8/5/14

Design and designers by Jim McGuiggan


Design and designers

 Harriet and Joan were best friends so when Harriet got this fabulous watch Joan was pleased for her. It was one of those modern jobs that did everything but give you a manicure. They both agreed it was a masterpiece of design and beauty. Harriet said, "The person that designed that must have been an absolute wizard." Just an innocent remark and before they knew it they were into an argument on the question, "One designer or more?" Harriet was sure only one person had designed it but when Joan pressed her for good reasons for saying that, Harriet found herself in difficulty.

"Just look at it. It has unity and harmony written all over it!"

"That's what's called 'design' but it says nothing about how many designed it."

"But look at how it all fits together…"

"You just said that. It's what's called 'design' but that doesn't tell us how many designers there were."

Harriet saw what she meant. Joan remarked that beyond the design, whoever actually put it together must have been brilliant. As soon as she said that she got what he expected, Harriet reminded her there might be numerous "whoevers".  Joan made another blunder when she said something that suggested that the designer(s) must have put it together.

"How do you know that?" Harriet asked. "There's no way to know the designer(s) actually put it together."

"I just assumed it," her friend said.

So ended the discussion and they both admired the watch.

Arguments from design to a (single) designer just don't work. Even if we knew there was a single designer for a certain artefact we couldn't tell if he/she was the one that actually made it. Look at your own watch or shoe or house or whatever, and think about it.

Arguments in favour of the one God of the Hebrew—Christian scriptures can only be made with a Bible in your hand. A universe, however complex and designed, doesn't prove a single Designer any more than a watch proves a single watchmaker. If you allow the believer to quote scripture the debate is over but that is precisely what sceptics will not allow. Add to that that many believers insist that you can prove the existence of the one true God without the Bible and by unaided reasoning on the realities around us. But when we're asked to do it we aren't able. We quote scripture in support of our claim. We say things like, "But Paul said it could be done." Now I don't believe Paul said that; but even if he did—it's scripture! What if a sceptic says, "Paul was wrong and I won't take his word for it." What if he then says, "You make the argument"? It won't help a lot if we say we can't make it but since Paul says it could be made it must be "makeable".

Arguments in favour of only one all-powerful, all-wise God don't work apart from special revelation (in whatever forms it takes). Unaided reason can't get us there. It may make atheism look silly or inadequate but that isn't the same as establishing biblical monotheism. If there were only two options—atheism or monotheism—that would make a big difference but that isn't the case.

The ancients believed the creation was indeed "created" but they believed it was the work of numerous gods of varying powers and varying characters. The truth is (or at least part of it is), having suppressed truth that had been made known, they used their unaided reason to make sense of the world they lived in. They explained the existence of fertile land and howling desert, disease-carrying mosquitoes and honey-giving bees—explained them by inventing numerous gods. They "knew" they couldn't lay calamity at the feet of the same god that gave them food so they attributed the "bad" to one source and the good to another (a lot of modern believers do that—don't they?). Professing themselves to be wise they turned the elements and the creatures into gods and tried to manipulate or appease them.

The brilliant John S Mill believed in no gods at all but he offered rational alternatives to Christian belief. Since the earth was not a flawless home why not speculate that there are numerous gods and that the earth was made by a young god that hadn't yet gained his full power? Or, imagine the creator as a very old god whose power was waning; and why not? If the creator had been at the peak of his power, Mill suggested, he wouldn't have made a place that was too cold at top and bottom and too hot in the middle.

It's all so silly, of course. Yes, so a believer with a Bible in his hand might say; but put away the Bible and any other form of special revelation (real or imagined) and work with nothing but rational reflection. Now, say why Mill's "silly" suggestion is silly. We believers say God is all-powerful, all-wise and omni-benevolent and point to the marvellous design of our earth home and bodies as proof. The sceptic points to the astonishing design of the parasite that eats out the eyes and livers of little children in far away places.

So what do we make of Paul in Romans 1 and David in Psalm 19?

Was the "Image of God" Destroyed by Sin? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=564

Was the "Image of God" Destroyed by Sin?

by  Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Many theologians through the years have claimed that the “image of God” spoken of in Genesis 1:26-27 refers to a spiritual perfection that was lost in the Fall. Thus, they have concluded that modern man no longer bears the image of God. Reformer Martin Luther believed that the “image of God” was an original righteousness that was lost completely. He thus proclaimed: “I am afraid that since the loss of this image through sin we cannot understand it to any extent.” Oftentimes John Calvin spoke of the image of God as having been destroyed by sin, obliterated by the Fall, and utterly defaced by unrighteousness. More recently, religionist/anthropologist Arthur Custance, in his 1975 book, Man in Adam and in Christ, observed: “Genesis tells us that man was created in a special way, bearing the stamp of God upon him which the animals did not bear. Genesis also tells us that he lost it” (p. 103). Does the language of Genesis 1:26-27 refer only to Adam and Eve, as these writers would have us to believe? Or does it refer to all mankind in general?
The Bible reveals that man still retains the image of God after the Fall. Genesis 9:6 states: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.” According to this passage, fallen man still bears the image of God. The record of Adam and Eve’s fall had been recorded earlier in the book of Genesis; that man had become a rank sinner is stated clearly in the immediate context of the passage (“…every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood”—8:21). Although God’s assessment is correct in regard to mankind, murder is forbidden because man is made in the image of God—that is, he still bears that image. If one argues that this passage speaks only about the past and says nothing about the future, he does violence to the meaning of the passage. Moses, writing about 2,500 years after the Fall, said that the reason murder is wrong is because the victim is someone created in the image of God. If man no longer bears the image of God after the Fall, these words would have been meaningless to the Israelites (and are worthless for man today).
In the New Testament, one can read where James wrote: “But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God” (3:8-9, emp. added). The English verb “are made” (ASV) derives from the Greek gegonotas, which is the perfect participle of the verb ginomai. The perfect tense in Greek is used to describe an action brought to completion in the past, but whose effects are felt in the present. For example, when the Bible says, “It is written,” this is usually in the perfect tense. Scripture was written in the past, but is applicable to the present. The thrust of the Greek expression translated “who are made after the likeness of God,” is that humans in the past have been made according to the likeness of God and they are still bearers of that likeness. For this reason, it is inconsistent to worship God and curse men with the same tongue.
Although sin is destructive to man and repulsive to God, the Bible does not teach that the “image of God” was destroyed by sin’s entrance into the world. Rather, modern man still is created in God’s image. How thrilling and humbling it is to know that all men possess inherent characteristics that liken them to God and differentiate them from the lower creation.

From Mark Copeland... Paul In Rome (Acts 28:17-31)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                        Paul In Rome (28:17-31)

INTRODUCTION

1. After his fateful voyage, Paul and his companions arrived at Rome 
   where he...
   a. Was immediately placed under house arrest - Ac 28:16
   b. Waited two years to make his appeal before Caesar - cf. Ac 25:9-12;
      28:30

2. Yet Paul was not idle during this time...
   a. He met with the Jewish leaders in Rome
   b. He received many visitors
   c. He likely composed several epistles

[Indeed, it was a fruitful time for the apostle Paul.  Such is evident
as we read the final words of Luke in his account of Acts, beginning
with...]

I. HIS MEETINGS WITH JEWISH LEADERS

   A. THE FIRST MEETING...
      1. Paul called for the leaders of the Jews in Rome - Ac 28:17
      2. He explained why he was there, and the reason for his appeal
         - Ac 28:17-20
         a. He had done nothing against the Jews or their customs
         b. Roman officials wanted to let him go, but Jews from Jerusalem
            spoke against it, forcing him to appeal to Caesar
         c. Yet it was for the hope of Israel he was bound in chains
      3. The Jewish leaders desire to learn more - Ac 28:21-22
         a. For they neither received letters or heard anything evil of
            Paul
         b. But they wanted to hear what he had to say about this "sect"
            spoken against everywhere

   B. THE SECOND MEETING...
      1. On an appointed day, many came to his lodging - Ac 28:23
      2. They heard him explain and solemnly testify from morning until
         evening - Ac 28:23
         a. Of the kingdom of God and concerning Jesus - cf. Ac 8:12
         b. From both the Law of Moses and the Prophets - cf. Lk 24:44-47
      3. Their reaction was mixed; some were persuaded, while others
         disbelieved - Ac 28:24
      4. They departed after Paul gave them solemn warning - Ac 28:25-28
         a. Of being hard of hearing and closing their eyes - cf. Isa 6:9-10
         b. The message of salvation has been sent to Gentiles and they
            will hear it - cf. Isa 42:1,6
      5. They departed and disputed among themselves - Ac 28:29

[The closing verses in Acts indicate that similar meetings were
repeated time and again during the two years of Paul's captivity (Ac
28:30-31).  When we turn to Paul's epistles, we can glean more things
about...]

II. HIS CIRCUMSTANCES IN ROME

   A. PAUL'S COMPANIONS...
      1. Timothy
         a. The young disciple Paul picked up on his second journey - Ac 16:1-3
         b. Who joined Paul in several epistles written from Rome - Phm 1; Col 1:1; Php 1:1
         c. Who was sent to Philippi in behalf of Paul - Php 2:19-23
      2. Epaphras
         a. Whose visit to Paul prompted the writing of Colossians - Col 1:3-8
         b. Who sent his greetings to his beloved brethren at Colossae 
            - Col 4:12-13
         c. Who was described as Paul's "fellow-prisoner" - Phm 1:23
      3. Onesimus and Tychicus
         a. Onesimus, the runaway slave converted to Jesus Christ, who 
            was sent along with the letter to his master Philemon - Phm 1:10-21
         b. Onesimus also accompanied Tychicus who bore the epistle to 
            the Colossians - Col 4:7-9
         c. Tychicus, who was from Asia (Ac 20:4) and the bearer of the 
            epistle to the Ephesians - Ep 6:21-22
      4. Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, Jesus (Justus) - Phm 1:24
         a. Marcus, also known as John Mark, Barnabas' cousin - Col 4:10;
            cf. Ac 12:25; 13:5,13; 15:37-40
         b. Aristarchus, Paul's "fellow-prisoner" - Col 4:10; cf. Ac 19:29; 20:4; 27:2
         c. Demas, who later forsook Paul - Col 4:14; cf. 2Ti 4:10
         d. Luke, the beloved physician who traveled off and on again
            with Paul, and accompanied him on his voyage to Rome - Col 4:14; cf. Ac 16:10-12; 20:6; 21:1-17; 27:1-28:16
         e. Jesus (also called Justus), a "fellow-worker" with Paul - Col 4:11
      5. Epaphroditus
         a. Who brought a gift to Paul from the Philippians - Php 4:18
         b. Who became the bearer of the epistle to the Philippians - Php 2:25-30
      -- His companions undoubtedly were a great source of comfort for 
         Paul, and enabled him to do much good while imprisoned in Rome

   B. PAUL'S PREACHING...
      1. Continued preaching despite his chains - Col 1:23-29; Ep 3:1-9
      2. Requested prayers for wisdom and boldness to continue preaching
         - Col 4:3-4; Ep 6:18-20
      3. Converted Onesimus, the runaway slave - Phm 1:10
      4. Had opportunities among the palace guard, and apparent success
         in Caesar's household - Php 1:12-20; 4:22
      -- Paul's success in preaching reinforce the idea that the gospel
         cannot be bound!

   C. PAUL'S LETTERS...
      1. The epistle to Philemon (61 or 62 AD.) - Phm 1:1
         a. Purpose:  To secure forgiveness for Onesimus
         b. Theme:  Restoration Of A Slave Brother
      2. The epistle to the Colossians (61 or 62 A.D.) - Col 1:1-2
         a. Purpose:  To warn against the "Colossian heresy"
         b. Theme:  Christ, The Fullness Of God And Pre-Eminent,
            All-Sufficient Savior
      3. The epistle to the Ephesians (61 or 62 A.D.) - Ep 1:1
         a. Purpose:  To remind Christians of their spiritual blessings
            and responsibilities
         b. Theme:  The Believer's Riches In Christ
      4. The epistle to the Philippians (63 A.D.) - Php 1:1
         a. Purpose:  To thank the church for their gift, and encourage
            faithfulness
         b. Theme:  Rejoice In The Lord!
      -- Through letters Paul's influence spread from Rome throughout the
         world till today!

   D. PAUL'S LOVE AND CARE FOR THE CHURCHES...
      1. Evidenced in the epistles he wrote during this time
         a. Such as Colossians, to a church he had not seen - Col 2:1-5
         b. Such as Ephesians, to a church with whom he had spent much 
            time - Ac 20:17-21
         c. Such as Philippians, to a church that was dear to his heart
            - Php 1:3-5; 4:1
      2. Evidenced in the prayers he offered for them
         a. His prayer for the Colossians - Col 1:9-11
         b. His prayers for the Ephesians - Ep 1:15-21; 3:14-19
         c. His prayer for the Philippians - Php 1:9-11
      -- Paul's love and concern for others despite his own circumstances
         exemplifies the mind of Christ - cf. Php 2:4-8

   E. PAUL'S FAITH AND JOY IN HIS SUFFERING...
      1. He rejoiced in his sufferings - Col 1:24; Php 2:16-18
      2. He sought to magnify Christ in his sufferings - Php 1:20
      -- Paul's imprisonment gave him an opportunity to practice what he
         had been preaching (and practicing) all along - cf. Ro 5:3-5

CONCLUSION

1. Paul fully expected to be released from his imprisonment, as 
   expressed...
   a. By his plans to visit Philemon - Phm 1:22
   b. In his epistle to the Philippians - Php 1:23-27; 2:24

2. That he was released and traveled some more is evidenced...
   a. By references made in such epistles as 1st & 2nd Timothy, Titus
   b. By the testimony of those who came along later:  Chrysostom, 
      Jerome, Eusebius, and even Clement of Rome, who lived in the latter
      part of the first century A.D.

J.W. McGarvey notes in his commentary on Acts:  "No two years of Paul's
life were better filled with earnest labor than these two spent in his
Roman prison."  Indeed, we have seen that such was the case, as Paul
himself wrote:

"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me
have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it
has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that
my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having
become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word
without fear."  (Php 1:12-14)

May we learn from Paul's example of how "good can come out of ill", and
use whatever circumstances in which we find ourselves to be utilized
for the glory of God!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013

From Gary... Fairy tales can come true, it could happen to you...


http://www.animusic.com/previews/previews2.php?clip=starship-groove

I should have been a leap-year baby. Then, I could justify feeling young, even at 65. If I were a leap-year baby, that would make me 16 and one quarter years old, and that seems just about the right age for me.  Now, physically, I look my age (and then some), but emotionally, I feel young. So, this statement above, does in fact apply to me.  And then there is that link (which I enjoy very much) that is both strange and beautiful at the same time.  But, a healthy self analysis is good periodically, so bring on youth- even if it is only imaginary. In fact, I really don't want to grow up- I AM A TOYS R US, kid. And believe it or not, these things actually cause me to reflect upon the Gospel...

1 Corinthians 15:1-10 NASB
(1)  Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
(2)  by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
(3)  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
(4)  and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
(5)  and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
(6)  After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
(7)  then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
(8)  and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
(9)  For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
(10)  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
A sincere search for truth, coupled with a little too active imagination and a desire to experience new things have become the watchword of my advanced years.  This has resulted in my almost daily postings.  Now, please do not get me wrong- I don't claim that they are scholarly, profound or insightful (but once in a while I may almost become one of these things), but what I do claim to be is someone who is experiencing the grace of God in their life and am learning to be the real me!!!   If you enjoy these things, keep reading what I write; if not, just look at the picture below and laugh!!! I do (because I remember what I looked like when I was the normal chronological 16 and one quarter years)...




There you go... love me or hate me, I am what I am by the grace of God!!!