One of the charges levelled against the infallible word of God (The Bible) by opponents of the Gospel is that it is "full of contradictions". Most people who make this statement have never even read it! I remember speaking to a man in Ramsgate High St. who boasted that the Bible has contradictions and when I asked him to name one he was stumped!
However, there are people who have read the Bible and, by lining up different passages side by side, claim that they are contrary to one another. Indeed, some have even written whole books detailing these "contradictions" - and, no doubt, have made themselves a lot of money in the process!
A simple reading of these "contradictory passages" in context, and the sensible comparing of scripture with scripture is all that is needed to adequately refute unbelievers and one example of this is as follows:
In 1st Timothy 2 v 4 we read that God "desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth". However, in Matthew 22 v 14 we read that "many are called, but few are chosen". At first glance this appears to be a contradiction; how can God wish all people to be saved from their sins and then say also that He chooses people? That is a fair question and the answer is simple -in 1st Peter 1 v 2 we read that Christians are "elect according to the foreknowledge of God". God does wish for all to be saved but, in His foreknowledge, He knows who will be - and these are elected to eternal life. An excellent illustration of foreknowledge comes from Norman Geisler's book "Chosen but free" and I outline it below:
Jim wishes to get married and he knows 2 ladies (Joan and Betty) who would make him an excellent wife. However, he knows that Betty will refuse him but Joan will accept him. Consequently. in accordance with that foreknowledge he chooses Joan. Note that his choice is "in accordance" with foreknowledge not "based upon" foreknowledge. His choice is based upon his desire to marry and to choose Joan. He could have desired not to marry, and he didn't have to choose Joan.
Similarly, God did not have to make a plan of Salvation available to anyone, but He chose to. God does not have to save the soul of anyone but he chooses to. However, His choice of who to save is "according to foreknowledge".
Moreover, one has to bear in mind that there is the perfect will of God and His permissive will. His perfect will is to save the soul of everyone but He permits people to go their own sinful way.
As we can see from the example above, if people will simply read Bible passages in context and make sensible comparisons of scripture with scripture they will see that the Bible has NO contradictions but it is absolutely trustworthy.
Friday, 30 November 2012
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
"......ordained of God"
After many months of campaigning the US election has finally been decided - the yanks having elected Obama for another term of office. I've observed that many people were getting really worked up and excited over this election, but there was no need to take it so seriously for one simple reason - the result had already been ordained by God.
In Romans 13 v 1 we read that "the powers that be are ordained of God". In simple english that means that ruling authorities have been appointed by Him. That doesn't mean that any bad deeds they do have God's blessing but it does mean that we have to accept that God put them in power.
When we believe that a sovereign God ordains those who are in power it is a release from having to worry who will win the election. When we trust God, who is in control, to do His will then we can have perfect peace that He knows what He is doing.
Of course, the inevitable question arises - what about the evil people in office, the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Gadaffi, Mugabe et al? It is a difficult one to answer but we have to remember that all of us will give account to God, and rulers more than most because they literally have the power of life or death in their hands.
As Christians our primary responsiblity is to spread the Gospel and then believe that God will draw His elect as it pleases Him. As long as we have the freedom to do this then it should not matter to us who is in power. If we are denied the freedom to preach the Gospel we must do so anyway and accept the consequences. The time may well come in England when I am forbidden by law to give out tracts on the street - I hope that if that happens I will have the courage to "obey God rather than men" and trust Him to look after me.
In the meantime let us be sure that God is on the throne - He appoints rulers and He ordains that His elect will be converted as the Gospel is preached. As Jesus said "All that the Father gives me will come to me" - John 6 v 37
In Romans 13 v 1 we read that "the powers that be are ordained of God". In simple english that means that ruling authorities have been appointed by Him. That doesn't mean that any bad deeds they do have God's blessing but it does mean that we have to accept that God put them in power.
When we believe that a sovereign God ordains those who are in power it is a release from having to worry who will win the election. When we trust God, who is in control, to do His will then we can have perfect peace that He knows what He is doing.
Of course, the inevitable question arises - what about the evil people in office, the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Gadaffi, Mugabe et al? It is a difficult one to answer but we have to remember that all of us will give account to God, and rulers more than most because they literally have the power of life or death in their hands.
As Christians our primary responsiblity is to spread the Gospel and then believe that God will draw His elect as it pleases Him. As long as we have the freedom to do this then it should not matter to us who is in power. If we are denied the freedom to preach the Gospel we must do so anyway and accept the consequences. The time may well come in England when I am forbidden by law to give out tracts on the street - I hope that if that happens I will have the courage to "obey God rather than men" and trust Him to look after me.
In the meantime let us be sure that God is on the throne - He appoints rulers and He ordains that His elect will be converted as the Gospel is preached. As Jesus said "All that the Father gives me will come to me" - John 6 v 37
Thursday, 1 November 2012
In defence of Stephen Green
When true Christians seek to stand up for the Word of God they will be vilified by others. This is predicted by Jesus in John's Gospel when He states that His followers will be hated by the world (see John 15 v 18-20)
Indeed, over the last 2 millenia Christians have been the most persecuted people on Earth.
Moreover, when true Christians are prepared to stand against the evils of the day and preach the Bible as it stands then, often, they may well be criticised by other "Christians". These critics are either not truly saved, or they may well be saved but very weak, seeking the popularity of the world rather than the blessing of God.
Those who are not afraid of the opposition that comes through preaching truth are true warriors of the cross; they are not "chocolate soldiers" who melt whenever the opportunity comes to stand up for Jesus. Such a warrior is Stephen Green of Christian Voice. Mr Green has consistently spoken the truth over the years and has often been quoted in the news media. He appeared on "Question Time" some years ago and bore a good testimony to the truths of God's infallible word.
However, this has attracted the inevitable opposition, ridicule and character assassination. He was once falsely accused, in a national newspaper article, of being a wife-beater and tyrant (in fact it was he that needed police protection, not the other way round). Needless to say, the paper in question didn't give him the right of reply as it was written by a journalist well known for anti-Christian views.
For my part, I praise God for brother Stephen Green, and many others not so well known, who have diligently sought to declare the precious truths of God in an age of increasing darkness and apostasy. Indeed, Mr Green's reward will be great in Heaven as Jesus promised - "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" Matthew 5 v 11-12.
Indeed, over the last 2 millenia Christians have been the most persecuted people on Earth.
Moreover, when true Christians are prepared to stand against the evils of the day and preach the Bible as it stands then, often, they may well be criticised by other "Christians". These critics are either not truly saved, or they may well be saved but very weak, seeking the popularity of the world rather than the blessing of God.
Those who are not afraid of the opposition that comes through preaching truth are true warriors of the cross; they are not "chocolate soldiers" who melt whenever the opportunity comes to stand up for Jesus. Such a warrior is Stephen Green of Christian Voice. Mr Green has consistently spoken the truth over the years and has often been quoted in the news media. He appeared on "Question Time" some years ago and bore a good testimony to the truths of God's infallible word.
However, this has attracted the inevitable opposition, ridicule and character assassination. He was once falsely accused, in a national newspaper article, of being a wife-beater and tyrant (in fact it was he that needed police protection, not the other way round). Needless to say, the paper in question didn't give him the right of reply as it was written by a journalist well known for anti-Christian views.
For my part, I praise God for brother Stephen Green, and many others not so well known, who have diligently sought to declare the precious truths of God in an age of increasing darkness and apostasy. Indeed, Mr Green's reward will be great in Heaven as Jesus promised - "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" Matthew 5 v 11-12.
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