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| Volume 19 Number 10 October 2017 | Page 14 |
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| Volume 19 Number 10 October 2017 | Page 14 |
Donald R. Fox
Like most of us, I am fascinated with the wondrous makeup of the human body, and as far as that goes, the entire creation of God Almighty. It is also beyond me to wonder how the atheistic believers can reject our God who created all things.
As we view our current population of folks, we observe that many can recognize the latest songs and movie stars but cannot identify George Washington. Concerning our young and older folks, we have observed repeatedly that in their understanding of many issues, they lack discerning or information. What they learn is generally from movies, TV sitcoms and liberal, non-believing so-called intellects.
If everything here on earth and the universe was brought into existence by chance (the big-bang theory, which many folks earnestly believe), why should they not do whatever they want to do? I believe that is the answer for the increase of crudeness and evil in our society. No God means no rules of right and wrong.
Consider the following written in the year 1929 and the mindset of our present era as additional data for our study.
When men with dangerous imaginations began to destroy the faith of weak ones the older ones naturally sensed the alarm and have been on the defensive. The dangers have become so great that they must be met and handled as open foes. I have seen from every direction an alarming tendency on the part of the careless, unthinking, pleasure-bound people to take up with the theories of modern Atheists and because of their liberal and loose views on many moral subjects give up their love for and joy in Christian doctrines and practices. The great mass of people are giving little thought to religious matters, and the advent of atheistic teachings has contributed its large part in breaking down the faith of those who were easily influenced and didn’t have the depth of thought to know and enjoy the strength of the Christian doctrine. The present generation are not rooted and grounded in God’s eternal truth, therefore it is easy for ideas that recognize no day of accounting to give in and give way and follow the line of least resistance in the enjoyment of everything that satisfies for a time those who have no fear of God or eternity. (Rowe)
It is interesting to compare the 1929 way of thinking concerning their understanding of God and our present times. Over a period of some eighty years, I would suggest that brother Rowe would be more than dismayed at our current beliefs. Atheism is making great inroads in our society to the point atheists desire changes in the laws of the land. An example would be trying to take the motto “In God We Trust” out of all government-controlled domains. Yes, they meet considerable resistance, but the point is that they are making gain with their own lawyers and militant organizations designed to change our society from a Christian nation into an atheistic, secular culture.
To conclude our study, would an atheistic evolutionist please explain how the human brain came into being? To make it easier we will give you the big bang, dirt and a slime pit, etc. You have the ball, now let us know how such a complex organ can evolve. Does not common sense tell us someone builds buildings? “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4).
The brain’s memory storage capacity is about 2.5 petabytes (2.6 million gigabytes or 3 million hours of TV shows). Human brains have an immense memory capacity, so much so that it would be virtually impossible to fill one up in a human lifespan, even if a person remembered everything he or she had ever seen, done or heard. To put that in perspective, most Blu-Ray® discs hold about 50 gigabytes (WiseGeek).
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 139:14).
Works Cited
F.L. Rowe. “Publisher’s Preface.” Oliphant-Smith Debate. Nashville: Gospel Advocate 1929.
WiseGeek Newsletter. 26 April 2013.
[Editor’s Note: It’s no wonder that since atheists imagine that they are descendants of monkeys via evolution that they are prone to monkey-around with especially morals and to oppose every form of standardized human behavior (Romans 1:21-32). ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
One Flock and One Shepherd
Cliff Holmes
“I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock and one Shepherd” (John 10:16). There are four outstanding points in this Scripture.
Other Sheep, Not of this Fold
Who were the sheep in the fold of Jesus Christ, the good shepherd? His disciples, the apostles and all who came to Him seeking salvation from sin, sorrow, trial and tribulation. There were many others who needed to be drawn to that sheepfold. Twelve or more were listed as listening to Peter’s sermon on that day of Pentecost, to say nothing of Jews, Greeks, Gentiles, Romans, as well as totally heathen pagan nations. Today there are 34,000 sects and denominations who claim some sort of connection with the Christ. They have created 3.5 million congregations, and claim a membership of 1.9 billion souls. There are sects which practice vile teachings of which Jesus would never approve. Millions still worship false gods, or even Satan himself. Would Jesus say I must bring them also?
I Must Bring them Also
Would Jesus say “I must bring them also” to just anyone? Yes, it is His will that all men come to repentance and be saved from their sins. The only way this can happen is if they “listen to my voice,” Jesus said. How can they believe in Him whom they have not heard, how shall they hear without a teacher, and what if no teacher comes to teach? How will they listen to his voice (Romans 10:13-15)?
They Will Listen to My Voice
Someone must come to be that voice. In the Limited Commission, Jesus sent men to the lost of the house of Israel. They went, taught and did many mighty works as the spokesmen (the voice of the Shepherd), and many believed and came to repentance. Later, Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples—and by extension to us also. “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). We, too, have been called to ‘listen to His voice.’ This was not just a request from Jesus; it was a command that applies to Christians today as well.
There Will Be One Flock and One Shepherd
When we have accepted the call, it is incumbent upon us all to do the job and do the job well. Not if but when we have done this job well, we shall all be one flock and Jesus shall be the One Shepherd.