Engaging Nonbelievers

Today there is a post titled "How to express your beliefs while keeping your cool". The post reminds us that the point of discussing and defending our faith is not about winning but helping the unbeliever to understand the truth of God's word. They also have a recommended book list that they have previously discussed on BreakPoint.








(The Point is the official blog of BreakPoint.org)

The Jesus of Scripture

Today Brent, at ColossiannsThreeSixteen.com, looks at how popular culture and many Christians view Jesus. In his post today he reminds us that any view of Christ apart from scripture is wrong.


Full Article

Exerpt:

Many people carry and image of Jesus with them that is anything but accurate. For many, Jesus is a skinny Caucasian who’s really in touch with his feelings and just wants everyone to be happy. Again, it really doesn’t matter what you do or how you live as long as it’s not as bad as that guy over there; he’s really bad and I’m not like him…

Yet such notions could not be farther from the truth and they certainly do not align with the biblical portrayals of Jesus or how we are to think of Him. I was confronted with this very fact the other day while reading 1 John. It was one of those moments when you know you’ve read a passage before, but you haven’t really stopped to meditate on it until that moment....

Could God create a rock so heavy He could not lift it?

Have you ever had a skeptic ask you that question? Some throw it out like a trump card that they think proves Christianity wrong (kind of like Why did God allow evil to come into the world?). Gotquestons.org has a very good article that address this very question. Below is the link and an excerpt.

This question is frequently asked by skeptics of God, the Bible, Christianity, etc. If God can create a rock that He cannot lift, then God is not omnipotent. If God cannot create a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it, then God is not omnipotent. According to this argument, omnipotence is self-contradictory. Therefore, God cannot be omnipotent. So, the question, could God create a rock so heavy He could not lift it? The quick answer is "No." But the explanation is far more important to understand than the answer... (Read more)

Two Hot Topics

Dave Burchett has written a very insightful piece on two very controversial subjects.


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Exerpt:

When I was a kid we had, arguably, the most ridiculous public service film in the history of civilization. It was called Duck and Cover and the film featured a turtle named Bert....

The film spent nine terrifying minutes telling you a nuclear bomb could detonate at any moment. To be fair, the film primarily advocated finding appropriate shelter. But if such shelter was not readily available you should duck and cover when you saw the bright flash of detonation. While I guess such an action is better than nothing it seems ludicrous that this would be of much value in the event of nuclear attack. I remember the fear that this film generated for an elementary student. But even then my mind wasn’t normal. When I took a break from being terrified I wondered about important questions. Like why does a turtle wear a safety helmet? How could the helmet fit inside the shell when Bert ducked and covered? Told you my brain isn’t wired to factory specs.

That apparent wiring deficiency is showing up in areas of my Christian experience....

It's all in how you view it!

By: Dennis Wheeler

The following is a unique view of Psalm 23.

I'm not certain who originated these thoughts...but it ministered greatly to me and I would like to share it with you in hope that your heart will be encouraged.

"The Lord is my shepherd" ... that's Relationship!
"I have everything I need" ... that's Supply!
"He lets me rest in green meadows" ... that's Rest!
"He leads me beside peaceful streams" ... that's Refreshment!
"He renews my strength" ... that's Healing!
"He guides me along right paths" ... that's Guidance!
"Bringing honor to His name" ... that's Purpose!
"Even when I walk through the dark valley of death" ... that's Testing!
"I will not be afraid" ... that's Protection!
"For You are close beside me" ... that's Faithfulness!
"Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me" ... that's Discipline!
"You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies" ... that's Hope!
"You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil" ... that's Consecration!
"My cup overflows with blessings" ... that's Abundance!
"Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life" ... that's Blessing!
"And I will live in the house of the Lord" ... that's Security!
"Forever" ... that's Eternity!
Face it, my friend, the Lord is crazy about YOU!!

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

Copyright Statement:

'The Central Point' Copyright 2002-2006 © Dennis Wheeler.
http://www.studylight.org/col/cp/

Unleashing the Dogs

BreakPoint.org has a very good article by Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley about how the culture we live in attacks the Christian faith.


Full Article



Excerpt:

When we Christians see our faith treated with such hostility, our blood starts to boil. But we should remember that the Church was born into a hostile environment. Throughout history, the Church has always made its most profound witness when it was under attack. Why? Because then, more than at any other time, we have the opportunity to demonstrate the unmerited love, patience, mercy, and grace of God.

Seven Characters Every Church Needs

There is a good article by Scott La Counte over at Christianity Today that compaires 7 general personality types to some popular characters in movies.


Exerpt:

Why Professor X, Hagrid and Lisa Simpson need to be in your sanctuary.
by Scott La Counte


I was watching Zoolander the other day when I realized Derek Zoolander totally reminds me of a guy at my church. Really. This guy may not be the world's greatest supermodel, but he is a bit goofy and has a big, caring heart like Derek. Thinking about Derek Zoolander attending my church made me wonder, What if there was a whole church of movie and TV characters? That'd be a diverse group—full of action heroes, aliens and even talking animals. But then again, every church is made up of many different characters with varied abilities and jobs. That's how God made it...

Isn't Believing Enough?

Q. I think a person either believes in God or doesn't. So, if you believe in Christ and are saved, what more do you need to do? Isn't that enough?

Read the answer from Marshall Shelley here.





(Marshall, a former pastor, is now editor of "Leadership Journal", a magazine for pastors.)

Forgiveness

I have been thinking on the subject of forgiveness today. Not just on the forgiveness from Christ but also the forgiveness that we are called to give to others.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Also, Colossians 3:13 states, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

In Luke 11:2-4 Jesus teaches us how to pray to the Father. In that prayer Jesus says that we are to ask the Father for forgiveness as we have forgiven others.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (these verses are saying that the people who do not forgive others most likely have not fully experienced God's full forgiveness).

The story that Jesus tells in Matthew 18:23-35 illustrates these points very well.

I'll be the first to admit that it isn't easy to forgive others when they hurt us. Something that can help though is to always remember how we were forgiven. God has promised that when we come to him for forgiveness, He will freely grant it (1 John 1:9). Our forgiveness should have no limit just as God's forgiveness has no bounds (Luke 17:3-4).


Father, I thank you so much for your forgiveness. I pray that You put in me, and in others, the desire to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Amen

Is this answer in Genesis?

The folks over at Answers in Genesis answer some feedback this week on why evil is still allowed in the world.

Excerpt:


...The question of why pain and suffering continues today is a different question than why there is pain and suffering in the first place. The answer to why pain and suffering exists at all indeed goes back to Genesis....



Full Article

Praise Jesus!

9/11

I have been thinking about what to write about this day. I have been reading blogs and articles this morning about 9/11. Some ask "where were you?" and some are reflecting on the last 5 years after those terrible events. I have heard on the radio that a continuous survey of 9,000 people has been done since the events about spirituality. They found that right after 9/11 people went church more and in general became more spiritual. Unfortunately that was only for a short time. As they started feeling better people returned to the same level of faith they had pre-9/11. This says something about our culture. But I also think is says something about our churches.


Here is an article by Chuck Colson that I feel is right on the mark about how one's faith will directly effect how he or she views the world and events such as 9/11.
September 11: Lessons Learned and Unlearned

The Culture Wars

Christianity Today has a very good article today on the culture wars titled, Sit Down, Sit Down for Jesus?

Excerpt:

Last March, San Francisco's supervisors passed a resolution condemning a peaceful Christian youth rally against pornography, teen sex, and other social ills. The resolution warned that the gathering could "negatively influence the politics of America's most tolerant and progressive city." Assemblyman Mark Leno falsely stated that the Christians were "loud," "obnoxious," and "disgusting." Whether we acknowledge it or not, the cultural battle has been joined.

If our salvation is eternally secure, why does the Bible warn so strongly against apostasy?

That is the question of the week over at Gotquestions.org this week.



"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?"

2 Corinthians 13:5

Evidence for the Soul

By: Gregory Koukl

...scientists are convinced an immaterial soul can't exist because they can't find it with their instruments and there's no room for it in the brain. That's like saying you don't believe in the invisible man because you've never seen him. You can't measure an immaterial soul with instruments. You have to look for it in a different way.


Entire Article