Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Don�t Let Your Beliefs Rob You Blind!
 While it may seem to be a vast generalization that all humans agree morals exist, the fact remains that all humans recognize certain behaviors as wrong. On many occasions when I correspond with atheists I will ask them if they would mind if I came to their house and robbed them blind and killed their children? Without fail, everyone I have corresponded with has stated that they would definitely have a problem with that. On one occasion an atheist argued that criminals have no ethics. I simply questioned what would happen if two criminals robbed a bank and one of the thieves tells the other that he is taking 90% of the stolen money. The other criminal is not going to view that as “fair.” Everyone, even criminals, recognizes a standard for right and wrong.
Mankind, unlike the animals, has a moral code. Where did it come from? The very existence of our moral code places atheists into a unique situation. There are forced to argue that morals came from naturalistic measures—in other words, they must argue morals and ethics simply evolved. Imagine visiting more than 10 different island populations who were completely isolated from one another…and learning that they all possessed laws regarding murder and adultery. Furthermore, each group viewed things like lying and stealing as wrong. Even though these islands did not communicate they held to a similar moral standard. Where did these independent groups come up with such a similar moral code? (This experiment was actually carried out—and the results pointed to a similar moral code.)
It is impossible for matter—by itself—to evolve a system of moral “right” and “wrong.” Yet, man recognizes right and wrong. The question then arises from whence did morals originate? In 1967, George Gaylord Simpson admitted, “Morals arise only in man.” However, in order for something to be “right” or “wrong,” there must be an absolute standard for morality. What is that standard? There are really only two options that could adequately explain the existence of morals—either: (1) they were conjured up and created by man, or (2) they originated from God.
Consider the plight of an atheist. They admit morals exist—otherwise they wouldn’t have a problem with your murdering their family members. However, they refuse to acknowledge a belief in God. As such, they must contend that morals arose from man. The question then becomes who gets to decide what behaviors are right and which are wrong? For instance, Adolf Hitler thought what he was doing was “right”. He thought he was perfecting the human race, and in the process he extinguished millions of Jews. The problem with saying man evolved ethics and morals is that each person would view “right and wrong” a little differently. What may seem right to you may seem wrong to me. Humans would constantly be changing what they felt was morally acceptable
Isn’t evolution all about the “survival of the fittest?” So if I decide a certain behavior will allow me to survive better, shouldn’t I participate in it—even if it hurts you? Evolution would presume that furthering one’s genes is a good thing—whether by adultery, rape, incest, pedophilia, or marriage. Yet, we recognize many of those behaviors as wrong. Or how about a “survival of the fittest” competition for your livelihood? For instance, what would be the problem with slicing a coworker’s tires before a job interview if both individuals were applying for the same job?
A more logical conclusion is that man has adopted God’s standard for right and wrong. The very existence of morals presents a large problem to atheists and evolutionists. Morals provide strong evidence for an immutable Creator. God’s unchanging nature allows our morals to be recognized as absolute standards for all situations. Only God is eternal (Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17). Only God is holy (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). Only God is just and righteous ((Psalm 89:14). And only God is forever consistent (Malachi 3:6). The existence of a worldwide system of morals is excellent proof that God exists.
Rather than continually trying to tweak, alter, and redefine a poor naturalistic theory maybe we should give attention to the very existence of the moral code mankind has adopted. And rather than trying to embrace a Godless theory and live an immoral life, maybe we should recognize there truly is a right and wrong way to conduct ourselves. Solomon summed it up well when after tasting all life had to offer he concluded that the whole duty of man was to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiates 12:13).
Posted on 04/13/2010 2:14 PM by Dr. Brad Harrub
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Why Are You in Debt?
As we seek to walk with God, it is important that we routinely practice self analysis. If we are facing difficulties in some aspect of our life – marriage, job, getting along with others – we need to ask ourselves how our own behavior may be contributing to these problems. Debt is often one of the most serious symptoms of the financial difficulties that Christians experience. Asking ourselves why we are in debt can be a vital step in making the changes we need to make to get our financial house in order.
Note that I referred to debt as a symptom. Debt is generally a result of financial problems such as greed, a failure to plan for the future, careless financial management, or an unforeseeable financial catastrophe. The first three of these problems, in turn, often result from a more fundamental cause – immaturity. Understanding Solomon’s counsel will produce wisdom, which will lead us to spiritual – and financial – maturity. In this article, we will look at two debt-related ideas from the wisdom of Solomon – the fact that debt is bondage and the dangers of guaranteeing someone else’s debt. Seeing God’s perspective on debt more clearly will enable us to make a more informed self analysis regarding any debt we may have.
Debt is bondage. In Proverbs 22:7, Solomon tells us that “[t]he rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Some translations have the word “slave,” rather than “servant,” and the idea of bondage is definitely included in this word in the original language. God is trying to let us know that a person who borrows places himself in bondage to the lender. Yet so many of us rush to the lenders, begging to become their slaves!
Debt robs us of financial freedom. How many of us sit down to review our budget and realize that debt obligations have removed most, or all, of the slack in our budgets? We do not have the freedom to save for the future, to give as we would like to God or the needy, or to simply cover unexpected events. Debt is like a strait jacket, which will not allow us to use our financial resources as God would want.
God wants His people to be free. Freedom from sin should be our foremost concern, of course, but the Scriptures plainly teach that God also wants us to be free from the stress, worry, and limitations that financial problems such as debt bring to our lives (see Matthew 6:25-34). Understanding the root cause of our debt can help us begin to escape this bondage.
The dangers of surety. Solomon discusses at length the dangers of serving as surety (or, guaranty) for someone else’s debt (see Proverbs 6:1-5; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26-27; 27:13). The most common type of surety in our time is co-signing a loan. According to Solomon, guaranteeing someone else’s debt is foolishness, whether the other person is a stranger or a friend. Notice especially Solomon’s instructions, in Proverbs 6:1-5, to those who have agreed to act as surety for someone else. They should do everything they can to be released from this obligation. They should seek to deliver themselves from it “like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.” A wise person will simply avoid serving as a guaranty for someone else’s debt.
Consider another important implication of the instructions regarding surety. God’s people are to serve others. If a brother or sister in Christ cannot get a loan, shouldn’t I serve them by agreeing to co-sign? Solomon says “no!” If someone needs my financial help, co-signing a loan for them is not the kind of help God wants me to give them. In fact, it is not really “help,” at all. If they really need this money, and we are able to help them, we should give them money, rather than trying to help them by increasing their debt.
Since the Scriptures consistently present debt as undesirable, Christians should be very reluctant to incur debt, and should make every effort to pay debts as soon as possible. To use debt routinely to feed the impulses of greed, or because of careless financial planning or management, is foolishness, according to Solomon. Which pattern do we want to follow – the “American way,” or God’s way?
Stan Bullington, Ph.D., has taught economic analysis for engineers for over twenty years. He is the author of Solomon on Wealth. Posted on 04/13/2010 2:11 PM by Stan Bullington, Ph.D.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
The Making of Warriors
“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on the earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed” (Psa.112:1-2).
The descendants of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards included 13 college presidents, 65 professors, 100 lawyers, 30 judges, 66 doctors, three United States senators, three mayors of large cities, three state governors, a vice-president, and over 100 missionaries. While I do not agree with Jonathan Edward’s political or doctrinal views during the Great Awakening, consider how Psalm 112:1-2 played out in his descendants.
Going back to the Old Testament we see how God dealt with patriarchs of families. He made a covenant with Abraham and then brought it to fruition through Abraham’s descendants. Because of Abraham’s faithfulness to God, salvation was made possible to all mankind. Noah’s family was saved not because of what they did, but because of Noah’s faithfulness to God’s commandment in building the ark before the worldwide flood. During the period of the judges of Israel, the descendants were mighty and blessed because their forefathers had feared the Lord and walked in His ways.
When there is no direction given to people they do not know how to behave (Prov. 29:18). We see this easily with children who do not have parents to guide and disciple them, but the principle applies to other aspects of the family. For example, when a family does not have a husband and father to lead who seeks God’s guidance, that family will typically not have Biblically based goals to strive for. The family’s spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental lives are subsequently misguided. It’s hard for any family--or organization for that matter--to rise above its leader.
As Christians and the church, our guide is God, God’s word and the eldership. As a Biblical family, the guide should be the father or husband as he portrays Christ in his life. Paul wrote, “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (I Cor. 11:3).The regard for husbands and fathers as spiritual leaders is a far cry from how men are seen today. Men are portrayed by many in Hollywood and the media as passive, oblivious, lackadaisical, cowardly, thoughtless, irresponsible, visionless, and spineless. It is these types of men that feminists love because they don’t put up a fight for what they believe in and have an “anything goes” attitude in order to “stay out of the doghouse.” Men who have godly convictions and truly lead their families are seen as stubborn, ultraconservative, self-serving, and even chauvinistic by feminized men.
How many of us as newlywed husbands had a direction that we believed God wanted to take our families? How many of us thought about how God was going to use our families in the church? How many of us as new fathers had any inkling of an idea about what it meant to “Bring your children up in the training and admonition of the Lord”? (Ephesians 6:4). Did any of us sit down with our Bible in one hand and our wife’s hand in the other while praying that God would give our family direction? Sadly, many Christian men cannot answer these questions positively. I know that I cannot.
So for this month’s article on roles and responsibilities, I have a question for husbands, fathers, and fathers-to-be as I ask myself the same question. What is the direction God wants us to follow as we lead our families? What should our goals and attitudes be for our families, and how are we as servant leaders going to see to it that they are going to be met at home? We are stewards of the most precious creations on earth—our wives and children. How are we handling that stewardship?
As families, we are to praise the Lord in everything we do. All that we do should ultimately bring glory, honor, and praise to Him. Those of us who are fathers and husbands must ask for God’s guidance for our families as we lead them in the ultimate goal of mankind, which is to, “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Every father wants his children to succeed, not just in their physical lives, but more importantly in their spiritual lives. For this to happen, we fathers have to turn our hearts, minds, and souls to God (Matt. 22:37), while at the same time turning our hearts toward home (Malachi 4:6). We must keep our eyes on the goal that our descendants will be mighty warriors for God on the earth and be blessed. Posted on 04/13/2010 2:09 PM by David W. Longley, D.O.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Your Cheating Heart
Having looked into the tearful eyes of parents whose children have abandoned the Faith, I have learned there are a million miles between our children “going through the motions” in reference to their spiritual lives versus our children possessing hearts that dictate their actions. In this column, I plan to share with you what I hope to instill in the hearts of my own children and those whom I love.
Adultery does not start in the bedroom. Oftentimes it starts with a lively conversation or maybe a Facebook exchange. Conversations blossom into flirting. Flirting then takes on a whole new dynamic as personal feelings are shared. Rather than sitting down with a spouse and sharing problems and concerns, individuals spill their guts to a stranger who is quick to console and provide emotional—and eventually physical—support.
I dare say there is not a congregation in the church that has not felt the devastating effects of adultery. Our hearts sink when we hear about yet another couple torn apart by the tentacles of infidelity. Occasionally, the sin is committed with someone outside the church family. Many times, however, a married individual turns to someone within the church family. Multiple families are destroyed as selfish individuals seek their own pleasure and treat their marriages like a doormat. Adultery has affected young and old, rich and poor. We can all identify friends, preachers, deacons, and elders who have turned their lives upside down in search of greener grass. Few consider the lasting damage to their children, their families, the church, and their relationship with God in search of a few moments of physical pleasure. It’s the heat of the moment.
Here’s what I intend on teaching my children about adultery.
I’m going to make an admission that will likely get me into a great deal of trouble: Your mother has more wrinkles and gray hair than the day I asked her to marry me. (I do too for that matter!) But I can honestly say that when I look at your mother today she is more beautiful than the day we married. Many times I will look at her without her knowing and smile from ear to ear at how lucky I am to be married to such a beautiful woman. Your mother has a beauty that radiates from her very soul. I found a Proverbs 31 woman and I rejoice with the wife of my youth (Proverbs 5:18). I pray that one day you will be able to experience a similar feeling.
Marriage is for life. It is the second biggest decision you will make in your lifetime. The vows you make before God, your family, and friends are not to be taken lightly. The way in which you view the opposite sex must change on that day, as you are no longer “looking” for someone. Your search is over—forever! (Matthew 5:27-30).
Your marriage should focus on getting one another to heaven. If you get married and focus on what you “don’t” have, I assure you that your marriage will suffer. Allow me to be blunt for a moment: There will always be someone out there with more physical beauty, talents, or wealth than your spouse. (You are not excluded from this either!) However, always remember that just because the grass may appear greener does not mean it tastes good or doesn’t come with some serious maintenance. It is easy to focus a great deal of importance on physical things when you are young, but physical things will eventually fade away. I want to encourage you to focus on the beautiful grass you have been blessed with and count your blessings every single day.
One wonders how much Solomon knew of his dad’s relationship with Bathsheba. Consider the warning he gave against adultery in Proverbs 5. After describing the immoral woman’s lips as dripping honey and her mouth smoother than oil (vs. 3), he goes on to say, “Remove your way from her. And do not go near the door of her house” (vs. 8). Don’t even place that temptation before you. When one combs through God’s Word and researches the topic of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, the action of infidelity keeps bubbling up as a lynchpin (Matthew 19; 1 Corinthians 7) that—like death—can severe a marriage. It is a sin that was singled out in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14). Guard against it with diligence!
Your mom and I occasionally talk about the reality of adultery. We are smart enough to recognize that the devil is “seeking whom he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8), and that includes the two of us! I am careful not to be alone with any woman other than your mother. I will often talk about my wife and children in front of individuals so they know I am a family man. We know if either of us let our guard down then devastating things could happen. As such, we try to be proactive to ensure that we are never in that position. From basic things like sharing computer passwords to more advanced things like phoning and letting one another know where we are, we are committed to one another (and God!).
I pray that you will “drink water from your own cistern” and work hard to make your mate happy (Proverbs 5:15-20). Read Song of Solomon with your spouse and fulfill one another’s physical needs. Enjoy the intimacy of your marriage and flee temptation. Lastly, my child, never forget the things I have taught you…Proverbs 3:1-6.
Love,
Dad
Posted on 04/13/2010 2:02 PM by Dr. Brad Harrub
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
"What Prevents Me From Being Baptized?"
Philip encountered an Ethiopian eunuch returning from worshipping God in Jerusalem. The man, likely a Jewish proselyte still observing the Old Law, was reading from the scroll of Isaiah. Philip engaged him in conversation, asking the man if he understood what he was reading. This very important man was humble enough to ask for help, and Philip climbed into the chariot, delved into the text (Isaiah 53), and taught him about Jesus. This led the Ethiopian to ask, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36, NASB. He understood who Jesus was, understood his need, and saw a place where there was sufficient water for him to be baptized in order to have his sins forgiven. Perhaps Philip pointed out the fact that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, and through baptism we reenact those very aspects (cf. Romans 6:1-6). Perhaps Philip discussed the fact that baptism "washes away sins" for believers in Christ who act in obedient faith (cf. Acts 22:16). Whatever Philip preached about Jesus, the eunuch correctly deduced his need to be baptized.
Many people are currently or were formerly in a Bible study with someone, learned their need to be baptized into Christ (cf. Galatians 3:27), but have yet to obey. An untold number of young people are of accountable age and have not been baptized. How many spouses of Christians know they need to do it but have not been baptized? Each individual in the groups above, as well as all others, are of infinite value to God (cf. Matthew 16:26). No doubt, God desires anyone who has yet to come to the knowledge of the truth to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Would He not want those to ask, "What prevents me from being baptized?"
"I'm Not Ready."
Some individuals are not ready. Some are too young to truly know right from wrong; some have not yet been sufficiently taught. However, some are not ready for the commitment, sacrifice, and submission needed to make Jesus Lord. There is no better sacrifice than Jesus. One will never have more time to give to the Lord than right now. God cannot possibly extend more love or grace. If one is not ready, he or she should ask, "What will ready me?"
"I'm Afraid."
Fear is understandable. Jesus apparently experienced it (cf. Hebrews 5:7; Luke 22:42). Paul experienced fear (Colossians 4:4); Peter certainly grappled with it (cf. Matthew 26:69-74; 1 Peter 3:14-15). One might fear the change that follows becoming a Christian, failure in his Christian walk, or the reaction and even the rejection of others. Jesus once taught, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). People must evaluate those fears and ask they are worth risking the more fearful prospect of standing before the Lord without His blood covering their sins.
"I'm Not Sure."
Peter unquestionably says, "Make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10, ASV). However, he is not giving people an excuse to put off obeying Christ. Remember, he is speaking to those already purified from their former sins (1:9)—those already baptized. One needs to reason through Scripture (cf. Isaiah 1:18). Paul reasoned with individuals about Christ on many occasions (Acts 17:2, 17; 18:4, 19; 24:25). The fact is the Biblical claims about who Jesus is and how one receives the benefits of His grace are most reasonable. Rationalization, hard-heartedness, and self-will may be seeds that grow into weeds of doubt, but one must not allow doubt to prevent him from submitting to Christ.
"I Don't Believe."
One may or may not say those specific words. Yet, when one sees the truth of Scripture, knows the personal accountability demanded, and does nothing about it, that person essentially does not believe. At least, his faith is insufficient to properly respond to God's amazing grace. This is a hard truth to confront in ourselves. I see it; I know it; but I will not act upon it. The Hebrews writer says the Israelites could not enter the Promised Land because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19), and he warns us against imitating them (Hebrews 3:12ff). Even the demons believe and tremble, though it does them no good (cf. James 2:19). We must believe and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16).
Perhaps you are one who could ask yourself, "What prevents me from being baptized?” Cast a long mental gaze at the cross of Calvary and comprehend the love and sacrifice evidenced there. It was for you (cf. Galatians 2:20). God's love for you is personal. He wants nothing more than for you to live with Him eternally, and He has told you how to do that (cf. Acts 2:38). What prevents you from being baptized? Posted on 04/13/2010 2:00 PM by Neal Pollard
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