Thursday, December 30, 2010

Why are the Scriptures Authoritative?

Why are the Scriptures Authoritative is a question that each person should search out an answer for himself. What makes the Bible anymore authoritative than the Koran or any other religious document? I will give you my three reasons why, for me and my house, the scriptures are the sole authority.
First, there are the Wonders of the Bible. It was written over a period of 1500+ years. It was written by 40+ different authors, but speaks about God (and a wide variety of other controversial subjects) with a consistency that sounds like One voice. It has been persecuted and yet preserved throughout time. It has wielded incredible influence on people groups all over the world.
No other book can match these wonders, even though some have tried. I can’t site any specific examples (somebody “in the know” help me here) but I have heard of experiments on college campuses where they have tried. They would take 20 professors and give them a title to this new book to be written. They would give them the chapter titles of this 20 chapter book. Then send them to different locations, each professor to blindly write his own chapter. When they compiled all the chapters together, the book would never read as one book and very often contradicted itself many times.
Second, I sometimes still compare what I believe to what others in the world believe. Just to make sure I have a good reason to believe what I believe. When I compare Christianity to other religions there is one glaring difference that Christianity has that no other religion has. I could travel today to Mecca and visit the enshrined tomb of Mohammed. I could travel to China and visit the enshrined tomb of Confucius. I could travel to India and visit the enshrined tombs of Buddha, whose body was cut into many pieces and sent to many parts of India. But I can’t travel to Jerusalem and visit the enshrined tomb of Jesus Christ. He is not there. He is a risen Lord and Savior. Therefore, the historical resurrection event gives authoritative credibility to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ gave His authoritative credibility to the scriptures that we call the Old Testament. Jesus Christ’s Apostles gave their authoritative credibility to the New Testament scriptures. Therefore, I must view the scriptures as authoritative.
Where did Jesus give authority to the scriptures? This is an excellent question you ask. You would probably miss it unless someone pointed it out. I sure did. Go to Matthew 23:35 and Luke 11:51. In these parallel verses you will find the phrase “…from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah…” Abel’s death is in Genesis and Zechariah’s death is in 2 Chronicles. Genesis is the first book of the Jewish Bible and 2 Chronicles is the last book in the Jewish Bible. Theologians say, Jesus was giving credibility to the Jewish Bible by using this reference in His comments. He excluded all of the Apocrypha, all of which was in existence at that time. The Jewish Bible is the same as our Old Testament, with the books arranged in a different order.
Third, anything that is “true” has an inherent authority. Much of the scriptures have been proved to be historically “true” by sources outside of the Bible. Also, they have been proved to be “true” by those who believe them and have experienced the life changing power of Jesus Christ in their lives. A plethora of books have been written in support of the above two statements.

You can read this same post here.
That is why I think the Scriptures are authoritative.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Proof That God Exists

The proof is in the pudding. I can not prove God’s existence to you, but you can prove it to yourself by tasting and knowing that the LORD is good.

WHERE TO BEGIN
First, you must allow for the possibility that a Creator God exists. Gen 1:1; Heb 11:6
Next, you need to understand that this Creator God is hiding Himself. Is 45:15
Also, you need to understand that anyone who seeks Him will find Him. Matt 7:7-8
But, you must seek Him with your whole heart. Psalm 119:2

HOW DO I SEEK HIM WITH MY WHOLE HEART?

Set apart sometime each day for the next 30 days. Begin by asking God to reveal Himself to you. Then read the bible verses below. Do this first thing in the morning and the last thing just before bed. Expect God’s word to begin to change you from the inside out. Notice it when you find yourself being more Loving, Joyful, Peaceful, Patient, Kind, Good, Faithful, Gentle and Self-Controlled. This change, from the inside out, (merely by getting the anointed word of God inside you) is your proof. If you didn’t notice a difference in yourself, then ask people around you if they notice a difference. You may be in for a big surprise. Think this is non-sense? Then try it and prove me wrong.


DAILY READING

Please God, reveal yourself to me.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Acts 20:21
(therefore) repent toward God and (have) faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:12
for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Gal 2:21
for if righteousness could be gained through the law, (then) Christ died for nothing.

Gal 2:16
(but we know) that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ,

James 2:26
(For) as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Matt 7:12
(Therefore) do unto others as you would have them do to you: for this is the sum of the law and the prophets.

2 Cor 10:5
(and) bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ;

Galatians 5:22-23
(and demonstrate) the fruit of the Spirit (which) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Rom 1:16
(and be) not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes.

Matt 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything (Jesus) has commanded you.

John 14:21
He who has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by MyFather and I too will love him and show Myself to him.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Purpose of Prayer

I have been struck recently by the phrase “The Power of Prayer.” In my humble opinion there is no power in prayer. The power that exists, exists solely in the Creator. Prayer is merely the way to tap into that power. The purpose of taping into that power is not so that we can get what we want. That would be us misusing His power for our selfish desires. The real purpose of prayer is to align our desires with His desires. That way we will be working with and for our Creator and not find ourselves working against Him.

Does this mean we can’t ask for things? Absolutely not! Our Creator wants us to bring our desires to Him. By voicing our desires in prayer we become aware of not only what we desire but also other possible out comes. We can then search these possible outcomes to find ways in which the Kingdom of God can be advanced. Advancing the Kingdom of God should be our priority, not advancing our own agenda. Pray then that God will put a desire in your heart to do what it is He wants done. Aligning our will with His will is the ultimate goal of prayer.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

One Minute Devotional for Atheists



I have decided to enlist Atheists to help me in my quest of encouraging Christians to read their Bibles. Hope you enjoy.