Sunday, May 7, 2017

We Walk By Faith; Not By Sight

          "So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:6-10)

          In context, the Apostle Paul is exhorting the Church of Corinth to not be focused solely on the earthly aspects of life. He places greater emphasis on the things of the supernatural, transcendent realm of God the Creator. We should not center our lives around worldly passions because the things of this world are fading away. It is to be our desired purpose to serve Him faithfully. That is what God wills and recognizes for our lives.

          The phrase "walking by faith" is a reference to how we should conduct ourselves in this life. It describes how our lifestyles ought to be in Christ. When we walk by faith, we are considering the possible eternal consequences of our actions. We are looking through a lens of faith into the future. Walking by faith entails having the courage to stand for the things of God.

          To walk by faith means to continually entertain the things of God. Those who obey God are promised heavenly rewards. Those who reject Him will stand eternally condemned. To walk by faith requires acting against the corrupted whims of society. We live according to His moral precepts. Christians need to focus on the unseen realities of this world. That would be God Himself and our eternal destinies. 

          The bema seat was an elevated platform in which victors in athletic contests would be rewarded with crowns. That imagery is used here in regard to Christians being rewarded by Christ for their service to God. The true nature of our ministerial work will be brought to light on that day. It will be shown for what it really is. Works done with selfish or impure motives will be cast aside. Those works will not be grounds for receiving praise from God.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Peace Is Perfection

          The promotion of peace in our world is a fight that takes place daily. However, human beings have the inherent tendency to act contrary to such principles by provoking other people to anger and despair. As a result of our fallen nature, Jesus Christ became incarnate so that He could enter into this world to make the perfect, final propitiatory sacrifice to God for our salvation. Because of the sacrificial work of His only begotten Son, God has appointed members of His church to be ambassadors to spread the good news, followed by repentance and a life of holiness. Some plant the seeds of conversion; others water to provide spiritual nourishment for weak souls. God is the One causes the growth on the foundation of the Christian religion, which is Jesus Christ. We can promote peace in this world by spreading the message of salvation to the lost and by revealing clemency to those who wrong us.

          Giving others an understanding of the character of the Lord Jesus Christ will stimulate their knowledge of Him as being the Prince of Peace. Christ taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves. He has also instructed Christians to love their enemies. We have been called to love the Lord our God with all of our mind and all our heart. We should emulate His example on the Cross by giving up ourselves for other people who are in need. When we serve others, we are also serving Jesus Christ. The foundation of peace is mercy. The two concepts are inseparable. They presuppose the existence of each other. Peace and mercy spring forth from the fountain of love. In order to promote tranquility, we must always find ways to become reconciled as much as can possibly be done. We promote peace by preaching the gospel because its heart pumps on the Blood of Peace.

          We must choose to be merciful as Christ instructed us. It is vital for us to be merciful, whether we be insulted by words or physically injured by enemies. Us repaying evil for evil never works because of the continual intensifying of hatred, jealousy, wrath, and bitterness. If people refuse to be reconciled with each other because of vituperative actions or words, then such disputes can infect the minds of other people in ways we never imagined. How can we thrive if there is a constant state of bitterness and anarchy? Only through a state of peace can we see things in life clearly. It therefore helps us to maintain a sense of rationality. Life makes sense because of peace. We find true and lasting peace in Christ. Having peace is a commandment of the Lord our God. Christ is merciful to us when we implore His mercy through our prayers. Mercy is an underlying component of peace. It is a built on the foundation of lovingkindness.

          Promoting peace is an essential aspect of Christian ministry. In fact, it is a necessary element for human survival. Consequently, we need to ask ourselves how what we can do to promote a peaceful environment. We also need to know how to maintain a state of peace within ourselves and others. We can do these things by preaching the gospel of everlasting life to lost sinners, reflecting on the moral principles taught therein, and by being merciful to those who work to harm us. Helping others to understand that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace would equip them with the knowledge necessary for growing the seeds of His teachings in the minds of inquisitive people. We must be merciful as Jesus Christ taught us to be, even if people continually work to hurt us physically or mentally.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Is Confession Of Sins To A Priest Biblical?

  • Defining The Issues:
          -The Church of Rome teaches that in order to obtain God's forgiveness of "mortal" sins, we must confess them to an ordained, ministerial priest in a small room called a confessional booth (CCC # 980). According to the Roman Catholic Church, this practice and water baptism are absolutely necessary for the salvation of our souls (CCC # 1257; 2020). Roman Catholicism further maintains that Jesus Christ gave the twelve apostles the authority to absolve sins confessed to them. The primary biblical support for this concept is John 20:23. 
          -The premise of this teaching is elaborated on by the claim that apostolic authority was passed on to apostolic successors (i.e. Catholic bishops and priests of future generations). Roman Catholics are required by Rome to embrace the practice of confessing mortal sins to a priest, under penalty of anathema. This teaching of confessing sins to a priest is also found in Eastern Orthodoxy, but the focus of this article is mostly the Roman Catholic Church.
  • Confession To A Ministerial Priest Is Contrary To Biblical Teaching:
          -The New Testament Scriptures are silent about an ordained ministerial priesthood. Never do we see the Greek word "hiereus," which is the Greek word for priest, filling in the role of any New Testament church offices. Instead, we are told that all Christians have been called to be priests (biblical references where the Greek word "hiereus" is used) who offer spiritual sacrifices to God under the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5-9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10). We give ourselves up by serving God through the preaching and living in accordance to the principles of the gospel.
          -In the Bible, we see that confession of sin took place in the presence of the offended individuals (Matthew 3:6; 18:15-17; Mark 1:4-5; Acts 19:18-19; James 5:16). In the New Testament, confession of sin was never done privately, as is the manner of style found within the modern Church of Rome. It was a public act for all members of the church to see and hear. The most primitive Christians confessed their sins to another. In Scripture, we always see people praying directly to God for mercy (Psalm 32:5; Matthew 6:9-12; Acts 8:20-22; Luke 18:13-14). 
  • Do Matthew 16:19 And John 20:23 Support The Notion That We Must Confess Our Sins To A Priest (And That They Have The Power To Forgive Our Sins)?:
          -These verses say nothing about the confession of sins. These passages say nothing about apostolic authority being passed on to future leaders of the Christian church through apostolic succession. In the New Testament, we never see the apostles acting as if they had been given the authority to absolve sins. In fact, the New Testament epistles mention nothing about having opportunities to get forgiven for sins as a result of private confession to a priest. Matthew 16:19 and John 20:23 do not even limit the ability of "binding and loosing" or "forgiving and retaining sins" to the leaders of the church.
          -The "keys" represent the authority to proclaim the salvation of converts and the condemnation of sinners (Luke 10:16). The keys are knowledge of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 23:13; Luke 11:52). The door of salvation is opened to those who accept the message of the gospel, whereas the door of condemnation is opened to those who reject the salvific message of the gospel (Acts 14:27; Romans 1:16). This passage is definitely within the context of the Great Commission, which is defined as the mission of preaching of the gospel to the world through the enlightenment of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:45-49). 
          -In the Book of Acts, converts such as Paul and Cornelius received the gift of the Holy Spirit. They rejoiced as a result of hearing the proclamation of eternal salvation. But notice how the Lord Jesus Christ instructed His original disciples to shake the dust off their feet when they encountered cities who rejected them for preaching the gospel message (Matthew 10:14-15; Mark 6:11; Acts 13:51). This is a perfect way of applying the principle of "loosing," or announcing the condemnation of sinners. Today, we serve as ambassadors for Christ by performing the ministry of reconciliation through the preaching of the gospel and conversion of perishing souls (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Christians have been authorized to declare the terms of forgiveness as provided by the gospel. John 20:23 is a more declarative or judicial way of sending the disciples into the world to declare the message of salvation.
  • Sins Have Been Forgiven Or Have Already Been Forgiven?:
          -The Greek structure of John 20:23 is rare. The first pair of verbs found in this passage, which are "forgive" and "retain," are in the present tense. In the same verse, both of the second pair of verb phrases ("are forgiven"; "are retained") are in the perfect tense, which points to an action that happened in the past but is still taking place. The grammatical structure of John 20:23 strongly suggests that God responds accordingly to a man's reaction to the gospel being made known to him before the proclamation of that decision to accept or reject the message of salvation. It is simply a proclamation of what God has already done in response to a person's decision to either accept or reject the gospel. This verse seems to read, "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins HAVE ALREADY BEEN (or "shall have been") forgiven." Jesus simply gave His disciples the authority to proclaim the forgiveness of people who were already justified in the sight of God. We simply announce and confirm what God has already done through the words that He has given us.
  • Background Information On The Historical Development Of Auricular Confession:
          -The early Christians viewed confession as a public matter. It was specifically pertinent to grave sins against other people. Confession of sin could only be done once to an offended party. The early church did not see sins forgiven through a priest through judicial absolution when confessed. It was not until the end of the second to early third centuries that we begin to see penances being introduced into the Christian church as a means of obtaining forgiveness of sins from God. Furthermore, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says that the concept of confessing sins privately to a priest did not begin in the Western church until the seventh or eight centuries:

           "…During the seventh century Irish missionaries, inspired by the Eastern monastic tradition, took to continental Europe the “private” practice of penance, which does not require public and prolonged completion of penitential works before reconciliation with the Church. From that time on [i.e., from the seventh century], the sacrament has been performed in secret between penitent and priest. This new practice envisioned the possibility of repetition and so opened the way to a regular frequenting of this sacrament… " (CCC #1447)
  • The Words Of Church Historian J.N.D Kelly:
          -“With the dawn of the third century the rough outlines of a recognized penitential system were beginning to take shape. In spite of the ingenious arguments of certain scholars, there are still no signs of a sacrament of private penance (i.e. confession to a priest, followed by absolution and the imposition of a penance) such as Catholic Christendom knows to-day. The system which seems to have existed in the church at this time, and for centuries afterwards, was wholly public, involving confession, a period of penance and exclusion from communion, and formal absolution and restoration—the whole process being called exomologesis.” (“Early Christian Doctrines,” p. 216)
  • Information From The New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia Online:
          -“Great difficulty is caused by varying terminology and practice during the lengthy time expanse under consideration. The word “penance” was used to designate both the entire sacramental procedure and the satisfaction performed by the penitent… Though confession was a necessary presupposition to reception of the Church’s sacramental Penance, it is not always certain what sort of confession was required… But to repeat, documents of the patristic period are difficult to interpret on this score, and unanimous agreement has not been reached among scholars."
  • The Words Of Roman Catholic Priest S. B. Smith, D.D., In His “Notes on the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore” (October 7-21, 1866):
          -"Public confession was practiced during the first ages of the Church. Yet it was restricted generally to sins that were public, or at least publicly committed. Not infrequently, however, secret crimes and sins were openly avowed. This was a voluntary confession on the part of the penitent. However, public confession soon gave rise to various abuses, and was consequently abolished under Leo I., in 459.” (Chapter XVII, paragraph 52, #237, page 208)

Saturday, April 29, 2017

A Discussion On The Morality Of Homosexuality

  • Homosexuality Is Incompatible With Biblical Christianity: 
          -The Levitical Law expressly forbade homosexual acts and prescribed the sentence of death to those who partook in such actions (Leviticus 18:22-25; 20:13). In fact, God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of sexual immorality, which included homosexuality (Genesis 19:4-13). Interestingly, Jude describes this destructive situation happening as a result of partaking of "strange flesh" (Jude 5-8). The Apostle Peter described these same men as "lawless" (2 Peter 2:7-10). Paul warns that any person who practices homosexuality is committing sin against God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-11). God leaves those who exchange natural relations for unnatural to their own devices and destruction (Romans 1:25-27). The pattern of marriage found in Scripture is always a physical union between man and woman.
  • The Incompatibility Of Our Bodily Design With Homosexuality:
          -Homosexuality is unnatural for us in that all are born heterosexual by bodily design. Nor do homosexual unions result in the production of human life. If practiced on a wide enough scale, a populace would face self-extinction. Homosexuality is destructive in that is carries with it risks of getting HIV, Syphilis, and AIDS. It also results in abnormal personality changes.
  • What About Equal Rights?:
          -If the legalization of same-sex marriage means equal rights for members of the LGBTQ community, then why cannot there be equal rights for people who want more than one partner in marriage? If we have to redefine the concept of marriage to include two homosexual people, then why would it be wrong for us to also redefine marriage to include more than one person? The move to officially change the definition of marriage as being something other than a male and female union is unprecedented in history. Even societies like ancient Greece did not take matters this far, judging by available historical records.
  • Refuting The "Born Gay" Argument:
          -Homosexuality is a behavior, or an action, in the same sense that heterosexual behavior is. Actions are things that we choose to do. Homosexuality is not in any way analogous to our skin color, height, or gender, which are genetic conditions. 
          -Science has confirmed that the primary causes of homosexuality are environment, culture, and free will (i.e. genetic identity disorder, women getting abused by men, children getting abused by homosexuals, etc.). Behaviors are learned and chosen.
          -Twins are proof against the "born gay" argument because they have identical genes or DNA. If genetics can cause homosexuality, then both babies would have the same condition. But this is hardly ever the case with twins. Only one in the pair of children tends to have a same-sex attraction. 
          -Even assuming that the born gay argument is valid, being born with the potential to act in a certain manner in no way provides justification for any behavioral patterns. There is no genetic excuse for homosexuality, anymore than there is a genetic excuse for theft or lying. Note that the Apostle Paul himself placed all these acts in the category of sin. 
          -These tendencies, whether they are genetic or not, cannot simply be justified on the grounds of being born with proclivities for them. Human nature is the breeding ground for all sorts of atrocities. The presence of temptation in our hearts is not sin, but acting on such is.
  • Refuting Attempts To Justify Homosexuality By Appeals To Nature: 
          -Just because animals do irrational things to each other, does not mean that humans should be engaging in those same behaviors. The following traits can also be found among animal species:
           *Raping other animals
           *Eating their young when threatened
           *Eating their sex partner
           *Injuring sex partners
           *Have intercourse with their own children
          -If this means anything at all, then it would only be that homosexuality is brutish behavior. It represents the absence of culture.

Friday, April 28, 2017

Demonstrating His Love For Sinners

                                   Christ died on the cross because of His love,

                                   He ascended into heaven above.

                                   We spread His love by the words we preach,

                                   So others know it is not out of reach.

                                   We demonstrate God’s love through our good action,

                                    So more join Love’s magnetic attraction.

                                    We show love though generous deed,

                                     So that putrid sin will therefore impede.

Is Faith Irrational? (A Refutation Of Scientism)

  • Introduction:
          -Atheists commonly portray Christians as establishing their beliefs on an empty shell of faith. It is claimed that they uphold their beliefs on irrational grounds or personal feelings. Religion is viewed as a coping mechanism by atheists. Many of them reject the validity of anything that cannot be tested or proven in a laboratory. People who subscribe to this view, known as scientism, automatically deem the supernatural realm to be nonexistent because it transcends the scope of the natural world. A great deal of atheists are quick to rule out the possibility of truth in anything miraculous because they subscribe to naturalism, which is the philosophy that nothing exists beyond the material world.
  • The Inherent Inconsistency Of Scientism: 
          -It is unreasonable to dismiss any given idea (i.e. the miraculous) as being false when there is no scientific basis for establishing such a denial. Thus, people who subscribe to scientism (including famous proponents such as Richard Dawkins) are being utterly inconsistent with their own ideological framework because they are not making a verdict in accordance with known facts.
  • Proponents Of Scientism Misrepresent Biblical Faith:
          -Biblical faith is not merely a mental conviction that is founded without evidence or equivalent to blind submission. It is not a form of wishful thinking. If biblical faith were these things, then God never would have sent prophets who foretold future events or take on human flesh and perform miracles for people. These are things which can be seen, heard, and felt. Our faith must be tested or proven (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Thus, biblical faith is not at odds with scientific investigation. It is based on what we know to be true and reasonable.
  • Scientism Is A Corrosive Philosophy That Must Be Rejected:
          -It is impossible to examine the truth of everything that we have seen or heard every day. Our lives are simply too short to test the validity of everything that we may have learned, whether we obtained knowledge from experience or education. To doubt the truth behind everything would inevitably result in infinite regression. Such an outcome would undermine the concept of certainty, as well as trust. It would corrode the objectivity of education and court rulings. Human beings must possess a degree of faith in something. Faith is necessary for the establishment of relationships. Do atheists have faith in their own existence?
  • The Limits Of Scientific Investigation Undermine Scientism:
          -Let us consider for a moment some of the essential features of human life. We have free will. We have conscience. We have rationality. We have intellect. We acknowledge the existence of moral truths. We know that human life has intrinsic value. We yearn for an ultimate purpose in life. Mathematics consists of several infallible formulas, proofs, and theorems. Universals, propositions, and possible worlds are examples of abstract realities. There are principles of beauty and artistic innovation, which are known as aesthetics. The universe came into being for a reason. Physical constants have a fine-tuning. Scientific laws themselves are based on foundational (empirically unverifiable) assumptions. If scientism is true, then all of the aforementioned ideas must be rejected as false because they cannot be verified by the scientific method. In fact, science itself would be self-refuting. None of the previously mentioned notions would be true, let alone applicable to our lives. Truths do exist beyond the scope of the scientific laboratory. It does not contain all the answers to the questions of life. What Christians argue against is a "science only" worldview, not science itself.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

The Wisdom of The Words of God

     The Word of God is the key and foundation for all wisdom in life. The Bible is the infallible compass to all divine truths pertaining to salvation and godliness. It is nourishment for the minds of those who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God. The words of the Creator impart wisdom to the simple. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes" [Psalm 19:7-8]. If the precepts of the Lord are perfect, then continually studying His words will enrich the mind with valuable lessons about life and morality. Life is like a book; God is the author and we are all the main characters. The Word of God covers moral aspects of life such as honesty and generosity.

      People learn many great lessons about wisdom when Scripture is closely examined. One of its most important teachings is to always be grateful. People should appreciate and remember the magnificent works of the Lord such as the creation of life and the materials that we use each day. "Give thanks to the God of heaven, For His loving kindness (graciousness, mercy, compassion) endures forever" [Psalm 136:26]. We should show much gratitude because of what He has done for us. "You are the God who does wonders; among the peoples you have revealed your might" [Psalm 77:15]. We have in principle been told to view the glass of life as being at least half full, rather than as half empty. Otherwise, human life becomes joyless. We must give the Lord praise for everything that He has provided us.

      We have instruction from the Word of God to continually be cautious of our own words. We must always remain truthful. We must exercise caution as to what we say and how we say things. “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends” [Proverbs 16:28]. How would a person feel if his or her reputation was ruined as a result of slander and libel? People who never think before they speak are foolish, failing to take into account the repercussions of their behaviors. A man who has wisdom has control over his words. Unwise speech is like a virus, pass it around and the minds of other people will be infected with the stain of meaningless thoughts. Those who wish to be wise with their mouths will also heed to message of the Proverbs.

      Another moral lesson that we can learn by studying the inspired words of God is the necessity of remaining honest. We can never trust a person who spreads falsehood. Lying can severely damage a person's reputation for a long time, if not forever. "An honest witness does not deceive; but a false witness pours out lies" [Proverbs 14:5]. The only reason that a person spreads lies about others is for selfish motives. People talk behind other's backs because they want to inflict physical or emotional harm. Gossip is like a double-edge sword; when it cuts, it harms the confidence of others and slashes the armor of the perpetrator's conscience. A lie leaves an everlasting slash on the person who tells it. Dishonesty is only the springboard for more dishonesty, whether it is about oneself or other people.

      The Word of God repeatedly reinforces our obligation to love and honor other people. "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one above yourselves" [Romans 12:10]. Care is what keeps the world turning. It is the underlying basis for all relationships. It is necessary for human communication. Love is the foundational virtue for the development of all other virtues. We must choose to help those who are less fortunate than we are. "Love your neighbor as yourself..." [Leviticus 9:18]. All other moral imperatives issued in the Old Testament follow from this single commandment. It is reiterated in the New Testament [Matthew 5:43-48]. This is true wisdom. Hatred is like a raging fire; let it burn and the house of companionship will be incinerated entirely.

      People can learn the virtue of self-control by observing the words of God. We need divine revelation in our lives because conscience alone is not an infallible moral guide. All learning must originate from an outside source, which eventually points to an ultimate standard that governs every aspect of our lives. That final court of authority is God Himself. We must place our trust in God, rather than the vain imaginations of our hearts. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" [Jeremiah 17:9]. Only through Him can we find complete satisfaction in life. The way of sin is finite and therefore will never satisfy the human heart which desires lasting meaning and fulfillment. Wisdom teaches us to reject foolish lusts. We learn self-control by observing the commandments of God.

      The Holy Scriptures are the cornerstone to all wisdom because they are an inspired record of the words of God. They were recorded on scrolls by faithful prophets and apostles. Those who truly hunger and thirst for righteousness will find satisfaction when they enter into His presence. People gain wisdom when they meditate on His statutes. The words of the Lord are pure. The words of the Lord are flawless. There is therefore no valid reason for us to object in imitating His ways. God is our Rock and Salvation. Deuteronomy 8:3 says, "...man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." The sanctifying power of His Word makes it more vital to us than food and drink itself.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

A Refutation Of Moral Relativism

  • Introduction:
          -Moral Relativism is the philosophical stance that no existing moral standard or belief system is better than ones found in different societies. In other words, relativism is the belief that all points of view are equally correct or valid. According to this philosophical perspective, the acceptance of all aspects pertinent to knowledge, truth, and morality are governed by individual, separate societies, civilizations, and different periods of time. Moral relativism teaches that truth is changeable and is determined by each person. This viewpoint denies the existence of a universal standard of morality that dictates all of our moral thoughts and behaviors. It teaches that truth is relative to the individual.
  • Moral Relativism Is Self-Refuting:
          -If all moral perspectives are of equal validity, then that means that the rejection of moral relativism is also valid. Moral relativists must accept the belief that moral relativism is false.
          -To say that all truths are relative is to either make a relative or absolute proposition. If relative, then one cannot simply deny the existence of absolutes. If the statement is meant to be an absolute, then absolute statements must exist. This would testify to the existence of objective truths! In this case, not all truths would be relative to the individual.
          -Those who claim that no absolute truths exist have subscribed to a completely untenable position, for it is self-contradictory. While denying the existence of absolute truths, moral relativists make an absolute statement: "There are no absolute truths." Can moral relativists be absolutely sure that no absolute standards exist? How do they know that they are not simply deceiving themselves?
          -If two (or more) perceptions of truth contradict each other, then how can we know which view is correct? Which perception of truth is more trustworthy? Can truth be self-contradictory?
          -If moral relativists want to claim that moral relativism cannot be critiqued by any form of logic to search for fallacies within the boundaries of such a mindset, then by what standard or final court of authority can they exclude moral relativism from being critiqued by logic? What criteria was used to exclude moral relativism from being evaluated by logic?
          -If moral relativism is true, then how can we judge the actions of people living in different societies? How could we condemn murder, theft, or rape? Is there anything that is morally wrong? If so, then why? How can we know?