Monday, July 06, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Archaeologists May Have Found Biblical Wall
JERUSALEM —
A wall mentioned in the Bible's Book of Nehemiah and long sought by archaeologists apparently has been found, an Israeli archaeologist says.
A team of archaeologists discovered the wall in Jerusalem's ancient City of David during a rescue attempt on a tower that was in danger of collapse, said Eilat Mazar, head of the Institute of Archaeology at the Shalem Center, a Jerusalem-based research and educational institute, and leader of the dig.
Artifacts including pottery shards and arrowheads found under the tower suggested that both the tower and the nearby wall are from the 5th century B.C., the time of Nehemiah, Mazar said this week.
Scholars previously thought the wall dated to the Hasmonean period from about 142 B.C. to 37 B.C.
The findings suggest that the structure was actually part of the same city wall the Bible says Nehemiah rebuilt, Mazar said.
The Book of Nehemiah gives a detailed description of construction of the walls, destroyed earlier by the Babylonians.
"We were amazed," she said, noting that the discovery was made at a time when many scholars argued that the wall did not exist.
"This was a great surprise. It was something we didn't plan," Mazar said.
The first phase of the dig, completed in 2005, uncovered what Mazar believes to be the remains of King David's palace, built by King Hiram of Tyre, and also mentioned in the Bible.
Ephraim Stern, professor emeritus of archaeology at Hebrew University and chairman of the state of Israel archaeological council, offered support for Mazar's claim.
"The material she showed me is from the Persian period," the period of Nehemiah, he said. "I can sign on the date of the material she found."
However, another scholar disputed the significance of the discovery.
Israel Finkelstein, professor of archaeology at Tel Aviv University, called the discovery "an interesting find," but said the pottery and other artifacts do not indicate that the wall was built in the time of Nehemiah.
Because the debris was not connected to a floor or other structural part of the wall, the wall could have been built later, Finkelstein said.
"The wall could have been built, theoretically, in the Ottoman period," he said. "It's not later than the pottery — that's all we know."
Monday, June 15, 2009
On which day should Christians worship?
When is the proper day to worship? The 4th Commandment in the Old Testament, teaches, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). God created everything that exists, by the power of His spoken word. He created everything ex nihilo "out of nothing" and He did it in 6 literal days. About the 7th day, Exodus explains, “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy” (20:11). Thus the 7th (or Sabbath), day was instituted, by the Lord, as a day of rest and worship. Everyone was to follow God’s pattern and work for 6 days and rest on the 7th. It was a day of refreshment physically as well as spiritually.
Why then do we worship on other days rather than Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath? Why is it that Sunday, the 1st day of the week, has become the customary day of worship? Who changed this?
Those in the Old Testament were under the covenant of the Law. It was a strict command of the Mosaic Law that the Sabbath be observed as the holy day of rest. One group of religious leaders in Jesus day, were the Pharisees. They were a very legalistic sect in many ways. They were very strict about keeping the Sabbath day holy and they were correct about refraining from any work, however, they added to the Law legalistic customs and traditions, to the point that it was illegal to not only walk long distances, but also even to do good and helpful deeds. They accused Jesus, Himself, of even breaking the Sabbath law on many occasions, such as when He performed miraculous healings, (Mark 1:21,-28; Mark 1:29-31; John 5:1-18; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17; Luke 14;1-6; John 9:1-16).
Jesus, in many confrontations with them, called them heretics (Luke 13:15), and on at least one occasion said, “And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.” (Mark 7:6-7).
The Lord Jesus despised this false worship and said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28). God established a day of rest on the Sabbath day, to benefit us, and glorify Himself; He did not intend for us to worship Him with our mouths and bodies in a legalistic fashion, but rather with our hearts, faithfully, humbly, and willingly.
Jesus also said, “So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” He had the power over the Sabbath day and if anyone could authorize a change of the day, it was Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.
After the perfect atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, believers are no longer held under the covenant of the law we are now saved by God’s grace, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). However, we are still to obey the laws and the moral principles articulated in the commandment, “Keep the Sabbath day holy” are reaffirmed in the New Testament. The difference is the day in which it was done, the Jewish Sabbath, is no longer found to be the strict set day to rest and worship.
After Jesus Christ’s resurrection, which took place on the first day of the week (Luke 24:1), there is no reference of Him meeting with His disciples together on the Jewish Sabbath day. Something had changed…something had changed them…
It is understood that after His resurrection Jesus began appearing to His disciples and others on subsequent Sundays (the 1st day of the week). A week after the resurrection He appears to His disciples (John 20:26). It is often calculated that Jesus’ ascension occurred on Sunday. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends on believers, in Acts 1:3, it is Sunday, the first day of the week, 50 days after the Passover. This appears to give the Disciples and Apostles the new model for worship.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let no one judge you concerning food or drink, or in regard to a feast, new moon, or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of coming things, but the body belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17)
The Apostles of the early church repeatedly gathered on the first day of the week rather than the Jewish Sabbath. “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7). Paul taught that the collection of tithes be taken on the first day of the week, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” (1st Corinthians 16:2). It is also understood that John was speaking of Sunday in Revelation 1:10, “The Lord’s day”.
It appears that the early church agreed with meeting on Sunday rather than the Sabbath.
Ignatius of Antioch in 110 A.D. wrote, “have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death.” Ignatius was the overseer of the church in Antioch.
Justin Martyr in A.D. 150 wrote, “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.”
It is because of these reasons that Christians worship on Sunday rather than the Jewish Sabbath.
God wants willing servants to present true genuine worship to Him. It is not the day of the week that that is significant, because it is more than that. It involves the “How”, it is the intent and condition of your heart and that you set aside a day to rest in Christ Jesus and worship Him in “Spirit and Truth” (John 4:24). Essentially, it has become the first day of the week, thus Sunday is the common day of rest and worship. Yet, above all, let this one day remind us that God is the Lord of all of our days; He holds all seven of them.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
Why then do we worship on other days rather than Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath? Why is it that Sunday, the 1st day of the week, has become the customary day of worship? Who changed this?
Those in the Old Testament were under the covenant of the Law. It was a strict command of the Mosaic Law that the Sabbath be observed as the holy day of rest. One group of religious leaders in Jesus day, were the Pharisees. They were a very legalistic sect in many ways. They were very strict about keeping the Sabbath day holy and they were correct about refraining from any work, however, they added to the Law legalistic customs and traditions, to the point that it was illegal to not only walk long distances, but also even to do good and helpful deeds. They accused Jesus, Himself, of even breaking the Sabbath law on many occasions, such as when He performed miraculous healings, (Mark 1:21,-28; Mark 1:29-31; John 5:1-18; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17; Luke 14;1-6; John 9:1-16).
Jesus, in many confrontations with them, called them heretics (Luke 13:15), and on at least one occasion said, “And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.” (Mark 7:6-7).
The Lord Jesus despised this false worship and said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28). God established a day of rest on the Sabbath day, to benefit us, and glorify Himself; He did not intend for us to worship Him with our mouths and bodies in a legalistic fashion, but rather with our hearts, faithfully, humbly, and willingly.
Jesus also said, “So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” He had the power over the Sabbath day and if anyone could authorize a change of the day, it was Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.
After the perfect atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, believers are no longer held under the covenant of the law we are now saved by God’s grace, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). However, we are still to obey the laws and the moral principles articulated in the commandment, “Keep the Sabbath day holy” are reaffirmed in the New Testament. The difference is the day in which it was done, the Jewish Sabbath, is no longer found to be the strict set day to rest and worship.
After Jesus Christ’s resurrection, which took place on the first day of the week (Luke 24:1), there is no reference of Him meeting with His disciples together on the Jewish Sabbath day. Something had changed…something had changed them…
It is understood that after His resurrection Jesus began appearing to His disciples and others on subsequent Sundays (the 1st day of the week). A week after the resurrection He appears to His disciples (John 20:26). It is often calculated that Jesus’ ascension occurred on Sunday. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends on believers, in Acts 1:3, it is Sunday, the first day of the week, 50 days after the Passover. This appears to give the Disciples and Apostles the new model for worship.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let no one judge you concerning food or drink, or in regard to a feast, new moon, or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of coming things, but the body belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17)
The Apostles of the early church repeatedly gathered on the first day of the week rather than the Jewish Sabbath. “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7). Paul taught that the collection of tithes be taken on the first day of the week, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” (1st Corinthians 16:2). It is also understood that John was speaking of Sunday in Revelation 1:10, “The Lord’s day”.
It appears that the early church agreed with meeting on Sunday rather than the Sabbath.
Ignatius of Antioch in 110 A.D. wrote, “have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death.” Ignatius was the overseer of the church in Antioch.
Justin Martyr in A.D. 150 wrote, “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.”
It is because of these reasons that Christians worship on Sunday rather than the Jewish Sabbath.
God wants willing servants to present true genuine worship to Him. It is not the day of the week that that is significant, because it is more than that. It involves the “How”, it is the intent and condition of your heart and that you set aside a day to rest in Christ Jesus and worship Him in “Spirit and Truth” (John 4:24). Essentially, it has become the first day of the week, thus Sunday is the common day of rest and worship. Yet, above all, let this one day remind us that God is the Lord of all of our days; He holds all seven of them.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Is Abortion Wrong? | Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry
Is Abortion Wrong? | Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry
Is Abortion Wrong?
Yes, abortion is wrong. The Lord has said, "You shall not murder," (Exodus 20:13). The life that is growing within the mother is a child, a baby. The Bible looks at the life in the womb as a child.: Exodus 21:22 says, "And if men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she has a miscarriage, yet there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him; and he shall pay as the judges decide," (NASB).
The main concern of the "Pro-Choicers" is not the guarded protection of the life in the womb. Instead, the main concern is the "rights" of the mother over and against the rights of the child growing in her. The child, who cannot exercise its own will, is killed. And, in order to make the killing more palatable, the baby is called a "fetus", or "non-viable", or "not yet human", etc. This eases the conscience. But, for those who say the baby isn't 'viable', have you ever seen a sonogram of an abortion? You can see the 'non-viable fetus' retracting from the instruments of death and seeking self preservation. It wants to live. Some would respond by saying that even a rodent wants to live. But what is in the womb of the mother is human.
The Bible says for people to protect the weak and down trodden. But with abortionists, the rights of the baby are sacrificed to the rights of the mother -- and the father doesn't even have any rights. The mother cries out that the life in here is part of her body and that she has the right to do with her body as she wills.
True love does not seeks its own, but is other centered. It gives. "For God so loved the world he GAVE his only begotten son..." (John 3:16). Abortion is the ultimate in selfishness. It puts the mother's convenience and desires above the life of her own baby. To kill the baby in the womb means to consider oneself more important than anyone else.
Even in nature, as far as I understand, animals don't kill what is in their own wombs. People are the only ones who kill their young while still unborn. In this society of "self esteem," "personal accomplishments," and "empowerment," true love is losing out and death is winning.
However, there is hope in Jesus. If you've had an abortion, you can be forgiven by the Lord. All you need to do is confess it to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. That is what I did years ago when the girl I lived with became pregnant and had an abortion. I was guilty. As a man, the inner turmoil and guilt I felt was horrible. I can't imagine what it would be like for a woman. Nevertheless, the Lord has graciously forgiven me and her. I say this only in the hopes that others would come to find the sweet forgiveness found in Jesus.
Is Abortion Wrong?
Yes, abortion is wrong. The Lord has said, "You shall not murder," (Exodus 20:13). The life that is growing within the mother is a child, a baby. The Bible looks at the life in the womb as a child.: Exodus 21:22 says, "And if men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she has a miscarriage, yet there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him; and he shall pay as the judges decide," (NASB).
The main concern of the "Pro-Choicers" is not the guarded protection of the life in the womb. Instead, the main concern is the "rights" of the mother over and against the rights of the child growing in her. The child, who cannot exercise its own will, is killed. And, in order to make the killing more palatable, the baby is called a "fetus", or "non-viable", or "not yet human", etc. This eases the conscience. But, for those who say the baby isn't 'viable', have you ever seen a sonogram of an abortion? You can see the 'non-viable fetus' retracting from the instruments of death and seeking self preservation. It wants to live. Some would respond by saying that even a rodent wants to live. But what is in the womb of the mother is human.
The Bible says for people to protect the weak and down trodden. But with abortionists, the rights of the baby are sacrificed to the rights of the mother -- and the father doesn't even have any rights. The mother cries out that the life in here is part of her body and that she has the right to do with her body as she wills.
True love does not seeks its own, but is other centered. It gives. "For God so loved the world he GAVE his only begotten son..." (John 3:16). Abortion is the ultimate in selfishness. It puts the mother's convenience and desires above the life of her own baby. To kill the baby in the womb means to consider oneself more important than anyone else.
Even in nature, as far as I understand, animals don't kill what is in their own wombs. People are the only ones who kill their young while still unborn. In this society of "self esteem," "personal accomplishments," and "empowerment," true love is losing out and death is winning.
However, there is hope in Jesus. If you've had an abortion, you can be forgiven by the Lord. All you need to do is confess it to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. That is what I did years ago when the girl I lived with became pregnant and had an abortion. I was guilty. As a man, the inner turmoil and guilt I felt was horrible. I can't imagine what it would be like for a woman. Nevertheless, the Lord has graciously forgiven me and her. I say this only in the hopes that others would come to find the sweet forgiveness found in Jesus.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Confirmation: Archaeology confirms the historical references made in the Bible.
- Many scholars used to question the existence of a Roman Governor with the name Pontius Pilate, the procurator who ordered Jesus’ crucifixion. In June 1961 Italian archaeologists led by Dr. Frova were excavating an ancient Roman amphitheatre near Caesarea and uncovered a limestone block. On the face is an inscription, which is part of a larger dedication to Tiberius Caesar and clearly says, “Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea.” This is the only known occurrence of the name Pontius Pilate in any ancient inscription (Fig. 5).
- About a century ago British archaeologist William Ramsay (1851-1939) focused on the book of Acts in an attempt to show it was historically inaccurate. His quest did not turn out as he expected. After decades of research in what is today Israel and Turkey, he carefully retraced the steps of the apostles as described in the book of Acts and shocked the intellectual world when he announced he had converted to Christianity. His confessed change of mind was in great part to his surprise of the accuracy he found in Luke’s narrative in Acts. After decades of examining the historical and geographical details mentioned in Acts, Ramsay concluded: “Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense... In short this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians.” (11 pg. 222) Ultimately Ramsay was knighted for his contributions to the study of archaeology and geography.
- About a century ago British archaeologist William Ramsay (1851-1939) focused on the book of Acts in an attempt to show it was historically inaccurate. His quest did not turn out as he expected. After decades of research in what is today Israel and Turkey, he carefully retraced the steps of the apostles as described in the book of Acts and shocked the intellectual world when he announced he had converted to Christianity. His confessed change of mind was in great part to his surprise of the accuracy he found in Luke’s narrative in Acts. After decades of examining the historical and geographical details mentioned in Acts, Ramsay concluded: “Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense... In short this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians.” (11 pg. 222) Ultimately Ramsay was knighted for his contributions to the study of archaeology and geography.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Pray to Jesus
We are only to pray to God and throughout Scripture we see repeatedly find that individuals "call upon the name of the LORD".
Let us examine the Scriptures closer and see how God is prayed to:
To God--- Psalm 116:4-Then I called upon the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I beseech You, save my life!"
To Jesus--- 1 Corinthians 1:1-2, "Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,…"
To Jesus--- Romans 10:13, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."
A different approach...
To God--- Luke 23:46, "And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit".
To Jesus--- Acts 7:59, "They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!".
A quote from Psalm 31:5, "Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth". King David wrote that this was said to the LORD (YHWH) the God of truth". Jesus prayed it to Father God. Stephen likely knew this prayer was from Psalms (as he quoted it exactly), and he knew it was written by King David and that it was to the LORD God. Yet, in Stephens hour of death, when he was full with the Holy Spirit (7:55), to whom did he pray? "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
The Apostles and believers of the early church prayed to Jesus Christ, I propose each person do the same. Jesus loves you and desires a personal relationship with you; you can talk to Him…
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Thank You L.U.
Liberty University is a distinctly Christian university with a stated mission of training Champions for Christ. It is the largest and fastest growing evangelical University in the world. Students and parents appreciate and support the values of the University.
Officially recognized student clubs and organizations that bear the name of Liberty University are expected to uphold the standards and principles of the University and act in a manner consistent with its mission. For nearly two years the University has been evaluating how best to advance its mission and to support student organizations. In order to avoid the problems encountered by other faith-based educational institutions involving student organizations, Liberty University has adopted a policy that governs such groups.
The policy states, in part: “No student club or organization shall be approved, recognized or permitted to meet on campus, advertise, distribute or post materials, or use University facilities if the statements, positions, doctrines, policies, constitutions, bylaws, platforms, activities or events of such club or organization, its parent, affiliate, chapter or similarly named group are inconsistent or in conflict with the distinctly Christian mission of the University.”
Among other things, Liberty University stands for the sanctity of human life. The loss of human life through abortion is a great tragedy and we cannot remain silent when the political policies or politicians promote the destruction of innocent human life. While students may meet on campus, debate, and discuss important and controversial issues of the day, Liberty University will not lend its name or fund organizations whose stated purpose is to promote and advance issues that are contrary to its Christian mission.
Over the last several decades, Democratic clubs have existed at Liberty University as unofficial student clubs not endorsed by the school. Last Fall, the College Democrats asked that the university officially recognize their club. They promised to support only pro-life candidates and their charter provides that the club supports the right to life. Unfortunately, the club supported candidates over the last 8 months that support abortion rights. As a result, Liberty University converted the club’s status back to that of an unrecognized club. It was not banned as so many press outlets irresponsibly reported. The club can continue to exist and meet on campus like other clubs and student groups that are not officially recognized by the university. They cannot use Liberty University’s name, will not receive the small financial subsidy that officially recognized clubs receive (about $500 per year on average) and they cannot hold public events on campus. There will be no other restrictions on their activities. Liberty University encourages free speech and open debate on its campus and free speech will not be restricted.
Liberty University is not singling out the Democratic Party in this action. If a Republican club supporting abortion sought endorsement from the University, it would be denied. The sanctity of life is one of Liberty University’s non-negotiable core values and it simply cannot lend its name or financial support to any group that actively works against Liberty’s core values.
A student club of Democrats who are pro-life and pro-family, and who are seriously intent on bringing positive change to the Democratic Party, would be refreshing. But the rhetoric must match the actions, meaning that such a club seeking official recognition would not want to endorse policies or candidates contrary to Liberty’s mission. Such a group should state in its’ name its’ distinctive mission to immediately tell the world that this club stands for the core values of Liberty University.
We hope that our students bring positive change to all political parties, not just Democrats, but also Republicans and Independents. These groups could debate many topics, but agree on Liberty’s core values. Liberty will not lend its name and financial support to any club or organization that actively seeks to undermine the mission of the University and its core values.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
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