 36:27-29
      For He draws up drops of water,
      Which distill as rain from the mist,
      Which the clouds drop down
      And pour abundantly on man.
      Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds,
      The thunder from His canopy?

    This simple verse has remarkable scientific insight. The drops of water which eventually pour down as rain first become vapor and then condense to tiny liquid water droplets in the clouds. These finally coalesce into drops large enough to overcome the updrafts that suspend them in the air.[1]

  • The Bible describes the recirculation of water.

      Ecclesiastes 1:7
      All the rivers run into the sea,
      Yet the sea is not full;
      To the place from which the rivers come,
      There they return again.

      Isaiah 55:10
      For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
      And do not return there,
      But water the earth,
      And make it bring forth and bud,
      That it may give seed to the sower
      And bread to the eater,

  • The Bible refers to the surprising amount of water that can be held as condensation in clouds.

      Job 26:8
      He binds up the water in His thick clouds,
      Yet the clouds are not broken under it.

      Job 37:11
      Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds;
      He scatters His bright clouds.

  • Hydrothermal vents[4] are described in two books of the Bible written before 1400BC—more than 3,000 years before their discovery by science.

      Genesis 7:11
      In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

      Job 38:16
      Have you entered the springs of the sea?
      Or have you walked in search of the depths?

    We discuss the “fountains of the great deep” further in our Creation Versus Evolution page.

Geology Statements Consistent With Geology

  • The Bible describes the Earth’s crust (along with a comment on astronomy).

      Jeremiah 31:37
      Thus says the LORD:
      “If heaven above can be measured,
      And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath,
      I will also cast off all the seed of Israel
      For all that they have done, says the LORD.”

    Although some scientists claim that they have now measured the size of the universe, it is interesting to note that every human attempt to drill through the earth’s crust to the plastic mantle beneath has, thus far, ended in failure.[1]

  • The Bible described the shape of the earth centuries before people thought that the earth was spherical.

      Isaiah 40:22
      It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
      And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
      Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
      And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

    The word translated “circle” here is the Hebrew word chuwg which is also translated “circuit,” or “compass” (depending on the context). That is, it indicates something spherical, rounded, or arched—not something that is flat or square.

    The book of Isaiah was written sometime between 740 and 680 BC. This is at least 300 years before Aristotle suggested that the earth might be a sphere in this book On the Heavens.

    This brings up an important historical note related to this topic. Many people are aware of the conflict between Galileo and the Roman Catholic Pope, Paul V. After publishing A Dialogue on the Two Principal Systems of the World, Galileo was summoned to Rome, where he was forced to renounce his findings. (At that time, “theologians” of the Roman Catholic Church maintained that the Earth was the center of the universe, and to assert otherwise was deemed heretical.)

    We could not find any place in the Bible that claims that the Earth is flat, or that it is the center of the universe. History shows that this conflict, which took place at the time of the Inquisition, was part of a power struggle. As a result, scientific and biblical knowledge became casualties—an effect we still feel to this day.

Physics Statements Consistent With Physics

  • The Bible suggests the presence of nuclear processes like those we associate with nuclear weaponry. This is certainly not something that could have been explained in 67 AD using known scientific principles (when Peter wrote the following verse).

      2 Peter 3:10
      But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

  • The television is a practical (if not always worthwhile smile ) device that uses electromagnetic waves (which transmit its video signal). The Bible contains passages that describe something like television—something that allows everyone on earth see a single event. (Note: such passages typically refer to the end of time. It may not be long before all of us learn for sure whether the Bible is true or not.)

      Matthew 24:30
      Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

      Revelation 11:9-11
      Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.

Things In The Bible That Science Can Not Explain

The purpose of this page is not to explain what a great science text the Bible is, but to show that it is consistent with scientific facts. Still, the Bible mentions some things that we can not explain. Yet, if God is really God, He should have the ability to do some things we can not explain.

In the last 100 years (and especially in the last ten) scientists discovered many proofs that confirm the Bible’s accuracy. Since these proofs support the accuracy of the text we can understand scientifically, it makes sense to trust the Bible’s text that we can not yet understand. (For example, how many people knew what hydrothermal vents were 30 years ago?) If you would like to see the proof we have for the accuracy of the Bible, click on the link below.

Click here to learn some facts that confirm the Bible's accuracy How Do You Know The Bible Is True?

If you like reading books, a good one that addresses the facts that support Christianity is Know Why You Believe by Paul Little. There is an advantage to a book—it does not change as a page on the Internet can. Plus, a million copies of Paul Little’s book have been printed (about 40 times the number required to be called a “best seller”) which proves it is not an isolated person’s opinion.

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References

[1] The DEFENDER’S Study Bible, Word Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan (1995).
[2] The Number of Stars
[3] The Hydrologic Cycle
[4] Submarine Volcanic Ecosystems (An article on hydrothermal vents.)

Can The Bible Be Trusted? A Resounding Yes!

A few years back I sent out for this great pamphlet "Is There Anything Left You Can Trust?" and later on found it online regarding the validity and trust of the bible.  I hope you all will be able to use this to defend your faith when sharing it with others.  Often when I am speaking to someone about the Christian faith, they are almost always unaware of the overwhelming amount of evidence which supports what the bible claims and says regarding people, places, times and events.  This is what ultimately caused me to come to the logical conclusion that the Christian faith is the truly one and only true religion and that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.  It's one thing to just  believe, but it is another to feel the great comfort in that the Father supplied all the answers we need to come to him without doubt.  There is much in scripture that God requires that his righteous ones live by faith, but he always shows us that to be a Christian one doesn't have to "throw his brains into the trash"  We have an incredible advantage in our day having the full Word of God in hand and for modern science to compliment scripture beautifully because God is the author of both.  Enjoy the article.  Keep a copy of it on your PDA's and PC's if you can.  God is good, and He is faithful.  Don't doubt, but be encouraged by what you are about to read.  And the best thing is that you don't have to take my word for it, this can all be verified, you can look it up for yourself.  



1. Is There Anything Left You Can Trust?Print This Page 
In these morally challenged times - when billions are embezzled through corporate fraud; when trusted, spiritual leaders prove false; when lying in politics seems to be the norm; when those you depend on the most often hurt you the deepest - is there anything left you can trust? Yes! You can fully trust the Bible! Why? Just take a look at the evidence...


1.What does the Bible claim about itself?
The Bible is not a collection of men's ideas. Its writers were guided by the Holy Ghost.
The Bible says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Timothy 3:16. "Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. "The scripture cannot be broken." John 10:35. 

Answer: It claims to be inspired. It was written by men who were guided by the Holy Ghost. It cannot be broken or proved untrue.


2.How did Jesus demonstrate His confidence and belief in Scripture?
Jesus quoted the Bible and stated that it was true.
Jesus said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone." "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." "It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:4, 7, 10. "Thy word is truth." John 17:17. 

Answer: Jesus quoted Scripture when meeting the temptations of Satan. He also stated that the Bible is truth (John 17:17). Jesus often quoted Scripture as authority for the truth He was teaching.


3.Do Bible prophecies confirm inspiration?
Before Cyrus was born, God's Bible prophet named him as the general who would overthrow Babylon.
The Bible says, "I am the Lord . . . new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isaiah 42:8, 9. "I am God . . . Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done." Isaiah 46:9, 10. 

Answer: Bible predictions of things to happen in the future confirm the inspiration of Scripture as they come to pass. Notice the following examples of fulfilled Bible prophecies:

A. Four world empires to arise: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Daniel chapters 2, 7, 8).
B. Cyrus to be the warrior to capture Babylon (Isaiah 45:1-3).
C. After Babylon's destruction, it would never be inhabited again (Isaiah 13:19, 20; Jeremiah 51:37).
D. Egypt would never again have a commanding position among the nations (Ezekiel 29:14, 15; 30:12, 13).
E. Earth-shaking calamities and fear toward the end of time (Luke 21:25, 26).
F. Moral degeneracy and decline of spirituality in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5).


4.Can we expect scientific statements made in the Bible to be accurate?
The Bible says, "Thy word is true from the beginning." Psalms 119:160. "The Spirit . . . will guide you into all truth." John 16:13. 

Answer: Yes, the Bible is true. The Holy Spirit, who guided the Bible writers, always speaks the truth. Here are a few Bible statements that have been confirmed by science: 

A. "He . . . hangeth the earth upon nothing." Job 26:7. This scientific fact is from Job, the Bible's oldest book. 
B. "He . . . sitteth upon the circle of the earth." Isaiah 40:22. The Bible said the earth is round centuries before man found out. 
C. "To make the weight for the winds." Job 28:25. Long before scientists knew, God said air has weight. 
D. "By Him [Jesus] all things consist." Colossians 1:17. The word "consist" here literally means "hold together" or "cohere." Many Bible translations put it "hold together." This is the answer to the nuclear physicists' worrisome question about the atom. The real mystery of the atom does not involve its benumbing mega-power, but rather, "Why doesn't the atom fly apart?" Scientific knowledge says it should, but it doesn't. Some scientists are wondering what puzzling power, completely unknown to them, is holding it together. The Bible says that mysterious power is the Creator, God Himself.


5.Are biblical health principles tuned to the twenty-first century mind?
The terrible plague of AIDS would not exist if God's ancient laws regarding morality were obeyed.


Answer: 
A. Cover body waste with dirt (Deuteronomy 23:12, 13).
The Bible provision of Moses' day that body waste should be buried was 3,500 years ahead of its time and saved countless thousands of Jewish lives. Major problems still arise when sanitation is not properly handled. 

B. "Neither let us commit fornication." 1 Corinthians 10:8.
The word "fornication" denotes all kinds of immoral sexual conduct. There would be no AIDS epidemic if this up-to-date Bible counsel were obeyed, nor would abortion be the international scandal that it now is. 

C. Leave alcoholic beverages alone (Proverbs 23:29-32).
If this extremely effective Bible solution were implemented, just think what it would mean:


Refusing to abstain from alcohol has brought untold woe to many.
1. Millions of alcoholics becoming sober, respectable citizens. 
2. Millions of families reunited. 
3. Millions of broken homes mended. 
4. Multiplied thousands of lives saved by sober driving. 
5. Thousands of government, business, and professional leaders making clear-minded decisions. 
6. Billions of dollars available for humanitarian use. 

Note: God not only tells us how to succeed with joy amid today's harrowing problems, but He also gives us the miraculous power to do it (1 Corinthians 15:57; Philippians 4:13; Romans 1:16). Bible health principles are relevant and desperately needed, but few are listening. (For more on health, see Study Guide 13.)


6.Are the historical statements of the Bible accurate?
The Bible says, "I the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right." Isaiah 45:19, RSV.* 
Ancient artifacts unearthed by archaeologists repeatedly confirm the accuracy and truth of the Bible.


Answer: Yes, Bible historical statements are accurate. What God says in His book is true. Sometimes, temporarily, evidence may not be found to substantiate certain historical facts from the Bible, but in time the evidence surfaces. Note the following:

A. For years skeptics said the Bible was unreliable because it mentions the Hittite nation (Deuteronomy 7:1) and cities like Nineveh (Jonah 1:1, 2) and Sodom (Genesis 19:1), which they denied ever existed. But now modern archaeology has confirmed that all three did, indeed, exist. 

B. Critics also said that Bible-mentioned kings Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1) and Sargon (Isaiah 20:1) never existed. Once again, it has now been confirmed they did exist. 

C. Skeptics also said the Bible record of Moses was not reliable because it mentions writing (Exodus 24:4) and wheeled vehicles (Exodus 14:25), neither of which they said existed at the time. They, of course, know better today. 

D. At one time the 39 kings of ancient Israel and Judah who reigned during the divided kingdom were authenticated only from the Bible record, so critics charged fabrication. But then archaeologists found cuneiform records that mentioned many of these kings and, once again, the Bible record was proved accurate. Critics have repeatedly been proved wrong as new discoveries confirm biblical people, places, and events. It will always be so.

*The Revised Standard Version of the Bible (C) 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.


7.One of the greatest miracles of the Bible is its unity. Please ponder the following amazing facts:


Answer: 

A. The 66 books of the Bible were written:
1. On three continents. 
2. In three languages. 
3. By about 40 different people (kings, shepherds, scientists, attorneys, an army general, fishermen, priests, and a physician). 
4. Over a period of about 1,500 years. 
5. On the most controversial subjects. 
6. By people who, in most cases, had never met.
7. By authors whose education and background varied greatly.

B. Yet, though it seems totally inconceivable,
1. The 66 books maintain harmony with each other.
2. Often new concepts on a subject are expressed, but these concepts do not undermine what other Bible writers say on the same subject. 

C. Talk about astounding!
Ask people who have viewed an identical event to each give a report of what happened. They will differ widely and will virtually always contradict each other in some way. Yet the Bible, penned by 40 writers over a 1,500-year period, reads as if written by one great mind. And, indeed, it was: "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. The Holy Ghost "moved" them all. He is the real Bible Author. The four Gospels do sometimes differ in the way they report the same event, but they complement each other.


8.What evidence of Bible inspiration is found in the lives of people?
Accepting Christ and obeying Scripture changes a drunken, immoral, profane sinner into a loving, sober, pure Christian. Skeptics cannot explain this fact.
The Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

Answer: The changed lives of those who follow Jesus and obey Scripture constitute the most heartwarming proof of Bible inspiration. The drunkard becomes sober; the immoral, pure; the addicted, free; the profane, reverent; the fearful, courageous; and the rude, kind.


Christians have an inner joy and peace that others do not possess.






An American skeptic was visiting an island whose natives were originally cannibals. When he spotted an old man reading the Bible, he ridiculed him for reading a book "full of myths which had already been exposed." The native smiled at him and said, "My friend, be grateful we do believe this book. Otherwise, we would be serving you for dinner." The Bible really does change people, and this amazing fact confirms its inspiration.


9.What evidence for Bible inspiration emerges when we compare Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah with New Testament happenings in the life of Jesus?
The Bible says, "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27. "For he [Apollos] vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ." Acts 18:28, NKJV.* 

Answer: The Old Testament predictions of the Messiah to come were so specific and so clearly fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth that both Jesus and Apollos used these prophecies to prove to the Jews that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah. There are more than 125 of these prophecies. Let's review just 12 of them:

ProphecyOld Testament ScriptureNew Testament Fulfillment
1. Born in BethlehemMicah 5:2Matthew 2:1
2. Born of a virginIsaiah 7:14Matthew 1:18-23
3. Of David's lineageJeremiah 23:5Revelation 22:16
4. Attempted murder by HerodJeremiah 31:15Matthew 2:16-18
5. Betrayal by a friendPsalms 41:9John 13:18, 19, 26
6. Sold for 30 silver coinsZechariah 11:12Matthew 26:14-16
7. CrucifiedZechariah 12:10John 19:16-18, 37
8. Lots cast for His clothesPsalms 22:18Matthew 27:35
9. No bones brokenPsalms 34:20; Exodus 12:46John 19:31-36
10. Buried in rich man's tombIsaiah 53:9Matthew 27:57-60
11. Year, day, hour of His deathDaniel 9:26, 27; Exodus 12:6Matthew 27:45-50
12. Raised the third dayHosea 6:2Acts 10:38-40


Jesus fullfilled more than 125 Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.

Dr. Peter Stoner, former chairman of the departments of mathematics, astronomy, and engineering at Pasadena College (California), worked with 600 students for several years applying the "principle of probability" to the prophecies of the Messiah's coming. They chose just eight from the many available and finally decided the chances of all eight being fulfilled in one man in a lifetime is one in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. What would the odds be on the more than 125 prophecies of the Messiah? It couldn't just happen!


*The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (C) 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.


10.What great advantage does a person have who accepts the Bible as God's inspired word?
The Bible teaches that the earth was created in six literal days.
The Bible says, "I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts." Psalms 119:100. "Thou . . . hast made me wiser than mine enemies." Psalms 119:98. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are . . . my thoughts [higher] than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9. 

Answer: A person who accepts the Word of God will soon know the answers to many complex challenges that secular scholars will never figure out. For example, the Bible teaches:

A. God created the earth and all living organisms in six literal, 24-hour days (Exodus 20:11; Psalms 33:6, 9). 
B. A worldwide flood destroyed every living thing except the sea life and what was inside Noah's ark (Genesis chapters 6, 7, 8). 
C. The different languages of the world began at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). 


The Bible account of the Flood provides the answers secular scholars are searching for.
God, who has always existed and knows everything, shares the above three truths with us, recognizing that we could never figure them out on our own. We know only "in part" now (1 Corinthians 13:9). And God's knowledge is "past finding out." Romans 11:33. Evolutionists will never know the age of the earth because it was created with apparent age, as were Adam and Eve. The couple were only one day old on their second day of life, but they appeared to be mature. Man's measuring instruments cannot allow for apparent age. In such cases, they are not trustworthy. Believe the Bible, and you will always be ahead of the speculation of secular scholars and the worldly-wise.


11.What crucial world happenings have brought the power and appeal of the Bible into sharp focus?
When communism collapsed, its adherents turned to the Bible as 
the only hope for people.


Answer: The failure and collapse of communism and the weakening and inconsistency of the theory of evolution have spotlighted the Bible. 

Note: The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics tried communism, atheism, and also evolution, which is Marxism's number one tenet. They all failed. The resultant new democracies realize that only one thing will work, and they are almost with one voice crying out to Christendom: "Bring us the Bible and Christian preaching and teaching. We must now build on the unshakable foundation of prayer and the Christian faith. Nothing else compares. Nor will anything else answer life's great questions and bring peace to the hearts of our people. Please don't keep us waiting! We desperately want and need the Bible, God, and Christianity now." Once again, God's Word triumphs. 

Evolution, like communism, is losing its grip and credibility. We must remember that it is nothing more than an unproved, shaky theory. We will mention three items only: 


True science is always in harmony with the Bible because God is the author of both.

1. Robert Gentry's book
 Creation's Tiny Mystery has unsettled many evolutionists with its apparent, clear evidence of instant creation. (Mystery in the Rocks, an easy-to-understand book based on his research, may be purchased from Amazing Facts.) 

2. Molecular biology's recent demonstration that the single cell is vastly complex makes the accidental origin of life in a single cell a mathematical absurdity. 

3. The widely different ages now being assigned to the Grand Canyon layers by current scientific measurements, as opposed to those assigned previously, make evolutionists and their prior measurements seem reckless and irresponsible. The atheistic theory of evolution that humans and apes came from common ancestors scorns the concept that people were created in the image of God. It denies the existence of God, totally disavows Jesus as Saviour, negates the Bible, and ridicules the truth of an eternal home in heaven. Satan loves the evolution theory because it destroys the credibility of salvation. Communists are learning. Will we?


The Bible has universal appeal because it provides clear answers to life's most perplexing questions.
12.Why does the Bible have such universal appeal?
The Bible says, "Thy word is a . . . light unto my path." Psalms 119:105. "These things have I spoken unto you . . . that your joy might be full." John 15:11. "In the image of God . . . created he them." Genesis 1:27. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16. "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3. 

Answer: Because it answers life's most puzzling questions: 

A. Where did I come from? God created us in His image. We did not accidentally emerge as nondescript globs from some primeval slime. We are sons and daughters of God, the Mighty King (Galatians 3:26). We are so precious to God that when Adam and Eve sinned, He gave His Son to die and pay the penalty for our sins so we could be free. He wants to restore us to His image and then, shortly, take us back to Eden, the home Adam and Eve lost. 

B. Why am I here? Our aims for life today should be to discover the Bible's wonderful answers to life's puzzling problems and to accept Jesus' offer to restore us to His image (Romans 8:29). 

C. What does the future hold for me? There is no guesswork about the future. Jesus will come very soon to take His people to the fabulous home He has prepared for them in heaven. There, with supreme joy and happiness, people will live forever (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:3, 4).

Evolution: Unproved and Unprovable

A basic look at the problems with evolution and how it actually goes "against" science.

"When so many facts go against a theory, it should be rejected..."
- Narrator

"If you make up a story that isn't true, handing it down over a number of centuries doesn't make it any truer!"
- Richard Dawkins (Bulldog for Evolution, hater of Religion) (emphasis mine)

"And next time somebody tells you that something is true, why not say to them: What kind of evidence is there for that?  And if they can't give you a good answer, I hope you'll think very carefully before you believe a word they say"
- Richard Dawkins (The Michael Jordan of Evolutionist) (emphasis mine also)


Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Jesus Will Cost You Everything...

Another convicting tidbit from Pastor Paul Washer - I pray that God would condition our hearts to be and feel this way. Thank you Lord for men who do not compromise but preach your word to the full and as it is.

What Will The Next President Face?

An interesting article put out by the people of "The Good News" magazine regarding the upcoming challenges for our new President to be.  I can recall many who left comments on the blog who were certain that Christian ethics and morals should be nowhere near the man of the Oval Office.  But let the scriptures be a reminder that all of those advisors who counceled the King, gave their councel from his very Word.  Enjoy the article.  All coments are welcome.


What Will the Next President Face?

In the days of biblical Israel, advisers counseled the king on how to lead the nation based on the Word of God. Samuel guided Saul. Nathan counseled David. Isaiah revealed God's will to Hezekiah. These men of God represented the word of God to the king. What might a servant of God say today if he entered the Oval Office with an analysis of the world and America for the president?

by Darris McNeely

It is the first full working day for the new president of the United States. What might he hear if a servant of God gave recommendations from the Bible of how God would expect the president to govern? Let's imagine.

Good morning, Mr. President. Let me congratulate you on your new responsibilities, and may I offer wishes for your success as you take the helm of the world's most powerful nation. Your inaugural speech made clear your intent to maintain that position for the nation while at the same time seeking to reach out to both friend and foe to forge a bond of respect and cooperation.

You are coming into office at perhaps the most critical time in America's existence. The financial crisis of recent months is the most severe in this generation. America's relative position in the world faces the greatest challenge since the end of World War II. Iran's nuclear program could soon destabilize the entire Middle East. Many wonder what your administration will do to counter this threat.

Other world problems demand your attention and leadership. The security and prosperity of this nation and the maintenance of the current world order are at stake. Many voices are offering advice on the way forward. Here is an analysis and counsel from God's Word. The choice is yours as to which way you, and the nation, will go.

A crushing global financial crisis

Your administration is inheriting a global financial crisis. The geography of Wall Street has changed. Financial institutions such as Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns and Merrill Lynch have gone out of business or were forced to sell themselves to other banks to keep operating.

Investors have lost billions, if not trillions, of dollars as the stock market has staggered. The speed and ferocity of this crisis makes it far different from others of the post–World War II world. Governments and banks have had no previous experience with the scope of the shock and stresses generated by this global financial storm.

That the epicenter of this storm has been in the West, primarily the United States, has caused the rest of the world to reassess its relationship with America. Nations like India, China and Brazil have usually been on the receiving end of advice and sometimes aid from the ruling order, led by America.

This crisis is different. New and resurgent powers such as India, Brazil and Russia can now exert a great deal of influence. They have accumulated reserves of foreign currency, having learned lessons of the past. Their foresight is helping to lessen the impact this global crisis would otherwise have had on them.

Your fellow world leaders will tell you, Mr. President, that an era is ending. The United States must realize it can no longer dictate or control global order. The time when nations and regions can be made in America's image is over. For more than two centuries, first Great Britain and then America have fashioned the world's financial, political and cultural order.

America is still vital to the global economy with its huge market, consumer culture and technical innovation. The world economy still needs America; it is too big to be allowed to fall. But the time when it was everything to the world is coming to a close.

The rest of the world will form bonds and relationships to ensure their continued growth and prosperity. They see that to continue depending on America to call the shots puts their well-being in jeopardy. It may not be the end of the world, but it is the end of a world.

What does God expect the person who holds the most powerful office in the world to do? We should all learn this lesson: Debt is not good. Debt as a way of life will lead to a multitude of problems and spiritual ills that will ultimately bring any nation to its knees.

America has wallowed in debt to a point that is nearly unbearable. To finance homes, goods and a lifestyle the American people could not afford required dependence on nations like China and Saudi Arabia to buy and hold bonds, treasury notes and dollars. They financed an unparalleled orgy of spending that has resulted in trillions of dollars of debt, mortgaging future generations.

Written in the instruction God gave to ancient Israel is a financial principle for the ages: "The borrower is servant to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7). Sir, it is time the government you lead works to return this nation to financial ethics based on godly principles that will ensure stability and prosperity for all. The nation is on the brink of a financial enslavement that will break its power. It may not be too late, but time is running out.

Relations with the Islamic world

Mr. President, your predecessor was forced to focus his foreign policy on radical Islamic terrorists. The devastating attacks on 9/11 stunned the country into the reality of terrorist activity aimed at America. U.S. troops were committed to action in Afghanistan and Iraq, with Iraq becoming the center of attention.

The Taliban were driven from power in Afghanistan—at least temporarily—and Saddam Hussein was deposed by invading Iraq. Massive numbers of our troops have been engaged in Iraq. At times it looked bleak, as if America might lose this battle as guerrilla insurgencies whittled away at both Iraqi civilians and American troops. But the past two years saw a renewed surge of troops and commitment that have turned the tide and stabilized the country.

While it now appears troops can begin to be withdrawn, the long-term stability of the Iraqi government will no doubt be tested by Iran, Syria and other terrorist forces. Whether the American-delivered Iraqi-style of democracy can survive in the tough neighborhood of the Middle East is yet to be seen.

You will be faced with deciding how many U.S. troops to withdraw and at what speed. You will be tempted to move those troops to Afghanistan to counter an insurgent Taliban.

The pressure and need to maintain stability in this region is strong. Pakistan, the world's only nuclear-armed Islamic nation, is walking a tightrope between support for the West and radical Islamist elements that want to seize control.

Remember that in the 19th century Great Britain could not control that perennially troubled region, nor could the Soviet Union with 120,000 troops. Even Alexander the Great, back in the fourth century B.C., could not fully subjugate this area of the world.

The fact is that with all its other commitments, America does not have enough military resources to commit to the region to make a lasting difference. It will be a burdensome challenge to know what to do and for how long. To withdraw too many troops too soon from this region would invite disaster, something the world does not need.

And then there is Iran.

The next nuclear power?

Mr. President, you have been left with unfinished business with Iran. This radical Islamic state has been actively pursuing a nuclear weapon. Its president curses the state of Israel and threatens to wipe it off the map. Among its clerical leaders runs a strong messianic belief in the end of the world and the appearance of the Mahdi, a mystical religious leader who supposedly will usher in a reign of Islamic domination over the earth.

Many experts believe that when Iran develops a nuclear weapon its leaders will not hesitate to use it to advance their Islamic vision. To protect themselves, Sunni Muslim states will feel the need to develop or obtain their own nuclear arsenal. The entire region would face unprecedented instability.

Of course, a nuclear-armed Iran puts the United States in a near-untenable position. It not only threatens U.S., European and regional security, it also threatens energy supplies for much of the world. If that weren't bad enough, much of the Middle East would fall under the domination of a radical, terror-supporting regime.

Permanent solutions to the problems of the Middle East have eluded every one of your predecessors. Before you make your decision about what to do, I respectfully suggest you understand what few will admit—that the God of all the earth guides the course of nations. He alone ultimately determines the rulers of the people and the boundaries of the nations. Carefully consider the following lessons before committing to any long-term policies.

A lesson from history and prophecy

You would be wise to read the prophecies of Daniel to understand what God has in store for the Middle East. Focus on the pride that overcomes leaders when they do not recognize the power that God holds over the course of empires and peoples.

Notice what God revealed to the prophet Daniel and what Daniel said to Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar when Babylon was at the peak of power in this region. God gave the king a symbolic dream about the future that troubled his spirit, and none of his counselors could interpret it. It was a dream of a tall image "whose splendor was excellent . . . and its form was awesome" (Daniel 2:31).

"This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.

"Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth" (Daniel 2:32-35).

Here in a few sentences Daniel traced the outline of history from the fifth-century B.C. Babylonian Empire through the following Medo-Persian, Greco-Macedonian and Roman Empires up until the time ahead of us when Jesus Christ will intervene in world affairs to establish His Kingdom throughout the earth. God gave to Daniel special understanding in geopolitics that continues to teach us today. You can learn from this book of prophecy, but only if you gain the perspective Daniel had.

Three lessons

Daniel understood three principles that wise leaders will heed. Failure to learn these lessons could be costly to your new administration.

Before Daniel entered Nebuchadnezzar's throne room he consulted with his three closest friends and advisers, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, asking that they join him in seeking God's understanding of this dream (Daniel 2:17-18). God's answer was quick, and it contains three principles (verse 21).

First, God has power over nations and the long-term course of world events. History can only be understood from this foundational truth.

Second, God removes rulers and raises up rulers. No world leader holds office without His consent. It is not the genius of a well-run political campaign or the huge amounts of money spent in campaigning that led to your election victory. You, sir, sit at this desk because God has allowed it. Remember this and you can avoid the great all-consuming sin committed by many in high office—pride.

Third, God gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding to those who understand their needs for these qualities. Seek and trust in Him, look to His Word as the foundation of knowledge, and He will give you the wisdom necessary to chart a correct course for the nation during these turbulent times.

Notice God's instruction to the rulers of His nation Israel. It concerns how the kings could ensure success and a peaceful reign for themselves and their country. Deuteronomy 17:18-20 tells us what a new ruler is to do when he comes into power:

"He shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book . . . And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom . . ."

God's Word and His law, Mr. President, is the key to being a successful leader. Study and apply the Bible's teachings and God will be with you. Ignore them and you run the risk of serious mistakes and problems ahead.

Therein lies the key to wisdom and understanding of today's world events and what lies ahead for the nations. The reason this nation has prospered throughout its remarkable history is because of God's direct blessing. But whether that blessing will continue depends on the attitude and behavior of the country's leaders and its citizens.

If you will listen to and obey what God says and will lead your people to listen and repent too, you can be assured of God's watchful care over this country. If you will call on the nation to understand how far it has fallen from the knowledge of God, then you can lead a national turnaround. The opportunity is there and the choice is yours.

A change in Europe

You are taking office at a pivotal moment. The world is at a crossroads of history. Let's consider two more critical matters.

Europe, Mr. President, is a deceptive mix of conflicting images. Along with the United States, the European Union forms one of the two largest trading blocs in the world. Its sheer size in terms of economics, population and global involvement makes it a major player on the world stage. In its more than 50 years of existence it has continually grown to become the large economic union of today.

Yet not all its members, notably Great Britain, use the euro as their currency. Twice in the last three years it has failed to ratify a constitution meant to strengthen the union politically. The EU has no common foreign policy or military arm. Each nation retains those unique elements, and that is a key reason Europe is not the true superpower that America is or Great Britain once was.

Europe has an aging population, and the people are not replacing themselves. At the same time there is a growing Muslim presence in all the major nations. This is a threat to the stability of the region as the Western Christian culture clashes with the Islamic.

Europe prides itself on its tolerant multi-cultural approach to world affairs. It sees itself as the home of the enlightenment values that form the basis for Western civilization. Yet the region that produced Bach, Beethoven and Mozart was also the breeding ground for two world wars in the last century that cost the lives of tens of millions. Prejudice against ethnic, religious and racial minorities still runs deep in Europe.

Europe was caught unprepared in the current global financial upheaval. It became apparent that Europe's vaunted economic unity has a long way to go to deal effectively with future crises. This does not mean the European experiment is over—far from it. Look for the nations to learn from this latest crisis and form a system that will bounce back from recession. Don't count Europe out as a power to be reckoned with in coming years.

Bible prophecy tells us that a powerful political and economic system will emerge near the end of this age of human misrule. It is called "Babylon" in Revelation 17 and will involve the combined power of 10 rulers of nations or groups of nations.

These rulers will give their power and authority to one appointed leader who will provide global stability and prosperity. We know this system will be anchored in the historic seedbed of Europe, as the prophecies of both Daniel and Revelation show.

But the appearance of this system will have dramatic consequences for America and our historic ally Great Britain. America will no longer be the world's leading economic and political power. The Bible prophesies a time of trouble for these two nations unlike any in previous history. It will be a collapse from which there will be no recovery.

We are not yet at that point. America is still strong, albeit weakened in many ways through the economic, political and military crisis of recent years. You carry the hopes of many that a renewal of optimism and change is on the horizon. But this nation's future rests on a spiritual renewal found only in the pages of the Bible. Let me trace some of its key elements.

Blessings and curses

Mr. President, there is a biblical passage that explains the source of our national blessings and reveals what is occurring now. Take that copy of the Bible on which you swore your oath of office and open it to Leviticus 26.

In the opening verses you see that God states two inviolable commandments. First, do not make idols and bow down to them. Idols distort the true God and cause the worshipper to be blind, deaf and dumb, just as the graven image, to true spiritual values and principles.

Idolatry is alive and well in our present society and prevents people from seeing God and His teachings in the clear light of day.

Second, God says, "You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord" (verse 2). God has ordained holy times for mankind to come and worship Him. These have long been neglected and ignored by humanity, but they are unchangeable laws that still have spiritual force in the universe.

On these two laws turn much of remainder of this chapter. They form the heart of how we come to love and obey the God who says He gives blessings and removes these blessing for disobedience.

Verse 3 is critical. God says, "If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments . . ." If His people obey His laws, God promises every conceivable blessing a nation could hope for. Look at what the following verses promise for obedience:

"I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

"I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you. Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you. For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you" (verses 4-9).

God's great desire, "to walk among you and be your God, and you shall be [His] people" (verse 12), is still in force. He wants to dwell within a godly people reflecting the shining light of His way, not human tradition.

But there is another side to the covenant. The promises to ancient Israel were conditional on their obedience. If they threw aside God's commandments, God would remove His blessing.

Prophecy at work in history

God went on to say: "If you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments . . . I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you" (verses 14-17).

The ancient nation of Israel, to whom this prophecy was first directed, received in part these promises in the land provided by God. They started with good intentions, but their history shows they quickly departed from their Creator's ways.

In spite of the repeated warnings from God and His servants the prophets, the people of Israel and Judah continually sinned and were eventually removed from the land. Ten of the 12 tribes of Israel were "lost" to history, only to reappear in modern times as the two great powers of the last two centuries, America and Great Britain, and other modern peoples.

A little-understood part of this story is that the prophecy we've been reading concerns these nations today. It shows that, because of our growing moral corruption, a time is coming when God's protective presence and blessing will be removed from the land we so dearly love. If America ignores the final warning of collapse, God will use the power of this "Babylon" described earlier to inflict this punishment on the nation.

Do not lightly dismiss this warning based on what you currently see on the world scene. Even modern history, between World Wars I and II, shows us how quickly world powers can rise.

You, Mr. President, have an opportunity to listen to the wisdom in this ancient prophecy. It holds direct application to you and your administration. There is time and opportunity to try to turn the nation around and chart a course back to the God of the Bible who stands behind these awesome prophecies.

This God today stands in the darkening storms that hover over the nation. For the moment He is shielding America from those who would attack and bring unspeakable destruction. While we trust in our armies and intelligence to keep the walls secure, this passage we have read actually shows us the true source of our blessing and security. God is our refuge and our source of blessing.

It is time that this nation humbles itself in a deep and heartfelt repentance, unlike anything this nation has ever seen. Sir, we need a great awakening of historic proportions.

You stand in a pivotal moment of opportunity. You can listen to this warning or ignore it. The choice is yours. 

- GN