7/26/21

The Laws of Science—by God by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=4545

The Laws of Science—by God

by  Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

The laws of nature have been discovered through extensive scientific investigation—gathering mounds and mounds of evidence, all of which has proven consistently to point to one conclusion. They are, by definition, a concluding statement that has been drawn from the scientific evidence, and therefore, are in keeping with the rule of logic known as the Law of Rationality (Ruby, 1960, pp. 126-127). If anything can be said to be “scientific,” it is the laws of science, and to hold to a view or theory that contradicts the laws of science is, by definition, irrational, since such a theory would contradict the evidence from science.

The laws of science explain how things work in nature at all times—without exception. The McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms defines a scientific law as “a regularity which applies to all members of a broad class of phenomena” (2003, p. 1182, emp. added). Notice that the writers use the word “all” rather than “some” or even “most.” There are no exceptions to a law of science. Wherever a law is applicable, it has been found to be without exception.

Evolutionists endorse wholeheartedly the laws of science. Evolutionary geologist Robert Hazen, a research scientist at the Carnegie Institution of Washington’s Geophysical Lab, who graduated with a Ph.D. from Harvard, in his lecture series on the origin of life, states, “In this lecture series, I make an assumption that life emerged [i.e., spontaneously generated—JM] from basic raw materials through a sequence of events that was completely consistent with the natural laws of chemistry and physics” (Hazen, 2005, emp. added). Even on something as unfounded as postulating the origin of life from non-life—a proposition which flies in the face of all scientific evidence to the contrary—evolutionists do not wish to resort to calling such a phenomenon an exception to the laws of nature. After all, there are no exceptions to the laws. Instead, they hope, without evidence, that their claims will prove to be in keeping with some elusive, hitherto undiscovered, scientific evidence in the future that will be “completely consistent with the natural laws.” [NOTE: Such an approach is the equivalent of brushing aside the mounds of evidence for the existence of gravity in order to develop a theory that asserts that tomorrow, all humanity will start levitating up from the surface of the Earth. Science has already spoken on that matter, and to postulate such a theory would be unscientific. It would go against the evidence from science. Similarly, science has already spoken on the matter of life from non-life and shown that abiogenesis does not occur in nature, according to the Law of Biogenesis (see Miller, 2012), or in the words of Hazen, abiogenesis is completely inconsistent “with the natural laws of chemistry and physics.” And yet he, along with all atheistic evolutionists, continues to promote evolutionary theory in spite of this crucial piece of evidence to the contrary.] Evolutionists believe in the natural laws, even if they fail to concede the import of their implications with regard to atheistic evolution.

Richard Dawkins, a world renowned evolutionary biologist and professor of zoology at Oxford University, put his stamp of endorsement on the laws of nature as well. While conjecturing (without evidence) about the possibility of life in outer space, he said, “But that higher intelligence would, itself, had to have come about by some ultimately explicable process. It couldn’t have just jumped into existence spontaneously” (Stein and Miller, 2008). Dawkins admits that life could not pop into existence from non-life. But why? Because that would contradict a well-known and respected law of science that is based on mounds of scientific evidence and that has no exception: the Law of Biogenesis. Of course evolution, which Dawkins wholeheartedly subscribes to, requires abiogenesis, which contradicts the Law of Biogenesis. However, notice that Dawkins so respects the laws of nature that he cannot bring himself to consciously and openly admit that his theory requires the violation of said law. Self-delusion can be a powerful narcotic.

Famous atheist, theoretical physicist, and cosmologist of Cambridge University, Stephen Hawking, highly reveres the laws of science as well. In 2011, he hosted a show on Discovery Channel titled, “Curiosity: Did God Create the Universe?” In that show, he said,

[T]he Universe is a machine governed by principles or laws—laws that can be understood by the human mind. I believe that the discovery of these laws has been humankind’s greatest achievement…. But what’s really important is that these physical laws, as well as being unchangeable, are universal. They apply not just to the flight of the ball, but to the motion of a planet and everything else in the Universe. Unlike laws made by humans, the laws of nature cannot ever be broken. That’s why they are so powerful (“Curiosity…,” 2011, emp. added).

According to Hawking, the laws of nature exist, are unbreakable (i.e., without exception), and apply to the entire Universe—not just to the Earth.

Again, the atheistic evolutionary community believes in the existence of and highly respects the laws of science (i.e., when those laws coincide with the evolutionist’s viewpoints) and would not wish to consciously deny or contradict them. Sadly, they do so, and often, when it comes to their beloved atheistic, origin theories. But that admission by the evolutionary community presents a major problem for atheism. Humanist Martin Gardner said,

Imagine that physicists finally discover all the basic waves and their particles, and all the basic laws, and unite everything in one equation. We can then ask, “Why that equation?” It is fashionable now to conjecture that the big bang was caused by a random quantum fluctuation in a vacuum devoid of space and time. But of course such a vacuum is a far cry from nothing. There had to be quantum laws to fluctuate. And why are there quantum laws?...There is no escape from the superultimate questions: Why is there something rather than nothing, and why is the something structured the way it is? (2000, p. 303, emp. added).

Even if Big Bang cosmology were correct (and it is not), you still can’t have a law without a law writer. In “Curiosity: Did God Create the Universe?” Hawking boldly claims that everything in the Universe can be accounted for through atheistic evolution without the need of God. This is untrue, as we have discussed elsewhere (e.g., Miller, 2011), but notice that Hawking does not even believe that assertion himself. He said, “Did God create the quantum laws that allowed the Big Bang to occur? In a nutshell, did we need a god to set it all up so that the Big Bang could bang?” (“Curiosity…”). He provided no answer to these crucial questions—not even an attempt. And he is not alone. No atheist can provide an adequate answer to those questions.

The eminent atheistic, theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and astrobiologist of Arizona State University, Paul Davies, noted Hawking’s sidestep of that question in the “round table discussion” on the Discovery Channel following “Curiosity,” titled, “The Creation Question: a Curiosity Conversation.” Concerning Hawking, Davies said,

In the show, Stephen Hawking gets very, very close to saying, “Well, where did the laws of physics come from? That’s where we might find some sort of God.” And then he backs away and doesn’t return to the subject…. You need to know where those laws come from. That’s where the mystery lies—the laws (“The Creation Question…,” 2011).

In his book, The Grand Design, Hawking tries (and fails) to submit a way that the Universe could have created itself from nothing in keeping with the laws of nature without God—an impossible concept, to be sure. He says, “Because there is a law like gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing” (2010, p. 180). Of course, even if such were possible (and it is not), he does not explain where the law of gravity came from. A more rational statement would have been the following: “Because there is a law like gravity, the Universe must have been created by God.”

Just as the evidence says that you cannot have a poem without a poet, a fingerprint without a finger, or a material effect without a cause, a law must be written by someone. But the atheistic community does not believe in the “Someone” Who alone could have written the laws of nature. So the atheist stands in the dark mist of irrationality—holding to a viewpoint that contradicts the evidence. However, the Christian has no qualms with the existence of the laws of nature. They provide no problem or inconsistency with the Creation model. Long before the laws of thermodynamics were formally articulated in the 1850s and long before the Law of Biogenesis was formally proven by Louis Pasteur in 1864, the laws of science were written in stone and set in place to govern the Universe by the Being in Whom we believe. Recall the last few chapters of the book of Job, where God commenced a speech, humbling Job with the awareness that Job’s knowledge and understanding of the workings of the Universe were extremely deficient in comparison with the omniscience and omnipotence of Almighty God. Two of the humbling questions that God asked Job to ponder were, “Do you know the ordinances [“laws”—NIV] of the heavens? Can you set their dominion [“rule”—ESV] over the earth?” (Job 38:33). These were rhetorical questions, and the obvious answer from Job was, “No, Sir.” He could not even know of all the laws, much less could he understand them, and even less could he have written them and established their rule over the Earth. Only a Supreme Being transcendent of the natural Universe would have the power to do such a thing.

According to the Creation model and in keeping with the evidence, that Supreme Being is the God of the Bible, Who created everything in the Universe in six literal days, only a few thousand years ago. In the words of the 19th-century song writer, Lowell Mason, “Praise the Lord, for He hath spoken; worlds His mighty voice obeyed; laws which never shall be broken, for their guidance He hath made. Hallelujah! Amen” (Howard, 1977, #427).

REFERENCES

“The Creation Question: A Curiosity Conversation” (2011), Discovery Channel, August 7.

“Curiosity: Did God Create the Universe?” (2011), Discovery Channel, August 7.

Gardner, Martin (2000), Did Adam and Eve Have Navels? (New York: W.W. Norton).

Hawking, Stephen (2010), The Grand Design (New York, NY: Bantam Books).

Hazen, Robert (2005), Origins of Life (Chantilly, VA: The Teaching Company).

Howard, Alton (1977), “Praise the Lord,” Songs of the Church (West Monroe, LA: Howard Publishing).

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms (2003), pub. M.D. Licker (New York: McGraw-Hill), sixth edition.

Miller, Jeff  (2011), “A Review of Discovery Channel’s ‘Curiosity: Did God Create the Universe?’” Reason & Revelation, 31[10]:98-107, http://apologeticspress.org/apPubPage.aspx?pub=1&issue=1004&article=1687.

Miller, Jeff (2012), “The Law of Biogenesis,” Reason & Revelation, 32[1]:2-11, January, http://apologeticspress.org/apPubPage.aspx?pub=1&issue=1018&article=1722.

Ruby, Lionel (1960), Logic: An Introduction (Chicago, IL: J.B. Lippincott).

Stein, Ben and Kevin Miller (2008), Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (Premise Media).

The Law of Causality and the Uncaused Cause by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1601

The Law of Causality and the Uncaused Cause

by  Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

The law of science known as the Law of Causality, or Law of Cause and Effect, says that every material effect must have an adequate antecedent or simultaneous cause (Miller, 2011). The Universe is a material effect that demands an adequate Cause, and atheism cannot provide one. The truth is, God exists. Often the atheist or skeptic, attempting to distract from and side-step the truth of this law without responding to it, retorts, “But if everything had to have a beginning, why does the same concept not apply to God? God needs a cause, too! Who caused God?”

First, notice that this statement is based on a misunderstanding of what the Law of Cause and Effect claims concerning the Universe. The law states that every material effect must have an adequate antecedent or simultaneous cause. A law of science is determined through the observation of nature—not supernature. The laws of nature do not apply to non-material entities. The God of the Bible is a spiritual Being (John 4:24), and therefore is not governed by physical law. In 1934, professor of philosophy at Princeton University, W.T. Stace, wrote in A Critical History of Greek Philosophy concerning causality: “[E]verything which has a beginning has a cause” (1934, p. 6, emp. added). God, according to the Bible, had no beginning. Psalm 90:2 says concerning God, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (emp. added). The Bible describes God as a Being Who has always been and always will be—“from everlasting to everlasting.” He, therefore, had no beginning. Hebrews 3:4 again states, “every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God,” indicating that God is not constrained by the Law of Cause and Effect as are houses, but rather, is the Chief Builder—the Uncaused Causer—the Being who initially set all effects into motion.

Further, scientists and philosophers recognize that, logically, there must be an initial, uncaused Cause of the Universe. [Those who attempt to argue the eternality of the Universe are in direct contradiction to the Law of Causality (since the Universe is a physical effect that demands a cause), as well as the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which indicates that nothing physical lasts forever (see Miller, 2007).] Aristotle, in Physics, discusses the logical line of reasoning that leads to the conclusion that the initial cause of motion must be something that is not, itself, in motion—an unmoved mover (1984, 1:428). Thomas Aquinas built on Aristotle’s reasoning and said:

Now whatever is in motion is put in motion by another.... For motion is nothing else than the reduction of something from potentiality to actuality.... It is therefore impossible that in the same respect and in the same way a thing should be both mover and moved, i.e., that it should move itself. If that by which it is put in motion be itself put in motion, then this also must needs be put in motion by another, and that by another again. But this cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover, and, consequently, no other mover.... Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God (1952, 19:12,13, emp. added).

God, not being a physical, finite being, but an eternal, spiritual being (by definition), would not be subject to the condition of requiring a beginning. Therefore, the law does not apply to Him. Concerning the Law of Causality, renowned German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, said that “everything which is contingent has a cause, which, if itself contingent, must also have a cause; and so on, till the series of subordinated causes must end with an absolutely necessary cause, without which it would not possess completeness” (Kant, 2008, p. 284, emp. added). An uncaused Cause is necessary. Only God sufficiently fills that void.

Consider: if there ever were a time in history, when absolutely nothing existed—not even God—then nothing would exist today, since nothing comes from nothing (in keeping with common sense and the Law of Thermodynamics, Miller, 2007). However, something exists (e.g., the Universe)—which means something had to exist eternally. That something could not be physical or material, since such things do not last forever (cf. Second Law of Thermodynamics, Miller, 2007). It follows that the eternal something must be non-physical or non-material. It must be mind rather than matter. Logically, there must be a Mind that has existed forever. That Mind, according to the Bible (which has characteristics proving it to be of supernatural origin, cf. Butt, 2007), is God. He, being spirit, is not subject to the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; yes, they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will have no end (Psalm 102:25-27, emp. added).

The point stands. The Law of Cause and Effect supports the creation model, not the atheistic evolutionary model. [NOTE: For more on the subject of an Uncaused Cause, see Colley, 2010; Lyons, 2007]

REFERENCES

Aquinas, Thomas (1952), Summa Theologica, trans. Fathers of the English Dominican Province (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago).

Aristotle (1984), Physics, in The Complete Works of Aristotle, ed. Jonathan Barnes (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press).

Butt, Kyle (2007), Behold! The Word of God (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press), http://www.apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/Behold%20the%20Word%20of%20God.pdf.

Colley, Caleb (2010), “Aristotle’s ‘Unmoved Mover’ and Those Who Are ‘Without Excuse,” Apologetics Press, http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=3795.

Kant, Immanuel (2008), Kant’s Critiques: The Critique of Pure Reason, the Critique of Practical Reason, the Critique of Judgment (Radford, VA: Wilder Publications).

Lyons, Eric (2007), “What Caused God?,” Apologetics Press, http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2216&topic=93.

Miller, Jeff (2007), “God and the Laws of Thermodynamics: A Mechanical Engineer’s Perspective,” Reason & Revelation, 27[4]:25-31, April, http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/3293.

Miller, Jeff (2011), “God and the Laws of Science: The Law of Causality,” Apologetics Press, http://www.apologeticspress.org/article/3716.

Stace, W.T. (1934), A Critical History of Greek Philosophy (London: Macmillan).

An Ironic Absence of the Bible by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

https://thepreachersword.com/2019/01/10/an-ironic-absence-of-the-bible/#more-13413

An Ironic Absence of the Bible

Last week newly elected Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema took the oath of office but refused to be sworn in on the Bible. Instead, she placed her right hand on a book of laws that included the Arizona and United States Constitution.

“Kyrsten always gets sworn in on a Constitution simply because of her love for the Constitution,” the senator’s office said.

Hmm. Maybe.

However, there may be a couple of other reasons. First of all, she is the first openly bisexual U.S. Senator; Secondly, according to the Pew Research Center for Religion and Public Life, the Arizonan is the “only member of the Senate who does not identify as a member of a religion.”

Ironically Sinema’s first name has a Greek origin and is derived from Latin which means “follower of Christ.”

In an article about Senator Sinema on the Christian Post, Op-Ed contributor Jerry Newcombe raises these questions: “Why do we have this system of swearing-in public officials in the first place? And swearing-in on the Bible? And saying, “So help me, God.” — which, by the way she did (indirectly, at least)? Who cares about such “antiquated” customs? Do these symbols matter?”

Traditionally and historically in our country taking oaths is the way we seal a commitment. But we do it with God as our witness. Just like when taking our marriage vows before God and pledge our faithfulness to one another.

Our first President, George Washington observed in his 1796 farewell address that when we weaken religion, we erode the basis of our oaths.

“Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice?” If there is no God to Whom we shall give an account, we can do whatever we want.”

“One of the key points about America’s heritage that is often overlooked,” observed Newcombe, “is that the Biblical concept of covenant gave rise ultimately to our two key founding documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.”

“They are written agreements, under God, signed by the participants. More importantly, our founding documents are the culmination of about a hundred or so compacts and frames of government created by the Puritans and other Christians, using a Biblical covenant as the model.”

Dr. Donald S. Lutz of the University of Houston, who has been studying constitutions for decades, once said in an interview, “Without a belief in the Bible, we would not have the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution as we have it.”

In Lutz’s book, The Origins of American Constitutionalism, he writes: “The American constitutional tradition derives in much of its form and content from the Judeo-Christian tradition as interpreted by the radical Protestant sects to which belonged so many of the original European settlers in British North America.”

Past Presidents and political leaders have often openly acknowledged the importance of the Bible.

Our second President, John Adams, advanced this thought: “Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow-men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a utopia, what a Paradise would this region be.”

The 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson said, “The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God, and spiritual nature and needs of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation.”

“The strength of our country is the strength of its religious convictions,” affirmed our 30th President Calvin Coolidge. “The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.”

Refusing to be sworn into office by placing your hand on the Bible, does not change the fact that God still rules. He ordains governments. They rise or fall according to His will. And we are subject to Him and His Word.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" The Proof Is In The Pudding (7:17) by Mark Copeland



 

 

 

 

 

 "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

The Proof Is In The Pudding (7:17)

INTRODUCTION

1. The evidence for Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, is manifold...
   a. The testimony of John the Baptist - Jn 5:33; e.g., 1:29,34
   b. The works (miracles) that Jesus did - Jn 5:36; e.g., 2:11; 20:30-31
   c. The testimony of God Himself - Jn 5:37; e.g., Mt 3:16-17; 17:5
   d. The testimony of the OT scriptures - Jn 5:39; e.g., Isa 9:6-7
   e. His resurrection from the dead, attested to by eyewitnesses -
       Ro 1:4; e.g., Jn 20:24-29

2. Jesus offered another proof that He is from God...
   a. It came at a time when many questioned who He was - Jn 7:12-15
   b. If you are willing to do God's will, you will know His doctrine is from God - Jn 7:16-17

3. Jesus' claim is akin to well-known proverb...
   a. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating"
   b. As stated more often, "The proof is in the pudding"

[This is a remarkable claim by Jesus, certainly worthy of closer examination...]

I. FACETS OF JESUS' CLAIM

   A. ONE MUST BE WILLING TO DO THE FATHER'S WILL...
      1. There must first be a willing heart
         a. A good and noble heart - cf. Lk 8:15
         b. A heart willing to hear and examine carefully - cf. Ac 17:11
         c. A humble heart, one that fears God - cf. Ps 25:9,12
      2. There must then be obedience from the heart
         a. Such as found in the Christians at Rome - Ro 6:17
         b. The kind of obedience that must be in all aspects of our service - Ep 6:6; Col 3:23
      -- "Those who would test the divinity of the doctrine of Christ
         can not do so by rendering a mere mechanical obedience to his
         teaching. A willing, heartfelt obedience is essential to a true
         knowledge of his doctrine. Such a disposition makes a good and
         honest heart in which the seeds of his kingdom must inevitably
         grow." - J. W. McGarvey

   B. ONE WILL KNOW HIS DOCTRINE IS OF GOD...
      1. They will know that Jesus' teaching comes from above - cf. Jn12:49
      2. They will know that His teaching is everlasting life - cf. Jn 12:50
      -- "He shall have evidence, in the very attempt to do the will of
         God, of the truth of the doctrine." - Barnes

[What kind of evidence does one receive?  The answer may be put in the
words of Isaiah, "The work of righteousness will be peace, And the
effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever." (Isa 32:17)
Consider therefore the...]

II. EVIDENCE OF JESUS' CLAIM

   A. PEACE THAT SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING...
      1. Jesus offered such peace to His disciples - Jn 14:27; 16:33
      2. As we do the Father's will as taught by Jesus, we experience such peace:
         a. As the result of our justification in Christ - Ro 5:1
         b. As the prayer for faithful Christians - Ro 15:13; 2Th 3:16
         c. As the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of Christians - Ga 5:22
         d. As the response to prayer - Php 4:6-7
      -- Such peace, when experienced, confirms Jesus' doctrine as being from God

   B. ASSURANCE THAT CALMS THE HEART...
      1. Jesus offered assurance to His disciples - Jn 14:27b; 16:33
      2. As we do the Father's will as taught by Jesus, we experience such assurance:
         a. As when we love the brethren in deed and truth - cf. 1Jn 3:18-19
         b. As expressed by Paul - cf. 2Ti 1:12; also Ro 8:38-39
      -- Such assurance, when experienced, confirms Jesus' doctrine as
         being from God

[B. W. Johnson expressed it this way:  "He who in his heart says, "Thy
will be done, give me light and I will walk in it," will find that
Christ is just the teacher demanded by his soul, and that the gospel
meets his soul's want. Jesus will so meet the wants of his soul that he
will be satisfied and will know the doctrine, that it comes from him who
made the soul." (People's New Testament)  Yet, we should note...]

III. CAUTION REGARDING JESUS' CLAIM

   A. WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE OR ASSURANCE...
      1. It is not evidence that Jesus' doctrine is not from God
         a. We may have not done the Father's will yet
         b. We may have not done the Father's will from the heart
      2. It may not be evidence that we failed to truly do the Father's will at one time
         a. Our faith may yet be weak, needing to grow
         b. Our faith may have become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin - He 3:12-14

   B. WHERE THERE IS PEACE AND ASSURANCE...
      1. We should not trust in that evidence alone
         a. Many believed they are saved because of their feelings
         b. They might construe such as the ultimate proof of salvation
      2. The heart can easily be deceived
         a. There are ways that seem right, but may lead to death - Pro 16:25
         b. It is not in man to direct his footsteps - Jer 10:23
      3. We must always be open to the Word of God
         a. Let the Word of God produce the feelings (faith, then feelings)
         b. Don't let one's feelings reject the Word of God (not feelings, then faith)

CONCLUSION

1. The proof that is in the pudding is somewhat subjective, but it is proof...
   a. Proof that can further confirm a faith based upon more objective evidence
   b. Proof that if lacking should be a sign our faith needs work (i.e., diligence)

2. It is a diligent faith willing to do the will of God that produces a full assurance...

   "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the
   full assurance of hope until the end," (He 6:11)

Are you willing to do the Father's will from the heart?  The blessings
of peace, assurance, and confirmation that Jesus' doctrine is truly from
God, awaits those who obey His will...!                     
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

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ORIGINAL SIN, SATAN'S LIE by steve finnell

 

https://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/10/original-sin-satans-lie-by-steve.html

ORIGINAL SIN, SATAN'S LIE by steve finnell


Original sin is the proposition that all men are guilty of sin at conception because they inherited the sin of Adam.

Proof-text for the false doctrine of original sin: Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. (NKJV)
 It does not say David was conceived guilty of the sin of Adam.

Psalm 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.(NKJV)

King David ask God to blot out his transgressions, he did not asked to have the transgression of Adam blotted out. He did not ask for forgiveness for original sin.

Psalm 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. (NKJV)

King David did not ask God to cleanse from the sin of Adam. David was only responsible for his own iniquity and sin.

Psalm 51:3 For I acknowledge my own transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.(NKJV)

King David did not acknowledge original sin as a transgression nor as a sin. He only acknowledged his own sin.

Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only I have sinned, And done evil in Your sight--- That You may be found just when You speak. And blameless when You judge. (NKJV

David said he had sinned. David never asked to be forgiven because he was conceived into a sinful world. David never asked God to forgive him of Adam's sin.

Ezekiel 18:20 "The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (NKJV)

The children of Adam did not bear the guilt of Adam. There is no way King David could have inherited the guilt of Adam nor any other person.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (NKJV)
Romans 5:12 Therefore just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus spread to all men, because all have sinned--- (NKJV)

Men fall short of God's glory and face death because they all have sinned.

There is not one mention in Scripture where anyone has asked forgiveness from Adam's sin.

It takes a skilled professional and a willing student for anyone to be convinced that they are guilty of Adam's sin.

The doctrine of original sin is simply one of Satan's many deceptions.

[NOTE: How would it be possible for Christian parents, who have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, to pass Adam's sin to their children?]  

Calvinism in the Light of God's Word chapter 1 — C. A. Feenstra

 

https://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Feenstra/C/A/1931/ch01.html

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." 1 Pet.4:11 AV

Chapter 1

God's Word

    Q Does GOD'S WORD claim Divine inspiration for Itself?

    "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit." II Pet. 1:20-21

    "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." II Tim. 3:16-17 AV

    "But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words." Paul in I Cor. 2:12-13

    "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" Eph. 6:17

    "And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God" I Thess. 2:13

    "Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" II Peter 1:2-3

    "...I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints." Jude 3

    Q. What does GOD'S WORD have to say about itself?

    "Thy word is truth." John 17:17

    "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

    "Thy word is ... light " Psalm 119:105

    "The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple." Psalm 119:130

    "I will never forget thy precepts; For with them thou hast quickened me." Psalm 119:93

    "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my (Jesus') words shall not pass away." Matt. 24:35

    "But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you." I Peter 1:25

    "For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword" Heb. 4:12

    "For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; ... For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith." Rom. 1:16-17

    "So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Rom. 10:17

    "Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, ... by which also ye are saved" I Cor. 15:1-2

    "in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel." I Cor. 4:15

    "Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth" "receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." James 1:18, 21

    "the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation" II Tim. 3:15

    "should not a people seek unto their God? ... To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:19-20 AV

    "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; ...that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever." I Pet. 4:11 AV

    "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son." II John 9

    Q. What does GOD'S WORD teach about men hearing and obeying man's words instead of GOD'S WORDS?

    "And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with their lips to honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them;" Isa. 29:13

    "How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of Jehovah is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes hath wrought falsely. The wise men are put to shame, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of Jehovah; and what manner of wisdom is in them?" Jer. 8:8-9

    "Then Jehovah said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake I unto them: they prophesy unto you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their own heart.... for both the prophet and the priest go about in the land, and have no knowledge." Jer. 14:14, 18b

    "Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Jehovah. They say continually unto them that despise me, Jehovah hath said, Ye shall have peace; and unto every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come upon you." Jer. 23:16-17

    "But if they had stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words, and had turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings." Jer. 23:22

    "Behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah." Jer. 23:31-32

    "For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Let not your prophets that are in the midst of you, and your diviners, deceive you; neither hearken ye to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith Jehovah." Jer. 29:8-9

    "And I will pursue after them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth,... because they have not hearkened to my words, saith Jehovah,... because they (false prophets) have wrought folly in Israel,...and have spoken words in my name falsely, which I commanded them not; and I am he that knoweth, and am witness, saith Jehovah." Jer. 29:18-19, 23

    "But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men. Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. And he (Jesus) said unto them, Full well do ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your tradition." Mark 7:7-9

    "Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:" Col. 2:8

    "And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit." Matt. 15:14

    "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; ...that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever." I Pet. 4:11 AV

    "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son." II John 9

    "learn not to go beyond the things which are written;" I Cor. 4:6

    What does GOD'S WORD teach about men lacking knowledge of GOD'S WORD, and will this lack of knowledge excuse man?

    "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 14:12

    "Hear the word of Jehovah, ye children of Israel; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land....My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, ...seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children." Hosea 4:1,6

    "Therefore my people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge;...Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!... they have rejected the law of Jehovah of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." Isa. 5:13, 20, 24

    "His own iniquities shall take the wicked, And he shall be holden with the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction;" Prov. 5:22-23

    "Jesus said unto them, Is it not for this cause that ye err, that ye know not the scriptures, nor the power of God?" Mark 12:24

    "...Jesus answered and said...Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; ...and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:25, 28-29

    "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

    "...thy word is truth." John 17:17

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

Overcoming sorrow by Gary Rose

 

This picture is obviously a lake being fed by a mountain stream. But, to me, it is much more than that; it is symbolic of a heart overflowing with sorrow, being fed by tears. Further, it represents those times in life when you are almost overcome by sorrow and seem to be adrift in an unending flow of tears. ( notice what appears to be a man on a raft, floating in the middle of the lake. )


The truth is that life is not always good, nor is it always filled with joy. Bad times come upon us all. What we do in times like these define us as human beings and reveal our inner hearts. Hopefully, we will act and not react in a manner befitting a genuine disciple of Jesus.


Below is one such situation…



John 16 ( World English Bible )

1 “These things have I spoken to you, so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble.

2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.

3 They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.

4 But I have told you these things, so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.

5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’

6 But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

8 When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;

9 about sin, because they don’t believe in me;

10 about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;

11 about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.

12 “I have yet many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.

13 However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.

14 He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you.

15 All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you.

16 A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”

17 Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father?’

18 They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while?’ We don’t know what he is saying.”

19 Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?’

20 Most certainly I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

21 A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.

22 Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

23 “In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

24 Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.

25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you,

27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from God.

28 I came out from the Father, and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.”

29 His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you speak plainly, and speak no figures of speech.

30 Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came forth from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?

32 Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”



Jesus gave his disciples encouragement in the face of the knowledge of the unpleasant things that awaited them. Suffering and eventual death were to be the future of most of them, but they were destined for heaven and that knowledge changed everything!


Reality can be a two edged sword. Sorrow beyond belief, but at the same time happiness and hope. Why? Because Jesus has overcome the world! What was true then is true to this day. No matter what the future in this world may hold, we have something wonderful awaiting us in heaven because Jesus has overcome the world.


These things are true and undeniable for Isaiah of old has testified:

Isaiah 25 ( WEB )

6 In this mountain, Yahweh of Armies will make all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines, of fat things full of marrow, of well refined choice wines.

7 He will destroy in this mountain the surface of the covering that covers all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations.

8 He has swallowed up death forever! The Lord Yahweh will wipe away tears from off all faces. He will take the reproach of his people away from off all the earth, for Yahweh has spoken it.

9 It shall be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us! This is Yahweh! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”


The Apostle John tells of Jesus’ words of the future in the book of Revelation:

Revelation 21 ( WEB )

3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

4 He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.”

5 He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.”

6 He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.

7 He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.



God has testified these things multiple times, but its up to us to listen.

Will we overcome all obstacles with Jesus, or try to do things by ourselves? I pray that I will always overcome with Jesus, how about you?