4/9/21

Quantum Mechanics: "No Universal Cause Necessary"? by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=5422

 Quantum Mechanics: "No Universal Cause Necessary"?

by  Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

Q:

If causality fails in quantum mechanics, doesn’t that prove that a Universal Cause isn’t necessary?

A:

Writing in Nature, Howard Wiseman, Professor of Physics at Griffith University, explained that, “In 1964, Northern Irish physicist John Bell proved mathematically that certain quantum correlations, unlike all other correlations in the Universe, cannot arise from any local cause.”1 Does that mean that a cause for the Universe is unnecessary? If a “quantum fluctuation” does not necessarily require a local cause, doesn’t that mean that a Universe-generating quantum fluctuation would not necessarily require a cause?

The key word that must not be overlooked in a proper understanding of Bell’s Theorem is the word “local.” In order to answer the above questions, that term must be defined and understood. Consider a simplified example: it takes about eight minutes for light from the Sun to reach Earth. But let’s say you were standing on the Sun by yourself, without any interaction with me, but every time I clicked my computer mouse on Earth, you immediately and uncontrollably hopped. There was not a delay of eight minutes. The effect was immediate. The effect of you hopping would be the result of a “non-local” cause. In his article, “Spooky Action at a Distance,” Dr. Gary Felder, Professor of Physics at Smith College, explains locality as “the principle that an event which happens at one place can’t instantaneously affect an event someplace else. For example: if a distant star were to suddenly blow up tomorrow, the principle of locality says that there is no way we could know about this event or be affected by it until something, e.g. a light beam, had time to travel from that star to Earth.”2 The question is, does that principle always hold true? According to what’s known as Bell’s Theorem, at the quantum level, the principle of locality does not hold true. Jacob Aron, writing in New Scientist, explained that in quantum theory, “particles could become entangled, so that measuring one would instantly influence the measurement of the other, even if they were far apart.”3 Felder explained: “Bell proved that the results predicted by quantum mechanics could not be explained by any theory which preserved locality. In other words, if you set up an experiment like that described by Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen, and you get the results predicted by quantum mechanics, then there is no way that locality could be true…. In short, locality is dead.”4

Now what does this mean for using the Law of Causality to prove the Universe could not create itself?5 Three quick points to consider in response to that question:

  • Most important: even if Bell’s Theorem holds true, and it very well may, it does not disprove the Law of Causality—i.e., the need of a cause for every effect in the Universe. Bell’s Theorem argues that there is not a need for a local cause at the quantum level (i.e., locality), but it does not claim that there is not still a necessary relationship between cause and effect—i.e., that causality still holds. While Bell experiments seem to show that there is not always a direct correlation between a cause and effect at the local level, scientists see that there does still seem to be a correlation between the causes and effects in Bell’s Theorem experiments, even if the correlation is not local. According to Bell’s Theorem, a cause can create a distant effect instantly without apparent (or, at least, understandable) interaction (e.g., separated electrons can “affect each other instantly”6), but there is still an acknowledged relationship between the cause and effect even if it is distant and immediate. My clicks are undeniably causing you to jump, even if we do not understand why. In the words of Wiseman, concerning the non-local reality interpretation of Bell’s Theorem, it is possible that “the setting of one measuring device can influence the reading of another instrument, however remote”7—i.e., the cause and effect are still apparently correlated. So, Bell’s Theorem may highlight another type of cause and effect relationship, but it does not negate the need for a cause in the first place.
  • Scientists recognize that they do not completely understand why Bell’s Theorem seems to hold true. They acknowledge that there may be things we have not discovered about reality which could affect our understanding of what is happening at the quantum level and which could prove that the cause is ultimately still “local.”8 In other words, compared to what we know about the macroscopic realm from centuries of study, we are relative novices when it comes to the study of the quantum world. We simply do not have all the answers as to what is happening in that realm, but, on the other hand, the evidence for the Law of Causality is abundant and undeniable.
  • Scientists even acknowledge that Bell’s Theorem may be false and that further investigation and accumulation of knowledge may reveal that fact. According to Felder, hidden assumptions (e.g., the assumption that “no signal can propagate faster than the speed of light,” which is a fundamental element of Einstein’s theory of relativity) could be corrupting the Bell experiment results.9 Wiseman conceded that “[b]efore investing too much angst or money, one wants to be sure that Bell correlations really exist. As of now, there are no loophole-free Bell experiments.”10

Bottom line: all observed evidence in the Universe, whether at the quantum or super-quantum level, indicates that in the realm in which we live, an effect must have a cause. The Universe is an effect, and if one is to be rational (i.e., follow the evidence we have at our disposal), he must acknowledge that there must be an ultimate cause for the Universe, whether it be local or non-local. According to the evidence, that Cause is none other than the God of the Bible.11

Endnotes

1 Howard Wiseman (2014), “Bell’s Theorem Still Reverberates,” Nature, 510[7506]:467-469, p. 467.

2 Gary Felder (1999), “Spooky Action at a Distance,” Math and Physics Help, http://www.felderbooks.com/papers/bell.html, italics in orig.

3 Jacob Aron (2015), “Quantum Weirdness is Reality,” New Scientist, 227[3037]:8-9, September 5, p. 8.

4 Felder.

5 Jeff Miller (2011), “God and the Laws of Science: The Law of Causality,” Apologetics Press, http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=3716&topic=90.

6 Felder.

7 Wiseman, p. 468.

8 Felder.

9 Ibid.

10 Wiseman, p. 468.

11 Jeff Miller (2015), “How Can a Person Know Which God Exists?” Reason & Revelation, 35[5]:52-53, May, http://apologeticspress.org/pub_rar/35_5/1505.pdf.

Proving Your Faith by Wayne Jackson, M.A.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1361

Proving Your Faith

by  Wayne Jackson, M.A.

How do we know that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God? Is our faith based merely upon tradition? Is faith the result of religious fanaticism? No, genuine faith stands firmly upon evidence.

After the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the newly appointed apostle entered the Jewish synagogues and “proclaimed Jesus, that he is the son of God” (Acts 9:20). His message continually amazed those who heard it. It seemed incredible that one who had so opposed the Christian Way could now be one of its most zealous advocates. The historian Luke informed his readers that Saul increased in strength, and he “confounded the Jews that lived in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ” (Acts 9:22).

Of interest in this passage is the term “proving.” It is a translation of the Greek word sumbibazon. It is a present tense participle form, which suggests that Paul's preaching was characterized consistently by a demonstrative line of argumentation. The original term, from an etymological viewpoint means “to bring together,” as when, for example, parts of the body are brought together (i.e., tied together) by sinew, ligament, etc. (see Ephesians 4:16).

In the context of Acts 9:22, the word connotes bringing together pieces of information from which a logical conclusion is drawn. In “proving” to the Jews that Jesus is the “Christ” (i.e., the promised Old Testament Messiah), Paul would have: (1) introduced specific Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah; (2) compared those predictions with factual data that pertained to Jesus of Nazareth; and, (3) from the preceding, he would have drawn irresistible conclusions that no rational and honest person could deny.

The critic who alleges that Christianity is merely emotional, and not intellectual, simply does not know the facts.

Pope Francis Claims God Will Save Atheists by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=4667


Pope Francis Claims God Will Save Atheists

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Pope Francis conducted Mass in Rome. During that service, he made one of the most memorable and astonishing statements ever spoken by anyone who calls himself a Christian. The theme of his sermon was that all humans should do good deeds for others. In the course of the talk he stated:

The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! “Father, the atheists?” Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. “But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!” But do good: we will meet one another there (“Pope at Mass...,” 2013, emp. added).

The Pope’s statement highlights two very important issues. First, it shows how far the Pope and the Catholic Church have fallen from the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus explained to the first-century Jews: “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). His point could not have been more clear: acceptance of the fact that Jesus is the Son of God is required for salvation. That is why Jesus told His apostles: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Furthermore, the inspired apostle Paul explained that Jesus Christ is coming “from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, emp. added). John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, boldly stated: “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” Make no mistake, neither Jesus nor His inspired apostles ever once hinted at the possibility that people who do not believe in God will be saved. They will not. Revelation 21:8 explains: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral…shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (emp. added).

The second issue evident in Francis’ statement is the fact that pressure from the unbelieving community is mounting. As the number of unbelievers gradually increases, so does the temptation to appease them and attempt to bend the truth to ingratiate one’s self or organization with unbelievers. As Christians—followers of Jesus Christ—we must resist this tempation at all cost. Yes, praise God, Jesus’ blood is powerful enough to redeem unbelievers, if and only if, those unbelievers turn to Him with humble hearts, confess that He is God’s son, and obey the Gospel (Lyons and Butt, n.d.). Barring that response, unbelievers can look forward to nothing in the afterlife except a “certain fearful expectation of judgment” (Hebrews 10:27).

REFERENCES

Lyons, Eric and Kyle Butt (No Date), Receiving the Gift of Salvation, Apologetics Press, http://apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/Receiving%20the%20Gift%20of%20Salvation.pdf.

“Pope at Mass: Culture of Encounter Is the Foundation of Peace” (2013), Vatican Radio, http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/05/22/pope_at_mass:_culture_of_encounter_is_the_foundation_of_peace/en1-694445.

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" The Resurrection Of The Dead (12:18-27) by Mark Copeland

 








"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

The Resurrection Of The Dead (12:18-27)
 

INTRODUCTION

1. After the Pharisees and Herodians, the Sadducees make their attempt to confound Jesus...
   a. A sect of the Jews who did not believe in the resurrection - Mk 12:18; Ac 23:8
   b. Who thought they had an unanswerable argument - Mk 12:19-23

2. Jesus quickly answered their supposed dilemma...
   a. Charging them with being mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures or God’s power - Mk 12:24
   b. Explaining first that marital relations do not continue in the resurrection - Mk 12:25
   c. Proving the resurrection by the words of God to Moses at burning bush - Mk 12:26-27

[The Sadducees were "greatly mistaken" regarding the resurrection (Mk
12:27).  The same might be said of many people today.  Lest we be
mistaken about the resurrection of the dead, let’s review what is
revealed in the Scriptures concerning this wonderful event.  Beginning with...]

I. THE FACT OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. JESUS TAUGHT THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION...
      1. In which both those good and evil will come forth from the  grave - Jn 5:28-29
      2. Jesus assures those who believe in Him will be raised at the last day - Jn 6:39-40,44,54

   B. HIS APOSTLES PROCLAIMED A RESURRECTION...
      1. Peter and John preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead - Ac 4:1-2
      2. Before the Sanhedrin and Felix, Paul confessed his hope in the resurrection - Ac 23:6; 24:15
      3. To the church at Corinth, Paul asserted the necessity of the resurrection - 1Co 15:12-23
      4. To the church at Thessalonica, Paul taught the doctrine of the resurrection - 1Th 4:16-18

[Unless one questions the authority of Christ and His apostles, the fact
of the resurrection is undeniable.  But how can such a thing happen?  It helps to remember...]

II. THE AGENT OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. CHRIST ATTRIBUTED IT TO THE POWER OF GOD...
      1. As He reminded the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection - Mk 12:24
      2. And of course, "with God nothing will be impossible" - cf. Lk 1:37

   B. PAUL ALSO EMPHASIZED THE POWER OF GOD...
      1. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead - 1Co 6:14
      2. He who can raise Jesus from the dead can certainly raise us up at the last day - 2Co 4:14

[While it may be difficult for us to comprehend how the dead can be
raised, it is not difficult for God to do it (unless "your" God is too
small)!  Another question to be addressed concerning the resurrection
pertains to who will be raised.  Therefore we note...]

III. THE UNIVERSALITY OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. JESUS TAUGHT ALL WILL BE RAISED...
      1. "All who are in the graves will...come forth" - Jn 5:28
      2. Both "those who have done good" and "those who have done evil" - Jn 5:29
      3. One to experience a "resurrection of life", the other a "resurrection of condemnation"

   B. PAUL TAUGHT ALL WILL BE RAISED...
      1. There will be a resurrection "both of the just and the unjust" - Ac 24:15
      2. "for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive" - 1Co 15:21-22

[While there may be a difference in the nature of the resurrected bodies
(see below), in some way everyone will be raised from the dead!   What
about the timing of the resurrection...?]

IV. THE TIME OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. AT "THE LAST DAY," WHEN THE LORD COMES AGAIN...
      1. Jesus spoke again and again of raising the dead at "the last day" - Jn 6:39-40,44,54
      2. Paul wrote of it occurring when Jesus comes again, to deliver
         the kingdom to the Father, having destroyed the last enemy, death itself - 1Co 15:22-26
      3. He later says that it will occur at "the last trumpet" - 1Co 15:52

   B. WHAT ABOUT DOCTRINES OF SEPARATE RESURRECTIONS...?
      1. Premillennialists (and others) teach that there will be more than just one resurrection
         a. All Premillennialists teach at least two resurrections:
            1) The resurrection of believers at the beginning of the millennium
            2) The resurrection of unbelievers at the end of the millennium
         b. Dispensational Premillennialists add two more:
            1) The resurrection of tribulation saints at the end of the seven-year tribulation
            2) The resurrection of millennial saints at the end of the millennium
      2. There are several reasons why the doctrines of several
         resurrections are found wanting...
         a. The Bible presents the resurrection of believers and
            unbelievers as occurring together - Dan 12:2; Jn 5:28-29; Ac 24:14-15; Re 20:11-15
         b. The Bible teaches that believers will be raised at "the last
            day", not several times (and therefore several days, years,
            or millennium) before the last day! - Jn 6:39-40,44,54
         c. Passages offered in support of several resurrections do not
            necessarily teach what Premillennialists say they do
            1) 1Th 4:13-16 concerns itself with the resurrection of the
               righteous, but that does not demand that the wicked are
               not being raised at the same time
            2) Re 20:4-6 describes a resurrection of "souls", not
               bodies, and the reigning with Christ is likely to occur
               in heaven, not on earth - cf. Re 2:26-27; 3:21

[One more subject to be considered in this study, and that pertains to...]

V. THE BODY OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. THE RESURRECTION BODY OF THE RIGHTEOUS...
      1. Will be our physical bodies, but gloriously changed and different! - 1Co 15:35-55
         a. By the power of God (Mk 12:24), our bodies will serve as the
            "kernel" from which comes incorruptible and immortal bodies
            in which to house our souls - 1Co 15:35-37
         b. Our physical bodies...
            1) Sown in corruption, will be raised in incorruption! - 1Co 15:42
            2) Sown in dishonor, will be raised in glory! - 1Co 15:43
            3) Sown in weakness, will be raised in power! - 1Co 15:43
            4) Sown as natural bodies, will be raised as spiritual bodies! - 1Co 15:44-49
         c. Even those alive at Christ’s coming will undergo this
            "change", in which that which is corruptible and mortal will
            "put on" incorruption and immortality - 1Co 15:50-55
      2. Will be conformed to the glorious body of our Lord! - Php 3:20-21
         a. That which is "lowly" will be transformed to be like that which "glorious"
         b. How?  "...according to the working by which He is able even
            to subdue all things to Himself" - i.e., by the power of God! - cf. Mk 12:24

   B. THE RESURRECTION BODY OF THE WICKED...
      1. Very little is revealed, other than the wicked will indeed be raised from the dead
      2. Though the Scriptures only apply the terms "incorruption" and
         "immortality" to the bodies of the righteous, most understand
         that the resurrection body of the wicked...
         a. Is not subject again to death
         b. Is capable of experiencing eternal suffering
      3. There are some, however, who understand that the "second death" will be literal...
         a. After the resurrection and judgment, the wicked will "die"
            again (a separation of resurrected "body" and spirit)
         b. Not that the wicked will be annihilated, but that they will
            spend eternity as "disembodied spirits" in the lake of fire
         c. This is not to be confused with those who don't believe in a
            resurrection of the wicked, or who believe the wicked will be annihilated
      4. Since the Bible is relatively silent on this subject perhaps
         "the best course seems to be simply leave the problem where it
         was left by the writers of the New Testament." - Ray Summers, The Life Beyond, p.93

CONCLUSION

1. There is probably more about the resurrection we would like to know...
   a. But we can know more than the Sadducees knew or believed!
   b. If we are willing to accept both the Scriptures and the power of God!

2. From the Scriptures we can know...
   a. The fact of the resurrection
   b. The agent of the resurrection
   c. The universality of the resurrection
   d. The time of the resurrection
   e. The body of the resurrection

3. Which is certainly enough to motivate those who...
   a. Desire whatever God has planned for those who love and obey Him!
   b. Are making it their aim to be ready for whatever God has prepared!

Does the hope of the resurrection motivate you to abound in the work of
the Lord...? - cf. 1Co 15:54-58         
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

eXTReMe Tracker


Responding to America’s Abortion Culture by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

https://thepreachersword.com/2014/05/29/responding-to-americas-abortion-culture/#more-5689

Responding to America’s Abortion Culture

Baby.Blog

“How do we interact in a secular world, where we often feel between a rock and the hard place?” asked Stephen, one of our regular readers.

Stephen cited two areas of concern.  The Christian’s attitude toward the sin of homosexuality and the problem of abortion.  Yesterday, we discussed the importance of applying the command to “love your neighbor” as it relates to those engaged in sinful lifestyles.  Today, we want to address to the issue of abortion.  

Our reader says that “Socially moderate Christians believe that abortion should be safe, legal, and “extremely rare” — where a key way to achieve this is public sex education and availability of contraception (especially to people in poverty). Of course, socially conservative Christians go ballistic over this approach. Scandinavian countries which do this have a fraction of the abortion rate that exists in the U.S.”

What most conservatives are opposed to, is not sex education itself, but the nature of the education!  We have discarded time-honored moral beliefs and replaced them with the modern mantra that says “practice safe sex.”  The problem today is not too little information about sex, but too much information!  Kids are bombarded  with sexual messages from movies, music, and the internet.  The people idolized today are too often fornicators, adulterers and homosexuals!  Then we wonder why classes on “safe sex” are not working!

Over 55 million children have been slaughtered on Satan’s altar of selfishness, convenience, and promiscuity. And all under the liberal guise of “a woman’s right to choose.”  I heard one woman on TV recently boast, “It’s my body!”  Really?  The Bible teaches that your body and soul belong to God who created them.  For Christians there is the realization that we’ve been bought by the blood of Jesus and should respect the body that belongs to Him.

While the Bible never directly speaks of abortion, it does identify that conceived within the mother as a child.  Twenty-six times the Bible uses the expression “with child” to refer to pregnant women. The term fetus is never used. Luke, the physician, records that Elisabeth, the mother of John the Immerser, conceived a son (1:35). In verse 41 the doctor wrote “the baby leaped in her womb.” The baby! Not the fetus! It is the same Greek word that Luke uses to describe Jesus after he was born (2:12, 16). God views the unborn baby and the newborn baby in the same way. Both are living human beings.

Stephen shared with me an article stating the shocking and sad situation in Detroit where abortion rate has reached a staggering 31% of all pregnancies.  The writer says, Decreased funding for family planning and contraceptive funding in Michigan is seen as a contributing factor: The budget fell from $5 million to $700,000 in the past seven years, leaving 80,000 people without free family-planning aid.”

Would it be insensitive of me to suggest that greater contributing factors are single women having sex outside of marriage?  Plus lust.  Pride.  And Carnality.

I agree with Stephen. It seem like we’re “between a rock and a hard place.”  Socially.  Culturally.  And Politically.

Yet for the Christian “living between two worlds,” we know our only real hope is the restoration of a Bible-based morality. Politicians are not the answer.  And enacted laws do little to sway the hearts of people.  God calls us to humble ourselves in repentance.  And prayer.

Calvin Coolidge, was right when he said, “We do not need more material development, we need more spiritual development. We do not need more intellectual power, we need more moral power. We do not need more knowledge, we need more character. We do not need more government, we need more culture. We do not need more law, we need more religion. We do not need more of the things that are seen, we need more of the things that are unseen.”

But instead of wringing our hands and “cursing the darkness,” we can “light candles.”  I may not be able to change things in the White House, the State House, or the Court House, but I can serve God in my house!

I may not be able to change Detroit, but I can do something about my heart.  My home.  My community.  I can be involved in my children’s activities.  Their school.  And know their friends.  I can serve in my church.  And exert my influence for good in the workplace.

I can support worthy pro-life groups.  Provide godly counsel. Donate to clinics helping pregnant women. Adopt children.  Respect life.

I can’t do everything.  But I can do something.

Oh, and the “rock and the hard place”?  God says, “Have faith.  Hold on.  There’s a better world awaiting!”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

IS DISOBEDIENCE SIMPLY AN INEFFECTUAL ACT? by steve finnell

 

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/11/is-disobedience-simply-ineffectual-act.html

IS DISOBEDIENCE SIMPLY AN INEFFECTUAL ACT? by steve finnell


When Christians continue in a sinful lifestyle are they risking losing their inheritance in the kingdom of God or are they simply obeying the command of Satan? 

Ephesians 5:1-7 Therefore be followers of God as dear children...........3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting , but rather giving thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God  comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. (NHJV)

Is unrepentant disobedience to God's commands followed by God's wrath, or is it simply the ineffectual acts of following the commands of Satan ?

IS OBEYING JESUS BY BEING IMMERSED IN WATER SIMPLY AN INEFFECTUAL ACT OF OBEDIENCE?

Jesus said "...and is baptized will be saved..." (Mark 16:16--NKJV))

Is obeying the apostle Peter's command to be baptized simply an ineffectual act of obedience?

Peter said ".. and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38---NKJV)

Is obeying God's commands simply the right thing to do or does it affect men's salvation?

Does God forgive the sins of the unrepentant? Does God forgive the sin of a murder if that person continues to kill people on a daily bases until he dies? You make the call!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Is refusing to be immersed in water so your sins can be forgiven being obedient to God or being disobedient?

TOTAL (HEREDITARY) DEPRAVITY by C. A. Feenstra

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Feenstra/C/A/1931/ch07.html

TOTAL (HEREDITARY) DEPRAVITY

Man's words

Canons of Dordt -- Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine
Article 1

Man was originally formed after the image of God. His understanding was adorned with a true and saving knowledge of his Creator, and of spiritual things; his heart and will were upright, all his affections pure, and the whole man was holy. But, revolting from God by the instigation of the devil and by his own free will, he forfeited these excellent gifts; and in the place thereof became involved in blindness of mind, horrible darkness, vanity, and perverseness of judgment; became wicked, rebellious, and obdurate in heart and will, and impure in his affections.

Article 2

Man after the fall begat children in his own likeness. A corrupt stock produced a corrupt offspring. Hence all the posterity of Adam, Christ only excepted, have derived corruption from their original parent, not by imitation, as the Pelagians of old asserted, but by the propagation of a vicious nature, in consequence of the first judgment of God.

Article 3

Therefore all men are conceived in sin, and are by nature children of wrath, incapable of saving good, prone to evil, dead in sin, and in bondage thereto; and without the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit, they are neither able nor willing to return to God, to reform the depravity of their nature, or to dispose themselves to reformation.
* * *

"We believe that through the disobedience of Adam original sin is extended to all mankind; which is a corruption of the whole nature and a hereditary disease, wherewith even infants in their mother's womb are infected, and which produces in man all sorts of sin, being in him a root thereof, and therefore is so vile and abominable in the sight of God that it is sufficient to condemn all mankind." -- Belgic Confession, Article XV, Original Sin.

"When Calvinists speak of man as being totally depraved, they mean that man's nature is corrupt, perverse, and sinful throughout. The adjective "total" does not mean that each sinner is as totally or completely corrupt in his actions and thoughts as it is possible for him to be. Instead, the word "total" is used to indicate the the whole of man's being has been affected by sin. The corruption extends to every part of man, his body and soul; sin has affected all (the totality) of man's faculties -- his mind, his will, etc.

As a result of this inborn corruption, the natural man is totally unable to do anything spiritually good; thus Calvinists speak of man's "total inability".

The natural man is enslaved to sin; he is a child of Satan, rebellious toward God, blind to truth, corrupt, and unable to save himself or to prepare himself for salvation. In short, the unregenerate man is dead in sin, and his will is enslaved to his evil nature.

Originally, Adam's will was free from the dominion of sin; he was under no natural compulsion to choose evil, but through his fall he brought spiritual death upon himself and all his posterity. He thereby plunged himself and the entire race into spiritual ruin and lost for himself and his descendants the ability to make right choices in the spiritual realm. His descendants are still free to choose -- every man makes choices throughout life -- but inasmuch as Adam's offspring are born with sinful natures, they do not have the ability to choose spiritual good over evil. Consequently, man's will is no longer free (i.e., free from the dominion of sin) as Adam's will was free before the fall. Instead, man's will, as a result of inherited depravity, is in bondage to his sinful nature." -- The Five Points of Calvinism, Steele and Thomas, page 25.

Is Calvinism's "Total (Hereditary) Depravity" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that sin is breaking or neglecting God's laws as a conscious act?

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." I John 3:4 AV

"Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness." I John 3:4

"Ye have sinned against Jehovah, and have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies." Jer. 44:23

"To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17

"All unrighteousness is sin." I John 5:17

"Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:23

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isa. 53:6

"They are all gone aside;
They are together become filthy;
There is none that doeth good, no, not one." Psa. 14:3

"All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23

Q. In the light of God's definition of sin, how is it possible for a baby to be born sinful?

Q. Is Calvinism's "Total (Hereditary) Depravity" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that babies are born sinless and that they all become sinful and sinners?

"Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons, And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood." Psa. 106:37-38

"Moreover your little ones, that ye said should be a prey, and your children, that this day have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it." Deut. 1:39

"Thou (the king of Tyre) wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till unrighteousness was found in thee." Ezek. 28:15

"For the children (Jacob and Esau) being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad,..." Rom. 9:11

"And should not I have regard for Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?" Jonah 4:11

"And I (Paul) was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died." Rom. 7:9

"Before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings thou abhorrest shall be forsaken." Isa. 7:16

"They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not, so much as one." Rom. 3:12

Q. Is Calvinism's "Total (Hereditary) Depravity" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that each man is responsible for and will be punished for his own sin?

"Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned." Rom. 5:12

"The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." Ezek. 18:20

"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord Jehovah." Ezek. 18:30

"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin." Deut. 24:16

"In the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his works." Rom. 2:5-6

"So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God." Rom. 14:12

"Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways." Ezek. 33:20

"I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Jer. 17:10

"Behold, I (Jesus) come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is." Rev. 22:12

Q. Does GOD'S WORD teach that God, who is holy and righteous, places the soul and spirit within each man?

"And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Gen. 2:7

"Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" Heb. 12:9

"For in him (God) we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." Acts 17:28

"Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him." Zech. 12:1

"And the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it." Eccl. 12:7

Q. Does a holy and righteous God put a totally depraved spirit within each man?

Q. Is Calvinism's "Totally (Hereditary) Depravity" true, OR does Jesus proclaim the innocence of infants?

"Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence." Matt. 19:13-15

Q. Does this mean that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are totally depraved?

"And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:2-4

Q. Does this mean that we must become totally depraved in order to enter the kingdom of heaven?

* * *

"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;
and in sin did my mother conceive me." Psa. 51:5 AV

Q. Does this scripture teach Total Hereditary Depravity?

Q. Where was David when the sins of this scripture were committed?

Q. Who is the person guilty of the sins mentioned in this scripture, David or his mother?

Q. Does GOD'S WORD teach that it is the baby that is born sinful, OR does it teach that there may be sin connected with the conception and bearing of children?

"And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb a year old for a burnt-offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove, for a sin-offering, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest: and he shall offer it before Jehovah, and make atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the fountain of her blood. This is the law for her that beareth, whether a male or a female. And if her means suffice not for a lamb, then she shall take two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons; the one for a burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering: and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean." Lev. 12:6-8

Q. Where in GOD'S WORD do we find a command to offer sacrifices for the babies who are said to be totally depraved?

Q. If Calvinism's "Total (Hereditary) Depravity" is true, where in GOD'S WORD is there a plan revealed for the salvation of babies who are born totally depraved?

Q. Is Calvinism's "Total (Hereditary) Depravity" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach us as to when and how each man becomes a sinner?

"But each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death. Be not deceived, my beloved brethren." James 1:14-16

"Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned." Rom. 5:12

* * *

Q. Is Calvinism's "Total (Hereditary) Depravity" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that man is not born sinful but that he is sinful "from his youth"?

"And Jehovah smelled the sweet savor; and Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake, for that the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth." Gen. 8:21

"For we have sinned against Jehovah our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day; and we have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God." Jer. 3:25

"I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice." Jer. 22:21

"For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have done only that which was evil in my sight from their youth; for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith Jehovah." Jer. 32:30

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

The light by Gary Rose

 

A simple picture of the sun in the sky; something we all take for granted. The sun provides heat and light; two things we really need. Without heat, you die. No light, you have no idea where you are going. Survival is basic to us all and being able to see where you are going improves survival ability. Today, I am thinking of more than just sight; rather, insight as to how we are to live our lives.


Consider the following verses from the old testament:


Jeremiah 10 ( World English Bible )

23 Yahweh, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.


And

Psalm 119 ( WEB )

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.




So, the Bible teaches us that we need “your word” to guide us in our lives. Turning to the New Testament, we see that “The Word” came to us in human form; The Apostle John says…


John 1 ( WEB )

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.

6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.

8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.

9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him.

11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him.

12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:

13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’”

16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.

17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.


AND


John 8 ( WEB )

12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”


Over the centuries, God has given us HIS will in the form of written Scriptures and in the person of Jesus Christ; who, explained not only the meaning of many passages in the Old Testament, but provided the perfect example to learn by his earthly actions. Its up to us to follow his “light”- right up to heaven and live forever. See what I am saying?