This is my Father's World

The Election, Communism, and Christianity: my plea to the Church

2008-11-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

It’s no secret that I’m less than thrilled with our new President Elect, Barack Hussein Obama. It’s also no secret that I consider the Democratic Party to be one of the most insidious perpetrators of evil and moral subversion in this country. Considering the fact that both Mr. Obama and the Democratic Party have just secured major victories in the governmental infrastructure of our nation, it stands to reason that good conservative Christian Americans have a great deal with which to be upset. There’s a lot about which we could reasonably gripe, complain, rant, and vent frustration. Certainly those of us who have an affinity for vociferous soliloquy and fulmination can be expected to compose a few strongly worded rants in the next few days. Disappointment among us – and the verbalization thereof – is both anticipated and reasonable. But let me now fall prey to a momentary lapse of immaturity and urge you, my conservative brothers and sisters in Christ, to neither gripe nor complain nor murmur nor render overly evident the extent of your disappointment. (Or at least, if such griping is absolutely unavoidable, I urge you to get it out of your system quickly and move on.)

Let me first point out that all is not yet lost. What silver linings can be found are thin, but they are there. Though the democrats have won a great victory, they have not attained to their goal of filibuster-proof majority. Thank God for small miracles, as they say. For my Californian brothers and sisters, let me point out that – as of this moment – Proposition 8 is passing, which aims to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage. Insofar as my priorities run, the moral issue which this proposition addresses is ineffably more important than the presidency. (Let’s all pray that it really passes, as seems likely.) Furthermore, let us not forget that as bad a candidate as Mr. Obama appears to be, Sen. McCain wasn’t much better to begin with. Frankly, I’d be only slightly less disappointed if he’d been elected over Obama; there never was a solid conservative to vote for this time around.

So, the news is bad, but it could be worse. The question remains: now what are we going to do? Rage against the democrats, or try to work with them? I urge you to take the high road – a hard thing to do, I know, but that’s what Jesus would do were He an American. Recall for a moment the unbridled outcry (I’d call it incessant whining) that the liberal world began sounding the moment it became clear that President George W. Bush would be elected over Gore (and, four years later, over Kerry). That whining has only waxed throughout the entirety of the Bush administration, and has been a source of constant annoyance to us. I cannot put into words how sick and tired I am of the Bush-bashing that’s become so ubiquitous, or how grateful I am that it will finally begin to fade as the (unfairly branded) Bush administration passes off the scene. We don’t want to be like that. We don’t want to whine like they did. It’s immature, it’s annoying, and it doesn’t ultimately accomplish anything aside from making the whiner appear sophomoric. It would be easy for us to begin Obama-bashing with the same shrillness that we’ve been exasperatedly enduring over the last eight years, but let’s try to be mature. The country is about to be run by Communists. Quite true, but instead of whining, why don’t we try praying?

It is my contention and conviction that if the Church in America spent their time praying for their government leaders instead of griping about them, a lot more would be accomplished. We don’t like President Elect Barack Hussein Obama. Ok, but let’s pray for him instead of bashing him. Our Lord once said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” If we love only those who love us, what good are we? Doesn’t everyone do that? Christ loved us not when we were favorably predisposed toward Him, but when we were His bitter, hardened, hateful, uncompromising enemies! Christ didn’t care; He died for us anyway. He gave it all up for us when we didn’t deserve it to any possible degree. If we are to be imitators of Christ, doesn’t that imply that we ought to love our enemies in the same way, and with the same veracity and passion, that He loved us? That’s impossible! Isn’t it? Insofar as the world is concerned, yes, but “with God, all things are possible.” And “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

And ultimately, as bond-slaves of Christ, we have no right to be angry, or disillusioned, or inconsolable. Is our God not still in control? Is the king’s heart not like a stream of water in Yahweh’s hand, able to be turned whithersoever He desires? Are we so afraid of human rulers that we cannot rest peacefully in Jesus’ arms? Has the Church not endured far worse in the past two millennia than it stands to endure now? At the end of the day, though we be subject to this government, our enduring citizenship is not in America, and not on this earth. That’s why we should be content with what God has allowed, taking every thought captive for Christ and resisting the temptation to bellyache and complain. Because our citizenship is in heaven, and heaven’s administration is immutable. Let a thousand godless regimes rise and fall. Let them strip us of our rights and cast us into prison. Let them erect concentration camps and outlaw prayer and conspire against the Lord’s anointed and oppress and repress us and torture us and break us and rain down unrighteousness until every earthly hope perishes, and all seems bleak and desolate. God will still be God, and Christ will still be King. Our hope, our citizenship, and our treasure have nothing to do with constitutional republics or socialist democracies or monarchies or anarchies or oligarchies or any other earthly power or political system. Let us live our lives for heaven, from whence we await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome to the United Soviet States of America: pray hard.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” –Rom 13:1-2

“Many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” –Phil 3:-18-21

“But we do know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose.” –Rom 8:28

2008-05-09T14:31:00.001-07:00

Wow. I’m a college graduate. Rather incredible, and a bit surreal; seems like just yesterday that I enrolled in the first place. Four years fly by more quickly than I could’ve imagined.

Anyway, the graduation was last Saturday. I graduated Summa cum Laude with a Bachelors in Bible & Theology, minor in Music Ministry. Pretty spiffy. I must confess, it’s a little bittersweet to be done and gone. College was a major portion of my life, and I’m afraid I might miss it more than I’d predicted. “But David,” you cry, “surely graduate school will keep your academic itch scratched adequately!” Yeah, can’t argue with your logic. For three years. Three. Whole. Years. Of intensely rigorous study. That’s a little bittersweet, too. Oh well, a wise man once told me not to eschew the education process because later in life I’d only ever be very happy for as much education as I can get my hands on. A lot of truth in that, I’m sure.

***

Where were we? Oh, yeah, Hebrews 1:1-4.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Previously, we considered Christ as being the heir of all things. Let us now consider the next piece in our seven-fold description: through whom also He created the world.

If you grew up in the church (or even if you didn't, for that matter), you've probably developed the same misconception which I held for a number of years: namely, that the Creator mentioned in Gen. 1 is God the Father. Seems pretty clear, yeah? All throughout the Old Testament we read accounts of encounters with an ultra-dimensional hyper-intelligent being referred to as God. Along comes Jesus in the New Testament, and tells us that He is the Son of God. Ergo, we logically conclude, God the Father must be the person of whom we are reading when we encounter God in the Old Testament.

Technically, that's not true. Remember that the New Testament additionally teaches us the doctrine of the trinity: that though there is but one living God, He nevertheless exists eternally in three separate and distinct persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So which person is the creator of whom we read in the opening passage of the Bible? According to numerous New Testament passages, the agent of creation was God the Son...that is, Jesus Christ. Consider John 1:1-3, a reference to Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Or Colossians 1:16, another reference to Jesus.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.

Interesting. This also lends us additional insight into our earlier observation, that Jesus is the heir of all things. Not only is He the heir because He alone is worthy to inherit all things, but also because He alone is the creator of all things. Since He made everything, everything belongs to Him. Seems reasonable, no?

This observation is true, and the synergy of the New Testament is unambiguous in its attestation that Christ is creator. But upon further study of this passage, I am persuaded that the author of Hebrews was actually getting at something slightly different. Try to track with me. The phrase translated "created the world" is not a very good translation of the Greek, tous aioenas epoiaesen. Literally, it means that He "ordered the ages." In other words, Christ is not only the supreme originator of space, but also of time.

This is alluded to in the Old Testament in Isaiah 9:6 when the prophet called the Messiah "the Father of eternity." Jesus is the originator of time and space. He created it all with total foreknowledge of what will be, down to the minutest detail. But more than that, he orders the ages, or we might say that He directs time. That means that He is in total control of all that occurs, and He is immanently involved in the unfolding of history and time.

That is rather profound and a little difficult to wrap one's head around, but more than anything it is a comfort and an encouragement. Are you distressed, dear Christian? Are you anxious or unsettled? Let not your heart be troubled; every little event is being orchestrated by the most advanced mind in the universe and the being who gave everything up for you. He died for your forgiveness. He rose for your justification. And He now reigns supreme over everything sovereignly for your sanctification. You can rest secure knowing that your fate, and the fate of all who walk this mortal coil, is in the hands of Jesus.

2008-04-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

Graduation draweth near. One more paper to go, two tests, and all my assignments will be complete. Time rushes forward unremittingly. I got my graduation-garb today. Good heavens, are those habiliments outlandish.

For the next seven posts, I'd like to do an exegesis of the introductory passage of the book of Hebrews.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. -Heb. 1:1-4

The book of Hebrews is one of the most Christocentric books in the Bible. That is to say, its theme, core, guiding star, grand subject, and primary object is the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. And of the entire book, perhaps the most Christocentric portion is these four verses with which the epistle begins. Hebrews is majestically introduced with a sevenfold description of God the Son, and I think it wise of us to study it.

Why? What's the point of studying Christology? The rationale is this: what we think about who Christ is and what He did will ultimately determine the basis for everything we do or think. Therefore, it behooves us to strive for excellency and exactness in this crowning jewel of theology. It is not our duty to know everything there is to know, but it is our duty to struggle to bring our view of Christ into conformity - as much as is possible - with God's view of Christ. The only way to do this is to be washed with the Word of God and to meditate upon it day and night.

The first thing we learn from this passage is that Christ is the heir of all things. That is to say, He is the inheritor of absolutely everything in existence. This reminds me of the words of Christ to His disciples subsequent to His resurrection.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth." -Matt. 28:18

Remember that in ancient Jewish culture, the firstborn was ipso facto primary heir. To him was granted the birthright. To him was granted the greatest portion of inheritance. Thus far, the description fits. But only that far; here, Christ's position as heir departs somewhat from the human understanding of heir and inheritor.

Track with me on this. A human firstborn is only worthy to be heir because of his appointment to that position. Competence, responsibility, nobility, character...these things do not factor into the decision as to who will or will not be heir. All that matters is that you're firstborn: appointment precedes worthiness.

Not so with Christ. Rather, unlike we mere humans, Christ is appointed to the position of heir because He alone is worthy of the position. Only Christ possesses in the substance of His being the ability and authority to inherit all things, and to rule all things, and to possess all things.

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" -Rev 5:11-12

There is absolutely nothing, physical or spiritual, theoretical or actual, human or divine, that does not rightly belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the heir of all things by virtue of His exclusive worthiness and by virtue of the appointment to the position by God the Father.

What does all this mean to us? Quite simply that all these things we call our own are not actually our own at all. Every cent, every material possession, every body part, every thought, every cell, every second of every day of every month...they all belong to Christ. Let us ponder that awhile, and endeavor to let it rule our decisions. Are there things we say and think and do with which Christ would not be pleased? Then we have no right to persist in sins, either by commission or by omission. Everything is Christ's; let us live thusly.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. -1 Cor. 6:19-20

2008-04-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

Old 'blogs never die.

They just pass into the oblivion of unupdatedness for massive periods of time. Text becomes legend. Legend becomes myth. And some things - which should not be forgotten - are lost.

Old 'blogs never die. They get necroed.

Necroe. [neh'-crow] v. 1. To "resurrect" a long-dormant web item by updating it after a long period of inactivity has elapsed. 2. To raise the dead, presumably by occultic means. 3. To consume a delicacy in Japan.

Clearly, I am currently utilizing definition #1.

"But wait!" You cry. "You haven't updated your 'blog in over a year! Nobody cares about what you have to say anymore!" To which I can only respond by weeping openly.

Seriously, though, you may be right. But I'm going to try and give it another shot anyway. I miss writing solely for the fun of it (I do a great deal of writing for school, but that's another ball-game entirely). Furthermore, the inestimable Reno Masterson just restarted his 'blog, and I'm not sure I can endure the shame and embarrassment of coasting through life 'blog-free when Reno and Mewd are both actively maintaining theirs.

So...hello. Welcome back. When last I posted to the 'blog, I had just become engaged. That was about fourteen months ago. I have since been wed. (Ooh, aah.) May 26th was the date, and no, she hasn't left me yet (for those of you who were wondering). We're quite happy together, and are currently in uber-stress-mode over the prospect of moving. Aye, moving. I've been accepted at Northwest Baptist Seminary in Tacoma, WA, and so we plan to move up sometime around August-ish. I plan to graduate with my BA in Bible & Theology on the 3rd of May, which is kind of nice (insofar as it means I'm done with a major portion of my schooling) and simultaneously not-so-nice (insofar as I've still got 3-4 years left to complete before I'll be anywhere near done with school, and viewed from that perspective the whole "graduation" thing just seems like a cruel mockery). I'm being a bit tongue-in-cheek, but there's a grain of truth to be found there too. I'm looking forward to seminary greatly; I think it'll be more fun that a barrel full of wet kittens. And yet, a part of me just wants to be done with school. Oh well, can't be helped.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." -Jesus, Matt. 11:28-30

That's the passage I've been contemplating lately. Life's a little tough right now. Who knew it could be so hard? Academically it's challenging. I just completed my doctrinal statement (78 pages!) and will undergo an excruciating two hours of oral theological examination this Thursday at 3:00 PM. Logistically it's challenging. We're supposed to move to a whole new location in about four months, and we still haven't found a place to stay. Financially it's challenging. Neither of us make very much money, and it's about to get tighter since - as with lodging - we have yet to find employment in Tacoma.

And yet, perhaps far more important, life is challenging spiritually. With so much "stuff" going on and so much to worry about and so much to consume my time, energy, and focus, it's difficult to just rest in Jesus' arms like I'm supposed to, like Matt. 11:28-30 instructs us to. The promise is simple: "come unto me, and I will give you rest." Sounds so easy, doesn't it? And yet life has such a way of eclipsing truly important things with those situations and events rather secondary.

Do you remember the account of Peter walking on the water? The disciples were alone on the sea of Galilee, and a massive storm arose and threatened to overturn their fishing boat. They should've had faith since they'd just seen a multitude of over five thousand fed at the multiplication of five loaves and two fish, and yet their faith wained. They were terrified. And so, Jesus walked out on the water to come to them.

But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." -Matt. 14:26-33

Now, I might be wrong, but I seriously doubt that Peter consciously intended to take his focus off Jesus. More likely, the wind was howling, the waves were crashing, spray and foam was flying up in between the disciple and the master, and as the torrents of water obscured the Lord's precious face, it drew Peter's attention away from the comfort of Christ and to the dreadful certainty of a watery doom. The moment that happened, Peter started to sink.

Fortunately, he reacted properly. "Lord, save me!" I've probably prayed that prayer more than any other. "Lord, help!" And the Lord did save him. But how much better would it have been had Peter's faith actually held!

Life is like that. Just as the wind howled and the water sprayed in Peter's face, obscuring the Lord from his vision, so mortgages and credit card bills and employment difficulty and marital strife and automobile trouble and work and school and circumstances and finances and the economy and politics and the concerns of this age fly into our faces, distracting us from our Lord. The answer is blessedly simple: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

So I'm trying to refocus my priorities, but I'm not very good at it. That's ok. "Lord, save me!" worked for Peter, and it'll work for me. It'll work for you, too. Spend some time with Christ today, and just see if it doesn't make the pressures of life a little bit bearable.

To God be the Glory.

Engaged!

2007-01-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

The rumour mill, so I'm told, has been churning muchly in the last nineteen hours, so I thought I might as well post a 'blog entry and confirm everything.

Not the rumours about global warming and the coming locust pestilence, but the one about me being engaged (which to some of you seems even more far-fetched than the first two...)

It occurs to me that some of you have only known about my fantastically beautiful girlfriend for just over two weeks, so you might be a bit shocked. Then again, if you knew just how amazing she is, you wouldn't be.

Sarah and I met in March of '06. We were incredibly good friends for quite a few months, but we didn't start going out until October of the same year. The "hanging out" four nights a week into the odd hours of the night transformed into "official dating" on December 8th at 8:40 PM. In the past three months we've been moving more or less at warp speed, hitting one "first" after another and falling completely and totally and madly and irreversibly in love with each other throughout it all. It quickly became apparent that we were meant to be together, and any reservations were easily displaced when all the "major but oft-left-unsaid points of contention" in all the pre-marital material turned out to be stuff we'd discussed, dealt with, and taken care of well before we were even dating.

To date, yesterday was the best day of my life. Having secured the approval of both her parents and mine, I took her to the Sundial Bridge (the very first place we ever hung out together) at sunset. I then proceeded to tell her in no uncertain terms precisely how I feel about her, knelt, and asked her to marry me. To which she responded, "Of course I'll marry you!" It was a joyous occasion, and one I'll never forget.

We're looking at a Summer wedding. Anywhere from May to August, from the looks of things. We're both intensely excited and ineffably happy. Is it all a bit fast? Perhaps from certain standpoints, but when you know with every fiber of your being that something is meant to be, what use is there in drawing things out? Sofar as I can tell, none.

Thanks so much to all of you who've put up with my "Sarah Gushing" much of last year, and to all of you who offered sage advice, wished me luck, said prayers of encouragement, and have now offered congratulations. I'm eagerly anticipating introducing my incredible fiancée to all of you who've not as yet had the pleasure.

God bless, and see you at the ceremony, if not before!
David

Two months later...

2006-07-31T17:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, that was an unbelievably long amount of time! I wish I could tell you that something extremely important came up that prevented me from writing, but...well, that would be a lie. Sorry 'bout the delay. I've been busy, but also somewhat lazy.

Then again, if any of you are "regular readers," you're probably used to these exceptionally long stretches of silence anyway. Well, maybe I'll get better about that sometime. Maybe.

***

Have any of you seen the show, "4400"? Fascinating show. It's a fresh, very original look at the classic "outer-space abduction" motif found strewn across the pages of all too many science fiction works. The premise: ever since the 1940's, from time to time, people have been disappearing, snatched away from the planet's surface by a giant tendril of light. One day, in the not-too-distant future, a comet-like object (a ball of light, in actuality) hurtles toward the earth, and comes to a halt just above its surface. As the world watches, the thing expands and explodes, leaving in its wake nothing but smoke. Or so it seems. As the smoke clears, thousands of people are revealed standing on previously-unoccupied ground. There are 4,400 of them. None of them recall that anything happened to them from immediately prior to their abduction and on forward; one moment they were living normal, everyday lives. The next, it was anywhere between one to sixty years later, and they were all clustered together with an entourage of reporters and investigators looking on. None of them have aged a day. And, before long, some of them begin exhibiting supernatural abilities.

That's the premise. I won't reveal more and spoil the show for you.

The reason I mention it is because of something that's been happening ever since the first episode that really intrigued me. In the show, the Department of Homeland Security oversaw the initial care and perpetual investigation of the abductees (a.k.a., the 4400.) Almost immediately, they instituted a group of people in the department specifically to come up with a theory on what happened to these people. And right from the get-go, everyone assumed that some kind of intelligent life was responsible for what had happened. Was it aliens? God? Some kind of time-travel phenomena? They weren't sure, but "random chance" was pretty much out of the question.

Duh.

It would have to be. Wouldn't it?

And yet, something else for which intelligent life is scathingly obviously responsible is being attributed to chance by "the most brilliant minds in our country." (A very sad statement which forces me to pause and re-evaluate my estimation of the "most brilliant" personalities on planet earth today. Perhaps they've been sorely misclassified.) Of course, I refer to the origin of the planet, the human species, and...life.

All throughout our country, as it has been for the last century and beyond, the myth of evolution has been propagated by those who call themselves scientists. Imagine that! An unsubstantiated process which is untestable, unverifiable, unobservable, which has not been recorded, alluded to anywhere in the most ancient of history, is not autheticatable and has left absolutely no evidence whatsoever for us to study. And this is "science"? I can think of a few people who would probably disagree. (Sir Francis Bacon, Sir Isaac Newton, Louis Pasteur, etc. and so forth. But, really, what would they know about science?)

One might summarize the theory of evolution thusly: "Over vast periods of time, the random accumulation of mutations coupled with natural selection and special adaptation results in the accumulation of beneficial, DNA-adding mutations and thereby changes one species into another." At its very core, it seems absurd. An amoeba became a fish, which became a bird, which became a gecko, which became a dinosaur, which became a monkey, which became a man? It's asinine. But they try to make it seem less bizarre and mind-numbingly unlikely by throwing around numbers like "billions and billions of years." Time, so it has been said, is the hero of evolution. The time-rhetoric on which Darwinism relies could be summarized thusly: "The laws of probability are related to the idea of chance. If I were to flip a coin, I'd have equal chance of getting a head as I would of getting a tail. It's bloody unlikely that I would be able to flip the coin one hundred times and get a head each time, but if given five billion years to do it, it would probably happen." Do you see how cleverly they think they've boxed in the opposition (a.k.a., rational thought?) Do you also see the severe flaw in this line of thinking? It's a fallacious analogy. A more parallel one would be: "If I were to flip a coin one hundred times and, after the one hundredth time it turned into a Las Vegas Casino complete with craps tables and slot machines, it would be very unlikely. But, given five billion years of repeated coin flipping, it would probably happen."

Is that not utter absurdity? It's like Douglas Adams' "Infinite Improbability Drive," but there's a reason that that particular device is recognized as fiction. Of course a coin couldn't turn into a casino. The motion of flipping in no-wise contributes to the growth of a coin, either in size or complexity. Much the same way as mutations do not add new information to the DNA strand. In actuality, they detract from the genetic information. We have not seen a single mutation that actually added ANYTHING! Not a single one. The so-called "beneficial" mutations are nothing but convenient losses of genetic information in a beneficial manner, something which is unbelievably rare indeed. A mutation is a defect. A flaw. Its arrow travels downwards, not upwards. An information-adding mutation would be much like a pebble which undergoes so much erosion that it wears down into a massive mountain with a romance-novel etched into its side.

In order to go from a very simple life-form (such as a single-celled organism, which is actually quite complex in and of itself) to a very complicated life-form (such as a human being,) an indescribable amount of new genetic information must be somehow seeded into the DNA stream. No mutation has ever been shown to do that at all, so any true scientist must conclude that none of them do. (While absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, it is of great significance to a science experiment. While I might not be able to disprove the existence of flying pink elephants which can tap-dance and sing opera, the wholesale lack of evidence to their existence is a huge stumbling block in the progress of anyone trying to prove that they are real. It's an argument that I would win. There are no such flying pink elephants, just as there are no information-adding super-mutations. None. Sorry.)

And what about the fossil record? Simple probability laws themselves (which the evolutionists themselves try to flaunt in association with "billions of years" theories to lend credence to their bizarre myths and legends) would seem to dictate that, if we did evolve according to Darwinism, there ought to be just as many if not more transitory fossils (i.e., fossils of the in-between stage life-forms) as there are non-transitory fossils and life-forms. Do you know how many they've found?

None.

Not a single one. They've paraded about one- to two-dozen transitory-fossil candidates, all of which have been scientifically proven at one point or another to be misinterpreted non-transitory fossils in some cases, and outright frauds in others. Read Dr. Jack Cuozo's book, Buried Alive. He categorically proved that said candidates were not in fact transitory, and government agents tried to assassinate him for it. They did assassinate one of his key partners. (Are these the acts of un-biased scientific organizations, or radical blind-faith religious nuts willing to murder to conceal a lie? You only get one guess...) The non-existence of these missing fossils is a silence that speaks very loudly. And punctuated equilibrium, a theory that sought to rectify these gaping flaws, only compounds the problem. (It is even more unlikely that a fish gave birth to a fully-formed bird than Darwin's "long-time + mutations = mondo complexity formula. Sorry.)

Last year, ICR shattered the radiometric dating systems, showing them to be totally and completely inaccurate. They are utterly worthless and unreliable, not unlike trying to carry liquid in a strainer. The fossil record, when actually studied (by which I mean the actual physical fossil record, not the blatantly-untrue diagrams found in the vast majority of science textbooks) actually disproves the very contentions they try to use it to support, while lending credence to the biblical account of the Genesis Flood.

Every argument for evolution is gradually being shown up for what it really is: a sad attempt to make real a fairy tale fit only for the most intellectually limited or vividly imaginative of small children. Where are the fossils? Where are the beneficial mutations? Where are the in-between species? Where is the observation? Where is the bloody proof? I'd sooner believe in the pink flying elephants.

By contrast, the Word of God presents a very different view on origins, one that is not again and again disproved by scientific observation.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." -Genesis 1:1

The following two chapters go on to describe how an omnipotent God created life of all kind, and everything that is. Supernatural intervention. Intelligent design. Is that not much more believable than that highly complex creatures like us and our fellow earth-dwellers are the byproduct of the random, lucky accumulation of genetic disease?

"But," the skeptics will say, "Isn't biblical creation just as unscientific as evolution?" In a sense, yes. Both cannot be observed, cannot be tested, cannot be authenticated, and cannot be controlled. But there is an ancient record of creation, where there is none of evolution. Furthermore, scientific observation harmonizes with biblical accounts, while clashing with the evolutionist model for origins. If I believe in the Bible as God's Word, I would expect to find no transitory fossils whatsoever while I would expect to find fossil evidence of a worldwide catastrophe (i.e., the Flood,) all over. I would expect some kind of inbred system of morality (the image of God) yet a deep desire to do what humankind naturally knows to be wrong (the sin nature.) I would expect archaeology to agree 100% with the historical biblical records, which, thus far, it does. I would expect the prophecies found in the Bible (all of them preceding the seventieth week of Daniel, which is yet to come) to have a 100% exact fulfillment rate, which, again, history shows to be true. Evolution would expect to find the exact opposite of all of these things. The evidence is for us, and against the ignorant superstition of Darwinism.

And, ultimately, the proof for creation is you. And me. And life. It must have begun somehow, sometime, somewhere. Common sense dictates this. And if evolution is impossible, as both I and science contend, with what other option are we left?

Creation happened. It was shortly thereafter that we separated ourselves from the creator, and not so very long ago that he himself came to earth to die for us so that, if we receive his sacrifice as the atonement for our sins, we can live with him forever. Is that really so hard to believe? Maybe to the born skeptic, but not half as difficult to swallow as is the idea that we're really nothing but super-advanced fish who were lucky enough to get sick over and over and over again, and thereby transform into something different with arms, and legs, and a respiratory system. Personally, I don't have enough blind faith to accept that.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the 'wisdom of the wise,' and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the 'wisdom' of this world? -I Corinthians 1:18-20

There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." For this they are willingly ignorant of, that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth, standing out of the water and in the water. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and the earth, which are now by the same Word kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -II Peter 3:3-7

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. -II Peter 3:9

2006-05-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

On starting this 'blog, my intention was to update at least once per week. I observe, with some dissatisfaction, that I have not maintained it thusly. My apologies.

I took the driving test and obtained my driver's license on Wednesday. I would've had it about a year before then, but there's a big, long, complicated story involving cancer, complicated pregnancy, extended relative-incapacitation, subsequent plans-being-moved-to-the-back-burner and such forth which I probably don't need to go into. Anyway, that's most certainly a praise. I'm just relieved beyond expression to have it all finally over.

Furthermore, I've got a job interview with the Social Security Administration on Monday. I recently had something of a revelation: it actually takes a bit of money in order to live. So, employment of some sort would be kinda nice. Y'know.

So, there ya have it. Now that all the boring stuff about me and my life is out of the way, let's consult the biblical texts.

***

The words of Christ, found in Matthew 6:25-34:

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

The Sermon on the Mount is probably the most famous sermon ever preached in the history of mankind. And, despite the sometimes troublesome interpretive issues dispensationally speaking which accompany the discourse, it is chock-full of timeless truths which we would all do well to study and master. One such imperative and priceless principle can be learned right here in chapter 6, verses 25-34. Christ speaks of life. He speaks of the finer things of life, and condemns those aspects we so often regard as pertinent, while in actuality they are detrimental. Namely, worry. And stress. Everywhere, but especially in America, we have worry-driven, stress-dependant lifestyles. Our national paradigm seems to be totally fueled by the adrenaline-pumping reliance on pressure. Our deadline looms overhead, the goal seems impossible, so we strive and strive and strive and just about kill ourselves to accomplish it. And we do. But we are killing ourselves. Worry and stress will not help us.

Why? For the simple reason that God is in control. He is sovereign. He's got the whole world in His hands, to use the cliché. Worrying will accomplish nothing. He feeds and clothes the birds and the lilies, yet we, His children created in his likeness and similitude, fail to trust in his goodness to do the same for us. Such arrogance we exhibit! We cannot, by worrying, grow a foot, change our hair color, heal ourselves, change the course of world events, or even cause one blade of grass to bend without the gracious yielding permission from the Heavenly Father. So why do we take this mindset, this outlook, and live by it? Is it not both stupidity and disobedience to our Lord and Savior?

No, we can accomplish nothing apart from Him. He will provide what we need. But there is a condition:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

We are all born into this world, for the most part, at the same level. We have nothing; we are created with a fresh slate, more or less. But we all have a life, this cannot be denied. It is a gift from the Lord God, and it is entrusted to us to manage as we see fit. And, as I understand it based on this passage and other texts in Scripture, we have a choice to make as to how we will govern our lives. And, essentially, we can make one of three choices.

The first is that we can do...nothing. Sounds odd, doesn't it? But you know it's true. You know people like this. You may even be one of them; I know my own sinful fallen nature is all too prone to this way of thinking. We can sit around and do nothing. Perhaps we will cling to some gracious but too merciful benefactor who will provide all we need. Or perhaps we will take advantage of one of the all-too-abundant government programs designed specifically to aid those who wish to be lazy. Welfare, for example, or disability. Now, I am well aware that some people genuinely need these programs, but you know as well as I do that the majority of the people benefiting from them are just taking advantage of the socialist dogma that's infiltrated this nation's infrastructure and allowed for just such money-leeching. Why is this done? I suppose it's because, for many people, laziness outweighs greed. A certain security comes with sticking to that which is familiar, and no real progress is made. Such an archetype is found in Scripture. Proverbs 6:6-11:

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

What is it to take such an approach to life? It is outright and unabashed waste, purely and simply. It is to do exactly what Jesus Christ condemned in Luke 19:20-26:

And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

Laziness is an absolute curse. It is perhaps the most subtly erosive of all the sins. A man can conquer all of his other sins, his lust, his pride, his wrath...he can overcome and conquer and bash them into dust, and put on the righteousness of a true spiritual giant. Yet, if he has not taken care of laziness, he is more worthless to the message of God and Christ and the gospel than even Jonah, whose extreme lack of belief nearly condemned a massive city-state of thousands and thousands of redeemable men and women. Sinners? Of course; sinners that could be saved by grace through faith, no different than me or you. Or Jonah. But suppose we have the knowledge of God to impart upon a sinful and dying world. Suppose we have the information, the love for the lost, the strong walk with God...and yet our laziness prevents us from having a commitment. Do you really think that such a lifestyle is going to be a benefit to either the individual or to the Gospel's spread? Of course not. Such a thought is laughably ridiculous.

The second thing we can do is perhaps more overtly wasteful, but no more or less detrimental and counterproductive than the first approach. This second mindset of which I speak is the inverse of the first, when one's greed outweighs his laziness. It is to strive and work for material gain. Do you want a six- or seven-figure income? How much do you want it? Enough to strive and work and sweat and bleed and attend all the right classes and take risks and toil and labor in a higher field of employment? If so, then all right. There's a very good chance that you'll achieve your goal, particularly in America. Go become a doctor, or a lawyer, or a banker, or a business owner, or something to that effect. It'll take rigorous schooling, but if you've lived a decent life so far, you'll probably be able to secure a government scholarship if that's an issue. And chances are that it'll work. But will it be right?

Materialism. It was the sin of Demas.

"Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;" -2 Tim 4:10

Materialism is the love of the world, the love of the world system, the love of worldly possessions...define it as you will, all three of those will do. Regardless of however you prefer to describe it, it is strictly forbidden to the believer in Scripture. In 1 John 2:15-17, the Apostle John wrote:

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

Furthermore, in Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul wrote:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."

The fact of the matter is, we live in a time and country wherein we could with relative ease gain the entire world. But a word of caution: be mindful of your soul. It seems like I heard somewhere that the one without the other is no profit at all. Should you strive all your life to obtain convenience and wealth and yet through it all neglect the holy will of God...in what state will you be when you stand before your Maker on the inauguration day of your afterlife? Will He be pleased? Will you be ashamed? Well, will you? What will you have to show for your seventy or eighty years spent wastefully? I seem to recall a rather famous teacher by the name of Jesus saying of such people, "They have their reward." Namely, those fleeting, passing, corruptible things that do not last more than a few years. Just before our principle text, in Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said:

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Growing up, my mother knew an elderly man who fit the second of these three profiles. He had lived a wanton life not of outright sin, but of indifference and distinct uninterestedness in regards to the Christian walk. As the end of his life grew closer, when he entered his seventies, he decided to get right with God, and start living for Christ. And he did. He was a dynamic witness for God, he sang in church, and he always loved to talk about his Savior. But whenever the subject of the past was raised, he would break down and weep openly, and keep repeating, "I've wasted it. I've wasted it." His remorse and outright sorrow over the empty vanity that was his life was of such magnitude that he cared not who knew about it. In fact, he preferred that many would; perhaps others could learn from his mistakes. That man is now in heaven with the Lord, and we are faced with a question. Will we learn from his mistakes? Will we store up treasures on earth? And when they have all decayed and rotted away, what will we do? Lay up some more? Or perhaps allow ourselves to be dragged into the reality of the light of eternity, and our state of accountability to Christ?

And, of course, we all know exactly what the third choice is. We could strive after the things of Jesus Christ, the things of God. The things of eternity. To do God's will, to walk in the light of the love of Him, is the most joyful thing in all of human existence. How do we do that?

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the LORD require of thee: but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." -Micah 6:8

Do justly. Love mercy. Obey the commands of Jesus Christ and walk with a passion and a love and an unquenchable thirst for him. That is how we can store up treasures in heaven. Every person to whom we witness for Christ is a treasure in heaven. Every hour we volunteer to do charity work is a treasure in heaven. Every purely motivated good deed we ever do is, in fact, a treasure in heaven waiting to be revealed. There is no more dynamic or enjoyable way to live.

And, in fact, there is a paradox contained in this principle which I would be amiss to overlook. With the first manner of living is a certain security which cannot be denied. With the second is a happiness on this earth. And, though it might not seem like it at first glance, both of these are all tied up in the third manner of living. What does Romans 8:31 say?

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" We can be secure in our walk with God. And with that security comes immeasurable blessing. Including, by the way, material blessing. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." He has promised, as long as we seek His kingdom and righteousness first, to provide all of our needs. And in most cases, he provides far above and beyond even that. By the world I may be considered poor, but in fact I have an abundance of things and stuff that I quite simply don't need. But the Good Lord in his grace has gifted it to me anyway.

So the question, now, is posed to you, and to me. What will we do? Will we live the apathetic, secure life of slothfulness? Will we seek after the greed-driven life of materialism? Or will we do as our Lord commanded? As much as I know anything, I am convinced that God's way is the best way. The security He gives is much surer and truer than any we could possible bring about of our own actions. The material blessings he grants are abundant and not simply hollow and fleeting like those we can accumulate by our own merit. And the happiness, the lightness, the wholesale joy brought about by following Him is incomparable to anything else in the world.

What will we do? In the end, there is only one correct answer.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

2006-05-20T02:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I just got back from watching "The DaVinci Code."

It was...intriguing. Not the best movie I've ever seen, but entertaining enough to hold one's interest. Little re-watch value, I'm afraid. But definitely intriguing.

Truth. According to Augustine, all men desire it. Certainly, even if some do not, it can be said quite realistically that all men wonder about it. Wonder about truth. Pontius Pilate did.

"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, 'Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.' Pilate saith unto him, 'What is truth?'" (John 18:37-38)

What is truth? According to Christ Himself, truth is that which liberates us, which grants us freedom. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

There are two things, I am convinced, that every man seeks, about which every man wonders, and which every man desires in his heart of hearts, where his deepest convictions reside. The first is happiness, and this we all seek with great enthusiasm indeed. The second is truth, and of that many among us are willfully ignorant. Truth is that which, if it could be understood, would unlock the secrets to life, the universe...and everything. And, I am convinced, that truth can be understood, and it does do just that.

I sought truth, as all do. Nearly all my life, I sought truth. The irony of it all is that, due to my background and upbringing, truth was under my very nose from the time I spoke my first words. No, better yet, truth was laid in my lap from the moment I was capable of understanding what a lap was...and I set it aside. I turned away from it, and sought truth down another path. And, when that path failed, I turned to another. And another; but never did I return to that original truth which I had deserted, and in fact never accepted.

What is truth? I do not claim to understand truth because of my own ingenuity, or because I possess greater understanding than anyone else, or because of anything inherent to me, but simply because, at the age of five, I learned to read. And once I began to read, I learned to reason. This is not difficult, and so the quest for truth, though abandoned by many as it was by me, is a simple quest the end of which can be attained by pure and simple faith, unpolluted and unadulterated by sacraments or deeds or anything inherent to us as humans. Faith. The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

What is truth? "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." (I Cor. 15:1-4)

And so, I continued seeking truth in all the wrong places. I see now just how closely I avoided smashing into it, just how near I came to finally realizing my own foolishness. But, sadly, I was too thick-skulled and too bloody stupid to come around to the logical conclusion myself. Until, finally, on February 2nd, 2003, when I had exhausted all my options and had left truth with no other alternative, it smashed into me with all the subtlety of a hurled anvil. It took me by the collar, and forced me to acknowledge it as what it was: the truth. And from there, I had no choice. How could I deny what was so obvious, and had been so obvious, yet had eluded my grasp for so long? The hope for every man, passed down through the ages by word and deed. Ignored by most, but transfixing nearly all, and dramatically affecting everything with which it came into contact.

What is truth? "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." (Is 53:5-7)

The quest for truth is not an ignoble one. But it is one that should not be undertaken lightly, for if to know the truth is to be free, then surely to not know the truth is to be enslaved! And that is just what we all are apart from Christ. Enslaved. Slaves to our sin, slaves to our father, the Devil. Slaves to ourselves.

Do not fear truth, my friends. Do not fear to seek it out, do not fear the evidence which can only illuminate truth, and shatter deception. But understand that the quest for truth has never been and never will be the quest for the so-called Holy Grail. It is not a quest for a tomb, or an ark, or an artifact, or anything made by human hands. Truth cannot be held, it cannot be touched or manipulated or fathomed, but it can be known. It can be known for the sole reason that the quest for truth is not a quest to answer the question, "What is truth?" It is a quest to understand the answer to the question, "Who is truth?"

What is truth? Who is truth? "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1,14)

Truth is Christ. Truth is Christ crucified, and him raised from the dead three days later. Truth is the biggest problem in higher criticism, the essential figure in proved theology, the key to all knowledge, the doorway of deliverance, the highway of holiness, and the pathway to peace and perfection. Do not accept those quests for truth which have fallen astray as though they were fact, my friends. History, and historical evidence, is on our side. The reliable biblical- and extra-biblical evidence strongly affirms the Jesus' own predictions, that he would be crucified and then raise from the dead three days later, came true with supernatural accuracy. But it is not on the basis of historical fact that truth can be known. Rather, on the basis of human faith. The substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen. Blessed are they which believe, yet have not seen.

And, in the end, the answer came directly from Jesus Christ's mouth. What is truth? Who is truth? What is the purpose of truth, and why must we come to know it?

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." -John 14:6

2006-05-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

Retraction:

It has come to my attention that several of the technical details (the dividing of Rome, the metals in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, etc.) in my first post on this 'blog, the one about the Battle of Gog and Magog, were incorrect. They have been corrected.

Also, I've updated the post to reflect certain key and very relevant events that have transpired since its initial posting. Take a look, if you'd like, and please accept my apologies for the errors.

Thanks,
David

I survived!

2006-05-08T23:32:00.000-07:00

Yes! I survived the Spring semester (and with my GPA more or less intact, if my calculations are correct. There it is! Evidence that God can and does work miracles today!) It's over. For the past month, I've read 'till my eyes were sore from exhaustion, I've typed nearly to the point of carpel tunnel, I've thought and thought (often about things both simple and mundane; we dummies are like that) until my brain hurt, I've studied, reasoned, questioned, crammed, consumed inordinate amounts of caffeine, prayed, fought sleep, written, considered, and memorized. And I'm done.

Praise the Lord. Next year maybe I won't put things off 'till the end-of-the-semester-bottleneck, eh?

(Yeah, that's likely. Pshaw.)

Anyway, my sincere thanks to those of you who prayed for me (assuming anyone reads the stuff I write anyway, that is.) I made it through. I've got one Maymester night class to go (first session was tonight,) then the summer routine begins. I need a car, so I'll be attempting to procure some kind of full time employment near my place of dwelling. Should be fun, right? Uh...right?

***

Let us turn our attention to I John 1:5-2:2

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Remember, first of all, that this epistle was not written to unregenerate non-believers, but to Christians. These passages do not concern Salvation of a Soteriological sense, but the everyday walk of fellowship with God that should be present in every believer's life. That is to say, this does not speak of Salvation from hell and eternal damnation, but how we live, specifically in relation to our fellowship and closeness with our God and eternal Savior.

The key to understanding this passage, I think, is found in the first verse. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. So often, I think (especially in the church of modernity) we try so hard to emphasize the love of God, which admittedly must be stressed, that we fail to mention the holiness of God. Both are absolutely essential attributes to the core of God's very being and essence; to sacrifice either is to chip away at his very nature, or to try to leastwise. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. He is, essentially, the most holy and sinless being in all of existence, and outside of it. Furthermore, he is infinitely more sensitive to sin that you or I ever could be. He cannot tolerate it. He cannot coexist with it. He must turn his back on it, and, sadly, anyone who is living in it. Does this mean that the Christian who lives in sin is abandoned by God? Of course not! Our Salvation is eternal and secure! But we cannot truthfully claim to have fellowship with Him if we are living in darkness.

John wrote these things so that we don't sin. But! If we do sin, he assures us that we not despair, as we have an advocate with the Father, namely Jesus Christ. The Greek work translated "advocate" is paraklaeton, and it conveys the idea of a representative or attorney in a lawsuit. In other words, whenever we sin (which we all do,) Jesus Christ immediately takes our case, and defends us before the heavenly Father. This is very important, as we know that Satan stands before the throne daily, accusing the Saints of God. (Rev 12:10) Jesus doesn't sit by, he's our attorney! He defends us in a legal sense, and he is the ultimate and most perfect advocate we could hope to have. In the first place, he is himself totally holy, so he understands the set standards far better than Satan does; He instituted them, and he defines them by His very nature. Furthermore, he's the one who paid the price for those sins, so he can speak with total authority and confidence in establishing the fact that we've been forgiven. Finally, He Himself is to be our judge, so any decision, whether to accuse or else excuse us, is going to ultimately be made by Him anyway.

The perfect advocate. And of course, we know that when He takes our case, He does not do so by saying to the Father, "Oh, no, don't listen to Satan. I know David; he's really not such a bad person. He'd never do that, Satan must be mistaken or lying." Of course not. He says, "Satan's right. David has fallen short of the standards the Father and I have set. But the punishment for his sin has already been taken. I know; I took it for him. I paid the price. He belongs to me, and he belongs to my Father, and as such, you, Satan, cannot have Him. No matter how far He falls, I and my Father will be there to catch him. My blood is sufficient to atone for his divers and numerous shortcomings. Case closed."

But we can still fracture our relationship with God by sinning. Such a detriment we are to ourselves! Who is our worst enemy? In fact, you see him or her every morning when you look into the mirror. "...Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. And sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (Jas 1:14) How do we restore that fellowship, and walk in the light with our Lord and our Savior? It's simple.

If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What is confession? Well, it's rather simple. The Greek word used here is homalagomen. It means, quite simply, to agree with God as to the condition of our sin. That is, to take His perception and make it our own. To concede the point, really, that our sin is filthy, sick, disturbing, detrimental, not expedient, implacable, unmerciful, etc. and so forth. To agree that we were wrong, to tell God we're sorry, and to resolve to turn from our sin. That's all it takes to restore fellowship with the Lord. If we do this in all sincerity, he will not fail to restore us.

And so, this passage which seems to emphasize the holiness of God is really and truly underscored and even over-toned by the love of God. No matter how far we fall, no matter how badly we sin, how long we turn our backs on God, or how severely we rebel, all it takes is that simple (but sincere) act of confession to enable God to forgive and forget, and to repair and rebuilt the fractured relationship. God is good, all the time, even when we are not. He is for us, even when we abandon Him. He is willing and just to forgive, even when we're ready to despise his sacrifice and ignore his blessings outpoured. Truly, our God is a mighty, immeasurable, and amazing God, slow to anger and of great kindness! We don't deserve him in the least...but we have him, if only we will accept and believe him.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, of famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "for thy sake we are killed all the day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Nay! In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, or nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Rom 8:35-39

And it was at Jerusalem the Feast of Dedication, and it was winder. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about Him, and said unto Him, "How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." - John 10:22-30

2006-04-27T18:08:00.000-07:00

Good day.

Been awhile. (Yeah, I know, predictable as the tides; What can I say?)

Sorry I haven't updated much lately. I'd like to say that, with summer coming up, I'll have more opportunities to write. Likely, however, I'll be just as much a slacker then.

Anyway, the semester's almost over. I've got final exams May 1st through 3rd, and I'll be delivering a sermon for graduation banquet on May 5th. I'd appreciate any prayers you wouldn't mind saying on my behalf; this time of the year is especially stressful and difficult.

After that...two years down, two to go before I finally get my BA in Bible & Theology. It's amazing how quickly time flies

***

I'd like to write, today, about James 1:1-4:

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

God, and God's plan for human existence, is paradoxical at its core. Human understanding would ask, "What must I do to be saved?" But God says, "You can do nothing do be saved. It must come by my free gift. Your works will only condemn you." Human understanding would say, "God, you show me yourself, and I'll believe." But God says, "Believe in me, and then I'll show you myself." And human understanding would say, "Rejoice in the good times, and despair in the bad." While God says, "Rejoice in the trials and tribulations...be extremely wary in the good, that you enter not into temptation."

It's backwards. By nature, we dislike trials. They aren't very much fun. Yet God tells us to count them "pure joy." Pure joy! That sounds absurd! But God, as always, is right. When we experience abundant blessings, perpetual wealth, perfect health, and a problemless life, we do not rely on him. And failure to rely on him produces pride, which produces corruption. The inevitable result is sin, and the perils sin brings are far worse than any trial God would ever send our way.

I'm going through something of a trial right now. Because of the different people involved and the private nature of certain aspects of said trial, I really can't share the details with you. But believe me when I say that it is hard. How are we supposed to do an unnatural thing like rejoicing in the midst of confusion and suffering? Only by the grace of God, and his Holy revealed Word.

I am convinced that it is only when we understand that God is with us that trials are able to be endured with joy and thanksgiving. Consider the words of Psalm 23:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names' sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

The Lord God, Jesus Christ, is with us. Always. He will never leave us, or forsake us. Indeed, he is "with us always, to the end of the world." (Mat. 28:20) The implications of that should be both obvious and staggering! Jesus Christ, the creator of all things and the omnipotent savior...is with us, in a personal, caring, sherpherd-like way. He is the good shepherd, and we know that, if God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31) He overcomes all things because he made all things. And when we are in fellowship with God, we know that he will never let lasting harm come to us. "...we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom. 8:28)

It is when we finally come to fully understand this basic concept of God's omnipresence, and his inseparable unity with the believer in Christ, that we can face trials not only without fear, but with joy, knowing that God will work it all out for good. It is only then that we can recognize how "the trying of our faith worketh patience," and "tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." (Rom. 5:3-4) And when we come to that place, we can truly give thanks to him for everything, the good and the bad, knowing that "goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

2006-03-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

Romans 5:5-8 has infiltrated my thoughts today. It's a very familiar passage, one of those oft-quoted in Christendom.

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet peradventure for a good man, some would even dare to die. But God commended his love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

It's a simple verse, I suppose, somewhat self-explanatory, but nonetheless incredibly profound. The evangelistic message of the great Salvation afforded by Christ is easily understood, yet its worth and power is frequently overlooked and forgotten. How often do we read passages like John 3:16, I Cor. 15:1-4, or Isaiah 53:5-6, and simply gloss over the message? Or offer up a quick prayer of "yeah, thanks for that whole 'saving me from my sin' business, Lord. 'preciate it.", and simply go about our daily lives untouched, unchanged by the Holy gospel of God?

How often we forget the power, the glory of the simply, evangelistic message! When we were without strength, when we were filthy sinners, rotten to the core and unsalvageable by all accounts and for all purposes, the Holy God of the universe, creator of all things and the supreme power of all existence, laid aside his glory and came to earth. He stripped himself of certain attributes, those things which made him truly omniscient, temporarily gave up the power afforded him by virtue of his place as the second person of the Godhead, left the glorious halls of heaven, the company of angels and majesty of that eternal throne, and took upon himself frail, human flesh, was born of a lowly human girl, and laid in a dirty feeding trough the night of delivery. He lived a life of sorrow, a life wherein the beautious harmony with God the father was somewhat interrupted due to their positional separation, a life of poverty and persecution, only to give himself up to die the most painful, excruciating, soul-emptying, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, unfathomably sacrificial death that has ever and will ever occur.

All that so that sinners like you and me, totally unworthy to even think of, to even write about or comment on the glory of God, could be spared eternal damnation and hellfire, and have an opportunity to spend eternal life with the allmighty, sovereign, glorified, only, saving, redeeming, undying, risen, coming King. All we have to do is accept it by Grace, through Faith, and all that richness is ours for the taking. Simply put, Christ took the bullet for us, his worst enemies and those who had hurt him the most. How unworthy we were, and are, and yet he still saw fit to do all that, simply for our eternal benefit.

If that doesn't make you stop and think, offer up a profound prayer of total devotion and thanksgiving, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, there's something wrong with you. Or perhaps you've not yet experienced the love of Jesus Christ. There's no greater decision you could ever make. If you'd like to know more, please don't hesitate to drop me an e-mail at ELRavager@gmail.com, and I'd be thrilled to share more with you.

To God be the Glory,
David

2006-02-28T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well, I received a rather rude shock this afternoon when I discovered the deadline to submit my application for a CalGrant is about a week sooner than I'd initially thought. That is to say, midnight tomorrow. Doesn't give me much time. Furthermore, some pertinent data regarding my bank account won't be retrievable until tomorrow. I need that information to file my application. Joy.

Also, for those of you were who unaware, Dr. Henry Morris passed away three days ago. He was the founder of the Institute of Creation Research, the Father of modern Creation-Science, and a very faithful and admirable servant of God. Apart from his ministry, there's a very good chance I wouldn't be a follower of Christ today. Please keep his family in your prayers. For more information, check here.

Moreover, some of you may recall that I finally took the plunge and had my long hair reduced to a more normal length last Novermber. For anyone who's in the least curious as to what I look like without it, you can find my ugly mug below.

Well, that's about it for this week, friends. I hope to have a much more substantial, and perhaps informative, update next time. My ultimate goal is to have semi-regular posts somehow relating to and expositing the Word of God. Whether or not I actually reach that goal, I guess we'll see.

Until next time, grace be with you.
David

2006-02-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

Good morning.

When I started this 'blog, I intended to update more regularly than my last one (which would be hard not to do...how could anyone possibly update less?) Yet, those of you who actually read my stuff (all two of you) probably predicted, such has not been the case. I suppose I'll have to try harder.

Just to clue you in as to what's been going on of late, my singing group (Sounds of Shasta) had three concerts over this last weekend in Oregon. We left on Saturday, and Returned on Monday. Everything went quite smoothly. There is room for improvement, but nevertheless this year's group is, in my estimation, the best we've ever had. I'm proud to be a part of the ministry.

On Sunday morning, we sang at Bonanza Community Church. Two people received Christ, which in and of itself made the entire trip well worth the effort, and then some. We sang at Immanuel Baptist Church that evening, and Triad Christian School Monday afternoon. It was a fruitful trip, without a doubt, and God was glorified through the ministry, which is our first and primary goal. I became somewhat ill on Monday morning (sore throat...probably the worst ailment one can get when scheduled to sing,) but it wasn't nearly as crippling as it could've been.

Starting next Sunday, we're going on a week long tour. We'll be travelling south, traversing as far as Ticate, Mexico. If you'd be willing to keep us in your prayers, it would be much appreciated.

If I get the time, I'll post once more today. I've got more to say, but my Homiletics class starts in ten minutes. Thank you for reading, and God bless.

David Gunn

2006-02-10T19:11:00.000-08:00

For those of you who’ve got better things to do than pay attention to Middle East politics (assuming anyone in this present day actually fits that profile,) Hamas recently won the majority in the Palestinian Parliament. To give you a little background, the two major Palestinian political parties have been Hamas and Fatah. Both have committed great atrocities against Israel (Yasser Arafat led Fatah and the PLO; in my estimation he could be easily viewed as the father of modern terrorism when one investigates the inhuman, monstrous covert operations his people have carried out,) but Hamas has been far more openly militant and belligerent toward the sovereign state of Israel.

Indeed, Hamas (which literally means “Islamic Resistance Movement”) has openly stated their prime objective as “destroying the Zionist entity that occupies Palestine, and establishing Palestine from the sea to the river based on Islamic principles.” Hamas co-founder Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi claimed “to remove Israel from the map” as Hamas’ goal. Fatah made an attempt to appear reasonable and more or less neutral; Hamas never has.

Hamas just won the majority in the Palestinian parliament.

If that doesn’t make your heart beat just a little faster, you haven’t been paying attention.

No surprise, both Israel and the United States of America have publicly refused to cooperate or negotiate with a Hamas-run Palestine. And rightly so; to do otherwise would be to adopt the appeasement-driven philosophy of Neville Chamberlain. But I digress. Things are heating up in the Middle East. It’s an area that’s always been hot, but it’s getting gradually hotter.

Think with me a moment. Hamas’ election. The Gaza Strip eviction. Ariel Sharon’s political maneuvering. Iran’s nuclear program. The Liberation of Iraq. September 11^th. Am I insane, or is there an eschatological thread through all of this? According to Daniel’s prophecy of the Times of the Gentiles (the prophecy found in Daniel 2 which outlines God's plan for the nations from Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon up to a time yet future, when Jesus Christ returns to planet earth to set up his kingdom,) we’re currently in the iron-thigh-period of God’s countdown to the Day of the Lord, and there’s a two-way split (two legs.) Historically, the east-west split began with the dividing of the Roman kingdom by Emperor Valentinian in AD 364, but while the initial Roman split faded into the oblivion of history's flow, the east-west global power split has been persevered in the democratic western countries and the Islamic eastern republics. Israel is caught right in the middle. September 11^th may’ve set in motion events none of us truly understand. That east-west split has widened. Just how long will it be until we move to the ten-way partition that Daniel prophesied? Not long, I think, and every one of Daniel’s prophecies prior to this have thus far come true with eerie accuracy.

The three prime centers of power in the seven-year-tribulation John predicted in the book of Revelation are Rome, Jerusalem, and Babylon. Jerusalem has always been the object or attention and contempt in the post-1940s world. Babylon’s position has, in the past few years, increased in potential with the US liberation of Iraq. Coincidence? I don’t think so, and if I’m right, don’t be surprised if Italy and Rome come into sharp focus politically speaking in the near future.

And now, Iran threatens to “wipe Israel off the map” as they speed toward the finalization of a nuclear weapons program, and Hamas gains political control of the Arab-Palestinian government. Most notable, however, is the very recent declaration by Russia’s president Vladimir Putin. He has invited Hamas for talks in Moscow, and has stated that Russia does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization. Stop for a moment, and let that sink in. Whether you realize it or not, this could be monumentally important.

There is a prophecy in the Book of Ezekiel (the book in which we find the prophecy of Israel’s re-establishment in 1947) which speaks of a great battle between Israel and several other nations. From the text, Ezekiel 38:1-6:

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, Prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal: and I will turn you about, and put hooks in your jaws, and I will bring you forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords; Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Homer, and all his hordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north, and all his hordes; even many people with him.’”

Exactly who are these nations and armies mentioned? We know without any doubt that they include Turkey, Iran, Germany, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, and Germany, extrapolating based on the areas these ancient peoples inhabited. And it has been speculated that Rosh is no other than Russia. Such a speculation is reasonable and even likely, and if it is, the implications of recent events could be fascinating indeed.

Ezekiel prophesied about this battle (if it can be called that) in which this confederacy of nations invades Israel to plunder her riches. (Ezk. 38:10-13) The invaders will be in the “mountains of Israel” (Ezk. 38:7-9) where they will be totally destroyed by God, miraculously and supernaturally. (Ezk. 38:17-23)

Friends, if this battle is indeed between Israel and a coalition of Turkey, Iran, and Russia (or, more aptly, between Yahweh God and said coalition in an attempt to invade Israel,) is it any stretch of the imagination to speculate that it could take place within the next year? I don’t think so. What is even more exciting is that the Rapture, that blessed event in which Christ promised to take all those who love him off the earth prior to the seven year Tribulation, could happen either before or very soon after this battle. We are to live as though Jesus’ return is totally imminent, that it could happen at any moment, and I’ve ever tried to. But now, in these days, it is all too easy. The likelihood that we are living in the End Times is, I think, very promising. If we aren’t…I can’t wait to see what they really are like, because even reading today’s headlines is an awful lot like reading out of Ezekiel or Daniel. It’s extremely exciting!

What, then, shall we do? Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2)

God Bless,
David Gunn

[Tuesday, May 09, 2006 Update:]

In the days when I first posted this, many of the skeptics scoffed at those of us who saw an eschatalogical connection between today's geopolitics and Ezekiel's prophecies. They told us that it was quite a stretch to see any connection between Russia, Hamas, and Iran. We were just being sensationalistic, we were told, and even arrogant.

Understand, please, that I am in no way proposing the idea that Jesus Christ must come back in my lifetime because there appears to be a strong connection between the geopolitics of today and many eschatological prophecies. That is simply not the case; it could possibly be another good two thousand years before he decides to come back again. Or three thousand. Or five thousand. But is it likely? I don't think so; too many eschatological events seem to be coming to a head. It could be soon! It may be soon! And, I think, it probably will be soon! But must it? No. God cannot be boxed in, and we must do our best to avoid even trying to do that.

However, for those who pointed out that Russia-Hamas-Iran is not really a very clear or concrete cohesion the likes of which could lead to the battle of Gog and Magog, please turn your attention to events that have transpired since I first posted this. Russia and Iran are now cooperating directly in regards to the building of a nuclear power plant. Sorry, skeptics, but the connection is no longer nearly as vague or shadowy as you'd like to think. Iran and Russia are getting close, and anyone who thinks the USSR is really and truly dead is just being naïve. Is it close? Is it?

I don't know, but it would truly take a man of blind and irrational faith to claim that all this is a coincidence when the board is being set for events prophecied several thousand years ago. And they call our faith a crutch...

To God be the Glory,
David