My name is Debra Thomas. I am 47 years old and live in Mabank, Texas, with my husband Dennis. We have three grown children, Jessica, Tyler, and Macey. Since August 2004, I have been attending an online university to earn a long-overdue degree in Business Administration. On Friday afternoon, May 16, 2008, I was in my office at Clay Structures reading from my latest textbook, U.S. History to 1865. My cell phone rang and the number on the caller I.D. belonged to my son, Tyler. I said, “Hello,” and the voice on the other end said, “Mrs. Thomas, Tyler has been hurt."
Honestly, I do not recall any of the conversation from that moment forward while on the phone with Tyler’s friend, James. I got off the phone and my assistant, Mandy, kept telling me, “Deb, it will be ok. Tyler will be fine.” She said later that she thought I was going to collapse. My knees were buckling and I held on to her to keep from falling. I kept reminding myself that God is in control and He will not put more on me than I am able to bear. Interestingly, I learned that God had more faith in me than I had in myself.
The drive to the hospital seemed endless. I could not get to my son fast enough. Dennis, our youngest daughter Macey, and her boyfriend were in the car with me. I tried to pray then and in the days that followed, but the words were all jumbled in my mind and not making any sense. I depended upon the words of Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him” (Matthew 6:8, KJV). My emotions were wild – tears one minute and anger the next. I had been talking with my son about giving up his hobby before something devastating happened. Seems, though, it would take devastation to force him to give it up.
 Tyler, who is 21, had been enjoying a fun day with his friends at a local motocross track. He was jumping hills bigger and better than ever before. However, just when he thought he could relax a bit over a much smaller, insignificant hill, he lost control. Tyler flew over the handlebars and landed on his head. He was taken by helicopter to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, where we learned he had broken the T6, T7, and T8 vertebrae in his back and injured his spinal cord. While surgery to repair the broken vertebrae five days later was successful, Tyler remains paralyzed from the waist down.
Tyler went from the hospital to rehab at Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation in Dallas, and on July 2, he was able to come home. He continued outpatient rehab at Baylor until mid-October. Tyler added to his recovery program by participating in intense rehab specifically for spinal cord injuries at Project Walk in Carlsbad, California. It is important to me, my husband, and Tyler that all possible measures be exhausted with regard to Tyler’s rehabilitation.
I thank God for many things. For one, the injury could have been so much worse. Tyler is only paralyzed from the waist down. In time, he will be able to care for himself. Two, I am thankful for Tyler’s attitude. He has never once asked, "Why me?" or commented, "My life is over." Instead, he asks, "Where do we go from here?" Last, and most important, I am thankful that Tyler confessed there was sin in his life and that going forward he intended to live a faithful Christian life. He looked up at me in the emergency room and said, “Mama, I am ok. I have done many things wrong, but from now on, I will live right.” I asked him if he asked God for forgiveness and he said, “Yes.” Tyler also promises to make wiser, safer decisions and understands, more than most 21-year-olds, how life can change in a split second and is not to be taken for granted.
Something I pray about is becoming a good speaker of God’s Word at Ladies’ Days and Retreats; however, one obstacle I had to overcome was controlling my emotions. For the past 10 years, when speaking to a group, I would easily get choked up and have to take a minute to regain composure. Not only was this embarrassing; I also knew those in attendance were uncomfortable. I cried so long and hard over Tyler’s injury that I am not sure there are any tears left. I have recognized many opportunities that would have caused tears in the past that no longer do. It is not my intention to indicate that my son’s accident turned me into a cold person but rather that now I will be able to speak in front of a crowd with a passion for the Word of God without pausing for over-the-top emotion. This is an answer to prayer!
I have a new life with challenges that I embrace every day. I have been given a unique opportunity that most moms are not afforded – the opportunity to watch my son do many “firsts” again. So far, this includes rolling from his back to his stomach and sitting up. My prayers are that someday I will see him crawling, pulling himself up, and walking, if it is God’s will.
My son is now six months post-injury and improving on a daily basis. I have completed my educational program earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. I stay very busy doing the Lord’s work in Mabank, working at Clay Structures, taking care of Tyler, and being available for the ups and downs of my other two children, Jessica and Macey. Singing “Be with Me Lord” is comforting and serves as a reminder that God is with me and I don’t have to face the challenges of life alone.
I got the call, and I called upon the Lord.
 

The apostle Paul left no doubt about the importance of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Inspired of the Holy Spirit, he wrote:

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:14-19, ESV).

If the body of Jesus of Nazareth remains in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, then the religion of the New Testament falls of its own weight. The Bible becomes a document worth little more than the paper on which it is printed. Gospel preaching has no value. Faith means nothing. The apostles were liars of the worst stripe. Sin’s filth remains caked on the souls of all men. All eternal hope is lost. Therefore, no one deserves the world’s pity more than the hapless goofs who put their lives and possessions on the line for a fraud named Jesus. That’s why we should fall to our knees in gratitude for the triumphant and straightforward exclamation of Paul, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20, ESV)!
It is not the purpose of this article to delineate the evidence that unquestionably proves Paul’s statement true. You will find that evidence elsewhere in this issue of Think. My purpose is to look beyond the resurrection event itself to its implications. What is the significance of the resurrection for the Christian who lives some two thousand years after it happened? How does it translate into my daily existence? What does it mean to me? Allow me to suggest the following for your contemplation.
The Resurrection Validates Jesus Himself
Jesus made scores of bold claims about Himself while He walked the dusty roads of first-century Palestine. He affirmed that He was “the bread of life” (John 6:32), the Source of “living water” (John 4:10), “the good shepherd” (John 10:11), the only Way to the Father (John 14:6), and “the light of the world” (John 8:12) to name a scant few. But His grandest claims were these and similar ones: “Messiah” (John 4:25-26), Son of God (John 5:17-24), “King of the Jews” (Luke 23:3; John 18:33-37), and “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Yes, Jesus repeatedly affirmed that He would be raised from the dead (Matthew 12:40; 16:21; 17:22-23; John 2:18-22, et al.).
Therefore, if the promise of Hs resurrection had proven ultimately to be untrue, Jesus would have been a liar and unworthy of being obeyed. But with the reality of the resurrection (and His other miracles) comes the validity of all His claims and the human responsibility to submit to His authority. Paul wrote that Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God…by His resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4, ESV). Since the body of Jesus no longer remains in the tomb, you may, with unwavering confidence, believe everything He ever said. Too, you have the obligation to bow before Him in sincere compliance with His Word, for that Word will meet you one day in judgment (John 12:48). The resurrection validates Jesus Himself.
The Resurrection Validates Baptism
The New Testament affirms that immersion in water is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; see also Mark 16:16). But the efficacy of baptism lies not in the water necessary to accomplish the deed. The power is in the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5; Matthew 26:28) and in His resurrection from the dead. Note the words of Peter,

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him (1 Peter 3:21-22, ESV).

Note the crux of Peter’s words, “Baptism…now saves you…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” If Jesus had not been raised from the dead, baptism would have no meaning, and salvation would be just one religious illusion among many.
I encourage you to study how Paul illustrates this point in his comparison of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to the conversion of sinner to saint in Romans 6:1-5. There the inspired apostle contends “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (v. 4). It was the new life enjoyed by Jesus three days after His death that gives meaning to the new life the Christian experiences after he is raised from the watery grave of baptism. The resurrection validates baptism.
The Resurrection Validates Our Hope
The Christian who properly assesses his relationship to this world will readily admit that his citizenship is actually in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). It is Heaven for which we long (2 Corinthians 5:1-2). But that yearning would be completely in vain were it not for the Lord’s empty tomb. Here is how Peter put it,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4, ESV).

Genuine hope, as defined and illustrated by the writers of Scripture, is not merely wishful thinking. It is not the wistful craving for something that, deep down, you know you’ll never have. Biblical hope is confident expectation. It is the anticipation of the heart bolstered by the assurance of God’s promises. That’s why Bible writers speak with certainty about the Christian’s hope. The writer of Hebrews wrote of “full assurance of hope” (Hebrews 6:11). He affirmed that our hope was a “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19). Because of such confidence we are encouraged to “set [our] hope fully on the grace that will be brought to [us] at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13, ESV). According to 1 Peter 1:3, this hope of the Christian is very much alive because Jesus is very much alive! The resurrection validates our hope.
The Resurrection Validates Our Immortality
Jesus stated, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25, ESV). Paul promised, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23, ESV). The word firstfruits stems from a Greek word that means “a foretaste and pledge of blessings to come” (Louw and Nida). W. Harold Mare explains Paul’s metaphor well:

By “firstfruits” Paul brings to bear the rich imagery of the OT (Old Testament, EP). The “firstfruits” – the first sheaf of the harvest offered to the Lord (Leviticus 23:10-11, 17, 20) – was not only prior to the main harvest but was also an assurance that the rest of the harvest was coming. So with Christ. He preceded his people in his bodily resurrection and he is also the guarantee of their resurrection at his second coming (Mare, 285).

When Jesus walked out of Joseph’s tomb, He walked out as the personal guarantee that each of us will one day come forth from our own graves. Both you and I will exist eternally somewhere. How we live now will determine where we live in eternity. Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29, ESV).
No fact of world history should give us more reason to trust in Jesus, seek the salvation He offers, and rest our hope with certainty on the future resurrection of our own bodies than the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth two thousand years ago.
Bibliography
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996, c1989). Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (1:26). New York: United Bible societies.
Mare, W. Harold (1976). The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Vol. 10), Frank E. Gaebelein, general editor. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.
 

    The profession of “disciple” did not offer a great life expectancy for those willing to preach and teach in His name. For instance, we know James was killed with a sword (Acts 12), Paul was beheaded, whereas Peter and Andrew were crucified. And yet they preached Christ crucified with boldness. This was not a profession for the faint at heart. The question should be asked: Why would men be willing to give up their lives in exchange for preaching the Gospel? The answers lies in a cogent understanding of what the resurrection of Christ really means for mankind.
Humans living in the twenty-first century do not like buying things “sight unseen”—and I believe this holds true as they consider the resurrection as well. We want to “kick the tires” and evaluate the evidence. Whether you are a “life-long” Christian or skeptical non-believer, evidence exists that an unbiased heart cannot ignore. While many people still cling to a position of unbelief, a true evaluation of the evidence renders their foundation untenable. Lord Darling, former chief justice of England observed, “No intelligent jury in the world could fail to bring in a verdict that indeed the resurrection story is true” (Green, 1968, p. 53-54).
The discipline of science seeks to gain knowledge through observation of the available evidence. When one dissects the resurrection through the eyes of science, there are many things one can defend even almost two thousand years removed from that event:
The Evidence Reveals Jesus Lived
A thorough investigation of history reveals Jesus walked this earth. We can read the testimony from early non-inspired preachers whose writings testify for Christ—men like Clement of Rome (c. A.D. 30-100); Ignatius (A.D. 70-110); Polycarp (A.D. 70-156); Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165); and Irenaeus (A.D. 130-202). In addition to these non-inspired preachers there is also extensive documentation from “hostile” witnesses such as the Jewish historian Josephus. He noted:

And there arose about this time Jesus, a wise man, if indeed we should call him a man; for he was a doer of marvelous deeds, a teacher of men who receive the truth with pleasure. He led away many Jews, and also Greeks. He was the Christ. And when Pilate had condemned him to the cross on his impeachment by the chief men among us, those who had loved him at first did not cease; for he appeared to them on the third day alive again, the divine prophets having spoken these and thousands of other wonderful things about him: and even now the tribe of Christians, so named after him, has not yet died out.” (Antiquities of the Jews, 18:3:3)

Another “hostile” witness would be the Roman historian, Cornelius Tacitus (c. A.D. 55-117) who observed:

Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus.” (Annals, 15:44)

Additional evidence can be found in the testimony of Roman historian, Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (commonly referred to as Suetonius). Suetonius wrote: “Punishments were also inflicted on the Christian, a sect professing a new and mischievous religious belief” (Nero, 16:2), giving us evidence that Christians existed during this time. In his famous work on The Life of Claudius, he noted: “Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbance at the instigation of Chrestus, he [Claudius] expelled them from the city” (25:4). [Suetonius simply used a variation on the spelling of Christ, but it is virtually the same as the Latin spelling “Christus.”] Considering we date everything by the life of this man Jesus, it is only rational to conclude Jesus lived.

The Evidence Reveals Jesus Suffered Mortal Wounds on the Cross
The Gospel accounts paint a grim picture of the final hours in the life of Jesus. The Romans had perfected the art of torture and slow painful death. The Bible records that Jesus was beaten, spit upon, scourged, mocked with a crown of thorns, crucified, and then a spear was thrust in His side (see Mark 14-15; Matthew 27; Luke 22:54–23:49; John 19). These statements are confirmed by the testimony of historians such as Josephus. The Jews acknowledge that Jesus lived and even concede that He was hung in the Talmud—a major text of the Jews only second to the Hebrew Bible. In the Babylonian Talmud they admit:

On the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, ‘He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Any one who can say anything in his favor, let him come forward and plead on his behalf.’ But since nothing was brought forward in his favor he was hanged on the eve of the Passover! (translated by I. Epstein, London: Soncino, 1935, vol. III, Sanhedrin 43a, p. 281).

Prior to the crucifixion, Pilate had Jesus scourged. Scourging was a known legal preliminary for every Roman execution, because without it strong condemned men would remain on the cross for several days before finally succumbing to hunger and exposure. Dr William Edwards and his colleagues described Christ’s flogging in the following manner: “Then, as the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles and produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh. Pain and blood loss generally set the stage for circulatory shock” (1986, 256:1457). Add to this John’s record that Jesus’ side was pierced by a soldier (John 19:34), and it’s clear to see that Jesus suffered intense, fatal wounds.
The Evidence Reveals Jesus Died
If for no other reason than the fact that science has never observed anything that (or anyone who) could escape death, Jesus’ death is beyond question. Additionally, the inspired Bible records His death, as do many extra-biblical sources (see above);thus, one can logically rationalize that Jesus lived, suffered, and died.
The Evidence Reveals Jesus was Buried in Tomb
The Bible is clear that the body of Jesus was placed into a new tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; etc.). Theology professor Wilbur Smith noted, “the word for tomb or sepulcher occurs thirty-two times in the four Gospel records of the resurrection” (1971, p. 38). Archaeological evidence supports the burial practice of using tombs and ossuaries during the period under consideration. We also know the body of Jesus was prepared with spices, oils, and linen—a common practice of the day (Mark 15:46-16:1; Luke 23:56). In a letter circulated by the Sanhedrin in the first century, the Jews admit Jesus was crucified and buried in a tomb: “A godless and lawless heresy had sprung up from one Jesus a Galilean deceiver, whom we crucified; but his disciples stole him by night from the tomb, where he was laid when unfastened from the cross, and now deceive men by asserting that he has risen from the dead and ascended to heaven” (emp.added). [Mentioned by Justin Martyr in his Dialogue with Trypho (A.D. 100-165) and Eusebius (A.D. 265-340)]. 
The Evidence Reveals Measures were taken to Secure the Tomb
A stone was placed in front of the tomb of Jesus (Matthew 27:66). In ancient days this was a protective measure to keep out men and beasts. H. W. Holloman, referencing G. M. Mackie observed “The opening to the central chamber was guarded by a large and heavy disc of rock which could roll along a groove slightly depressed at the center, in front of the tomb entrance (1967, p. 38). Additionally, Matthew records “So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard” (27:66). If this were not the case, why would the women who visited after the Sabbath have been concerned with “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” (Mark 16:3). In addition to the stone, they also “sealed the tomb” most likely with a glob of wax imprinted with the signet ring of one of the Romans in authority. Thus, the door could not be opened without breaking the seal—making it a crime. We learn a little more about the “seal” from Daniel 6:17 , where it is recorded that  the king sealed the stone with his signet ring. Having given Roman authentication to this seal, a guard was placed in front of the tomb (Matthew 27:65-66). Given that death was the punishment for abandoning a post or neglecting duties while on post, it defies reason that anyone could have easily stolen the body of Jesus. The soldiers’ own lives were at stake over the body of Jesus Christ.
The Evidence Reveals the Tomb was Found Empty
Scholars agree that the death of Jesus was a major news event in Jerusalem during that time—a focal point that could not be easily ignored. While we think of trials like O.J. Simpson’s as being a media circus, consider how much attention the death and burial of Jesus received. While it is true Jews and Romans lacked 24-hour news coverage (which might not have been a bad thing!), it cannot be overlooked that the trial and death of Jesus would have overshadowed the trial of O.J. Simpson. If Jesus had not made it out of the tomb, word would have quickly gotten around. Furthermore, if His body had still been in a tomb, His followers would have journeyed to worship that location, similar to the way Muslims make their annual pilgrimage today. While Jews agree that a man named Jesus walked the earth, they are unwilling to grant Him the title of Son of God. However, consider their plight—if His bones still existed, no excuses would be necessary regarding Who this man was. Yet, the Bible records that the soldiers were bribed to keep quiet (Matthew 28:11-15). Additionally, the Toledoth Yeshu, Jewish manuscripts dated to approximately the sixth century record: “A diligent search was made and he [Jesus] was not found in the grave where he had been buried. A gardener had taken him from the grave and had brought him into his garden and buried him in the sand over which the waters flowed into the garden” (emp. added).
The Evidence Reveals the Apostles Preached Boldly After the Resurrection
One of the most convincing pieces of evidence that Jesus came out of the tomb is the change in the Disciples’ attitudes following His resurrection. Prior to His resurrection we learn that His disciples “forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). These were men who were scared. We even find Peter cursing in His denial of knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18). But after they see a resurrected Jesus, their fear changes to boldness. We find them teaching throughout the book of Acts with courage and conviction (see Acts 2, 3:14-15, 4, 5:22-32; 10:34-43; 13:26-39, etc.).
The Evidence Reveals Jesus Appeared to Many After His Resurrection
The following is a record of those to whom Jesus appeared after the resurrection. Once again, if these appearances did not happen, they could have been easily disproven or contested, and yet ancient writings do not contain any challenges to these appearances. If Jesus was not resurrected from the dead, then why didn’t men speak out during Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2)?
Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; John 20:11).
Jesus appeared to “the other” women at the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10).
Jesus appeared to Peter later in the day (Luke 24:34).
Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32).
Jesus appeared to 10 apostles (Luke 24:33-49; John 20:19-24).
Jesus appeared to Thomas and the other disciples (John 20:26-30).
Jesus appeared to seven apostles by the Lake of Tiberias (John 21:1-23).
Jesus appeared again to all the apostles (Matthew 28:16-20).
Jesus appeared again to all the apostles (Acts 1:4-9).
Jesus appeared to 500 brethren on a Galilean mountain (1 Corinthians 15:6).
Jesus appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7).
Jesus appeared to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:7).
Jesus appeared at the ascension (Acts 1:3-12).
Jesus appeared to the first Christian martyr Stephen (Acts 7:55).
Jesus appeared to John at Patmos (Revelation 1:10-19).
If these appearances didn’t happen, then why were they never refuted?
Conclusion
Anyone can choose to ignore evidence. In fact, some scientists are guilty of throwing out evidence that doesn’t agree with their preferred results. But oversight, ignorance, or discounting evidence do not reduce its importance or make it simply “go away”. The facts remain. Last year I interviewed Gary Habermas, a world-renowned scholar on the resurrection. During our time together he noted: “[Y]ou don’t need the inspired New Testament or even a highly reliable translation of the Bible to get a resurrection. If all you had were the historical facts that the vast majority of critical scholars regularly concede, you can make a very strong case for the resurrection using only their data.” Given the mountainous accumulation of evidence for the resurrection, one wonders why more humans have not conceded this Truth and humbly analyzed what it means to their own existence. One also wonders why men are not proclaiming His death, burial, and resurrection today as boldly as the disciples once did?

References
Edwards, William D., Wesley J. Gabel, and Floyd E. Hosmer (1986), “On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ,” Journal of American Medical Association, 256:1455-1463, March 21.
Green, Michael (1968), Man Alive (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press).
Holloman, Henry (1967), An Exposition of the Post-Resurrection Appearances of Our Lord, Thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary.
Smith, Wilbur M. (1971), “The Indisputable Fact of the Resurrection,” Moody Monthly, May.
 

There are a few places in our lives where we all go, and truth is revealed. Dressing rooms are one of those places. We walk in with multiple pieces of clothing with the hopes that something will fit just right and look half-decent. Sometimes we have to bump up a size or choose another color to get something that works for us. Whatever the case, once you step into that dressing room, you will come out with the truth of what works for you and what doesn’t.  This is “dressing room truth.”  What fits for me may not fit for you. 

In our society, many people are treating  real truth the same way they treat the dressing  room   shopping experience. We go into the “outlet mall”, current culture, and shop the racks, buying whatever we want. In a land where 93% of the citizens profess a belief in Christianity, one would think the Bible would reign supreme; however, in our current situation, it does not. When only 16% of adults claim they make decisions based upon the Bible, and only 35% claim that truth is absolute, there is inconsistency with what we say we believe, and what we actually believe.

The question must be asked: How did we get here? When did we leave being a Christian nation and enter a humanistic society? It was written of the children of Israel, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). What we are facing today is nothing new; however, the major difference in Israel and our nation is that when they turned from God, they would often turn toward a foreign god. Today, America does the same; however, our god is self. We have turned our backs on Scriptures such as, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). For many, truth is based upon feelings, and changes with each circumstance. How did we get here? A quick look at where we’ve been, can explain a lot.

Pre-modern – (Creation - 1700s)
    This period of time is marked by a strong belief in the supernatural realm. God (or gods) exercised absolute authority and had power over all areas. Truth considered to be outside of man and in the power of God (or gods) and this authority was unquestioned by most. Prophets, priest, shaman, or witchdoctors would be in the position of teaching those who would listen of God (or gods). Truth was present, and it was found in One higher than man.

Modern – (1700s -1960s)
    Human understanding and the race of science fueled a period defined by movements such as The Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. It was through the many advances in science that a belief was born-  humanity was limitless in what they could do to bring about positive change and make a better world for all.  Knowledge itself became the idol worshiped, and man’s reason and logic began to replace divine revelation or reliance upon God (or gods).

Post-modern – (1960s – Current)
    November 22, 1963, is the date some ascribe to the beginning of this period. With the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Americans, especially younger Americans, began to realize as they looked around, in the midst of the Vietnam War, that the promises of the Modern period had not come to surface. Death, destruction, and disease along with poverty, pollution, and politics played a major role in the seismic shift from optimism to hopelessness. There was and continues to be a rejection of the systems, laws, traditions, and principles of the past periods, and an acceptance that there really are no absolute truths. Decisions are made on “gut instincts” and the slogan “This is a free country!” is spouted often when anyone makes a truth statement, especially against the moral behavior of today. We live in a time when “You can’t be so judgmental,” and “How dare you push your beliefs on me!” attitudes roam the streets and sit in some of the most powerful seats in our nation.

Current culture declares the only absolute truth is that we absolutely can’t know anything for sure; however, that does not mean the truth does not exist. Unlike “dressing room truth”, where you leave with what fits you, real truth is not dependent upon us for it to be right. It’s not like a shirt that doesn’t fit, which we can go replace with  one that does. Truth is outside of us, objective in nature. If it doesn’t fit, it’s not because there’s something wrong with the truth, it’s that there’s something the individuals must change about themselves. Truth is based on the One who is Truth, Jesus Christ, and He does not change (John 1:14).


 
 “Beliefs: General Religious.” www.Barna.org. 2007.
“ Most Adults Feel Accepted by God, But Lack a Biblical Worldview.” www.Barna.org. August 9, 2005.

A view from Felecia Burgett
Age 12
   
    The man hung on a wooden cross. His hands and feet were nailed down to it, and a piercing crown of thorns stabbed His brow. Pain of this world stabbed at His mortal heart, and above his head were embedded the accusing words, “THIS IS JESUS: KING OF THE JEWS.” Two thieves hung on crosses next to Him. “If you’re the son of God,” one spat, “save us all!” But the other was not so very accusing.
        The echoing words “Crucify, crucify…” resounded in His mind. “Dear father, forgive them,” He said, “for they know not what they do.” And so, He yielded forth his spirit. This was God’s plan; He didn’t doubt it once. He could have called a crowd of angels to free Him; He could have stopped time. He could have done anything; He had the power not to die. But He gave Himself, for us. He followed God’s plan, and He always followed God’s will.
       Jesus Christ, Son of Man, Immanuel, Son of God, The Lord, The Great I AM, Savior, Hosanna; whatever you choose to call Him, He gave His life for us.    The old, old story has been told many times, but has not always been properly appreciated or understood. But this is definite: Jesus is LORD, our Savior, and we owe Him our lives. He is our leading example, and we all (as we have been taught truthfully) must try our best to be more like Him.
              Jesus is our inspiration;   “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).The many temptations of the world may overwhelm us and steer us away. When trying to remember God, remember this, and always remember this: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mathew 6:21).  Treasure the Old, Old Story.
         “He could have called ten thousand angels, but He died alone for you and me!”