Total Depravity

Sorry for the lapse in posting over the past few weeks, I've been incredibly busy. Thus, I've decided to postpone the series I'm writing until I have adequate time to focus on the topic. However, I did want to post a link to a sermon I listened to today by Dr. Voddie Baucham on the topic of total depravity. I hope this sermon causes you to realize, as it did me, how incredibly wicked and sinful we are and how insurmountable the debt is we owe to our Savior Jesus Christ. I hope that as you listen to this sermon the Holy Spirit will create in you a surge of sorrow and thankfulness at the same time, but also a burning desire to share the gospel with those who are still totally depraved.

In Christ,

Josh

The Foundation is Being Undermined Part 2

1. The Bible is a Book of History

In John chapter three, we find Jesus involved in a dialogue with Nicodemus. Jesus tells him in verse twelve, “I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” You see, the Bible is a book of history. Therefore, if we understand the heavenly or spiritual things, in turn we will understand the history of man; this history will explain the world and science.

In our world, science is subdivided into two categories, operational science and observational science. Creation and Evolutionary scientists both agree on operational science because it is comprised of the rules and laws of science, those things that can be tested in a laboratory. The other category is observational science; it is at this point that the two differing worldviews of Creationists and Evolutionists clash. It is at this point that we reach the stage of disagreement. Why here? Simply because observational science is based on man’s interpretation of the past, and Creationists and Evolutionists have differing interpretations on the history of the world. At this destination, the interpretation we hold of all fields of science becomes a matter of dispute.

Please allow me to pause here for a moment. If we don’t believe the Bible’s definition of science, why then should we believe in the spiritual matters, or the story of Christ? It’s a logical question! Sadly, much of the modern church today says that as long as you believe in Christ, don’t bother to trouble yourself with whether God’s definition of Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, and Astronomy are really true. Their view is, as long as God did it, whether in six days or millions of years, it’s okay. I beg to differ! Your definition of how long creation really took, and the level of God’s involvement in it, determines your worldview.

The answer to the question is clearly laid out in Scripture. God created the world and all things in it in six days, and on the seventh day He rested. In fact, the word for day in the text, translated yom, literally means day! Taking it a step farther, according to research conducted by Answers in Genesis, it was discovered that every single instance the word “day” in the Bible is accompanied by a number, it means a literal 24 hour day. That’s 410 times! What is so ironic about this is that we know what “day” means every other place in Scripture except in Genesis! It is in Genesis that people say “day” is not a literal 24 hour day.

This then prompts a question. Why are the majority of individuals content with a day being a day until they read the account of Creation? Primarily, it is because of the advances in science. People believe the world has undoubtedly been proven to be billions of years old. How have people been deceived? There are many factors that play into this deception, but here are three that I personally have identified:

1) Through the Secular Media

First and foremost, people have been deceived by media of all forms. The majority of people cling to the view that if the scientist said it, it must be true, and if the media reports it, that must confirm it. Individuals who hold to this view are consumers who watch shows on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and PBS, or read books and magazines without giving any thought to the validity of the content they are ingesting. The same can be said of Hollywood’s propaganda (i.e. Avatar, Star Wars etc...). These shows, books, magazines, and movies claim, without a doubt, that evolution has been proven to be a scientific fact. As a result, most articles, shows, and movies revolve around that worldview. Those who thrive on this information don’t doubt the word of professional scientists or Hollywood’s directors, nor do they take the time to investigate what they learn for themselves. Rather, they prefer to be lazy and accept the “hierarchical,” if you will, teaching they are receiving.

2) Through Radiometric Dating

Another way people have been deceived is through radiometric dating, specifically carbon dating. This is an entirely separate, massive field of science that is very exhaustive to explain, and I don’t IN THE LEAST consider myself to be a scientist :-) but I will do my best! First, however, let’s do a little review...Thinking back to your science class, what is the major building block of life (Don’t worry, I’m not grading you ;) )? The answer is the atom. And, atoms consist of tiny particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. Now, the protons in the nucleus of an atom determine what element your particular substance is. For instance, every substance (whether it’s hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon etc...) all have a given number of protons, but the number of neutrons can vary. So for carbon, there is a given number of 6 protons but you could have 6, 7, or even 8 neutrons. And so, combining your protons and neutrons gives you the atomic weight. This is where we get carbon 14, a method of dating fossils and rocks.

Since we have a little review completed we can move forward. It has always been an assumed fact that carbon 12 and carbon 14 (both of which are essential to the carbon 14 dating method) have been and are at a state of equilibrium in the atmosphere. Once again, according to research done by Answers in Genesis, a man by the name of Dr. Willard Libby invented the carbon 14 dating method. Dr. Libby’s view was that the earth is billions of years old, and that according to his calculations, it would take about 30,000 years for carbon 14 and carbon 12 to reach equilibrium. Guess what? His calculations also revealed that carbon 14 and carbon 12 were not at equilibrium. But it only gets better; to this day carbon 14 and carbon 12 are not at equilibrium!

What does this prove? Well it at least shows that since there is no equilibrium between the two forms of carbon, anything dated with carbon 14 is mathematically incorrect. But also this reveals that the earth is not billions, or even millions of years old. Why? Because, as stated, it is estimated that it would take about 30,000 years for carbon 12 and carbon 14 to reach equilibrium, and we still have not reached that point, this is evidence in and of itself for a young earth! I will not go into any greater detail, but the New Answers Book explains that when the decaying magnetic field around the earth is taken into account (which would result in a fewer number of carbon 14), the flood, and catastrophe’s throughout world history, this dating method becomes even more flawed. You see, carbon dating is a method that is almost entirely based on evolutionary assumption, not scientific discovery. So, don’t take what scientists say as absolute truth, remember, they are fallible humans too.

3) Through Incorrect Interpretations of Scripture

The third way people have been deceived is, believe it or not, through incorrect interpretations of Scripture. Numerous passages have and are being ripped out of their original context to “give evidence” for individual’s personal opinions. One such passage that so many refer to in an attempt to produce evidence that it took God thousands or millions of years to create the world is 2 Peter 3:8, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” I can’t tell you how often this excuse is used. I myself have witnessed this while debating the topic of Creation with other people (see Always Being Prepared for an expanded explanation of this verse).

Friends, the reason we are losing so much ground in the culture wars, and a major contributing factor to the lack of believers who are enthusiastic about Scripture, is because so much of the modern church does not agree that the church is a place where science should be taught. Sadly, much of the modern church buys the philosophy that children and adults go to school to learn about such things. There is a sense of dualism as was seen in the Catholic Church in the middle ages; that corrupt separation of the “material” from the “spiritual.” The church is teaching believers ABOUT the Bible, but not teaching believers how to DEFEND the Bible.

The Foundation is Being Undermined - Part 1

What better place to begin than the beginning. Before moving forward and discussing how this foundation is being undermined, I think it helpful that we define what exactly this “foundation” is. Certainly, as Christians, Christ is central to our faith. Christ, who is fully God, gave up His throne in heaven and was incarnated; lived a perfect, sinless life (not free from temptation, but none the less sinless); took our place on the cross, bearing the totality of sin on Himself; redeemed us (buying us back from sin); and made us his own. The best part of it is, because Jesus was fully God, death could not hold Him still in the grave and we worship the resurrected Christ, the “cornerstone” of our faith as Christians.

My point in saying this is simply that without Christ, there would be no Christian faith. Without Christ, we would have no hope of eternal salvation, much less a relationship with Him. However, the foundation of our faith is the Word of God. Without it, the Christian has no guide, no historical records, no definitions of right and wrong, no law, no logic, no record of Creation, no definition of marriage, no separation of male and female, no record of the Messiah, and no hope for the future. The Bible is the most popular book in the world, and it’s under attack. We could list the many areas in which the authority of God’s Word is being challenged and replaced with the futile words of men; but, currently there is no attack greater than the attack upon the very beginning, the very first book, Genesis.

Personally, I concur (with others) that this is the most controversial book in the entire Bible. Why? You might say. Well, it is in this book that we find the basis of who God is (His nature), where He came from, and why He created this massive universe including this small planet (the only planet capable of supporting life). Not forgetting that He also created human beings in His very image or likeness. Additionally, the book of Genesis, specifically the first 11 chapters, outlines who man is, where he came from, the fall of man, and the origin of sin. It answers the question, “Why is there death and suffering in the world?” It tells us how sin entered the world through the first Adam. Thereby explaining why it was necessary for the second Adam (Jesus) to enter into the world, freeing us from the bondage to sin. It defines marriage as between a man and a woman, thus putting to rest the question of whether homosexuality is acceptable.

Thorough examination of the book of Genesis will reveal that, indeed, it is vital to the Christian faith. That without it we wouldn’t know we are sinners; we wouldn’t know who is responsible for the world around us; we wouldn’t know why Christ had to come. So, how is this book, and through it this foundation (the authority of the Word of God) being undermined? A myriad of factors play into the gradual rejection of this vital book, but the primary reason, under which all other social and moral issues fall, is the evolutionary, humanistic worldview. Like thousands of tiny termites, nibbling at the foundations of a house, evolution is a single termite eating at the foundation of Christianity by trying to undermine the authority of the Word of God, first, by replacing the infinite Words of the Almighty Creator with the finite assumptions of man.

As Christians, if we accept that Genesis is foundational to our faith, in every area, then we will understand the horrendous effects evolution is having upon it. We will see that the evolutionary worldview is directly targeted toward destroying Christianity by promoting its naturalist, humanistic worldview. Evolution says there is no God, that the answer to the material lies within the material itself, that we are all products of the material not of some special creation. For the evolutionist, there is no ideal, there is no spiritual world; reality can only be explained through what is around him. Consequentially, if he admits there is a God, he is admitting He played some role in the creation of the world! Hence, the astounding number of atheists in the realm of secular science. Scientifically, evolutionists have concurred that there is no God, and for those few evolutionists who do believe there is a God, they limit His creative acts to merely instigating the evolutionary process; occasionally popping in to make sure everything is evolving as it should. Evolutionists believe man is a byproduct of what is around him; they therefore exclude any notion of a Creator.

“Okay,” you might say, “but what about specifics, how is evolution undermining the foundation of Christianity?” Well, that’s in the next post.

Happiness

O LORD,

Help me never to expect any happiness from the world,

but only in thee.

Let me not think that I shall be more happy by living to myself,

for I can only be happy if employed for thee,

and if I desire to live in this world

only to do and suffer what thou dost allot me.

Teach me

that if I do not live a life that satisfies thee,

I shall not live a life that will satisfy myself.

Help me to desire the spirit and temper of angels

who willingly come down to this lower world

to perform thy will,

though their desires are heavenly,

and not set in the least upon earthly things;

then I shall be of that temper I ought to have.

Help me not to think of living to thee in my own strength,

but always to look to and rely on thee for assistance.

Teach me that there is no greater truth than this,

that I can do nothing of myself.

Lord, this is the life that no unconverted man can live,

yet it is an end that every godly soul presses after;

Let it be then my concern to devote myself and all to thee.

Make me more fruitful and more spiritual,

for barrenness is my daily affliction and load.

How precious is time, and how painful to see it fly

with little done to good purpose!

I need thy help:

O may my soul sensibly depend upon thee for all sanctification,

and every accomplishment of thy purposes for me,

for the world,

and for thy kingdom.

The Valley of Vision

Gifts of Grace - Happiness

Page 166

Interview with John Moore

Unlike most films in our world today, The Widow's Might is as Christ exalting in its message as it is cinematically beautiful. I recently stumbled across this interview with John Moore (writer, and director of the The Widow's Might) conducted by His Only Son For Us (HOSFU). The interview provides a lot of good information about The Widow's Might, the crew, how it was made, lessons learned form the set, and the passion John has for proclaiming Christ through the medium of film, completely independent of Hollywood. As an aspiring filmmaker and a young man who is incredibly thankful for how Christ is using John and his family to create distinctly Christian films for the glory of God, this interview was a real encouragement.

Click here to read the interview!

If you're interested in purchasing a copy, click here.

The Widow's Might Production Wrap Trailer from John Moore on Vimeo.

A Biblical Man is…Upright

What follows is an excerpt from a recent sermon which I had the pleasure to give on the subject of Biblical Masculinity.

"The word upright suggests a man who stands firm upon the Word of God. The image I get of the upright man is a man who stands firm and erect no matter how tough, miserable, or challenging life gets. Even when the world threatens him, even when he doesn't know what to think, even when the world repeatedly tries to knock him down, he remains steadfast. However, it's very important that the upright man stands firmly rooted upon the authoritative Word of God, not upon his own ability or any strength that he has in and of himself. He is not tossed in any direction by any worldly doctrine or whim of man, because he is rooted in the Truth. Even when every part of his sinful nature is pulling at him, begging him to submit to his own selfish desires, he as a citizen in the Kingdom of God, child of the Most High, and soldier in the Kings royal army, faithfully affirms his allegiance to the King; even if it means rejection or death. Listen to Psalm 11:7, 'For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.' (ESV). Once again, Jesus Christ HImself is our example, no man was as upright as he. Even though Job suffered extreme affliction, and is proclaimed to be upright in Job 1:1, his affliction pales in comparison to that which Christ endured for the whole world!"

This is by no means an exhaustive definition of an upright man, however what is critical is that the upright man LOVES the Word and seeks solely by the grace of Jesus Christ to live his life in a way which brings the utmost glory to His Savior.

This picture, I believe, provides a visual image of the upright man. Look at the picture, there are many "hidden" messages in it!

Stand fast men, be upright!

In Christ, Josh

Reference Materials

Here are few reference materials showing the current crisis in our higher education.

http://www.ourcivilisation.com/dumb/dumb2.htm

This is a summary of a National Association of Scholars report investigating coursework at 50 of “America’s Best Colleges” (according to U.S. News & World Report). The data exposes reduction in required coursework, prerequisites for classes, classroom hours, and more. This article demonstrates that the total number of classes offered has skyrocketed with worthless, politically correct , and outright immoral offerings in addition to many remedial classes offered for those who didn’t learn what they should have during high school.

http://www.nas.org/polReports.cfm?Doc_Id=85

The results of a National Association of Scholars (NAS)/Zogby poll. This poll compares todays college students with high school graduates of the 1950's.

http://www.nas.org/polReports.cfm?Doc_Id=86

The results of a (NAS)/Zogby poll. This poll asks college students their opinion on ethics and morality.

http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2006/01/12/dumbing_down_a_college_education/

This article addresses the illiteracy epidemic on college campuses, expounding on the statistic that "only 31 percent of college graduates can read a complex book and extrapolate from it."

http://mtprof.msun.edu/Spr1997/TROUT-ST.html

WARNING! THIS ARTICLE DOES INCLUDE ONE OCCURRENCE OF PROFANITY

The author of this article addresses such issues as:

- Disengaged and disinterested students

- The dumbing down of academics in universities

-Stripping tough classes of "boring stuff" in an effort to create a fun experience

As well as some solutions to the problem, including:

-Encouraging excellence at every academic level

-Raising standards

-Teaching hard work, not self-esteem

-Teaching the problem of student anti-intellectualism

-Spreading the word

-Teaching authoritatively (more concerned with long-term development than short-term happiness)

-save our standards committees.

http://books.google.com/books?id=A4sfiztxhIoC&source=gbs_navlinks_s

The link above directs you to a book entitled, Beer and Circus: How Big-time College Sports is Crippling Undergraduate Education. A significant portion of the book is viewable at the link above.

NOTE: I HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK IN ITS ENTIRETY, ONLY EXCERPTS. I URGE MY READERS TO USE DISCERNMENT.

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.540/pub_detail.asp

This article highlights how the pressure to fill seats and to insure political correctness is driving consideration of lower entrance requirements at universities.

http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4047

Using statistics from practical surveys, this article shows that many college grads are now only as smart as yesterday's high school seniors.