My Thoughts After Watching "Why Won't They Listen?"

While running three loads of laundry (over time, of course), I watched a recording that I have of Ken Ham. This particular DVD discussed the different foundations people come from. It tackles a question of "Why Won't They Listen?" and looks at today's atheists as similar to the Greeks. Ken started with a passage in first Corinthians chapter one, and I'll share a tad bit more than he did:

"Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

---1 COR 1:22-24

What Ken Ham spoke on was the Jews having the foundation of the biblical history, and the Greeks having the history of man made wisdom. Verse twenty four of the above quoted applies to Christians (meaning "Christ followers") who know what the Jews know, and believe the power of Christ- which was not a point needed to be discussed in the DVD. Some of us know the power we stand in.

Looking at the foundation that the apostle Peter used to teach the Jews of Jesus, Ken Ham pointed to Acts chapter 2. We see the Peter referred to the Old testament (what the Jews already believed) and explained why Jesus is who He is, and blatantly accused them of crucifying Him. At verse 37 and 38, we read:

Now when they (the Jews) heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

---

And we read a moment later that three THOUSAND believed! Way back when, most people had a Christian upbringing. When an evangelist came and preached about Jesus, and our need to repent, we have seen revivals. But is that what we see today? No...a lot of people are leaving the church.

Ken Ham discussed how we're teaching the stories in the bible as just stories. The science and facts are left out; ignoring Peters words of "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" {1 Peter 3:15}. This is not to say that science and facts PROVE the bible. But if you tell people to "just believe in Jesus!", they will call you stupid (or "foolish"). Many of your kids our being taught as Greeks in the school system today, and the Christian foundation is being blown away by humanistic teaching.

Do we need to teach the "Greeks" differently than the "Jews"? By all means! Ken Ham went to Acts chapter seventeen. Verse 18 says that "certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered [Paul]". The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were humanistic. Sensual pleasures and logical choices were the best thing for man and his emotions. The verse goes on to show that Paul's teaching of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus had some thinking that Paul was a "babbler" and others thinking that Paul was teaching of "foreign gods."

Saying that they wanted to know what the heck Paul was teaching, the philosophers heard Paul out. Instead of quoting "King David" or the prophet "Joel, Paul set the foundation of who God is. In Acts 17:22-31, Paul describes God as the ultimate supreme (and only) creator of the universe. He states that God made nations from one blood [man].

Genesis is set, with a brief explaining that God wants mankind to seek Him. Now that the "time of ignorance being overlooked" is over, Paul explains that God calls us to repentance of our wrongdoing. Paul sets out the fact that a Judgment is coming, and that God will have us righteously judged by Jesus- whom God raised from the dead to assure us so.

Following this, we see the reaction we'd get today (verse 33):

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”

These aren't people saying that they want to be Christians. Obviously, some were opposed to Jesus as they "mocked". Others weren't exactly accepting it, but they were intrigued enough to hear Paul out. It wasn't some "just believe it, and don't think about it!" Paul was outlining the truths, and those facts earned him an audience.

The chapter of this moment ends with verses 34 and 35:

"So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them."

So we see that some DID believe.

This is what we see and deal with today. I believe that it's good and NECESSARY to let people know why you believe that Genesis is literal, that Cain married his sister (or other close relative); that there is STRONG evidence for Noah's flood; that there is strong evidence that evolution is absolutely impossible; that the dating methods are fallible and based on assumptions of the rate of decay; and...well, you get the point.

That is not to say that you need to go into detail with every person. But if someone asks you if you really believe this or that, you should have a reasonable answer- just as Paul did. Or at least admit that you don't know and would love to discuss it or look into it. Again, telling people to ignore what they've been taught and "just believe" will make you "foolish".

I will end this post with this: "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" {Psalm 11:3}. If your children's foundation is shaped by the humanistic schools and/or peers, it can easily destroy what godly foundation they may have when there's no answer to the world's questions. Man up- no: "Christ up," and equip them!

Truth is whatever you think it is...isn't it?

{3} Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, {4} and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." {5} For when they maintain this [[mindset or way of thinking]], it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, {6} through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
~2 Peter 3:3-6

In line with what we're studying in "Adult Bible Fellowship" on Sunday mornings; people look at the Scriptures and choose "their own way" of interpreting it. The NKJV of the above passage states that "they willfully forget...". Instead of reading the inspired Word literally (that is- the way the author intended it to come across), people read everything allegorically so as to pick and choose. But if that's the way it should be, what is right and what's wrong? Is it that everyone has "their own" 'truth'?

Though, if that were so, then why are there warnings in the Scripture about false teachers and such? Historically, that's what was happening- people were twisting the Scriptures and leading people into damning ways of thinking. People such as Ken Ham and Eric Hovind (Institute for Creation Research and Creation Today) have helped people realize that scientific findings are coinciding with what we find in the bible.

Are we going to look at what the Scripture says; observe the time and context in which it was written; observe the people it was written to; "meditate" or spend time mulling over what we're reading; and, whilst praying throughout the entire process- "without sneezing"...I mean, "without ceasing") prayerfully apply it to our lives?

{14} You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, {15} and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; {17} so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
~2 Timothy 3:14-17

Consummation of Ahabah (Love)

{6} "Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is asstrong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol ; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the LORD. {7} "Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it; If a man were to give allthe riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised."

~Song of Solomon 8:6-7


A statement as well as a warning.

The word "love" here is the Hebrew word, "Ahabah" (which I have always heard as ahava...which is also the Hebrew name of a river =P). Most of us read the above passage and think about how amazing this love is- how captivating and exhilarating and _consuming_ this ahabah love is.

But it crossed my mind. A fire. This strong love, ababah, is often used of God for His people. It is used of David and Jonathan. It's used for strong..."sensual" desires. What the Shulamite (or "Beloved", for you NIV folk) says above is that ahabah can not be quenched.

It's even the "FLAME of the LORD"...the 'shalhebeth' (flame) of the 'Yahh' (shortened form of the Lord's name Yehovah). Some translations say vehement instead of Lord...but regardless...

We have this unquenchable, unstoppable, _powerful_ love here that consumes.

Consumes.

A love in marriage should consume; be a consummate love. But with a 'significant other', outside of marriage, ahabah must be set within proper boundaries to protect the two from being prematurely consumed. As a fire within it's place is lovely to behold, warm to be near, and maybe even exhilarating to use; it's also destructive when it consumes what it shouldn't have.

Ahabah isn't the only kind of love either. Eros (erotic) and Racham (deeply, affectionately, compassionately) are two others, and I am certain that they "heat" things up as well.

The point? Use boundaries respectively. While loving and being in love, be careful. Yes, DO romance and pursue, or swoon and flirt! Just watch it ;) The Shulamite obviously knew first hand of how amazing and consuming this ahabah is. And three times in what we have written before does the Shulamite warn "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases" {2:7; 3:5; 8:4}.

A fire that consumes the whole "garden" of a person leaves coals. In those that stay married for life work together to keep these coals hot; and often times find fires popping up from them. But if this garden is consumed by the flames, coals are formed, but the two that caused the fire split...there's less to work with. The plants are a blackened crisp and the soil is scorched. Raising a new garden to burn (ignore how odd that sounds =P) would take much more work.

And think of the previous coals that might still be hot. Desires and habits that carry over that might cause premature things. It can hurt and burn a new person that didn't create it with first.

DO love. Love wisely ;)

Max: The Unstoppable Heavyweight

A series of peculiarities today.

This morning, I headed out to find the Oregon WorkSource Center that is located near PCC's Willow Creek Center. Supposedly, it's right off of the MAX line; but after circling around all the condominiums in the area...it just was showing up. Suspecting that it might be IN the PCC building, I passed by the "non-street" side on my way back to the MAX. Sure enough, WorkSource was hiding by the college's information desk. Long story short, I updated my work... 'profile', if you will, with what skills I have from painting (and added others I noticed). After faxing my last three pay stubs- which the unemployment office didn't have on record yet- I headed back to the MAX station.

Waiting for the MAX, it dawned on me that I kind of needed to use a restroom. But just as I started heading back to the Willow Creek Center, the train rang its warning to stay clear of the tracks. Home wasn't too far away to wait for a restroom. But...

With a short wait at the Hillsboro TC to catch the bus to Forest Grove; the passengers and I were ready to depart the transit center. But as we were ready to leave, the next MAX train was coming; as a warning light told us. So we waited, knowing the usual routine. But routine was broken as a man came cruising around the street corner, wearing headphones and smiling broadly, navigated his bike onto the MAX line to take a fast route to the ramp to catch the other MAX train.

Having not looked at the street, he probably didn't realize their was a MAX behind him; ready to crush him under its massive weight. My bus driver honked at the poor fellow, and the person operating that MAX train did their best to stop (which isn't really possible with all that weight and inertia). Well...standing right there in front of the bus; I watched every moment. This man probably realized that the bright lights behind him were pretty serious, and he _tried_ to turn unto the ramp that would get him onto the safety of the platform. As fate would have it, the back tire of the bicycle slid on the wet cement.

Being alert enough, the man did manage to jump Just far enough to get his torso from being hit by the wheels...and he even bent his legs into the air to avoid losing his kneecaps. After checking the situation of the man (who was on the opposite side of the MAX from the bus), the bus driver informed us that the man was alright. His bike was in no good shape though. A motorcycle police officer was there in no time at all. We were told that the man admitted his own folly; but we had to wait, regardless of the situation.

A police officer talked to my bus driver about what she saw (we saw the WHOLE thing...besides the last split second). The Trimet security was very quick to make it on scene to get everything cleared and to get us going. By the way, the Trimet supervisor is a really nice guy. I can't say the same for some passengers that were upset with the driver because she wasn't allowed to leave without the okay from her supervisor.

Needless to say, the bicycle was removed, and the MAX was go be on its way. We got the green to go. Thus so, the wonderful bus driver threw the bus in reverse to go around the rear of the MAX. Everyone that had been excitedly discussing their versions of the happenings were now yapping joyfully about being on the move again. And then...the bus wouldn't get out of reverse. With the supervisor still there, he checked the situation and couldn't solve it. With a mechanic called and on his way, the hearts of the passengers crushed as they mused over the days circumstances; the supervisor fiddled with the mechanics one more time. And you know what? Our fortune changed, and the bus started working properly again.

With the events behind us, commotion broke out about all the "amazing" things we witnessed first hand on the one bus that was in the right spot to witness it all. And we all lived happily ever after...

A Clean Heart, A Renewed Mind

((Early morning thoughts...))


 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
         You do not delight in burnt offering.
 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
         A broken and a contrite heart— 
         These, O God, You will not despise.  

---Psalm 51:16-17

"Contrite" here, in Hebrew, is "dakah"- to crush. So...a "broken and a crushed heart."

If you claim to be a Christian, but you are no different than what you used to be; still living like everyone else- something may very well be wrong. Calvary- the cross- does not reveal your worth. Rather, it's our depravity. In Psalm 51, King David asked for God to create in him a clean heart. To create a new "leb"- the Hebrew word for "heart". It's the "inner being", the "will".

This Psalm is from when the prophet Nathan confronted King David about David's murdering of Uriah, after lusting for and sleeping with Bathsheba (Uriah's wife). David cries out for a change, a renewal of the depraved and horrible person that he is. Apart from God, our so called "righteousness" is no more "filthy rags". It's in Isaiah 64:6. It's painted in Zechariah 3:1-5.

If your heart has never been broken and crushed for the things of God...are you really a Christian? Or are you one that will stand before God, saying "Lord, Lord"; and the Christ will say "Depart from me...I never knew you"?

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

---Matthew 7:21-23

When Young Men Don't Fight...

Let us ask any faithful minister of the gospel, and note what he will tell us. How many unmarried young people can he remember who come to the Lord's Supper? Who are the most backward about the doctrines of salvation, the most irregular about Sunday services, the most difficult to draw to weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings, the most inattentive to whatever is being preached? Which part of his congregation fills him with the most anxiety? Who are the Reubens for whom he has the deepest "searchings of heart?" Who in his flock are the hardest to manage, who require the most frequent warnings and rebukes, who cause him the greatest uneasiness and sorrow, who keep him most constantly in fear for their souls, and seem the most hopeless? Depend on it, his answer will always be, "The Young Men."

[[  J.C. Ryle (2001). Thoughts for Young Men: Adressing the Greatest Challenges in a Young Man's Life. San Antonio, Texas: The Vision Forum, Inc.. ]]

"Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded" {Titus 2:6}. Are we discipling and exhorting young men as we should? I tend to see bible studies for the ladies, as well as their craft nights. The men? Not so much. The Devil is one smart prince and knows how capturable us guys are in our weakest spots. With idols such as lust and passivity, Satan draws us away from God and has us build bad habits that last longer than we'd like. We sow what might feel good now; but will reap pain and regret when we grow older. If we do not build up young men in the "prime of their youth"- when they're best able to retain various information (and truths)- what will happen to most of them? Will they continually reap regret in years to come? Will they have habits so hard to kick that they'll quit on God?

⁶ Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, ⁷ in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

---Titus 2:6-8

What would happen if we exhorted young men to be mighty warriors of God?