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Category: Apologetics & Theology You have viewing the Apologetics & Theology category! We invite you to join our website or login if you are already a member! How should it be read? Posted by:  dean939   (Posted: 07/31/08 4:23am) I have to admit that I often struggle to accept every doctrine set by God. Some are acceptable to take literally. Others, on the other hand...well... "Deuteronomy 21 A Rebellious Son 18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, 19 his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. 20 They shall say to the elders, "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard." 21 Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid." I've taken this struggle to my pastor, and he suggested that it be read symbolically, as meaning that the son's parents and their church leaders should act together to rid the child's soul of the evil that besets him, through prayer and the like. I thought, that's a fair enough interpretation, right? But later i was talking to a friend about it,... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 6 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by tchable)  - Total Views: 80 The Supernatural Working of God Posted by:  awdawn   (Posted: 07/29/08 8:24am) In the Gospal of John, we read in Chapter 1:17, that the law was given by Moses, (but) grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. What exactly does that mean, is there a difference, or a change, being made between the law, and grace? The law says, that we are to do what the law says, and if we do, then God blesses us, or at least does not beat us over the head. However, it also says that if we do not do what the law says, then God will not bless us, and even worse, He may even make our lives unbearable. When we look in the Old Testament, we see exactly that. When the Jewish nation followed the law, they were blessed, but when they didn't, look what happened. Okay then, what about this grace thing that came by Christ. What does grace mean? In Ephesians 2:8, the word grace, is translated from the Greek, as good will, loving-kindness, favour: (a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by awdawn)  - Total Views: 32 HOW Could We Really Love God? Posted by:  godfascinates   (Posted: 07/27/08 2:18am) Many verses have been quoted to us that we should love God, but have we heard Deuteronomy 30:6? It says, "And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live" (NKJV). We tend to believe that we could just love God as easily as we choose to. But notice again the above verse. In the New International Version we read, "The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, SO THAT YOU MAY LOVE HIM..." And we read in Ezekiel 36:26-27: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." We read also in 1 John 4:19, "We love Him because He first loved us." Is it enough for the power of our human will, or our freedom of choice, so that we could... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 38 When we look to our ordained leaders, what should we see? Posted by:  shirrleymay   (Posted: 07/25/08 10:37pm) Throughout history God's people have needed leadership. The ordination of a priest in the Old Testament was based on God's choice of Aaron and his sons "That he may minister unto me in the priest's office" (Ex. 28-29), seventy elders appointed to assist Moses in "Carrying the burden of the people" (Num. 11:16-17). Priesthood in the Old Testament primarily involved sacrificing at the altar and worship, as well as blessing the people (Num. 6:22-26), determining the will of God (Ex. 28:30), and instructing the people in the law of God (Deut. 31:9-12). The Priesthood of Christ is Jesus' supreme sacrifice for the sins of humankind who he continually intercedes for. Jesus was one of us; he felt our weaknesses and was tempted like us but did not sin. Jesus is a compassionate high priest. The Scriptures make it clear that all believers have direct access to God and are called and commissioned to proclaim the good news of Jesus. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). Christ continues as... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 31 Given The Chance, Men Will Murder Their Creator Posted by:  shirrleymay   (Posted: 07/25/08 10:34pm) God has given mankind the opportunity to murder their Creator by giving mankind freedom of choice. But we have all done wrong and failed to obey God's laws. Consequently we have been separated from God, we're on death row but God showed mercy and provided a way for mankind to be reconciled to him by the flowing of Jesus blood, the sinless Son of God, on the cross. The Divine Son of God took on our humanity, but we killed him, yet it was his free will to allow us to kill him so that we might live. What amazing love, colossal, free and undeserving mercy given to mankind from our Creator. If Jesus triumphed over sin on the cross why is there still so much evil today? Did mankind murder Jesus or did mankind fulfill God's plan and purpose to bring his Creation back to himself? When was the plan of salvation put into place? In the opening chapters of Genesis the decrees of God are revealed. • to create the universe and place man in his own image; • to permit sin; • that he himself would enter into the universe and kill sin in one blow •... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 26 God's Living Word Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 07/24/08 6:40pm) God's word is living and changes lives. Only by God's word and belief in Jesus Christ can our lives be renewed and made clean. God's word has the power to change lives more than anything else. Jeremiah 23:29 "Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock? God's word is our wake up call. It is God's word that gives us the power to beat the burdens of this life. If we are not soaking in God's word then burdens can defeat us. When we meditate on God's word we can have the power to beat the burdens that are pulling us down. John 12:48 "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. We are judged by the word and one day we will have to justify ourselves by God's word. Oh what a great privilege it is to have the word of God that we can live by, but if we ignore the word of God then we will be judged. If we ignore the word of God then we have... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 31 Is God Calling You To Intercede? Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 07/17/08 5:31pm) Intercessory prayer is different than praying for yourself. Intercession is praying for someone that God would really work and move positively in that person's life. It is praying without ceasing even if God doesn't move straight away it is having the patience and trust to believe that God will move in His own timing. There are many places in the Bible where intercession can be seen. One only has to look at Nehemiah how he prayed to God to rebuild Jerusalem and His people. God listened to His people and saved some of them bringing them back to where they belonged. Jesus was the ultimate intercessor. He prayed for God to protect and bring shelter to His disciples. Jesus acted as an intercessor in the truest sense. He sacrificed His life so that people could be saved and brought to faith. "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy peoples' lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:56). God came to save people's lives. He came to save those who would believe in Him. Today many people remain lost and God is calling for intercessors to pray for those who are lost. When you look around how many lives... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by awesomewonder)  - Total Views: 73 Understanding The Trinity Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 07/15/08 4:52pm) The Trinity is very important. Even so, many religious cults attack the Trinity and do not accept this important doctrine. It is important to understand The Trinity so that we can embrace God fully. The reason that The Trinity is so important is that if this Christian doctrine is false then Jesus Christ cannot be accepted as the Son of God. However if this doctrine is correct then Jesus Christ is the living word of God. He is the Son of God. To deny the Trinity is to deny that Jesus Christ is Deity. Who "made His dwelling among us" (Johnn 1:14). Deuteronomy 6:4 affirms that "The Lord our God is one Lord" God is, but one God with three personalities. Accepting the Trinity is crucial to our faith. If we reject the Trinity then we do not accept God in His true form. Doctrine is an essential part of our faith. We cannot divide doctrine and say that it's O.K to believe this or that. A believer has to accept everything that is written in the Bible. It is all or nothing. Notice how Paul says, "Watch your life and doctrine closely..." Why says Paul? "...because if you do,... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 25 Do Jews Need Jesus? Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 06/30/08 8:19pm) Today I am going to talk about the need for Jewish people to accept Jesus into their lives. Some think that Jewish people do not need to acknowledge Jesus to be saved and enter Heaven. I disagree with this I think that yes, the Jewish people are in God's plan, but that doesn't make them immune to sin or accepting Jesus into their lives. Whilst I believe that Jewish people were God's chosen people so are the Gentile people. There are many reasons why Jewish people reject the Gospel. For some Jewish people it is difficult to accept that God would exist in human form. This belief is based upon the idea that Jesus was a man who became God. Some cults exist today that teach this idea, but as Christians we do not believe that Jesus became God. What we believe is that God who is all powerful is capable of miracles and chose to come in the form of man. We believe that God came in the form of man to redeem us. We all need Jesus. In Scripture Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father, except by... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 5 Comments (view first comment - view last comment)**  - Total Views: 175 Promoting Sacriledge and Blasphemy Posted by:  bobbiekelley   (Posted: 06/29/08 2:30pm) Promoting Sacrilege & Blasphemy Oprah Winfrey, reported to be America's most watched daytime TV talk show host with a daily following in excess of seven million viewers, is promoting a book by Eckhart Tolle titled "A New Earth". In the same breath that Oprah claims to be a Christian, she states that there are many paths to God outside Christianity. I can't wrap my mind around that statement or that belief. True Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only "path" to God; to salvation. Jesus Himself said so more than once. Is Oprah saying that Jesus lied? Is she claiming that Mr. Tolle knows more than Jesus, the prophets of old, the disciples? That Tolle's book overrides the authority of the Bible? Oprah has tremendous influence on her fans. Her endorsement of books practically insures the book and the author of "Best Seller" status. Many of her fans hold Oprah up as the final authority on everything. Therefore, when they rush out to buy Tolle's book, many of them, (even those claiming to be Christians) will fall in line, cult like, with his new age thinking. Tolle combines the mysticism of Buddhism and Hinduism with misinterpretations of... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 3 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by wormwood)  - Total Views: 160 The Trinity Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 06/27/08 3:43pm) One of the most difficult concepts for a Christian to grasp is that there is only one God consisting of three distinct persons. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is only one God (Deut. 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Isa. 44:6; Mark 12:29, 32; John 10:30). The Father is a divine individual who is separate from the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was and is God however He is also a separate person from the Father and Holy Spirit.l (John 20:30-31) The Holy Spirit is a separate divine individual. The trinity although suggestive of the number 3 is not about the number. Moreover it is about trying to understand what God is like and understanding what type of God Jesus shows us. The trinity explains that God is father and son. The trinity is not trying to divide God by saying that He is two God's it is saying that there are two distinct mannerisms in which God experiences love. Two distinct ways of being. The Holy Spirit represents the experience of Father and Son with us. An element of the trinity seen with each separate part is the ability to love. John 3:35 says that "the Father loves... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by grandmabruce1955)  - Total Views: 231 Christian Ethics On Being A Carer Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 06/26/08 3:41pm) Yesterday I talked about mental illness and work. Today I discussed this with my Psychiatric Nurse who told me that my Pastor and other members of the Church were being very unfair to me. I am in the mindset now where I am considering making the move back to my old Church where we moved from just over a few months ago now. I am considering this because at the other Church they understand our needs and do not expect anything from us. They do not judge, but are very kind and caring. My Psychiatric Nurse also told me that we were not stealing from the state and that we couldn't right at this moment go back to work, but maybe in the future we could do. However proper support would have to be put in place before we do so. My Nurse also told me that many people who are diagnosed with my condition get their children put into care and she made me feel as though we were both very good parents. She also mentioned that sometimes it is harder to stay at home and be a full time parent than it is to go back to work... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 1 Comment (by wormwood)  - Total Views: 90 Christian Work Ethics Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 06/25/08 3:32pm) I'm going to write about going out to work and earning a wage. I was diagnosed with a serious mental health condition known as Schizoid Affective Disorder or more recognised as a form of Schizophrenia. This condition is a life long condition unless it is completely healed one day by Jesus which can happen, but hasn't happened so far. I have problems on a daily basis and cannot cope on my own. Some people with my condition are hospitalised or treated in homes. Fortunately I have the support and care of my husband. My husband has enough problems with his own mental health problems; he does a wonderful job of caring for me and my daughter. I do what I can around the house, but it is a daily struggle. Churches are supposed to love and support you. For all those people out there who have problems like I do with mental health illness I am about to explain where it says in the Bible that you don't have to worry about work. I don't want anyone to suffer what we have had to, The Bible cautions the one who seeks to avoid work. Paul told the Thessalonians, "If a... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 1 Comment (by savedbyegrace)  - Total Views: 103 Following The Laws Of Jesus Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 06/24/08 3:21pm) Leviticus 19: 14 - 19 14 \" \'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD. 15 \" \'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. 16 \" \'Do not go about spreading slander among your people. \" \'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor\'s life. I am the LORD. 17 \" \'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. 18 \" \'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. 19 \" \'Keep my decrees. \" \'Do not mate different kinds of animals. \" \'Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. \" \'Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material. Leviticus is a chapter of the Bible that speaks of holiness. Leviticus is a chapter that sets out the laws especially in regard to the tabernacle, temple and cultic practice. It is also the laws that Israel must follow and... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 46 Sinners Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 06/23/08 3:50pm) Matthew 9 (New International Version) The Calling of Matthew 9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9 is a chapter that contains several miracles of Jesus' healing. Matthew is the first of the synoptic Gospels. During the scene above Jesus observed Matthew sitting in a tax collector's booth. Tax collectors were men of sin yet despite this Jesus asked Matthew to follow Him and Matthew obeyed Jesus' calling. Tax collectors were classed as collaborators with the Romans against their fellow Jews. Many people frowned at tax collectors and did not like them. The Jewish people looked... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 44 Exodus Posted by:  jesusmymainman   (Posted: 06/22/08 6:45pm) The Exodus. Exodus 12:31-33 (New International Version) The Exodus 31 During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. 32 Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me." 33 The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. "For otherwise," they said, "we will all die!" Before these 3 verses Israel was in trouble because Egypt had captured it. Pharaoh had realised that they were in danger and finally admitted that they needed to act righteously by God. If the people of Egypt were to escape alive then they must listen to Moses and Aaron who heard the word of God. This is a part of the Bible where we see God's faith in action. God did not need to save anyone, but due to His umerited favour He saved all of Israel and drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea when Moses parted it. As we can see in the following chapters Pharaoh realised the danger they were in and told Moses and Aaron to leave with their flocks and herds to... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 1 Comment (by youaregolden)  - Total Views: 51 No Gloom and Doom for the Redeemed Posted by:  literalword   (Posted: 06/19/08 5:22pm) I want to tell you something up front: No Gloom and Doom for the sons and daughters of God. First of all there will never be any gloom and doom for the faithful. The revealing of our Lord and Savior is the moment our hope is realized. This very moment will be the redemption of our bodies. Our spirits and souls have already been perfected in Jesus Christ. On this day our bodies, whether we are alive and remain or whether we sleep, will be glorified and reconciled with our spirit and soul. A Christian should be looking very forward to this day. It is the day of our recognition of our blessed hope. It will be the day we will see our Lord and we shall know Him because we will be as He is. This is a day to rejoice in, a day we look forward to, with joy and with anticipation we await this moment. For He has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. World Without End Secondly, the world will never come to an end (Isaiah 45:17 and Eph 3:21). In the scriptures which speak of the end... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 1 Comment (by tchable)  - Total Views: 149 Ok! The Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the last of the Names I'm writing, promise. Posted by:  papillionkiller   (Posted: 06/08/08 3:58pm) Well, I can't seem to get away from the Names since I started them, guess that a teach me to start something. I have to bring this into the New Testament to complete and make a point or two. If I may be excused from going into all the Greek terms and varying meanings of some translations, (ie: Greek to German, Greek to Hebrew and Aramaic to anything else.) to bring this to its simplest meaning of three Names we as Christians are given above all others in their English usage. First we are given, "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." And you shall name him Jesus! Second Jesus gives us a Name like no other for God, one we learn is not only His right to call God but our right to call God and see Him as such - Father. For a beautiful example of the power of this name see - Seeing the Father as Abba-Daddy. Then when Jesus knew His time was near He told the disciples' the Father would send one to comfort - the Holy Spirit.... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 3 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by papillionkiller)  - Total Views: 207 Hell Posted by:  polarized   (Posted: 06/02/08 1:57pm) ¿Can any one respond to this blog? ¿Can any one prove biblically if hell currently exists and that there are people in it as we speak? Feel free to use any source beyond the bible but well withing the context of it. Here is my response. Hell was used to represent a place where everything is burned and where the maggots are always there. I have come across many people who say hell exists and other people who say hell does not exist. The reason for all this confusion is lack desire and manly influence. One can easily find the truth if one is diligent about it. The bible says in Jeremiah 29.13 that He may be found if you seek Him(truth) with all your heart. All I'm trying to do here is clarify and blow the whistle on deceit. it is very important that The people of G-d be well informed about everything in His word. Otherwise is like giving some one directions to a place but he never gets there because the directions were wrong. So there is more to the question about whether or not hell exists. This topic will transcend to "¿what directions are you following?"... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 7 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by wormwood)  - Total Views: 360 My last on the Names of God on to other topics Posted by:  papillionkiller   (Posted: 05/31/08 3:49pm) This is the last of the Names of G-D I am going to purposely write about. I have many other things to study and wish to write on. So I hope this helps and provides information in knowing our Lord and Savior. A name I only mentioned in passing is "Adonai" I come back to it now to stress and highlight Jesus is G-D and the Holy Spirit is G-D. It is utmost we know our worship is to One G-D the Living G-D with no beginning and no end. The One whose being is of Himself and in Himself, who is what He is, The Creator self sustaining. Far beyond what any creation can or will ever describe or be able to understand. He is our Adonai - Master, LORD, Owner, Father. Like Elohim this word can refer to angels or G-D, unlike Elohim it can also refer to men. You see it, here, in its plural form most of the time; it does have a root or single "Adon" - lord, father. Adonai is also used as a single meaning through sentence construct like Elohim. First usage: Ge. 15:2. Now you know the power of this Name of... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 3 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by blackrose65)  - Total Views: 192 God and Freedom of Choice Posted by:  halo1   (Posted: 05/15/08 12:02am) On God and Freedom of Choice. Have you ever wondered how we can have freedom of choice if God is omniscient? Right? If God knows everything then how can we make any decision without God already knowing the decision we would make? If we can't make any decision without God already knowing the decision that we would make doesn't that lead to us having a predestined salvation or lack thereof? From my study, I have found that the freedom of choice is a cornerstone to the Christian faith. So is the idea of an omniscient God. In my studies on extra-dimensional time space I came to a stunning conclusion. I would like to preface this essay with the statement that what I provide here is an answer and not necessarily THE answer. We live in four dimensional space time. That is that we live in a world that is perceived through length, width, depth, and time. These are all spatial dimensions. Time, while it is temporal in nature, Is considered to be spatial in that it easily replace length as a dimension. Think of the way that you give directions. When people ask me how far away the mall is... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 102 Ends does not justify the means Posted by:  clay1diver   (Posted: 05/14/08 6:10am) "But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Why not say-as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say-"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved." (Romans 3:5-8) NIV Paul's epistle to the Romans is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Although it is sometimes difficult to understand, this book really hits home with me in the world we live in today. We are a lot like the Romans of Paul's day. We worship everything except for God, money, reputation, material things. We live a lifestyle that is hedonistic in its selfishness; I, me, my, mine. If it feels good it isn't wrong! I can do whatever I want as long as I don't hurt anyone. I know someone that was arrested and put in jail for selling drugs. Their justification was... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by youaregolden)  - Total Views: 169 With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible Posted by:  tchable   (Posted: 05/13/08 12:45pm) Hello everyone, long time no see. Sorry to have disappeared as I did however I had some health issues that had to be addressed and now I'm on the road to recovery. Not well yet, still very weak, so I'll only say a few words. I really missed this site and my family here so I had to check in. Literal tells me to say hello to all from him also and that he plans to return soon. He has really had a load on his shoulders during this time. During my absence I have been keeping up with world events and each new day amazes me more with all the prophesy which is being fulfilled before our eyes. It is so vitally important we as Christians know the day that we live in. The Spirit, speaking through Hosea to Israel, says: "Come, and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight." These verses are so clear, so easily understood. It... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 4 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by blessings2you)  - Total Views: 282 The temptations of Christ ...were identical to ours, without the sin Posted by:  thrive   (Posted: 05/13/08 4:47am) The transcendence of Christ's deity is coupled with his perfect humanity. Christ was perfectly human in both senses of the term. First of all, he was without sin during his entire human life. Secondly he was tempted in every way that we were. Thus Christ, of all the humans that ever lived he is the one who is the most able to know what we are going through from our perspective. Like wise, since he lived without sin through each temptation...he of all humans knows how to teach us to do as he did. Many often say that the best AODA counselors are "recovering" themselves. However, there is much wisdom in learning from the victories of others rather than their failures. Christ's entire life was one continuous victory over another. When approaching counselees that are struggling with issues that are not ones you have faced consider the following comeback. "I am not the one who can know and understand your sufferings and your struggles. But I do want to introduce you to the One who is able to identify with each and every weakness you have. It is Christ, and Christ alone who can look at your sufferings and struggles... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 2 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by allforhim)  - Total Views: 153 The Sufficiency of Scripture ...the insufficiency of sign gifts Posted by:  thrive   (Posted: 05/11/08 2:16pm) Since the inspiration of canonized Scripture has been fully accomplished in totality, there is no purpose for revelation apart from the sufficient Word (2 Peter 1:3). In addition, miracles, prophecy, and tongues are insufficient and without the ability to add any new knowledge or insight to God's Word. The signs of apostleship were demonstrated before the New Testament had been written (2 Corinthians 12:12). Thus these signs served a more central function at that time. However, now we are in a period of history when the inspired, sufficient Word has been made available to us. If we still depend on the signs and wonders of miracles, tongues, and prophecy then we are not being mature in our thinking as 1 Corinthians 14:20 commands. In addition, the gift of miracles as demonstrated in order to authenticate the message of the apostles fulfilled it's function during that period of time. Now that the canon has been completed, God's authoritative Word is not dependent on these signs and wonders to validate it. The revelation of the Scriptures is complete and sufficient to meet every human need (2 Peter 1:3). To conclude, the doctrine of inspiration applies to the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17), the... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 96 Omniscience of God reigns supreme over the false teaching of Open Theism Posted by:  thrive   (Posted: 05/10/08 8:13pm) God has knowledge of all things, at all times, in all places, and of all persons. There is nothing known that is hidden from Him. His knowledge is over all things, even the number and the names of all the stars (Psalm 147:4). His knowledge is also over the most insignificant things (i.e. the hairs on each person's head (Matthew 10:30)). Even the needs that we pray for are known beforehand by God Almighty (Matthew 6:8). The variables of history (Matthew 11:21) as well as future events (Daniel 2:36-43; 7:4-8, Matthew 24-25, Revelation 6-19) are also known completely by God.24 Nothing in all of history or time is a surprise to God. His knowledge is not dependent on the methods by which humans obtain knowledge (senses, observation, reason). Since He is omniscient, His knowledge is complete, eternal, and infinite.25 God's knowledge does not increase with time and history. God acts depending on his unchanging nature and will, while humans take risks not knowing the outcome. God's nature and knowledge is not affected by human risk. "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments  - Total Views: 119 Union with Christ Posted by:  thrive   (Posted: 05/10/08 4:53am) Union with Christ... I never realized how directly connected it is to justification by faith, the imputed righteousness of Christ, continuing sanctification, as well as glorification in heaven! This doctrine touches the core of motivation for Christian change, from the inside out. Redemptive history demonstrates the development of the believer's union with Christ in a significantly profound way. It all starts with Galatians 2:20, in that believers have died with Christ. Thus, Christ's death was not simply a historical occurrence that was unattached to believers throughout history. Instead, our very union with Him was established when He died. Secondly, Ephesians 2:5 demonstrates that our union with Christ was even further realized when we were "made alive together with Christ". Thirdly, Ephesians 2:6 displays how we have been even further unified with Christ as we were ascended with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places "in Christ Jesus". Finally, Philippians 3:20-21 promises that believers will be able to "share Christ's glory with Him". These four stages of the development of the union with Christ directly correlate to the process of sanctification, past, present, and future. When we were born in Adam, we were born in his sin. When we... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 1 Comment (by papillionkiller)  - Total Views: 130 G-D is Holy in His Love Posted by:  papillionkiller   (Posted: 04/26/08 8:23am) Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, before even you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God (Psalm 90:1-2). The Face of G-D Before furthering this study of the Names of G-D, I think we should pause and consider what we really think of whom G-D is to ourselves and ask ourselves like Robert Deffinbaugh does; what were we made for? What aim should we set ourselves in life? What is the ‘eternal life that Jesus gives? Or as Danielle DuRant asks: "So may I gently ask, when you dig below your doctrine, what does the face of God look like to you-really-when you find yourself in the valley of ashes? Does it appear caring and compassionate, or perhaps unresponsive or dismissive? Does it match the portrait of the God revealed in Scriptures-Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)-or perhaps someone (or something) else?" (Author: Danielle DuRant, From his article: "The Eyes of God" - 2003) I did not, in my two previous blogs, list the Names of G-d in any order of importance. I in fact, put the... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 0 Comments (view first comment - view last comment)**  - Total Views: 226 The Church of the "It's All Good, I Don't Care" Mentality Posted by:  literalword   (Posted: 04/21/08 3:50pm) It is a strange world we live in today. Seems the more educated some people become the more wisdom flees them. It is a self centered generation of people. In truth, everything is from the inside because he who believes in God and has received His only begotten Son as their Lord and Savior the Creator Himself lives within them. Perfect Love, perfect Grace, perfect Mercy, perfect Knowledge, perfect Understanding, perfect Power, perfect Forgiveness, perfect Redemption, and all other things which are of Truth are perfect and living within each born again believer. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of God is within each born again believer. It is so simple even a child can believe it and have no problem accepting it. So, what did the devil do? He educated us beginning with Eve!!! On April the 8th I was with my brother in a local hospital. On this day he was receiving a heart catheterization. Prior to the procedure they had given him some medication they referred to as, "I don't care meds." When he returned to his room following the procedure I found his demeanor and attitude kind... Read Full Entry  - Category: Apologetics & Theology  - 7 Comments (view first comment - view last comment by blackrose65)  - Total Views: 365 When Peace Is Gone Posted by:  literalword   (Posted: 04/18/08 11:13am) We know in Matt 24 Jesus is speaking about Israel and His brothers of the flesh, the Jewish people. However, when Jesus speaks He has a way of speaking to all. Even