Atheists have sooo many proofs that God doesn’t exist. They’re practically beyond refutation.
For example:
- Argument from outrage
. God says sex outside of heterosexual marriage is wrong
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from intellectual superiority
. Atheist are smarter than theists
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from misunderstanding
. The ontological argument is hard to understand
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from comparison
. There are stories with one or two vague similarities to the life of Jesus
. Those stories are myth
. If those stories are myth then accounts of Jesus’ life must be myth as well
. Therefore God does not exist
- Argument from a priori ruling
. Theists only use logical fallacies
. The argument from contingency is a logical argument
. But theists use the argument from contingency
. Therefore, the argument from contingency is a logical fallacy
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from lack of proof
. There are no proofs for God’s existence
. The ontological argument is a proof of God’s existence
. But the ontological argument is also hard to understand
. So there are no proofs of God’s existence
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from narrow evidentialism
. God cannot be measured using the scientific method
. We should not believe anything which cannot be measured
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from burden of proof
. I don’t believe in hell
. I don’t believe in God
. I think that Theology is stupid
. The scientific method is the only way of knowing objective truth
. Atheism is true
. Therefore, as an atheist I don’t need to provide any evidence for anything - ever.
- Argument from fear
. We absolutely do not want a theocracy
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from hypotheses
. If there was a God there would be no pain or suffering
. My dad died when I was a twelve
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from personal experience
. I’ve never experienced God
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from molestation
. Priests have molested young boys
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from lack of knowledge
. If someone has experienced God, thy should know everything
. Christians can’t answer the questions that I have about the Bible
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from athletics
. In highschool I beat the Christian kids in track
. Therefore, God doesn’t exist
- Argument from parenthood
. My parents made me go to Church when I was a child
. I hated it
. Therefore, God does not exist
- Argument from subjective truth
. It is absolutely true to say that there is no absolute truth
. Jesus said that He is Truth
. Jesus said that He is God
. But it’s absolutely true that there is no absolute truth
. Therefore, God does not exist
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
It’s Your Move
Through the evidence of the universe we know that Creator God exists.
Through the evidence of Jesus the Christ we know what Creator God is like.
The question becomes - what are we going to do about the existence of a Creator who has made deliberate and purposeful contact with His creation?
Thirteen times in the Gospels Jesus warns people about hell.
One time He tells people about heaven.
The proportion, I believe, tells us something about His mission.
Jesus came to rescue us from the former and bring us safely home to the latter.
Will you let Him?
If you haven’t said “Yes,” to Jesus’ offer of salvation you’re standing in a position of “No” (John 3:18,36). This is serious stuff! If what Jesus taught about eternity is true, then making the decision to accept Him or reject Him as our Saviour has got to be the single most important decision that you and I will ever make. And it’s urgent. Strokes, fires, heart attacks, falling, car accidents, dementia, violent storms; Statistics show that for most of us, our ability to make a decision for Jesus will end suddenly, with little or no warning.
What are you going to do about that?
Through the evidence of Jesus the Christ we know what Creator God is like.
The question becomes - what are we going to do about the existence of a Creator who has made deliberate and purposeful contact with His creation?
Thirteen times in the Gospels Jesus warns people about hell.
One time He tells people about heaven.
The proportion, I believe, tells us something about His mission.
Jesus came to rescue us from the former and bring us safely home to the latter.
Will you let Him?
If you haven’t said “Yes,” to Jesus’ offer of salvation you’re standing in a position of “No” (John 3:18,36). This is serious stuff! If what Jesus taught about eternity is true, then making the decision to accept Him or reject Him as our Saviour has got to be the single most important decision that you and I will ever make. And it’s urgent. Strokes, fires, heart attacks, falling, car accidents, dementia, violent storms; Statistics show that for most of us, our ability to make a decision for Jesus will end suddenly, with little or no warning.
What are you going to do about that?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Extravagant Love!
This series began about three months ago. It gives real life examples of where our Creator shows us how to love extravagantly.
In like manner we are told to give our lives away, to die to self.
The example of Jesus of Nazareth, our Creator, is to love extravagantly.
“We were created by Love to live in love for the sake of love.” Gerald May
In Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus gives His well known example of what happens when we focus on technique / works and not intimacy in our relationship with Him. “Get away from Me. I never knew you.”
A relationship with two careers, two kids, two cars, a big house, a big bank account but no intimacy is a relationship that is or soon will be a failed relationship. This life is simply not about getting and doing. This life is about being in a loving relationship, both with our Creator and with those around us.
“Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Ephesians 5:2
Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
THIS is love!
In like manner we are told to give our lives away, to die to self.
The example of Jesus of Nazareth, our Creator, is to love extravagantly.
“We were created by Love to live in love for the sake of love.” Gerald May
In Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus gives His well known example of what happens when we focus on technique / works and not intimacy in our relationship with Him. “Get away from Me. I never knew you.”
A relationship with two careers, two kids, two cars, a big house, a big bank account but no intimacy is a relationship that is or soon will be a failed relationship. This life is simply not about getting and doing. This life is about being in a loving relationship, both with our Creator and with those around us.
“Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Ephesians 5:2
Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
THIS is love!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Only Those Who Belong
I’ve heard atheists accuse God of being a monster because, “What kind of a Father would offer His kid as a sacrifice for someone else’s sins?” I ask, what kind of Love would volunteer to offer His own life for our sins?
Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own sheep and My own sheep know Me. In the same way, the Father knows Me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before Myself, sacrificing Myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize My voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves Me: because I freely lay down My life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from Me. I lay it down of My own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from My Father."
"You don't believe because you're not My sheep. My sheep recognize My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of My hand. The Father who put them under My care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from Him. I and the Father are one heart and mind."
Jesus said, "I'm only quoting your inspired Scriptures, where God said, 'I tell you—you are gods.' If God called your ancestors 'gods'—and Scripture doesn't lie—why do you yell, 'Blasphemer! Blasphemer!' at the unique One the Father consecrated and sent into the world, just because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I don't do the things my Father does, well and good; don't believe me. But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear Me say about Myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you'll see that not only are We doing the same thing, We are the same—Father and Son. He is in Me; I am in him."
John 10:14-18,25-30,34-38
Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own sheep and My own sheep know Me. In the same way, the Father knows Me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before Myself, sacrificing Myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize My voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves Me: because I freely lay down My life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from Me. I lay it down of My own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from My Father."
"You don't believe because you're not My sheep. My sheep recognize My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of My hand. The Father who put them under My care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from Him. I and the Father are one heart and mind."
Jesus said, "I'm only quoting your inspired Scriptures, where God said, 'I tell you—you are gods.' If God called your ancestors 'gods'—and Scripture doesn't lie—why do you yell, 'Blasphemer! Blasphemer!' at the unique One the Father consecrated and sent into the world, just because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I don't do the things my Father does, well and good; don't believe me. But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear Me say about Myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you'll see that not only are We doing the same thing, We are the same—Father and Son. He is in Me; I am in him."
John 10:14-18,25-30,34-38
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Door Is Wide Open
Did you know that the invitation to have peace with Creator God is offered 642 times in the Bible.
Not only is the invitation made but the way of salvation is made clear.
“I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” Jesus.
In the Greek there is a punctuation mark before the words, Way, Truth, Life that makes it clear that Jesus meant He is absolutely, emphatically, exceptionally and unconditionally the only Way to the only Truth and the only Life that is available.
Some people are offended by the thought that there might only be one way to peace with God. If they gave it even a bit of thought, they should be shocked that there is ANY way back to a healed and forgiven relationship with our Creator.
It's true that Jesus presents an EXCLUSIVE means of salvation.
It’s also true that Jesus presents a means of salvation that is INCLUSIVE to anyone and everyone; “that whosoever is willing to accept it shall be saved.”
"Come for the banquet is ready."
The Door is Wide Open.
The Invitation Has Been Made.
What are you gonna do?
Not only is the invitation made but the way of salvation is made clear.
“I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” Jesus.
In the Greek there is a punctuation mark before the words, Way, Truth, Life that makes it clear that Jesus meant He is absolutely, emphatically, exceptionally and unconditionally the only Way to the only Truth and the only Life that is available.
Some people are offended by the thought that there might only be one way to peace with God. If they gave it even a bit of thought, they should be shocked that there is ANY way back to a healed and forgiven relationship with our Creator.
It's true that Jesus presents an EXCLUSIVE means of salvation.
It’s also true that Jesus presents a means of salvation that is INCLUSIVE to anyone and everyone; “that whosoever is willing to accept it shall be saved.”
"Come for the banquet is ready."
The Door is Wide Open.
The Invitation Has Been Made.
What are you gonna do?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Jesus Shoots Islam and Atheism
Jesus showed His critics that the Old Testament was focussed solely on relationship; the “weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith.” Matthew 23:23.
Unlike Jesus, Islam and the Pharisees focussed on ceremonial purity. Those who keep the laws regarding washing and avoiding certain foods are to keep strict separation from those who don’t do those things.
“Take not the Jews and Christians for friends ... slay the idolaters [infidels] wherever ye find them. ...Fight against those who believe not in Allah” (Sura 5:51; 9:5,29,41). “Seize them and slay them wherever you find them: and in any case take no friends or helpers from their ranks” (Sura 4:89).
Sin for Islam and Pharisees COMES from the outside and so the focus was and still is on externals. For example, on Islam, if I’m struggling with lust, then forcing women (the external) to completely cover themselves makes sense.
========
Unlike Jesus, Atheism and the Pharisees worked toward solidarity with the educated elite and showed utter contempt for the rest.
“Thinking is anathema for Christians,” Richard Dawkins.
Those most learned are most revered; the unlearned are most despised.
========
Unlike Jesus, neither Islam, atheism nor the Pharisees have any gospel for the lost. Jesus relentlessly preached a gospel that eschewed religious busyness and showed that the only way to please God was through proper relationships. In Jesus’ way of seeing things, the human cause is also God’s cause.
"Love God - Love your neighbour."
Unlike Islam, atheism and the Pharisees, Jesus identified with the weak and poor and powerless and sinful. Jesus came to live among those of us who admit that we need saving. Unlike Islam, atheism and the Pharisees, Jesus showed disdain for power while uplifting the powerless.
========
Some have tried to liken the Levitical code with Islamic law. I for one don’t see it and neither did the author of the Law - Jesus.
Leviticus 19 begins with “You shall be Holy; for I the Lord your God am holy” (v 2). Leviticus 20 ends with, “You shall be Holy to Me; for I the Lord am Holy.” (v26).
And what’s in the middle?
. Revere your parents.
. Do not steal or lie
. Be a good neighbour
. Pay proper wages
. Be reasonable in your relationships
. Do no injustice
. Show no partiality because of poverty or wealth
. Be honest in your business dealings
That is what it means to be Holy; holiness deals with the “weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith.” In God’s eyes Holiness is lived out in our relationships, in the way we treat other people.
Islam, atheism and the Pharisees concern themselves with externals; either in ceremonial activity or in keeping the law. Blaming the external object for causing my sin is the opposite of Jesus who recognised that sin is an inside job.
Unlike Jesus, Islam and the Pharisees focussed on ceremonial purity. Those who keep the laws regarding washing and avoiding certain foods are to keep strict separation from those who don’t do those things.
“Take not the Jews and Christians for friends ... slay the idolaters [infidels] wherever ye find them. ...Fight against those who believe not in Allah” (Sura 5:51; 9:5,29,41). “Seize them and slay them wherever you find them: and in any case take no friends or helpers from their ranks” (Sura 4:89).
Sin for Islam and Pharisees COMES from the outside and so the focus was and still is on externals. For example, on Islam, if I’m struggling with lust, then forcing women (the external) to completely cover themselves makes sense.
========
Unlike Jesus, Atheism and the Pharisees worked toward solidarity with the educated elite and showed utter contempt for the rest.
“Thinking is anathema for Christians,” Richard Dawkins.
Those most learned are most revered; the unlearned are most despised.
========
Unlike Jesus, neither Islam, atheism nor the Pharisees have any gospel for the lost. Jesus relentlessly preached a gospel that eschewed religious busyness and showed that the only way to please God was through proper relationships. In Jesus’ way of seeing things, the human cause is also God’s cause.
"Love God - Love your neighbour."
Unlike Islam, atheism and the Pharisees, Jesus identified with the weak and poor and powerless and sinful. Jesus came to live among those of us who admit that we need saving. Unlike Islam, atheism and the Pharisees, Jesus showed disdain for power while uplifting the powerless.
========
Some have tried to liken the Levitical code with Islamic law. I for one don’t see it and neither did the author of the Law - Jesus.
Leviticus 19 begins with “You shall be Holy; for I the Lord your God am holy” (v 2). Leviticus 20 ends with, “You shall be Holy to Me; for I the Lord am Holy.” (v26).
And what’s in the middle?
. Revere your parents.
. Do not steal or lie
. Be a good neighbour
. Pay proper wages
. Be reasonable in your relationships
. Do no injustice
. Show no partiality because of poverty or wealth
. Be honest in your business dealings
That is what it means to be Holy; holiness deals with the “weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith.” In God’s eyes Holiness is lived out in our relationships, in the way we treat other people.
Islam, atheism and the Pharisees concern themselves with externals; either in ceremonial activity or in keeping the law. Blaming the external object for causing my sin is the opposite of Jesus who recognised that sin is an inside job.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The Cult of Mary
It’s been said that the Roman Catholic Church has produced more atheists than any other system of thought on earth. I agree and one reason for that is the inane cult of Mary worship.
She was so obviously “just a woman” that to venerate her with attributes that can only belong to God, is so glaringly wrong. For Catholics, Mary and not Jesus is often the central focus of worship. Even though the Bible clearly states that Jesus had step-brothers and sisters, RC teaches that Mary remained a virgin. She is revered as perfect and unbesmirched by original sin and some Catholics even say that she plays a role in redemption. Catholics ignore Jesus, their mediator and Saviour and direct their prayers to Mary!
It is virtually the sole domain of Roman Catholics to see Mary (sometimes Jesus) in tacos and grilled cheese sandwiches and if this was not silly enough, Catholics will even make pilgrimages to see these ridiculous sights. The worship of Mary is not left to only the lowly or uneducated. Pope John Paul II declared a total devotion fo Mary. He even thanked Mary, not Jesus but Mary, for saving his life.
I just finished re-reading “Alive” the story of the rugby players who crashed in the Andean mountains and survived for something like 70 days by feeding on those who had been killed in the crash. One paragraph in the book says that the sixteen survivors came down off the mountain “because of the miraculous powers of the Virgin Mary.”
How can that NOT be offensive to God? I just can’t help but think that this type of idol worship will not go unnoticed by Creator God.
Even when Jesus was still on earth someone tried to venerate Jesus’ mother - “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts at which You nursed.” Jesus rebuked the person and pointed that person in the right direction, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and observe it.” Luke 11:27-28.
Mary appears only three times in the Gospels. On two of those occasions Jesus mildly rebukes her for entering into His spiritual business. In other words, she was in no way to play a role in His role of mediation. There is no hint that Mary ever sought, received or accepted any type of adoration because of her position of Jesus’s mother. Even in The Magnificat Mary does nothing but lower herself and magnify God. She never hints at the absurdity that she was without sin and uplifts instead the glory of God and of His show of grace toward her, someone undeserving as are we all.
Mary was favoured of God - not because of who she was but because of who God is - Period!
She was so obviously “just a woman” that to venerate her with attributes that can only belong to God, is so glaringly wrong. For Catholics, Mary and not Jesus is often the central focus of worship. Even though the Bible clearly states that Jesus had step-brothers and sisters, RC teaches that Mary remained a virgin. She is revered as perfect and unbesmirched by original sin and some Catholics even say that she plays a role in redemption. Catholics ignore Jesus, their mediator and Saviour and direct their prayers to Mary!
It is virtually the sole domain of Roman Catholics to see Mary (sometimes Jesus) in tacos and grilled cheese sandwiches and if this was not silly enough, Catholics will even make pilgrimages to see these ridiculous sights. The worship of Mary is not left to only the lowly or uneducated. Pope John Paul II declared a total devotion fo Mary. He even thanked Mary, not Jesus but Mary, for saving his life.
I just finished re-reading “Alive” the story of the rugby players who crashed in the Andean mountains and survived for something like 70 days by feeding on those who had been killed in the crash. One paragraph in the book says that the sixteen survivors came down off the mountain “because of the miraculous powers of the Virgin Mary.”
How can that NOT be offensive to God? I just can’t help but think that this type of idol worship will not go unnoticed by Creator God.
Even when Jesus was still on earth someone tried to venerate Jesus’ mother - “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts at which You nursed.” Jesus rebuked the person and pointed that person in the right direction, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and observe it.” Luke 11:27-28.
Mary appears only three times in the Gospels. On two of those occasions Jesus mildly rebukes her for entering into His spiritual business. In other words, she was in no way to play a role in His role of mediation. There is no hint that Mary ever sought, received or accepted any type of adoration because of her position of Jesus’s mother. Even in The Magnificat Mary does nothing but lower herself and magnify God. She never hints at the absurdity that she was without sin and uplifts instead the glory of God and of His show of grace toward her, someone undeserving as are we all.
Mary was favoured of God - not because of who she was but because of who God is - Period!
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